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bjfall
Joined: 29 Sep 2006
Posts: 3
Location: beijing
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 Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 12:55 am Post subject: many words for friends |
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chinese language and culture are really very rich and interesting. i recently found out that you can say the word friend in chinese in different ways --
(the common one) and also
and
. the story is at http://www.linese.com/cc/20408000000000000,37.html
hmm... i wonder where these terms came from.
i also learned that the shortcut used for husband and wife on the net are LG ("laogong" for husband) and LP ("laopo" for wife).  |
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RedRose
Joined: 21 May 2004
Posts: 2735
Location: GuangZhou, China
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| Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:16 pm Post subject: Re: many words for friends |
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| bjfall wrote: |
. the story is at http://www.linese.com/cc/20408000000000000,37.html
hmm... i wonder where these terms came from.
i also learned that the shortcut used for husband and wife on the net are LG ("laogong" for husband) and LP ("laopo" for wife). |
bjfall, I just visited the website you offered. a thought came to my mind: imagine, if I were a foreiger who wanted to learn Chinese, it would be harder than a Chinese person tried to learn English. |
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beancurdturtle
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 1041
Location: Southern California
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| Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 11:51 pm Post subject: Re: many words for friends |
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| RedRose wrote: |
| bjfall, I just visited the website you offered. a thought came to my mind: imagine, if I were a foreiger who wanted to learn Chinese, it would be harder than a Chinese person tried to learn English. |
Oh, I don't think so. Common vernacular and colloquialisms exist in every language. 
Let me give examples of terms for a friend or friendship of different degrees in English. Some of them have different meanings depending on what English speaking county you are in, and even what region you are in.
buddy
bro(ther) - "bro" is pronounced like "grow"
dude
casual acquaintance
mate
pal
acquaintance
friend
good friend
bosom buddy
Best friend
lifelong friend
blood brother
joined at the hip
etc.
Cheers mate,
_________________
Daniel
�Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.�
--Dr. Seuss |
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RedRose
Joined: 21 May 2004
Posts: 2735
Location: GuangZhou, China
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| Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 8:39 am Post subject: |
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| but Turtle, if you are a non-native, and you wanna learn english, first of all, you can pronounce an english word, even when you don't know what it means. but if you learn Chinese, then it's hard for you to pronounce a Chinese word when you don't know what it means. |
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ad-miral
Joined: 01 Sep 2006
Posts: 1488
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| Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 10:24 am Post subject: |
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and if you know a Chinese word but you have forgotten how it is written, it's very hard to guess it by its spelling
_________________
If I say "I love you" to someone, then I also have to say "I also love everyone else inside you, I love the whole world because of you, I also love myself inside you." -- Erich Fromm, the Art of Love |
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beancurdturtle
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 1041
Location: Southern California
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| Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 11:31 am Post subject: |
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| RedRose wrote: |
| but Turtle, if you are a non-native, and you wanna learn english, first of all, you can pronounce an english word, even when you don't know what it means. but if you learn Chinese, then it's hard for you to pronounce a Chinese word when you don't know what it means. |
Oh! I thought you were talking about meaning, not pronunciation. English is easier to learn as a collection of phonemes I guess. Especially with the Romanized alphabet.
Chinese is challenging for many non-native speakers for the unusual phonemes, the tonal component, and the picto-phonetic characters. But for me, these are what makes it entertaining.
_________________
Daniel
�Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.�
--Dr. Seuss |
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RedRose
Joined: 21 May 2004
Posts: 2735
Location: GuangZhou, China
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| Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 11:41 am Post subject: |
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Turtle, you surprise me so much!! you see, you are interested in Chinese language, even Tao!
I am a Chinese, but I am not interested in Tao. because it's too profound and useless(IMHO). I remember, when I was a kid, my mom forced me to read some Tao books, but I gave up after reading some of them. those books were just so boring! 
However, you Turtle, a American guy, even thinks Tao interesting!! that's incredible. |
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beancurdturtle
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 1041
Location: Southern California
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| Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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| RedRose wrote: |
| I am a Chinese, but I am not interested in Tao. because it's too profound and useless(IMHO). |
Many Chinese I have met younger than 50 years old or so have the impression that the Tao is useless. This is unfortunate, because it is the basis (along with Confucianism) for so much of Chinese culture and societal norms.
I think the perception of uselessness comes from two things: 1. a hangover from the Cultural Revolution(无产阶级文化大革命) where everything traditional was demonized and branded useless, and 2. It's taught as something ancient and "profound" instead of as a poetic philosophy that is flexible with a potential for simple interpretation.
I have been a fan of Taoist philosophy for 20 years now. From this I have developed a philosophy on how to live my life. I will share it here because it's a way of applying ancient Chinese cultural values to a modern life. I hope it's not too boring or off topic.
This is just one Westerner's interpretation of how to apply Taoist principles to living a modern life:
Be Honest (是诚实的)
When I live right I have nothing lie about. When I tell the truth, I don't have to remember stories for future reference. But recognize that gentle semantics can be of value if brutal honesty will harm a good relationship. Be honest enough with myself to recognize when the rules should change.
Be Trustworthy (是信得过)
I try to keep all my promises. If my friends need help (need not want) and I can give it, I do. It's simple; I want to trust the people in my life, so I need to be trustworthy.
Be Sincere (是恳切的)
If I say it, I mean it. Report, and when things change, report again. Nobody knows where to walk if they don't know where they stand. Apologize when appropriate.
Be Respectful (是恭敬的)
Honesty, trust, and sincerity are the behaviors - respect is the foundation. I will respect all life. I will respect all people until I see them hurt someone (or hurt me), or see them consistently break these rules.
Be Caring (是关心)
I will care about my children, my family, my friends, my work, about many things. Caring is what brings depth and meaning to my life. Love easily � allow lots of space, and let go when appropriate.
Be A True Friend (是一真实朋友)
I will build meaningful honest friendships and relationships. Anything less is a waste of time, and becomes an acquaintance or something less.
Act With Integrity (是操守)
Life is huge and very long. The two most important events are birth and death � the rest is details. The rules are for the details. I don't break the rules for short term gain, or laziness � though sometimes rules can be bent when the details make it appropriate. And the rules can change if someone shows me they are wrong.
Choose Quality Friends (有真正的朋友)
Young at heart, open minded, and intelligent, internationally diverse. This keeps my mind open, my curiosity high, my leisure time creative, and my conversation interesting.
Choose Right Priorities (选择正确的优先权)
My children, my family, my partner, my work, my friends, and my philosophy.
Accept Change (受理变动)
Recognize that life is constantly changing. When I don�t have control � don�t fight a tide that will drown me.
_________________
Daniel
�Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.�
--Dr. Seuss |
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sosufosos26
Joined: 28 Nov 2006
Posts: 11
Location: china
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| Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 12:49 am Post subject: |
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| beancurdturtle wrote: |
| RedRose wrote: |
| I am a Chinese, but I am not interested in Tao. because it's too profound and useless(IMHO). |
Many Chinese I have met younger than 50 years old or so have the impression that the Tao is useless. This is unfortunate, because it is the basis (along with Confucianism) for so much of Chinese culture and societal norms.
I think the perception of uselessness comes from two things: 1. a hangover from the Cultural Revolution(无产阶级文化大革命) where everything traditional was demonized and branded useless, and 2. It's taught as something ancient and "profound" instead of as a poetic philosophy that is flexible with a potential for simple interpretation.
I have been a fan of Taoist philosophy for 20 years now. From this I have developed a philosophy on how to live my life. I will share it here because it's a way of applying ancient Chinese cultural values to a modern life. I hope it's not too boring or off topic.
This is just one Westerner's interpretation of how to apply Taoist principles to living a modern life:
Be Honest (是诚实的)
When I live right I have nothing lie about. When I tell the truth, I don't have to remember stories for future reference. But recognize that gentle semantics can be of value if brutal honesty will harm a good relationship. Be honest enough with myself to recognize when the rules should change.
Be Trustworthy (是信得过)
I try to keep all my promises. If my friends need help (need not want) and I can give it, I do. It's simple; I want to trust the people in my life, so I need to be trustworthy.
Be Sincere (是恳切的)
If I say it, I mean it. Report, and when things change, report again. Nobody knows where to walk if they don't know where they stand. Apologize when appropriate.
Be Respectful (是恭敬的)
Honesty, trust, and sincerity are the behaviors - respect is the foundation. I will respect all life. I will respect all people until I see them hurt someone (or hurt me), or see them consistently break these rules.
Be Caring (是关心)
I will care about my children, my family, my friends, my work, about many things. Caring is what brings depth and meaning to my life. Love easily � allow lots of space, and let go when appropriate.
Be A True Friend (是一真实朋友)
I will build meaningful honest friendships and relationships. Anything less is a waste of time, and becomes an acquaintance or something less.
Act With Integrity (是操守)
Life is huge and very long. The two most important events are birth and death � the rest is details. The rules are for the details. I don't break the rules for short term gain, or laziness � though sometimes rules can be bent when the details make it appropriate. And the rules can change if someone shows me they are wrong.
Choose Quality Friends (有真正的朋友)
Young at heart, open minded, and intelligent, internationally diverse. This keeps my mind open, my curiosity high, my leisure time creative, and my conversation interesting.
Choose Right Priorities (选择正确的优先权)
My children, my family, my partner, my work, my friends, and my philosophy.
Accept Change (受理变动)
Recognize that life is constantly changing. When I don�t have control � don�t fight a tide that will drown me. |
if you know me ,you did not said that 'Many Chinese I have met younger than 50 years old or so have the impression that the Tao is useless. This is unfortunate, because it is the basis (along with Confucianism) for so much of Chinese culture and societal norms'. wow if people all over the world(include many chinese)is like you,world will become perfect,peace,colourful.
_________________
know china ,win wolrd |
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beancurdturtle
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 1041
Location: Southern California
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| Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 6:23 am Post subject: |
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哪里？
_________________
Daniel
�Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.�
--Dr. Seuss |
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sosufosos26
Joined: 28 Nov 2006
Posts: 11
Location: china
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| Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 6:55 am Post subject: |
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| beancurdturtle wrote: |
哪里？
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it is truth.i think you are a philosopher .how can
_________________
know china ,win wolrd |
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beancurdturtle
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 1041
Location: Southern California
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| Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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I read.
I think.
_________________
Daniel
�Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.�
--Dr. Seuss |
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ambar
Joined: 01 Dec 2006
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:38 pm Post subject: China Culture and tradicion. |
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| It is very interesting read what people have written about China. I have my own idea about this beautiful and mystic culture. China is a big dragon who is waking up from millions of inactive years. China will be the example of the sub- development countries have to follow up. For us, people living in Occident, is very difficult to understand the millenarian and deeply spiritual culture they have. The sense of total unit they are development not only as a mercantile community whether as a member of a society when each one is giving the best of themselves to built up a better place to live. |
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ad-miral
Joined: 01 Sep 2006
Posts: 1488
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| Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:52 am Post subject: |
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Don't exaggerate. You are only dreaming about China because it's different from Europe. And the list giving by beancurd: Are these "Be this, be that" only valid for Chinese people, or are they valid for all people?
The Westeners dream a lot about China and they say: Oh here I have been in China, Ni Hao, I have eaten very traditional food in China...
Only because China is a bit successfull now. I think Westeners are stupid.
But if you wanna learn Chinese, I can teach you, if you give me money.
_________________
If I say "I love you" to someone, then I also have to say "I also love everyone else inside you, I love the whole world because of you, I also love myself inside you." -- Erich Fromm, the Art of Love |
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beancurdturtle
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 1041
Location: Southern California
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| Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 1:29 am Post subject: |
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| ad-miral wrote: |
And the list giving by beancurd: Are these "Be this, be that" only valid for Chinese people, or are they valid for all people?
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I didn't write the list of goals for Chinese people. The list is for me.
You (or anyone) can accept those goals if you wish. But they are not easy for most people.
_________________
Daniel
�Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.�
--Dr. Seuss |
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