Home » Posts tagged 'Chinese Language'
Tag Archives: Chinese Language
Book Review — 孩子，我留什么给你
In 2014, I borrowed a book, 《学习方法》, which is suitable for students and learners. In 2017, I borrow a book,《孩子，我留什么给你 —— 一定要留给孩子的7大能力》, which is suitable for parents.
孩子 = child or children
留什么 = pass down what
能力 = abilities
书名：《孩子，我留什么给你 —— 一定要留给孩子的7大能力》
作者：谢淑美 (Carol)
《孩子，我留什么给你 —— 一定要留给孩子的7大能力》 has a long title. The title in English is “Children, what do I pass down for you? — The 7 abilities that must be passed down to children”. The writer is a mother to two daughters. As a parent, she has wondered what to pass down to her children. I have wondered the same too. Is it money? Is it important moral value, such as honesty?
If you are wondering the same issue, this is a good book. From the title of the book, the author writes about the seven important abilities (to be exact, six abilities and time) that she wants to pass down to her daughters. While there might be controversy whether a child needs us since birth or later when they are children, I strongly support “since birth”, rather than “later when they are children”.
The first thing that newborns need is sense of security. Once they have the sense of security, they are good with whomever, whether a domestic helper or a grandparent. Time is precious, growing up is only once and you can’t turn back time.
The book cover
For each chapter, one or two children books are recommended for you and your children to read together.
It is also a parenting book. For example, in Chapter 13: 小孩吵架，大人不要插手 (When children quarrel, adults do not intervene).
I like a sentence from Chapter 2 the most:
“孩子的力量让我们可以谦卑地接受生命中的一切安排。”
(The power of children allows us to humbly accept all the circumstances in life.)
The author writes about her father-in-law passing away in Chapter 2. Her two daughters have given her the power to give her husband the necessary support.
Have you ever wondered what to pass down to your children? If yes, this book will answer your question. Happy reading!
* * ### Thanks for reading! ### * *
新闻读后感1
有人批评我国年轻人是草莓族，你对此有什么看法？
草莓族是指那些外表看起来光鲜亮丽，但内心很脆弱，承受不了压力的年轻人。我国年轻人是草莓族的情况的确存在，我为此感到担忧。
为什么会有草莓族的出现呢？首先，我国年轻人的生活富裕，他们都过着无忧无虑的生活。如果要什么东西，只需开口就可以获得，根本无须出力。再加上现在许多家庭都是双薪制，父母无法在家里管教孩子，就聘请女佣代劳。
除外，新加坡社会安定，也没有什么天灾人祸。本地年轻人没有吃过什么苦，从而变成了“温室里的小花”，根本经不起风吹雨打。
因为怕输的心理，新加坡父母为了让自己的孩子出人头地，不惜花费大量金钱帮孩子打造一个完美的读书环境，小孩身处于这种环境根本无须为其他东西忧虑，因为父母都会一手包办，而小孩的责任就是把书读好。然而父母的这种竞争心理会造成孩子个个都变成名副其实的书呆子。除了书本上的知识，许多现代新加坡年轻人都不知如何与人相处。因为年幼时的生活安逸，所以只要碰到一点困难就会半途而废，根本禁不起任何考验。
如果我国年轻人个个都成为草莓族的话，后果将不堪设想。在21世纪知识爆炸的时代，如果这些年轻人只要一遇到挫折就会当缩头乌龟，那新加坡的未来在哪里？因为多数人是草莓族，我国年轻人根本无法承受任何压力，只要遇到小小刺激就会大喊“救命”，甚至自甘堕落。因此我国未来的重担要是落在这些“金玉其外，败絮其中”的年轻人肩上，未来谁可以负责作出重大的决策？
我认为若要让年轻人脱离“草莓族”，首先，当年轻人遇到困难时，他们必须鼓足勇气去面对，而且要坚持不懈地解决困难。第二，如果面对长辈的数落或质疑，年轻人不应该感到郁闷，而是要用行动来证明自己可以独立，也可以承受压力。第三，年轻人必须愿意吃苦。学校可以举办校外营，在大自然的情况下训练学生们的意志力和生存能力。而媒体也可以作为最佳宣传管道，告诫父母、国人来关注此问题，而借助社会大众的能量对症下药。
我国未来的重担将会落在这些年轻人的肩上，因此我国年轻人一定要懂得吃苦耐劳，脱离“草莓族群”，而且在新加坡遇到困难时，愿意保卫国家，让建国50年的新加坡还有更多的50年！
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Note 1: Strawberry generation is a hot topic. You might find similar writings on the same topic.
Note 2: The above is prepared for my student for his examination.
* * ### Thanks for reading! ### * *
Book Review — 小王子
The Little Prince is a famous book, but it has never been in my bucket list because of my education background. During school, we have a long list of Chinese story books and novels to read that I have never thought of reading The Little Prince.
One day, my friend lends me the book. Maybe it is time for me to read the book?
小 = little, small
王子 = prince
书名：《小王子》
作者：Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
译：艾柯
图：曾铭祥
The Little Prince
This is a bilingual book. I read the Chinese language section while referring to the English language section once in a while. After reading the book, the impression I have on The Little Prince is only one word: sad.
The Little Prince, whom we do not know his age, has his own views on the universe. He seems pessimistic at times, but he is optimistic at other times. I believe people at different ages read with different perspectives and gets different conclusions. As a mum-to-be, I think about my child’s future while thinking about the philosophy that I would teach my child in future.
I like the words from a three-petals flower the most:
“They have no roots, and that makes their life very difficult.”
他们没有根，活得很辛苦。
Literally, the flower is happy that she has roots that help her not to be blown away by the wind. On the other hand, we can think of roots as our traditions and cultures that define us. I start thinking about what types of “roots” to give to my child.
Have you read The Little Prince? If no, please have a thought at reading it, at least once. If yes, please consider to read it the second time or the third time or the n time. The simple story is sure to give you some surprises even you have read it before.
For children, I would recommend this book to be read as a story book to learn new vocabulary and learn two languages at the same time. For the philosophy part, we leave it to the adults.
Happy reading!
Energy Saving Mode: ON
I saw this on a person’s shirt:
I’m not lazy, I’m just on energy saving mode.
For the last few days, I have been on energy saving mode. Other than not writing any posts, my life continues. I actually have done more reading and resting for the past week.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
There is a Chinese idiom that can be used for this situation: 休息是为了走更长的路。
休息 = rest
是 = is (verb-to-be)
为了 = in order to
走 = walk / travel
更长的路 = a longer way
人总是要休息的。一天里，我们在晚上休息。一年里，我们在冬天休息。如果一个人只顾着向前冲，总有一天，他会累垮的。
休息是为了走更长的路 means people should take a break to travel a longer journey. If you keep walking or travelling without a break, you may get exhausted. In learning or working, we need to take a break once in a while, so that we can make a review of what we have achieved, what we could have done better and what is our next course of action. Even Sleeping Beauty sleeps to wait for the love of her life.
The equivalent English idiom is “After dinner sit a while, after supper walk a mile.” There are also other equivalent Chinese idioms, for example: 休息是为了走更远的路 (to travel further) and 休息是为了走更长远的路 (to travel longer and further).
造句：
1。俗话说，休息是为了走更长的路。你不要一天从早工作到晚，要有适当的休息。
2。休息是为了走更长的路，我不是机器人，我也需要偶尔去度假，放松心情。
Have you had enough rest? Yes, rest does not mean you are lazy, it just means you are on energy saving mode. The energy saved will be used for more productive applications.
Learn Chinese Language From a Song — 爱就一个字
爱就一个字 is a touching love song. Though it is a love song, it is the theme song for 宝莲灯 (Lotus Lantern), which is based on the love between a mother and a child. The lyrics is simple and keep repeating. The big picture of the song is a boy (the child) uses his love, action and persistence to find his mother.
张信哲 (Jeff Chang) sings the song. He is the Prince of Love Songs (情歌王子). Thus, a song sang by the Prince of Love Songs is inevitably a touching song.
Disclaimer: The lyrics of the song is for learning purpose.
词：陈佳丽
曲：Jean-Michel Ou
拨开天空的乌云 像蓝丝绒一样美丽
我为你翻山越岭 却无心看风景
我想你 身不由己 每个念头有新的梦境
但愿你没忘记 我永远保护你
不管风雨的打击 全心全意
# 两个人相互辉映 光芒胜过夜晚繁星
我为你翻山越岭 却无心看风景
我想你 鼓足勇气 凭爱的地图散播讯息
但愿你没忘记 我永远保护你
从此不必再流浪找寻
% 爱就一个字 我只说一次
你知道我只会用行动表示
承诺一辈子 守住了坚持
付出永远不会太迟
* 爱就一个字 我只说一次
恐怕听见的人勾起了相思
任时光飞驰 搜索你的影子
让你幸福我愿意试
Repeat # % * % *
(让你幸福是我一生在乎的事)
Chinese Language Learning Corner
- 天空 — sky
- 乌云 — dark cloud
- 蓝丝绒 — blue velvet
- 美丽 — beautiful
- 翻山越岭 — climb over mountains
- 无心看风景 — not in the mood to enjoy the scenery (because I have an important mission)
- 我想你 — I miss you
- 但愿 — hopefully
- 忘记 — forget
- 永远 — forever
- 保护 — protect
- 全心全意 — wholeheartedly
- 爱就一个字 我只说一次 — Love is a word (就 is used to emphasize), I only say this once.
- 你知道我只会用行动表示 — You know that I will only show (my love) with actions
Hope you have learnt some Chinese words while listening to the song. No matter you are singing this song to your parents or your significant other, this song certainly makes them feel loved. Enjoy!
饮料 (Beverages)
After you decide what to eat (rice or noodle), you need to decide what drinks to have. There are many types of beverages available, but you may not get all the choices in the same restaurant.
饮料
Chinese Language Learning Corner
- 饮料 — beverages
- 冷，热，温 — There are hot and cold beverages. 冷 = cold and 热 = hot. If you want something in between hot and cold, you can use 温, which is warm. “请给我一杯温水。” = Please give me a cup of warm water.
- 咖啡 — coffee
- 茶 — tea. Some common tea drinks that you may hear are (a) 绿茶 = green tea, (b) 中国茶 = Chinese tea, (c) 奶茶 = tea with milk, (d) 凉茶 = “cooling” tea, this is herbal tea in general.
- 薏米 — barley. Barley is famous for its “cooling” effect on the body. Thus, if the restaurant does not have 凉茶, you may want to try your luck at 薏米.
- 加奶 — 加 = add, 奶 = milk. 咖啡加奶 = coffee with milk. You may notice that coffee with milk and tea with milk are said differently. Though 茶加奶 is correct, we are more used to the term 奶茶.
- 糖 — sugar. If you want less sugar, you say 少糖. A cup of coffee with milk and less sugar is 咖啡加奶少糖.
- 口渴 — thirsty. “我口渴了，想喝点水。” = I am thirsty, I want some drinks. 水 is water, but it is also used to refer to any drinks unspecified.
- 冰 — ice. 咖啡冰 or 冰咖啡 are both acceptable for a cup of coffee with ice.
- 汁 — juice. As long as the fruits or vegetables can be squeezed into juice, you just add the name of the fruit or vegetable to 汁. (a) 橙汁 = orange juice, (b) 苹果汁 = apple juice, (c) 萝卜汁 = carrot juice
- 酒 — alcoholic drinks in general
The vocabulary can be used when you want to order a drink. Enjoy the language and the drinks!
Learn Chinese Language From a Song — 碎花
碎花 is a soothing song. You know it when you hear the song. The lyrics is written in a poetic way. Thus, 碎花 is a good song to learn Chinese language for advanced learners. Nonetheless, if you find the lyrics difficult to understand, just sit back and enjoy the song. Learning Chinese language does not have to be difficult.
Similar to 爱不胜防, 碎花 has the ending words that rhyme (垂、吹、归、醉、灰、回、谁). Yet, 碎花 is a sad song in a subtle way because you need to understand the lyrics to know that it is a sad story. A person is waiting for another person that will never come back. We cannot see happy ending at the end of the tunnel.
李偲菘 and 李伟菘 sing the song. They are brothers and both are good at composing songs. You may want to search the song in YouTube by the keywords: 碎花。
Disclaimer: The lyrics of the song is for learning purpose.
词：邢增华
曲：李伟菘/李偲菘
一任竹帘深垂 依稀树曳风吹
等待的人最苦 离去的人不归
情浓似酒会醉 一朝心碎如灰
岁月流水不回 幽上眉头是谁
我已经尝遍了 最甜最苦的滋味
梦见碎花如雨随风飞
你的眼 你的眉 你的笑 你的泪
梦见碎花如雨随风飞
抓不住 找不回 忘不掉 人憔悴
碎花如雨随风飞
Chinese Language Learning Corner
- 碎花 — 碎 means something has broken into pieces. Matching with flowers, 碎花 means a lot (pieces) of flower petals. We also use 碎花 for floral pattern, as in 姐姐穿了一件碎花图案的裙子。(Elder sister is wearing a skirt with floral pattern.)
- 竹 — bamboo
- 树 — tree
- 风吹 — blowing wind
- 等待的人最苦 — the person who waits is the most miserable
- 离去的人不归 — the person who has left will not return
- 谁 — who
- 我已经尝遍了 — I have tasted
- 最甜最苦的滋味 — the taste of the sweetest and the most miserable. 滋味 is taste, but it is used for taste of life, not taste of food.
- 梦见碎花如雨随风飞 — 梦 = dream (verb), 如雨 = like the rain, 随风飞 = flying with the wind. The person dreams of a scene, the flower petals falling down like rain when the wind blows. What does the dream indicate? The person perceives the dream as a sad ending where the person he misses will not return (fall as the flower petals).
- 你的眼 你的眉 你的笑 你的泪 — Your eyes, your eyebrows, your smile and your tears. It means everything about you.
- 抓不住 找不回 忘不掉 人憔悴 — Cannot hold it, cannot find it back, cannot forget it, the person is languishing.
The lyrics is beautiful; imagine the time when the flower petals falling down with the wind. Hope you have learnt some Chinese words while listening to the song. Even if you do not understand the lyrics, listen to the soothing tune. Enjoy!
Translation of Phrases
I teach my students to use Chinese language idioms or phrases in their composition so that they can get higher marks. Unfortunately, with their English-speaking family background, most of them can write well in English language but not Chinese language. One of my students even told me that there is no equivalent translation of Chinese language for some common English language phrases. (She wants to translate directly from English language to Chinese language). I want to prove her wrong.
1. 狼吞虎咽 → wolf down
狼 = wolf
虎 = tiger
吞、咽 = swallow
This idiom means someone eats hurriedly and hungrily like a wolf and a tiger.
Example: 他已经一天没有吃东西了，一看到食物就狼吞虎咽地吃完。
He has not been eating for a day; once he sees the food, he wolfs down the food immediately.
2. 一眨眼之间 → in a blink of an eye
一眨眼 = a blink
之间 = in between
This phrase means something happens so quickly that it is done before you realize it.
Example: 妈妈一眨眼之间就煮了一桌晚餐。
Mother prepares the dinner in a blink of an eye.
3. 热锅上的蚂蚁 → like a cat on hot bricks
热锅上 = in the hot pot
蚂蚁 = an ant / ants
This idiom indicates an ant in a hot pot, which means a person is anxious or nervous.
Example: 妹妹失踪了，妈妈急如热锅上的蚂蚁。
The younger sister is missing; the mother is like a cat on hot bricks.
There may be no direct translation between the two languages, but we can try to find similar phrases that have the same meaning. Instead of using Google Translate, we can try Google Search to search the phrase, you may be surprised that there is an equivalent phrase. Are there other phrases or idioms in English language or Chinese language that you find difficult to translate?
Joyful 阅 