矛和盾的故事 (Máo hé dùn de gùshi) The Story of Spear and Shield
卖 (mài): v. to sell
问 (wèn): v. to ask
Yǒu yí gè Chǔguó rén, mài dùn yòu mài máo. 有 一个 楚国 人，卖 盾 又 卖 矛。
In the State of Chu, there was a man who was selling both shields and spears. Tā kuāyào zìjǐ de dùn, shuō: “Wǒ de dùn jiāngù wú bǐ, 他 夸耀 自己的 盾， 说：“我 的 盾 坚固 无 比， rènhé fēnglì de dōngxi dōu chuān bú tòu tā.” 任何 锋利 的 东西 都 穿 不 透 它”。
He would proudly exclaim: “My shield is so strong that it can not be pierced.” Tā yòu kuāyào zìjǐ de máo, shuō: “Wǒ de máo fēnglì jí le, 他 又 夸耀 自己的 矛， 说：“我 的 矛 锋利 极了， shénme jiāngù de dōngxi dōu néng cì chuān.” 什么 坚固 的 东西 都 能 刺 穿”。
He would continue to boast the strength of his spear: “My spear is so strong that it can pierce through anything.” Yǒu rén wèn tā: “Rúguǒ yòng nín de máo cì nín de dùn, jiéguǒ huì zěnme yàng ne?” 有 人 问 他：“如果 用 您 的 矛 刺 您 的 盾， 结果 会 怎么 样 呢”？
One day someone asked him: “What happens if I try to pierce your shield with your spear?” Nà rén zhāngkǒujiéshé, yí jù huà yě dá bú shàng lái. 那 人 张口结舌， 一 句 话 也 答不 上 来。
Confused and bewildered, he fell silent.
The antonym of “卖 (mài)” is “买 (mǎi) to buy.”
Zhè jiàn yīfu zěnme mài ne? A: 这 件 衣服 怎么 卖 呢?
How much is this dress? Yì bǎi kuài qián. B: 一百 块 钱。
One hundred Yuan. Jīnqián mǎi bú dào xìngfú. 金钱 买 不 到 幸福。
Money can’t buy happiness.
Tāngmǔ wèn nǐ wǎnshang yǒu shíjiān ma. Tā xiǎng zhǎo nǐ shuō jǐ jù huà. 汤姆 问 你 晚上 有 时间 吗，他 想 找 你 说 几句 话。
Tom asked whether you have time tonight. He wanted to talk to you for a while.
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I have a question while reading this Chinese story: Since “买” and “卖” are both verb, is “买卖” also a verb?
Actually, “买卖” is a noun, it means a small business or a business transactions.
I can read Chinese words but I can’t use them properly. Can anyone give me an example of how to use “买卖?”
他不想参与这种不正当的买卖。He doesn’t want to take part in such dishonest business deal. Hope you can use this Chinese phrase correctly.
What is the moral of the story?
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