寄一封慢信给未来 Deliver A “Slow Letter” to the Future (Beginner)

寄一封慢信给未来 (Jì yìfēng màn xìn gěi wèilái) Deliver A “Slow Letter” to the Future (Beginner)

Key Learning Points (Preview):

熊猫 (xióngmāo): n panda

鼓励 (gǔlì): v to encourage

感激 (gǎnjī): n gratitude

Recently a “特别的 (tèbiéde) special” company, whose primary service is delivering “slow” letters for its customers, appeared in Beijing. Located on a side alley in the 798 art district, Chaoyang District, this company is called “798 Art & Travel Post,” but affectionately known as the “熊猫 (xióngmāo) Panda” Slow Post. Visitors here would leave their letters, either to “鼓励 (gǔlì) encourage” themselves or to address to their beloved ones until a specified date in the future. When the pre-fixed mailing date comes, “熊猫 (xióngmāo) Panda” staff will retrieve the letter and send it to the recipient. Although customers of the service come from all walks of life, most of them are youngsters. “熊猫 (xióngmāo) Panda” staff recalled that one of the most impressive letters was from a boy who was planning to study abroad. He sent a letter to his parents expressing his love and “感激 (gǎnjī) gratitude,” but wanted the letter to be mailed after his departure. The coming of “熊猫 (xióngmāo) Panda” Slow Post may not be a coincidence. Life for youngsters nowadays is fast-paced. Sometimes it is difficult to “处理 (chǔlǐ) handle” what’s going on in life. Some find it difficult to “交流 (jiāoliú) communicate with” their parents; some find it hard to deal with their “同龄人 (tónglíngrén) peers;” and some find the weight on their shoulders too heavy. “熊猫 (xióngmāo) Panda” Slow Post’s service provides an opportunity to communicate in a different way. Here you can try writing a letter to yourself, either to “鼓励 (gǔlì) encourage” or to complain; or send one to your beloved ones or your hated ones, either to show “感激 (gǎnjī) gratitude” or contempt. When the time comes to read your own letter, you will get to feel the difference between your past and present. And if the recipient is your beloved ones, you will feel satisfied to see the smiles on their faces.

Key Learning Points:  
熊猫 (xióngmāo): n panda

The character “熊 (xióng)” means bear. “猫 (māo)” means cat.
Example:
Xióngmāo shì Zhōngguó de guóbǎo.
熊猫          是   中国         的      国宝。

Panda is a national treasure of China.

鼓励 (gǔlì): v to encourage

“鼓 (gǔ)” means drum. “励 (lì)” means to encourage.

Example:

Lǎoshī gǔlì  wǒmen yào hǎohǎo zhǔnbèi AP kǎoshì.
老师   鼓励 我们       要 好好        准备    AP  考试。

Our teacher encourages us to get ready for the AP Chinese preparation.

感激 (gǎnjī): n gratitude

“感 (gǎn)” means to feel. “激 (jī)” means to stimulate.

Example:

Wǒmen yīnggāi shǐzhōng duì fùmǔ huáiyǒu gǎnjī zhī qíng.
我们         应该      始终     对 父母   怀有     感激 之    情。

We should always feel gratitude towards our parents.
生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary

处理 (chǔlǐ): v to handle with/ to deal with

交流 (jiāoliú): v to communicate with

同龄人 (tónglíngrén): n peers