Why Laughing in Mandarin Could Get You in Trouble

Why Laughing in Mandarin Could Get You in Trouble

Have you ever wanted to laugh in Chinese but you’re not sure exactly how? Let’s rewind a bit.

In today’s technological world, our “conversations” are often electronic rather than verbal. There are many ways to express emotions using different messaging options available, including the widely used WeChat, and therefore, several ways to express laughter electronically in Mandarin. However, not all mean the same, and not all methods are identical to the English equivalent.  

Recently my Chinese friend texted me out of the blue:

“Does “hehe” (in a text message) have a negative connotation to it? Does it make you feel bad?”

The first thought that came to mind was: Of course it doesn’t! Why would it make someone feel bad? I proceeded to explain that in English“hehe”  is simply a way to display a laughing emotion electronically, similar to “haha”, both being positive expressions. However, during this conversation it came to light that there exists a fundamental difference of common displays of emotion when switching between languages; often times, they are not exact translations.

As it turns out, using Chinese to text hēhē|呵呵 is not equivalent to the English “haha”. It is best to err on the side of caution when texting Chinese friends, and only use this word when you are absolutely sure it is appropriate to the situation; otherwise you may leave them feeling offended or confused. In Mandarin, hēhē|呵呵 represents an unfriendly or cold smile (lěng xiào|冷笑), which conveys underlying negativity. Below are three scenarios in which hēhē|呵呵 is used appropriately:

  • Someone tells you a piece of gossip about an individual whom you dislike. Your response? “Hehe, such a jerk!” Hēhē,  húndàn|呵呵,混蛋!”
  • You don’t agree with something someone said. Your response? “hēhē|呵呵”.
  • You are arguing with someone and you don’t feel like texting anymore. Your response? “hēhē|呵呵”

 

Now we know we should not use hēhē|呵呵 for all situations of laughter. So, what should we use instead? Below are three alternatives for expressing laughter in Mandarin:

 

  1. Hāhā|哈哈: The most common way to express online laughter in Chinese, much the same as the English equivalent of “haha”. In most situations, you are safe to use this expression to convey happy laughter or a smile.
  2. Xīxī嘻嘻: Similar to the English equivalent of “hehe” or “heehee”, it is a positive way of showing humorous slyness or cuteness. For example: I love the cookies you made so much that ate them all and didn’t leave my sister any. Hehe.  You can substitute the English “hehe” in this situation for Xīxī嘻嘻in Mandarin.
  3. Hēihēi|嘿嘿:  A mischievous, naughty (tiáopi|调皮) laugh. For example, “Hēihēi Zhè jiùshì wǒ gàn de |嘿嘿,这就是我干的!”(That situation was my doing). This can be compared to the English equivalent of “heh heh” or even “hehe”.

Finally, try to avoid transporting English phrases into your Mandarin usage.  Reserve “LOL” for English text messages, as many Chinese people will not know what this means.

Shorthand methods of writing emotions are constantly changing, and it can be difficult to keep up in a second language. Next time you want to laugh in Chinese electronically, follow the above guidelines to choose the most appropriate way of displaying your digital smile for the situation at hand.

Learn more about laughing in Chinese by checking out Chinesepod QingWen lesson on different ways to say funny in Mandarin.  Or, if you are talking to someone and think they sound funny when they laugh, listen to this lesson on how to say  “You Laugh like a Donkey”.

Photo Sources: Wikimedia Commons

 

Learn Mandarin Chinese: 5 Reasons Why

Learn Mandarin Chinese: 5 Reasons Why

New languages — learning them is always a good idea. We live in a world where everything is constantly changing, so we must adapt.

Here at ChinesePod we believe tackling a new language is always a great first step for people of all ages. The most important thing to know is which language you should learn. Here are 5 reasons Mandarin should be your choice.

1. Chinese language is spoken by more people than any other language in the world

Chinese is a language that is spoken across the globe. There are more than one billion people who speak Chinese in Asia alone. And almost 900 million of those people speak Mandarin! You will find even more speakers around the rest of the globe, many of which are not necessarily Chinese people.

Learning Mandarin at www.chinesepod.com will help you in many ways in your life. ChinesePod allows you to study at you own pace, whenever and wherever you are. Additionally, it’s truly a gift to be part of a group with so many speakers.

2. Learn about Chinese history and culture

China has a lot to offer when it comes to history. China is one of the oldest continuing civilizations in the world with one of the richest cultures. Filled with talented artists, incredible temples and artifacts, you will always find something fascinating to learn about Chinese culture.

 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Being able to speak Mandarin, you will actually be able to read all sorts of books and watch many movies in Chinese. It is always better to be able to experience everything created in its native language. Learn more in this video on the benefits of reading in Mandarin, featuring Mandarin Companions.

3. Learning Chinese isn’t all that difficult

While many people believe learning Mandarin is difficult, you shouldn’t let this idea stop you from learning the language. Chinese characters might seem scary, but written Chinese doesn’t have particular tenses or conjugations for verbs, so it becomes a lot easier to manage. Plus, Chinese has Pinyin — Pinyin(拼音) which literally means “spelled sounds”. Per Wikipedia, it was “introduced to primary schools as a way to teach Standard Chinese pronunciation and used to improve the literacy rate among adults.”

When you study Chinese you will soon come to find that speaking Chinese is even easier than writing it. You can easily practice and learn to speak Mandarin by listening to songs or watching movies and shows without subtitles. This way, you will be learning Mandarin Chinese in no time!

4. Boost your career

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Knowing Mandarin Chinese is bound to be an eye-catching skill on your CV. China’s economy is one of the world’s biggest and it is one of the fastest growing countries in the world.

By learning how to speak Mandarin, your employer will know that you will be able to work with companies and clients from outside your country. If you are looking to be involved in international business, this could be a great opportunity for you! Simon, with www.dawnoftruth.com, participated in the speak Mandarin Chinese in 90 days challenge.

5. Understanding Mandarin will help you to communicate while traveling

Did you know that Mandarin is not only spoken in China? Countries like Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore along with many others have large Chinese populations. Knowing Mandarin, you will be able to make your travels a lot easier.

Speaking more than one language will allow you to travel to many different countries and be able to communicate with the locals on a better level. It will also help you to better experience the country. While most people want to just travel to Hong Kong so that they can use English to communicate, you will be able to see so many more places!

Forming Questions with 吗 ma [ATWTI 21] · Chinese Lesson

Learning a language can broaden your horizons

Whether you wish to travel more, expand your future career opportunities or even learn the history of China, Mandarin is definitely the language you should pick to learn.

If you’re looking for the fastest way to learn Mandarin, you should definitely use ChinesePod. Not only do they help you learn easily and on the go, they also do not require you to have any previous knowledge of the language. Give it a try and you will definitely not be disappointed!

 

 

 

 

Chinese New Year Red Envelopes: How to Give and Receive “hóngbāo” Like a Local

Chinese New Year Red Envelopes: How to Give and Receive “hóngbāo” Like a Local

Delicious dinners and family reunions. Homemade dumplings, fish and glutinous rice balls. These are just some of the traditions of the Chinese New Year for millions of people around the world. There is much to celebrate as we ring in the Year of the Dog this January 16th, but one New Year’s tradition remains a favorite for a lot of people, young and old: Red Envelopes or hóngbāo|红包. These lucky red packets stuffed with cash are just as fun to give as they are to receive. But for Mandarin learners, this custom may leave you feeling nervous. Perhaps you wish to partake in the fun, but are wondering who exactly should you give them to? You could go broke trying to give a red packet of cash to everyone you know! And what is the proper way to receive a red packet? Have no fear! This Chinese New Year, learn how to give and receive hóngbāo like a true local. Below are the three things you need to know about this fun yet important Chinese New Year tradition that has stood the test of time.

  1. Who gives and who receives?

Children are the largest receivers of hóngbāo, called Yāsuìqián| 压岁钱. Any adult can give children red envelopes, but if you are married, there is a certain expectation for you to give to the younger generation (wǎnbèi|晚辈), as your married status signifies you have started your own family. However, children are not the only receivers of lucky money. Working professionals, regardless of age, often give hóngbāo to elders (parents or grandparents), as a sign of respect known as xiàojìng | 孝敬, an important concept in Chinese culture.

Generally, it is acceptable for anyone to give a hóngbāo, except to people of similar age. That will only lead to an awkward situation that is best avoided.

  1. How to properly receive lucky red envelopes.

Before receiving a hóngbāo, one should have a few traditional New Year’s well wishes (zhùfú huà｜祝福话) ready to recite, such as “Zhù nǐ xīnnián kuàilè, shēntǐ jiànkāng|祝你新年快乐，身体健康”, a common wish for a happy new year and good health. Often, the children will try to come up with the wittiest phrases to recite before bravely asking for their hóngbāo. When receiving a red envelope, just remember: never open your red packet in front of the giver.

  1. How much money should you give?

You can give as much as you wish and can afford to give. There is no standard amount, as it depends entirely on your economic situation, and your relationship with the receiver. A close relative would typically expect to receive more than a distant family friend. Just remember: crisp, new bills should be given to signify luck, and coins should be avoided.

Since 2014, red packets have also entered the digital age, as with most other things in China’s booming economy. Wechat Red Envelopes can now be sent electronically, of course, reserved for those who are more technologically inclined.

Yet, there is still something beautiful about keeping to tradition. By following the above customs of giving and receiving hóngbāo this Chinese New Year, you will be sure to gain appreciation and respect of those around you who are celebrating the Chinese culture’s most important holiday of the year.

Learn more about the intricacies of giving and receiving hóngbāo in Chinesepod’s entertaining lesson.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Xīnnián kuàilè! 新年快乐

Dàjí dàlì 大吉大利！

 

How to Say I Love You in Chinese

How to Say I Love You in Chinese

Saying “I love You” in Chinese is not as simple a translation as you might think. In English it is very common for people to use the word “love” in many different ways. We say things like, “I love your shoes” or “I love eating nachos at a football game.”  When we say “I love . . . this or that,” we are using it in a way that expresses our strong liking for some object.

 

“I love you” is probably heard the most when Valentine’s Day 情人节快乐 (qíng rén jié kuài lè) is approaching. There are hearts everywhere, red coloring on everything and even diamond commercials on TV non-stop!  But our romantic expression of the word ‘love’ is when we really capture the essence of what the word actually means. Saying “I love you” is our way of showing a deep affection for the person to whom we are sharing our feelings.

 

The reason for the big lead up to this point of how we say I love you in Chinese is to show the reason you can’t simply Google translate “I love you” and get the correct Chinese expression. Of course, we can do this and Google will show us 我爱你 (Wǒ ài nǐ). But, if you were in China and you said this to someone, they would probably look at you like you were a little crazy.

3 Ways Chinese Parents Show Us “I love you” is Over-rated

Source: Wikimedia Commons

The real way to say I love you in Chinese would be 我喜欢你 (Wǒ xǐhuān nǐ). Literally translated, this would mean I like you. Our Valentine’s Day Sweetheart might not feel so special if we said this to them in English, but in Chinese it makes perfect sense.

 

Jay Chou’s Simple Love is an example of the influence American culture has had on the world, including China. You could definitely get away with saying 我爱你 (Wǒ ài nǐ) to a loved one in China. We just want to be sure to give you an insight into the more appropriate way to say I love you in China.

 

Speaking of influence, Valentine’s Day itself is something new that was introduced to China. The Chinese version of Valentine’s Day is actually called Double Seventh Festival 七夕节 (Qīxījié). It is a time of romance and is based on an ancient Chinese legend about the love between and ox herder and a basket weaver…how sweet.

 

Chinese text messages of affection might be one way you want to tell your loved one how much you 喜欢 them on Valentine’s Day. Chinese text messages also have a pretty cool way of doing so. Numbers are used in the place of characters to express meaning. It is similar to the abbreviations we have like LOL or SMH.

 

Some useful Chinese text messages for Valentine’s Day include:

Source: Wikimedia Commons

520 (wǔ èr líng) = 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) “I love you.”

770 (qī qī líng) = 亲亲你 (qīn qīn nǐ) “Kiss you.”

 

880 (bā bā líng) =  抱抱你 (bào bào nǐ) “Hug you.”

 

530 (wǔ sān líng) ＝ 我想你 (wǒ xiǎng nǐ) “I miss you.”

Most importantly: SAY IT!  However you decide to say it, your loved one will appreciate the gesture!

 

Happy Valentine’s Day! 情人节快乐 (qíng rén jié kuài lè)!

Game of Thrones: Conspiracies and Theories -所有的阴谋和预测 (Suǒyǒu de yīnmóu hé yùcè)

Game of Thrones: Conspiracies and Theories -所有的阴谋和预测 (Suǒyǒu de yīnmóu hé yùcè)

Learn Chinese while ChinesePod explains the latest season finale of 权力游戏 (Quánlì yóuxì) AKA Game of Thrones. The next season won’t be until 2019, so it’s the perfect time to speculate conspiracies and theories about Season 8 第八季  (Dì bã jì).  So let’s begin!

The Chinese translation of “Game of Thrones” in Chinese is “宝座的游戏” (Bǎozuò de yóuxì). In China, it’s translated as 权力的游戏 (Quánlì de yóuxì) but countries like Taiwan it’s translated as 权力游戏 (Quánlì yóuxì).

 

Starting with the Sibling Wars兄弟姐妹战争 (Xiōngdì jiěmèi zhànzhēng)

With the Hound laying down the smack talk to the Mountain in this last episode, “You know who’s coming for you, you have always known”, the Cleganebowl is definitely on! This sibling fight to the death will be one for the ages. Besides the Cleganes, with Cersei becoming more ruthless with each episode, it’s a solid bet that Jaime by the end of the season with be both a Queenslayer and well as a Kingslayer.

 

Next we have Lady of Winterfell 临冬城公爵 (lín dōng chéng gōngjué)

Jon Snow will claim his Targaryen birthright, just before he flies into battle on the back of the dragon Rhaegal. The Northern Lords will never want to follow a Targaryen, so expect Sansa to continue to keep the title of Lady of Winterfell. There must always be a Stark at Winterfell.

 

 

 

Back to the Past! Now we have – Warg to the Past 向往昔 (Xiàng wǎngxī)

With so many lingering mysteries still remaining in the past, we need to see Bran continue to access his three-eyed raven powers. Who is the Night King? He seems to have a strong connection with both Bran and Jon, did he used to be a Stark? What do the White Walkers want? What happened at the tourney of Harrenhal where Jon’s parents first met? Unlike other greenseers in the realm, Bran has a distinct ability to change the past. It would be amazing to see him attempt to change the past only to make things worse, reminiscent of the movie The Butterfly effect.  Sam will no doubt be by his side to join the dots and provide entertainment.

 

Finally, the Continental zombie apocalypse – 行尸走肉 浩劫 (xíngshīzǒuròu hàojié)

Now that the Night King has his own dragon, he has complete freedom to fly anywhere in the 7 kingdoms and raise multiple armies. With the Lannister’s defeat of House Tyrell, how many dead bodies were left to rot? If Team Targaryen manages to defeat the initial army of the dead, they might just find another army around the corner

 

Be ready, absolutely no character will be safe. Sadly, we must wait until 2019! So let’s speculate:  Leave us a comment with your predictions.

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