URLLesson Introduction
Yes, we realize that the only two things you are ever pronounced in life are “dead” and “man and wife”, but if you think that the 51% split rate is going to sway us from a lesson on the betrothed, then we’d better site irreconcilable differences right now. In this podcast, we unify spoken Mandarin Chinese about marriage/divorce with the English explanation…a match made in the Temple of Heaven. Mazel tov.
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KeithJanuary 31, 2006
Hi, There seems to be a glitch in the matching review exercise - 回家 doesn't link up with "to go home."
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Bazza 吴白锐January 31, 2006
So Jenny, how would I ask you to marry me? ;)
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ShawnJanuary 31, 2006
Thanks for the new lesson. I'm really enjoying the site. Yes, I should pay for it. I like to think, even if I'm not paying, at least I took the time to do a review and put the flash ad on my site. But then I think that's lame. You guys are working hard to provide such a high quality of lessons and materials I should cough up the dough. I'm just hesistant as I'm dying to buy a new guitar and effects rack. If you could make it a wee bit cheaper, I think you'd be doing yourselves a favor. Say $5/month. I bet you'd get a lot more subscribers and make up the difference if not more. But that's my opinions. Still, that's up to you guys. I do think you will have a lot better luck with the Korean market as they're hell bent on English there and have the credit cards to pay.
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Bazza 吴白锐January 31, 2006
我二月十号是二十九岁。
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beauJanuary 31, 2006
There is an error in the transcription. 为什么还没 is of course why do [you] still not have and not how old. Im sure this is easy enough that most didn't bother to say anything but i pictured me a year ago scratching my poor confused head. I too like the inclusion of the tradition characters. If you care to read any literature written before the communist take over this will come in handy :) Bazza, there seems to be a que forming so i'd take a number quick if i were you ;)
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DarylJanuary 31, 2006
Hi. I'm loving this site, although I agree with those who say that even the basic monthly fee is a bit pricey. I'm paying it but then again I'm determined to improve my Chinese. I really appreciate it when Kai-en and Jenny give the etymologies of many of the key expressions--it makes it much easier to remember these words. Also, the reality is that a substantial number of Americans who have the time to learn some pin yin are never going to master Chinese characters. If one can't read the Chinese words, one is dependent on native speakers to cue one into what's going on. So if Chinese pod could make even more of an effort to provide some etymologies in passing, espcially in the Newbie and Beginning levels, these efforts would be most appreciated! Xie xie.
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AnnieFebruary 9, 2006
Bazza, maybe you should prepare 999 red roses 九百九十九朵红玫瑰 jiǔbǎijiǔshíjiǔ duǒ hóng méiguī to ask for her hand. Haha... hurry up ! Shawn, I do understand how much time it is involved to come up with a lesson and the exercises so I do think the pricing is reasonable.
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BenJune 26, 2006
Hi, there. I always enjoy this blog. Thank you. I have a qusetion to ask in this dialogue. You used "ji sui le" to ask li xiansheng's age. But I was tought at school that "ji sui le" is normally used to ask kids about their ages. Because "ji" is the word to ask number below 10. In this case I think "duoda nianji le" would be correct. I wonder if anyone coment on that.
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BenJune 30, 2006
Ken: Would you be kind enough to asnswer the “ji sui le” qustion above?
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adamAugust 24, 2006
why is mei used instead of bu in phrase 3?
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ChinesePodAugust 24, 2006
Ben, Sorry that your question got overlooked. You're right that it would not be very polite to directly ask Mr. Li “ji sui le.” But in the dialogue, one person is asking another person about Mr. Li's age, so it's OK. (Also note that the person doing the asking is not interested in being very polite, asking things like, "why isn't he married yet?" Yes, it's a normal Chinese question, but it's not especially polite.) It would also be OK to use “duoda nianji le” when asking about Mr. Li. It's not considered very good form to ask old people how old they are, but if you had to, you're right that “duoda nianji le” would be better. It's OK to use “ji sui le” for someone younger than you (that you don't need to show extra respect for). -John
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ChinesePodAugust 24, 2006
Adam, The sentence in the dialogue is: That translates as "Why hasn't he gotten married yet?" Méi (没) is used in place of bù (不) for the past tense. However, I have to mention that for this sentence it is possible to use the present tense and use bù: This would be: "Why doesn't he (hurry up) and get married?" I hope that clarifies it for you. -John
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BENAugust 26, 2006
John: Thank you very much for your elaborating on my question. Ming bai le.
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Road To Wedlock V: Right, The Ceremony! | Life In Suzhou China Blog | Adventures of the HumanaughtFebruary 11, 2007
[...] 菜鸟63 Marriage and Divorce [...]
billglover says
Quick query about the Dialogue page. The transcript says: 他已经四十五岁了。 But the audio seems to say: 他已经四五十岁了。 I presume this makes a difference and that 四十五 (4 * 10 + 5 = 45) is the right way of saying this.May 16, 2007
stirling says
"cite irreconcilable differences." Or was that a pun?June 27, 2007
lalaland says
I am an adult living in china. My parents divorced when I was young. Try as I may to avoid the topic in China, I have been in many uncomfortable dinners when somehow, different questions about my background lead people to become confused, so I must explain that my parents divorced. It inevitably leads to stunned silence or a sympathetic uncomfortable apologies. Is it possible to do a lesson about this aspect of Chinese culture and include a dialog of a person explaining what it was like to be a child of divorced parents. Many people, once they get to know me, ask these types of questions, and I don't really know how to answer these types of questions culturally in Chinese.October 4, 2007
almajors says
October 16, 2008
So many recycled newbie lessons...
blackjacksadie says
December 9, 2008
”我爸爸妈妈最近离婚了。“
对吗？