User Comments - bostonphil
bostonphil
Posted on: Stinky Feet
March 12, 2009 at 1:55 PMdunderklumpen, missworldtraveler,
You might want to listen to this episode of Qing Wen regarding how to say "Sorry".
http://chinesepod.com/lessons/saying-sorry/discussion
Posted on: Watch Out!
March 9, 2009 at 1:28 PMChangye,
Are you familiar with the saying "If all you have is lemons, make lemonade"? If you have misfortunes, try to find a way to turn them to a more positive outcome.
This might be close to the sentiment you are looking for.
Posted on: You First
February 10, 2009 at 3:01 PMPete,
Going further on the use of 先 (xian1), does that make the literal meaning of the term for mister (先生）(xian1 sheng) "first born"?
Posted on: Hungry Traveler: Hangzhou
December 25, 2008 at 2:58 PMBababardwan,
Thank you for sharing the pictures of West Lake. I particluarly liked the winter scene. Looks a little like what we have here in Boston.
Best Holiday wishes to all.
Posted on: 世界经济危机
October 24, 2008 at 2:03 PMtvan,
Check this link on the issue of "danger and opportunity". It might be what you are asking.
http://www.pinyin.info/chinese/crisis.html
Posted on: Salt and Pepper
October 22, 2008 at 12:43 PMMikeinewshot,
Thanks you for sharing the website. It seems like it will be helpful in learning to read hanzi.
Posted on: The Boy That Cried Wolf
October 13, 2008 at 1:18 PMChangye,
Your comment is astute. It suggests an update to a famous saying:
Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.
Fool me three times, consider a career in politics.
Posted on: I'm Married
June 1, 2008 at 12:30 PMLinguisticpotato,
You may be thinking of "Good Morning, Shanghai" - see this link.
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Chun_Bai_Zhi_Lian
It ran on AZN-TV here in the states. I sure do miss them.
Posted on: Gymnastics
October 20, 2007 at 11:57 AMuser11695, The "le" particle indicates a completed action. In this case the action is not completed - the meeting has not started - consequently you don't use "le". I think the general rule is you never use "le" if you are modifying the verb with "mei" or "bu".
Posted on: Zombies!
March 13, 2009 at 12:26 PMWith regard to the other misunderstood group of monsters, I just came acccross this story about medieval "vampires".
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-science/20090312/SCIENCE-US-ITALY-VAMPIRE/
I believe the notion of "zombies" comes from Haiti and Voodoo.
Back in my youth (1950s) they were portrayed more as victims than as monsters. Their souls were stolen by evil magicians who used them a slaves. The master was the guy you really had to fear. They had no choice, no self-volition. What was sacry was that he could make anyone a zombie - even you.
As I recall, the only way to free them was to fill their mouths with salt and sew their eyes and lips shut while they slept.
I guess their situation wasn't scary enough - or cinematic enough - and so they became relentless flesh eaters.
You have to wonder about the socio-political implications of the change in how they are viewed now.