Category: Speaking

每日一句:得了吧。(Déle ba.) Give me a break.

得了吧。(Déle ba.) Give me a break./ Come on. 用法说明
这句话常用来否定对方所说的内容,表示说话人不同意对方的话。意思是:快别说了,才不是呢。强调事实不是对方所说那样的,而是另外一种情况。Meanings
This expression is used to negate the other and show one's disagreement, meaning "don't say that; it is not what you think". It indicates the truth is not as the speaker assumed but is a totally different situation.

Continue Reading →

声声中国语:不敢当。(Bù ɡǎn dānɡ.) I’m flattered.

不敢当。(Bù ɡǎn dānɡ.) I'm flattered.
用法说明
“不敢当”是一种谦虚的说法, 当别人向你表达称赞、信任的时候,你可以用“不敢当”来谦虚地表示自己承担不起这样的称赞、信任。中国人在受到别人称赞时往往要表现出谦虚的态度。Meaning
"不敢当" is a kind of euphemism. When someone praises you or expresses his/her trust in you, you can use this as a polite way by indicating that you are not worthy of such compliments. Chinese people are used to show their modesty when they are receiving compliments from others.

Continue Reading →

The story behind “马虎 mǎ hu”

It is said that there was a confused painter in ancient times. One day, he just finished drawing the head of a tiger when his friend came by. His friend asked him to draw a horse. The painter was too lazy to start a new one, so he  drew a body of a horse right under the tiger head. His friend asked him what he was drawing, a horse or a tiger? The painter said"Oh, it's almost the same."  
      After his friend left, the painter hung the painting on the wall. His elder son asked him"What is this ?" The painter told his son it was a horse. Then the next day his little son asked him the same question as his elder son did, and the painter told his little son it was a tiger. So the painter's two boys totally had no idea what was a true horse or a tiger.  
      One day, the elder son met a tiger which he thought was a horse, he was trying to ride it, apparently he end up died. The little son met a hard-won horse which he thought was a tiger. He was afraid, so he shot the horse with the bow.
      After those, people gave the painter a nickname"Mr. 马虎(马虎先生mǎ hu xiān sheng).

Continue Reading →