Archive by Author
Living in Another Country Posted by Transparent Language on Sep 10, 2009
As someone who is living in 国外 (a foreign country/abroad) , there are a lot of 生活习惯 (lifestyle habits) and 观念 (values/views) that can be 适应不了 (impossible to adjust to). Sometimes it can be in the way people 思考 (think) about certain issues, and it may come off to local people as 抱怨 (complaining), 批评(criticism)…
Border Crossings Posted by Transparent Language on Sep 6, 2009
Today I wanted to 过关 (cross the border), and so I hopped on the usual 班车 (shuttle bus) to the border station. There I noticed a sign saying that you couldn’t carry more than 2000支 cigarettes. For purchasing bus tickets into the city, you can use 八达通 (octopus card) which is similar to Beijing’s 一卡通…
Relatively Speaking Posted by Transparent Language on Sep 4, 2009
When speaking another language, it can sometimes feel like trying to stick a square peg into a round hole. Some ideas in your native language do not carry over into the target language. Although plurals in English may often lose distinctions in Chinese, the most elusive counterpart may be a direct answer. When somebody says应该…
Ordering Food Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 30, 2009
The other day, I ordered one of my favorite foods, a 咖喱鸡饭套餐 (curry chicken set meal) complete with a 一杯冻奶茶 (cup of cold milk tea). It was going to be great, but what I hadn’t counted on was the 商务流程 (business process) of this restaurant being 搞混 (mixed-up). First, someone 上门 (came to my door)…
Chinese Valentine’s Day Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 27, 2009
Yesterday was 七夕节 (Chinese Valentine’s Day). It comes from the story of a mortal cowherd 牛郎 (lit. cowherd) and 织女 (lit. fabric woman), a goddess, who met but eventually were torn apart (versions of why vary). Every year on the 7th day of the 7th month on the 阴历 (lunar calendar), there is a 鹊桥…
Residential Certificates Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 24, 2009
Today when I went to get my foreigner registration permit, I ended up in a place specializing in 警务 (police affairs) and realized that I had 走错 (gone to the wrong place). The officer inside informed me that my residence was not within the 范围 (scope) of that particular outpost. When I got to the…
Cha Can Ting Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 21, 2009
Living in Shenzhen has placed me near Hong Kong, which puts me near innumerable 茶餐厅 (HK-style cafes). Besides serving one of my favorite dishes – 蛋挞 (egg tart, it should be one of your favorite dishes too) – there are also great 牛肉粥 (beef rice porridge) dishes. For drinks, you’re never at a loss, as…