BeginnerHSK 15:32
妈妈看了《给阿嬷的情书》
Mom Watched 'Letters to Grandma'
Mom Watched 'Letters to Grandma'
A film. Used throughout the conversation to refer to the movie 《给阿嬷的情书》 (Letters to Grandma).
A friend. In the story, Nanzhi is grandma's husband's 朋友 — but she becomes more than that over thirty years.
Money. Used to describe what grandma's husband (and later Nanzhi) sent home from Thailand.
To write. In the episode, 写 is used for writing letters — though the simpler phrase 写字 (write characters) is used since 信 is beyond HSK 1.
To love. The letters say 我爱你 (I love you) — the same phrase you'd say to family or a partner.
想 has two senses: 'to think' and 'to miss someone.' In 我想你 (I miss you), it's the second sense. Context tells you which.
Teochew (Chaoshan-dialect) word for grandma — equivalent to standard Mandarin 奶奶. The movie title uses this regional word because the family in the film is Teochew.
Standard Mandarin for paternal grandmother. Mom explains the dialect 阿嬷 as just 奶奶.
Husband. Mom explains it as '男的爸爸' — 'the man-dad' — using only HSK 1 words she knows the child already understands.
To tell (someone something). In the film, Nanzhi 告诉 Xiaowei the truth; Xiaowei 告诉 grandma; grandma listens.
To cry. The most striking moment: grandma 没有哭 (didn't cry) — she went to check the food instead.
Why? Common question word. HSK 1 has 怎么 (how) but 为什么 (why) is HSK 2.
* beyond level超纲词