User Comments - jennyzhu
jennyzhu
Posted on: What's in a name?
February 6, 2011 at 6:41 AMI'd just like to say every Chinese name mentioned in this thread is fantastic in both meaning and sound.
Speaking of names, I recently came across a great one--
"李木子". Deconstructing, very post modern.
Posted on: Of Soldiers and Military People
February 6, 2011 at 6:35 AM当兵很辛苦 means life as a soldier is tough. 当兵 here refers to the life being a professional soldier, 辛苦means a lot of hard work, strenuous.
The 当兵in 长大后我想当兵 means "to become a soldier".
To get into the army is "进军队".
Posted on: Switching Seats on a Plane
February 1, 2011 at 8:08 AM靠 comes before the noun, e.g. 靠走廊 (next to the aisle). 旁边 comes after the noun, e.g. 走廊旁边。
Posted on: Switching Seats on a Plane
February 1, 2011 at 8:05 AMYou could say that, but 移动 sounds a bit formal. The more natural expression is "你能不能坐过去一点？"
Posted on: Switching Seats on a Plane
February 1, 2011 at 4:48 AMI would not say 您 is on the decline. It is still used extensively in situations where courtesy and respect are called for, e.g. addressing someone senior in age or rank, or asking for a relatively big favor (one could say changing plane seat is).
Posted on: Dodging Hong Kong Sales Tax
January 25, 2011 at 2:58 PMThanks for the precaution! Tone police is out and about.
Posted on: Airplane Arrival
January 20, 2011 at 9:41 AM点 is the formal expression that appears in weather forecasts or announcements such as this one. The other structure is used in daily conversations.
Posted on: International vs. Local Schools
January 20, 2011 at 9:32 AMMoney is a big factor too. International schools are outrageously expensive. I have a friend from the US who has 5 kids. Since he does not have an expat package, he chose to home school the kids in Shanghai. 家庭学校也是个选择。
Posted on: How to Address Someone
January 17, 2011 at 6:20 AMI had a baby in December and am on maternity leave now. Will be back in spring.
Posted on: Inside the Baozi Business
February 6, 2011 at 6:48 AMA side note about 包子： the verb which means to make baozi is 包/bāo, “包包子"。 包 means to encase things. So for food that has stuffing inside, we generally use the verb 包。For example, 包饺子/bāojiǎozi/to make Chinese dumplings.