EP8 Speak Slowly 说慢点

EP8 Speak Slowly 说慢点

Learning how to tell someone in Mandarin Chinese to “说慢点（slow it down a bit）” “没听清（I didn’t hear clearly）” might save you from having to admit that you’re actually not quite that fluent yet….Also in this episode, you’ll learn how to “约会(date)” with Chinese girls and guys!

Part I: Chinese 101

Dialogue

A：你说什么？我没听清楚。

nǐ shuō shénmewǒ méi tīng qīngchǔ。

What did you say? I didn't hear clearly.

B：明天我有点忙，下次再约怎么样？

míngtiān wǒ yǒu diǎn máng，xiàcì zài yuē zěnme yàng？

I'm a little busy tomorrow, shall we date next time?

A：请再说一遍，说慢点。

qǐng zài shuō yī biàn, shuō màn diǎn。

Please say it again, and speak slowly.

B：明天我有点忙，下次再约怎么样？

míngtiān wǒ yǒu diǎn máng，xiàcì zài yuē zěnme yàng？

I’m a little busy tomorrow, shall we date next time?

Words and Expressions

【听】tīng：listen

听不懂 (tīng bu dǒng) to not understand (by listening) 

听得懂 (tīng de dǒng) to listen and understand 

【清楚】qīngchǔ：clearly

听清楚 (tīng qīngchǔ) to hear clearly

看清楚 (kàn qīngchǔ) to see clearly 

说清楚 (shuō qīngchǔ) to speak/express clearly 

【遍】biàn：time

再说一遍。 (Zài shuō yī biàn.) Say it one more time. 

【慢点】màn diǎn: slow down a little bit

太快了，请说慢点 It's too fast, please speak slowly.

你可以慢点说吗？ Can you speak slowly?

【约】yuē；v. Date

约+sb.

我约她明天见面。I will date with her tomorrow.

约会yuē huì: (n.)date

明天我有一个约会。(ming tian wo you yi ge yue hui.) I have a date tomorrow.

【怎么样】 zěn me yang: How is something

Grammar: To ask "how is (something)" the most appropriate word is 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng). It can be used to ascertain the current condition of a broad range of topics, from a friend's love life to economic conditions. Used by itself as a question, it takes on the meaning of "how about it?"

北京的交通怎么样？

Beijing de jiāotōng zěn me yàng？

What's Beijing's traffic like?

这个怎么样？

zhège zěnme yàng？

How is this one?

你看那个，那个怎么样？

nǐ kàn nà ge，nà ge zěnme yàng？

Look at that one. What do you think of him?

Part II: Language Tips

约会(yuē huì): How to Date With Chinese girl/ Chinese Guy?

Part III: Story of the Day

EP8 Speak Slowly 说慢点

掩耳盗铃

yǎn ěr dào ling

Plugging One's Ears While Stealing a Bell

There are many people who use ostrich–like policy to fool themselves. Ancient Chinese use the set phrase "plugging one's ears while stealing a bell" to refer to the ignorance and foolishness of these people.

许多人在生活中喜欢像鸵鸟一样自欺欺人，中国古人用掩耳盗铃来形容这些人的无知与愚昧。

Litaral meaning: plugging one's ears while stealing a bell

Explanation: ignorance and foolishness of the person who deceives himself as well as others

E.g

大家都已经知道了这件事，只有你还在掩盖事实，像掩耳盗铃的傻瓜一样。

dà jiā dōu yǐ jīng zhī dào le zhè jiàn shì ，zhī yǒu nǐ hái zài yǎn gài shì shí ，xiàng yǎn ěr dào líng de shǎ guā yī yàng 。

Everybody knows the truth already, only you are trying to cover up the facts, like a fool to plug your ears while stealing a bell.