Archive for July 29th, 2008

Beijing Olympic – Photos: Wulihe Stadium in Shenyang

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
Photo taken on July 22, 2008 shows the exterior of the Wulihe Stadium in Shenyang, capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Wulihe Stadium in Shenyang

Workers inspect auditorium seats at the Wulihe Stadium in Shenyang, capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province, July 22, 2008. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Wulihe Stadium in Shenyang

Wulihe Stadium in Shenyang
A worker walks on the walkway on the second floor of the Wulihe Stadium in Shenyang, capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province, July 22, 2008. (Photo credit: Xinhua)
Wulihe Stadium in Shenyang
A worker mows the lawn at the Wulihe Stadium in Shenyang, capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province, July 22, 2008. (Photo credit: Xinhua)
Wulihe Stadium in Shenyang
Photo taken on July 22, 2008 shows a view of the Wulihe Stadium in Shenyang, capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province. (Photo credit: Xinhua)
Wulihe Stadium in Shenyang
Photo taken on July 22, 2008 shows a view of the Wulihe Stadium in Shenyang, capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Twelve Olympic football matches will be held from Aug. 6 to 16 in the stadium in Shenyang, one of the host cities of football matches of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games to be opened on Aug. 8.

(Source: en.beijing2008.cn)

Learn Chinese Podcast – Happy China 219

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008

                                Click to Watch Video Podcast

  旁白: 今天我们要去的是

    The place we’re going to

    visit today

    位于澄海区的陈慈黉故居。

    is the former residence of Chen

    Cihong in Chenghai District.

    听说这陈慈黉故居,

    I heard that the Chen Cihong Residence

    可是潮汕地区大型民居宅院中

    is the most representative of

    large residential houses

    最有代表性的一座。

    in the Chaozhou and Shantou area.

    王渊源:快乐学汉语,

    Let’s learn Chinese the fun way!

    韩佳: 万里海疆行!

    And enjoy a happy journey

    across China!

    观众朋友们,

    Audience friends,

    我跟渊源现在是在

    Yuanyuan and I are saying

    hello to you

    陈慈黉故居的平台上向您问好。

    here on a terrace of the former

    residence of Chen Cihong.

    王渊源:站在高处,

    Only when you stand at

    a higher place,

    才能感受到它的规模真的很大。

    can you understand the large

    scale of this residence.

    韩佳: 是啊。

    Yes.

    这座故居呢包括郎中第、

    This residence complex consists

    of four parts, Langzhongdi,

    寿康里、善居室,

    Shoukangli, Shanjushi

    以及三庐书斋四座建筑群。

    and Sanlu.

    每座宅院都是由四座建筑

    There are four houses in

    each courtyard

    环抱一座祠堂。

    surrounding an ancestral temple

    in the center.

    这也正好是潮汕民间的传统建筑,

    This is the typical four-horse-coach style

    “四马拖车”的格局了。

    in the Chaozhou and Shantou area.

    王渊源:那它到底有多大呀?

    How large is this residence?

    韩佳: 它占地约两万平方米,

    It occupies an area of 20,000

    square meters

    有大小厅房五百零六间呢。

    and has 506 rooms, big

    and small.

    王渊源:这么多呀!

    It has so many rooms!

    看来我还是低估了它的规模。

    It seems that I underestimated

    its scale.

    韩佳: “低估”是个动词,表示过低估计。

    ”Digu” is a verb, which means

    to underestimate or underrate.

    王渊源:“低估”表示过低估计。

    So “digu” means to underestimate

    or underrate.

    韩佳: 就好像渊源刚才说的,

    Just as Yuanyuan said,

    Kàn lái wǒ dīgū le tā de guīmó

    看 来 我 低估 了 它 的 规模。

    It seems that I underestimated its scale.

    旁白: 陈慈黉家族早期经营海外运输。

    At first, the Chen family was engaged

    in international shipping.

    后来,在泰国办实业。

    Later, they set up an industrial

    enterprise in Thailand.

    因为陈家是华侨,

    As the Chen family was

    overseas Chinese,

    陈氏故居也带有着

    the Chen residence is characterized

    明显的中西合璧的特色。

    by a combination of Chinese

    and Western styles.

    渊源提议,我们不妨一边参观,

    Yuanyuan suggested that while

    we tour the residence,

    一边找找哪里是中国传统的建筑特色,

    we should also try to find out instances

    of the Chinese style

    而哪里又有着西洋风格的影子。

    and those of the Western style.

    王渊源:我们现在来到了

    Now we’ve entered

    最大的一座院落——善居室。

    the biggest courtyard complex,

    Shanjushi.

    韩佳: 渊源,这回咱俩换一换吧。

    Yuanyuan, let’s exchange our roles.

    我找西洋风格的东西,

    I’m to find Western-style things

    你找具有中国传统特色的地方。

    and you’re to find Chinese-style things.

    王渊源:没问题。

    No problem.

    你看,抬头就有一个。

    Look, there is just one overhead.

    韩佳: 抬头?

    Overhead?

    哦,你是说这喜鹊的木雕?

    Oh, you mean the wood carving

    of magpie?

    王渊源:对呀。

    Yes.

    这可是中国传统的“喜上眉梢”的图案。

    This is the typical “xi shang

    meishao” pattern.

    没说错吧?

    Am I right?

    韩佳: 说得没错儿。

    You’re absolutely right.

    “喜上眉梢”是个成语。

    ”Xi shang meishao” is an idiom.

    “眉梢”就是指眉间。

    ”Meishao” refers to the tip

    of the brow.

    “喜上眉梢”就是用来形容高兴的神情

    ”Xi shang meishao” means to

    be radiant

    从眉间、眼睛上表现出来。

    with joy.

    王渊源:“喜上眉梢”是个成语,

    So “xi shang meishao” is

    an idiom

    用来形容高兴的神情

    that means to be radiant

    从眉间、眼睛上表现出来。

    with joy.

    韩佳: 好好好,算你占先。

    Okay, you won first.

    不过,你只顾到了上面,

    But you gave all your attention

    to things above

    却没有看到脚下吧。

    and overlooked things on the ground.

    王渊源:彩色的瓷砖?

    Colored ceramic tiles?

    都是当时铺的呀?

    Were they laid at the time?

    韩佳: 那当然了。

    Of course.

    这些瓷砖都是主人从国外买进来的。

    The owner of the residence bought

    all these tiles from abroad.

    王渊源:行,行,平手啊。

    Okay, it’s a draw.

    那咱们接着找吧。

    Let’s go on finding them.

    韩佳: 好。

    Okay.

    旁白: 这陈慈黉故居的四座宅第,

    The four house complexes of

    the Chen residence

    在建筑格局上既紧密相连,

    are closely connected with

    one another

    又相对独立。

    while they are all relatively

    independent of one another.

    中间建有中国式的“硬山顶”平房,

    The central sloping-roofed Chinese-

    style house is surrounded

    外围房屋是两层洋楼,

    by two-storey Western-style buildings,

    从而形成了一个个内低外高,

    thus forming a castle-like

    square courtyard,

    类似城寨的方形大庭院。

    of which the central part is lower

    than the peripheral part.

    王渊源:韩佳,我又找到了

    Han Jia, I found another instance

    具有中式风格的地方了。

    of the Chinese style.

    韩佳: 哦,说说看?

    Oh, what’s that?

    王渊源:我发现,

    I found

    这座宅子呢它采用的都是中国架房梁

    this house has the Chinese-style

    beam framework

    盖瓦片的传统结构。

    and a tiled roof.

    典型的中国造。

    It is typically Chinese.

    韩佳: 没错儿是没错儿。

    Yes, exactly.

    可阳台、栏杆还有柱子

    But the balcony, the balustrade

    and pillars,

    这些装饰性很强的部分,

    which are quite decorative,

    就是采用西式风格的装修啊。

    are all Western in style.

    其实,这些房间除了美观之外,

    In fact, apart from a beautiful facade,

    还考虑到了实用性和安全性呢。

    practicality and safety were also considered

    when these houses were built.

    王渊源:这我可没看出来。

    But I didn’t notice that.

    韩佳: 别急嘛。跟我走。

    Don’t worry. Come with me.

    渊源,你看这些楼梯梯面的花纹。

    Look at these patterns on the steps.

    它们一方面有装饰的作用,

    While they are decorative,

    一方面又有防滑的作用。

    they can also help prevent skidding.

    王渊源:还真是的。

    Yes, indeed.

    韩佳,

    Han Jia,

    你刚才说的“一方面…一方面…”

    you just said “yifangmian …

    yifangmian”.

    是个复句吗?

    Is it a complex sentence?

    韩佳: 没错儿。

    Exactly.

    “一方面…一方面…”

    ”Yifangmian … yifangmian”

    是表示并列关系的关联词语。

    are conjunctions in a compound-

    complex sentence.

    就好像我刚才说的,

    Just as I said just now,

    Zhèxiē huāwén yì fāngmiàn yǒu zhuāngshi de zuòyòng yì

    Fāngmiàn yǒu fáng huá de zuòyòng

    这些 花纹 一 方面 有 装饰 的 作用, 一

    方面 有 防 滑 的 作用。

    These patterns serve both decorative and

    anti-skid functions.

    王渊源:还挺实用的呢。

    They are also very practical.

    韩佳: 是啊。

    Yes.

    实用的地方还不止这些呢。

    They are not the only

    practical instances.

    二楼都有阳台和走廊相连,

    The balcony on the second floor

    is connected with a corridor

    每座楼都可以相通。

    and all the buildings are connected

    and open to each other.

    而且在二楼,

    And on the second floor,

    那边还设有安全门,

    there is an emergency exit,

    离地面很高。

    which is high above the ground.

    要是发生洪水的时候,

    When there was a flood,

    就可以坐船直接从安全门逃走。

    people were able to escape

    from the exit by boat.

    王渊源:这个设计还挺符合

    This type of design was

    in conformity

    当地的气侯特点的。

    with the local climatic characteristics.

    韩佳: 好了,

    Okay,

    那马上又要到我们今天的

    time now again for today’s

    赏心悦目时间了。

    Feast for the Eyes.

    让我们再到那里去好好地了解一下,

    Let’s go over there to find out

    这陈氏故居里还有哪些特色、细节

    what other characteristics and details

    是我们没有注意到的呢。

    which we failed to notice in

    this residence.

    王渊源:赶紧看看。

    Let’s hurry.

    赏心悦目:

    陈慈黉故居

    The Former Residence of Chen Cihong

    被誉为“岭南第一侨宅”

    is known as the No. 1 Residence of Overseas

    Chinese in southern China.

    规模宏大 风格独特

    It is large in scale and unique in style.

    西式的玻璃 瓷砖精美如新

    The Western-style glass panes and ceramic

    tiles remain new and bright.

    中式的门窗 斗拱古朴典雅

    Its Chinese-style doors, windows and archways

    are pristine and elegant.

    不同的文化造就不同的建筑风格

    Architecture differs in different cultures.

    东西方建筑艺术却在这里和谐融合

    The residence is a perfect combination

    of Chinese and Western architecture.

    通廊天桥萦回曲折 四通八达

    The zigzag corridors and overpasses

    引你探寻潮汕建筑文化的无限魅力

    lead you to explore the infinite charm of

    Chaozhou-Shantou architecture.

    导演: 韩佳、渊源呢?

    Where are Han Jia and Yuanyuan?

    看见韩佳、渊源了吗?

    Di you see Han Jia and Yuanyuan?

    韩佳: 导演,别找了,别找了。

    Director, stop looking for us.

    我们俩在这儿呢。

    The two of us are here.

    导演: 你俩可真行。

    I’m amazed at you.

    这节目还没结束呢,

    Our program hasn’t finished yet

    怎么先玩儿上了!

    and you were gone having fun!

    韩佳: 我们俩这可不是玩儿。

    We were not having fun.

    刚刚听说,

    We had heard that

    这里有当地非常有特色的表演

    there was a very special performance,

    双咬鹅。

    Frolicking Geese.

    所以马上到这儿来学习学习。

    So we came here to learn.

    王渊源:就是。

    Yes.

    这双咬鹅可是个力气活儿。

    Performing Frolicking Geese

    is a strenuous skill.

    韩佳: 是啊,是啊。

    Yes, indeed.

    两个大活人藏在这么大的模型里面,

    Two persons hidden in that

    huge models

    而且呢

    are to act

    还要表现出两只鹅嬉戏的样子。

    two frolicking geese.

    容易吗。

    It’s no easy feat.

    王渊源:就是。你说容易吗?

    Right. Do you think it’s easy?

    导演: 得得得,

    Okay, okay,

    不容易,不容易。

    it’s not easy, it’s not easy.

    不过呀,

    But the two of you

    你俩可今天的任务还没完成呢。

    haven’t fulfilled your today’s

    task yet.

    王渊源:对了,

    Right,

    我们还没给大家出今天的有奖问答题呢。

    we haven’t set today’s award-

    winning question yet.

    韩佳: 您听好了。

    Listen carefully.

    今天的题目是这样的。

    Here’s today’s question.

    (问题部分略)

    那今天的节目就到这里了。

    That’s it for our program today.

    明天的节目会更加精彩。

    The program for tomorrow will

    be even more appealing.

    千万不要错过哦!

    Be sure not to miss it!

    王渊源:节目的最后还是要提醒您,

    But before we go, 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!

    韩佳: 明天见。

    See you tomorrow.

  (Source: cctv.com)

Cri – Lesson 34

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008

Cam: It’s time to Perfect Chinese your way in only 5 minutes a day.  Welcome to Chinese Studio. Hi, I’m Cam. And beside me is Yajie.
Yajie: Zao shang hao.  In the next 5 minutes, we are going to learn how to apologize and make excuses in Chinese, which should come in handy! 
Cam: No kidding!  I’m looking forward to this show.  Let’s check Key Words of the Day.

********** Key words of the day *********
Today we’ll learn how to say sorry in Chinese. 对不起, 抱歉 没关系 or 没什么.  For more explanation, stay tuned with today’s Chinese Studio on China Radio International.
******************

Yajie: Both 对不起 and 抱歉mean ‘sorry’. So when you’ve done something wrong, you can use either of them to show your regret.
Cam: So what are the tones?
Yajie:  对, dui, is in the forth falling tone. 不 is of the same tone, bu, 不. 起, qi, third tone, 起. All together, 对不起 means ‘sorry’.
Cam: Dui bu qi.  I can use that when I bump into someone on the subway.
Yajie: Besides 对不起, 抱歉 can also be applied in the same case.

Cam:  bao qian.
Yajie: If you feel really sorry, you’d put 真 in front. 真, zhen, first tone. It is like hen which we’ve learned before.  Zhen means ‘really’. 真对不起. 真抱歉 – I’m very sorry.
Cam: Yajie, 真对不起, 真抱歉.
Yajie: It’s ok, i’m going to forgive you.没关系. That doesn’t matter.
Cam: 没关系,  Doesn’t matter.
Yajie: Correct. In addition to 没关系, 没什么 has the same meaning. Literally, it means it’s nothing.
Cam: Mei shen me.  It’s nothing.  I think I’ve got it. Here are more examples on how to apologize and reply. 

Conversations 1:

Yajie: As I said, 对不起 and 抱歉both mean ‘sorry’. But there are slight differences between them. First, 对不起 is more casual and 抱歉 is more formal. So对不起 is more common in our daily life.
Cam: Second, 对不起 also means ‘Excuse me’ while 抱歉 doesn’t. For example, if I want to get off a crowded bus, I could say 对不起 when shouldering my way out. Here 对不起 means ‘Excuse me’. It’ll sound strange if replaced by 抱歉. Here is another example.
Conversation 2:

Cam:  For example, excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the bus station?  How would I answer that? 
Yajie:  A negative reply can be对不起,我不知道。Sorry, I don’t know.
Cam:  And then I could say mei guanxi.  It doesn’t matter. 

Conversation 3:
Cam: Got it? Hope so. Now let’s look back at the key points of today’s lesson.

******** Key Words reminder
Now you know how to apologize Chinese. 对不起 or 抱歉. The response is usually 没关系 or 没什么.

***********

Yajie: Well, that’s it for today. Oh, almost forgot. I have one more thing for you, Cam. In Chinese, a trouble maker is nicknamed as 捣蛋鬼, literally, Smash Egg Devil. Do you like the title?
Cam: It doesn’t sound friendly, doesn’t it? But I’ll remember that and I’ll be sure to use it on somebody! 
Yajie: Time to wind up this show. Today’s question of the day is:  How do you say, I’m sorry in Chinese?  You can send your answer to Chinese@crifm.com
Cam: And if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions about our show, email us at that same address.  It is Chinese@crifm.com.  And visit us on our website anytime at en.chinabroadcast.cn, and click Learn Chinese.
Yajie:  See you tomorrow!
Cam:  Mingtian jian!

(Source:english.cri.cn)