工作也是可以“吹”出来的 Balloon stylist becomes a popular profession in China

Lele has always wanted to own(拥有 yǒngyǒu) his own(自己的 zìjǐ de) business(生意 shēngyì). He came upon and learned balloon(气球 qìqiú) styling(造型 zàoxíng) in his second year in college and opened his own business two years after. [Photo: IC]

Making balloon decorations(装饰 zhuāngshì) is not easy(不简单 bù jiǎndān). Lele keeps one working day a week to himself to practise(练习 liànxí) new styles. At first Lele's parents did not support(支持 zhīchí) his choices(选择 xuǎnzé). Later on they became more understanding as they saw how hard Lele worked on it. [Photo: IC]

Holidays(假期 jiàqī) are Lele's busiest(繁忙的 fánmáng de) times(时候 shíhòu). He can't finish(完成 wánchéng) an entire decoration by himself and often needs to hire(雇佣 gùyōng) people to help(帮助 bāngzhù) him. [Photo: IC]

The most popular balloon parties are kids birthdays(生日 shēngrì) and weddings(婚礼 hūnlǐ). Often Lele has to finish making part of the decoration ahead of the party as balloon styling is time consuming. Now all major cities in China have balloon stylists and the market remains lucrative. [Photo: IC]

重点词汇 Key word: 

吹 <动词 v.> 

• Blow; puff
  E.g. Nàgè nánhái zài chuī pàopao.
  那个男孩在吹泡泡。
  The boy was blowing bubbles.

• Boast/brag(about/of)
  E.g.Tā rén tǐng hǎo, jiùshì yǒudiǎn ài chuīniú.
  他人挺好,就是有点爱吹牛。
  He is a nice person except for the fact that he is a bit boastful.

• <口语 spoken Chinese> break up; (of plans) fall through
  E.g. Wǒ hé nán péngyǒu chuī le.
  我和男朋友吹了。
  I have broken up with my boyfriend.

• Flatter; compliment
  E.g. Tāmen bǎ tā chuī shàng le tiān.
  他们把他吹上了天。
  The praised him to the skies.