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0Welcome to our brand new series “聊聊方言” (Let’s Talk Dialects)! In this first episode of the series, join Daisy and Cici as they dive into the lively and popular Dongbei dialect. Whether you've heard it in Chinese comedy, wondered how to speak it, or just want to understand why it’s so well-loved across China, this conversation is for you. Cici shares fun expressions, local insights, and teaches you how to sound like a true Northeasterner—perfect for a trip to Harbin or just for impressing your friends! Stay tuned for more dialect deep-dives in the coming episodes.
Timestamps & Key Takeaways
00:01:20 – Topic 1: Where exactly is “Dongbei” (Northeast China)?
Teacher Cici clearly explains the three provinces of Northeast China (黑龙江Heilongjiang, 吉林Jilin, 辽宁Liaoning).
00:05:45 – Topic 2: How do you say “like” in the Dongbei dialect?
Besides “喜欢 (xǐhuan),” Northeasterners often use “稀罕 (xīhan).” Cici shares two common situations: praising a child as “招人稀罕 (very likable),” or saying “我咋那么稀罕你呢” in a slightly complaining tone (meaning “Why am I doing so much for you?”).
💬 Example sentences: 这孩子真招人稀罕。 / 我咋那么稀罕你呢？
00:11:30 – Topic 3: Two super useful words in Dongbei dialect
Cici introduces two highly frequent words:
- “贼 (zéi)”: Not “thief,” but meaning “really, extremely,” as in “贼好吃 (zéi hǎochī-really tasty)” or “贼稀罕 (zéi xīhan-really like).”
- “整 (zhěng)”: A versatile verb meaning “do, make, take, etc” as in “整点酒 (zhěng diǎn jiǔ-have some drinks)” or “整完了 (zhěng wán le-finished).”
⚠️ Note: “整” is mostly used among friends in casual settings, not in formal or polite situations like toasting.
00:18:50 – Topic 4: What are the characteristics of the Dongbei dialect?
Cici summarizes:
- Frequent use of retroflex “-r” sounds (e.g., “天儿 tiānr”).
- Direct, quick, and somewhat “hard” tone (e.g., “干哈 gà há” = “干嘛gàn má,” “咋了 zǎ le” = “怎么了”).
- Short, concise words (e.g., 啥 shá = 什么, 咋 zǎ = 怎么).
00:25:10 – Topic 5: Practical Dongbei phrases for travelers
Cici teaches three handy expressions you can use right away:
- Complaining about the cold: “这天儿死冷的！(It’s freezing today!)”
- Asking the price: “多少钱？(How much?)” (Pronounce “多” as “duó” with a rising tone.)
- Tone change with numbers: “三个, 七个, 八个” (When followed by a measure word with forth tone, “三, 七, 八” change to the second tone.)
00:32:00 – Wrap-up and invitation
Cici encourages everyone to ask her more questions about the Dongbei dialect and welcomes you to visit Dongbei to experience the language in real life!
We’d Love to Hear From You!
- After listening, what Dongbei expression did you learn or find most memorable?
- Do you know any interesting words from other Chinese dialects? Share something from your hometown or a dialect you like!
- Which Chinese dialects are you interested in? What would you like to hear about in this series?
Feel free to leave a comment on the podcast platform or share your thoughts in your Chinese learning community!
Contact & Learning Resources
- For Chinese course inquiries or a study plan consultation:
Email: info@chinese-surfing.com
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- Request a full PDF transcript of this episode: daisy@chinese-surfing.com
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