Archive for March 9th, 2009

Learn Chinese Podcast – Happy China 442

Monday, March 9th, 2009

韩佳:快乐学汉语,轻松又好记。

Learn Chinese with fun.

It is much easier to remember.

大家好,我是快乐的韩佳。

Hello there! I am the happy Han Jia.

大牛:我是强壮的大牛。

And I am the strong Daniel.

韩佳:大牛,我倒想问问你了。

Daniel, I just want to ask you.

一大清早的你一直在这样。

You’ve been like this all the time

this early morning.

你是要去参加什么活动吗?

Are you going to attend some

kind of activity?

大牛:今天我要让大家见识见识我大牛的厉害。

Today I want you all to realize

how strong I am.

韩佳:真的?

Really?

大牛:走。

Come with me.

韩佳:走。

Okay.

大牛:你看,就是这个。

Look, it is right this.

韩佳:大牛,你说的要显示真功夫。

Daniel, you said you wanted to

show off your real skill.

不会就是踢踢沙袋、打打沙袋吧?

You didn’t mean just to kick or

hit the sand bag, did you?

大牛:错了。我要去参加举沙袋比赛。

No! I want to take part in the

sand bag contest.

这是藏寨里十分流行的一种运动。

It is a very popular sport at the

Tibetan village.

Zhèshì zàng zhài lǐ shífēn liúxíng de yì zhǒng yùndòng.

这是 藏 寨 里 十分 流行 的 一 种 运动。

This is a popular sport in the

Tibetan village.

韩佳:看来你很有自信嘛。

You seem quite confident?

大牛:那是。我有肌肉。

Sure. I am quite sinewy.

你就在旁边好好看着吧。

You just sit back and look on the side.

等我凯旋归来。

Wait for my “kai xuan gui lai”.

韩佳:等等。你刚才说的凯旋归来

Wait a minute. You said “kai

xuan gui lai”

可有点问题啊。

That sounds a bit problematic.

大牛:这有什么问题?

Why is it problematic?

好多人都这么说。

Many people say so.

韩佳:那是好多人都错了。

Then they are all wrong.

“凯旋”本来就有“归来”的意思。

“kai xuan” already means to

return victorious.

后面再加个“归来”岂不是重复了。

The addition of “gui lai” is redundant.

大牛:“凯旋”,“凯”读三声,“旋”读二声,

“kai xuan”, 3rd tone, 2nd tone,

就是胜利归来的意思。凯旋。

means to return victorious. So adding “gui

lai” means to return. Return victorious.

没必要加“归来”。

There is no need to add “gui lai”.

行,我记住了。

Now, I know.

韩佳:那就好。

Good.

嘉宾:参加比沙袋的选手,准备就绪!

All sand bag contestants get ready!

大牛:比赛马上开始了。

The contest will start soon.

我走了。记得给我加油。

I’m going. Remember to cheer me on.

韩佳:好 加油啊,大牛!

Ok. Come on, Daniel!

嘉宾:一,二…

One, two…

合: 加油!加油!

Come on! Come on!

韩佳:看大牛这样

Daniel appears

没准还真行呢。

somewhat likely to win.

加油,大牛!

Come on, Daniel!

大牛,人家是举沙袋,

Daniel, you are supposed to raise

the sand bag,

你怎么抱着个沙袋?

But why are you carrying it in

your arms?

你的样子真的很好笑。

The way you do it is so funny.

大牛:有什么好笑的。

There is nothing to be funny about.

你有本事你自己也比一比。

If you think you can do it, come

on and do it.

韩佳:比就比。我看就那个吧。

Yes, why not? I’ll take part in that.

大牛:擀面杖?你就比这个?

A rolling pin? Just that?

这个跟我的沙袋简直不能比。

It is incomparable with my sand bag.

韩佳:这个项目比的可不是力气,而是巧劲儿。

This event is not a competition of strength,

but a competition of dexterity.

Zhège xiàngmù bǐ de kě búshì lìqi, ér shì qiǎojìnr.

这个 项目 比 的 可 不是 力气,而 是 巧劲儿。

This competition doesn’t rely on strength,

but on technique.

大牛:那我们就来看看你怎么使巧劲儿。

Let’s see how dexterous you are.

韩佳:好吧,跟我来。

Okay, come with me.

大牛:韩佳看起来倒是挺自信。

Han Jia looks quite confident.

不过我可没那么乐观哪。

But I am not so sure.

加油!加油!

Come on! Come on!

韩佳:没经验嘛。第一次。

I have no experience. And it’s

my first time.

不过这次应该就会使巧劲儿了。

But this time, I’ll know how to

e dexterous.

大牛:韩佳,你可千万别再动。

Han Jia, you must not move.

再动就要输了。

One more move and you’ll lose.

韩佳:明白。最后一次机会。

I know. It’s my last chance.

一定好好把握。来。

I’ll do my best. Come on.

合: 加油!加油!

Come on! Come on!

大牛:韩佳,我看你啊

Han Jia, I think

还是没找到巧劲儿。

you still lack the knack for dexterity.

韩佳:大牛,你就别说风凉话啦。

Daniel, don’t be so sarcastic.

人总有马失前蹄的时候。

Everyone is likely to have “ma

shi qian ti”.

大牛:说你呢,

What?

怎么跟马扯上关系了?

Does this have anything to do

with a horse?

韩佳:我说的“马失前蹄”,

The “ma shi qian ti” I said is

a metaphor,

是比喻偶然发生差错而受挫。

means an occasional failure

due to a mall slip.

大牛:“马失前蹄”比喻偶然发生差错而受挫。

“ma shi qian ti” is a metaphor for

losing due to an unexpected mistake.

马失前蹄。

“ma shi qian ti”.

Mǎ shī qián tí

马 失 前 蹄

losing due to an unexpected mistake

韩佳,我发现这些体育项目

Han Jia, I found all these sporting events

其实都来源于人们平时的生活。

actually come from people’s daily lives.

韩佳:没错。它们都是藏民们

Exactly. They were developed

by Tibetans

在农间劳动的时候发明出来的。

at work in the farmland.

大牛:我看那边那个挺好玩的。

I find the event over there

quite interesting.

我去试试。

I’m going to have a try at it.

韩佳:大牛,他又向人家挑战去了。

Daniel is making another challenger

to locals.

那我们先去欣赏一下牟尼沟的美丽风光,

Let’s take this opportunity to enjoy the

beautiful scenes of the Muni Valley

然后再去看看大牛到底怎么样了。

before we find out how Daniel is faring.

赏心悦目:

牟尼沟 湖水明澈纯净 青翠欲滴

The Muni Gully boasts a crystal-clear lake.

翠林掩映 景色秀美

It is a beautiful place of lush trees.

古朴的藏族村寨坐落在明山丽水之间

A Tibetan village nestles between

the lake and a mountain slope.

显得格外粗犷质朴

It is rustic and plain in style.

碧绿的湖水温柔而沉静

The turquoise lake is gentle and calm.

清澈的溪水无忧无虑地流淌

The limpid stream flows in an

unhurried manner.

带给人们宁静祥和的生活

It brings a peaceful life to the local people.

这项运动还比较适合大牛。

This sport event is suitable for Daniel.

大牛,你没事吧?

Daniel, are you okay?

你怎么跳着跳着

Why did you jump all the way

能跳到筐里去?

into the basket in the end?

大牛:你别笑。这个比赛很有难度。

Don’t laugh at me. It’s a hard competition.

韩佳:是是,我明白我明白。

Yes, I know that.

我觉得咱们先回去练练

I suggest we go back do some practice

然后再来跟他们比。

before coming here to compete again.

你觉得怎么样?

How do you think of my suggestion?

大牛:这个主意不错。

It’s a good idea.

可以考虑可以考虑。

I would certainly consider it.

韩佳:那我们应该先考虑考虑今天的问题。

But we should first consider

today’s question.

大牛:你放心。

Rest assured.

刚才我在筐里都想好了。

I already figured it out when I

was in the basket.

观众朋友们,

Viewer friends,

你们听好了。

listen carefully.

(问题部分略)

精美礼品等您拿。

A beautiful gift is awaiting you.

韩佳:好了,感谢您收看我们今天的节目。

Well, thanks for watching today’s program.

我们明天再见。

See tomorrow.

大牛:别忘我们的口号:

Don’t forget our motto-

合: 学说中国话,朋友遍天下。

Learn Chinese and have friends everywhere.

(Source: cctv.com)

Beijing Olympic – Photos: Sculptures at Olympic co-host city Qingdao

Monday, March 9th, 2009
Sculptures at Olympic co-host city Qingdao

Photo taken on July 30, 2008 shows a sculpture at the Olympic co-host city Qingdao, east of China. The sailing events for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad will be held within Qingdao International Sailing Center, the five water areas outside Fushan Bay. A unique blend of sea and mountains makes Qingdao a well-known summer resort. With an average temperature ranging from 20-28 degrees celsius, the period from July through September is the most agreeable season for the tour.

(Photo credit: Xinhua)

Sculptures at Olympic co-host city Qingdao

Sculptures at Olympic co-host city Qingdao

Sculptures at Olympic co-host city Qingdao
Sculptures at Olympic co-host city Qingdao

Sculptures at Olympic co-host city Qingdao

Sculptures at Olympic co-host city Qingdao
Sculptures at Olympic co-host city Qingdao

Sculptures at Olympic co-host city Qingdao

(Source: en.beijing2008.cn)

Cri – Lesson 257

Monday, March 9th, 2009

羽毛未丰

这个成语出自《战国策。秦策—》:秦王曰:“寡人闻之,毛羽不丰满者,不可以高飞。”

“丰”,丰满。比喻势力还小,或常识、阅历尚浅。

战国时洛阳人苏秦,年青时曾师从智者鬼谷子学习辩术 谋略。学习结束后,周游列国,希望有朝一日,他的治国谋略能获得 君王们的接纳。

秦是西方的大国。凭借有利的地理环境,发展农业,国力逐渐强 盛。但在当时,实国尚不能与其它大国抗衡。 苏寿秦这次远游秦国,是要说动秦王,与函谷关以东的—些国家 联合,同其他的国家联盟作较量。

但是秦惠王并没有听取他的建议,而是说:“我们秦国现在就像 一只羽毛还没长全的小鸟,要想展翅高飞那是不行的。先生你迢迢千里来到这里开导我,我很感激。至于称霸争帝的事,我希望在以后的适当时机,再聆听你的高见。”

在秦国耗费了所有资财,上书十多次,但仍未说动秦王。苏泰无奈,只得灰溜溜地离开秦国回家。这时的苏秦,也就犹如羽毛还未丰的小鸟,无法振翅飞于那动荡的政治舞台。

Being unfledged

Now we’ll learn a new phrase, which literally means “being unfledged.” We use the idiom to describe something that hasn’t fully developed. We also use it to describe those who are young and immature. In Chinese, the idiom reads, “yu mao wei feng.” Here is how the idiom came about.

During the Warring States Period in ancient China, Su Qin was a lobbyist. He went to the State of Qin and tried to persuade the king to gobble up other states to unite China.

He said to the king, “Your state has good geographical conditions. The land is fertile and the resources are abundant. Your people are well fed and your army is well trained. With your wisdom, your highness, you can surely unite the country by gobbling up the other states.”

But Su Qin came at a wrong time. At that time, the two political groups in Qin were fighting each other. The king didn’t trust the lobbyist and what’s more, the country was not as strong as Su Qin described. Therefore, the king of Qin didn’t think it was time to gobble up other states to unite the country.

So then he politely said to Su Qin, “I have heard people saying, ‘An unfledged young bird can’t fly high and far. You can’t punish people without a good law. People without morality can’t lead the country.’ I appreciate your suggestions very much and especially appreciate that you came all the way here. But our strength is not great enough to do what you have advocated. Let us prepare for another few years so that we become fully-fledged. We’ll seek your advice then.”

No matter how Su Qin tried to persuade the king, he could not succeed. Eventually he used up his money and had to leave the kingdom. After he went home, his family gave him the cold shoulder and Su Qin felt so depressed that he made up his mind to oppose the State of Qin. He went to the other six states and persuaded them to join together to fight against Qin. This for a while gave the king of Qin a big headache.

Later on, people used the idiom “yu mao wei feng” – being unfledged – to describe something that hasn’t fully developed. We can also use it to describe those who are young and inexperienced.

(Source:english.cri.cn)