2015年11月30日星期一

How could you response to a waiter's question "几位(jǐ wèi)"?

Most of us know the measure word for people is "个(gè)", for example 一个人(yí gè rén),一个孩子(yī gè háizi). You may also know "口(kǒu)" for the sentence: 你家有几口人(nǐ jiā yǒu jǐ kǒu rén)? If I ask for one more, you will probably give me "位(wèi)".

As a measure word for people, "位(wèi)" is used to express respect. One good example is when you go to restaurant, waiter usually asks "几位(jǐ wèi)?" In order to show his/her respect,  "位(wèi)" is used here. Then how do you response?  "两位(liǎng wèi)" is the most common one I hear. Unfortunately it's wrong. The correct one should be "两个(liǎng gè)". If we think about it,  "respect" is for others while "humility" is for oneself. So how could you use "位(wèi)" for yourself?  "个(gè)" is the appropriate word here.

The good news is even Chinese make that mistake often. It's so smooth to use "位(wèi)" here. So even if you did it, don't feel too bad. Just try to be right next time.





2015年11月18日星期三

Emoji in Chinese

Recently I read an article about emoji on different platforms. The author says "But different platforms display the same emoji specification in different ways…That can lead to all kinds of misunderstanding." This makes me think it's not only a problem caused by different devices, it might cause more misunderstanding due to different cultures. One example is

This emoji is always used as "pray" in China because it looks like a "pray" sign in Buddhism while it's "high five" in Western. So I try to find some emoji on QQ (the most popular IME in China) and see how it's different from the version you are familiar with.



QQ version: 吓(xià) - appalled
什么鬼(shénme guǐ)!What the hell is it?



QQ version: 奋斗(fèndòu) – try the best!!!!
我绝不放弃(wǒ jué bù fàngqì)! I will never give up!


QQ version: 闭嘴(bìzuǐ) – shut your mouth
Although 闭嘴(bìzuǐ) literally used to ask others to shut up, this emoji is always used to express oneself won't say a word.


QQ version: 困(kùn) - so tired, sleepy.
我困死了(wǒ kùn sǐ le). I am tired to death.


QQ version: 惊恐(jīngkǒng) – so scared
I can't find "scream". Maybe we are too scared to scream.


QQ version: 抓狂(zhuākuáng) – freak out
我要抓狂了(wǒ yào zhuākuáng le)。I freak out!


QQ version: 发怒(fānù) – rage
Nothing to say. I am just on fire.


QQ version: 流汗(liúhàn) – sweat screaming
This is quite similar as others.


QQ version: 色(sè) – lustful.
It's interesting that although most Chinese use this one to express "like, love, fond of", the official specification is pretty negative.
There is one that isn't mentioned in the article but I have to show you. 无语(wúyǔ) – don't know what to say. I think it's more like "翻白眼(fānbáiyǎn) - roll one's eye".

我室友说我很喜欢翻白眼(wǒ shìyǒu shuō wǒ hěn xǐhuan fānbáiyǎn)。 My roommate says that I like to roll my eyes.

Come on, who cares.