Many of us are surprised to learn that the words for animal sounds, inanimate objects, or random vocalizations aren’t actually the same in each language. These onomatopoeia, simply defined as words that we use to imitate certain sounds, come in all different forms, and some may really surprise you.

When learning Chinese as a second language, people often treat onomatopoeia as unnecessary, not useful, or even childish. In reality, these simple sounds can add so much more color and dimension to your world. Plus, they’re a surprising amount of fun.

To give you a small glimpse into the vast amount of Chinese onomatopoeia out there, we’ve compiled a few short lists of words that we use to describe the sound of objects, animals, nature, and even people.

Bonus: Try to sound these out as you read them and add some gestures for even more pizzaz. Not only will you have a good laugh, but you’ll also commit them to memory more easily.

Chinese onomatopoeia – Object sounds

These sounds are all associated with inanimate objects and machines. If you look around your house, how many of these can you pick up on?

• 砰 (pēng) – Thump
• 唰 (shuā) – Swish, rustle
• 啪 (pā) – Pop, pow, bang
• 轰 (hōng) – Boom, bang
• 叮咚 (dīngdōng) – The sound of jingling or clattering, generally the sound of metal or porcelain objects clashing together
• 咔嚓 (kāchā) – Cracking or snapping
• 呱哒 (guādā) – Clip-clop, the sound of heels clicking on a hard floor
• 嘎吱 (gāzī) – Breaking or creaking due to heaviness
• 轧轧 (yàyà) – The sound of machinery running
• 刺溜 (cìliū) – Sliding
• 扑通 (pūtōng) – The sound when heavy objects land, or something falling into water
• 嘀铃铃 (dí línglíng) – The sound of a telephone ringing
• 乒乒乓乓 (pīngpīng pāngpāng) – The sound of two things colliding(especially to describe the sound of a ping pong ball in table tennis)
• 嘀嗒嘀嗒 (dīdādīdā) – Ticking clock or rain dropping
• 噼噼啪啪 (pīpīpāpā) – Patting or slapping

Chinese onomatopoeia – Human sounds

The sounds in this list all come from people. Some of them may be voluntary, others not so much. Take a second to close your eyes and imagine yourself sitting in a busy restaurant or on a crowded bus in China. Can you hear a group of teens chittering away, or perhaps a baby that goes from crying to giggling when it plays with a toy?

• 啊 (à) – Ah, OK   
• 啊 (á) – Huh? Eh? What?  
• 哦 (ó) – Oh?
• 哦 (ò) – Oh!
• 吁 (yù) Woah (used to call an animal to stop)
• 哇 (wā) – Wow! This is also the sound of crying or vomiting
• 啦 (la) – The sound of singing, cheering etc.
• 呀 (ya) – Ah, oh
• 诶 (éi) – Eh?
• 嗬 (hē) – Oh/wow!
• 呃 (è) – Belch, hiccup
• 呼噜 (hūlū) – Snoring or wheezing
• 哈哈 (hāhā) – Laughter
• 哇哇 (wāwā) – Crying
• 嘻嘻 (xīxī) – Giggling
• 牙牙 (yáyá) – Sound of baby talk, babble
• 叽叽呱呱 (jījī guāguā) – Talking, gossiping, chatter
• 叽叽喳喳 (jījīzhāzhā) – The sound of birds chirping or people talking rapidly and indistinctly
• 嘟嘟囔囔 (dūdū nāngnāng) – Muttering to oneself
• 唧唧咕咕 (jījī-gūgū) – Whispering

Chinese onomatopoeia – Nature sounds

These sounds are all found in nature. You may also notice some crossover with the words we mentioned in the first section. For example, the sound of a frog jumping into a lake might sound like扑通 (pūtōng), or you may hear咔嚓 (kāchā) when you step on a twig. Listening to the sounds of nature can be extremely calming, and now you can say that it’s part of your routine for studying Chinese.

• 哗啦 (huála) – Crashing sound, or the sound of flowing water like rain pouring down.
• 轰隆 (hōnglóng) – Rumbling sound, most often used to refer to the sound of thunder or rumble of machines.
• 呼呼 (hūhū) – Sound of the wind
• 哗哗 (huáhuá) – Sound of water gurgling
• 轰隆隆 (hōng lónglóng) – Rumbling
• 嘀嗒嘀嗒 (dīdādīdā) – A ticking clock or rain dropping

Chinese onomatopoeia – Animal sounds

This last section is by far the most fun. Animals make all sorts of bizarre and interesting sounds. How good is your impression of a chicken? If you say 喵 (miāo) to your cat, does it say meow back?

• 喵 (miāo) – The sound of a cat
• 哞 (mōu) – The sound of a cow
• 咯咯 (gēgē) – The sound of a chicken
• 喔喔 (wōwō) – The sound of a rooster
• 唧唧 (jījī) – Buzzing or chirping, usually related to insects
• 嗡嗡 (wēngwēng) – The sound of bees
• 蛐蛐 (qūqū) – The sound of crickets
• 汪汪 (wāngwāng) – The sound of a dog
• 嘎嘎 (gāgā) – The sound of a duck
• 呱呱 (guāguā) – The sound of a frog
• 哼哼 (hēnghēng) – The sound of a pig
• 知了知了 (zhīliǎo zhīliǎo) – The sound of cicadas
• 叽叽喳喳 (jījīzhāzhā) – The sound of birds chirping

These lists are merely the tip of the iceberg. There are so many more onomatopoeia to discover, and some of them you may only discover after years of studying and immersion. When these sorts of words pop up in daily conversation, or even in literature and other media, they’re so small that we sometimes don’t even notice that they’re there. But if you pay careful attention, you can learn a lot about how Chinese people hear the world around them.

If you found this article fun and interesting, you can take it even further by studying Chinese comics and visual novels, also known as manhua. Their visual storytelling style often incorporates onomatopoeia to enrich the experience and add more dimension.

For now, let us know in the comments what your favorite onomatopoeia on this list was. Did any of them really surprise you? Do you think that any of these Chinese words sound more like the sound they imitate than the English equivalent? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

The post Wowza! or is it 哇塞? An Introduction to Chinese Onomatopoeia appeared first on .

What are euphemisms?

Euphemisms are expressions that allow us to describe something inappropriate, uncomfortable, or unpleasant in a proper and polite manner.

Why do we need to learn Chinese euphemisms?

Learning euphemisms is a crucial piece of learning authentic Chinese, just like mastering Chinese idioms (成语chéngyǔ). Euphemisms not only test our comprehension of the language itself but also our understanding of Chinese culture and history. They serve as a pathway to reaching an advanced proficiency level.

In addition to building linguistic proficiency, euphemisms also serve a practical purpose. Creating a comfortable and respectful atmosphere contributes to positive conversations and relationships. Euphemisms play a vital role in this regard, allowing us to navigate tricky situations and avoid potential embarrassment or offense.

To help you become more familiar with this aspect of Chinese language and culture, let’s explore the nuances of these 15 common Chinese euphemisms.

1. Chinese euphemisms for Going to the washroom (上厕所)
2. Chinese euphemisms for Death (死)
3. Chinese euphemisms for Suicide (自杀)
4. Chinese euphemisms for Gaining weight (长胖了)
5. Chinese euphemisms for Being poor (没钱)
6. Chinese euphemisms for Disabilities (跛子)
7. Chinese euphemisms for Sex (性爱)
8. Chinese euphemisms for Menstruation(月经)
9. Chinese euphemisms for Intoxication (喝醉)
10. Chinese euphemisms for Pregnancy (怀孕)
11. Chinese euphemisms for Extra-marital affairs (外遇)
12. Chinese euphemisms for Getting Fired(解雇)
13. Chinese euphemisms for Homosexuality (同性恋)
14. Chinese Euphemisms for Sex workers (性工作者)
15. Chinese euphemisms for Parents (父母)

1. Chinese euphemisms for going to the washroom (上厕所)

In certain situations, such as formal meetings or gatherings, it is preferable to refer to the restroom indirectly to avoid embarrassment and maintain good manners.

• 解手 (jiě shǒu)
• 方便一下 (fānɡbiàn yíxià)

One such euphemism is 解手(jiě shǒu), which literally means “to release the hands.” It originates from a historical anecdote from the Ming dynasty, where bound immigrants needed to relieve themselves on their journey. Requesting their captors loosen their restraints and untie their hands, they would use the phrase 解手(jiě shǒu) for simplicity and clarity.  This expression has since been passed down to modern times.

Another euphemism is 方便一下 (fāngbiàn yíxià). The term 方便(fāngbiàn) is also related to using the washroom, as 大便(dàbiàn) means “defecation”  and 小便(xiǎobiàn) means “urination”. Therefore, people use 方便(fāngbiàn)  as a collective term for both.

e.g.

对不起，我刚去解手了。(Duìbuqǐ, wǒ ɡānɡ qù jiě shǒu le.)
Sorry, I just went to the restroom.

水喝多了，我去方便一下。(Shuǐ hē duō le, wǒ qù fānɡbiàn yíxià.)
I drank too much water, so I have to go to the bathroom.

• 上大号 (dà hào)
• 上小号 (xiǎo hào)

As mentioned earlier, 大便(dàbiàn)  refers to defecation, while 小便(xiǎobiàn)  refers to urination. However, we can also use the terms 大号(dà hào) and 小号(xiǎo hào)  respectively, as they sound more indirect and polite.

e.g.

让我先去厕所，我要上大号。(Rànɡ wǒ xiān qù cèsuǒ, wǒ yào shànɡ dà hào.)
Let me go the toilet first, because I want to go number 2.

这个厕所坏了，不能上小号。(Zhèɡe cèsuǒ huài le, bù nénɡ shànɡ xiǎo hào.)
This toilet is broken, we can’t go number 1 here.

2. Chinese euphemisms for Death (死)

Euphemisms are commonly used when discussing the harsh topic of death.

• 去世了 (qù shì le)
• 走了 (zǒu le)
• 没了 (méi le)
• 不在了 (bú zài le)

One euphemism is 去世了 (qùshìle), which literally means “having left this world” and is equivalent to the English expression “pass away.” Similarly, 走了 (zǒule) meaning “to be gone,” 没了 (méile) meaning “to not exist anymore,” and 不在了 (bù zàile) meaning “to not be here anymore” can also signify someone’s departure from this world. Compared to 去世了(qùshìle), the others are more commonly used in everyday conversation.

e.g.

他的家人因病去世了。(Tāde jiārén yīn bìnɡ qùshì le.)
His family member died of illness.

人早就没了，上个星期五就走了。(Rén zǎo jiù méi le, shànɡɡè xīnɡqīwǔ jiù zǒu le.)
The person had already passed away last Friday.

等到他回到家的时候，他奶奶已经不在了。(Děnɡdào tā huídào jiā de shíhou, tā nǎinɑi yǐjīnɡ bú zài le.)
His grandma had already passed away when he arrived at home.

• 仙逝 (xiān shì)
• 作古 (zuò ɡǔ)

In Chinese culture, when an elderly person passes away, we use the terms 作古(zuò gǔ) or 仙逝(xiān shì) to discuss their death. 作古(zuò gǔ)  literally means “to become an ancient person,” serving as a euphemism for passing away. On the other hand, 仙逝(xiān shì)  literally means “to leave the world like a fairy” and has connections with Daoism. In Daoism, individuals seek immortality, and when their aspirations are fulfilled, they depart from this world to a new realm. It’s worth noting that 作古(zuò gǔ) or 仙逝(xiān shì) can also be used in eulogies.

e.g.

我昨晚好像在梦里见到了已作古的父母。(Wǒ zuówǎn hǎoxiànɡ zài mènɡlǐ jiàndào le yǐ zuòɡǔ de fùmǔ.)
I saw my deceased parents in my dreams last night.

那位老人在那个雨天仙逝了。(Nà wèi lǎorén zài nàɡè yǔtiān xiānshì le.) That old man passed away on that rainy day.

• 圆寂 (yuánjì)

Buddhism holds significance in Chinese culture, and a specific term is used to indicate the passing of a monk: 圆寂 (yuánjì).

e.g.

大师已于上周圆寂了。(Dàshī yǐ yú shànɡzhōu yuánjì le.)
The master passed away last week.

• 挂了 (ɡuà le)
• 蹬腿了 (dēnɡ tuǐ le)
• 见阎王 (jiàn yánwánɡ)

Pay close attention to these three phrases as they may sound impolite and even somewhat offensive in certain cases. Use them with caution.

One such phrase is 挂了(guàle), which can also indicate someone’s death. Initially, it was used to describe dying in a game. With the increasing popularity of video games, the usage of 挂了(guàle) has extended to refer to the death of real-life people as well.

e.g.

我刚进去这个游戏，三分钟不到就挂了。(Wǒ ɡānɡ jìnqù zhèɡe yóuxì, sān fēnzhōnɡ bú dào jiù ɡuà le.)
I just entered this game, and in less than three minutes, I died.

快点儿，等你去救人，人早就挂了。(Kuài diǎn’r, děnɡ nǐ qù jiù rén, rén zǎo jiù ɡuà le.)
Hurry up, when you arrived to save them, they had already died.

The vivid expression 蹬腿了 (dēng tuǐ le) is used to describe the act of kicking one’s legs when nearing death. It reflects the body’s natural physical reactions.

Furthermore, when we wish to convey that someone we have negative feelings towards has passed away, we use the phrase 见阎王 (jiàn Yán Wáng), which means “going to see the god of death.” In Chinese mythology, it is believed that the deceased go to the realm of the god of death. Hence, 见阎王(jiàn Yán Wáng) is used  to describe the death of someone whom we dislike or hate.

e.g.

你来晚了，她已经蹬腿了。(Nǐ láiwǎn le, tā yǐjīnɡ dēnɡ tuǐ le.)
You’re late, she has already passed away.

祝你早日见阎王！(Zhù nǐ zǎorì jiàn yánwánɡ!)
Hope you go see the god of death as soon as possible!

他们去见阎王了！(Tāmen qù jiàn yánwánɡ le!)
They have gone to see the god of death!

3. Chinese euphemisms for Suicide (自杀)

• 轻生 (qīnɡ shēnɡ)
• 自我了断 (zìwǒ liǎoduàn)

One euphemism for suicide is 轻生 (qīngshēng), which literally means “light life.” It is used to indirectly convey that someone doesn’t value their own life and wishes to end it. Another similar expression is 自我了断 (zì wǒ liǎo duàn), which translates to “self-deprecating.”

e.g.

我刚看到有人在楼上想轻生。(Wǒ ɡānɡ kàndào yǒu rén zài lóushànɡ xiǎnɡ qīnɡshēnɡ.)
I just saw someone upstairs who wanted to attempt suicide.

我没办法了，不如自我了断算了。(Wǒ méi bànfǎ le, bùrú zìwǒ liǎoduàn suàn le.)
I have no choice, and I may as well commit suicide.

4. Chinese euphemisms for Gaining weight (长胖了)

• 圆润 (yuánrùn)

When referring to someone who has gained weight, we avoid saying “you became fat” directly. Instead, we can use the term 圆润(yuán rùn). 圆润(yuán rùn) literally means “rounded,” describing the rounder shape of someone’s body without being offensive. It is similar to the term “roly-poly” in English.

e.g.

最近日子过得挺好啊，你看起来越来越圆润了。(Zuìjìn rìzi ɡuòde tǐnɡ hǎo’ ā, nǐ kàn qǐlái yuè lái yuè yuánrùn le.)
You have had a nice life recently, so you look rounder and rounder.

少吃点，你越来越圆润了。(Shǎo chī diǎn, nǐ yuè lái yuè yuánrùn le.)
Try to eat a little less because you’re becoming rounder and rounder.

• 发福 (fāfú)

Another similar term is 发福 (fā fú), which means “to get lucky.” In ancient times, when food was scarce, thinness was common among the general population while wealthier individuals appeared plumper. Therefore, people associated a fat appearance with a prosperous life. 发福(fā fú) was used to indicate that someone was living a wealthy life. However, in modern times, as people’s values have changed, the positive connotation of 发福(fā fú) is gradually fading away, and it is more commonly used to simply mean that someone is fat.

e.g.

他这几年发福得厉害，完全变样了。(Tā zhè jǐ nián fāfú de lìhɑi, wánquán biàn yànɡ le.)
He has gained a lot of weight in recent years, and he looks completely different now.

减肥吧，发福后有点儿难看。(Jiǎn féi bɑ, fāfú hòu yǒu diǎn’r nán kàn.)
Lose some weight, you don’t look so good after gaining some extra pounds.

5. Chinese euphemisms for being poor (没钱)

When someone is unable to repay others or has borrowed money, they won’t  directly say “I don’t have any money” to avoid losing face. Instead, they use more indirect expressions.

• 手头不方便 (shǒutóu bù fānɡbiàn)
• 手头有点儿紧 (shǒutóu yǒu diǎn’r jǐn)     

One common expression is 手头不方便(shǒu tóu bù fāng biàn), which translates to “my hands aren’t convenient.” This phrase, derived from the renowned Chinese novel “Nie Hai Hua,” serves as a universal way to say “I don’t have any money.” Similarly, 手头有点儿紧(shǒu tóu yǒu diǎn er jǐn), meaning “my hands are a bit tight,” can also be used to express the same meaning.

e.g.

最近手头有点儿紧，能先借我点儿钱吗？(Zuìjìn shǒutóu yǒu diǎn’r jǐn, nénɡ xiān jiè wǒ diǎn’r qián mɑ?)
I’m tapped out lately, could you lend me some money?

对不起，最近手头不太方便，能过几天再还钱吗？(Duìbuqǐ, zuìjìn shǒutóu bú tài fānɡbiàn, nénɡ ɡuò jǐ tiān zài huán qián mɑ?)
Sorry, I am a bit short on cash recently, can I pay you back in a few days?

• 囊中羞涩 (nánɡ zhōnɡ xiūsè)

Another expression used to convey being short on money is 囊中羞涩(náng zhōng xiū sè). This idiom combines the term 囊(náng), which refers to a pocket, with 羞涩(xiū sè), meaning “embarrassing.” So, 囊中羞涩(náng zhōng xiū sè) literally means “embarrassing in the pocket.” It is commonly used in written Chinese to express a lack of funds, while 手头有点儿紧(shǒu tóu yǒu diǎn er jǐn) and 手头不方便(shǒu tóu bù fāng biàn) are more colloquial alternatives.

e.g.

我想去参加活动，但是囊中羞涩，所以你们自己去吧。(Wǒ xiǎnɡ qù cānjiā huódònɡ, dànshì nánɡ zhōnɡ xiūsè, suǒyǐ nǐmen zìjǐ qù bɑ.)
I want to join the activity, but I’m short on money, so you just go by yourselves.

他想买一块月饼，但是囊中羞涩，买不了。(Tā xiǎnɡ mǎi yí kuài yuèbǐnɡ, dànshì nánɡzhǒnɡ xiūsè, mǎibuliǎo.)
He wants to buy a piece of mooncake, but he doesn’t have any money, so he can’t buy it.

6. Chinese euphemisms for Disabilities (跛子)

• 腿脚不便 (tuǐ jiǎo bú biàn)
• 行动不便 (xínɡdònɡ bú biàn)

Directly calling someone a 跛子(bǒ zi), or cripple, when they have difficulty walking is considered rude. Instead, people use more indirect or intangible expressions to describe such situations. For example, they may say 腿脚不便(tuǐ jiǎo bù biàn) or 行动不便(xíng dòng bù biàn), which describe the condition of individuals who experience difficulties with their legs or mobility, but in a less offensive manner.

e.g.

他因为小时候生病，所以现在腿脚不便。(Tā yīnwèi xiǎo shíhou shēnɡ bìnɡ, suǒyǐ xiànzài tuǐ jiǎo bú biàn.)
He has trouble walking because he was sick when he was a child.

因为她行动不便，她的同学经常帮她带午饭。(Yīnwèi tā xínɡdònɡ bú biàn, tāde tónɡxué jīnɡchánɡ bānɡ tā dài wǔfàn.)
Her classmates often help her bring lunch because she has difficulty moving.

7. Chinese euphemisms for Sex (性爱)

In Chinese culture, sex is not commonly discussed directly as it is considered a private matter. Instead, people prefer to appreciate the romantic aspect of it. As a result, there are some ambiguous terms used to refer to “making love.”

• 同房 (tónɡfánɡ)
• 发生关系 (fāshēnɡ ɡuānxi)
• 上床 (shànɡ chuánɡ)
• 爱爱 (àiài)

One such term is 同房(tóng fáng), which literally means “in the same room” and is similar to “sleeping together” in English. Another term is 上床(shàng chuáng), which literally means “go to bed” and also implies the act of sex. 发生关系(fā shēng guān xì) literally means “have relations” and carries the same meaning as in English. Additionally, some people nowadays use the cute and indirect expression 爱爱(ài ài), derived from the term “making love” (做爱, zuò ài).

e.g.

他们早就同房了。(Tāmen zǎo jiù tónɡ fánɡ le.)
They have already slept together.

你是不是跟她上过床了？(Nǐ shì bu shì ɡēn tā shànɡɡuo chuánɡ le?) Have you already slept with her or not?

我们之间没有发生过关系。(Wǒmen zhījiān méiyǒu fāshēnɡɡuo ɡuānxi.) We didn’t have sexual relations.

爱爱之前他们总是要先吃顿饭。(Àiài zhīqián tāmen zǒnɡshì yào xiān chī dùn fàn.)
Before making love, they always have a meal first.

• 鱼水之欢 (yú shuǐ zhī huān)
• 云雨 (yún yǔ)

In ancient China, people used various metaphors to describe making love. Two common expressions were 鱼水之欢(yú shuǐ zhī huān) and 云雨(yún yǔ). 鱼水之欢(yú shuǐ zhī huān) originates from the renowned novel “Xi Xiang Ji” and represents the intimate relationship between fish and water. It metaphorically depicts the harmonious and intimate emotions experienced during sexual encounters between men and women. On the other hand, 云雨(yún yǔ) directly translates to “clouds and rain” and is derived from the famous Chinese essay “Gao Tang Fu.” This expression elegantly and vividly captures the love and physical intimacy shared between a man and a woman, making it a common term used in ancient novels to describe sexual intercourse. These metaphors have been passed down through the ages and are still used today.

e.g.

昨晚他们一番云雨到半夜。(Zuó wǎn tāmen yì fān yún yǔ dào bàn yè.)
Last night, they engaged in passionate lovemaking until midnight.

时间不早了，我们去共享鱼水之欢吧。(Shíjiān bù zǎo le, women qù ɡònɡxiǎnɡ yú shuǐ zhī huān bɑ.)
It’s getting late, let’s go and enjoy the intimacy between us.

• 圆房 (yuán fánɡ)
• 洞房 (dònɡ fánɡ)

When two people get married and engage in sexual intimacy, it can be referred to as “entering the bridal chamber” or 圆房(yuán fánɡ) in Chinese. In the past, 圆房(yuán fánɡ) specifically denoted the consummation of a marriage when young girls reached a certain age after being sent to their in-laws’ homes. Nowadays, it generally signifies couples having sex sometime after their wedding. Similarly, 洞房(dònɡ fánɡ) originated from an essay from the Tang dynasty and initially referred to the wedding chamber. This meaning has been preserved, and now it is also used to describe the act of making love.

e.g.

你们还没圆房啊？(Nǐmen hái méi yuán fánɡ ā?)
Haven’t you consummated your marriage yet?

送新郎、新娘入洞房！(Sònɡ xīnlánɡ, xīnniánɡ rù dònɡfánɡ!)
Take the bride and groom to the bridal chamber!

8. Chinese euphemisms for Menstruation(月经)

• 大姨妈 (dà yímā)
• 例假 (lìjià)
• 来事儿了 (lái shìr le)

The term 大姨妈(dà yímā) literally means “older aunt” and is used to refer to “that time of the month” or menstruation. The origin of this term can be traced back to a story from the Han Dynasty. There was a girl who was in love with a young man, but she would always use the excuse that her older aunt was visiting whenever he wanted to kiss her. On their wedding night, when the young man saw the girl’s menstrual blood, he asked what was wrong, and she told him that her older aunt had come. As a result, the young man refrained from having sex. Since then, 大姨妈(dà yímā) has been used to refer to menstruation. Additionally, because menstruation occurs regularly every month, it is also called 例假(lìjià) in Chinese. In some regions, people simply say 来事儿了(lái shìr le)  to imply menstruation without explicitly mentioning it.

 e.g.

 来例假了，不舒服。(Lái lìjià le, bù shūfu.)
I felt unwell during my period.

 我昨天刚来事儿了。(Wǒ zuótiān ɡānɡ lái shì’r le.)
My period came yesterday.

我不去游泳了，大姨妈来了。(Wǒ bú qù yóuyǒnɡ le, dà yímā lái le.)
I’m not going swimming because my period came.

9. Chinese euphemisms for Intoxication (喝醉)

• 喝多了 (hē duō le)
• 喝高了 (hē ɡāo le)

In fact, people still say 喝醉了(hē zuì le) to directly express that someone was drunk. Alternatively, there are two simple euphemisms to describe this situation: 喝多了(hē duō le) meaning “drank too much,” and 喝高了(hē ɡāo le) meaning “drank high.”

 e.g.

别喝了，你喝多了。(Bié hē le, nǐ hē duō le.)
Don’t drink anymore since you’re drunk.

你送他回去吧，他喝高了。(Nǐ sònɡ tā huíqù bɑ, tā hē ɡāo le.)
You should take him back home; he’s drunk.

10. Chinese euphemisms for Pregnancy (怀孕)

• 有了 (yǒu le)
• 有喜了 (yǒu xǐ le)

Actually, people mostly say 怀孕了 (huáiyùn le) to directly indicate that someone is pregnant, so there are only two simple euphemisms for this situation: “有了” and “有喜了”. The former means “having” while the latter means “having something good and happy” since pregnancy is considered a joyful and wonderful thing.

e.g.

有了有了，两个月了。(Yǒu le yǒu le, liǎnɡɡè yuè le.)
She’s two-months pregnant.

别担心，她这是有喜了。(Bié dānxīn, tā zhè shì yǒu xǐ le.)
Don’t be worried, she is just pregnant.

11. Chinese euphemisms for Extra-marital affairs (外遇)

• 出轨 (chū ɡuǐ)
• 劈腿 (pī tuǐ)
• 小三 (xiǎo sān)
• 第三者 (dì sān zhě)

When someone is romantically involved with multiple people at the same time, we can use a comical term, 劈腿(pī tuǐ), which primarily refers to a person’s unfaithfulness. However, when such a situation occurs within a marriage, we can also use 出轨(chū guǐ). 出轨(chū guǐ) literally means “derailed” or “off the rail,” metaphorically describing actions or thoughts that deviate from the norms of a marriage. The person in a relationship with someone who is already married  is called 小三(xiǎo sān) or 第三者(dì sān zhě), similar to the terms “the other woman” or “the other man” in English.

 e.g.

 他老婆出轨了。(Tā lǎo pó chū ɡuǐ le.)
His wife had an affair.

 我被劈腿了。(Wǒ bèi pī tuǐ le.)
I was betrayed.

你想当小三，就给我滚出去。(Nǐ xiǎnɡ dānɡ xiǎo sān, jiù ɡěi wǒ ɡǔn chūqu.)
If you want to be a mistress, then just get out of here.

我不是第三者，你认错人了吧。(Wǒ bú shì dì sān zhě, nǐ rèn cuò rén le bɑ.)
I’m not the other woman, you’re mistaken.

12. Chinese euphemisms for Getting Fired(解雇)

• 炒了 (chǎo le)
• 炒鱿鱼  (chǎo yóuyú)

The phrase for getting fired, 炒鱿鱼(chǎo yóu yú), literally means “fried squid”. But why do we use this phrase  to refer to being let go? Historically, when someone was fired, they would roll up their bedding and leave. Later on, people noticed that when cooking squid, each piece would slowly curl up into a cylindrical shape, resembling the rolled-up bedding.This association led people to use 炒鱿鱼(chǎo yóu yú) to describe someone being dismissed. 炒了 (chǎo le) is the shortened form of this expression.

e.g.

他因为经常上班迟到，刚被炒了。(Tā yīnwèi jīnɡchánɡ shànɡ bān chídào, ɡānɡ bèi chǎo le.)
He was often late for work and was fired just now.

他们那批人因为业绩不好，都被炒鱿鱼了。(Tāmen nà pī rén yīnwèi yèjì bù hǎo, dōu bèi chǎo yóuyú le.)
Those people were fired because of their poor performance.

• 丢饭碗 (diū fànwǎn)

The phrase 丢饭碗 (diū fàn wǎn) literally means “lose the bowl”. Since people need to work to support themselves, a job is like a bowl that provides food. This expression is used to mean “lose your job,” and it originated from the well-known novel “Nan Guo Feng Yan.”

e.g.

他不敢说话，还不是因为怕丢了饭碗。(Tā bù ɡǎn shuō huà, hái búshì yīnwèi pà diū le fànwǎn.)
He didn’t dare to speak, because he was afraid of losing his job.

丢饭碗也没什么，我们可以再找其他的工作。(Diū fànwǎn yě méi shénme, women kěyǐ zài zhǎo qítāde ɡōnɡzuò.)
Losing your job is nothing big, we can find other jobs.

13. Chinese euphemisms for Homosexuality (同性恋)

• 同志 (tónɡzhì)
• 弯 (wān)
• 出柜 (chū ɡuì)

The term 同志 (tóngzhì) literally means “having the same pursuit” and is commonly used as a form of address among people working in an organization. It first appeared as a synonym for homosexuals in Hong Kong during the 1970s and 1980s. The word 弯(wān) is similar to “bent” in English and is also used to refer to gay people. Lastly, 出柜(chū guì) comes from the English phrase “come out of the closet.”

e.g.

他是弯的，他出柜了。(Tā shì wān de, tā chū ɡuì le.) He is homosexual, and he came out of the closet.

14. Chinese Euphemisms for Sex workers (性工作者)

• 小姐 (xiǎojiě)
• 鸡 (jī)
• 鸭 (yā)

The term 小姐(xiǎojiě) literally means “miss” or “lady”. It is a word that you may have encountered when you first started learning Chinese. However, it’s important to use this term carefully because it is also used to refer to female sex workers. Another term, 鸡(jī), is a homonym for 妓(jì) in the word 妓女(jì nǚ, prostitute), so people also use 鸡(jī) to refer to women in the sex industry. On the other hand, 鸭(yā) is used to refer to male sex workers.

e.g.

找小姐是犯法的。(Zhǎo xiǎojiě shì fàn fǎ de.) It is illegal to look for an escort.

她是个鸡，而他是个鸭，但是他们相爱了。(Tā shì ɡè jī, ér tā shì ɡè yā, dànshì tāmen xiāng`ài le.) She is an escort while he is a male prostitute. But they fall in love with each other.

15. Chinese euphemisms for Parents (父母)

• 令尊 (lìnɡ zūn)
• 令堂 (lìnɡ tánɡ)
• 高堂 (ɡāo tánɡ)

When engaging in a conversation, how can we respectfully refer to other people’s parents? In such situations, we can use 令尊(lìng zūn) to address someone’s father, and 令堂(lìng táng) for their mother. The term 令(lìng) serves as a respectful form of address for other people’s relatives. 令尊(lìng zūn) and 令堂(lìng táng) are commonly used in formal settings or when elders are present.

On the other hand, when speaking to others, we can use 高堂(gāo táng) to refer to our own parents. This term originates from ancient familial houses, where the parents’ living quarters were often called a 高堂(gāo táng) or “high hall house.” They were typically located in the center of the house with higher floors and roofs compared to other rooms. Ancient children would use 高堂(gāo táng) to show respect for their parents, especially in the presence of outsiders. Therefore, 高堂(gāo táng) can be used to refer to the parents’ living space or the parents themselves, primarily in written Chinese.

e.g.

令尊和令堂最近身体还好吗？(Lìnɡ zūn hé lìnɡ tánɡ zuìjìn shēntǐ hái hǎo mɑ?) Have your parents been in good health lately?

君不见，高堂明镜悲白发, 朝如青丝暮成雪。(Jūn bú jiàn, ɡāotánɡ mínɡ jìnɡ bēi báifà, cháo rú qīnɡsī mù chénɡ xuě.)
Do you not see the mirrors bright in chambers high
Grieve o’er your snow-white hair
though once it was silk-black?  
(excerpt from poem “Qiang Jin Jiu” written by Li Bai in the Tang Dynasty)

Closing Thoughts

The Chinese language is rich with euphemisms that reflect the cultural nuances and sensitivities around various topics. These expressions serve as a way to convey messages indirectly, avoiding harsh or offensive language. From discussing financial situations to delicate matters of intimacy, euphemisms provide a subtle and tactful means of communication in Chinese culture.

By understanding and using these euphemisms appropriately, you can navigate social interactions with grace and respect. Whether you’re referring to someone’s parents or discussing sensitive topics, such as disabilities or relationships, choosing the right words can make a significant difference in fostering understanding and maintaining harmonious relationships.

As language and cultural dynamics continue to evolve, it is important to approach conversations with sensitivity and cultural awareness. While some euphemisms may remain consistent over time, others may adapt or change with societal shifts.

So, the next time you find yourself engaging with Chinese people, remember the power of euphemisms to convey subtle messages and navigate sensitive conversations.

The post Read Between the Lines: 15 Common Chinese Euphemisms appeared first on .

Hosting meetings online adds a new layer of complexity. For many learners, it can be embarrassing to revert to English because they don’t know how to say ‘Your video is frozen’ or ‘I can’t hear you clearly.’ That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 32 essential phrases to help you tackle online meetings and take your business Chinese to the next level.

Getting Set Up

Unlike traditional meetings, online meetings require some extra effort to set up properly. Before the actual discussion can begin, everyone must make sure that the other participants can clearly see and hear them.

Here are some handy phrases to get you started:

Fortunately, many of these phrases use the same sentence structures that you’re already familiar with. They simply add some new vocabulary words, such as 摄像头, or camera. Here’s a tip: if you have trouble remembering certain words or short expressions, write them on a post-it note and stick it to your monitor. Then if you find yourself struggling to remember it during a meeting, you can sneakily glance over at your note.

Once you become more comfortable with these new words, you can start to use them in more complex sentence structures. For example, if you want to say 你可以打开摄像头吗？or 请大家打开摄像头, but you want to put more emphasis on the word 摄像头, you can use the 把 sentence structure. So instead, you would say 请把摄像头开设。You can read more about how to use 把 in this article.

These expressions help you start the meeting off on the right foot. They show your colleagues or clients that you are comfortable speaking Chinese and help you come across as both intelligent and confident. In the next section, we’ll talk about maintaining this impression when problems arise.

Technology Problems

The unfortunate reality of hosting digital meetings is that you are bound to run into tech problems sooner or later. This is another scenario where many Chinese leaners end up reverting to English. Being able to handle unexpected problems while still speaking Chinese is a true sign of fluency, and these phrases are an excellent way to prepare for those moments.

When you can’t hear someone on a video call, or they can’t hear you, how can you tell them in Chinese that there is a problem? You can’t write Chinese characters on your screen with a pen, but you CAN type them using your keyboard. If you want to type messages in Chinese, you can use what is called a pinyin input keyboard.

To set up Chinese pinyin input on Windows 10, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language > Add a Language. From there, Select Chinese (Simplified, China) and complete the setup. This will allow you to switch to Chinese mode whenever you need to type messages in Mandarin. You can simply type the pinyin of the character you want and use the number keys to select the character from a list.

To set up Chinese pinyin input on Mac, go to Apple menu  > System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources. From there you can click the Add button and select Chinese, Simplified. This will also allow you to type in Chinese using pinyin and selecting the characters you want.

Conducting a Meeting

This next set of phrases can be used both for online and in person meetings. They are all polite expressions that help you run a meeting smoothly.

Pay attention to the use of 您 instead of 你 in the expression 您先说. This emphasizes the respect that you show when you let someone else speak first. In business meetings, it’s a good idea to address others formally, especially if you are in a meeting with more senior colleagues, people you have never met before, or clients.

Saying Goodbye

Now that the main part of the meeting is over, it’s time to end on a positive note. These expressions help you wrap things up:

Once you have answered everyone’s remaining questions, you can quickly say goodbye before hanging up with a simple 再见, or if you will see them again soon, 下次见 or明天见。

Conclusion

Digital meetings have become an essential part of conducting business in the modern world, and that makes having the vocabulary to participate in these meetings an essential part of learning Chinese. The expressions we’ve looked at today will give you a solid foundation for running meetings and dealing with most common problems that arise. Once you become comfortable using these key phrases, you’ll be prepared to handle important meetings with Chinese clients, or you’ll be able to impress your Chinese colleagues with your authentic, modern vocabulary. To help you get started studying these expressions, you can download the full list as a PDF below. From there, you can make flashcards or put post-it notes on your computer screen to help you study as you work. If you have any questions, feel free to leave us a comment down below! We’ll see you soon with more business Chinese essentials.

The post Business Chinese: Essential Mandarin Expressions for Online Meetings appeared first on .

It’s not just because it’s a bold and vibrant hue. In fact, you’ll see it on special occasions such as festivals and weddings because it represents happiness, wealth, and luck.

But did you know that there are other colors that hold special meaning in Chinese culture?

In this article, we’ll explore the role of colors in Chinese culture and introduce you to some authentic expressions related to those colors. By the end, you’ll have a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and be able to impress your Chinese friends with your newfound understanding of their culture!

#1 红色 / 紫色（hónɡsè / zǐsè）Red / Purple

Let’s first explorethe meaning of the color red, which is extremely popular among Chinese people for a very important reason.

红红火火 (hónɡhónɡ huǒhuǒ)

In Chinese culture, red symbolizes good fortune, wealth, and happiness, making it a common expression of goodwill. The repetition of “红” (red) and “火” (fire) here conveys a sense of vigor, vitality, and success. This phrase evokes not only the bright and lively nature of something but also its positive and prosperous state.

祝你的生活红红火火。May your life be prosperous.
(Zhù nǐ de shēnɡhuó hónɡhónɡ huǒhuǒ.)

这家新店的生意红红火火的。This new store is a flourishing business.
(Zhè jiā xīndiàn de shēngyì hónghónghuǒhuǒ de.)

红光满面 (hónɡɡuānɡ mǎnmiàn)

The “red” (红) in this phrase suggests a healthy, flushed complexion, which is often associated with good health, energy, or a joyful mood.

It is commonly used to describe someone who is glowing, lively, or enthusiastic, particularly in a context where they seem to be in great physical or emotional shape.

e.g.

看你红光满面，最近一定有好事吧！Look at your red face. You must have heard some good news recently.
(Kàn nǐ hónɡɡuānɡ mǎnmiàn, zuìjìn yídìnɡ yǒu hǎoshì bɑ!)

她听到这个好消息后，红光满面，笑得很开心。After hearing the good news, she was glowing with joy and smiling happily.
(Tā tīng dào zhège hǎo xiāoxi hòu, hóngguāngmǎnmiàn, xiào de hěn kāixīn.)

大红大紫 (dàhónɡ dàzǐ)

Officials in ancient China were ranked and wore clothes of different colors to indicate their position. The highest-ranking officials wore purple and red, so these colors were associated with success. Today, red and purple are often used to say that a celebrity is very popular.

e.g.

你不知道她？她最近红得发紫呢！You don’t know her? She is extremely popular these days!
(Nǐ bù zhīdào tā? tā zuìjìn hónɡ dé fā zǐ ne!)

他也曾大红大紫过。He was also a tremendous success in the past.
(Tā yě cénɡ dàhónɡ dàzǐ ɡuò.)

眼红 (yǎn hónɡ)

Furthermore, red is linked to blood, representing courage. For instance, a red heart implies someone is brave and devoted. However, red can have negative connotations as well. When we say our eyes turn red, it means we are jealous.

e.g.

其他同学都找到了好工作，还在找工作的小王有点眼红。While other classmates of his have found good jobs, Xiao Wang is still looking for a job. He is a little jealous.
(Qítā tónɡxué dōu zhǎo dào le hǎo ɡōnɡzuò, hái zài zhǎo ɡōnɡzuò de xiǎo wánɡ yóu diǎn yǎnhónɡ.)

#2 白色(bái sè) White

The Contrast Between Red & White

红白喜事（hónɡ bái xǐ shì）

Let’s talk about 红事 (red events) and 白事 (white events). These events are typically associated with celebrations and mourning, respectively, and this phrase is used to collectively describe significant occasions in a person’s life or in the community.

红事 (red events) refer to happy or celebratory occasions, such as weddings, birth celebrations, and other joyful events. The color red is traditionally associated with happiness, prosperity, and good fortune in Chinese culture. 白事 (white events) refer to funerals or mourning-related occasions. The color white is often associated with mourning and sorrow in Chinese culture.

e.g.

最近红白喜事好多。There have been many weddings and funerals recently.
(Zuìjìn hónɡ bái xǐ shì hǎo duō.)

他们家最近有红白喜事，既有婚礼也有丧事。Their family has had both happy and sad events recently, with a wedding and a funeral.
(Tā men jiā zuì jìn yǒu hóng bái xǐ shì, jì yǒu hūn lǐ yě yǒu sāng shì.)

红脸 / 白脸（hónɡliǎn / báiliǎn）

Actors at the Peking Opera use different colored face paint to show the personality of their characters. Red faces represent good characters, while white faces represent bad characters.

In everyday life, Chinese people refer to red and white faces to describe friendly or obnoxious people. At home, red and white faces are used to show whether parents are lenient or strict.

e.g.

A: 你爸爸比较严厉还是妈妈比较严厉？Is your father more strict or your mother?
(Nǐ bàbɑ bǐjiào yánlì háishì māmɑ bǐjiào yánlì?)

B: 我妈妈。他们俩一个唱红脸，一个唱白脸。My mother. One is good cop and the other is bad cop.
(Wǒ māmɑ. tāmen liǎnɡ yíɡè chànɡ hónɡliǎn, yíɡè chànɡ báiliǎn.)

Cultural Insight: Chinese wedding dresses

As China becomes more and more globalized, Chinese people have also come to accept the Western meaning of white as a symbol of purity and beauty. This is why many brides now choose to wear white wedding dresses. However, to honor tradition, they may also wear a red dress during the reception, where guests will bless them with good fortune.

白费劲（bái fèi jìn）

This expression means “to waste effort” or “to make a futile effort.” It is used to describe situations where someone has worked hard or put in a lot of effort, but their actions ultimately made no difference or were unnecessary.

e.g.

你怎么不早说？我白费了这么大劲！Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I wasted all my effort!
(Nǐ zěnme bù zǎo shuō? wǒ bái fèi le zhème dà jìn.)

他努力了那么久，结果白费劲，什么也没做到。He worked so hard for so long, but in the end, it was all in vain, and he didn’t accomplish anything.
(Tā nǔlì le nàme jiǔ, jiéguǒ bái fèijìn, shénme yě méi zuò dào.)

#3 绿色(lǜ sè) Green

Think of the color green, and what comes to mind? Trees, grass, and a healthy life, right? However, in Chinese culture, green can have a few different, slightly more negative connotations. Let’s explore them together.

绿帽子（lǜ màozi）

Wearing a green hat is considered bad luck in China. In ancient China, officials of low rank wore green, while high-ranking officials wore red or purple. Furthermore, during the Eastern Han Dynasty (BC25-BC220), men were required to wear green headscarves or hats if they sent female family members to work as prostitutes.

Today, wearing a green hat implies that one’s partner is unfaithful.

e.g.

A:你听说了吗？小王的女朋友给他戴了绿帽子！Did you hear? Xiao Wang’s girlfriend cheated on him!
(Nǐ tīnɡshuō le mɑ? xiǎowánɡ de nǚ pénɡyou ɡěi tā dài le lǜ màozi.)

B:不会吧！小王真可怜。No way! Poor Xiao Wang.
(Bú huì bɑ! xiǎo wánɡ zhēn kělián.)

脸绿了（liǎn lǜ le）

What color does your face turn when you get mad？You might say it’s red, but we would say green instead. Here is an example:

e.g.

他很没礼貌，把我脸都气绿了。He was extremely impolite, I was so angry that my face turned green.
(Tā hěn méi lǐmào, bǎ wǒ liǎn dōu qì lǜ le.)

Why is it that we say our face turns green when we’re upset? This is because some ancient Chinese people believed that the liver, which provides vitality like trees and grass, was green. They also thought that a person’s emotions were connected to their bodily organs, so if someone was angry, it would hurt their liver and show on their face.

#4 黑色 / 灰色(hēisè / huīsè) Black / Grey

We’ve discussed the relationship between colors and facial expressions before, like red, white, and green faces. Well, we also use black to describe emotions. Let’s take a look at a few different Chinese expressions including the color black.

黑脸（hēi liǎn）

Black is a dark color and is naturally associated with darkness. It can be used to describe a person’s bad mood, as if there is no sunshine on their face and so it appears dark.

e.g.

他一回家就黑着脸，不知道怎么了。When he came home, his face was black. I don’t know what happened.
(Tā yì huí jiā jiù hēi zhe liǎn, bù zhīdào zěnme le.)

印堂发黑（yìntánɡ fā hēi）

Having a black face is often an indication of being in a bad mood. To take things even further, if someone’s face is dark between the eyebrows, it may indicate a major health issue or bad luck. In ancient China, people believed that internal problems manifested in physical signs, such as lung problems being indicated on the forehead.

e.g.

看你印堂发黑，最近可能要倒霉。You may have had bad luck recently, judging by darkness on your forehead.
(Kàn nǐ yìntánɡ fā hēi, zuìjìn kěnénɡ yào dǎoméi.)

黑市（hēi shì）/ 黑心（hēixīn）              

Compared to a red heart, which is a symbol of courage and loyalty, if a person’s heart turns black, they are not a good person and might harm others for their own benefit.

e.g.

黑市里出现了买卖器官的现象。Organs are being bought and sold on the black market.
(Hēishì lǐ chūxiàn le mǎimɑi qìɡuān de xiànxiànɡ.)

这个黑心商贩卖的东西质量很差。The goods sold by this shady dealer are low quality.
(Zhèɡe hēixīn shānɡfàn mài de dōngxi zhìliànɡ hěn chà.)

灰色地带（huīsè dìdài）/ 灰色收入（huīsè shōurù）

White often represents light and justice, while black represents darkness and injustice. Grey is considered vague and unclear as it’s somewhere between black and white. For example, when it’s cloudy and sunless, people describe it as gray, meaning a bad day.

e.g.

今天天气不好，没有太阳，灰蒙蒙的。It’s a bad day today. It’s sunless and gray.
(Jīntiān tiānqì bù hǎo, méiyǒu tàiyánɡ, huīmēnɡmēnɡ de.)

Grey also suggests that something is unclear or possibly illegal.

e.g.

这个产业还处于灰色地带，法律没有禁止，也不支持。The industry is still in a grey area, neither prohibited nor permitted by the law.
(Zhèɡe chǎnyè hái chǔ yú huīsè dìdài, fǎlǜ méiyǒu jìnzhǐ, yě bù zhīchí.)

除了工资，他还有一些灰色收入。In addition to his salary, he has some grey income.
(Chú le ɡōnɡzī, tā háiyǒu yìxiē huīsè shōurù.)

Lastly, there’s a color that has both noble and vulgar connotations that I’d like to introduce.

#5 黄色(huánɡsè) Yellow

炎黄（yánhuánɡ）

If you have ever visited the Forbidden city or seen pictures of it, then you were likely impressed by the beautiful yellow and red colors. In the past, yellow was considered the exclusive color of the Chinese emperor, and it became a symbol of nobility. There are many interesting Chinese expressions related to this color.

e.g.

黄河是中国的母亲河。The Yellow River is the mother river of China.
(Huánɡhé shì zhōnɡɡuó de mǔqīn hé.)

我们是炎黄子孙。We are the descendants of Emperor Yan and Emperor Huang.
(Wǒmen shì yánhuánɡ zǐsūn.)

黄道吉日（huánɡdào jírì）

This is a Chinese term that refers to an auspicious day or lucky day. The term is commonly used in traditional Chinese culture and is based on the belief that certain days are more favorable for specific activities, such as weddings, moving into a new home, or starting a business. These days are selected based on the Chinese lunar calendar and astrology, specifically by considering the movement of celestial bodies and the “黄道” (Huáng dào), which refers to the ecliptic or the path the sun appears to take through the sky.

e.g.

我要选个黄道吉日结婚。I will choose a lucky day to get married.
(Wǒ yào xuǎn ɡè huánɡdàojírì jiéhūn.)

祝你飞黄腾达，前程似锦。I wish you success and a bright future.
(Zhù nǐ fēihuánɡ ténɡdá, qiánchénɡ sìjǐn.)

那是个黄金时代，出现了很多有名的歌手。It was the golden age and there were many famous singers.
(Nà shì ɡè huánɡjīn shídài, chūxiàn le hěnduō yǒumínɡ de ɡēshǒu.)

These expressions associate yellow with positivity and good fortune. However, the meaning of the color yellow has evolved over time and is now used in expressions unrelated to royalty.

黄脸婆（huánɡliǎnpó）

In ancient times, Chinese people preferred pale skin because it showed that a person had servants and didn’t have to work hard. Darker skin was associated with working outdoors and having a tough life. Sick people or unattractive married women were sometimes called “yellow-faced,” as a derogatory term. This term may still come up in some couples’ arguments today.

e.g.

你怎么脸色发黄？最近生病了吗？Why is your face yellow? Have you been sick lately?
(Nǐ zěnme liǎnsè fā huánɡ ? zuì jìn shēnɡbìnɡ le mɑ?)

我现在人老珠黄，成了黄脸婆了。I’m old and yellow-faced now.
(Wǒ xiànzài rénlǎo zhūhuánɡ, chénɡ le huánɡliǎnpó le.)

事黄了（shì huánɡ le）

This term means “the situation is ruined” or “the plan has failed.” The phrase 黄了 (huáng le) literally translates to “turned yellow,” but it is used figuratively to indicate that something has gone wrong, become unsuccessful, or been canceled.

e.g.

别提了，这事儿黄了。Don’t bring it up. It’s screwed up.
(Bié tí le, zhè shìr huánɡ le.)

我们计划的旅行黄了，因为机票已经涨价了。Our trip plans are  ruined because the flight tickets have increased in price.
(Wǒmen jìhuà de lǚxíng huángle, yīnwèi jīpiào yǐjīng zhǎngjià le.)

黄色（huánɡ sè）

Yellow was once associated with the emperor, but its meaning has since evolved considerably. Yellow later became associated with pornography due to the rise of yellow journalism. This style of journalism focused on sensationalism, including pornography, crime, and scandals.

In the early years of the Republic of China, yellow journalism was seen as vulgar news. Over time, the term “yellow” extended beyond newspapers to all forms of media, such as yellow books, movies, and music. Today, “yellow” is often used to refer to pornographic and obscene content.

e.g.

不应该让青少年接触黄色电影和黄色书籍。Young people should not be exposed to pornographic films and books.
(Bù yīnɡɡāi rànɡ qīnɡshàonián jiēchù huánɡsè diànyǐnɡ hé huánɡsè shūjí.)

请不要对女性说黄色笑话，很不礼貌。Please don’t tell dirty jokes to women. It’s impolite.
(Qǐnɡ búyào duì nǚ xìnɡ shuō huánɡsè xiàohuɑ, hěn bù lǐmào.)

Closing Thoughts

Colors play a significant role in Chinese culture and are deeply rooted in history, tradition, and superstition. From the auspicious red to the noble yellow, each color has its unique meaning and symbolism. We hope that this article has given you new insights into the fascinating color scheme of China and taught you some new expressions that will help make your Chinese more rich and authentic. .

Now, we want to pass it off to you. What do different colors symbolize in your culture? Do you have any similar expressions in your native language? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!

Exercises

Exercise 1: 

Fill in the blanks with the correct phrase from the list.

1. 他的公司最近发展得非常好，生意________。(Tā de gōngsī zuìjìn fāzhǎn de fēicháng hǎo, shēng yì ________.)
   His company has been doing very well lately, with business ________.
2. 他听到这个好消息后，________，开心极了。(Tā tīngdào zhège hǎo xiāoxi hòu, liǎn shàng ________, kāixīn jíle.)
   After hearing the good news, ________, he was extremely happy.
3. 当他得知自己没有升职时，他的脸 ________。（Dāng tā dé zhī zìjǐ méiyǒu shēng zhí shí, tā de liǎn ________.）
   When he learned that he didn’t get promoted, his face turned ________.

Key：红红火火；红光满面；绿了；

Exercise 2: 

Match the Chinese phrase with the correct English translation.

1. 红光满面
2. 红白喜事
3. 白费劲
4. 黑市
5. 黄道吉日

a) An illicit market or black market.
b) A day considered lucky for important activities.
c) A futile effort or wasted effort.
d) A celebration involving happy or sad events.
e) Appearing radiant or healthy.

Key：1e；2d；3c；4a; 5b

Exercise 3: 

Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence.

1. 他一直努力工作，但 ________，并没有得到任何回报。(Tā yīzhí nǔlì gōngzuò, dàn ________, bìng méiyǒu dédào rènhé huíbào.) He has been working hard, but ________, he hasn’t received any rewards.
   (A) 红白喜事
   (B) 白费劲
   (C) 红光满面

2. 他的情绪不太好，看到我时 ________，看起来很生气。(Tā de qíngxù bù tài hǎo, kàn dào wǒ shí ________, kàn qǐlái hěn shēngqì.) His mood wasn’t good when he saw me, his face turned ________, looking very angry.
   (A) 黑心
   (B) 黑脸
   (C) 红光满面
   
3. 他们计划了很长时间的婚礼，最后选择了一个 ________ 举行。(Tāmen jìhuàle hěn cháng shíjiān de hūnlǐ, zuìhòu xuǎnzéle yīgè ________ jǔxíng.) They planned the wedding for a long time and finally chose a ________ to hold it.
   (A) 黄道吉日
   (B) 红光满面
   (C) 黑市

Key: 1c; 2b; 3a

Exercise 4:

True or false.

1. “红光满面” means someone looks tired and unhappy.
2. “黑心” refers to someone with a kind heart.
3. “大红大紫” describes someone or something that is very successful and famous.
4. “黑心” can indicate that a company is known for unethical business practices.
5. “事黄了” can indicate a person’s plan work well after much effort.

Key: 1 ( False); 2 ( False); 3 (True); 4 (True); 5 (False)

The post Chinese Color Theory: The Cultural Significance and Meaning Behind Colors appeared first on .

#1 牛(niú)-Ox

Traditionally, 牛 is a symbol of hard work in Chinese culture. Chinese people often compare those who are industrious, devoted to work, or bear hardship without complaint to an ox. Below are two phrases that use 牛.

> 吹牛(chūi niú) -Brag

In this example, the character吹 means “blow” and the character牛means “ox”, so 吹牛directly translates to “to blow an ox”. Actually, 吹牛 means to talk big or brag.

Why it is 牛 instead of another animal? It’s because after killing a lamb, they make a cut at the leg to drain the blood and then blow up the lamb to make it easier to remove the skin. So, the words 吹羊 or 吹猪 carry that meaning. However, since oxhide is hard and big, people think it’s impossible to blow up. Then if someone says they can 吹牛(blow up oxhide), people will suspect that this person is bragging.

e.g.

你看，她又在吹牛了。
(Nǐ kàn, tā yòu zài chuī niú le.)
Look, she is bragging again.

他天天吹牛说自己去过100个国家。
(Tā tiāntiān chuī niú shuō zìjǐ qùɡuo yìbǎi ɡe ɡuójiā.)
He is always bragging that he has gone to one hundred countries every day.

> 牛逼(niú bī) – Impressive

牛逼 was used as slang in northeastern China at first, then gradually became popular all over, especially among young people. The character牛 is “ox”, while 逼 means “force, compel”, so literally 牛逼 translates to “an ox forces or compels”. Actually, Chinese people use 牛逼 to express heartfelt appreciation towards their opponent. Sometimes people use it in a sarcastic sense.

E.g.

牛逼啊，这么难的问题，你都解决了。
(Niú bī’ā, zhème nánde wèntí, nǐ dōu jiějué le.)
Impressive! these questions are so hard, but you solved them.

牛逼牛逼，我比不上。
(Niú bī niú bī, wǒ bǐ bu shànɡ.)
So impressive, I cannot compete with you.

Note: This term is widely used and has almost become a semi-commendatory word, but in fact, it’s still not very polite. Some people might feel offended if you say 牛逼 to them. So please use it carefully.

#2 马(mǎ)- Horse

Even though in traditional Chinese culture, a horse is usually a symbol of strength, liberty, fortune, health, never giving up, ability, and talent, the two phrases below are usually used in negative situations.

> 马后炮(mǎ hòu pào)- Too Little, Too Late

马 means “horse”,后 means “after” and炮 means “cannon”, so 马后炮 is literally “a cannon after a horse”. Chinese people use it to express that it doesn’t help to take measures after a fact. It’s similar to making a belated effort /being a Monday morning quarterback in English.

E.g.

人已经死了，不要在这里放马后炮。
(Rén yǐjīnɡ sǐ le, bú yào zài zhèlǐ fànɡ mǎhòupào.)
It’s too little, too late, since the person was already dead.

马后炮，你昨天为什么不说？
(Mǎhòupào, nǐ zuótiān wèishénme bù shuō?)
You’re being a Monday morning quarterback, why didn’t you say anything yesterday?

> 拍马屁(pāi mǎpì)- Sucking up to someone

拍 means “to pat or beat”, while 马屁 means “crupper” (a strap on a saddle that prevents it from slipping), so literally 拍马屁 directly translates to “to pat or beat a crupper”. It is said that拍马屁 comes from a part of Mongolian culture. In the Yuan Dynasty, when Mongolian people rode their horses alongside someone else, they always patted the crupper of the other’s horse and said “Good horse!” to show respect and politeness. Later on, there were some people who just complimented the horse whether it was good or not. So拍马屁 gradually evolved into a negative phrase meaning someone who sucks up to others.

E.g.

他一天到晚只知道拍领导的马屁。
(Tā yì tiān dào wǎn zhǐ zhīdào pāi línɡdǎo de mǎpì.)
He only knows how to suck up to the leader all day long.

除了拍马屁，你还有什么真本事？
(Chúle pāi mǎpì, nǐ háiyǒu shénme zhēn běnshi?)
Besides sucking up to others, what other real skills do you have?

#3 鱼(yǘ)-fish

鱼, or fish, is often tied to Chinese culture and daily life. It symbolizes Chinese people’s desire for a good harvest, a prosperous life, a better marriage, freedom etc. Here we’ll go over three slang expressions that include 鱼.

> 锦鲤(jǐnlǐ)- everything related to good luck

锦鲤(cyprinus carpio) originally referred to koi fish. They have a long lifespan, and it’s said that 锦鲤 can bring good luck. In traditional Chinese culture, 锦鲤 symbolize longevity and good luck. Nowadays, 锦鲤 represents everything related to good luck.

How did 锦鲤 become so popular, especially on the internet? It’s actually because of an online campaign. On China National Day in 2018, Alipay’s official Weibo page hosted a giveaway. The lucky winner was drawn from those who reposted their post on Weibo. The winner was called the “Chinese Jinli” and won a “Global Free-Gift Package”. There were more than 3 million reposts. Afterwards, 锦鲤 instantly became popular and there was an upsurge of people forwarding pictures of 锦鲤 with captions such as “Jinli prayer” and “Jinli blessing”. Later on, as its popularity grew, 锦鲤 also began to mean people who are lucky with things like the lottery and gambling.

E.g.

转发锦鲤，希望我考试能过。
(Zhuǎnfā jǐnlǐ, xīwànɡ wǒ kǎoshì nénɡ ɡuò.)
I’ll forward Jinli and hope I can pass the exam.

转发这个锦鲤会有好运。
(Zhuǎnfā zhèɡe jǐnlǐ huì yǒu hǎoyùn.)
Forwarding this Jinli will bring good luck.

你是锦鲤吗？就你一个人中奖了！
(Nǐ shì jǐnlǐ ma? Jiù nǐ yíɡè rén zhònɡ jiǎnɡ le!)
Are you a Jinli? Only you will win the lottery!

> 摸鱼(mō yú)- mess around

摸 means “touch”, so 摸鱼 literally means “touch a fish”. 摸鱼 actually comes from the idiom 浑水摸鱼(hún shuǐ mō yú), which means groping for fish in turbid water. Chinese people often use it to refer to those who fish in troubled waters. And now people use摸鱼 to talk about those who don’t really work and just mess around.

E.g.

他上班就是在摸鱼。
(Tā shànɡ bān jiùshì zài mō yú.)
He’s messing around at work.

你想摸鱼就不要来公司，你可以回去。
(Nǐ xiǎnɡ mō yú jiù bú yào lái ɡōnɡsī, nǐ kěyǐ huíqù.)
Don’t come here if you want to mess around at the firm, just go back home.

> 炒鱿鱼(chǎo yóuyú)- get fired

炒 means “stir-fry” and 鱿鱼 is “squid”, so 炒鱿鱼 directly translates to “stir-fry a squid”. Chinese people use 炒鱿鱼 to refer to getting fired. 炒鱿鱼 is very close to 卷铺盖(juǎn pūɡɑi). A long time ago, workers would bring sleeping bags with them, so they had to roll up their sleeping bag when they were fired. Gradually 卷铺盖 came to mean getting fired. For 鱿鱼, people saw that when cooked, 鱿鱼 would roll up, which was similar to the shape of a rolled up sleeping bag. As a result, people started to associate 炒鱿鱼 and 卷铺盖. Later on, 炒鱿鱼 became the most popular way to talk about getting fired..

E.g.

他们今天被炒鱿鱼了。
(Tāmen jīntiān bèi chǎo yóuyú le.)
They were fired today.

你小心点儿，不要被炒鱿鱼了。 
(Nǐ xiǎoxīn diǎn’r, bú yào bèi chǎo yóuyú le.)
Be careful, don’t get fired.

#4 狗(ɡǒu)-dog

Unfortunately in Chinese slang, 狗 are often deprecated, even though now most people think of 狗 as our faithful friends. Here are two idioms that include the word 狗.

> 单身狗(dānshēn ɡǒu) – single

The word 单身 means “single”, so 单身狗 literally means “a single dog”. 单身狗 now is widely used  to emphasize that someone is  single. This phrasecomes from the memorable quote “He looks like a dog.” from the wedding ceremony scene in the film A Chinese Odyssey. It was originally only used for self-deprecation. But now, it’s also used to address others with a slightly derogatory tone.

E.g.

我是单身狗，不过情人节。
(Wǒ shì dānshēn ɡǒu, bú ɡuò Qínɡrén jié.)
I’m single and don’t do anything Valentine’s Day.

不要在我这个单身狗面前秀恩爱。
(Bú yào zài wǒ zhèɡe dānshēn ɡǒu miànqián xiù ēn’ài.)
I’m single, so don’t do any PDA in front of me.

> 狗血(ɡǒu xiě)- campy/cliché

血 means “blood”, so 狗血 actually means “dog’s blood”. It’s said that during the heyday of the film and television industry in Hong Kong in the 1990s, there were many of TV dramas about ghost hunting. The idea that dog blood can be used to drive away evil often came up in those shows. So, the term dog blood referred to outdated elements in film or TV. Nowadays, Chinese people use 狗血 to describe exaggerated or outdated elements in media or even real life. So 狗血 is really similar to campy/cliché in English.

E.g.

你这件事太狗血了。
(Nǐ zhè jiàn shì tài ɡǒuxiě le.)
That is so campy of you.

我昨天看了一部很狗血的电视剧。
(Wǒ zuótiān kànle yí bù hěn ɡǒuxiě de diànshìjù.)
I watched a very campy drama yesterday.

#5 鸡(jī)-chicken

鸡 symbolizes good luck, fighting and brightness in Chinese culture. Here are two expressions that include 鸡.

> 打鸡血(dǎ jīxiě)- so excited/ energetic

Literally 打鸡血 means “inject chicken blood”. It’s said that 打鸡血 originates from a medical technique from the 1980s where they would draw blood from a year-old rooster and inject it. It was once popular among the veteran cadres at that time. Supposedly, the person who was injected with chicken blood would become energetic, but it was actually unscientific, and that trend quickly faded. Now, Chinese people use 打鸡血 to talk about someone who is full of energy or mock someone’s sudden excitement towards  something.

E.g.

看了这本书后，他整个人就像打鸡血一样。
(Kànle zhè běn shū hòu，tā zhěnɡɡè rén jiù xiànɡ dǎ jīxiě yíyànɡ.)
After reading this book, he became so excited.

昨晚他打了一晚的游戏，今天还这么有精神，就像打了鸡血一样。
(Zuówǎn tā dale yì wǎn de yóuxì, jīntiān hái zhème yǒu jīnɡshen, jiù xiànɡ dale jīxiě yíyànɡ.)
He played games all night, but he is still energetic today, like he injected chicken blood.

> 铁公鸡(tiě ɡōnɡjī)- stingy person

铁公鸡 literally means “irony rooster”. Chinese people use 铁公鸡 to refer to a stingy person. 铁公鸡 comes from an ancient text which described a rich man who was so stingy that people all called him铁公鸡.

E.g.

我们都叫那个人“铁公鸡”。
(Wǒmen dōu jiào nàɡe rén “tiě ɡōnɡjī”.)
We all call that person “stingy man”.

他就是个铁公鸡，一分钱也不会给你。
(Tā jiù shì ɡè tiě ɡōnɡjī, yì fēn qián yě bú huì ɡěi nǐ.)
He is stingy, so he won’t give you a penny.

#6 猪(zhū)-pig

猪 is a symbol of being lazy, stupid, greedy, dirty and even salacious, which are almost all negative things in Chinese culture. Here are two slang expressions that use 猪.

> 咸猪手(xián zhūshǒu) – groper or wandering hands

The character 咸 means “salty”, while 猪手 is “pork knuckle”, so literally 咸猪手 means “salty pork knuckle”. As a matter of fact, 咸猪手 is used to refer to the action of molesting someone, such as grabbing their chest or touching their buttocks. It’s similar to groping or having wandering hands in English.

  E.g.

放开你的咸猪手。
(Fànɡkāi nǐ de xián zhūshǒu.)
Get your wandering hands off of me.

我昨天在地铁上碰到咸猪手了。
(Wǒ zuótiān zài dìtiě shanɡ pènɡdào xián zhūshǒu le.)
There was a groper on the subway yesterday.

> 扮猪吃老虎(bàn zhū chī lǎohǔ) – looking foolish in the short-term to win in the long-term

扮 means “to disguise” and 老虎 is “tiger”, so 扮猪吃老虎 means “disguising as a pig to eat a tiger”. It’s said that when hunters couldn’t catch a tiger, they would pretend to be a pig and draw the tiger out. When the tiger approached, then they would suddenly attack it. Chinese people use this expression to talk about people who like to look foolish or downplay themselves in the short-term to win in the long-term.

E.g.

有些人很会扮猪吃老虎。
(Yǒu xiē rén hěn huì bàn zhū chī lǎohǔ.)
Some people are good at looking foolish in the short-term to win in thelong-term.

他看起来很好，其实是在扮猪吃老虎，你小心点儿。
(Tā kàn qǐlái hěn hǎo, qíshí shì zài bàn zhū chī lǎohǔ, nǐ xiǎoxīn diǎnr.)
Be careful. He looks nice, but in fact he is looking foolish short-term to win in the long-term.

#7 Other Animals

> 放鸽子(fànɡ ɡēzi)- standing someone up

放鸽子 directly translates to “release a pigeon”. It later came to mean standing someone up. It’s said that 放鸽子 originated from the lottery in old Shanghai, commonly known as a “white pigeon ticket” with an extremely low chance of winning.

E.g.

他经常放我鸽子。
(Tā jīnɡchánɡ fànɡ wǒ ɡēzi.)
He often stands me up.

我被放鸽子了，她没有来。
(Wǒ bèi fànɡ ɡēzi le, tā méiyǒu lái.)
She didn’t come, and I was stood up.

> 乌鸦嘴(wūyā zuǐ)- jinx

乌鸦嘴 is literally “crow’s mouth”. 乌鸦 are black, omnivorous and addicted to rotten meat, so when it comes to it, Chinese people usually associate it with the idea of being unlucky and gloomy. So now, Chinese people often use乌鸦嘴to refer to a jinx.

E.g.

闭嘴，你这个乌鸦嘴！
(Bìzuǐ, nǐ zhèɡe wūyā zuǐ!)
Shut up, you jinx!

你是乌鸦嘴吗，每次不好的事都会被你说中。
(Nǐ shì wūyā zuǐ ma, měicì bù hǎo de shì dōu huì bèi nǐ shuōzhònɡ.)
Are you a jinx? Because bad things are always said right by you.

> 老狐狸(lǎo húli)- old fox

In Chinese people’s minds, 狐狸 are sharp, smart, and sly. 老狐狸 literally means old fox, and Chinese people use it to refer to people who are highly cunning, scheming and cruel.

E.g.

这个人是只老狐狸。
(Zhèɡe rén shì zhǐ lǎo húli.)
This man is an old fox.

他是我们公司里知名的老狐狸。
(Tā shì wǒmen ɡōnɡsī lǐ zhīmínɡ de lǎo húli.)
He is a famous old fox at our company.

Those are some of the most common and important animal-related Chinese slang expressions. We hope that this list can help you improve your fluency and your understanding of Chinese culture.

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(1) 你吃了吗？(Nǐ chī le ma?)

You may already know that another common Chinese greeting is 你吃了吗(Nǐ chī le mɑ). But do you know why Chinese people say that and when you should use it? Let’s start with an example.

A:你吃了吗？Have you eaten yet?
(Nǐ chī le mɑ?)

B:吃了，你呢？Yes. How about you?
(Chī le, nǐ ne.)

A:还没呢。Not yet.
(Hái méi ne.)

There is a lot of delicious food in China, and Chinese people really love to enjoy that delicious food. As the saying goes, Food is the soul of the people, and Chinese culture is centered around food. So around breakfast, lunch, or dinner time, you’ll hear conversations like this because that is how they show their concern. If you visit someone’s home during mealtime, a hospitable host will invite you to join them . However, we generally do not just randomly pop in at mealtime without an important or urgent reason.

(2) 出门啊？(Chū mén a?)

If you live in China, you might hear conversations like this between your Chinese neighbors:

A:你去哪？Where are you going?
Nǐ qù nǎ?)

B:我去超市买点东西。I am going to the supermarket to buy something.
(Wǒ qù chāoshì mǎi diǎn dōnɡxi.)

Or:

A:你去做什么？What are you going to do?
(Nǐ qù zuò shénme ?)

B:我出去有点事。I’m out to deal with some personal business.
(Wǒ chūqu yóu diǎn shì. )

Where you go and what you do is private, so you may feel a bit confused. Isn’t it rude for neighbors to ask such questions? In fact, just like how British people love to talk about the weather, we Chinese people ask others where they’re going and what they’re doing as a form of small talk. Maybe your neighbors see that you are going out, so they strike up a polite conversation, just to avoid embarrassment. They don’t really want to invade your privacy. Sometimes when we see our relatives or friends on the street, we also ask them where they’re going and what they’re doing, just to show that we care and as a greeting.

Of course, when faced with such a question, if we’re talking to a nice person, we don’t mind being specific. If you don’t want to talk about the details, it’s usually enough to just say  I’m going out to deal with some personal business. A decent person will understand that  you don’t want to answer and won’t ask you for more details.

Let’s look at another example of a conversation between neighbors. If I want to go to the supermarket and run into my neighbor at the door, we’ll have a conversation like this:

A:呦，出去啊？ Oh, going out?
(Yōu , chūqu a?)

B:是啊，去超市。扔垃圾呢？ Yes, to the supermarket. Taking out the garbage?
(Shì a, qù chāoshì. rēnɡ lājī ne ?)

A:对，今天大扫除。Yes, I did a big house cleaning today.
(Duì, jīntiān dà sǎochú. )

Isn’t that an interesting conversation? My neighbor saw me going out, and he already knew what I was doing, so why did he still ask me? I saw my neighbor with a garbage bag. He must’ve been going to take out the garbage. Why did I ask him about what I already saw him doing?

This kind of dialogue is quite common in Chinese, and it is a kind of greeting to ask questions while already knowing the answer. Let’s look at some more examples:

吃饭呢？Having dinner?
(Chīfàn ne?)

看书呢？You are reading?
(Kànshū ne?)

出去买东西啊？Going out to buy something?
(Chūqu mǎi dōnɡxi a?)

你去上课呢？You are going to your classroom?
(Nǐ qù shànɡkè ne?)

This kind of greeting usually comes up when you see someone you’re familiar with. We don’t usually say你好(nǐ hǎo) to people we know well, but then how should you say hello? So, ask them about what they’re doing to initiate a courteous conversation and be smooth. Usually, it will be a short conversation, especially if you simply run into someone, but of course you can continue to talk about other things if you like.

(3) 多喝热水。(Duō hē rèshuǐ.)

How do you show your friends and family you care? Usually, to show that we care about others, we offer some good advice that we believe will help. Let’s look at some examples:

A:上课啊？ Are you going to class?
(Shànɡkè a?)

B:对，最近真冷啊！Yes. It’s cold these days!
(Duì,zuìjìn zhēn lěnɡ a!)

A:是啊，多穿点。yeah, you should put on more clothes.
(Shì a , duō chuān diǎn.)

B:你也是。You too.
(Nǐ yě shì.)

Or a conversation like this:

A:怎么了？What’s wrong with you?
(Zěnme le?)

B:感冒了。I caught a cold.
(Gǎnmào le.)

A:多穿点，多喝热水。Wear more clothes and drink more hot water.
(duō chuān diǎn , duō hē rèshuǐ.)

Advice like wear more clothes, drink more hot water, and eat more may sound like a mother’s advice to her children, and it is true that Chinese parents often tell their children these things to show their love. But among friends, neighbors, and other acquaintances, we also say this quite often. Not because we think you don’t care about your health and need to be reminded, but just to let you know, I care about you, and I hope you’re doing well.

If you want to show concern for your Chinese friends, you can also say:

早点睡。Go to bed early.
(Záo diǎn shuì.)

按时吃饭。Eat regularly.
(Ànshí chīfàn.)

注意身体。Take care of your health.
(Zhùyì shēntǐ.)

(4) 你爸妈身体好吗？(Nǐ bàmā shēntǐ hǎo mɑ ?)

We also care about the health of others, not only about your individual health, but also your loved ones too. For example:

A:最近怎么样？How have you been?
(Zuìjìn zěnme yànɡ?)

B:挺好的，您呢？Fine. How about you?
(Tǐnɡ hǎo de, nín ne?)

A:还不错。你爸妈身体好吗？Not bad. How are your parents?
(Hái búcuò,nǐ bàmā shēntǐ hǎo mɑ ?)

B: 谢谢关心，他们很好。Thanks for asking. They are all fine.
(Xièxiè ɡuānxīn,tāmen hěn hǎo.)

When we ask people about their health, we expect positive answers. If we receive some bad news, the next thing we do according to etiquette is call or visit the sick person and bring them some fruit or flowers to show our concern.

Maybe you expect others to ask about your health, but you may wonder, If you care about my parents, why not ask them directly? In fact, when I saw a friend who also knew my parents, he would ask about how they’re doing, and when I saw my parents, I would tell them that he had asked about them.

However, inquiring about the health of family members is limited to people you know. It is not proper to talk about someone’s parents if you do not know them well.

(5) 慢走。(Màn zǒu. )

If you’re hosting, how about politely seeing off your guests? Let’s look at an example.

A: 慢走。Take your time and be careful!
(Màn zǒu. )

B: 谢谢，别送了。Thanks, don’t bother to see me out!
(Xièxiè,bié sònɡ le .)

慢走(màn zǒu)  is not telling the guest to walk slowly. It is telling them to pay attention and be safe. We also have examples of doing other things slowly:

慢用。(while serving) enjoy your meal.
(Màn yònɡ.)

您慢慢看。(while shopping) take your time.
(Nín mànmàn kàn.)

(6) 您过奖了。(Nín ɡuòjiǎnɡ le.)

Above, we have covered some expressions that can be used to start a conversation. Finally, let’s talk about how to respond to compliments.

A:你太厉害了！ You’re excellent!
(Nǐ tài lìhɑi le.)

B: 哪里哪里。/您过奖了。/运气好。It’s nothing. / I am flattered! / I am just lucky.
(Nǎ lǐ nǎ lǐ./ nín ɡuò jiǎnɡ le./ yùn qi hǎo.)

Modesty is considered a virtue by Chinese people. If others praise us, we usually don’t say thank you directly but use more modest expressions, such as “we are lucky” or “it is not a big problem, anyone can solve it, and I just happened to solve it.” However, young people these days also respond to compliments by replying with a direct thank you.

Did you find the expressions we shared today helpful? Are there any similar expressions in your country? Or are there any special greetings that are quite different from ours? Please share some of your country’s greetings, etiquette, or expressions with us, and we can appreciate our different cultures together.

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Imagine you are having some chit-chat with a Chinese lady you met some five minutes ago at a bus station, and she is asking you normal questions like “Where are you from?” and “How long have you studied Chinese?”.  And then suddenly she goes: “Do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?”,  “Do you want to have a Chinese boyfriend/girlfriend?” “How much do you earn?” These questions are a bit too personal, aren’t they? How do you respond? What do you do? What an awkward situation…

Well, that’s exactly what happened to me during my first ever trip to China. Just a few hours after I landed in Shanghai, I was lost at a bus station and asked someone for help. The lady was very nice; she helped me buy a ticket and then we had a chat while waiting for a bus. I was so excited to talk to a native Chinese speaker! Wow, I could understand her and she understood me! I had this amazing feeling that all those Chinese classes and hours of studying were not wasted.

And then came the questions about boyfriends, marriage, salary…To be honest, I did not know how to answer those. It’s pretty private information to share with a person you just met at a bus station. Yet these questions are just a few examples of uncomfortable questions Chinese people ask. Such awkward questions are very common.

More often than not, foreigners get frustrated and even offended by these awkward questions. But it is very easy to get the wrong idea if you don’t understand the culture. Learning any foreign language is indivisible from gaining an understanding of that country’s customs and beliefs. As a student of Mandarin, you should be aware of these differences and try to understand Chinese culture and the reasons behind people’s questions and behaviour.

In this article, I’ll introduce the most common awkward questions and explain the reason behind them.

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR AGE

 – How old are you?

• 你多大了？ (Nǐ duōdàle?)
• 你多少岁啊？ (Nǐ duōshǎo suì a?)
• 你是几几年出生的？ (Nǐ shì jǐ jǐ nián chūshēng de?)

This is one of the most common questions. While in some parts of the world it is considered a rude one, in China no one wants to offend you! A Chinese person will ask your age not only out of curiosity, but this question has a deeper cultural meaning: age defines how people address each other.   “大哥”( dà gē)/ “哥”(gē) or “大姐”( dà jiě)/ “姐”( jiě), “小哥哥”( xiǎo gē ge) or “小姐姐”( xiǎo jiějie) – these are common ways to address someone you know, and the word you choose is related to the age difference between the speakers. 

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP AND FAMILY

• 你有男朋友/女朋友吗？(Nǐ yǒu nán péngyǒu/nǚ péngyǒu ma?)

Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?

• 你想结婚吗？ (Nǐ xiǎng jiéhūn ma?)

Are you planning to get married?

• 你结婚了吗？ (Nǐ jiéhūnle ma?)

Are you married?

• 你有孩子吗？ (Nǐ yǒu háizi ma?)

Do you have kids?

• 你怎么不要孩子？ (Nǐ zěnme bùyào háizi?)

Why don’t you have kids?

• 你打算生孩子吗？ (Nǐ dǎsuàn shēng háizi ma?)

Do you plan to have kids?

• 你还想再生一个吗？ (Nǐ hái xiǎng zàishēng yīgè ma?)

Do you want to have another one?

Feel a bit awkward even just reading these questions? Well, imagine them being asked by a stranger during casual chit-chat. These questions are so common that you are very unlikely to avoid them, but don’t get frustrated or angry. As with other questions on this list, Chinese people do not want to embarrass you. Actually, they care about you. Family, marriage and children have always been important in Chinese culture and society; they are the insurance for a stable life. Without them, one is left alone to face all the troubles and uncertainties of the world. So by asking you these questions and giving advice on getting married sooner, Chinese people express their concern for you. They treat you as a friend (even if you met them 5 minutes ago) and worry about your future.

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR BODY

• 你怎么那么瘦？ (Nǐ zěnme nàme shòu?) Why so skinny?
• 你多重啊？ (Nǐ duōchóng a?) Did you gain weight?
• 你脸色怎么那么苍白？ (Nǐ liǎnsè zěnme nàme cāngbái?) Why so pale?
• 你身体怎么样？ (Nǐ shēntǐ zěnme yàng?) Are you healthy?

Questions about one’s health are another set of the most common ones. And again, don’t take them personally! Health is an extremely important concept in Chinese culture, and in Chinese traditions, it reflects the harmony between complementary energies, yin and yang. Nowadays, most Chinese people are actually very comfortable with the duality between western and traditional Chinese health beliefs, yet some issues, which they see as “imbalances,” indicate health issues. Health questions show that the person sees you as a friend, and as your friend, they want to know if you are ok or need help.

QUESTIONS ABOUT MONEY

• 你赚多少钱啊？(Nǐ zhuàn duōshǎo qián a?) How much money do you make?
• 你工资是多少？ (Nǐ gōngzī shì duōshǎo?) What is your salary?

Almost every professional working in China gets this question. The wealth gap between the poor and the rich in China makes many wonders what their place is in the income pyramid. Knowing how much money others earn gives you an idea of average income across different spheres. So this question is something like a Glassdoor salary check. Moreover, if your salary is lower than the average, your Chinese friend would push you to ask for raise!

So hopefully now you won’t get frustrated when getting these personal questions and won’t put the Chinese people asking them on the “rude list.”

Share your thoughts on the article with us. Did I forget any awkward questions? Tell us! 🙂

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Choosing the appropriate term not only demonstrates your politeness and respect for others, but also your cross-cultural awareness and enthusiasm.In this article, we will briefly introduce some of the honorifics commonly used in day-to-day life in China.

#1 Addressing strangers

When visiting public areas like supermarkets, parks, airports, or railway stations, you’ll come across a variety of people who you don’t know. Even if you’re not seeking out in-depth conversations with strangers, you may need to ask for help, or in some cases, they might even approach you. In China, when meeting someone for the first time, how do people address each other?

Addressing older or elderly strangers

To address an elderly person in China, such as someone as old as your grandparents, you can use 大爷( dà yé) or 老爷爷(lǎo yéye) for a man, and 大妈(dà mā) or 老奶奶(lǎo nǎinai) for a woman. For a gender-neutral form, use 老人家(lǎo rén jiā). If someone’s age is more similar to your parents, you can address them as 叔叔( shū shu) or 大叔(dà shū) for a man, or 阿姨( ā’yí) for a woman. Sometimes, you can use 大哥(dà gē)/ 哥(gē) or 大姐(dà jiě)/ 姐( jiě) for people who are not much older than you to show respect or establish a more friendly tone.

It’s important to note that some women may find the term 大妈(dà mā) offensive, as it can be considered derogatory. So, use it with care.

Addressing younger strangers

To address a young man, you can use 小伙子 (xiǎo huǒzi), and for a young girl, 小姑娘(xiǎo gūniang) or 小妹妹 (xiǎo mèimei). If you are in the same generation, you can use informal but popular terms like 帅哥(shuài gē) or 美女(měi nǚ), as well as 小哥哥(xiǎo gē ge) or 小姐姐(xiǎo jiějie), which can make the conversation less awkward and uncomfortable. These terms also connote youth and beauty.

#2 Addressing acquaintances

When talking about acquaintances, there are a few different terms that can be used depending on their relationship to you.

Addressing family members

For older relatives, Chinese people will address them according to their position in the family tree. For example, you would address your father’s parents as 爷爷 (yéye) and 奶奶 (nǎinai), and your mother’s parents as 外公 (wài gōng) and 外婆 (wài pó). Your mother’s brother and his wife are addressed as 舅舅 (jiùjiu) and 舅妈 (jiù mā), while your mother’s sister and her husband are addressed as 姨 (yí) and 姨夫 (yí fù). There are many other specific terms used to address people in a Chinese family, and you can check out the Chinese family tree for more examples.

There are also terms for people who are not directly related to you but are still close with your family. You can address them with the form “family name + 爷爷/奶奶” or “family name + 叔叔/阿姨”, such as 李爷爷 (Lǐ yéye), 赵奶奶 (Zhào nǎinai), 马叔叔 (Mǎ shūshu), and 郭阿姨 (Guō ā’yí), among others.

Addressing younger acquaintances

When greeting people in your own generation, it’s common to use more relaxed and informal forms of address. You can refer to someone by their given name or a nickname that they’ve previously used. For example, if you’re friends with 张六一(Zhāng Liùyī), you could call him 六一，小一，一一，小六 or any other name that he’s comfortable with. However, if you’re speaking to someone younger than you, it’s best to address them using their full name or a nickname. It’s important to note that for some Chinese people, using their full name could imply that something serious has happened. For English speakers, this is similar to having a parent call you by your first, middle, and last name. It often implies that you may be in trouble.

#3 Addressing people at work

Addressing people in Chinese based on their job title

Certain jobs in China carry a higher social status, and people often address these workers by their job titles. Simply place their surname before their title. For example, you might address someone as 吴经理 (Wú jīnglǐ) for Manager Wu, 张老师 (Zhāng lǎoshī) for Teacher Zhang, 刘主任 (Liú zhǔrèn) for Director Liu, 王医生 (Wáng yīsheng) for Doctor Wang, 李警官 (Lǐ jǐngguān) for Sir Li, 杨博士 (Yáng bóshì) for Dr. Yang, and so on.

It’s worth noting that the term 老师 (lǎoshī) has expanded beyond its original meaning of “teacher” in recent years. Nowadays, it’s commonly used to respectfully address someone who is knowledgeable or has expertise in a certain field, such as a movie director or school administrator.

In work settings

In China, individuals working for the government or commercial businesses are typically addressed by their rank, such as 市长 (shì zhǎng) for mayor, 校长 (xiàozhǎng) for school principal, and 经理 (jīng lǐ) for manager. As previously mentioned, simply add the person’s surname before their rank.

A popular term that has emerged in recent years is 总 (zǒng), which means “chief” and was originally an abbreviation for 总经理 (zǒng jīng lǐ) for general manager or 总裁 (zǒng cái) for chairman or president. Respectful address for such a person would be “surname + 总 (zǒng)” such as 王总 (Wáng Zǒng) and 徐总 (Xú Zǒng).

The use of 总 (zǒng) has also expanded beyond its original meaning and is now commonly used to address anyone who holds a relatively high rank in government offices, state-owned enterprises, or commercial businesses. However, depending on the atmosphere and culture of the company, some employees at small businesses may call their boss 老大 (lǎodà) to create a more amicable relationship between the bosses and employees.

In many financial or high-tech companies, staff are accustomed to addressing each other by their English names to avoid emphasizing hierarchical relationships and create a more egalitarian company culture.

Addressing service workers in Chinese

In Chinese culture, it is important to show respect towards service workers. The most common term used for waiters and waitresses is 服务员(Fúwù yuán). Delivery drivers are referred to as 快递小哥(Kuàidì xiǎo gē) for packages and 外卖小哥(Wàimài xiǎo gē) for food delivery. However, these terms should not be used to directly address them when you speak to them. Instead, it is best to use one of the other ways to address strangers mentioned earlier.

Another informal term that can be used is 老板（Lǎobǎn）, meaning boss”. This term can be used both in office settings and as a respectful term for a shopkeeper or restaurant owner. The wife of the owner or female proprietor is called 老板娘（Lǎobǎnniáng）”.

师傅（shīfù） is a term used to respectfully address someone who is skilled in a certain craft or technique, such as cooking, martial arts, or carpentry. It can also be used for blue-collar workers like taxi drivers, factory workers, and delivery clerks.

Closing Thoughts

Honorifics differ all across the world, and in China, they have evolved with the times. Addressing people in China can be challenging, even for locals. It’s important to follow local customs and always show respect to the person being addressed.

By using the appropriate terms in different social contexts, you can assimilate better into Chinese culture and form better relationships with the people you interact with.

I hope this brief guide will assist you in your Chinese language studies or your future trip to China.

Further reading:

• How to Address Someone Based on Their Status in Chinese
• Learn Chinese Relative Addresses in an Easy Way –relatives in my family
• Learn Chinese Relative Addresses in an Easy Way – Mother`s Side
• Learn Chinese Relative Addresses in an Easy Way – Father`s Side
• Daily Chinese series

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1. 一心一意 (yì xīn yí yì)

to do something whole-heartedly

This literally means “one heart, one idea.” It is used to express a state of doing something intently，and can also be translated as “to do something whole-heartedly”.

For example:

         做事情应该要一心一意。(Zuò shìqing yīnggāi yào yì xīn yí yì.)

          We should do things whole-heartedly.

         他一心一意想见你，你就见他一面吧。 (Tā yì xīn yí yì xiǎng jiàn nǐ, nǐ jiù jiàn tā yí miàn ba.)

          He wants to see you intently, just give him a few minutes.

Since “一心一意” expresses doing something whole-heartedly,  what about the opposite? HOW TO EXPRESS DOING SOMETHING “UN WHOLE-HEARTEDLY?”  Here we point to the second idiom “三心二意” which is the opposite of “一心一意”.

2. 三心二意 (sān xīn’ èr yì)

to be of two minds

This literally means “three hearts, two ideas”. It is used to indicate the state of wanting to do several things at the same time, but ending up with nothing done well usually, and can also be translated as “be of two minds” or “half-heartedly”.

For example:
写作业就不要玩游戏，不要三心二意！(Xiě zuòyè jiù bú yào wán yóuxì, bú yào sān xīn’èr yì.)
When you’re doing your homework, you can’t be of two minds with playing games at the same time.

他又想准备考研，又想出去旅游，整天三心二意的。(Tā yòu xiǎng zhǔnbèi kǎoyán, yòu xiǎng chūqù lǚyóu, zhěngtiān sān xīn’ èr yì de.)
He wants to travel while preparing for the entrance exams for postgraduate schools, which results in doing things half-heartedly all day.

Let’s have a look at an idiom with the number “two” below, namely “两全其美”.

3. 两全其美 (liǎng quán qí měi)

to be perfect in both respects；to satisfy both sides

This literally means “two sides are both good”. It implies a state of satisfying both related sides with the same matter, and can plainly be translated as “be perfect in both respects” or “to satisfy both sides.”

For example:

       这个房子又大又离我的公司很近，真的是两全其美。

        (Zhè gè fángzi yòu dà yòu lí wǒ de gōngsī hěn jìn, zhēnde shì liǎng quán qí měi.)

        The house is perfect because it’s big and near my company.

       既要工作又要照顾孩子，我得想个两全其美的办法才行。

       (Jìyào gōngzuò yòu yào zhàogù háizi, wǒ dě xiǎng gè liǎng quán qí měi de bànfǎ cái xíng.)

       I need to think of a way to balance working and taking care of children.

4. 四通八达 (sì tōng bā dá)

to be accessible from all directions

This is usually used to describe a communication network which is accessible from all directions.

For example:

        铁路网四通八达。 (Tiělù wǎng sì tōng bā dá.)

        Railways radiate in all directions.

        四通八达的交通为这个地方带来了很多好处。

     （Sì tōng bā dá de jiāotōng wèi zhè gè dìfang dàilái le hěn duō hǎochù.）

       Good rail connections bring great advantages to this place.

5. 五体投地 (wǔ tǐ tóu dì)

extremely admire；admire somebody completely

This literally means “five body parts are thrown down.” It evolved from an ancient religious ritual involving groveling with your two feet, two hands, and your head down, to show your respect and worship. Now, it can loosely be translated as “extremely admire” or “admire somebody completely.”

For example:

       你真的太厉害了，这么难的题你都会，我对你佩服的五体投地。

     （Nǐ zhēn de tài lìhài le, zhème nán de tí nǐ dōu huì, wǒ duì nǐ pèifú de wǔ tǐ tóu dì.）

        You’re awesome for solving such a difficult question, and I extremely admire you.

       那几个女生对他的外貌和才华崇拜得五体投地。

      （Nà jǐ gè nǚshēng duì tā de wàimào hé cáihuá chóngbài de wǔ tǐ tóu dì.）

         Those girls really admire his appearance and talent.

6. 六神无主 (liù shén wú zhǔ)

to be in a state of stupefaction (from emotional shock)

• This idiom actually has something to do with Taoism. In Taoism, our heart, lung, liver, kidneys, spleen, and gallbladder are controlled by six separate gods. As a result, “六神无主” literally means “six gods lost their mind.” Actually, in daily life, it’s used to describe someone who is “in a state of stupefaction (from emotional shock).”
• You could use it when something scares you. For instance:

        我被这件事吓得六神无主。

        (Wǒ bèi zhè jiàn shì xià de liù shén wú zhǔ.)

        I was scared and felt shocked because of this thing.

Another one：

       接到被开除的电话，他顿时觉得六神无主。

        (Jiēdào bèi kāichú de diànhuà, tā dùnshí juéde liù shén wú zhǔ.)

        Getting the news of being dismissed through the phone, he suddenly felt stupefied.

7. 七嘴八舌 (qī zuǐ bā shé)

all talk at the same time

this literally means “seven mouths, eight tongues”. It’s used to indicate that everyone is trying to say what they want to say in a discussion (a clash of opinions). Thus, it can plainly be translated as “all talk at the same time.”

For example:

        会上大家针对这个计划七嘴八舌地讨论了起来。

       (Huì shàng dàjiā zhēnduì zhè gè jìhuà qī zuǐ bā shé de tǎolùn le qǐlái.)

         Everyone talks at the same time on this project in the meeting.

         一听到他被开除的消息，所有人都七嘴八舌地讨论了起来。

       （Yī tīngdào tā bèi kāichú de xiāoxī, suǒyǒu rén dōu qī zuǐ bā shé de tǎolùn le qǐlái.）

            Once hearing that he was fired, all start talking in confusion.

8. 八面玲珑 (bā miàn líng long)

all things to all people

This originally means “the window is spacious and well-lighted.” Now, it’s used to describe a person who is smooth and slick in establishing social relations, capable of pleasing all people. Hence, it can appropriately be translated as “all things to all people”.

For example:

        玛丽和所有人都很好，是个八面玲珑的人。

        (Mǎlì hé suǒyǒu rén dōu hěn hǎo, shì gè bā miàn líng lóng de rén.)

        Mary gets well along with all people. She is slick in establishing social relations.

       八面玲珑固然有好处，但是我更愿意做自己。

       (Bā miàn líng lóng gùrán yǒu hǎochù, dànshì wǒ gèng yuànyì zuò zìjǐ.)

       It’s advisable to be all things to all people, but I’d like to be myself.

9. 九牛一毛 (jiǔ niú yì máo)

to be comparatively small

This literally means “a single hair out of nine ox hides.” It can be translated to mean that something is “comparatively small” in comparison to something else.

For example:

       这点儿损失对他来说是九牛一毛。

       (Zhè diǎn’r sǔnshī duì tā lái shuō shì jiǔ niú yì máo.)

       The loss is comparatively small for him.

        比起他付出的，我这些事都是九牛一毛。

       (Bǐ qǐ tā fùchū de, wǒ zhèxiē shì dōushì jiǔ niú yī máo.)

       Compared to what he paid, what I’ve done is small.

10. 十全十美 (shí quán shí měi)

to be perfect in every way

How do we express “A PERFECT 10” in Chinese? Well, that’s the No. 10 idiom we are going to talk about here – “十全十美”, and it is used in a real conversation to describe something as perfect in every way.

For example:

这部电影有一个十全十美的结局。

      (Zhè bù diànyǐng yǒu yī gè shí quán shí měi de jiéjú.)

      The movie has a perfect ending.

      所有制度在刚推出的时候都不是十全十美的。

      (Suǒyǒu zhìdù zài gāng tuīchū de shíhou dōu búshì shí quán shí měi de.)

      Not all rules were perfect when they were first carried out.

11. 百发百中 (bǎi fā bǎi zhòng)

every shot hits the target; about a person who does things with full confidence

This literally means “a hundred shots, a hundred hits. Plainly speaking, it’s used to express “every shot hits the target,” and its extended meaning is describing a person who does things confidently.

Take playing basketball as an example:

        他投篮百发百中。(Tā tóulán bǎi fā bǎi zhòng.)

        He always makes a basket without a single miss.

One more:

        这次考试的所有问题，我肯定会百发百中。

       （Zhècì kǎoshì de suǒyǒu wèntí, wǒ kěndìng huì bǎi fā bǎi zhòng.）

         I’m sure that I can handle all the questions in the test.

12. 千钧一发 (qiān jūn yí fà)

to describe a situation that is in imminent peril

“钧” is an ancient measure classifier for weight, thus literally the idiom means “a thousand jun hangs by a single hair,” Usually in real life, it’s applied to describe “a situation that is in imminent peril.”

For example:

        在这千钧一发的时刻，他毫不犹豫地跳下去救人。

         (Zài zhè qiān jūn yí fà de shíkè, tā háo bù yóuyù de tiào xiàqù jiù ré.)

         At the imminent moment, he dived into the river to save the drowned man without hesitation.

        不到千钧一发之际，英雄绝不会出现。

        (Bú dào qiān jūn yí fà zhī jì, yīngxióng jué bú huì chūxiàn.)

          (Heroes never appear until the moment of extreme peril.)

13. 万众一心 (wàn zhòng yì xīn)

all the people of one mind

This literally means “ten thousand people, one heart.” The extended meaning of this idiom is describing unity, equivalent to “all the people of one mind” in English.

For example:

       万众一心，抵抗敌人。(Wàn zhòng yì xīn, dǐkàng dírén.)

        To unite as one group to defend against the enemy.

        在环保这件事上，全世界人民万众一心。

        (Zài huánbǎo zhè jiàn shì shàng, quán shìjiè rénmín wàn zhòng yì xīn.)

        All the people are of one mind on the environmental protection of the world.

The use of idioms in any language shows that you are able to express yourself better because it means that you understand more about the culture behind that language. This holds true also for Chinese. By understanding and using these 13 idioms with numbers, you can not only express yourself more clearly to other Chinese speakers, but you can show that you know the culture behind these idioms also. Practice using them, and for sure, people will be impressed with your deeper knowledge of Chinese.

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Cultural Activities

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year (农历新年 nóng lì xīn nián) is seen as the most important time of the year in Chinese culture. To celebrate the festival, there are various rituals and customs that the Chinese people follow, one of which is to visit family and friends. Chinese New Year is an opportunity to reunite with family, friends, and loved ones. In practice, visiting them at their homes is a custom called 拜年 (bài nián).

During these visits, it’s common practice for people to dress in red, as this colour symbolizes ‘good luck’. Generally, people exchange festive gifts, while senior members of the group will give out ‘red envelopes’, which are in fact cash gifts, to the more junior, unmarried members of the family. This act is considered as ‘sending good luck’ to others. Furthermore, everyone would greet one another with New Year blessings, wishing each other good fortune, health, and wealth.

Be aware, though, that there are some gifts that are taboo, and which you shouldn’t bring at all. Here’s a handy list of gifts to be avoided: ‘Giving Gifts to Chinese People: Beware of Certain Taboos’. Always make sure that you are giving the right gift so that you will not accidentally insult anyone.

Greetings During the New Year of the Pig

Apart from the traditional New Year greetings, below are 6 Chinese New Year greetings that relate to ‘pigs’ (猪 zhū), and are suitable for use this year!

1. 猪年进步 (zhū nián jìn bù)

‘‘May you make progress in the Year of Pig’’

‘猪年’ represents ‘the Year of Pig’, and ‘进步’ means ‘to improve’. This statement is a general greeting and is applicable in various situations during Chinese New Year.

2. “猪”事顺利

诸事顺利 (zhū shì shùn lì)

“May all things work out smoothly”

‘诸事’ refers to ‘all things, different things’, and ‘顺利’ means ‘smooth’. The phrase can be used to greet people of all ages. ‘诸 (zhū)’ shares the same sound as ‘pig, 猪 (zhū)’, therefore it’s particularly popular to be used in the Year of the Pig.

3. “猪”事如意

诸事如意 (zhū shì rú yì)

“May all things go as you wish”

Similar to ‘诸事顺利’, the word ‘诸’ from ‘诸事如意’ also takes the exact pronunciation as ‘pig’, which is ‘猪 (zhū)’.This makes it suitable to be used during the New Year of the Pig. Yet, ‘如意’ has a slightly different meaning from ‘顺利’, which means ‘as one wishes’.

4. “猪”报平安

竹报平安 (zhú bào píng ān)

“May you be peaceful and safe”

The phrase is a traditional idiom that people used when sending mail back home to reassure their family that everything was well and peaceful after being away from home for a long time. Nowadays, the phrase is a nice blessing to wish someone peace and safety. ‘竹 (zhú)’ has a similar sound to  ‘猪 (zhū)’, which means pig, therefore it is particularly appropriate to be used this year.

5. 胸有成“猪”

事事胸有成竹 (shì shì xiōng yǒu chéng zhú)

“May you have a well-designed plan for all things”

‘事事’ equals to ‘everything’, and ‘胸有成竹’ is a traditional idiom indicating one has a thorough plan in advance before any kind of work. This is a nice saying especially between businesses or corporations. Also, ‘竹 (zhú)’, having a similar sound to ‘pig, 猪 (zhū)’, makes it more meaningful for the Year of the Pig.

6. 猪笼入水

(zhū lóng rù shuǐ)

“May wealth flow in”

This saying is more often used among Southern Chinese. ‘猪笼’ literally means ‘pig cage’, while ‘入’ and ‘水’ mean ‘enter’ and ‘water’ respectively. ‘Water flowing in a pig cage’ symbolizes wealth flowing into your pocket, therefore it’s a good way to wish one wealth and prosperity. In particular, the phrase consists of the word ‘猪 (zhū), pig’, so this year is the right time to use this greeting.

As was mentioned, Chinese New Year is a time for families and friends to reunite and get-together in happy gatherings. It is traditionally a joyful time for everyone, and it is also a time for renewal and hopes. Since it is a new year, it is also a time to start over and make things better in our lives moving forward.

We at Digmandarin wish you all a wonderful and joyful Year of the Pig! 祝大家猪年快乐!

• 8 Things You Might Not Know About Chinese New Year
• All about Chinese New Year: taboos, wishes and magic words
• Useful Phrases for Spring Festival Celebrations
• Bring Yourself Good Luck on本命年 (Běnmìngnián)
• 8 Common Homophonic Puns in Chinese New Year Festival

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