Archive for October 14th, 2008

Learn Chinese Podcast – Happy China 296

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

                                  Click to Watch Video Podcast

    不知不觉,

    Before we knew it,

    我们的”万里海疆行”

    our Happy Journey along

    the Coast

    已经走到了最后一站,

    has reached its final stop,

    广西的东兴。

    Dongxing in Guangxi.

    回想这一年多以来的经历,

    In recollection of the experiences we’ve

    had in the past one year and more,

    既有汗水也有欢笑,

    there was both sweat and laughter,

    但更多的是沉甸甸的收获。

    and more importantly, the great

    benefit we’ve reaped.

    我想这一段旅程

    I think this journey

    一定会让我终生难忘。

    will remain unforgettable all my life.

王渊源:快乐学汉语!

    Learning Chinese the fun way!

    韩佳: 万里海疆行!

    Enjoying the Happy Journey

    along the Coast!

    王渊源:大家好,我是快乐的渊源。

    Hello there! I’m Happy Yuanyuan.

    韩佳: 大家好,我是快乐的韩佳。

    Hi, I’m Merry Han Jia.

    王渊源:我们在中国大陆海岸线

    We’re saying hello to you

    in Dongxing,

    最西端的城市–东兴,

    the westernmost city on the coastline

    向您问好。

    of the Chinese mainland.

    韩佳: 嗯。从最北端的丹东

    Yes. From the northernmost

    coastal city Dandong

    到最西端的东兴,

    down to the westernmost city Dongxing,

    中国大陆的海岸线啊

    we’ve traveled all the way

    along China’s

    被我们整个儿走了个遍。

    coastline.

    王渊源:哎呀,想想真是了不起呀!

    Oh, in retrospect, what a

    great journey we’ve had!

    韩佳: 嗯,还真是。

    Yes, indeed.

    以后会有机会专门让你回顾一下的

    Later you’ll have such chances

    to look back.

    王渊源:那好

    Sure.

    我们还是先给大家介绍介绍东兴吧。

    We’d better give our audience a brief

    introduction to Dongxing now.

    韩佳: 嗯。

    Sure.

    那东兴呢除了我们刚才说的

    Apart from the above-mentioned

    fact that

    是中国大陆海岸线最西端的城市之外,

    Dongxing is the westernmost city on

    the Chinese mainland’s coastline,

    它还是一个与越南接壤的口岸城市。

    it is also a coastal city bordering

    on Vietnam.

    王渊源:”接壤”就是边界的意思。

    ”Jierang” means to border on.

    韩佳: “接壤”呢是一个动词,

    ”Jierang” is a verb,

    就是边界的意思。

    which means to border on.

那我们现在呢

    Right now, we’re

    就是在中越边境的北仑河大桥上。

    on the Beicang River Bridge on the

    border between China and Vietnam.

    中国和越南两国人民

    Chinese and Vietnamese travel

    就是通过这座大桥互相往来的。

    to each other’s country right

    through this bridge.

    王渊源:您看,以这条线为界。

    Look, this is the borderline.

    这边是中国,那边就是越南了。

    China is on this side and Vietnam

    on that side.

    韩佳: 没错儿。

    Exactly.

    早在一个多世纪前,

    As early as more than

    a century ago,

    这里就已经被定为

    this place was designated

    是中国和越南的边界了。

    as the border between China

    and Vietnam.

    王渊源:是吗?

    Really?

    韩佳: 嗯。

    Yes.

    当年划分边界的那块儿石碑啊

    The stone tablet marking

    the borderline

    到现在还保存着呢。

    has still been kept.

    王渊源:那我们去看看吧。

    Let’s go over and take

    a look at it.

    韩佳: 渊源,就是这块儿了。

    Yuanyuan, this is that stone tablet.

    王渊源:哇,这块儿石碑可是有些年头儿。

    Wow, this stone tablet is quite old.

    它怎么写着钦州界啊?

    Why is written that this is

    the border of Qinzhou?

    韩佳: 要知道,在那时候,

    You know, at that time,

    东兴是归钦州管辖的。

    Dongxing was under the jurisdiction

    of Qinzhou.

    这块儿石碑

    This stone tablet

    不仅是中国边界历史的见证,

    not only bears witness to the history

    of this Chinese border region,

    同时呢,

    but also is

    也是中越两国一直友好往来的象征。

    a symbol of the friendly exchanges

    between China and Vietnam.

    王渊源:哦,看来东兴可是中越两国

    Oh, it seems Dongxing is

    an important port

    往来的重要口岸之一了。

    for transport between China

    and Vietnam.

    韩佳: 嗯。不过,不要以为人们来东兴啊

    Sure. But make no mistake that

    people come to Dongxing

    都只是为了出入境而已。

    just for exit and entry procedures.

    其实,东兴本身美丽的风景,

    In fact, Dongxing’s beautiful scenery

    还有独特的民族风情

    and its unique ethnic customs

    同样吸引着不少游客。

    also attract many tourists.

    王渊源:这沙滩可真棒啊!

    The sand beach here is beautiful!

    韩佳: 那当然了。

    Of course.

    要知道,

    You know,

    这里可是东兴非常有名的一处景观,

    this is one of Dongxing’s famous

    tourist attractions,

    金滩。

    the Golden Beach.

    王渊源:原来这里就是金滩啊!

    Oh, this is actually the Golden Beach!

    韩佳: 啊。

    Yes.

    王渊源:我一路上就听很多人说,

    All the way I heard people say

    东兴的金滩如何如何好。

    how good the Golden Beach was.

    到这里一看啊…

    After I came here and look around …

    韩佳: 感觉怎么样?

    What’s your impression?

    王渊源:四个字,非常不错。

    Four characters, “fei chang bu cuo”,

    very good.

    韩佳: 那当然了。

    That’s for sure.

金滩呢素以沙细、浪平、

    The Golden Beach is known for its

    fine sand, smooth sea surface,

    坡缓、水暖而著称。

    gentle slope and warm seawater.

    也是广西非常有名的海滨度假区。

    It is also a celebrated coastal

    holiday resort in Guangxi.

    王渊源:是啊。

    Yes.

    在这里走一走,

    Taking a stroll here

    感觉整个儿心情都放松下来了。

    will surely make you feel relaxed.

    韩佳: 是啊。

    Yes.

    这里呢应该是我们海疆行

    This should be the last

    sand beach

    走过的最后一片沙滩了。

    we’ve ever strolled over in

    our coastal journey.

    王渊源:回想起来,咱们走过那么多沙滩,

    Looking back, all of the beaches

    that we’ve been

    真是个个都有特色。

    to have their own special characteristics.

    韩佳: 是啊。

    Yes.

    那渊源刚才说的”回想”呢

    Yuanyuan just said “huixiang”,

    就是指想过去的事。

    which means to look back

    or think back.

    王渊源:”回想”就是指想过去的事。

    So “huixiang” means to look

    back or think back.

    韩佳: 比如说,回想过去,回想往事。

    For examples, looking back to the past,

    looking back to past events.

    再比如我们刚才说的,

    Another example just as we said,

    Huí xiǎng qǐ lái wǒmen zǒu guò de shātān gè yǒu tèsè

    回 想 起 来, 我们 走 过 的 沙滩 各 有 特色。

    Looking back, all of the beaches that we’ve been

    to have their own special characteristics.

    听韩佳说,

    I heard from Han Jia that

    在东兴居住着一个叫京族的民族。

    an ethnic group called Jing

    live in Dongxing.

    他们独特的文化和风俗。

    They have a unique culture

    and special customs.

    已经成为了东兴的一个亮点。

    This ethnic group has become

    a bright spot in Dongxing.

    王渊源:韩佳,

    Han Jia,

    那位师傅就是你说的京族吧?

    does that gentleman belong to the ethnic

    group of Jing that you just mentioned?

    韩佳: 嗯。看他们的服装应该就是。

    Yes. You can tell by their

    unique costume.

    王渊源:那他弹的是什么乐器啊?

    What type of instrument

    is he plucking at?

    韩佳: 这种乐器我也没见过。

    I’ve never seen this type

    of instrument either.

    我们问问吧。

    Let’s asks him.

    师傅,您好。

    Sir, nice to meet you.

    不好意思打断一下 。

    Excuse me for interrupting you.

    这是什么乐器呀?

    What type of musical instrument

    is it?

    师傅: 这个就是京族独弦琴。

    This is the single-stringed

    zither of the Jing people.

    韩佳: 哦,京族的独弦琴。

    Oh, the Jing people’s single-

    stringed zither.

    王渊源:独弦琴?

    A one-stringed zither?

    我看看。

    Let me take a look.

    它就一根弦啊?

    Does it have only one string?

    师傅: 对。

    Yes.

    王渊源:就一根弦,我觉得这简单啊。

    With only one string, I think

    it’s easy to play it.

    韩佳: 简单?

    Easy?

    那你来弹弹试试?

    Can you play it?

    王渊源:好。

    Okay.

    师傅,我能试试吗?

    Sir, can I have a try?

    师傅: 好,来吧。

    Sure, come on.

    王渊源:好,谢谢。

    Okay, thanks.

韩佳: 准备弹首什么曲子呀?

    What tune are you planning

    to play?

    王渊源:你听着啊。

    Just listen.

    韩佳: 哎,你这不是在乱弹琴嘛?

    Hey, aren’t you just messing around?

    王渊源:你怎么知道我在乱弹琴?

    Why did you say I was

    playing tunelessly?

    韩佳: 我刚才说的”乱弹琴”是句俗语,

    I said “luantanqin”, which is

    a saying

    用来比喻胡扯或者是胡闹。

    that means to talk nonsense

    or mess around.

    王渊源:”乱弹琴”是句俗语,

    So “luantanqin” is a saying

    用来比喻胡扯或者是胡闹。

    that means to talk nonsense

    or mess around.

    Tā gāngcái chúnshǔ luàn tán qín

    他 刚才 纯属 乱 弹 琴。

    Just now he was just messing around.

    韩佳: 好了,好了

    Well, well,

    你还是赶快让师傅为我们演奏一曲吧。

    you’d better let this gentleman

    play a tune.

    王渊源:这个主意不错。

    It’s a good idea.

    听美妙的音乐

    We should listen to a piece

    of beautiful music

    才能更好地看欣赏悦目啊。

    so that we can better watch

    the Feast for the Eyes.

    韩佳: 师傅,您请。

    Sir, please.

赏心悦目:

    东兴 中国的西南边卡重镇

    Dongxing is a town of strategic importance

    in China’s southwestern border region.

    奔腾的北仑河从边境流过

    The roaring Beilun River flows

    through here.

    宽阔的大桥连接着中越两国

    This wide bridge connects China

    with Vietnam.

    美丽的京族少女是东兴一道靓丽的风景

    The beautiful ethnic Jing girls are just part

    of Dongxing’s attractive landscape.

    悠扬的独弦琴声惹人驻足聆听

    The melodies of the single-stringed zither

    attract the ears of passers-by.

    大海赋予了东兴丰富的资源

    The sea has endowed Dongxing with

    abundant natural resources.

    大海描绘了东兴的美景

    Here with this beautiful vista of

    Dongxing reflected on the sea,

    我们的”万里海疆快乐行”

    our Happy Journey along the Coast

    在这里划上了完整的句点

    has come to a successful conclusion.

    王渊源:观众朋友,

    Audience friends,

    我们现在算是真正到达了

    now we’ve truly reached

    中国大陆海岸线的最西端。

    the westernmost end of the Chinese

    mainland’s coastline.

    你瞧。

    Look.

    韩佳: 嗯。那这条蓝色的中国大陆海岸线呢,

    Yes. With this blue coastline of

    Chinese mainland,

    就是我们这次”万里海疆快乐行”的

    our Happy Journey along the Coast

    完整路线了。

    has come to an end.

    王渊源:亲爱的观众朋友们,

    Dear friends,

    你瞧,从辽宁的丹东

    look, we started from Dandong

    of Liaoning

    到了广西的东兴竹山。

    and now came to Zhushan Mountain

    in Dongxing of Guangxi.

    经过一年多的时间,

    In more than a year’s time,

    在大家的汗水和欢声笑语中,

    we’ve successfully completed

    the journey

    我们终于顺利地完成了这次行程。

    with a lot of sweat and laughter

    as well.

    韩佳: 哎,还没有全部完成呢。

    Hey, we haven’t completed it yet.

    今天的有奖问答题还没出呢。

    We haven’t set today’s award-

    winning question.

    王渊源:对啊。

    Right.

    好。今天的有奖问答题是这样的。

    Okay. Here’s today’s award-

    winning question.

韩佳: 您一定要踊跃参与答题哦,

    Be sure to answer the question actively

    因为这是海疆行的最后一道题了。

    as this is the last question on

    our journey along the coast.

    王渊源:嗯。

    Yes.

    可惜这里没有什么纪念性的标志,

    Pity there no commemorative

    sign here

    我好拍照留念。

    for me to take a picture as

    a reminder.

    韩佳: 谁说的?你看那儿。

    Who said so? Look there.

    王渊源:这标志是?

    What sign is it?

    韩佳: 告诉你,

    Let me tell you

    这里呢不仅仅是中国大陆海岸的最西端,

    this is not only the westernmost end of

    the coastline of the Chinese mainland,

    同时呢也是中国沿边公路的零起点。

    but also the zero starting point of

    the highroads along China’s boundary.

    王渊源:哦,正好。

    Oh, great.

    既然是零,

    Since it’s zero,

    那就意味着这不仅仅是一个结束啊。

    it does not mean that this

    is the end.

    韩佳: 是啊,更是一个全新的开始。

    Right, it’s more of a brand-

    new beginning.

    王渊源:那么在接下来的几天里,

    In the next few days,

    我们还会为大家

    we’ll also present

    奉献出几期特别节目。

    a number of specials to

    our audience.

    韩佳: 嗯。精彩节目不容错过哦。

    Yes. Be sure not to miss

    these wonderful shows.

    王渊源:那就让我们在节目的口号声中,

    Then with the slogan of

    our program,

    为这次活动画上一个圆满的句号。

    let’s put a full stop to this activity.

    合: 学说中国话,朋友遍天下!

    Learn Chinese and make friends everywhere!

    再见。

    Bye-bye.

(Source: cctv.com)

Chinese Culture – Chengtoushan Site

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

Site of the primitive town of the Neolithic

 

Location: Lixian County, Changde City, Hunan Province

 

Period: 4000-2800 BC

 

Excavated in 1991

 

Significance: It is by far the oldest and best-preserved ancient city ruins with richest cultural content and has supplied abundant materials to the study of the settlement patterns of the Neolithic Age in the Yangtze River valley. 

Black pottery pot: wine vessel or water vessel (up, height 15.5 cm); Painted pottery cup: wine vessel or water vessel (bottom, mouth diameter 10 cm)

 

 Introduction

 

Changde of Hunan Province is historically called the country of scenery and cultural relics. Chengtoushan Site in Lixian county of Changde is the life miniature of ancient people 7,000 years ago.

 

Chengtoushan Site covers an area of about 152,000 square meters, with an unearthed area of 4,000 square meters. The site abounds in cultural relics of ancient city walls, moats, foundations of houses, kilns, altars and graveyards, etc. Underneath the city walls, traces of ancient paddy fields were discovered. Large quantities of stone articles, pottery, jade and carbonized rice were unearthed.

 

Chengtoushan Site is by far the earliest, best-preserved and relic-abundant ancient site

Source: chinaculture.org

Chinese Conversation – lesson 229

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

在海产店
阿丹:我们点一只大龙虾吧。
莫理:你知道它们有多贵吗?我们还是吃鱼跟青菜就好了。
阿丹:别担心,这里龙虾很便宜。我请客。
莫理:嗯,那样的话,我们就抓最大只的吧!
阿丹:不好笑。嗯。我们来打个赌吧。
莫理:我赌我能吃得比你多。
阿丹:输的人就请大家在九份喝茶。
莫理:好。(磨拳擦掌)龙虾和螃蟹,我来啰

At a seafood restaurant
Dan: Let’s get one of these giant lobsters.
Morley: Do you know how much those cost? Let’s stick to fish and vegetables.
Dan: Don’t worry, lobster here is cheap. It’s my treat.
Morley: Well, in that case, let’s get the biggest one!
Dan: Funny. Hmm. Let’s make a bet.
Morley: I bet I can eat more than you.
Dan: Whoever loses has to buy everybody tea at Jiufen.
Morley: You’ve on. [rubs hands] Lobster and crab, here I come.

(Source: wwenglish.com)