Archive for July 23rd, 2008

Beijing Olympic – Qinhuangdao strives to improve air quality

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

Qinhuandao, one of the host cities of the Beijing Olympic Games, is shutting down small cement producers to reduce air pollution for the Olympic football competitions, the People’s Daily reports.

Rich in mineral resources, the northern part of the city used to be a base of small-scale cement producers, with an output of three million tons and a tax contribution of six million yuan annually. However, these enterprises have been blamed for heavy dust that pollutes the city, especially on windy days.

To protect the long-term interests of the public and the environment for the forthcoming Olympic Games, officials of the city have decided to close down all small cement plants by the end of June. To replace the old plants, a new cement production line with a capacity of 2,500 tons per day is being introduced that uses dry processing techniques.

(Source: en.beijing2008.cn)

Cri – Lesson 28

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

Yajie: 早上好 everybody. Welcome to Chinese Studio. I’m Yajie.
Cam: Zao shang hao… it’s time to perfect Chinese in only 5 minutes a day.
Yajie: Last time we talked about weather. Today we’ll continue with the topic and learn an important word — “比”.
Cam:  Doesn’t that mean pen?
Yajie:  No no… listen carefully to Key Words of the Day!

 

***************Key words of the day
Today we’ll learn more expressions about weather. 比 means than,for example – 今天比昨天热。Today’s hotter than yesterday. 热, hot. 冷, cold. 凉快, cool. All in today’s Chinese Studio.
****************

Yajie: 热, hot. R-e, the fourth tone.
Cam: 热 (rè).
Yajie: 比is similar to the English word “than”.
Cam: 比 (bǐ).
Yajie:今天比昨天热. Today is hotter than yesterday.
Cam: 今天比昨天热. (jīntiān bǐ zuótiān rè).
Yajie: 今天(jīntiān). Today.
Cam: 今天(jīntiān).
Yajie: 昨天 (zuótiān).
Cam: 昨天 (zuótiān).
Yajie: Tomorrow is 明天.
Cam: 明天(míngtiān).  Sometimes at the end of our show, we’ll say mingtian jian, which means see you tomorrow.
Yajie: Very good.  So together yesterday, today and tomorrow is昨天 (zuótiān), 今天(jīntiān), 明天(míngtiān).
Cam: 昨天 (zuótiān), 今天(jīntiān), 明天(míngtiān). 

Conversations (1)

Yajie: Cam, last time we learned how to say “today’s high is 30 degrees” in Chinese. How about that?
Cam: It’s 今天最高气温三十度。(jīntiān zuìgāo qìwèn sānshí dù.)
Yajie: Right. And if it was 28 degrees yesterday, which was a little bit lower than today, then you can use比 to make a sentence. The sentence could go like this: 今天比昨天热. (jīntiān bǐ zuótiān rè). Today is hotter than yesterday.
Cam: 今天比昨天热. (jīntiān bǐ zuótiān rè). By the way what’s the opposite of 热(rè)?
Yajie: It’s 冷 (lěng), cold.
Cam: 冷 (lěng).
Yajie: 冷, l-ě-n-g, the third tone.
Cam: 冷 (lěng).
Yajie: There is a phrase — 越来越, which means becoming more and more….For example,天儿越来越冷了.(Tianr yuelaiyue leng le), which means It’s becoming colder and colder.
Yajie: And in winter the weather in the northern part of China is colder than that of the south.

Conversations (2)

Cam: Then how do you say it’s cooler than yesterday?
Yajie: Good question. Cool in Chinese is 凉快.
Cam: 凉快(liángkuai). 凉快(liángkuai) is normally used to describe the weather in autumn, right?
Yajie: Right.You could say 这儿的秋天真凉快!It’s cool here in autumn.
Cam: 这儿的秋天真凉快!(zhèr de qiūtiān zhēn liángkuai).

Conversations (3)

***************Key words reminder
Today we learned more expressions about weather. 今天比昨天热。Today’s hotter than yesterday. 天儿越来越冷了. It’s becoming colder and colder. 这儿的秋天真凉快!It’s cool here in autumn.
****************

Yajie: It’s considered that the cities of Nanjing, Chongqing, Wuhan, and Changsha in the south part of China are the four hottest cities.  Chinese call them the hot stoves of China. In August the high temperature could rise to 43 degrees!
Cam: Wow! That is hot! So the best time to visit China is in spring and autumn.
Yajie: Exactly! Ok, that’s all for this edition of Chinese Studio. Our question of the day is: In Chinese, how do you say “Today’s hotter than yesterday”? Please tell us in an email. You may win a CRI prize.
Cam: You can send us your answers to chinese@crifm.com. That’s chinese@crifm.com.  Or you can visit us on our website at en.chinabroadcast.cn. Click “Learn Chinese”.
Yajie: Well, class is over. 再见!
Cam: 再见!

(Source:english.cri.cn)

Learn Chinese Podcast – Happy China 213

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

   

 

                            Click to Watch Video Podcast

  旁白: 昨天韩佳就说了,

    Han Jia said yesterday

    今天我们要去看一样细致活儿。

    we’re going to see an intricate

    craft today.

    据说想要更深入地了解潮汕文化,

    It is said if we want to have a deeper

    understanding of Chaoshan culture,

    这样东西可不能不看。

    that is what we must see.

    没错,说的就是潮绣。

    Yes, it is Chao embroidery.

    韩佳: 渊源,

    Yuanyuan,

    你还记得中国的四大名绣吗?

    do you still remember China’s four

    major types embroidery?

    王渊源:四大名绣?

    Four major types of embroidery?

    好像我们也提过。

    It seems we once talked

    about them.

    指的就是苏绣、湘绣、

    They are Su embroidery, Xiang embroidery,

    粤绣和蜀绣,对吧?

    Yue embroidery and Shu embroidery, right?

    韩佳: 嗯,没错儿。

    Yes, exactly.

    苏是江苏省的别称。

    Su is the alias of Jiangsu Province.

    湘是湖南省的别称。

    Xiang is the alias of

    Hunan Province.

    而粤就是广东省的别称,

    Yue is the alias of Guangdong Province

    蜀就是四川省的别称了。

    and Shu is the alias of

    Sichuan Province.

    王渊源:这苏、湘、粤、蜀,

    But these names, Su, Xiang,

    Yue and Shu,

    这里也没有潮绣啊。

    do not include Chao.

    韩佳: 这潮绣啊其实是粤绣的一个分支。

    Actually Chao embroidery is a

    subtype of Yue embroidery.

    王渊源:原来是这么一回事。

    I see.

    旁白: 能脱颖而出

    To be able to stand out

    成为公认的四大名绣之一,

    as one of the publicly recognized

    four major types of embroidery,

    粤绣自然有它的过人之处。

    Yue embroidery certainly has

    its own outstanding merits.

    而粤绣中潮绣又是以

    And Chao embroidery, as a

    subtype of Yue embroidery,

    金碧辉煌、鲜艳夺目的视觉效果

    is known for its resplendent

    而闻名于世的。

    and brilliant visual effect.

    王渊源:真的是绣出来的吗?

    Is this really embroidered?

    韩佳: 那还有错。潮绣嘛。

    Absolutely. It is Chao embroidery.

    王渊源:可是你看这一幅。

    But look at this piece.

    怎么会有一种三维立体的感觉啊?

    Why does it give you a 3-D sense?

    韩佳: 这就是潮绣的主要特点之一。

    This is one of the major characteristics

    of Chao embroidery.

    人们在刺绣的过程当中呢

    The embroiders use

    会贴上一些棉花,

    a layer of cotton,

    最高的有一寸多呢,

    an inch at the thickest part,

    然后再在上面绣上金丝绒线。

    as the base on which golden

    thread is stitched.

    这样,

    This way,

    就会出现像浮雕一样的立体效果了。

    the embroidery will appear like

    a relief carving.

    这种工艺在四大名绣中

    This craft is unique among

    the four famous

    可是独一份儿哦。

    styles of embroidery.

    王渊源:这“独一份儿”的意思是?

    What does “du yi fenr” mean?

    韩佳: “独一份儿”呢是习惯用语。

    ”Du yi fenr” is an idiomatic expression.

    就是惟一的、独一无二的意思。

    It means one of a kind, or unique.

    王渊源:“独一份儿”

    So “du yi fenr”

    就是惟一的、独一无二的意思。

    means one of a kind, or unique.

    Zhè zhǒng gōngyì zài sì dà míng xiù zhōng kě shi dú yí fènr a

    这 种 工艺 在 四 大 名 绣 中 可 是 独 一 份儿啊!

    This craft is unique among the four

    famous styles of embroidery.

    这潮绣真的是太精致了!

    Chao embroidery is so exquisite!

    怎么就能绣得这么好啊?

    How do they embroider these

    pieces so well?

    一定很不容易吧。

    It must be no easy job, I guess.

    韩佳: 那当然了。

    Of course not.

    这潮绣最讲究的就是针法。

    Chao embroidery is most particular

    about its stitching methods.

    各种各样的针法加起来,

    Altogether, there are a total

    一共有两百多种呢。

    of more than 200 stitching methods.

    王渊源:两百多种啊?天哪!

    More than 200? Good Heavens!

    这太复杂了!

    It is so intricate!

    韩佳: 对啊。

    Yes.

    就其中的一种针法钉金,

    One of the stitching methods is

    the golden thread stitching,

    就可以分为龙鳞转针、

    which consists of over 60 stitching styles,

    including the dragon-scale stitch,

    旋针、过桥针等等六十多种。

    the turning stitch and the

    bridge-crossing stitch.

    而且很多刺绣的工艺

    And much of the craft

    到现在还是纯手工制作的,

    has remained to be done

    by hand

    不能被机器所取代。

    and unable to be replaced

    by machinery.

    王渊源:啊,这么复杂呀!

    Oh, it’s so complicated!

    本来我还想学一学的。

    Actually I really wanted to

    learn it.

    现在一看,

    Now after I saw how

    it is made,

    连针法名称一时半会儿都记不全。

    I can’t even remember the names

    of the stitching methods.

    看来学是没戏的。

    It seems there is no way

    I can learn it.

    韩佳: 不过不要紧。

    But that doesn’t matter.

    我再带你去看一种工艺叫抽纱。

    Let me take you to see another type

    of embroidery called drawnwork.

    那个的感觉跟这个是完全不一样的哦。

    You’ll find it completely different.

    王渊源:好啊。要是好学,

    Okay. If it is easy to learn,

    我就学学那个了。

    I’ll just learn this craft.

    韩佳: 渊源你看,

    Look, Yuanyuan,

    就是衣服上的这些花边了,

    these lace trimmings,

    它们采用的就是抽纱的工艺。

    are made using the faggoting technique.

    这抽纱呢说简单也简单,

    It is both

    要说难,也难着呢。

    easy and hard to learn.

    王渊源:这话怎么讲?

    What do you mean?

    韩佳: 这样吧,

    Well,

    我带你去看一件抽纱精品。

    let me take you to see a fine

    example of drawnwork.

    王渊源:精品?

    ”Jingpin”?

    韩佳: “精品”呢就是指精致的、特别好的物品。

    ”Jingpin” refers to top quality article

    or rare and fine goods.

    王渊源:“精品”就是指精致的、特别好的物品。

    So “jingpin” refers to top quality article,

    or rare and fine goods.

    那你说的是哪件啊?

    Which one?

    韩佳: 跟我来吧。

    Come with me.

    瞧,就是这件,

    Look, it is right this one,

    玻璃纱的“繁花簇锦”台布。

    a glassy drawnwork tablecloth.

    王渊源:这么精细呀,这太漂亮了!

    It is so delicate and so pretty!

    这个估计我也学不了了。

    I presume I can’t learn

    it either.

    韩佳: 这个呀你是肯定学不了的。

    Of course, you can’t learn it.

    要知道这块台布是十二位师傅

    It took 12 workers

    花了两年零八个月的时间才绣成的。

    two years and eight months to

    complete it.

    那我们还是找点儿简单的吧。

    Let’s find something simpler.

    你看,那边正好有几位师傅在绣。

    Look, there are a few workers

    embroidering over there.

    要不然,我们挑个样子去学学试试?

    How about choosing a pattern

    to learn?

    师傅,要是绣这块手绢的话

    Excuse me, how long will

    it take

    要花多长时间啊?

    to embroider this handkerchief?

    师傅: 大半天吧。

    About half a day.

    韩佳: 大半天就行啦?

    Only half a day?

    师傅: 这个图案最简单嘛。

    Because this is the simplest pattern.

    王渊源:可是师傅,

    But

    我们俩可是一点儿基础都没有。

    neither of us has any basic training.

    让您累着了。

    We’re sorry to put you through

    so much trouble.

    韩佳: 渊源,

    Yuanyuan,

    我们一般说“让您受累了”。

    we normally say “rang nin

    shou lei le”.

    “受累”是个动词,表示受到劳累,

    ”Shou lei” is a verb, meaning

    to put

    消耗精神、气力的意思。

    someone to trouble.

    王渊源:“受累”表示受到劳累,

    So “shou lei” means to put

    消耗精神、气力的意思。

    to much trouble.

    Jiāo wǒ liǎ xué chōushā ràng nín shòu lèi le

    教 我 俩 学 抽纱, 让 您 受 累 了。

    Teaching us to make drawnwork puts

    you through a lot of trouble.

    师傅: 你们俩别客气。慢慢来。

    You’re welcome. Take it easy.

    肯定没问题的。

    I’m sure there won’t be

    any problem.

    韩佳: 那我们现在就开始吧。

    Then let’s get started.

    师傅: 嗯。就这样,下去。

    Sure. Just like that. Go on.

    按照它那个下面画的花形。

    Just follow the flower pattern underneath.

    韩佳: 好了,观众朋友们您看看,

    Okay, audience friends,

    已经小有成绩了。

    I’ve made some progress.

    绣出几朵花儿来了。

    I’ve embroidered a few flowers.

    渊源,你学得怎么样了?

    Yuanyuan, how is your learning

    going on?

    王渊源:词语学得不错,会造句子了。

    I’ve learned the phrase pretty well

    and I can make a sentence with it.

    师傅,您受累帮我看看,

    Madam, sorry to give you so

    much trouble,

    这针怎么就穿不上呢?

    but why I can’t even thread

    the needle?

    韩佳: 你连针都没穿上哪!

    You even can’t thread a needle!

    王渊源:慢慢来嘛。

    I have to learn bit by bit.

    赏心悦目:

    潮绣是粤绣中的一朵奇葩

    Chao embroidery is an integral part

    of Yue embroidery.

    针法细密 工艺精湛

    It is reputed for fine stitches and

    superb craftsmanship.

    每一件潮绣都凝结着绣女们的智慧

    Each piece embodies the embroiderer’s wisdom

    每一幅图案都汲取了大自然的华美

    And each design depicts the beauty

    of nature

    人们用五彩的丝线编织着生活的锦绣

    as well as people’s aspirations for life

    每一件丝绸都寄托着对美好生活的追求

    in the form of multicolored silk threads.

    韩佳: 观众朋友们,来。

    Audience friends, come on.

    给您展示一下我的劳动成果。

    Let me show you the fruit

    of my work.

    王渊源:还有我的。

    And also mine.

    韩佳: 你这也没完成啊。

    You haven’t finished it yet.

    王渊源:那又怎么了?

    So what?

    现在流行的就是不对称,缺憾美。

    The beauty of asymmetry and

    imperfection is the fashion.

    韩佳: 咳,别给自己找理由了。

    Hey, don’t make any excuse

    for yourself.

    赶快来给大家出今天的有奖问答题吧。

    Be quick to set today’s award-

    winning question.

    王渊源:好。

    Okay.

    今天的有奖问答题是这样的。

    Here’s today’s award-winning question.

    (问题部分略)

    韩佳: 啊,这是…

    Oh, is this …

    王渊源:对不起,拿错了。

    I’m sorry to take the wrong one.

    对,是这个。

    Yes, it is this one.

    韩佳: 那还差不多。吓我们一跳。

    That’s about right. You startled us.

    王渊源:节目的最后,还是要提醒您,

    At the end of the program, we’d

    still want to remind you

    别忘了我们的口号。

    not to forget our slogan.

    合: 学说中国话,朋友遍天下!

    Learn Chinese and make friends everywhere!

    王渊源:明天见。

    See you tomorrow.

    明天啊

    Tomorrow you must remember

    您一定要记住准时收看我们的节目。

    to watch our program on time.

    你说为什么呀?

    You want to know why?

    咱们饱了眼福,

    Since we have already feasted

    our eyes,

    我说也应该适当的…

    I think we should also …

    你明白了吧?

    Do you understand?

    明天见。

    See you tomorrow.

  (Source: cctv.com)