Communicate in Chinese 交际汉语 Lesson 9: Losing weight

会话 A
(学校体育馆。)
Tina：小江，你在干什么？
小江：减肥。
Tina：减肥？你不胖啊！
小江：你不知道，我一吃肉就胖。
Tina：什么？那你胖了几斤？
小江：一星期就胖了五斤。
Tina：一个星期五斤？
小江：是啊，可是我一锻炼就瘦下来了。
Tina：好，那下星期我看你有多重。
小江：放心，下星期保证减掉八斤。
Tina：吹牛！
Translation:
(School gymnasium.)
Tina : Xiao Jiang, what are you doing now?
Xiao Jiang: Trying to lose weight.
Tina : Lose weight? But you're not fat!
Xiao Jiang: You don't know, as soon as I eat meat I get fat.
Tina : What? Then how much weight have you gained?
Xiao Jiang: Five jin's in a week.
Tina : Five jin's in a week?
Xiao Jiang: Yes, but I lose it as soon as I exercise.
Tina : OK, then we'll see how much you weigh next week.
Xiao Jiang: Don't worry, I'm sure I can lose eight jin's in the next week.
Tina : Bragging!
会话 B
(在家里。)
刘明：李红，快来帮帮我！
李红：来了，这么大的西瓜！
兰兰：啊，我第一次看见这么大的西瓜，多少斤啊？
刘明：别说你，我也是第一次买这么大的西瓜。
李红：这瓜多少斤？
刘明：至少18斤8两。
李红：这么重的瓜哪(儿)买的？
刘明：这是一家公司研究出的新品种，送给我尝尝。
兰兰：不知道甜不甜。
刘明：那咱们尝尝？
Translation:
(At home.)
Liu Ming: Li Hong, come and help me, quick!
Li Hong: Coming, what a huge watermelon!
Lan Lan: Oh, that's the first time I've ever seen such a big watermelon. How many jin's does it weigh?
Liu Ming: Not just you, it's the first time I've bought such a big watermelon.
Li Hong: How many jin's does it weigh?
Liu Ming: At least 18.8 jin's.
Li Hong: Where did you buy such a heavy watermelon?
Liu Ming: It's a new variety, the product of research from a company, they gave it to me to taste.
Lan Hong: I don't know if it's sweet or not.
Liu Ming: Then how about we have a taste?
Cultural Background
Different weight measures and the fitness fever
In China the commonly used measurement of weight is a jin. While there is no English corresponding measurement to a Jin, by coincidence, a Jin is exactly equal to 500 grams, which is half a kilogram. So there are two jin's in a kilogram. To differentiate between the two commonly used measurements, a kilogram is called"公斤" or metric jin in Chinese.
Traditionally in China, if someone said: "这个孩子真胖" "This child is really fat." That would be considered a compliment because being fat is associated with being healthy, especially for children. But as the standard of living has risen in China, obesity has become a health problem, and people are realizing that being fat is not always good. "真胖" is now given to mean "人太胖了" or no longer complimentary. The increasingly health-conscious Chinese have turned to gyms for weights or aerobic exercises. Many sports enjoy widespread popularity in China such as soccer, "足球"，or badminton "羽毛球", as well as basketball "篮球", jogging "跑步", swimming "游泳" and mountain-climbing "爬山"。Moreover, a host of traditional activities are favored by Chinese people. In any park, you will find many people practicing Taichi, which is called "太极拳" or shadow boxing. Now with Beijing having won the bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games, people are more motivated than ever to eat well, enjoy sports and get fit.
Language Points
1、" 一……就……" as soon as... or whenever...
a. Sometimes to indicate two occurrences in quick succession.
For example:
"一进学校他就看见李老师了"。
As soon as he entered the school he saw Teacher Li.
b. Sometimes the first part states the condition, while the latter part indicates the outcome.
For example:
他一高兴就唱歌。 Whenever he's happy he sings.
他一生气就不说话。 Whenever he's angry he shuts up.
Substitutional Drills
1、……重不重？
这个包重不重？
这桶水重不重？
这个箱子重不重？
2、一……就……
一到星期天就想睡懒觉。
一喝咖啡就睡不着觉。
一放假就回家。
一有舞会就参加。
一有钱就想花。