Questions tagged [politeness]

For questions about polite expressions, etiquette, formalities, social norms, etc.

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22 votes
7 answers
2k views

How should I say "I feel very good/I'm very fine" in response to 你好吗?

I've read that when asked the simple question 你好吗? ("How are you?"), answering 我很好 is the standard form, while 我好 is simply not used. 很 means "very", but 我很好 is simply translated as "I'm fine." and ...
Alenanno's user avatar
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16 votes
4 answers
11k views

How do I say "damn!" or "bloody hell" in Chinese?

The phrase 他妈的 has been explained in this question. Since I'm a no-expletives guy, I don't feel comfortable so close to the f-word. :) I was wondering what would be the correct way to use some of the ...
dr Hannibal Lecter's user avatar
16 votes
3 answers
61k views

What is the formal/polite way to begin and end an email in Chinese?

In English, formal emails, e.g. emails to a professor, often start with "Hi", "Hello", "Dear" followed by the receiver's name (and title, if applicable). The ending is ...
Thomas Hsieh's user avatar
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11 votes
6 answers
2k views

Using 老头 / 老头子 when speaking to others

I'm trying to get some clarification on whether or not it is impolite to use 老头 / 老头子 when speaking outside a group of friends when referring to a third party. From my understanding 老头 is quite ...
going's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
943 views

Politeness in referring to a recent death

Some people in the US normally avoid saying a person has "died." They say the person "passed on," or "has left us." Are there similar, gentle ways in Chinese to avoid saying a person died? Would it ...
Colin McLarty's user avatar
6 votes
4 answers
3k views

What is the polite/proper way to address elderly whom I am not familiar with?

I was wondering what is the polite way to address elderlies I do not know. Take the following context for example. Perhaps I visit a store and there is an elderly woman running the register and I ...
aug's user avatar
  • 321
4 votes
4 answers
2k views

Is there any official way to translate Chinese names into English?

Is there any official way to translate Chinese names into English? Chinese is of course: surname + name, usually when translated into English why is the same formatting kept? 毛泽东 is usually written ...
Mou某's user avatar
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2 votes
6 answers
544 views

How to introduce "Husband" in social occasions?

Some common words are 先生 or 老公, Are there any other options that would be more socially appropriate?
Chinese.Tutor.Frank's user avatar