Friday, November 16, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Chinese language - fable - 黔驴技穷
过去贵州(黔)这个地方没有驴。有个多事的人用船运来了一头驴，运来后却没有什么用处，就把驴放到山脚下。
落得如此下场 got such a bad ending (a popular phrase in story telling)
Please feel free to post questions!
一只老虎看见了驴，以为这个躯体高大的家伙一定很神奇，就躲在树林里偷偷观察着，后来又悄悄走出来，小心翼翼地接近驴，不知道驴子的底细。
有一天，驴叫了一声，
老虎大吃一惊，远远躲开，以为驴要咬自己了，非常恐惧。然而，老虎反复观察以后，觉得驴并没有什么特殊本领，而且越来越熟悉驴的叫声了。
老虎开始走到驴的前后，转来转去，还不敢上去攻击驴。以后，老虎慢慢逼近驴，越来越放肆，或者碰它一下，或者靠它一下，不断冒犯它。驴非常恼怒，就用蹄子去踢老虎。
老虎心里盘算着：“你的本事也不过如此罢了！”非常高兴。于是老虎腾空扑去，大吼一声，咬断了驴的喉管，啃完了驴的肉，才离去了。
唉！那驴的躯体高大，好像有德行；声音洪亮，好像有本事。假如不显出那有限的本事，老虎虽然凶猛，也会存有疑虑畏惧的心理，终究不敢攻击它。现在落得如此下场，不是很可悲吗？
Please check useful tools at http://daytodaychinese.net/ToolsLink.aspx
Text annotation http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/annotation.html
Text annotation http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/annotation.html
Text reading http://www.mutouyu.com/speech.html
Notes:
过去(in the past)贵州(黔)(a province in China)这个地方(this place)没有(doesn't have)驴(donkey)。有个(there's)多事的(meddlesome)人(person)用船运(ship by boat)来了一头驴，运来后(after arrival)却(but)没有什么用处(no use whatsoever)，就(so, and)把驴放到(put donkey to)山脚下(at the foot of a mountain)。
In the past there's no donkey in Guizhou (old name Qian) area. Some meddlesome guy shipped in one donkey by boat, but found no use of it after arrival, so put it at the foot of a mountain.
一只老虎(a tiger)看见了(see, spot)驴，以为(think)这个躯体(body)高大(big and tall)的家伙(guy)一定(must)很(very)神奇(miraculous)，就躲(hide)在树林里偷偷(stealthily)观察着(observing)，后来又悄悄(quietly)走出来，小心翼翼(carefully)地接近驴，不知道驴子的底细(exact details)。
A tiger spotted donkey, believed this big tall guy must be miraculous, hid itself in the woods observing in secret. Then came out quietly, approach donkey cautiously, not knowing its exact details.
A tiger spotted donkey, believed this big tall guy must be miraculous, hid itself in the woods observing in secret. Then came out quietly, approach donkey cautiously, not knowing its exact details.
观察(observe) 观察着(observing) ...着 (in the process of ...)
有一天(one day)，驴叫了一声，老虎大吃一惊(startled)，远远躲开，以为驴要咬(bite)自己了，非常恐惧(scared)。然而，老虎反复观察以后，觉得(think, feel)驴并没有什么特殊(special)本领(capability)，而且(and)越来越(more and more)熟悉(be familiar with)驴的叫声了。
One day, donkey brayed. Tiger was startled, and ran far way to hide, fearing donkey was going to bite. However, after repeated observations, tigers didn't think donkey got any special capabilities, and was more and more used to its brays.
老虎开始(begin)走到驴的前后(front and back)，转来转去，还不敢(dare)上去攻击(attack)驴。以后(later)，老虎慢慢逼近(close in on)驴，越来越放肆(impudent, disrespectful)，或者(or)碰(touch, bump)它一下，或者靠(lean on to)它一下，不断(nonstop)冒犯(offend)它。驴非常恼怒(angry)，就用蹄子(hoof)去踢(kick)老虎。
Tiger began to walk to the front and back of donkey, circling around, not daring to attack donkey yet. Later, tiger closed in on donkey slowly, more and more disrespectful. Either touch it, or lean onto it a little bit, tiger offended donkey continuously. Donkey got raged, kicked tiger with hoof.
Tiger began to walk to the front and back of donkey, circling around, not daring to attack donkey yet. Later, tiger closed in on donkey slowly, more and more disrespectful. Either touch it, or lean onto it a little bit, tiger offended donkey continuously. Donkey got raged, kicked tiger with hoof.
老虎心里(in mind)盘算(calculate)着：“你的本事(skills)也不过如此罢了！”非常高兴。于是老虎腾空(get in the air)扑去(jump onto)，大吼(roar)一声，咬断了(cut with bite)驴的喉管(throat)，啃(gnaw, eat)完了驴的肉，才离去(leave)了。
"Your skills are so-so", tiger calculated in his mind, cheerfully. Thus tiger jumped onto donkey, with a big roar, snapped donkey's throat, gnawed all its meat, then left.
"Your skills are so-so", tiger calculated in his mind, cheerfully. Thus tiger jumped onto donkey, with a big roar, snapped donkey's throat, gnawed all its meat, then left.
唉(Alas)！那驴的躯体高大，好像(seems)有德行(virtuous)；声音(sound, voice)洪亮(resonant)，好像有本事。假如(if)不显出(show)那有限的(limited)本事，老虎虽然凶猛(fierce)，也会存有疑虑(hesitation)畏惧(fear)的心理(mentality)，终究(after all)不敢攻击它。现在落得如此下场(end)，不是很可悲(lamentable)吗？
Alas! That donkey had huge body, seemed virtuous; got resonant voice, seemed capable. If it hadn't shown out limited skills, tiger would still be hesitated and feared, though fierce itself, and dared not to attack after all. Now donkey got such an ending, isn't it lamentable?
Please feel free to post questions!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Chinese language - short story - 羊披虎皮
羊披虎皮 sheep wearing tiger skin
Sentence by sentence reading:
http://edu.ocac.gov.tw/biweekly/animation3/431_d3/index.htm
Text, pinyin and English translation
Text in above links is in traditional Chinese, here is the simplified version:
有一只羊披着老虎的皮， 大摇大摆在深林里走来走去。
但是羊一看到豺狼过来，害怕的全身颤抖起来，为什么羊会害怕？
这是因为它知道自己是羊，而忘了自己已经披上老虎的皮。
寓意：
虚有外表却没有实力的人，是经不起考验的，一旦碰到凶猛的对手，自己胆小的本性全都会表露无遗。
A sheep covered itself in tiger’s skin and strutted among the other animals in a forest. However, when the sheep saw a wolf, it was still shaken with fear. Why was that? It was because beneath its disguise, the sheep was still just a sheep, and when it saw the wolf, it was so stricken with fear that it forgot that it was supposed to be a tiger.
The moral of the story is that a person who appears impressive but does not have real substance will fail in a real test. Once faced with a strong opponent or a difficult challenge, the person’s weakness will be exposed for all to see.
Please check useful tools at http://daytodaychinese.net/ToolsLink.aspx
e.g. Text annotation http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/annotation.html
Notes:
有(there is/are)一只羊(one sheep) 披着(wearing)老虎(tiger)的皮(skin)， 大摇大摆(swaggering)在深林(forest)里(inside)走来走去(walking around, walk back and forth)。
一只羊 one sheep 一只鸡 one chick 一只鸭 one duck 一只船 one boat
只 measure word for animals, ships, etc
在深林里 inside a forest
在...里 inside of ...
但是(but, however)羊一(once)看到(see)豺狼(wolf)过来(coming over)，害怕的全身(whole body)颤抖(shiver)起来，为什么(why)羊会(would)害怕(be afraid, dread)？
这是(this is)因为(because)它(it)知道(know)自己(itself)是羊，而(but)忘了(forget)自己已经(already)披上老虎的皮。
寓意(moral)：
虚有外表(exterior / appearance)却(but)没有实力(real strength)的人，是经不起(cannot stand)考验(trial / test)的，一旦(once)碰到(meet)凶猛的(ferocious)对手，自己胆小的(cowardly)本性(nature)全都会表露(reveal)无遗(completely)。
e.g. Text annotation http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/annotation.html
Notes:
有(there is/are)一只羊(one sheep) 披着(wearing)老虎(tiger)的皮(skin)， 大摇大摆(swaggering)在深林(forest)里(inside)走来走去(walking around, walk back and forth)。
一只羊 one sheep 一只鸡 one chick 一只鸭 one duck 一只船 one boat
只 measure word for animals, ships, etc
在深林里 inside a forest
在...里 inside of ...
但是(but, however)羊一(once)看到(see)豺狼(wolf)过来(coming over)，害怕的全身(whole body)颤抖(shiver)起来，为什么(why)羊会(would)害怕(be afraid, dread)？
这是(this is)因为(because)它(it)知道(know)自己(itself)是羊，而(but)忘了(forget)自己已经(already)披上老虎的皮。
寓意(moral)：
虚有外表(exterior / appearance)却(but)没有实力(real strength)的人，是经不起(cannot stand)考验(trial / test)的，一旦(once)碰到(meet)凶猛的(ferocious)对手，自己胆小的(cowardly)本性(nature)全都会表露(reveal)无遗(completely)。
Please feel free to post questions!
Friday, May 25, 2012
Chinese language - simple sentences - Expressing Thanks & Appreciation
Let's learn how to say thanks in this lesson: http://www.chineselearner.com/speaking/thanks.htm
Sentences annotation tool: http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/annotation.html
Online dictionary http://www.nciku.com/
Lesson notes:
非常感谢 非常（very, extremely）感谢（thank）-> Thank you very much
非常's synonyms: 很 (very), 太（too, extremely）
so 很感谢您 = 非常感谢您 =太感谢您了= Thank you very much
谢谢你给我的帮助 谢谢(thank)你给我的(you gave me...)帮助(help) -> thank you for the help you gave me.
谢谢您，让您受累了 谢谢您(thank you)，让(make, let)您受累(be implicated, get into trouble)了 -> Thank you for going through such trouble [for me].
Sentences annotation tool: http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/annotation.html
Online dictionary http://www.nciku.com/
Lesson notes:
非常感谢 非常（very, extremely）感谢（thank）-> Thank you very much
非常's synonyms: 很 (very), 太（too, extremely）
so 很感谢您 = 非常感谢您 =太感谢您了= Thank you very much
太...了 is a common pattern in sentences. 了 has no meaning here, just put at the end of sentence.
E.g. 太好了 （very good)
spoken variations:
多谢 多（many）谢(thanks)
谢谢 Thanks
When someone say this to you, it's polite to say back:
不用谢 不用（need not）-> No need to thank me
别客气 别（don't）客气（be polite）-> Don't mention it
没什么 没（not have）什么（anything）-> It's nothing
都是朋友，还这么客气干吗？
都(all)是(are)朋友(friends)，还这么(so)客气(polite)干吗(for what)？->We are friends. Please do not mention it.
还...干吗？is a common pattern in speaking, meaning (Please don't ...) / (no need to ...)
谢谢你给我的帮助 谢谢(thank)你给我的(you gave me...)帮助(help) -> thank you for the help you gave me.
辛苦(working hard)了，谢谢您。 Thank you for the hard work.
给您添麻烦了，真不好意思！ 给您添(add)麻烦(trouble)了，真(really)不好意思(embarrassed, sorry) -> Sorry for putting you into trouble [to help me out].
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=1.
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=1.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Korean movie - Bedevilled (adults only)
I used to think Korean movie is all about cool guy and good-looking girl falling in love, and someone dies at the end. But this one changed my mind, because it vividly recreated these people I know are many on earth.
Warning: can be bloody, no kids around.
Bedevilled 2010 clip0
Bedevilled 2010 clip1
Bedevilled 2010 clip2
Bedevilled 2010 clip3
Bedevilled 2010 clip4
Bedevilled 2010 clip5
Bedevilled 2010 clip6
Bedevilled 2010 clip7
Warning: can be bloody, no kids around.
Bedevilled 2010 clip0
Bedevilled 2010 clip1
Bedevilled 2010 clip2
Bedevilled 2010 clip3
Bedevilled 2010 clip4
Bedevilled 2010 clip5
Bedevilled 2010 clip6
Bedevilled 2010 clip7
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Chinese language - simple sentences - greetings
Let's learn some simple greetings today.
http://www.chineselearner.com/speaking/chinese-greetings.htm
Copy and paste each sentences to http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/annotation.html to get annotation.
Online dictionary http://www.nciku.com/
Here are some breakdowns of these sentences in above link (in addition to annotation you get from http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/annotation.html it may not always be correct, as it's just a web application, and lacks human touch).
你好！How do you do!
Used when you meet people the 1st time.
您好！ How do you do! (more respectful)
Hint: 您 is composed of 你 + 心（heart)
很高兴认识你。
Very happy to know you. -> Nice to meet you.
很 very
E.g. 很好 very good
We normally say
你好！很高兴认识你。 or
您好！很高兴认识您。
when we meet people (after been introduced) for the 1st time.
早上好！Good morning!
下午好！Good afternoon!
晚上好！Good evening!
晚安！Good night! 晚(evening/late) + (安 safe/quiet/still/peace)
You hear anchors say these during news broadcasting. But Chinese don't usually greeting each other with these in day to day life, they say 'hey' / 'have you eaten' or just a nod. And they never say 'Good day'.
When acquaintances meet on road , they usually say:
吃了吗？Have you eaten? 吃(eat) 了( completed action marker - (something ) is done )
出去呀？Are your going out? 出(out) 去(go) -> 出去(go out)
去哪呀？Where are you going? 哪（where）
干啥去呀？What are you going to do and where? 干（do） 啥（what）
吗 and 呀 are question tags, which have no meaning themselves, but to add at the end of sentence (with ?) to note that this is a question （not a statement）.
好久不见，long time no see 好久(quite a while) 不(not) 见（see）
最近怎么样？ How have you been recently? 最近（recently） 怎么样(how about/how is/ how are ...)
We already know 好 means 'good', but here it means 'quite/very'。 So single word in Chinese is quite flexible in definition, only in sentences/contexts can you find its exact meaning.
...怎么样? How is/are (things going)?
is a popular question format.
E.g.
工作怎么样? How is (your) work?
最近忙什么呢？ 忙（busy）什么（what） 呢-> busy at what?
呢, like 吗 and 呀（as above mentioned）, is also a question tag.
最近身体还好吗？身体（body）还好（OK） -> doing well
How are you recently? / How is your health recently?
...还好吗？ Is ... good/well?
E.g.
你还好吗？ How are you doing? / Are you doing well?
最近工作顺利吗？工作（work）顺利（smoothly）
...顺利吗？Does ... go smoothly?
请代我向你父母问好。请（please）代我（for me）向（to）你父母（your parents）问好（send regards） -> Please send my regards to your parents.
请... Please ...
E.g.
请进来。Please come in. 进来（come in）
代我... (do something) for me
你父母 your parents
When referring to people related to you/him/her, it's not necessary to add 's (possessive case) in Chinese. But still we can.
E.g.
他父母 his parents = 他的父母 的（of... / 's）
她父母 her parents = 她的父母
你叔叔 your uncle = 你的叔叔
王伟要我向你问好。要（ask/want）
Wanwei asked me to say hello to you (for him). - > Wanwei wanted to say hello to you (he requested me as the messenger.)
Above words breakdown may seem weird, so please read and listen more, and you get the feeling of how to make sentences. As the saying goes:
熟读唐诗三百首 不会做诗也会吟
If you read The Three Hundred Tang Poems fluently, you can at least recite poems if not write one。
熟能生巧 practice makes perfect
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=1.
http://www.chineselearner.com/speaking/chinese-greetings.htm
Copy and paste each sentences to http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/annotation.html to get annotation.
Online dictionary http://www.nciku.com/
No need to cram the new words in your head. Learning a word is like to know a person, takes time and repetitive encounters.
Here are some breakdowns of these sentences in above link (in addition to annotation you get from http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/annotation.html it may not always be correct, as it's just a web application, and lacks human touch).
你好！How do you do!
Used when you meet people the 1st time.
您好！ How do you do! (more respectful)
Hint: 您 is composed of 你 + 心（heart)
很高兴认识你。
Very happy to know you. -> Nice to meet you.
很 very
E.g. 很好 very good
We normally say
你好！很高兴认识你。 or
您好！很高兴认识您。
when we meet people (after been introduced) for the 1st time.
早上好！Good morning!
下午好！Good afternoon!
晚上好！Good evening!
晚安！Good night! 晚(evening/late) + (安 safe/quiet/still/peace)
You hear anchors say these during news broadcasting. But Chinese don't usually greeting each other with these in day to day life, they say 'hey' / 'have you eaten' or just a nod. And they never say 'Good day'.
When acquaintances meet on road , they usually say:
吃了吗？Have you eaten? 吃(eat) 了( completed action marker - (something ) is done )
出去呀？Are your going out? 出(out) 去(go) -> 出去(go out)
去哪呀？Where are you going? 哪（where）
干啥去呀？What are you going to do and where? 干（do） 啥（what）
吗 and 呀 are question tags, which have no meaning themselves, but to add at the end of sentence (with ?) to note that this is a question （not a statement）.
好久不见，long time no see 好久(quite a while) 不(not) 见（see）
最近怎么样？ How have you been recently? 最近（recently） 怎么样(how about/how is/ how are ...)
We already know 好 means 'good', but here it means 'quite/very'。 So single word in Chinese is quite flexible in definition, only in sentences/contexts can you find its exact meaning.
...怎么样? How is/are (things going)?
is a popular question format.
E.g.
工作怎么样? How is (your) work?
最近忙什么呢？ 忙（busy）什么（what） 呢-> busy at what?
呢, like 吗 and 呀（as above mentioned）, is also a question tag.
最近身体还好吗？身体（body）还好（OK） -> doing well
How are you recently? / How is your health recently?
...还好吗？ Is ... good/well?
E.g.
你还好吗？ How are you doing? / Are you doing well?
最近工作顺利吗？工作（work）顺利（smoothly）
...顺利吗？Does ... go smoothly?
请代我向你父母问好。请（please）代我（for me）向（to）你父母（your parents）问好（send regards） -> Please send my regards to your parents.
请... Please ...
E.g.
请进来。Please come in. 进来（come in）
代我... (do something) for me
你父母 your parents
When referring to people related to you/him/her, it's not necessary to add 's (possessive case) in Chinese. But still we can.
E.g.
他父母 his parents = 他的父母 的（of... / 's）
她父母 her parents = 她的父母
你叔叔 your uncle = 你的叔叔
王伟要我向你问好。要（ask/want）
Wanwei asked me to say hello to you (for him). - > Wanwei wanted to say hello to you (he requested me as the messenger.)
Above words breakdown may seem weird, so please read and listen more, and you get the feeling of how to make sentences. As the saying goes:
熟读唐诗三百首 不会做诗也会吟
If you read The Three Hundred Tang Poems fluently, you can at least recite poems if not write one。
熟能生巧 practice makes perfect
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=1.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Chinese language - simple sentences - introduction
Let's practice some simple sentences without a teacher in your face:)
http://www.chineselearner.com/speaking/introduction.htm
Copy and paste each sentences to http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/annotation.html to get annotation.
Here are some breakdowns of these sentences in above link (in addition to annotation you get from http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/annotation.html it may not always be correct, as it's just a web application, and lacks human touch).
我姓张，叫张武。Copy and paste bold texts to the search bar in page http://www.nciku.com/
and you'll get long explanation.
E.g.
http://www.nciku.com/search/zh/detail/%E5%A7%93/1317086
http://www.nciku.com/search/zh/detail/%E5%8F%AB/1307606
姓 is usually used as a verb. 姓X means My surname is X.
E.g.
我姓X，名YZ。 My surname is X, family name is YZ.
Chinese people name format: 姓+名 (surname + family name).
Surname comes first in Chinese name, which is opposite to the order in English name.
叫 has several meanings, here means 'be called as' (usually used in spoken Chinese).
E.g.
我叫XYZ。I'm called as XYZ.
她是李燕。
是 is used as verb here, means 'be'.
是can be used after 我（I）， 你（you）， 他(he)， 她(she)，我们(we)，你们(you plural)，他们(they), so it's equal to am/are/is/was/were/has been/have been/will be/would be ...
E.g.
她是个好人。She is a good person. 个 means 'a/an or one'.
他们是好人。They are good persons.
Verb in Chinese doesn't have past, future or present tense. The tense is implicitly indicated by time, in other words, there's no tense in Chinese language.
E.g.
我是个好人。I'm a good person. No time indication found in sentence, present tense by default.
我曾是个好人。I once was a good person. 曾means 'once', so sentence is in past tense.
我将是个好人。I will be a good person. 将 means 'be about to', so sentence is in future tense.
This example is to help you see the different grammar between Chinese and English. Forget the tense when you use Chinese.
我是美国人.
美国人 means 'American' = 美国(America) + 人（person)
Here you see the powerful yet simple combination of Chinese words:
E.g.
中国人=中国（China）+人
印度人=印度（India）+人
It's simpler than the variations in English. E.g. China -> Chinese, India -> Indian, etc. In Chinese, we just add '人' after the country name.
我来自加拿大。
来自means 'come from'. 来（come），自（from）。自has several meanings, but it only means 'from' when put after 来. So like everything in universe, Chinese character isn't independent, better to understand it in a word, in a sentence, in a context. Thus cramming single words from a dictionary without a context makes little sense.
我是一名教师。
一名means ‘a/an or one’, it's a formal version of 一个。
So above sentence's informal version: 我是一个教师。
Earlier I said 个 means 'a/an or one', which isn't accurate.
Actually it has no real meaning, but a measure word, and only applies to countable nouns.
个without numerical kind before it = 一个（a/an or one）
E.g. 我是个教师 = 我是一个教师.
三个 means 'three'. 三(three), 个has no meaning here。
E.g. 三个人。Three persons.
名, like 个，is measure word too。 The only difference is it's a little formal, and usually applies to people.
E.g.
一名教师。 One teacher.
三名教师。 Three teachers.
Did you notice that singular and plural nouns in Chinese can be the same (no need to add 's' as in English)?
这位是王伟。
这（this）。 位， like名，is another measure word, usually used to address people in a respectful manner.
E.g.
这位是老板。 This is boss。
Good timing to mention character decomposition here http://www.nciku.com/search/zh/detail/%E4%BD%8D/1315929
亻= One form of 人 as a part in another character, means related to human/person.
立 means 'stand upright'.
So we can deduce that 位 means 'person standing upright', which implies someone having some social status.
Another example:
好（good） = 女(woman) + 子(child)
From this character alone we can have a peek of Chinese people's traditional family values.
我在微软公司工作。
在 means 'at/in/on’. Like 是（be）， 在doesn't have the kind of variations in English.
E.g.
在家。At home.
在北京。In Beijing.
在can also means 'be doing (something) / in the middle of ' .
E.g.
我在工作。 I'm working。
公司 means 'Corp. / Inc.'
E.g.
怪物（monster）公司。 Monsters, Inc.
工作 means 'work/job', usually used as noun, but here as verb.
For some words the dictionary hasn't mention their verb usage, it doesn't mean they don't exist. The key is to read more, after all language is just people's habit of word's combination.
So 我在微软公司工作 means
I'm working at Microsoft Corp. or
I have a job at Microsoft Corp.
我来给你介绍一下。 这位是大卫。
Let me introduce for you. This is David. -> Let me introduce David to you.
给你(do something) means '(do something) for you'.
(do something) 一下 means '(do something) one time / in a short time'. Very informal, normally used in spoken Chinese.
我来介绍一下自己。
Let me introduce myself.
来 means 'be about to (do something)' here.
OK, that's a lot to take in. Remember, no cramming, like the idiom said http://www.nciku.com/search/zh/detail/%E6%B0%B4%E6%BB%B4%E7%9F%B3%E7%A9%BF/39319 .
Some said Chinese language is spoken by children, while English is spoken by adults. My understanding is that Chinese language doesn't have many grammars and rules. Maybe because it's was used to convey feelings/emotions mostly in history.
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=1.
http://www.chineselearner.com/speaking/introduction.htm
Copy and paste each sentences to http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/annotation.html to get annotation.
No need to cram the new words in your head. Learning a word is like to know a person, takes time and repetitive encounters.
Here are some breakdowns of these sentences in above link (in addition to annotation you get from http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/annotation.html it may not always be correct, as it's just a web application, and lacks human touch).
我姓张，叫张武。Copy and paste bold texts to the search bar in page http://www.nciku.com/
and you'll get long explanation.
E.g.
http://www.nciku.com/search/zh/detail/%E5%A7%93/1317086
http://www.nciku.com/search/zh/detail/%E5%8F%AB/1307606
姓 is usually used as a verb. 姓X means My surname is X.
E.g.
我姓X，名YZ。 My surname is X, family name is YZ.
Chinese people name format: 姓+名 (surname + family name).
Surname comes first in Chinese name, which is opposite to the order in English name.
叫 has several meanings, here means 'be called as' (usually used in spoken Chinese).
E.g.
我叫XYZ。I'm called as XYZ.
她是李燕。
是 is used as verb here, means 'be'.
是can be used after 我（I）， 你（you）， 他(he)， 她(she)，我们(we)，你们(you plural)，他们(they), so it's equal to am/are/is/was/were/has been/have been/will be/would be ...
E.g.
她是个好人。She is a good person. 个 means 'a/an or one'.
他们是好人。They are good persons.
Verb in Chinese doesn't have past, future or present tense. The tense is implicitly indicated by time, in other words, there's no tense in Chinese language.
E.g.
我是个好人。I'm a good person. No time indication found in sentence, present tense by default.
我曾是个好人。I once was a good person. 曾means 'once', so sentence is in past tense.
我将是个好人。I will be a good person. 将 means 'be about to', so sentence is in future tense.
This example is to help you see the different grammar between Chinese and English. Forget the tense when you use Chinese.
我是美国人.
美国人 means 'American' = 美国(America) + 人（person)
Here you see the powerful yet simple combination of Chinese words:
E.g.
中国人=中国（China）+人
印度人=印度（India）+人
It's simpler than the variations in English. E.g. China -> Chinese, India -> Indian, etc. In Chinese, we just add '人' after the country name.
我来自加拿大。
来自means 'come from'. 来（come），自（from）。自has several meanings, but it only means 'from' when put after 来. So like everything in universe, Chinese character isn't independent, better to understand it in a word, in a sentence, in a context. Thus cramming single words from a dictionary without a context makes little sense.
我是一名教师。
一名means ‘a/an or one’, it's a formal version of 一个。
So above sentence's informal version: 我是一个教师。
Earlier I said 个 means 'a/an or one', which isn't accurate.
Actually it has no real meaning, but a measure word, and only applies to countable nouns.
个without numerical kind before it = 一个（a/an or one）
E.g. 我是个教师 = 我是一个教师.
三个 means 'three'. 三(three), 个has no meaning here。
E.g. 三个人。Three persons.
名, like 个，is measure word too。 The only difference is it's a little formal, and usually applies to people.
E.g.
一名教师。 One teacher.
三名教师。 Three teachers.
Did you notice that singular and plural nouns in Chinese can be the same (no need to add 's' as in English)?
这位是王伟。
这（this）。 位， like名，is another measure word, usually used to address people in a respectful manner.
E.g.
这位是老板。 This is boss。
Good timing to mention character decomposition here http://www.nciku.com/search/zh/detail/%E4%BD%8D/1315929
| 亻
[rén] |
+ | 立
[lì] |
亻= One form of 人 as a part in another character, means related to human/person.
立 means 'stand upright'.
So we can deduce that 位 means 'person standing upright', which implies someone having some social status.
Another example:
好（good） = 女(woman) + 子(child)
From this character alone we can have a peek of Chinese people's traditional family values.
我在微软公司工作。
在 means 'at/in/on’. Like 是（be）， 在doesn't have the kind of variations in English.
E.g.
在家。At home.
在北京。In Beijing.
在can also means 'be doing (something) / in the middle of ' .
E.g.
我在工作。 I'm working。
公司 means 'Corp. / Inc.'
E.g.
怪物（monster）公司。 Monsters, Inc.
工作 means 'work/job', usually used as noun, but here as verb.
For some words the dictionary hasn't mention their verb usage, it doesn't mean they don't exist. The key is to read more, after all language is just people's habit of word's combination.
So 我在微软公司工作 means
I'm working at Microsoft Corp. or
I have a job at Microsoft Corp.
我来给你介绍一下。 这位是大卫。
Let me introduce for you. This is David. -> Let me introduce David to you.
给你(do something) means '(do something) for you'.
(do something) 一下 means '(do something) one time / in a short time'. Very informal, normally used in spoken Chinese.
我来介绍一下自己。
Let me introduce myself.
来 means 'be about to (do something)' here.
OK, that's a lot to take in. Remember, no cramming, like the idiom said http://www.nciku.com/search/zh/detail/%E6%B0%B4%E6%BB%B4%E7%9F%B3%E7%A9%BF/39319 .
Some said Chinese language is spoken by children, while English is spoken by adults. My understanding is that Chinese language doesn't have many grammars and rules. Maybe because it's was used to convey feelings/emotions mostly in history.
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=1.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Chinese language - places in China - Mengshan
Chinese text input (via Pinyin and handwriting recognition) online,
text reading online,
text annotation online,
and dictionary online.
Tools link: http://daytodaychinese.net/ToolsLink.aspx
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=2.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=2.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Chinese language - movie - 暖春
Here's a movie called 暖春 (warm spring) with both Chinese and English captions
http://youtu.be/NBgeSsgyMMo
Introduction:
一个偏远的小山村里住着儿几十户人家，他们过着平淡无奇的日子。
一天，村长的儿子二狗拣回一个晕倒在村口的女娃，打破了小村多年的寂静。村民围着女娃议论着，有的说要是男娃就领回去了，有的说万一把娃养大了，再有人把娃领走就白养了……。村长无奈只好承诺谁要收下娃，等村里收成好了多给补点口粮，大伙儿无动于衷地看着。年迈的宝柱爹蹒跚着步子走上前，背起尚存一息的女娃朝家走去。深知宝柱爹境况的大伙儿吃惊地看着。
宝柱媳妇儿香草过门多年不生娃，得知宝柱爹拣回个野娃时，认为他想当众出她的丑，让全村儿人都知道她生不出娃来。宝柱也怪爹拣回来个吃闲饭的。善良的宝柱爹得知小花是个无家可归的孤儿后，顶着儿子儿媳的压力留下了苦命的小花……
In a small mountain village where dozens of households lived, people passed days without anything remarkable.
One day, 二狗-the son of village chief, found a fainted girl at the village gateway, thus broke the stillness of years. Villagers surrounded the girl talking. Some said they would adopt if it's a boy. Others said if they raised the kid up, and she be led way (by biological family), then all efforts would be in vain. Village chief had no choice but to make a promise: whoever would take care of the girl would get extra grain ration after a good harvest. People were watching, unmoved. 宝柱's aged father staggered forward, pulled the girl who had only a weak gasp left up and on his back, and walked towards home. Everyone was looking at him surprised, knowing his poor situation deeply.
香草-宝柱's wife, bore no child for years, thought her farther-in-law was making fun of her in public by taking in this kid from nowhere, and now everyone knew her infertility. 宝柱 also blamed farther for adding another mouth to the family. After learning that ill-fated 小花(the girl's name) was a homeless orphan, kind-hearted 宝柱's farther let her stay with him, against pressure from son and daughter-in-law......
Warning: keep tissue paper handy.
--
Online Chinese-English dictionaries at http://www.nciku.com/
Other tools at http://daytodaychinese.net/ToolsLink.aspx
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=2.
http://youtu.be/NBgeSsgyMMo
Introduction:
一个偏远的小山村里住着儿几十户人家，他们过着平淡无奇的日子。
一天，村长的儿子二狗拣回一个晕倒在村口的女娃，打破了小村多年的寂静。村民围着女娃议论着，有的说要是男娃就领回去了，有的说万一把娃养大了，再有人把娃领走就白养了……。村长无奈只好承诺谁要收下娃，等村里收成好了多给补点口粮，大伙儿无动于衷地看着。年迈的宝柱爹蹒跚着步子走上前，背起尚存一息的女娃朝家走去。深知宝柱爹境况的大伙儿吃惊地看着。
宝柱媳妇儿香草过门多年不生娃，得知宝柱爹拣回个野娃时，认为他想当众出她的丑，让全村儿人都知道她生不出娃来。宝柱也怪爹拣回来个吃闲饭的。善良的宝柱爹得知小花是个无家可归的孤儿后，顶着儿子儿媳的压力留下了苦命的小花……
In a small mountain village where dozens of households lived, people passed days without anything remarkable.
One day, 二狗-the son of village chief, found a fainted girl at the village gateway, thus broke the stillness of years. Villagers surrounded the girl talking. Some said they would adopt if it's a boy. Others said if they raised the kid up, and she be led way (by biological family), then all efforts would be in vain. Village chief had no choice but to make a promise: whoever would take care of the girl would get extra grain ration after a good harvest. People were watching, unmoved. 宝柱's aged father staggered forward, pulled the girl who had only a weak gasp left up and on his back, and walked towards home. Everyone was looking at him surprised, knowing his poor situation deeply.
香草-宝柱's wife, bore no child for years, thought her farther-in-law was making fun of her in public by taking in this kid from nowhere, and now everyone knew her infertility. 宝柱 also blamed farther for adding another mouth to the family. After learning that ill-fated 小花(the girl's name) was a homeless orphan, kind-hearted 宝柱's farther let her stay with him, against pressure from son and daughter-in-law......
Warning: keep tissue paper handy.
--
Online Chinese-English dictionaries at http://www.nciku.com/
Other tools at http://daytodaychinese.net/ToolsLink.aspx
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=2.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Chinese language - places in China - Shanghai
快乐中国 -上海 Shanghai（学汉语 Learning Chinese）
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=2.
Chinese text input (via Pinyin and handwriting recognition) online,
text reading online,
text annotation online,
and dictionary online.
Tools link: http://daytodaychinese.net/ToolsLink.aspx
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=2.
Chinese Language simple sentences with Pinyin
If you like to spend more time with a teacher, here are some videos:
http://www.seemile.com/renewal/package_list.jsp?pkg_no=27
Click the pictures in page, you'll be directed to videos list.
Note: above is kind of warm up, no need to follow her word by word. Because a better way of learning is through reading/watching stuff online with help of dictionary and google :)
--
After some practice with above videos, you may learn words by yourself through online Chinese-English dictionaries:
http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php (short simple version)
http://www.nciku.com/ (complete version)
For Chinese text input on a computer, you may use default ones Microsoft offered with OS, or a much better one http://youtu.be/iY8GF3-3JWk , or input online http://www.baidu.com/ (demoed at http://youtu.be/nrJe2u1tBEM). Please refer to http://daytodaychinese.net/ToolsLink.aspx for useful tool links.
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=1.
http://www.seemile.com/renewal/package_list.jsp?pkg_no=27
Click the pictures in page, you'll be directed to videos list.
Note: above is kind of warm up, no need to follow her word by word. Because a better way of learning is through reading/watching stuff online with help of dictionary and google :)
--
After some practice with above videos, you may learn words by yourself through online Chinese-English dictionaries:
http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php (short simple version)
http://www.nciku.com/ (complete version)
For Chinese text input on a computer, you may use default ones Microsoft offered with OS, or a much better one http://youtu.be/iY8GF3-3JWk , or input online http://www.baidu.com/ (demoed at http://youtu.be/nrJe2u1tBEM). Please refer to http://daytodaychinese.net/ToolsLink.aspx for useful tool links.
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=1.
Chinese Language simple words with Pinyin
With capability of Pinyin, let's learn to read some words:
http://youtu.be/ubZS7i34GIY
http://youtu.be/Bwq97JhQkcU
Here you need not to follow everything she said, just familiarize yourself with words pronunciation with Pinyin.
Also some basic sentences (Survival mandarin lesson):
http://youtu.be/OwL078TKy2E (lesson 1)
http://youtu.be/fp06OxAMaIc (lesson 2)
http://youtu.be/Z4E0phTl1ZA (lesson 3)
After some practice with above videos, you may learn words by yourself through online Chinese-English dictionaries:
http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php (short simple version)
http://www.nciku.com/ (complete version)
For Chinese text input on a computer, you may use default ones Microsoft offered with OS, or a much better one http://youtu.be/iY8GF3-3JWk , or input online http://www.baidu.com/ (demoed at http://youtu.be/nrJe2u1tBEM). Please refer to http://daytodaychinese.net/ToolsLink.aspx for useful tool links.
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=1.
http://youtu.be/ubZS7i34GIY
http://youtu.be/Bwq97JhQkcU
Here you need not to follow everything she said, just familiarize yourself with words pronunciation with Pinyin.
Also some basic sentences (Survival mandarin lesson):
http://youtu.be/OwL078TKy2E (lesson 1)
http://youtu.be/fp06OxAMaIc (lesson 2)
http://youtu.be/Z4E0phTl1ZA (lesson 3)
After some practice with above videos, you may learn words by yourself through online Chinese-English dictionaries:
http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php (short simple version)
http://www.nciku.com/ (complete version)
For Chinese text input on a computer, you may use default ones Microsoft offered with OS, or a much better one http://youtu.be/iY8GF3-3JWk , or input online http://www.baidu.com/ (demoed at http://youtu.be/nrJe2u1tBEM). Please refer to http://daytodaychinese.net/ToolsLink.aspx for useful tool links.
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=1.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Chinese language - Journey to the west - ep1(epic tv show)
Suppose you have commanded Pinyin, and know how to look up Chinese word through online dictionary so far.
Now let's enjoy Chinese culture through one famous TV show: 西游记 （Journey to the west）.
Episode 1 (with Chinese subtitles) http://tv.sohu.com/20100909/n274829142.shtml
Episode 1 (with English subtitles) 5 parts:
http://youtu.be/r2YW9Ld6Jhk
http://youtu.be/OAhgclRqXRI
http://youtu.be/UHhP16BzE6E
http://youtu.be/C7iCAnDlwtM
http://youtu.be/xZrOdD0IOB8
第一集 猴王初问世 Episode 1 Monkey king was born
故事梗概 Story line
在东胜神州傲来国海滨的花果山顶有一块仙石，化出了一个石猴。这石猴灵敏聪慧，他交结群猴，在水帘洞找到安家的好所在。群猴尊石猴为美猴王。 美猴王为寻找长生不老的仙方，独自驾筏，漂洋过海，来到一所渔村。他在斜月三星洞拜见了菩提祖师。祖师为他取名孙悟空。从此悟空参禅悟道，学习武艺，掌握 了七十二般变化的本领。
There's a 花果山(flower&fruit mountain) in 傲来国(country name) located in 东胜神州 (Purvavideha, one of 4 continents in Buddhism legend). On top of the mountain one immortal stone gave birth to a monkey. This stone monkey is intelligent and agile, he made friends with other monkeys, and found a nice home in 水帘洞(Water Curtain Cave). Other monkeys honor him as 美猴王 (Handsome Monkey King). In order to find elixir to be immortal, 美猴王 set out on a raft alone, traveled over seas and oceans, and arrived at a fishing village. In Sideling Moon Three Star Cave (斜月三星洞) he visited and paid respect to 菩提祖师(Pipal Buddha). Master gave him a name - Sun Wukong. From then on, Wukong began to learn Zen and doctrines of Tao, practice Kongfu, and mastered 72 kinds of transformation.
Enjoy!
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=1.
Now let's enjoy Chinese culture through one famous TV show: 西游记 （Journey to the west）.
Episode 1 (with Chinese subtitles) http://tv.sohu.com/20100909/n274829142.shtml
Episode 1 (with English subtitles) 5 parts:
http://youtu.be/r2YW9Ld6Jhk
http://youtu.be/OAhgclRqXRI
http://youtu.be/UHhP16BzE6E
http://youtu.be/C7iCAnDlwtM
http://youtu.be/xZrOdD0IOB8
第一集 猴王初问世 Episode 1 Monkey king was born
故事梗概 Story line
在东胜神州傲来国海滨的花果山顶有一块仙石，化出了一个石猴。这石猴灵敏聪慧，他交结群猴，在水帘洞找到安家的好所在。群猴尊石猴为美猴王。 美猴王为寻找长生不老的仙方，独自驾筏，漂洋过海，来到一所渔村。他在斜月三星洞拜见了菩提祖师。祖师为他取名孙悟空。从此悟空参禅悟道，学习武艺，掌握 了七十二般变化的本领。
There's a 花果山(flower&fruit mountain) in 傲来国(country name) located in 东胜神州 (Purvavideha, one of 4 continents in Buddhism legend). On top of the mountain one immortal stone gave birth to a monkey. This stone monkey is intelligent and agile, he made friends with other monkeys, and found a nice home in 水帘洞(Water Curtain Cave). Other monkeys honor him as 美猴王 (Handsome Monkey King). In order to find elixir to be immortal, 美猴王 set out on a raft alone, traveled over seas and oceans, and arrived at a fishing village. In Sideling Moon Three Star Cave (斜月三星洞) he visited and paid respect to 菩提祖师(Pipal Buddha). Master gave him a name - Sun Wukong. From then on, Wukong began to learn Zen and doctrines of Tao, practice Kongfu, and mastered 72 kinds of transformation.
Enjoy!
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=1.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Chinese Language - web term '屌丝'
I assume you know Pinyin by now. You may begin to practice some sentence at http://www.chineselearner.com/speaking/, or other learning sites offering free and boring lessons.
Here I'm trying to assemble some interesting articles, so we can have fun during the learning process.
Today we learn a Chinese web term '屌丝', which I didn't understand till just now :)
屌丝的含义是很深刻的……代表了一类人群……这一类人的特征是: 屌丝们自称穷丑矮挫胖笨撸，自称见人就给人下跪，叫人爷爷。屌丝都没有女朋友，屌丝被人打了只能装死，屌丝能做的职业只有搬砖。屌丝似乎在宣称，反正我就是这么副吊样，再怎么差都无所谓了。可是当谈到情感时，屌丝常常是眼睛湿润。
Translation:
Diao si (Pinyin) has deep meaning. It represents a group of people with these characteristics: they profess they're poor, ugly, short, fat and clumsy. They kneel before anyone and everyone, calling grandpa. Diao si don't have girl friends. When get beaten, they can only play dead. The only job they can have is moving bricks. They seems to say, I'm this low anyway, how can I get any worse. But when it comes to talking about feelings, they usually wet their eyes.
Use
http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/pinyin.html to get Pinyin of input text, and
http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/annotation.html for text annotation.
Online dictionary at
http://www.nciku.com/.
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=1.
Here I'm trying to assemble some interesting articles, so we can have fun during the learning process.
Today we learn a Chinese web term '屌丝', which I didn't understand till just now :)
屌丝的含义是很深刻的……代表了一类人群……这一类人的特征是: 屌丝们自称穷丑矮挫胖笨撸，自称见人就给人下跪，叫人爷爷。屌丝都没有女朋友，屌丝被人打了只能装死，屌丝能做的职业只有搬砖。屌丝似乎在宣称，反正我就是这么副吊样，再怎么差都无所谓了。可是当谈到情感时，屌丝常常是眼睛湿润。
Translation:
Diao si (Pinyin) has deep meaning. It represents a group of people with these characteristics: they profess they're poor, ugly, short, fat and clumsy. They kneel before anyone and everyone, calling grandpa. Diao si don't have girl friends. When get beaten, they can only play dead. The only job they can have is moving bricks. They seems to say, I'm this low anyway, how can I get any worse. But when it comes to talking about feelings, they usually wet their eyes.
Use
http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/pinyin.html to get Pinyin of input text, and
http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/annotation.html for text annotation.
Online dictionary at
http://www.nciku.com/.
If you have questions, just put them in comments. I'll try my best to answer them.
For complete list of lessons, please visit http://daytodaychinese.net/Default.aspx?Level=1.
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