[2024-04-27] Dive into Chinese: Proverbs and Essential Words

坏

huài

The Chinese word '坏' is used similarly as 'bad' in English. It can be applied in many settings such as referring to quality (bad quality), behavior (bad behavior), or personal characteristics (he is a bad person).

Here's how to use it:

• 这个苹果坏了
  zhège píngguǒ huàile
• 坏天气影响了我的心情
  Huàitiānqì yǐngxiǎngle wǒ de xīnqíng
• 坏人要远离
  Huài rén yào yuǎnlí

追求

zhuī qiú

The Chinese word '追求' is used in similar context to its English counterpart 'pursue'. It can mean to strive to achieve or obtain something in the face of adversity, such as a life goal, a romantic interest or an academic discipline. It also includes the sense of continuous efforts.

Here's how to use it:

• 你追求成功了吗？
  Nǐ zhuīqiú chénggōng le ma?
• 他们追求幸福生活。
  Tāmen zhuīqiú xìngfú shēnghuó.
• 我们追求公平。
  Wǒmen zhuīqiú gōngpíng.

刀

dāo

The Chinese word for knife, '刀', is usually used in the context of cutlery or tools for cutting. It can be used in compound words to denote specific types of knives, such as 餐刀 - 'meal knife' or a 'table knife'. Like other Chinese nouns, it can be combined with numbers and measure words to indicate quantity.

Here's how to use it:

• 刀很锋利。
  Dāo hěn fēnglì.
• 这把刀是你的吗？
  Zhè bǎ dāo shì nǐ de ma?
• 他正在磨刀。
  Tā zhèngzài mó dāo.

棒

bàng

The Chinese word '棒' is used in a similar way as the English word 'stick'. It can refer to a long, thin piece of wood or other material. It can also figuratively represent persistence or determination, as in English. For example, 'stick to it' might be translated as '坚持'.

Here's how to use it:

• 这个棒球队很棒。
  Zhè gè bàng qiú duì hěn bàng.
• 棒棒糖是我的最爱。
  Bàng bàng tánɡ shì wǒ de zuì ài.
• 这款游戏真棒。
  Zhè kuǎn yóu xì zhēn bàng.

老板

lǎo bǎn

In Chinese, the word '老板' is used to refer to a boss or someone who is in charge, particularly in a business setting. It is used similarly to how 'boss' is used in English, whether to denote a superior at work, or more colloquially, to refer to someone who has authority or control.

Here's how to use it:

• 老板，这多少钱？
  lǎobǎn, zhè duōshǎo qián?
• 老板，服务员在哪儿?
  lǎobǎn, fúwùyuán zài nǎ'er?
• 老板，这件衣服还有其它颜色吗?
  lǎobǎn, zhè jiàn yīfu hái yǒu qítā yánsè ma?

良禽择木而栖，贤臣择主而事

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