[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
Hi everyone and welcome Back to our HSK2 podcast for this week, I'm your old friend Melanie and as you wrote today with our co host, our good friend Vicky, Vicky Nihama.
[00:00:35] Speaker B: Well, hi everyone. Today we have a very interesting episode. We're diving a common word in Chinese.
We're going to show you how to use it to talk about things that are happening soon or things that have already happened.
[00:00:57] Speaker A: That's right.
This word can be used to make already soon or even to highlight something happening quickly or easily. It's a word you would definitely want to master.
[00:01:13] Speaker B: Yes.
For the second part, we are exploring an interesting topic, Chinese gift giving customs and things that you should never give.
We talk about the cultural logic behind certain gift, like why giving umbrellas, clogs or shoes might be a big no in China. Stay tuned, it's gonna be fascinating.
[00:01:42] Speaker A: Yeah. And before we start, you are listening to the Hanyu Chinese School podcast.
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[00:02:27] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:02:30] Speaker A: Okay, so we will start our dialogue. So the setting of this dialogue is Melanie and Vicky are sitting in a cafe talking about their weekend plan and they are discussing hiking.
Here we are.
So we gonna talk about the grammar. The first use of our grammar is when we want to express that something is going to happen soon or quickly.
This can be for something imminent or an action that will happen right away.
We got the first example.
I'm going to leave very soon.
In this example comes before, which is the verb that indicates the action going to leave.
Jiu here emphasizes that the action will happen right away.
[00:04:26] Speaker B: Yes.
In the dialogue we say I'm leaving Saturday morning in this sentence adds a sense of urgency, like I'm leaving soon. It's already decided and coming up.
[00:04:49] Speaker A: So remember when is used for or quickly. It is placed before the verb to show that the action will happen in the near future or immediately. The sentence structure here is subject, time, verb.
And we have another example.
We are leaving tomorrow.
[00:05:21] Speaker B: Another example is once you come back, we'll meet right away.
So in this case, you highlights that the meeting will happen immediately once the action coming back is completed. It shows that the second action will happen soon after the first one.
[00:05:48] Speaker A: Thank you, Vicky.
[00:05:50] Speaker B: So.
[00:05:50] Speaker A: So we have two more examples.
He started doing his homework as soon as he got home.
Let's go buy dinner right now.
[00:06:16] Speaker B: And let's talk about the second use of when it means already.
This is used to describe something that has already happened earlier than expected, or something that is already decided or in progress. Let's see the example.
I started learning Chinese when I was 10 years old.
Here, Jiu emphasizes that the action of learning Chinese started earlier than expected. It's like saying I started very early.
[00:06:55] Speaker A: Exactly. And this usage of adds a sense that the action was completed or started early than expected or before it was necessary.
[00:07:10] Speaker B: And here's another example.
I already watched the movie yesterday. In this case and Yi Jin work together to indicate that the action of watching the movie has already been completed, possibly even earlier than expected.
[00:07:36] Speaker A: So when is used with it expresses that something has already been completed, finished or decided earlier than expected.
So the sentence structure is subject plus time and here is optional plus verb plus.
We have an example.
I started learning Chinese when I was 10 years old and already did it.
[00:08:18] Speaker B: Here's another example.
I've already finished my hunger. Now I can rest.
Let's see another example.
He already told me the news yesterday.
[00:08:46] Speaker A: Okay, let's summarize.
For or quickly is placed before the verb showing that the action is imminent or about to happen.
For already indicates that something has already happened earlier than expected or already completed.
[00:09:14] Speaker B: Remember to help us emphasize things that are happening soon or things that have already happened. It's a very powerful word that you will use in daily conversation. Just keep in mind where it goes in the sentence. Before the verb.
[00:09:34] Speaker A: Yeah, before the verb.
Okay.
[00:09:39] Speaker B: Yes. So now it's your turn.
We've talked about Jew and we'd like to hear.
How would you say I could speak when I was 1 years old in Chinese?
[00:09:56] Speaker A: Remember to put the verb in front of.
So please write your answer in the comments below and we'll check it for you. Let's see how. Let's see who can get it right.
Have a try.
[00:10:10] Speaker B: Yes, just tried.
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[00:11:52] Speaker A: Yeah. Very welcome.
Okay, now let's move back to our dialogue to review the grammar. We have talked about the jiu. Do you still remember the dual grammar? Okay, let's review them in the dialogue.
So Vicky. Yeah. Please, you start.
[00:12:16] Speaker B: What plans do you have for the weekend?
[00:12:23] Speaker A: I'm going to hiking this weekend.
[00:12:32] Speaker B: That sounds great.
Do you really like hiking?
[00:12:45] Speaker A: Yes, I've been hiking since I was 10 years old and the hiking is very relaxing for me.
So please pay attention. Here we got.
So I think 10 is quite early.
[00:13:03] Speaker B: Yes. And let's continue with the dialogue.
That's great. When do you plan to leave?
[00:13:19] Speaker A: I'm leaving Saturday morning.
[00:13:31] Speaker B: Okay. I hope you have a great weekend. Let's meet up after you come back.
[00:13:38] Speaker A: May we?
No problem. See you then.
So what we gonna see next?
[00:13:49] Speaker B: Well, we're gonna see the interesting part.
Our cultural section about the gift gifting costume we have in China.
So?
Well, in Chinese culture, giving gift is more than just a nice gesture. It's deeply connected to respect relationships and tradition. But there are some things you should never never according to the cultural taboo gift.
[00:14:25] Speaker A: Yes, exactly. Interesting, right? So let us see. In China, some gifts carry negative meanings because of the way the words sound or the cultural significance behind them. Interesting. Even the sound of the gift can be negative.
So let's start with one of the most famous taboo gifts. Umbrella.
[00:14:53] Speaker B: Yes. Umbrellas are considered bad luck to give because the word san sounds similar to the word sun, which means to scatter or to separate.
So this association means that giving an umbrella might symbolize a separation or breakup. So it's generally avoided when giving gift unless you want to break up.
[00:15:21] Speaker A: Did you know that? It sounds a bit weird, right? You know, let's talk about another gift you should avoid giving.
Clogs.
In Chinese, the phrase is similar to actually exactly the same pronunciation, which means to send off someone at the end of their life. Wow. How come the meaning is this or funeral? So giving a clock is traditionally seen as a symbol of death and is definitely avoided, especially during happy occasions like birthdays or weddings.
[00:16:03] Speaker B: Wow, that's a very interesting thing. You should guys be very careful.
And let's see another example.
The shoes. Shoes. While shoes themselves are not necessarily bad, giving shoes as a gift is frowned up.
Happened because the word chie sounds similar to the word meaning evil.
So people believe giving shoes could bring bad luck or even invite bad experience into their life.
So it's best to avoid giving shoes, especially for significant expensive events like wedding.
[00:16:52] Speaker A: Yeah, I love the. I love the picture here. The girl with the very funny facial expressions.
[00:17:00] Speaker B: Yeah, she's evil.
[00:17:02] Speaker A: Yeah. So be careful.
And shrews and evil.
And now here's the interesting part. Modern times are changing these beliefs.
So many young Chinese people, especially in big cities, don't worry as much about these taboo gifts anymore. So time has changed. They might still be aware of these customs, but they often choose gifts based on practicality or fashion rather than cultural superstitions.
[00:17:38] Speaker B: That's true. For example, giving designer shoes a luxury umbrella is very common among young people if the gift is fashionable.
So while older generation might still be cautious about these superstitions, younger generation are much more focused on the usefulness or the style of the gift.
[00:18:03] Speaker A: Yes.
And in business settings though, it's still important to be aware of these cultural meanings. Especially when giving gifts to someone you respect or someone in a formal setting, it's always good to make sure your gift choice reflects thoughtfulness and respect if you want your business be successful.
[00:18:28] Speaker B: Exactly. Even if the younger generation are more relaxed about these superstitions, understanding these cultural taboos is a sign of respect for or tradition, especially when it comes to formal situations or family gathering. So it's a good idea to choose your gift carefully.
[00:18:50] Speaker A: Yes.
Okay, let's move on.
[00:18:54] Speaker B: Yes. So let's see the answer that of the question we asked previously. How would you say I could speak when I was one year old in Chinese?
[00:19:10] Speaker A: So the correct answer is I could speak when I was only one year old.
[00:19:20] Speaker B: Great job if you got it right. If not, no worries. Keep practicing. You'll get it soon.
Okay, it's your turn.
Try writing a sentence using two, just like we did before.
How would you say I already finished my homework in Chinese?
[00:19:42] Speaker A: So please drop your answers in the comments below and we will help you improve. Don't forget to challenge yourself.
Okay. So thanks for staying with us until the end. If you want to truly learn Chinese with real teachers and a clear method, welcome to visit our website and book your free class. We have courses starting from just €39. Live classes, recordings and a complete platform to help you progress step by step. Plus all of our podcasts are organized in the campus so you can track your you can track your progress campus.hanyuchineschool.com podcast or campustrainland.com podcast see you in class.
[00:20:45] Speaker B: Yes, so today we learned how to use the word Jew for things that will happen soon or quickly as well as to spread things that have already happened. And we also explore gift giving culture in China, especially the things you should avoid giving due to cultural taboos.
[00:21:09] Speaker A: Yeah, and in the next episode we'll be talking about using the Chinese preposition for from or away is another essential part of speaking fluently in Chinese, especially when giving directions or talking about distances.
[00:21:28] Speaker B: Yes, make sure to subscribe and like this episode so you don't miss any future lessons. And if you like to practice with native teacher, Visit our website hanyuchineschool.com and book your free trial class today.
[00:21:49] Speaker A: So thank you for listening and we will see you next time.
Sam.
