John Smith is asking Li Wei about chopsticks etiquette.
John Smith
我知道中国人是用筷子吃饭,可是我觉得这太难了。Wǒ zhīdao Zhōngguórén shì yòng kuàizi chī fàn, kěshì wǒ juéde zhè tài nán le. TranslateI know that the Chinese use chopsticks to eat, but I find it too difficult.
Li Wei
习惯就好了。Xíguàn jiù hǎo le. TranslateIt will not be a problem once you are used to it.
John Smith
用筷子怎么能把食物切开呢?Yòng kuàizi zěnme néng bǎ shíwù qiē kāi ne? TranslateHow is it possible to cut food with chopsticks?
Li Wei
中国菜一般都是先切小了再做,吃的时候不用切。Zhōngguó cài yìbān dōu shì xiān qiē xiǎo le zài zuò, chī de shíhou bú yòng qiē. TranslateChinese dishes are usually prepared after the food has been cut into small pieces, so there is no need to cut when eating.
John Smith
用筷子吃饭应该注意些什么?Yòng kuàizi chī fàn yīnggāi zhùyì xiē shénme? TranslateWhat should I pay attention to when eating with chopsticks?
Li Wei
筷子不用时,要放在餐碟边,不能插在饭碗里。 Kuàizi bú yòng shí, yào fàng zài cāndié biān, bù néng chā zài fànwǎn lǐ. TranslateWhen you do not use your chopsticks, you should put them next to your plate. Do not stick them in your bowl with food.
John Smith
我从来不这么做。Wǒ cónglái bú zhème zuò. TranslateI never do this.
Li Wei
在夹菜时,不能用筷子在菜盘里搅来搅去,上下乱翻。Zài jiā cài shí, bù néng yòng kuàizi zài càipán lǐ jiǎo lái jiǎo qù, shàng xià luàn fān. TranslateWhen picking up food from a dish, do not use chopsticks to stir the food up and down.
John Smith
嗯,这个...,有的时候我夹菜夹不上来, 所以...En, zhè ge ......, yǒu de shíhou wǒ jiā cài jiā bú shàng lái, suǒyǐ...... TranslateWell, this... Sometimes I couldn’t pick up the food with chopsticks, so...
Li Wei
没关系。 这不算失礼, 多练习就好了。Méi guānxi. Zhè bú suàn shīlǐ, duō liànxí jiù hǎo le. TranslateIt doesn’t matter. This is not rude. It gets easier with practice.