Watching films is a very popular pastime in China, and everyone has their favorite type. Some people like action films, whilst others like romantic films. Then there are comedies and science fiction films to enjoy… learn how to let someone else know what type of film you like to watch.
In this Podcast, you will learn:
(i) To discuss what types of films you enjoy watching
(ii) How to describe some of the best parts of such films to your friends
Dialogue: Two friends are talking about films they like:
(在街上）
(zài jiē shàng)
A: 你平时看电影么？
Nǐ píng shí kàn diàn yǐng me?
Do you often watch films?
B:看啊，我喜欢看动作片和科幻片。你呢？
Kàn ā, wǒ xǐ huān kàn dòng zuò piān hé kē huàn piān. Nǐ ne?
I do, I like to watch action and sci-fi films. What about you?
A:我基本上什么都喜欢看。喜剧片啊，恐怖片啊，还有动画片！
Wǒ jī běn shàng shén me dōu kàn. Xǐ jù piān ā, kǒng bù piān ā, hái yǒu dòng huà piān!
I basically like to watch any type. Comedy or horror or even animation films.
B:哎，那最近迪士尼的那个疯狂动物城你看了么？超级好看。
Āi, nà zuì jìn Dí Shì Ní de nà gè Fēng Kuáng Dòng Wù Chéng nǐ kàn le me? Chāo jí hǎo kàn. Hey, have you seen the recent Disney movie Zootopia? It is amazing!
A:看啦，里面那个树懒特别有意思。笑死我了！
Kàn lā, lǐ miàn nà gè shù lǎn tè bié yǒu yì si. Xiào sǐ wǒ le!
I have, the sloth in it is hilarious. I laughed so much!
Chinese words and phrases mentioned in this Podcast:
(i) 电影：film
(ii) 看电影：watch a film
(iii) 动作片：action film
(iv) 动作：movement/ action
(v) 基本上：basically
(vi) 什么都：any type
(vii) 科幻片：sci-fi movie
(viii) 喜剧（片）：comedy
(ix) 恐怖片：horror film
(x) 动画片：animation film
(xi) 最近：recent
(xii) 迪士尼：Disney film
(xiii) 疯狂动物城：Zootopia (Crazy Animal City)
(xiv) 超级好看：amazing
(xv) 树懒：sloth
(xvi) 有意思：hilarious
(xvii) 笑死我了：laughed so much
Cultural/Grammar notes:
(i) ‘片’ has two different pronunciations in Chinese: ‘piān’ and ‘piàn’. Some native Chinese may also be confused about them but, when referring to a film, we should use the first tone
(ii) In Chinese conversation, we can add ‘啊’ to the end of sentences to make them sound more casual