Vienna

塞翁失马 the old man who lost the horse

The Old Man Who Lost His Horse

 

There was once an old man who lived with his only son at the border of the state. They were fond of horses and often let them graze freely in the meadow.

One time a servant reported to the old man, "A horse is missing! It must have gone into the neighbouring state."

His friends felt sorry for him, but the old man was not bothered at all by the loss. As a matter of fact, he said, "Who knows! The loss may bring us good fortune!"
a few months later, a strange thing happened. Not onl did the missing horse return home safely, it also brought back with it a fine horse from the neighbouring state.

When his friends heard the new, they congratulated the old man on his good luck. But the old man said, "Who knows! This may bring us ill fortune!"
One day, when the old man's son was riding the fine horse, he accidentally fell off the horse, broke his leg, and was crippled.

Many friends came to comfort the old man, but the old man was njot the least disturbed by the accident. "Who knows! This may bring us good fortune after all!" he said.

A year later, when the neighbouring state sent troops across the border, all the young and strong men were drafted to fight the invaders, and most of them got killed. The old man's son was not drafted because he was crippled and so his life was spared.

 

 

 

塞翁失马

 

 

 

    从前在边界的地方，住了一个老人与他的独生子。他们喜欢马匹，常常让他们的马四处吃草。

 

    有次，仆人回报老人说：「有匹马逃走了，相信是跑到邻国去。」

老人的朋友都替他感到可惜，但老人并没有为此事而烦恼。并说：「天晓得！说不定这会给我们带来好运。」

 

    过了几个月，有件奇怪的事发生，老人失去的马不仅平安回家，而且带了一匹邻国的骏马回来。朋友知道了，都来道贺，但老人说：「天晓得！说不定这会给我们带来厄运。」

 

    一天，当他的儿子骑着骏马到处驰骋时，不慎坠马断腿，成了跛子。

    朋友都来慰问他，但老人一点也没有把此事放在心上，并说：「天晓得，说不定这会因祸得福呢！」

 

     过了一年，邻国举兵入侵，所有壮丁都被征去应战，十之八九都阵亡。老人的儿子，因为残废没有被征，因而得以平安无事。

 

Being a Bridesmaid
Zuò  Bànniánɡ
   
XiǎoYuán： Zhōumò yǒu shénme ānpai？

小袁：         周末      有     什么    安排？

Xiaoyuan:    Do you have any plans on the weekend?

XiǎoLì：      Hē xǐjiǔ。Hǎo pénɡyou jiéhūn，yāoqǐnɡ wǒ zuò bànniánɡ。

Xiaoli:         I'm going to a wedding feast. My close friend will get married and chose me to be her bridesmaid.

XiǎoYuán： Gōnɡxǐ nǐ de pénɡyou。Tāmen zěnme rènshi de？

Xiaoyuan:    Congratulations to your friend. How did they meet each other?

XiǎoLì：       Liǎnɡrén qīnɡméi-zhúmǎ，érqiě hái méndānɡhùduì。

Xiaoli:          The two were childhood playmates; they were always suitable for each other.

XiǎoYuán： Zhème bānpèi？Nà yīdìnɡ huì bǎiniánhǎohé，báitóudàolǎo la。

Xiaoyuan:    Oh, I think they must love each other very much and will live happily to an old age.

XiǎoLì：Shì'a。Zhènɡhǎo xiànɡnǐ qǐnɡjiào yīxià，zuò bànniánɡ yīnɡɡāi zhùyì nǎxiē wèntí？

Xiaoli: I think so too. By the way, what should I pay attention to when I am the bridesmaid?

XiǎoYuán：  Bànniánɡ hé bànlánɡ zhǔyào shì xiézhù xīnniánɡ hé xīnlánɡ wánchénɡ jiéhūn 
小袁：         伴娘        和    伴郎     主要    是   协助     新娘    和    新郎     完成       结婚  
                   lǐyí de。Bǐfanɡshuō zǒulù shí bānɡ xīnniánɡ tí yīxià hūnshā，jiāohuàn  jièzhi  
                   礼仪的。  比方说     走路  时   帮      新娘   提  一下  婚纱，    交换     戒指  
                   shí bānɡzhe  dì  yīxià  。

Xiaoyuan:     The best man and bridesmaid mainly help the bride and groom complete the wedding ceremony. For example, helping the bride to carry her white wedding dress when she walks and passing the wedding ring during the exchanging ceremony.

XiǎoLì：       Xūyào bānɡ xīnniánɡ dàijiǔ mɑ？

Xiaoli:          Do I need to drink for the bride?

XiǎoYuán：  Hāhā，xiǎnɡ de měi，jiāobēijiǔ dānɡrán shì xīnniánɡ xīnlánɡ běnrén hē le。

Xiaoyuan:     Haha, mutual toast is not your business, which should be conducted by the new couples themselves.

XiǎoLì：Nǐ  wùhui le，wǒde yìsi  shì xīnniánɡ xiànɡ bīnkè jìnɡjiǔ shí yàobuyào wǒ dàijiǔ。

Xiaoli: You misunderstood my meaning. I mean do I need to replace the bride to drink when she toast the guests?

XiǎoYuán： Gèdì fēnɡsú bùyīyànɡ，wǒmen zhèr shì bùxūyào，érqiě hái yǔnxǔ xīnniánɡ 
小袁：         各地   风俗    不一样，   我们    这儿 是   不需要， 而且 还  允许    新娘
                   xīnlánɡ jiǔbēi lǐ chānshuǐ。Dàn wǒ yě tīnɡshuō yǒuxiē dìfɑnɡ huì bǎ bànniánɡ
                    新郎    酒杯 里    掺水。   但   我  也    听说      有些    地方   会 把    伴娘
                   bànlánɡ dōu ɡuànzuì。

Xiaoyuan:     Customs differ from one place to another. Here, you do not need to do so. The bride and groom even are allowed to drink water instead of wine. But I have also heard that in some places it is a custom to encourage the bride and groom to drink until they are drunk. 

XiǎoLì：       Bùhuì bɑ？Zhème cǎn'a。

Xiaoli:          Really, that's so awful.

XiǎoYuán：  Duìle，bùyào wànɡle zhǔnbèi hónɡbāo。

Xiaoyuan:    Finally, do not forget to prepare a hongbao.

Vocabularly

XiǎoLì hái méiyǒu jiéhūn。
小丽   还   没有     结婚。
Xiaoli still has not gotten married.
XiǎoYuán hé XiǎoHónɡ yǐjīnɡ jiéhūn le。
小袁        和   小红       已经  结婚   了。
Xiaoyuan and Xiaohong have already gotten married.

2、新娘、新郎 [xīnniánɡ 、xīnlánɡ]  Bride and groom

3、伴娘、伴郎 [bànniánɡ 、bànlánɡ]  Bridesmaid and best man

4、喝喜酒 [hē  xǐjiǔ] Participating in the wedding feast

There are two kinds of meanings; one refers to participating in the wedding feast. For example,
Wǒ mínɡtiān yào qù hē  xǐjiǔ。
我     明天     要  去  喝  喜酒。
Tomorrow, I will go to participate in a wedding feast. （means participating in a wedding ceremony）
Another one means getting married, for example,
Shénme shíhou hē nǐ   xǐjiǔ？
什么        时候  喝  你  喜酒？ 
When can I drink your wedding alcohol?（means that when you will get married?)
There is another phrase expressing the same meaning: "吃喜糖[chī  xǐtánɡ]" (eating happy sweets).
Shénme shíhou chī nǐ xǐtánɡ？
什么        时候   吃  你 喜糖？
When could I eat your happy sweets? It means "when you will get married?"  As during the wedding ceremony, drinking wine and eating happy sweets is necessary ritual; these two phrases are frequently used to express the meaning of getting married. 

5、邀请 [yāoqǐnɡ] Invite

Tāmen yāoqǐnɡ Wánɡlǎoshī lái cānjiā huìyì。
他们      邀请        王老师     来  参加  会议。
They invited Mr Wang to participate in the meeting.

6、门当户对 [méndānɡhùduì] Be matched for marriage

7、般配 [bānpèi] Well matched

XiǎoYuán hé tā  lǎopo hěn bānpèi。
小袁        和 他 老婆   很   般配。
Xiaoyuan and his wife is a well matched couple.

8、百年好合、白头到老 [bǎiniánhǎohé 、báitóudàolǎo]

Remarks in the wedding: love each other forever, live happily to an old age.

9、请教 [qǐnɡjiào]  Ask for

Very politely ask others for the answer to a question.
Kěyǐ qǐnɡjiào nín yī  ɡè  wèntí mɑ？
可以    请教   您  一 个  问题  吗？
Can I ask you a question?

10、婚纱 [hūnshā] White wedding dress

11、戒指 [jièzhi] Wedding ring

12、想得美 [xiǎnɡdeměi]  Daydream

Reality is not as good as you think which can also be expressed by saying "想得倒挺美[xiǎnɡde  dǎo  tǐnɡ  měi]".
       Yàoshì nénɡ qù Ōuzhōu lǚxínɡ jiù hǎole。
A  ：要是      能   去    欧洲     旅行  就  好了。
       If only I could go to Europe, that will be great. 
       Xiǎnɡ de dào tǐnɡ měi，nǐ nǎyǒu shíjiān a？
B  ：想     得   倒   挺   美，你  哪有    时间 啊？
       Stop the daydream, you have no time.

13、喝交杯酒 [hē jiāobēijiǔ] mutual toast

During the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom lock arms while drinking from their respective cups, symbolizing the new couples will live together and love each other forever.

14、误会 [wùhui] Misunderstand

Nǐ wùhui wǒ le。
你 误会  我 了。
You misunderstood me.
Zhè shì yī ɡè wùhui。
这   是  一 个 误会。
This is a misunderstanding.

15、敬酒 [jìnɡjiǔ] Toast

Gěi zhǎnɡbèi jìnɡjiǔ
给      长辈     敬酒  
Toast the elder generation
Wánɡlǎoshī ，wǒ jìnɡ nín yībēi。
王老师，        我   敬   您  一杯。
Mr Wang, I would like give a toast to you.

16、灌醉 [ɡuànzuì] Drink until you are very drunk

Bànlánɡ yǐjīnɡ bèi tāmen ɡuànzuì le。
伴郎       已经  被   他们     灌醉   了。
The best man was forced by them to drink till he was drunk.

惯用语

 

 

 

随大流

Do as the others do

【注音】suí dà liú

【解释】从众心理是一种普遍心理，跟大家一样，不会出现俗话说的“枪打出头鸟”。

“To do as the others do” is a common mentality，so that one will not court danger as the saying goes：“the bird out of the group will be shot.”

【例子】

例：做服装设计的必须有创新意识，不能随大流。

 

Ex.：As a fashion designer, one must pursue novelty instead of following the trend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

死心眼儿

Rigid or one-track mind

【注音】sǐ xīn yǎnr

【解释】过去古人认为心是思想的器官，而且聪明人的心是有空间的，笨人的心是死板一块。因此有“死心眼儿”和“心眼儿活”的说法。

In the old time, people used to believe that heart is the organ for thinking, and smart people have space in their hearts while stupid people’s heart is a dead plate. Therefore, we have expressions of si xin yanr and xin yanr huo to describe the two types of people.

【例子】

例：大家都说老李是死心眼儿，没有一点灵活性。

 

Ex.：Everyone says that Lao Li is one-track minded. He has the least flexibility.

 

popular words

 

dà wàn er
大 腕 儿
Person with high skills or rich experiences

dà kuăn
大 款
Person of wealth

xià găng
下 岗
Lose one’s job

bèi chăo yóu yù
被 炒 鱿 鱼
To be fired

pào bā
泡 吧
Indulge oneself in spending long time in bar, café or discotheque

Lesson 2

wăng liàn
网 恋
Love on the Internet; cyber love

wăng luò chōng làng
网 络 冲 浪
Surfing the net; net surfing

wăng shàng gòu wù
网 上 购 物
Online shopping

xu ni xiàn shí
虚 拟 现 实
Virtual reality

Lesson 3

qín liú găn
禽 流 感
Bird flu

yu shí jù jìn
与 时 俱 进
Keeping up with the times

zhī shi jīng jì
知 识 经 济
Knowledge economy

zhí zhèng néng lì
执 政 能 力
The Party's ruling capabilities

kē xué fā zhăn guān
科 学 发 展 观
To take the view of scientific development; to view things from the perspective of scientific development

lesson 4

fēng huì
峰 会
Summit meeting or conference

zhu dă
主 打
Main; chief; major; the focus of

rén qì
人 气
Public or popular feeling or opinion

xià hăi
下 海
To engage in business; to become a business person

tiào cáo
跳 槽
To regularly move from one job to another; to job-hop

Nanjing (南京）

Nanjing has a long history. The Six dynasties of the Wu, the Eastern Jin, The song, The Qi, the Liang and the Chen, chose Nanjing as their capital. Later on, the Southern Tang Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (1852-1864AD) and the Republic of China also made Nanjing their capital. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Nanjing became the capital of Jiangsu Province and the largest comprehensive industrial city of this province.

Nanjing witnessed the triangular balance of power of the Three Kingdoms (220-280AD), the ups and downs of six dynasties, the insult inflicted on contemporary China, as the Xinhai Revolution of1911 and the War of Resistance against Japan (1937-1945). After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it has experienced rapid economic growth. It is one of the biggest open industrial cities in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the coastal areas of East China. It is also a famous water-land transportation hub.

The Zhonghua Gate
The Zhonghua Gate is the biggest city gate in Nanjing, which is made up of three urn-like city walls and four gates. It is 128m long from south to north and 118.5m wide from east to west, covering an area of 15168m2. The wall, 21.45m high, is a magnificent project of complicated structure and fine design. It takes a significant position in China’s history of city wall construction.

The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is built to commemorate Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the great pioneer of the democratic revolution in China. This mausoleum, like a big bell, ascends from the south to the north by 392 steps. The whole building complex is designed to display a solemn and majestic air, known as “the best mausoleum in the history of Chinese contemporary architecture”.

The Qinhuai River
The Qinhuai River, a famous scenic spot, consists of the inner river and outer river. The inner river is in the city of Nanjing, which is the busiest place along the ten-li Qinhuai. The biggest attraction of Qinhuai River is the lantern boats which can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty. All the boats on the river, big or small, hang colorful lanterns up and everyone visiting here enjoys the pleasure of taking a ride on the boats.

The Confucius Temple
Located on the northern bank of the Qinhuai River, The Confucius Temple was first built in 1034, and was originally a place for enshrining and offering sacrifice for Confucius. Now it has become a place where local people can have some cultural activities. The construction of this ancient complex, including the surrounding teahouses, restaurants and stores were all built in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. More than 200 different traditional foods and local delicacies are available there.

中国古都之南京

南京历史悠久，东吴、东晋和南朝的宋、齐、梁、陈（史称六朝）以及南唐、明、太平天国、中华民国共１０个朝代和政权在此建都。中华人民国和国成立后，南京为江苏省省会，成为江苏最大的综合工业城市。
南京目睹过三国鼎立和六朝兴亡，见证过近代中国的屈辱，也经历了辛亥革命和抗日战争。中华人民共和国成立后，南京发展迅速，是长江下游、华东沿海地区对外开放的大工业城市之一，也是著名的水路交通枢纽。

中华门
中华门是南京城墙的最大城门，由三道瓮城和四道城门组成，南北长128米，东西宽118.5米，总面积达15168平方米。城墙高21.45米，工程宏伟，结构复杂，设计巧妙，在中国城墙建筑史上占有极其重要的地位。

中山陵
中山陵是中国伟大的民族革命先行者孙中山先生的陵墓。陵墓像一个大钟，由南往北山势逐渐升高，共有392级台阶。整个建筑布局严整、庄严雄伟，为誉为“中国近代史上的第一陵。”

秦淮河
秦淮河分内河和外河。内河在南京城内，是十里秦淮最繁华的地方。秦淮风光最著名的是自明代沿袭至今的灯船。河上的船，不论大小，一律悬挂彩灯。到秦淮河游玩的人，都可以乘灯船为乐事。

夫子庙
夫子庙位于秦淮河北岸，始建于1034年，原是供奉和祭祀孔子的地方，现在已成为群众文化活动场所。夫子庙古建筑群，包括周围的茶馆、酒楼、店铺等建筑都是明清风格。这里的传统小吃特别多，品种不下200

你一定非常熟悉北京!!

You must know Beijing well.

你一定非常熟悉北京。

A: How many times have you been to Beijing?

A: 你来北京多少次了？

B: Lots of times. Sometimes for business, sometimes for holiday.

B: 很多次了。有时来出差，有时来度假。

A:You must know Beijing well now.

A:你现在对北京一定非常了解了。

B: Well, I get to know it better every time I visit.

B: 哦，我一次比一次更了解北京。

A: That's good. I think it's better when you know a city well.

A: 好。我想当你了解一个城市的时候感觉更好。

B: Yes. You enjoy it  more. It's more interesting.

B: 是的。你会更喜欢它。它会更有趣。

---

Notes:

1. To ask someone how often they have done something, you can say: How many times...e.g. How many times have you been to Beijing? 要问某人做某事做了多少次，你可说：How many times..(多少次...)。例如：How many times have you been to Beijing? (你去过北京几次？)

2. If you want to describe how welll you know a place, such as a city, you can say: I get to know it better every time I vist. 如果你想描述你对某地非常熟悉，比如一个城市，你可以说：I get to know it better every time I visit (我一次比一次更了解它)。

facial design

 
Chinese opera performers mainly have two methods of makeup: masks and facial painting. The frequent on-stage change of masks, without the audience noticing, is a special technique, known as changing faces. Opera facial painting falls into four main categories -- personality makeup (facial designs, painted faces or Lian Pu), decorative makeup (decorated faces), mood makeup (changing facial designs), and pictographic makeup (animal-like facial designs).

 Lian Pu

Personality makeup, or Lian Pu, refers to facial designs for Jing and Chou roles. It originated from daily life experience, describing such changes of expression as white for fear, red for shyness, dark for suntan, and sallow for illness. Most facial designs attach great importance to the eyes and eyebrows. Lian Pu has formed a complete
system, such as the facial designs of Peking Opera.
 
Red, yellow, white, black, purple, green and silver are the main colors used for facial designs to represent different characters. For instance, red stands for loyal, courageous and upright people; white for sinister and cunning officials; and golden and silvery colors for gods and ghosts.
The facial designs for the Jing roles are made by painting, powdering and coloring in the basic forms of Zheng Lian (keeping the basic face pattern), San Kuai Wa Lian (three-section face) and Sui Lian (fragmentary face). These types are widely used to represent generals, officials, heroes, gods and ghosts.
The Chou actors can be recognized by the patch of white in various shapes (cube-, date pit-or bat-shaped) painted around the eyes and nose. Sometimes these patches are outlined in black, hence the term Xiao Hua Lian (partly painted face). The Chou roles fall into the following two categories: Wen Chou (civil) and Wu Chou (martial). 
京剧脸谱
 
 
 
京剧脸谱
脸谱是京剧的一种表演手段，脸谱历史很悠久。
脸谱来源于生活：生活上常常形容人的脸色的变化，比如说：吓得煞白，臊得通红，晒得漆黑，生病的人形容脸色蜡黄等等。脸谱就是把这种夸张的说法，再用夸张的手法画在脸上。用来描写人物的正直、刚烈。常常画红脸，比如关羽。奸险狡诈之人如曹操，常画白脸，而铁面无私的包公形象则用黑脸来代表，等等。各种人物的脸谱有一定的规矩，这些在京剧中把脸上勾勒出形象，称之为脸谱。脸谱是京剧的一种表演手段，脸谱历史很悠久。 

绕口令 tongue twister
摘柿子（绕口令）

　　sì gè xiǎo hái ér zhāi shì zi
　　四 个 小 孩 儿 摘 柿 子。
　　lǎo dà zhāi lè sì gè shí
　　老 大 摘 了 四 个 十，
　　lǎo èr zhāi lè shí gè sì
　　老 二 摘 了 十 个 四。
　　lǎo sān zhāi lè sì shí gè
　　老 三 摘 了 四 十 个，
　　láo sì zhāi lè shí sì yòu sì shí
　　老 四 摘 了 十 四 又 四 十。
　

prases

bú dào cháng chéng fēi hǎo hàn 不  到   长       城      非  好   汉 Only if you have climbed the Great Wall are you truly a man.

fēng huǒ tái 烽    火  台 A Beacon Tower

yì   gǔ zuò qì 一  鼓 作  气 To do something all in one go

习惯用语

是人皆有出头日 Every dog has his day.
Explanation: Fortune comes to each in turn.
Example: 别瞧不起人，是人皆有出头日。等我成功的时候，准让你后悔今天的话

王婆卖瓜，自卖自夸 Every potter praises his own pot.
Explanation: people are loath to refer to defects in their possessions or their family members
Example: 买房有价，装修无价，个中情况，自行斟酌，也不要听我‘王婆卖瓜，自卖自夸’，也不要自己‘一厢情愿，不管其他’，只有货比三家，才是为佳！！！

China's Traditional Kite Craft
Kites were invented by the Chinese people over 2000 years ago. About in the 12th century, Chinese kite spread to the West and oriental and Western kite culture was formed after years of development. In this process, the traditional culture integrated with the kite craft, and finally formed the kite culture with unique characteristics.
Uses of kite have been changed several times in history. According to historical record, kite was first used in military. In the mid Tang Dynasty (618-907), in which the society was stable and peaceful, the use of kites was gradually changed from military to entertainment. With the innovation of papermaking, the raw material of kite changed from silk to paper. Kite became popular among civilians with a richer variety of forms and reached the peak point in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Participated by the literary, the making and the decoration of kites underwent great development. Kite making became a profession due to the large demand.
The Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties, was the peak period of the Chinese kite. The kites underwent great development in size, design, decoration and flying skills. Literators at that time made kite by themselves, and sent to relatives and friends as a gift, regarding it a literary pursuit. In recent years, kite flying has publicized as a sports activity as well as entertainment.
To make a kite, first, the right kind of bamboo strips must be selected for the frame. It should be thick and strong for a kite of large dimensions in order to stand the wind pressure. The regular paper or sometime silk is used to cover the frame. Silk kites, especially, are more durable and generally of higher artistic value. Third, painting the kite may be done in each way. Kites could be generally divided into two categories: the Hard Wing and the Soft Wing. The Hard Wing can endure more air pressure and competitively fly higher, whilst the latter can fly farther, although it can not fly as high. In patterns, besides the traditional ones of animals, birds, worms, fishes, new patterns of human images emerged in modern times.
China has a large area of territory. As a traditional culture and folk art, kite has formed unique style of different regions during its development, among which the most famous ones are the styles of Beijing, Tianjin, Weifang in Shangdong Province, Sichuan and Guangdong Province. 
 中国传统风筝 
 
 
风筝是中国人发明的，距今已有2000余年的历史。大约在公元12世纪，中国风筝传到了西方，此后经过不断发展，逐渐形成各具特色的东西方风筝文化。在风筝的发展过程中，具有悠久历史的中国传统文化开始与风筝工艺相融合，将神话故事、花鸟瑞兽、吉祥寓意等表现在风筝上，从而形成了独具地方特色的风筝文化。
在历史上，风筝的用途曾有过多次转换。根据史书记载，风筝的最初功用是用于军事。到了唐代（公元618～907年）中期，社会进入了繁荣稳定的发展阶段，风筝的功用开始从军事用途转向娱乐，同时由于纸业的发展，风筝的制作材料也由丝绢转而开始使用纸张。风筝逐渐走向民间，类型也丰富起来。宋代（公元960～1279年），风筝的流传更为广泛。当时由于文人的参加，风筝在扎制和装饰上都有了很大的发展。同时由于社会上对风筝的需求，制作风筝发展为一种专门的职业。
明清时代（公元1368～1911年）是中国风筝发展的鼎盛时期，明清风筝在大小、样式、扎制技术、装饰和放飞技艺上都有了超越前代的巨大进步。当时的文人亲手扎绘风筝，除自己放飞外，还赠送亲友，并认为这是一种极为风雅的活动。近年来，中国的风筝事业得到了长足的发展，放风筝开始作为体育运动项目和健身娱乐活动普及起来。
中国风筝以细竹扎成骨架，再糊以纸或绢制作而成。传统的中国风筝工艺包括"扎、糊、绘、放"四种技艺，"扎"即要达到对称，使风筝左右两侧的受风面积相当；"糊"即要保证整体平整，干净利落；"绘"即要做到远眺清楚，近看真实的效果；"放"即要依据风力调整提线角度。风筝的种类主要分为"硬翅"和"软翅"两类，"硬翅"风筝翅膀坚硬，吃风大，飞的高。"软翅"风筝柔软，飞不高，但飞的远。在样式上，除传统的禽、兽、虫、鱼外，近代还发展出了人物风筝等新样式。 中国地域辽阔，风筝作为中国的传统文化和民间艺术，在长期发展过程中，产生出许多具有不同地域特色的种类、样式和流派。其中以北京、天津、山东潍坊、四川、广东所制的风筝最为著名。

Hunan Cuisine (湖南菜）
Also known as Xiang Cai, Hunan cuisine has already developed into a famous culinary school in China. Hunan dishes consist of local dishes from the Xiangjiang River area, Dongting Lake area and Western Hunan mountain area. Hunan's culinary specialties are akin to those of the chili-rich Sichuan dishes. It is also characterized by thick and pungent flavor. Chili, pepper and shallot are usually necessaries in this division. However, Chili, peppers, garlic (suan) and an unusual sauce, called "strange-flavor" sauce (guai wei jiang) on some menus, enliven many dishes, with a somewhat drier intensity than that of their Sichuan counterparts. Sweetness, too, is a Hunan culinary passion, and honey sauces are favored in desserts such as water chestnut or cassia flower cakes.

Hunan is known as "the land of fish and rice". Like the west in latitude, it has the added bonus of lowlands for rice cultivation and a rich ocean's edge for fish.

Hunan food is characterized by its hot and sour flavor, fresh aroma, greasiness, deep color, and the prominence of the main flavor in the dishes. Hunan food is hot because the climate is very humid, which makes it difficult for human body to eliminate moisture. The local people eat hot peppers to help remove dampness and cold. The main cooking methods for Hunan dishes are braising, double-boiling, steaming and stewing. It is also renowned for its frequent use of preserved meat in cooking.

Rice is the staple in Hunan, but northern-style side dishes and fillers are also popular: bean curd "bread" rolls or dumplings and savory buns. They are further signs that Hunan is one of China's culinary heartland, incorporating many flavors and regional influences.

Typical courses include: Dong'an chick; peppery and hot chick, stir-fried tripe slivers, tripe in duck's web soup, lotus seed with rock candy, Xiaoxiang turtle, steamed pickled meat, and hot and spicy frog leg.
 

湘菜
 
 
湘菜简称湖南菜，它历史悠久，源远流长，逐步发展成为颇负盛名的地方菜系

湖南地处长江中游南部，气候温和，雨量充沛，土质肥沃，物产丰富，素称“鱼米之乡”。优越的自然条件和富饶的物产，湘菜在选料方面提供了物质条件。

湘菜由湘江流域、洞庭湖区和湘西山区为基调的三种地方风味组成。湘江流域菜以长沙、衡阳、湘潭为中心，其中以长沙为主，讲究菜肴内涵的精当和外形的美观，色、香、味、器、质和谐的统一，因而成为湘菜的主流。洞庭湖区菜以常德、岳阳两地为主，擅长制作河鲜水禽；湘西地区菜则由湘西、湘北的民族风味菜组成，以烹制山珍野味见长。

湘菜品种繁多，门类齐全。就菜式而言，既有乡土风味的民间菜式，经济方便的大众菜式；也有讲究实惠的筵席菜式，格调高雅的宴会菜式；还有味道随意的家常菜式和疗疾健身的药膳菜式。据有关方面统计，湖南现有不同品味的地方菜和风味名菜达800多个。

湘菜的基本刀法有十几种之多。厨师们在长期的实践中，手法娴熟，因料而异，具体运用，演化参合，切批斩剁，游刃有余。使菜肴千姿百态、变化无穷。整鸡剥皮，盛水不漏，瓜盅“载宝”，形态逼真，常令人击掌叫绝，叹为观止。

湘菜历来重视原料互相搭配，滋味互相渗透。湘菜调味尤重酸辣。因地理位置的关系，湖南气候温和湿润，故人们多喜食辣椒，用以提神去湿。用酸泡菜作调料，佐以辣椒烹制出来的菜肴，开胃爽口，深受青睐，成为独具特色的地方饮食习俗。

湘菜的烹调方法历史悠久，到现在已经形成几十种烹调方法，在热烹、冷制、甜调三大类烹调技法中，每类技法少则几种，多的有几十种。相对而言，湘菜的煨\功夫更胜一筹，几乎达到炉火纯青的地步。煨，在色泽变化上可分为红煨、白煨，在调味方面有清汤煨、浓汤煨和奶汤煨。小火慢\，原汁原味。有的菜晶莹醇厚，有的菜汁纯滋养，有的菜软糯浓郁，有的菜酥烂鲜香，许多煨\出来的菜肴，成为湘菜中的名馔佳品。

著名的菜肴有： 腊味合蒸　东安子鸡　麻辣子鸡　红煨鱼翅　汤泡肚　冰糖湘莲　金钱鱼 东安子鸡

早在唐玄宗开元年间，湖南东安人就开始烹制东安鸡，至今已有1200多年的历史。此菜造型美观，色泽鲜艳，营养丰富，具有香、辣、麻、酸、甜、脆、嫩等特点。

自相矛盾

His Spear Against His Shield-自相矛盾  
 
   His spear against his shield
 
  A man of the state of Chu had a spear and a shield for sale. He was loud in praises of his shield.
  "My shield is so strong that nothing can pierce it through."
  He also sang praises of his spear.
  "My spear is so strong that it can pierce through anything."
  What would happen, he was asked, if your spear is used to pierce your shield?
  He was unable to give an answer.
  It is impossible for the strongest shield to coexist with a spear that finds nothing impenetrable.
  (《Hanfeizi》) 
 

 

    从前，有一个卖矛和盾的楚国人。他大声的夸奖他的盾："我的盾是最坚固的，没有东西能刺透它。" 接着，他又赞美他的矛， 说："我的矛是最锐利的，它能刺透任何东西。"有人问他："那如果用你的矛去刺你的盾，会怎么样呢？"
卖矛和盾的人回答不出来了。
    世界上不可能同时存在最坚固的盾和最锐利的矛。
(《韩非子》) 
 

 
 
矛 spear
 盾 shield
 夸 sing praises for
 
坚固 strong
 刺 pierce
 

expression for business
我们需要在三十天内付款。 We’ll be needing payment within 30 days.

我认为这可以接受。/不可以接受。 I think that’s acceptable./unacceptable.

我想我们能够同意。 I think we could agree to that.

你能够为我们提供与去年一样的单价吗？ Can you offer us the same unit price as last year?

公司已提出高薪相聘 The company has offered a high salary

他敬她一枝烟 He offered her a cigarette

这所房子我们向他索价35000英镑 We offered him the house for ￡35000

他还价30000英镑买这所房子 He offered ￡30000 for the house

我们七十万件可以打八折。这是最大的折扣 We could do a 20% discount on 700,000 units. That’s the best I can offer.

现金付款, 我们予以九折优待 We give (a) 10% discount for cash, ie for immediate payment.

折息贴现 amount deducted for paying a bill of exchange

打折扣; 减价 at a discount (a) at a reduced price

银行需要几天来处理你的申请 It’ll take a couple of days to process your application

几天后，你就会收到贷款的书面答复 You should receive written confirmation of the loan in a few days

我们谈一谈送货日期 Let’s talk about delivery dates

我们谈一谈用另外一个供应商 Let’s talk about using a different supplier
 

课堂用语

Stand up, please. 请站起来。

 Sit down, please. 请坐下。

 I am sorry. I am late. May I come in? 对不起，我迟到了，我可以进来吗？

 Come in, please. 请进。

 Open your books, please. 请打开书本。

 Close your books, please. 请把书合上。

 Do you understand? 你明白了吗？

 Yes, I see. 是的，我明白了。

 No, I don't quite understand. 不，我不大明白。

 Listen to me and then repeat. 听我读，然后重复一遍。

 Look at the blackboard, please. 请看黑板。

 Read after me, please. 请跟我读。

 This is Lesson Two. 这是第二课。

 It's time to begin. 是开始的时候了。

 Class is over. 下课。