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Classrooms in China pt 1 Posted by Transparent Language on Mar 25, 2009
When you’re in the 教室 (classroom)，you’ll need your basics like your 铅笔 (pencil), 笔 (pen), and 笔记本 (notebook), all set out on your 桌子 (desk). The 老师 (teacher) will write something on the 黑板 (blackboard) using a piece of 粉笔 (chalk) likely instructing you which pages in your 课本 (textbook) you’ll need. If you’re sharing…
Locked In/Out Posted by Transparent Language on Mar 24, 2009
The day I was to go to HK, I managed to lock myself out of my apartment. The door automatically 锁上 (locked) as I left my 屋子 (room) without my 钥匙 (keys). 还好 (at least, fortunately) I didn’t leave my passport in there when I was on my way to HK. A new 事项 (item)…
Back to HK Posted by Transparent Language on Mar 22, 2009
This morning, I got up to go to the airport for another visa run to Hong Kong. It was a little late, but I figured I’d get to the 机场快轨 (airport express) in time. I got to the checkin counter to find that it was 关了 (closed). The checkin counter person told me that I’d…
Phone Fun Posted by Transparent Language on Mar 12, 2009
In China, the cellphone system is different from other countries. There is no (or very limited) voicemail, and phones are paid for on a pay-as-you-go basis. When you call somebody, you can pick up a lot of clues from the message/ring. 你好，你所拨打的用户正在通话中。 If this rings twice and then you get the message, then your call…
International Women’s Day Posted by Transparent Language on Mar 8, 2009
Today is March 8, which means it’s 国际妇女节 (International Women’s Day). Don’t forget to send a message to your 女性 (female) friends. Incidentally, 三八 (literally – “3 8” means gossipy/b*&%^) is a term used for referring to women which has two meanings- neither one is very flattering. 女人手撑半边天 (women hold up half the sky) is…
Differences between Chinese and English Posted by Transparent Language on Feb 28, 2009
Over the past few months, I’ve collected some of the differences I’ve observed between Chinese and English, of which I will outline here: 1. 东西 2. 大家 3. 一般 4. 应该 东西 means “thing,” but you should watch out how you use it. If you were trying to tell somebody that they weren’t an object and you said…
Buying a Hammer Posted by Transparent Language on Feb 28, 2009
The other day, I wanted to go buy a sledgehammer. I hopped in a cab to my local 建材城 (construction material city), made my way past the 地板 (flooring) and the 地毯 (carpeting) until I got to the 五金 (hardware) section. I set aside 螺丝刀 (screwdrivers) and smaller 锤子 (hammers) until I relented and just…