Friend A:
yīqǐ qù páshān ma?
一起去爬山吗?
Want to climb a mountain?
Friend B:
(lüè dài jīngkǒng de) bùle bùle
(略带惊恐的)不了不了
(Slightly frightened) No no no…
If you’re not from China, you might be confused – why is this something to panic about?
Let me break it down for you!
Recently, the meme “一起爬山吗(yìqǐ páshān ma)?” has caught people’s attention. It’s from a popular online TV drama “隐秘的角落(yǐnmì de jiǎoluò)”, or, “The Bad Kids”. In the first episode, Zhang Dongsheng, played by actor Qin Hao, suddenly pushes his father-in-law and my mother-in-law off a cliff while supposedly taking their picture. For many watching, the possibility that this could happen hadn’t crossed their minds – many were greatly disturbed.
A few days ago, Qin Hao posted a photo on the Internet in which he was holding a phone case written “一起爬山吗?” The sentence caught on and people began to joke that, “Want to climb a mountain together?” might mean, “I going to kill you.”
Another quote from the show, “我还有机会吗(wǒ hái yǒu jīhuì ma) Do I still have a chance?” also received a lot of attention from netizens.
Zhang Dongsheng asked this question twice, once when taking his in-laws hiking (his father-in-law decisively rejected him, after which he pushed them off the cliff), and once when his wife was going to leave him (his wife replied that she didn’t love him anymore, after which he drowned her in the ocean).
The show,“隐秘的角落(yǐnmì de jiǎoluò)”, is a mystery drama that focuses on the story of three children in a small coastal town who inadvertently capture a murder on film. The show has received great acclaim, with superb acting, psychological scares, and unexpected plot twists.
How to Use“一起去…..吗?”
In the TV show, it turns out that the phrase “一起去爬山吗?” is a threat; however, in daily conversation this sentence structure is simply a way to ask someone if they want to do something with you.
Example:
A: míngtiān yīqǐ qù páshān ma?
A: 明天一起去爬山吗?
A: Do you want to climb a mountain tomorrow?
B: hǎo ya!
B: 好呀!
B: OK!
“yìqǐ……ma?” (Do you want to…..together?) is a very common way in spoken Chinese to invite others to join you* to do something. For example, you can ask someone:
一起学习吗(yìqǐ xuéxí ma)?
一起看电影吗(yìqǐ kàn diànyǐng ma)?
一起吃饭吗(yīqǐ chīfàn ma)?
*“一起yìqǐ” means “together”, even though it’s not necessarily translated directly in English.
If you’ve read this far, I suggest that you like, comment and forward this article – or would you rather I take you to climb a mountain?
Practice:
Please make a sentence with”一起… 吗?” and leave it in the comments below!
You May Want to Learn More:
An “Interesting” Explanation of “有趣(yǒuqù)” and “有意思(yǒuyìsi)”
What Do a 感染 (gǎn rǎn) and 传染 (chuán rǎn) Have in Common? Only This Chinese Quiz Will Tell
How These Chinese Women Are Riding the Winds and Breaking the Waves
Chinese Popular Words (Fun Stuff)
]]>The word “dog” is commonly used on the internet to refer to people in a negative way so “double-standard dog” means people who use “双标(shuāng biāo)double-standards”. Be cautious in using the word 双标狗 (shuāng biāo gǒu) though as it can be quite offensive.
Several common examples of how double standards are used
1. Gender double standard
In ancient times, China was influenced by Cheng and Zhu’s neo confucianism of “the starvation is a small matter, but the breach of integrity is a big one,” and vigorously promoted women’s chastity. Women were to maintain the virgin body, but men were able to have three wives and four concubines.
And another example is in love and marriage, both parties want independent freedom and respect, but believe that men should shoulder most of their responsibilities.
2. Facial appearances also have double standards
Now is an era where facial appearances can make a difference in how one is treated. For those who look good, everyone is more tolerant of their behavior. Even if they do something wrong they will not be too harshly punished while those who are less aesthetically pleasing will be more harshly reprimanded in all aspects. In fact, this is also a double standard phenomenon.
3. Double standard from parents
(1)Attitude towards children of their own and others can be the opposite.
Others’ children are seen as really lovely and kind while the parent sees their own children as less virtuous.
Another parenting double standard is when the parents believe that the kids should follow the rules (simply because they’re kids), but the parents don’t have to.
(2) About falling in love
In China you may hear mom say “ during your school days, young love is not allowed, students should concentrate on studying.”
Then once graduated you might hear “Why are you not married yet?!”
Usage of “双标”
双标 (shuāng biāo): n. double standard
双标狗 (shuāng biāo gǒu) : n. double-standard dogs
nǐ zhè bú shì shuāngbiāo ma ?
你这不是双标吗?
Aren’t you practicing a double standard?
Wǒmen yào yuǎnlí shuāng biāo gǒu
我们要远离双标狗。
We have to stay away from double-standard dogs.
Please make an example about “双标” that you encounter in your own life. Which ones are you guilty of or which ones have you experienced?
You May Want to Learn More:
Popular Words: 靠谱 (kàopŭ) Reliable; To Be Trusted”
“Show humility and learn “自黑 (zìhēi)” for “self-mockery” (Beginner)”
“Tickets are sold out? Better find a “黄牛党 (huángniúdǎng)” – (Beginner)”
Introduction
夜店(yèdiàn) One Night in Supermarket is a new movie (released on July 24th, 2009) that has been receiving rave reviews. Because the production costs were low, but the gross was high, this film has widely become known as “The Gross Dark Horse.” Why is it so popular? Here’s a short synopsis of the movie. In this film, a group of people come across each other in a 24-hour supermarket one night, causing a string of interlocking, interesting and funny stories to happen. 徐峥(Xú Zhēng) Xu Zheng and 乔任梁(Qiáo Rènliáng) Qiao Renliang play a pair of kidnappers who eventually change dramatically into “good brothers” as they share ups and downs together.
Humorous quotes from One Night in Supermarket:
Gē! Gēmenr yào huǒ la!
哥! 哥们儿 要 火 啦!
Brother! I’m going to be famous!
Qīn’àide, nĭ mànmàn fēi, xiǎoxīn qiánmiàn dài cì de méiguī…
亲爱的,你 慢慢 飞,小心 前面 带 刺 的 玫瑰 …
Darling, please fly slowly and carefully, and watch out for thorned roses in front of you…
Bù duō shuō le, wǒ tuī máng.
不 多 说 了,我 忒 忙。
Don’t talk so much, I am very busy.
110 de diànhuà hàomǎ shì duōshǎo?
110 的 电话 号码 是 多少?
What’s the phone number of 110 (emergency services)?
生词(shēngcí) Vocabulary:
火(huǒ) n fire, here it means getting famous.
带刺的玫瑰(dài cì de méiguī) n rose with thorns, here it means all kinds of beautiful, but dangerous things.
忒(tuī) adv very(a dialect)
Finishing with the sentence “We are of Singaporean identity now,” Chinese actress Gong Li became Singaporean on 9th Nov in 2008 in the formal swearing-in ceremony 宣誓仪式(xuānshì yíshì) in Singapore. Since then it has become a hot topic among people all over China. Gong Li is a famous movie star who has starred in many movies directed by Zhang Yimou, arguably the best director from mainland China in the past twenty years. A number of people are very angry about this issue and believe that she has betrayed 背叛(bèipàn) China. They simply can’t understand Gong Li’s choice to become a Singaporean citizen.
In an interview with Yang Lan, the host of a Chinese in-depth interview 深度访谈(shēndù fǎngtán) television program, Gong Li responded directly 正面回应(zhèngmiàn huíyìng) for the first time to the issue of her taking on Singaporean nationality. She said that it was just her personal choice to become Singaporean and she didn’t want to talk more about it.
At the end of the interview, Gong Li said:
“Rénmen jì bu jìzhù wǒ wú suǒ wèi, wǒ de gōngzuò jiù shì lǎolǎoshíshí de zuò yí gè yǎnyuán.”
“人们 记 不 记住 我 无 所 谓, 我 的 工作 就 是 老老实实 的 做 一 个 演员。”
“I don’t care whether people will remember me or not, I just want to be true to my work as an actress.”
生词(shēngcí) Vocabulary
宣誓仪式(xuānshì yíshì): n swearing-in or oath-taking ceremony
背叛(bèipàn): v to betray
深度访谈(shēndù fǎngtán): n in-depth interview
正面回应(zhèngmiàn huíyìng): v to make a positive or direct response
老老实实的(lǎolǎo shíshí de): adj
Are you familiar with Chinese ghost story? Have you heard the famous novel 《聊斋志异》Strange Tales of a Lonely Studio? Learn Chinese with echineselearning cast to get into another world. Listen to how we talk about the movie showing recently. Don’t be afraid, you may find some popular words in this Chinese learning cast. Learn Chinese today!
Dialogue:
A:你最近看了什么电影?
B:我最近看了《画皮》printed skin,觉得还不错。听说这部电影已经代表香港参加奥斯卡最佳外语片奖的评选了。你看了吗?
A:哦,我还没有看过。虽然听起来不错,但是很可惜,我不喜欢看鬼片。
B:你应该去看看的,虽然《画皮》是根据中国最有名的鬼故事《聊斋志异》改编的。但它已经不是鬼片了,别担心,一点也不可怕,它像是一部关于“第三者”的爱情故事。
A:哦,我喜欢看爱情故事,我会去看看的。咱们今天就讲讲什么是“第三者”吧。
B:好啊,“第三者”现在常常指a person in love with a married man (or woman),“第” prefix before a number for ordering numbers, so “第三”means “third”or“number three”。“者”在这里是person的意思,所以“第三者”本来的意思就是“the third person”。
A:在口语里还有一个和“第三者”意思一样的词“小三儿”。
B:“小三儿”这个词现在在网上还真是挺流行的。
A:对啊,现在还出现了“小四儿”的说法。
B:天啊,太混乱了。我觉得爱情还是只有两个人比较好。
A:我同意。所以大家只要记住“第三者”的意思就是a person in love with a married man (or woman)就可以了,最好不要真的做第三者哦。
B:对,一会儿我就去看看《画皮》这部关于“第三者”的电影。
Key vocabulary:
第三者 | dì sān zhě | the third person, a person in love with a married man (or woman) |
小三儿 | xiǎo sān ér | oral saying of “dì sān zhě” |
最佳外语片奖 | zuì jiā wài yǔ piàn jiǎnɡ | best foreign language film |
鬼片 | ɡuǐ piàn | ghost movie |
《聊斋志异》 | liáo zhāi zhì yì | Strange Tales of a Lonely Studio, a famous Chinese novel about some ghost story |
《画皮》 | huà pí | painted skin, a movie showing this year, adapt from《聊斋志异》 |
改编 | ɡǎi biān | adapt |
Instructions: Fill in the blanks
Hints:
Horizontal:
⑴a cadre
⑵life
⑶strength
⑷quantity, amount
Vertical:
①work on something
②be angry with something
③power
④mathematics
Answer keys to the crossword in the previous issue (Jun 24, 2009):
Horizontal:
⑴出(chū)
⑵女(nǚ)
⑶童(tóng)
Vertical:
①出(chū)
②房(fáng)
③女(nǚ)
④童(tóng)
]]>炒鱿鱼 (chăo yóu yú) Get fired
In China, when people are fired by their boss, they often like to say “我被炒鱿鱼了(wŏ bèi chăo yóu yú le) I am fired.” If foreigners hear this phrase for the first time, they may not understand. Now take a look at the following explanations: Why say so? “炒鱿鱼(chăo yóu yú)” first appeared in the south of China, like Guangdong Province. In the 70s and 80s, many “内陆(nèi lù) inland” people went to the coastal area to “谋生(móu shēng) make a living.” Employers hired them without providing them with bedclothes, so they had to bring them themselves. When they got fired, they would pack up the bedclothes and left. Then people found that to pack up the bedclothes was quite like the action of frying slices of sleeve-fish to a “卷曲状(juăn qū zhuàng) curly shape.” Thus, people used “炒鱿鱼(chăo yóu yú)” to humorously describe this situation. Only for employees? In the beginning, “炒鱿鱼(chăo yóu yú)” is used only by those employees who are fired. But now, some people who don’t want to work for the current boss and then quit also like using the phrase to express their mood. Lăobăn bă wŏ chăoyóuyú le. 老板 把 我 炒鱿鱼 了。 My boss fired me. Wŏ chăo lăobăn yóuyú le. 我 炒 老板 鱿鱼 了。 I fired my boss.
断背 (duàn bèi) Brokeback
Have you ever seen a movie called “断背山(duàn bèi shān) Brokeback Mountain” directed by Chinese-American director Ang Lee? Do you know what the word “断背(duàn bèi) brokeback” means and where it comes from? “断背(duàn bèi)” is a new word from the movie. As is shown in the movie, it means “同性恋(tóng xìng liàn) homosexual.” Director Ang Lee created the word by himself. He was inspired by a Chinese word “断袖(duàn xiù) cut sleeve” which also refers to “homosexual” but has a long history. An emperor in Western Han Dynasty called Mr. Liu Xin “宠爱(chŏng ài) showed special favor” to his chancellor, Mr. Dong Xian. They ate together and slept together. One day, when they slept, the emperor wanted to stand up, but his sleeve was pressed by Dong Xian, so he cut his sleeve in order not to affect Dong Xian. Afterwards, “断袖(duàn xiù) cut sleeve” was gradually used to refer to the “亲密关系(qīn mì guān xi ) intimate relationship” between two men. Director Ang Lee changed the word to reveal the topic of the movie vividly and after that, 断背(duàn bèi) brokeback has become popular. 生词(shēngcí) Vocabulary: 内陆 (nèi lù): adj. inland 谋生 (móu shēng): v. make a living 卷曲状 (juăn qū zhuàng): n. curly shape 同性恋 (tóng xìng liàn): n. homosexuality 宠爱 (chŏng ài ):v. show special favor to 亲密关系 (qīn mì guān xi): n. intimate relationship
Chinese Popular Words (Fun Stuff)
]]>Can you complete the Chinese words by filling in the blanks marked with numbers?
Hints:
Horizontal:
①&②every movement and every action
③news
④name
Vertical:
①&④world-famous
②sports
⑤dictionary
Answer keys to the crossword in the previous issue (Jun 4, 2009) :
Horizontal lines:
① 春(chūn)
② 好(hăo)
③ 点(diăn)
Vertical lines:
⑴ 点(diăn)
⑵ 好(hăo)
⑶ 日(rì)
Imagine this: A beautiful and cool girl is standing opposite a young man. He puts on his new clothes, plays his guitar and sings his favorite songs to attract her attentions. Here is a song expressing a boy’s loneliness and complex feelings in this situation. It is a very popular Karaoke song in China!
Duìmiàn de nǚhái kàn guò lái
对面 的 女孩 看 过 来
A girl standing opposite me looks over here
Duìmiàn de nǚhái kàn guò lái
对面 的 女孩 看 过 来
A girl standing opposite me looks over here
Kàn guò lái, kàn guò lái
看 过 来,看 过 来
Look over here, Look over here
Zhèlĭ de biáoyăn hěn jīngcăi
这里 的 表演 很 精彩
The performances here are wonderful
Qĭng búyào jiăzhuāng bù lĭ bù căi
请 不要 假装 不 理不 睬
Please don’t pretend to be cold
Duìmiàn de nǚhái kàn guò lái
对面 的 女孩 看 过 来
A girl standing opposite me looks over here
Kàn guò lái, kàn guò lái
看 过 来,看 过 来
Look over here, Look over here
Búyào bèi wŏ de yàngzi xià huài
不要 被 我 的 样子 吓 坏
Don’t be scared by my appearance
Qíshí wŏ hěn kěài
其实 我 很 可爱
Actually I am very cute
Jìmò nánhái de bēiāi
寂寞 男孩 的 悲哀
The single boys’ loneliness
Shuō chūlái, shuí míngbai
说 出来,谁 明白
Could never be cared even I share with people
Qiú qiú nĭ pāo gè mèiyăn guòlái
求 求 你 抛 个 媚眼 过来
Please girl, pay attention to me
hŏng hŏng wŏ dòu wŏ lè kāi huái
哄 哄 我 逗 我 乐 开 怀
and I’ll be very happy
Wŏ zuŏ kàn yòu kàn, shàng kàn xià kàn
我 左 看 右 看, 上 看 下 看
I keep looking around
Yuánlái měi gè nǚhái dōu bù jiăndān
原来 每 个 女孩 都 不 简单
And find that every girl is not so simple
Wŏ xiăng le yòu xiăng, wŏ cāi le yòu cāi
我 想 了 又 想, 我 猜 了 又 猜
I keep guessing girls’ minds
Nǚhái men de xīnshì hái zhēn qíguài
女孩 们 的 心事 还 真 奇怪
And find it is hard to get what these girls are thinking
Jìmò nánhái de cāngying pāi
寂寞 男孩 的 苍蝇 拍
The lonely boy’s fly paddle
zuŏ pāi pāi, yòu pāi pāi
左 拍 拍,右 拍 拍
is beating from right to left
Wèishénme háishì méi rén lái ài
为 什 么 还是 没 人 来 爱
Why is there no girl fall in love with me
Wú rén wèn jīn, zhēn wúnài
无 人 问 津,真 无奈
I am helpless with my loneliness
Duìmiàn de nǚhái kàn guò lái
对面 的 女孩 看 过 来
A girl standing opposite me looks over here
Kàn guò lái, kàn guò lái
看 过 来,看 过 来
Look over here, look over here
Jìmò nánhái qíng dòu chū kāi
寂寞 男孩 情 窦 初 开
I am lonely and just arrived at my puberty
Xūyào nĭ gěi wŏ yìdiăn ài
需要 你 给 我 一点 爱
I need a girl’s love
Wŏ zuŏ kàn yòu kàn, shàng kàn xià kàn
我 左 看 右 看, 上 看 下 看
I keep looking around
Yuánlái měi gè nǚhái dōu bù jiăndān
原来 每 个 女孩 都 不 简单
And find that every girl is not so simple
Wŏ xiăng le yòu xiăng, wŏ cāi le yòu cāi
我 想 了 又 想, 我 猜 了 又 猜
I keep guessing girls’ minds
Nǚhái men de xīnshì hái zhēn qíguài
女孩 们 的 心事 还 真 奇怪
And find it is hard to get what these girls are thinking
Wŏ zuŏ kàn yòu kàn, shàng kàn xià kàn
我 左 看 右 看, 上 看 下 看
I keep looking around
Yuánlái měi gè nǚhái dōu bù jiăndān
原来 每 个 女孩 都 不 简单
And find that every girl is not so simple
Wŏ xiăng le yòu xiăng, wŏ cāi le yòu cāi
我 想 了 又 想, 我 猜 了 又 猜
I keep guessing girls’ minds
Nǚhái men de xīnshì hái zhēn qíguài
女孩 们 的 心事 还 真 奇怪
And find it is hard to get what these girls are thinking
]]>功夫熊猫(gōngfu xióngmāo) Kung Fu Panda is a remarkable movie released in June last year. Chinese style is prevailing in the movie, which is the combination of “功夫”(gōngfu) Chinese martial arts and China’s national treasure–panda. Many Chinese enjoyed this movie as well, so you know that while humorous and entertaining, it still stayed true to the Chinese elements it introduced. The combination of humor and kung fu culture was enough to make even the Chinese laugh, and the lines in this movie are also fabulous and unforgettable.
中国功夫(zhōng guó gōngfu) Chinese Kung Fu
“功夫”(gōngfu) kung fu in China is both popular and traditional, and it has a long history of development. Many Chinese and foreigners alike love it and want to learn it. “功”(gōng) means achievement and accomplishment and “夫”(fu)refers to men, so the phrase can be understood as accomplished men. In ancient China, those who were taught “功夫” (gōngfu) kung fu were all men, but now everyone can learn “功夫”(gōngfu) kung fu in China, including foreigners. It is now also known as “kung Fu” in the world. You can say “李小龙的功夫非常棒”(Lĭxiǎolóng de gōngfu fēicháng bàng) Li Xiaolong’s kung fu is great.
Famous Lines:
Bàbā: Féi bō, kuài diǎn! dōu wù le shēngyi le.
爸爸: 肥波, 快点! 都 误 了 生意 了。
Dad: Paul, let’s go, you’re late for work.
A bǎo: Lái lā… duìbùqĭ, lǎo bà.
阿宝: 来啦… 对不起,老爸。
Paul: Coming… Sorry dad.
Bàbā:Duìbùqĭ kě biàn bù chū miàntiáo lái. nĭ zài lóushàng gǎo shénme míngtang ? xī lĭ huá lā de.
爸爸: 对不起 可 变 不 出 面条 来。 你 在 楼上 搞 什么 名堂? 稀 里 哗 啦 的。
Dad: Saying sorry doesn’t make the noodles. What are you doing up there? All that noise.
A bǎo:O, méi shénme, jiù shì gè luànqībāzāo de mèng.
阿宝:噢,没 什么, 就 是 个 乱七八糟 的 梦。
Paul: Oh, nothing, just had a crazy dream.
生词 (shēng cí) Vocabulary:
生意 (shēngyi): n business, trade
名堂 (míngtang): n result, reason
乱七八糟 (luànqībāzāo):adj in a muddle or a mess