The Big Fish on the Beach | Fluentide
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Key Vocabulary 词汇 海 hǎi sea; ocean HSK 1. 海 = sea. 海边 = seaside. 大海 = the open sea. The whole story happens at the 海边.
大 dà big HSK 1. The most basic adjective for size. 大鱼 = big fish. 很大 = very big. Used over 30 times in this episode.
鱼 yú fish HSK 1. 一条鱼 = one fish (measure word 条 for long things). The episode keeps calling the whale 大鱼 = 'big fish' before introducing 鲸鱼.
妈妈 māma mom HSK 1. 妈妈 explains everything to 小明. Pair with 爸爸 (dad).
看 kàn to look; to watch HSK 1. 你看 = look! 看一看 = take a quick look. The mom keeps telling Xiao Ming 看一看 (just look) instead of 走太近 (go too close).
想 xiǎng to want; to think HSK 1. 想 + verb = want to V. 小明想下水 = Xiao Ming wants to get in the water. Also means 'think'.
Grammar Points 语法 X 比 Y + Adj (comparison)
A 比 B + adjective = A is more X than B. The basic comparison structure.
因为 ... + clause
Because + reason. At HSK 1 level often used alone (without 所以).
想 + Verb (want to V)
Modal of desire: 想 + verb = want to V. Subject + 想 + verb.
X 就是 Y (definition)
The teaching pattern. Used to define a new word inline using simpler words.
鲸鱼就是海里最大的动物。
死了就是不能动了。
气就是看不见的东西。
越来越 + Adj (more and more)
越来越 + adjective = increasingly X. Describes a state that keeps changing.
Proper Nouns 专有名词 小明 Xiǎo Míng Xiao Ming (a stock Chinese name like 'Tommy' for kids) 澳大利亚 Àodàlìyà Australia
好
hǎo
good; okay
HSK 1. 好 = good. 不好 = not good. As a one-word reply: 'okay.' 小明说：好 = Xiao Ming says: okay.
喜欢 xǐhuan to like HSK 1. 他喜欢海 = he likes the sea. Used for things you enjoy.
走 zǒu to walk; to go HSK 1. 走 = walk. 走太近 = walk too close. 别走太近 = don't go too close — the mom's main warning in this episode.
鲸鱼* jīngyú whale Beyond HSK 1. 鲸 (whale) + 鱼 (fish). The episode glosses it inline: 鲸鱼就是海里最大的动物 = a whale is the biggest animal in the sea. Keyword of the whole episode.
鲨鱼* shāyú shark Beyond HSK 1. 鲨 (shark) + 鱼 (fish). The reason the beaches are closed. Note: 大白鲨 = great white shark.
死* sǐ to die; dead HSK 4 but introduced inline: 死了就是不能动了 = 'dead means it can't move anymore.' Central to the episode.
闻* wén to smell HSK 4. 我闻到了 = I smell something. 闻到 = smell + 到 (perception complement).
臭* chòu stinky; smelly HSK 5. The opposite of 香 (fragrant). 非常臭 = very stinky. The mom uses it to explain why you can't go near the whale.
气球* qìqiú balloon Beyond HSK 1. 气 (gas) + 球 (ball). The story compares the whale's belly to a 气球 because both can pop.
危险* wēixiǎn dangerous HSK 4. 很危险 = very dangerous. The opposite is 安全 (safe).
国家* guójiā country HSK 2. 一个国家 = one country. The story takes place in a 国家 called Australia.
海滩* hǎitān beach Beyond HSK 1. 海 (sea) + 滩 (shore). Specifically a sandy/rocky beach. The story has 四个海滩 (four beaches) closed.
把 + Object + Verb (BA construction)
把 fronts the object so the verb can carry a result/disposal. 'Took A and did Y to it.'
水把它送来。
也许把鲸鱼推回海里。
也许把鲸鱼送去别的地方。
虽然 ... 但是 ...
Concession structure. The 但是 clause is the main point.