[2024-07-08] Exploring Chinese Culture: Proverbs & Everyday Words!

松

sōng

The Chinese word '松' is used in the same contexts as the English word 'loose'. It can be used to describe loose clothing, loosely held objects or even abstract concepts such as loose standards or rules. It is a common adjective in Chinese.

Here's how to use it:

• 松下问童子，言师采药去。
  sōng xià wèn tóng zǐ, yán shī cǎi yào qù.
• 明月松间照, 清泉石上流。
  míng yuè sōng jiān zhào, qīng quán shí shàng liú.
• 我们在松林中迷路了。
  wǒ men zài sōng lín zhōng mí lù le.

打算

dǎ suàn

The Chinese word '打算' is often used to express an intention or plan to do something in the future. It can be used in both informal and formal situations. You can use it just like you would use the English word 'intend'.

Here's how to use it:

• 他打算明天开始运动。
  Tā dǎsuàn míngtiān kāishǐ yùndòng.
• 你打算买什么？
  Nǐ dǎsuàn mǎi shénme?
• 我打算看电影。
  Wǒ dǎsuàn kàn diànyǐng.

坚果夹

jiānguǒ jiá

In Chinese, '坚果夹' is a term used for devices or tools designed to open nutshells. It can be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, similar to how 'nutcracker' is used in English.

Here's how to use it:

• 坚果夹在哪儿?
  Jiānguǒ jiá zài nǎ'er?
• 坚果夹被我弄坏了。
  Jiānguǒ jiá bèi wǒ nòng huàile.
• 我要把坚果夹带到晚会上。
  Wǒ yào bǎ jiānguǒ jiá dài dào wǎnhuì shàng.

抵达

dǐ dá

In Chinese, the word for 'arrival' is '抵达'. It can be used in various contexts to indicate someone's or something's arrival to a place such as in '他的抵达引起了大家的注意' which translates to 'His arrival drew everyone's attention'.

Here's how to use it:

• 你抵达的消息我已经知道了。
  Nǐ dǐdá de xiāoxī wǒ yǐjīng zhīdào le.
• 我们计划明天抵达。
  Wǒmen jìhuà míngtiān dǐdá.
• 你抵达之后，态度变了。
  Nǐ dǐdá zhīhòu, tàidù biàn le.

仅仅

jǐn jǐn

'仅仅' is used in Chinese similar to how 'merely' is used in English. It refers to something being nothing more than what is stated. The usage can often imply that what is being described is not enough or should not be judged by the given descriptor alone.

Here's how to use it:

• 我仅仅想看看。
  wǒ jǐn jǐn xiǎng kàn kàn.
• 仅仅三人通过了测试。
  jǐn jǐn sān rén tōng guò le cè shì.
• 他仅仅等了五分钟。
  tā jǐn jǐn děng le wǔ fēn zhōng.

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