Career Magazine

172: Talking About Bad Weather in Mandarin Chinese

By Learnmandarinnow

The weather is such an important part of our lives. When it’s sunny and calm we are likely to be happy and joyful; when it’s cold and wet, possibly, our mood won’t be so good. Make sure you can talk about the different types of weather we experience and are able to describe some of its key features and effects.

In this Podcast, you will learn:

(i) How to talk about the type of weather you are experiencing

(ii) To describe the forthcoming weather

Dialogue:

The weather can help shape our moods, as these two colleagues discuss:

(在公司)

(zài gōng sī)

(at the company)

A:哇塞,你快看外面这天阴沉沉的。

Wà sài, nǐ kuài kàn wài miàn zhè tiān yīn chén chén de.

Wow, look at the gloomy sky outside.

B:是啊,一会儿要下暴雨了。

Shì a, yī huì er yào xià bào yǔ le.

Yes, a big rainstorm is coming.

A:今天天气预报说南部有台风过境。

Jīn tiān tiān qì yù bào shuō nán bù yǒu tái fēng guò jìng.

Today the weather forecast said a typhoon will be passing through the south.

B:但愿老天保佑,咱们这里不要刮台风!

Dàn yuàn lǎo tiān bǎo yòu, zán men zhè lǐ bù yào guō tái fēng!

Hope to God that the typhoon won’t reach here.

Chinese words and phrases mentioned in this Podcast:

坏天气:bad weather

台风:typhoon

天阴沉沉的:gloomy sky/extremely cloudy

暴雨:rainstorm

天气预报:weather forecast

南部:south

过境:pass through/across border

但愿老天保佑:God bless us

保佑:bless and protect

但愿:hope/wish

Cultural/Grammar note:

‘哇塞’ is slang, and is similar to ‘wow’ in English.

In America, people usually say ‘God bless you’, whilst, in China, people usually say ‘老天保佑’.

Mandarin Chinese learning resources we recommend:

round-italki-logo-3d-01
Using Italki, a unique system of learning Mandarin Chinese where you interact with real teachers, is widely recognised as an effective way to learn a new language! You’ll make more progress and learn how native Chinese speakers really speak. Plus, Italki is more affordable than offline tutors, offline schools and software, and is convenient to use at your own pace and place!

Keats Chinese School
Keats Chinese School, which was founded in 2004, is one of the top Mandarin Chinese language schools in China, offering both one-on-one immersion Mandarin courses and small group Chinese classes. Located in Kunming, Keats develops personalised exercises and materials for students to meet their learning goals and requirements and can arrange a student visa for its 16 week course.


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