Comments on: Addressing strangers

By: Carl

Carl — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:37:59 +0000

I’ve also heard friends addressing waiters and waitresses as 帥哥 and 美女 respectively. Not sexist at all apparently, just friendly! ^_^

By: Roman

Roman — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:32:20 +0000

xiǎojiě, duōshao qián? is one of the worst things you could say to a girl! I’d be very careful with that one!

Cool site Albert, I’m taking a fair amount of words from you for my vocab list. Thank you!

By: Jane

Jane — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:26:23 +0000

If I was walking down the street, I don’t think I’d address a child as 小家伙. I’ve heard it used in negative connotations such as when the child is rude, the elder would say “你这个小家伙！”

I’m not sure though, it may only be in certain regions, but I personally would want an elder to call me 小家伙 – I’d feel as if I’d done something wrong or to offend.

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:31:11 +0000

Shuaige is fine, Xiaojie is not.

If you’re getting someone’s attention behind the counter like that, you can use “Xiaomei” if you want; it’s a little bit ‘qingshi’ but not too bad.

By: Kf

Kf — Thu, 03 May 2007 21:32:41 +0000

Interesting about your note on XiaoJie making some women uncomfortable.., while in a US city’s china town one day.., I need to point to get a waitress’ attention behind the counter.., not being terribly imaginative.., I referred to her as xioajie.., the reaction was one of vocal annoyance.., more so than discomfort

I’ve just returned from Beijing where oddly enough I hear that Shauige is ok..,

By: Albert

Albert — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 13:00:33 +0000

bigriver,

Thanks. I wasn’t sure if that was used or not, but now that you say it is, I’ve added it.

By: Nicki

Nicki — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 02:49:25 +0000

In reply to Max, yeah, but on the other hand they will use those terms in relation to us even though obviously we aren’t their auntie or uncle or whatnot. For example, last week after I helped a 5 or 6 yr old girl into the seat next to me on the bus, her mother instructed her to thank me. In the cutest little girl voice imaginable, she said “Xie xie, ayi!” Too adorable.

By: max

max — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 23:23:33 +0000

I always feel a bit strange about using the last set of terms – ayi etc. – given that as a laowai, it’s pretty obvious that they aren’t going to be my aunt (uncle, etc). Anyone else feel like this?

By: bigriver

bigriver — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 06:32:19 +0000

bóbo 伯伯 = man older than father
In some area we say”daye大爷”