Archive for November, 2008

Learn Chinese Podcast – Happy China 343

Sunday, November 30th, 2008
 
 

       韩佳:快乐学汉语,轻松又好记。

  Learning Chinese the fun way is

  much easier to remember.

  欢迎来到《快乐中国》。

  Welcome to this edition of Happy China.

  我是快乐的韩佳。

  I am the happy Han Jia.

  还没有下车啊,

  While I’ still on board,

  就被这片蓝蓝的湖水所吸引。

  I’m already attracted by the azure

  lake over there.

  塞里木湖比我想像的还要宽阔,还要美。

  Sayram Lake is much wider and

  more beautiful than I expected.

  哎,好像有人比我来得还早。

  Hey, someone came here even

  earlier than me.

  大牛,大牛,

  Daniel, Daniel,

  你发什么呆啊?

  What are you staring at?

  大牛:嘘!

  Sh!

  韩佳:你是在欣赏塞里木湖

  You are enjoying Sayram Lake

  这么出神。

  so attentively.

  大牛:别吵!我在等天鹅。

  Quiet! I’m waiting for swans.

  韩佳:等天鹅?

  Waiting for swans?

  大牛:当地居民跟我说

  Local people told me

  塞里木湖上会出现天鹅。

  there would be swans on Sayram Lake.

  要是我在这里耐心等待的话,

  If I wait here patiently,

  就很可能遇见天鹅。

  I may have a chance to see them.

  韩佳:嗨,这湖面会出现天鹅倒是真的,

  Hey, it’s true that swans have

  appeared on the lake,

  但是这种场景是可遇而不可求的。

  but a situation like that occurs only

  by chance, you can’t be sure it will happen.

  你这么干等也不是办法呀。

  It isn’t a good idea just to wait.

  Nǐ zhème gān děng yě bú shì bànfǎ ya.

  你 这么 干 等 也 不 是 办法 呀。

  It’s no good for you just to sit here waiting.

  大牛:也许别人不行。

  Maybe others aren’t so lucky.

  我大牛一定能等到。

  I am sure it will happen.

  韩佳:这个大牛只顾等天鹅。

  He only cares about his swans.

  连节目都不管了。

  He’s forgotten our program.

  那我只能一个人带您转转了。

  So I have to take our viewers on

  the tour alone.

  这塞里木湖是新疆最大的高山湖泊。

  Sayram Lake is the largest

  mountain lake.

  大牛:没错儿。

  Exactly.

  传说中湖里的水

  It’s said the water in the lake

  就是一对恋人的泪水汇集而成的,

  came from the tears

  这湖啊,

  of two lovers.

  韩佳:哎,大牛,

  Hey, Daniel,

  你不是要等天鹅吗?

  Weren’t you waiting for your swans?

  大牛:天鹅要等,这风景也要看嘛。

  But the scenery is also worth seeing

  while waiting for the swans.

  你看,这里山青水秀的。

  Look at the green mountains and

  the blue lake.

  即使没有天鹅的光临,

  Despite the absence of swans,

  景色也是非常迷人的。

  the scenery is already mesmerizing.

  韩佳:那倒是。你看,远处有雪山,

  That’s true. There are snow-capped

  mountains

  近处有湖水。

  in the distance and a lake nearby.

  翠绿的云杉前还有袅袅的炊烟。

  ”niao niao” (curling wisps of) smoke

  rising before the green spruce trees.

  大牛:鸟,在哪儿啊?

  Where are the birds?

  没有碰到天鹅,

  It wouldn’t be bad to see some birds

  要是能看见鸟也行啊。

  if not swans here.

  韩佳:嗨,你说什么呢?

  Hey, what are you talking about?

  我说的是袅袅炊烟。

  What I said was “niao niao chui yan”.

  袅袅是个形容词,

  ”niao niao” is an adjective,

  用来形容烟雾缭绕上升的样子。

  used to describe curling wisps

  of smoke.

  跟飞的鸟没什么关系。

  It has nothing to do with the

  flying birds.

  大牛:哦,我明白了。

  Oh, I see.

  袅袅,读三声,是个形容词,

  ”niao niao”, two third tones,

  is an adjective,

  用来形容烟雾缭绕上升的样子。

  which is used to describe whispering

  smoke curling up to the heavens.

  袅袅。

  ”niao niao”.

  我是太想看到天鹅。

  I really want to see swans here.

  Wǒ shì tài xiǎng kàndào tiāné.

  我 是 太 想 看到 天鹅。

  I want so much to see swans.

  韩佳:大牛,大牛,这湖在后边呢。

  Daniel, the lake is behind us.

  你冲这边发什么呆呢?

  Why are you staring in that direction?

  大牛:嘘!

  Sh!

  韩佳:天鹅不会来这儿的。

  Swans won’t come here.

  大牛:谁等天鹅了。

  I’m not waiting for swans.

  我是担心你打扰我的羊吃草。

  I am worried you may disturb my

  grazing sheep.

  韩佳:啊,这是你的羊?

  What, you sheep?

  大牛:人家让我帮忙放会儿羊。

  The sheep someone asked me

  to take care of.

  韩佳:放牧可是很专业的工作。

  Herding sheep is a professional job.

  你行吗?

  You think you are up to it?

  大牛:我行吗?

  Am I up to it?

  看来我不给你展示展示,

  If I don’t show my skills,

  你也不服啊。

  you won’t believe me.

  看我的。

  Just watch.

  韩佳:好。

  Okay.

  大牛:来!

  Come on!

  集合!

  Get together now!

  韩佳:大牛,这是你的羊吗?

  Daniel, are they the sheep you are

  supposed to take care of?

  你不会认错了吧。

  You may be dealing with a wrong flock.

  大牛:没错儿啊。

  I can’t be wrong.

  哎呀,算了,算了。

  Oh, forget it.

  差不多就行了。

  It’s about all I have to do.

  一会儿把羊交给它们的主人。

  In a moment, I’ll just give them

  back to their owner.

  就完事大吉。

  And it’s all done.

  韩佳:啊,不会吧。

  Oh, no.

  就这么草草了事了。

  You can’t “cao cao liao shi” like this.

  大牛:草草

  ”cao cao” seems to be

  好像是一个跟草有关的成语。

  an idiom related with grass.

  韩佳是夸我呢,还是贬我呢?

  Is Han Jia praising me or

  criticizing me?

  Tā shì kuā wǒ ne, háishì biǎn wǒ ne?

  她 是 夸 我 呢, 还是 贬 我 呢?

  Is she complimenting me or

  mocking me?

  韩佳:这里的草是草率、马虎的意思。

  ”cao” here means rash and careless.

  草草了事这个成语,

  ”cao cao liao shi”, as an idiom,

  就是说马马虎虎地就把事情办完了,

  means to do something rashly

  and carelessly,

  形容办得很不彻底、很不认真。

  implying an irresponsible and

  unserious attitude.

  大牛:草草了事这个成语

  ”cao cao liao shi” is a Chinese idiom

  就是说马马虎虎地就把事情办完了。

  which means to be careless or

  hurried about doing things.

  草草了事。

  ”cao cao liao shi”

  得,我啊还是放我的羊去吧。

  Okay, I ‘d better go on herding

  my sheep.

  韩佳,我要是放得好的话,

  Han Jia, if I do a good job

  herding my sheep,

  你得给我找一个褒义的成语夸我。

  you must use a commendatory

  idiom to praise me.

  韩佳:知道了。

  Yeah, I will.

  那咱们也别干等着了,

  Then we’d better stop waiting

  一起来看看今天的赏心悦目。

  and move on to today’s Feast

  for the Eyes.

  赏心悦目:

  赛里木湖坐落于古丝绸之路北道

  Sayram Lake lies by the side

  of the Silk Road.

  是新疆海拔最高 面积最大的高山湖泊

  It is the highest and largest alpine

  lake in Xinjiang.

  相传湖水为一对恋人的眼泪汇集而成

  Legend has it that the lake came

  from the tears of two lovers.

  湖畔牧草如茵 牛羊成群

  There are lush pastures in the

  surrounding areas.

  湖上飞鸟翩翩 天边群山绵绵

  Birds hover high against the backdrop

  of undulating mountains.

  山披苍翠青纱 水泛粼粼波光

  The mountains are green and the

  water sparkle in ripples.

  夕阳余晖下 赛里木湖散发出迷人的光彩

  In the sunset glow, Sayram Lake

  looks more fascinating.

  大牛:哎呀,塞里木湖风光好,

  Oh, the scenery at Sayram Lake

  is not bad,

  就是羊啊太爱跑。

  but a pity my sheep are so unruly.

  韩佳:大牛,你的羊呢?

  Daniel, where are your sheep?

  大牛:羊没有了。鞭子倒是有一条。

  All gone. Only a whip left in my hand.

  韩佳:啊?

  What?

  大牛:不是我工作不认真。

  It’s not that I didn’t work seriously.

  实在是能力有限。

  But my abilities are limited.

  本来想让你用一个好成语夸夸我。

  I anticipated a commendatory idiom

  from you to praise me.

  这回我看没戏了。

  Now I know it’s hopeless.

  韩佳:嗨,没关系。

  Oh, it doesn’t matter.

  你那么聪明,

  Smart as you are,

  以后被夸的机会还多着呢。

  you’ll have a lot of opportunities

  to be praised.

  大牛:那倒是。

  That’s for sure.

  韩佳:好了,我们一起来给观众朋友们出题吧。

  Okay, let’s together tell our audience

  today’s question.

  大牛:好。

  Ok.

  本期问题:

  我们怎样来形容缭绕上升的炊烟呢?

  How should we describe the smoke that curls

  up from kitchen chimneys?

  Liáo liáo

  A.寥 寥 Very few

  Rǎn rǎn

  B.冉 冉 Slowly, gradually

  Niǎo niǎo

  C.袅 袅 Smoke curling upward

  韩佳:要想得到精美的小礼品,

  If you want to receive a classy gift,

  就赶快把答案发送给我们吧。

  then send your answer to us now.

  大牛:有经验的朋友们可以再多回答一道题。

  Experiences friends are welcome to

  answer an additional question.

  韩佳:啊,多回答一道题?

  What, one more question?

  大牛:是啊,您教教我到底怎么放羊啊。

  Yeah, just tell me how to herd

  a flock sheep.

  韩佳:嗨,还想着放羊呢!

  Oh, still thinking about your sheep!

  咱们的口号可别忘了啊。

  But don’t forget our slogan.

  大牛:哪能呢。

  No, they won’t.

  合: 学说中国话,朋友遍天下。

  Learn Chinese and have friends everywhere.

(Source: cctv.com)

Cri – Lesson 158

Sunday, November 30th, 2008

(mms://media.chinabroadcast.cn/eng/language/studio/lesson272.wma)

Y: We’ve survived our second week in a row without meat here in the Chinese Studio. Wo shi Y, and we’ve been cooking up a storm.
B: Da jia hao, wo shi B. It’s been a fun week of it in the kitchen that’s for sure. And there’s still a few left overs to dispose of. Shall we?
Y: While we’re savouring the food, we can also review what we’ve learned during the week.

Sentences of the week
Let’s wash these veggies first.  先把菜洗干净 Cut the veggies into small pieces 把菜切一下.   Add some oil 放点儿油 Add the veggies 把菜倒进去. All in today’s Chinese Studio

B: Sanitation is important, so first up, let’s wash these veggies.
Y: Good idea, and here’s how to say it in Chinese先把菜洗干净。
B:  xian1 ba3 cai4 xi3 gan1 jing4.
Y: xian1 means first up,
B:  xian1,
Y:  ba3 is often put before the object,
B: ba3,
Y: cai4 means vegetables,
B: cai4,
Y: xi3 means wash,
B: xi3,
Y: gan1jing4 means clean,
B: gan1 jing4.
Y: xian1 ba3 cai4 xi3 gan1 jing4.
B: xian1 ba3 cai4 xi3 gan1 jing4. Let’s wash these veggies first. 

Conversation 1
A: 先把菜洗干净。
B: 好的。

 B: I’ve got a dao1, a knife. So next, let’s cut the veggies into small pieces.
Y: hao de. Ba3 cai4 qie1 yi2 xia4. 
B: ba3 cai4 qie1 yi2 xia4.
Y: cai4 means vegetable,
B: cai4,
Y: qie1 yi2 xia4 means cut into small pieces,
B: qie1 yi2 xia4,
Y: Ba3 cai4 qie1 yi2 xia4
B: Ba3 cai4 qie1 yi2 xia4  Let’s cut the veggies into small pieces.

Conversation 2
A: 都洗干净了。然后呢?
B: 把菜切一下。

B: Ready for action, where’s the cooking oil?
Y: you mean, you2.
B: Dui, you2, the cooking oil…Let’s add some oil.
Y: Good idea, fang4 dian3er you3.
B:  fang4 dian3er you3.
Y: fang4 means add,
B:  fang4,
Y:  dian3er means a little bit,
B:  dian3er,  
Y: you3, the cooking oil,
B:  you3,
Y:  fang4 dian3er you3.
B:  fang4 dian3er you3. Add some oil.

Conversation3
A: 需要帮忙吗?
B: 好啊。往锅里放点儿油。

B: I can see the cooking oil, you2, is nice and hot, let’s add the veggies.
Y: Run that past me again B, this time in Chinese, you can say 把菜倒进去
B:  ba3 cai4 dao4 jin4 qu4.
Y:  cai4 means vegetables, 
B: cai4,
Y: dao4 jin4 qu4 means to put into the wok,
B: dao4 jin4 qu4.  
Y:  ba3 cai4 dao4 jin4 qu4.
B:  ba3 cai4 dao4 jin4 qu4. Add the veggies.

Conversation 4
A: 油已经热了。
B: 那就把菜倒进去。

B: You know Y, I’ve got a taste for this cooking lark. What are you doing for dinner tonight? Fancy a secret recipe of herbs and spices?
Y: Err, perhaps I’ll quit while I’m ahead, better not tempt fate too much.
B: So it’s back to the drawing board. Let’s see what sort of response our listeners have to today’s question.
Y: We’ll make it an easy one. Remind us how to say “Add some oil “, in Chinese of course.
B: Don’t be shy, we do love hearing from you. Send your answer in an email to chinese@crifm.com And remember, we like giving prizes away too, it could be your turn. Zhoumo yukuai.
Y: See you next week.

(Source:english.cri.cn)

Beijing Olympic – Shanghai stocks sinks below 5,000 mark

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

Shanghai key index slid below the support level of 5,000 points today after posting the biggest drop in two weeks after a wide sell off of shares across the board.

The Shanghai Composite Index, which tracks both yuan-denominated A shares and hard-currency B shares, slumped 4.41 percent, or 106.11 points, to close at 4,984.16.

The Shenzhen Composite Index, which covers the smaller mainland stock market, declined 4.61 percent, or 27.58 points, to 1,253.28.

Losing Shanghai stocks outnumbered gainers by 721 to 54 today while 71 were unchanged.

A total of 65.7 billion yuan of shares were traded on the Shanghai bourse today, far less than the more than 220 billion yuan of shares exchanged during mid October.

Today’s slump dragged the Shanghai index to the lowest point since August 22, when the index added 0.50 percent and closed at 4,980.08.

A bull run in domestic stocks pushed the index up 129 percent between the start of this year and a record intra-day high of 6,124 points in mid-October.

Since then, investors have been discouraged by tightening monetary policy, curbs on fund flows into stocks, a flood of new share offers, high valuations and sagging stock markets overseas.

Blue chips sank across sectors today. Banks and real estate developers continued a recent slump over concern that the United States housing loans crisis could slow China’s economy.

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, the nation’s biggest listed lender, was down 2.39 percent, or 0.19 yuan (2 US cents), to 7.76 yuan. Bank of Communications lost 5.01 percent, or 0.74 yuan, to close at 14.04 yuan today.

China’s exports growth may slow next year due to declining demand from the US brought about by the subprime crisis, Xinhua news agency reported today, citing central bank Governor Zhou Xiaochuan.

Zhou also said on Sunday that the central bank will continue to “withdraw liquidity” by raising the amount lenders have to set aside in reserves to curb the country’s feverish economy.

The People’s Bank of China this month raised the proportion of deposits that lenders must set aside as reserves to 13.5 percent, the highest since at least 1987.

China Vanke, the nation’s biggest listed property developer, slid five percent, or 1.64 yuan, to 31.18 yuan while Shimao Property Co, a Shanghai developer, plunged 6.40 percent, or 1.29 yuan, to 18.86 yuan.

Industrial stocks also posted steep falls today.

Yunnan Tin Co, the world’s largest producer of the metal, dropped the daily cap of 10 percent, or 6.47 yuan, to close at 58.23 yuan while Zhongjin Gold, China’s largest publicly traded gold miner by market value, gave up 7.34 percent, or 7.09 yuan, to 89.53 yuan.

Jiangxi Copper Co, China’s second-largest producer of the metal, declined 6.67 percent, or 3.32 yuan, to 46.49 yuan.

The company will own at least 20 percent of Afghanistan’s largest copper mine should a final development agreement be reached with the Afghan government. At least half of the Aynak mine’s output of copper concentrate will be sold to the South China-based company, it said in a filing today to the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Securities stocks sank today on concern lower trading volumes will erode income.

Citic Securities Co, the nation’s largest brokerage, tumbled 6.39 percent, or 5.96 yuan, to 87.24 yuan while Northern Securities slid 8.30 percent, or 4.34 yuan, to 47.95 yuan.

 (Source: en.beijing2008.cn)