Laowai Chinese 老外中文

What’s up with Spoons?

Sunday, August 3rd, 2008

For some reason, one of the most common words ever is a huge communication problem. Spoon (sháozi 勺子). Why?  I don't know. I can't tell you how many times I've asked for a spoon, or another spoon, or a clean spoon in a restaurant, and the fúwùyuán 服务员 didn't understand me.  I say ...

Posted in Rants | 10 Comments »

The Curse of the Convergent Concepts

Saturday, May 10th, 2008

We've talked a little bit before about concepts that are distinct in English but are the same in Chinese. Some of the examples I've given (I think) were: jiè 借 = to borrow / to lend ràng 让 = to make / to let / to ask someone to do something In ...

Posted in Rants, Vocabulary, Word Hog | 7 Comments »