Local Lingo

Language is the road map of a culture. In this column, we will invite expats to introduce their favorite Chinese words, phrases, idioms, poems and more in a one-minute video. We hope this column will be a window through which you can better understand Chinese culture, mindset and wit. Have something to share? Please contact juliezhu@shanghaidaily.com.
Language is the road map of a culture. In this column, we will invite expats to introduce their favorite Chinese words, phrases, idioms, poems and more in a one-minute video. We hope this column will be a window through which you can better understand Chinese culture, mindset and wit. Have something to share? Please contact juliezhu@shanghaidaily.com.
'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 39: 三十年河东,三十年河西 (San Shi Nian He Dong, San Shi Nian He Xi) - Art & Culture in China
Art & Culture

'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 39: 三十年河东,三十年河西 (San Shi Nian He Dong, San Shi Nian He Xi)

What is "Hedong"? What is "Hexi"? Is it just the east and west of the river? Later, Chayada Yanwirojkul found that the sentence turned out to be a metaphor.

'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 38: 矛盾 (Mao Dun) - Art & Culture in China
Art & Culture

'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 38: 矛盾 (Mao Dun)

One of the reasons why Sara is fascinated by the Chinese language is its ability to encapsulate deep meanings in short words or sentences.
'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 37: 辣不怕,怕不辣,不怕辣 (Là Bù Pà, Pà Bù Là, Bù Pà Là) - Art & Culture in China
Art & Culture

'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 37: 辣不怕,怕不辣,不怕辣" (Là Bù Pà, Pà Bù Là, Bù Pà Là)

Awan Ahmed Zamir, from Pakistan, said learning Chinese phrases has been a roller-coaster ride for him. There are so many words and phrases with double meanings.
'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 36: 一分钱,一分货 (Yi Fen Qian Yi Fen Huo) - Art & Culture in China
Art & Culture

'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 36: 一分钱,一分货 (Yi Fen Qian Yi Fen Huo)

Muhammad Javed from Pakistan learnt a Chinese proverb recently when he went shopping.
'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 35: 缘分 (Yuan Fen) - Art & Culture in China
Art & Culture

'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 35: 缘分 (Yuan Fen)

Do you believe in fate? This Chinese word means that we are connected with people who are destined to cross our paths, regardless of timing, location or situation.
'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 34: 小洞不补,大洞吃苦 (Xiao Dong Bu Bu, Da Dong Chi Ku) - Art & Culture in China
Art & Culture

'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 34: 小洞不补,大洞吃苦 (Xiao Dong Bu Bu, Da Dong Chi Ku)

There are a lot of interesting and philosophical Shanghainese sayings. Maya and Anton will share their favorite one with us today.
'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 33: 好久不见 (Hao Jiu Bu Jian) - Art & Culture in China
Art & Culture

'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 33: 好久不见 (Hao Jiu Bu Jian)

Apart from "你好" (nǐ hǎo), "哈喽" (hā lóu) and "吃了吗" (chī le ma), what other ways do Chinese people use to greet each other?

'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 32: 步步惊心 (Bu Bu Jing Xin) - Art & Culture in China
Art & Culture

'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 32: 步步惊心 (Bu Bu Jing Xin)

The title of the popular Chinese TV series "步步惊心" is derived from a Chinese idiom, and Eliza from Indonesia has her unique understanding of its application to daily life.
'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 31: 文房四宝 (Wen Fang Si Bao) - Art & Culture in China
Art & Culture

'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 31: 文房四宝 (Wen Fang Si Bao)

The Chinese proverb means the four treasures of the study. For Korinna from Hungary, the four treasures are paths on which she can get closer to Chinese culture.
'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 30: 船到桥头自然直 (Chuan Dao Qiao Tou Zi Ran Zhi) - Art & Culture in China
Art & Culture

'Local lingo: Express yourself!' Episode 30: 船到桥头自然直 (Chuan Dao Qiao Tou Zi Ran Zhi)

When faced with the decision to either go to Greece or return to China, Alex stumbled upon this proverb and learned to have faith in the plan that the universe has for him.
Top