找对象Finding a Partner

New words

• 对象duìxiàng — boyfriend/girlfriend, partner (找对象)
• 交往jiāowǎng — to go out with, date; to mix with
• 公务员gōngwùyuán — civil servant
• 就业jiùyè — to get a job; employment
• 现实xiànshí — reality; realistic
• 而是érshì — but rather (不是…而是…)

The story

小雨：小周，谢谢你来帮忙！汤圆的生日快到了。Xiaozhou, thanks for coming to help! Tangyuan's birthday is nearly here.

小周：不客气！这是张经理送的：一个包子机器人。生日的计划，我打印了三份。My pleasure! This is from Manager Zhang: a Baozi robot. And I've printed out the party plan, three copies.

小雨妈妈：这个小伙子很认真，也很自觉。他有对象吗？This young man is very conscientious, and he gets on with things without being told. Does he have a girlfriend?

妈妈：我来问。小周，你有对象吗？Let me ask. Xiaozhou, are you seeing anyone?

小周：对……对象？我……S-seeing anyone? I...

小雨妈妈：你二十四岁了，要现实一点儿，该找对象了！You're twenty-four. Be realistic: it's time you found someone!

奶奶：找对象以前，先改造一下你的头发！Before you go looking for someone, we need to do something about that hair!

妈妈：现在年轻人就业很难。找对象，要找工作好的。It's hard for young people to find jobs these days. When you choose a partner, choose one with a good job.

Opening the lesson…