矛和盾的故事 (Máo hé dùn de gùshi) The Story of Spear and Shield
卖 (mài): v. to sell
问 (wèn): v. to ask
Yǒu yí gè Chǔguó rén, mài dùn yòu mài máo.
有 一个 楚国 人，卖 盾 又 卖 矛。
In the State of Chu, there was a man who was selling both shields and spears.
Tā kuāyào zìjǐ de dùn, shuō: “Wǒ de dùn jiāngù wú bǐ,
他夸耀自己的盾，说：“我的盾坚固无比，
rènhé fēnglì de dōngxi dōu chuān bú tòu tā.”
任何锋利的东西都穿不透它”。
He would proudly exclaim: “My shield is so strong that it can not be pierced.”
Tā yòu kuāyào zìjǐ de máo, shuō: “Wǒ de máo fēnglì jí le,
他又夸耀自己的矛，说：“我的矛锋利极了，
shénme jiāngù de dōngxi dōu néng cì chuān.”
什么坚固的东西都能刺穿”。
He would continue to boast the strength of his spear: “My spear is so strong that it can pierce through anything.”
Yǒu rén wèn tā: “Rúguǒ yòng nín de máo cì nín de dùn, jiéguǒ huì zěnme yàng ne?”
有人问他：“如果用您的矛刺您的盾，结果会怎么样呢”？
One day someone asked him: “What happens if I try to pierce your shield with your spear?”
Nà rén zhāngkǒujiéshé, yí jù huà yě dá bú shàng lái.
那人张口结舌，一句话也答不上来。
Confused and bewildered, he fell silent.
The antonym of “卖 (mài)” is “买 (mǎi) to buy.”
Zhè jiàn yīfu zěnme mài ne?
A: 这件衣服怎么卖呢?
How much is this dress?
Yì bǎi kuài qián.
B: 一百块钱。
One hundred Yuan.
Jīnqián mǎi bú dào xìngfú.
金钱 买不到幸福。
Money can’t buy happiness.
Tāngmǔ wèn nǐ wǎnshang yǒu shíjiān ma. Tā xiǎng zhǎo nǐ shuō jǐ jù huà.
汤姆问你晚上有时间吗，他想找你说几句话。
Tom asked whether you have time tonight. He wanted to talk to you for a while.
Read more Chinesestories:
1. Read Chinese story: 胸有成竹 To Have a Well-thought-out Plan
2. Read Chinese story: 雪中送炭 To offer fuel in snowy weather
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I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy that I found this during my search for something concerning this.
What is the moral of the story?
他不想参与这种不正当的买卖。He doesn’t want to take part in such dishonest business deal. Hope you can use this Chinese phrase correctly.
I can read Chinese words but I can’t use them properly. Can anyone give me an example of how to use “买卖?”
Actually, “买卖” is a noun, it means a small business or a business transactions.
I have a question while reading this Chinese story: Since “买” and “卖” are both verb, is “买卖” also a verb?