User Comments - pearltowerpete
pearltowerpete
Posted on: Excited About Traveling
August 18, 2009 at 3:48 AMHi all
The word 玩 wan2 encompasses a lot in Chinese. It can mean "to play" (although not in the sense of "playing basketball" or other ball games, which instead use 打 da3). It can also mean "to have fun" or even "to have fun with (some game or joke)"：
玩儿鬼脸 to make funny faces (literally "ghost faces")
So the common translation "to play" often comes up short.
Posted on: 沙漠寻踪五
August 18, 2009 at 3:09 AMHi xiaophil,
I'm sorry for the inconvenience this has caused you. In the future we will be more careful to make sure the list and lesson are in synch.
Posted on: Is China Scary?
August 18, 2009 at 3:07 AMHi chrysegle,
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. As the CPod translator, I am not involved with designing the review questions. But I have forwarded your concerns to the rest of the CPod team.
In the future, if you have a problem using the site, or a suggestion for improvement, you can contact our customer support team.
If you have a question or comment about a translation, please post on the appropriate lesson board, or send me a personal message.
Thanks again for taking the time to help us make CPod even better.
Posted on: Qipao Dresses and Marathons in China
August 18, 2009 at 1:20 AMHi kimiik,
Good observation. The richness of the Chinese language is a constant source of delight.
Posted on: Earlier and Later than Expected: 才and 就
August 17, 2009 at 5:35 AMHi clairebaer
I studied for two years as an undergrad (at SUNY Albany) and then for one year at the International Cultural Exchange School at Fudan University in Shanghai. The year at Fudan was where I made the most progress. In my opinion, if you want to study modern Chinese, your best bet is a year at a language program in Greater China.
I don't have a lot of experience with graduate study of Chinese in the States, but a few of my classmates have had good times at Columbia, Harvard and Indiana University. With grad study you can narrow it down a bit-- do you want to study modern Chinese media, classical poetry, philosophy, etc.
If you have any more questions about this, please start a discussion in the community section-- maybe we can attract input from other poddies with experience in graduate-level Chinese studies.
Posted on: Earlier and Later than Expected: 才and 就
August 17, 2009 at 2:51 AMHi clairebaer
Actually I've studied Chinese for five years now. August 30 is my Chinaversary.
Posted on: Traditional Chinese Medicine
August 17, 2009 at 2:40 AMHi bababardwan,
Changye's explanation is accurate and useful as always. I would add that we really don't know whether 小王 is male or female. So if I had translated this sentence, I would have kept it as "Xiao Wang.”
Posted on: Pregnancy Series 9: Here Comes the Baby!
August 17, 2009 at 2:23 AMHi alexyze
I read about that, too. 了不起 is one way of describing it-- 非常可怕 is another!
Hi karentom,
Congratulations! We're all glad to be of service.
Hi user7435
I will pass your feedback along to the rest of the team. Thank you for sharing.
Posted on: Qipao Dresses and Marathons in China
August 18, 2009 at 5:12 AMHi mer13l
Welcome to the Great Wall Fraternity. And yes, suxiaoya puts mere mortals like us to shame.
And the Internet is terrible for us here in Shanghai, as well.