Monthly Archives: October 2011

What time is it? 现在几点?

(listen:) what time is it  • 现: current, present. Pronunciation: xiàn (4) Remember how to say cash using 现? • ざい: (located) at or (to be ) in. Pronunciation: zài (4) • 现在 means now • 几: how many or a few. Pronunciation: jǐ (3) Remember how restaurants greet you? … Continue reading

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Jack-o’-lantern 杰克とう

Jack-o’-lantern is carved vegetable lantern, pumpkin (南瓜かぼちゃ) is one of the most popular ones, especially in the States. (listen:) Jack o lantern  • 杰克: Chinese for Jack (phonetically translated). Pronunciation: jié (2) kè (4) • とう: light. Pronunciation: dēng (1) 杰 can mean outstanding, talent, かつ can … Continue reading

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That’s impossible. 见鬼りょう (really saw the ghost)

We see lots of ghosts around Halloween. In Chinese, if you say you saw ghosts, it usually means you think something that’s happening is weird or impossible. For example, a bike stolen from you suddenly reappeared, or a recipe you … Continue reading

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Halloween まん圣夜

Halloween is the eve of All Saints’ Day. (listen:) Halloween  • まん: ten thousands, it can also mean “a lot”. Pronunciation: wàn (4) • 圣: saint, holy. Pronunciation: shèng (4) • よる: eve, evening. Pronunciation: yè (4)

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Trick or Treat. とうはて还是捣乱

とうはて means candy, 捣乱 means to mess up with some intentionally, but can be in a sort of cute way. So, here is the Chinese version for trick or treat: (listen:) trick or treat  • とう: sweets, candy. It can also mean yes. … Continue reading

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