叶家还只是个 住在城郊外的小门户
“the Ye family was just ordinary, living outside the city outskirts.”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
那时候
“At that time,”
叶家还只是个 住在城郊外的 小门户
“the Ye family was just ordinary, living outside the city outskirts.”
家徒四壁
“They were not rich,”
Direct spoken expression in this communicative setting.
Traditional Chinese historical narrative places enormous emphasis on lineage pedigree, contrasting early humble roots with eventual political ascent.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
humble family; obscure household
A classical/formal descriptor referring to a lineage of lowly social or economic background.
outskirts of the city; rural suburbs
Used to describe locations beyond the urban city walls.
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Parallel Spoken Cinema Scenes (语义近邻切片)
“Oh, don't even mention the Ye family.”
“This household— she is not yet the one in charge.”
“Also, this daughter of the Ye family”
“That's why our family became prosperous. And that's why you have it all.”
“How did the Ye family get your plan?”
“we'll raid the Ye family's nest.”