黄
5 days ago
The original meaning and use of this Chinese Proverb was probably more like 'a good time to go to war'.
天时地利人和
tiān shí dìlì rén hé
The time is right
(geographical and social conditions are favorable)
tiān shí dìlì rén hé
The time is right
(geographical and social conditions are favorable)
First found by the wonderful guys over at NEOCha. Beijing based Ray Lei (雷磊) animted this lovely and peculiar short. In a wonderful world, where everyone has rubiks cubes as heads, this animated short is fun.
Whilst you won't learn any Chinese through this video, it is a bit of fun, and has a great soundtrack written by by Li Xingyu (李星宇), a mix of 8 bit computer sounds and any of you familiar with Pink Floyd are in for a treat too.
I present to you Magic Cube & Ping Pong:
Magic cube and Ping-Pong from RAY on Vimeo.
Border Project is another animation by Ray Lei which hosts a rather interesting take on urbanisation, I'll let you make up your own minds about it. Whilst quite a different style to Magic cubes above. It is interesting to see the animation that is coming out of the youth of China.
Concept: 欧宁 Ōu Nìng
Animation: 雷磊 Ray Lei
Music: 金星李 Jīnxīng Lǐ (Stars Lee)
Border Project from RAY on Vimeo.
This saying is one that I think is used as we might use "take only what you need." If you have a better description of how it may be used, please feel free to add it to the comments below.
各取所需
gèqǔsuǒxū
Each takes what he needs
gèqǔsuǒxū
Each takes what he needs
In English there are set ways that you can say things in pairs, that usually wouldn't necassarily come in twos. For example: two Jeans is wrong, yet a pair of Jeans is correct. Two glasses is wrong, but a pair of glasses is correct. Two shoes is ok, but a pair of shoes is better. The list could go on; headphones, shoelaces, scissors, shorts, gloves... etc.
In Mandarin I got very confused because the classifier for veichles is very similiar to the word for a pair. So when I learnt bicycle I had assumed I was hearing a pair of wheels or similiar because of our sometimes odd rules about pairs.
两
liǎng
Pair / Two / Both
辆
liàng
Classifier for veichles (辆自行车 liàng zì xíng chē)
liǎng
Pair / Two / Both
辆
liàng
Classifier for veichles (辆自行车 liàng zì xíng chē)
What I was really hearing is the above sentence telling me it is a bike that you can travel on, maybe an excercise bike would have a different classifier?? (Can anyone confirm that?)
Anyway, so When I was learning the numbers in Mandarin I learnt that 2 is 二 èr.
The Chinese tend to use 两 liǎng in a sentence instead of 二 èr (unless counting or reciting a number). Thanks for everyones helpful replies on twitter when I got confused earlier on. But this was put best by my new friend @megoizzy who lives in China.
"We use 二 èr in numeric counting sequence, use 两 liǎng with measure words. We would never say 'èr ge'. but we would use 'èr' in telling our phone number to someone."
两 liǎng is used before classifers (measuring words) such as 天，个，辆. Otherwise 二 èr would be used.
So I think I am right in saying then a pair of bicycles in Mandarin would actually be said:
两辆自行车
liǎng liàng zì xíng chē.
liǎng liàng zì xíng chē.
However if you are spelling out a number, like a telephone number, you would say 二 èr not 两 liǎng (Although I wonder if you might use 两 liǎng for double numbers...)
edit: To spell out numbers, you can say 两个二=two 2s
And maybe when replying to "how many sweets have you got left?"
You might reply "Two" 二 èr, so long as you weren't going on to say "I have two sweets left..."
edit: 2 (sweets) = 两颗糖
I wonder if in Chinese then a pair of scissors would mean one or two pairs of scissors when translated back into English as they don't seem to have the same problems with a pair of trousers, shorts etc.
edit: a pair of scissors=一把剪刀，it's the measure unit that changes!
So what I have learnt from this is that the Chinese doesn't have a silly pair rule about bicycles at all. In fact it is the English which makes this harder to grasp. Mandarin speakers just use 两 liǎng as their word for a couple, a pair or both items.
This was an interesting point as I was learning this morning and got a little stuck, but think now in general I am a bit clearer on the matter. Though there are some points I have highlighted that if you can clarify would be most useful.
Charlie
Photo Source
Flickr
This proverb could be used to express the idea of somone with 'more words than action'. Which is to say that someone says they will do something and then not deliver upon their word.
雷声大，雨点小
Léi shēng dà, yǔ diǎn xiǎo.
Thunder is louder than the little rain warrants.
Léi shēng dà, yǔ diǎn xiǎo.
Thunder is louder than the little rain warrants.
Photo Source:
Flickr
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.
