User Comments - pearltowerpete
pearltowerpete
Posted on: Mexico City
February 5, 2009 at 9:12 AMHi matthewfelgate
You can say 莎莎舞。I've never heard anyone say 萨尔撒 but there are often varitions in newly-arrived 外来词.
I think your idea for translating burrito as 小驴卷 is great. I wonder what the real connection between that food and donkeys is? Better go over to SpanishPod and find out!
Posted on: Stop in the Name of the 法 (fǎ)
February 5, 2009 at 8:35 AMHi huai_houzi and fatgaz
Sorry for the delayed reply. I did not see the question earlier. If you ever ask a question and one of us does not answer within a day or so, please send me a personal message.
In the example of 走路, generally people would just say 他走路的姿势（zi1shi4 - posture) 很怪.
But you can add a 法 after many, many verbs. There are no cut-and-dried rules, so you really just have to experiment and see which ones are commonly used.
Posted on: Talking with Numbers
February 5, 2009 at 5:36 AMHi coljac
Very interesting! That is actually the most convincing explanation, to my ears.
We have these kinds of disputes over the origins of words and slang in English, too, by the way. Think of Napoleon allegedly saying that pumpernickel was only good enough to give to his horse-- "bon pour Nicole" etc.
Posted on: Talking with Numbers
February 5, 2009 at 5:28 AMHi mbreakstone
Good question. 吧 is a little tricky to use properly, and it depends on the context. Sometimes it softens your tone, sometimes it expresses some uncertainty.
I asked Jiaojie and Connie whether anyone would just say 去死 or 去死啊 and they agreed that you really should have the 吧.
Jiaojie said, as you suggested, that you can think of it as advice-- Why don't you go to Hell?!
Posted on: February Update
February 5, 2009 at 1:17 AMHi dunder哭mpen and cassie
I'm very sorry to tell you that I have no power to retrieve poddies' drafts. I wish I could help you but there is nothing I can do! I've lost posts that way myself. 真郁闷 -- really depressing.
Posted on: 中国崛起
February 4, 2009 at 11:54 PMHi tvan
This video was made by a grad student at Fudan University. The process and background is described here, and the author now has a regular blog on China at the New Yorker website. Should be worth keeping an eye on.
I agree with you, the criticism of the current leadership is one of the more disturbing elements. Extremist movements often gain popular support by being "more Catholic than the Pope," and criticizing the current authorities for selling out to foreigners. They appeal to a now-tarnished national essence and pride, and vow to bring it back. Sun Yat-sen did this. So did Hitler.
This little movie uses Vangelis' theme from 1492: Conquest of Paradise, the ur-colonialism movie, to glorify China's policies in the west. The irony is delicious.
Posted on: Thoughts on Returning Home 回乡偶书
February 4, 2009 at 8:48 AMHi minymouse
That movie deserves an Oscar, just for that scene.
I'm not sure the song is Baker Street. But that is a piece of cinematic brilliance.
Dear matthias,
That's touching. Thank you both!
Posted on: February Update
February 4, 2009 at 8:33 AMHi licha
I don't understand why poetry is so offensive to you. In China, you will encounter poetry in conversation and in books. It is an important part of the education system, and people do quote it.
CPod has hundreds of practical, daily-life lessons for you to savor. They are useful.
Complaining about things you don't understand is absurd and a bit sad. If you don't like poetry, ignore it. It's your loss.
Posted on: New Clothes
February 4, 2009 at 8:26 AMHi bahjia
Welcome to ChinesePod! Start with the Newbie lessons. They are bite-sized bits that will not overwhelm you. You can find lessons that you are interested in, and that you will use.
Learning characters takes a lot of hard work. I learned by copying the characters, pinyin and English words that I heard in CPod broadcasts, confirming and expanding the words with my dictionaries. I would review at least once per week.That method is old-school and not fashionable these days. But I found it deeply satisfying and quite successful.
Maybe other poddies have more interesting experiences that they would like to share with you. Good luck, and we look forward to your questions and comments on the message boards.
Posted on: Talking with Numbers
February 6, 2009 at 1:20 AMHi xemrac
Thanks for getting involved! We at CPod will be looking forward to your questions and comments!
Hi justin001
西方有的地方有點忌諱13,很多公寓沒有13樓。就算有，租不出去，沒人要住啊！