Episode Transcript
[00:00:09] Speaker A: Hello, everyone.
Welcome to HSK Master Class podcast by Hani Chinese School. I'm Vicky and here I'm with Emily.
[00:00:21] Speaker B: Hello, everyone.
Today we are diving into a small but powerful word in Chinese. That is.
[00:00:31] Speaker A: That's right, is everywhere in Chinese. It means again. You can also hear it from goodbye. And this also helps to link two verbs in a sentence.
[00:00:50] Speaker B: And so by the end of this episode, you will be able to use naturally in different contexts. Make sure Chinese sound more fluent.
[00:01:00] Speaker A: Plus we'll show you how that helps you describe sequence of action, which is very useful in conversation.
So now we're gonna move on to our dialogue.
The setting is me and Emily. We are going to meet in a tea house after a day of exploring.
So we're gonna chat about our plans and activities.
So I'm gonna.
[00:02:11] Speaker B: Good.
[00:02:11] Speaker A: After our dialogue, let's move on to our grammar section.
Now we're gonna unpack the word.
Such a tiny word, but packed with meaning.
[00:02:28] Speaker B: So first of all, this is the same sound, but not as the same word as doing something. Remember, in HSK1 we see the word and for example, I'm studying Chinese, but this time we are looking at a different sign. Means again or once more.
[00:02:57] Speaker A: Yes.
Another super common use of is the phrase which means goodbye, but literally translated is see you again.
[00:03:11] Speaker B: Very good. So we can see here in the presentation, the example that we have here is so I want to watch this movie again.
So in this one it shows the hope or expectation of doing something again or meeting again when we use in.
So this is more powerful to emphasize something that we want to do again.
[00:03:48] Speaker A: That's right.
There's another use of which is to connect two verbs in sequence, which means then after that or next.
Let's see the example.
First do your homework, then watch tv.
[00:04:16] Speaker B: So here links in two actions, it shows the order in which things happen.
And then we have.
We put it in the second part to do it then.
[00:04:32] Speaker A: Yeah, exactly. One important tip is when using dai to connect the verbs, you often use before the verb to express first, but itself always means the next step.
[00:04:48] Speaker B: Very good. So let's see some more examples.
For example, we have here is.
So say it again.
Then we have.
Try it again.
And last we have.
Have another drink. So under. Under the banner, please. Sorry, under the banner. Yeah, we have.
So as you can see here it is. Normally we use this before the verb that you want to do again. So you put it before. Before the verb.
[00:05:34] Speaker A: Yes. Notice that it's very versatile, appears often in everyday conversation. So it's a must Know.
[00:05:45] Speaker B: So for advanced learner there is a more formal or written Chinese in Zai can also express express a conditional meaning. For example it means like if blah blah blah then so we can see here in the example it says if you do this again if you. If you are late again, we are not going.
[00:06:16] Speaker A: Great point here carries a sense of if happens again showing itself flexibility.
[00:06:27] Speaker B: And also can be dropped or replaced with something similar similar adverbs but mastering it help you keep your Chinese in more natural so and more this is what normally we would use a lot in native speaking true.
[00:06:47] Speaker A: So now let's move on to our question for our audience.
How would you say I will try calling again tomorrow.
[00:07:03] Speaker B: So write your sentence in the comment section down below.
We will be really happy to see all of your comments and answers.
[00:07:14] Speaker A: Yes, well, let's review our dialogue. So let's start.
Today was a really fun day. Let's go to that bookstore again.
[00:07:45] Speaker B: I still want to buy some more Chinese books.
[00:07:55] Speaker A: By the way, let's have another cup of tea later.
[00:08:06] Speaker B: No problem.
I also want to try again that special special sweets.
[00:08:23] Speaker A: You really love eating. I'll go to the bathroom first, then come back.
[00:08:32] Speaker B: Okay, I'll wait for you.
[00:08:34] Speaker A: Thank you.
Thank you Emily for being so nice.
[00:08:43] Speaker B: Remember to pay for the cup of tea, okay?
[00:08:46] Speaker A: Yeah, sure, sure.
Okay. So if you're enjoying this episode and find it very useful, don't forget to give us a like subscribe.
[00:09:05] Speaker B: We could also visit our Visit our website honeychineschool.com and try a free class. The first class is gonna be free. You can see all of our materials, how we teach. You can meet all these nice teachers like Vicki and I.
So feel free to practice with us and let us know. Let us know whatever you need in which kind of level, all sorts of things that you would need. Because it's gonna be. It can be a one on one course. It can also be a group course. So depend what what you like exactly.
[00:09:44] Speaker A: And don't forget to share today's episode so your friends also can learn Chinese.
So let's move on to our cultural section.
[00:09:56] Speaker B: Yes. So today we are gonna explore something really special. I would say a really special concept in Chinese that is something that you will not be able to see in person but it's something sentimental. So that is what we call face in Chinese. It's so it's really tricky for western people to understand.
Of course the word face is like here the face. But the thing that we're talking right now is not about the appearance.
So what what can we say about this? Vicki, help me out here.
[00:10:42] Speaker A: Sure. You're right. I mean think of mianza as a combination of reputation, dignity, social standing. It goes way beyond that. It means to maintain respect and harmony not just for yourself, but for everyone involved. So it's something we you really use in Chinese culture.
[00:11:10] Speaker B: Exactly. So for example, in China people often avoid direct confirmation or criticism because about losing face it means like so it's something that is shameful.
For example, you don't say it directly to a person that, that he's not funny, he's not interesting. You don't say things like that. You say, you say in a more respectful way so that they will still have their dignity in front of everyone.
[00:11:52] Speaker A: Yes, that's right.
If you've noticed in conversation in China people tend to be like you say very indirect or polite.
So instead of saying oh you are wrong, they might say oh maybe there's another way to look things. And so you both safe face like you, you keep the mianzi.
[00:12:21] Speaker B: Exactly. So here's a cool culture fact. Like in business meeting or social events, compliments are often given like.
Like we have a technique to give these kind of compliments. Sometimes even if they seem like exaggerating, we still give them like a lot. To help people build their face, to build their dignity. Something like that.
[00:12:53] Speaker A: Yes. And it's not just individuals like companies and even government think about mianza when making important decisions or public statements. So maintaining like dignity and the image is. Is vital.
[00:13:14] Speaker B: True.
If company consider more about their reputation, they will keep on doing good things to maintain their whole company to have a good image.
So another interesting point that is also an idea of giving face like gay which means showing respect or honoring someone in a social setting, not just in private, like in public between a lot of people.
So in this way we can strengthen our relationship and build trust.
[00:13:56] Speaker A: Yes.
For example, inviting someone to important events or publicly pricing their achievements is a way of giving face like Gayan.
[00:14:11] Speaker B: So this desire to protect face, it's also linked to the border Chinese value of social harmony.
So which where the community piece and is taking a priority because we put it, we want everyone to feel peaceful, to feel like everyone is having love.
So we don't do things like really directly to make ashamed people.
[00:14:44] Speaker A: Exactly. So sometimes Chinese people may avoid saying no directly or use a softer language to keep the harmony in the atmosphere.
[00:14:57] Speaker B: So one more fascinating note, base culture influence, how gifts are given, how favor are asked for and even how feedback is delivered. So basically everything.
[00:15:11] Speaker A: So if you ever Visit China.
Understanding means will really help you to navigate social situation much more smoothly. And of course avoid any awkward moments.
[00:15:27] Speaker B: Exactly. So when you come to China, you see people, you understand Chinese and you see people talking in a way that you feel like why do they need to talk like this?
Normally it's because not to ashamed people publicly or just to give them more face, more respect.
So remember, when learning Chinese, you're not just learning the language, you are also stepping in into the whole society and these kind of. This kind of culture.
[00:16:00] Speaker A: Yes.
Well, let's move on to our question we made to our audience.
How would you say I will try calling again tomorrow?
[00:16:16] Speaker B: So the correct answer is.
So you put.
You put again in front of the verb. Try again, try.
[00:16:34] Speaker A: Exactly.
Great job if you did it right. If not, don't worry. Everyone makes mistakes.
We are here to learn.
[00:16:44] Speaker B: Exactly.
So now it's your turn to write a sentence using you can talk about trying to do something again or connecting to actions.
[00:16:58] Speaker A: Yes.
It can be about anything like a task, a plan or something fun.
We will read your sentence, so don't be shy.
[00:17:11] Speaker B: Feel free to leave us a comment.
[00:17:13] Speaker A: Yes. So let's review what we learned today.
Today we learn many uses of how to say again when we say goodbye and also to connect verbs to show sequence. What else?
[00:17:32] Speaker B: We also explore the fascinating concept of Mianzi which it's all about respect, dignity and keeping the society harmony in Chinese culture.
[00:17:46] Speaker A: Yes. So that's all for today.
Don't forget to like our today's video.
Subscribe share this episode and what else? Emily?
[00:18:00] Speaker B: Also visit our website and share this podcast to anyone that is learning Chinese.
We have our podcast in all kinds of different platform. We have in Spotify, in YouTube, in Apple podcast. So feel free to listen to any kind of platform that suits you.
[00:18:21] Speaker A: Yes, that's all for today episode.
Let's see. Let's meet in our next episode next week.
So everyone sa.
