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

Learn Chinese -- Dialogue -- Lesson 4 At the Free Market

TEXT

 

Nǚ hái: Xiān shēng, nín yào diănr shén me?
女孩： 先生，您要点儿什么？ 
Girl: What can I do for you, sir? 
   

mài kè: Pú táo duō shăo qián yī jīn? 
麦克： 葡萄多少钱一斤？  
Mike:  What's the price of grapes per jin? 
   
Nǚ hái: Yī kuài bā máo qián yī jīn. 
女孩： 一块八毛钱一斤。 
Girl: One yuan and eight mao per jin. 
   
mài kè: Tài guì le, pián yi diănr xíng ma? 
麦克： 太贵了，便宜点儿行吗？ 
Mike: That's too expensive. Can you make it a bit cheaper?
   
Nǚ hái: Zuì duō yī jīn pián yi wŭ fēn.
女孩： 最多一斤便宜五分。 
Girl: The most I could come down is five fen.
   
mài kè: Yī kuài liù máo qian yī jīn kĕ yĭ ma? 
麦克： 一块六毛钱一斤可以吗？ 
Mike: How about one yuan and six mao per jin?
   
Nǚ hái: Duō măi kĕ yĭ.  
女孩： 多买可以。
Girl:  If you buy a lot, that'll be okay.
   
mài kè: Nà me wŏ măi wŭ jīn ba.
麦克： 那么我买五斤吧。 
Mike:  Then I'll buy five jin.

 

Background

 

北京的农贸市场品种多样，价格灵活，购买时可随挑选，还可以讨价还价。麦克来到这里买一些葡萄。

In Beijing agricultural products markets offer a varied assortment, at reasonable and negotiable prices. Mike is going to buy some grapes here.

New Words

1.       自由市场 zì yóu shì chăng: free market

2.       斤 jīn: jīn (Chinese unit of weight)

3.       贵 guì: expensive

4.       便宜 pián yi: cheap

5.       最 zuì: most

6.       多 duō: a lot

7.       葡萄 pú táo: grape

8.　   那么 nà me: then

Chinese Culture -- the Twelve Zodiacs

十二生肖（shí èr shēng xiāo，the Twelve Zodiacs）

十二生肖，是中国古代纪年用的一组动物图像，由十一种源于自然界的动物 –"鼠、牛、虎、兔、蛇、马、羊、猴、鸡、狗、猪"加中国传说中的"龙"组成。十二生肖与中国农历中的"十二地支"搭配后的排列顺序为"子鼠、丑牛、寅虎、卯兔、辰龙、巳蛇、午马、未羊、申猴、酉鸡、戌狗、亥猪"。其中狗排位第十一。很多西方人把生肖看作是中国的"星座"。基于一个12年的循环，每一年都有一个动物作为象征。生肖在古代还被用作代表一天的时间，也就是我们所说的时辰。一天有12个时辰，每个时辰为现在的两个小时，子时是十二个时辰中的第一时辰（即23点整至凌晨1点整），与子时相配合的动物是子鼠。根据中国的传统哲学，人出生在某个时辰，通常被认定为本性中带有某种动物的原始特性，如：老鼠代表智慧，牛代表勤奋，老虎代表勇猛，兔子代表谨慎，龙代表威猛，蛇代表柔韧，马代表勇往直前，羊代表和顺，猴子代表敏捷，鸡代表恒定，狗代表忠诚，猪代表随和。总而言之，所有这些有关于生肖的含义也都来自古人对后代的美好祝愿。

Speaking of dogs, we naturally need to mention the "Twelve Zodiacs" that represent traditional Chinese culture. The "Twelve Zodiacs" are a group of animal images used in ancient Chinese almanacs. They are composed of eleven animals from nature - "rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig," and a Chinese legendary component - "Dragon". The Zodiacs used to combine together with the "Twelve Earthly Branches" in the Chinese Lunar calendar and usually form 12 pair groups in sequence, including "Zi su (rat), Chou niu (ox), Yin hu (tiger), Mao tu (rabbit), Chen long (dragon), Si she (snake), Wu ma (horse), Wei yang (sheep), Shen hou (monkey), You ji (rooster), Xu gou (dog) and Hai zhu (pig)". Among these, the dog ranks the eleventh. Many Westerners take Chinese zodiacs as China's "Constellations" or "Horoscopes". Based on a 12-year cycle, each year has an animal as its symbol. In ancient times, zodiacs were also used to represent different time periods of the day, what we call "Shi Chen", literally the "time periods". In Chinese lunar calendar, there are 12 time periods a day, and every time period includes two hours. "Zi shi", or midnight time, is the first of the twelve time periods (i.e. from 23:00 to 01:00), and the zodiac animal that matches it is rat. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, one who was born in a certain time period is usually identified having the nature of the zodiac animal. For instance, rat symbolizes wisdom; ox, hard work; tiger, bravery and courage; rabbit, prudence; dragon, bravery and power; snake, flexibility; horse, courage and fearlessness; sheep, softness and harmony; monkey, cleverness; chicken, constancy; dog, loyalty; and pig, easy-going. In short, all of these connotations for zodiacs were derived from the good wishes of ancient Chinese for their later generations.

Everyday Chinese -- 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. 

Chinese Song -- Orchid Pavilion (lán tíng xù) Singer: Jay Chou

兰亭序
Orchid Pavilion 

演唱：周杰伦 Singer: Jay Chou
兰(lán)亭(tíng)临(lín)帖(tiē) 行(xíng)书(shū)如(rú)行(xíng)云(yún)流(liú)水(shuǐ)
Practicing calligraphy at the Orchid Pavilion, the semi-cursive script resembling sailing clouds and flowing water

月(yuè)下(xià)门(mén)推(tuī) 心(xīn)细(xì)如(rú)你(nǐ)脚(jiǎo)步(bù)碎(suì)
Under the moon the door yielded to a gentle push, your thoughtfulness reflected in your fragile footsteps

忙(máng)不(bù)迭(dié) 千(qiān)年(nián)碑(bēi)易(yì)拓(tuò) 却(què)难(nán)拓(tuò)你(nǐ)的(de)美(měi)
In haste, the one-thousand-year tablet is easy to copy, yet your beauty is not

真(zhēn)迹(jì)绝(jué) 真(zhēn)心(xīn)能(néng)给(gěi)谁(shuí)
If the original script were gone, to whom would I give my heart?

牧(mù)笛(dí)横(héng)吹(chuī) 黄(huáng)酒(jiǔ)小(xiǎo)菜(cài)又(yòu)几(jǐ)碟(dié)
I was playing the flute over the rice wine and several dishes

夕(xī)阳(yáng)余(yú)晖(huī) 如(rú)你(nǐ)的(de)羞(xiū)怯(qiè)似(sì)醉(zuì)
The sun’s setting rays were like your blushes as if drunk

摹(mó)本(běn)易(yì)写(xiě) 而(ér)墨(mò)香(xiāng)不(bù)退(tuì)与(yǔ)你(nǐ)共(gòng)留(liú)余(yú)味(wèi)
A copy is easy to make, and the fragrance of the ink did not fade away, like the remnants of your scent

一(yì)行(háng)朱(zhū)砂(shā) 到(dào)底(dǐ)圈(quān)了(le)谁(shuí)
A stripe of cinnabar, whose name after all did it circle?


CHORUS:
无(wú)关(guān)风(fēng)月(yuè) 我(wǒ)题(tí)序(xù)等(děng)你(nǐ)回(huí)
No matter when, I write the preface while awaiting your return

悬(xuán)笔(bǐ)一(yī)绝(jué) 那(nà)岸(àn)边(biān)浪(làng)千(qiān)叠(dié)
Holding the brush with my arm in mid-air, I completed the character, the waves piled up against the shore

情(qíng)字(zì)何(hé)解(jiě) 怎(zěn)落(luò)笔(bǐ)都(dōu)不(bú)对(duì)
But how could I understand the character “love”? Whatever stroke I started with always seemed wrong

而(ér)我(wǒ)独(dú)缺(quē) 你(nǐ)一(yì)生(shēng)的(de)了(liǎo)解(jiě)
because the one thing I lack, is the understanding of your life


CHORUS 2
弹(tán)指(zhǐ)岁(suì)月(yuè) 倾(qīng)城(chéng)顷(qǐng)刻(kè)间(jiān)烟(yān)灭(miè)
Years passed in a snap of fingers, beauty vanished in an instant

青(qīng)石(shí)板(bǎn)街(jiē) 回(huí)眸(móu)一(yī)笑(xiào)你(nǐ)婉(wǎn)约(yuē)
On the bluestone alley, you glanced back and smiled with grace and restraint

恨(hèn)了(le)没(méi) 你(nǐ)摇(yáo)头(tóu)轻(qīng)叹(tàn)谁(shuí)让(ràng)你(nǐ)蹙(cù)着(zhe)眉(méi)
Have you regretted or not? You shook your head and sighed. Who put a frown on your face?

而(ér)深(shēn)闺(guī) 徒(tú)留(liú)胭(yān)脂(zhī)味(wèi)
And deep in the lady’s chamber, the smell of the rouge lingered in vain

人(rén)雁(yàn)南(nán)飞(fēi) 转(zhuǎn)身(shēn)一(yì)瞥(piē)你(nǐ)噙(qín)泪(lèi)
As geese flew south in a v-pattern, I turned around and caught a glimpse of your tears

掬(jū)一(yī)把(bǎ)月(yuè) 手(shǒu)揽(lan)回(huí)忆(yì)怎(zěn)么(me)睡(shuì)
Holding a handful of moonlight in my hands, how could I sleep with those memories?

又(yòu)怎(zěn)么(me)会(huì) 心(xīn)事(shì)密(mì)缝(feng)绣(xiù)花(huā)鞋(xié)针(zhēn)针(zhēn)怨(yuàn)对(duì)
And how could the matters of your heart be so tightly sewn into the embroidered shoes, with every pair of stitches so filled with resentment?

若(ruò)花(huā)怨(yuàn)蝶(dié) 你(nǐ)会(huì)怨(yuàn)着(zhe)谁(shuí)
If the flower resented the butterfly, whom would you resent?


CHORUS
无关风月 我题序等你回
No matter when, I write the preface while awaiting your return

手书无愧 无惧人间是非
These handwritten words have no qualms, not afraid of the rights and wrongs of the human world

雨打蕉叶 又潇潇了几夜
The rain has been striking the banana leaves, the whistling and pattering having lasted for several nights

我等春雷 来提醒你爱谁
I await the spring thunder to remind you who you really love

周杰伦和林志玲在2011年春节晚会上表演的《兰亭序》以唯美绚丽的画面，行云流水般的舞蹈表演，给观众留下了最深最美的印象。周杰伦在表演中除了唱歌之外，穿插表演了魔术和大提琴。

Learn Chinese -- Dialogue -- Lesson 3 Asking the Way

TEXT

 

mài kè: Láo jià, xī dān lí zhèr yuăn bù yuăn? 
麦克： 劳驾，西单离这儿远不远？ 
Mike: Excuse me, is Xidan far from here? 
   

Lì li:  Bĭ jiăo yuăn, qí chē dĕi èr shí wŭ fēn zhōng zuŏ yòu. 
丽丽： 比较远，骑车得25 分钟左右。 
Lili: Yes, quite far. It will take you twenty-five minutes by bicycle. 
   
mài kè: zuò chē fāng biàn ma?
麦克： 坐车方便吗？ 
Mike:  Is it easy to take a bus?

Lì li:  Hěn fāng biàn, yao zuò qī zhàn chē, xià chē jiù shì.
丽丽： 很方便，要坐七站车，下车就是。 
Lili: Yes, very easy. You just take seven stations to go to Xidan. You can't miss it.
   
mài kè: Qĭng wèn dào fŭ yòu jiē yŏu duō yuăn?
麦克： 请问到府右街有多远？ 
Mike: And could you tell me how far is it to Fuyoujie from here?
   
Lì li: Nín qù xī dān de shí hòu, lù guò fŭ yòu jiē.
丽丽： 您去西单的时候，路过府右街。 
Lili: On your way to Xidan, you'll pass by Fuyoujie.
   
mài kè: Fŭ yòu jiē dào xī dān yuăn bù yuăn?  
麦克： 府右街到西单远不远？ 
Mike:  Is it far from Fuyoujie to Xidan?
   
Lì li: Bù yuăn le, zŏu shí fēn zhōng jiù dào le.
丽丽： 不远了，走十分钟就到了。 
Lili:  Not too far, you just need to walk for ten minutes.　
 

 

Background

 

当您独自外出游览或拜访亲朋好友，遇到地点不清或地址不详时就需要问路。一天，麦克要去西单，一位热心的北京姑娘正在给他指路。

When you have a trip or visit to your friends or acquaintances alone, you may come across an unknown or unclear address and you will have to ask the way. One day, Mike wants to go to Xidan and a warmhearted Beijing girl is telling him the way.

 

New Words

 

1.       问路 wèn lù: ask the way

2.       离 lí: from

3.       这儿 zhèr: here

4.       远 yuăn: far

5.       劳驾 láo jià: excuse me

6.       坐车 zuò chē: take a bus

7.       方便 fāng biàn: easy

8.       左右 zuŏ yòu: about

9.       比较 bĭ jiăo: quite

10.     路过 lù guò: pass by

Learn Chinese -- Dialogue -- Lesson 2 Eating Roast Beijing Duck

TEXT

Zhēnní: Cháng yī cháng, zhè shì zhèng zōng de Bĕijīng kǎo yā。
珍妮: 尝一尝，这是正宗的北京烤鸭。 
Jane: Have a taste. This is traditional Roast Beijing Duck. 
   
Màikè: Zěn me gè chī fǎ?
麦克: 怎么个吃法？ 
Mike:  How to eat it? 
   
Zhēnní:  Xiān ná yī zhāng báo bĭng, bă yā piàn fàng zài lĭ miàn, rán hòu bă mŏ hăo jiàng de cōng jiā zài bĭng lĭ jiù kě yĭ chī le. 
珍妮: 先拿一张薄饼，把鸭片放在里面，然后把抹好酱的葱夹在饼里就可以吃了。 
Jane: Put slices of roast duck inside the thin pancakes which are smeared with sweet bean sauce and scallion. 
   
Màikè: Míng bái le.
麦克: 明白了。 
Mike:  I see.
   
Zhēnní: Kăo yā de wèi dào zĕn me yàng?
珍妮: 烤鸭的味道怎么样？ 
Jane: How does the roast duck taste?
   
Màikè: Wèi dào hăo jí le, zhēn shì míng bù xū chuán.
麦克: 味道好极了，真是名不虚传。 
Mike:  It's very delicious and it really has a well-deserved reputation.

Background

烤鸭是北京的一道风味菜。珍妮和麦克来到有120多年历史的北京"全聚德烤鸭店"。

The roast duck is regarded as the specially delicate food of Beijing. Jane and Mike is now in the Beijing Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant which has more than 120 years history.

New Words

1.    烤鸭 kǎo yā: roast duck

2.    吃 chī: eat

3.    尝一尝 cháng yī cháng: to taste

4.    正宗的 zhèng zōng de: traditional

5.    怎么 zěn me: how

6.    薄饼 báo bĭng: thin pancakes

7.    鸭片 yā piàn: sliced duck

8.    放 fàng: to put

9.    里面 lĭ miàn: inside

10. 然后 rán hòu: then

11. 酱 jiàng: sauce

12. 葱cōng: scallion

13. 真zhēn: really

14. 好极了hăo jí le: delicious

15. 名不虚传 míng bù xū chuán: to enjoy a well-deserved reputation

Chinese Idioms -- huà bǐng chōng jī

画饼充饥 (huà bǐng chōng jī)

Draw a pancake to allay huger --- feed in illusions

Lu Yu was a very learned and honest man of the State of Wei in the Three Kingdoms Period (220 --- 280). He served as a senior official for three years and made many good suggestions to Emperor Wendi. He was later promoted to the position of Minister of Official Personnel Affairs.

When the emperor was selecting personnel for a very important post, some well-known people were recommended. But Emperor Wendi didn't like them. In a special imperial edict, the emperor said, "whether we can find the right person for this post depends on Lu Yu. We shouldn't choose those only with fame but without real ability and learning. Fame is just like a pancake drawn on the ground which you can't eat."

Lu Yu suggested that recommendation be combined with examination and the emperor adopted his proposal. Officials were then appointed according to their competence. This method won wide acclaim from the people.

From a phrase in the imperial edict came the idiom 画饼充饥 (huà bǐng chōng jī). At first, it means "value empty names", or "enjoy a reputation unwarranted by any real learning". Now, people use it in a new sense. By 画饼充饥 (huà bǐng chōng jī), we mean "feed on illusions" or "console oneself with false hopes".

Lesson 20 At Second-hand Market

1.   这是什么牌子的？
Zhè shì shénme páizi de?
What brand is it?　

2.   中国名牌。
Zhōngguó míngpái.
China top brand.　

3.   这儿有点儿毛病。
Zhèr yǒu diǎnr máobìng.
Something seems wrong here.　

4.   最多100元！
Zuìduō yìbǎi yuán!
100 yuan at most.