Zhege

Word: Zhege
Prounciation: juh-guh
Meaning: this
Award:"First 2 Weeks in China MVP"

Why is "this" such a great word? Although it might seem tiny and insignificant, to a fledgling Chinese speaker in a Chinese world, it is invaluable.

Uses:

1. To fix a bike. I own a bike! Along with my subway/bus card and cell phone, this was my other "you are now Beijingren" purchase (Beijingren=beijing peeps...somewhat like Eich bin ein Berliner). HOWEVER, my bike is named Lazarus for a reason. It has made a wonderful recovery since when I first laid eyes on it. Would it be rideable had I not been able to use the word "zhege"? I just don't know. I have been our corner bike people 3 times to get it to this point, each time pointing to something and saying variations on "zhege shi bu hao" (this is no good). The chain, the brakes, the bike in general when I didn't know what was wrong with it, all have received the "point and zhege" treatment. Combined with pantomiming and zhege cannot be stopped. I can point to the rain guard on the front of the bike and say "zhege DONK DONK DONK" to express that it's hitting the front tire. I now have a functioning way of self-navigating the Beijing streets and haven't gotten hit....yet! Sure, Ole Laz still sounds like he's ready to into the grave, but I think he's just saying "Hello, ni hao, it's good to be back."

2. To point to something delicious in a restaurant, grocery store, or street food stand. Dumplings, hot pot, curry, schwar (sp?), Makes you wanna come visit, eh?

3. To ask an Ikea employee about a particular lamp shade. That's right. We went to Beijing Ikea last night. After taking the subway to as close as we could, we attempted to hail a taxi whilst standing in the rain for 30 minutes. We finally decided to walk a ways to another corner and when we turned there, what did we see but the bright blue and yellow lights of the Swedish mega-store. So we hoofed it. The enormity of the lights was deceiving because the couches, lamps, and DIY assemble furniture was still a ways off, but we did it and soon were enjoying 1 kwai ice creams and 3 kwai hot dogs (plus, it's tradition). Also, we saved ourselves a 10 kwai taxi trip and they always say "10 kwai saved is 10 kwai earned"....or not because we soon spent it.

4. To be encouraged. I don't understand much of what people say yet, so whenever I hear "zhege" a little flag goes off in my mind and I think "I KNOW THAT ONE! I practically know Chinese!"....ok, so maybe not, but I'm working on it! I just started classes this week. Hopefully soon my regular productive vocabulary will increase to at least 5 words!

I have been having a fantastic time in China. I have started classes (I even get to teach Spanish! More on that in another post). I have mastered the bike ride to the school (yeah, there's only one turn). I have bartered in Chinese for a power strip and Angry Bird stickers. I think I've come a long ways! ;)

Most of all, I have gotten to Study. Several people told us during training "you go there thinking that you will change China, but China changes you". I can't wait to grow with my Studies. On Wednesday I got to eat with a family and study with 5 kids. That's just a fa-th boost. What an amazing opportunity that He has given us. He is omnipresent and certainly in China. "Zhege" is so awesome!

Until next time (I'll make it shorter, I promise!)