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Learn Chinese and about China

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Hajo:
Hi,

During my search for Chinese language courses, I found a course at CCTV News homepage. Its called "Growing up with Chinese". The movie clips not only teach Chinese, the teacher explains also some things about Chinese culture. Even if you do not want to learn the language, I think the series has some good hints for those who want to more about Chinese.

For example, that Chinese people think you are at good health when they say, you are fat. Did you imagine that?

Have fun. The link comes here: http://english.cntv.cn/learnchinese/
 

sunny:
For example, that Chinese people think you are at good health when they say, you are fat. Did you imagine that?

Haha. Are you sure about that? ;)  I'd never heard it before. Usually we say you are so strong or your face  is in the pink when we think you are at good health.

Anyway, it is fun to learn a new language and a new culture. Keep going.

Thanks for sharing.

Sunny

Hajo:
hehe, I must admit that I haven't heard it before. But I have heard Chinese saying "you have gotten fatter (pang)" and that wasn't meant negative. The Chinese language isn't always to understand straight away ;-)

I thought Chinese would call me "fei fei de (肥肥的)" if I was a fat person.

Thanks for your input. Always nice to learn something new :)

Arnold:

--- Quote from: Hajo on April 25, 2011, 01:22:35 pm ---For example, that Chinese people think you are at good health when they say, you are fat. Did you imagine that?
--- End quote ---

I must agree with Hajo on this . Qing's Brother , after seeing some Photo's of us ( actually me ) as of late .. he made a comment .. that I'm starting to look Fat . This was meant ( as Qing explained ) that I look Good/Healthy and besides .. that his Sister is taking good care of me . He is sooo right on both ! haha

sunny:

--- Quote from: Arnold on April 25, 2011, 03:25:01 pm ---
--- Quote from: Hajo on April 25, 2011, 01:22:35 pm ---For example, that Chinese people think you are at good health when they say, you are fat. Did you imagine that?
--- End quote ---

I must agree with Hajo on this . Qing's Brother , after seeing some Photo's of us ( actually me ) as of late .. he made a comment .. that I'm starting to look Fat . This was meant ( as Qing explained ) that I look Good/Healthy and besides .. that his Sister is taking good care of me . He is sooo right on both ! haha

--- End quote ---

That's so funny! There are two chinese words to discribe the person who is gravitationally challenged, 胖（pang）and 肥(fei).

胖（pang）is much more positive, espicially when we use it for a baby. for example, when we meet our friend's baby, we will say" how pang he is!" As Arnold said, that means the parents taking good care of baby. haha.  Of course,It is the same meaning when we  say "you looks pang+er than before" to a person who was very thin.

肥（fei）is kind of negative and more serious. we seldom use it. but it can be a nickname used by the people who are very close. there was a very famous comedy actress named "feifei(肥肥)" in hongkong. She was really fat and smart. She had a lot of fans all over the world.

Traditionally, we don't think fat is the bad thing in china. Fat usually means carefree and contented. If you worry about things too much all the day, how could you be fat?

But, be carefully, never say pang or fei to  your lady even though she wants you be honest....this moment  thinking about  the Catch-22. haha.

good luck!

sunny

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