YOU'VE GOT QUESTIONS? SHE'S GOT ANSWERS (BUT YOU PROBABLY WON'T LIKE THEM)

Dear Ayi, my building management keeps doing renovations, shutting off the water on the weekend and making lots of noise. What do I do?

Harrowed Harrold

Mobilize your lazy ass, and don't expect the (wùyè, property management) to just guess your (xīnsi, thoughts). You think creating a comfortable life for the

(qúnzhòng, people) should be their mission? Let me tell you, (tāmen cái bù guǎn ne, they don't care). They're probably working on some (huá'érbùshí de, fancy but useless) upgrade so they can charge more

(fángz$, rent) in the future. I say, (liǎnpí hòu yìdiǎn, have some thick skin) and make your voice heard.

(t5usù, complain)! (jǔbào, report)! Or better yet, are there any dramatic (dàye dàmā, uncles and aunties) like me in your (shèq$, community)?

Get them on your side. Make them see how all the noise affects their (yǎngshēng, health enrichment) or their grandchildren's (wǎngkè, online classes). These folks

(xiánzhe yěshì xiánzhe, have nothing better to do anyway). They will go (láodao, nag) the ears off of those people.

Ayi, when will I see China play in a World Cup?

Santa Maradona

(xǐngxing, wake up)! Are you still dreaming of 2002? Or were you not even alive the last time China participated? Back in my day, each (gōngchǎng, factory) had its own

(zúqiúduì, soccer team). I used to see those

(xiǎohuǒr, young men) training all the time. They were real

(zhāshi, down-to-earth). That was a (huángjīn niándài, golden age). Everyone was so full of (jīqíng, passion), even the (lǐngdǎo, superiors) in our factory! But nowadays I say, “No (qīwàng, anticipation), no (shīwàng, disappointment).” Where do you see

(yǒu bàofù de, aspirational) young players these days? Kids used to set up their (sh$bāo, backpacks) as

(qiúmén, goals) on the street, but now they're trapped at home with their (zuòyè, homework). And even if they want to, where can they play in all this (wùmái, smog)? I think you should (fànguò zìjǐ, give yourself a break). If you're really so (àigu5, patriotic), maybe

watch (pīngpāng, ping pong) instead.

Got questions for our Agony Ayi? Send them to agonyayi@theworldofchinese.com