商店
22 hours ago
This proverb is used when things get too much, or no matter what is tried, new problems keep surfacing.
按下葫芦起了瓢。
àn xia húlu qǐ le piáo.
One gourd is pushed under the water, but another floats up.
àn xia húlu qǐ le piáo.
One gourd is pushed under the water, but another floats up.
乐队(band): 李玟 Lǐ Wén Coco Lee
专辑(album): 东西 dōngxī East to West
国家(country): China
发行时间(release date): August 2009
专辑(album): 东西 dōngxī East to West
国家(country): China
发行时间(release date): August 2009
Coco Lee is probably the Chinese equivalent to our Madonnas or Beyonces. Coco is a singer, songwriter, record producer and actress. Coco Lee sang the song "A Love Before Time" for the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. For that performance, she received huge worldwide exposure when she sang the song live at the 73rd Academy Awards ceremony.
Warner Music present her new album 'East to West' which includes songs that have a strong RnB and soul feel to them. They have strong melodies and driving rhythms. A couple of videos for the songs are below as is a link to download the album.
Party Time: Despite reminding me a little of Daniel Beddingfield's "Gotta get through this" Party time is a great pop song with a solid grove.
流轉
liú zhuǎn
Flow / Turn
In addition to her status in the Mandarin music market, Lee's English-language performance has also received recognition. Her love song "Before I Fall In Love" was included in the soundtrack of the movie Runaway Bride. And "Do You Want my Love?" has also been released making headway in American and the UK Music market.
Do You Want My Love?
Album: East to West
Release Date: 18th August 2009
Tracklist:
01 美麗的主題曲 (Beautiful Theme Song)
02 Party Time
03 流轉 (Circulation)
04 愛要現在 (Love Right Now)
05 BYOB
06 影子 (Shadow)
07 Ready Or Not
08 我愛看電影 (I Love Going To The Movies)
09 三角心 (Three Hearts)
10 既然愛了 (Already Loved)
11 東西 (East And West)
Download East to West free
(as always if you are the content owner email me and I will remove this link)
This proverb suits my past week, it is often used to describe someone who has worked extremely hard. Recently I have taken on more projects than my watch can handle, (at least whilst keeping up with my unpaid jollys) and if I could stop time to finish and spend all the time I want to on each thing, I would love to.
做牛做马
zuòniúzuòmǎ
lit. to work like an ox, to work like a horse
zuòniúzuòmǎ
lit. to work like an ox, to work like a horse
Vocab:
牛 niú Ox
Sodagreen have got a new song: 狂熱 (fever?) It is ridiculously catchy. It is not as calm and relaxed as the songs I posted last week.
Sodagreen have a new album due out soon, and a world tour upcoming.
Ashes of Time Redux [1994 / 2008]
'Ashes of Time Redux' is a good film, dreamlike, disjointed, and possessed a stunningly complex narrative poetry. Often hard to follow and the colouring of the desert scenes is at times rather overexposed and abstract. Though the front cover quite clearly has a swords man this film is more about self-meditation and thoughts of the protagonist than out and out action.
The action scenes that are included are blurry and snarly, not cut together particularly well. However, the purpose of these scenes is to illustrate the tale, and provides this purpose well. The early storyline(s) are tough to follow, but are explained as you go. It had me and my housemate staring at each other in confusion early on.
Ashes of Time Redux (東邪西毒：終極版 : literally meaning "The Heretic East and the Venomous West": The Ultimate Edition) is set in five parts, five seasons that are part of the Chinese almanac. The story takes place in the jianghu, the world of the martial arts. Ouyang Feng the main character is a hard man to figure out, and at the end still leaves you pondering whether he is wise, or an idiot.
Ashes of Time Redux (東邪西毒：終極版 : literally meaning "The Heretic East and the Venomous West": The Ultimate Edition) is set in five parts, five seasons that are part of the Chinese almanac. The story takes place in the jianghu, the world of the martial arts. Ouyang Feng the main character is a hard man to figure out, and at the end still leaves you pondering whether he is wise, or an idiot.
Ashes of Time Redux is inspired by characters from Louis Cha’s martial arts novel ‘The Eagle-Shooting Heroes’. It centers on a man named Ouyang Feng. He left his home in White Camel Mountain when the woman he loved chose to marry his elder brother rather than him. Instead of seeking glory, he ends up as an agent hiring skilled swordsmen to carry out contract killings. His wounded heart has made him pitiless and cynical, but his encounters with friends, clients and future enemies make him conscious of his solitude...
The novels the film is based around actually have the lords of the east and west as much older men and arch nemeses. I would be very interested to read the books at a later date. All in all a good film; if you have the patience to navigate the honestly, mind boggling first half, of a somewhat abstract poetic film.
The novels the film is based around actually have the lords of the east and west as much older men and arch nemeses. I would be very interested to read the books at a later date. All in all a good film; if you have the patience to navigate the honestly, mind boggling first half, of a somewhat abstract poetic film.
Ashes of Time Redux [1994 / 2008]
Wong Kar-Wai: Director
Leslie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Tony Leung Kar Fai
Mandarin w/English Subtitles
Although this is an English proverb translated into Mandarin, (sorry). I wanted to publish this one as I think it is a great use of proverbs. I like to use this phrase when thinking in terms of my goals, ambitions and dreams. They might be big dreams and ambitions, but it is the small tiny steps that I take now that put them into motion.
I think it is worth remembering, the biggest things start with the smallest steps. Put them into motion now.
I think it is worth remembering, the biggest things start with the smallest steps. Put them into motion now.
即使再伟岸的大树，也是由小种子成长而来的。
jíshǐ zài wěi àn de dà shù, yě shì yóu xiǎo zhǒngzi chéngzhǎng ér lái de.
The mightiest Oaks [trees] grow form small acorns [seeds].
Photo Source:
Flickr
As I have been wasting time in between being insanely busy, I came across this great animation. I first want to Introduce you to the kickass Super Baozi.
Here is the first great Video of him beating up Sushi Man.
Super Baozi vs Sushi man from sun haipeng on Vimeo.
I initially didn't like this Jay Chou song (Dragon Fist), however after watching this great animated Super Baozi video, I changed my mind. Sadly Super Baozi doesn't beat up Jay Chou. ;) However the animated video is the best I have seen from a Chinese animator so far. Kept me laughing for quite a while
Dragon Fist from sun haipeng on Vimeo.
I couldn't find a good quality video of Dragon Fist by Jay Chou, Nethertheless here is the best I could find. (will update if anyone can find a better version.)
This is a proverb that is in use in many cultures. It is often used in circumstances where things are in short supply, such as limited edition things in shops. It also means that there is no preferential treatment or reservations for people that may have a better relationship.
先搶先贏
xiān qiǎng xiān yíng
First come first served
xiān qiǎng xiān yíng
First come first served
乐队(band): 跳房子 Hopscotch
专辑(album): A Wishful Way
国家(country): China
发行时间(release date): 2002
国家(country): China
发行时间(release date): 2002
Hopscotch are now seemingly defunct, however they were quite popular a few years ago. Hopscotch, were a 4 piece Wuhan band, based in Beijing. Their most popular song 'Wishful Way' is influenced by trip hop and indie music. It was the 15th most played song on Chinese radio when it was released and whilst her English isn't quite so smooth, the song is so haunting and I really am drawn to it.
Wishful Way & She are the lead singles off of Hopscotch's 2002 album 'Wishful way'
Singer and lyricist Tian Yuan, appeared in the 2004 Hong Kong film Butterfly, winning an award for best performance.
This is a saying from Lao Zi's (老子), Dao De Jing (道德经). It follows on from my thoughts about silence yesterday.
知者不言，言者不知
zhì zhě bù yán, yán zhě bù zhī
He who knows doesnt speak, he who speaks doesnt know.
zhì zhě bù yán, yán zhě bù zhī
He who knows doesnt speak, he who speaks doesnt know.
-Lao Zi
Here are the 31 Daily Chinese Proverbs I published and translated into English, Hanyu Pinyin and Mandarin during August. I have compiled the here for your ease.
August 1st
从容不迫
cóng róng bù pò
To be calm and unhurried
August 2nd cóng róng bù pò
To be calm and unhurried
大公无私
dà gōng wú sī
To be fair and unselfish
August 3rd dà gōng wú sī
To be fair and unselfish
相见恨晚
xiāng jiàn hèn wǎn
Regret not knowing somebody before
August 4th xiāng jiàn hèn wǎn
Regret not knowing somebody before
实话实说
shí huà shí shuō / shi2 hua4 shi2 sho1
Tell the truth
August 5thTell the truth
其乐无穷
qí lè wú qióng
An endless enjoyment
qí lè wú qióng
An endless enjoyment
August 6th
尽善尽美
jìnshàn jìnměi
Perfect
August 7th jìnshàn jìnměi
Perfect
失败不是倒下，但拒绝起床。
shībài bùshì dǎoxià dàn jùjué qǐchuáng
Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up
August 8th shībài bùshì dǎoxià dàn jùjué qǐchuáng
Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up
鱼与熊掌不可兼得
yú yǔ xióng zhǎng bù kě jiān dé
One cannot get fish and bear's paw at the same time
August 9th yú yǔ xióng zhǎng bù kě jiān dé
One cannot get fish and bear's paw at the same time
三十輻共一轂，
當其無，有車之用。
埏埴以為器，
當其無，有器之用。
鑿戶牖以為室，
當其無有室之用。
故有之以為利，
無之以為用。
sānshí fú gòng yī gǔ,
dāng qí wú, yǒu chē zhī yòng.
shān zhí yǐwéi qì,
dāng qí wú, yǒu qì zhī yòng.
záo hùyǒu yǐwéi shì,
dāng qí wú yǒu shì zhī yòng.
gù yǒu zhī yǐwéi lì,
wú zhī yǐwéi yòng.
Thirty spokes join together in a wheel's hub, It is the center hole that makes the wheel useful. We shape clay to fashion jugs; It is the hollowness within that makes a jug useful. We cut doors and windows in a house wall; It is these empty spaces that make the house useful. Thus things are valuable because of what they have And they are useful because of what they lack.
August 10th 當其無，有車之用。
埏埴以為器，
當其無，有器之用。
鑿戶牖以為室，
當其無有室之用。
故有之以為利，
無之以為用。
sānshí fú gòng yī gǔ,
dāng qí wú, yǒu chē zhī yòng.
shān zhí yǐwéi qì,
dāng qí wú, yǒu qì zhī yòng.
záo hùyǒu yǐwéi shì,
dāng qí wú yǒu shì zhī yòng.
gù yǒu zhī yǐwéi lì,
wú zhī yǐwéi yòng.
Thirty spokes join together in a wheel's hub, It is the center hole that makes the wheel useful. We shape clay to fashion jugs; It is the hollowness within that makes a jug useful. We cut doors and windows in a house wall; It is these empty spaces that make the house useful. Thus things are valuable because of what they have And they are useful because of what they lack.
自相矛盾
Zì Xiāng Máo Dùn
Self-contradictory
August 11th Zì Xiāng Máo Dùn
Self-contradictory
养活你人鱼饲料他一天。教人捕鱼，你养活他一辈子。
yǎnghuo nǐ rén yú sìliào tā yītiān。 jiāo rén bǔyú nǐ yǎnghuo tā yībèizi.
Feed a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
August 12th yǎnghuo nǐ rén yú sìliào tā yītiān。 jiāo rén bǔyú nǐ yǎnghuo tā yībèizi.
Feed a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
安贫乐道
ān pín lè dào
Better to be Happy than Rich
August 13th ān pín lè dào
Better to be Happy than Rich
欲速則不達
yù sù zé bù dá
If you are in a hurry you will never get there
August 14th yù sù zé bù dá
If you are in a hurry you will never get there
打铁趁热
dǎ tiě chèn rè
Strike Whilst The Iron is Hot
August 15th dǎ tiě chèn rè
Strike Whilst The Iron is Hot
树倒猢狲散
shù dǎo hú sūn sàn
When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter
August 16th shù dǎo hú sūn sàn
When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter
一箭雙雕
yī jiàn shuāng diāo
Kill two birds with one Arrow
yī jiàn shuāng diāo
Kill two birds with one Arrow
August 17th
逆流而上
nìliú ér shàng
Swimming Upstream
August 18th nìliú ér shàng
Swimming Upstream
君子欲訥於言而敏於行
jūnzi yù nè wū yán ér mǐn wū xìng
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions
August 19th jūnzi yù nè wū yán ér mǐn wū xìng
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions
顺其自然
shùnqízìrán Let things take their own course
August 20th shùnqízìrán Let things take their own course
持而盈之，不如其已。
揣而梲之，不可長保。
金玉滿堂，莫之能守。
富貴而驕，自遺其咎。
功成、名遂、身退，天之道。
chí ér yíng zhī, bùrú qí yǐ.
chuāi ér zhuó zhī, bùkě cháng bǎo.
jīnyù mǎntáng, mò zhī néng shǒu.
fùguì ér jiāo, zì yí qí jiù.
gōng chéng, míng suì, shēn tuì, tiān zhī dào.
Fill a cup to overflowing, And it will spill. Hone a sword to the very sharpest, And it won't stay sharp for long. Fill your halls with gemstones, And you won't be able to guard them. Be proud with wealth and status, And you will cause your own fall. Withdraw when your work is done. This is the way of heaven.
August 21st 揣而梲之，不可長保。
金玉滿堂，莫之能守。
富貴而驕，自遺其咎。
功成、名遂、身退，天之道。
chí ér yíng zhī, bùrú qí yǐ.
chuāi ér zhuó zhī, bùkě cháng bǎo.
jīnyù mǎntáng, mò zhī néng shǒu.
fùguì ér jiāo, zì yí qí jiù.
gōng chéng, míng suì, shēn tuì, tiān zhī dào.
Fill a cup to overflowing, And it will spill. Hone a sword to the very sharpest, And it won't stay sharp for long. Fill your halls with gemstones, And you won't be able to guard them. Be proud with wealth and status, And you will cause your own fall. Withdraw when your work is done. This is the way of heaven.
天下無不散之筵席
tiānxià wú bù sǎn zhī yán xí
No feast could last (Under the sun) forever
August 22nd tiānxià wú bù sǎn zhī yán xí
No feast could last (Under the sun) forever
子貢問曰、有一言、而可以終身行之者乎。子曰、其恕乎、己所 不欲、勿施於人。
zǐ gòng wèn yuē, yǒu yī yán, ér kěyǐ zhōngshēn xíng zhī zhě hū.
zǐyuē, qí shù hū, jǐ suǒ bù yù, wù shī wū rén.
Adept Kung asked: "Is there any one word that could guide a person throughout life?"
The Master replied: "How about 'shu' [reciprocity]: never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself?"
August 23rd zǐ gòng wèn yuē, yǒu yī yán, ér kěyǐ zhōngshēn xíng zhī zhě hū.
zǐyuē, qí shù hū, jǐ suǒ bù yù, wù shī wū rén.
Adept Kung asked: "Is there any one word that could guide a person throughout life?"
The Master replied: "How about 'shu' [reciprocity]: never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself?"
我行我素
wǒ xíng wǒ sù
To persist in one's old ways no matter what others say
August 24th wǒ xíng wǒ sù
To persist in one's old ways no matter what others say
有志竟成
yǒu zhì jìng chéng
Where there's a will, there's a way
August 25th yǒu zhì jìng chéng
Where there's a will, there's a way
一言既出驷马难追
yī yán jì chū sì mǎ nán zhuī
A word once spoken cannot be taken back even by a team of four horses
August 26th yī yán jì chū sì mǎ nán zhuī
A word once spoken cannot be taken back even by a team of four horses
不看不觉得
bù kàn, bù juédé
Out of sight, out of mind
August 27th bù kàn, bù juédé
Out of sight, out of mind
岁月不饶人
suìyuè bù ráorén
Time and tide wait for no man
August 28th suìyuè bù ráorén
Time and tide wait for no man
一毛不拔
yī máo bù bá
Stingy
August 29th yī máo bù bá
Stingy
你可以牵着马去找水，但你不能强迫它去喝
nǐ kě yǐ qiān zhe mǎ qù zhǎo shuǐ, dàn nǐ bù néng qiǎng pò tā qù hē
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink
August 30th nǐ kě yǐ qiān zhe mǎ qù zhǎo shuǐ, dàn nǐ bù néng qiǎng pò tā qù hē
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink
人要脸, 树要皮
rén yào liǎn ,shù yào pí.
A Person needs a face, a tree needs bark
August 31st rén yào liǎn ,shù yào pí.
A Person needs a face, a tree needs bark
沉默是金
chénmò shì jīn
Silence is Golden
chénmò shì jīn
Silence is Golden
This 4 character Chinese proverb is most often used in circumstances where it is thought that saying nothing is preferable to speaking. It can also used to describe the meditative thoughts of a person, that emptiness in the mind, which is useful or 'golden'.
沉默是金
chénmò shì jīn
Silence is Golden
chénmò shì jīn
Silence is Golden
It is thought that the full quote is:
说话是银，沉默是金
shuōhuà shì yín, chénmò shì jīn
Speaking is silver, Silence is golden
shuōhuà shì yín, chénmò shì jīn
Speaking is silver, Silence is golden
although the shorter version is much more commonly used.
乐队(band): 胖虎乐团 PunkHoo
专辑(album): Life & Live
国家(country): Taiwan, Taipei
发行时间(release date): 2006
国家(country): Taiwan, Taipei
发行时间(release date): 2006
PunkHoo (literal translation as far as I can tell works out more like : 'Fat Tiger Orchestra') have a pop punk sound heavily influenced I assume by SUM 41. The band from Taipei has been carving a name for itself on the walls of the city's music scene. Singing mainly in Chinese with the odd line shouted out in English. The melodic offerings of "Life & Live" work towards the sound of pop-punkers like new Green Day, Blink 182. Though the album was released in 2006, the song was reccomended to me by a friend. (@GraceLee0806) Below are a couple of videos.
In China reputation is extremely important. This proverb tells us not only is reputation important in humans but for everything to be. Face here is used metaphorically as in not loosing face (social custom). The Chinese, value reputation highly, thus creating this proverb.
You might use this proverb when someone behaves dishonorably (once or repeatedly), it can be said directly to that person giving advice or a warning in order to rectify or avoid something more.
人要脸, 树要皮
rén yào liǎn ,shù yào pí.
A Person needs a face, a tree needs bark.
rén yào liǎn ,shù yào pí.
A Person needs a face, a tree needs bark.
I keep finding the odd phrase which when said makes me smile. It isn't that it is actually funny, nor that it sounds funny when in English, or that it is one of the funny things you will have seen written down.
It is just a nice sounding phrase that makes me smile, much like the previous post where I talked about my favourite sounding phrase, here is another one that similiarly is nice to my ears.
我是老师
wǒ shì lǎoshī
wǒ shì lǎoshī
It means, I am a teacher. Funnily this week I got an email from someone telling me how much they had learnt through this site, and made me proud that I am making a difference to other people, (and not just helping myself motivate and learn Mandarin). So I guess in fact, wǒ shì lǎoshī. I am a teacher (of kinds). Though I still have a hell of a lot to learn myself, and thank everyone that has bee helping me along the journey so far.
-I am also not as good looking as the picture of a teacher that I found. :D
The way that phrase flows is what makes me smile. I think it must be the two third tones, followed by the homophone 'shi' that makes it so pleasant. To my ears, the third tone is still one of the best things about the language. Which is something I really struggled to get to terms with intially, but have grown to love it already. I will continue to post here my favourite phrases, and hopefully some of them will be better than this one.
-I am also not as good looking as the picture of a teacher that I found. :D
The way that phrase flows is what makes me smile. I think it must be the two third tones, followed by the homophone 'shi' that makes it so pleasant. To my ears, the third tone is still one of the best things about the language. Which is something I really struggled to get to terms with intially, but have grown to love it already. I will continue to post here my favourite phrases, and hopefully some of them will be better than this one.
This proverb is about how an animal, and by implication a person, will only do what it/he wants to do.
你可以牵着马去找水，但你不能强迫它去喝
nǐ kě yǐ qiān zhe mǎ qù zhǎo shuǐ, dàn nǐ bù néng qiǎng pò tā qù hē
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink
nǐ kě yǐ qiān zhe mǎ qù zhǎo shuǐ, dàn nǐ bù néng qiǎng pò tā qù hē
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink
乐队(band): 蘇打綠 (Sūdá lǜ) Sodagreen
专辑(album): 春。日光 (chūn. rìguāng) Daylight of Spring
国家(country): Taiwan
发行时间(release date): March 2008
专辑(album): 春。日光 (chūn. rìguāng) Daylight of Spring
国家(country): Taiwan
发行时间(release date): March 2008
Sodagreen are a six piece band formed around founders Qing-Weng Fu and Shin-Yi Shien when they were both students at Taiwan’s National Chengchi University. They have been playing together since 2001, but first broke into the public eye in 2004 winning the Grand Jury Award of Hohaiyan Gongliau Rock Festival. Shortly afterwards sodagreen were offered an official contract with Willin Music. Sodagreen is renowned for its vocalist, Qing-Feng's unique voice with a wide voice range.
Qing-Weng Fu's philosophical lyrics have been highly praised not just as lyrics, but as true poetry. While most of the band’s songs have a folk-rock feel, they also incorporate classical components and include a wide range of expression. The band’s sound is also notable for its use of the viola. Sodagreeen sound quite similiar to Sigur Ros, with folky elements and often floating vocals which create a sonic landscape that is both relaxing and tense simultaneously. 'Daylight of Spring' is Sodagreen's 5th album.
I really like these guys and can't thank you enough for reccomending them to me. Below are a couple of videos from their new album, and a link to download their album. If, unlike me, you don't want to download it, and would like to buy it. If you can find somewhere please inform me and I will edit the post with that link. :D
They have more songs up at myspace which is a great place to check them out.
This is their very crazy but very cool website, I cant quite work it out but do love their take on the tube network amp. Maybe you guys can shed some light on their webpage layout?
融雪之前 (róngxuě zhīqián) Before Snowmelt
日光 (rìguāng) Daylight
蘇打綠 (Sūdá lǜ) Sodagreen春。日光 (chūn. rìguāng) Daylight of Spring
01. 融雪之前 (Before The Snow Melt)
02. 牧神搭上春色的火車 (Faun Take To Spring Train)
03. 日光 (Daylight)
04. 在我們之間 (Between Us)
05. 配樂(曲：蘇打綠) [Instrumental (Music : Sodagreen)]
06. 各站停靠 (Docking Station)
07. 一千座噴泉 (1000 Fountains)
08. 交響夢 (Symphonic Dreams)
09. 異次元的玫瑰 (Rose Of Inner Senses)
10. 配樂(曲：蘇打綠) [Instrumental (Music : Sodagreen)]
11. 嬉戲之後 (After The Play)
12. 早點回家 (Go Home Early)
download daylight of spring
This proverbial saying is used to describe someone who is selfish and greedy. This idiom originates from Mencius, and is used in stark contrast to the philosophies of Yáng Zhū (杨朱) which according to Mencius is very much ‘Each for himself’.
一毛不拔
yī máo bù bá
'Stingy'
楊子為我, 拔一毛而利天下, 不為也.
Yáng Zǐ wéi wǒ, bá yī máo ér lì tiānxià, bù wèi yě .
Yang Zhu teaches to do things purely for the benefit of oneself. If plucking, bá (拔) ,a single feather, yī máo (一毛), would benefit the world, he would not, bù (不), do it.
- He is a stingy person. Don’t even think about asking him to lend money to help someone.
yī máo bù bá
'Stingy'
楊子為我, 拔一毛而利天下, 不為也.
Yáng Zǐ wéi wǒ, bá yī máo ér lì tiānxià, bù wèi yě .
Yang Zhu teaches to do things purely for the benefit of oneself. If plucking, bá (拔) ,a single feather, yī máo (一毛), would benefit the world, he would not, bù (不), do it.
- He is a stingy person. Don’t even think about asking him to lend money to help someone.
乐队(band): 张力尹 / Zhāng Lìyǐn / Zhang Liyin (known in South Korea as Jang Ri-in)
专辑(album): 星愿 / I Will
国家(country): China
发行时间(release date): March 2008
专辑(album): 星愿 / I Will
国家(country): China
发行时间(release date): March 2008
Zhang Liyin plays violin, piano and sings in both Korean and Chinese on her tracks. She is so far the only solo singer to have broken both Chinese and South Korean music markets. Her powerful soulful vocals could easily be compared to well-known R&B vocalists such as Whitney Houston or Leona Lewis. Her voice is stunning, complete knockout vocal performances in several of her songs are truly incredible and made the hairs on my neck stand on end.
Her 2008 album, I Will contained mainly ballads, although "A Flame For You" was more upbeat and is the theme song for CCTV's drama 'Ding Jia You Nu Xi Yang Yang'. "Timeless" and "Y (Why...)" are her most popular songs. Y being my personal favourite.
You can watch a video of her performing 'Y (Why?...)' on youtube here but embedding is disabled. I include a download link to her album below. Depending on your morals, you may prefer to buy it: but I couldnt find anywhere where it is available.
Zhang Liyin - I Will1. Intro
2. 初恋 (First Love)
3. A Flame For You
4. 星愿 (I WILL) (Star Wish (I WILL))
5. 幸福的左岸 (The Left Shore of Happiness)
6. 后 (After)
7. 交错的爱 (Wrongly Given Love)
8. 相信爱 (Believe in Love)
9. 纯真的爱 (Pure Love)
10. One More Try
11. Y (Why…)
12. Timeless
13. 星愿 (I WILL) (Star Wish (I WILL)) – Korean version
14. 幸福的左岸 (The Left Shore of Happiness) – Korean version
You can download I Will
(If you are the copyright owner, please email me and I wil take the link down)
There is only one real formal way to say hello in Mandarin Chinese, and whilst you can translate literal meanings from many English greetings the only one that is used is 你好 (nǐ hǎo). Below are some introductory sentences, greetings, how to introduce yourself and how to say bye. There is a lot to take in here, but I hope it useful. Please suggest ways to continue conversations below in the comments.
Ways to say Hello and Greet in Mandarin
Hello
你好
nǐ hǎo
Hello (Polite & Formal: when speaking to someone older or of more importance)
您好 Nín hǎo
Hello (to a group)
你们好
nǐmen hǎo
Hello (more oftenly used on the phone)
喂
wèi
Hello
你好
nǐ hǎo
Hello (Polite & Formal: when speaking to someone older or of more importance)
您好 Nín hǎo
Hello (to a group)
你们好
nǐmen hǎo
Hello (more oftenly used on the phone)
喂
wèi
Instead of saying 'My name is' (我的名字是 / wǒ de míngzi shì) Chinese people usually say I am..... when introducing themselves.
I am...
我是...
wǒ shì...
How are you?
你好吗
nǐ hǎo ma?
How are you doing?
你怎么样?
Nǐ zěnme yàng?
How are you today?
你今天好吗？
nǐ jīntiān hǎo ma?
Did u sleep well last night?
昨晚睡得睡的好吗?
zúo wǎn shùi de hǎo ma?
I am Good
我很好
wǒ hěn hǎo
And You?
你呢？
nǐ ne?
Good Thank You
好谢谢你.
hǎo xièxie nǐ.
Nice to meet you!
幸会
Xìng huì!
The weather is nice today, isn't it?
今天的天气真好,是不是?
jīntiān de tiānqì zhēn hǎo, shìbùshì?
Saying Hello at Different Times of Day
Good Morning
早上好
zǎoshanghǎo
or
早安
zǎo ān
(literally 'early peace')
- mainly used in Taiwan
Good Afternoon
下午好
xiàwǔhǎo
or
午安
Wǔ ān
- mainly used in Taiwan
Good Night
晚上好
Wǎnshàng hǎo
or
晚安
Wǎn ān
- mainly used in Taiwan
Saying Goodbye in Mandarin
I have to go now.
我必须走了。
wǒ bì xū zǒu le.
Goodbye
再见
zàijiàn
Byebye
拜拜
Bàibài
See You Later
回头见 jiàn
huítóu
or
待会儿见
dài huìr jiàn
I need to go to sleep
我需要睡觉
wǒ xūyào shuìjiào
See you Tomorrow
明天见
míngtiān jiàn
我是...
wǒ shì...
How are you?
你好吗
nǐ hǎo ma?
How are you doing?
你怎么样?
Nǐ zěnme yàng?
How are you today?
你今天好吗？
nǐ jīntiān hǎo ma?
Did u sleep well last night?
昨晚睡得睡的好吗?
zúo wǎn shùi de hǎo ma?
I am Good
我很好
wǒ hěn hǎo
And You?
你呢？
nǐ ne?
Good Thank You
好谢谢你.
hǎo xièxie nǐ.
Nice to meet you!
幸会
Xìng huì!
The weather is nice today, isn't it?
今天的天气真好,是不是?
jīntiān de tiānqì zhēn hǎo, shìbùshì?
Saying Hello at Different Times of Day
Good Morning
早上好
zǎoshanghǎo
or
早安
zǎo ān
(literally 'early peace')
- mainly used in Taiwan
Good Afternoon
下午好
xiàwǔhǎo
or
午安
Wǔ ān
- mainly used in Taiwan
Good Night
晚上好
Wǎnshàng hǎo
or
晚安
Wǎn ān
- mainly used in Taiwan
Saying Goodbye in Mandarin
I have to go now.
我必须走了。
wǒ bì xū zǒu le.
Goodbye
再见
zàijiàn
Byebye
拜拜
Bàibài
See You Later
回头见 jiàn
huítóu
or
待会儿见
dài huìr jiàn
I need to go to sleep
我需要睡觉
wǒ xūyào shuìjiào
See you Tomorrow
明天见
míngtiān jiàn
Please leave comments below, with other phrases and conversation starters for everyone to share.
