[2024-09-04] Aliens, self-improvement & everyday Chinese!

自己

zì jǐ

The Chinese word '自己' refers to oneself or itself. It can be used in a variety of contexts such as to refer to oneself (我自己 - myself), in reflexive actions (他喜欢自己的工作 - He likes his own work), or to emphasize a point (我自己做的 - I did it myself).

Here's how to use it:

• 我们自己找到的答案。
  wǒmen zìjǐ zhǎodào de dá'àn.
• 他自己买的房子。
  tā zìjǐ mǎi de fángzi.
• 这是我自己做的。
  zhè shì wǒ zìjǐ zuò de.

提升

tíshēng

In Chinese, '提升' (tíshēng) is commonly used to express the concept of 'lift', especially in the context of improving or promoting something. It is often seen in various scenarios such as personal improvement or business growth.

Here's how to use it:

• 他正在提升他的语言能力。
  tā zhèngzài tíshēng tā de yǔyán nénglì
• 为了提升销售业绩，我们需要更努力工作。
  wèile tíshēng xiāoshòu yèjì, wǒmen xūyào gèng nǔlì gōngzuò
• 为了提升学校的教学质量，我们引进了新的教育方法。
  wèile tíshēng xuéxiào de jiàoxué zhìliàng, wǒmen yǐnjìnle xīn de jiàoyù fāngfǎ

更少

gèng shǎo

The Chinese word '更少' is often used to express 'less' or 'lesser' in English, often used to compare quantities, sizes, extents or amounts. It forms part of a comparative in sentences where you want to express a degree that is below average or below the general level.

Here's how to use it:

• 我需要更少的食物。
  wǒ xūyào gèng shǎo de shíwù.
• 更少的压力可以帮助你更好的学习。
  gèng shǎo de yālì kěyǐ bāngzhù nǐ gèng hǎo de xuéxí.
• 我们需要更少的污染。
  wǒmen xūyào gèng shǎo de wūrǎn.

特别地

tè bié de

The Chinese word '特别地' is an adverb equivalent to 'particularly' in English. It is often used in statements or allegations to highlight a special point, to emphasis significant or differing aspects, or express a higher degree or more than usual. For example, when talking about something you particularly like.

Here's how to use it:

• 我特别地想念我的家乡。
  wǒ tèbié de xiǎngniàn wǒ de jiāxiāng.
• 我们特别地感谢您的帮助。
  wǒmen tèbié de gǎnxiè nín de bāngzhù.
• 你需要特别地小心。
  nǐ xūyào tèbié de xiǎoxīn.

适当地

shì dàng de

The Chinese word '适当地' is an adverb often used to describe something that is done correctly or in a satisfactory manner. It can be used in various contexts like '做事要适当地' meaning 'things should be done properly'.

Here's how to use it:

• 你应该适当地节省你的电力。
  Nǐ yīnggāi shìdàng de jiéshěng nǐ de diànlì.
• 她知道如何适当地处理这个问题。
  Tā zhīdào rúhé shìdàng de chǔlǐ zhège wèntí.
• 你必须适当地照顾你的狗。
  Nǐ bìxū shìdàng de zhàogù nǐ de gǒu.

Friends debate the possibility of alien life over late-night snacks

你相信外星生命存在吗？