#汉语学习
三人行，必有我师
When I walk with two others, there must be one whom I can learn from
“三人行，必有我师” 的意思是三个人一起走路，里边一定有一个人可以做我的老师。这句话用来比喻别人身上可能有我们没有的优点，我们要学习别人身上的优点。
“三人行，必有我师” means “When I walk with two others, there must be one whom I can learn from”. In the metaphorical sense, it means everybody may have some merits that we lack, so we should learn from others.
站得高，看得远 Zhàn dé gāo, kàn dé yuǎn
The higher you stand, the farther you’ll see
“站得高，看得远” 的意思是，站在高的地方，就能看到更远的地方。这句话也用来比喻不能只从一个方面看问题，多考虑几个方面，才能更加全面。
“站得高，看得远“ means the one who stands higher takes a broader view. It is also used metaphorically to indicate that we should view a problem from more than one aspect to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of it.
都已经00:30了，怎么办啊~?! 今天我的任务是复习生词，明天课上听写。即使我对这课不太乐观，也会尽力的! 加油加油 ↖(^ω^)↗
Pinyin vs Hanzi
Another post which is identical to the previous ones I posted. An anon asked me how I do my notes in Chinese…uhmm I did one today and it’s written in pinyin and they’re all over the place.
Done with today’s Chinese lesson and homework. It’s my Chinese teacher’s birthday and greeted her in Chinese. Planning to send her something this weekend. I really like her! She’s an awesome teacher and very skilled! I learned so much in two months. I also asked her why her rate is so cheap and how much iTalki takes from their rates. Found out she has 7 students that each took over a hundred lessons with her. That’s how awesome she is. You will rarely see reviews from students that only had 1 lesson with her. She teaches 3-7 students a day. So basically teaching Chinese is her main job. She’s also still young. Lmao am I promoting her too much?
My posts looking almost identical
When studying a language, I truly think if you want to improve your everyday listening and speaking, watching youtubers/content creators is invaluable.
BTW, you can also find me on HelloTalk (@a_lucie_58910) or instagram (@luc_9999)
Why use Youtubers to study Chinese?
1. They are not creating content specifically for learners of the language, hence they will use the most natural, native language (including chengyus etc.)
2. They chengyus they use will be ones that people use in real life (as opposed to a study resource that attempts to teach you chengyus, its not necessarily a bad thing, you should learn chengyus, but how do you know if they are ones that are commonly used spoken? If you here somebody using it in natural speech you will inevitably know it is one used in every speech. Therefore, you should make note of learning such chengyus. This also applies for grammar patterns and phrases as well. Basically, you wont sound like you learned from a textbook if you learn from native speakers in natural settings
3. The content is interesting. I love lifestyle bloggers, from telling you about a life story to helping their listeners by giving the advice, there is a lot of lengthy content to help you with your listening.
Below are 3 of my favourite Up主 because;
1. A lot of the content is in a simple, natural, chatting to the camera sort of format (just like a friend would chat with you)
2. They use chengyus in a natural way
3. They stories are interesting and relatable (i.e. I am a woman in my mid-20s to 30s as these content creators are. So the content is of interest to me. I am sorry I am unable to share content that is male-oriented. There should be an abundance on Bilibili/YT for you to find if lifestyle isn’t your interest.
1. MsLindaY
I have followed Linda since about 2016 actually, at the time I didn’t understand her videos, even after repeatedly watching them. I would download the audios onto my phone and listen on repeat. It definitely helped and now I can watch the videos, understanding the majority of content. She uses chengyus in a natural way and I have learnt many from her channel. I am eternally grateful for her content actually and have kept meaning to send her an email to thank her for these years of helping me in my Chinese learning journey!
She has a Linda讲故事 series and they are all about 40+ minutes long, GREAT LISTENING MATERIAL! as well us chatty GRWM videos etc. and she has videos that present American culture to her viewers (she lived in the US from her late teens if I do believe).
2. Tracey Chang 翠西
Tracey was a TV host on various Chinese news channels and is bilingual (she grew up in US but is from Beijing). She scatters English in her videos (but not in the annoying way that I see some uploaders… I don’t know why, it grates on me hahaha, but anyway :P)
Her videos are also about chatty GRWMs, videos talking about a certain topic (such as her employment history or what its like to work on Wall Street, or her and her husband’s LDR story). She has just given birth so recently has many videos related to pregnancy and being a mum also!
For me Tracey is very inspiring because she not only creates interesting content, she is bilingual and she is very interested in current affairs and business, she epitomises the ‘working woman’ it shows through her videos.
3. 维多 Vittos
Vittos is a blogger that posts her content mainly on bilibili, she has many long videos that talk about topics related to being a better person, self-care from within and loving yourself etc. to be totally honest, I’m not sure its the sort of content I’d watch in English, but in Chinese its great as, again, its natural language and not too difficult, just like a friend chatting with you. Videos are often up to 20 to 30 minutes long.
The below video is her recounting her study abroad experience in Italy (she speaks Italian!)
(click on the link to go to bilibli below)
https://www.bilibili.com/video/av77109513?t=2120
What are some of your favourite creators? I’d love to know for even more inspiration. Please share so we can learn and improve together :)
#4# hacks for vocabulary accumulation
In Chinese.
Recording yourself saying pleco words + listening often
Better yet, get Chinese friend to help you, record yourself or friend saying the Chinese word then English, listen to the recording when on the bus, brushing your teeth and it’s an easy way to memorise vocabulary without having to sit down and write them. Its best used in conjunction with studying the characters as well, however, so you learn how to write and recognise them. I usually do this by playing pleco when I have 2 or 3 minutes here and there. Throughout the way it adds up!
Learn the joint words together
For example 采取 + 措施 / 掩盖 + 错误. It not only helps you remember the word better but also when to use it with which words. For example 掩盖错误 translates to cover up ones mistakes. But in chinese there are many words that can translate to cover up (隐藏 遮盖 etc.) and may be a little confusing as to which one to use. If you learn them together it is easier to use the correct pairing.
Use pleco to record phrases
Pleco is the best vocabulary app. You can also add your own words or phrases if they are not in the dictionary. I often use this feature to help me remember certain phrases
Listen more !!
Listening improves your vocabulary by reinforcing the new words in two ways. Firstly you encounter the word again and helps it become reinforced in your long term memory. Secondly it uses the word in a context that helps you remember the situation in which to use at, and not simply the direct translation. Therefore it can help it become part your your active vocabulary.
I have a list of listening resources On my resources page. I will make an updated comprehensive list for intermediate-advanced learners soon. Stay tuned.
Do you have any other tips? Share them below!
Do Chinese people really use “nihao”?
We all know how to say “ni hao” and “nin hao”, but do people really use it?
The first time you meet someone,we use “ni hao”, and also use “nin hao”.But when two friends meet,people very seldom use “ni hao”.People like to use “Have you eaten?” , “Where are you going?”, or calling out the other person’s name.
For example,
if two neighbors meet they might say: “Did you eat yet?” “I did.What about you?” No I will go eat smth in a while”.
When friends meet they might say:
“Where are you going?” “Over there.And you?” “I’m just strolling about.”
When you meet someone at work you might say : “Manager Wang!” “Xiao Li!”
So when you meet someone and they ask you “Did you eat?” they don’t really want to know ♀️if you’ve eaten or not,nor are they trying to treat you to a meal. If the person asks you “Where are you going?” they don’t really want to know ♂️where you are going.
They’re just greeting you
Hope it was interesting for youInformation from my article in Chinese.Let’s develop our vocab guys
Grammar: “a little” in Chinese. «一下»
Note: The pinyin for 一下 is written “yīxià” but pronounced “yíxià” due to a tone change rule
Structure: To express that a verb is carried out briefly or “a little bit,” you can add 一下 (yīxià) after it. Sometimes 一下 (yīxià) can soften the tone.
Subj. + Verb + 一下 + Obj.
Often, adding 一下 (yīxià) just makes the Chinese feel more natural. This is not something you can get a feel for quickly. You’ll want to observe how native speakers use 一下 (yīxià) over a long period of time to really get used to how it is used.
Examples:
*请 你 等 一下。You get the feeling that it shouldn’t be a long wait.Qǐng nǐ děng yīxià. Please wait a little bit.
*你 看 一下。It should be quick.Nǐ kàn yīxià. Take a look.
*试 一下 吧。How long can trying it take? Shì yīxià ba. Try it.
*我 要 想 一下。You’re supposed to believe that I won’t need to think about it long.Wǒ yào xiǎng yīxià. I want to think a little.
*开 一下 门 吧 。 How long can it take to open the door?Kāi yīxià mén ba. Please open the door.
*请 你 说 一下 为什么。I feel it should be a quick explanation.Qǐng nǐ shuō yīxià wèishénme. Please say why.
