Sunday, November 28, 2010

Lesson 7: Save me



139
00:18:58,450 --> 00:18:59,907
爸 妈
bà mā
Dad. Mom.
Dad. Mom.

140
00:19:00,200 --> 00:19:02,032
姐 姐
jiě jiě
Sister.
Sister.

141
00:19:02,408 --> 00:19:04,699
爸 救救我呀
bà jiù jiù wǒ yā
Dad, save save me IP
Dad, save me.

142
00:19:04,866 --> 00:19:06,324

jiě
Sister.
Sister.

143
00:19:08,533 --> 00:19:25,657
妈 妈
mā mā
Mom.
Mom.

144
00:19:25,825 --> 00:19:26,990
救救我呀
jiù jiù wǒ yā
save save me IP
Save me.

145
00:19:27,158 --> 00:19:28,990
妈 妈
mā mā
Mom.
Mom.

146
00:19:29,158 --> 00:19:30,574
救救我呀
jiù jiù wǒ yā
save save me IP
Save me.

147
00:19:51,408 --> 00:19:53,074
你拉我干什么
nǐ lā wǒ gān shén me
you pull me do what
Why did you push me away

148
00:19:54,533 --> 00:19:57,490
你留我一个人干什么
nǐ liú wǒ yī gè rén gān shén me
you leave me one person do what
Why'd you leave me by myself?

149
00:19:58,533 --> 00:20:01,240
大强
dà qiáng
Da Qiang!
Da Qiang!

Learning Reflections

[141] jiù (救) = to save
Sample sentences:
(1) wǒ yào qù jiù wǒ diē (我要去救我爹) = I'm going to help my father
(2) tā tuō qù yī fú,tiào rù chí zhōng qù jiù yī gè nán hái (他脱去衣服,跳入池中去救一个男孩) = He stripped off and dived into the pool to save a boy.

[147] nǐ lā wǒ gān shén me (你拉我干什么) = you pulled me away for what?
Another way to say this would be: nǐ wèi shén me lā wǒ (你为什么拉我) = why did you pull me away? But this wouldn't convey the feeling of anger or frustration.

Lesson 6: God, you bastard!



125
00:17:45,908 --> 00:17:49,074
志国
zhì guó
Zhiguo (somebody's name)
Zhiguo!

126
00:17:49,241 --> 00:17:53,490
快来人啊 还有人吗
kuài lái rén a hái yǒu rén ma
Quick come people EF, still have people QP
Help! Can anyone help us?

127
00:17:54,700 --> 00:17:57,990
大强你坚持住啊
dà qiáng nǐ jiān chí zhù a
Da Qiang you perservere firmly EF
Da Qiang, don't give up.

128
00:17:58,991 --> 00:18:00,949
我在这呢
wǒ zài zhè ne
I at here EF
I'm here.

129
00:18:02,033 --> 00:18:04,282
元妮在这呢
yuán nī zài zhè ne
Yuan Ni at here EF
Yuan Ni is here.

130
00:18:04,950 --> 00:18:06,074
大强
dà qiáng
Da Qiang.
Da Qiang.

131
00:18:06,325 --> 00:18:09,532
坚持啊 坚持啊
jiān chí a jiān chí a
Perservere EF perservere EF
Hold on.

132
00:18:09,866 --> 00:18:13,282
坚持啊
jiān chí a
Perservere EF
Stay with me.

133
00:18:13,825 --> 00:18:18,324
坚持啊 大强
jiān chí a dà qiáng
Perservere EF Da Qiang
Da Qiang, hold on.

134
00:18:18,616 --> 00:18:20,365
大强
dà qiáng
Da Qiang.
Da Qiang.

135
00:18:20,533 --> 00:18:21,990
又来了
yòu lái le
Again come PCA
Here it comes again.

136
00:18:22,158 --> 00:18:31,949
大强
dà qiáng
Da Qiang.
Da Qiang.

137
00:18:36,325 --> 00:18:38,782
老天爷
lǎo tiān yé
God
God.

138
00:18:39,033 --> 00:18:42,824
你个王八蛋
nǐ gè wáng bā dàn
You MW (lit. king eight egg)
You bastard.

Learning Reflections


[127] jiān chí (坚持) = to perservere
Sample sentences:
(1) Nǐ yīnggāi jiān chí zuò zǎocāo (你应该坚持做早操) = You must persevere in doing morning exercises
(2) Tāmen zài zhèndì shàng jiān chí le sān tiān sān yè (他们在阵地上坚持了三天三夜) = They held the position for three days and nights.

[137] lǎo tiān yé(老天爷)= God
This is only used in exclamations

[138] wáng bā dàn (王八蛋) = bastard / son of a bitch.
Sample sentences:
(1) tā jiào tā de nán yǒu shuāng miàn wáng bā dàn (她叫她的男友双面王八蛋) = She called her boyfriend a two-faced son of a bitch.
(2) zhè wáng bā dàn,wǒ lián yī zhāng shǒu zhǐ yě bù liú gěi tā (这王八蛋,我连一张手纸也不留给她) = That bastard, I wouldn't leave her a piece of toilet paper.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Lesson 5: The Earthquake



103
00:11:27,700 --> 00:11:28,907
刚下班啊
gāng xià bān a
just got off work EF
Just got off work?

104
00:11:29,075 --> 00:11:30,240
刚下班
gāng xià bān
just got off work
Yes

105
00:11:30,908 --> 00:11:32,574
明天见啊
míng tiān jiàn a
tomorrow meet EF
See you tomorrow.

106
00:12:16,658 --> 00:12:18,115
车怎么抖起来了
chē zěn me dǒu qǐ lái le
car (truck) how all stand up PCA
Why is the truck shaking?

107
00:12:19,116 --> 00:12:20,240
天怎么紫啦
tiān zěn me zǐ la
sky how purple EF
Why's the sky purple?

108
00:12:28,033 --> 00:12:29,740
怎么的了这是
zěn me de le zhè shì
how PAS PCA this is
What's going on?

109
00:12:52,741 --> 00:12:54,157
快下来
kuài xià lái
quick come down
Hurry and get off.

110
00:12:58,741 --> 00:13:00,615
地震啦  这是地震
dì zhèn la  zhè shì dì zhèn
earthquake EH, this is earthquake
Earthquake. It's an earthquake!

111
00:13:00,783 --> 00:13:02,157
孩子
hái zi
children
My children.

112
00:13:02,325 --> 00:13:03,324
快走
kuài zǒu
quick leave
Run.

113
00:13:05,575 --> 00:13:08,490


Mom
Mom!

114
00:13:09,283 --> 00:13:10,824


Dad
Dad!

115
00:13:11,075 --> 00:13:12,824


Mom
Mom!

116
00:13:12,991 --> 00:13:15,490
方达快跑快跑
fāng dá kuài pǎo kuài pǎo
Fang Da quick run, quick run
Fang Da, run. Run.

117
00:13:52,700 --> 00:13:54,574
老吊车要下来啦
lǎo diào chē yào xià lái la
old crane will come down EF
The crane is going to fall!

118
00:14:53,950 --> 00:14:54,949
过来
guo lái
come over
Come here!

119
00:15:00,533 --> 00:15:02,490


Mom
Mom!

120
00:15:02,658 --> 00:15:04,949
来啦
lái la
come PCA
I'm coming!

121
00:15:06,033 --> 00:15:10,740


Mom
Mom!

122
00:15:21,283 --> 00:15:22,615


Dad
Dad!

123
00:15:25,658 --> 00:15:27,199
你干什么
nǐ gān shén me
you do what
What are you doing?

124
00:15:49,033 --> 00:15:53,657
大强
dà qiáng
Da Qiang
Da Qiang.

Learning Reflections

[103] gāng = just (done something)
Sample sentence:
(1) bào zhǐ gāng gāng dào (报纸刚刚到) = The newspaper came just now.
(2) tā gāng gāng zǒu (他刚刚走) = He left just a minute ago. 

[103] xià bān = get off work
c.f shàng bān = start work
Sample sentence:
wǒ wǔ diǎn xià bān(我五点下班) = I get off work at 5

[106] The "subject + zěn me + occurrence" pattern con//v//eys a feeling of shock or surprise
Sample sentence:
(1) nǐ zěn me zài jiā? (你怎么在家?) = How come you are at home?

[108] zěn me de le / zěn me le = what's the matter
This conveys the feeling of concern / something is not quite right

[110] dì zhèn (地震) = earthquake
Undoubtedly, the key word of this movie.
Sample sentence:
(1) dì zhèn hòu bù shǎo dì fāng dū fā shēng le tān xiàn (地震后不少地方都发生了坍陷) = After the earthquake, many places had collapsed

[117] diào chē(吊车)= crane
The more useful vocab is diào  (吊) = to suspend, to hang up, to hang a person
Sample sentence:
(1) mén qián diào zhe yī zhǎn dēng(门前吊着一盏灯) = A lamp is hanging at the doorway.

[123] nǐ gān shén me(你干什么) = What are you doing?
It conveys the mood of surprise or shock – What are you up to? What do you think you are doing?

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Lesson 4: Making Baby



77
00:09:37,741 --> 00:09:39,115
双胞胎怪呢
shuāng bāo tāi guài ne
Twins strange QP
Having twins is strange.

78
00:09:39,366 --> 00:09:41,449
一个拉屎另一个也想拉
yī gè lā shǐ lìng yī gè yě xiǎng lā
One craps the other also want to crap
They both go potty at the same time.

79
00:09:43,325 --> 00:09:46,282
方登嗑瓜子嗑大头 方达也嗑大头
fāng dēng kè guā zǐ kè dà tóu fāng dá yě kè dà tóu
Fand Deng crack melon seeds crack big head Fang Da also cracks big head
If one snacks on sunflower seeds, so will the other.

80
00:09:47,033 --> 00:09:48,699
俩人谁也没跟谁学
liǎng rén shéi yě méi gēn shéi xué
both of them who also didn't with who learn
They're not imitating each another.

81
00:09:49,033 --> 00:09:50,157
真有意思
zhēn yǒu yì sī
really interesting
It's really interesting.

82
00:09:50,741 --> 00:09:52,032
你越说越神了
nǐ yuè shuō yuè shén le
the more you say the more fascinating PCA
So fascinating.

83
00:09:53,658 --> 00:09:55,157
他俩还是孤单了点
tā liǎng hái shì gū dān le diǎn
both of them still lonely PCA a little
They're still a bit lonely.

84
00:09:55,325 --> 00:09:56,615
在外头受人欺负
zài wài tóu shòu rén qī fù
Outside, subject to bullying
Other kids pick on them.

85
00:09:57,825 --> 00:09:59,324
真想再要一个
really think again want one MW
zhēn xiǎng zài yào yī gè
I really want one more.

86
00:09:59,825 --> 00:10:00,824
你还敢再要
you still dare again want
nǐ hái gǎn zài yào
You do?

87
00:10:01,075 --> 00:10:02,199

en
grunt of approval
Sure

88
00:10:03,158 --> 00:10:05,240
上回生他俩没把人吓死
shàng huí shēng tā liǎng méi bǎ rén xià sǐ
last time give birth to them didn't BCM people scared to death
We were scared to death when you had the twins.

89
00:10:05,408 --> 00:10:06,115
你还要
nǐ hái yào
you still want
You want to do it again.

90
00:10:06,283 --> 00:10:07,657
那有什么不敢的
nà yǒu shén me bù gǎn de
then have what don't dare PAS
Sure, why not.

91
00:10:08,158 --> 00:10:09,657
可惜怀不上了
kě xī huái bù shàng le
too bad pregnant not on PCA
Too bad I can't get pregnant.

92
00:10:10,533 --> 00:10:12,907
我现在有一儿一女我就很知足了
wǒ xiàn zài yǒu yī ér yī nǚ wǒ jiù hěn zhī zú le
I now have one son one daughter I just very content PCA
I'm happy with one son and one daughter.

93
00:10:13,825 --> 00:10:15,782
人看着呢
rén kàn zhe ne
people see PCP QP
People can see us.

94
00:10:18,950 --> 00:10:19,990
你上后面去
nǐ shàng hòu miàn qù
you go up to the back go
Go to the back

95
00:10:20,825 --> 00:10:21,990
快去啊
kuài qù a
quick go EF
Hurry.

96
00:10:36,075 --> 00:10:37,865
坏蛋
huài dàn
bad egg
You bad boy

97
00:10:45,366 --> 00:10:46,407
过来
guò lái
come over
Come here

98
00:10:57,700 --> 00:10:58,657
你笑什么啊
nǐ xiào shén me a
you laugh what EF
What are you laughing at?

99
00:11:00,866 --> 00:11:02,032
这么热的天
zhè me rè de tiān
so hot PAS day
It's so hot.

100
00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:05,657
全唐山就咱俩干这事吧
quán táng shān jiù zán liǎng gān zhè shì ba
whole Tangshan just we both do this SP
We're probably the only ones in Tangshan doing this.

101
00:11:06,616 --> 00:11:07,490
都热
dōu rè
all hot
Everyone must be hot,

102
00:11:07,658 --> 00:11:08,824
都睡不着
dōu shuì bù zháo
all sleep not PCP
So no one can fall asleep.

Learning Reflections

[78] lìng yī = another
Sample sentences:
(1) nà shì lìng yī huí shì (那是另一回事) = That's another matter.
(2) gōng sī zhǔn bèi zài lìng yī jiā yín xíng kāi hù (公司准备在另一家银行开户) = The company is going to open an account with another bank.

[79] dà tóu here refers to the big end of the melon seed

[80] liǎng rén shéi yě méi gēn shéi xué = both of them didn't learn from each other
Sentence pattern to indicate not doing something to each other: plural subject + shéi yě + negative modal + verb + shéi
Sample sentences:
(1) wǒ liǎng shéi yě bié fán zhe shéi (我俩谁也别烦着谁) = both of us don't bother each other
(2) wǒ liǎng shéi yě bié shuō shéi bù hǎo (我俩谁也别说谁不好) = both of us don't criticize each other

[82] nǐ yuè shuō yuè shén le = the more you talk the more fascinating it gets
Sample sentences:
(1) yuè shuō yuè shàng jìng ér (越说越上劲儿) = get more and more excited as one talks
(2) liǎng gè rén yuè shuō yuè níng (两个人越说越拧) = The more they talked,

[83]tā liǎng = both of them
Compare to tā men = they. Tā liǎng is used when there are only two subjects

[84] zài wài tóu shòu rén qī fù = when they are outside the house, they are bullied
zài wài tóu = outside
Sample sentence:
(1) xià tiān wǒ cháng zài wài tóu shuì (夏天我常在外头睡) = In summer I often sleep outdoors

[84] shòu rén = to be subject to
Sample sentence:

[88] shàng huí = last time
Same as shàng cì

[88] bǎ rén xià sǐ literally means "scare people to death" but the meaning is "really scary"

[91] huái bù shàng = cannot get pregnant
huái shàng = get pregnant
Sample sententence:
(1) wǒ qī zǐ tā huái shàng le,zuó tiān qù yì yuàn jiǎn chá de。(我妻子她怀上了,昨天去医院检查的) = My wife is pregnant, yesterday she went to the hospital for a medical examination.

[92] wǒ jiù hěn zhī zú le = I am just very content
Sample sentences:
(1) néng yǒu wǎn guāng miàn chī, tā jiù jué dé hěn zhī zú (能有碗光面吃,他就觉得很知足) = He is quite satisfied even with only one bowl of plain noodles to eat.
(2) yī niǎo zài shǒu, shèng yú èr niǎo zài lín, shì shuō wǒ men yìng dāng duì yǐ yǒu de zhī zú, ér bù yìng yīn tān lán ér mòu shī qù de wēi xiǎn (一鸟在手,胜于二鸟在林,是说我们应当对已有的知足,而不应因贪婪而冒失去的危险) = A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush means that we should be content with what we have and not risk losing it by being greedy.

[96] huài dàn = bad egg
Used to tell somebody else that he is naughty or a scoundrel.
Sample sentences:
(1) díng zhù zhè gè huài dàn (盯住这个坏蛋) = Keep a close watch on the scoundrel.
(2) zhè huài dàn děi zhěng zhì yī xià ( 这坏蛋得整治一下) = That scoundrel needs to be punished.

[102] shuì bù zháo = cannot sleep
Sample sentences:
(1) bái tiān wǒ shuì bù zháo (白天我睡不着) = I cannot sleep in the daytime.
(2) zuó wǎn wǒ shuì bù zháo (昨晚我睡不着) = I couldn't sleep last night.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Lesson 3: New Bags



46
00:08:08,075 --> 00:08:09,199
别动
bié dòng
don't move
Don't move.

47
00:08:10,866 --> 00:08:12,490
爸爸有两块手表啦
bà bà yǒu liǎng kuài shǒu biǎo la
Dad has two MW watch EF
Dad has two watches now.

48
00:08:13,075 --> 00:08:13,699


Dad
Dad,

49
00:08:13,908 --> 00:08:15,324
指向几点呢
zhǐ xiàng jǐ diǎn ne
point towards what time QP
What time do you want it to be?

50
00:08:16,783 --> 00:08:17,449
七点吧
qī diǎn ba
seven o'clock SP
Seven.

51
00:08:17,575 --> 00:08:18,699

xíng
OK
Okay

52
00:08:19,700 --> 00:08:20,949
给你们买的新书包
gěi nǐ men mǎi de xīn shū bāo
for you (plural) buy PAS new book bag
I bought two new book bags for you.

53
00:08:21,575 --> 00:08:22,657
我要天安门的
wǒ yào tiān ān mén de
I want Tiananmen PAS
I want the Tiananmen Square one.

54
00:08:22,825 --> 00:08:24,032
我要长城的
wǒ yào cháng chéng de
I want great wall PAS
I want the Great Wall one.

55
00:08:24,616 --> 00:08:25,782
别关 别关
bié guān bié guān
don't turn off, don't turn off
Don't turn it off.

56
00:08:26,741 --> 00:08:27,865


hot
It's hot.

57
00:08:28,325 --> 00:08:29,574
热也不能这么吹
rè yě bù néng zhè me chuī
hot also cannot like this blow
But you can't let it blow on you like that.

58
00:08:29,783 --> 00:08:30,657
过来
guò lái
come over
Come here.

59
00:08:31,241 --> 00:08:32,157
好了 妈妈给扑粉了
hǎo le mā mā gěi pū fěn le
OK, Mom give powder PCA
Mom's got to put powder on you.

60
00:08:32,325 --> 00:08:33,699
妈我要吃西红柿
mā wǒ yào chī xī hóng shì
Mom I want eat tomato
Mom, I want to eat a tomato.

61
00:08:33,866 --> 00:08:34,782
我也要吃
wǒ yě yào chī
I also want eat
I do too.

62
00:08:35,075 --> 00:08:36,240
等着 等着
děng zhe děng zhe
wait PCP, wait PCP
Just a minute.

63
00:08:37,158 --> 00:08:38,657
哎呀 看看
āi yā kàn kàn
(exclamation of wonder), look look
My gosh, look.

64
00:08:39,450 --> 00:08:40,782
Look at the new book bags Mom bought you.
(no translation)

65
00:08:41,825 --> 00:08:43,032
They're a bit large for you.
(no translation)

66
00:08:43,950 --> 00:08:45,449
六年级的时候才能背这么长的
liù nián jí de shí hòu cái néng bèi zhè me cháng de
6 grade PAS time then only can carry on your back so long PAS
These are for you to use when you're in the 6th grade.

67
00:08:45,575 --> 00:08:46,740
就一个了
jiù yī gè le
just one MW PCA
There's only one left.

68
00:08:46,908 --> 00:08:48,115
登让给弟弟吃
dēng ràng gěi dì dì chī
Deng let give your little brother eat
Fang Deng, let your brother have it.

69
00:08:51,450 --> 00:08:53,074
妈 方达都吃了
mā fāng dá dōu chī le
Mom, Fang all eat PCA
Mom, Fang Da ate it all.

70
00:08:53,241 --> 00:08:53,990
我也要吃
wǒ yě yào chī
I also want eat
I want some too.

71
00:08:54,158 --> 00:08:54,824
没了
méi le
Don't have PCA
It's all gone.

72
00:08:54,991 --> 00:08:56,615
妈明儿给你买去
mā míng ér gěi nǐ mǎi qù
Mom, tomorrow for you buy go
Mom will buy some for you tomorrow.

73
00:08:56,783 --> 00:08:57,574
骗人
piàn rén
lie
Liar.

74
00:08:57,783 --> 00:08:59,157
没骗你
méi piàn nǐ
didn't lie to you
I'm not lying.

75
00:08:59,991 --> 00:09:01,032
妈说话算话
mā shuō huà suàn huà
Mom mean what she says
You can count on Mom.

76
00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:02,615
好吧
hǎo ba
ok SP
Okay?


Learning Reflections

[49] zhǐ xiàng = point towards
Sample sentences:

[52] gěi = to indicate that something is done for the benefit of somebody
Sample sentences:

[53] de (PAS) functions as the English "the __ one"
Sample sentences:

[57] yě is used to indicate that despite a condition present that seems to allow one to do something, it's still not allowed by law, custom.
Sample sentences:

[59] pū (扑) is unclear. Can someone explain the meaning / use?

[66] the sentence construction here is peculiar. I have the impression she wants to say that 6th grade is a long time away.

[72] míng ér (明儿) = tomorrow
I think this is a Northern usage. The ér turns míng (bring) into tomorrow.

[73] piàn rén (骗人) literally means "lie to somebody". It appears to be what people say in response to being lied to.

[75] shuō huà suàn huà = to be as good as one's word

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Lesson 2: Cooling Off



25
00:06:55,908 --> 00:06:57,157
慢着点
màn zhe diǎn
Slow PCP a little
Slow down.

26
00:06:59,825 --> 00:07:00,907
抱的什么啊
bào de shén me a
carry PAS what EF
What are you carrying?

27
00:07:01,283 --> 00:07:02,574
我爸买的电扇
my dad buy PCA electric fan
wǒ bà mǎi de diàn shàn
Dad bought a fan.

28
00:07:05,158 --> 00:07:06,824
姐  我要吹风我要吹风
jiě  wǒ yào chuī fēng wǒ yào chuī fēng
sister, I want blow wind, I want blow wind
Blow it on me. Blow it on me.

29
00:07:06,991 --> 00:07:07,532
别着急
bié zháo jí
don’t worry
Hold on.

30
00:07:07,700 --> 00:07:09,699
等我插上电就可以吹了
děng wǒ chā shàng diàn jiù kě yǐ chuī le
wait I insert on electricity then can blow PCA
I have to plug it in first.

31
00:07:10,616 --> 00:07:11,240
方达
Fang Da,
fāng dá

32
00:07:11,408 --> 00:07:13,574
把手躲开别绞着
bǎ shǒu duǒ kāi bié jiǎo zhe
BCM hand, stay out of trouble, don't entangle PCP
Don't get your hand caught in the fan.

33
00:07:13,866 --> 00:07:15,157
快下来  下来  下来
quick come down, quick come down
kuài xià lái  xià lái  xià lái
Get down!

34
00:07:16,575 --> 00:07:17,699
行吗
OK QP
xíng ma
How's this?

35
00:07:20,408 --> 00:07:21,157

OK
xíng
Good.

36
00:07:22,408 --> 00:07:24,657
先让我吹
first let me blow
xiān ràng wǒ chuī
First me.

37
00:07:24,866 --> 00:07:26,574
不行  先让妈吹
not OK, first let mum blow
bù xíng  xiān ràng mā chuī
No, first let it blow on mom.

38
00:07:27,116 --> 00:07:28,282
妈做饭热
mā zuo fàn rè
Mum cook hot
Mom's all hot from cooking.

39
00:07:28,700 --> 00:07:30,282
好  我们一块吹
hǎo  wǒ men yī kuài chuī
good, we together blow
We can all cool off together.

40
00:07:31,991 --> 00:07:32,949
妈  凉吗
mā  liáng ma
Mom, cool QP
Mom, feel better?

41
00:07:33,116 --> 00:07:34,157

cool
liáng
Yes, it's cooler.

42
00:07:36,700 --> 00:07:37,657
你们吹吧
you blow SP
nǐ men chuī ba
You two cool off.

43
00:07:38,075 --> 00:07:39,032
别伸手啊
bié shēn shǒu a
don't hold out your hand EF
Don't put your hands inside.

44
00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:40,532

en
grunt of yes
Okay

45
00:07:44,700 --> 00:07:45,990
凉快
liáng kuài
pleasantly cool
Nice and cool.

Learning Reflections

[29] bié zháo jí = don’t worry
This is a new expression for me. I'm more used to bié dān xīn  to say "don't worry"

[30]  chā shàng diàn = insert on electricity = plug in an electrical device

[32] bǎ shǒu duǒ kāi = take hand, stay out of trouble
This is an interesting bǎ construction. Take note of the expression duǒ kāi = stay out of trouble
The fan does look dangerous!

[32] jiǎo = entangle

[36] ràng wǒ chuī = let me be blown
It appears that chū can both mean "to blow" or "to be blown on". Is it because it comes after "ràng"?

[38] mā zuo fàn rè = mum cook hot = Mom's all hot from cooking.
Would it be right to say wǒ pǎo lèi = I run tired = I'm tired from running?

[39] wǒ men yī kuài chuī = we together blow
It looks like yī kuài can substitute yī qǐ to mean together

[43] shēn shǒu = to hold out one's hand

[44] en = yes
A convenient way of saying yes

[45] liáng kuài = pleasantly cool
This appears to be a set phrase to denote that you are enjoying the coolness

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Particles and Markers

Mandarin has a number of particles and markers that serve grammatical functions and to indicate moods. The following are the abbreviations I use in the literal translations:  

PCA (particle of completed action)
This refers to the "le" we find which indicates the past tense or a completed action. There are other functions such as indicating that a situation has just changed or is about to change.

QP (question particle)
This refers to (1)  "ma" we find at the end of a yes/no question and (2) "ne" to ask "How about ...?" e.g. "Wǒ xiǎng hē kā fēi. Nǐ ne?" (I want to have coffee. How about you?)

EF (emphatic final)
This refers to the "ne" and "ā" we find at the end of sentences to convey a friendly and interested mood.

PAS (possessive adjectival suffix)
This is the "de" we add to function as the apostrophe "s"

IP (interjection particle)
We add small sounds here and there again to convey mood of surprise, interest e.g. "yā"

MW (measure word)
This is the "gè" etc we add after the number and before the noun when we are counting nouns. Also after "nà", "zhè" and "nǎ" when we want to say "that + noun", "this + noun" and "which + noun".

EAM (experienced action marker)
Specifically this refers to "guò" after a verb which indicates that the speaker has done the action at least once.

SP (suggestion particle)
This refers to the "ba" we add after a request or suggestion.

PCP (present continuous particle)
This refers to the "zhe" after a verb to indicate the "+ ing" function.

BCM (bǎ construction marker)
The bǎ (把)construction is used to make sentences with transitive verbs.
e.g. Wǒ bǎ hé tong fàng zài le zǒng cái de zhuō zi shàng (我把合同放在了总裁的桌子上) = I placed the contract on the president's table.
The sentence pattern is: subject + bǎ + object + verb

Lesson 1: The Chase



[For an explanation on abbreviations for markers and particles (e.g. PCA,EF, etc) used click here]

1
00:02:33,783 --> 00:02:38,990
"July 27, 1976 Tangshan"

2
00:03:05,241 --> 00:03:07,365
爸快看快看
bà kuài kàn kuài kàn
dad quick look quick look
Dad, fast. Look!

3
00:03:07,575 --> 00:03:08,699
蜻蜓  蜻蜓
qīng tíng  qīng tíng
dragonfly dragonfly
Dragonflies!

4
00:03:18,866 --> 00:03:21,324
太多了  都不想逮了
tài duō le  dōu bù xiǎng dài le
too many PCA. all don't want catch PCA
There are too many. I don't even want to chase them.

5
00:03:21,533 --> 00:03:23,532
爸  怎么那么多蜻蜓呢
bà  zěn me nà me duō qīng tíng ne
dad, how so many dragonfly
Dad, why are there so many dragonflies?

6
00:03:30,283 --> 00:03:32,074
这是要憋着一场大雨啊
zhè shì yào biē zháo yī cháng dà yǔ a
this is must simmer MW heavy rain EF
A storm must be approaching.

7
00:05:36,408 --> 00:05:37,907
爸  我想吃冰棍
bà  wǒ xiǎng chī bīng gùn
dad, I want eat popsicle
dad, I want a popsicle

8
00:05:38,283 --> 00:05:39,407
来  下车了
lái  xià chē le
come     go down car PCA
Let's get off

9
00:05:40,450 --> 00:05:42,824
你跟弟弟把这个电扇拿回去
nǐ gēn dì dì bǎ zhè gè diàn shàn ná huí qù
you with little brother BCM this electric fan hold return go
Go with your brother and take this fan home.

10
00:05:43,075 --> 00:05:45,615
然后告诉你妈  爸去趟厂里
rán hòu gào sù nǐ mā bà qù tàng chǎng lǐ
after that tell mum dad go come back factory inside
Tell mom I'm going to the factory.

11
00:05:46,908 --> 00:05:48,407
然后就回家去
rán hòu jiù huí jiā qù
after that then return home go
I'll come back home later.

12
00:05:53,700 --> 00:05:54,449
六分够吗
liù fēn gòu ma
six parts of ten enough QP?
Are six pennies enough?

13
00:05:54,616 --> 00:05:55,907
够了
gòu le
enough PCA
Enough.

14
00:05:57,575 --> 00:05:58,615
看着 点道
kàn zhe diǎn dào
watching PCP a little road
Be careful.

15
00:05:59,575 --> 00:06:01,115
奶奶  要两个奶油冰棍
nǎi nǎi  yào liǎng gè nǎi yóu bīng gùn
granny want two MW cream popsicle
Two milk popsicles, please.

16
00:06:10,491 --> 00:06:12,115
英童  走
yīng tóng zǒu
Ying Tong go
Ying Tong, let's go.

17
00:06:14,950 --> 00:06:15,907
拿来吧你
ná lái ba nǐ
bring SP you
Give it to me

18
00:06:16,116 --> 00:06:18,365
姐  英童他哥把冰棍抢走啦
jiě  yīng tóng tā gē bǎ bīng gùn qiǎng zǒu la
big sister Ying Tong's big brother BCM popsicle snatch go EF
Ying Tong's brother stole my popsicle.

19
00:06:22,950 --> 00:06:23,865
方达
fāng dá
Fang Da
Fang Da! Hurry, run.

20
00:06:24,033 --> 00:06:26,907
快跑敢推我
快跑快
kuài pǎo gǎn tuī wǒ
kuài pǎo kuài
run fast dare push me
Fast run Fast
- How dare you?
- Hurry, run.

21
00:06:28,491 --> 00:06:30,615
往家跑  别让他追着了
wǎng jiā pǎo bié ràng tā zhuī zháo le
head to home run don't let him chase catch PCA
Run home. Don't let him catch you.

22
00:06:30,783 --> 00:06:32,240
快跑
kuài pǎo
quick run
Hurry.

23
00:06:36,408 --> 00:06:37,657
方达快点
fāng dá kuài diǎn
Fand Da, fast a little bit
Fang Da, run faster.

24
00:06:48,075 --> 00:06:49,282
快点  走
kuài diǎn zǒu
fast a little bit go
Hurry. Come on.

Learning Reflections

[3] qīng tíng = dragonfly
It's not very useful vocab but at least that's one more animal I know.

[4] dōu bù xiǎng dài le =  I don't even want to catch
Sentence pattern: dōu bù + auxillary verb + le
E.g. (1) wǒ dōu bù yào dài chī fàn le = I don't even want to eat. (2) wǒ dōu bù xǐ huān tā le = I don't even like her
Can anybody verify this is correct?

[5] zěn me nà (also zhè) me duō = how come there is so many?
Sentence pattern to use to show surprise at excess. E.g. zěn me zhè me dà! = how come it is so big?

[6] zhè shì yào …… = it must be that it is going to ……

[6] biē zháo = simmering (according to Google translate).
Can somebody help with sample sentences? It appears to be used to describe an event that's brewing up.

[6] zháng (场) = classifier for events and happenings e.g storm

[7] bīng gùn = popsicle (lit. "ice truncheon"!)
Not to be mistaken with bīng qí lín (冰淇淋) = ice cream. I wonder if this is a transliteration since the characters just mean "ice – the river Qin – drip"

[9] bǎ zhè gè diàn shàn ná huí qù = take this electric fan and take it home
I like the bǎ (把) construction. It makes making sentence with transitive verbs easier as it would be awkward otherwise.
E.g bǎ wǒ de ài qíng huán gěi wǒ (把我的爱情还给我) = take my love and give it back to me. This is a line from Teresa Teng's "Nǐ zěn me shuō")

[10] bà qù tàng chǎng lǐ = dad makes a round trip to the factory
Just saying qù (without tàng) doesn't convey the meaning he is coming back.

[14] kàn zhe diǎn dào = watch the road a bit
To watch the road means to be careful. I wonder if the sentence is correct without the "zhe"?

[15] nǎi yóu = cream (lit. milk oil)

[18] yīng tóng tā gē bǎ bīng gùn qiǎng zǒu la = Ying Tong's big brother took the popsicle and snatched it away
Another bǎ construction.

[18] qiǎng zǒu = snatch away (lit. snatch and leave)

[21] wǎng jiā pǎo = run home
Sentence pattern: wǎng + target place + verb (walk / run / fly)
Reminds me of Pimsleur: yī zhí wǎng qián zǒu (一直往前走) = go straight ahead. Of course Pimsleur never explained what the wǎng was for.