User Comments - light487
light487
Posted on: Formal Introduction
May 2, 2008 at 9:09 AM@jumpinggene: I had a similar issue not long ago. I believe it has a lot to do with the final that comes after the initial "x". I used to pronounce the X as it is written in pronunciation guides: sh.. but I have found the same thing, that it is actually more common to hear it as a very short version of "sh" which is almost just "s". It's not quite "s" though.. because then there would be no difference between 西 - xī - west; and 四 - sì - 4 apart from the tones. I pronounce "Xiexie" as shyeh-shyeh but with the h almost not existing.. so it's about halfway between syeh and shyeh.. It's hard to explain I guess.. I've been sitting here for about 10 minutes pronouncing Xiexie, trying to put into words the sound I am making to explain it exactly.. but I just can't..
Posted on: Ending your sentence with 啊 & 呀 (a & ya)
May 1, 2008 at 12:42 PMbù hǎo grrr.. :) hěn hǎo argh! :)
Posted on: Formal Introduction
May 1, 2008 at 12:11 PMAhh.. an error on my part most definitely. Thanks for fixing that up for me, rich. I get my tones mixed up a lot, especially when dealing with words that not only sound similar but also have similar meanings.
Posted on: Months
May 1, 2008 at 12:09 PM不 去 bù qù I would have thought that this actually means "not" in this context? As in "Not going/leaving" rather than simply "no".
Posted on: Formal Introduction
May 1, 2008 at 9:15 AMnǐn - is the formal version of "you" nǐn guì xìng? - the form version of "What's your name?" (although this is referring to Surname not first name of course.) The informal of course is: nǐ - the informal version of "you" nǐ jiào shénme? - means: What's your name? Plural: nǐmen - both informal and formal version of "them/they" My question is whether this same formality applies to the family hierarchy as well? That is, the youngest sister (měimei) is the lowest in the hierarchy and paternal grandfather (zǔfù) is the highest. Obviously if the great-grandfather is still living, he would be even higher on the list. Or is this nǐn more for when you are greeting someone outside your family?.. Also, I read a few things about the way you should act as well. For example, you should nod with a slight bow when you greet someone you are showing respect to. Not a deep bow like the Japanese do but there should be some indication of you bowing your head at least in a sign of respect. Also, I read that someone of high social standing would not shake hands with someone of a much lower social standing. How correct are these statements in general?
Posted on: Paris
May 1, 2008 at 8:45 AMIs Spain or Mexico City on here..? Could get JP to sit in on it if it hasn't already been done.
Posted on: Months
May 1, 2008 at 4:33 AMWell.. When the free 7 day trial expires you will still be able to make use of the listening and discussing part of the site.. but you won't be able to access the PDFs or extra stuff like Vocab, Expansion etc without paying the subscription price. I hope that answers your question. The simple answer is.. yes you can learn here permanently.
Posted on: Yoga
April 30, 2008 at 12:49 PMI can't really understand a lot at this level but I love the music of Jenny's speech. It is like a beautiful bird singing in the forest... and the fact that I can understand a little here and there makes it like sitting amongst the fallen autumn leaves and almost knowing what the bird is singing... I like that John speaks a little English and a little Chinese at this level. It's just enough English to get the gist of what is being said and all in all, very enjoyable to just sit and listen. Thank you all ChinesePOD staff for making this happen.
Posted on: No Kidding
April 30, 2008 at 9:47 AM第二是大便。第一是小便。哈哈！:) 谢谢，你是第一Amber! :) - 路加
Posted on: Crosstalk and Labor Day Holiday
May 2, 2008 at 9:11 AM@jdubbiking: Do you mind if I "steal" some of these pictures for Facebook groups "The Jenny Zhu Appreciaion Society" as well as "We (Heart) Amber"? qǐngwèn - What's that funky music at the start of the show? Is that something you selected personally, Amber? It seems to fit in with your personality... :) Hehe.. 1 week is kind of short for a proper holiday. I read that the Chinese New Year holiday actually went for 15 days, isn't that right?.. qīngwèn Jenny - Are you travelling by train to your holiday destination? hee hee.. :>