User Comments - bodawei
bodawei
Posted on: An Introduction to Chengyu
October 19, 2010 at 1:54 PMHi Chanelle
First, full credit for the name - I didn't see it there in the other thread (unless unconsciously) but you certainly beat me to it! My suggestion is redundant - but maybe that is how it should be with a good name?
On chengyu - I have made it clear that I am not clamouring for lessons so it kind of puts me on the other side of the fence. I don't want them, ChinesePod, distracted from what I consider the good stuff. Everyday Chinese. :)
If I go around here sprouting chengyu I think I would sound more of a dork than I do already. Worse, it would arouse what I will cautiously call 'monkey syndrome'.
But I did want to say that some frequently used chengyu are not strictly speaking considered chengyu. Perhaps they have been used for so long that people have forgotten the charming story behind them?
Anyway - I am not anti-chengyu, although it possibly reminds me of my level. I did really enjoy some books on idioms - that is the way I enjoy chengyu. I remember enjoying the book but not the idiom.
Posted on: Doing Business in the Bath House
October 19, 2010 at 6:10 AM'What goes on in a Chinese bath house?'
The lesson does not actually answer this question although it does sketch out an entertaining fantasy. I have spent a day in one of these places (which I wouldn't call a bath house, more a spa or resort) - what did I find? It is mainly people having fun, doing a bit of relaxing with friends. Plenty of family groups. The place I went to had about 40 outside baths each with some special feature (eg. ginseng, wine). And hot sand you could bury yourself in. Then come in for showers, put on their 'house' underwear (you are not allowed to wear your own clothes) and wander the lounges getting tea and nibbles and a massage. Or watching movies. Either a back massage or a foot massage was included for the basic 100 RMB for the day. You pay extra for meals, and of course to stay overnight was about another 100. The rooms may have mineral waters plumbed in to your room. We went in a big group and went elsewhere for lunch (meals are fairly expensive.)
Posted on: An Introduction to Chengyu
October 19, 2010 at 5:56 AMI think they should sub-contract the job to Changye - in my mind it has the working title: Chengyu with Changye. (Following the success of Poems with Pete.) Changye would come out of retirement for that if they pitch it right, and throw in some goodies for the little plump dog.
I heard something interesting last night from native speakers I was with - no-one uses chengyu any more. Sadly it is seen as a decline in the culture. It took a hit in that weird 60s period and has never really recovered. If you want to use chengyu daily you need to live in Taiwan.
Posted on: Doing Business in the Bath House
October 19, 2010 at 3:37 AMGetting your head around this part of the culture is difficult primarily because there is nothing quite like this in the West; certainly not in the quantity available in China.
This leads to translation difficulty - I think 'bath house' is misleading - 1. because in the West this is an entirely different facility and 2. because in China the most common facility for taking a bath or shower is not remotely like the facility described here.
The place described in this lesson is probably closest to what we call a 'resort' in Australia, (the word resort includes places where facilities are all under one roof.)
Where I live in China the kind of facility described here is called a 温泉 - the baths, showers, massage, TV, entertainment areas, and a hotel - people commonly stay overnight.
Posted on: An Introduction to Chengyu
October 18, 2010 at 1:25 PMHi holothurian
I met a couple of TV people recently, and this week I am going to visit a station to watch a show being shot. Hmm, too late for that lesson I'm afraid. I have also learnt a little bit about the business here, eg. production, ratings, remuneration, so it's my pet interest at the moment.
Posted on: Walking the Bird
October 18, 2010 at 8:14 AM在这里他们说‘来一笼包子’，笼是量词，在上海一样吗？
Posted on: Transportation Card
October 17, 2010 at 2:48 PMWhat about 找押金？
There is a discount normally - in my city the fare using a card varies from 70% - 90% of full price depending on the bus company. The 交通卡 works across all bus companies, and one 'trip' allows two hours of travel so you can change buses without losing money on your card a second time.
Posted on: Weekend Warriors
October 17, 2010 at 12:22 PMYour best bet is just to listen to how native speakers use it. Three year old Chinese kids seem to have it down pat.
If you want something more systematic than that I can tell you that the dictionary (现代汉语词典) has only two uses classified (which is encouraging) but several sample sentences (discouraging.)
The uses are:
1. Indicates a completed action.
2. Indicates a change in state.
You need to read samples in the various dictionaries available (try nciku and MDBG on line and the glossary on this site) to get a sense of these definitions, and then start practising it.
Oh, my other (electronic) dictionary has six uses classified. :(
Never mind, just focus on these first two for a start.
Posted on: An Introduction to Chengyu
October 17, 2010 at 4:05 AM阿！我当然自找麻烦！我的著作很差。
真的，所有的女人都是强的’。但我觉得'all the woman are strong, all the teachers are good-looking and all the poddies are above average'说得不恰当qiàdàng (doesn't sound quite right)。There is double-counting for a start. :)
Posted on: Walking the Bird
October 19, 2010 at 2:16 PMThey may well be Australian parrots - our birds are clever enough to learn Chinese. :) I was in a Shanghai pet shop once and found myself transported back to the homeland. ‘鸟类是不是从澳洲来'？ '是。当然是。' I don't think it's legal.