Archive for December 8th, 2011

Chinese Podcast -起死回生- Learn mandarin

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

起死回生 (qǐ sǐ huí shēng)

Bring the dying back to life

A will-known ancient Chinese doctor named Bian Que lived during the Warring States Period (475 — 221 BC). He travelled from place to place to practice medicine, curing countless patients.

While he was passing through the State of Guo, he heard about the sudden death of the prince. He inquired about the case of the prince from an official. Judging from what he heard, Bian Que decided the prince was not dead, but was suffering from a certain illness. He said to the official, “I can bring the prince back to life.” The official thought he was boasting. “How ridicules! The prince is already dead. How can you revive him?” however Bian Que explained, the official remained skeptical. But he was also curious. So he told the King about V’s claim. The King, who is so desperate, lost no time in inviting Bian Que to the palace.

Bian Que used acupuncture therapy. The prince responded well, and after a while, he came to. Bian Que prescribed some medicine for a hot compress. Strangely enough, the prince immediately sat up. Bian Que then gave the prince 20 dosed of herbal medicine. And the prince fully recovered in 20 days.

From that story comes the idiom 起死回生 (qǐ sǐ huí shēng ). The phrase is used to praise the excellent skill of good doctors. People also use it to refer to the revival of dying things.

注释: 起死回生 (qǐ sǐ huí shēng) 在发音的时候实际为 (qí sǐ huí shēng)

汉语拼音的一个规律是当两个字在一起读的时候,如果两个字的读音都是三声的时候那么第一个字的读音要变成二声的读音,这叫“变调” ,后一个的字的声调不变,还是三声。

Chinese Conversation -Approving a new purchase- Learn Mandarin online

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Approving a new purchase
A: Mr. Phillips? I have a request here from purchasing that needs your approval.
B: Let me take a look. This is for a 486 computer with modem. Who’s it going to?
A: I believe it’s going to Ms. Wilson’s office.
B: Get her on the phone, please. I need to clarify this.

批准购物
A:菲利普斯先生?我有一份采购部的申请需要您的批准。
B:让我看看。是要买台带调制解调器的486电脑。是给谁用的?
A:我想是给威尔森女士办公室用的。
B:请给她打个电话,我得核实一下。