Learn Chinese — Learn a Chinese Character a Day
I stumbled across this website the other day and immediately subscribed to the feed. The site's premise/purpose is to provide all the information and tools to learn a single Chinese character each day. Seeing as how the Chinese pretty much own America - or its GDP for the next hundred years - I thought it prudent to learn how to communicate with our future overlords.
For example, today's word is pronounced - mén - meaning:
1. door. (n)
2. valve; switch. (n)
3. knack. (n)
4. school of thought. (n)
5. (measure word) used for subjects of study, cannons, marriage, relatives. (n)
They even show how to draw the character with a nifty little animation:
The site also has sound files to listen to the word, plus gives examples in translated-to-English sentences such as these:
Open the door, please.
That's the least of what we'll have to do for our Chinese bosses.
How many courses did you select?
I don't think this will mean anything to do with education. No, I think it will be pertaining to food. "How many courses...?" will be a subtle (in the Chinese way) but stern reminder that we Americans don't need all that protein we're accustomed to. One small bowl of rice, two or three dehydrated minnows and a half-cup of pickled frog intestines will be three courses.
I just hope they don't insist upon me using those damn chopsticks. I always get splinters in my lips when I've use those.
He finally got the hang of repairing computers.
That's what I might hear my own personal master say to his boss while pleading that my life should be spared. I've earned the death sentence by insolence, laziness and possession of a banned firearm as well as a prohibited radio found tuned to decadent Western rock and roll .
He has already converted to Buddhism.
Again, he's arguing my case. I haven't converted, I just shave my head in hopes they'll think I'm a monk. (the celibate part is in my favor, too)
The first thing we shall do is to turn on the switch.
That's probably one of the last things I'll hear as they strap me into the electric chair.
(just kidding on that last...everybody knows the Chinese just shoot you in the head)
Sorry, couldn't help but crack wise on this site, even though it's very informative and useful and I DO plan on trying to learn a little bit of Chinese. (I recently read it's much, much easier learn than is Polish)
Still, there's a grain of truth to what I wrote, the hyperbole regarding the US and China and our future relations. I'd like to take this time to point out that Ron Paul has been warning us of this for years.
Regardless, this site is still worth featuring.
Learn Chinese Everyday
