User Comments - orkelm
orkelm
Posted on: Most Frequently Asked Question in China
December 12, 2007 at 10:07 PMThanks Clay, good to hear someone from Texas actually say the words. My question is if Chinese will understand if I say, De2 Zhou1 instead of Dekesasi? And how do they know that we're not from Germany? Isn't that also De2? Amber, how will I say, "I was born in Canada, but I live in Texas."? See, I've got the best of both worlds, born in Canada, live in Texas!!! Orlando
Posted on: Hold the MSG
December 11, 2007 at 12:36 AMGrammar/Usage question: Similar to not wanting MDG, how does one say that they can't have something. For example if someone for religious reasons doesn't drink, how would they say that? I assume that "buyao he jiu" wouldn't be enough because it might be thought of as just not wanting any right now. Thanks in advance.
Posted on: Chinese Breakfast
December 4, 2007 at 9:12 PMThe nice thing about newbie lessons is that I can ask newbie-level questions. Since I've never been to China or Taiwan, when I finally do make it (later this month as a matter of fact), how will I eat/drink dou jiang? Is that a spoon in that bowl? Do I pick it up a drink out of the bowl? Man I've got a lot to learn still!!! Orlando
Posted on: How is business?
November 6, 2007 at 5:51 PMWow, and to think that the Latin root for "negocio" (business in Spanish) is neg = negation, ocio = pleasure. So, business is the negation of pleasure, where I guess it is more pleasant to not to have to go to work. Sounds like Shengyi and the whole meaning of life thing is on the other side of the spectrum!
Posted on: Pumpkin Food
October 29, 2007 at 9:23 PMAdding to the pumpkin comments, here in Texas it is so humid that most of us "paint" our pumpkins instead of "carving" them. That way, instead of going rotten in 2 or 3 days, they can stay good for months. It embarrasses my children, but I've had painted pumpkins that have lasted on our shady cool front porch until March. Happy Halloween. Orlando
Posted on: How many people are in your family?
October 24, 2007 at 12:27 AMWow Jenny, what an amazing observation. Somehow it is more shocking to think of no aunts and uncles than it is to think of no brothers and sisters.
Posted on: The Stingy Boss
August 8, 2007 at 1:50 PMMa fan, sorry for the barely elementary question here. I see 'zhen da fang' (really generous) and 'hen xiaoqi' (very stingy). Are 'zhen' and 'hen' fairly interchangable? It might be as simple as really/very, but as I said, it's an elementary question. Thanks, Orlando
Posted on: Confession of Love
July 10, 2007 at 9:00 PMMarcosbento, Cool, in Portuguese the word "doido" means "crazy". As a Portuguese-based language, my guess is that "Mi é dodo na bo" means "I am crazy for you." Orlando
Posted on: Reduplication of Verbs
June 16, 2007 at 4:23 PMAmber, the nice thing about having you record Qing Wen is that now we get to hear your Canadian accent! I was actually born in Calgary, but over 40 years in the US tends to destroy whatever Canadian accent I ever had. Yours is alive and well, and beautiful, however! Orlando
Posted on: Most Frequently Asked Question in China
December 14, 2007 at 3:42 PMAmber, Clay, Chances are that you'll be out of town, but I will be in Shanghai from Dec. 27 - Jan 3. I've already got a scheduled visit with JP over at SpanishPod (that's on for Dec. 31). Steve Williams and I were hoping to get together too. If you are around, I'd love to compare our "aboot" and "ya'll".