User Comments - huasen

Posted on: Changes on ChinesePod

Can't fathom why anyone would have a problem with the new charging policy. This stuff costs money to put together, what on earth makes you think you should get it for free?

Posted on: The My Minefield

I know 老婆 is more usually used, but I just don't like it. It reminds me too much of the English expression 'the old woman', which I'd never dream of using. Not crazy about being referred to as a 老公 either given that it sounds like the word for 'eunuch'.

Is 妻子 an alternative to 老婆, or is that too formal too?

Posted on: Language Power Struggle

Don't get me wrong, I've had far more Chinese people who have been genuinely impressed and appreciative of the fact that I can speak some Chinese. And particularly that I can write a bit. I'm always moved by the smile of appreciation you get from the stewardess when you reply 面条 when she asks you 'rice or noodles'.

But I did, in my early days in China during a mammoth stint in Shanghai airport, once have a conversation with someone who basically advised me to give up because it would be too difficult for me. His English was very good, and he was just being friendly, but there was no mistaking his meaning.

That said, although I have heard this dialogue more than once, I find that even in Beijing in the CBD, where foreigners are hardly a rarity, there is no shortage of opportunities to practice. English speaking taxi drivers are still pretty rare.

Posted on: Language Power Struggle

The line that gets me in this is the 'I think Chinese is very difficult for you'. That one always really stings me. You know it isn't meant but can't dismiss the overtones of 'I think you're really stupid' or 'Contrary to what I just said your Chinese, in fact, sucks.'

Posted on: Fat Camp

Has anyone else had difficulty downloading the transcript? I get a message the file is damaged and can't be repaired.

Posted on: Sneezing

Don't understand why the ti character is so tough to write. It looks like a number of fairly familiar elements.

huasen

PS so that sinosplice page about 月亮代表我的心 is John's! I remember finding that page when I first got interested in Chinese pop music.

Posted on: Do You Remember....

Can't 背 also mean to memorise in order to recite? Eg with poetry.

Don't like to be humourless, and it's obviously gallows humour rather than tastelessness because Clay implies his family has been affected, but the dementia jokes were a bit close to the bone.

Maybe just a difference between a joke you'd make with someone you know, and one you'd broadcast. Or maybe me being oversensitive.

Posted on: #44

Sorry to ask a repetitive question but is Movie Madness coming back. Is it? Is it? Huh? Huh? Huh?

Posted on: Going to the Pharmacy

student case As user44371 says it isn't a keyboard issue, you just need to configure your operating system. It's done differently depending on whether you're using PC or Mac, if you do a search in the help section of your computer for typing special characters then you should find it. Basically you type pinyin and the computer gives you characters to choose from. Obviously you need to know which 'yao' (in the case of this lesson) you want. But typing is a lot easier than handwriting, you don't need to be able to write the character unaided, just recognise it when you see it. It's more like reading than writing in terms of the four skills of learning Chinese. Be prepared for creating some unintended hilarity among your Chinese recipients, because it is quite easy to make mistakes if you don't read it over carefully.

Posted on: #43

Is it just me, or did the answer come round quickly this week？ I haven't got round to listening to the episode yet. 华森