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🇨🇳 Mandarin Chinese · Intermediate Level 3

PART 2 · LESSON 12 OF 30 · 30 MINUTES

The Four Gifts

Ask Missus Wang what one brings when asking for a bride's hand: hear the four gifts, why there are four, that whatever you give must be an even number, and that you never give a clock.

Audio instruction: English

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THE STORY

Missus Wang's kitchen table in Longjing village, a shopping list in Owen's hand and a pot of tea going cold between them.

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Words and phrases

The lesson is for your ears. Open this afterwards, to see what you learned.
师母， 提亲 要 送 什么？shīmǔ, tíqīn yào sòng shénmeMissus Wang, what does one give when asking for her hand?
四 样 礼。sì yàng lǐfour gifts, word for word four kinds of gift
烟、 酒、 茶。yān, jiǔ, chácigarettes, liquor, tea
烟、 酒、 茶， 还 有 水果。 四 样 礼。yān, jiǔ, chá, hái yǒu shuǐguǒ. sì yàng lǐCigarettes, liquor, tea, and fruit. Four gifts.
为什么 是 四 样？wèishénme shì sì yàngWhy four?
这 是 规矩。zhè shì guījuthat's the rule
好 事 成 双。hǎo shì chéng shuānggood things come in pairs, word for word good matter become double
好 事 成 双。 这 是 规矩。hǎo shì chéng shuāng. zhè shì guījuGood things come in pairs. That's the rule.
她 说 这 是 规矩。tā shuō zhè shì guījuShe says that's the rule.
要 买 多少？yào mǎi duōshaoHow much should I buy?

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