Archive for June, 2009
Michael Jackson Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 27, 2009
As nearly everybody in the world knows, the other day a famous 歌星 (music star) 逝世 (passed away). Yes, it was 迈克尔 杰克逊 (Michael Jackson), the creator of the record-holding best-selling 唱片 (album) in history. Nobody expected for him to 去世 (pass on) at such an early age. Thousands of 歌迷 (fans) lined up all…
Summer in Beijing Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 24, 2009
Hello readers! So these days it’s pretty hot in Beijing, reaching 40 摄氏度 (degrees Celsius), that’s 104F for people who use 华氏度 (degrees Fahrenheit). I have tried to use my 空调 (air conditioner) but to no avail, leaving me somewhat 郁闷 (melancholy). Also, in Beijing, the 空气 (air) owing in part to 污染 (pollution), can…
On Usage of Terms of Annoyance Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 21, 2009
Sometimes in 跨文化谈判 (cross-cultural negotiations) , some of the 幽默(humor) can be lost, and it can lead someone approaching the situation in a 认真 (serious/diligent) manner to be at a loss for words and unable to communicate further. Today, let’s take a look at some words that people use to express annoyance. First, there’s 烦…
Changing Jobs Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 17, 2009
How do people talk about their careers in China? Many people here work very hard, to the point where they 做牛做马 (work as hard as oxen or horses). Even so, sometimes a horse has to 跳槽 (jump stables). It is important to be as 用功 (hardworking) as they come in this economic climate. For…
Winning Prizes Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 15, 2009
The other night I was at a conference which had organized a 抽奖 (prize drawing) activity. I bought 9 tickets at the time, trying to improve my chances of winning. Win I did. There were KTV (karaoke) passes and 餐卷 (food coupons), which could be used another night. Given that the tickets were 10USD or…
Bargaining at the Market Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 11, 2009
A great thing happened the other day at 秀水街 (the silk market), and even the day before at 中关村 (zhongguancun – see below). A friend of mine said that if I could get a deal lower than the one he got on a U-盘(thumb drive), then he would 请我吃饭(treat me to a meal). The first…
Card Madness Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 8, 2009
Hello Readers! The other day I got into Beijing from Newark and was in for a bit of a surprise. You see, when I arrived at #2 航站楼 (terminal), I needed to withdraw some money from the 汇丰取款机 (HSBC ATM). I didn’t expect for my 卡 (card) to be 吞 (swallowed) by the machine. I…