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fluentbyear
🇨🇳 Mandarin Chinese · Fluency Level 2

PART 3 · LESSON 25 OF 30 · 30 MINUTES

The Elders First

Sit down to New Year's Eve dinner: hear it is ready, offer to toast everyone first, be told the elders come first, toast Master Chen, be told to leave some of the fish, ask why, hear the saying about plenty every year, and hear cheers and that tonight everyone stays up for the year.

Audio instruction: English

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THE STORY

Master Chen's main room in Longjing village on New Year's Eve, the round table full, Mrs. Lin in the seat of honour beside Master Chen, a whole fish in the middle.

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Words and phrases

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年夜饭 好 了， 都 坐！niányèfàn hǎo le, dōu zuòNew Year's Eve dinner is ready, everyone sit!
来， 我 先 敬 大家！lái, wǒ xiān jìng dàjiāCome, I'll toast everyone first!
我 不 能 喝 酒。wǒ bù néng hē jiǔI can't drink wine.
长辈。zhǎngbèithe elders, word for word the long generation
不 对， 先 敬 长辈。bú duì, xiān jìng zhǎngbèiWrong: toast the elders first.
师父， 我 敬 您 一 杯！shīfu, wǒ jìng nín yì bēiMaster, a glass to you! Politely.
随意。suíyìas you like, word for word follow your wish
我 干 了， 你 随意。wǒ gān le, nǐ suíyìI'll drain mine, you drink as you like. To a friend.
鱼 要 留 一点。yú yào liú yìdiǎnLeave some of the fish.
为什么 要 留？wèishénme yào liúWhy leave some?

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