Chinese Bad Words - Study Chinese in China
Article by Maureen Hayes
Every year more and more international students are flying in from all around the world to study Chinese in China. Chinese is a complex language not suitable for the light hearted, it contains 5 tones and a language structure much different from English. Regardless of the challenges many students still flock in from all parts of the world to study Chinese. Many dedicated students complete their classes and leave China fully accomplishing their goals - to speak fluent Chinese. Along the way they learn ancient idioms and funny slang, they also learn the "bad words." Here is a list of the few of the "bad words" they come across.
For students learning a new language, general it's the bad words which are first learnt, this is also true for those who study Chinese in China. The gentler one which can also be directed to close friends include sha gua 傻瓜 literally meaning silly melon, the Chinese way of saying egghead, and ben dan 笨蛋 literally meaning stupid egg, represents the Chinese way of calling someone stupid.
Within Chinese, Foreigners have some specific words directly at them and depending on where you study will be referred to in a different manner. For example if you study down south you will be referred to as "gweilo" meaning white devil, if you study up north in areas such has Beijing, you will be referred to as "yangguizi" 洋鬼子or foreign ghost, white ghost. This terminology is usually used in a derogatory sense, more appropriate ways of addresses foreigners would be "laowai" 老外.
Among close friends the way Chinese address and talk may surprise those from the western world just beginning their study Chinese in China trip. For example, in the south friends often tell each other to eat sh*t or go die. To translate these words into English sounds extremely harsh. But as one friend from Guangdong Province explained, she felt comfortable joking with insults that instructed her friends to do something, eat something, go somewhere, etc. but would feel bad if she tr! aded mor e personal insults, like "you (fill in the blank)."
Due to China's size and long history many different regions and dialects have their own set of insults. This leads to different options for people around China on what they find offensive and not so offensive. One individual stated that in her opinion one of the worst Chinese insults-to call someone a turtle's egg wang ba dan 王八蛋, which basically is telling someone they don't know their father. It is important to remember as a study Chinese in China student that bad words can and cannot be said depending on your relationship with the speaker. When you come across a new "bad word" before you use it in an attempt to impress others of your ability to curse in a foreign language, make sure you fully understand the word an in what context in can be used.
A friend from Hunan Province says she thinks even the sentence "You're a nuisance" can be quite insulting, however this is quite commonly used all over the country.
Furthermore, many serious insults in Chinese may sound comical to the study Chinese in China student. For example the word goupi 狗屁or dogfart. In English it represents the word 'bullshit", so although it may sound cute once you translate into English, don't go around shouting out dogfart. What is more interesting is that within Chinese, numbers can also be used as an insult. Being called 250 or er bai wu 二百五 means they think you're a fool, and calling a woman a 3-8, or san ba 三八 , is like saying she's a "bitch."
The stories behind these insults are not 100% known, however one story has it that 250 is half of the ancient standard measure of 500 and so it's the equivalent of calling someone a half pack of cards. Calling a woman a 3-8 is a much more modern insult. It is said to refer to International Women's Day, held on March 8th every year. So in a sense, it is accusing woman of being too feminist with equal rights etc.
If you do hear some of this words being directed to you, a friendly jokily c! ome back would be "bu yao ma wo! " 不要骂我or don't scold me. As you study Chinese in China, get prepared to learn both the good and bad sides of the Chinese language.
Popular Religious Movements and Heterodox Sects in Chinese History (China Studies, 3)
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The Flower Phoenix is an ancient handscroll which has been created through generations of women artists. The original page of the handscroll was created by China's Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. The Tang Dynasty is considered by many to be the height of Chinese artistic culture, and Li Bai is China's most renowned ancient poet. Li Bai was inspired by the beauty of Yang Mei. Yang Mei inspires the master painter Wu Daozi. Wu Daozi creates the second page of the Flower Phoenix handscroll. Legends say that Wu Daozi was a mystical painter, who at the end of his life painted a doorway in the side of a mountain, opened the door and disappeared forever.
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Hand scroll paintings were rolled from one side to the other and as each painted section was revealed, the story of the imagery was viewed and discussed. The book unfolds over many generations and the lives of the long line of women artists who created the Flower Phoenix are brought to life by the telling.The Flower Phoenix is an ancient handscroll which has been created through generations of women artists. The original page of the handscroll was created by China's Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. The Tang Dynasty is considered by many to be the height of Chinese artistic culture, and Li Bai is China's most renowned ancient poet. Li Bai was inspired by the beauty of Yang Mei. Yang Mei inspires the master painter Wu Daozi. Wu Daozi creates the second page of the Flower Phoenix handscroll. Legends say that Wu Daozi was a mystical painter, who at the end of his life painted a doorway in the side of a mountain, opened the door and disappe! ared for ever.
Each generation creates panels in the book. By telling the story, the storyteller creates a portal into the Realm of the Flower Phoenix. The "storybearer" reads the story and summons the power of the energy of all the generations.
The story opens with Mable "Peach Blossom" Yang's one hundredth birthday celebration. She is going to pass the book on to the next generation. Mable is the most potent storybearer in the family line.
Hand scroll paintings were rolled from one side to the other and as each painted section was revealed, the story of the imagery was viewed and discussed. The book unfolds over many generations and the lives of the long line of women artists who created the Flower Phoenix are brought to life by the telling.List Price: $ 0.99 Price: $ 0.99BK0271Y-Chinese Painted Fancy Basket , Vintage, China, Wood (Mu), Antique Asian Decor: Chinese Paint
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In the Realm of the Flower Phoenix
The Flower Phoenix is an ancient handscroll which has been created through generations of women artists. The original page of the handscroll was created by China's Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. The Tang Dynasty is considered by many to be the height of Chinese artistic culture, and Li Bai is China's most renowned ancient poet. Li Bai was inspired by the beauty of Yang Mei. Yang Mei inspires the master painter Wu Daozi. Wu Daozi creates the second page of the Flower Phoenix handscroll. Legends say that Wu Daozi was a mystical painter, who at the end of his life painted a doorway in the side of a mountain, opened the door and disappeared forever.Each generation creates panels in the book. By telling the story, the storyteller creates a portal into the Realm of the Flower Phoenix. The "storybearer" reads the story and summons the power of the energy of all the generations.
The story opens with Mable "Peach Blossom" Yang's one hundredth birthday celebration. She is going to pass the book on to the next generation. Mable is the most potent storybearer in the family line.
Hand scroll paintings were rolled from one side to the other and as each painted section was revealed, the story of the imagery was viewed and discussed. The book unfolds over many generations and the lives of the long line of women artists who created the Flower Phoenix are brought to life by the telling.The Flower Phoenix is an ancient handscroll which has been created through generations of women artists. The original page of the handscroll was created by China's Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. The Tang Dynasty is considered by many to be the height of Chinese artistic culture, and Li Bai is China's most renowned ancient poet. Li Bai was inspired by the beauty of Yang Mei. Yang Mei inspires the master painter Wu Daozi. Wu Daozi creates the second page of the Flower Phoenix handscroll. Legends say that Wu Daozi was a mystical painter, who at the end of his life painted a doorway in the side of a mountain, opened the door and disappe! ared for ever.
Each generation creates panels in the book. By telling the story, the storyteller creates a portal into the Realm of the Flower Phoenix. The "storybearer" reads the story and summons the power of the energy of all the generations.
The story opens with Mable "Peach Blossom" Yang's one hundredth birthday celebration. She is going to pass the book on to the next generation. Mable is the most potent storybearer in the family line.
Hand scroll paintings were rolled from one side to the other and as each painted section was revealed, the story of the imagery was viewed and discussed. The book unfolds over many generations and the lives of the long line of women artists who created the Flower Phoenix are brought to life by the telling.
BK0271Y-Chinese Painted Fancy Basket , Vintage, China, Wood (Mu), Antique Asian Decor: Chinese Paint
- Vintage
- China
- Red / Gold
- 13" wide x 13" deep x 16.5" high
Chinese calligraphy writing and brush painting / sumi set
- Great starter set
- 5 brushes, ink well / stone, ink stick, signing ink, stone chop, brush rest, & water well
- Nicely presented in chinese brocade gift box
- Size: 8.5" x 6"
- Made in China
Treasury of Chinese Folk Tales: Beloved Myths and Legends from the Middle Kingdom (No Series)
More than just a storybook, Treasury of Chinese Folk Tales also explores the historical impact and roots of each tale, inviting you and the children you love to fully enjoy the many layers of meaning contained within them. The included pronunciation guide as well as information for further reading makes this a perfect tool for educators, librarians and parents.
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