Transcript, vocabulary, and notes

Text 课文 (Kèwén)

After you have watched the video, check your understanding by reading the transcript and the English translation.

New Words 生词 (Shēngcí)

Language Notes

L48. 快了

Pattern 快.…..了 is used to indicate that a certain action or event is about to happen.

For example:

Chūntiān kuài lai le.
春天快来了。
Spring is coming soon.

Shǔjià kuài dào le.
暑假快到了。
Summer vacation is coming.

Grammar Notes

G74. 像.…..一样

Rule: Pattern 像.…..一样 means to “the same as.” A 像 seems to be like B.

For example:

• Kūnmíng xiàng yī zuò chūn chéng yīyàng.
• 昆明像一座春城一样。
• Kunming is just like a city of spring.

G75. The 比 sentence

Rule: The 比 sentence is used to show the difference between two persons or things through a comparison in the pattern A 比 B.

For example:

• Xiàtiān bǐ chūntiān rè.
• 夏天比春天热。
• Summer is hotter than spring.

• Wǒ de qúnzi bǐ nǐ de dà.
• 我的裙子比你的大。
• My skirt is bigger than yours.

In a 比 sentence, if the predicate is an adjective, it cannot be preceded by such adverbs as 很，真，非常.

NOT

• Xiàtiān bǐ chūntiān hěn rè.
• 夏天比春天很热。

G76. 最

Rule: 最 is used for the superlative meaning the most. It occurs before a verb or an adjective.

For example:

• Wǒ zuì xǐhuan Běijīng.
• 我最喜欢北京。
• I like Beijing the most.

• Dōngtiān zuì lěng.
• 冬天最冷。
• It is coldest in winter.

G77. 一边.…..一边.…..

Rule: 一 边.…..一 边.….. is a conjunction used to indicate two actions that are carried out at the same time.

For example:

• Wǒ yībiān chīfàn，yībiān liànxí shuō Zhōngwén.
• 我一边吃饭，一边练习说中文。
• I practiced speaking Chinese while having dinner.

• Tā xǐhuan yībiān tīng yīnyuè，yībiān kànshū.
• 他喜欢一边听音乐，一边看书。
• He likes reading while listening to the music.

Sentence Patterns

These sentences highlight and repeat some of the grammatical concepts introduced in this lesson.

Pinyin	Simplified	Traditional	English	Listen
Wǒmen kuài yào fàng shǔjià le.	我们快要放暑假了。	我們快要放暑假了。	We will be taking summer vacation soon.	You must have javascript and Flash Player to play this video.
Kūnmíng de tiānqì fēicháng hǎo，shì ma?	昆明的天气非常好, 是吗？	昆明的天氣非常好, 是嗎？	The weather in Kunming is wonderful, isn’t it?	You must have javascript and Flash Player to play this video.
Kūnmíng yīnián-sìjì dōu xiàng chūntiān yīyàng，bù lěng bú rè.	昆明一年四季都像春天一样, 不冷不热。	昆明一年四季都像春天一樣, 不冷不熱。	All year long it’s like spring in Kunming, not cold and not hot.	You must have javascript and Flash Player to play this video.
Beijīng de xiàtiān bǐ Kūnmíng rè.	北京的夏天比昆明热。	北京的夏天比昆明熱。	The summer in Beijing is hotter than Kunming.	You must have javascript and Flash Player to play this video.
Yàoshì nǐ néng qù Zhōngguó，wǒmen kěyǐ yībiān wán, yībiān liànxí shuō Zhōngwén.	要是你能去中国, 我们可以一边玩, 一边练习说中文。	要是你能去中國, 我們可以一邊玩, 一邊練習說中文。	If you are able to go to China, we can on one hand play and on the other practice speaking Chinese.	You must have javascript and Flash Player to play this video.

Cultural Notes

Kunming, the “City of Spring”

Kunming is located in and is the capital of Yunnan Province. Kunming’s nickname, the “City of Spring,” is derived from the fact that the weather is favorable and throughout the year, the city is covered with variety of trees, plants and flowers. Another attraction of Kunming is its rich culture. Populated by 25 minorities, the city offers an insight into their unique traditions, which include colorful costumes, fascinating dance and songs, as well as traditional ceremonies.