All Questions
11,568
questions
1
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1
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181
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Can someone translate this charm? [closed]
We found this charm in a box of buttons, and I'm curious what it means... For all I know it may not be Chinese, but it looks like it.
I tried translating it using the Google Translate app... While it ...
-1
votes
2
answers
494
views
Translation: 凉虾 (米凉虾)
Is there an official (bit of a stretch) translation for 凉虾 (米凉虾) in English?
Wikipedia only has a chinese page: 凉虾
The only info I could find is, well, awful:
百度知道
宜昌凉虾英文介绍
Yichang is located ...
1
vote
1
answer
223
views
Is this Chinese? If so can you tell me what it says in english? Thank you [closed]
Is this Chinese? If so can you tell me what it says in english? Thank you
2
votes
3
answers
270
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意饺: English Translation?
I've seen 意饺 translated as ravioli.
Obviously 意饺 = 意大利 + 饺子, but does it only refer to ravioli? There's a lot of different kinds of Italian "dumplings", no? Can it refer to other things besides ...
1
vote
1
answer
3k
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Sample Mandarin Grammar (Sentences)
First, thank you to everyone for taking the time to read this question. I am curious whether knowledgeable native speakers could assist me with the following grammar questions:
I am aware of the ...
3
votes
5
answers
444
views
What does 一个泡子 mean?
What does 一个泡子 really mean ? my teacher had asked our class to do some assignment about our names in chinese and find the meaning too. I use chinese simplified in google translate to find my name. but ...
4
votes
3
answers
510
views
How to say I want to leave colloquially?
How to say I want to leave or I want to go home colloquially in the case of we are visiting someone's place?
Let's say I'm visiting my auntie, then when it's the time for me to leave, what should I ...
1
vote
3
answers
3k
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Why Is The Color Red Considered Lucky In Chinese Language and Culture?
A constant feature in all things Chinese is the color (colour, for those yank-challanged among y'all) red.
As common knowledge goes, it is because red is considered to be lucky.
Why?
7
votes
3
answers
2k
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How to Say the "something" in the phrase "Do something"
I was trying to explain the meaning of the phrase "hang out" to a Chinese friend, and the first thing that came to mind was 一起做什么了, with me intending 什么了 to mean "something". He seemed to understand ...
10
votes
6
answers
1k
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犬子: who's the dog?
犬子 (literally, dog + son) is an archaic, self-depreciatory term to refer to your son (occasionally it's used to insult other people's sons).
This answer raises a question though; who is the dog ...
6
votes
3
answers
1k
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Does there exists an English word for 汉化 ?
汉化 means becoming more assimilated to Han culture. (like Anglicise means being more assimilated to English culture)
Historically, this has happened many times, e.g. during Khitan Empire, Jurchen ...
8
votes
3
answers
796
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Why does the radical for water and ice often look so weird
When I see the radical being used in 洗 and 凉 in some books or even sougou. They break it up into a broken radical that looks nothing like it.
Is it one of those things that are related only to ...
2
votes
3
answers
392
views
Dialects/Topolects: Tone Marks?
Mandarin, as everyone probably knows, has four tones: 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th tone.
Each tone has its own tone mark that represents that tone:
1st tone = ˉ (macron)
2nd tone = ˊ (acute accent)
3rd ...
9
votes
11
answers
3k
views
What does 非也 mean?
What does 非也 mean?
I heard the following:
Is this XXX? 非也! It's YYY!
Does it mean "Oh my god!" or something others?
3
votes
4
answers
1k
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Translations: 'Crack' as in 'Crack Knuckles'
How to translate 'crack'?
As in:
To crack ones knuckles?
To crack ones fingers?
and other joints/bones/etc?
(Supposedly in 四川话 it's 'pi' - I don't know the character, hopefully @Huang can let us ...
2
votes
4
answers
790
views
When do I use V for Ü in Pinyin programs
I use a program called Sougou, which is very poopular in China I think. Sometimes I use the Microsoft pinyin language option.
Sougou is very good at guessing my characters based on context, but ...
3
votes
2
answers
489
views
Hong Kong Cantonese variations
I am interested to learn whether the changes in Hong Kong pronunciation of Cantonese came about, was it because the English in Hong Kong had difficulty understanding the Cantonese?
For instance, I ...
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Toneless Sinetic Dialects/Topolects
One of Mandarin's biggest characteristics is its tones. Other Sinitic dialects/topolects aren't any different: Cantonese, Hakka, etc.
Question:
Are there any toneless Sinitic dialects/topolects? (...
12
votes
3
answers
8k
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When to use 看 and 见?
I know 看 and 见 both mean "to see". But they are used differently in different words. Like 看书 看电影...etc. and 见面 见识...etc. (Or do Chinese people say 见书 见电影 or 看面 看识?)
Is there a rules to use them ...
1
vote
1
answer
275
views
How to pronounce 翁 in Mainland China and Taiwan?
I ran into a book talking about the difference of pronouncing 翁 in Mainland China and Taiwan differently. But it is still confusing to me. My questions are:
What is the difference of pronouncing 翁 in ...
6
votes
7
answers
5k
views
Accidentally Saying Chinese Swear Words
So I saw a video on youtube about a guys experience in china. He said that people can often accidentally say swear words if they say the tones wrong. Like the word "ma"
It can heard as mother but 'ma'...
6
votes
5
answers
851
views
Loanwords with Chinese Equivalents
How many loanwords in Chinese have Chinese equivalents?
Example:
三文鱼 is a loanword, borrowed from English, meaning salmon, but Chinese also has the word 鲑鱼 meaning salmon.
Are there a lot of these ...
1
vote
1
answer
263
views
Numbering for mobile verification call to China in Chinese
I am making a chat application , so for number verification I need to make calls (your verification code is 1234) on the number.
I want to know if I called to China in Chinese then how the numbers are ...
0
votes
2
answers
312
views
is google correct translate for me? [closed]
i have translated these 5 sentences with help of google translator is these are correct?
Hello from XYZ! {0} Your verification code is {1} = 你好从XYZ! {0}您的验证码是 {1}。
This link of ...
4
votes
4
answers
1k
views
What are the different colloquial terms for Chinese mafia positions?
I am creating a Chinese game where you are working with the Triads. I am looking for a list of Chinese equivalent names for the 黑社会 (triads).
Like (source: http://mafia.wikia.com/wiki/Ranks,...
10
votes
7
answers
1k
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Is it correct to say “在手机”?
Would it be correct to use the phrase "在手机”/“在手机上” etc. to express that I am doing something on my phone? For example, could I say
我听音乐在我的手机上。
Or can 在 only be used for my actual physical location?...
1
vote
2
answers
324
views
行为艺术:translation?
21 Century Dictionary
behavioural art
行为艺术
I don't know what on earth behavioural art is, it sounds like a direct translation from Chinese, if anything. A bing search didn't show up anything ...
5
votes
6
answers
2k
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Mandarin Equivalent: "duh!"
"duh!"
Advanced English Dictionary
duh
Disdainful indication that something is obvious.
"It’s hot in the desert. - Well, duh!"
Is there a Mandarin equivalent of 'duh!'?
2
votes
5
answers
3k
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(Better) Translations of: 稀罕/稀奇?
In Chinese 稀罕 and 稀奇 are often used negatively to express disdain, e.g.:
ABC
我不稀罕你的钱。
Wǒ bù xīhan nǐ de qián.
I don't care about your money.
And
你以为我稀奇你的东西?
Dictionaries often translate ...
9
votes
4
answers
934
views
What is the purpose of the 中 in 在新标签页中打开?
So, I recently started using my android phone in simplified Chinese mode, to help myself internalize Chinese characters. In my browser window, when I press down on a URL, the "在新标签页中打开" button allows ...
3
votes
3
answers
491
views
What is the difference between 嘱咐 and 吩咐?
Both of them seem to be able to be used to mean instruct. Am I right in saying that you can 嘱咐 and 吩咐 someone to study hard? If so, what is the difference in meaning between these two terms?
7
votes
4
answers
4k
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Why does 三明治 mean sandwich when 三 means 3, 明 means bright/clear, and 治 means to rule?
I am a native English speaker who is learning Mandarin Chinese for the AP Chinese test next year. I stumbled on this "anomaly", and I would like your help. Thank you.
6
votes
3
answers
252
views
What is the meaning of 多米 in the music service?
My friend often sends me links from the Duomi music service. Where does the name come from? 多米 seems to mean "a lot of rice" if I translate it directly.
2
votes
3
answers
4k
views
What is the difference between 看到 and 看过?
I've learned them in Chinese class, but still a bit confused,
看 means see, but what is the difference between 看到 and 看过?
9
votes
1
answer
4k
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Pinyin "h" sound, pronunciation
I notice that the pinyin "h" is in many books just the same as in English.
But when I listen to people, some people stress the "h" and there is a tiny gggg, and some gurgling ...
13
votes
2
answers
12k
views
Equivalent phrase to "Bon Appetit"/"Enjoy (your food)"
In European languages there's a phrase you can say when you or a waiter serves food. For example,
- bon appetit (French/English)
- buen provecho (Spanish)
Does Chinese have a similar phrase?
1
vote
1
answer
120
views
How to translate character [closed]
How to translate character on image below?
4
votes
4
answers
565
views
香皂 vs. 肥皂: What's the difference?
香皂
scented soap, toilet soap
肥皂
soap
What's difference though?
2
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Chinese: Old Wives Tales
A long time ago I heard someone say:
"玩火会尿床"
Which I instantly recognized is very similar to some 'old wives tales' in English. In English there are things like:
from Wikipedia:
Cracking ...
12
votes
5
answers
8k
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Chinese equivalent of: 'ew'?
When disgusted by something people will usually say, 'ew, yuck!' or 'ew, gross.'
Is there an equivalent of 'ew' in Mandarin?
The only things I was able to find about it (here) - just explain what '...
5
votes
2
answers
393
views
What are these "riddle jokes"?
In Chinese there are these jokes which are delivered as a small riddle followed by the answer. They are often used humorously, with the answer used as an insult. Here are some examples:
哑巴吃黄莲/有苦说不出
...
7
votes
4
answers
3k
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What is the difference between 参观 and 游览
What is the difference between 参观 and 游览. I know they have a similar meaning but are distinct in some ways (i.e. you can 参观 some places and 游览 others)?
11
votes
2
answers
3k
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角/毛 (10 cents) for money: why?
from: List of historical Chinese currency terms
角 (litterally a corner / a horn of an animal) = 毛 (litterally "a feather of a bird") = 1/10 the main unit.
Why use 角 and 毛 for, what we might call ...
4
votes
1
answer
135
views
What is equivalent of "分润"?
In many trading system I can offen find a concept call "分润".
Is that a word in english equivalent to "分润" ?
8
votes
6
answers
2k
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Can 知道 be used in the sense of "to know someone"?
While watching a video with Chinese subtitles on a Chinese website, I came across this dialogue:
Approximate English gloss (leaving out unnecessary details):
A: You're XXX, right?
B: So you ...
3
votes
2
answers
910
views
Is this book in simplified or traditional Chinese?
To learn Chinese, I'm going to read the Chinese edition of a book I've already read in English. This is it:
www.amazon.cn/阿特拉斯耸耸肩-安·兰德/dp/B00DA281J2
Can someone please go into the "See Inside" ...
-3
votes
2
answers
247
views
Can someone translate sentance from english to chinese? [closed]
If there was a price for my love, you could never afford it.
3
votes
4
answers
444
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Finding the "second character"?
A lot of words in Chinese have been shortened into single-syllable, and thus single-character, words. Often times though these single syllable words are not 'clear' enough in speech, in writing though ...
4
votes
1
answer
161
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verb. "to shoot" (weapon): difference between 射击,开枪, 击中, 射中
The verb shoot appears often in Chinese international news. But I am unclear about the different words for it.
射击 and 开枪 seem to be the firing of a gun and 击中,射中 hitting with a weapon, but could ...
12
votes
5
answers
754
views
Radicals: inescapable?
I've started to learn independently some Chinese (on printed material mainly) but a friend who has studied the language at University level suggested I learn the radicals as a necessary start.
A ...