Fun Mandarin Episode 6

Welcome back to Fun Mandarin with Andrea's, where learning Mandarin is fun. I'm Andrea G from Taiwan ICDF. Today, we'll be focusing on two things: teaching you useful phrases when you're taking a taxi and introducing you to some of Taiwan's famous museums. Whether you're visiting the National Palace Museum or one of Taipei's art galleries, these phrases will help you navigate your trip smoothly. Let's get started by listening to a conversation where two friends are taking a taxi to the National Palace Museum. In the taxi. Zai means in or at. Jìchéngchē means taxi. And shàng means on. Together, zài jìchéngchē shàng means in the taxi. Nín hǎo. Hello. A formal way to say hello. Nín is a polite form of you in Mandarin, used to show respect. Hǎo means good or hello. Together, nín hǎo is a formal way to greet someone, like a taxi driver or someone older. Nǐ versus níng. Nǐ is the informal you, while níng is the polite form. Use níng with people you don't know well or in formal settings. We're going to the National Palace Museum. Wǒmen means we. Yào means want to. And qù means go. Gùgōng Bówùyuàn is National Palace Museum. The phrase means we're going to the National Palace Museum. We arrived at the National Palace Museum. Dàole means arrived. So, this phrase translates to we arrived at the National Palace Museum. The total is 320 dollars. Zǒnggòng means total. Shì means is and sānbǎi yuán means 320 dollars. This phrase is commonly used when giving the final price. Similarly, zǒnggòng shì qībǎi yuán means the total is 720 dollars. At the museum. Bówùguǎn means museum. Together, zài bówùguǎn means in the museum. Wǒmen yào mǎi liǎng zhāng ménpiào. We want to buy two tickets. means we or us. It's the first person plural pronoun used when referring to a group that includes the speaker. As for means want or need and my means to buy. Together means want to buy. Want to buy. and John is the number two and John is the major word used for flat objects like tickets, paper, or photos. In this case, John John means two tickets. means tickets. Typically referring to entry or admission tickets to an event, museum, or other venues. Full phrase means we want to buy two tickets. Would you like to pay by card or cash? is a polite phrase that translates to may I ask or excuse me, may I ask? As for means to swipe or to use and car means card. Together, refers to paying with a credit card or debit card. means or in the context of offering a choice. and full full means to pay and refers to cash. Together, full means pay with cash. The meaning of the full phrase is would you like to pay by card or cash? >> Please tap your card here. Qing is a polite word meaning please. As for zaizhebian, zai means at. Zhebian means here. Together, they indicate the location where the action is to be performed. Ganying means to sense or to detect. In this context, it refers to tapping or scanning a card for contactless payment. Yixia is a phrase used to soften the request. Meaning a bit or for a moment. It makes the command sound more polite. The meaning of the full phrase is, "Please tap your card here." This phrase is used for contactless contactless card payments where the card is sensed by the reader. Done. Okay. Haole indicates that something is completed or finished. It's commonly used to confirm that a process has been successfully completed such as a payment or an action. Today in our Getting to Know Taiwan session, we're going to explore some of Taiwan's most famous museums including the National Palace Museum, the Taiwan Museum of History, and two prominent art museums in Taipei. >> Let's start with the National Palace Museum. This museum is one of the most important cultural institution in Taiwan and it houses one of the largest collections of Chinese art and artifacts in the world. The collection includes over 700,000 pieces spanning thousands of years of Chinese history. Some of the most famous items include the Jade Cabbage and the Meat-Shaped Stone, both of which are incredible examples of artisanship in ancient China. >> Next up, we have the National Museum of Taiwan History, Taiwan Lìshǐ Bówùguǎn, located in Tainan. This museum is dedicated to the history of Taiwan, showcasing how the island's indigenous peoples, colonization periods, and modern history have shaped the unique identity of Taiwan today. One of the standout exhibit is the recreation of the early Taiwanese village, giving visitors an immersive experience of life in Taiwan from past centuries. The museum also highlights Taiwan's rich agricultural and fishing traditions, making it an essential stop for anyone interested in understanding the island's past. >> And now, on to the artwork. Taipei is home to two of Taiwan's most famous art museums, the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Táiběi Shìlì Měishùguǎn, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei, Táiběi Dāngdài Yìshùguǎn. The Taipei Fine Arts Museum focuses on modern and contemporary Taiwanese art, but it also features international exhibitions. One of its major highlights is the annual Taipei Biennial, which brings together artists from around the world to explore contemporary issues through art. >> The Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei also focuses on modern art, but with a unique twist. It's housed in a historic building that used to be a school during the Japanese colonial period. The museum's exhibition often tackles social and cultural themes with a strong emphasis on interactive and multi-media installations. If you are interested in seeing how Taiwanese artists engage with the world around them, this is definitely a museum to visit. >> Speaking of art and cultural events, we can't talk about Taiwan's vibrant art scene without mentioning the annual Taipei Nuit Blanche. This is a spectacular night time art festival that transforms the city of Taipei into an outdoor gallery for one night each year. Originating in Paris, Nuit Blanche is now celebrated in cities around the world. And Taipei has put its own unique spin on the event. >> During Taipei Nuit Blanche, the streets are filled with large-scale art installations, night shows, performances, and interactive exhibits that runs all night long. It is a free event that attracts huge crowds, offering both local and tourists an unforgettable night of creativity. You'll see works from both Taiwanese and international artists with a focus on engaging the public through art that reflects contemporary social issues. It's a perfect way to experience the city's vibrant cultural atmosphere while enjoying art in a totally different setting outdoors under the stars. >> So, whether you are interested in ancient Chinese treasures, Taiwan's rich history, or cutting-edge contemporary art, Taiwan's museums and cultural events like New In Branch has something for everyone. When you are visiting Taiwan, make sure to set aside time for at least cultural gems. They offer a deep dive into the island's heritage, modern creative, and lively art scenes. >> Absolutely. Exploring this museum and event is not just about learning history of art. It's about understanding the spirit and culture of Taiwan. That's all for today's episode. Remember to practice the Mandarin phrases we learned, and don't miss the opportunity to visit some of Taiwan's famous museum when you are there. Thanks for tuning in, and we'll see you next time on Fun Mandarin. Bye. Zai Jian.