User Comments - John
John
Posted on: I can't find my glasses!
October 11, 2007 at 4:37 AMJack, 刚才 is one word, an adverb that precedes a verb and means "just now" in the sense of "I just did it" or "I did it just now." 刚 is closely related to 刚才, and is a single word. 才 is also a single word, and is a complex adverb. In this usage, it adds the meaning of having "only just" recently happened. So with 才刚 you're actually dealing with two words, each of which could be used separately. With 刚才 it's one word. I hope that's enough of an explanation without being too confusing!
Posted on: Wang Wei's Diary: Food and Girls
October 10, 2007 at 8:31 AM@AZERDocMom: Some people are having a cache issue. (I see the correct photo.) Try refreshing. @mysticpic: I see your picture just fine...
Posted on: Fighting over the Bill
October 10, 2007 at 8:21 AMmarygrace, Good questions. Let me get right to them. (1) American Express is not really accepted in China, but if you want to try, it's called 美国运通 (Měiguó Yùntōng) in Chinese, so to ask if it's accepted you would say: 美国运通信用卡能用吗？ (Měiguó Yùntōng xìnyòngkǎ néng yòng ma?) You probably want to show them your card when you ask, though, because it's very unlikely that you'll find a place that supports Amex in China. (2) Yes, you should probably treat if you've already been treated twice, but there are really so many factors involved. Also, it's likely that there's no reason to feel bad. A particularly generous friend might be able to overcome all your protests and treat you over and over and be really happy about it. (3) Yes, some people will always be expected to treat. If a boss has a dinner for employees, the boss should pay. If people are visiting from out of town (for business or pleasure), their host should treat. And as for young people, who may be financially incapable of treating, they can usually expect to be treated as well. (4) Gifts are rarely a bad idea. :)
Posted on: #19
October 10, 2007 at 7:56 AMYes, we have slain the chipmunks. Now how about those movie guesses??
Posted on: Treating and Foreigners on TV
October 9, 2007 at 2:44 AMAZERDocMom, Much to our dismay, Amber is still on vacation, and will be until next week. :(
Posted on: Death by Ninja
October 9, 2007 at 2:03 AModaneng, Yeah, the 儿话 was sort of a strange addition. I like to think that maybe it was a result of a sword in his gut. :)
Posted on: Death by Ninja
October 9, 2007 at 2:00 AMAZERDocMom, A marine animals lesson is a good idea indeed.
Posted on: Finding the Teacher
October 9, 2007 at 1:50 AMsebire, 我就是 (wǒ jiùshì) and 我是 (wǒ shì) are somewhat interchangeable, but in this case 我就是 (wǒ jiùshì) is way more common and natural. You should just memorize it as your response to "is [you] there?" The feeling is that if someone is looking for you, but they're asking YOU where YOU are, it's natural to emphasize in your response that "I AM that person you're looking for." That emphasis is the 就 (jiù).
Posted on: Finding the Teacher
October 9, 2007 at 1:41 AMJeff, The Grammar Guide is getting a technical overhaul to make it more flexible and robust. Sorry to make you wait...
Posted on: Fighting over the Bill
October 11, 2007 at 7:22 AMMexicoBob, Sorry, but none of us are aware of any gesture which indicates tight-fistedness. I guess that's another reason for you to love (Mexican) Spanish. :)