וַתֹּ֥אמֶר הָֽאִשָּׁ֖ה אֶל־הַנָּחָ֑שׁ מִפְּרִ֥י עֵֽץ־הַגָּ֖ן נֹאכֵֽל׃
女人對蛇說：「園中樹上的果子，我們可以吃。」
女人对蛇说：「园中树上的果子，我们可以吃。」
Nǚ rén duì shé shuō: “Yuán zhōng shù shàng de guǒ zi, wǒ men kě yǐ chī.”
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden.”
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 女人 | nǚ rén | Woman | Noun |
| 對 / 对 | duì | To | Preposition |
| 蛇 | shé | Serpent | Noun |
| 說 / 说 | shuō | To say | Verb |
| 園中 / 园中 | yuán zhōng | In the garden | Prepositional phrase |
| 樹上的 / 树上的 | shù shàng de | Of the tree | Adjective phrase |
| 果子 | guǒ zi | Fruit | Noun |
| 我們 / 我们 | wǒ men | We | Pronoun |
| 可以 | kě yǐ | May, can | Modal verb |
| 吃 | chī | To eat | Verb |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 女人對蛇說 (Nǚ rén duì shé shuō): The subject “the woman” speaks to the serpent.
- 園中樹上的果子，我們可以吃 (Yuán zhōng shù shàng de guǒ zi, wǒ men kě yǐ chī): The object “fruit from the trees of the garden” is followed by the action “we may eat.”
Key Grammar Points:
- 對 / 对 (duì): A preposition indicating the target of speech or action, meaning “to” or “toward.”
- 我們 / 我们 (wǒ men): A pronoun for “we,” including the speaker and others.
- 可以 (kě yǐ): A modal verb expressing permission or possibility, meaning “may” or “can.”
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Nǚ rén duì shé shuō: “Yuán zhōng shù shàng de guǒ zi, wǒ men kě yǐ chī.”
Tone Practice:
- 女人 (nǚ rén): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 對 / 对 (duì): 4th tone (falling)
- 蛇 (shé): 2nd tone (rising)
- 說 / 说 (shuō): 1st tone (flat)
- 園中 / 园中 (yuán zhōng): 2nd tone (rising) + 1st tone (flat)
- 樹上的 / 树上的 (shù shàng de): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling) + neutral tone
- 果子 (guǒ zi): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + neutral tone
- 我們 / 我们 (wǒ men): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + neutral tone
- 可以 (kě yǐ): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 吃 (chī): 1st tone (flat)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 女人 (nǚ rén): Represents “woman,” often used in respectful or neutral contexts.
- 對 / 对 (duì): Indicates direction or target of speech, meaning “to” or “toward.”
- 果子 (guǒ zi): Means “fruit,” highlighting a concrete noun commonly used in discussions of food or nature.
5. Cultural Insights
- Dialogue and Authority: In both Hebrew and Chinese cultures, dialogue often represents negotiation or exploration of truth and authority, as seen in the woman’s response to the serpent’s challenge.
- Garden Imagery: The concept of a garden resonates with Chinese ideals of harmony with nature, where gardens are symbolic of balance and reflection.
- Fruit Symbolism: In Chinese culture, fruit often symbolizes abundance and prosperity, contrasting with its role in this narrative as a test of obedience.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 女人 (nǚ rén): Visualize a woman standing confidently in a garden.
- 果子 (guǒ zi): Imagine a ripe fruit hanging from a tree, ready to be picked.
- 可以 (kě yǐ): Picture someone giving a nod of approval, indicating permission to proceed.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַתֹּ֥אמֶר הָֽאִשָּׁ֖ה אֶל־הַנָּחָ֑שׁ (VaTo’mer HaIshah El HaNachash): → 女人對蛇說 (Nǚ rén duì shé shuō): Both depict the woman addressing the serpent directly.
- מִפְּרִ֥י עֵֽץ־הַגָּ֖ן נֹאכֵֽל (MiPri Etz HaGan No’khel): → 園中樹上的果子，我們可以吃 (Yuán zhōng shù shàng de guǒ zi, wǒ men kě yǐ chī): Both express the permission to eat from the garden’s trees.
- Comparison with English:
- “The woman said to the serpent” matches 女人對蛇說 (Nǚ rén duì shé shuō): Both describe the act of addressing the serpent.
- “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden” aligns with 我們可以吃園中樹上的果子 (Wǒ men kě yǐ chī yuán zhōng shù shàng de guǒ zi): Both affirm permission to eat.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Harmony in Speech: The woman’s measured response reflects Confucian ideals of respectful dialogue.
- Fruit as Symbol: While fruit in Chinese culture often represents abundance, in this context it underscores the ethical and moral choices central to the narrative.
