Archive for July 8th, 2008

Learn Chinese Podcast – Happy China 198

Tuesday, July 8th, 2008

   

 

 

                                 Click to Watch Video Podcast

旁白: 告别了历史悠久、

    After our visit to the ancient

    文化底蕴深厚的泉州,

    and culturally rich Quanzhou City,

    我们接下来的目的地,

    our next destination is Xiamen City,

    就是有着“海上花园”之称的厦门市。

    also known as Garden on

    the Sea.

    这里有得天独厚的自然条件,

    Xiamen has advantageous

    natural conditions,

    温馨和谐的城市风貌,

    a cozy and harmonious appearance

    以及优美迷人的滨海风光。

    and fascinating seaside scenery.

    王渊源:快乐学汉语!

    Learn Chinese the fun way!

    韩佳: 万里海疆行!

    And enjoy a happy journey

    across China!

    王渊源:大家好,我是快乐的渊源。

    Hello there! I’m Happy Yuanyuan.

    韩佳: 大家好,我是您的老朋友,

    Hi! I’m your old friend

    快乐的韩佳。

    Merry Han Jia.

    王渊源:韩佳,

    Han Jia,

    以前我总是听人说,

    I’ve always heard

    厦门怎么怎么美。

    how beautiful Xiamen is.

    今天来到这儿一看,

    Seeing it here today,

    果然名不虚传。

    I do think it deserves

    its reputation.

    不管到哪儿,

    Wherever you go,

    都能看见绿树红花的美景。

    you’ll see green trees and

    red flowers.

    就好像始终走在大花园里一样。

    It is as if you’ve entered a

    big garden.

    韩佳: 是啊。所以有人说,

    Yeah. That’s why people say

    在厦门,处处都是景儿,

    there is a sight everywhere

    in Xiamen

    而且啊有些还很有特色呢。

    and all these sights are unique.

    王渊源:有什么特色呢?

    How unique?

    韩佳: 这个嘛?你就跟我来吧。

    How unique? Come with me.

    王渊源:我没看错吧,

    If I made no mistake,

    市中心的公园居然能看到白鹭啊!

    we can even see egrets in the park

    in the center of the city!

    韩佳: 没看错,没看错。

    No, you made no mistake.

    这些白鹭啊

    These egrets

    就是被这里优美的环境

    were drawn here by the

    beautiful environment

    和丰富的食物吸引过来的。

    and the abundant food here.

    王渊源:原来是这样的。

    Oh, I see.

    要不是亲眼看到,

    If I hadn’t see it myself,

    我还真不敢相信。

    I really wouldn’t believe it.

    韩佳: 那渊源刚才说到的“要不是”

    Yuanyuan just said “yaobushi”.

    是个连词,

    It is a conjunction,

    就是“如果…不是…”的意思,

    meaning if it were not for,

    or but for.

    王渊源:“要不是”就是“如果…不是…”的意思。

    So “yaobushi” means if it were not for,

    or but for.

    韩佳: 比如渊源刚才说的,

    For example just as Yuanyuan said,

    Yào bú shi qīn yǎn kàn dao wǒ hái zhēn bù gǎn xiāngxìn

    要 不 是 亲 眼 看 到,我 还 真 不 敢 相信。

    If I hadn’t seen it myself, I really

    wouldn’t believe it.

    也正是因为有了这些白鹭,

    Just because of these egrets,

    所以厦门又有了一个很好听的名字。

    Xiamen has another very

    beautiful name.

    王渊源:什么名字?

    What name?

    韩佳: 鹭岛。

    The Island of Egrets.

    王渊源:原来厦门是个岛啊?

    Oh, Xiamen is actually an

    island, isn’t it?

    韩佳: 是啊。说到这里呢,

    Yes. At this point,

    我们就不得不提到

    we have to mention

    厦门的跨海大桥了。

    Xiamen’s over-sea bridges.

    厦门原本就是一座海岛,

    As Xiamen is an island city,

    后来人们为了解决进岛、出岛

    a number of over-sea bridges

    have been built

    交通不便的问题,

    to facilitate the island’s inbound

    建起了这一座座跨海大桥。

    and outbound traffic flows.

    而在这众多的桥梁当中,

    But of these many bridges,

    最让厦门人引以为傲的,

    the one that Xiamen residents

    are most proud of

    就要数全长五千九百多米的

    is the 5,900-meter-long

    海沧大桥了。

    Haicang Bridge.

    王渊源:从这个角度看,

    Seen from this angle,

    这座桥可真宏伟!

    this bridge looks so magnificent!

    韩佳: 是啊。这座桥不光规模大。

    Yes. This bridge is not

    just magnificent.

    而且整座桥的线条还很优美流畅。

    The flowing linear design of the

    bridge is also beautiful.

    真可以说是桥梁建筑中的精品啊。

    It is surely as masterpiece of

    bridge construction.

    王渊源:怪不得它能成为厦门的骄傲呢。

    No wonder it is regarded as

    the pride of Xiamen.

    韩佳: 不过这海沧大桥

    But there is another reason

    之所以能够成为厦门的骄傲,

    why the Haicang Bridge

    它另外还有一个原因。

    is the pride of Xiamen.

    那就是整座桥的技术含量很高。

    That is, this bridge contains

    a lot of technology.

    王渊源:“含量”就是指事物中所包含的

    ”Hanliang” refers to the content

    某种成分的数量。

    or amount of a certain thing.

    韩佳: “含量”是个名词,

    ”Hanliang” is a noun,

    就是指事物中所包含的

    which means the content

    某种成分的数量。

    or amount of a certain thing.

    Zhè zuò dàqiáo de jìshù hánliàng hěn gāo

    这 座 大桥 的 技术 含量 很 高。

    This bridge contains a lot of technology.

    王渊源:那么它的技术含量到底高在哪儿呢?

    What exactly was the technology involved?

    韩佳: 这主要就是指建造这座大桥

    It is mainly the advanced

    采用了先进的全漂浮技术。

    full suspension design of the bridge.

    使它成为亚洲第一座

    It is Asia’s first

    特大型三跨全漂浮钢箱梁悬索桥。

    three-span steel-box jumbo full

    suspension bridge.

    所谓全漂浮呢

    Full suspension

    就是指桥面下没有支点。

    means the bridge doesn’t have

    any supports under the bridge.

    由主缆支撑大桥。

    It is anchored and fixed by

    the main cables.

    王渊源:你是说

    Do you mean

    这桥面和桥墩之间是分开的?

    the bridge is separate from

    the towers?

    那怎么可能?

    How can that be possible?

    韩佳: 不信啊?那这样吧,

    You don’t believe it? Okay,

    我带你到桥梁博物馆去见识见识。

    let me show you it is true in

    a bridge museum.

    王渊源:好。

    Okay.

    旁白: 这可真是不看不知道。

    Seeing is believing.

    一看啊才明了。

    Now I know it it true.

    在这座博物馆里,

    In this museum,

    我们看到了很多有关海沧大桥的模型。

    we saw many models of the

    Haicang Bridge.

    你们瞧,

    Look,

    从这个模型上就可以很明显地看出,

    this model clearly shows that

    大桥的桥面是由主缆拉住的。

    the bridge is anchored by

    the main cables.

    这样的设计

    This type of design

    可以抗击强烈的地震和强台风呢。

    can withstand strong earthquakes

    and typhoons.

    够厉害的吧?

    Is that remarkable?

    王渊源:我们从开始就提到,

    As we mentioned at the beginning,

    厦门是一座海上花园。

    Xiamen is a garden on the sea.

    所以这海边的美景

    So the seaside scenery

    当然要好好看一看。

    is worth seeing.

    韩佳: 嗯。

    Yes.

    而在这环岛路观光大道上

    And enjoying the seascape

    欣赏厦门的海景,

    along the sightseeing road

    around the island

    就是一个非常不错的选择。

    is a nice choice.

    王渊源:这条路的名气可不小啊。

    This road is quite famous.

    我以前就听说过了。

    I have heard of it before.

    韩佳: 你说的“名气”呢

    The word “mingqi” that

    you said

    就是名声,它是个名词。

    means reputation or fame.

    It is a noun.

    指对人或者是事物

    It refers to the opinion

    you have

    在社会上流传的评价。

    about someone or something.

    王渊源:“名气”就是名声。

    So “mingqi” means reputation

    or fame.

    比如,厦门的海景很有名气。

    For example, Xiamen’s seascape

    is very famous.

    我就听说这儿

    I also heard

    还有一条五彩步行道呢。

    there is Wucai Pedestrian Street

    around here.

    韩佳: 五彩步行道?

    Wucai Pedestrian Street?

    说的不就是这里嘛!

    It is right here!

    王渊源:啊!可是这条路上就只有红颜色。

    What! But this road only has

    the red color.

    韩佳: 所谓的五彩

    The so-called Wucai

    并不是指这路面上有五种颜色。

    does not mean this road has

    five colors.

    而是指红色的人行道,

    It refers to the red

    pedestrian walkway,

    灰色的马路,绿色的植物,

    the gray motorway, the green plants,

    金色的沙滩,蓝色的大海

    the golden beach and the blue sea

    所共同组合成的这条步行道。

    put together.

    王渊源:哦,原来是这个意思!

    Oh, that’s what it really means!

    赏心悦目:

    鹭岛厦门是一个美丽的地方

    Xiamen, home to egrets, is a beautiful city.

    这里有清新的滨海风光 浓厚的学术氛围

    It is known for its refreshing seaside scenery,

    strong academic atmosphere,

    宜人的城市环境 和谐的社会风貌

    congenial urban environment and

    harmonious ethos.

    雄伟的跨海大桥连接四方

    The magnificent sea-spanning bridge

    leads to all directions.

    翠绿的热带植物蓬蓬勃勃

    There are also lush tropical plants here.

    就是这样一座城市

    This is a city

    她正以一种开放的姿态

    that opens itself

    迎接着来自四面八方的人们

    to people from all walks of life.

    韩佳: 观众朋友们,

    Audience friends,

    这里就是现在

    here is Xiamen’s

    厦门非常繁华的一条商业街——中山路。

    most bustling commercial street,

    Zhongshan Road.

    王渊源:我发现这两边的建筑

    I found the buildings on

    both sides

    都还挺有特色的。

    are quite special.

    韩佳: 对呀。

    Yes, they are.

    这些都是骑楼式建筑,

    These arcade streets

    它们可以为行人遮阳挡雨。

    provide shelter from the sun

    and rain.

    算是厦门的一大特色了。

    It can be counted as a significant

    feature of Xiamen.

    王渊源:设计得还挺科学。

    The designs are very scientific.

    要不是时间不够了,

    But for our limited time,

    我还想带大家在这儿

    I would take our audience

    多走一走,看一看。

    for a tour of more places here.

    韩佳: 其实这也好办啊。

    That’s easy.

    留下来慢慢看呗。

    You can stay and take

    your time.

    王渊源:真的呀?

    Really?

    韩佳: 当然了。

    Of course.

    我们的厦门之行才刚刚开始。

    Our tour of Xiamen has

    just begun.

    有的是时间。

    We have ample time.

    不过你现在呢

    But for now

    还是赶快给大家出今天的有奖问题吧。

    we have to set today’s award-

    winning question.

    (问题部分略)

    王渊源:当然了,

    Of course,

    如果您对我们的节目

    if you have any opinions

    有什么意见或是建议,

    or suggestions about our program,

    也欢迎随时告诉我们。

    you’re welcome to let us know

    at any moment.

    韩佳: 好了,

    Okay,

    那我们今天的节目到这里就要结束了。

    our program for today is about

    to come to a close.

    明天的节目会更加精彩。

    The program for tomorrow is

    very more wonderful.

    您可千万不要错过哦。

    So be sure not to miss it.

    王渊源:节目的最后还是要提醒您,

    At the end of this program,

    we’d still want to remind you

    口号不能忘。

    not to forget our slogan.

    合: 学说中国话,朋友遍天下!

    Learn Chinese and make friends everywhere!

    韩佳: 明天见。

    See you tomorrow.

(Source: cctv.com)

Chinese Conversation – lesson 131

Tuesday, July 8th, 2008

对许多的美国人而言,运动不只是为了好玩。它几乎成了一种宗教崇拜,数以千计的运动迷会为了能亲眼目睹他们喜爱的球队或运动员比赛而出高价购买门票。其它的球迷则守在家里寸步不离地收看电视转播。美国人对于运动的投入形成了一个新的富有阶级:职业运动员。运动明星通常会收到上百万元的薪水。其中有些人甚至是因为替饮料、鞋,甚至个人化妆用品拍广告而赚了一大笔钱.

For many people in the U.S., sports are not just for fun. They’re almost a religion. Thousands of sports fans buy expensive tickets to watch their favorite teams and athletes play in person. Other fans watch the games at home, glued to their TV sets. America’s devotion to athletics has created a new class of wealthy people: professional athletes. Sports stars often receive million-dollar salaries. Some even make big money appearing in advertisements for soft drinks, shoes and even toiletries.

(Source: wwenglish.com)

Cri – Lesson 13

Tuesday, July 8th, 2008

C: Perfect Chinese your way, in only five minutes a day. Welcome to Chinese Studio. I’m Cam.
Y: Hi, everyone, I’m Yajie. 早上好. Last week we learned the numbers from 1 to 100. It’s very useful for communicating and getting around China.  This week we’ll mainly focus on how to use the numbers in sentences. Let’s check our key words of the day!

 

************Key words of the day
Today we’ll put the numbers into their usages. For example, 2003年, the year 2003; 2005年, the year 2005. 一月, January; 二月, February. 三月,March. All in today’s Chinese Studio. 
***********

Y: In Chinese, the four figures making up the year are read out as four individual numbers and “年” is put at the end. For example, this year, 2005年 (èr líng líng wǔ nián), the year 2005.
C: 2005年 (èr líng líng wǔ nián).
Y: 2003年(èr líng líng sān nián), the year 2003.
C: 2003年 (èr líng líng sān nián). Then how do you say the year 2000?
Y: It’s 两千年 (liǎng qiān nián).
C: 两千年 (liǎng qiān nián).
Y: Or you can say 2000年 (èr líng líng nián). What year were you born, Cam?
C: 1979 (yi jiu qi jiu nian).
Y:  Very good!  You were born in 1979.

Y:  Now let’s learn the months. Month in Chinese is 月(yuè).  一月,二月,…,
C: Wait, wait. Slow down…. So it’s一月 (yī yuè), 二月 (èr yuè). Right?
Y: Yes. Exactly. Well, let me explain a little bit more. The name of the months are produced by combining the numbers 1 to 12 with “月”.
C: Ok. So March is 三月(sān yuè), and April is四月 (sì yuè).
Y: You are right.
C: In which month do you think Beijing is most beautiful?
Y: I think it’s during May, 五月(wǔyuè).
C: Yes, wu yue is very beautiful.
Y: Yep. I’m waiting for五月(wǔyuè) when we can enjoy a long national holiday.
C: Yes, I love holidays!  But there are also major holidays in shi yue and er yue.
Y: Yes, very good.  The summers are very hot.  And during六月, the temperature rises here in Beijing. But the hottest days are in the七月 (qiyue).
C: Well, after七月 (qīyuè) it’s 八月 (bāyuè), right?
Y: Exactly. And九月 (jiuyue) is my favorite month. After a long hot summer, the weather becomes cool, and we enjoy beautiful scenery.
C: But I heard in十月 (shiyue) people in Beijing would like to go to Fragrant Hills in the west of Beijing to see the red leaves, right?
Y: Yes. That’s fantastic.
C: I will go and have a look this year.

**********Key words reminder
2003年, the year 2003; 2005年, the year 2005. 一月, January; 二月, February. All in today’s Chinese Studio. 
***********

Y: Cam, what’s your favorite month?
C: I think it’s qi yue. I love the hot weather. What about you?
Y: I like 八月(bāyuè), August. I also like the hot weather in summer.  After a winter hibernation, the hot air of summer gets me feeling well again! Well, that’s it for today. Don’t forget you can win a gift by answering the question of the day in Chinese: what’s your favorite month?
C: You can send us questions or comments to Chinese@crifm.com.  That’s Chinese@crifm.com.  Or you can visit us on our website at en.chinabroadcast.cn. Click learn Chinese, where you can enjoy other free Chinese-learning programs.
Y: Make sure you practice what you have learned today.  See you tomorrow! 再见!
C: 再见!

(Source:english.cri.cn)