Explaining those modern Chinese catchphrases and Web terms: fěn sī – 粉丝 – an expression commonly used on the Web. The characters were originally used to describe a kind of noodle made of potato or sweet potato. In modern Chinese, however, it is used to mean “fans” due the similarity in their pronunciation. Here’s an example of how to use it in conversation:

Amy says:

Nǐ jiā zhēn dà ā. Wǒ kěyǐ cānguān yíxià ma?

你家真大啊，我可以参观一下吗？

You have a big house. Can you show me around?

Eva says:

Kěyǐ ā, zhè shì wǒ jiā de kètīng, yáng tái hé chú fang. Nà biān shì wǒ de shū fang. Háiyǒu wèishēngjiān, lǐbiān shì wòshì.

可以啊，这是我家的客厅，阳台和厨房，那边是我的书房。还有卫生间，里边是卧室。

Sure. This is the living room, balcony and kitchen. There it is my study room and bathroom; the bedroom is inside.

Amy says:

Nǐ de shūfáng lǐ yǒu zhème duō Lǐ Nà de hǎibào a. Nǐ shì tā de fěnsī ma?

你的书房里有这么多李娜的海报啊！你是她的粉丝吗？

You have so many posters of Li Na in the study room. Are you a fan?

Eva says:

Duì ā, kàn. Wǒ hái yǒu tā de qīn bǐ qiānmíng zhàopiān.

对啊，看。我还有她的亲笔签名照片。

Yeah, look. I also have an autographed picture.

 

Amy says:

Nǐ zhēn fēngkuáng. Nǐ wèishénme zhème xǐhuān tā?

你真疯狂。你为什么这么喜欢她？

You’re crazy. Why do you like her so much?

Eva says:

Tā dǎqiú dǎ dé hěn hǎo。Wǒ xiǎng gēn tā dǎ dé yīyàng hǎo.

她打球打得很好。我想跟她打得一样好。

She plays tennis so well. I’d like to play as well as she does.

 

Amy says:

Yuánlái rúcǐ ā.

原来如此啊。

I see.

 

Dialogue provided by TailorMade Chinese Center at Shangdu SOHO. Contact them on (+8610) 5900-5420 or visit tailormadechinese.com.

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