Learning Chinese

August 6, 2009

So much for my 100-character reading literacy. I took several Facebook quizzes on Chinese characters and I failed. Well… I didn’t really fail, but I expected myself to do better than most (except for the Chinese).

 

I have so much to do that I can’t study Chinese anymore. Though I have accepted the fact that I’ll never graduate cum laude, I’m not giving up on my studies. I am developing my work ethic – a work ethic that desires excellence (even just personal best) for the sake of itself. I must give my all not because I’m expecting to become recognized, to get a promotion or to appeal to my prospective boyfriend (now… I think I could make an exception here) but because it’s the right thing to do.

 

For now the right thing to do is to crush all my biodiversity, conservation biology, communication, Philippine health issues and legislations, genetics, introductory biochemistry and history of science materials into my brain.  My academic life has begun to become a series of nerve-wracking exams and activities.

 

*****

 

Here is a rating system young Chinese men use for categorizing women by their physical appearance.

 

她很漂亮。

Ta hen piaoliang.

She is very beautiful.

This is said of extremely beautiful women.

 

她很可爱。

Ta hen ke’ai.

She is very cute.

This is said of women of moderate beauty.

 

她很爱国。

Ta hen aiguo.

She is very patriotic.

This is said of plain-looking women.

 

她很守规矩。

Ta hen shou guiju.

She is very law-abiding.

This is said of ugly women.

 

她的字很漂亮。

Ta de zi hen piaoliang.

Her writing is very beautiful.

This is said of very ugly women.

 

*****

 

What follows are the expressions Angie D. and Alelie R. will consider as important. Too bad I had to omit the more scandalous phrases.

 

VZ, you should try this on your handsome seatmate!

 

帅哥

Shuai ge.

Handsome guy.

* The character shuai [帅] means “commander in chief.” Combined with ge [哥] or “elder brother,” it connotes of a man who does not only look good but also occupies a higher moral position.

 

花花公子

Huahuagongzi

Playboy

 

我很酷!

Wo hen ku!

I am very cute!

* The character for ku [酷], the Chinese equivalent for “cute” or “cool,” is also the character for “cruel” or “oppressive.” In Filipino, malupit!

 

你的身材很美! 你很性感!

Ni de shencai hen mei! Ni hen xinggan!

You have a very beautiful body! You are so sexy!

 

没有男朋友。

Wo meiyou nanpengyou.

I don’t have a boyfriend.

 

我要丈夫。

Wo yao zhang fu.

I want a husband.

 

我要你。

Wo yao ni.

I want you.

 

我爱你!

Wo ai ni!

I love you!

 

我不能没有你!

Wo buneng meiyou ni!

I can’t live without you!

 

我是你的，你是我的。

Wo shi nide, ni shi wode.

I’m yours, you’re mine.