Benny Lewis's Blog, page 12
May 29, 2023
90+ Italian Terms of Endearment for Every Loved One in Your Life
If you want to learn Italian, then you must know it’s a language full of passion and love. So why not learn some Italian terms of endearment?
Think about it: how strange would it be if you and your loved ones only called each other by your names and never used nicknames or pet names? Usually, that isn’t a good sign. Problemi in paradiso (“trouble in paradise”), Italians would say.
But it’s not only that. For the most part, Italians are a warm community. They love to share their affection for family members and friends, and goodness is deeply rooted in their culture.
There are many nomignoli (“nicknames”) for the people you appreciate or love. From the quirky food references – which never fail to come up in Italian conversations – to adding diminutives to first names, there are plenty of funny oddities.
function runSplitTest(){var randomNumber = Math.floor(Math.random() * 2) + 1console.log(randomNumber)var copy = "";if (randomNumber == 3){ copy = '<i>A note from the Fluent in 3 Months team before we get started: You can chat away in Italian for at least 15 minutes with the "Fluent in 3 Months" method. All it takes is 90 days. <b><a href="https://fluentin3months.com/challenge... this link to find out more.</b></a></i>'} else { copy = '<i>Before we get started, if you’re looking for an online Italian course, here’s the course I recommend: <a href="https://www.fluentin3months.com/olly-... Uncovered - Learn Italian Through the Power of Story</b></a>, a course with a fascinating new method by my friend Olly. You can try it for free for 7 days!</i>'}console.log(copy)var copyToChange = document.querySelector("p.copyText").innerHTML = copy;}runSplitTest();Table of contentsShare Your Affection in Italian“Terms of Endearment” in Italian: Termini AffettuosiItalian Terms of Endearment for Family MembersTerms of Endearment Used by Everyone for ChildrenAnimal-Inspired Terms of Endearment for ChildrenFood-Inspired Terms of Endearment for ChildrenHow to Say “Lover” in Italian: Innamorato/Innamorata“Boyfriend” in Italian and “Girlfriend” in Italian: Ragazzo and Ragazza“Husband” in Italian and “Wife” in Italian: Marito and Moglie“My Love” in Italian: Amore Mio“My Heart” in Italian: Cuore Mio“My Beloved” in Italian: Mio Amato/Mia Amata“Darling” in Italian: Tesoro“Sweetheart” in Italian“Soulmate” in Italian: Anima Gemella“Dear” in Italian: Caro/Cara“Cute” in Italian: Carino/Carina“Gorgeous” in Italian: Bellissimo/Bellissima“I Love You” in Italian: Ti Voglio Bene“To Be Affectionate” in Italian: Essere Affettuoso/aOther Italian Terms of Endearment For Your PartnerItalian Phrases to Share Your AffectionDIY Time! Create Your Own Italian Terms of EndearmentWhat Makes a Good Italian Term of Endearment?Italian Suffixes for Terms of EndearmentAdd “Mio/a” and “Caro/a”Be Exotic Almost EffortlesslyBe Affectionate in ItalianStick around until the end, because I will show you how to create your own DIY Italian nicknames!
Share Your Affection in ItalianSo, let’s look at the most common terms of endearment used for friends, family members, children, and lovers.
There are two ways that Italians share their affection: food and words.
Now, I’m not going to deep-dive into the art of baking love into every Italian dish – that’s not my specialty! But, I can teach you food-related nicknames and how to communicate your love in Italian through language.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Benny Lewis | Language Hacker (@irishpolyglot)
(Have a photo of me in front of the Coliseum as proof that I am qualified to help you learn Italian.)
“Terms of Endearment” in Italian: Termini AffettuosiThere are many ways to say “term of endearment” in Italian. The most literal translation is termino affettuoso, but soprannome, nomignolo, and vezzeggiativo are the most common ones.
All three words mean “nickname”, but soprannome is the most formal one and usually refers to abbreviated names, nomignolo would be “pet name”, and vezzeggiativo often describes diminutive nicknames.
Just like in English, the tone, setting, and person who uses the nickname all determine whether the term is used genuinely, as mockery, or, say, as an unpleasant catcall. It’s always a good idea to make sure that the person appreciates the nickname you have given them before you start using it.
Now, andiamo al succo (“let’s get to the meat”).
Italian Nicknames for FriendsEnglish speakers might call their friends “pal”, “buddy”, “mate” or “dude”, but these nicknames don’t really have Italian equivalents. If you dig into the Italian language, you might learn about compa, which is short for compagno and can be translated as “buddy”, and compare (“homie”). But the first is rather obsolete and the second is old-fashioned.
Instead, Italians prefer to address each other as if they were part of a big family.
Frequently, you will hear close friends calling each other fratello (“brother”) and sorella (“sister”). Cugino (masculine version of “cousin”) and cugina (feminine version of “cousin”) are generally used with less intimate friends.
Fun fact: Italians have dubbed the French people i cugini francesi (“our cousins, the French”), a friendlier version of i vicini Francesi (“our neighbors, the French”).
Other Italian nicknames for friends include:
Bello/a – “beautiful”Mitico/a (“legendary”),simply… surnames!You know how athletes have their last name stamped on the back of their t-shirts? Italians are big fans of soccer and sports in general, so they’ve taken the habit of calling their friends by their surnames like they do with sports players.
Attributing nicknames to your friends based on their qualities or endearing flaws is also common. For example, you could call your smart best friend cervellone/a (“big brain”) or your chatty best friend chiacchierone/a (“chatterbox”).
(Be careful, though, because both could be offensive depending on your tone and the situation.)
What if you want to call your whole friend group at the same time? Raga’ (“guys”) is both an interjection and a group nickname that is basically the abbreviation of ragazzi (“guys”).
Italian Terms of Endearment for Family MembersEven if there’s less variety to choose from than in English, terms of endearment for family members are commonly used in Italian.
Madre (“mother”):
mamma – “mom”mammina – “mommy” (to a child usually under the age of 10)Padre (“father”):
papi – “dad”papino – “daddy”Bambini (“children”):
bimbo/a/i – “kid/s”nipotino/a/i – “little grandchild/ren” (only when referred to as grandchildren, obviously)figliolo/a/i – “sons/daughters” in old-fashioned Italian, but also used for grandchildren nowadaysStandard terms of endearment for other members of the family:
nonna (“grandmother”) → nonnina (“grandma”)nonno (“grandfather”) → nonnino (“grandpa”)tata or tatina (“nanny”) – used for grandmothers and auntszia (“aunt”) → zietta (“auntie”)zio (“uncle”) → ziettocugina (feminine for “cousin”) → cuginetta (implies that the cousin is younger than you)cugino (masculine for “cousin”) → cuginetto (implies that the cousin is younger than you)Pet names for siblings always tend to be more creative and humorous than any others. While there’s no “official” Italian term of endearment used among brothers and sisters, I have heard these ones:
Pulce – “flea”Puffo – “Smurf” (masculine)Puffetta – “Smurfette” (feminine)Batuffolo – “dumpling”There are no Italian nicknames for mothers-in-law, but complimenting their cooking will always secure you a place in their good graces – and the best spot around the table, right next to the polpette (“meatballs”).
Italian Pet Names for ChildrenChildren’s pet names are arguably the most common terms of endearment in Italian, and they can be divided into categories depending on their frequency and meaning.
Terms of Endearment Used by Everyone for ChildrenThere are a few very common nomignoli for children. These are appropriately used not only by family members and friends, but also by adults who might not know the child’s name, such as store clerks or nurses.
Bimbo/a – “kiddo”Gioia – “joy”, a personal favorite of all nonne and tateStella and its diminutive stellina – “star” and “little star”Caro/a – “dear”Tesoro – “treasure”Signorino and signorina – “young man” and “young lady”. The first is used for boys who are 10 or under while the second also means “miss”, so it is used for girls of any age.Apart from these, nicknames for children are usually reserved for family members and, occasionally, family friends.
Animal-Inspired Terms of Endearment for ChildrenItalians love terms of endearment that are literally pet names. They use them regularly with their bimbi, and the most common are:
Papera – “duck”, only used for girlsPaperotto/a – “little duck”. The Italian suffix -otto/a is tricky to translate into English, but it basically means that something is both small and big at the same time – a big small thing – and makes the moniker sweeter with a tinge of humour.Passerotto/a – “sparrow”, usually exclusive to girlsTopolino/a – “little mouse”. Funny enough, Topolino is also the name that Italians have used for Mickey Mouse since the character’s creation.Cucciolo/a – “baby animal”, usually meant as “puppy”Cucciolotto/a – “little puppy”Food-Inspired Terms of Endearment for ChildrenIt’s funny for children to be nicknamed after their favorite food. The most used children pet names inspired by food in Italian include:
Patata – “potato”, only used for girlsPatatino/a – “little potato” or “french fry”Fragola – “strawberry”Caramellino – “butterscotch”Other Cute Italian Nicknames for ChildrenIf none of the terms above caught your attention, then try one of these ones:
Cielo – “sky”Sole – “sun”Angioletto – “little angel”Cocco/a – “sweetie”. Cocca di mamma means “Mommy’s girl”, cocco di papà is “Daddy’s boy”.Coccolona – “cuddly”Donnina – “little woman”Ometto – “little man”Mimmo/a – Tuscan spin of bambinoTrottolino/a – “little spinning top”Occhioni – “big eyes”Principessa – “princess”Bambolotta – “little doll”Piccolino/a – “little-little one”Piccino/a – “tiny”Italian Sweet Names for LoversAh, here we go.
Romantic relationships are the perfect setting for what Italians humorously call parole sdolcinate (“sappy words”).
(Let me tell you a secret: despite making fun of them, Italians secretly love these sappy nicknames.)
Italian terms of endearment for lovers include some of those used for children, such as tesoro and piccolina, but many others are only used in a romantic and intimate context.
How to Say “Lover” in Italian: Innamorato/InnamorataThe word lover covers two meanings in English: either someone who is in love or whom you are in love with, or, well… a lover in an intimate way.
In Italian, innamorato/a describes the first type of lover, while amante stands for the second. To avoid getting confused and saying what you shouldn’t, you can refer to your significant other as your persona amata (“loved one”).
Or you could simply name the stage of your relationship.
“Boyfriend” in Italian and “Girlfriend” in Italian: Ragazzo and RagazzaThere are two main ways to say “girlfriend” and “boyfriend” in Italian: ragazzo/a or fidanzato/a. The former is used by young couples, usually when they are dating, while the latter is for serious relationships and also means fiance.
“Husband” in Italian and “Wife” in Italian: Marito and MoglieIt’s between marito (“husband”) and moglie (“wife”) that terms of endearment get more refined and accurate. After a long time living together, you’re bound to know your other half better than anyone else.
If you call your daughter principessa, you could think about completing the royal family by dubbing your husband re (“king”) or your wife regina (“queen”).
“My Love” in Italian: Amore MioAmore is the Italian word for “love”, so “my love” is amore mio.
There’s also another way to use amore and make it “cuter”, by adding the suffix -ino to it: amorino (“little love”).
“My Heart” in Italian: Cuore MioThere are only a few more tender nicknames than calling your other half cuore mio (“my heart”), but perhaps none of them are as romantic.
“My Beloved” in Italian: Mio Amato/Mia AmataWhat a wonderful thing to call someone your beloved! In Italian, you say mio amato for men and mia amata for women.
When talking about your beloved with someone else, you can refer to them as il mio lui (literally “my him”) if he is a man, and la mia lei (literally “my her”) if she is a woman. This is a cute way to say that in the sea of other men and women, your partner is the only one who belongs with you.
You could also call them la mia metà (“my other half”) or dolce metà (loosely translated as “significant other”, literally “sweet half”).
“Darling” in Italian: TesoroIf Bruno Mars sang in Italian, then the title of one of his songs would actually mean “darling”. In fact, tesoro, literally translated as “treasure” in English, is the equivalent of “darling” in Italian.
You could make the word even more sdolcinato by complementing it with the suffix -ino. Tesorino is a good equivalent for “sweetheart”, “honey”, or “cutie”.
“Sweetheart” in ItalianHow do you say “sweetheart” in Italian? That is a very good question, mostly because there is no exact Italian word for “sweetheart”. You could say dolcezza, meaning “sweetness”, to a woman, or tesoro to a man.
“Soulmate” in Italian: Anima GemellaNot everyone can find their anima gemella (“soulmate”, literally “twin soul”), but those who do sono molto fortunati (“are very lucky”).
“Dear” in Italian: Caro/CaraThe Italian word for “dear” is caro/a. Funny enough, it also means “expensive”, but who wouldn’t consider their dear ones to be worth all the money in the world?
By adding mio or mia after caro/a, you will get the Italian equivalent of “my dear”: caro mio/cara mia.
“Cute” in Italian: Carino/CarinaFrom what we’ve seen so far, adding the suffix -ino/a acts as a diminutive in Italian. However, -ino/a is sometimes used to create brand new words. You see, carino/a does not mean “a little expensive”, but “cute”!
“Gorgeous” in Italian: Bellissimo/BellissimaBello/a means beautiful in Italian, and bellissimo/a is the Italian word for “gorgeous”. It’s perfect paired with a blown kiss to your partner.
“I Love You” in Italian: Ti Voglio BeneThere are two ways to say “I love you” in Italian: ti amo and ti voglio bene.
Ti amo is rarely used because it expresses the burning passion of intimate love and is appropriate only in certain moments of a romantic relationship.
On the other hand, you will often hear ti voglio bene (literally “I wish you well”) sprinkled here and there. Ti voglio bene is the “I love you” for friends and family members – also regularly used in relationships – which expresses warmth, tenderness, and care.
Using ti voglio bene does not mean that you love the person less than if you told them ti amo, its connotation is just more affectionate than romantic.
“To Be Affectionate” in Italian: Essere Affettuoso/aAffetto is the Italian word for “affection”, affettuoso/a means “affectionate”, and the phrase “to be affectionate” is essere affettuoso/a.
As essere affettuoso/a includes the verb essere (“to be”), the phrase changes depending on the subject:
(Io) sono affettuoso/a → “I am affectionate”(Tu) sei affettuoso/a → “you are affectionate” (singular)(Lui/lei) è affettuoso/a → “he/she is affectionate”(Noi) siamo affettuosi/e → “we are affectionate”(Voi) siete affettuosi/e → “you are affectionate” (plural)(Loro) sono affettuosi/e → “they are affectionate”Other Italian Terms of Endearment For Your PartnerPossibilities are endless when it comes to sweet names for your love. Some make no sense and are endearingly childish, like ciccino or pucci, and others are a bit eccentric.
Here are some fun ones:
Polpetto/a – “meatball”Orsacchiotto – “teddy bear”Bambola – “doll”Zuccherino – “little sugar”Manina – “little hand”Bacino – “little kiss”Learning Italian? Listen to the experience of another learner and take some notes!
Italian Phrases to Share Your AffectionPet names are sweet, but you can impress everyone and upgrade your ability to share your affection in Italian by learning specific phrases.
Here are a few of the most common ones:
Luce dei miei occhi – “Apple of my eye”, literally “light of my eyes”Luce della mia vita – “Light of my life”Sei un raggio di sole – “You are a ray of sunshine”Sei la persona a cui tengo di più – “You’re the person I care the most about”Sei la miglior cosa che mi sia capitata – “You’re the best thing that happened to me”Sei la ragione di ogni mio sorriso – “You’re the reason for all my smiles”Sei il mio mondo/universo – “You’re my world/universe”Sei il mio tutto – “You’re my everything”DIY Time! Create Your Own Italian Terms of EndearmentIt’s nice to get a few ideas to get you started, but I think we can agree on this: nicknames are much better when they’re su misura (“tailor-made”)!
If you feel like none of the terms of endearment mentioned in this post fit the people you care about, create a nomignoli yourself!
When it comes to making a person you appreciate stand out, imagination has no boundaries.
What Makes a Good Italian Term of Endearment?What makes a good term of endearment in any language?
Inside jokes are a good starting point, and anything you might find in the candy and pastry aisles in the supermarket will do more than fine. To make up the best parole sdolcinate, make it a funny nickname that only you and the person it’s for will understand.
Actually, any type of food could become a term of endearment: formaggino (“little cheese”) is an amusing nickname for a partner, but it’s quite cheesy, if you ask me.
Any animals you haven’t seen in the lists above? No worries, if you add a suffix to the word, it’ll create the perfect new nickname.
Example:
Scimmietta – “little monkey”Pesciolino – “little fish”Italian Suffixes for Terms of EndearmentThe suffix -ino/a is the most common Italian diminutive suffix, but it is not the only one. You can try one of these as well:
-etto/a as in zietta – an alternative to -ino/a-otto/a as in paperotta – a mix of -etto/a and the augmentative -one/a-uccio/a as in amoruccio – small and slightly insulting in certain cases, it’s often used to add a pinch of mocking tone to the wordWhat’s tricky with Italian diminutive suffixes is there’s no set rule for when to use them. You just learn through practice and dedicated listening.
Sometimes, all suffixes can be used with the same word. Other times, you’ll really want to be careful with how you use them.
For example, another term of endearment for your nonna (“grandmother”) and nonno (“grandfather”) could be nonnetta and nonnetto, but it would depend on the region. In some places, nonnetto/a might come across as affectionate while in others it would mean “old man/woman”.
As always with language learning, it is good to get the hang of the local sayings before throwing around words you’re not too sure of. Asking natives is always a wise choice if you want to improve your skills.
Top tip: if you are unsure how to pronounce Italian sounds or words, our native Italian team member Alice shot a video that you might want to have a look at:
There’s also an article that goes with it, if you prefer reading!
Add “Mio/a” and “Caro/a”Words that already constitute terms of endearment can be strengthened if you complement them with mio/a (“my”) or caro/a (“dear”).
Examples:
Tesoro mio – “my treasure”Piccola mia – “my little one”Caro amico – “dear friend”The Ultimate Italian Nickname: AbbreviationsItalians love to abbreviate names and words to create nicknames, of which raga’ is an example.
As you know, last names are popular nickname material, and it’s common among youth to shorten them.
Example:
Martinelli becomes Mart or MartiMessina becomes MessSometimes even nicknames can be abbreviated. Cioccolatino, which is perhaps too much of a mouthful to really be a nickname, can become cicchi.
Be Exotic Almost EffortlesslyItalians truly appreciate culture, and they often turn to foreign languages to enrich their own. When it comes to nicknames, their favorite source is… English!
They might shorten Michele to “Mike”, or Massimo to “Max”. Their tall friend whose name is Roberto might be their “big Robert”. They also might fish for monikers in Hollywood successes from the 50s and call their friend Francesca “Frenchie”, as a tribute to the movie Grease.
You can take advantage of this to create nicknames that will be considered very cool!
Be Affectionate in ItalianNow that you know a ton of Italian terms of endearment, how will you communicate your affection in Italian? Will you call your friend mitica or your child patatino? Or will you cook some manicaretti for your dolce metà?
Let me know on Instagram (@irishpolyglot), TikTok (@irishpolyglot), or Twitter (@irishpolyglot) what words you will use!
Italian Uncovered Review — What’s the “Secret Ingredient” of this Italian Course?112 Basic Italian Phrases to Learn and Speak NOW!15 Online Language Lessons to Learn Italian for FreeHow to Learn Italian: 5 Top Tips for Italian Learners (Plus 5 Great Reasons to Learn Italian)Innovative Language Review – Complete Pod101 Language Course Review (with Screenshots and Video Results)The post 90+ Italian Terms of Endearment for Every Loved One in Your Life appeared first on Fluent in 3 Months.
May 26, 2023
12 Chinese Zodiac Signs: Discover and Talk About Your Birth Year in Chinese
Have you ever had one of the scroll calendars that Chinese banks and restaurants give out around Chinese New Year?
The calendars always have an ad for the business at the bottom and a beautiful picture at the top. They also show all twelve of the Chinese zodiac signs along with the days of the lunar new year in Mandarin Chinese.
The lunar new year decides your Chinese zodiac animal, and your zodiac animal determines your character traits, lucky symbols, and attributes. People around the world use Chinese zodiac signs to understand their personality, predict relationship compatibility, and tell fortunes.
All you need to discover your zodiac sign is your birthday!
Here is your complete beginner’s guide to understanding the Chinese zodiac signs…
Table of contentsWhat Are the Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals?Find Out Your Chinese Zodiac SignRatOxTigerRabbitDragonSnakeHorseGoatMonkeyRoosterDogPigWhat About Zodiac Traits and Blood Types?What About Zodiac Elements and Attributes?Talk About Your Western Zodiac SignCapricornAquariusPiscesAriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusDiscussing Your Zodiac Signs in ChinesePhrasebook for Zodiac Sign ConversationsVocabulary Related to the Chinese ZodiacChinese New Year TraditionsHow Do the Chinese Zodiac Signs Affect Me?What Are the Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals?We know that the Chinese zodiac signs have been around for more than 2,000 years since before the Qin Dynasty (221 – 207 BC) thanks to ancient books. It’s harder to find the origin of the Chinese zodiac animals, because there are many different stories that explain how the zodiac cycle came to be.
In elementary school, my classmates and I were all taught the myth of the Great Race, which is the story of how the heavenly Jade Emperor called animals in China to take part in a race. The winners would become guards and symbols in the Chinese zodiac.
The Chinese zodiac thus follows the order in which the animals finished the race, and the zodiac animals repeat every twelve years.
Find Out Your Chinese Zodiac SignThe Chinese zodiac called 生肖 (shēng xiào) in Mandarin Chinese and means “born resembling.” The idea is that people will have traits that are like the animal of their zodiac birth year.
Many countries in Asia, such as Cambodia and Singapore, use the Chinese zodiac. Countries like Vietnam and Japan have adapted it for their own use. Curious about the Japanese zodiac? Check out the Japanese zodiac signs here!
Your “origin of life year” or 本命年 (běn mìng nián) decides your zodiac animal sign. The specific dates of the Chinese New Year change every year, so double-check your zodiac sign if you have a birthday in January or February. The twelve Chinese zodiac signs in order and their associated traits are:
RatChinese Word: 鼠 (shǔ)
Years: 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Traits: optimistic, nosy, sentimental, adaptable, and kind
Attribute: yang
Lucky Colors: black, blue, and green
Lucky Numbers: 4 and 9
Note: The Chinese character 鼠 can mean either “rat” or “mouse.”
OxChinese Word: 牛 (niú)
Years: 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Traits: diligent, serious, loyal, honest, and stubborn
Attribute: yin
Lucky Colors: coffee, yellow, and orange
Lucky Numbers: 1 and 4
Chinese Word: 虎 (hǔ)
Years: 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Traits: ambitious, enthusiastic, arrogant, lively, and determined
Attribute: yang
Lucky Colors: blue, gray, white, and orange
Lucky Numbers: 1, 3, and 4
Chinese Word: 兔 (tù)
Years: 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Traits: gentle, reserved, kind, sensitive, and thoughtful
Attribute: yin
Lucky Colors: red, pink, purple, and blue
Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, and 9
Note: The Chinese character 兔 can mean either “hare” or “rabbit.”
DragonChinese Word: 龍 (lóng)
Simplified Chinese: 龙 (lóng)
Years: 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Traits: demanding, responsible, bold, sincere, and temperamental
Attribute: yang
Lucky Colors: gold, silver, and gray
Lucky Numbers: 1, 6, and 7
Chinese Word: 蛇 (shé)
Years: 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Traits: energetic, easy-going, secretive, passionate, and cunning
Attribute: yin
Lucky Colors: red, light yellow, and black
Lucky Numbers: 2, 8, and 9
Note: The Chinese character 蛇 can also mean “serpent.”
HorseChinese Word: 馬 (mǎ)
Simplified Chinese: 马 (mǎ)
Years: 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Traits: resolute, decisive, impatient, cheerful, and opinionated
Attribute: yang
Lucky Colors: green, red, and purple
Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, and 9
Chinese Word: 羊 (yáng)
Years: 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Traits: creative, melancholy, tolerant, patient, and indecisive
Attribute: yin
Lucky Colors: green, red, and purple
Lucky Numbers: 2, 8, and 9
Note: The Chinese character 羊 can mean “sheep,” “ram,” or “goat.”
MonkeyChinese Word: 猴 (hóu)
Years: 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Traits: jealous, confident, vain, talented, and clever
Attribute: yang
Lucky Colors: white, gold, and blue
Lucky Numbers: 1, 7, and 8
Chinese Word: 雞 (jī)
Simplified Chinese: 鸡 (jī)
Years: 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Traits: competitive, keen, argumentative, organized, and caring
Attribute: yin
Lucky Colors: gold, brown, and yellow-brown
Lucky Numbers: 5, 7, and 8
Note: The character 雞/鸡 can mean “chicken,” “rooster,” or “hen.”
DogChinese Word: 狗 (gǒu)
Years: 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Traits: reliable, intelligent, anxious, studious, and pessimistic
Attribute: yang
Lucky Colors: green, red, and purple
Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, and 9
Chinese Word: 豬 (zhū)
Simplified Chinese: 猪 (zhū)
Years: 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Traits: compassionate, calm, emotional, hardworking, and gullible
Attribute: yin
Lucky Colors: yellow, gray, and coffee
Lucky Numbers: 2, 5, and 8
Every zodiac sign has characteristics that change, and attributes that stay the same.
Fixed attributes include symbolic elements, lucky symbols, and harmonic attributes. Changing attributes include character traits, blood type, and time of birth.
Fixed attributes will be the same for everyone born in the same zodiac year. Changing attributes will result in differences between people with the same zodiac sign.
People disagree on changing attributes more often.
For example, I have two versions of the scroll calendar I mentioned earlier. The first version, “Scroll Calendar of the Rabbit,” describes the rabbit as “tender and lovely.” The second version, “Scroll Calendar of the Horse,” describes the same zodiac sign as “prudent and planning.”
Character traits differ as a result of translation choices but can also change depending on factors in the environment. Let’s say you’re ambitious by nature as a tiger, but you’ve already watched your relative’s business fail. You may be more cautious than expected when starting your own business as a result.
Blood types affect how clear your character traits are. For example, if your zodiac sign is dog and you have blood type A, you are likely to be extra honest and frank. If you have blood type B and your zodiac sign is still a dog, then you are instead extra persistent.
If you’d like to learn more about blood type compatibility, the learning website Yoyo Chinese posted an article with good explanations and audio clips.
What About Zodiac Elements and Attributes?In general, people agree on fixed attributes. The traditional philosophy of 風水 (fēng shuǐ), meaning “wind-water,” determine the yin and yang attributes of each Chinese zodiac sign. These attributes split according to the number of your animal’s hooves or claws.
If the resulting number is odd, the animal sign is yang. If the resulting number is even, the animal sign is yin. 太極 (tài jí), better known in English as “Tai Chi,” refers to order in the universe when the opposites (yin and yang) unite.
The “five phases” or 五行 (wǔ xíng) of the Chinese zodiac are also fixed. They explain how energy flows in the universe between the classical elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. People who practice Feng Shui use this knowledge to reorder energy to help others or make cures.
To find out what your element is, first determine the last number of your birth year.
If your birth year ends in a…
0 or 1 – Your element is metal.2 or 3 – Your element is water.4 or 5 – Your element is wood.6 or 7 – Your element is fire.8 or 9 – Your element is earth.Talk About Your Western Zodiac SignThe Chinese zodiac receives more attention than the Western zodiac, but the Western zodiac still has its place in Chinese culture.
Western zodiac signs follow the Gregorian calendar and rotate monthly. Written as 星座運勢 with traditional characters or 星座运势 with simplified characters, western-style horoscopes called xīng zuò yùn shì support constellations.
CapricornChinese Word: 摩羯 (mó jié)
Meaning: “scour gelded ram”
Date of Birth: December 22 – January 19
Traits: honest, reliable, indifferent, and patient
Chinese Word: 寶瓶 (bǎo píng)
Simplified Chinese: 宝瓶 (bǎo píng)
Meaning: “treasure bottle”
Date of Birth: January 20 – February 18
Traits: eloquent, friendly, observant, and private
Chinese Word: 雙魚 (shuāng yú)
Simplified Chinese: 双鱼 (shuāng yú)
Meaning: “double fish”
Date of Birth: February 19 – March 20
Traits: gentle, sincere, frank, and dedicated
Chinese Word: 白羊 (bái yáng)
Meaning: “white sheep/goat”
Date of Birth: March 21 – April 19
Traits: decisive, willful, strong, and idealistic
Chinese Word: 金牛 (jīn niú)
Meaning: “gold bull”
Date of Birth: April 20 – May 20
Traits: stable, cautious, stubborn, and expressive
Chinese Word: 雙子 (shuāng zǐ)
Simplified Chinese: 双子 (shuāng zǐ)
Meaning: “double child”
Date of Birth: May 21 – June 21
Traits: alert, restless, complacent, and witty
Chinese Word: 巨蟹 (jù xiè)
Meaning: “huge crab”
Date of Birth: June 22 – July 22
Traits: thoughtful, kind, gentle, and determined
Chinese Word: 獅子 (shī zǐ)
Simplified Chinese: 狮子 (shī zǐ)
Meaning: “lion”
Date of Birth: July 23 – August 22
Traits: kind, upright, bright, and spontaneous
Chinese Word: 室女 (shì nǚ)
Meaning: “room woman”
Date of Birth: August 23 – September 22
Traits: perfectionist, intelligent, mysterious, and restrained
Chinese Word: 天秤 (tiān chèng)
Meaning: “sky scale”
Date of Birth: September 23 – October 23
Traits: balanced, fair, vigorous, and noble
Chinese Word: 天蠍 (tiān xiē)
Simplified Chinese: 天蝎 (tiān xiē)
Meaning: “sky scorpion”
Date of Birth: October 24 – November 22
Traits: smart, wise, emotional, and enduring
Chinese Word: 人馬 (rén mǎ)
Simplified Chinese: 人马 (rén mǎ)
Meaning: “human horse”
Date of Birth: November 23 – December 21
Traits: detailed, opinionated, optimistic, and peaceful
Now, let’s practice a conversation involving the zodiac signs!
You are out sightseeing with your friend 可欣 (kě xīn), and you two are trying to find clothes that suit her. You are both having a hard time choosing nice clothes, so you decide to look for some that show off positive character traits.
The resulting conversation, written with traditional Chinese characters, goes:
You:
可欣，你的生肖究竟属什么？
Kě Xīn, nǐ de shēng xiào jiū jìng shǔ shén me?
“Kexin, what zodiac animal do you actually belong to?”
Kě xīn:
我属鼠。
Wǒ shǔ shǔ.
“I belong to the rat.”
You:
老鼠通常是善良而樂觀的。
Lǎo shǔ tōng cháng shì shàn liáng ér lè guān de.
“Rats are usually kind-hearted and also optimistic.”
也許我們可以嘗試一些淺色的東西?
Yě xǔ wǒ men kě yǐ cháng shì yī xiē qiǎn sè de dōng xī?
“Maybe we can try some light-colored things?”
Kě xīn:
也許。
Yě xǔ.
“Maybe.”
How about discussing the Chinese zodiac signs more casually or more formally? Or asking about someone’s zodiac sign in a different way? How do you ask about next year’s zodiac animal or someone’s birth year?
Read the phrases below!
你的属相是什么？
Nǐ de shǔ xiàng shì shén me?
“What is your zodiac animal?”
我的属相是。。。
Wǒ de shǔ xiàng shì…
“My zodiac animal is…”
你属什么？
*Nǐ shǔ shén me?”
“What do you belong to?”
2017年是鸡年。
2017 nián shì jī nián.
“2017 is the year of the rooster.”
2023是兔年。
2023 shì tù nián.
“2023 is a rabbit year.”
明年是什么年？
Míng nián shì shén me nián?
“What year is next year?”
龍年。
Lóng nián.
“Dragon year.”
今年是我的本命年。
Jīn nián shì wǒ de běn mìng nián.
“This year is my origin-of-life year.”
Lots of people have dedicated their lives to studying Chinese astrology over the years. As a result, Chinese astrology is a huge subject that covers topics such as relationship compatibility and fortunes.
Here are some vocabulary words that may help you navigate the Chinese astrological world:
陰陽論 (yīn yáng lùn) – yin-yang theory; expresses the idea that “opposites balance in this world”六合 (liù hé) – most compatible pairs三合 (sān hé) – next most compatible signs星座 (xīng zuò) – constellation; horoscope地支 (dì zhī) – the original term for the Chinese zodiac signs; means “earthly branches”血型 (xuè xíng) – blood type五行属性 (wǔ xíng shǔ xìng) – five element attribute水 (shuǐ) – water木 (mù) – wood火 (huǒ) – fire土 (tǔ) – earth金 (jīn) – metal算命 (suàn mìng) – fortune telling預測 [traditional] / 預測 [simplified] (yù cè) – to forecast; to predict
Chinese New Year TraditionsThe Chinese New Year gives you a chance to practice what you’ve learned about the Chinese zodiac signs. It also brings you yearly tasks and fun activities, such as cooking rice, worshiping ancestors, and buying New Year goods. It’s also important to make sure the children stay eager to help and enjoy the celebrations.
When I taught world cultures to middle school students, we studied continents, countries, and nations. When we moved on to Chinese cultural traditions, students of all ages wanted to help and take part in the new year celebrations any way they could.
For example, they decorated the room, cooked traditional food, and practiced Chinese calligraphy. Still, they favored dragon dances, lantern festivals, cooking, and fireworks. If you’re interested in wishing someone a happy lunar year in Chinese, find out more here.
Younger ages enjoy flipping through pop-up books and visiting temples when given the chance. Older children often love the Chinese zodiac signs and learning about the history of joss paper. Try introducing it to them as “ghost money,” and see their faces light up.
Harry’s Kitchen in Hong Kong offers great parent-child baking challenges if you’re interested in exploring traditional Chinese food. Even if you’re not in Hong Kong, it’s becoming easier to find ingredients wherever you are in the world thanks to online shopping sites and exotic stores.
How Do the Chinese Zodiac Signs Affect Me?Chinese zodiac signs are a big part of lunar new year celebrations, but their contributions are not limited to activities and self-discovery. Your Chinese zodiac sign can influence how others see you and how you see yourself, so some signs are more desired than others. Due to superstition, the dragon is more preferred while the goat is less favored.
Yet, an ancient saying goes “不坐没有老鼠的船” (bù zuò méi yǒu lǎo shǔ de chuán) which means “don’t go on a boat without rats.” This refers to how people born in the year of the rat usually have great foresight. Legend also states that the moon goddess Chang’e kept a pet rabbit – the Jade Rabbit – because only it was selfless enough to earn a place by her side.
So what’s the bottom line? Each zodiac sign has its own advantages and disadvantages. We’re all different, and it takes a team to make the world work after all!
But the next time you’re talking about the Chinese zodiac signs, you’ll be ready to impress Chinese locals with your deep knowledge of astrology.
新年快樂!
Xīn nián kuài lè!
Happy New Year!
The post 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs: Discover and Talk About Your Birth Year in Chinese appeared first on Fluent in 3 Months.
May 12, 2023
136 Core Arabic Words – Basic Arabic Words to Get You Familiar With The Language
Learning any new language can be quite a tough process, but it is easier with the right tools and discipline. Learning Arabic, for example, may seem like a daunting task at first glance. Yet, what if I tell you that knowing a few basic Arabic words will help you in mastering the language?!
In this post, I’ll be writing using الابجدية (Arabic abjad), the Arabic alphabet. It’s better to start with learning the alphabet before diving into the language itself.
Additionally, please note that I am covering words in Modern Standard Arabic in this post.
Mmm… It may seem tricky and foreign. The good news? Arabic is actually a phonetic language that follows a very consistent pronunciation system.
Also, bear in mind that the transliterations I put between brackets aren’t following a guideline, rather, they’re just there to help you out.
This article is helpful as a guide to learning the Arabic letters and script.
Let’s get started!
function runSplitTest(){var randomNumber = Math.floor(Math.random() * 2) + 1console.log(randomNumber)var copy = "";if (randomNumber == 3){ copy = '<i>A note from the Fluent in 3 Months team before we get started: You can chat away in a new language for at least 15 minutes with the "Fluent in 3 Months" method. All it takes is 90 days. <a href="https://www.fluentin3months.com/other... this link to find out more.</a></i>'} else { copy = '<i>A note from the Fluent in 3 Months team before we get started: You can chat away with a native speaker for at least 15 minutes with the "Fluent in 3 Months" method. All it takes is 90 days. <a href="https://www.fluentin3months.com/other... this link to find out more.</a></i>'}var copyToChange = document.querySelector("p.copyText").innerHTML = copy;}runSplitTest();Table of contents11 Most Important Basic Arabic Words12 Arabic Pronouns47 Basic Arabic WordsArabic Words for TimeArabic Words for PlacesArabic Words for ThingsArabic Words for People27 Common Arabic Verbs19 Simple Arabic Adjectives and Adverbs5 Core Arabic Conjunctions and ConnectorsBonus: 15 Cool Arabic Phrases to Talk in The North African Street SlangModern Standard Arabic vs DialectsHow to Learn and Speak Arabic Words Fluently Faster11 Most Important Basic Arabic WordsIf you’re only going to learn 11 Arabic words, these are the first ones you should consider!
“Peace be upon you” – السلام عليكم (As-aalaam alaikum)“Good morning” – صباح الخير (Sabah al-khair)“Hello” – مرحبا (Marhaban)“Goodbye” – مع السلامة (ma-aa salama) or الى اللقاء (ila lika-e)“Yes” – نعم (Na-am)“No” – لا (La)“Okay” – حسنا (Hasanan)“Please” – من فضلك (min fadlik)“Thank you” – شكرا (chokran)“You’re welcome” – لا شكر على واجب (La chokra ala wajib)“I’m sorry” – انا اسف (Ana asif)“I don’t know” – لا أعرف (La aa-ref)
12 Arabic PronounsBefore moving on to other things, let’s take a look at Arabic pronouns. Memorizing Arabic pronouns will help you a lot in your learning journey.
Arabic has 12 personal pronouns. We divide these pronouns into singular, dual (for two people), and plural pronouns in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person.
Also keep in mind that all nouns in Arabic grammar are either masculine or feminine (even pronouns).
Singular:
“I” – انا (Ana)“You” feminine – انتِ (Anti)“You” masculine – انتَ (Anta)“He” – هو (Howwa)“She” – هي (Heyya)Dual:
“We” – نحن (NaHnu)“You” – انتما (Antuma)“They” – هما (Humaa)Plural:
“We” – نحن (NaHnu)“You” feminine – انتن (Antunna)“You” masculine – انتم (Antum)“They” feminine – هن (Hunna)“They” masculine – هم (Hum)47 Basic Arabic WordsSpoken by over 200 million speakers, Arabic is the world’s 6th most spoken language. It has about 12.3 million words, which is 20 times the number of words in English. That is a lot of words to learn!
Yet, here’s the deal: You only need to learn about 5% to start speaking Arabic comfortably.
Benny Lewis, founder of Fluent in 3 Months, suggests that one of the best ways to hack a language is by learning it based on words used every day.
Here are the words you’ll often use when in an Arabic speaking environment.
Arabic Words for Time“Day” – يوم (Yawm)“Week” – أسبوع (usboue)“Month” – شهر (Cha-Hr)“Year” – سنة (Sana)“Today” – اليوم (Al’yawm)“Yesterday” – امس (Ams)“Tomorrow” – غدا (Ghadan)“Hour” – ساعة (Sa’aa)“Minute” – دقيقة (Daqiqa)“Time” – زمن (Zaman)“Before” – قبل (Qabl)“After” – بعد (Ba’aad)“Now” – الان (Al’aan)Arabic Words for Places“Here” – هنا (Huna)“There” – هناك (Hunak)“Place” – مكان (Makan)“School” – مدرسة (Madrassa)“Shop” – متجر (Matjar)“Work” – عمل (Aamal)“Bathroom” – (Hamam) حمام“City” – مدينة (Madina)“Country” – دولة (Dawla)“Room” – غرفة (Ghurfa)“Mosque” – مسجد (Masjid)“Morocco” – مغرب (Maghreb)“Airport” – مطار (Matar)Arabic Words for Things“Thing” – شيء (Chay’a)“Nothing” – لا شيء (La chay’a)“House” – منزل (Manzil)“Car” – سيارة (Sayyara)“Words” – كلمات (Kalimat)“Language” – لغة (Logha)“Water” – ماء (Ma-aa)“Movie” – فيلم (Film)“Food” – أكل (Akl)“Tea” – شاي (Chai)“Phone” – هاتف (Hatif)Arabic Words for People“Woman” – امرأة (Imra-aa)“Man” – رجل (Rajul)“Girl” – بنت (Bint)“Boy” – ولد (Walad)“Friend” – صديق (Sadik)“Person” – شخص (Chakhs)“Husband” – زوج (Zawj)“Wife” – زوجة (Zawja)“Family” – عائلة (A-ila)“Name” – اسم (Ism)27 Common Arabic VerbsOf course, to form coherent sentences, you’ll need verbs.
Below are the 27 most common Arabic verbs you need to know.
“To do” – يفعل (Yaf’al)“To be” – يكون (Yakun)“To become” – يصبح (YusbiH)“To say” – يقول (Yaqol)“To come” – ياتي (Ya’ati)“To go” – يمشي (Yamshi)“To arrive” – يصل (Yasil)“To see” – يرى (Yaraa)2* “To send” – يرسل (Yursil)“To have” – يملك (Yamlek)“To take” – يأخذ (Ya’akhuz)“To wait” – ينتظر (Yantadir)“To meet” – يلتقي (Yaltaqi)“To live” – يعيش (Yaa’ish)“To think” – يفكر (Yufakker)“To give” – يعطي (Yua’ti)“To receive” – يتلقى (Yatalaqa)“To know” – يعرف (Ya’arif)“To make” – يصنع (Yasnaa)“To use” – يستعمل (Yasta’mil)“To learn” – يتعلم (Yata’alam)“To eat” – يأكل (Ya’akul)“To drink” – يشرب (Yashrub)“To laugh” – يضحك (YadHak)“To read” – يقرا (Yaqraa)“To like” – يحب (Yuhibb)“To write” – يكتب(Yaktub)19 Simple Arabic Adjectives and Adverbs
I think it’s magical how people can describe the same thing in many different ways in Arabic. It adds a lot of personality and flavor to conversations!
Here are 19 simple Arabic adjectives and adverbs that will boost your conversational skills.
“Many, lots of” – كثير (Katheer)“Few” – قليل (Qalil)“Big” – كبير (Kabir)“Small” – صغير (Saghir)“Tall” – طويل (Tawil)“Short” – قصير (Qasir)“Near” – قريب (Qarib)“Far” – بعيد (Ba’id)“Good, nice” – جيد (Jayyed)“Bad” – سيء (Saye’)“Easy” – سهل (Sahl)“Difficult” – صعب (Saab)“Beautiful” – جميل (Jamil)“Ugly” – قبيح (QabiH)“Delicious” – لذيذ (Laziz)“Hot” – سخن (Sakhn)“Cold” – بارد (Bared)“Very” – جدا (Jidan)5 Core Arabic Conjunctions and ConnectorsConjunction and connectors are very essential in making you sound more fluent. Also, it gives you a chance to take a moment to better organize your thoughts and express yourself.
Below are the five most common ones that you’ll use daily.
“But, however” – لكن (Lakin)“Also” – و (Wa)“For example” – مثلا (Mathalan)“So” – لذا (leza)“Then” – ثم (Thomma) or بعدها (baedaha)Bonus: 15 Cool Arabic Phrases to Talk in The North African Street SlangBeing the official language spoken in 25 countries, it is reasonable that various Arabic “dialects” exist.
Here, we’ll focus on Darija, the dialect of Arabic spoken in Morocco. It is a bit more difficult compared to other regional dialects of Arabic. But, knowing some basics will definitely make you loved by the locals.
Want to sound more natural while enjoying your time in Morocco? Here are 15 phrases that’ll make you stand out.
“What’s up?” – لاباس عليك؟ (Labas ‘lik?)“I want to go.” – بغيت نمشي (Brit nmchi)“I want” – بغيت (Brit)“Do you understand me?” – فهمتيني؟ (Fhemtini?)“What is it?” – شنو هادا؟ (Shnu hada?)“How much is it?” – شحال هادا؟ (Shehal hada?)“That is too expensive.” – هادا غالي بزاف (Hada rali bezzaf)“No, that is too much” – لا,هادشي بزاف (La, hadchi bezzaf)“This is a good price” – هادا ثمن مزيان (Hada taman mezyan)“I need…” – خصني (Khassni)“All clear” – صافي (Safi)“All right” – واخا (Wakha)“God willing” – ان شاء الله (Insha-Allah)“Let’s go.” – يلاه (Yallah)“Nothing” – والو (Walou)Modern Standard Arabic vs DialectsI understand how overwhelming it may be to learn Arabic, especially if you’re not familiar with its alphabet and pronunciations. But it’s definitely an enriching journey that you won’t regret!
Having said that, there’s one thing you need to know.
If you’re learning Arabic to consume the media or for a professional setting, Modern Standard Arabic is the way to go. But, if your goal is to learn to speak Arabic, I’d suggest choosing a variety of Arabic and sticking with it.
Why is this important?
Well, Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) isn’t actually spoken as a native language in any country. Each country has its own “form” of Arabic. In fact, you may be surprised to find that different dialects of Arabic are spoken in the same country.
To sum it up, define first what your learning objectives are. If they fall within a formal context (think political), start with MSA. If it’s to hold a conversation and get to know people, proceed to pick the country or culture you’re most interested in and learn its “dialect.”
Check out this article to know more about why you shouldn’t learn MSA before a dialect!
How to Learn and Speak Arabic Words Fluently FasterNow that you know some basic Arabic words, you might be wondering where to go next.
If possible, immersion is the best way to learn any language, least of all Arabic. That way, you are forced to interact with native speakers and pushed to learn as much as possible.
But, if that’s not possible for you, using frequency lists is super helpful! This is actually a great tool even while staying in your target country.
Frequency lists are simply a collection of words most frequently used in a language. For example, learning the 100 most frequently used words in English is equivalent to learning about 25% of all English writing. Big time and energy saving, isn’t that right?
Start by choosing a daily target of the number of words to learn regularly. Let’s say you want to learn 8 words per day. Be consistent and adamant on achieving this goal every day. Practice using the words you’ve learned so far in simple sentences.
I’m trying the frequency lists method to learn Turkish. And while I’m far from trying to read any Turkish book, I’m confident I’ll get there in no time.
Talking with native speakers (whether that is online or face-to-face) is also a great way to learn Arabic. You can use platforms such as Preply to find great tutors. It’s a Fi3M favorite!
You can try it along the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp and start speaking fluently in as little as 90 days.
أتمنى لكم التوفيق!
10+ Ways to say ”Hello” in Arabic and Other Arabic GreetingsLearn Arabic Online for Free: 33 Resources and Online Arabic ClassesHow to Learn Arabic Right the First TimeInnovative Language Review – Complete Pod101 Language Course Review (with Screenshots and Video Results)Arabic Alphabet: The Guide to Learning the Arabic Letters and ScriptThe post 136 Core Arabic Words – Basic Arabic Words to Get You Familiar With The Language appeared first on Fluent in 3 Months.
May 8, 2023
Chinese Numbers: Your Go-to Guide for Counting in Chinese from 0 to 100+
Are you ready to explore Chinese numbers 1-100 and beyond? Read this article, and you’ll have a solid knowledge of counting in Chinese.
Today, I’ll teach you all numbers in Chinese, from 1 to 10, 10 to 100, and I’ll also include thousands and millions.
And if you’re interested in a little bonus, I’ll talk a bit about words for measurements in Chinese, too.
Also, let’s not forget we need to learn how to say “Chinese numerals” first. So here it is: 中文数字 (zhōngwén shùzì) – “Chinese numerals” / ”Chinese numbers”.
(Note that, for the sake of clarity, I’ve written both a number and a word that represents it when translating in the text. For example: “forty-five” (45).)
Ok, so now, are you ready to start? Let’s run right into it!
function runSplitTest(){var randomNumber = Math.floor(Math.random() * 2) + 1console.log(randomNumber)var copy = "";if (randomNumber == 3){ copy = '<i>A note from the Fluent in 3 Months team before we get started: You can chat away in Chinese for at least 15 minutes with the "Fluent in 3 Months" method. All it takes is 90 days. <b><a href="https://www.fluentin3months.com/ch?sr... this link to find out more.</b></a></i>'} else { copy = '<i>A note from the Fluent in 3 Months team before we get started: You can chat away in Chinese for at least 15 minutes with the "Fluent in 3 Months" method. All it takes is 90 days. <b><a href="https://www.fluentin3months.com/ch?sr... this link to find out more.</b></a></i>'}console.log(copy)var copyToChange = document.querySelector("p.copyText").innerHTML = copy;}runSplitTest();Chinese Numbers 1-10Chinese people use their characters even for numbers. But nowadays, it’s not uncommon to see Arabic numerals in China either.
Here, I’ll show you how to count from 1-10 in Chinese and I’ll also include both Chinese characters and pinyin to help you learn. (Pinyin is the English romanization of Chinese characters.)
NumberChinese CharacterPinyin1一yī2二èr3三sān4四sì5五wǔ6六liù7七qī8八bā9九jiǔ10十shíAlso, “zero” in Chinese is super easy.
It’s very common to see this Chinese character: 〇 (líng) for “zero (0)”, but you might still run into this one: 零 (líng) – “zero (0)” as well.
Note that 二 (èr, “two (2)”) is mostly used when counting or giving out a phone number.
When referring to a quantity of something, such as using measure words and saying “both” or “two of something” instead of just “two”, 两 (liǎng) is the one you want to use.
For example:
二十块钱 (èrshí kuài qián) – “twenty (20) renminbi”两本书 (liǎng běn shū) – “two (2) books”When you speak quickly, especially when sharing a phone number, use 幺 (yāo) – “one (1)” instead of 一 (yī) – “one (1)”.
In Chinese, 一 (yī, “one (1)”) sounds too similar to 七 (qī, “seven (7)”), so it can get easily confused when speaking fast.
You’ll also need to remember that the number “four (4)” – 四 (sì) – symbolizes bad luck in Chinese. That’s because it sounds similar to 死 (sǐ) – “death”.
Number 4 in Chinese is like number 13 in the Western world. Often, the 4th floor is left out in buildings and hotels, and Chinese people wouldn’t be happy if you gave them four of something, such as flowers or fruits.
Chinese Numbers 11-20 & AboveThe Chinese numerals 11-20 are quite easy – all you need to know is how to count 1-10 and you’ll just combine these characters as you go further. Think of it like stacking the numbers together.
The same goes for numbers 30, 40, and so on.
NumberChinese CharactersPinyin11十一shíyī12十二shí'èr13十三shísān14十四shísì15十五shíwǔ16十六shíliù17十七shíqī18十八shíbā19十九shíjiǔ20二十èrshí30三十sānshí40四十sìshí50五十wǔshí60六十liùshí70七十qīshí80八十bāshí90九十jiǔshíNumbers 11-19 are just a combination of the number 10 + the following number.
So the pattern to say these numbers is: 10+1 for 11, 10+2 for 12, and so on.
Numerals 20, 30, and following, are the same way, but just the other way around: 20 is two tens, 30 is 3 tens, and so on.
For numbers in between, like 21, 22, 45, and others, the pattern of “two tens” continues. You’ll just add the last number at the end.
It goes like this:
二十五 (èrshíwǔ) – “twenty-five (25)”三十三 (sānshísān) – “thirty-three (33)”九十六 (jiǔshíliù) – “ninety-six (96)”As long as you learn Mandarin numbers 1-10, you can master all the numbers. And when you get to 100, you’ll need to learn a new character, but it’s still quite easy.
Counting in Chinese is one thing that’s easy about learning Chinese!
Chinese Numbers 100-999You can get away with the knowledge of just 1-10 until you get to 100, but even after that, it’s not that hard.
To say “One hundred (100)” in Chinese, you need a new word – 百 (bǎi) or 一百 (yìbǎi).
The difference is the same as it is in English: 百 (bǎi) means “a hundred” and 百 (yìbǎi) is “one hundred”. Both of them are correct, but when counting, it’s more common to use 百 (yìbǎi) – “one hundred”.
When you count from 101-109, there’s a slight difference compared to English. While in English you’d say “one hundred and one”, in Chinese, you would say “one hundred zero and one”. If you omit the “zero”, the number changes to a different one.
Take a look:
一百零一 or 一百〇一 (yìbǎi líng yī) – “one hundred and one (101)”一百零二 or 一百〇二 (yìbǎi líng èr) – “one hundred and two (102)”From 110, there are two different ways you can say a number.
The pattern stays the same:
一百一(十) (yìbǎi yī (shí)) – “one hundred and ten (110)”一百三(十) (yìbǎi sān (shí)) – “one hundred and thirty (130)”You’ll notice that in both cases, 十 (shí, “ten (10)”) is in brackets. That’s because you can leave it out completely.
That’s the reason why 101-109 always need to be said with a zero – otherwise they’d sound the same as 120-190.
This only applies as long as the number ends with a zero. Otherwise, you can’t leave 十 (shí) – “ten (10)” out.
Here’s an example of that:
一百三十五 (yìbǎi sānshíwǔ) – “one hundred thirty-five (135)”
Now, let’s have a look at examples of how to combine the numbers that we already know into bigger, more complicated ones. Try to test yourself with this table:
NumbersChinese CharactersPinyin129一百二十九yìbǎi èrshíjiǔ145一百四十五yìbǎi sìshíwǔ175一百七十五yìbǎi qīshíwǔ188一百八十八yìbǎi bāshíbā191一百九十一yìbǎi jiǔshíyīWith hundreds, the concept is similar to tens. You’re counting as if you’re adding:
二百 (èrbǎi) or 两百 (liǎngbǎi) – “two hundred (200)” (both are right)三百 (sānbǎi) – “three hundred (300)”四百 (sìbǎi) – “four hundred (400)”五百 (wǔbǎi) – “five hundred (500)”六百 (liùbǎi) – “six hundred (600)”七百 (qībǎi) – “seven hundred (700)”八百 (bābǎi) – “eight hundred (800)”九百 (jiǔbǎi) – “nine hundred (900)”There is one thing you should remember connected to number 250. Be careful when using this number, especially interacting with a Chinese person.
In China, being called “250” is an insult – basically, you’re calling the person you’re speaking to an idiot.
You don’t even need to refer to a person as “250”; it’s enough to just mention the number when talking about price or bargaining and yes, you’ve just insulted someone.
Let’s pause for a second to catch our breath. You might be wondering right now why on Earth you decided to start learning Chinese. Don’t despair, it’s easier than it seems. In fact, don’t just take my word for it, take John Fotheringham’s.
He has extensive experience in learning Chinese, and I interviewed him on an episode of the Language Hacking Podcast:
Chinese Numbers 1,000 & Above – the Big NumbersEven the “big” Mandarin numbers aren’t as scary as you might think.
You’ll notice that in Chinese, these numbers get their own character, so instead of saying “ten thousand” or “a million”, you’ll need to remember these particular names and how many zeros they mean.
The rest is easier – just like with the numbers I’ve already shown you.
These are all the Chinese numbers with three or more zeros:
NumberChinese CharactersPinyin1,000一千yīqiān10,000万wàn100,000十万shí wàn1,000,000一百万yìbǎi wàn10,000,000一千万yīqiān wàn100,000,000亿yì1,000,000,000十亿shí yìYou can see the difference between forming the big numbers in English and in Chinese.
Instead of “ten thousand (10,000)”, Chinese have 万 (wàn) and instead of “a million (1,000,000)”, Chinese have 一百万 (yìbǎi wàn), which literally means “one hundred of ten thousand”.
It’s a bit math-heavy, but you can see that it does add up to a million.
Here are some examples of numbers I’m sure you’ll be able to say in Chinese after reading this guide:
两万三百零九 (liǎng wàn sānbǎi líng jiǔ) – “twenty thousand three hundred and nine (20,309)”一百万三十万二十五 (yìbǎi wàn sānshí wàn èrshíwǔ) – “one million three hundred thousand and twenty-five (1,300,025)”Enjoying learning about Chinese numbers? Don’t worry, we’re not done yet. I still have a bonus ready for you!
Before we get to our Chinese measure words, have a look at this brief guide to Chinese ordinal numbers, days of the week and months of the year:
First, Second, and Once… Chinese Ordinal NumbersIf you’re still waiting for a catch and can’t believe how easy Chinese numbers are… Well, this isn’t it!
Chinese ordinal numbers are simply a combination of the word 第 (dì) and a number just the way you learnt it.
It goes like this:
第一 (dì yī) – “first (1st)”第二 (dì èr) – “second (2nd)”第五十四 (dì wǔshísì) – “fifty-fourth (54th)”And if you want to say something happened once, twice or three times, you simply add 次 (cì) – “times” after the number:
一次 (yīcì) – “once”两次 (liǎng cì) – “twice”三次 (sāncì) – “three times”Chinese Days of the Week and Months of the Year天 (tiān) means “day” in Chinese, 星期 (xīngqí) is “week” and 月 (yuè) means “month”.
Can you guess why I told you these?
If you learn at least the last two out of these three words and remember the numbers from this article, you’re all set to name all the days and months in the calendar.
Let me show you the pattern of Chinese days:
星期一 (xīngqíyī) – “Monday” (literally: “day of the week one”)星期二 (xīngqí’èr) – “Tuesday” (literally: “day of the week two”)星期六 (xīngqíliù) – “Saturday” (literally: “day of the week six”)The only day that is not combined with the word “week” and a number is Sunday, and that is because 七 (qī) – “seven (7)”, as in the 7th day of the week, sounds too similar to 期 (qī), which is the component of 星期 (xīngqí) – “week”.
So “Sunday” would be 星期日 (xīngqírì) or 星期天 (xīngqítiān). Both are correct.
When it comes to months, their names are straightforward, too:
一月 (yī yuè) – “January” (literally: “month one”)四月 (sì yuè) – “April” (literally: “month four”)十二月 (shí’èr yuè) – “December” (literally: “month twelve”)As you can see, the number of each month comes first, followed by the word 月 (yuè) – “month”.
And now, let’s finally have a look at the bonus I promised you at the beginning of this guide:
Chinese Measure WordsIn Mandarin Chinese, you can’t combine a number and a noun without a measure word in between them.
Although even in English we are familiar with some sort of “measure words”, such as “a cup of tea” or “ten groups of people”, we can almost always leave them out.
In Chinese, these words cannot be omitted, and they are not interchangeable.
Every noun, or group of nouns, has its own measure word that can be used with it.
Some are logical, but some just need to be memorized.
Here’s a list of 10 common measure words with examples:
Measure WordPinyinUseExample个gèpeople, general objects三个人 (*sān gè rén*) – “three people”把bǎobjects that can be grasped/a bunch两把刀 (*liǎng bǎ dāo*) – “two knives”只zhǐanimals and body parts in pairs九只猫 (*jiǔ zhǐ māo*) – “nine cats”本běnbooks and paper products十五本书 (*shíwǔ běn shū*) – “fifteen books”双shuānga pair一双筷子 (*yī shuāng kuàizi*) – “a pair of chopsticks”张zhāngflat objects七张电车票 (*qī zhāng diàn chēpiào* – “seven tram tickets”家jiāgatherings of people, establishments这家饭店 (*zhè jiā fàndiàn*) – “this restaurant”支zhīthin, long objects一支铅笔 (*yī zhī qiānbǐ*) – “a pencil”间jiānrooms两间卧室 (*liǎng jiān wòshì*) – “two bedrooms”杯bēiglass两杯葡萄酒 (*liǎng bēi pútáojiǔ*) – “two glasses of wine”Chinese Numbers Made Easy!Mandarin Chinese is a specific and difficult language to learn.
But the good news is, its numbers are quite easy!
Remember, learn numbers 1-10, then 100, 1,000 and 10,000 and by combining these together, you can literally count to infinity and beyond.
Come say hi on Instagram (@languagehacking), TikTok (@irishpolyglot), or Twitter (@irishpolyglot) and let me know what you’ll be counting!
And if you haven’t had enough of counting in another language, learn the Spanish numbers or Japanese numbers today. (Japanese is surprisingly similar!)
Review of Chinesepod & chat with co-host Jenny55 Chinese Proverbs, Sayings and Quotes110 Useful Chinese Phrases to Have Your First Conversation33 Free Online Chinese Language Lessons and Resources15 Chinese Cartoons That Will Help You Learn Mandarin (Not Only for Children)The post Chinese Numbers: Your Go-to Guide for Counting in Chinese from 0 to 100+ appeared first on Fluent in 3 Months.
May 5, 2023
How to Have a Positive Host Family Experience (and Become a Master Communicator!)
If you’re going abroad, you should consider staying with a host family. Or perhaps you’re interested in being a host family and letting someone from abroad into your home.
There are many advantages to living with a host family as a language learner: quicker integration to a new culture, extra language practice, and an automatic support network (to only mention a few).
As a host family, you can also learn about a new culture or language from the comfort of your own home!
Of course, there are many different types of host family situations and many more reasons for hosting beyond these. And, sometimes, living with a host family or a host student can just feel downright awkward!
I have lived with three host families in different countries and have learned what is important to having a positive experience. This is my advice for both host students and host families!
Table of contentsFirst, What Is a Host Family?Advice for Host StudentsHow to Manage Your Expectations with a Host FamilyHow to Act with a Host FamilyAdvice for Host FamiliesHow to Manage Your Expectations for a Host StudentHow to Act with a Host StudentGo Have a Great Host Family Experience!First, What Is a Host Family?A host family opens their home to a tenant from abroad, usually a student. Some host family situations are arranged through a school or organization, so the families are vetted beforehand with certain qualifications.
For example, a school may require the host student to have a separate bedroom with basic furnishings. However, they might not specify commute time to the school or extra amenities, such as a private bathroom or internet specifications. In these cases, the host family is usually paid by the student through the school or organization.
You may also be wondering if host families provide food. The truth is, it depends on the situation. For example, when I lived with a host family during a study abroad year in Japan, my payment also included breakfast and dinner with the family, but not lunch. However, this was different for my other two host family experiences.
This is because my other two host family situations were very different by default. Instead of getting a host family through school, you might also find a host family through semi-independent means. During a summer internship in Taiwan, the company I worked for found my host family. I lived with a “grandma,” who was the mother of employees at the company. She lived alone but had a spare room and was eager for someone to fill it.
Since we had an arrangement through my sponsoring company, this was different from the arrangement I had in Japan. For example, since eating out for breakfast is common in Taiwan, I was often responsible for my own breakfast. However, the entire family gathered together for dinner, and I was warmly included. I often took leftovers for lunch.
Finally, it is possible to find a host family through completely independent means. As a graduate student in the UK, I found a host family through a local internet platform. I arranged video calls to vet them and agreed to a contract before I arrived.
In this case, I was treated more like a tenant with live-in landlords than a host student. I was provided a private bedroom and storage space in the kitchen. I paid rent weekly and was strictly responsible for my own meals.
Advice for Host StudentsHow to Manage Your Expectations with a Host FamilyAs you can see, there are many possible situations when you live with a host family. Before you choose to live with a host family, it is very important to manage your expectations well.
For example, you might not be living with a “typical” family in your destination country. In Japan, I lived with a Japanese family consisting of a mother, father, and two daughters close to my own age. However, another student in my study abroad cohort lived with an elderly couple whose children had left the house. I’ve also heard of other students living with families not originally from Japan.
Here’s the deal: You may end up living with a family that is very different from the image you have of the country, such as non-traditional family structures or different ethnic backgrounds from the dominant culture.
How important is this to you?
If you want to be immersed in the “traditional” mainstream culture, having a non-traditional family might be disappointing. On the other hand, this could be an incredible opportunity to learn more about the country and culture from a different perspective.
Now keep in mind, your expectations are not just about what kind of family you will live with. They are also about what you hope to get out of your experience living with a host family. Are you expecting to be included in family events and holiday gatherings, or would you prefer to use that time to travel alone? Is your primary reason to improve your language abilities or to learn more about the local culture?
When I was in Taiwan, I was eager to use the Mandarin skills I had been learning in university classes. However, when the older generations (middle-aged and up) of my host family gathered, they almost always used only Taiwanese. I was sometimes frustrated because I couldn’t improve my Mandarin listening skills. However, I learned a lot more about Taiwanese culture through this situation (and a couple of phrases in Taiwanese!).
Especially if you do not choose your host family, you should have a flexible mindset. You might not get your “ideal” family, but your idea of an ideal host family might change!
How to Act with a Host FamilyPeople (and by extension, families) are all different. If you compare the way you grew up with even your neighbors, you will probably learn that you experienced different households. While you should expect host families in other countries to be different from your own culture, recognize that there is no “one” type of family.
This is why you should both be open-minded and ready to communicate about differences. It might feel awkward at first, but you are not just a guest. You are hopefully integrating into your host’s home. Be upfront about your absolute needs and figure out early on how they can best be met. For example, you may go to bed at 10 pm and need to wake up early for class on weekdays, but your host family may stay up until 12. If noise is an issue, talk to them early on about how to find a compromise.
However, keep in mind that you are moving into someone else’s home. This is very different from moving in with roommates. You should be willing to compromise more when living with a host family and in a different culture. They will expect you to follow certain house and maybe cultural rules, and you should do so within reason.
For example, in Japan, you are expected to take your shoes off at the door. The family I lived with took this further. I wasn’t even allowed to have my roller luggage touch the floor or to keep new shoes on the floor in my room! I needed to make sure everything was put away properly, even in my own room. It was their house, after all.
Even if you are from the same general culture, expect differences and perhaps roadblocks. When I first moved to the UK, I couldn’t believe how different American and British communication styles could be, even though we speak the same language! I particularly felt a gap with older generations. I had to adopt a much more indirect style of communication with the family I stayed with to resolve conflicts.
Also, don’t be shy about asking questions! Especially when you move into someone else’s home, there are no stupid questions.
The homes I’ve stayed in during my time in Japan, Taiwan, and the UK have all been very different from the houses and apartments I’ve lived in while I was in the US. There may be many things your hosts take for granted that you don’t understand. From my own experience, these can be as simple as how to open a door! Asking questions shows your hosts that you care, and it will also help you learn more quickly.
Advice for Host FamiliesHow to Manage Your Expectations for a Host StudentA lot of my advice for host families is similar for host students. It is equally crucial for you as a host family to manage your expectations and motivations for hosting a student to make sure you are compatible.
For example, are you hosting a student because you want another person in your family? Is it because you want the extra income, if there is any? Do you want to learn about another culture by experiencing it from home? Are you hoping for a language exchange? Do you simply want to support a student and help them achieve their goals?
None of these are right or wrong answers. However, it is important that the host student and (if applicable) the organization you receive the student from understand your reasons for becoming a host family and that they agree to them. Problems will likely arise if, for example, your main reason to host students is because you want an extra income, but your student wants the host family experience to integrate into a local family or culture.
I’ve run into the problem of opposing language goals: I studied abroad in Japan primarily to improve my Japanese, but my host family in Japan wanted me to befriend and become an at-home English tutor for their older daughter, who was studying English at the same university. It caused a lot of conflict when I didn’t get along with that daughter, used Japanese with the family at home, and instead became better friends with the younger daughter (whom I was not meant to befriend). Ultimately, tensions got so high that I decided to move out to a student dorm instead.
The bottom line is this: You too should be flexible and open-minded with the students you will host. They likely have highly specific goals they want to achieve during their time studying or living abroad, and be prepared to support them within reason. Understand that they might not conform to your idea of their culture or stereotypes, and avoid having expectations about what “role” you want them to perform within your household.
How to Act with a Host StudentWhether you are familiar or unfamiliar with the culture of your host student, having someone new living in your house can be both exciting and awkward. How should you act? Here are my suggestions.
Recognize that there is significant diversity within a culture. Students from different backgrounds may have different experiences and needs. For example, my area of the US doesn’t have much public transportation, and I didn’t understand how to navigate a subway system when I first moved to Asia. I needed help from my host family to overcome this challenge. On the other hand, a student from New York City, would likely not have as much difficulty.
It is also helpful if you show genuine interest in their culture. Especially if this is a student’s first time away from their home country, they will likely want to share a lot about differences and things that surprise or confuse them in the host country. From my own experience as a host student, it is incredibly reassuring to have someone to talk to about these things.
Speaking of which, again, especially if this is your student’s first time abroad, understand that this may be their first time analyzing their own culture from a different perspective. Listen to them about what they tell you about their own culture, but also be aware that what they say may not be wholly accurate. This is because maybe they are telling you something true about their own local context, but not about their country as a whole. Or perhaps they never gave the question some thought and gave you a random answer, thinking it to be true.
I can’t tell you the number of times during my first time abroad that I responded to a question about the United States, confident that my answer was the “truth,” only to later reflect back upon it and realize it was not! This ranged from home cleaning habits (for some reason, I told a host family that we only clean the house a few times a year, rather than a few times a month) to issues in the American school systems (which I was privileged to not have first-hand knowledge about).
Also keep in mind that your host student will be going through some stages of culture shock, even if they have lived abroad for a long time. While they might feel generally very happy at certain periods, they might feel very frustrated or sad at other times. They might want to talk about it with you, or they might want to be left alone.
Either way, make your home a safe space for them to communicate openly with you. Open-mindedness and cultural sensitivity will go a long way while the student tries to navigate their “foreignness” in a new land. Think about if you have anything you want to learn or feel are off-limits to talk about with someone from a different culture.
For example, in the US, talking about politics, religion, and money are often topics to avoid at the beginning of relationships since they can cause heated debate. However, if you are curious to learn about the student’s perspective about them, feel free to ask – just be culturally aware of how and when you ask. Don’t frame your questions or responses in a way that makes one culture seem “better” or “worse.”
Finally, as with any apartment or room rentals, you may find it beneficial to have a contract with your host student. This is beneficial for many reasons. When you have clear rules upfront with as little gray area as possible, you can avoid many awkward misunderstandings and clashes. You and the student will know what is permissible and what is not.
In addition, the student will likely feel overwhelmed at the beginning. Especially if your language is not the student’s native language, they might also not understand everything you tell them at first. Therefore, having written rules for the student to refer back to will help the student’s comprehension.
Go Have a Great Host Family Experience!To finish off, I’d love to give particular credit to my host family in Taiwan. Even though I was probably the first Westerner to step through their doors, the whole family helped me learn the ropes of being a citizen in Taiwan. They gave me space when I needed it, and checked in on me when they felt I was isolating a bit too much due to culture shock. They were excited to integrate me into their culture and society.
I had a few difficult but heart-to-heart conversations about misunderstandings I had about how things worked in the family, but with no negative judgment on their end. When I felt stressed about having sub-par Mandarin, Grandma praised me for being able to just communicate with her. It truly felt like a home away from home.
Living with or as a host family takes a bit of effort, but it can be a truly rewarding experience. Manage your expectations well and communicate effectively, and you’ll be off to a great start!
How to Learn a Language in 2023 – Ultimate Guide with 40+ Language HacksInnovative Language Review – Complete Pod101 Language Course Review (with Screenshots and Video Results)How to Relearn a Language from High School You Think You ForgotPreply Review – a Detailed and Honest Review of the Preply Language Tutor PlatformWhat Language Should I Learn? The Bulletproof GuideThe post How to Have a Positive Host Family Experience (and Become a Master Communicator!) appeared first on Fluent in 3 Months.
April 24, 2023
Is There Any Point In Learning The Local Language Anymore?
In 2019, my wife and I went on honeymoon. She wanted a Maldivian beach. I wanted to eat dumplings overlooking Victoria Harbour. I won.
Hong Kong was easy. Japan too. Even South Korea had been a breeze. But, as I had been warned, not a single person in Shanghai Pudong International Airport was able to point me towards the pick up point where my pre-booked driver was apparently waiting. Every time I asked politely where I could find the strange symbols on my phone screen, I was met with a shrug or a shake of the head.
It wasn’t rudeness, or that they didn’t have time. It was simply down to the fact that nobody I asked spoke English. That being said, I did speak English when I got into the center of Shanghai, and the staff at my hotel spoke perfect English, so maybe I was just unlucky. But it was definitely tougher to find English speakers, even in a multinational city like Shanghai.
I continued to wander, the English-language signs that were only recently installed doing me about the same favours as the Chinese-language ones. More shrugs. I feared my driver would lose patience and leave.
Then, another kindly taxi driver pulled out his phone, and opened an app. He typed something in, then a couple of seconds later, the Alexa-imitation voice asked me where I wanted to go. After some conversation back and forth via the app, we agreed I didn’t need his services, and he pointed me towards the pick-up point, where my driver, also armed with an instant translation app, was waiting.
Although the conversation was thin on the ground, he would often type something onto the screen in front of him, my heart jumping as he swerved a couple of times on Shanghai’s eight-lane highways. He asked me where we were from, what we had planned, and if he could drop us off around the corner from the hotel so he didn’t get caught in the city’s disgusting traffic.
After three weeks of travelling around the Far East, this was the first time I’d encountered any form of language barrier, and even then the problem was solved within seconds. The app was faultless. I can honestly say I didn’t have to get him to type it again, or that I didn’t understand. I wish I knew what it was called, as it was infinitely better than the apps I’ve used here in the UK.
Table of contentsIs Technology Killing Off The Need To Learn Languages?Should We Stop Learning Languages, Then?Don’t Abandon The MagicLast WordsIs Technology Killing Off The Need To Learn Languages?It’s not the first time I’ve used tech to deal with language issues. After completing a degree in German and living there for a couple of years, I would frequently look up a forgotten word or double check my word order when writing a work email.
I’ve even used Google translate and the like for my work. Yes, it’s cheating, but it’s a great way to get a quick gist in your own language without pouring hours into a boring document that requires additional focus.
And on a trip to Bosnia, I spent 20 minutes drawing maps on the back of a magazine to get us back to our hotel. Low-tech, but still effective.
But even then, almost everywhere I’ve ever been, even with the help of an app, I’ve had at least one conversation in English.
Films and the media, as well as a propensity for foreign education systems to choose English as the second language taught in schools, mean English is the world’s lingua franca. Although Mandarin is catching up, there are 1.5 billion people on earth who speak English as at least a second language, and I’d bet another 2-3 billion who could follow an episode of Friends and still understand the plot.
Social media is compounding this even further. Log onto TikTok, and you’ll see videos from every corner of earth with either English subtitles or an additional audio track after the native language.
If you’re going somewhere for a couple of weeks, it barely seems worthwhile spending months on end just to be forced back into English by the locals who have spent years consuming English-language media. If you’re going to default to English anyway, what’s the point in trying?
After Shanghai, it really dawned on me that phrasebook publishers are probably sweating a little right now. With apps like SayHi and translation services like DeepL and of course Google Translate freely available in our pockets, it all seems a bit pointless to commit brain power and storage space to memorising vocab lists and fighting our way through clauses, cases and connectors.
Should We Stop Learning Languages, Then?
As a linguist, traveller and absolute nerd when it comes to the world’s places and cultures, it’s actually painful to consider abandoning knowledge and using translation apps as a crutch, even if it makes life easier. I’ve even switched to the dark side. On a recent trip to Italy, I didn’t even bother to learn my usual handful of phrases and words to enable me to order a beer or ask for the bill.
But the logic in me soon disappears when I question; ‘where the hell is the romance?’
If you’ve travelled, lived abroad or left your own culture for an extended period of time, you’ll find that the first few days or weeks are committed to seeing the landmarks, natural wonders and other stuff that you see in the brochures. But once that’s done, the real adventure begins – when you start chatting to the locals.
Disappearing down a street in Tokyo’s Golden Gai would become infinitely more interesting if you could hold a conversation in Japanese. Asking the monks in the gardens of the Great Meteoron monastery in Greece what it’s really like to wake up to that view every day kind of loses its gravity if a Siri-like voice is asking the question.
And you’re never going to hold a conversation on a street corner if half the time is spent typing the back and forths on a phone. Imagine someone trying to ask you how your day was going through a translation app. Feels weird, doesn’t it?
However, the sad conclusion is that your average Joe or Jane is still going to go down the phone app route rather than the language learning route. With all of our time swallowed up by our commitments, the benefit-time curve of learning another language is relegated to the hobby space. And we all know what happens to hobbies.
Don’t Abandon The MagicDuring my first week in Berlin, my German was terrible. I could barely order food. The person I met to view a flat suggested that we speak in English to make life easier. It was quite embarrassing.
After a couple of weeks, my goal was to speak at the same level as a native German. 15 years later, I’ve worked for dozens of German organisations and now class as ‘fluent’ or ‘native speaker’. I still love chatting in a different language, even if the conversation is banal and my vocab is rusty. And I wish I could do it just as well in another language.
Even in Japan, where I’d learned maybe two-dozen phrases, the numbers, and a handful of questions, I found the conversation warmed up in seconds, as the person realised I’d made a little effort. Of course, we switched straight to English, but the appreciation was still obvious.
The real driver that’s making languages important for me again are my children. With a Polish-heritage mother, it’s incredible to see them both switching between English, Polish and the little German I’ve taught them, or sitting watching Polish-language TV shows and knowing what’s going on. Sorry Google, but you could make a million apps and never recreate those moments.
Plus, learning a language isn’t actually that hard, when you think about it. You did the hard part of any language when you were too young to remember, and subsequent languages are just an exercise in memorising and comprehension. And guess what? There are endless apps and services that make learning a new language much easier than sitting with a textbook and translation dictionary.
Fluent in Three Months solves both problems – you’ll get all the useful resources and online learning, and you’ll do it fast. Even if you think you’ve left it too late, you can still step off the plane 12 weeks after starting a new language and have the confidence to ask for directions or skip the dodgy taxi drivers in their own language.
Last WordsSo, to those who feel that learning a new language isn’t worth it just for a week or two somewhere new, I’d say throw your phone to the ground (ok, sorry, I’m getting excited, a pocket will do), and strike up a warm conversation with the Vietnamese fisherman in front of you. Ask the fire-eater in Istanbul why he’s doing that.
Even if it takes a long time, or, with Fluent in 3 Months, about three months, those little magic moments where you know what’s being said will far outweigh the time input in the run up to your adventure.
Add in the employment opportunities of knowing other languages, the ability to get yourself out of a bind, and the fact you can be a massive show-off to your friends, and it’s actually the translation apps that seem a bit pointless.
How to Learn a Language in 2023 – Ultimate Guide with 40+ Language HacksInnovative Language Review – Complete Pod101 Language Course Review (with Screenshots and Video Results)The Best Way to Learn a Language [Scientifically Proven, Polyglot Tested]Preply Review – a Detailed and Honest Review of the Preply Language Tutor PlatformThe 4 Essential Language Skills – and How to Improve ThemThe post Is There Any Point In Learning The Local Language Anymore? appeared first on Fluent in 3 Months.
April 10, 2023
French Food: A Guide to French Cuisine & Food Vocabulary in French
From the morning croissants to a three-course meal accompanied by wine, there are tons of foods to try in France.
Eating well in France is very important and food is a big part of the culture. If you’re a foodie like many of the French are, improving your language skills by learning some food vocabulary is a great idea.
So let’s learn about the French food culture and the most common dishes in France.
function runSplitTest(){var randomNumber = Math.floor(Math.random() * 2) + 1console.log(randomNumber)var copy = "";if (randomNumber == 3){ copy = '<i>A note from the Fluent in 3 Months team before we get started: You can chat away in French for at least 15 minutes with the "Fluent in 3 Months" method. All it takes is 90 days. <b><a href="https://fluentin3months.com/challenge... this link to find out more.</b></a></i>'} else { copy = '<i>Editor's note: Before we get started, if you’re looking for an online French course, here’s the course we recommend: <a href="https://www.fluentin3months.com/olly-... Uncovered - Learn French Through the Power of Story</b></a>, a course with a fascinating new method by Olly Richards. You can try it for free for 7 days!</i>'}console.log(copy)var copyToChange = document.querySelector("p.copyText").innerHTML = copy;}runSplitTest();Table of contents“Food” in French and Food in FranceEssential French Food VocabularyBreakfast Food in FrenchLunch and Dinner Food in FrenchFrench Snacks and Dessert VocabularyFrench Drinks VocabularyFrench Kitchen VocabularyFrench Eating and Cooking VerbsOrdering Food in French: Sentence Templates and Useful Vocabulary13 Most Common Dishes in France1. Boeuf Bourguignon2. Quiche Lorraine3. Ratatouille4. Soupe à l’Oignon5. Galettes and Crêpes6. Fromages Français7. Cassoulet8. Viennoiseries9. La Bouillabaisse10. Confit de Canard11. Hachis Parmentier12. Gratins Dauphinois13. EscargotReady to Order?“Food” in French and Food in FranceThis makes France a world leader in eating: it is the country where people spend the longest time at the table.
La cuisine (“cuisine” or “food”) is such an important part of French culture! Let’s have a closer look at what les repas (“meals”) look like when you go out in France.
If you want to have a typical French breakfast, you need to visit a bakery (boulangerie). For breakfast, it’s common to eat pastries such as croissants and pain au chocolat, or some fresh baguette bread to spread jam over it.
Le déjeuner (“lunch”) in France is usually light. If you visit France, you can find many local restaurants that serve a traditional plat du jour (“dish of the day”) or menu du jour (“menu of the day”) for lunch.
Top tip: Make sure to check the opening times. These places are often open from 12 pm to 2 pm, closed for the afternoon, and open again for dinner time, which is usually around 7 pm.
French dîner (“dinners”) can be preceded by un apéro, which is short for apéritif. This is the time when people take the time to chat, spend quality time with each other, and have a cocktail and some snacks.
Then comes l’entrée (“the starter”) and le plat (“the main dish”). There may or may not be dessert (“dessert”), but there’s almost always fromage (“cheese”) to eat after the main dish.
If you’re curious to know what French main dishes can be like, stick around until the end! I’ve prepared a whole bonus section for you on typical French dishes.
For now, let’s start with the basic vocabulary you will need to talk about food in France.
Essential French Food VocabularyHere are some French food and drink vocabulary lists for the different meals of the day.
You will also learn some sentences that you can use to order food to eat sur place (at the restaurant) or à emporter (“to take away”).
Top tip: Write the words you will need the most in your personalized phrasebook!
Breakfast Food in FrenchBreakfast: petit-déjeunerBread: painToast: pain grilléJam: confitureHoney: mielHam: jambonButter: beurreEggs: oeufsCéréale: cerealCroissant: croissantSucre: sugarLunch and Dinner Food in FrenchLunch: déjeunerDinner: dînerFood: nourritureSoup: soupeSalad: saladePasta: pâtesFrench fries: fritesMashed potatoes: puréeVegetables: légumesPotato: pomme de terre or patate (informal)Tomato: tomateBell pepper: poivronOnion: oignonMushroom: champignonCarrot: carotteCourgette: courgetteAubergine: aubergineRice: rizBean: haricotSalt: selSpices: épicesPepper: poivreLemon: citronOlive oil: huile d’oliveVinegar: vinaigreSauce/dressing: sauceMeat: viandeMinced meat: viande hachéeBeef: boeufPork: porcChicken: pouletFish: poissonDuck: canardStarter: entréeMain dish: platDessert: dessertDish of the day: plat du jourFrench Snacks and Dessert VocabularySnack: goûterCheese: fromageDelicatessen: charcuterieCake: gâteauPie: tarteCrisps: chipsCookie: biscuitFruit: fruitApple: pommePear: poireCherry: ceriseBanana: bananeStrawberry: fraiseBlueberry: myrtilleOrange: orangeIce cream: glaceChocolate: chocolatVanilla: vanilleCandy: bonbonFrench Drinks VocabularyDrinks: boissonsWater: eauJuice: jusCoffee: caféTea: théMilk: laitWine: vinBeer: bière
French Kitchen VocabularyKitchen: cuisineTable: tableChair: chaisePlate: assietteBowl: bolGlass: verreWine glass: verre à vinCup: tasseFork: fourchetteSpoon: cuillèreTeaspoon: cuillère à théFrying pan: poêleSaucepan: casseroleKnife: couteauBottle: bouteilleOven: fourFridge: réfrigérateur or frigoMicrowave: micro-ondesKettle: bouilloireFrench Eating and Cooking VerbsEat: mangerDrink: boireCook: cuisinerTake: prendreWant: vouloirPrepare: préparerAdd: ajouterBake: faire cuire au fourBoil: bouillirFry: frireCut: couperMix: mélangerOrder: commanderTaste: goûterChoose: choisirPay: payerOrdering Food in French: Sentence Templates and Useful VocabularyRestaurant: restaurantBrewery: brasserieWine bar: bar à vinWaiter: serveurWaitress: serveuseI have a reservation for two people.: J’ai une réservation pour deux personnes.I would like…: je voudraisWhat will you have?: Que prenez-vous?I will have…: je vais prendre…What do you recommend?: Que recommandez-vous?I’m allergic to…: je suis allergique à…I don’t eat…: je ne mange pas…I don’t drink…: je ne bois pas…Have you chosen?: Avez-vous choisi?I’ve chosen.: J’ai choisi.Have you decided?: Avez-vous décidé?I’ve decided.: J’ai décidé.Do you have a vegetarian option?: Avez-vous une option végétarienne?Can I have the bill?: Est-ce que je peux avoir l’addition?Can I pay by card?: Est-ce que je peux payer par carte?Can I pay by cash?: Est-ce que je peux payer en liquide?Rare/medium-rare/well-done (for steaks): saignant/à point/bien cuitDid you enjoy your meal?: Ça a été?Thank you, it was delicious.: Merci, c’était délicieux.Please (informal): s’il te plaîtPlease (formal): s’il vous plaîtTake away: à emporterOutside: l’extérieurInside: l’intérieurWith: avecWithout: sansCheers!: Santé!That’s all: c’est toutTip: pourboire13 Most Common Dishes in FranceAs promised, here is the bonus section where you can discover some delicious (and sometimes surprising) French dishes!
France is a large country and the culture in the south and the north is not the same. What we call French cuisine is actually an umbrella term for the different foods in all 22 regions of the country.
Here are some of the most common foods from different regions of France:
1. Boeuf BourguignonBoeuf bourguignon translates as “Burgundy beef” in English as it comes from the Burgundy region of France. This region is known for its red wine, and of course, wine in France is not only for drinking: it’s also for cooking!
Preparing boeuf bourguignon involves simmering beef shank in red wine for hours. The recipe also includes carrots, onions, and mushrooms.
2. Quiche LorraineA traditional savory tart, la quiche Lorraine is prepared with cream, eggs, and bacon or ham.
There are other types of quiches, and you can get creative while choosing the ingredients. For example, salmon or spinach are popular ingredients for a quiche. They just wouldn’t be the traditional quiche Lorraine.
3. RatatouilleThis name might remind you of a cooking rat but ratatouille is actually a vegetable dish from the south of France.
The recipe contains stewed vegetables such as des tomates (“tomatoes”), de l’ail (“garlic”), des oignons (“onions”), des courgettes (“courgettes”), des aubergines (“eggplants”), des poivrons (“bell peppers”), and des herbes de Provence (“green herbs from the Provence region”).
It’s a delicious Mediterranean dish that is suitable for vegetarians as well!
4. Soupe à l’OignonArguably one of the most iconic soups of the world, la soupe à l’oignon, (“onion soup”) is not a quick dish to make. If you want to prepare it, get ready to slice and caramelise the onions, let them simmer in wine, toast some bread slices, and top the soup up with some parmesan cheese.
5. Galettes and CrêpesIf you go to Brittany, the westernmost region of France, you have to try the traditional galettes and crêpes, thin pancakes that can be sweet or savoury.
Galettes are savoury ones, and crêpes are sweet ones, and it is possible to find many different flavours for both of them.
6. Fromages FrançaisBrie, camembert, roquefort… France has hundreds of different types of cheese!
In France, people consume cheese after the main meal, before dessert, as a snack, or during l’apéro — basically, at any time. Good cheese is often paired with good wine, and you can make endless cheese and wine combinations in the country of wine and cheese.
While it’s common to eat cheese on its own or on top of a baguette, it is also the star ingredient of some iconic dishes, such as tartiflette which has cheese, bacon, and potatoes; fondue which involves dipping food in melted cheese; and raclette, where you put melted cheese on boiled potatoes and dried meat.
These are all typical winter dishes in Alpine countries, namely France and Switzerland.
7. CassouletHere’s another stew from the south of France, this time with slow-cooked meat—usually pork—and beans. It takes its name from the traditional cooking pot it’s made in, the cassole d’Issel.
Cassoulet can help you remember the French word for this cooking pot, which is casserole.
8. ViennoiseriesAlthough the name means “from Vienna,” viennoiseries can be found in every bakery in France. The most common ones are le croissant, le pain au chocolat, le chausson aux pommes, le pain suisse, le pain aux raisins and la brioche.
You can get some at a bakery or a cafe, usually for breakfast or a snack.
9. La BouillabaisseOriginally made by fishers in Marseille, la bouillabaisse is a fish stew served in a bowl with a special mayonnaise sauce, and bread. Its original name is bolhabaissa in Occitan spoken in the south of France, and some parts of Spain and Italy.
10. Confit de CanardAnother classic French dish, le confit de canard translates as “duck confit” in English. Like many other French dishes, le confit de canard is slow-cooked, to make sure that the meat is soft and tender.
11. Hachis ParmentierYou can have mashed potatoes and minced meat in the same dish, and that dish is called hachis parmentier.
It is named after AntoineAntoine-Augustin Parmentier, a French scientist who popularised potato in the French cuisine more than two hundred years ago.
12. Gratins DauphinoisYou’ll find this great potato dish in the Dauphiné region of France.
Dating back to the 18th century, le gratin dauphinois consists of creamy potatoes, made using the gratin technique. Gratin means that a dish is topped up with cheese or bread crumbs before being put in the oven.
The French language really has a word for everything, doesn’t it? Although gratin might not be your everyday word in French, make sure to start speaking as much as possible so that you’ll practice your vocabulary.
13. EscargotYou’ve probably heard that they eat snails in France. Well, it’s true!
Les escargots, which is the French word for “snails,” can be found in many French restaurants. They are usually prepared with garlic, butter, and spices such as thyme and parsley.
Ready to Order?Now it’s time to visit a French-speaking country or restaurant and test out all your food vocabulary!
If you’re going to France, we recommend you try one—if not all—of these iconic specialties.
Whether you have a sweet tooth, follow a vegetarian diet, or enjoy eating meat, there’s something for you!
How to Speak French: The Faster Way to Learn FrenchFrenchPod101 Review: 30 Days with FrenchPod101111 Core French Words — The Most Commonly Used Words in FrenchFrench Uncovered Review — Does “Story Learning” Really Work for French?60+ Essential French Phrases for Beginners to Start Speaking NowThe post French Food: A Guide to French Cuisine & Food Vocabulary in French appeared first on Fluent in 3 Months.
April 3, 2023
35 Ways To Say I Love You In Vietnamese
Asking how to say “I love you” in Vietnamese is kind of like asking “What foods should I eat right now?”. There’s no simple answer.
There are many factors that influence what food you should eat right now. How hungry are you? What time of day is it? What body type do you have?
There’s no simple way to say “I love you” in Vietnamese. Instead, it opens up a complexity of situations and options.
Why? Because there are so many pronouns used in Vietnamese that there’s no simple way to say “I” and there’s no simple way to say “you”. Both depend on context, age, and your relationship to the person you are speaking to.
This means that saying “I love you” to your father uses completely different pronouns than “I love you” to your husband or your daughter.
But this makes Vietnamese even richer! And don’t worry, I’m here to help you.
function runSplitTest(){var randomNumber = Math.floor(Math.random() * 2) + 1console.log(randomNumber)var copy = "";if (randomNumber == 3){ copy = '<i>A note from the Fluent in 3 Months team before we get started: You can chat away in a new language for at least 15 minutes with the "Fluent in 3 Months" method. All it takes is 90 days. <a href="https://www.fluentin3months.com/other... this link to find out more.</a></i>'} else { copy = '<i>A note from the Fluent in 3 Months team before we get started: You can chat away with a native speaker for at least 15 minutes with the "Fluent in 3 Months" method. All it takes is 90 days. <a href="https://www.fluentin3months.com/other... this link to find out more.</a></i>'}var copyToChange = document.querySelector("p.copyText").innerHTML = copy;}runSplitTest();Table of contents“I Love You” In Specific SituationsMust Know Gestures in VietnamYou’ve Learned It, Now Go Speak ItHow Do You Say “I Love You” In Vietnamese?There isn’t only one way to say “I love you” in Vietnamese. The phrase you can use depends on who you’re talking to.
If you’ve been learning Vietnamese, you might know that pronouns are rather complex and challenging to grasp, even for native Vietnamese speakers. This post, however, is going to make your life (& hopefully love life) much easier!
If you’re reading this, then chances are good that there’s someone in your life who you love that speaks Vietnamese. Whether it’s your girlfriend, boyfriend, or step-dad, the more you learn about the and culture, the more that person will appreciate it, and the more they’ll actually see that you do love them!
How Do You Say “Love” In Vietnamese?In Vietnamese, yêu and thương are both translated to “love” in English, but they have slightly different connotations.
Yêu is a more intense and passionate form of love. It is often used to describe romantic love, and it implies a strong emotional connection.
Thương is a more gentle and compassionate form of love. It is often used to describe the love between family members, friends, and even pets. It implies a deep sense of caring and a willingness to sacrifice for the person or thing that one loves.
This word is more frequently used in social contexts or casual settings (though it’s still rarely used relative to the west. More on that below) like when you would say “I love you” in a casual setting after saying goodbye: “Bye! Love ya!”
In short, yêu is more about the feeling of being in love, while thương is more about the action of loving. You can also combine the words, creating a more powerful usage of the word love: yêu thương.
Now that we know the words for love, let’s dive into the pronouns so you don’t make a huge mistake!
My wife, Dung, and I.Finding The Pronoun So You Can Say “I Love You” In Vietnamese CorrectlyHere are the most common pronouns you will come across.
Tôi -: “I, Me” (formal)Bạn -: “Friend”Mình -: “Me” (informal)Bố/Ba/Cha – “Father”Má/Mẹ – “Mother”Cháu/Con – “Son/Daughter”, “Grandson/GranddaughterGrandaughter”Anh – “Older brother”Chị – “Older sister”Em – “Younger brother/sister”Ông – “Grandfather”Bà – “Grandmother”Bác/Chú – “Uncle”Cô/Dì – “Aunt”Whether you want to learn how to say “I love you” in Vietnamese to a guy or “I love you” to a girl, it’s crucial that you get the pronouns right.
There is a learning curve, and it can definitely be confusing at the beginning, but don’t worry. I’ve made many mistakes using the wrong pronouns, and Vietnamese people are very forgiving.
The bright side is that once you figure it out, Vietnamese people will appreciate your understanding of the language and culture and it’ll be obvious that you aren’t a raw beginner.
For example, I’ve lived in Vietnam for over 5 years now, and when I greet a stranger on the street or at a restaurant in Vietnamese, they can usually tell that my Vietnamese is at a high level because I use the correct pronouns (most of the time… I still make mistakes! 😛)
Also, Vietnamese people are VERY forgiving when it comes to a foreigner learning their language, especially with pronouns. That being said,
One of the cool things about Vietnam is that everyone addresses each other as family members. For example, I use the same word (chị) when addressing my landlord as my sister-in-law (who is a few years older than me).
I call my landlord’s mother, Grandma Nhi, (Bà Nhi) the same way I would address my own blood grandmother. So, when you speak Vietnamese, you address everyone as brother, sister, child, uncle, aunt, grandmother, grandfather, etc. It’s like one big family!
This is me and my girlfriend. Just kidding! This is Bà Nhi who lives next door.“I Love You” In Specific SituationsFor most of the examples below, you can use either thương or yêu.
“I love you” in Vietnamese to a girl if you are a slightly older male: (note my wife is 2 months older than me but I still call her em): Anh yêu em“I love you” in Vietnamese to a guy that’s slightly older: Em yêu anh“I love you” in Vietnamese to an entire family: Mình yêu cả gia đình (literally, “I love all of the family”)“I love you, mom” in Vietnamese: Con yêu mẹ or con yêu má (southern)“I love you, dad” in Vietnamese: Con yêu bố (northern) or con yêu ba (southern)“I love you” to parents in Vietnamese: Con thương bố mẹ (northern) or con thương ba má (southern)“I love you” to a close friend: Tao thương mày Note: Be careful with this one. Only use this with VERY CLOSE friends, otherwise, it is an insult!“I love you” to your older sister or to a woman slightly older than you: Em thương chị“I love you” to your Grandma (or a very old woman): Con thương bà (southern) or Cháu thương bà (northern)“I love you” to your Grandfather (or a very old man): Con thương ông (southern) or Cháu thương ông (northern)Pro tip: There are : Northern, Central, and Southern. Each region uses its own vocabulary and pronunciation. If you’re just getting started, I would pick one accent so you don’t get too confused. I suggest learning the same accent that the person you want to speak with most knows best.
The rice fields near my house in Central Vietnam.Dating & Marriage Vocabulary In VietnameseVợ – “Wife”Chồng – “Husband”Bạn Gái – “Girlfriend”Bạn trai – “Boyfriend”Người yêu– “Lover”Người thương – “Lover”Tình yêu ơi – ”Hey love/dear”Must Know Gestures in VietnamKnowing how to say “I love you” is a nice starting spot, but if you want to win the heart over a Vietnamese woman like I did, the following lines may help.
Anh yêu em nhiều lắm/ Anh yêu em rất rất nhiều: “I love you a lot, I love you so much”Anh thật sự yêu em: “I love you truly”Em đẹp lắm: “You are very beautiful”Em đẹp muốn chết luôn: “You are so beautiful I want to die” (see note below)Anh yêu ơi: “Hey, my love” (male speaker)Em yêu ơi: “Hey, my love” (female speaker)Vợ oi: “Hey, wife”Chồng ơi: “Hey, husband”Anh yêu em say đắm rồi: “I (male speaker) fell in love”Anh say em mất rồi: “I’m love drunk (on you)”Anh nhớ em/em nhớ anh: “I miss you”
If used correctly, this one can be a nice “pickup line” or cheesy thing to say in a flirty context.
I made a YouTube video about it back in 2015, and someone commented the following:
“I like you” in VietnameseFor those of you not ready for the big “L” word, you can use other words that still express your appreciation for the other person. If you are just friends and don’t have any romantic feelings toward each other, then it’s less common to use the word yêu. Instead, you can use the word quý, mến, or thích instead. Here are some examples:
Anh thích Em: “I (older male) like you (younger male or female)”Tao quý mày “I like you” (Used for close friends only!)Tôi mến bạn: “I (formal) like you” (bạn means friend)Tớ thích cậu: “I like you” (A formal way to talk to someone your age, much more common in the North)The most common Vietnamese word for “like” is thích. Here are some common phrases that are useful to know.
Trời ơi, thích quá! “Oh my god, I like [it] so much!”Ban có thích không? “Do you (friend, same age, casual) like [it]?”Anh không thích chơi nữa “I (slightly older, male speaker) don’t like to play anymore”Em có thích món này không? “Do you (slightly younger male or female) like this dish?” Mình thích uống cà phê : “I like to drink coffee”
Playing with some kids at a local park.Some Notes On Love & Vietnamese CultureIt’s worth noting that like many other Asian cultures, the phrase “I love you” is very rarely used outside of a romantic context. Honestly, this is something I’ve needed to get used to over time. I’ve needed to remember that just because people don’t say “I love you” doesn’t mean that the love isn’t there.
As an American, I grew up saying “I love you” to my family members multiple times a day. I also tell most of my close friends that I love them without hesitation.
In Vietnam, that type of expression of affection is rare. I was shocked to see that when I visited my now wife’s in-laws, nobody hugged or said “I love you.”
Personally, I see myself in a position of leadership here. Coming from the West, I’m not afraid to tell people I love them. So, I often find myself being the first one to express my love to my friends here in Vietnam.
Is it scary and a bit vulnerable? Sure. But if I wait for them to say it first, I may be waiting for the rest of my life. I’m totally okay if I tell someone that I love them and they don’t say it back.
“The whole world can love you but that love will not make you happy. What will make you happy is the love coming out of you.” – Don Miguel Ruiz
If someone doesn’t want to receive your love, that’s on them. But love is yours to give, otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to give it at all! Plus, we all can probably agree that there can never be too much love in the world.
You’ve Learned It, Now Go Speak ItAfter reading this article you now know how to say “I love you” depending on the context and situation. Lastly, my invitation to you is that as you learn Vietnamese not just to KNOW how to say I love you. Actually, say it! Tell your wife that you love her! Tell your boyfriend you love him! Tell your son you love him!
My wife and I have gotten in the habit of saying con yêu bố mẹ when we speak to her parents. Even though it’s not “normal”, we do it anyway, because we want them to know that we love them! Believe it or not, over time, they’ve started to say it back!
Knowing how to say “I love you” in Vietnamese is just the first step. The next step is to go out and say it! So, say “I love you” as much as you can (as long as you truly mean it)! Together, we can improve our Vietnamese and bring more love into the world at the same time.
Now I know that saying I love you can be a bold and vulnerable act, so I’ll do my best by leading by example here…
Cảm ơn bạn đã đọc. Mình yêu bạn nhiều lắm! (“Thank you for reading. I love you so much!”)
The post appeared first on Fluent in 3 Months.
March 27, 2023
Thai People: History, Culture, Food and More
Thailand is the 20th most populated country on the planet and is the 3rd largest country in Southeast Asia. The Thai people have a fascinating history that has led to a diverse population within the country.
Who are the Thai people and where did they come from? Does everyone who lives within the border of the country today consider themselves Thai?
I had the opportunity to spend over 3 years in a small town in southern Thailand called Songkhla and am grateful to have been able to experience the amazing Thai people firsthand.
The kindness, generosity and hospitality shown to me were unforgettable and sparked a curiosity to learn as much as I could about their beautiful culture, and I want to share what I have learnt with you.
Let’s first take a look at the history of Thailand to understand how things got to the way they are today.
function runSplitTest(){var randomNumber = Math.floor(Math.random() * 2) + 1console.log(randomNumber)var copy = "";if (randomNumber == 3){ copy = '<i>A note from the Fluent in 3 Months team before we get started: You can chat away in a new language for at least 15 minutes with the "Fluent in 3 Months" method. All it takes is 90 days. <a href="https://www.fluentin3months.com/other... this link to find out more.</a></i>'} else { copy = '<i>A note from the Fluent in 3 Months team before we get started: You can chat away with a native speaker for at least 15 minutes with the "Fluent in 3 Months" method. All it takes is 90 days. <a href="https://www.fluentin3months.com/other... this link to find out more.</a></i>'}var copyToChange = document.querySelector("p.copyText").innerHTML = copy;}runSplitTest();Table of contentsHistory of the Thai PeopleRegions of Modern-Day ThailandPopulation DiversityWhat is Thai Culture Like?Thai ClothingImportance of Showing Respect Through GesturesImportance of Showing Respect Through Word ChoiceReligion in ThailandThai FoodJust the BeginningHistory of the Thai PeopleReady for a SparkNotes-style run through Thai history?
Long before the borders of modern-day Thailand were established, the area was inhabited by several different tribes and kingdoms, including the Mon, Cham, and Khmer peoples. The group of people known as the Tai, originating in southwestern China or northwestern Vietnam, began to make their way into modern-day Thailand around 1000 CE.
The influence of the Khmer and the Mon already occupying the area would lead to the Tai adopting many customs of Theravada Buddhism. These would go on to be mixed with already established Tai traditions.
Over the course of hundreds of years, the Tai people began to establish city-states that would eventually grow in power and lead to the establishment of several Tai kingdoms that would compete for power in the area.
With the Khmer empire declining, the Sukhothai Kingdom, established in 1238, and the Ayutthaya Kingdom, established in 1351, would begin to take power and become influential in the area.
The Kingdom of Ayutthaya would go on to rule for over 400 years based in what is now central Thailand. This group is considered by many to be the precursor to the modern Thailand we know today.
In 1782, Rama I became the first King of the Chakri dynasty and established his new capital in Bangkok.
It was around this time that the borders of Thailand were starting to become established. People from several different tribes in the region would eventually become citizens of the Thai Kingdom, whether or not they actually descended from the Tai people.
This would lead to a long period of assimilation between the Tai people and their new subjects. The areas of language, culture, and religion would initially stand out as difficult differences to overcome.
Today, Thailand is highly influenced by the densely populated capital of Bangkok in the central part of the country. Despite this, Thailand continues to have distinct regions within the country that each have their own dialects of the Thai language and unique cultures.
Regions of Modern-Day ThailandThere are 4 distinct parts of Thailand, the Central, Southern, Northern, and Isan regions.
The central part of Thailand is home to the largest city in the country, Bangkok, with over 10 million inhabitants. The capital city is the seat of the government and home of the Royal Palace and as such exerts great influence on the rest of the country. The Thai spoken in this region is considered standard Thai and is the language of education and government throughout the nation.
Northern Thailand is a region of the country that shares a border with both Laos and Myanmar. Chiang Mai is the largest city in the area with over 1 million inhabitants. With a population of over 6 million, Northern Thailand is incredibly diverse with many distinct tribes continuing to exist today in the mountainous areas. These include the Karen, Hmong, Akha, Lahu, and Yao peoples.
The language spoken in this region can vary from tribe to tribe but generally, the northern dialect of Thai will be understood. Northern Thai is similar to standard Thai but contains influences from Laotian, the language of their nearby neighbors in Laos.
The อีสาน (Isan) region of Thailand is in the northeastern part of the country and consists of 22 provinces with a population of over 22 million people.
Ethnically Laotian, most people in this region will identify as คนอีสาน (kon isan) or “Isan Person,” distinguishing themselves from the modern inhabitants of Laos. The language is referred to as ภาษาอีสาน (pasa Isan) and is closely related to Laotian.
Southern Thailand occupies the Malay Peninsula and consists of 14 provinces with a population of over 9 million people. Known for its beautiful beaches, the southern part of the country also has its own dialect known as ภาษาใต้ (pasa dtai) or “Southern Language.”
Having spent most of my time in Thailand in the southern region of the country, I can attest to the fact that southern Thai is a distinct dialect that is spoken faster and in a more abbreviated manner as compared to standard Thai. These differences make comprehension difficult for those who are not native speakers of the dialect.
Population DiversityWhile today most citizens of the Kingdom of Thailand would identify as Thai, there still remain large minority ethnic groups throughout the country. Thai Chinese make up the largest of these with a population of 7-10 million people.
In the last 200 years, Chinese immigrants have made Thailand their home and have become deeply integrated into the nation. Thai Chinese have played prominent roles in politics with many former Prime Ministers having some form of Chinese ancestry.
They have also proven to be influential in the Thai economy today with some of the largest businesses in the country being owned by Thai Chinese. Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi is one such individual who has become the third richest person in the nation with a net worth of $11.2 billion dollars as a result of his beverage and real estate empires.
What is Thai Culture Like?As with many countries today, Thailand is trying to embrace new ideas and trends while still attempting to hold onto past traditions and customs that are uniquely Thai. How is this balance maintained?
Thai ClothingWhile much of Thailand has adopted western-style clothing as the norm, traditional clothing, or ชุดไทย (chut thai), still has a large place in the culture today.
Often worn during special occasions such as a wedding, festival, or other celebrations, women desiring to wear traditional clothing have a number of options to choose from. The ผ้าซิ่น (pha sin) is a long handmade skirt, often made of silk. It will often be accompanied by a สไบ (sabai) which is a shawl-like garment worn over one shoulder.
For men, a shirt called the เสื้อพระราชทาน (suea phraratchathan) is often worn on special occasions. It comes in short and long-sleeve varieties and can be accessorized with a sash for the most formal of events. It is often worn with western-style trousers.
Importance of Showing Respect Through GesturesIn Thai culture, it is extremely important to show respect to one another, especially to those who are older than you or of a higher status such as a boss, parent, or religious figure. This can be accomplished in your choice of words and through gestures.
One of the most recognizable features of Thai culture and communication is the ไหว้ (wai) gesture. It is done by placing both hands together, palms touching, around the chest to neck level. It can be accompanied by a slight bow as well.
This gesture can be used when saying hello, goodbye, and even when thanking someone. Younger people should always ไหว้ (wai) an older person first. A person of lower status, such as an employee, should similarly take the initiative to ไหว้ (wai) a person of higher status, like their boss. It is a sign of respect that is an important part of Thai culture.
Importance of Showing Respect Through Word ChoiceAs with most languages, Thai has a large spectrum of words that can be used in either formal or informal situations. While it is perfectly okay to use slang and less polite words with close friends, you must choose your words more carefully when speaking with those who are older or of a higher status.
The Thai language contains a series of words called “ending particles” that do not have a meaning on their own but change the way a sentence comes across to the person you are speaking with. We might compare it in English to saying “please” at the end of a request. It is a way to show politeness and consideration for the other person.
While there are many of these words in Thai, two of the most important are ครับ (krap) and ค่ะ (ka). If you are male you use ครับ (krap) and females use the word ค่ะ (ka).
The ending particles are often used at the end of a statement and are a way to show respect to the person you are talking to. Here is a list of basic phrases showing how to use these words that are appropriate in the majority of situations:
Hello – สวัสดีครับ/ค่ะ (sawat dii krap/ka)How are you? – เป็นอย่างไงบ้างครับ/ค่ะ? (bpen yaang ngai bahng krap/ka)Thank you – ขอบคุณครับ/ค่ะ (kop kun krap/ka)I’m sorry – ขอโทษครับ/ค่ะ (kor toht krap/ka)Yes – ใช่ครับ/ค่ะ (chai krap/ka)No – ไม่ใช่ครับ/ค่ะ (mai chai krap/ka)No problem – ไม่เป็นไรครับ/ค่ะ (mai bpen rai krap/ka)Another important way Thais show respect to one another is through the use of kinship terms such as ลุง (lung) meaning uncle or ป้า (bpaa) meaning aunt. These words can refer to family members but will often be used to address ones who are outside of your family as well to show respect and closeness.
If you are meeting someone for the first time and would like to show a high level of respect you can use the title คุณ (khun) which is the equivalent of Mr. or Mrs. in English. For those you are getting to know better you can address them using the following kinship terms:
Older sibling (male or female) – พี่ (pii)Younger sibling (male or female) – น้อง (nohng)Uncle (father or mother’s older brother) – ลุง (lung)Aunt (father or mother’s older sister) – ป้า (bpaa)Aunt / Uncle (mother’s younger brother or sister) – น้า (naa)Aunt / Uncle (father’s younger brother or sister) – อา (aa)As you can see the system can be quite complex and takes a bit of time to master as you need to quickly assess the nature of your relationship with a person before you decide on the proper title to use.
Religion in ThailandAccording to the most recent census data, 85-95 percent of Thai people are Theravada Buddhists with another 5-10 percent claiming to be Muslim. Other groups include small numbers of Christians, Jews, Hindus, Taoists, and Confucians.
The influence of Theravada Buddhism is seen throughout the country with over 40,000 temples or วัด (wat) spread throughout the nation. Several important days in the Buddhist religion have been designated as national holidays, these include Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, and Asahna Bucha day. Perhaps the most famous is the Songkran new year festival which has become a country-wide holiday marked by the soaking of one another with water.
Buddhist ceremonies also play a large part in daily life in the country with traditions such as ตักบาตร (tak baht), the giving of alms to monks, taking place every morning at sunrise.
Thai FoodThai food has become famous around the world for its delectable curries, stir-fries, soups, and salads that combine bold flavors and fresh ingredients.
Thailand is one of the largest rice-producing countries in the world with just under 20 million tons being projected to be grown in 2022. It is a staple of the cuisine and is a huge part of the Thai diet.
Rice is often consumed with a stir-fry of meat and vegetables that is often flavored with endless combinations of Thai chilis, garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, holy basil, sugar, and lime.
Popular proteins include chicken, pork, and fish. Coconut features heavily in curries and other soups such as ต้มข่า (tom kha). Fruits such as green papaya are popular and are used in one of Thailand’s most beloved dishes ส้มตำ (som tam).
Just the BeginningThai culture is fascinating and incredibly rich in history and nuance. It would be impossible to cover every facet of the beautiful Thai people in a single article. Whether you are interested in the language, food, or history of Thailand, taking the time to get to know more about the Thai people can be a very rewarding experience.
If you would like to learn more about the Thai language, check out these articles:
How to Order Your Favorite Thai Dishes IN Thai“Thank You” in Thai: 11 Ways to Express Appreciation in ThaiReading Thai and its tones isn’t as hard as you thinkGetting along with other learners & conclusions of Thai missionInnovative Language Review – Complete Pod101 Language Course Review (with Screenshots and Video Results)The post Thai People: History, Culture, Food and More appeared first on Fluent in 3 Months.
March 20, 2023
The 111 Most Common Spanish Words For Everyday Use
What if I told you that you could understand about 50% of Spanish by learning only 100 Spanish words?
Would you think I’m crazy, or would you give it a shot?
It’s true! By learning the 111 most common Spanish words, you can begin to understand half of the language.
I know that sounds far fetched, but hear me out. We use a lot of the same words… all the time.
In English, words like “the”, “a”, “and”, “I”, “you”, “is”, and more are used in almost every sentence. The same is true in Spanish. This is good news, since many people struggle to learn thousands of words. But you don’t need to!
That’s why one of the best ways to go from 0-50% as a beginner Spanish speaker is to start off learning these 111 core Spanish words. It’ll not only help you make the most out of your study time, but it’ll give you a major leg up right away.
After all, it doesn’t take much to memorize your first 111 words when you use the right techniques!
function runSplitTest(){var randomNumber = Math.floor(Math.random() * 2) + 1console.log(randomNumber)var copy = "";if (randomNumber == 3){ copy = '<i>A note from the Fluent in 3 Months team before we get started: You can chat away in Spanish for at least 15 minutes with the "Fluent in 3 Months" method. All it takes is 90 days. <b><a href="https://fluentin3months.com/challenge... this link to find out more.</b></a></i>'} else { copy = '<i>Before we get started, if you’re looking for an online Spanish course, here’s the course I recommend: <a href="https://www.fluentin3months.com/olly-... Uncovered - Learn Spanish Through the Power of Story</b></a>, a course with a fascinating new method by my friend Olly. You can try it for free for 7 days!</i>'}console.log(copy)var copyToChange = document.querySelector("p.copyText").innerHTML = copy;}runSplitTest();Table of contents10 Basic Spanish Words You Need As a Beginner36 Core Spanish NounsSpanish Nouns for TimeSpanish Nouns for PlacesSpanish Nouns for ThingsSpanish Nouns for People25 Core Spanish Verbs31 Basic Spanish Adjectives and Adverbs9 Common Spanish Words for Conjunctions and ConnectorsWhy Learn Spanish Words by Word Frequency?Build Your Spanish Word Bank with The Most Common Words in Spanish10 Basic Spanish Words You Need As a BeginnerIf you’re only going to learn 10 words from this post, these are the ones you need:
Hola – “hello”Adiós – “goodbye”Por favor – “please”Gracias – “thank you”De nada – “you’re welcome”Sí – “yes”No – “no”Ayuda – “help”Hoy – “today”Mañana – “tomorrow”To prepare for learning the other words in this article, you can use the resources from this video:
36 Core Spanish NounsThese will be your most helpful nouns starting out. Of course, you may have different nouns you use in everyday life… And you can change this list according to that! But since we’re going by word frequency here, these words will be useful to know.
Spanish Nouns for TimeVez – “One time”Hoy – “Today”Mañana – “Tomorrow”Ayer – “Yesterday”Hora – “Hour”Año – “Year”Día – “Day”Semana – “Week”Antes – “Before”Después – “After”Tiempo – “Time” or “Weather”Spanish Nouns for PlacesAquí – “Here”Allí – “There”Ahora – “Now”Sitio – “Place”Escuela – “School”Tienda – “Shop”Baño – “Bathroom”Ciudad – “City”País – “Country”Spanish Nouns for ThingsCosa – “Thing”Nada – “Nothing”Algo – “Something”Este/Esto/Esta – “This” or “This one”Ese/ Eso/Esa – “That” or “That one”Casa – “House”Coche – “Car”Idioma – “Language”Agua – “Water”Película – “Movie”Spanish Nouns for PeopleHombre – “Man”Mujer – “Woman”Chico/Chica – “Boy”/”Girl”Amigo – “Friend”Persona – “Person”Familia – “Family”25 Core Spanish VerbsThese are the most common Spanish verbs, and you can say quite a lot with only these 25 Spanish words! The first six verbs listed, especially. These verbs are often used with other verbs to create more complex sentences.
A couple of notes here. The first two verbs, ser and estar both mean “to be.” But ser is used for permanent situations. For example, “soy Caitlin” means “I am Caitlin.” (Soy is ser conjugated for the first person.)
We use soy because my name is Caitlin, and unless I decide to change it, it will always be Caitlin.
Estar is used for situations that could change. For example, “estoy bien” means “I’m fine.” (Estoy is estar conjugated for the first person as well.) We use estar for this because I’m fine right now… But tomorrow, who knows? Maybe it’ll be a rough day, and I actually “no estoy bien.” (Or “not well.”)
The other note I have for you is that these verbs are unconjugated, so they’re in their infinitive, or dictionary, form. Many are irregular Spanish verbs because they’re so common. The more common words are, the more they change over time causing them to become irregular. But, these verbs are so common, it’ll be easy to master once you get to it!
Ser – “To be” (permanent)Estar – “To be” (non-permanent)Haber – “To have”, “To exist”Tener – “To have”, “To own”Hacer – “To do”, “To make”Poder – “Can do”Ver – “To see”Ir – “To go”Dar – “To give”Saber – “To know”Querer – “To want”, “To love”Creer – “To believe”Hablar – “To talk”Llevar – “To carry”Encontrar – “To find”Gustar – “To like”Decir – “To tell”Venir – “To come”Pensar – “To think”Entender – “To understand”Leer – “To read”Comer – “To eat”Beber – “To drink”Trabajar – “To work”Usar – “To use”31 Basic Spanish Adjectives and AdverbsThese adjectives will come in handy all the time in Spanish! It’s a good idea to memorize them in sets whenever possible. Like mucho for “a lot” and poco for “a few.” This way you can associate the two words together, making them easier to remember.
And words like bueno can also be used as connecting words. Because bueno is so common, in some dialects like Mexican Spanish, it’s used to say “well then”, “okay”, or “anyway…”
Todo – “All”, “every”Alguno – “Some”Más – “More”Menos – “Less”Muy – “Very”Mucho – “A lot”Otro – “Other”Casi – “Almost”Mismo – “Same”Así – “Like this”También – “Also”Hasta – “Until, Even”Grande – “Large”Pequeño – “Small”Bien – “Well”Poco – “A little bit”Siempre – “Always”Nunca – “Never”Cada – “Each”Nuevo – “New”Antigua – “Old”Bueno – “Good”Mal – “Bad”Alto – “High”Bajo – “Low”Lejos – “Far”Cerca – “Near”Hermosa – “Beautiful”Feo – “Ugly”Difícil – “Difficult”Fácil – “Easy”9 Common Spanish Words for Conjunctions and ConnectorsConjunctions and connectors help your speech flow in a natural way. They help you make more complex sentences, as well as pause for thought without adding awkward silence to your conversations. Conversation connectors are a valuable tool for your first conversations in Spanish. So here are the nine most common to help you get started:
Que – “That”, “Which”Como – “Like”, “As”Pero – “But”Porque – “Because”Entonces – “So”, “Then”Pues – “Well then”Aunque – “Although”Mientras – “While”Además – “Besides that”Why Learn Spanish Words by Word Frequency?These 100 Spanish words are chosen based on analyses of books, websites, newspapers, and more, by word frequency.
The word frequency method helps you learn the most common words first, so you can start understanding more of Spanish speech immediately.
This is a lot more effective than textbooks that start by teaching you Spanish words for the classroom, random careers or college majors. Most of those words you’ll never use again after that. (Seriously, I learned how to say “economics” – ciencias económicas – but I’ve never once talked about that in Spanish.)
The words on this list you’ll use, hear, or read all the time. That not only helps you understand faster, it helps you remember them faster, too, because you see them often. That’s why this is my favorite method for learning new words when I first start learning a language.
And it’s interesting because learning your first 100 words can get you up to 50% fluent, and 1,000 words can help you understand about 88% of what’s spoken in Spanish.
Contrast that with 3,000 words, which would get you to about 94% fluency (only a 6% increase!). So those 100 common Spanish words give you a lot of mileage in the language.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t learn more words – you definitely should. But it just shows you the power of learning the most common words first. It’s one way to study more effectively and get the most out of your time right away.
Now, one thing about this article. I’ll be skipping common Spanish articles like “el,” “la,” “un,” “y,” “o,” “con,” and other words like them. Why? Because these words mean “the,” “an,” “and,” etc… They’re repetitive and quick to learn in a grammar lesson, rather than vocabulary. So, we’ll be skipping over those here and focusing on other important words to know.
I’m also not including personal pronouns or the various conjugations of common verbs. Again, that goes back to learning grammar and conjugation. It’s important to know, but most “word frequency lists” take up a lot of space with various conjugations of the same word. Instead, learn the dictionary form now and how to conjugate it later! You can learn your Spanish pronouns in this article, and basic verb conjugation here.
Once you know these 101 core Spanish words, it becomes much easier to build simple Spanish sentences and start speaking now!
Build Your Spanish Word Bank with The Most Common Words in SpanishNow that you’ve looked over the 101 most common Spanish words, it’s time to memorize them. Add these words to your Anki flashcard deck, or another app you use for memorizing vocab. After that, your next steps would be to learn how to conjugate Spanish verbs, build your Spanish conversation script, and study essential Spanish sentences and phrases.
Then it’s time to find a Spanish language exchange partner and start speaking! Because if you don’t use it, you lose it.
And don’t forget to start building on this list with words you use every day. That will be unique to you, and help you really start learning Spanish you’ll actually use. Learn words to talk about your career, your hobbies, your daily routine, or where you live. Build on that, so you can have a more expressive conversation!
¡Lo Siento! and 25 More Ways to Say “Sorry” in SpanishDabble SpanishThe 10 Best Ways to Learn Spanish (Be Fluent Faster!)Spanish Uncovered Review — An Honest, Detailed Review on Learning Spanish with Story60+ Really Useful Spanish Phrases for Conversation and TravelThe post The 111 Most Common Spanish Words For Everyday Use appeared first on Fluent in 3 Months.
