ADVANCED CLASS REVIEW 6

So = 所以？ (C206):

 Many people have the misconception that "so" in English is “所以” in Chinese. It isn't. In addition to that, some people like to use "so" to begin their sentences and this habit got carried over when they speak Chinese. “所以” shouldn't be used at the beginning of a sentence.

For instance, "Eat well so that you have enough enegy" is NOT “多吃一点，所以你有足够力量”. It should be “多吃一点，好让你有足够力量”.

Depending on the context, you can also use 于是，故此，因此 to convey the meaning of "so that" in English.

Most of the time, “所以” is part of the sentence structure “因为...所以...” such as 因为我很累，所以我早一点睡觉。

圣经小故事 第三课 下 (R206):

1. 從。音Cóng 而不是 Sóng。
2. Common mistake："黃弟兄是长老從中文會众。" This is a faulty translation of "Brother Huang is an elder from the Chinese Congregation". The correct sentence is "黄弟兄是从中文会众来的长老。"

INTERMEDIATE CLASS REVIEW 6

Field Service (F106):

 This week we discussed how to respond to the potential conversation stopper “我信自己”( I believe in myself), which you are going to hear a lot in the Chinese field. Basiscally, “我信自己” is another way of saying “我不信教”( I don't believe in any religion ), so the suggestions on P. 16 and 17 in the Reasoning book should proved very helpful.

Elementary Chinese (E106):

 This week we introduced the concept of “破音字” or “多音字”, Chinese characters that have two or more pronunciations. For instance, the Chinese character “恶” in “罪恶” ( crime, sin ) is pronounced E in 4th tone. The very same Chinese character “恶” in “恨恶” ( to hate ) is pronounced Wu in 4th tone. Most Pinyin publications have very clear indications as to how a Chinese character is pronounced depending on the context.

 Remember, you can always use the comments section at the end of this post if you have more questions regarding this week's material.

CLASSES FOR THE WEEK OF 10/26/15

Intermediate Class

   Thursday 9:20 PM; Instructor: SS He
   Sunday 12:30 PM; Instructor: L. Wong

  “我不需要了” (F107; 15 min.) - What to do if the householder said that they are not interested or they don't need the good news?

  Elementary Chinese 6 (E107; 15 min.) - Is there a formula for making Chinese sentences? We'll cover the proper order of What, Where, When, How, Subject, and Object in most sentences.

Advanced Class

   Thursday 9:20 PM; Instructor: Y.J. Ishisaka
   Sunday 12:30 PM; Instructor: F. Yanagihara

  “这样做 VS 做这样 ?” (C207; 15 min.) - How do you say something like "If we do this, then..."?

  圣经小故事 第四课 上 (R207; 15min.) - We are going to discuss the first half of chapter 4 of the book "Teach Your Children" (in Chinese).

  If you come across vocabularies while you're preparing for your classes, please let us know by using the comments section at the end of this post. Of course, you can also email any of the instructors.

ADVANCED CLASS REVIEW 5

前往 VS 去 (C205):

1. There are phrases and expressions that are only written but never spoken. For instance, 前往 is used only in documents, news stories and other written material. When you want to go to the bathroom, you don't say 我前往洗手间，but you say 我去洗手间.
2. Other examples include『歸家』和『回家』(returning home)；『迅速』和『快』(fast, quick).

Your homework this week is to make 3 sentences using 看 and 3 sentences using 见.

圣经小故事 第三课 上 (R205):

1. You learned about the phrase 当天 .

 Your homework is to make even more sentences.

INTERMEDIATE CLASS REVIEW 5

Field Service (F105):

 The difference between 吗 and 呢 . With a question that ends with 吗, it's essential to have it at the end of the sentence or it won't be a question anymore. However with a question that ends with 呢, it's almost always just as good without it at the end.

 Your homework this week for this class is to practice every sentence in Asking Questions.

Problematic Pinyin (E105):

 When two identical characters combine to make a phrase, the second characters often times would change to a neutral tone to make it easier to pronounce the phrase. Examples: 谢谢，爸爸，妈妈。

When two 1st tone or two 4th tone characters combine to make a phrase, the first characters often times would change to 2nd tone. Examples: 不是，不对，不要。

 Remember, you can always use the comments section at the end of this post if you have more questions regarding this week's material.

CLASSES FOR THE WEEK OF 10/19/15

UPDATED 10/21/15!

Intermediate Class

   Thursday 9:20 PM; Instructor: SS He
   Sunday 12:30 PM; Instructor: L. Wong

  “我信自己” (F106; 15 min.) - What to do if the householder said that they believe in themselves? Let's see how we can overcome this particular conversation stopper.

  Elementary Chinese 6 (E106; 15 min.) - How do you say "We must hate wickedness" in Chinese? I have a feeling that you are saying it wrong. We are going to introduce some Chinese characters that have multiple pronunciation.

Advanced Class

   Thursday 9:20 PM; Instructor: Y.J. Ishisaka
   Sunday 12:30 PM; Instructor: F. Yanagihara

  “So = 所以?” (C206; 15 min.) - We are going to discuss some proper and improper usages of  "所以" .

  圣经小故事 第三课 下 (R206; 15min.) - We are going to discuss the second half of chapter 3 of the book "Teach Your Children" (in Chinese).

  If you come across vocabularies while you're preparing for your classes, please let us know by using the comments section at the end of this post. Of course, you can also email any of the instructors.

ADVANCED CLASS REVIEW 4

以后 VS 之后 (C204):

1. 解釋並舉例『以後』跟『之後』在多數情況下可以替代使用。例子： 吃過飯之後/ 以後, 可以去散散步.
2. 解釋以後跟之後的差別 (無法替代使用的情況)
3. 『之後』帶有afterwards的意思.  『之後』 means after that (something said earlier) which requires a context as the base point of the time.  (特別是我們在論述一件接著發生在另一件事的後面 絕大多數是用之後)
4. 『以後』 can be used either with a context or without. When used without a context, 以後 means from now on, in future. Ex:  從今以後

圣经小故事 第二课 下 (R204):

Sentence structure:

1. 按+名詞+動詞。例子：利百加按耶和華的話去做。
2. 把+名詞+動詞。例子：耶和華把最好的給她。
3. 奉耶穌基督的名禱告。常見錯誤：我們禱告奉耶穌基督的名。

You also learned new expressions such as 来来回回 (going back and forth)；忙个不停 (so busy there's no stopping)；大吃一惊(was shocked or surprised)；the differences between 吃惊，惊讶，震惊。

Your homework is to make even more sentences.

INTERMEDIATE CLASS REVIEW 4

Field Service (F104):

1. 『現在』的意思 ( Today, Nowadays, Now )。
2.『好像』= 『看起來』= 『看來』。3. Sentence structure: 很多人 ————，其他人 ————。

 Your homework this week for this class is to practice every sentence in Presenting a Topic.

Problematic Pinyin (E104):

There are a lot of words and phrases we use everyday that the Pinyin final "ü", such as 去 Qu (go)；先驱 Xian Qu (Pioneer) ；聚会 Ju Hui (Meeting)；律法 Lü Fa (Laws)；女人 Nü Ren (Woman)。So getting "ü" right is essential.

Your homework this week is to look for 5 Chinese characters that has ü in your Pinyin Watchtower. (5 each, total of 15)

 Remember, you can always use the comments section at the end of this post if you have more questions regarding this week's material.

CLASSES FOR THE WEEK OF 10/12/15

Reminder: No classes for the week of 10/05/15

Intermediate Class

   Thursday 9:20 PM; Instructor: SS He
   Sunday 12:30 PM; Instructor: L. Wong

  Asking Questions (F105; 15 min.) - Source of material: JW Language app. Please install this app on your smart phone or tablet if you haven't done so. Go to the fourth topic "Asking Questions". Pick out vocabularies and sentences that you have trouble with.

  Problematic Pinyin 5 (E105; 15 min.) - We are going to cover some harder Pinyin. This week we are going to cover tones changes when two first tone characters are combined.

Advanced Class

   Thursday 9:20 PM; Instructor: Y.J. Ishisaka
   Sunday 12:30 PM; Instructor: F. Yanagihara

  “前往 VS 去” (C205; 15 min.) - We are going to discuss some subtle differences between "前往" and "去" as well as some other words that are used in writing but never used in conversations.

  圣经小故事 第三课 上 (R205; 15min.) - We are going to discuss the first half of chapter 3 of the book "Teach Your Children" (in Chinese).

  If you come across vocabularies while you're preparing for your classes, please let us know by using the comments section at the end of this post. Of course, you can also email any of the instructors.