Lesson Twenty Three: Article
Shanghai is to the Southeast of Peking

When Renmei Ding arrived at the library, Shihai was reading a newspaper. She asked Shihai:“ What newspaper are you reading?” Shihai said:“I’m reading [The World Journal]. Look, here there is a piece of news about the American president visiting Peking University. There is also a photo of him answering Beida Students’ questions. ( It ) is very interesting.” Renmei Ding said:“ Yes. These days there is a lot of news about the president’s delegation visiting China. (It) is in the papers, on TV, on the internet. You intend to write a report on China, ( and ) you shouldn’t be lack of materials, right?” “No, no. I only want to ask you a few geographical questions. OK?” “Sure. Hope I can answer your questions.” “This is Peking. Where is Shanghai?” “ Shanghai is to the Southeast of Peking. ( It ) is in the Southeast of China. Look, ( it ) is right here.” “Why did you say: ‘Shanghai zai Beijing de dongnan bian, zai Zhonguo de dongnan bu’? Why is one ‘bian’, and the other ‘bu’ ?” “Administratively Shanghai is a part of China; geographically Shanghai is situated IN the Southeast China, therefore we say:‘ Shanghai zai Zhongguo de dongnan bu,” Geographically Shanghai is located TO the Southeast of Peking, but administratively Shanghai IS NOT a part of Peking, so we say: ‘Shanghai zai Beijing de dongnan bian.’ Understand?” “No.” “ Let me give you an example. Is Washington a part of the States?” “Yes.” “Geographically Washington is located in the States’….” “East.” “Then, we say: ‘Huashengdun zai Miguo de dongbu.’ Administratively, is Washington a part of New York?” “Of course not.” “But geographically Washington is situated to the South of New York. Then, we say: ‘Huashengdun zai Niuyue de nanbian.’” “I think I understand now. In this way, Xianggang zai Zhongguo de nanbu ( Hong Kong is in the South of China), Xiangang zai Guangdong de nanbian ( Hong Kong is to the South of Canton), correct?” “Very well.” “I have another question. This is a map of China. This is also a map of China. Why are not the two maps the same?” “The big map is China before 1949, the small map is China after 1949.” “Why is the China before 1949 big, (while) the China after 1949 small?” “This problem is quite complicated. We will talk ( about it ) again later.”

 

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