My search

[Willy The Londoner]

So I decided to perfect the use of a few key phrases..." or you have a delightful pair of boobs  ....

My teacher has not taught me that one. Ha ha.

What we do is to work on the four tones. That is the difficult part for me - listening to and differentiating between the end sound. We learn the words and repeat them to our selves but often do not realise just how important the four tones are.

The important thing is listening to Chinese conversations and trying to work out what words you recognise.  Because not many are going to say the words exactly as you have learned them. 

Willy

[Neil]

Everyone I've met in China knows the word "WC" for washroom.  I still don't know the proper word.

You're right Willy.  I like listening to my wife talk to her friends.  I hear the odd word that I recognize, and can follow the conversation sometimes.  It's even better when she talks to her son.  I catch a lot more.  Unfortunately, when she talks with her parents, they speak the local dialect, and I'm completely lost.  She tried teaching me a few words, but it's completely different than Mandarin.

[maxx]

Willy are you learning Cantonese or Mandarin?And how do you say that is in Chinese?

[john1964]

i have learnt Chinese from a few cds called "bookworms", available in Australia and im sure many other countries, i am surprised how much i have learnt over the past few years and my wife's friends are very impressed too, it makes communication so much easier, Now MinYing complains that i talk too much Chinese to her and not concentrate on teaching her English     John

[Willy The Londoner]

Willy are you learning Cantonese or Mandarin?And how do you say that is in Chinese?

I am having lessons in Mandarin but are being taught the variations that should allow me to understand and be understood in any Province.

My main variation is Hunan as that is where my wife and  many people in Zhongshan come from.

'That is' in Mandarin Chinese  Na shi

We now have Chinese only days where only that is spoken in our home.

My teacher is working through an A 4 size book ' Experiencing Chinese - Oral Course.  It comes from Amazon and costs about 70 rmb here but it has a CD as well so you can listen to the course. Also the phrases are in English, Pin Ying and Mandarin so your lady can read them and correct your errors.

BBB

[shaun]

BBB?   Big British Boy?  or Billy the Bat Boy?  Of course if you lived down here in the south you could be Billy Bob Buford.   

[JustJim]

Nah....  I think that is what Willy sounds like on days that only Chinese is spoken in his house...     

I know that is what  I sound like after 10 minutes of those Pimsleur CDs....

[Robertt S]

Here is a link to a free 6-day course in Chinese. I use this course myself and like it very much. It teaches speaking, reading, writing and culture so you get a complete lesson.    Learn to speak Chinese easily with Rocket Chinese

[Willy The Londoner]

BBB?   Big British Boy?  or Billy the Bat Boy?  Of course if you lived down here in the south you could be Billy Bob Buford.   

Just getting confused in my old age. That is what I sign off with when emailing my younger sister.
It is Big Brother Bill.

Final note on any CD course - You have to be disciplined to keep it up daily. That is why I need a live teacher come to me every day.

Willy

[JustJim]

My passport should arrive soon and I will buy my tickets right away.

I want to start preparing for the trip.  My question is  - is there one thread, or one site, or one resource that will tell me everything I need to know for my trip... ? what to pack, how much, how early to arrive, etc etc.??

[JustJim]

ALright....

First question.   I was about to book my flight when I noticed that for the cheapest flight the tickets were not refundable.

The Airline is China Southern Airlines.  Sounds like a real commuter type.    4 hour layover in LAX.  Does anyone have experience with them?

The next lowest price is $200 more.  Refundable but with a $200 charge if I do refund.   Air China,  I believe.  2 hour layover in Peking, and 6 hours shorter than the cheaper flight.

I am thinking the higher price is the better choice.   Opinions?

[Martin]

My first time over, I flew Air Canada to Tokyo, then Japan Airlines to Guangzhou. Second time across, I flew Air Canada to Hong Kong, then took the bus across. It's hard to say which airline to choose. Personally for me, I would pay the extra 200 to arrive hours earlier. I have never concerned myself with the cancellation policy of any trip I make. By the time I am buying the ticket, I am more than certain that the trip is going to happen, come hell or high water. I have now made 6 trips to the other side of the planet. (Currently on trip number 6)

[Pineau]

irishguy65 just went to China and we loaded him up with information.

His first thread.
Leaving for China in less than a month

his second thread.
any last minute advice.

Read those and you will be way ahead on advice for your trip.
Gerry

[IrishGuy65]

irishguy65 just went to China and we loaded him up with information.

His first thread.
Leaving for China in less than a month

his second thread.
any last minute advice.

Read those and you will be way ahead on advice for your trip.
Gerry

Hahaha!!  I was going to say the same thing!!!

[Martin]

Yes, read those threads, but ask us questions too. Every trip is different, and with the collective experience here (and not just referring to Willy's advanced age. Heehee) we can certainly give you solid advice and get you on the right track.