Chinese allegories Lesson 2

Chinese allegories
歇后语
Two-part allegorical saying (of which the first part, always stated, is descriptive, while the second part, often unstated, carries the message)

qí lǘ kàn chàng běn – zǒu zhe qiáo
骑驴看唱本 – 走着瞧
Reading a play while riding a donkey – wait and see

qiān lǐ sòng é máo – lǐ qīng qíng yì zhòng
千里送鹅毛 -- 礼轻情意重
Goose feather sent from 500 kilometers away – a small gift sent from afar conveys deep feeling

xiù cai yù dào bīng – yǒu lǐ jiǎng bù qīng
秀才遇到兵 -- 有理讲不清
A man with a pen encounters a man with a gun – you can't reach an agreement between the two kinds of people

ròu bāo zi dǎ gǒu – yǒu qù wú huí
肉包子打狗 – 有去无回
Throw a meat-stuffed bun at a dog – something gone, never to return

lǎo shǔ zuān jìn fēng xiāng lǐ – liǎng tóu shòu qì
老鼠钻进风箱里 -- 两头受气
A rat sneaks into a bellows – get blame from both sides; be caught between the hammer and the anvil

gǒu yǎo lǚ dòng bīn – bù shí hǎo rén xīn
狗咬吕洞宾 – 不识好人心
Snarl and snap at Lu Dongbin (one of the eight immortals in Chinese mythology) – mistake a good man for a bad one

dà shuǐ chōng le lóng wáng miào – zì jiā rén bú rèn zì jiā rén
大水冲了龙王庙 – 自家人不认自家人
The flood inundates the temple of the Dragon King – People on the same side fight each other by mistake

tiě dǎ de gōng jī – yì máo bù bá
铁打的公鸡 -- 一毛不拔
Iron cock – stingy person

Chinese allegories Lesson 1

 xiǎo cōng bàn dòu fu – yī qīng èr bái
小葱拌豆腐 – 一清二白
White bean curd and green scallions – as clear as daylight

gǒu ná hào zi – duō guǎn xián shì
狗拿耗子 – 多管闲事
Dog trying to catch mice – meddling in other people's business

yǎ ba chī huáng lián – yǒu kǔ shuō bù chū
哑巴吃黄连 – 有苦说不出
A dump person tasting bitter herbs – unable to express one's discomfort

qiū hòu de mà zha – bèng da bù liǎo jǐ tiān
秋后的蚂蚱 – 蹦跶不了几天
A grasshopper in late autumn – nearing one's end

ní pú sa guò hé – zì shēn nán bǎo
泥菩萨过河 – 自身难保
The clay idol crosses a river – one is hardly able to save oneself, let alone assist others

zhú lán dǎ shuǐ – yī chǎng kōng
竹篮打水 – 一场空
Draw water with a bamboo basket – achieving nothing; fruitless labor

gǎn miàn zhàng chuī huǒ – yí qiào bù tōng
擀面杖吹火 – 一窍不通
Try to blow the fire with a rolling pin – be completely ignorant or irrelevant

jiāng tài gōng diào yú – yuàn zhě shang gōu
姜太公钓鱼 – 愿者上钩
Fish like Jiang Taigong (prime minister of Zhou Dynasty in Chinese history) , who cast a hook-less and bait-less line for the fish that wants to be caught – ask for willing victim or collaborator

Chinese Idioms -- jìn shuǐ lóu tái

近水楼台

Waterfront pavilion --- the benefit of a favourable position

Fan Zhongyan (989 --- 1052) was a great statesman and celebrated literary man of the Song Dynasty. He was honest and frank and knew his subordinates well enough to assign them qppropriates jobs. He served as the prefect of Qiantang, present-day Hangzhou in East China's Zhejiang province. All of his staff members and had an ideal assignment, except Su Lin. Su was an official, stationed in a remote area. He didn't have many chances to meet Fan, and was quite unhappy about his isolation. One day he wrote a poem and sent it to Fan Zhongyan. The poem included these lines:

A waterfront pavilion receives the moonlight first;

Sun-facing flowers find it easier to proclaim spring. Fan immediately understood Su Lin's intention and recommended him for a suitable promotion.

From Su Lin's poem people drew the idiom 近水楼台 (Jìn shuǐ lóu tái) --- sometimes, people quote the whole line of the poem --- 近水楼台先得月 (Jìn shuǐ lóu tái xiān dé yuè, a waterfront pavilion gets the moonlight first) --- and use it as an idiom to suggest that person in a favourable position wins favour first, that is, when you have close relations with someone influential, you have good opportunities. It's somewhat like the English proverb "it's easy to fetch water when a river is near".

近水楼台 jìn shuǐ lóu tái 　　

解释

靠近水边的楼台。比喻由于地处近便而获得优先的机会。

故事　　

北宋时著名的政治家和文学家范仲淹，在杭州任知州时，在他身边任职的很多官员，大多得到过他的推荐或提拔。只有一个叫苏鳞的人，因为他在杭州所属的外县做巡查，所以没被范仲淹推荐。一次，苏鳞因事到杭州见范仲淹，趁机写了一首诗，其中两句："近水楼台先得月，向阳花木易为春。"暗示范仲淹只提拔身边的人。范仲淹看了诗以后，立即写了推荐苏鳞的信，使他的愿望得以实现。这个成语出自《清夜录》，比喻由于环境或职务上的便利而获得优先的机会。

Lesson 26 Taking a Bus

1.   这车到东方小区吗？

Zhè chē dào Dōngfāng xiǎoqū ma?

Does this bus go to Dongfang community?

2.   买一张票。

Mǎi yì zhāng piào.

Ticket, please.

3.   到了请你告诉我。

Dàole qǐng nǐ gàosu wǒ.

Please let me know when we get there.

4.   在哪儿换车？

Zài nǎr huàn chē?

Where do I change the bus

Chinese Idioms -- bù hán ér lì

不寒而栗 (bù hán ér lì)

Shiver all over though not cold --- tremble with fear

Yi Zhou was known as a rigid official in Chinese history who lived in the Han Dynasty and died in the year 117BC. He had been county and prefecture magistrates. He was strict with laws and stern to law-breakers. And he was not swayed by personal considerations. Nor did he shrink from bigwigs. Outlaws were very much afraid of him and social order improved significantly in the counties under his jurisdiction.

After he was promoted to the position of Magistrate of Nanyang between present-day Central China's Henan and Hubei provinces, Yi Zong learned that one of his immediate subordinates named Ning Cheng was extremely ruthless. Ning Cheng was in charge of tariffs. He usurped power and cruelly victimized the people. Without hesitation, the new magistrate Yi Zhong investigated and verified the brutal official's crimes and brought him to justice.

Later, Yi Zhong was transferred to Ding Xiang in what is now the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. He was now Magistrate of Ding Xiang, an area where offenders ran wild. Upon his arrival, Yi Zhong took drastic measures. He sentenced to death more than two hundred criminals from the prison who he felt had been underpunished and had taken off their fetters and handcuffs without permission. Also killed at the same time were more than two hundred people who had secretly visited those major criminals and helped them take off their shackles.

This incident shocked the Ding Xiang area. People high and low were talking about how Yi Zhong killed more than four hundred people in one day. Although it was not cold that day, many people shivered at the news. Those who had violated het law or had done evil began to restrain and behave themselves.

Such massive execution really struck people with horror. And from the phrase about people's reaction comes our idiom 不寒而栗 (bù hán ér lì). We use it to describe the feeling of being terrified

Learn Chinese -- Dialogue -- Lesson 16 Drinking Tea

TEXT

 

lì li: nĭ xĭ huān hē chá ma?
丽丽： 你喜欢喝茶吗？ 
Lili:  Do you like drinking tea? 
   
mài kè: wŏ fēi cháng xĭ huān.
麦克： 我非常喜欢。 
Mike:  I like it very much. 
   
lì li: zhōng guó de chá tōng cháng fēn wéi wŭ zhŏng.
丽丽： 中国的茶通常分为五种。 
Lili:  Chinese tea may be classified into five categories.
   
mài kè: nă wŭ zhŏng?
麦克： 哪五种？ 
Mike:  which five?
   
lì li: lǜ chá, hóng chá, wū lóng chá, huā chá,jĭn yā chá.
丽丽： 绿茶、红茶、乌龙茶、花茶、紧压茶。 
Lili:  green tea, black tea, Wulong tea, scented tea, and compressed tea.
   
mài kè: wŏ xĭ huān dào chá guăn lĭ hē chá.
麦克： 我喜欢到茶馆里喝茶。 
Mike:  I like drinking tea at teahouses.
   
lì li: wŏ yĕ shì. zài zhè lĭ kĕ yĭ biān liáo tiān biān xīn shăng chá wén huà. 
丽丽： 我也是。在这里可以边聊天边欣赏茶文化。 
Lili:  So do I. We can chat while enjoying Chinese tea culture here.
   
mài kè: chá qĭ yuán yú zhōng guó. rén men rì cháng shēng huó zhōng lí bù kāi chá. 
麦克： 茶起源于中国。人们日常生活中离不开茶。 
Mike:  Tea originated from China. It is the center of attention in Chinese daily life.

 

Background

 

China is the homeland of tea. Chinese tea may be classified into five categories according to the different methods by which it is processed. It includes green tea, black tea, Wulong tea, compressed tea and scented tea. Teahouses scattered in cities are most worthwhile to visit. One may come in the early morning and order a pot of tea, chat and enjoy the warm sunshine at the same time, until it closes in twilight.

 

New Words

茶 chá: tea

喝 hē: drink

种类 zhŏng lèi: category

绿茶 lǜ chá: green tea

红茶 hóng chá: black tea

乌龙茶 wū lóng chá: Wulong tea

花茶 huā chá: scented tea

紧压茶 jĭn yā chá: compressed tea

茶馆 chá guăn: teahouse

聊天 liáo tiān: chat

欣赏 xīn shăng: enjoy

文化 wén huà: culture

起源 qĭ yuán: originate

日常生活 rì cháng shēng huó: daily life

Learn Chinese -- Dialogue -- Lesson 15 Talking About Study and Work

TEXT

lì li: nĭ shì xué shén me zhuān yè de?
丽丽： 你是学什么专业的？ 
Lili:  What’s your major? 
   
mài kè: wŏ shì zhuān mén lái zhōng guó xué xí hàn yŭ de.
麦克： 我是专门来中国学习汉语的。 
Mike:  I come to China just to study Chinese. 
   
lì li: nĭ zài năr xué xí?
丽丽： 你在哪儿学习？ 
Lili:  Where are you studying now?
   
mài kè: wŏ zài bĕi jīng yŭ yán wén huà dà xué xué xí.
麦克： 我在北京语言文化大学学习。 
Mike:  At the Beijing Language and Culture University.
   
lì li: nĭ xué xí jĭ nián le?
丽丽： 你学习几年了？ 
Lili:  How many years have you studied?
   
mài kè: yĭ jīng sān nián le, hái chà yī nián jiù bì yè le.
麦克： 已经三年了，还差一年就毕业了。 
Mike:  I’ve already studied for three years. I’ll graduate in a year.
   
lì li: bì yè yĭ hòu huí guó ma? 
丽丽： 毕业以后回国吗？ 
Lili:  Are you going back to your country after graduation?
   
mài kè: shì de, wŏ yào huí qù gōng zuò. 
麦克： 是的，我要回去工作。 
Mike:  Yes, I’ll return to my country and find a job.
   
lì li: huí guó zhăo gōng zuò kùn nán ma?
丽丽： 回国找工作困难吗？ 
Lili:  Is it difficult to find a job?
   
mài kè: bú tài kùn nán, yīn wéi wŏ de guó jiā dŏng hàn yŭ de rén bú tài duō.
麦克： 不太困难，因为我的国家懂汉语的人不太多。 
Mike:  Not very difficult, because there are not so many people in my country who know Chinese.
   
lì li: zhù nĭ hăo yùn.
丽丽： 祝你好运。 
Lili: Whish you good luck.
   
mài kè: xiè xiè.
麦克： 谢谢。 
Mike:  Thanks.


Background

朋友之间，特别是志向、兴趣、爱好相同的朋友之间，时常进行一种定期和定向的交谈，很有点研讨的意味。交谈的时间和内容，一般为事先约好，并有初步准备。交谈时，就学习或工作的某一方面进行深入的探讨，以交流思想，达成共识。

Sometimes among friends, especially among those who have the same aspirations and interests, a periodical talk is held and it’s somewhat an academic discussion. A periodical talk is usually prearranged and requires some preparations. People would talk about a certain aspect of work and study so as to exchange thoughts and share common ideas.


New Words

学习 xué xí: to study

专业 zhuān yè: major

汉语 hàn yŭ: Chinese

年 nián: year

差 chà: to be short of

毕业 bì yè: to graduate

困难 kùn nán: difficult

好运 hăo yùn: good luck

Chinese Idioms -- xiāzi mō xiàng

瞎子摸象 (xiāzi mō xiàng )

The blind men feel an elephant ─ To take a part for the whole

Long ago, a king of India raised a lot of elephants. One day, when he was riding an elephant to go sight-seeing, he saw some blind men resting on the roadside. He told them to come to him, and said: “Do you know what an elephant looks like?” The blind men shook their heads and replied: “No, we don’t, Your Majesty.” The king laughed, “You can feel it with your hands, and then tell me what shape you think it is.”

So the blind men gathered round the elephant, and began to feel it. After a while, they came back to report to the king.

One of them felt the elephant’s tusk and said, “The elephant is like a thick, long turnip.”

“No,” the one who touched the elephant’s ear said, “The elephant is like a dustpan.”

“You’re both wrong,” said the third man, who felt one of the elephant’s legs, “The elephant is just like a pillar!”

“You’re mistaken, too!” The fourth blind man felt the elephant’s foot. He said, “The elephant is like a stone mortar.”

“You’re not correct, either.” The fifth man confidently said that the elephant is like a bed, because he felt the elephant’s back.

“None of you got it right,” said the last one. Pulling on the elephant’s tail, he said, “Clearly, the elephant is just like a piece of rope!”

Hearing their reports, the king roared with laugher. They had all made a silly mistake because they took the part they felt as the whole elephant.

From that story comes the idiom 瞎子摸象(xiāzi mō xiàng). People use it to describe those who take a one-sided, simplistic approach to problems.

Learn Chinese -- Dialogue -- Lesson 14 Sports Activities

TEXT

lì li: sì diăn bàn le, dào yùn dòng chăng qù duàn liàn ba.
丽丽： 四点半了，到运动场去锻炼吧。 
Lili:  It is half past four. Let's go to do some exercises in the playground.
   
mài kè: hăo de. dă qiú hái shì păo bù?
麦克： 好的。打球还是跑步？ 
Mike:  All right. Play ball or go running? 
   
lì li: tī zú qiú ba.
丽丽： 踢足球吧。 
Lili:  Let's play football.
   
mài kè: hái shì qù liū bīng ba.
麦克： 还是去溜冰吧。 
Mike:  Let's go skating.
   
lì li: yĕ hăo. nĭ kàn, dào chù dōu yŏu rén zài duàn liàn.
丽丽： 也好。你看，到处都有人在锻炼。 
Lili:  All right. Look, there are people doing exercises everywhere.
   
mài kè: nà liăng wèi tóng xué de yŭ máo qiú dă de zhēn hăo.
麦克： 那两位同学的羽毛球打得真好。 
Mike:  Those two classmates are playing badminton very well.
   
lì li: nà biān zhèng zài jìn xíng pái qiú bĭ sài, zhè biān zài jìn xíng wăng qiú bĭ sài. 
丽丽： 那边正在进行排球比赛，这边在进行网球比赛。 
Lili:  A volleyball match is going on there, and a tennis match is going on here.
   
mài kè: zhè biān hái yŏu lán qiú bĭ sài, bĭ fēn shì shí bā bĭ èr shí. 
麦克： 这边还有篮球比赛，比分是18比20。 
Mike:  A basketball is match is going on here, and the score is 18:20.
   
lì li: wŏ men guò qù kàn kàn hăo ma?
丽丽： 我们过去看看好吗？ 
Lili:  Let's go and have a look.
   
mài kè:  hăo ba.
麦克： 好吧。 
Mike:  Okay.

Background

In recent years, some new sports, such as rock climbing, horse racing, bungee jumping, bowling, skateboard, woman's boxing, and golf are becoming popular among Chinese people, especially young urban people. There are also many roller-skating rinks in Beijing. A lot of people also play table tennis and tennis.    

New Words

tĭ yù 体育: sport

huó dòng 活动: activity

yùn dòng chăng 运动场: playground

duàn liàn 锻炼: to do exercises

dă qiú 打球: to play ball

păo bù 跑步: to run; running

liū bīng 溜冰: skating

dào chù 到处: everywhere

tóng xué 同学: classmate

yŭ máo qiú 羽毛球: badminton 

pái qiú 排球: volleyball

wăng qiú 网球: tennis

lán qiú 篮球: basketbal

jìn xíng 进行: to be in progress

bĭ sài 比赛: match

bĭ fēn 比分: score

Learn Chinese -- Dialogue -- Lesson 13 Riding a Bicycle

TEXT

 

mài kè: wǒ zū le liàng zì xíng chē.
麦克： 我租了辆自行车。 
Mike:  I've rented a bicycle. 
   
xiăo wáng: shì ma? zhè xiàr nĭ fāng biàn duō le.
小王： 是吗？这下儿你方便多了。 
Xiao Wang: Really? So now you can go wherever you want to. 
   
mài kè: zài běi jīng qí chē yīng gāi zhù yì shén me?
麦克： 在北京骑车应该注意什么？ 
Mike:  What should I be careful of riding in Beijing? 
   
xiăo wáng: zǒu zì xíng chē zhuān yòng dào, zhù yì hóng lǜ dēng hé xíng rén.
小王： 走自行车专用道，注意红绿灯和行人。 
Xiao Wang:  Keep on going in the special lane for bicycle, and take care of the traffic lights and pedestrians.
   
mài kè: wǒ xiăng qí chē qù yí hé yuán.
麦克： 我想骑车去颐和园。 
Mike:  I'd like to go to the Summer Palace by bicycle.
   
xiăo wáng: hăo a, bú guò shí jiān cháng diănr.
小王： 好啊，不过时间长点儿。 
Xiao Wang:  Good. But it will take you a bit long time.
   
mài kè: cóng chéng lĭ qí dào yí hé yuán děi yòng duō cháng shí jiān? 
麦克： 从城里骑到颐和园得用多长时间？ 
Mike:  How long does it take from the urban area to the Summer Palace?
   
xiăo wáng: dà yuē yī gè bàn xiăo shí. 
小王： 大约一个半小时。 
Xiao Wang:  About one and half hours.

 

Background

 

中国是自行车王国。自行车已成为中国人最流行的代步工具。到北京旅游的外国人，可以到专门出租自行车的地方租用自行车。在华长期工作的外国人，有不少还购买了自行车。 

Thousands upon thousands of bicycles in the whole country make China a "Kingdom of Bicycles". Bicycles have become the most popular conveyance for Chinese people. Foreigners traveling in Beijing may go to some places where hired bikes are especially provided. Many of those who work in China in long period have also bought bicycles. 

New Words

qí 骑：ride 

zì xíng chē 自行车：bicycle 

zū 租：rent 

xiăo shí 小时：hour 

zhù yì 注意：be care of 

zhuān yòng dào 专用道：special lane 

hóng lǜ dēng 红绿灯：traffic
　　　　　　lights 

xíng rén 行人：pedestrian 

yí hé yuán 颐和园：Summer Palace 

dà yuē 大约：about

Learn Chinese -- Amusement park 2

merry-go-round, roundabout,carrousel 回转木马
switchback, scenic railway, big dipper,roller coaster 过山车
ghost house/ haunted house 鬼屋
bungee jumping/ bungee/ bungy 蹦极
ghost train 魔鬼列车
big wheel, Ferris wheel 弗累斯大转, 摩天轮
dodgems, bumper cars 碰碰车
slide 滑梯
rifle range, shooting gallery 气枪打靶
Punch and Judy show, puppet show 木偶戏表演
carnival parade 狂欢节队伍
variety show, vaudeville 杂耍
swing 秋千
paddle boat 脚踏明游艇
crazy town疯狂小镇
Main Street, U.S.A.美国大街
firework display, fireworks 焰火
half mask, small mask 半截面罩
face mask 面罩
masked ball, fancy dress ball 化装舞会,假面舞会
dance orchestra 伴舞乐队
wire-walking 走钢丝
clown 小丑
flier, flyer 空中飞人 （美作:aerialist）
crazyracing 、popkart卡丁车
the abyss (turbo drop) 跳楼机 ，太空梭
flying swing 飞天秋千
sea rover/ pirate boat/ pirate ship/ corsair海盗船
log flume ride激流勇进
see-saw 跷跷板
climbing frame 攀岩架
sandpit 沙坑
rope bridge 索桥
monkey bars 猴架

Learn Chinese -- amusement park 1

amusement park 游乐园

 ferris wheel 摩天轮

 tower 塔

 giant stride 旋转飞椅

 monorail 单轨列车

 entrance 入口

 swinging boat 秋千船

 money exchanger 换币处

 coffee cup 咖啡杯

 guide 导游

 rest room 休息室

 merry-go-round 旋转木马

 excursion boat 观览艇

 revolving boat 碰碰船

 mini-train 小火车

 track 铁轨

 roller coaster 环滑车

 go-cart 单座赛车

 astrojet(proper noun) 旋转飞机

 rotor 大转轮

 mad-mouse (proper noun) 疯狂老鼠

Learn Chinese -- Dialogue -- Lesson 12 Making Telephone Calls

TEXT

 

mài kè: nín hăo, zhè lĭ shì běi jīng fàn diàn ma?
麦克： 您好，这里是北京饭店吗？  
Mike:  Hello, is that Beijing Hotel? 
   
xiăo lĭ: shì de, nín zhăo nă wèi?
小李： 是的，您找哪位？  
Xiao Li:  yes, whom are you going to speak to? 
   
mài kè:
 qĭng zhuăn sān èr yāo bā fáng jiān, wŏ zhăo shĭ mì sī xiān shēng.
麦克： 请转3218房间，我找史密斯先生。 
Mike:  Extension 3218, please. I want to speak to Mr. Smith. 
   
xiăo lĭ: hăo de, qĭng shāo dĕng.
小李： 好的，请稍等。 
Xiao Li:  Hold on please.
   
mài kè: tā bú zài, nín néng bāng wŏ gěi tā shāo gè huà ma?
麦克： 他不在，您能帮我给他捎个话吗？ 
Mike:  He is out. Would you have a message conveyed to him?
   
xiăo lĭ: dāng rán kĕ yĭ.
小李： 当然可以。 
Xiao Li:  Of course.
   
mài kè: qĭng tā gĕi mài kè huí diàn huà, diàn huà hào mă shì liù bā jiŭ jiŭ bā líng bā bā. 
麦克： 请他给麦克回电话，电话号码是68998088。 
Mike:  Please let him ring back to Mike whose phone number is 68998088.
   
xiăo lĭ: hăo de. 
小李： 好的。 
Xiao Li:  Okay.

 

Background

 

中国人打电话的习惯是直接找受话人，而不先报发话人姓名，接电话时也是这样，第一句话往往是"您找哪位？"。在北京打国际电话很方便。许多饭店、外国人居住的公寓、办公楼等均可直接挂国际长途。

When Chinese people make a phone call, they ask for the addressee by name directly. However, it is not their habit to give their own name first when making receiving a call. It is very convenient to make international calls which can be dialed directly at hotels, foreigner's mansion, office building, etc.   

New Words

打电话 dă diàn huà: make a phone call

号码 hào mă: number

转 zhuăn: an extension

找 zhăo: speak to

稍等 shāo dĕng: hold on

回电话 huí diàn huà: ring sb. back

Learn Chinese -- Dialogue -- Lesson 11 Watching Peking Opera

TEXT

 lìli: wŏ duì jīng jù fēi cháng găn xìng qù.
丽丽： 我对京剧非常感兴趣。 
Lili:  I'm very interested in Peking Opera. 
   
mài kè: wŏ yĕ shì, wŏ hěn xiăng xué yī xià.
麦克： 我也是，我很想学一下。 
Mike:  Me too, and I would like to learn it. 
   
lìli: xià xīng qī cháng ān dà xì yuàn yŏu jīng jù.
丽丽： 下星期长安大戏院有京剧。 
Lili:  There will be a Peking Opera show at Changan Theater next week. 
   
mài kè: shì ma, shén me xì?
麦克： 是吗，什么戏？ 
Mike:  Really? What's on?
   
lìli: chá yi xià 《bĕi jīng rì bào》, lĭ miàn yī dīng yŏu guăng gào.
丽丽： 查一下《北京日报》，里面一定有广告。 
Lili:  We'd better look at the advertisement in Beijing Daily.
   
mài kè: wŏ mén yī qĭ qù kàn jīng jù hăo ma?
麦克： 我们一起去看京剧好吗？ 
Mike:  Let's go to watch Peking Opera, okay?
   
lìli: hăo, wŏ gěi nĭ măi xì piào ba. 
丽丽： 好，我给你买戏票吧。 
Lili:  Okay, I'll buy a ticket for you.
   
mài kè:
 xiè xiè, măi hăo hòu gào sù wŏ yī shēng. 
麦克： 谢谢，买好后告诉我一声。 
Mike:  Thank you. Please let me know when you buy it.
   
lìli: fàng xīn ba.
丽丽： 放心吧。 
Lili:  Don't worry.

 

 

Background

 

京剧在中约有200年历史，它是北京的地方戏。京剧是一个大剧种，流行全国，因此被称之为"国剧"。京剧有"生、旦、净、末、丑五大行当，各行当又有细致的分工，是歌舞、说唱、杂技等艺术的综合。

Peking Opera in China has a history of approximately 200 years. It is a local drama of Beijing but a major type of performance with wide influence throughout the whole country, therefore it is named "National Opera". It has five main leads, i.e. the male, old male, female, painted face and clown, and each lead has its own subdivisions. It is a highly comprehensive art form that includes singing, dancing, talking and acrobatic performing. 
  

New Words

1.       京剧jīng jù: Peking Opera

2.       兴趣xìng qù: interest

3.       戏院 xì yuàn: theater

4.       查 chá: look up

5.       广告 guăng gào: advertisement

6.       戏票 xì piào: ticket

7.       告诉 gào sù: let sb. know

8.       放心 fàng xīn: don't worry

Lesson 25 Walking

1.   请问地铁站在哪里？
Qǐngwèn dìtiězhàn zài nǎli?
Excuse me, where is the subway station?　

2.   离这里远吗？
Lí zhèli yuǎn ma?
Is it far from here?　

3.   我应该坐什么车去？
Wǒ yīnggāi zuò shénme chē qù?
Which bus should I take to get there?　

4.   您得去马路对面坐车。
Nín děi qù mǎlù duìmiàn zuò chē.
You should catch the bus on the opposite side of the road.

Lesson 24 At the Book Store

1.   哪儿有大的书店？
Nǎr yǒu dà de shūdiàn?
Where is a big bookstore?　

2.   我要买本字典。
Wǒ yào mǎi běn zìdiǎn.
I want to buy a dictionary.　

3.   我想买本北京导游手册。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi běn Běijīng dǎoyóu shǒucè.
I'd like a guide book for Beijing. 　

4.   请问英文小说在几层卖？
Qǐngwèn Yīngwén xiǎoshuō zài jǐ céng mài?
Please may I ask where the English language novels are?

Learn Chinese -- Dialogue -- Lesson 10 Talking About Family

TEXT

 

mài kè: nĭ jiā yŏu shén me rén?
麦克： 你家有什么人？ 
Mike:  Who are there in your family? 
   
lìli: wŏ, fù qīn, mŭ qīn, gē ge hé mèi mei.
丽丽： 我，父亲，母亲，哥哥和妹妹。 
Lili:  My father, mother, an elder brother, a younger sister and me. 
   
mài kè: nĭ fù qīn duō dà suì shù?
麦克： 你父亲多大岁数？ 
Mike:  How old is your father? 
   
lìli: tā jīn nián liù shí le.
丽丽： 他今年六十了。 
Lili:  He's sixty years old.
   
mài kè: tā hái gōng zuò ma?
麦克： 他还工作吗？ 
Mike:  Is he still working?
   
lìli: tā yĭ jīng tuì xiū le.
丽丽： 他已经退休了。 
Lili:  No, he's already retired.
   
mài kè: nĭ mŭ qīn gōng zuò ma? 
麦克： 你母亲工作吗？ 
Mike:  And your mother?
   
lìli: tā shì gè jiā tíng zhŭ fù. 
丽丽： 她是个家庭主妇。 
Lili:  She is a housewife.
   
mài kè: nĭ gē ge hé mèi mei ne?
麦克： 你哥哥和妹妹呢？ 
Mike:  How are your brother and sister?
   
lìli: wŏ gē ge shì dài fu. wŏ mèi mei hái zài shàng zhōng xué.
丽丽： 我哥哥是大夫，我妹妹还在上中学。 
Lili:  My brother is doctor. My sister is studying in a middle school.

 

Background

 

在中国朋友之间的交谈常常询问长辈或晚辈的一些基本情况，以示尊敬或关心，对此中国人会感到高兴。因此，谈论家庭是交谈的一个重要内容。

In China, people often ask about their friends' parents or children during conversations to show respect and concern, and people asked are normally pleased about this. Therefore, talking about family is one of the most important aspects in a conversation.
  

New Words

1.       家庭 jiā tíng: family

2.       父亲fù qīn: father

3.       母亲 mŭ qīn: mother

4.       哥哥 gē ge: elder brother

5.       妹妹 mèi mei: younger sister

6.       退休 tuì xiū: to retire

7.       大夫 dài fu: doctor

8.       中学 zhōng xué: middle school

Learn Chinese -- Dialogue -- Lesson 9 Get a Haircut

TEXT

 

lĭ fà shī: xiān shēng, nín yào lĭ fà ma?
理发师： 先生，您要理发吗？ 
barber: Do you want your hair cut, sir? 
   
mài kè: shì de.
麦克： 是的。  
Mike:  Yes. 
   
lĭ fà shī: nín lĭ shén me yàng de?
理发师： 您理什么样的？ 
barber:  How do you want? 
   
mài kè:  zhào yuán yàng lĭ jiù xíng.
麦克： 照原样理就行。 
Mike:  Just the same as usual.
   
lĭ fà shī: nín guā liăn ma?
理发师： 您刮脸吗？ 
barber: Do you want your face shaved?
   
mài kè:  yào guā liăn, zài xiū yí xià hú zi.
麦克： 要刮脸，再修一下胡子。 
Mike:  Yes, and I'd like my moustache trimmed.
   
lĭ fà shī: qĭng nín dào zhè biān xĭ tóu.. chuī fēng shí shĭ yóu ma? 
理发师： 请您到这边洗头。吹风时使油吗？ 
barber:  Please come here to have your hair washed. Do you like some pomade while drying?
   
mài kè: shăo lái yī diănr. 
麦克： 少来一点儿。 
Mike:  Just a little.
   
lĭ fà shī: hăo le. nín kàn kĕ yĭ ma?
理发师： 好了，您看可以吗？ 
barber:  How do you like it now?
   
mài kè:  hĕn hăo.
麦克： 很好。 
Mike:  Very well.

 

Background

 

外国人住宿的宾馆、饭店大都有理发店，客人可以预约或直接去那里理发。此外, 客人也可以到街上的理发店理发，这些理发店挡次不同，因此收费标准也不同。

Barbershops have been opened in most guesthouses and big hotels. Guests may make an appointment to see a barber or go to the barber's to have a hair cut directly. On the other hand, one can have a hair cut by choosing from the barbershops along the streets. They are of variable quality and skills, so prices differ too. 

.  

New Words

1.       理发 lĭ fà: haircut

2.       原样 yuán yàng: original shape

3.       刮脸 guā liăn: to shave (the face)

4.       修 xiū: to trim

5.       胡子 hú zi: moustache

6.       洗头 xĭ tóu: to wash hair

7.       吹风 chuī fēng: to dry hair with a drier

Lesson 23 At the Department Store

1.   我想买一个小冰箱。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī gè xiǎo bīngxiāng.
I'm looking for a small fridge.　

2.   哪种质量好？
Nǎ zhǒng zhìliàng hǎo?
Which one is better?　

3.   它的噪音特别小。
Tā de zàoyīn tèbié xiǎo.
This one doesn't make much noise.　

4.   别的店更便宜。
Bié de diàn gèng piányi.
Prices in other shops are much lower.　

5.   能用信用卡吗？
Néng yòng xìnyòngkǎ ma?
Can I use my credit card?　

6.   能送货吗？
Néng sòng huò ma?
Including delivery?

Learn Chinese -- Dialogue -- Lesson 8 Taking a Taxi

TEXT

 

mài kè: sī jī, qù bĕi jīng fàn diàn ma?
麦克： 司机，去北京饭店吗？ 
Mike: Driver! To Beijing Hotel? 
   
sī jī:  qù, qĭng shàng chē.
司机： 去，请上车。 
Driver:  Yes. Get in, please. 
   
mài kè: wŏ yŏu jí shì, nín kĕ yĭ kuài yī diănr ma?
麦克：
 我有急事，您可以快一点儿吗？ 
Mike:  I have something urgent. Could you drive a little faster? 
   
sī jī:  bié zhāo jí, yī dìng zhŭn shí găn dào.
司机： 别着急，一定准时赶到。 
Driver: Don't worry. We'll get there on time.
   
mài kè: chē fèi zĕn me suàn?
麦克： 车费怎么算？ 
Mike: How do I pay for fare?
   
sī jī:  yī gōng lĭ yī kuài èr.
司机： 一公里一块二。  
Driver: One yuan and twenty fen per km.
   
mài kè: wŏ huái yào găn huí lái, nín néng bù néng dĕng yī huìr? 
麦克： 我还要赶回来，您能不能等一会儿？ 
Mike:  I'll be back. Can you wait a moment?
   
sī jī:  kĕ yĭ. 
司机： 可以。 
Driver:  Of course.
   
mài kè: dĕng hòu fèi zĕn me suàn?
麦克： 等候费怎么算？ 
Mike:  How is the waiting fee determined?
   
sī jī:  wǔ fēn zhōng yī kuài èr.
司机： 五分钟一块二。 
Driver:  One yuan and twenty fen five minutes.

 

Background

 

在北京乘坐出租汽车可以预定，也可在宾馆、饭店外边随叫随到。由于车型不同，收费也不同。每部车均有里程显示器。

In Beijing one can reserve taxis or call them at doorways of any hotels, restaurants at any time. Different models of taxis charge different prices. In each taxi there must be an odometer.

.  

New Words

1．  出租汽车chū zū qì chē: taxi

2．  司机sī jī: driver

3．  去 qù: to go

4．  上车shàng chē: to get on

5．  急事 jí shì: something urgent

6．  一点儿 yī diănr: a little

7．  着急 zhāo jí: to worry

8．  一定 yī dìng: certainly

9．  准时zhŭn shí: on time

10.   车费 chē fèi: fare
11.   公里 gōng lĭ: kilometer

12.   回来 huí lái: to come back

Learn Chinese -- Dialogue -- Lesson 7 Talking About Weather

TEXT

 

mài kè: nĭ jué de běi jīng de tiān qì zĕn me yàng?
麦克： 你觉得北京的天气怎么样？ 
Mike: What do you think of the weather in Beijing? 
   
Lili:  bĕi jīng de qiū tiān zuì hăo, chūn tiān jīng cháng guā fēng.
丽丽： 北京的秋天最好，春天经常刮风。 
Lili:  Autumn is the best season in Beijing, since there is a lot of wind in spring. 
   
mài kè: xià tiān de tiān qì ne?
麦克： 夏天的天气呢？ 
Mike:  How about in summer? 
   
Lili:  bĕi jīng de xià tiān bú tài rè, yīn wéi jīng cháng xià yŭ, hěn liáng shuăng.
丽丽： 北京的夏天不太热。因为经常下雨，很凉爽。 
Lili: It's not too hot in summer. Because there is a lot of rain, it's nice and cool.
   
mài kè: dōng tiān lĕng ma?
麦克： 冬天冷吗？ 
Mike: Is it very cold in winter?
   
Lili:  bĕi jīng de dōng tiān bĭ jiào lĕng.
丽丽： 北京的冬天比较冷。  
Lili: Yes, it's rather cold in winter.
   
mài kè: zhè me shuō, yào shì lǚ yóu de huà, qiū tiān zuì hăo, chūn tiān hé xià tiān yě bú cuò. 
麦克： 这么说，要是旅游的话，秋天最好，春天和夏天也不错。 
Mike:  That is to say, autumn is the best season for tourists. And spring and summer are also okay.
   
Lili:  nĭ shuō de duì. 
丽丽： 你说得对。 
Lili:  That's right.

 

Background

 

北京的气候为典型的暖温带季风气候，一年四季区分显著。春秋两季是观光游览的好时机。尤其是北京的秋季，凉爽宜人，人称"金色的秋天"。麦克正在和他的中国朋友丽丽谈北京的天气。

Beijing has a typical temperate and monsoonal climate with four clearly distinct seasons. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for sightseeing. Beijing's autumn, in particular, is well-known as "Golden Fall" because of its cool and fresh air. Mike is talking about Beijing's weather with his Chinese friend Lili.

New Words

1.       谈 tán: to talk about

2.       天气 tiān qì: weather

3.       秋天 qiū tiān: autumn

4.       夏天 xià tiān: summer

5.       春天 chūn tiān: spring

6.       冬天 dōng tiān: winter

7.       刮风 guā fēng: to blow

8.       热 rè: hot

9.      下雨 xià yŭ: to rain

10.     凉爽 liáng shuăng: cool

11.      冷 lĕng: cold

Chinese Culture -- Zhōng guó jiǎn zhǐ, Chinese Paper Cutting

中国剪纸（Zhōng guó jiǎn zhǐ, Chinese Paper Cutting）

中国剪纸，又叫"刻纸"、"窗花"或"剪画"，是中国的一种传统艺术。创作工具有剪子和刻刀，载体有纸张、金银箔、树皮、树叶、布、皮革等片状材料。中国剪纸艺术流派众多，大体分为南方派、江浙派和北方派。南方派和江浙派剪纸的艺术风格多以细腻、秀气见长；北方派则以粗犷、大气著称。南方派剪纸以湖北沔阳剪纸、广东佛山剪纸和福建民间剪纸为代表。江浙派则以江苏扬州剪纸和浙江民间剪纸为主。北方派的代表性剪纸有山西剪纸、河北蔚县剪纸、陕西和山东民间剪纸。早在2006年5月，剪纸艺术就被列入第一批中国国家级非物质文化遗产名录。次年6月，河北蔚县剪纸的传人-王老赏的大弟子周兆明被认定为该文化遗产项目的代表性传承人。

Chinese paper cutting, also known as paper carving, window paper cutting or scissored painting, is a traditional art of China. Tools for paper cutting include scissors and knives, while material used can be paper, gold foil, tree bark, leaves, cloth, or leather. There are many schools of Chinese paper cutting, which are mainly the Southern school, the Jiangsu and Zhejiang school, and the Northern school. The school of the Southern and that from Jiangsu and Zhejiang are well-known for being fine and delicate; while the Northern school is known for its qualities of being rough and magnificent. The types of paper cutting that best represent the Southern school include the Mianyang paper cutting from Hubei, the Foshan paper cutting from Guangdong, and the folk paper cutting from Fujian. Those that represent the paper cutting from Jiangsu and Zhejiang include the Yangzhou paper cutting and the folk paper cutting from Zhejiang. The major northern types of paper cutting are the Shanxi paper cutting, the Wei county paper cutting of Hebei, and the folk paper cutting of Shannxi and Shandong. Early in May 2006, the art of paper cutting was officially approved and included into the first batch list of China national intangible cultural heritage. In June 2007, Zhou Zhaoming, the senior disciple of Master Wong Loshang, successor of the Hebei Wei county papercut was officially identified as the representative successor of the Wei country paper cutting.

Lesson 22 At the Clothes Store

1.   我想买一件旗袍。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yí jiàn qípáo.
I want to buy a cheongsam.　

2.   这是什么料子的？
Zhè shì shénme liàozi de?
What is it made of?　

3.   蓝色的好还是黄色的好？
Lánsè de hǎo háishì huángsè de hǎo?
Which do think is better? The blue one or the yellow one?　

4.   能试试吗？
Néng shìshi ma?
Can I have a try on it?　

5.   能打折吗？
Néng dǎ zhé ma?
Is it possible to get a discount?

Lesson 21 Shopping by Phone

1.   我要订个比萨饼。
Wǒ yào dìng gè bǐsàbǐng.
I want to order a pizza.　

2.   怎么付钱呢？
Zěnme fù qián ne?
How do I make payment?　

3.   可以货到付款。
Kěyǐ huòdào fùkuǎn.
You can just pay on delivery.　

4.   你说一个时间。
Nǐ shuō yí gè shíjiān.
You name a time. 

Learn Chinese -- Dialogue -- Lesson 6 Going to See a Doctor

TEXT

 

mài kè: wŏ shēn tǐ bù shū fu.
麦克： 我身体不舒服。 
Mike:  I feel very bad, doctor. 
   
dài fu: nĭ năr bù shū fu?
大夫： 你哪儿不舒服？  
Doctor:  What's wrong with you? 
   
mài kè: tóu téng, hún shēn méi jìnr, hái ké sou.
麦克： 头疼，浑身没劲儿，还咳嗽。 
Mike:  I've got a headache and a cough, and my whole body feels weak. 
   
dài fu: fā shāo bù fā shāo?
大夫： 发烧不发烧？ 
Doctor: Do you have a fever?
   
mài kè: bù zhī dào, hăo xiàng bù fā shāo.
麦克： 不知道，好像不发烧。 
Mike:  I don't know. Maybe not.
   
dài fu: xiān liáng liáng tĭ wēn ba. sān shí bā dù. bă zuĭ zhāng kāi:"a".
大夫： 先量量体温吧。三十八度。把嘴张开，"啊"。 
Doctor: Le me take your temperature first. 38℃. Open your mouth and say "ah".
   
mài kè: dài fu, wŏ dé de shì shén me bìng? 
麦克： 大夫，我得的是什么病？ 
Mike:  What's wrong with me, doctor?
   
dài fu: zhòng găn mào. chī diănr yào jiù huì hăo de.
大夫： 重感冒。吃点儿药就会好的。 
Doctor:  You've got a cold. Take some medicine and you'll be all right. 

 

Background

 

外国游客或其他临时访问北京的外国朋友，需要在北京看病时根据病情，可去医院门诊、急诊或住院。北京的协和医院、中日友好医院、东直门中医医院、口腔医院等都有外宾门诊部。

Foreign travelers or short-term visitors who need to see a doctor probably may go to hospital according to the seriousness of their illness: outpatient service, emergency treatment or hospitalization. The outpatient departments are set up for foreign guests in the Beijing Union Medical College Hospital, the Sino-Japanese Friendship Hospital, the Dongzhimen Hospital of Chinese Medicine and the Stomatological Hospital.  

New Words

1．  看病kàn bìng: to see a doctor

2．  头疼 tóu téng: headache vv

3．  浑身 hún shēn: all over, from head to foot

4．  劲儿 jìnr: strength, energy

5．  咳嗽 ké sou: to cough

6．  发烧 fā shāo: to have a fever

7．  体温 tĭ wēn: temperature

8．  嘴 zuĭ: mouth

9．  张开 zhāng kāi: to open

10. 病 bìng: disease

11. 感冒 găn mào: to catch a cold

12. 药 yào: medicine

Learn Chinese -- Dialogue -- Lesson 5 Being A Guest at A Friend's Home

TEXT

 

Wánglì: fàn zuò hăo le, kuài lái chī ba.
王丽： 饭做好了，快来吃吧。 
Wang: Now everything is already prepared. Come on, let's eat. 
   
mài kè: zhè me duō cài, kàn zhe yăn dōu chán le.
麦克： 这么多菜，看着眼都馋了。 
Mike:  So many delicious dishes! It makes my mouth water just to look at them. 
   
Wánglì: lái, jiā cài, duō chī diănr.
王丽： 来，夹菜，多吃点儿。 
Wang:  Here, take some more. 
   
mài kè: zhè xiē cài dōu shì nín zì jĭ zuò de ma?
麦克： 这些菜都有是您自己做的吗？ 
Mike: Did you cook all these dishes?
   
Wánglì: shì a, zĕn me yàng?
王丽： 是啊，怎么样？ 
Wang: Yes. How do you like it?
   
mài kè: Zhōng guó rén zuò cài de shŏu yì zhēn bú cuò.
麦克： 中国人做菜的手艺真不错。 
Mike: The Chinese are very good at cooks.
   
Wánglì: lái, gĕi nĭ diănr zhè gè cài. 
王丽： 来给你点儿这个菜。 
Wang:  Now, let me help you with the dish.
   
mài kè:  bié kè qì, wŏ zì jĭ lái.
麦克： 别客气，我自己来。 
Mike:  Don't stand on ceremony. I'll help myself.
   
Wánglì: chī băo le ma?
王丽： 吃饱了吗？ 
Wang:  Are you full?
   
mài kè: xiè xiè, chī băo le.
麦克： 谢谢，吃饱了。 
Mike:  Thanks, I'm quite full.

 

Background

 

应邀到中国朋友家作客，要求准时到达，提前几分钟也是适宜的，迟到是失礼的。中国人请客吃饭，一般情况是重吃不重谈。中国人认为酒菜不丰盛是不尊重客人。麦克应邀到他的中国同事王丽家作客。

If invited, a guest must arrive at a Chinese friend's home on time. It is proper to be there a couple of minutes earlier, as being late is rude. Generally speaking, eating is more important than talking at a dining table for Chinese people think scant wine and dishes are impolite to guests. Mike is invited to her colleague Wang Li's home.

New Words

1.       朋友 péng yǒu: friend

2.       做客：zuò kè: be invited

3.       饭fàn: dinner

4         菜 cài: dish

5.       馋 chán: greedy

6.       自己 zì jĭ: oneself

7.       做菜 zuò cài: cook

8.       手艺不错 shŏu yì bú cuò: be good at

9.       夹菜 jiā cài: eat

10.　  饱 băo: be full