User Comments - John

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John

Posted on: World Cup Talk
June 23, 2010 at 7:05 AM

To be honest, I've been living outside the USA for almost 10 years now, and most of my experiences have been in Florida. So I certainly can't speak for the rest of the country!

Posted on: Getting into the habit with 习惯 (xíguàn)
June 19, 2010 at 5:27 PM

Did we pronounce your name wrong? :)

Posted on: Fun at the Beach
June 17, 2010 at 2:37 AM

Yeah, you can see Japan going through a transition, over the past decade. Some people have taken to the tanned look (although many go overboard), while others still prefer the pale look.

Males in Japan often seem quite a bit darker than females, though. Gender roles seems to be a big part of it.

Posted on: Which tone was that again?
June 17, 2010 at 1:36 AM

My interpretation would probably be something along the lines of what the other users have already said, but I just discussed it with Jiaojie, and she says they feel exactly the same to her. Any differences in tone will come more from tone of voice than choice of 是不是 vs. 是吧.

Posted on: Which tone was that again?
June 17, 2010 at 1:34 AM

化学 (huàxué) is strictly a noun.

Originally, when editing the dialogue, there was talk of 滑滑雪 (huá huáxuě) and the corresponding (and incorrect) *化化学 (huà huàxué), which was translated by Jason as "chem some chemistry." That gave me a good chuckle.

Posted on: Horseback Riding
June 15, 2010 at 7:51 AM

Glad you liked it! This one was yet another response to ChinesePod user lesson requests.

You're right; there are a lot of places to go horseback riding in China. I hear one of the nicest is on the rolling plains of Sichuan.

Posted on: Fun at the Beach
June 14, 2010 at 6:38 AM

I suspect maybe the southern Chinese that are naturally darker are a bit less uptight about getting some sun at the beach.

Posted on: World Cup and Diamonds
June 13, 2010 at 2:13 AM

Sorry, no. We did it more 1-2 years ago.

Posted on: Rome
June 11, 2010 at 6:00 AM

Most people just call it: 徐家汇天主教堂 (Xújiāhuì Tiānzhǔjiàotáng).

More info here.

Posted on: Suffixes for Describing People
June 10, 2010 at 4:20 AM

Hint taken!