Who is Coming to Shanghai on May Day?

I 'd like to show you around~!!

It's easier to eat!

Are you good at cooking??

What about hot pot?

这三个时间名词都表示某个时间以后的未来一段时间。“将来”和“今后”指现在之后，“以后”也可以指过去某个时间之后。另外，三个词虽然都可做主语、宾语，但“将来”这样用的时候，除表达较正式外，还能受定语修饰。“今后”较“以后”略显正式。
These three words all indicate a period of time after a certainmoment. 将来 and 今后 indicate the time after the present moment, while 以后can also indicate the time after a moment in the past. Moreover, allthree words can function as the subject or object, but 将来 sounds moreformal and can take an attributive. 今后 is more formal than 以后.
（1）他将来（以后/今后）一定会很有出息。
（2）你将来（今后/以后）要学会应对类似的事情。
“以后”也可以表示过去某个时间之后。
Sometimes 以后 can indicate the time after a certain moment.
（3）一个月前我们还一起吃过饭，但是从那以后，我们就再也没有联系了。
（4）他回来以后找过你两次。
其他两个词不能这样用。
The other two words cannot be so used.
“将来”可以受定语修饰，而其他两个词不可以。
将来 can be modified by an attributive, while the other two cannot.
（5）虽然现状并不乐观，但是我坚信你们一定能有一个美好的将来。

A large Chinese character, Double Happiness, on a red piece of paper or in paper cut is always put where it must strike the eyes on a young couple's wedding. It has a story behind it.

In the ancient Tang Dynasty, there was a student who was on the way to the capital to attend the national final examination, in which the top learners would be selected as the ministers in the court. Unfortunately, he fell ill halfway when he passed through a mountain village. Thanks to a herbalist doctor and his daughter, he was taken to their house and treated well. He recovered quickly due to the father and the daughter's good care. Well, when he had to leave, he found it hard to say good-bye to the pretty girl, and so did she. They fell in love. So the girl wrote down the right hand part of an antithetical couplet for the student to match:

"Green trees against the sky in the spring rain while the sky set off the spring trees in the obscuration."

"Well, I can make it though it is not easy. But you'll have to wait till I have finished the examination." replied the student. The young girl nodded in significance.

In the examination the young man won the first place, who was appreciated by the emperor. Also the winners were interviewed and tested by the emperor. As luck would have it, he was asked by the emperor to finish a couplet, which would need a right part as the answer. The emperor wrote:

"Red flowers dot the land in the breeze's chase while the land colored up in red after the kiss."

The young man realized immediately the right part of the couplet by the girl was the perfect fit to the emperor's couplet, so he took the girl's part as the answer without hesitation. The emperor was delighted to see the matching half of his couplet was so talent and harmonious that he authorized the young man's identity as Minister in the court and allowed him to pay a visit to his hometown first before holding the post. The young man met the girl happily at home and told her the emperor's couplet. They soon got married. For the wedding, the couple DOUBLED the Chinese character, HAPPY, together, on a red piece of paper and put it on the wall to express the happiness for the two events. And from then on, it has been taken on and became a social custom.

画饼充饥
huà bǐng chōng jī
Draw a pancake to allay hunger - Feed on illusions

Lu Yu was a learned man of integrity in the period of Three Kingdoms (220-280), serving as a senior official.

Once the emperor was selecting talents for a post, officials recommended a lot of famous people. The emperor of Wei said, “I would like to let Lu Yu select the right person instead of those well-known but incapable ones. Fame is just like a pancake drawn on the wall. You cannot eat it.”

Lu Yu suggested the emperor to combine examination with selection. From then on, officials were appointed according to their real ability. Lu Yu’s method for selection was widely praised.

The idiom came from what the emperor said. At first, it indicated enjoying an empty fame”. Later, people use it to describe satisfying oneself by imagining things or consoling oneself with false hopes.

The satirical drawing <画饼充饥> posted here discloses the problems of low-income households in China.

Housing problems of low-income households have been attached much attention by Chinese Government who formulated series of policies to solve the housing problems and adopted different kinds of measures to ensure the implement of these policies.

Chinese Government has launched many policies in succession, like Welfare Housing Project, affordable housing policy, low-rent housing policy, etc. since the Mid 1990s to try solving the housing problems of low-income households and has made great achievement.

The distinction is that in Welfare Housing Project 福利房 the houses are sold at cost price and its emphasis is put on households with housing difficulties of low-income households 经济适用房 while affordable houses are sold to a great many moderate and low-income households 中低收入家庭 at meager-profit price.

Learn the story of Chinese idiom 画饼充饥 again from a video lesson.

This phrase is common used in China

亡羊补牢 - “Mend the fold after a sheep is lost.” It is a very common Chinese metaphor / idiom used in everyday conversation for Chinese people. We still use this metaphor to advise someone that even when he has made a mistake and suffered losses, he can still remedy it by drawing lessons from the mistake. ChineseHour tells you the origin of the idiom here today.

During the Warring States Period (475-221 BC)， the State of Chu not very powerful. The king and the important court officials were dissolute and incompetent. They indulged in luxury and excessive pleasure all the time. Zhuang Xin, one of the ministers foresaw that the country was in danger. One day he remonstrated with the king: “Your Majesty, wherever you go, you’re always surrounded by people who flatter you with what you like. They try everything to make you happy so that you forgot to tend to state affairs. If you go on like this, no doubt, the country will perish sooner or later.”
The King of Chu flew into a rage. “How dare you! You even use such vicious words to curse my country and mean to arouse resentment among the people!” Zhuang Xin explained, “I dare not curse the State of Chu. But I really have a premonition that Chu is facing great danger.” Seeing that the king is especially fond of those corrupt officials and trust them in everything, the minister thought Chu is bound to extinct. So he asked the king to let him leave Chu. He wanted to go to the State of Zhao and stay there for a while.
The king gave him the leave.
Five months later, the King of Qin sent his troops to invade Chu and occupied a large tract of its territory. The King of Chu himself went into exile. Now, the king remembered Zhuang Xin’s words. He sent his men to fetch him. When the king saw Zhuang Xin again, he asked him, “What can I do now?”
Zhuang Xin replied, “It’s not too late if you mend the sheepfold when you find a sheep is missing.” He then made some good suggestions to rehabilitate the state and recover the lost land. The king was very much pleased.
The idiom “Mend the fold after a sheep is lost” has developed from Zhuang Xin’s answer to the king.
We still use this metaphor to advise someone that even when he has made a mistake and suffered losses, he can still remedy it by drawing lessons from the mistake.

My friend Jackie visited Shanghai in June. He is very excited about it. It is his first trip to China! He asked what is my suggestion for him to prepare the trip. I do have some tips.

Tip #1: Avoid Travel Around May 1 and Oct. 1.

May 1 to May 4 and October 1 to October 7 are national holidays in China. It is also called Golden Week, because the continous 4-7 day holiday and good weather bring millions of people to scenaric places, hotels, also trains, airlines, and buses. In short, it is crowded everywhere. People visiting China typically don’t have the constraint of travel only in the 4-7 days, so avoid it. Also, if possible, avoid the two days before and after the holiday.

Tip #2: Visiting Shanghai? Strongly Suggest to Visit Beijing

For many business travellers to Shanghai, I would suggest to take a weekend to visit Beijing. Shanghai is the largest commercial city in China, but it is not a typical city that represent China. If you want to claim you’ve really been to China, plan a short trip to Beijing, and visit the Forbidden city, visit the Great Wall, and visit some Royal Gardens in Beijing. Even you don’t go to these famous places, to experience the wide streets and the narrow Hutong is a good idea. Just FYI, Beijing is 1400 KM north of Shanghai, and takes 1 and half hours to fly there. Full price ticket is 1130 RMB, and you typically can get ticket at 20% off price. (7 RMB = 1 USD)

Tip #3: Take Taxi!

Don’t bother to look at the transportation options unless you are really travelling with small budget. My point is, taxi is not as expensive as people think. From Pudong Airport to downtown is about 100 - 150 RMB (12 - 20 USD). There are much cheaper options like airport bus (18 RMB), but compared to the 100-150 USD taxi fare from SFO to Silicon Valley, it is not too high. To travel inside the city, taxi is also a handy choice, unless you want to experience Metro. (Disclaimer: I gave tips according to real situations. In this case, it is my friend Martin. You may find it not suitable for you).

Tip #4: Places to See?

Top places in Shanghai you should go are

The Bund. Leave it as the last place you go. Bund is much more beautiful and interesting at night (after 7:00 PM when the lights are lit).
Yu Garden. I don’t really enjoy Yu Garden, but my friends who visit China for the first time always enjoy themselves so much in the Yu Garden.
Cruise on the Huang Pu River. It worth the time and money to have a cruise on the Huang Pu River, especially at night. Typical cruise is about 1 hour.
Xuhui District. Spend an afternoon in the small roads in the Xuhui Area - near Hengshan Road, or Hua Shan Road, and relax yourself.
Tip #5: Learn Some Chinese

Although it is not absolutely necessary to know Chinese to visit Shanghai, if you know some very simple Chinese words, it will make you look better and more friendly to local people, so make your trip more enjoyable. My friends who visited China did survive very well without any knowledge of Chinese. I strongly recommend that ChineseHour.com is a very nice site to learn “Quick Chinese” online from one-on-one native Chinese teachers for your travelling purposes . It is cheap, fast and fun!

I tried to teach them at least four simple and useful terms in a few minutes:

Xie Xie - Thank you!

Zai Jian - Bye Bye!

Ni Hao - Hello!

Duoshao qian? - How much is it?

Tip #6: Bring the Right Power Adapter

The electricity in Shanghai is 220 V. You may have 110 V adapter. Most laptop, shaver, mobile phone and camera have adapter that works from 100 V to 230 V. It won’t be a problem, but the plug specification does present a problem. For example, the plug that works in U.S. typically don’t work in China. Bring a converter that works for China before your trip. I faced the challenge many times when I visit U.S.

Tip #7: How to use the mobile phone you’ve brought from abroad?

(1) If foreigners wish to directly use the phone numbers assigned by their domestic telecommunication operators, they should initialize international roaming service with their local provider before their entry to China.

Foreigners shall initialize international roaming services of their mobile phone numbers with their domestic mobile telecommunication operators. Additionally, your domestic mobile telecommunication operator shall sign the agreement on international roaming services with China Mobile. Your international roaming service charges will be collected according to the applicable charging rates as specified by your domestic mobile telecommunication operator.

(2) If foreigners enter China with their domestic mobile phones, they can buy SIM phone cards and pre-paid phone cards in Shanghai or Beijing to enjoy all the businesses and services provided by China Mobile.

If your domestic operator and China Mobile haven’t signed the roaming agreement, the international roaming service will be unavailable through your domestic phone number. If you wish to use your own phone from home, make sure to bring a compatible GSM/GPRS 900/1800 dual-frequency mobile phone (the operator’s customized mobile phone on the unlocked network). You may purchase the pre-paid “Easy-Own” SIM phone cards and recharge cards provided by China Mobile to enjoy convenient mobile telecommunication services provided by China Mobile.

Tip #8: Relax and Enjoy the Difference

There are many difference between cities in China and the western cities. You may find the traffic rule different (at least the way people follow the rules), the language is different, and many aspects of everyday life are different. Don’t worry. Just relax. It is not necessary to always figure out which way is right and which way is wrong. Just relax, and enjoy the difference. It is just because of the difference that you travel, isn’t it?

Tip #9: There will be Direct Flights from Taipei to Shanghai since July 4

Congratulations! There will be direct flights from Taipei to Shanghai since July 4, 2008. You donot need to transit at Hong Kong, and it takes up to 2 hours less to get to Shanghai than ever before.

Tip #10: BIG Enough SD Cards for Your Camera

Besides, you will be excited about what you experience in China , so BIG enough SD cards are also important for your camera or video camera too.

和 为 贵。
hé wéi guì. Harmony is prized.
Here is the general introduction to concepts at the core of Chinese society and relationships including guanxi, renqing, mianzi and keqi. Can you tell about the common expressions in mandarin Chinese fluently and immense yourself into Chinese culture?

–Personal network 关系(guānxì)
Throughout much of China’s history, guanxi has been and remains a deep seated concept that lies at the core of Chinese society and the relationship between the people within it. Simply put, guanxi can be seen as who you know and what they perceive to be their obligation to you.

In China, an established network of quality contacts can help accomplish almost anything, and thus having good guanxi is a very powerful asset.

–Human sentiment 人情 (rénqíng )
Closely intertwined with “guanxi” is “renqing” an important vehicle in Chinese social exchanges. “renqing” which literally translates as human sentiment or human emotion is defines by one western scholar as “covers not only sentiment but also its social expressions such as the offering of congratulations, or condolences or the making of gifts on appropriate occasions. The rule of ”renqing” in Chinese society as fellows: “If you have received a drop of beneficence from other people, you should return to them a fountain of beneficence”.

A Chinese who has done a favor for you automatically feels that he or she is owned a favor from you in return. Actually “renqing” follows Confucian notion of reciprocity. There are many Chinese expressions that associated with “renqing”, such as giving somebody a “renqing” (song renqin) owing somebody a “renqing” ( qian renqing) ect..

–Face 面子 (miànzi)

Face is the concept of Mianzi . In Chinese culture, losing face, saving face and giving face is very important and should never be forgotten. A person can lose face as a result of losing his or her temper, confronting an individual or putting them on the spot or acting in an arrogant manner or failing to show appropriate respect.

Surface harmony is the art of maintaining composure and remaining polite and courteous. As an argument in a public place or a manager publicly scolding a subordinate would cause a loss of face, intermediaries are often used to deliver bad or unpleasant news. Surface harmony is seen to be of higher value than personal emotion and thus proper etiquette will serve to safeguard harmony and face.

Confucius, born in 551 BC, was a great philosopher whose thought held sway as orthodox ideology in China for some 2,000 years. One of his famous sayings goes: “In carrying our rites, it is harmony that is prized.” (礼之用, 和为贵。Lǐ zhī yòng, hé wéi guì. )

–Humility and modesty 客气 (kèqi)
Chinese people do not consider it polite to be arrogant and boast about one’s achievement and connections. Keqi is the concept of humility and modesty that is illustrated through being considerate, polite and well mannered. Ke means guest and qi means behavior. It not only means considerate, polite and well mannered, but also represents modesty.

–Reciprocity 礼尚往来 (lǐ shàng wǎnglái)
This concept can be defined as individuals and groups exchanging favors. People will ask for favors from those with whom they have guanxi.

–Collective vs. individual interest
Another deep-seated social belief is that of the collective interest being of greater importance than that of the individual. As a result, individuals should sacrifice their own interests in order to serve the needs of the majority.

If you think PINYIN is enough, that's enough!!

But Chinese Character is really amazing ...

Even when we use PINYIN, it is enough for everyday communication, so why do we learn Chinese Character?

They are too difficult for me !!

不至于吧

búzhìyúba

It won't be like that/not necessarily

A．今天的最低气温8度。你穿得太少了, 会感冒的。

jīntiān de zuìdī qìwēn badù. nǐ chuāndé tàishǎo le, huì gǎnmào de.

The lowest degree is 8 Celsius today. You will catch cold since you are wearing so little cloth.

B．不至于(búzhìyú)吧(ba)。

It won't be like that. I don't think I catch cold so easily.

The Character and the Four Chinese tones

Grammar

They're generally very kind and thoughtful, but some are over-thinking. Some girls are genuine and optimistic, but some lack of confidence. So it really depends on individuals..

Meeting your true love in a foreign country is never easy. What should you do when you fall in love with a Chinese woman? You should prepare well before proposing to her.


1. Learn Some Mandarin.
No matter how wonderful she speaks English, you’re supposed to learn some mandarin. This is not to carry coals to Newcastle but a good way to show your respect and sincerity to her. How about starting with “I love you”?

2. Learn Some Chinese Culture
Even if you plan to move her to your country, understanding her culture is a necessity. Since you have different diets and different festivals, don’t always eat your bread and celebrate your Christmas, remember to have some dumplings she makes for you and celebrate Chinese New Year with her.

3. Have a Good Talk With Her
If you completely have no difficulty communicating with her, then have a good talk with her. Is she ready to marry you? Does she have any confusion or questions that haven’t tell you yet? Keep in mind that any regular domestic problems can be compounded by lack of communication. Besides, she will go through culture shock if you plan on moving her to your country, so make sure to comfort her that you’ll be stay right beside her through thick and thin.

4. Meet Her Family
When you marry a Chinese lady, you marry the family, too. So don’t just communicate with your lover, communicate with her parents. Chinese parents are relatively conservative. Once their daughter is about to get married, they will feel like losing her. So be sure to ask if they have any advice to you and do whatever you can to make them feel secure.

Maybe those things are easy for you to achieve, but be sure to let her know that you’re really sincere. If you’re always trying hard and both stay committed, you should have a long and happy marriage with your Chinese wife.

Beijing is vibrant with amazing attractions, Forbidden City, the most magnificent palace in China; Ming Tombs, an imperial tomb cluster for thirteen emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); Great Wall, one of the seven wonders of the world; Temple of Heaven, the worshipping site for the emperors; Summer Palace, the grandest imperial garden in China; Sacred Way, a divine road reflecting the pomp and dignity of emperors; Tiananmen Square, The largest square in the world; Lama Temple, a noted temple dedicated to Tibetan Buddhism; Beihai Park, a centuries-old park with marvelous scenery; Hutong, a carrier and mirror of Beijing folk culture. Thus leading Beijing tours and planning your Beijing tour packages are very worthwhile!

Since the great success of Kungfu Panda and The King of Freedom (The Forbidden Kingdom), more and more people have been addicted to Chinese Kungfu.

Are you a Kungfu enthusiast? Do you want to be cool with Kungfu?

Here we'll get close to Chinese Kungfu.

Kungfu is a sport, gradually formed with continuous creation in the long process of historical evolution. It has unique nature different from the general sports. For general sports such as track and field, ball games, weightlifting, boxing, etc. the player over 30 should retire from the playing field due to physical reasons, besides, some maybe suffer health problems without awareness for too vigorous movement during adolescence.

"Chinese Kungfu" can be divided into Waigong and Neigong, namely the so called "training body outside and spirit and energy inside".

In addition to exercising a strong and flexible physical body, it can do physical and mental adjustment, strengthen the organs and smooth all streams of vital energy. The older the players are, the more effect they get. It has great effect on health and longevity.

Now there are lots of schools teaching Kungfu, learners can learn Chinese language in process of learning Kungfu, as well as enjoy the beautiful scenery and make lots of friends. Rayzone Language and Culture Training School and other 9 schools were awarded as the top 10 Kungfu schools.

Sophia wrote:


I think so.

The summer is coming and I am planing to lose weight

It's hot in Shanghai now