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Chinese slang
Feb 5, 2007 20:41
  • CHYNAGYRL
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Can you give a few examples of Chinese colloquialisms? (ie spoken but not written expressions)

For example, in Canada, when someone fills your glass, they tell you, "Say when." Then you should tell them when to stop pouring.

Also if someone asks you, "Do you want a coffee?", Canadians say, "No, I'm good". That means "No thanks. I'm fine."

What are some Chinese spoken expressions?

Feb 6, 2007 01:48
#1  
  • MAY001
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I can offer some very interesting expressions:

1. 不到黄河不死心 (bu 4 dao 4 huang 2 he 2 bu 4 si 3 xin 1), also known as 不到黄河心不死 (bu 4 dao 4 huang 2 he 2 xin 1 bu 4 si 3)

Literaly means 'not stop until one reaches the Huanghe River'. It means not stop until one reaches one's goal, or refuse to give up until all hope is gone.

One can say:" 他是不到黄河不死心." means "He wouldn't stop until he reaches his goal.
Feb 6, 2007 02:01
#2  
GUEST21130 2. 临时抱佛脚 (lin 2 shi 2 bao 4 fo 2 jiao 3)

Someone just translated it word by word: "When the trouble comes, we embrace the feet of the Buddha." In fact, it means "Worship God just in times of adversity."

We can scold a student by"平时不努力，临时抱佛脚. (pin 2 shi 2 bu 4 nu 3 li 4, lin 2 shi 2 bao 4 fo 2 jiao 3)" . That means the student didn't work hard everyday, and just prepare the exams before it.
Feb 6, 2007 02:02
#3  
  • MAY001
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O, I've been kicked off? Ok, it's me who posted the second one.
Feb 28, 2007 02:03
#4  
  • ELINA
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一个巴掌拍不响，yí gè bā zhǎng pāi bù xiǎng, it takes two to make a quarrel.
Mar 2, 2007 03:17
#5  
  • ELLEN77
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两天不挨打，你上房揭瓦。 Liang3 Tian2 bu4 ai2 da3, ni2 shang4 fang2 jie2 wa3.
Means: If I don't give you some warning or punishment, you'll make even more trouble.
You can use it to blame your naughty children who continues to make troubles. LOL
Mar 2, 2007 04:02
#6  
  • ELLEN77
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太阳从西边出来了。 Tai4 yang2 Cong2 xi1 bian2 chu1 lai2 le
means: The sun rises from the west. Comparatively, meaning something strange or extraordinary occurs.
For example: The husband often comes home and then sits down to watch the basketballgames. Suddenly one day, the wife comes home and sees the husband busying in the kitchen. She can speak out: 太阳从西边出来了.
Mar 2, 2007 09:23
#7  
  • CHYNAGYRL
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oh Thanks! one of my friends told me that Gui (turtle) is slang for a man whose wife is cheating on him. It's kind of rude but funny.
Mar 4, 2007 10:56
#8  
  • ELINA
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It can also be called 戴绿帽子(dài lǜ mào zi)，cuckold

Mar 5, 2007 18:59
#9  
  • ELLEN77
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掉进黄河也洗不清了 Diao4 jin4 Huang2 he2 ye3 xi3 bu4 qing1 le
Means: Even if I drop into the Yellow River, my dirty can't be washed away. Comparatively implying that one is undeserved for the blame others thrust on him, often in a joking way.
Jan 5, 2008 12:18
#10  
GUEST60253 what does '88' mean in china
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