SassybutSweet Posted July 14, 2004 at 03:25 AM Report Posted July 14, 2004 at 03:25 AM Can someone please tell me the difference between "ma ma hu hu" and "yi ban"? I know that they both mean so-so, but I would like to know what the slight difference between the two are!! And when it is appropreate to use each one!!! If anyone can help me it would be much appreciated!!! THANK YOU!!! Quote
BeijingSlacker Posted July 14, 2004 at 04:26 AM Report Posted July 14, 2004 at 04:26 AM As an answer to greeting questions like “最近怎么样？”， I would personally choose 马马虎虎 over 一般 which carries a bit more negative tone than most people would want for a greet question. (Well, actually I just use 还成 or 凑活 instead of 马马虎虎) In general, I doubt there is a difference between the two in terms of meaning. Quote
zackzhou Posted July 14, 2004 at 04:42 AM Report Posted July 14, 2004 at 04:42 AM MAMA HUHU has another meaning that is considered as 'careless', for instance, 他总是在学习上马马乎乎. Quote
SassybutSweet Posted July 15, 2004 at 05:01 AM Author Report Posted July 15, 2004 at 05:01 AM Hey guys thanks for your help, but I can't read the characters!!! So can you please explain in pinyin?! Sorry, but its so hard to learn!! Thanks!!! Quote
Claw Posted July 15, 2004 at 05:15 AM Report Posted July 15, 2004 at 05:15 AM 最近怎么样 zui4 jin4 zen3 me yang4 马马虎虎 ma3 ma3 hu1 hu1 一般 yi4 ban1 还成 hai2 cheng2 凑活 cou4 huo2 他总是在学习上马马乎乎 ta1 zong3 shi zai4 xue2 xi2 shang4 ma3 ma3 hu1 hu1. I know you're just a beginner, but when you get the chance, you should start learning how to read using characters. It will improve your Chinese a lot. Quote
SassybutSweet Posted July 15, 2004 at 06:11 AM Author Report Posted July 15, 2004 at 06:11 AM Your right I should learn the characters!! But they are so hard, I'll try none the less!! I feel silly asking this but can you now explain the pinyin sentences?! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Quote
Claw Posted July 15, 2004 at 06:17 AM Report Posted July 15, 2004 at 06:17 AM 他总是在学习上马马乎乎 ta1 zong3 shi zai4 xue2 xi2 shang4 ma3 ma3 hu1 hu1 He is always careless with his studies. ta1 = He zong3 shi = always zai4 ... shang4 = with regard to ... xue2 xi2 = study ma3 ma3 hu1 hu1 = careless BTW, a good site to start learning characters is http://www.zhongwen.com/. It uses traditional characters, but it does tell you the simplified versions in the entries. Quote
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