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100 Days of French

100 Days of French (2 out of 100):

Now that you know how to start a conversation, you need to keep it going with basic questions.

How are you? = Comment allez-vous? (For older people or for a group of people; Comment vas-tu?, for a friend and people your age or younger than you. Comment ça va?, and Ca va? are more common.)

How do you say … in French? = Comment dites-vous … en Français? (If you’re pointing to something and forgot or don’t know what it’s called, you can say, Comment appelle-t-on ceci?, which translates to What is this called?)

What time is it? = Quelle heure est-il?

Where are you from? = D’où est-vous? or D’où venez-vous? (For older people or for a group of people; D’où es-tu?, or D’où viens-tu?, for a friend and people your age or younger than you.)

Where are you going? = Où allez-vous? (For older people or for a group of people; Où vas-tu?, for a friend and people your age or younger than you.)

Do you know where … is? = Savez-vous où est …? or Savez-vous où se trouve…? 

Do you know how I can get to …? = Savez-vous comment je peux me rendre à/au…? (The difference between à and au lies in the gender of the place you’re going to (i.e.: Savez-vous comment je peux me rendre à la boulangerie?; Female. Savez-vous comment je peux me rendre au poste de police?; Male.) or whether it’s directly followed by a name or not (i.e.: Savez-vous comment je peux me rendre à Pizza Hut?; It is. Savez-vous comment je peux me rendre au café Sait Regis?; It is not.)

Do you know if … is open? = Savez-vous si … est ouvert(e)?

How much is this …? = Combien coute cet/cette …? (The difference between cet and cette lies in the gender of the thing you’re holding/asking about. (i.e.: Combien coute cet objet?; Male. Combien coute cette montre?; Female.)

How much are these …? = Combien coutent ces …? (When the thing you’re asking about is plural (i.e.: fruits; pens.), the gender doesn’t make a difference.) 

[vayanamasi]

Usually on the 4th of July I watch Independence Day. This year watching Idiocracy seems much more appropriate.

[vayanamasi]

普通話200個基本詞語/普通话200个基本词语

In connection to this post about only needing 200 words

Feel free to contact me and help me edit this post! There are definitely things on here that can’t be explained in a straight-forward way. Mandarin can’t be translated so directly compared to other Indo-European languages!

1st tone (high neutral): mā 2nd tone (rising): má 3rd tone (falling rising): mǎ 4th tone (falling): mà 5th tone (neutral): ma

*When there are two 3rd tones together, the first one becomes a 2nd tone.

suǒ yǐ -> suó yǐ

be － 是 shì

there is － 有 yǒu

have － 有 yǒu

do－做 zuò

create (aka “make”) －創造／造（创造)  chuàng zào/zào

cause (aka “make”)－讓（让）ràng

go－去 qù

say－講（more casual) （讲）jiǎng

speak －說（说）shuō

know－知道 （only for knowledge)（知道）zhīdào

think－想 xiǎng

want－想要 xiǎngyào

like－喜歡（喜欢）xǐhuān

can－可以 kě yǐ

need－要 yào

should－應該 （应该）yīnggāi

try－試（试）shì

feel－感覺（感觉)  gǎnjué

work (also as a noun) －工作 gōng zuò

learn－學（学）xué

understand－懂／明白 dǒng/míng bái

get (meaning “obtain”)－得 dé

use－用 yòng

start－開始（开始）kāi shǐ

eat－吃 chī

see－看 kàn

write－寫（写）xiě

give－給（给）gěi

sleep－睡覺（睡觉）shuì jiào

buy－買（买）mǎi

decide－決定 jué dìng

find－找 zhǎo

ask－問（问）wèn

meet (meaning to meet someone for the first time)－認識（认识）rèn shi

meet (meaning “meet up with”)－見面（见面）jiàn miàn

take－拿 nǎ

Phrases

hello－你好 nǐ hǎo

goodbye－再見（再见）zài jiàn

My name is… － 我的名字是… wo de míng zi shì

“Nice to meet you.” －（Not said often in Chinese) 我很高興認識你（我很高兴认识你）wǒ hěn gāo xìng rèn shì nǐ

yes－(no direct translation, closest is the word “to be”) 是 shì

no－不是 bú shì

okay－好 hǎo

please－(no direct translation) 請- qǐng

thank you－謝謝（谢谢）xiè xiè

you’re welcome－不客氣（不客气）bú kè qì

sorry－對不起（对不起）duì bù qi

excuse me (to catch someone’s attention)－欸 èi

well (as in “Well, I think that…”)－那 nà

Really?－真的嗎？（真的吗？）zhēn de ma

Conjunctions

that (as in “I think that…” or “the woman that…”) (doesn’t exist in Chinese)

and－和／而且／跟 hé/ěr qiě/gēn

or－或 huò

but－但是 dàn shì

though－可是 kē shì

because－因為（因为）yīn wèi

therefore－所以 suǒ yǐ

if－如果 rú guǒ

Prepositions

before (also as a conjunction)－以前 yǐ qián after (also as a conjunction)－後來（后来）hòu lái

from－從 （从）cóng to－到 dào

in－在（like “in a house”, 在家里面) zài

at (place)－在 zài

at (time)－在 zài

with－跟 gēn

about (approximately）－大概／大約（大约）dà gài/dà yuè

like (meaning “similar to”)－像 xiàng

for (warning, this one has several meanings that you need to take care of)

for (give to) you－給你（给你）gěi nǐ

Adjectives and adverbs

Know both the adjective and adverb forms of these words.

a lot－很多 hěn duō a little－很少／一點（一点）hěn shǎo/yī dian

good / well－好／很好 hǎo/hěn hǎo bad / badly－不好／差 bù hǎo/chā

more (know how to say “more … than”)－比（A）（verb)  bǐ better (often irregular and not just “more good”)－更好 gèng hǎo

most－最 zuì

enough－夠（够）gòu

right－對（对）duì wrong－錯（错）cuò

Adjectives

the, a (technically articles) - no definite articles in Chinese

this (also as a noun) 這（这）zhè that (also as a noun) 那 nà

all－所有 suǒ yǒu some－一些 yī xiē no－沒有／無 méi yǒu/wú

other－別的 bié de

any－所有 suǒ yǒu

easy－容易／簡單（简单）róng yì hard－難（难）nán

early－早 zǎo late－晚 wǎn

important－重要 zhòng yào

cool (as in “that’s cool”)－酷 kù

same－一樣（一样）yí yàng

different－不同 bù tóng

beautiful－美麗／漂亮（美丽） měi lì/piào liàng

Adverbs

very－很 hěn

too (as in “too much”)－太 tài

also－還有（还有）hái yǒu

only－只 zhǐ

now－現在（现在）xiàn zài

here－這裡（这里）zhè li

maybe－可能 kě néng

always－永遠（永远）yǒng yuán often－常常／時常（时常）cháng cháng/ shí cháng sometimes－有時（有时）yǒu shí never－從來／從不（从来／从不）cóng bù

today (also as a noun)－今天 jīn tiān yesterday－昨天 zuó tiān tomorrow－明天 míng tiān

almost－快要／快會（快会）kuài yào/kuài huì

still－還（还）hái

already－已經（已经）yǐ jīng

even－都 dōu

Nouns

Chinese has “measure words”, which is like “a/an” in English.

一个 is used for most objects (people, some objects)

一杯 is used for cups and bottles [of liquid] 

thing－東西（东西) dōng xi

person－人 rén

place－地方 dì fāng

everything－所有的東西（所有的东西）suǒ yǒu de dōng xī something－一些東西（一些东西）yì xiē dōng xī nothing－沒有（没有）méi yǒu

time (as in “a long time”)－時間（时间）shí jiān

time (as in “I did it 3 times”)－次 cì

friend－朋友 péng yǒu

mother, father, parent－媽媽／母親，爸爸／父親，父母（妈妈／母亲，爸爸／父亲）mā ma/mǔ qīn, bà ba/fù qīn, fù mǔ

daughter, son, child－女兒，兒子，孩子 nǚ ér, ér zi, hái zi

wife, husband－妻子／老婆／太太，先生／老公／丈夫 qì zi/lǎo pó/tài tai, xiān shēng/lǎo gōng/zhàng fu

girlfriend, boyfriend－女朋友，男朋友 nǚ péng yǒu, nán péng yǒu

breakfast－早餐 zǎo cān

lunch－午餐 wǔ cān

dinner－晚餐 wǎn cān

money－錢（钱）qián

day－日／天 rì/tiān

year－年 nián

hour－小時（小时）xiao shí

week－星期 xīng qī

country－國家（国家）guó jiā

city－城市 chéng shì

language－語言（语言）yu yán

word－字 zì

Internet－網路（网路）wǎng lù

house－家／房子／屋子 jiā/fáng zi/wu zi

office－辦公室（办公室）bàn gōng shì

company－公司 gōng sī

Question Words

who－誰（谁）shéi

what－什麼（什么）shén me

where－哪裡（哪里）ná lǐ

when－什麼時候（什么时候）shén me shí hòu

why－為什麼（为什么）wèi shén me

how－怎麼（怎么）zěn me

how much－多少 duō shǎo

Pronouns

Know them in the subject (“I”), direct object (“me”), indirect object (“to me”), and possessive (“my”) forms.

I－我 wǒ

you－你 nǐ

she, he－她，他 tā

it－它／他 tā

we－我們 wǒ men

you (plural)－你們（你们）nǐ men

they－他們／她們（他们／她们）tā men

[vayanamasi]

Trump is now galactic overlord

The death star goes into development next week.

[vayanamasi]

Change your conception of yourself and you will automatically change the world in which you live.

Neville Goddard (via mastercontrol)

[vayanamasi]

[vayanamasi]

(more) random french phrases and expressions i’ve picked up from marathoning french tv shows all night

continuation of this post

tu veux parier ? = wanna bet? 

moi, c'est [nom] = i’m [name]

tout aussi bien = just as well / just as good

se mettre en colère = to get angry

qu'est-ce qui t'arrive ? = what’s the matter ?

faire l'affaire = to do the trick / to fit the purpose

bien joué = well played

en quoi puis-je vous être utile ? = how may i help you? / what can i do for you?

c'est à moi = it’s mine 

trou perdu = middle of nowhere

je regrette = i am sorry / i regret

en vrai = for real

mes gamins = my kids

on se débrouillera = we’ll manage / we’ll take care of things

[vayanamasi]

Study/Focus Tips!

TL:DR

Made a task planner with room for feedback - available for others for free

Make sure your goals are written down

Do It Daily! “Spaced Repetition”. Work daily on your goals

Have a calendar overview

Keep a clean work/study area

Stimulants

Minimize distractions/use focus music

So, I spent WAAY too much time creating my own habit planner based upon what I need and what I’ve seen others use. So I’m hoping to get this printed at Staples, but I made a copy available on Google Docs if anyone wants to use it or modify it. It’s view only, so you need to copy it to your own Google Docs to play with it. 

The dotted lines in the weekly calendar are to separate a task from the feedback. (you write your task out for tomorrow the night before, then at the end of the day, review what today’s tasks were and leave feedback underneath each one). The first column is to record which goal the tasks are for. There are some empty lines for whatever someone wants to add, like tracking sleep, food, exercise, etc. So it’s very open and customizable. But I’m not the doodling, creative type that uses calligraphy and drawing all over a notebook so this, for me, works. To each their own. ;-)

When you go to print it, you’ll need to check the box to remove the grid lines if you want a cleaner look like the one above. Otherwise, all the spreadsheet lines print.

Make sure you copy it to your own personal Google Docs account to customize it. 

GOALS

It’s not a real goal if you don’t have it written down! Write down what your goal is. If it’s to learn another language or do well in chemistry. What is the goal? Why is that your goal (what’s the reason to accomplish it?). And what are the tasks necessary to complete said goal. Write them down. Use a goal/task planner and a monthly calendar with an overview of what you are doing. At the end of your work/study day, before bed, review what you did today and write down feedback for each item. What helped or hindered you to make progress. Then write out your tasks for tomorrow. What do you need to change for tomorrow based upon today’s feedback? You can’t make changes to stay on target if you don’t have feedback. 

Do It Daily!

Used Spaced Repetition to study every day, maybe only for 20 minutes just to refresh your memory with the information. I love taking a winter or summer college class because you’re in class 4 days a week. During the fall/spring semester, you might have Spanish twice a week and study once a week outside of class. That’s why you’re not absorbing the information very well because you rarely ever study/practice! Take 20 minutes 6 days a week to review/study and learn new information. And practice it!!

Overview

Have a monthly calendar with a brief overview of your goals. When does the semester begin and end? What days do you usually work? Are there any family gatherings or social events coming up? What do you plan on studying over the next 4-5 weeks? Nothing in depth or detailed, just an overview. Your daily task planner is where the details are for each class/project/goal. Do it the night before - so don’t worry about filling out your task planner for the entire semester or month because you want to write down feedback daily so you can adjust how you are progressing and make changes accordingly. This is called Deliberate Practice.

Minimalize

Keep your study area as minimal as possible. Minimal from distractions. I like a large study area so I have more empty space than not. I have one pen on my desk. One notepad to write down any wandering/stray thoughts that pop into my head so I can write them down on a pad of paper (get them out of my head but not get distracted by taking action on them at the moment) so I can come back to them later. 

Stimulants 

One drink on my desk - don’t overwhelm with too many options. I always make a smoothie (in this small, portable, blender) that I add superfoods powder, hemp seeds, and Kratom powder. I’ll also drink Yerba Mate tea, a South American tea. Some people like Guayusa (gwhy-you-sa), which is an Amazonia tea. Kratom is a South East Asian tea that is turned into a powder (link above). I’ve tried mushroom tea (Lion’s Mane and Chaga), as well. 

Focus/Music

Getting up and going for a walk outside to clear your head or sitting your desk/study area in front of a window to look at nature or hang a picture that has depth, like a scenic picture, helps, too. Also, try Mindfulness meditation or any kind of grounding yoga postures. I also listen to study/focus music. Today I have been listening to a lot from Pulse8 called ChillStep on YouTube.

Find what works for you based upon ideas from others and experience. BUT... set a time limit! (like using deadlines or the pomodoro technique). Because otherwise, you’ll spend more time planning and never actually take action or complete your assignments or start learning that language. Create a schedule as strict or lax as what is right for you. Plan only in as much detail as you need. But remember, nothing gets done until you do it.

REBLOG IF YOU FOUND THIS BENEFICIAL 

[vayanamasi]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2WneYqu-ao)

For those studying on a quiet, snowy day. 

[vayanamasi]

The only thing I regret about languages is that I didn’t start learning them earlier.

[vayanamasi]

For all you writers out there

I hope this helps :3

[vayanamasi]

I want to chill but I also want to learn 5 languages

[vayanamasi]

So, a FB friend published this as his motivation for making changes in his life. And it sounded familiar because I learned it as the last question to produce change with the Sedona Method. So I shared it on FB and to a text with my buddy. And I just saw it on here. It’s nice to see this showing up in my life. Thank you.

[vayanamasi]

reasons to stay alive

1. recovery 2. the first rain of autumn 3. stepping on crunchy leaves 4. meeting new friends 5. seeing old friends 6. sunsets 7. shooting stars 8. catching snowflakes on your tongue 9. fresh baked pie 10. digging your feet in sand 11. listening to the birds 12. singing along to your favourite songs 13. watching your breath on cold mornings 14. bonfires 15. hugs 16. compliments from strangers 17. smiles 18. graduations 19. taking funny photos with your friends 20. laughing 21. fuzzy socks 22. full moons 23. being so happy you’re crying 24. doing what you love 25. overcoming your fears 26. art 27. concerts 28. new albums of your favourite band 29. reading 30. you are so beautiful 31. sitting on rooftops 32. you are so precious 33. making other people laugh 34. beaches 35. halloween 36 the world wouldn’t be the same without you 37. bubble baths 38. your scars will heal 39. lying on the grass while watching the clouds 40. Christmas 41. first sip of hot chocolate 42. cozy sweaters 43. sunrises 45. baby animals

[vayanamasi]

Inspired by the many studyblr and langblr that I follow, I attempted to create my own planner. First draft and for mix use. I’m creating an online course for people to achieve goals and I saw a similar template on a fitness goal tumblr. I just have a basic task planner that I picked up at Target for college. But I use online/print spreadsheets for goals. So two questions...

Can you create your own task planner and have it printed and mailed to you in spiral format? If so, where?

And, where do people get the dotted grid notebooks from!?

Thanks!

[vayanamasi]

They say that scary/horror music is the best to help you focus and be productive. Though, I prefer EDM.

[vayanamasi]

My attempt at a minimalist study desk set-up while trying a new focus drink called Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee which contains Lion’s Mane mushroom, Chaga mushroom, Rhodiola root, and Arabica coffee. I had some yesterday but I just finished a Kratom smoothie, so I wasn’t sure of the benefits, although I did find it grounding. Yesterday I followed up with a Yerba Mate tea so today I mixed that in my drink. 

The image on the left monitor is DJ Hardwell. EDM.