Author Archives: Fibonaccie

Notes: Slow Chinese Podcast 筷子

Important Vocabulary from https://www.lingq.com/en/learn/zh/web/reader/2396622

EnglishChinesePinyin
Chopsticks筷子kuàizi
Ancient people古代人gǔdàirén
Bamboo竹子zhúzi
Wood木头mùtou
Metal金属jīnshǔ
Hygiene卫生wèishēng
Public chopsticks公筷gōngkuài
Name origin名字 的 来历míngzi de láilì

Complex Phrases

EnglishChinesePinyin
Flexible like your own hands像 自己 的 双手 那样 灵活xiàng zìjǐ de shuāngshǒu nàyàng línghuó
Use chopsticks使用 筷子shǐyòng kuàizi
Traditional chopsticks are made of wood or bamboo普通 的 筷子 都 是 用 木头 或者 竹子 做 的pǔtōng de kuàizi dōu shì yòng mùtou huòzhě zhúzi zuò de
Chopsticks can be made of various materials筷子 可以 用 各种 材料 做 的kuàizi kěyǐ yòng gèzhǒng cáiliào zuò de
Skilled in using chopsticks擅长 使用 筷子shàncháng shǐyòng kuàizi
It takes time to learn and practice需要 花 很 长时间 来 学习 和 练习xūyào huā hěn cháng shíjiān lái xuéxí hé liànxí

Useful Phrases and Conversational Examples

EnglishChinesePinyin
Never stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice不能 把 筷子 插 在 饭碗 里bùnéng bǎ kuàizi chā zài fànwǎn lǐ
Can’t point chopsticks at others不能 用 筷子 对 着 别人bùnéng yòng kuàizi duì zhe biérén
Cannot use chopsticks as drumsticks不能 敲打 餐具 发出声音bùnéng qiāodǎ cānjù fāchū shēngyīn
Use thumb and index finger to hold chopsticks用 拇指 和 食指 来 抱住 筷子yòng mǔzhǐ hé shízhǐ lái bàozhù kuàizi

Dialog: A Funny Chopstick Mishap

EnglishChinesePinyin
Person A: Hey, I finally learned how to use chopsticks!A: 嘿,我终于学会用筷子了!A: Hēi, wǒ zhōngyú xuéhuì yòng kuàizi le!
Person B: Really? Show me!B: 真的?给我看看!B: Zhēn de? Gěi wǒ kàn kàn!
Person A: (Grabs a piece of sushi, but it slips) Oops… slippery little thing.A: (夹起一块寿司,但滑掉了) 哎呀… 这东西太滑了。A: (Jiā qǐ yī kuài shòusī, dàn huá diàole) Āiyā… zhè dōngxī tài huále.
Person B: Maybe you should try practicing with something less slippery… like a rock.B: 或许你应该用不那么滑的东西练习… 比如石头。B: Huòxǔ nǐ yīnggāi yòng bù nàme huá de dōngxī liànxí… bǐrú shítou.
Person A: (Laughs) I’ll just eat faster! The name kuàizi does mean fast, right?A: (笑) 我还是快点吃吧!“筷子”的名字不就是“快”吗?A: (Xiào) Wǒ háishì kuài diǎn chī ba! “Kuàizi” de míngzi bù jiù shì “kuài” ma?
Person B: (Rolls eyes) That’s not why they’re called that!B: (翻白眼) 那可不是筷子名字的由来!B: (Fān báiyǎn) Nà kě bù shì kuàizi míngzi de yóulái!
Person A: (Sticks chopsticks upright in rice) Done!A: (把筷子插在米饭里) 吃完了!A: (Bǎ kuàizi chā zài mǐfàn lǐ) Chī wánle!
Person B: (Gasp) No! Don’t do that! It looks like a tombstone!B: (吃惊) 不要这样!这看起来像个墓碑!B: (Chījīng) Bùyào zhèyàng! Zhè kàn qǐlái xiàng gè mùbēi!
Person A: (Nervously) Oops… I didn’t know that!A: (紧张) 哎呀… 我不知道!A: (Jǐnzhāng) Āiyā… wǒ bù zhīdào!
Person B: Next time, just use a fork.B: 下次,直接用叉子吧。B: Xiàcì, zhíjiē yòng chāzi ba.

Was Darwin a Racist?

ASSISTED READIN ON DARWIN

TLDRThis video script explores the complex legacy of Charles Darwin, challenging the myth that he was anti-racist. It discusses Darwin’s opposition to slavery and his family’s abolitionist ties, yet also highlights his views on racial hierarchy and the extermination of ‘less intellectual’ races. The script contrasts Darwin’s progressive ideas with contemporaneous anti-racist voices, urging a nuanced understanding of historical figures and their ideologies.

Takeaways

  • 🧔 The debate revolves around whether Charles Darwin, known for his impressive beard and scientific contributions, was a racist.
  • 📚 The myth that Darwin was not racist is challenged, suggesting his opposition to slavery and belief in racial equality might be overstated.
  • 🗓 In May 2020, protests against racism led to a reevaluation of historical figures, including Darwin, in academic circles.
  • 🔍 Darwin’s family ties to the abolitionist movement and his published works were initially seen as evidence against him being racist.
  • 🌟 Anthropologist August Quintas criticized Darwin’s ‘Descent of Man’ for justifying colonialism and genocide, influencing scientific conclusions.
  • 📜 Darwin’s correspondence with others reveals his belief in the gradation of intellectual powers between races and the extermination of ‘less intellectual’ races.
  • 🏛️ Darwin did not openly demonstrate bigotry but his views supported a racial hierarchy and the superiority of certain races.
  • 🤔 The script questions the defense that Darwin was simply a man of his time, pointing out that there were contemporaries who opposed his racial views.
  • 🔬 Darwin’s work is complex, with some parts being revolutionary and others toxic, and it’s important to distinguish between them.
  • 🌐 The script concludes that Darwin likely held racist views, and it’s crucial to identify and discuss racism in historical figures honestly.

Q & A

  • What was the context that led to Charles Darwin’s legacy being reviewed in 2020?In May 2020, widespread protests against police violence and racism in the US impacted various sectors, including academia. Social movements like Black in the Ivory and Shutdown STEM pressured universities to address historical white supremacy, leading to a review of Darwin’s legacy.
  • What was the initial perception of Darwin’s stance on race and racism?Darwin was initially seen as not racist due to his family ties to the abolitionist movement and his opposition to polygenism, which was a scientific theory of the time that insisted blacks and whites had separate ancestors.
  • How did Darwin’s views on slavery align with his family’s beliefs?Darwin’s opposition to slavery was in line with his Wedgwood family’s beliefs. His family was part of the 18th-century British abolitionist movement, and Darwin himself expressed pride in Britain’s efforts to eradicate slavery.
  • What did anthropologist August Quintas criticize in Darwin’s ‘Descent of Man’?Anthropologist August Quintas criticized Darwin’s ‘Descent of Man’ for justifying empire, colonialism, and genocide, arguing that Darwin’s racism influenced his scientific conclusions.
  • What is the myth surrounding Darwin’s views on race?The myth is that Darwin was not a racist and that his opposition to slavery and belief in racial equality reflected his views. This myth has been challenged by recent scholarship, suggesting that Darwin held more complex and sometimes racist views.
  • What did Darwin’s correspondence with Charles Lyell reveal about his views on race?Darwin’s correspondence with Charles Lyell revealed that he believed in gradations of intellectual powers between different races, implying a significant but not insurmountable gap between races, and that less intellectual races were being exterminated as part of natural selection.
  • How did Darwin’s views on polygenism differ from his contemporaries?While Darwin disagreed with the idea that different human races were distinct species, he did not challenge the hierarchical view of races presented by others. He remarked on the extermination of lower races by higher civilized races as part of natural selection.
  • What evidence is there in Darwin’s published works that suggests he supported racial hierarchy?In ‘The Descent of Man,’ Darwin emphasized racial competition and suggested that white groups always won when in contact with Aboriginal populations. He also leaned on research showing supposed correlations between brain size and intelligence across races, placing whites at the top.
  • What were the two defenses scholars used to argue that Darwin was not racist?Scholars defended Darwin by suggesting that acknowledging his support for wrong or malicious ideas would give victory to biblical creationists, and by arguing that he was simply a man of his time, despite also being considered ahead of his time.
  • How does the author of the article suggest we should view Darwin’s legacy?The author suggests that we should view Darwin as a whole person, acknowledging both the toxic ideas and the revolutionary contributions in his work. This approach humanizes Darwin and encourages a more nuanced discussion of his legacy.

Outlines

00:00

🧔 Debunking the Myth of Charles Darwin’s Anti-Racism

05:00

🌍 Darwin’s Personal Experiences and Views on Slavery

10:02

📜 Darwin’s Scientific and Private Views on Race

15:03

🔍 Reevaluating Darwin’s Legacy on Race

Mindmap

Importance of recognizing anti-racist voices of the timeNeed to distinguish between the myth and the real personPortrayed as both ahead of and a product of his timeLanguage and concepts used to justify racist assumptionsArgued his work contributed to anti-racist perspectivesClaimed Darwin was ahead of his timeAccused Darwin of justifying colonialism and genocideDiscussed racial hierarchies and natural selectionSupport for the extermination of ‘less intellectual’ racesBelief in gradation of intellectual powersAgainst the idea of distinct species for racesExpressed admiration for enslaved peopleWitnessed brutality of slaveryProud of Britain’s abolition of slaveryInfluenced by Wedgewood familyCriticism of polygenismFamily ties to abolitionismAcademia’s response to racial legaciesProtests against police violence and racismCall for Holistic ViewContradictions in Darwin’s ImageInfluence on Scientific RacismDefense by ScholarsCriticism by August QuinasCorrespondence with Charles LyellHierarchical View of RacesSupport for Shared AncestryExperiences in BrazilAnti-slavery StanceDarwin’s Legacy Review2020 US ProtestsDarwin’s Complex LegacyCriticism and DefenseScientific Views and RacismDarwin’s Personal ViewsContext of DebateDebate on Charles Darwin’s Racist Views

Keywords

💡Racism

Racism refers to the belief that one race is superior to others and often results in discrimination and prejudiced actions. In the video, the discussion centers on whether Charles Darwin held racist views, despite his opposition to slavery. The script mentions Darwin’s complex views on race, including his belief in the extermination of ‘less intellectual races’ and his correspondence that reflects a hierarchical view of races.

💡Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin was a British naturalist and the father of evolutionary science, best known for his theory of evolution by natural selection. The video script debates Darwin’s stance on race, exploring his family’s abolitionist history and his own scientific writings, which are scrutinized for potential racist undertones.

💡Polygenism

Polygenism is the now-discredited belief that different races of humans are separate species. The script discusses Darwin’s opposition to polygenism, which was a common scientific theory of his time that justified racial hierarchies and slavery. Darwin’s views on race and his rejection of polygenism are central to the video’s exploration of his racial beliefs.

💡Natural Selection

Natural selection is the process by which organisms with traits better suited to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. The video examines how Darwin’s concept of natural selection was used to justify racial hierarchies and the idea of the ‘extermination’ of less intellectual races, which is a controversial application of his theory.

💡Abolitionist Movement

The Abolitionist Movement was a social movement that sought to end the institution of slavery. The script mentions Darwin’s family ties to the movement, particularly through the Wedgwood family, who were known for their anti-slavery stance. This context is used to contrast with the debate over Darwin’s own views on race and racism.

💡Racial Hierarchy

Racial hierarchy is a system that ranks different racial groups as superior or inferior based on perceived characteristics or abilities. The video discusses how Darwin’s writings have been interpreted as supporting a racial hierarchy, with his comments on the intellectual capacities of different races and the ‘extermination’ of less advanced races.

💡The Descent of Man

The Descent of Man is a book by Charles Darwin, in which he applies the principles of evolution to human beings. The video script critically analyzes this work, pointing out passages that have been interpreted as promoting racial hierarchy and justifying racial competition, which are contentious aspects of Darwin’s legacy.

💡Scientific Racism

Scientific racism is the use of scientific theories or methods to support or justify racism. The video argues that Darwin’s language and concepts were later adopted to justify racist assumptions, suggesting that his work inadvertently contributed to the development of scientific racism.

💡Victorian Biology

Victorian Biology refers to the biological sciences as they were understood and practiced during the Victorian era. The script contrasts Darwin’s views with those of his contemporaries, noting that while he was progressive in some respects, such as opposing slavery, he also held views that were typical of his time, including certain racist beliefs.

💡White Supremacy

White supremacy is the belief that white people are superior to other races and should therefore dominate society. The video discusses Darwin’s private letters, which reveal a belief in the natural extinction of non-white races, suggesting a belief in white supremacy that is at odds with his public stance against slavery.

💡Anthropologist

An anthropologist is a scientist who studies human societies and cultures and their development. The video mentions anthropologists like August Quintas, who criticized Darwin’s work for justifying colonialism and genocide, highlighting the role of scholars in re-evaluating historical figures and their impact on racial attitudes.

Highlights

Debate on whether Charles Darwin was a racist, challenging the myth that he was not.

Context established with the 2020 US protests against racism and academia’s response.

Darwin’s family ties to the abolitionist movement and his opposition to polygenism initially seen as anti-racist.

Anthropologist August Quintas criticizes Darwin’s ‘Descent of Man’ for justifying colonialism and genocide.

Darwin’s views on race and his belief in the gradation of intellectual powers between races.

Darwin’s correspondence with Charles Lyell revealing his views on the extermination of less intellectual races.

Darwin’s published works arguing for the shared ancestry of all humans, a central aspect of his scientific contribution.

Darwin’s firsthand experience of slavery in Brazil in 1833 and his subsequent support for abolition.

Darwin’s admiration for the Brazilian black population, contrasting with his views on race hierarchy.

Darwin’s private letters reveal a belief in white supremacy and the natural extinction of non-white races.

List of passages from ‘The Descent of Man’ supporting racial hierarchy and competition.

Darwin’s views on the inferiorization of non-white races and the destruction of Aboriginal populations.

Scholarly defenses of Darwin as either a man ahead of his time or simply a man of his time.

The argument that Darwin’s work should be seen in its entirety, including toxic ideas and revolutionary ideas.

The impact of Darwin’s language and ideas on scientific racism and racial equality debates.

The importance of distinguishing between the mythologized and real person of Darwin, acknowledging his false ideas.

Call to action for a more nuanced discussion of Darwin’s work and the need to identify and challenge racism.

Why Science is a Team Effort: The Power of Collective Knowledge (ASSISTED READING)

ASSISTED READING

Summary

TLDR This video explores the concept of scientific knowledge in the context of modern collaborative research. It discusses how the scientific method is often oversimplified and highlights the increasing necessity of teamwork in science, as evidenced by the rise in co-authorship and massive projects like the Human Genome Project. The video challenges the traditional view of knowledge as an individual’s possession, arguing that in many fields, knowledge is now a collective endeavor. It introduces the idea that scientific knowledge can be collective, produced by groups due to practical and cognitive necessities, and functions similarly to individual knowledge in society. The video concludes by suggesting that the notion of the solitary scientific genius is outdated, emphasizing the importance of group efforts in advancing scientific understanding.

Takeaways

  • 🔬 The scientific method is an ongoing process involving observation, questioning, hypothesis formulation, prediction, data gathering, and theory development.
  • 🤔 The structure of scientific knowledge has evolved to be massively collaborative, affecting how we perceive individual contributions to knowledge.
  • 📈 There’s a significant increase in co-authorship in scientific publications, indicating a shift towards collaborative research efforts.
  • 🧬 Examples like the Human Genome Project illustrate the necessity of teamwork in scientific research due to the complexity and scale of modern scientific problems.
  • 🧠 The concept of ‘knowledge’ in science is being redefined, with a focus on collective knowledge rather than individual knowledge, especially in large-scale collaborative projects.
  • 📚 The traditional definition of knowledge as ‘warranted true belief’ is being challenged by the collaborative nature of scientific research.
  • 🔍 Scientific knowledge is considered ‘high-grade’ knowledge due to the demanding epistemic standards it meets, even though it’s not always certain.
  • 🤝 The reliability of scientific knowledge is now seen as a collective effort, where individual scientists contribute to a larger body of knowledge that they may not fully grasp.
  • 🌐 The functional roles of knowledge, such as informing decisions and supporting actions, are fulfilled by collective scientific knowledge in a similar way to how individual knowledge functions for a person.
  • 🚀 The idea of the solitary scientific genius is outdated; contemporary science is primarily a collaborative effort, leading to the development of collective knowledge.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the discussion in the provided transcript?-The main focus is on the concept of scientific knowledge, particularly how it is formed and the role of collaboration in contemporary scientific research.
  • How does the scientific method process typically work as described in the transcript?-The scientific method process involves making observations, formulating questions, creating hypotheses, developing testable predictions, gathering data, and refining or rejecting hypotheses, leading to the development of a general theory.
  • What does the article by Joran der Ritter discuss regarding scientific knowledge?-The article discusses that scientific knowledge is often collaborative and that the structure of knowledge has changed due to massive collaboration, potentially meaning that individuals no longer hold knowledge alone.
  • How has the trend of co-authorship in scientific articles changed from 1996 to 2015 according to the transcript?-The average number of authors per article increased from 3.2 to 4.4, and the percentage of single-author articles decreased to 12%.
  • What is an example of a scientific paper with an unusually high number of authors mentioned in the transcript?-A physics paper from the Large Hadron Collider at CERN had a total of 5,154 authors.
  • Why is collaboration often necessary in scientific research according to the transcript?Collaboration is necessary due to the complexity and breadth of knowledge required, which often exceeds the capabilities of a single individual.
  • What is the classical idea of knowledge as mentioned in the transcript?The classical idea of knowledge is that it is a warranted true belief, meaning it is not just true by luck but is reliably produced based on good grounds.
  • What is the term used to describe the highest grade of knowledge in the transcript?The term used is ‘highgrade knowledge,’ which refers to knowledge that satisfies demanding epistemic standards.
  • How does the transcript suggest that scientific knowledge is justified?Scientific knowledge is justified through solid evidence, explicit reasons, data, observations, analysis, and inferences.
  • What is the conclusion about the role of individual scientists in contemporary science as per the transcript?The conclusion is that the myth of the lone genius has to be dismissed, as scientific knowledge is primarily developed and processed by groups rather than individuals.
  • What are the three senses in which scientific knowledge can be considered collective according to the transcript?The three senses are: 1) Collectively produced knowledge, 2) Knowledge warranted by collectives, and 3) Knowledge that functions for society in the same way as individual knowledge functions for individuals.

Mindmap

Supporting Actions and AssertionsInforming Practical and Theoretical DecisionsInterdisciplinary ResearchHigh-grade WarrantPractical NecessityCognitive NecessityCERN’s Large Hadron Collider PaperNumber of Papers with Over 100 AuthorsMulti-author Publications as DefaultSingle Author Articles DecreaseAverage Number of Authors (1996-2015)Social SciencesSTEM DisciplinesRole in Democratic SocietiesImplications for Individual ResponsibilityGroups as Primary AgentsOutdated Concept in Modern ScienceFunctional Roles in SocietyWarranted by CollectivesProduced by GroupsReliability vs. CertaintyHigh-grade KnowledgeWarranted True BeliefClassical Idea of KnowledgeStatistical Knowledge and Practical ApplicationExample: Development of New DrugsComplexity of Modern ScienceLarge-scale CollaborationsIncrease in Co-authorshipCollaborative NatureTheory DevelopmentHypothesis Refinement or RejectionData GatheringTestable PredictionsHypothesis DevelopmentQuestion FormulationObservationThe Myth of the Lone GeniusCollective KnowledgeKnowledge WarrantNecessity of CollaborationContemporary Scientific ResearchScientific MethodScientific Knowledge and Collaboration

Keywords

💡Scientific Method

The scientific method refers to a systematic approach to understanding the natural world through observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and theory development. In the video, the scientific method is initially presented as a linear process but is later critiqued for oversimplifying the complex, collaborative nature of modern scientific research.

💡Collaborative Research

Collaborative research is the process of multiple scientists or teams working together to conduct scientific investigations. The video emphasizes that contemporary scientific research, particularly in STEM fields and social sciences, is massively collaborative, which changes the structure of knowledge production and challenges the traditional view of individual scientific genius.

💡Co-authorship

Co-authorship is the practice of multiple authors contributing to and being credited for a research paper. The video cites an increase in the average number of authors per paper from 3.2 to 4.4 between 1996 and 2015, indicating a significant trend towards collaboration in scientific publishing.

💡Knowledge

In the context of the video, knowledge is discussed as a complex concept, especially in the realm of scientific research. It questions whether knowledge is still something that individuals possess in the era of massive collaboration, suggesting a shift towards collective knowledge in science.

💡Warranted True Belief

Warranted true belief is a concept in epistemology that suggests knowledge is a belief that is not only true but also supported by good reasons or evidence. The video uses this concept to discuss the reliability and justification of scientific knowledge, contrasting it with mere true beliefs that lack such support.

💡High-grade Knowledge

High-grade knowledge is described in the video as knowledge that meets demanding epistemic standards. It is used to characterize scientific knowledge as being more reliable and rigorously supported by evidence compared to other forms of knowledge or belief.

💡Collective Knowledge

Collective knowledge is a central theme of the video, referring to knowledge that is produced, warranted, and functions within a group or community. It challenges the traditional view of knowledge as an individual’s mental state, suggesting that in science, knowledge is often a collective achievement.

💡Cognitive Necessity

Cognitive necessity is mentioned in relation to the practical and intellectual demands that require collaboration for scientific research. The video argues that the complexity of modern scientific problems often exceeds individual cognitive capacities, necessitating collective efforts.

💡Interdisciplinary Research

Interdisciplinary research is research that involves multiple fields of study. The video gives an example of political scientists and computer scientists working together to predict election outcomes, illustrating how different areas of expertise contribute to a collective understanding.

💡Testimonial Knowledge

Testimonial knowledge is the knowledge gained from trusting the testimony of others. The video contrasts this with the high-grade scientific knowledge that is produced and understood within a collective, suggesting that individuals outside the scientific community may only gain a superficial understanding of scientific findings.

💡Functional Roles of Knowledge

The functional roles of knowledge refer to the various purposes and applications that knowledge serves. In the video, it is argued that scientific knowledge, like individual knowledge, has functional roles such as guiding actions, informing decisions, and supporting further inquiry, but on a collective level.

Highlights

Scientific knowledge is increasingly collaborative, challenging the traditional view of individual discovery.

The number of authors per scientific paper has risen significantly from 1996 to 2015.

In 2011, over 6,000 scientific papers had more than 100 authors, indicating massive collaboration.

The Large Hadron Collider at CERN published a paper with an unprecedented 5,154 authors.

Collaboration is necessary for complex scientific tasks that require diverse expertise.

The concept of ‘knowledge’ is redefined in the context of collaborative science.

The classical definition of knowledge as ‘warranted true belief’ is examined in the context of collaborative research.

High-grade knowledge in science is characterized by demanding epistemic standards.

It’s estimated that half of the current scientific knowledge may not be true, raising questions about reliability.

Multi-author publications have become the default, reflecting a shift in how scientific knowledge is produced.

The Human Genome Project exemplifies the practical and cognitive necessity of teamwork in science.

Collective knowledge in science is produced, warranted, and has functional roles, similar to individual knowledge.

The myth of the lone genius in science is challenged, as scientific knowledge is primarily developed by groups.

The transition to collective scientific knowledge has implications for individual responsibility and societal decision-making.

The article by Joran der Ritter provides a comprehensive view on the evolution of scientific knowledge in a collaborative context.

Transcripts

LC: Chess Terminology (Learning Chinese)

Simple Sentences

English SentenceChinese TranslationPinyin
I move my king.我移动我的国王。Wǒ yídòng wǒ de guówáng.
I move my queen.我移动我的皇后。Wǒ yídòng wǒ de huánghòu.
I move my rook.我移动我的车。Wǒ yídòng wǒ de chē.
I move my bishop.我移动我的主教。Wǒ yídòng wǒ de zhǔjiào.
I move my knight.我移动我的骑士。Wǒ yídòng wǒ de qíshì.
I move my pawn.我移动我的兵卒。Wǒ yídòng wǒ de bīngzú.
I move my king to g5.我把国王移动到g5。Wǒ bǎ guówáng yídòng dào g5.
I move my queen to h4.我把皇后移动到h4。Wǒ bǎ huánghòu yídòng dào h4.
I move my rook to e1.我把车移动到e1。Wǒ bǎ chē yídòng dào e1.
I move my bishop to c4.我把主教移动到c4。Wǒ bǎ zhǔjiào yídòng dào c4.
I move my knight to f3.我把骑士移动到f3。Wǒ bǎ qíshì yídòng dào f3.
I move my pawn to d4.我把兵卒移动到d4。Wǒ bǎ bīngzú yídòng dào d4.
I check your king.我将军你的国王。Wǒ jiāngjūn nǐ de guówáng.
I checkmate your king.我将死你的国王。Wǒ jiāngsǐ nǐ de guówáng.
I pin your knight.我钉住了你的骑士。Wǒ dìng zhùle nǐ de qíshì.
I fork your queen and rook.我用骑士同时攻击了你的皇后和车。Wǒ yòng qíshì tóngshí gōngjíle nǐ de huánghòu hé chē.
I skewer your queen and bishop.我串住了你的皇后和主教。Wǒ chuàn zhùle nǐ de huánghòu hé zhǔjiào.
I blunder my rook.我因失误丢掉了我的车。Wǒ yīn shīwù diū diàole wǒ de chē.
I sacrifice my bishop.我牺牲了我的主教。Wǒ xīshēngle wǒ de zhǔjiào.
I castle kingside.我王侧易位。Wǒ wáng cè yìwèi.
I castle queenside.我后侧易位。Wǒ hòu cè yìwèi.
I capture your pawn.我吃掉了你的兵卒。Wǒ chī diàole nǐ de bīngzú.
I capture your knight.我吃掉了你的骑士。Wǒ chī diàole nǐ de qíshì.
I capture your bishop.我吃掉了你的主教。Wǒ chī diàole nǐ de zhǔjiào.
I capture your rook.我吃掉了你的车。Wǒ chī diàole nǐ de chē.
I capture your queen.我吃掉了你的皇后。Wǒ chī diàole nǐ de huánghòu.
I win the game.我赢了比赛。Wǒ yíngle bǐsài.
I lose the game.我输了比赛。Wǒ shūle bǐsài.
I draw the game.我与对手打成了和棋。Wǒ yǔ duìshǒu dǎ chéngle héqí.
I play the Sicilian Defense.我走了西西里防御。Wǒ zǒule xīxīlǐ fángyù.
I play the French Defense.我走了法国防御。Wǒ zǒule fàguó fángyù.
I play the King’s Gambit.我走了王翼弃兵开局。Wǒ zǒule wáng yì qì bīng kāijú.
I play the Queen’s Gambit.我走了后翼弃兵开局。Wǒ zǒule hòu yì qì bīng kāijú.
I play the Ruy Lopez.我走了西班牙开局。Wǒ zǒule xībānyá kāijú.
I play the English Opening.我走了英国开局。Wǒ zǒule yīngguó kāijú.
I develop my knight.我发展了我的骑士。Wǒ fāzhǎnle wǒ de qíshì.
I develop my bishop.我发展了我的主教。Wǒ fāzhǎnle wǒ de zhǔjiào.
I develop my rook.我发展了我的车。Wǒ fāzhǎnle wǒ de chē.
I develop my queen.我发展了我的皇后。Wǒ fāzhǎnle wǒ de huánghòu.
I control the center.我控制了中心。Wǒ kòngzhìle zhōngxīn.
I control the board.我控制了棋盘。Wǒ kòngzhìle qípán.
I push my pawn.我推进了我的兵卒。Wǒ tuījìnle wǒ de bīngzú.
I advance my knight.我推进了我的骑士。Wǒ tuījìnle wǒ de qíshì.
I activate my rook.我激活了我的车。Wǒ jīhuóle wǒ de chē.
I protect my king.我保护了我的国王。Wǒ bǎohùle wǒ de guówáng.
I protect my queen.我保护了我的皇后。Wǒ bǎohùle wǒ de huánghòu.
I protect my rook.我保护了我的车。Wǒ bǎohùle wǒ de chē.
I protect my bishop.我保护了我的主教。Wǒ bǎohùle wǒ de zhǔjiào.
I protect my knight.我保护了我的骑士。Wǒ bǎohùle wǒ de qíshì.
I protect my pawn.我保护了我的兵卒。Wǒ bǎohùle wǒ de bīngzú.
I threaten your king.我威胁你的国王。Wǒ wēixié nǐ de guówáng.
I threaten your queen.我威胁你的皇后。Wǒ wēixié nǐ de huánghòu.
I threaten your rook.我威胁你的车。Wǒ wēixié nǐ de chē.
I threaten your bishop.我威胁你的主教。Wǒ wēixié nǐ de zhǔjiào.
Chess PhraseSentence ExampleChinese TranslationPinyin
Check“I moved my queen to g5, placing your king in check.”“我把皇后移动到g5,将你的国王将死。”“Wǒ bǎ huánghòu yídòng dào g5, jiāng nǐ de guówáng jiāngsǐ.”
Checkmate“My rook and queen work together to deliver checkmate, ending the game.”“我的车和皇后配合将死了对方的国王,结束了比赛。”“Wǒ de chē hé huánghòu pèihé jiāngsǐle duìfāng de guówáng, jiéshùle bǐsài.”
Stalemate“If you move your king to h1, the game will end in a stalemate.”“如果你将国王移动到h1,比赛将以和棋结束。”“Rúguǒ nǐ jiāng guówáng yídòng dào h1, bǐsài jiāng yǐ héqí jiéshù.”
Pin“Your bishop on b4 pins my knight to the king, preventing it from moving.”“你在b4的主教将我的骑士钉住在国王上,使它无法移动。”“Nǐ zài b4 de zhǔjiào jiāng wǒ de qíshì dìng zhù zài guówáng shàng, shǐ tā wúfǎ yídòng.”
Fork“My knight on e5 forks your queen and rook, attacking both simultaneously.”“我在e5的骑士同时攻击了你的皇后和车。”“Wǒ zài e5 de qíshì tóngshí gōngjíle nǐ de huánghòu hé chē.”
Skewer“The bishop skewers your queen and rook along the diagonal.”“主教在对角线上串住了你的皇后和车。”“Zhǔjiào zài duìjiǎoxiàn shàng chuàn zhùle nǐ de huánghòu hé chē.”
Blunder“I blundered by moving my queen, allowing your rook to capture it.”“我移动皇后犯了一个大错,让你的车把它吃掉了。”“Wǒ yídòng huánghòu fànle yī gè dàcuò, ràng nǐ de chē bǎ tā chī diàole.”
Sacrifice“I sacrificed my bishop to open up the king’s defenses.”“我牺牲了主教来打开国王的防线。”“Wǒ xīshēngle zhǔjiào lái dǎkāi guówáng de fángxiàn.”
Tempo“Gaining a tempo with a check allowed me to develop my pieces more quickly.”“通过将军赢得一个节奏,使我能更快地发展我的棋子。”“Tōngguò jiāngjūn yíngdé yī gè jiézòu, shǐ wǒ néng gèng kuài dì fāzhǎn wǒ de qízǐ.”
Opening“The Sicilian Defense is one of the most popular openings in chess.”“西西里防御是国际象棋中最受欢迎的开局之一。”“Xīxīlǐ fángyù shì guójì xiàngqí zhōng zuì shòu huānyíng de kāijú zhī yī.”
Middlegame“The middlegame requires a deep understanding of both strategy and tactics.”“中局阶段需要对战略和战术有深入的理解。”“Zhōngjú jiēduàn xūyào duì zhànlüè hé zhànshù yǒu shēnrù de lǐjiě.”
Endgame“In the endgame, it’s important to activate your king and push your passed pawns.”“在残局中,激活国王和推进过河卒子非常重要。”“Zài cánjú zhōng, jīhuó guówáng hé tuījìn guòhé zúzi fēicháng zhòngyào.”
Development“You need to develop your knights and bishops early to control the center.”“你需要尽早发展你的骑士和主教,以控制中心。”“Nǐ xūyào jǐnzǎo fāzhǎn nǐ de qíshì hé zhǔjiào, yǐ kòngzhì zhōngxīn.”
Initiative“I have the initiative after your pawn blunder, as I can make several threats in a row.”“在你兵卒出错后,我掌握了先机,可以连续制造威胁。”“Zài nǐ bīngzú chūcuò hòu, wǒ zhǎngwòle xiānjī, kěyǐ liánxù zhìzào wēixié.”
Zugzwang“You’re in zugzwang; any move you make worsens your position.”“你陷入了对方迫着行,任何动作都会使你的局面恶化。”“Nǐ xiànrùle duìfāng pòzhe xíng, rènhé dòngzuò dūhuì shǐ nǐ de júmiàn èhuà.”
Opposition“I used opposition to force your king away from the critical squares.”“我利用对位迫使你的国王离开关键格。”“Wǒ lìyòng duìwèi pòshǐ nǐ de guówáng líkāi guānjiàn gé.”
Castling“I castled kingside to improve my king’s safety and connect my rooks.”“我王侧易位以提高国王的安全性,并连接车。”“Wǒ wáng cè yìwèi yǐ tígāo guówáng de ānquán xìng, bìng liánjiē chē.”
En passant“I captured your pawn en passant after it moved two squares forward.”“在你的兵卒前进两格后,我用过路兵吃掉了它。”“Zài nǐ de bīngzú qiánjìn liǎng gé hòu, wǒ yòng guòlùbīng chī diàole tā.”
Draw“We agreed to a draw after repeating the position three times.”“在重复三次相同局面后,我们同意和棋。”“Zài chóngfù sāncì xiāngtóng júmiàn hòu, wǒmen tóngyì héqí.”
Tactical Motif“Recognizing the tactical motif, I set up a fork with my knight.”“识别战术模式后,我用骑士制造了一个双重攻击。”“Shíbié zhànshù móshì hòu, wǒ yòng qíshì zhìzàole yī gè shuāngchóng gōngjí.”
Strategy“My strategy focuses on controlling the center and building a strong pawn structure.”“我的战略集中在控制中心并建立坚固的兵卒结构。”“Wǒ de zhànlüè jízhōng zài kòngzhì zhōngxīn bìng jiànlì jiāngù de bīngzú jiégòu.”
Tactics“Tactics are crucial in the middlegame, where short-term combinations can win material.”“战术在中局阶段至关重要,短期的组合可以赢得棋子。”“Zhànshù zài zhōngjú jiēduàn zhìguān zhòngyào, duǎnqí de zǔhé kěyǐ yíngdé qízǐ.”

Plot Writing

AspectGood PracticesBad Practices
Plot StructuresConflicts Resolved: Clear resolution pathwaysIdiot Plot: Illogical choices (e.g., Prometheus)
Escalating Stakes: Build tension with rising challengesScatterbrained Plot: Too many sidelines/villains, coincidences
External/Internal Parallel: Reflect inner journey externallyBare Bones Plot: Over-simplified and lacks depth
Moral Dilemmas: Characters face complex, tough choicesSoulless Plot: Uninspired, just revives old characters (e.g., Wolverine)
Subverted Expectations: Twist familiar tropes unexpectedlyPlot-Driving Dialogue: Exists only to push the plot
Character Growth: Protagonist undergoes significant changeJob Resume Dialogue: Rehearsed, unnatural conversation
Layered Mysteries: Multiple mysteries unravel slowlyBroken Banter: Tries too hard to be cute, confusing
Symbolic Elements: Symbols gain meaning as the story progressesLazy Insults: Weak, undermines character credibility
DialoguesSituation-Appropriate: Fit the context, attack and defendCliché Lines: Predictable, unoriginal
Playful Banter: Poke fun at clichésCliché Lines: Predictable, unoriginal
Subtext: Dialogue has layers of meaningBraindead Replies: Characters say what’s expected
Witty Repartee: Sharp, quick-witted exchangesLazy Insults: Weak, undermines character credibility
Character Voice: Distinct speech reflecting personalityBroken Banter: Tries too hard to be cute, confusing
Tension-Building: Dialogue escalates conflict subtlySoulless Plot: Uninspired, just revives old characters (e.g., Wolverine)
Emotional Resonance: Dialogue that deeply connects with the audienceBroken Banter: Tries too hard to be cute, confusing

Kant, the liar, the paradox of ethics, the never lie

Here’s the structured content in a clear and easy-to-read table format:

PointDescription
The Liar’s Paradox of EthicsKant’s exploration reveals that lying threatens the foundation of an ethical society, implying that the famous minority in the basement cannot be protected. Many philosophers dismiss Kant’s system based on this example without fully considering its systematic implications.
Complexity of Moral ActionsActions may defy simple categorization as morally good or evil. Some actions might be both good and evil, similar to paraconsistencies in dialetheism.
Moral Decision-MakingThe idea that individuals should act according to their conscience in difficult situations can seem too easy. If the moral system only applies to simple cases, it undermines its purpose. Instead, contradictions in the system need further qualification.
Moral ResponsibilityShould someone who saves more lives be absolved of consequences? For example, a fighter pilot who shoots down a plane to save a stadium versus a doctor who kills people in drug research. Ethics remains complex and requires careful consideration of these dilemmas.
Kant’s DiscoveryKant highlights the dilemma of the “beautiful soul” who aims for moral purity but faces difficulties. True ethical judgment involves recognizing complexity and uncertainty, and requires a collective effort towards a society of trust rather than deception.

Feel free to ask more questions or request further clarifications!

The liar’s paradox of Ethics…

Kant discovered interestingly enough that lying threatens the very foundation of an ethical society, therefore the famous minority in the basement cannot be protected. Many philosophers have taken this example as an immediate strike against the Kantian system without taking the systematic position and implications of the example into account, dismissing the whole Kantian system.

We can say that there are actions that are neither morally good or evil, while they are still relevant moral actions, we could also say they are both morally good and evil, similar to the paraconsistencies of dialetheism.

Now, is this a ‘prison free card’ then to do everything someone wants? Many philosophers have argued afterall that when comes hard on hard, people should decide according to their consciousness falling back into a certain kind of moral realism of feelings. But this seems to be too easy that whenever something becomes difficult, we just give up the system. If the moral system is just for the easy cases then what do we need the system for? Instead contradiction belongs to the system and requires further qualification.

Now, should somebody who saves the greater amount of people automatically be freed from the consequences of his actions. A fighter pilot shoots down a captured plane that threatens to fly into a stadium, seems to more intuitive than a doctor killing 70 people by researching for a new drug that could save millions. We should not make it easy for ourselves to just believe that there are commons sense answers to the first. Ethics remains a complicated field by dealing with these moral dilemmas and developing them.

Now, what has Kant discovered then? He has discovered the dilemma of the beautiful soul that in its process of action, exposes itself to become easy. This is when the heart of the hard judge has to break and acknowledge that we all share the same dilemma and hope that in a series of judges we can correct past mistakes and get closer to a society that has given up on lying; indeed, a society of trust.

The Ethics paradox, commonly known as the liar’s paradox, poses a significant challenge. Kant’s exploration into the implications of lying reveals a fundamental threat to the ethical fabric of society, leaving no room for exceptions, even for the minority in the basement. However, many philosophers hastily dismiss Kant’s system based solely on this example without fully considering its systematic position and implications.

Furthermore, there exist actions that defy simple categorization as either morally good or evil, akin to the paraconsistencies of dialetheism. This complexity raises questions about whether individuals can act according to their conscience in morally ambiguous situations, leading some to argue for a moral realism rooted in emotions. However, surrendering the moral system when faced with difficulty undermines its purpose; instead, contradictions within the system demand further examination and qualification.

Considerations of moral responsibility add further complexity. Should someone who saves more people be absolved of the consequences of their actions? The intuitive response may favor the fighter pilot who shoots down a captured plane to save a stadium, but what about a doctor who sacrifices lives in pursuit of a potentially life-saving drug? These moral dilemmas underscore the intricate nature of ethical decision-making and its ongoing development.

In essence, Kant’s discovery highlights the dilemma faced by the “beautiful soul” striving for moral purity. It necessitates a recognition that ethical judgment is often fraught with complexity and uncertainty. Ultimately, addressing these dilemmas requires collective effort and a commitment to building a society founded on trust rather than deception.

LC – Why It is Hard to Learn Chinese?

EnglishChinesePinyin
A: Why can’t I speak Chinese despite living in China…?A: 为什么我住在中国却不会说中文…?A: Wèishéme wǒ zhù zài zhōngguó què bú huì shuō zhōngwén…?
B: Mostly I only hear noise.B: 大部分时候我只听到噪音。B: Dàbùfèn shíhòu wǒ zhǐ tīngdào zàoyīn.
A: Have you tried practicing with locals?A: 你有试着和当地人练习吗?A: Nǐ yǒu shìzhe hé dāngdì rén liànxí ma?
B: Yes, but I get nervous, and they speak too fast with too many shortenings.B: 有啊,但我一紧张,他们就说得太快,还有很多缩略语。B: Yǒu a, dàn wǒ yī jǐnzhāng, tāmen jiù shuō de tài kuài, háiyǒu hěn duō suōlüèyǔ.
B: Also, I know too few words.B: 还有,我知道的词太少了。B: Hái yǒu, wǒ zhīdào de cí tài shǎole.
A: How many words do you think you need to know to speak fluently?A: 你觉得需要知道多少个词才能流利地说话呢?A: Nǐ juéde xūyào zhīdào duōshǎo gè cí cáinéng liúlì de shuōhuà ne?
B: I’ve heard you need at least 2,000 to 3,000 words for daily conversations, but I read that for deeper discussions, you need 10,000 to 13,000 words.B: 我听说日常对话至少需要两到三千个词,但我读到深入讨论需要一万到一万三千个词。B: Wǒ tīngshuō rìcháng duìhuà zhìshǎo xūyào liǎng dào sānqiān gè cí, dàn wǒ dú dào shēnrù tǎolùn xūyào yī wàn dào yī wàn sānqiān gè cí.
A: That sounds more challenging, but it makes sense for complex topics.A: 听起来更具挑战性,但对复杂的话题来说是有道理的。A: Tīng qǐlái gèng jù tiǎozhàn xìng, dàn duì fùzá de huàtí lái shuō shì yǒu dàolǐ de.
B: It’s true. I guess fluency isn’t just about words but also how comfortable you are with the language.B: 确实如此。我想流利不仅仅是词汇量,还取决于你对语言的熟练程度。B: Quèshí rúcǐ. Wǒ xiǎng liúlì bù jǐnjǐn shì cíhuì liàng, hái qǔjué yú nǐ duì yǔyán de shúliàn chéngdù.
A: Absolutely. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become, especially in understanding nuances.A: 没错。练习得越多,你就会越熟练,尤其是在理解细微差别方面。A: Méicuò. Liànxí de yuè duō, nǐ jiù huì yuè shúliàn, yóuqí shì zài lǐjiě xìwēi chābié fāngmiàn.
B: When I try to speak, they often switch quickly to Chinese or stop speaking with me.B: 当我尝试说话时,他们常常会快速切换到中文,或者不再和我说话。B: Dāng wǒ chángshì shuōhuà shí, tāmen chángcháng huì kuàisù qiēhuàn dào zhōngwén, huòzhě bù zài hé wǒ shuōhuà.
A: Maybe start with simple phrases and build up your confidence.A: 也许可以从简单的短语开始,逐渐建立自信。A: Yěxǔ kěyǐ cóng jiǎndān de duǎnyǔ kāishǐ, zhújiàn jiànlì zìxìn.
B: That makes sense. I’ll try to be more patient with myself and focus on gradually expanding my vocabulary.B: 这有道理。我会试着对自己更有耐心,并专注于逐渐扩大词汇量。B: Zhè yǒu dàolǐ. Wǒ huì shìzhe duì zìjǐ gèng yǒu nàixīn, bìng zhuānzhù yú zhújiàn kuòdà cíhuì liàng.

Fluently (流利地 – liúlì de)

  • 你什么时候开始流利地说中文?
    Nǐ shénme shíhòu kāishǐ liúlì de shuō zhōngwén?
    (When did you start speaking Chinese fluently?)
  • 她流利地讲了整场演讲。
    Tā liúlì de jiǎngle zhěng chǎng yǎnjiǎng.
    (She gave the entire speech fluently.)

Words (词 – cí)

  • 我今天学了五十个新词。
    Wǒ jīntiān xuéle wǔshí gè xīn cí.
    (I learned fifty new words today.)
  • 有些词很难发音。
    Yǒuxiē cí hěn nán fāyīn.
    (Some words are hard to pronounce.)

Conversation (对话 – duìhuà)

  • 我们每天都用中文进行对话。
    Wǒmen měitiān dū yòng zhōngwén jìnxíng duìhuà.
    (We have conversations in Chinese every day.)
  • 这次对话很有趣。
    Zhè cì duìhuà hěn yǒuqù.
    (This conversation was interesting.)

Practice (练习 – liànxí)

  • 多练习才能提高你的口语。
    Duō liànxí cáinéng tígāo nǐ de kǒuyǔ.
    (More practice is needed to improve your speaking skills.)
  • 我每天练习写汉字。
    Wǒ měitiān liànxí xiě hànzì.
    (I practice writing Chinese characters every day.)

Comfortable (舒服 – shūfu)

  • 这个椅子坐起来很舒服。
    Zhège yǐzi zuò qǐlái hěn shūfu.
    (This chair is very comfortable to sit on.)
  • 你在那家公司工作感觉舒服吗?
    Nǐ zài nà jiā gōngsī gōngzuò gǎnjué shūfu ma?
    (Do you feel comfortable working at that company?)

Nuance (细微差别 – xìwēi chābié)

  • 你理解这些单词之间的细微差别吗?
    Nǐ lǐjiě zhèxiē dāncí zhījiān de xìwēi chābié ma?
    (Do you understand the nuances between these words?)
  • 翻译时很难捕捉到所有的细微差别。
    Fānyì shí hěn nán bǔzhuō dào suǒyǒu de xìwēi chābié.
    (It’s difficult to capture all the nuances when translating.)

Nervous (紧张 – jǐnzhāng)

  • 我每次考试前都很紧张。
    Wǒ měi cì kǎoshì qián dōu hěn jǐnzhāng.
    (I get nervous before every exam.)
  • 别紧张,你可以做到的。
    Bié jǐnzhāng, nǐ kěyǐ zuò dào de.
    (Don’t be nervous; you can do it.)

Learning Chinese (Self-Immersive)

EnglishChinesePinyin
Tools
LingQ
– 5000 Words as of August 2nd (How much can I increase it in one month?)
– A few years later, I reached about 7000 words, but my communicative skills didn’t improve.
Bilibili
– Still watching too little; needs improvement.
– Task: Build a collection of Chinese videos.
工具 (Gōngjù)
LingQ
– 截至8月2日有5000个词汇(一个月内能增加多少?)
– 几年后,我达到了大约7000个词汇,但我的交流能力没有提高。
Bilibili
– 仍然看得太少,需要改进。
– 任务:建立中文视频收藏。
Gōngjù
LingQ
– Jiézhì 8 yuè 2 rì yǒu 5000 gè cíhuì (yīgè yuè nèi néng zēngjiā duōshǎo?)
– Jǐ nián hòu, wǒ dádàole dàyuē 7000 gè cíhuì, dàn wǒ de jiāoliú nénglì méiyǒu tígāo.
Bilibili
– Réngrán kàn dé tài shǎo, xūyào gǎijìn.
– Rènwù: Jiànlì zhōngwén shìpín shōucáng.
Learning Chinese (Self-Immersive)
– Experience: My current approach isn’t working due to inconsistency.
– Plan: Improve consistency and engagement.
– Goal: Make significant progress soon.
学习中文(自我沉浸) (Xuéxí Zhōngwén (Zìwǒ Chénjìn))
– 经验:由于不一致,我目前的方法不起作用。
– 计划:提高一致性和参与度。
– 目标:尽快取得显著进展。
Xuéxí Zhōngwén (Zìwǒ Chénjìn)
– Jīngyàn: Yóuyú bù yīzhì, wǒ mùqián de fāngfǎ bù qǐ zuòyòng.
– Jìhuà: Tígāo yīzhìxìng hé cānyù dù.
– Mùbiāo: Jǐnkuài qǔdé xiǎnzhù jìnzhǎn.

Here is the table for “Motivation 动机 (Dòngjī)”:

EnglishChinesePinyin
Motivation (Dòngjī)
– I severely lack motivation.
– I need to ask some people to join.
– I need to make videos.
– Today I will make a video about El Cactus and ask people to help me.
动机 (Dòngjī)
– 严重缺乏动力。
– 我需要请一些人加入。
– 我需要制作视频。
– 今天我将制作一个关于 El Cactus 的视频,并请人们帮助我。
Dòngjī
– Yánzhòng quēfá dònglì.
– Wǒ xūyào qǐng yīxiē rén jiārù.
– Wǒ xūyào zhìzuò shìpín.
– Jīntiān wǒ jiāng zhìzuò yīgè guānyú El Cactus de shìpín, bìng qǐng rénmen bāngzhù wǒ.
SectionChinesePinyinEnglish
My self-immersion approach 自我沉浸 (Zìwǒ chénjìn)
Experience到目前为止,我的方法不起作用,因为我不一致。希望它会很快好起来。Dào mùqián wéizhǐ, wǒ de fāngfǎ bù qǐ zuòyòng, yīnwèi wǒ bùyīzhì. Xīwàng tā huì hěn kuài hǎo qǐlái.So far my approach does not work because I am not consistent. Hopefully, it will get better soon.
New Approach 2024, August
List我会写下我学到的内容的问题,并使用 ChatGPTWǒ huì xiě xià wǒ xuédào de nèiróng de wèntí, bìng shǐyòng ChatGPTI will write down questions about what I learned and use ChatGPT.
Audience听众TīngzhòngAudience
Question在中国,面子文化有多重要?Zài Zhōngguó, miànzi wénhuà yǒu duō zhòngyào?How important is face culture in China?
“死要面子受罪”死要面子受罪Sǐ yào miànzi shòuzuì“Suffering due to stubbornly preserving one’s dignity” or “Suffering from keeping up appearances.”
Explanation死 (sǐ): Literal meaning “death,” but emphasizes stubbornness or extreme persistence.
要面子 (yào miànzi): Refers to insisting on maintaining “face” or dignity, often to the point of pride.
受罪 (shòuzuì): Means “to suffer” or “to endure hardship.”
sǐ: Literal meaning “death,” but emphasizes stubbornness or extreme persistence.
yào miànzi: Refers to insisting on maintaining “face” or dignity, often to the point of pride.
shòuzuì: Means “to suffer” or “to endure hardship.”
sǐ: Literal meaning “death,” but emphasizes stubbornness or extreme persistence.
yào miànzi: Refers to insisting on maintaining “face” or dignity, often to the point of pride.
shòuzuì: Means “to suffer” or “to endure hardship.”
EnglishChinesePinyin
Person A:
Do you know how important “face” is in Chinese culture?
Person A:
你知道“面子”在中国文化里有多重要吗?
Person A:
Nǐ zhīdào “miànzi” zài Zhōngguó wénhuà lǐ yǒu duō zhòngyào ma?
Person B:
I’ve heard about it, but I’m not very familiar.
Person B:
听说过,但不太了解。
Person B:
Tīng shuōguò, dàn bù tài liǎojiě.
Person A:
“Face” refers to a person’s social reputation and dignity.
Person A:
“面子”指的是一个人的社会声誉和尊严。
Person A:
“Miànzi” zhǐ de shì yīge rén de shèhuì shēngyù hé zūnyán.
Person B:
So what does “丢面子” mean?
Person B:
那“丢面子”是什么意思呢?
Person B:
Nà “diū miànzi” shì shénme yìsi ne?
Person A:
“丢面子” means “losing face,” which implies losing others’ respect.
Person A:
“丢面子”就是“失去面子”,意味着失去别人的尊重。
Person A:
“Diū miànzi” jiùshì “shīqù miànzi,” yìwèizhe shīqù biérén de zūnzhòng.
Person B:
I see, so how can one avoid “losing face”?
Person B:
原来如此,那怎样才能避免“丢面子”呢?
Person B:
Yuánlái rúcǐ, nà zěnyàng cáinéng bìmiǎn “diū miànzi” ne?
Person A:
You need to respect others and be cautious with your words and actions to avoid “losing face.”
Person A:
要尊重别人,说话和做事要谨慎,这样可以避免“丢面子”。
Person A:
Yào zūnzhòng biérén, shuōhuà hé zuòshì yào jǐnshèn, zhèyàng kěyǐ bìmiǎn “diū miànzi.”
Person B:
And what does “给面子” mean?
Person B:
那“给面子”又是什么呢?
Person B:
Nà “gěi miànzi” yòu shì shénme ne?
Person A:
“给面子” means giving respect to others and maintaining their reputation.
Person A:
“给面子”是指给别人尊重,维护他们的声誉。
Person A:
“Gěi miànzi” shì zhǐ gěi biérén zūnzhòng, wéihù tāmen de shēngyù.
Person B:
Is “face” also important in business?
Person B:
在生意中,“面子”也很重要吗?
Person B:
Zài shēngyì zhōng, “miànzi” yě hěn zhòngyào ma?
Person A:
Yes, in China, business often relies on mutual respect and maintaining “face.”
Person A:
是的,在中国,生意往往依赖于互相尊重和维护“面子”。
Person A:
Shì de, zài Zhōngguó, shēngyì wǎngwǎng yīlài yú hùxiāng zūnzhòng hé wéihù “miànzi.”
Person B:
I understand now; “face” is indeed crucial in Chinese culture.
Person B:
我明白了,在中国文化中,“面子”确实很关键。
Person B:
Wǒ míngbáile, zài Zhōngguó wénhuà zhōng, “miànzi” quèshí hěn guānjiàn.
Person A:
Do you know what pancreatitis is?
Person A:
你知道什么是胰腺炎吗?
Person A:
Nǐ zhīdào shénme shì yíxiàn yán ma?
Person B:
I’ve heard about it, but I’m not very familiar.
Person B:
我听说过,但不太了解。
Person B:
Wǒ tīng shuōguò, dàn bù tài liǎojiě.
Person A:
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which can be caused by high levels of triglycerides.
Person A:
胰腺炎是胰腺发炎,可能由高水平的甘油三酯引起。
Person A:
Yíxiàn yán shì yíxiàn fāyán, kěnéng yóu gāo shuǐpíng de gānyóu sāngzhī yǐnqǐ.
Person B:
What are triglycerides?
Person B:
那什么是甘油三酯呢?
Person B:
Nà shénme shì gānyóu sāngzhī ne?
Person A:
Triglycerides are a type of fat, and the pancreas breaks them down by secreting lipase.
Person A:
甘油三酯是脂肪的一种,胰腺通过分泌脂肪酶来分解它们。
Person A:
Gānyóu sāngzhī shì zhīfáng de yīzhǒng, yíxiàn tōngguò fēnmì zhīfáng méi lái fēnjiě tāmen.
Person B:
Is lipase used to break down fats?
Person B:
脂肪酶是用来分解脂肪的吗?
Person B:
Zhīfáng méi shì yòng lái fēnjiě zhīfáng de ma?
Person A:
Yes, and protease is used to break down proteins.
Person A:
是的,还有蛋白酶用来分解蛋白质。
Person A:
Shì de, hái yǒu dànbái méi yòng lái fēnjiě dànbáizhì.
Person B:
What symptoms occur if the pancreas doesn’t function well?
Person B:
如果胰腺功能不好,会有什么症状?
Person B:
Rúguǒ yíxiàn gōngnéng bù hǎo, huì yǒu shénme zhèngzhuàng?
Person A:
You might experience steatorrhea, also known as “fat stool,” and diarrhea.
Person A:
会出现脂肪泻,也就是“脂肪便”,以及腹泻。
Person A:
Huì chūxiàn zhīfáng xiè, yě jiùshì “zhīfáng biàn,” yǐjí fùxiè.
Person B:
How can we determine if it’s a pancreatic issue?
Person B:
那怎么确定是胰腺的问题呢?
Person B:
Nà zěnme quèdìng shì yíxiàn de wèntí ne?
Person A:
A blood test can be done to check glucose levels and markers for the pancreas.
Person A:
可以通过血液测试来检测葡萄糖水平和胰腺的标志物。
Person A:
Kěyǐ tōngguò xuèyè cèshì lái jiǎncè pútáotáng shuǐpíng hé yíxiàn de biāozhì wù.
About Pancreas

Pancreas Dialog and Face Dialogue (Learning Chinese)

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<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><thead><tr><th><strong>English</strong></th><th><strong>Chinese</strong></th><th><strong>Pinyin</strong></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Person A:</strong><br>Do you know what pancreatitis is?</td><td><strong>Person A:</strong><br>你知道什么是胰腺炎吗?</td><td><strong>Person A:</strong><br>Nǐ zhīdào shénme shì yíxiàn yán ma?</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Person B:</strong><br>I’ve heard about it, but I’m not very familiar.</td><td><strong>Person B:</strong><br>我听说过,但不太了解。</td><td><strong>Person B:</strong><br>Wǒ tīng shuōguò, dàn bù tài liǎojiě.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Person A:</strong><br>Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which can be caused by high levels of triglycerides.</td><td><strong>Person A:</strong><br>胰腺炎是胰腺发炎,可能由高水平的甘油三酯引起。</td><td><strong>Person A:<
EnglishChinesePinyin
Person A:
Do you know what pancreatitis is?
Person A:
你知道什么是胰腺炎吗?
Person A:
Nǐ zhīdào shénme shì yíxiàn yán ma?
Person B:
I’ve heard about it, but I’m not very familiar.
Person B:
我听说过,但不太了解。
Person B:
Wǒ tīng shuōguò, dàn bù tài liǎojiě.
Person A:
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which can be caused by high levels of triglycerides.
Person A:
胰腺炎是胰腺发炎,可能由高水平的甘油三酯引起。
Person A:
Yíxiàn yán shì yíxiàn fāyán, kěnéng yóu gāo shuǐpíng de gānyóu sāngzhī yǐnqǐ.
Person B:
What are triglycerides?
Person B:
那什么是甘油三酯呢?
Person B:
Nà shénme shì gānyóu sāngzhī ne?
Person A:
Triglycerides are a type of fat, and the pancreas breaks them down by secreting lipase.
Person A:
甘油三酯是脂肪的一种,胰腺通过分泌脂肪酶来分解它们。
Person A:
Gānyóu sāngzhī shì zhīfáng de yīzhǒng, yíxiàn tōngguò fēnmì zhīfáng méi lái fēnjiě tāmen.
Person B:
Is lipase used to break down fats?
Person B:
脂肪酶是用来分解脂肪的吗?
Person B:
Zhīfáng méi shì yòng lái fēnjiě zhīfáng de ma?
Person A:
Yes, and protease is used to break down proteins.
Person A:
是的,还有蛋白酶用来分解蛋白质。
Person A:
Shì de, hái yǒu dànbái méi yòng lái fēnjiě dànbáizhì.
Person B:
What symptoms occur if the pancreas doesn’t function well?
Person B:
如果胰腺功能不好,会有什么症状?
Person B:
Rúguǒ yíxiàn gōngnéng bù hǎo, huì yǒu shénme zhèngzhuàng?
Person A:
You might experience steatorrhea, also known as “fat stool,” and diarrhea.
Person A:
会出现脂肪泻,也就是“脂肪便”,以及腹泻。
Person A:
Huì chūxiàn zhīfáng xiè, yě jiùshì “zhīfáng biàn,” yǐjí fùxiè.
Person B:
How can we determine if it’s a pancreatic issue?
Person B:
那怎么确定是胰腺的问题呢?
Person B:
Nà zěnme quèdìng shì yíxiàn de wèntí ne?
Person A:
A blood test can be done to check glucose levels and markers for the pancreas.
Person A:
可以通过血液测试来检测葡萄糖水平和胰腺的标志物。
Person A:
Kěyǐ tōngguò xuèyè cèshì lái jiǎncè pútáotáng shuǐpíng hé yíxiàn de biāozhì wù.
About Pancreas

Face-Culture in China

Face Culture in China
QuestionAnswer
What does “面子” (miànzi) mean in Chinese culture?“面子” (miànzi) translates to “face” and refers to a person’s social reputation or dignity.
How do you say “to lose face” in Chinese?The phrase for “to lose face” is “丢面子” (diū miànzi).
What is the opposite of “丢面子” (diū miànzi)?The opposite is “挣面子” (zhēng miànzi), meaning “to gain face.”
Why is “面子” (miànzi) important in China?“面子” (miànzi) is important because it impacts social relationships and status within the community.
How do people avoid “丢面子” (diū miànzi) in Chinese culture?To avoid “丢面子,” people act respectfully, politely, and carefully manage their words and actions.
What is “给面子” (gěi miànzi)?“给面子” (gěi miànzi) means “to give face,” which involves showing respect or deference to someone.
How do you say “face-saving” in Chinese?The term for “face-saving” is “保全面子” (bǎoquán miànzi).
What does “抹不开面子” (mǒbukāi miànzi) mean?It means “unable to let go of face,” describing the feeling of being embarrassed to act contrary to social expectations.
How is “面子” (miànzi) related to business in China?In business, “面子” is crucial as it influences trust, relationships, and negotiations.
How do you say “to save face” in Chinese?“To save face” is expressed as “保住面子” (bǎozhù miànzi).