User Comments - foleadu
foleadu
Posted on: Event Times
March 9, 2008 at 6:25 AMHi Calkins, I think the 了 here refers to a recent change, something like 'it has gotten so late'. However, the second 了 in the sentence (他应该走了) indicates that something will happen in the near future. That said, the first 了 could have a similar meaning - 'It is getting late'. I think it all depends on context. The structure 这么+adj is pretty common: 这么贵 (It's so expensive) 这么早 (It's so early) 这么漂亮 (It's so beautiful)
Posted on: Saved by the Gong: History
March 9, 2008 at 5:24 AMThat reminds me... I recently found a textbook called 中华成语故事 （Stories from Chinese Idioms) which is in the 中华故事系列 series (Chinese Stories Series). Each lesson presents an idiom and the story behind, plus giving some examples of how to use it. (Other books in the series focus on Chinese fables, history, and mythology). The level is intermediate - I recommend them to anyone looking for good reading practice or anyone interested in stories and culture. To Chinesepod - have you considered doing a similar lesson series, each time presenting one useful idiom and the story behind it? This could be a useful way to slowly introduce idioms to Intermediate / Upper-Int learners.
Posted on: Saved by the Gong: History
March 9, 2008 at 5:16 AMWhat a great lesson! You guys (and gals!) at Cpod have some fun ideas for presenting topics. I would love to hear Cpod lessons on these school subjects: - health / human biology - economics - chinese literature - western literature - world geography - music (could have a band/choir class) - PE/sports - chemistry / physics - more Chinese history - using computers (could be a good way to teach vocab like 'click the icon', 'minimize the window', etc) Looking forward to more lessons in this useful and interesting series!
Posted on: Registering with the Police Station
February 22, 2008 at 8:36 AMI had the same question as nic0las. I've never heard of being able to download forms. It seems the police always want you to do this in person. The places I've worked have generally done the registering for me. I only had to do it on my own when I needed a visa extension. The police give you a minor scolding for not having done it when you first arrived. Otherwise, no problem, just paperwork. Anyway, this was a useful lesson. I just registered recently and all the vocabulary in the dialogue definitely comes up in real life.
Posted on: Getting Dressed
November 30, 2007 at 3:36 AMThanks Amber. The difference between using 在 and 着 is a bit confusing to me (also, 正在). Sounds like a good topic for QingWen :)
Posted on: Winter Fun
November 30, 2007 at 3:33 AMclay, it's working now, thanks.
Posted on: Winter Fun
November 30, 2007 at 3:32 AMIn the dialogue, why is the character for 'cold' (冷) very different from the way it is printed in Word or in my dictionary? I thought it was a different character at first.
Posted on: Winter Fun
November 30, 2007 at 3:14 AMThe dialogue mp3 just turned into chipmunks! The lesson mp3 seems fine.
Posted on: Winter Fun
November 30, 2007 at 3:12 AMI have been to Shanghai's 室内滑雪场 many times. It's a lot of fun if you haven't done much skiing before, though after a couple of hours the choice of only three slopes gets a little dull. But, I love the fact that I could go skiing all year round. Also, watching a lot of Chinese trying out skiing for the first time is quite fun. Are there places to 溜冰 in Shanghai?
Posted on: 八卦周刊：大闹现场
March 10, 2008 at 9:35 AMHi, I still get chipmunks on the full episode (though not the dialogue). I'm using Firefox. I cleared the cache, but no change. Any suggestions?