What is your reflection on the role of design in business Essay

What is your reflection on the role of design in business - Essay Example Designers create the value of a business in several ways as discussed in this paper. These days, companies are investing a lot in understanding the needs of their customers. They adopt different kinds of strategies including feedback and surveys to retrieve information from the customers. Companies incur a lot of cost in introducing a new product in the market and if it doesn’t do well, it can be a potential threat to the business. It is for the designers to create the aesthetics and the functionality of the product in due accordance with the needs and desires of the customers. Design processes assess the challenges and propose solutions by understanding the needs of the customers, building information from a myriad of sources and using it in a meaningful manner (Rutter, 2008). Thus, designers have a big role in the successful functionality of a new product or strategy developed by a company. One of the most common reasons which cause the innovation to fail is that it is made before it is required. â€Å"Design is a process of synthesizing insights into a tangible offering in a way that addresses the goals of the company and the desires of consumers† (Sawhney and Prahalad, 2010). Companies that are able to show such a performance manage to integrate the design into the culture. Good design boosts a product’s market value and improves the brand image (dmi.org, 2006). In the past, a lot of brands that have been the leaders of the design have also been the top brands of the world. Design creates the brand image and shapes its experiences of tribal belongingness and luxury. Customers buy their products because they see their thoughts and imaginations materialized in them. Advertisement of the product is just one aspect of the product’s marketing and may not always return favorable results. It is fundamentally the product’s design that plays a decisive role in its public endorsement. Concluding, with the passage of time,

Gabriel Oak Essay Example for Free

Gabriel Oak Essay Thomas Hardy wrote the characters of Bathsheba Everdene and Fanny Robin with specific attributes and details. Both women have similarities and differences that either directly influence each other or other characters. The Victorian class system in the 1870s (which is where Far from the Madding crowd is based) had four distinct classes. Two of those were the upper working class and the lower [working class]. Bathsheba would have probably become upper working or middle, when she inherited the farm. We can see that Bathsheba regards herself as being higher up in the social order, from the first time we see her in the book, by the way she treats Gabriel Oak. (QUOTE (Gabriel Oak giving her money for the gate). ) This expresses her individuality and the way she respects those in a lower class to her, or those she wishes to impress her social stature on. The nobility in the 1870s didnt mix with those lower than them, although they did have responsibility for their workers. For instance, when Fanny Robin goes missing, Bathsheba is worried and concerned about her whereabouts. (QUOTE. Bathsheba asking everyone to keep an eye out for Fanny). Bathsheba has dark hair and bold clothes which represents her personality. As she highlights herself as bold and dark throughout the book (QUOTE). This is in stark contrast to Fanny Robin, who has yellow hair and (QUOTE to describe her appearance). This attire is that of a poor woman and shows that she, aswell as not being able to afford rich clothing, does not have as much esteem as Bathsheba. I think Hardy makes this contrast to show the difference in class and the fact that women are not all the same. (As many men assumed in the 1870s) A strong contrast between Bathsheba and Fanny is highlighted at the beginning of the book. As there is a social hierarchy between the mistress (Bathsheba) and the maid (Fanny) in all households. Bathsheba and Fanny both worked hard for a living. They were both pushed into situations where they were fighting in the wrong class and the wrong sex. For instance Bathsheba inherited a farm and money and had to purport herself as a man at the farmers market. (QUOTE of Bathsheba being at the market) Fanny Robin saw herself becoming the wife of an officer therefore moving herself up in the hierarchy. The Victorian Farming industry was male dominated and therefore Bathsheba was entering a traditionally male world. This allowed her to develop her character from an unpractised girl of Norcombe to a supervising and cool woman. This was noted by Gabriel Oak, who throughout the book acts as another pair of eyes, through which we can see Bathsheba. He speaks of her truthfully and helps the audience understand her and what she is doing. Bathsheba takes on the farming duties because she doesnt want yo fail and is constantly trying to impress herself. Whereas Fanny seems to be desperate just to survive. She was picking up a living of seampstering. By saying picking up I feel that Hardy is trying to express her need to simply get by. Also in the time that this book was written, seampstering was known to be a tough trade, which was very poorly paid, and not a line of work to take up unless it was the last resort. Fannys actions contrast Bathshebas will, not to survive, but to impress. I dont think Bathsheba would have allowed herself to be in such a position to have to take up seampstering, as she had too much pride and many more resources socially. Fanny Robin fits into the 1870s conventions a great deal better than Bathsheba does. I think that this can be related to their childhood and parentage. Convention in the 1870s was very much about women being seen and not heard. It was frowned upon for a woman to converse with strange men. Bathsheba broke this rule as soon as she met sergeant Troy, as she spoke to him and interacted instead of quickly leaving after she was untangled. (QUOTE. Bathsheba meeting Troy and flirting). A woman should always have used a soft voice. Fanny Robin was portrayed as a very quiet woman, and many of the local townsfolk described her as (QUOTE. Her quietness). Bathsheba, however, was very vocal and was able to take charge. For instance, when she took over duties as the bailiff. A woman was never expected to ask anything of a man in the 1870s. Neither Fanny nor Bathsheba fitted this rule totally. In some respects Fanny did, she was very grateful to Gabriel for his help, and wrote a letter of thanks to him (QUOTE. Fannys letter). In other situations Fanny was not as respectable, for instance, she pushed Troy until he finally set a date for their wedding, instead of waiting for him to make his choice. Bathsheba also defies convention when she doesnt thank Gabriel for paying her toll. This shows that she expects Gabriel to do it anyway, and considers herself higher than him. A woman was not to get onto a carriage or a horse. (QUOTE. Of Bathsheba riding horse alone). When Bathsheba rides alone and is, unbeknown to her, seen by Gabriel, she defies all convention. Even if she was alone, a normal Victorian woman would never take the same actions as Bathsheba. Fanny fits almost all convention, and is submissive to men. She would have been a model Victorian woman. This is in contrast to Bathsheba who simply had too much character to be a Victorian woman. For instance she travelled all the way to Bath, on her own, to find Troy. Which in the 1870s would have been unheard of. Bathshebas parents were not typical of the Victorian era. The father himself was (QUOTE. To describe Bathshebas father. ) He had to pretend that he was single so that he didnt have commit adultery to his wife. From this open and modern family, Bathsheba couldnt have been expected to be typical and average. From her parentage she is bold and probably taught not to fit in. Fanny Robin, however, was looked after financially by Boldwood. She was very much closed as a child. The simple fact that she didnt have a strong upbringing implies that she may not have a strong life, or character. The two womens views on marriage are possibly one of the strongest differences between their characters. Bathsheba is quoted to have said I hate to be thought mens property in that way when Gabriel asks her to marry him. This reflects her individuality and a slight insecurity about being tied down with another man. Perhaps because she doesnt know what is round the next corner, and doesnt want to have to be with her husband forever. Fanny Robin was very keen to marry Troy and when she finally had her date set she wrote a letter to Gabriel Oak saying I am happy to say I am going to be married This simple sentence shows the little girl inside Fanny. (That is shown many times during the book). This also shows another contrast between Bathsheba and Fanny. Bathsheba appears to be very much more mature than Fanny. For instance she doesnt like to cry (QUOTE. Bathsheba holding back tears). The rustic characters in Far from the Madding crowd act as narrators throughout the book. They are the comic relief for the audience, and contrast the other characters by having a common view on people like Bathsheba and her family. The other characters such as Liddy, Bathshebas maid, see her as almighty womanish.

Life Experiences Are What Makes a Persons Personality Essay -- essays

Life Experiences Are What Makes a Persons Personality An individuals experiences, past and present provide a significant basis for the type of person they will become. Relationships that are established during childhood and adolescence are important for the shaping of someone's personality, as most personality development occurs in the early stages of life. Experiences that someone must deal with in the present sense also contributes to their personality. Dominick Birdsey in Wally Lambs novel I Know This Much Is True, suffered his entire life experiencing every emotion humanly possible in his current stretch of forty five years. The sad and stressful episodes of his life began to take their toll sending Dominick began to grow into a depression and question his reason for living. Dominick Birdsey, his twin brother Thomas, his mother Connie, and stepfather Ray, "Ray is not our real father. We don't know who our real father is. I don't even know if Ma knows." (91) live in Connecticut. Dominick and Thomas had to form an alliance to stand up to Ray, as he had a tendency to use his belt rather than words to punish. He was extremely strict, clearly in charge of the house, and showed little or no emotion, not even towards his wife. As a child of about eight years old, Ray has Dominick and his brother believing that part of being a man is not showing emotion, so the two grow up as little boys feeling very lonely, resulting in a lonely adulthood. The way Dominick remembers his childhood is feeling obligated to frequently rescue his brother from Ray's abuse. Ray was always much harder on Thomas as he felt he was a mamma's boy and had to be toughened up. "These days they called Ray's kind of 'toughening up' child abuse." (63) D... ...realize that all they have is each other. Ray regrets not expressing love towards both his wife and his sons and vows to grow old with Dominick and be the best father he knows how to be for the remainder of his life. Dominick Birdsey was clearly the stronger twin. All his life, from a child to a middle aged man, he had to take care of someone, namely his brother Thomas. It is very difficult to be constantly giving and getting nothing in return as such was the case with Dominick. Finally, to be showed love by Ray, (the one man who Dominick thought was incapable of love) Dominick accomplished a sense of rest and settlement. Perhaps the reason why Dominick was so strong was because he had to be, as people were dependent on him. His childhood and his everyday battles made him the person that he thought he would never become. He was finally in control of his life.

Privacy in the Workplace Essay

There are specific laws that protect consumers as well as employees in the workplace. Many of these laws relate to others. Laws, such as, FERPA, SOX, CIPA, and COPPA also grant rights to individuals under the First Amendment. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects a child’s student records from being viewed without parental consent. It gives parents access to their child’s education records, an opportunity to seek to have the records amended, and some control over the disclosure of information from the records. When the child becomes 18 years old, the parents are no longer obligated to have rights to access the child’s personal records. Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is also engineered to the protection of children. Children are to be protected physically and mentally while in the care of school professionals. Schools must have policies in place protecting children from accessing harmful or obscene content over the internet. This law requires that K-12 schools and libraries in the United States use Internet filters and implement other measures to protect children from harmful online content as a condition for federal funding. The Child Online Protection Act (COPPA) applies to the online collection of personal information by persons or entities under U.S. jurisdiction from children under 13 years of age. It details what a website operator must include in a privacy policy, when and how to seek verifiable consent from a parent or guardian, and what responsibilities an operator has to protect children’s privacy and safety online including restrictions on the marketing to those under 13. While children under 13 can legally give out personal information with their parents’ permission, many websites disallow underage  children from using their services altogether due to the amount of cash and work involved in the law compliance. Sarbanes–Oxley (SOX) set new or enhanced standards for all U.S. public company boards, management and public accounting firms. The sections of the bill cover responsibilities of a public corporation’s board of directors, adds criminal penalties for certain misconduct, and required the Securities and Exchange Commission to create regulations to define how public corporations are to comply with the law.

The Conflict of Women in 20th Century India

Throughout recorded history, women the world over have been held to different standards than men. They have been consistently oppressed in nearly all aspects of life, from political to personal, public to private. In the 20th century, great strides have been taken to end this oppression and level the playing field. In India however, a number of deeply rooted traditions have made this effort particularly difficult, and as a result, women's triumphs over oppression in India are all the more intriguing. To understand the position women found themselves in at the dawn of the 20th century, one must have a general understanding of the numerous historical women's conflicts unique to the Subcontinent. It took the overwhelming success of Gandhi's nonviolent revolution to unite women politically and create the an atmosphere whereby women, empowered by the times, could take a stand for their equality. The 1970's saw the beginning of a highly organized modern women's movement in India. Violence against women was one of the main focuses of the movement. Harassment, wife-beating, rape, and â€Å"dowry deaths† were all too common, and police enforcement was ineffective as were most attempts at prosecution. Commonly called â€Å"atrocities against women†, these acts occurred frequently. Why then, if these events were happening so often, was there so much apathy towards them on the part of the courts and the police? To answer this question one must look back upon a history marked by religiously and culturally accepted forms of oppression such as female infanticide, polygamy, purdah and sati. Purdah, still practiced today in many Moslem societies, is the practice of covering a women in cloth to protect them from the gaze of non-family males, in order to maintain their purity. This practice became common in India in the days of the sultanate. From a traditional western perspective this is a very repressive requirement. Gandhi took a particular pleasure in bringing women out of purdah, and involving them in the political movements of the times. Sati is another story. Early British rule in India was careful to stay out of the traditions and private lives of the natives. They ruled indirectly, typically demanding monetary tribute from local leaders in exchange for allowing them to rule as they pleased. This philosophy changed dramatically under the governor-generalship of Lord William Cavendish Bentinck which began in 1828. He began a much more interventionist policy that included the an increase in transportation facilities, industrialized cloth production (which displaced the ancient commercial structure) and he abolished the ancient tradition of sati (female infanticide was also outlawed by the British). The last of which caused a great rift in India's intellectuals and businessmen. Sati is an ancient Hindu tradition whereby a widow is burned in the cremation fire of her departed husband. This practice was abhorred by British missionaries and businessmen. However, to many of India's intellectuals it was an act of bravery and dedication on the part of the widow, to be admired. This is evidenced by the first petition against the intervention, which stated, â€Å"Hindoo widows perform (sati), of their own accord and pleasure, and for the benefit of their Husbands' souls and for their own, the sacrifice of self-immolation called Suttee (another spelling of sati)- which is not merely a sacred duty but a high priviledge†(Stein, p. 22). For those who did not take part in this practice, the life of a Hindu widow was a very restricted one. A census conducted in 1881 showed that one-fifth of all women were widows, so these restrictions were very important. The Dharmashashra of Manu (a Hindu text) talks about how a Brahmin widow should act stating, â€Å"†¦ but she may never mention the name of another man after her husband has died. (Stein, p. 94) As child brides were common in the Subcontinent, one often saw young widows unable by traditional law to remarry and make an attempt at a new life. Furthermore, they rarely had the education to support themselves. Education was historically bestowed solely upon the males. In the 19th century only the wealthiest of families sought after any sort of formal education for their female children, and there was no movement in the government to change this. â€Å"A survey of Madras found over 5000 girls enrolled in Indian language schools, as against 179,000 boys†(Stein p. 268). This lack of concern for the formal education of women exemplifies how their place in society was viewed. The treatment of high cast women was one of the first forms of oppression attacked by advocates of women's rights. In the 1860's action was taken by avid social reformer Madhav Govinda Ranade, who founded the Widow Re-marriage Association and the Deccan Education Society (which sought to increase young women's educational facilities). Although Ranade challenged some of traditions that prevented the liberation of women, he was seen by many as a hypocrite, himself taking on a child bride after the death of his wife. Soon however women would take the reins in the battle for their own independence. A woman by the name of Ramabia is considered, â€Å"the first Indian Feminist to address other women directly about emancipation† (Stein, p. 275). She, like Ranade, was a member of the Brahman caste. She would go on to travel and study in England and later in America, where she wrote about the mistreatment of women in India. A converted Christian upon her return to India, Ramabia opened schools for high caste women. This effort, in conjunction with various projects Ramabia worked on for women, was far ahead of its time and it would take nearly a century before women would tightly bind together to formally resist oppression. Early in the 20th century women were forbidden to protest their condition or even to congregate to discuss the matter. This was a right even the lowest cast males, the untouchables, was bestowed. It was a common belief at the time, that free women would inevitably come to neglect their marital responsibilities. The Indian National Congress, led by Gandhi, was one of the first political organizations to actively include woman, even women formally in Purdah. Although these women mobilized formally in the name of nationalism, it was this extensive political activity that would become a catalyst for future self conscious feminism (a school of thought that was looked upon with great caution and fear). In 1917 the congress demanded that women be able to vote on the same basis as men, but these efforts to were for the progress of nationalism rather than exclusively for the improvement of women's rights. The eventual partition and independence of India was seen as a tremendous success for passive resistance and the Gandhian way. In the decades to come a number of political movements would emerge that would utilize various forms of civil disobedience as their main form of protest. There was intense and organized women's participation in these movements, as a result of their participation in the independence movement there was a clear precedent for this. In the 1960's India saw the effects of dramatically improved agricultural techniques resulting from the new technology of the ‘Green Revolution'. However, these benefits did not come without a cost. Although food was more plentiful, farmers not wealthy enough to keep up with the technology got left in the dust. As a result women toiling on the land found themselves worse off than ever before. There were also severe environmental implications of the sudden and extensive use of technology. In response a number of movements emerged. Within these movements (such as the Marxist, the Farmers, and the Environmental movements) unified groups of women emerged and took on unprecedented responsibility. They actively and enthusiastically sought after redistribution of land and wages. The first group to cross over and actively seek out women's liberation was an organization of â€Å"new Marxists† called Magowa. Starting in Maharashtra, which would become the center for liberation activity, they wrote their second publication on the, â€Å"varied facets of women's oppression in India†(Omvedt p. 76). The population base of this movement was the rural and the toiling. This was important because the women of this group were already organized, although not all of these organizations with this base turned their focus toward feminist causes. 1974 was a pivotal year for the movement. Not only did it see the founding of POW (the Progressive Organization of Women), but it was the year that the official Status of Women Commission published their report, Towards Equality, on women's low and ever decreasing status in Indian society. This paper would add much fuel to the impending fire and validate it to the mainstream population. There were large conferences in Pune and Trivandrum in 1975 on women's issues further bringing the movement into the mainstream. Many autonomous groups popped up with different agendas and issues. Some of the common issues included; the division of housework, party politics, rape, and â€Å"dowry deaths†. The issues of violence, popularly called â€Å"atrocities against women† became the centerpiece of the movement in the early eighties and the cause for its expansion. A forum against rape in Bombay led to the creation of the Forum Against Atrocities on Women, or the FAOW. All over India these feminist groups were emerging. There constituencies came to included women from all walks of life No longer did women simply motivate toward third party objectives, they now fought for their own rights as the largest oppressed group in the nation. From an unanswerable and most often unaddressed problem in the 1800's, to a hotly contested issue on the cutting edge of politics in modern times, the conflict over women's rights in India has come full circle in one century. Although feminist sentiments existed throughout, it took active female inclusion in the political world by Gandhi's independence movement to give their voices strength and to eventually have them heard. There was avid political activity on the part of women and female organizations leading up to the 1947 split. The effectiveness of this work foreshadowed the influence women could have on politics when working together, and paved the way for the modern women's movement that began in the 1970's. Unfortunately, even at the end of the eighties â€Å"atrocities against women† were still occurring and they continue to occur today, but the change in attitude and the end of apathy that has emerged over the last century surely gives promise that someday there could truly be equality for women in India, and the world over.

What You Need to Know About Gables

What You Need to Know About Gables A gable is the triangular wall formed by a sloping roof. The roof is not the gable - the wall is the gable down to the roof line, but you generally need a gable roof to have a gable. Its common to name the triangular area made from a gambrel roof a gable, as well. Some definitions even include the end edges of the roof as part of the gable. When discussing gables with your architect or contractor, dont be shy about asking what their definition is. For example, some people call the gable wall as the wall on the gable side right down to the foundation. Others rightly call the gable wall as that part of the siding between the slopes of the roof. In general, the distinguishing feature of the gable is its triangular shape. Origins of the Word Gable Pronouned GAY-bull, the word gable may be derived from the Greek word kephalÄ“ meaning head. Gabel, the German word for a tined fork, seems to be a closer and more recent match to todays definition. One can imagine the impromptu construction projects at the German dining table using utensils to create primitive hut types of buildings - balancing forks, intertwined tines, into tent-like constructions. More Definitions of Gable the triangular portion of a wall defined by the sloping edges of the roof and a horizontal line between the eave line. Can also be a gabled dormer. - John Milnes Baker, AIA 1. The vertical triangular portion of the end of a building having a double-sloping roof, from the level of the cornice or eaves to the ridge of the roof. 2. A similar end when not triangular in shape, as of a gambrel roof or the like. - Dictionary of Architecture and Construction Types of Gables A building with a gable roof may be front-gabled, side-gabled, or cross-gabled. Like the illustration shown here, cross-gabled buildings have gables both on the front and on the side, created by a valley roof. Porches and dormers may be gabled. Gable dormers are actually specialized windows - or windows in gables. A pediment is a specific type of classical gable, less functionally dependent on the roof and more structurally useful atop a series of columns or as decoration above a door or window. Gables can extend above the roof line in fanciful designs or, more often, in parapets. The corbiestep is a parapet that can exaggerate the gable. Photos of gables show the varieties that can be found around the world. Different architectural styles, sizes, and decoration make this primitive architectural element come to life throughout the ages. The side gable is typical of Cape Cod style homes, and the front gable is common in many bungalows. Front and side gables are generally part of the Minimal Traditional style post-Depression homes from the mid-20th century. Katrina Cottages and the Katrina Kernel Cottage II are traditionally front-gabled. High-pitched gables are characteristic of Tudor style homes. Look for architectural details that often define a house style. The 1668 Turner-Ingersoll mansion in Salem, Massachusetts may be the most famous gabled house of all - the setting of Nathaniel Hawthornes 1851 novel The House of the Seven Gables. The Most Famous Gabled House Has Character How often have we driven by a house with two large front gables and felt that the eyes of the home, with raised brows, were inspecting our every move? The American author Nathaniel Hawthorne created such a character in his 19th century novel The House of the Seven Gables. The aspect of the venerable mansion has always affected me like a human countenance, says the books narrator in Chapter 1.  Like a human face? The deep projection of the second story gave the house such a meditative look, that you could not pass it without the idea that it had secrets to keep, and an eventful history to moralize upon. - Chapter 1 Hawthornes book makes us pause at these questions: What gives character to a home - and what architectural details make your home a character? It could be the gables. The house gables in Hawthornes 1851 book seem to interact with the other characters: But, as the sunlight left the peaks of the Seven Gables, so did the excitement fade out of Cliffords eyes. - Chapter 10 There was a vertical sundial on the front gable; and as the carpenter passed beneath it, he looked up and noted the hour. - Chapter 13 Nathaniel Hawthorne skillfully describes the gabled house as a living, breathing entity. The house, with all its gables, not only has character but also is a character in the novel. It breathes and is warmed by its burning (fireplace) heart: The house itself shivered, from every attic of its seven gables down to the great kitchen fireplace, which served all the better as an emblem of the mansions heart, because, though built for warmth, it was now so comfortless and empty. - Chapter 15 The human qualities of Hawthornes house create a haunting image. The gabled dwelling becomes the haunted house of New England storytelling. Can a house style or architectural detail get a reputation - like a person can get a reputation from behaviors? The American author Nathaniel Hawthorne suggests that it can. Nathaniel Hawthornes inspiration for the setting of his famous 1851 novel seems to be his cousins house in Salem, Massachusetts. What we know as The House of the Seven Gables was originally built in 1668 by a sea captain named John Turner. Sources American House Styles: A Concise Guide by John Milnes Baker, AIA, Norton, 1994, p. 173Dictionary of Architecture and Construction, Cyril M. Harris, ed., McGraw-Hill, 1975, p. 223

A Users Guide to Time Phrases in Mandarin Chinese

A User's Guide to Time Phrases in Mandarin Chinese Mandarin Chinese has time-related phrases that clarify when the action in a sentence is happening. These expressions are similar to English terms like, yesterday or the day before yesterday. Here is a list of common time expressions, which we will explore in more detail below: Days today - ä »Å Ã¥ ¤ © - jÄ «n tiÄ nyesterday - æ˜ ¨Ã¥ ¤ © - zuà ³ tiÄ nthe day before yesterday - å‰ Ã¥ ¤ © - qin tiÄ ntomorrow - 明å ¤ © - mà ­ng tiÄ nthe day after tomorrow - Ã¥ ¾Å'Ã¥ ¤ © (trad) /Ã¥ Å½Ã¥ ¤ © (simp) - hà ²u tiÄ n Years this year - ä »Å Ã¥ ¹ ´ - jÄ «n ninlast year - åŽ »Ã¥ ¹ ´ - qà ¹ nintwo years ago - å‰ Ã¥ ¹ ´ - qin ninnext year - 明å ¹ ´ - mà ­ng nintwo years from now - Ã¥ ¾Å'Ã¥ ¹ ´ / Ã¥ Å½Ã¥ ¹ ´ - hà ²u nin Weeks and Months The prefixes for weeks and months are as follows: this week - 這個星æÅ"Ÿ / è ¿â„¢Ã¤ ¸ ªÃ¦ËœÅ¸Ã¦Å"Ÿ - zhà ¨ gà ¨ xÄ «ngqÄ «this month - 這個æÅ"ˆ / è ¿â„¢Ã¤ ¸ ªÃ¦Å"ˆ - zhà ¨ gà ¨ yuà ¨last week - ä ¸Å Ã¥â‚¬â€¹Ã¦ËœÅ¸Ã¦Å"Ÿ / ä ¸Å Ã¤ ¸ ªÃ¦ËœÅ¸Ã¦Å"Ÿ - shng gà ¨ xÄ «ngqÄ «last month - ä ¸Å Ã¥â‚¬â€¹Ã¦Å"ˆ / ä ¸Å Ã¤ ¸ ªÃ¦Å"ˆ - shng gà ¨ yuà ¨two weeks ago - ä ¸Å Ã¤ ¸Å Ã¥â‚¬â€¹Ã¦ËœÅ¸Ã¦Å"Ÿ / ä ¸Å Ã¤ ¸Å Ã¤ ¸ ªÃ¦ËœÅ¸Ã¦Å"Ÿ - shng shng gà ¨ xÄ «ngqÄ «two months ago - ä ¸Å Ã¤ ¸Å Ã¥â‚¬â€¹Ã¦Å"ˆ / ä ¸Å Ã¤ ¸Å Ã¤ ¸ ªÃ¦Å"ˆ - shng shng gà ¨ yuà ¨next week - ä ¸â€¹Ã¥â‚¬â€¹Ã¦ËœÅ¸Ã¦Å"Ÿ / ä ¸â€¹Ã¤ ¸ ªÃ¦ËœÅ¸Ã¦Å"Ÿ - xi gà ¨ xÄ «ngqÄ «next month - ä ¸â€¹Ã¥â‚¬â€¹Ã¦Å"ˆ / ä ¸â€¹Ã¤ ¸ ªÃ¦Å"ˆ - xi gà ¨ yuà ¨two weeks from now - ä ¸â€¹Ã¤ ¸â€¹Ã¥â‚¬â€¹Ã¦ËœÅ¸Ã¦Å"Ÿ / ä ¸â€¹Ã¤ ¸â€¹Ã¤ ¸ ªÃ¦ËœÅ¸Ã¦Å"Ÿ - xi xi gà ¨ xÄ «ng qÄ «two months from now - ä ¸â€¹Ã¤ ¸â€¹Ã¥â‚¬â€¹Ã¦Å"ˆ / ä ¸â€¹Ã¤ ¸â€¹Ã¤ ¸ ªÃ¦Å"ˆ - xi xi gà ¨ yuà ¨ Clarifications The time expressions for  days  and  years  have the same prefixes except for the previous time period: åŽ » (qà ¹) for  last year  and æ˜ ¨ (zuà ³) for  yesterday.   The time expressions for  year  can also be used for events which happen every year, such as anniversaries, school years, and vacations. For example: last year’s spring vacationåŽ »Ã¥ ¹ ´Ã¦Ëœ ¥Ã¥ â€¡qà ¹ nin chÃ… «n ji This same pattern can be used for events which follow weekly or monthly patterns, such as semesters or seasons: last summer - åŽ »Ã¥ ¹ ´Ã¥ ¤ Ã¥ ¤ © - qà ¹ nin xitiÄ n