User Comments - pearltowerpete
pearltowerpete
Posted on: Import/Export
January 15, 2009 at 1:52 AMHi desmondlee,
Yes, you could definitely put the 最近 at the beginning.
In fact, some modern Taiwanese will put expressions of time (最近， 先, etc.) at the end of a sentence, but it sounds odd to the vast majority of Chinese speakers.
Posted on: Guess what I'm learning?
January 15, 2009 at 1:49 AMHi chenggwo,
CPod teaches standard Mandarin. In any given lesson you may encounter a certain pattern more common in a particular region. But on the whole, our goal is to provide a well-rounded picture of Chinese.
The 吗 ma and ...不... constructions are used throughout China.
Thanks for asking. We'll look forward to seeing you around on the forums.
Posted on: 敬老院之争
January 15, 2009 at 1:21 AMHi hailun
Thanks for your comment. I basically like your translation of 清福 and so I've changed the vocab list to reflect it.
But I think translating 护理师 as "caretaker" is fine. To me, "caretaker" calls to mind a nurse (or even a devoted relative) who cares for someone sick or dying. At least in America, you can find "caretakers" in hospices, hospitals and nursing homes.
I agree that the same word can sometimes be used for someone who looks after a building. But in my mind, a better word is "custodian."
Again, thanks for your comments. I'll look forward to seeing you around on the forums.
Posted on: Happiness Candy
January 14, 2009 at 9:46 AMHi chris,
Thanks for sharing your story. I'm really surprised to hear that the candy was more expensive than a banquet for 200 people!
At those prices, it would make sense to buy your candy in bulk and get some 双喜 boxes printed, and package it yourself.
Posted on: Seeing Somebody to the Door
January 14, 2009 at 3:03 AMHi vagabondpilgrim
Good question. Although 慢走 can be translated as "Good-bye," it's actually closer to "don't be a stranger, now." So you can't use it for hanging up the phone or in closing an email.
We will have a lesson on stuff people say when hanging up the phone in a few days (there's a whole big ritual to it!)
For closing an email, you can't really go wrong with
致
礼！
It is a bit formal but works well. Some people (usually women and girls) do stuff like 天天快乐，事事如意 and so on.
Posted on: Seeing Somebody to the Door
January 14, 2009 at 1:09 AMHi monica5
You got it!
And just a reminder, all poddies are welcome to swing by for a visit whenever you are in Shanghai.
Posted on: Buying Jade
January 13, 2009 at 9:50 AMHi kimiik
Great stuff! The 碧 bì in 雪碧 xuěbì (Sprite) is also jade-- easily recognizable because of the 石 and 玉.
But I guess I'd prefer some of that excellent wine...
Posted on: Stop in the Name of the 法 (fǎ)
January 13, 2009 at 9:32 AMHi sing_karaoke,
I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed the lesson. I'm not sure about an entire lesson on 声音, but I can do you one better： let's look at it now.
声音 means "sound," or "voice."
So for example, you can say that 王菲的声音超好听 -- Faye Wong has a lovely voice (which she does).
Or if someone has the TV on too loud, you can say 能不能把声音调低一点 -- could you please turn it down?
Thanks for your comment and your question. We'll look forward to seeing you around on the forums.
Posted on: Will you Marry Me?
January 15, 2009 at 2:34 AMHi jennyw10
三生的意思就是 “前世，今生， 未来，” 缘定三生的意思就是你不仅今天想跟某人在一起，以前也是，甚至是以后也想陪伴他。跟那个人很有缘分。