GRAMMAR

[RonBee]

"How are we doing?" is a commonly used English expression, so I suppose it is a good one for you to know. Anyhow, it means "How do you feel about the way things are going?" In other words, what is your opinion about the situation? "How are we doing?" is something a tutor might say to his pupil. I think we're doing pretty well, don't you? :D

I've been doing this for a couple of years now, so I have gotten fairly good at "deciphering" the English of ESL speakers. Some of my students have been Chinese.

Feel free to tell me how well you think I'm doing. Perhaps you have some ideas for how I can improve. :)

8)

Thanks Ron for that deciphering of "how are we doing?" hehe
So do you mean that you have already taken me as one of your students?:) At least that's what I understand happily.

Ya, I think what you have done and are doing is pretty good, you really help me a lot with patience and kindness :) I even thought you might also be a Chinese, hehe......

I will tell you what I think anytime if you don't mind ;)

Lucy as one of your student in China :P

Thank you for your compliments. :D I especially like the part about you thinking I might be Chinese. :)

I like it that you think of yourself as one of my students. I like the idea that I am able to teach you something new every once in a while. (Am I saying "like" a lot? _:)_)

(BTW, I rather like "I understand happily". :) _)

8)

[lucyarliwu]

Hi, Ron!

Congratulations! I have caculated the number of 'like' in your reply, don't worry, there are only three 'like' inside. ;) Just proper! For there is one famous saying in China that: Good matters are only mentioned not more than three times! That means you can talk about something less than three times and at most three times. ^_* Just kidding! Hope I don't make any misunderstanding! :)

your student Lucy in China

[RonBee]

Your mention of "three" reminded me of when I was trying to think of a word to start the sentence game 2. I was having trouble deciding what word to use, but I finally settled on "four" because "four" is a lucky number in China. What do you think about that? :D

8)

[lucyarliwu]

Your mention of "three" reminded me of when I was trying to think of a word to start the sentence game 2. I was having trouble deciding what word to use, but I finally settled on "four" because "four" is a lucky number in China. What do you think about that? :D

8)

Hi Ron!

Thanks for your initial kind idea of beginning the new game with 'four". :)

But may I ask you that from whom you knew that the number'four' is a lucky number in China? And how did he explain this to you? May I know it?
Because I'm afraid, it's not completely right in that case. :( But it's all right.

In fact, when it comes to number 'four' individually in the life, like the number of home phone,cell phone, car number and any number which people have the right to choose, then they are likely to avoid the number end with "four" but compete to choose "eight" instead.

Why? It's owe to the Chinese pronuciation.The number 'four" in Chinese pronuciation is "Si" which is the same to the word "death"; while as for the number 'eight', it's pronounced as 'Ba", and similar to "fa" in a vague way, but 'fa' means very special implication,a very lucky token heralding the big fortune in the future,although maybe it's not true, they still regard it as a good wish and benediction.

But how could Chinese want to announce someone who has died since they don't wannt mention the word "die" (=Si) in the life? ;)
Anyone knows that? ;)

[RonBee]

But may I ask you that from whom you knew that the number'four' is a lucky number in China? And how did he explain this to you? May I know it?
Because I'm afraid, it's not completely right in that case. :( But it's all right.

I don't remember where I read it, but I read that somewhere. Maybe I remembered it wrong. :(

But how could Chinese want to announce someone who has died since they don't wannt mention the word "die" (=Si) in the life? ;)
Anyone knows that? ;)

I don't know. It's a puzzle. :wink: (BTW, say in life.)

8)

[shane]

But how could Chinese want to announce someone who has died since they don't wannt mention the word "die" (=Si) in the life? ;)
Anyone knows that? ;)

I could be wrong, but isn't it "qu shi le" (passed away) ?

*hopes for another beer as a reward if correct* :wink:

[Tdol]

What does 'qu shi le' mean literally?

[lucyarliwu]

I don't know. It's a puzzle. :wink: (BTW, say in life.)

8)

Thanks for correction, Ron!
You'll see it soon and not a puzzle any more :)

lucy

[RonBee]

You'll see it soon and not a puzzle any more

You'll see it soon and it won't be a puzzle any more.

Does that mean you are going to explain it to me? :)

BTW, I am thinking about starting a thread for riddles. Example: What is a grizzly without hair?

Answer: a bare bear

8)

[lucyarliwu]

I could be wrong, but isn't it "qu shi le" (passed away) ?

*hopes for another beer as a reward if correct* :wink:

Wow, shane, amazing, you can say that right, I guess you must have been taught by someone ;)

Cool!

Lucy