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Eskimos have hundreds of words for “snow.” Actually, that’s a widespread misconception. But what about Chinese words for “fake”? Just off the top of our heads here, you have 7: 山寨 (shān zhài) 假冒 (jiǎ mào) 盗版 (dào bǎn) 高仿 (gāo fǎng) 仿制 (fǎng zhì) 仿造 (fǎng zào) 三无产品 (sān wú chǎn pǐn) Maybe you already know these, especially the [...]
Have you ever been approached at a club by someone who seemed like a womanizer? There’s Chinese slang for that! The phrase 色狼 (sèláng) literally translates as “color wolf”. This has no real meaning in English but most closely means “womanizer” or “sex maniac”. There is also a female version of this – 色女 (sènǚ), [...]
There are tough negotiators. And then there are people who you can’t give any concessions to. Give them an inch and they’ll take a yard. Or as the Chinese would say, they would 得寸进尺 (dé cùn jìn chǐ). 得寸进尺 (dé cùn jìn chǐ) describes someone who’s so greedy that if you give them a little [...]
Have you ever made an innocent comment… …only to have someone jump on you because they thought you were talking about them? Here’s a Chinese idiom you can use to keep them at bay: 对号入座 (duì hào rù zuò). 对号入座 (duì hào rù zuò) literally means “to take your seat based on your number”, but the [...]
What’s the best way to learn Chinese? By going all out, every second you’re awake, right? Well, not exactly. Studies show that 90 minute sessions with short breaks is more effective than doing everything in one sitting. So don’t overdo it in your Chinese studies. But first, learn today’s chengyu (Chinese idiom): 多此一举 (duō cǐ yī [...]
If you’re tired of the word “tired” (累 – leì), it’s your lucky day. We’ve got a chengyu (Chinese idiom) that’s much cooler: 有气无力(yǒu qì wú lì). 有气无力 (yǒu qì wú lì) literally means “to have breath but no strength,” and describes someone who is feeling weak and lacking energy. It’s worth mentioning the differences between 有气无力 [...]
Have you ever shared something great on Facebook, only to have no one like it? Maybe what you shared wasn’t actually that great. Or maybe your friends lack your taste and sophistication. Maybe it was a case of 对牛弹琴(duì niú tán qín). 对牛弹琴 (duì niú tán qín) basically means “to cast pearls before swine” or “to preach [...]
Have you ever been talked into buying something you didn’t want? Or doing something you didn’t want to do? Then you probably know what it’s like to be smooth talked with 花言巧语 (huā yán qiǎo yǔ). 花言巧语 (huā yán qiǎo yǔ) refers to words that sound nice but are deceiving and artful. Literally, it means “flowery [...]
Do you know anyone who’s really careless? Perhaps they’re always spilling something, forgetting dates, or bumping into things? Perhaps that person is you (I know it’s me)? Here’s a chengyu to describe that person: 粗心大意(cū xīn dà yì). 粗心大意(cū xīn dà yì) simply means negligent or careless. Some might say it’s little stronger in tone than [...]
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