User Comments - John

Posted on: Chinatown Diary

Oops, yes, you're right. One "和c", and one "还有c".

Yes, your other sentences are also correct! Well done.

Posted on: Dialing a Nonlocal Phone Number

Android phones! That's a good idea. We don't mean to be 偏心 and give Apple all the love! There are also quite a few interesting developments in China around Android phones.

Posted on: Old School Toys

The 真 is optional here, but the expression "别说" is not literally telling anyone not to say anything. To put it another (wordier) way, it would be "不得不承认" ("I have to admit..."). So for the sentence you gave, the translator opted to use "you could say," which is also fine.

Posted on: Lili and Zhang Liang 4: Lovers' Spat

It's definitely the kind of thing that comes more naturally with extended exposure. At some point you might start experimenting with dropping the subject and overdo it a bit. If that happens, then the other party will start asking you who/what you're referring to. Then you know you've gone too far.

Anyway, it comes with time. 慢慢来！

Posted on: Chinatown Diary

That's a good question, but unfortunately the answer is kind of complicated. The simple answer is that you can't just switch 有 with another verb and get a natural sentence every time.

Suppose you used the verb 吃. The most natural sentences would be:

我们吃了a，b,和c。 (We ate a, b, and c) Here the verb doesn't get repeated like 有 does in the original pattern, and there's no 还.

我们吃了a，b,还有c。 (We ate a, b, and also c) So here the verb doesn't get repeated like 有 does in the original pattern.

What if you did it for the future? It works the same way:

我们要吃a，b,和c。 (We're going to eat a, b, and c.)

我们要吃a，b,还有c。 (We're going to eat a, b, and also c.)

If you absolutely insisted on repeating the verb, these are also grammatical sentences which more closely resemble the original pattern:

我们吃了a，吃了b，还吃了c。

我们要吃a，要吃b，还要吃c。

(Of these two, the second one is especially wordy; you're not likely to ever hear this.)

I hope that helps clear it up!

Posted on: Tea Tasting

Don't hold yourself back! Using a new word or phrase all the time right after you learn it is the best way to log it into your long-term memory. Your friends will forgive you for it (as long as all your suggestions aren't too stupid!).

Your sentence is fine. Now go forth and use 要不! :)

Posted on: Concern over a Love Letter

Very good explanation indeed.

Another way to explain it, using translation, is:

不必要 = unnecessary

没必要 = there is no need

Posted on: Concern over a Love Letter

But that's awesome!

Posted on: First Snow of the Winter

When we talked about measure word 场, we mentioned it was for things that exist "on a plane." Hope that didn't confused you!

Posted on: Subway Announcements

light487,

Sorry, I'm not clear on your question. What is the whole sentence you want to say?

"This book" should be 这本书. You will occasionally hear 这书, but it's nonstandard and informal.