User Comments - jennyzhu

Posted on: Buying on Taobao

Of course, demographics is an important factor in choosing Chinese or foreign sites. Age, education, occupation and exposure to global culture largely determine user's choice.    

Posted on: Buying on Taobao

I remember thinking 'it's suicide' when taobao first launched. Ebay had already begun its operation in China and was the undisputed global leader. There were a lot of doubts and cynicism towards taobao. But time after time, China's internet market proved to be a very different place. Home grown websites seem to triumph over global guggernauts in all categories, be it online shopping (taobao vs. ebay), search engine (baidu vs. google), social networking (xiaonei or kaixin vs. facebook and myspace). Maybe it takes Chinese to know how Chinese interact. But with more experience in China and the right mix of technological capacity with local talent and market insights, foreign players are catching up. 

Posted on: Lesson Preview, New Team Member

pretzellogic,

We continuously receive and use topics from users, because they reflect real needs and situations from real life. Cpod's own foreign staff is also another resource. The kind of topics we choose reflect the different level of language ability and their relevant communicational needs. Newbie and ele tackle the 'survival Chinese'. As the level goes up, the scope of topics broadens and deepens. In fact, we do find it quite challenging to come up with fresh topics at newbie level (we also rediscover used topics in a different angle), because the level obviously constraints the scope and depth of the topic. I imagine your question might reflect that. When you say 'a broader list' of topics, are you talking about all of the levels as a whole, or mostly newbie and ele?

Thoughts (and topic suggestions) welcomed! 谢谢!

Posted on: ID Check at the Internet Cafe

We use the word 网吧/wang3 ba1/ for internet cafes. 吧 as in 酒吧/jiu3 ba1, bar. Ken has a wonderful analysis in an earlier lesson on internet cafe where he said 吧 now is associated with a place to lounge around and hang out. You see it used metaphorically in words like 帖吧/tie1 ba1/web post forum.  

Posted on: Lesson Preview, New Team Member

I think Pete has a mild Taiwanese accent (hitokiri'6993 picked up).

Posted on: Street Food Buffet

You can't help but feeling invigorated by the sheer energy of the vendors, the street, the passers by that make up this chaotic yet magical country. The entrepreneurialship common in many Chinese is so obvious and vividly captured in the video. With their wok tossing and gas flame, these vendors certainly help make life flaovorful in Shanghai.

Posted on: F1 in China

Here's the “上” track.

Posted on: F1 in China

Formula 1 enetered China in early 90's and has built a sizable fan base. The state broadcaster CCTV broadcasts every race live throughout the season. Racers and the race are very popular here. The Shanghai stop always draws a big crowd from all over China. But Motor GP, which had a Shanghai stop since 3 years ago will cancel its presence in China from this year due to lackluster reception.

Posted on: Come on up!

light487,

Please let me come up is 请让我上来。/Qing3 rang4 wo3 shang4 lai2. 让/rang4 means 'let'.

missworldtraveller,

Do you mean the modal particle 呢/ne？Its function is to state the obvious, emphasise. Or do you mean 了/le? While 了is used to create past tense, it's rarely used in negative form as the action didn't take place. Mr. Wang hasn´t arrived yet is 王先生还没来。

Posted on: Come on up!

Frances,

In China, the ground floor is the first floor.