User Comments - John

Posted on: Learning about Levels

That's great! I think your own learning experiences have shown how one textbook (even well-designed, systematic series) is really inadequate. You need more input, and ChinesePod is there to provide that extra input which helps connect you to modern China.

Posted on: Learning about Levels

That's definitely a good idea. More input is better. Listen to the "dialogue-only" files so that you're not depending on the translations, and then check the translations only if you need them.

Posted on: Learning about Levels

Great to hear! You're very welcome.

Posted on: Learning about Levels

Good point. Another key factor would be over what period of time you studied all those lessons. 3 years versus 3 months would obviously have very different implications.

The progress tab still needs a lot of work, and we appreciate the feedback!

Posted on: Going on a Picnic

bababardwan is correct... We normally do this kind of emphasis with tone of voice in English. It's similar to the difference between the following two questions:

You're Mr. Wang?

YOU're Mr. Wang? (with 就)

Posted on: Revisiting Before and After

前些天 (qián xiē tiān) would be the same as 前几天 (qián jǐ tiān), both meaning "the past few days."

几天前 (jǐ tiān qián) means "a few days ago."

Posted on: Politely Declining an Invitation

It just wouldn't be natural without the "diǎnr" at the end.

Posted on: Revisiting Before and After

You're welcome! :)

(Yes, 锤子 is correct.)

Posted on: A Special Fondness for Jewelry

It could be a fake gun.

Posted on: Using 又 (yòu) and 再 (zài)

Yes. It has not happened as quickly as we originally planned, and other issues have taken priority, but it is still in our plans.