StChris Posted August 24, 2017 at 01:31 PM Report Share Posted August 24, 2017 at 01:31 PM Episode 35 善罢甘休 shànbàgānxiū to leave the matter at that / to be prepared to let go / to be willing to take things lying down 号称 hàochēng to be known as / to be nicknamed / to be purportedly / to claim (often exaggeratedly or falsely) 借刀杀人 jièdāoshārén to lend sb a knife to kill sb / to get sb else to do one's dirty work / to attack using the strength of another (idiom) 巴不得 bābude (coll.) to be eager for / to long for / to look forward to 侧翼 cèyì flank (military) 利益输送 lìyìshūsòng to make use of one's position to gain profit for oneself or one's associates 幌子 huǎngzi shop sign / signboard / (fig.) pretense 仗义 zhàngyì to uphold justice / to be loyal (to one's friends) / to stick by 明修栈道，暗渡陈仓 míngxiūzhàndào, 'àndù Chéncāng lit. repair the plank road by day while secretly crossing the Wei River 渭河 at Chencang (idiom, refers to a stratagem used by Liu Bang 劉邦｜刘邦 in 206 BC against Xiang Yu 項羽｜项羽 of Chu) / fig. to feign one thing while doing another / to cheat under cover of a diversion 不可或缺 bùkěhuòquē necessary / must have 赐予 cìyǔ to grant / to bestow 中箭落马 zhòngjiànluòmǎ lit. to be struck by an arrow and fall from one's horse / to suffer a serious setback (idiom) 回避 huíbì to shun / to avoid (sb) / to skirt / to evade (an issue) / to step back / to withdraw / to recuse (a judge etc) 人在江湖，身不由己 rénzàijiānghú, shēnbùyóujǐ you can't always do as you like / one has to compromise in this world (idiom) 盗窃 dàoqiè to steal 锐气 ruìqì acute spirit / dash / drive 阔气 kuòqi lavish / generous / bounteous / prodigal 切记 qièjì remember at all costs 得饶人处且饶人 déráorénchùqiěráorén where it is possible to let people off, one should spare them (idiom); anyone can make mistakes, forgive them when possible 瞠目结舌 chēngmùjiéshé stupefied / flabbergasted 罪孽 zuìniè sin / crime / wrongdoing 猝不及防 cùbùjífáng to be caught off guard / without warning 监守自盗 jiānshǒuzìdào to embezzle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 25, 2017 at 12:26 PM Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 at 12:26 PM Episode 36 心灰意冷 xīnhuīyìlěng discouraged / downhearted 添砖加瓦 tiānzhuānjiāwǎ lit. contribute bricks and tiles for a building (idiom) / fig. to do one's bit to help 遥望 yáowàng to look into the distance 百思不得其解 bǎisībùdéqíjiě to remain puzzled after pondering over sth a hundred times (idiom) / to remain perplexed despite much thought 忠于 zhōngyú to be loyal to 养家糊口 yǎngjiāhúkǒu to support one's family (idiom); to have difficulty feeding a family 牟取 móuqǔ to gain profit (by underhand means) / to exploit / see also 謀取｜谋取 夭折 yāozhé to die young or prematurely / to come to a premature end / to be aborted prematurely 掐死 qiāsǐ to throttle / to choke to death 巢 cháo nest 兢兢业业 jīngjīngyèyè cautious and conscientious 惋惜 wǎnxī to regret / to feel that it is a great pity / to feel sorry for sb 唯物论 wéiwùlùn the philosophy of materialism, doctrine that physical matter is the whole of reality 别具一格 biéjùyīgé having a unique or distinctive style 人无完人 rénwúwánrén nobody is perfect / everyone has their defect 知遇之恩 zhīyùzhī'ēn lit. the kindness of recognizing sb's worth and employing him (idiom) / patronage / protection 无从 wúcóng not to have access / beyond one's authority or capability / sth one has no way of doing 无私无畏 wúsīwúwèi both selfless and fearless 触目惊心 chùmùjīngxīn lit. shocks the eye, astonishes the heart (idiom); shocking / horrible to see / a ghastly sight 难处 nánchu trouble / difficulty / problem 迭出 diéchū emerge one after another 官不聊生 guānbùliáoshēng government officials have no way of making a living (a play on “the people have no way to make a living” 民不聊生 (idiom, from Record of the Grand Historian 史記｜史记) ) 召回 zhàohuí to recall (a product, an ambassador etc) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 25, 2017 at 02:46 PM Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 at 02:46 PM Episode 37 成就 chéngjiù to create / to bring about 高谈阔论 gāotánkuòlùn to harangue / loud arrogant talk / to spout 挥斥方遒 huīchìfāngqiú full of vim 书斋 shūzhāi study (room) 海瑞 Hǎi Ruì Hai Rui (1514-1587), Ming politician, famous for honesty and integrity 万历 Wànlì reign name of Ming emperor (1573-1619) 启蒙 qǐméng to instruct the young / to initiate / to awake sb from ignorance / to free sb from prejudice or superstition / primer / enlightened / the Enlightenment / Western learning from the late Qing dynasty 万事大吉 wànshìdàjí everything is fine (idiom); all is well with the world 滋生 zīshēng to breed / to flourish / to cause / to provoke / to create 防微杜渐 fángwēidùjiàn to nip in the bud (idiom) 打油诗 dǎyóushī doggerel / ragged verse / humorous poem / limerick 专列 zhuānliè special train / abbr. for 專門列車｜专门列车 远门 yuǎnmén (to go to) distant parts / faraway / a distant relative 烟囱 yāncōng chimney 众目睽睽 zhòngmùkuíkuí thousands of staring eyes (idiom) 情同手足 qíngtóngshǒuzú as close as one's hands and feet (idiom); loving one another as brothers / deep friendship / closely attached to one another 通融 tōngróng flexible / to accommodate / to stretch or get around regulations / a short-term loan 来世 láishì next life 铤而走险 tǐng'érzǒuxiǎn to take a risk out of desperation (idiom) 封疆 fēngjiāng border region / regional general acting as governor (in Ming and Qing times) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 26, 2017 at 08:28 PM Report Share Posted August 26, 2017 at 08:28 PM Episode 38 直白 zhíbái frank / open / blunt 诉求 sùqiú to appeal / to demand (an answer) / requirement / demand / claim / appeal / (marketing) message 师母 shīmǔ term of respect for your teacher's wife 固执己见 gùzhíjǐjiàn to persist in one's views 堡垒 bǎolěi fort 土崩瓦解 tǔbēngwǎjiě to collapse / to fall apart 风暴 fēngbào storm / violent commotion / fig. crisis (e.g. revolution, uprising, financial crisis etc) 来头 láitóu cause / reason / interest / influence 门道 méndao the way to do sth / knack 直言不讳 zhíyánbùhuì to speak bluntly (idiom) / not to mince words 天方夜谭 tiānfāngyètán fantasy story, The Arabian Nights (classic story) 服从 fúcóng to obey (an order) / to comply / to defer 殉葬 xùnzàng to bury sth along with the dead / sacrificial grave goods 核实 héshí to verify / to check 春风得意 chūnfēngdéyì flushed with success / proud of one's success (in exams, promotion etc) / as pleased as punch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 26, 2017 at 08:39 PM Report Share Posted August 26, 2017 at 08:39 PM Episode 39 臆想 yìxiǎng fevered imagination, erroneous assumption 渎职 dúzhí wrongdoing / failure to do one's duty 引以为荣 yǐnyǐwéiróng to regard it as an honor (idiom) 审核 shěnhé to audit / to investigate thoroughly 铁面无私 tiěmiànwúsī strictly impartial and incorruptible (idiom) 悼词 dàocí memorial speech / eulogy 大是大非 dàshìdàfēi major matters of principle; cardinal questions of right and wrong 踅摸 xuémo to look for / to seek (colloq.) 畏罪潜逃 wèizuìqiántáo to abscond (to escape punishment) / to slink off 尚方宝剑 shàngfāngbǎojiàn variant of 尚方劍｜尚方剑 / imperial sword (giving bearer arbitrary powers) / in fiction, Chinese version of 007's license to kill 分心 fēnxīn to distract, distracted 笑面虎 xiàomiànhǔ man with a big smile and evil intentions 非亲非故 fēiqīnfēigù lit. neither a relative nor a friend (idiom) / fig. unrelated to one another in any way 纯属 chúnshǔ to be purely / pure and simple / sheer / outright 反复无常 fǎnfùwúcháng unstable / erratic / changeable / fickle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 26, 2017 at 08:57 PM Report Share Posted August 26, 2017 at 08:57 PM Episode 40 放纵 fàngzòng to indulge / to pamper / to connive at / permissive / indulgent / self-indulgent / unrestrained / undisciplined / uncultured / boorish 挥泪 huīlèi to shed tears / to be all in tears 挥泪斩马谡 a story from 三国of how 诸葛亮 had an old friend 马谡 executed for disobeying orders and cause a big defeat for 蜀国 鸡犬不宁 jīquǎnbùníng lit. not even the chickens and dogs are left undisturbed (idiom) / fig. great commotion / pandemonium 腆 tiǎn brazen 大义灭亲 dàyìmièqīn to place righteousness before family (idiom); ready to punish one's own family if justice demands it 顾惜 gùxī to take loving care of / to value 聪明一世，糊涂一时 cōngmingyīshì, hútuyīshí even the wisest can have a momentary lapse in judgement (idiom) / every man has a fool in his sleeve 软蛋 ruǎndàn coward 草包 cǎobāo idiot / bungling oaf / straw bag 撇清 piěqīng to say a matter has no relationship with the individual referred to, to emphasise one is innocent or in the clear 赶尽杀绝 gǎnjìnshājué to kill to the last one (idiom) / to exterminate / to eradicate / ruthless 与人为善 yǔrénwéishàn to be of service to others / to help others / benevolent 端正 duānzhèng upright / regular / proper / correct 千头万绪 qiāntóuwànxù plethora of things to tackle / multitude of loose ends / very complicated / chaotic 不见棺材不落泪 bùjiànguāncaibùluòlèi lit. not to shed a tear until one sees the coffin (idiom) / fig. refuse to be convinced until one is faced with grim reality 与时俱进 yǔshíjùjìn abreast of modern developments / to keep up with the times / progressive / timely 道不同不相为谋 dàobùtóngbùxiāngwéimóu lit. persons who walk different paths cannot make plans together / to go separate ways (idiom) 曲折 qūzhé winding / (fig.) complicated 居心叵测 jūxīnpǒcè harboring unfathomable motives (idiom) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 28, 2017 at 08:43 PM Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 at 08:43 PM Episode 41 套牌车 tàopáichē car with fake plates 未雨绸缪 wèiyǔchóumóu lit. before it rains, bind around with silk (idiom, from Book of Songs 詩經｜诗经); fig. to plan ahead / to prepare for a rainy day 狗急跳墙 gǒujítiàoqiáng a cornered dog will jump over the wall (idiom) / to be driven to desperate action 威逼利诱 wēibīlìyòu to make threats and promises 素昧平生 sùmèipíngshēng to have never met sb before (idiom); entirely unacquainted / a complete stranger / not to know sb from Adam 忧患 yōuhuàn suffering / misery / hardship 如履薄冰 rúlǚbóbīng lit. as if walking on thin ice (idiom) / fig. to be extremely cautious / to be skating on thin ice 不动声色 bùdòngshēngsè not a word or movement (idiom); remaining calm and collected / not batting an eyelid 官僚 guānliáo bureaucrat / bureaucracy / bureaucratic 好大喜功 hàodàxǐgōng to rejoice in grandiose deeds / to strive to achieve extraordinary things / have a fondness for the grandiose 劳民伤财 láomínshāngcái waste of manpower and resources 挑拨离间 tiǎobōlíjiàn to sow dissension (idiom); to drive a wedge between 无能为力 wúnéngwéilì impotent (idiom) / powerless / helpless 决策 juécè strategic decision / decision-making / policy decision / to determine policy 由头 yóutou pretext / excuse / justification / reason 人尽其才 rénjìnqícái employ one's talent to the fullest / everyone gives of their best 少年宫 Shàonián Gōng Children's Palace, institution where children can take part in various extracurricular activities 对口 duìkǒu to be fit for the purposes of a job or task / (of food) to suit sb's taste Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 28, 2017 at 10:05 PM Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 at 10:05 PM Episode 42 非同凡响 fēitóngfánxiǎng lit. not a common chord (idiom); outstanding / brilliant / out of the common run 圆滑 yuánhuá smooth and evasive / slick and sly 南宋 Nánsòng the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) 莫须有 mòxūyǒu groundless / baseless 岳飞 Yuè Fēi Yue Fei (1103-1142), Song dynasty patriot and general 墙倒众人推 qiángdǎozhòngréntuī everyone likes to kick a man who's down, everyone takes advantage of a man who stumbles 印证 yìnzhèng to seal / to confirm / to corroborate / to verify 苏醒 sūxǐng to come to / to awaken / to regain consciousness 局限 júxiàn to limit / to confine / to restrict sth within set boundaries 蝇营狗苟 yíngyínggǒugǒu shamelessly seek personal gain 助威 zhùwēi to cheer for / to encourage / to boost the morale of 一臂之力 yībìzhīlì (lend) a helping hand 避嫌 bìxián to avoid arousing suspicion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 28, 2017 at 10:07 PM Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 at 10:07 PM Episode 43 奇缺 qíquē very short of (food, clean water etc) / extreme shortage /deficit 倚仗 yǐzhàng to lean on / to rely on 兑现 duìxiàn (of a check etc) to cash / to honor a commitment 实不相瞒 shíbùxiāngmán truth to tell / to be quite honest... 冤家宜解不宜结 yuānjiāyíjiěbùyíjié It is better to squash enmity rather than keeping it alive (proverb) 费解 fèijiě to be puzzled / hard to understand / unintelligible / incomprehensible 沦落 lúnluò to degenerate / impoverished / to fall (into poverty) / to be reduced (to begging), to wander 擅自 shànzì without permission / of one's own initiative 知情人 zhīqíngrén person in the know / insider / informed source 义愤 yìfèn righteous indignation / moral indignation 不辞辛苦 bùcíxīnkǔ to make nothing of hardships 曙光 shǔguāng dawn / fig. the dawn of a new era 出淤泥而不染 chūyūní'érbùrǎn lit. to grow out of the mud unsullied (idiom) / fig. to be principled and incorruptible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 28, 2017 at 10:12 PM Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 at 10:12 PM Episode 44 随从 suícóng to accompany / to follow / to attend / entourage / attendant 保镖 bǎobiāo bodyguard 真金不怕火炼 zhēnjīnbùpàhuǒliàn True gold fears no fire. (idiom) 心如刀割 xīnrúdāogē to feel as if having one's heart cut out (idiom) / to be torn with grief 一唱一和 yīchàngyīhè to echo one another (idiom) 记性 jìxing memory (ability to retain information) 商鞅 Shāng Yāng Shang Yang (c. 390-338 BC), legalist philosopher and important statesman of Qin state 秦國｜秦国 whose militaristic reforms in 356 and 350 BC played a key role in establishing Qin power 孤本 gūběn sole existing copy 霸王硬上弓 bàwángyìngshànggōng to force oneself upon sb (idiom) / to rape 小儿科 xiǎo'érkē pediatrics / pediatric (department) / sth of little importance / trifle / a child's play / (slang) childish / petty / stingy 张大千 Zhāng Dàqiān Chang Dai-chien or Zhang Daqian (1899-1983), one of the greatest Chinese artists of the 20th century 世风日下 shìfēngrìxià public morals are degenerating with each passing day (idiom) 心得 xīndé what one has learned (through experience, reading etc) / knowledge / insight / understanding / tips / CL: 項｜项, 個｜个 疑罪从无 yízuìcóngwú innocent until proven guilty 挥毫 huīháo to write or draw with a brush / to put pen to paper / to write 红袖添香 hóngxiùtiānxiāng a beautiful woman to accompany someone while reading 立体 lìtǐ three-dimensional / solid / stereoscopic 跑腿 pǎotuǐ to run errands 解惑 jiěhuò to dispel doubts / to clear up confusion 毋庸 wúyōng no need for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 29, 2017 at 10:33 AM Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 at 10:33 AM Episode 45 操守 cāoshǒu personal integrity 不在话下 bùzàihuàxià to be nothing difficult / to be a cinch 雪 xuě to wipe away, off or out / to clean 靖康 Jìngkāng (1126-1127) last emperor of the Northern Song 俘 fú to take prisoner / prisoner of war 揣摩 chuǎimó to analyze / to try to figure out / to try to fathom 赵构 Zhào Gòu Zhao Gou, personal name of the tenth Song Emperor Gaozong 高宗 敲诈 qiāozhà to rip off / to extort (money) / extortion / blackmail 岂止 qǐzhǐ not only / far from / more than 愿闻其详 yuànwénqíxiáng I'd like to hear the details 鉴定 jiàndìng to appraise / to identify / to evaluate 感慨 gǎnkǎi to sigh with sorrow, regret etc / rueful / deeply moved 锥心之痛 zhuīxīnzhītòng like a drill through the heart 参照 cānzhào to consult a reference / to refer to (another document) 才华横溢 cáihuáhéngyì brimming over with talent (esp. literary) / brilliant 热情洋溢 rèqíngyángyì brimming with enthusiasm (idiom); full of warmth 昔日 xīrì formerly / in olden days 采取措施 cǎiqǔcuòshī to adopt measures / to take steps 英雄难过美人关 yīngxióngnánguòměirénguān even heroes have a weakness for the charms of a beautiful woman (idiom) 狗皮膏药 gǒupígāoyao dogskin plaster, used in TCM for treating contusions, rheumatism etc / quack medicine / sham goods 涉讼 shèsòng to be involved in a lawsuit 通融 tōngróng flexible / to accommodate / to stretch or get around regulations / a short-term loan 千载难逢 qiānzǎinánféng extremely rare (idiom) / once in a blue moon 奢求 shēqiú to make extravagant demands / an unreasonable request 天伦之乐 tiānlúnzhīlè family love and joy / domestic bliss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 29, 2017 at 12:48 PM Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 at 12:48 PM Episode 46 千古罪人 qiāngǔzuìrén sb condemned by history (idiom) 刚愎自用 gāngbìzìyòng obstinate and self-opinionated (idiom) 拽 zhuài to pull / to tug at (sth) 生死存亡 shēngsǐcúnwáng matter of life and death 提纯 tíchún to purify 浊 zhuó turbid / muddy / impure 襟怀坦白 jīnhuáitǎnbái open and candid (idiom); not hiding anything / ingenuous / open hearted / unselfish / magnanimous / broad-minded 点穴 diǎnxué to hit a pressure point (martial arts) / dim mak / see also 點脈｜点脉 神通 shéntōng remarkable ability / magical power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 29, 2017 at 03:16 PM Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 at 03:16 PM Episode 47 真相大白 zhēnxiàngdàbái the whole truth is revealed (idiom); everything becomes clear 拉大旗作虎皮 lādàqízuòhǔpí lit. to wave a banner as if it were a tiger skin (idiom) / fig. to borrow sb's prestige / to take the name of a great cause as a shield 敛财 liǎncái to accumulate wealth / to rake in money 巍然 wēirán majestic / towering / imposing (the two lines this appears in are taken from a poem by Chairman Mao) 勋章 xūnzhāng medal / decoration 编排 biānpái to arrange / to lay out 得力 délì able / capable / competent / efficient 高仿 gāofǎng imitation / quality fake 推脱 tuītuō to evade / to shirk 逼宫 bīgōng to force the king or emperor to abdicate 兵贵神速 bīngguìshénsù lit. speed is a crucial asset in war (idiom) / fig. swift and resolute (in doing sth) 不祥 bùxiáng ominous / inauspicious 变卦 biànguà to change one's mind / to go back on one's word Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 29, 2017 at 04:56 PM Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 at 04:56 PM Episode 48 坚苦卓绝 jiānkǔzhuójué persisting despite trials and tribulations (idiom); conspicuous determination 挥霍 huīhuò to squander money / extravagant / prodigal / free and easy / agile 堕落 duòluò to degrade / to degenerate / to become depraved / corrupt / a fall from grace 发霉 fāméi to become moldy 土鳖 tǔbiē ground beetle / (dialect) country bumpkin 患得患失 huàndéhuànshī to worry about personal gains and losses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 29, 2017 at 06:51 PM Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 at 06:51 PM Episode 49 恕 shù to forgive 胡作非为 húzuòfēiwéi to run amok (idiom); to commit outrages 雄辩 xióngbiàn eloquent / oratory / rhetoric 镇定自如 zhèndìngzìrú calm / unperturbed / cool 招数 zhāoshù move (in chess, on stage, in martial arts) / gambit / trick / scheme / movement / same as 著數｜着数 出师不利 chūshībùlì lose the first battle 福兮祸所依，祸兮福所伏 good and bad fortune are mutually intertwined. Good fortune can quickly turn to bad fortune and vice cersa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 29, 2017 at 08:13 PM Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 at 08:13 PM Episode 50 稍安勿躁 shāo'ānwùzào keep calm, don't get excited / don't be impatient 韩信 Hán Xìn Han Xin (-196 BC), famous general of first Han emperor Liu Bang 劉邦｜刘邦 孤傲 gū'ào proud and aloof 孤胆英雄 gūdǎnyīngxióng solitary hero / maverick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 30, 2017 at 11:35 AM Report Share Posted August 30, 2017 at 11:35 AM Episode 51 二愣子 èrlèngzi stupid person / dolt / rash (slang) 青史 qīngshǐ annal / historical record / CL: 筆｜笔 仁至义尽 rénzhìyìjìn extreme benevolence, utmost duty (idiom); meticulous virtue and attention to duty 惺惺相惜 xīngxīngxiāngxī people of talent appreciate one another (idiom) / to sympathize with one another 胆识 dǎnshí courage and insight 秉公 bǐnggōng justly / impartially 杆秤 gǎnchèng a steelyard (a type of balance) 自甘堕落 zìgānduòluò to abandon oneself (idiom) / to let oneself go 若要人不知，除非己莫为 ruòyàorénbùzhī, chúfēijǐmòwéi If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it (idiom). fig. If you do something bad, people will inevitably hear about it 缜密 zhěnmì meticulous / careful / deliberate / delicate / fine (texture) 激昂 jī'áng impassioned / worked up 有恃无恐 yǒushìwúkǒng secure in the knowledge that one has backing 奸污 jiānwū to rape / to violate 浑浊 húnzhuó muddy / turbid 柴米油盐 cháimǐyóuyán lit. firewood, rice, oil and salt / fig. life's daily necessities 卸妆 xièzhuāng to remove makeup / (old) to take off formal dress and ornaments 诸子百家 zhūzǐbǎijiā the Hundred Schools of Thought, the various schools of thought and their exponents during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods (770-220 BC) 墨家 Mòjiā Mohist School of the Warring States Period (475-220 BC), founded by the philosopher 墨子 信托基金 xìntuōjījīn trust fund 知无不言，言无不尽 zhīwúbùyán, yánwúbùjìn not hiding anything he knows, not stopping before he has said it through (idiom) / frank / outspoken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 31, 2017 at 10:35 AM Report Share Posted August 31, 2017 at 10:35 AM Episode 52 色厉内荏 sèlìnèirěn lit. show strength while weak inside (idiom); appearing fierce while cowardly at heart / a sheep in wolf's clothing 腐蚀 fǔshí corrosion / to corrode (degrade chemically) / to rot / corruption 殊途同归 shūtútóngguī different routes to the same destination (idiom); fig. different means of achieve the same end 珍重 zhēnzhòng precious / extremely valuable / (honorific) Please take good care of yourself! 生前 shēngqián (of a deceased) during one's life / while living 遗嘱 yízhǔ testament / will 泡汤 pàotāng to dawdle / to go slow deliberately / to fizzle out / to have all one's hopes dashed 楚王好细腰，宫中多饿死 a story about a king called 楚王 who liked slender people, which led many of is courtiers and ministers to go on extreme diets, even to the point of becoming so weak as to become worthless. This story was brought up by 习近平 at a party meeting in 2016 to warn members to ensure that their personal actions and preferences don't have a detrimental effect on society. 罪有应得 zuìyǒuyīngdé guilty and deserves to be punished (idiom); entirely appropriate chastisement / the punishment fits the crime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 31, 2017 at 07:20 PM Report Share Posted August 31, 2017 at 07:20 PM Well, that's the final episode finished. When I first started this I was under the false impression it was going to be a 20 episode series, not 52! In my experience, these super-long TV dramas tend to jump the shark around episode 30, but in this case I'm glad to report that the quality remained fairly consistent throughout (although that's not to say that it wouldn't have benefited from being just 40 episodes long, with some of the fluff cut out). While there were a couple of moments where it looked like the whole main corruption/conspiracy plotline looked like it was in danger of being sidelined (for example, by the mother of one of the anti-corruption officers desperately trying to get her 剩女 daughter married off), things quickly returned to the main story. One of my biggest concerns before watching was the fact that the show was at least partially funded by the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and so might be a little too full of in-your-face government propaganda. Thankfully, the makers were pretty restrained on this point. Although the bad guys do predictably get their comeuppance in the end, they are all portrayed with a great degree of sympathy. It isn't just a case of a few evil people doing harm, but of imperfect people trying to make their way within an imperfect system. While I can't say how accurate a portrayal of Chinese political life it is, the petty rivalries and backstabbing on show do seem very plausible. It's not all about corruption either. One of my favourite characters (albeit a minor one) is a small fry official who, having been passed over for promotion one too many times, has basically stopped giving a shit about his career or the party and spends his working days getting away with doing as little as possible so that he can get home ASAP to indulge his astronomy hobby. I don't usually make it through to the end of these kind of long TV series, let alone do a vocab mine of them, so it definitely comes highly recommended from me. At least watch the first two episodes. I think their fast pacing and interesting dialogue make them among the best in the series, so it's safe to say that if you don't like them, then the rest of the series won't be for you. However, if they do grab your interest, then you should enjoy the rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StChris Posted August 31, 2017 at 07:58 PM Report Share Posted August 31, 2017 at 07:58 PM Language Analysis i don't normally do this, but since a had some free time, I thought it might be interesting to do some analysis of the vocab I learnt from watching the series. From my rough count (i.e. in my head), I came across a total of 1,455 pieces of new vocab in the whole series (although this may be a little lower in reality due to a few duplicate entries). That averages out to around 28 per episode. The episode with highest number of amount of new vocab was (unsurprisingly) episode 1 at 86, with the lowest being episode 50 with just 4 (I was really hoping to make it through a whole episode without encountering any new vocab, but I guess that milestone in my Chinese learning journey will have to wait for another day). I'm pretty generous with regards to what I include in the lists, so it wouldn't be accurate to say that all the vocab is completely new to me.Sometimes I'll include a word or phrase which I already know, but that I feel I don't use often enough in active speaking or writing, as a way to remind myself to use it. I've attached a little bar chart showing the per episode vocab count (yeah, I've had far to much time on my hands today). It shows a large front-loading of vocab in the first couple of episodes, with a steady decline as the series gets closer to the end (albeit with a few spikes here and there). Nothing too surprising perhaps, but it still gives me a sense of progress nonetheless. 1,455 new words/phrases sounds a lot, and much of it was political, official and business related vocab, which I was pretty weak at before. I certainly would feel a lot more comfortable sitting in on a meeting of the politburo or being interrogated by anti-corruption police now than before I watched the series, which may or may not prove useful in real life... ;-) Of course, merely having encountered 1,455 new pieces of new vocab doesn't necessarily mean that they are all now stuck in my brain and ready to use. I'll continue to do some Anki-style vocab retention practice and will watch through the whole thing again a few weeks from now. I'll should be in China by then, so I plan to write a few essays on the happenings and characters in the show to really solidify the new things I've learnt and have them marked by my tutor. I think I've tended to rush from one new book/TV series to the next in the past without properly digesting what I have just learnt (after all, it sounds more impressive to yourself to have read three books rather than just one), so I want to slow down a bit. That's the plan anyway. I'd welcome any advice on this matter. vocab_chart.bmp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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