Tag Archives: Culture
Chinese Zodiac: The Tiger Posted by Transparent Language on Jan 25, 2009
Hello Readers! Today’s topic is the Year of the Tiger. The Tiger is the 3rd year of the 12-year cycle, and those who 属虎 (were born in the Year of the Tiger) are 勇敢 (brave) and seek a good 名誉 (reputation). Their 判断(judgments) are not always 正确 (correct), and they particularly 讨厌 (are irritated by)…
Chinese Zodiac: The Ox Posted by Transparent Language on Jan 24, 2009
Hello Readers! With Chinese new year coming up, now’s a better time than ever to review the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac! Today’s topic (and this year’s animal) is the Ox. We’ll find out later about how the Mouse is actually the first animal of the Chinese zodiac, but like other people who were born…
Use of “xian” Posted by Transparent Language on Dec 31, 2008
There’s a word you can use to change the tone of a lot of situations, and that word is 先(first, xian1). You can use it in a lot of situations to soften your tone. Contrast the stark and brusk nature of 别(contraction of 不要) with the tender and mild nature of 先不要. Take a look…
Describing People You Know pt. 1 (simple terms) Posted by Transparent Language on Dec 31, 2008
There are many ways to describe people using Chinese. Some ways use 4-character idioms, and in other cases you can simply use 2-word phrases. Here are a couple of my favorites which I have encountered during my time thus far in China. A person who doesn’t keep promises very well is referred to as being…
Birthday! Posted by Transparent Language on Nov 28, 2008
The other day marked the occasion of my 生日 (birthday). In China, people will usually ask someone’s age by asking his or her 属相 (Chinese zodiac sign). People’s numerical reports of their age may vary based on their 周岁 (actual age) and 虚岁(age based on Chinese zodiac). Birthdays are accompanied by 生日卡(birthday cards)，生日蛋糕 (birthday cakes)，and…
Computer Buyer Primer – The Process Posted by Transparent Language on Nov 24, 2008
For anyone based in Beijing, locating low-cost electronic equipment is no sweat. A quick trip to one of the many hardware/software hubs in the northwest part of the city will be met with endless hawkers, touts, and advertisements all competing for your yuan. When you finally do get to a vendor whose prices are what…
Service Phrases One Is Likely to Encounter Whilst in China Posted by Transparent Language on Oct 24, 2008
First of all, an apology for the late entry. I got food poisoning. Most people are wary of getting food from street vendors, but that doesn’t take street credibility into account. If people get sick from your food and you’re a vendor on the street, you’ll get run out of dodge before you know it. …