tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192984262011-12-29T15:45:44.977-08:00Learning Chinese. Decoding Characters(zi) and Words(ci) in Chinese.nihaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815510384938551451noreply@blogger.comBlogger91100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19298426.post-1133810170026058792005-12-05T11:04:00.000-08:002005-12-28T22:13:41.633-08:00Back in elementary school, teachers would ask students to make sentences using new Chinese words just learned. I just found some funny ones on the web.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">天真</span>　今天真热，是游泳的好日子。<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">天真</span>　今天真熱，是游泳的好日子。<br /><br />天真 : tian1 zhen1 -- innocent<br />今天 : jin1 tian1 -- today<br />真熱 : zhen1 re4 -- really hot<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">十分</span>　妹妹的数学只考十分，真丢脸。<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">十分</span>　妹妹的數學只考十分，真丟臉。<br /><br />十分 : shi2 fen1 -- very; fully; extremely<br />十分 : shi2 fen1 -- 10 points<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">从容</span>　我做事情，都是先从容易的做起。<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">從容</span>　我做事情，都是先從容易的做起。<br /><br />从容 ( 從容 ) : cong1 rong2 -- calm<br />先从 ( 先從 ) : xian1 cong1 -- start out from<br />容易 : rong2 yi4 -- easy<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">便当</span>　小明把大便当做每天早上起床第一件要做的事。<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">便當</span>　小明把大便當做每天早上起床第一件要做的事。<br /><br />便当 ( 便當 ) : bian4 dang4 -- convenient meal<br />大便 : da4 bian4 -- stool; defecate<br />当做 ( 當做 ) : dang4 zuo4 -- regard as; treat as<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">人参</span>　老师说明天每个人参加大队接力时，一定要尽力。<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">人參</span>　老師說明天每個人參加大隊接力時，一定要盡力。<br /><br />人参 ( 人參 ) : ren2 shen1 -- ginseng<br />每个人 ( 每個人 ) : mei3 ge4 ren2 -- everyone<br />参加 ( 參加 ) : can1 jia1 -- join<br />Note : 参( 參 ) is an homograph character ( 多音字 ).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">难过</span>　我家门口的大水沟很难过去。<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">難過</span>　我家門口的大水溝很難過去。<br /><br />难过 ( 難過 ) : nan2 guo4 -- feel sorry; feel bad<br />很难 ( 很難 ) : hen3 nan2 -- very hard; very difficult<br />过去 ( 過去 ) : guo4 qu4 -- go over; cross over<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">沟通</span>　我家的水沟通到淡水河。<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">溝通</span>　我家的水溝通到淡水河。<br /><br />沟通 ( 溝通 ) : gou1 tong1 -- communicate<br />水沟 ( 水溝 ) : shui3 gou1 -- ditch; drain<br />通到 : tong1 dao4 -- lead to<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">如果</span>　汽水不如果汁好喝。<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">如果</span>　汽水不如果汁好喝。<br /><br />如果 : ru2 guo3 -- if; in case<br />不如 : bu4 ru2 -- not as good as<br />果汁 : guo3 zhi1 -- fruit juice<br /><br /><br />What do you think? Share yours with others. :-)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/19298426-113381017002605879?l=chinesewords.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>nihaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815510384938551451noreply@blogger.com100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19298426.post-1133733697141439792005-12-04T13:32:00.000-08:002005-12-04T14:31:04.423-08:00多 ( duo1 ) : many; much<br />Note : two ( 夕 : evening; moon )<br />Example : 多邊 = 多边 ( duo1 bian1 ) -- multilateral<br /><br />姦 is traditional version of 奸<br />姦 ( jian1 ) : adultery<br />Note : three ( 女 : woman )<br />Example : 強姦 = 强奸 ( qiang2 jian1 ) -- rape<br /><br />戔 is tradictional version of 戋 <br />戔 ( jian1 ) : narrow; small<br />Note : two ( 戈 : halberd )<br /><br />昌 ( chang1 ) : prosperous; flourish<br />Note : two ( 曰 : say )<br />Example : 昌盛 ( chang1 sheng4 ) -- prosperous<br /><br />晶 ( jing1 ) : crystal<br />Note : three ( 曰 : say )<br />Example : 結晶 = 结晶 ( jie2 jing1 ) -- crystallize<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/19298426-113373369714143979?l=chinesewords.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>nihaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815510384938551451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19298426.post-1133156952043656542005-11-27T21:41:00.000-08:002005-11-29T11:08:05.550-08:00Simplified Chinese<table style="border: 1px solid teal; margin: 10px 0pt; border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><th>English</th><th>Cantonese Transliteration</th><th>Mandarin Transliteration</th><th>Native expression</th></tr><tr><td>America</td><td>美国</td><td>美国</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Amoeba</td><td>阿米巴</td><td>阿米巴</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Amphetamine</td><td>安非他明</td><td>安非他明</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Angel</td><td>安琪儿</td><td>安琪儿</td><td>天使</td></tr><tr><td>Aspirin</td><td>阿士匹灵</td><td>阿斯匹灵</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Baby</td><td>啤啤</td><td><br /></td><td>婴儿</td></tr><tr><td>Baccarat</td><td>百家乐</td><td>百家乐</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Bar</td><td>吧/酒吧</td><td>酒吧</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Bikini</td><td>比坚尼</td><td>比基尼</td><td>三点式女泳装<br /></td></tr><tr><td>Boss</td><td>波士</td><td>波士</td><td>老板</td></tr><tr><td>Boycott</td><td>杯葛</td><td>杯葛</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Brandy</td><td>白兰地</td><td>白兰地</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Buffet</td><td>卜非</td><td><br /></td><td>自助餐</td></tr><tr><td>Bus</td><td>巴士</td><td>巴士</td><td>公共汽车</td></tr><tr><td>Bye-bye</td><td>拜拜</td><td>拜拜</td><td>再见</td></tr><tr><td>Caffeine</td><td>咖啡因</td><td>咖啡因</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Calories</td><td>卡路里</td><td>卡路里</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Card</td><td>卡</td><td>卡</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Carnival</td><td>嘉年华</td><td>嘉年华</td><td>狂欢节</td></tr><tr><td>Cartoon</td><td>卡通</td><td>卡通</td><td>动画</td></tr><tr><td>Cent</td><td>仙/仙士</td><td><br /></td><td>分</td></tr><tr><td>Champagne</td><td>香槟</td><td>香槟</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Cheese</td><td>芝士</td><td><br /></td><td>奶酪</td></tr><tr><td>Chocolate</td><td>朱古力</td><td>巧克力</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Cigar</td><td>雪茄</td><td>雪茄</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Cocoa</td><td>可可</td><td>可可</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Cola</td><td>可乐</td><td>可乐</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Cool</td><td>酷</td><td>酷</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Cookies</td><td>曲奇</td><td><br /></td><td>饼干</td></tr><tr><td>Copy</td><td>拷贝</td><td>拷贝</td><td>复印</td></tr><tr><td>Curry</td><td>咖喱</td><td>咖喱</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Daddy</td><td>爹地</td><td><br /></td><td>爸爸</td></tr><tr><td>Darling</td><td>打令/打玲</td><td><br /></td><td>情人/爱人</td></tr><tr><td>Disco</td><td>的士高</td><td>迪斯可</td><td>舞厅</td></tr><tr><td>Dozen</td><td>打</td><td>打</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Encore</td><td>安歌</td><td>安歌/恩可</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Engine</td><td>引擎</td><td><br /></td><td>发动机</td></tr><tr><td>Gene</td><td>基因</td><td>基因</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Guitar</td><td>结他</td><td>吉他</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Heroin</td><td>海洛因</td><td>海洛英</td><td>白粉</td></tr><tr><td>Hormone</td><td>荷尔蒙</td><td>荷尔蒙</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Jam</td><td>占/果占</td><td>果酱</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Laser</td><td>镭射</td><td>镭射</td><td>激光</td></tr><tr><td>Lemon</td><td>柠檬</td><td>柠檬</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Logic</td><td>逻辑</td><td>逻辑</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>McDonalds</td><td>麦当劳</td><td>麦当劳</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Mammy</td><td>妈咪</td><td>妈咪</td><td>妈妈</td></tr><tr><td>Microphone</td><td>咪高峰</td><td>麦克风</td><td>扩音器</td></tr><tr><td>Mini</td><td>迷你</td><td>迷你</td><td>微型</td></tr><tr><td>Modern</td><td>摩登</td><td>摩登</td><td>时髦的</td></tr><tr><td>Mosse</td><td>慕丝</td><td>慕丝</td><td>发型固定乳</td></tr><tr><td>Motor</td><td>摩打</td><td>摩托</td><td>马达</td></tr><tr><td>Pizza</td><td><br /></td><td>比萨</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Poker</td><td><br /></td><td>扑克</td><td>纸牌</td></tr><tr><td>Nylon</td><td>尼龙</td><td>尼龙</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Ounce</td><td>安士</td><td>安士</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Party</td><td>派对</td><td>派对</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Pie</td><td>批</td><td>派</td><td>西式馅饼</td></tr><tr><td>Pose</td><td>甫士</td><td>甫士</td><td>姿势</td></tr><tr><td>Pound</td><td>磅</td><td>磅</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Pudding</td><td>布甸</td><td>布丁</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Salad</td><td>沙律</td><td>沙拉/色拉</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Salon</td><td>沙龙</td><td>沙龙</td><td>艺术拍照</td></tr><tr><td>Sandwich</td><td>三文治</td><td>三明治</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>SARS</td><td>沙士</td><td>沙士</td><td>非典型肺炎</td></tr><tr><td>Sauna</td><td>桑拿</td><td>桑拿浴</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Saxophone</td><td>色士风</td><td>萨克斯风</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Show</td><td>骚</td><td>秀</td><td>表演</td></tr><tr><td>Soda</td><td>梳打</td><td>苏打</td><td>汽水</td></tr><tr><td>Sofa</td><td>梳化</td><td>沙发</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Store</td><td>士多</td><td><br /></td><td>杂货店</td></tr><tr><td>Strawberry</td><td>士多啤梨</td><td>草莓</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Sundae</td><td>新地</td><td>新地</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Taxi</td><td>的士</td><td>的士</td><td>计程车/出租汽车</td></tr><tr><td>Tips</td><td>贴士</td><td>提示</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Toffee</td><td>拖肥糖</td><td>太妃糖</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Vaseline</td><td>花士苓</td><td>凡士林</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Whisky</td><td>威士忌</td><td>威士忌</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Yoga</td><td>瑜伽</td><td>瑜伽</td><td><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Traditional Chinese<br /><table style="border: 1px solid teal; margin: 10px 0pt; border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><th>English</th><th>Cantonese Transliteration</th><th>Mandarin Transliteration</th><th>Native expression</th></tr><tr><td>America</td><td>美國</td><td>美國</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Amoeba</td><td>阿米巴</td><td>阿米巴</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Amphetamine</td><td>安非他明</td><td>安非他明</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Angel</td><td>安琪儿</td><td>安琪儿</td><td>天使</td></tr><tr><td>Aspirin</td><td>阿士匹靈</td><td>阿斯匹靈</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Baby</td><td>啤啤</td><td><br /></td><td>嬰儿</td></tr><tr><td>Baccarat</td><td>百家樂</td><td>百家樂</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Bar</td><td>吧/酒吧</td><td>酒吧</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Bikini</td><td>比堅尼</td><td>比基尼</td><td>三點式女泳裝</td></tr><tr><td>Boss</td><td>波士</td><td>波士</td><td>老板</td></tr><tr><td>Boycott</td><td>杯葛</td><td>杯葛</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Brandy</td><td>白蘭地</td><td>白蘭地</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Buffet</td><td>卜非</td><td><br /></td><td>自助餐</td></tr><tr><td>Bus</td><td>巴士</td><td>巴士</td><td>公共汽車</td></tr><tr><td>Bye-bye</td><td>拜拜</td><td>拜拜</td><td>再見</td></tr><tr><td>Caffeine</td><td>咖啡因</td><td>咖啡因</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Calories</td><td>卡路里</td><td>卡路里</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Card</td><td>卡</td><td>卡</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Carnival</td><td>嘉年華</td><td>嘉年華</td><td>狂歡節</td></tr><tr><td>Cartoon</td><td>卡通</td><td>卡通</td><td>動畫</td></tr><tr><td>Cent</td><td>仙/仙士</td><td><br /></td><td>分</td></tr><tr><td>Champagne</td><td>香檳</td><td>香檳</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Cheese</td><td>芝士</td><td><br /></td><td>奶酪</td></tr><tr><td>Chocolate</td><td>朱古力</td><td>巧克力</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Cigar</td><td>雪茄</td><td>雪茄</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Cocoa</td><td>可可</td><td>可可</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Cola</td><td>可樂</td><td>可樂</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Cool</td><td>酷</td><td>酷</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Cookies</td><td>曲奇</td><td><br /></td><td>餅干</td></tr><tr><td>Copy</td><td>拷貝</td><td>拷貝</td><td>复印</td></tr><tr><td>Curry</td><td>咖喱</td><td>咖喱</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Daddy</td><td>爹地</td><td><br /></td><td>爸爸</td></tr><tr><td>Darling</td><td>打令/打玲</td><td><br /></td><td>情人/愛人</td></tr><tr><td>Disco</td><td>的士高</td><td>迪斯可</td><td>舞廳</td></tr><tr><td>Dozen</td><td>打</td><td>打</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Encore</td><td>安歌</td><td>安歌/恩可</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Engine</td><td>引擎</td><td><br /></td><td>發動机</td></tr><tr><td>Gene</td><td>基因</td><td>基因</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Guitar</td><td>結他</td><td>吉他</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Heroin</td><td>海洛因</td><td>海洛英</td><td>白粉</td></tr><tr><td>Hormone</td><td>荷爾蒙</td><td>荷爾蒙</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Jam</td><td>占/果占</td><td>果醬</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Laser</td><td>鐳射</td><td>鐳射</td><td>激光</td></tr><tr><td>Lemon</td><td>檸檬</td><td>檸檬</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Logic</td><td>邏輯</td><td>邏輯</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>McDonalds</td><td>麥當勞</td><td>麥當勞</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Mammy</td><td>媽咪</td><td>媽咪</td><td>媽媽</td></tr><tr><td>Microphone</td><td>咪高峰</td><td>麥克風</td><td>擴音器</td></tr><tr><td>Mini</td><td>迷你</td><td>迷你</td><td>微型</td></tr><tr><td>Modern</td><td>摩登</td><td>摩登</td><td>時髦的</td></tr><tr><td>Mosse</td><td>慕絲</td><td>慕絲</td><td>發型固定乳</td></tr><tr><td>Motor</td><td>摩打</td><td>摩托</td><td>馬達</td></tr><tr><td>Pizza</td><td><br /></td><td>比薩</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Poker</td><td><br /></td><td>扑克</td><td>紙牌</td></tr><tr><td>Nylon</td><td>尼龍</td><td>尼龍</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Ounce</td><td>安士</td><td>安士</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Party</td><td>派對</td><td>派對</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Pie</td><td>批</td><td>派</td><td>西式餡餅</td></tr><tr><td>Pose</td><td>甫士</td><td>甫士</td><td>姿勢</td></tr><tr><td>Pound</td><td>磅</td><td>磅</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Pudding</td><td>布甸</td><td>布丁</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Salad</td><td>沙律</td><td>沙拉/色拉</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Salon</td><td>沙龍</td><td>沙龍</td><td>藝術拍照</td></tr><tr><td>Sandwich</td><td>三文治</td><td>三明治</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>SARS</td><td>沙士</td><td>沙士</td><td>非典型肺炎</td></tr><tr><td>Sauna</td><td>桑拿</td><td>桑拿浴</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Saxophone</td><td>色士風</td><td>薩克斯風</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Show</td><td>騷</td><td>秀</td><td>表演</td></tr><tr><td>Soda</td><td>梳打</td><td>蘇打</td><td>汽水</td></tr><tr><td>Sofa</td><td>梳化</td><td>沙發</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Store</td><td>士多</td><td><br /></td><td>雜貨店</td></tr><tr><td>Strawberry</td><td>士多啤梨</td><td>草莓</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Sundae</td><td>新地</td><td>新地</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Taxi</td><td>的士</td><td>的士</td><td>計程車/出租汽車</td></tr><tr><td>Tips</td><td>貼士</td><td>提示</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Toffee</td><td>拖肥糖</td><td>太妃糖</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Vaseline</td><td>花士苓</td><td>凡士林</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Whisky</td><td>威士忌</td><td>威士忌</td><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td>Yoga</td><td>瑜伽</td><td>瑜伽</td><td><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/19298426-113315695204365654?l=chinesewords.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>nihaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815510384938551451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19298426.post-1133113281947074132005-11-27T09:01:00.000-08:002005-11-29T10:36:15.856-08:00How many Chinese characters do you have to learn in order to read a Chinese newspaper?<br /><br />An appropriate answer will be around 2,500 Chinese characters. Coverage rate of 1,000 most frequent Chinese characters on a general text is around 85%. By knowing 1,000 Chinese characters, you can <strong>recognize</strong> about 85% of all characters on a general publication like Chinese newspaper.<br /><br />Following are the coverage rates of the most frequently used Chinese characters:<br /># of Character : Coverage rate<br />100 : 38%<br />500 : 72%<br />1000 : 86%<br />2000 : 95%<br />2500 : 97%<br />3000 : 98%<br /><br />I am getting these coverage rates from <a href="http://lingua.mtsu.edu/chinese-computing/statistics/char/list.php?Which=TO" target="_blank">MTSU Chinese Computing (Jun Da)</a>, and more from <a href="http://www.globechinese.com/X_char.html" target="_blank">Globechinese.com</a> and <a href="http://chineseculture.about.com/library/extra/character/bls_characters1.htm" target="_blank">about.com</a>.<br /><br />Now suppose you know 1,000 Chinese characters, does that mean you can read 86% of the text on a newspaper?<br /><br />You may have noticed the word "recognize" instead of "understand" I used in second paragraph, knowing 1,000 Chinese characters does not mean you can read and understand as much.<br /><br />This happens for various reasons:<br /><ol><li>A Chinese character have multiple meanings, people infer its appropriate meaning from the context.<br /><br />Example :<br />巧 (qiao3) : opportunely; coincidentally; as it happens; skillful; timely.<br />巧合 (qiao3 he2) : coincidence; 巧妙 (qiao3 miao4) : ingenious; clever<br /></li><br /><li>Homograph disambiguation (多音字) : There are a few hundred Chinese characters that have multiple pronunciations with different meanings.<br />Example :<br />背 (bei1) : carry; 背 (bei4) : the back of the body<br />都 (dou1) : all; 都 : (du1) : capital, metropolis<br /></li><br /><li>Most of Loan words in Chinese are transliterations from other languages.<br />Example :<br />You may know characters 美 (mei3): beautiful and 国 = 國 (guo2) : country, unless you have seen or learned the word "美国" before, you may not know it is a transliteration from "America" - The United States.<br /></li><br /><li>Cultural words : words which are unique to Chinese culture.<br />Example :<br />气功 (qi4 gong1), 做月子 (zuo4 yue4 zi), 江湖 (jiang1 hu2)<br /></li><br /><li>Some words are originated from 俚语 (li3 yu3) : slang; 成语(cheng2 yu3) : set phrase, Poetry, or other ancient Chinese literature<br />Example :<br />守株待兔 (shou3 zhu1 dai4 tu4)<br />肉 包 子 打 狗, 有 去 无 回. (rou4 bao1 zi da3 gou3, you3 qu4 wu2 hui2)<br /></li><br /></ol>Think that's too much for you?<br />Fortunately Chinese characters are like prefixes and roots in English language.<br /><br />For example, 电 (dian4) means "electricity",<br />and from 电 we can learn following words too.<br /><table style="border: 1px solid teal; margin: 10px 0pt; border-collapse: collapse;"><br /><tbody><tr><th>Traditional</th><th>Simplified</th><th>Pinyin</th><th>English</th></tr><tr><td>電冰箱</td><td>电冰箱</td><td>dian4 bing1 xiang</td><td>refrigerator</td></tr><tr><td>電池</td><td>电池</td><td>dian4 chi2</td><td>battery</td></tr><tr><td>電燈泡</td><td>电灯泡</td><td>dian4 deng1 pao1</td><td>bulb</td></tr><tr><td>電風扇</td><td>电风扇</td><td>dian4 feng1 shan4</td><td>electric fan</td></tr><tr><td>電話</td><td>电话</td><td>dian4 hua4</td><td>telephone; phone call</td></tr><tr><td>電腦</td><td>电脑</td><td>dian4 nao3</td><td>computer</td></tr><tr><td>電視</td><td>电视</td><td>dian4 shi4</td><td>television; TV</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Feel more confident on learning Chinese?<br /><br />On next post, I will be compiling a list of loan words in Chinese.<br />I am sure you will be interested to know these familiar words in Chinese. :-)</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/19298426-113311328194707413?l=chinesewords.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>nihaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815510384938551451noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19298426.post-1133076002521125422005-11-26T23:20:00.000-08:002005-11-27T16:29:13.776-08:00Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language. Each Chinese character represents a single syllabic unit in all spoken variants of Chinese still exist today. Therefore it is common to have several characters correspond to the same pronunciation in Chinese.<br /><br />In order to "spell" a specific Chinese character, we need to know two things in advance.<br /><br />1. Which character are we talking about?<br />2. How to decompose this character into simpler radicals or strokes?<br /><br />For the first one, we infer the proper character from the context; and most often from the Chinese word 词/詞(ci2) containing this specific character. Use of Chinese word 词/詞(ci2) to tell the right character is a common practice when one introduces his or her name.<br /><br />Take famous Chinese actor/singer 张学友(張學友) for example,<br />he would introduce himself as following.<br /><br />我姓 zhang1, 名 xue2 you3.<br />My last name is zhang1, and my given name is xue2 you3.<br /><br />By listening to the introduction above, other person may not know the exact characters in his name. Since "尤 - outstanding", "有 - have", and "友 - friend" all correspond to the same sound "you3".<br />So he would say following for the clarification.<br /><br />张, 张开的张; 学, 学习的学; 友, 朋友的友. (Simplified)<br />張, 張開的張; 學, 學習的學; 友, 朋友的友. (Traditional)<br />zhang1 as in zhang1 kai1; xue2 as in xue2 xi2; and you3 as in peng2 you3.<br /><br />Now we got all characters in 张学友(張學友) (zhang1, xue2 you3),<br />how do we write these characters?<br /><br />Take character 张(張) for example.<br />Following are two typical instructions to write this character:<br />弓字旁,右边一个长. Or 左边一个弓, 右边一个长.(Simplified)<br />弓字旁,右邊一個長. Or 左邊一個弓, 右邊一個長.(Traditional)<br /><br />It has 弓 as its radical, and 长(長) on the right side. Or<br />弓 on the left side, and 长(長) on the right side.<br /><br />Great, now we know how to "spell" and write Chinese character.<br />We can "spell" and write Chinese word 词/詞(ci2) in the same way since it is composed of two or more characters.<br /><br />Check out <a href="http://mandarin123.com/character.html">here</a> for more details on Chinese character.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/19298426-113307600252112542?l=chinesewords.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>nihaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815510384938551451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19298426.post-1132988277492682412005-11-25T21:30:00.000-08:002005-11-29T11:09:04.166-08:00These are Chinese loan words in the English language.<br />I am sure some of them must be really familiar to you.<table style="border: 1px solid teal; margin: 10px 0pt; border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><th>English</th><th>Chinese</th><th>Pinyin</th><th>Meaning</th></tr><tr><td>Bok choy</td><td>白菜</td><td>bai2 cai4</td><td>Chinese Cabbage</td></tr><tr><td>China</td><td>秦</td><td>qin2</td><td>Qin - First dynasty in Chinese history</td></tr><tr><td>Chop suey</td><td>杂碎</td><td>za2 sui4</td><td>Miscellaneous bit</td></tr><tr><td>Chow</td><td>炒</td><td>chao3</td><td>Stir fry</td></tr><tr><td>Chow mein</td><td>炒面</td><td>chao3 mian4</td><td>Fried noodle</td></tr><tr><td>Coolie</td><td>苦力</td><td>ku3 li4</td><td>Bitter labor</td></tr><tr><td>Dimsum</td><td>点心</td><td>dian3 xin1</td><td>light refreshments</td></tr><tr><td>Feng shui</td><td>风水</td><td>feng1 shui3</td><td>geomantic omen</td></tr><tr><td>Ketchup</td><td>茄汁</td><td>qie2 zhi1</td><td>Tomato sauce</td></tr><tr><td>Kowtow</td><td>叩头</td><td>kou4 tou2</td><td>Bow one's head</td></tr><tr><td>Kungfu</td><td>功夫</td><td>gong1 fu1</td><td>skill; martial art</td></tr><tr><td>Lychee</td><td>荔枝</td><td>li4 zhi1</td><td>A sweet Chinese fruit (litchi)</td></tr><tr><td>Mahjong</td><td>麻将</td><td>ma2 jiang4</td><td>A Chinese (tile) game</td></tr><tr><td>Oolong</td><td>乌龙</td><td>wu1 long2</td><td>Black dragon tea</td></tr><tr><td>Pinyin</td><td>拼音</td><td>pin1 yin1</td><td>Sound spelling</td></tr><tr><td>Silk</td><td>丝</td><td>si1</td><td>Silk</td></tr><tr><td>Tai chi</td><td>太极</td><td>tai4 ji2</td><td>Ultimate</td></tr><tr><td>Tao (Dao)</td><td>道</td><td>dao4</td><td>Way</td></tr><tr><td>Tofu</td><td>豆腐</td><td>dou4 fu3</td><td>Bean curd</td></tr><tr><td>Typhoon</td><td>台风</td><td>fai2 feng1</td><td>Hurricane</td></tr><tr><td>Wok</td><td>镬</td><td>huo4</td><td>Cauldron</td></tr><tr><td>Wushu</td><td>武术</td><td>wu3 shu4</td><td>Martial art</td></tr><tr><td>Yen</td><td>圆</td><td>yuan2</td><td>Monetary Unit(Dollar)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/19298426-113298827749268241?l=chinesewords.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>nihaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815510384938551451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19298426.post-1132964358089784622005-11-25T15:31:00.000-08:002005-11-29T11:15:26.160-08:00In radical-radical compounds (會意字), each component(radical) of the character hints at the meaning. Therefore it's really easy to guess the meaning of the character by knowing basic radicals in the character. This rule does not apply to all Chinese characters.<br /><br />仲 ( zhong4 ) : 2nd in seniority<br />Note : person 人 in the middle 中<br />Example : 仲裁 ( zhong4 cai2 ) -- arbitration<br /><br />伴 ( ban4 ) : a partner; companion or associate<br />Note : person's 人 other half 半<br />Example : 伴奏 ( ban4 zou4 ) -- to accompany (musically)<br /><br /><br />体 ( ti3 ) : body<br />Note : person 人 and trunk 本<br />Example : 体重 ( ti3 zhong4) -- body weight<br /><br />信 ( xin4 ) : letter; to believe<br />Note : person's 人 word 言<br />Example : 信箱 ( xin4 xiang1 ) -- mailbox<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/19298426-113296435808978462?l=chinesewords.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>nihaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815510384938551451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19298426.post-1132956895754677242005-11-25T14:01:00.000-08:002005-11-25T14:55:03.200-08:00三 ( san1 ) : three<br />Note : three ( 一 : one )<br />Example : 第三 ( di4 san1 ) -- third; No. 3<br /><br />众 is Simplified version of 眾<br />众 ( zhong4 ) : multitude; many people<br />Note : three ( 人 : person )<br />Example : 众人 ( zhong4 ren2 ) -- (n) everyone<br /><br />劦 ( xie2 ) : join strength<br /> Note : three ( 力 : force )<br /><br />品 ( pin3) : conduct; grade; product<br />Note : three ( 口 : mouth )<br />Example : 品行 (pin3 xing2) -- (n) behavior; moral conduct<br /><br />垚 ( yao2) : embankment<br /> Note : three ( 土 : earth; soil )<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/19298426-113295689575467724?l=chinesewords.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>nihaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815510384938551451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19298426.post-1132954510622288382005-11-25T12:48:00.001-08:002005-11-25T16:25:10.923-08:00串 ( chuan4 ) : to string together<br />Note : Pictograph of object strung together.<br />Example : 一串 ( yi1 chuan4 ) -- strand<br /><br />中 ( zhong1) : within; center; middle; China; Chinese<br />Note : 丨bisecting an enclosure 囗.<br />Example : 中餐 ( zhong1 can1) -- Chinese food<br /><br />井 ( jing3 ) : well<br />Note : Pictograph of a field divided into lots with well at center.<br />Example : 油井 ( you2 jing3 ) -- oil well<br /><br />仁 ( ren2) : humane<br />Note : Feelings between two 二 people 人 .<br />Example : 仁慈 ( ren2 ci2 ) -- benevolent; kind<br /><br />仙 ( xian1) : immortal<br />Note : Person 人 in 山 mountains ( Ancient Chinese belief ).<br />Example : 仙境 ( xian1 jing4 ) -- fairyland<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/19298426-113295451062228838?l=chinesewords.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>nihaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815510384938551451noreply@blogger.com0