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Not exactly the same as but similar to the prn of I.
1
In Chinese...
It is pretty much pronounced like the word "I". However, since Chinese is a tonal language, the meaning of each word depends on the tone of voice and pitch. It's hard to explain simply, but the word/name "ai" has a falling tone -- it goes from a higher pitch to a low one. Using an English example, suppose I ask you "Where?" My voice goes up on the question. If you then point to the place I was asking about and say "There," your voice would naturally use a "falling tone."
I don't know if you care this much about the details, but it is absolutely crucial in Chinese to get the tones right so it's worth mentioning.
It is pretty much pronounced like the word "I". However, since Chinese is a tonal language, the meaning of each word depends on the tone of voice and pitch. It's hard to explain simply, but the word/name "ai" has a falling tone -- it goes from a higher pitch to a low one. Using an English example, suppose I ask you "Where?" My voice goes up on the question. If you then point to the place I was asking about and say "There," your voice would naturally use a "falling tone."
I don't know if you care this much about the details, but it is absolutely crucial in Chinese to get the tones right so it's worth mentioning.
This message was edited 7/25/2007, 11:34 AM
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Why is it crucial, if you don't mind me asking.
1
Because a different tone can change the meaning of a word. For example, in Pinyin Mandarin Chinese-to-English transliteration which indicates different tones:
1. ài means (among other things) "love" as a noun or "to love, to be fond of" as a verb"
2. ǎi means (among other things) "short (i.e., not tall)"
3. ái means (among other things) "dull, dull-minded, simple, stupid" or "gnaw"
4. āi means (among other things) "sad, mournful, pitiful; pity" or "fine dust, dirt"
I took all these meanings from Wiktionary. For other meanings, see:
ài: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%C3%A0i
ǎi: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%C7%8Ei
ái: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%C3%A1i
āi: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%C4%81i
1. ài means (among other things) "love" as a noun or "to love, to be fond of" as a verb"
2. ǎi means (among other things) "short (i.e., not tall)"
3. ái means (among other things) "dull, dull-minded, simple, stupid" or "gnaw"
4. āi means (among other things) "sad, mournful, pitiful; pity" or "fine dust, dirt"
I took all these meanings from Wiktionary. For other meanings, see:
ài: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%C3%A0i
ǎi: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%C7%8Ei
ái: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%C3%A1i
āi: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%C4%81i
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Thanks, Miranda, that's exactly right.
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Thanks. That's what I thought.
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