Chinese Character a Day

#60-Boy-King With a Mission (Cont’d 2)

aileen — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:38 +0000

Chinese Fortune:

Click the game above BEFORE starting to learn more about the lesson for this week and see how many points you get!!!

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English Excerpt:

Page 18
Paragraph 3

As soon as he became King, he transported 700000 (seven hundred thousand) men from all over China to construct a tomb for him just outside his capital city (close to Xian ). He really wanted to live forever and searched for an elixir of immortality, but a grand tomb was the next best thing. The project continued until he died 36 years later. It became by far the most elaborate tomb in the world, a complex of many chambers around a central tomb the height of a 25-storey 25 building.

Chinese Translation:

Click “play” icon to listen to the Chinese Translation!!!Enjoy~~~

Play audio file (chinese-translation60.mp3)

Page 18 = 第十八页dì shí bā yè

Paragraph 3 = 第三段dì sān duàn

As soon as he became King (国王guó wáng), he transported (运输 yùn shū) 700,000 (seven hundred thousand 七十万 qī shí wàn ) men from all over China to construct a tomb for him just outside his capital city (首都 shǒu dū ) (close to 靠近 kào jìn Xian 西安xī ān ). He really wanted to live forever and searched (搜寻sōu xún ) for an elixir of immortality (仙方xiān fāng), but a grand tomb was the next best thing. The project (工程 gōng chéng ) continued until he died 36 years later. It became by far the most elaborate (精巧 jīng qiǎo ) tomb in the world, a complex of many chambers 无数后宫 around a central tomb the height 高 of a 25-storey 25 (层楼 céng lóu)building (大厦 dà shà).

Break-down sentences

1. 他一做了国王以後, 就在中国各地找寻并运输了七十万人到靠近西安的首都,来建设他的坟墓,
=As soon as he became King, he transported 700000 (seven hundred thousand) men from all over China to construct a tomb for him just outside his capital city (close to Xian ).

2. 他非常渴望永远不死（长生不死),但是因为收寻不到仙方,他只可造他的坟.
=He really wanted to live forever and searched for an elixir of immortality, but a grand tomb was the next best thing.

3. 这笔工程一直继续到他死,一共叁十六年,
=The project continued until he died 36 years later.

4. 结果,可以说是他造了全世界最精巧的坟墓
=It became by far the most elaborate tomb in the world,

5. 他以无数的後宫包围著有25城楼高的古墓中心
=a complex of many chambers around a central tomb the height of a 25-storey 25 building.

Vocabulary

Click “play” icon to listen to the Vocabulary!!!Enjoy~~~

1. King = 国王guó wáng

Play audio file (1.king60.mp3)

2. transported = 运输yun` shu¯

Play audio file (2.-transported60.mp3)

3. 700000 = 七十万qī shí wàn

Play audio file (3.-70000060.mp3)

4. capital city = 首都shǒu dū

Play audio file (4.-capital-city60.mp3)

5. close to = 靠近 kào jìn

Play audio file (5.-close-to60.mp3)

6. Xian = 安西 xī ān

Play audio file (6.-xian60.mp3)

7. searched = 搜寻sōu xún

Play audio file (7.-searched60.mp3)

8. elixir of immortality = 仙方xiān fāng

Play audio file (8.-elixir-of-immortality60.mp3)

9. project = 工程gōng chéng

Play audio file (9.-project60.mp3)

10. elaborate = 精巧jīng qiǎo

Play audio file (10.-elaborate60.mp3)

11. 25-storey building = 25 层楼大厦céng lóu dà shà

Play audio file (11.-25-storey-building60.mp3)

Storey =层楼céng lóu
Building =大厦 dà shà

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#59-Boy-King With a Mission (Cont’d 1)

aileen — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:30:41 +0000

Chinese Fortune:

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English Excerpt:

Page 18

Paragraph 2

When he ascended the throne in 247 BC, China was divided into seven states long been at war with one another. The boy-king began his reign with three goals. One was to conquer the other six states and unite the country. Another was to be the most powerful ruler in China. The last was to erect the grandest tomb ever built. He succeeded in all three.

Chinese Translation:

Click “play” icon to listen to the Chinese Translation!!!Enjoy~~~

Play audio file (chinese-translation1.mp3)

Page 18 第十八页dì shí bā yè

Paragraph 2 第二段 dì èr duàn

When (当dāng ) he 他 ascended (上登shàng dēng) the throne (皇位huáng wèi ) in 247 BC, China 中国 was divided (分为fēn wéi ) into seven states (七个国家qī gè guó jiā ) long been at war with one another. The boy-king 童王 began his reign (朝代cháo dài) with three goals (目标mù biāo). One was to conquer (征服zhēng fú ) the other six states and unite (统一tǒng yī) the country (国家guó jiā). Another was to be the most powerful (雄强xióng qiáng) ruler (帝王dì wáng) in China. The last was to erect (建设jiàn shè) the grandest (最伟大zuì wěi dà ) tomb (坟墓fén mù) ever built. He succeeded (成功chéng gōng) in all three.

Break-down sentences

1. 当他在公元247 年前登上皇位的时候,
=When he ascended the throne in 247 BC

2. 中国那时候已分为七个国家并互相战争了几百年,
=China was divided into seven states long been at war with one another.
3. 童年的秦始皇在位时有叁个目标,
=The boy-king began his reign with three goals.
4. 第一,征服其他六个国家并统一中国,
=One was to conquer the other six states and unite the country.
5. 再来,成为最雄强的帝王
=Another was to be the most powerful ruler in China.
6. 最後,他要建设世界上最伟大的坟墓
=The last was to erect the grandest tomb ever built.

7. 秦始皇最终成功的达成他的叁个目标
=He succeeded in all three.

Vocabulary

Click “play” icon to listen to the Vocabulary!!!Enjoy~~~

1. When = 当 dāng

Play audio file (159.-when.mp3)

2. ascended =上登 shàng dēng

Play audio file (259.-ascended.mp3)

3. throne = 皇位 huáng wèi

Play audio file (359.-throne.mp3)

4. divided = 分为fēn wéi

Play audio file (459.-divided.mp3)

5. seven states = 七个国家qī gè guó jiā

Play audio file (559.-seven-states.mp3)

6. reign = 朝代cháo dài

Play audio file (659.-reign.mp3)

7. goals = 目标mù biāo

Play audio file (759.-goals.mp3)

8. conquer = 征服zhēng fú

Play audio file (859.-conquer.mp3)

9. unite = 统一tǒng yī

Play audio file (959.-unite.mp3)

10. the country = 国家guó jiā

Play audio file (1059.-country.mp3)

11. the most powerful = 最雄强zui` xióng qiáng

Play audio file (1159.most-powerful.mp3)

12. ruler = 帝王dì wáng

Play audio file (1259.-ruler.mp3)

13. build = 建设jiàn shè

Play audio file (1359.-build.mp3)

14. grandest =最伟大zuì wěi dà

Play audio file (1459.-grandest.mp3)

15. tomb = 坟墓fén mù

Play audio file (1559.-tomb.mp3)

16. succeeded = 成功chéng gōng

Play audio file (1659.-succeeded.mp3)

The feature image provided by squidoo/ancientchina

#58-Boy-King With a Mission

aileen — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:30:56 +0000

Chinese Fortune:

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English Excerpt:

Page 18

Paragraph 1

BOY-KING WITH A MISSION

The man who became First Emperor, Qin Shi-huang, was just 13 years old when he became ruler of the Kingdom of Qin in central-west China. Although only a boy, he was determined to succeed and to make his mark in history.

Chinese Translation:

Click “play” icon to listen to the Chinese Translation!!!Enjoy~~~

Play audio file (Chinese-translation.mp3)

Page 18

第十八頁dì shí bā yè

Paragraph 1

第一段dì yī duàn

BOY-KING (童王tóng wáng) WITH A MISSION ( 天职tiān zhí)

The man who became First Emperor, Qin Shi-huang (秦始皇qín shǐ huáng ), was just 13 years old 十三岁shí sān suì )( when he became ruler (国王guó wáng )of the Kingdom of Qin (秦国qín guó) in central-west China. Although (虽然 suī rán) only a boy (男童nán tong), he was determined (决定jué ding) to succeed (成功chéng gōng )and to make his mark in history.

Break-down sentences
1.中国的第一位皇帝,秦始皇,当他年龄才刚满十叁岁,就被认为秦国的国王.
= The man who became First Emperor, Qin Shi-huang, was just 13 years old when he became ruler of the Kingdom of Qin in central-west China.

2. 虽然他只是一个男童,但他决定努力,发愤,并且让自己成为历史上有名声远界的国王.
= Although only a boy, he was determined to succeed and to make his mark in history.

Vocabulary

Click “play” icon to listen to the Vocabulary!!!Enjoy~~~

1. Boy-King = 童王tóng wáng

Play audio file (1.-boy-king58.mp3)

2. mission = 天职tiān zhí

Play audio file (2.-mission58.mp3)

3. Qin Shi-huang = 秦始皇qín shǐ huáng

Play audio file (3.qin-shi-huang-58.mp3)

4. 13 years old = 十三岁shí sān suì

Play audio file (4.-13yearold58.mp3)

5. ruler = 国王guó wáng

Play audio file (5.-ruler58.mp3)

6. Kingdom of Qin = 秦国qín guó

Play audio file (6.-kingdom-of-Qin58.mp3)

7. Although = 虽然suī rán

Play audio file (7.although58.mp3)

8. boy = 男童nán tong

Play audio file (8.-boy-king58.mp3)

9. determined = 决定jué ding

Play audio file (9.-determined58.mp3)

10. succeed = 成功chéng gōng

Play audio file (10.-succeed58.mp3)

The feature image provided by Cultural China

#57- FIRST EMPEROR OF ALL CHINA

aileen — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:30:37 +0000

Chinese Fortune:

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English Excerpt:

Page 17

FIRST EMPEROR OF ALL CHINA 259–206 BC

China’s written history goes back thousands of years but weʼll begin just 2200 years ago with the man who first united China. He began the Great Wall and built the biggest tomb in history for himself, completed with an army of 7000 clay soldiers. He said his Qin Dynasty would last 10,000 generations. It ended three years after his death.

Chinese Translation:

Page 17 第十七页 dì shí qī yè

Click “play” icon to listen to the Chinese Translation!!!Enjoy~~~

Play audio file (chinese-translation.mp3)

秦始皇 qín shǐ huáng:
FIRST EMPEROR (皇帝huáng dì) OF ALL CHINA ( 全中国 quán zhōng guó) 259–206 BC

China’s written history 历史(lì shǐ )goes back thousands of years (几千年jǐ qiān nián ) but 但是(dàn shì) weʼll (我们wǒ men ) begin just 2200 years ago with the man who first united (统一tǒng yī) China. He began the Great Wall (长城cháng chéng ) and built the biggest tomb (坟墓fén mù ) in history for himself, completed with an army of 7000 clay(泥ní )soldiers (土兵tǔ bīng). He said his Qin Dynasty (秦朝qín cháo) would last 10,000 generations (万代wàn dài). It ended three years after his death.

Break-down sentences
秦始皇
FIRST EMPEROR OF ALL CHINA 259–206 BC

1. 虽然中国有几千年的历史,但是,我们只会从两千两百年以前,开始说起秦始皇统一了中国以後的故事,
= China’s written history goes back thousands of years but we’ll begin just 2200 years ago with the man who first united China.

2. 他, 造了城墙,并且建设世界上最大的坟墓,包括七千个泥土兵,
=He began the Great Wall and built the biggest tomb in history for himself, completed with an army of 7000 clay soldiers.

3. 秦始皇预说秦朝会延续万代,但他死以後,叁年秦朝就垮了.
=He said his Qin Dynasty would last 10,000 generations. It ended three years after his death.

Vocabulary

Click “play” icon to listen to the Vocabulary!!!Enjoy~~~

1. EMPEROR = 皇帝huáng dì

Play audio file (157.emperor.mp3)

2. ALL CHINA = 全中国quán zhōng guó

Play audio file (257.-all-china.mp3)

3. history = 历史lì shǐ

Play audio file (357.history.mp3)

4. thousands of years = 几千年jǐ qiān nián

Play audio file (457.thousands-of-years.mp3)

5. but = 但是dàn shì

Play audio file (557.-but.mp3)

6. we = 我们wǒ men

Play audio file (657.we_.mp3)

7. united = 统一tǒng yī

Play audio file (757.united.mp3)

8. Great Wall = 长城cháng chéng

Play audio file (857.-great-wall.mp3)

9. Tomb = 坟墓fén mù

Play audio file (957.-tomb.mp3)

10. clay soldiers = 泥土兵ní tǔ bīng

Play audio file (1057.clay-soldiers.mp3)

11. Qin Dynasty = 秦朝qín cháo

Play audio file (1157.-Qin-Dybasty.mp3)

12. 10,000 generations = 万代wàn dài

Play audio file (1257.thousand-generations.mp3)

Image provided by Terracotta Warriors

#56- The start of silk production in Constantinople

aileen — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:30:49 +0000

Chinese Fortune:

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Tips: Play it again AFTER completing the lesson and see how much you improve!!! Have Fun

English Excerpt:

Page 13

Paragraph Two

Around 550AD, two visiting monks took the risk. They returned from China to the Byzantine Emperor Justin’s court with silkworm eggs hidden in their hollow bamboo walking sticks. That was the start of silk production in Constantinople (present day Istanbul). The Persians leaned the art of silk weaving from the Greeks, but it was not until the thirteenth century that silk production became widespread in Italy and the rest of Europe.

Chinese Translation:

Page 13
第十三页dì shí sān yè

Paragraph Two
第二段dì èr duàn

Click “play” icon to listen to the Chinese Translation!!!Enjoy~~~

Play audio file (chinesetranslation1.mp3)

Around 550AD (公元 550 年gōng yuán 550 nián ) , two 两位 visiting (访问 fǎng wèn )中国的外国 monks (僧人sēng rén) took the risk (冒险mào xiǎn). They returned from China to the Byzantine 拜占庭 Emperor 皇帝 Justin’s court (宫庭gōng ting) with silkworm (蚕cán) eggs (卵luǎn ) hidden (藏 cáng) in their hollow (空kōng) bamboo (竹zhú) walking sticks (棍 gùn). That was the start 开始 of silk production in Constantinople (present day Istanbul). The Persians 波斯人 leaned (学会xué huì ) the art of silk weaving (织丝的技术 zhī sī de jì shù) from the Greeks 希腊人, but it was not until the thirteenth ( 十三shí sān) century (世纪shì jì) that silk production 丝的生产 became widespread (普遍的 pǔ biàn de) in Italy (意大利 yì dà lì) and the rest of Europe (欧洲ōu zhōu).

Break-down sentences
1.大约在公元 550 年, 两位拜访(访问)中国的僧人冒著危险
= Around 550AD, two visiting monks took the risk.

2.他们把蚕卵藏在空的竹棍里,从中国带到拜占庭的皇帝 (Justin)的宫廷
= They returned from China to the Byzantine Emperor Justin’s court with silkworm eggs hidden in their hollow bamboo walking sticks.

3.丝在Istanbul的生产,就从那时候开始.
= That was the start of silk production in Constantinople (present day Istanbul).

4. 波斯人从希腊那里学会了丝绸编织的技术
= The Persians learned the art of silk weaving from the Greeks,

5. 一直到十三世纪後,丝的生产已经遍佈(普遍的)在义大利以及欧洲各地.
= but it was not until the thirteenth century that silk production became widespread in Italy and the rest of Europe.

Vocabulary

Click “play” icon to listen to the Vocabulary!!!Enjoy~~~

1. 550AD = 公元年gōng yuán 550 nián

Play audio file (156.-550AD1.mp3)

2. visiting = 访问的 fǎng wèn de

Play audio file (256.-visiting1.mp3)

3. monk = 僧人sēng rén

Play audio file (356.-monks1.mp3)

4. risk = 冒险mào xiǎn

Play audio file (456.-risk.mp3)

5. court = 宫庭gōng tíng

Play audio file (556.-court.mp3)

6. silkworm egg = 蚕卵cán luǎn

Play audio file (656.-silkworm-eggs.mp3)

7. hidden = 藏cáng

Play audio file (756.-hidden.mp3)

8. hollow = 空kōng

Play audio file (856.-hollow.mp3)

9. bamboo walking sticks = 竹棍zhú gùn

Play audio file (956.-bamboo-stick.mp3)

10. learn = 学会xué huì

Play audio file (1056.-learned.mp3)

11. art of silk weaving = 织丝的技术zhī sī de jì shù

Play audio file (1156.-art-of-silk-weaving.mp3)

12. thirteenth century = 十三世纪shí sān shì jì

Play audio file (1256.-13th-century.mp3)

13. widespread = 普遍的 pǔ biàn de

Play audio file (1356.widespread.mp3)

14. Italy = 意大利yì dà lì

Play audio file (1456.-italy.mp3)

15. Europe = 欧洲ōu zhōu

Play audio file (1556.-europe.mp3)

The feature image provided by easytourchina

#55 The Story of Silk-silk trade (Cont’d 4)

aileen — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:30:54 +0000

Chinese Fortune:

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Tips: Play it again AFTER completing the lesson and see how much you improve!!! Have Fun

English Excerpt:

Page 13

Paragraph one

Because the silk trade was so valuable, Chinese methods of silk production were a closely guarded trade secret. Anyone smuggling silkworm eggs out of China was punished by death.

Chinese Translation:

Page 13 第十三页dì shí sān yè

Paragraph one 第一段dì yī duàn

Click “play” icon to listen to the Chinese Translation!!!Enjoy~~~

Play audio file (Chinese-Translation.mp3)

Because the silk 丝(sī ) trade (贸易 mào yì ) was so valuable ( 价值jià zhí), Chinese (中国zhōng guó) methods (方法fāng fǎ) of silk 丝 production (生产shēng chǎn ) were a closely guarded (不准bù zhǔn泄露的xiè lòu de ) trade 贸易secret (秘密mì mì). Anyone smuggling (私运sī yùn) silkworm (蚕cán) eggs (卵luǎn) out of China 中国 was punished (处罚chǔ fá ) by death (为死wéi sǐ).

Break-down sentences
1.因为丝的贸易价值越来越高 = Because the silk trade was so valuable,
2.生产丝的方法是不准被洩漏的贸易秘密 = Chinese methods of silk production were a closely guarded trade secret.
3.任何人私运蚕卵到中国境外会受到严重刑罚 = Anyone smuggling silkworm eggs out of China was punished by death.

Vocabulary

Click “play” icon to listen to the Vocabulary!!!Enjoy~~~

1. Trade = 贸易mào yì

Play audio file (155.-trade.mp3)

2. Value = 价值jià zhí

Play audio file (255.-value.mp3)

3. Methods = 方法fāng fǎ

Play audio file (355.-method.mp3)

4. Production = 生产shēng chǎn

Play audio file (455.-production.mp3)

5. trade secret = 贸易秘密mào yì mì mì

Play audio file (555.-trade-secret.mp3)

trade = 贸易mào yì
secret = 秘密mì mì

6. Smuggle = 私运sī yùn

Play audio file (655.-smuggling.mp3)

7. Punish = 处罚 chǔ fá

Play audio file (755-punished.mp3)

8. Death penalty = 死刑sǐ xíng

Play audio file (855.-death-penalty.mp3)

9. Silkworm eggs = 蚕卵cán luǎn

Play audio file (955.silkworm-eggs.mp3)

Image provided by Terracotta Warriors

#54 -The Story of Silk (Cont’d 3)

aileen — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 15:40:01 +0000

Chinese Fortune:

Click the game above BEFORE starting to learn more about the lesson for this week and see how many points you get!!!

Tips: Play it again AFTER completing the lesson and see how much you improve!!! Have Fun

English Excerpt:

Page 12

Paragraph 3

Silk was greatly valued and often used as currency or money. A man’s salary would be a certain length of silk per year. Silk garments were worn by Roman emperors, who called the Chinese Seres (Silk people). The clothes are beautiful, light and comfortable, being cool in summer and warm in winter.

Chinese Translation:

Page 12 第十二页

Paragraph 3 第三段

Click “play” icon to listen to the Chinese Translation!!!Enjoy~~~

Play audio file (Chinese-translation.mp3)

Silk (丝sī ) was greatly valued (价值 jià zhí) and often (常常cháng cháng) used as currency or money ( 钱qián) . A man’s (一个人的 yī gè rén de) salary (薪水 xīng shuǐ) would be a certain length of silk 丝 per year (年 nián). Silk 丝 garments (衣 yī) were worn (穿 chuān) by Roman emperors (皇帝 huáng dì ), who called the Chinese (中国人 zhōng guó rén) Seres (Silk people 丝人sī rén). The clothes 衣 are beautiful (美丽měi lì) , light (轻 qīng) and comfortable (舒服shū fú ) , being cool (凉快liáng kuài) in summer (夏天 xià tiān) and warm (暖和nuǎn hè)in winter (冬天 dōng tiān).

Vocabulary

Click “play” icon to listen to the Vocabulary!!!Enjoy~~~

1. Silk ＝丝sī

Play audio file (154.-silk1.mp3)

2. Valued ＝价值jià zhí

Play audio file (254.-value1.mp3)

3. often ＝常常cháng cháng

Play audio file (354.-often1.mp3)

4. currency (money) ＝钱 qián

Play audio file (454.-money-currency2.mp3)

5. salary ＝薪水xīng shuǐ

Play audio file (554.-salary1.mp3)

6. Silk people ＝丝人sī rén

Play audio file (654.-silk-people1.mp3)

7. Beautiful ＝美丽měi lì

Play audio file (754.-beautiful1.mp3)

8. comfortable ＝舒服shū fú

Play audio file (854.-comfortable.mp3)

9. cool ＝凉快liáng kuài

Play audio file (954.-cool.mp3)

10. warm ＝暖和nuǎn hè

Play audio file (1054.-warm.mp3)

Let’s practice AGAIN by the following breakdown sentences!!!

Make sure you click the “play” on the bottom left corner of the speaking avatar!!! Enjoy ~

1. 丝的价值变得愈来愈高,而且丝常常被当货币或钱来用. ＝ Silk was greatly valued and often used as currency or money.

2. 一个人一年的薪水可以, 以丝的长度来作单位 ＝ A man’s salary would be a certain length of silk per year.

3. 罗马的皇帝也穿丝御袍并称中国人为丝人 ＝ Silk garments were worn by Roman emperors, who called the Chinese Seres (Silk people).

4. 因为丝衣服很轻又很舒服, 穿了夏天凉快,冬天暖和 ＝ The clothes are beautiful, light and comfortable, being cool in summer and warm in winter

#53 The Story of Silk (Cont’d 2)

aileen — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:30:41 +0000

Chinese Fortune:

Click the game above BEFORE starting to learn more about the lesson for this week and see how many points you get!!!

Tips: Play it again AFTER completing the lesson and see how much you improve!!! Have Fun

English Excerpt:

Page 12

Paragraph 3

The cocoons are steamed to kill the worms inside, then they are dipped in hot water to loosen the silk filaments. These filaments are unwound and six to eight filaments are twisted together to make a silk thread. The threads are woven into cloth.

Chinese Translation:

Page 12 第十二页 dì shí èr yè

Paragraph 3 第三段dì sān duàn

The cocoons (茧jiǎn) are steamed (蒸气zhēng qì) to kill (杀shā ) the worms (虫chóng ) inside, then they (它们tā men ) are dipped (浸 jìn) in hot (热rè) water (水shuǐ) to loosen the silk ( 丝sī) filaments. These filaments (条tiáo) are unwound and six (六liù) to eight (八bā) filaments 条 are twisted together to make a silk 丝 thread (线xiàn). The threads 线 are woven (织zhī) into cloth (布bù).

Play audio file (Chinese-translation.mp3)

Vocabulary

1. Cocoons = 茧 jiǎn

Play audio file (153.-cocoon.mp3)

2. Steam =蒸气zhēng qì

Play audio file (253.-steamed.mp3)

3． Kill = 杀 shā

Play audio file (353.-kill.mp3)

4. Worms = 虫 chóng

Play audio file (453.-worm.mp3)

5. Hot Water = 热水 rè shuǐ

Play audio file (553.-hot-water.mp3)

6. Silk thread = 丝线sī xiàn

Play audio file (653.-silk-thread.mp3)

7. Woven = 织zhī

Play audio file (753.-woven.mp3)

8 cloth = 布 bù

Play audio file (853.-cloth.mp3)

Let’s practice AGAIN by the following breakdown sentences!!!

1. (农民)用温水发出来的蒸气杀掉这些茧,茧死了後,(农民)把它们浸在热水内,泡了一回儿後,就剪松包围身上的丝线, = The cocoons are steamed to kill the worms inside, then they are dipped in hot water to loosen the silk filaments.

Play audio file (153.mp3)

2. 他们把丝线边起来,用六条或八条其他的丝线边起来边成一条粗的丝线 = These filaments are unwound and six to eight filaments are twisted together to make a silk thread.

Play audio file (253.mp3)

3. 然後把这些粗线(放在纺织机內),并织为丝布 = The threads are woven into cloth.

Play audio file (353.mp3)

#52- The Story of Silk (Cont’d 1)

aileen — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:30:33 +0000

Chinese Fortune:

Click the game above BEFORE starting to learn more about the lesson for this week and see how many points you get!!!

Tips: Play it again AFTER completing the lesson and see how much you improve!!! Have Fun

English Excerpt:

Page 12

Paragraph 2

Over the years, the Chinese were able to breed a species of silk moth that is blind and unable to fly. Each lays 500 or more eggs in a few days and then dies. After hatching, the baby worms are fed on freshly chopped mulberry leaves day and night for about a month until they become fat. Each then spins a cocoon around itself, and this is where the silk comes from. Every cocoon is made of a filament about 800 meters (875 yards) long.

Chinese Translation:

Page 12 第十二页dì shí èr

Paragraph 2 第二段dì èr duàn

Over the years 年, the Chinese 中国人 were able to breed (饲养sì yǎng) a species of silk moth 蚕 that is blind (瞎眼xiā yǎn) and unable to fly (飞fēi)
. Each lays 500 or more eggs 蛋 in a few days 天 and then dies 死. After hatching (孵出fū chū) , the baby worms (小蚕虫xiǎo cán chóng ) are fed on freshly chopped mulberry leaves (桑叶sāng shù) day (日日rì rì) and night (夜夜yè yè) for about a month 一个月 until they 它们 become fat (胖pàng) . Each then spins a cocoon (茧jiǎn) around itself 它自己, and this is where the silk 丝 comes from. Every cocoon 茧 is made of a filament 一条细丝(yī tiáo xì sī) about 800 meters 米 (875 yards 丈) long 长.

Play audio file (11.1-chinese-translation1.mp3)

Vocabulary

1． breed = 饲养sì yǎng

Play audio file (1.-52breed.mp3)

2． blind = 瞎眼xiā yǎn

Play audio file (2.-52blind.mp3)

3． fly = 飞 fēi

Play audio file (3.-52fly.mp3)

4． Hatching = 孵出fū chū

Play audio file (4.-52hatching.mp3)

5． baby worms = 小蚕虫xiǎo cán chóng

Play audio file (5.-52baby-silk-worms.mp3)

6． Mulberry leaves = 桑叶sāng shù

Play audio file (6.-52mulberry-leaves.mp3)

7. day and night =日日夜夜rì rì yè yè

Play audio file (7.-52day-and-night.mp3)

8. fat = 胖pàng

Play audio file (8.-52fat.mp3)

9. cocoon = 茧jiǎn

Play audio file (9.-52cocoon.mp3)

10．filament = 一条细丝yī tiáo xì sī

Play audio file (10.52-silk-filament.mp3)

Let’s practice AGAIN by the following breakdown sentences!!!

Chinese translation

1. 过了几年以後,中国人,学会了一种特别饲养蚕虫的办法. 这些蚕虫,不会飞况且瞎了眼睛. = Over the years, the Chinese were able to breed a species of silk moth that is blind and unable to fly.

Play audio file (521.mp3)

2. 每个虫生了五百多个蛋之後,过几天之後就死掉了. = Each lays 500 or more eggs in a few days and then dies.

Play audio file (522.mp3)

3. 那些孵出来的小蚕虫很会吃. (农民因此)餵它们新鲜切碎的桑叶,日日夜夜的餵它们. 吃了差不多一个月後,它们变成越肥越胖 = After hatching, the baby worms are fed on freshly chopped mulberry leaves day and night for about a month until they become fat.

Play audio file (523.mp3)

4. 每个蚕虫就发出一条细丝,并把自己身体包围,这些细丝包围身体後就变成茧 = Each then spins a cocoon around itself, and this is where the silk comes from.

Play audio file (524.mp3)

5. 所以每个茧, 有差不多八百米长细丝所形成的. = Every cocoon is made of a filament about 800 meters (875 yards) long.

Play audio file (525.mp3)

#51-The Story of Silk

aileen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:30:39 +0000

Chinese Fortune:

Click the game above BEFORE starting to learn more about the lesson for this week and see how many points you get!!!

Tips: Play it again AFTER completing the lesson and see how much you improve!!! Have Fun

English Excerpt:

Page 12
Paragraph 1

The Story of Silk

Legend says that silk was first made by the wife of the Yellow Emperor 5000 years ago. She kept silkworms and invented the loom. Silk fragments, ribbons and threads dating from the 3000 BC have been found in eastern China.

Chinese Translation:

Page 12 = 第十二页dì shí èr yè

Paragraph 1 = 第一段dì yī duàn

The Story (故事gù shì) of Silk (丝 sī)

Legend (传说chuáng shuō ) says that silk 丝 was first made by the wife (妻子qī zi) of the Yellow Emperor (黄帝huáng dì) 5000 (五千 wǔ qiān)years (年 nián) ago. She (她 tā) kept silkworms ( 蚕cán) and invented (发明fā míng) the loom (织布机zhī bù jī) . Silk fragments (丝块sī kuài) , ribbons (丝带sī dài) and threads (丝线sī xiàn) dating from the 3000 BC have been found in eastern (东部dōng bù) China (中国zhong guó) .

Play audio file (1351.-chinese-translation.mp3)

Vocabulary

1． Story = 故事gù shì

Play audio file (511.-story.mp3)

2． Silk = 丝sī

Play audio file (512.-silk.mp3)

3． Legend = 传说chuáng shuō

Play audio file (351.-legend.mp3)

4． wife = 妻子qī zi

Play audio file (451.-wife.mp3)

5． Yellow Emperor = 黄帝huáng dì

Play audio file (551.-yellow-emperor.mp3)

6． silkworms = 蚕cán

Play audio file (651.-silkworms.mp3)

7．Invented = 发明fā míng

Play audio file (751.-invented.mp3)

8．Loom = 织布机zhī bù jī

Play audio file (851.-loom.mp3)

9．Silk fragments = 丝块sī kuài

Play audio file (951.-silk-fragments.mp3)

10．silk ribbons = 丝带sī dài

Play audio file (1051.-silk-ribbons.mp3)

11．Silk threads = 丝线sī xiàn

Play audio file (1151.-silk-threads.mp3)

12． eastern China = 中国东部zhong guó dōng bù

Play audio file (1251.-eastern-china.mp3)

Let’s practice AGAIN by the following breakdown sentences!!!

The Story of Silk 丝的故事

1. 据传说,丝是皇帝的妻子在五千年以前第一次做出来的 =Legend says that silk was first made by the wife of the Yellow Emperor 5000 years ago.

Play audio file (5112.mp3)

2. 她养蚕蟲,并且发明了织布机 = She kept silkworms and invented the loom.

Play audio file (5121.mp3)

3. 在中国东部, 以前有人找出来五千年以前所用过的丝块,丝带,跟丝线 = Silk fragments, ribbons and threads dating from the 3000 BC have been found in eastern China.

Play audio file (5131.mp3)

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