the-language-addict

[the-language-addict]

Update:

I passed my Chinese exam, even if it could have obtained a better result. However I'm learning a lot of new characters and I want to listen to a lot of audio material.

I've started studying Korean. I'm currently listening to the TTMIK course, but I'm going really slowly.

I've been learning a lot of new vocabularies in German so I'm happy for that. I still haven't read the one German book that I set as a goal for 2021.

I'm trying to improve my English writing. My spelling is still terrible, but I'm starting to see same results.

[the-language-addict]

I'm pretty sure I have dyspraxia, I literally fit all the criteria, but I don't think I could find a doctor specialised in the subject in my whole region, so I doubt I will ever get an official diagnosi. However I'm not really concerned about the motor problems (I'm not sure this is the right word, anyway), even if it would be nice to be able to dance, use a knife properly or at least don't hurt myself everyday because I'm so clumsy; what really worries me is that articulate sentences is quite difficult for me. My tongue doesn't follow my brain at the right rhythm, and the anxiety created my this worses everything. I ask myself daily if I will ever be able to speak other languages fluently. Often I don't think so.

[the-language-addict]

I wish my active skills in English were at the same level of my passive skills. Instead here I am: C1 in reading and listening, maybe B1 in writing and A2 in speaking on good days. F*ck I hate myself.

[the-language-addict]

In Italian is [“impreca come uno scaricatore di porto” - curses like a longshoreman] and I don't know, I like it.

In Bulgarian "curses like a sailor" is "псува кат' сръбски каруцар" [psuva kat' srŭbski karutsar - curses like a serbian carter] and I think that's beautiful.

[the-language-addict]

LGBTQ+ people of color exist.

LGBTQ+ people of color have always existed.

LGBTQ+ people of color often feel ostracized in both the queer community and their racial communities.

LGBTQ+ people of color have to face homophobia, transphobia, and racism, and yet are often told to be quiet.

LGBTQ+ people of color don't get enough representation.

LGBTQ+ people of color face disproportionate amounts of violence.

LGBTQ+ people of color have made significant contributions, yet are often ignored.

LGBTQ+ people of color deserve to be recognized and respected.

Please be an ally to us, and support us as we stand up for ourselves and advocate for our needs.

[the-language-addict]

On children’s books for learning

I’m not sure if this has been elaborated on, but I saw a screenshot of a children’s book in Chinese and had a bit of a revelation on why they don’t work for language learners. 

These are books are often not read by the child, but to the child. This doesn’t just help with learning pronunciations, but also being able to ask questions to someone who knows what every word means. What I have seen brought up a lot is how the vocabulary is not always the most helpful, which is very true.  

Graded readers and bilingual editions are a lot more effective for learning. Even looking at what a child reads to learn to read, the content is a lot different from a standard children’s book. Obviously, as your fluency grows “actual” books become in reach, but as tempting as they are, books designed for learning are what really get you to progress faster. It’s easy to forget how we learned things as a child. 

[the-language-addict]

Mandarin grammar

Expressing a learned skill with 会 (huì)

会 (huì) can be used to express an ability that has been learned, such as languages, sports, cooking, and driving. In this case, it is an auxiliary verb.

The structure is the following: Subj. + 会 + Verb + Obj.

他会说中文。 (Tā huì shuō Zhōngwén.) - He can speak Chinese.

我奶奶不会用电脑。 (Wǒ nǎinai bù huì yòng diànnǎo.) - My grandmother can’t use a computer.

你会做饭吗？ (Nǐ huì zuòfàn ma?) - Can you cook food?

Expressing permission with 可以 (kěyǐ)

可以 (kěyǐ) is an auxiliary verb primarily used for expressing permission. It is often translated as “can”, but in order to not get it confused with other words, it is best to think of it as “may”.

The structure is as follows: Subj. + 可以 + Verb + Obj.

我可以进来吗？ (Wǒ kěyǐ jìnlái ma?) - May I come in?

妈妈，我可以出去玩吗？ (Māma, wǒ kěyǐ chūqù wán ma?) - Mom, may I go out and play?

你不可以说脏话。 (Nǐ bù kěyǐ shuō zānghuà.) - You can’t say swear words.

[the-language-addict]

hi! i came across the word 让 and I know the definition is to allow or to cause but i'm not really sure how this would be used in a sentence. could you give me some examples! thank you so much!!

I don’t mind helping at all :p

Sentences from Pleco using 让 in the context of “let/permit/allow”:

•谁都让他三分。 Shuí dōu ràng tā sānfēn.Everybody has to let him have his way.

•我让了他两步棋。 Wǒ ràng le tā liǎng bù qí.I let him have the first two moves (in a chess game).

•决不让一个犯罪分子漏网。 Juébù ràng yī ge fànzuì fènzǐ lòuwǎng.Don’t let a single criminal escape.

My example sentences:

•她让了我喝她的茶。Tā ràngle wǒ hē tā de chá.She let me drink her tea.

•我妈妈让我去中国。wǒ māma ràng wǒ qù zhōngguóMy mother let me go to China.

Feel free to correct any mistakes. I mostly have no idea what the fuck I’m doing lmao.

[the-language-addict]

taboo gifts in China // 在中国忌讳的礼物

starting off strong with my favourite: green hats / 绿帽子 (lǜmàozi) the word for “green hat” is 绿帽子 (lǜmàozi), which is slang for “cuckhold”. please use this knowledge wisely

pears / 梨 (lí) the word for “pear” 梨 (lí) sounds just like 离 (lí) which can mean “to leave” or “to part”. pears are also often used as offerings for the dead or funeral gifts

sharp objects / 尖的东西 (jiān dedōngxī) gifting items like scissors or knives can imply that you want to sever your relationship with the recipient

umbrellas / 雨伞 (yǔsǎn） in the West, opening an umbrella inside is considered bad luck. similarly, in China, gifting one is bad luck. the 伞 (sǎn) in 雨伞 (yǔsǎn) sounds like 散 (sàn), which means “to break up”

clocks / 钟 (zhōng) “to give a clock” in Chinese is 送钟 (sòng zhōng). this sounds identical to the phrase for attending a funeral, 送终 (sòngzhōng). clocks can also imply the loss of time, making it especially taboo to give to the elderly

mirrors / 镜子 (jìngzí) mirror are associated with attracting ghosts. also they are delicate and like in the West, breaking them is unlucky

the number 4 / 四 (sì) the word for “four” 四 (sì) sounds similar to 死 (sǐ “death”). the number four is generally avoided in China. many buildings will even skip 4, 14, 24, etc. when numbering floors

shoes / 鞋 (xié) the word for “shoes” is 鞋 (xié), which sounds like the word for “evil” or “bad luck” 邪 (xié)

— nowadays, many people in China aren’t superstitious about these things (especially younger people), but this info is helpful to keep in mind if you are planning on giving gifts in China - or this can just be interesting to learn!

[the-language-addict]

Character trait vocabulary in German

Der Charakter - character, personality Der Charakterzug - character trait Die Eigenschaft - feature, characteristic  Fleißig - diligent, hard-working Aktiv - active Unternehmungslustig - adventurous, enterprising  Streng - strict  Scheu - shy Hilfsbereit - helpful Aufgeschlossen, offen - open, approachable  Hilflos - helpless Lebhaft - lively Energisch - energetic  Unhöflich - rude Unzuverlässig - unreliable  Ungerecht - unjust, unfair Unehrlich - dishonest Unsympathisch - unsympathetic  Unpünktlich - unpunctual  Unsicher - uncertain, insecure  Unfreundlich - unfriendly  Zerstreut - absentminded  Lustig - funny Empfindlich - sensitive  Langsam, träge - boring Still - quiet, silent Humoristisch - humorous Unordentlich - untidy Schlecht - bad Schlecht gelaunt - in a bad mood Humorvoll - humorous Humorlos - humorless Skrupellos - unscrupulous  Gut - good Gut gelaunt - in a good mood  Gemein - mean Fröhlich - cheerful Eifrig - avid, eager Egoistisch - egoistic Selbstständig - independent  Selbstsicher - self-confident Flexibel - flexible Grausam - cruel, callous Vernünftig - reasonable, sensible  Steif - stiff, rigid Neidisch - envious, jealous Lieb - lovable, sweet Höflich - polite Ordentlich - tidy, orderly Ungeduldig - impatient Geduldig - patient Faul - lazy Zuverlässig - reliable, trustworthy, dependable  Interessant - interesting  Nett - nice Gerecht - just, fair Glücklich - happy  Unglücklich - unhappy Passiv - passive Ängstlich - fearful, anxious Zurückhaltend - reserved, Munter - merry, awake, brisk, cheery Gesprächig - talkative  Ruhig - calm, quiet Unruhig - restless, noisy Ehrlich - honest Fair - fair Locker - relaxed Mutig - courageous Frech, unverschämt - cheeky, rude  Traurig - sad Großzügig - generous; tolerant, open-minded  Intolerant - intolerant Tolerant - tolerant Sparsam - economical, thrifty  Sympatisch - sympathetic Effektiv - effective Temperamentvoll - temperamental  Pünktlich - punctual Dumm, blöd - stupid Langweilig, uninteressant - boring  Unzufrieden - discontent, dissatisfied Zufrieden - content, satisfied  Schüchtern - shy Neugierig - curious Bescheiden - modest, humble  Schweigsam - silent Ernst - serious Klug - smart Böse - evil Lebhaft - lively, active Intelligent - intelligent Überheblich -  arrogant Stolz - proud Verständnisvoll - understanding Freundlich - friendly Sich benehmen - to behave Sich verhalten - to behave 

[the-language-addict]

Actually the first one is meant for adults, while the second is meant to ask for the age of a kid (ideally under ten).

几 is used to indicate a quantity inferior to ten and to ask what time is it.

多is used for quantity superior to ten.

I've come across these two ways of asking someone's age.

Can anyone explain if there's a difference between them?

Maybe in formality, or maybe they are more or less common in different regions...

[the-language-addict]

Bilingual life means continuously losing your mind

Why are our languages like this, there are so many things like this but this is the weirdest, biggest entanglement of false-friend terms I have ever seen

[the-language-addict]

Have you ever felt a failure because you didn't give all your exams together in a very unreasonable period of time? No, am I the only one? Maybe we strive too much for perfection and we fail to perceive our hard work as enough. And for we I meant me. I'm for sure my worst critic and I always bully myself into giving up on things.

[the-language-addict]

Have You Learned These Different Versions of 你 & 他?

We all know 她 and 它 and 您. Let’s meet their other family members! They are used in traditional Chinese. I first saw some of them on Instagram and was a bit confused at first.

祂 and 祢 are used for God/deities. Think of it kinda like how in English people might capitalize He for God. I’m not sure if people write You?

牠 is used for animals. In simplified Chinese, 它 would be used for animals (as well as inanimates).

妳 is used for females. So you’ll notice it pop up a lot in love songs sung by male singers.

You might also be wondering about 咱们 vs. 我们. 咱们 is inclusive we (includes the speaker & addressee) while 我们 can be inclusive or exclusive. Also 咱们 is more colloquial and associated with Northern Mandarin.

[the-language-addict]

A moment I think I've kinda understood the Chinese determination order, the other I forget where to put the 的 and I end up inserting it after every two words because as a good Italian is always better to abound lol.

[the-language-addict]

3500 years ago a bunch of people decided to build a tower to the sky and now I have to worry about keeping up my Duolingo streak

[the-language-addict]

When you're typsy and start thinking about all the language mistakes you made.