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First Published December 2009

Second Edition Published October 2010
Third Edition Published November 2012
Fourth Edition Published January 2014
Fifth Edition Published January 2016

Table of Contents
Chapter One: Top Ten Popular Daily Chinese Words

:
1. (xingqn) Blind date/to have a blind date
2. (luhn) Getting married with no car, no house, and no wedding ceremony
3. (ddio) Keep a low profile
4. (ndng de) You know.
5. (pimp) Kiss up to someone
6. (xnsi) Feel crushed
7. (kop) Reliable/ To be trusted
8. (shi) Show and share
9. (pn) To put together or to unite
10. (gil) Cool/Great

Chapter Two: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Internet

:
1.

(zhngnngling) Positive energy

2.

(nunnn) A warm, nice guy

3.

(miosh) Seckill

4.

(qn) Dear

5.

(rnq) Popularity

6.

(zhi) To stay at home all day

7.

(chhu) Foodie

8.

(shn) To act quickly

9.

(xi) Show

10. (zn) Great or marvelous

Chapter Three: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Campus

:
1.

(jiji) Be entangled with

2.

(ni) Excellent

3.

(xiohu) School beauty

4.

(qiok) To skip school

5.

(fng gzi) To fail to keep an appointment

6.

(guk) To fail an exam

7.

(jinzh) Part-time job

8.

(chuni) Brag and boast

9.

(hyou) Hoodwink

10. (xub) Curve wrecker

Chapter Four: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Relationships

:
1.

(go f shui) Tall, rich and handsome

2.

(w i n) I love you

3.

(hngynzhj) Female soul mate

4.

(rlin) Head over heels in love

5.

(chlin) First love

6.

(zolin) Puppy love/ Falling in love at an early age

7.

(dsnzh) Someone who is in an adulterous relationship with a married man or

woman

8.

(nsngqib) Secretly to cast flirtatious looks at somebody

9.

(yd lin) Long-distance relationship

10. (lidin) To click with someone/ Have sparks

Chapter Five: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Entertainment

:
1.

(mng) Young and innocent

2.

(shudpi) To snub

3.

(xnxi) Up-and-coming youngster

4.

(bgu) Gossip

5.

(fiwn) Pink news/ Love affair

6.

(guzidu) Paparazzi

7.

(dwnr) Big shot

8.

(chozu) To hype

9.

(fns) Fans

10. (hu) Hot

Chapter Six: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Sports

:
1.

(dmngun) Grand slam

2.

(chnlin) To defend ones title successfully

3.

(lldu) Cheering squad

4.

(hisho) Bad ref. calls

5.

(wlngqi) Own goal

6.

(bolngmn) To have an unexpected winner

7.

(fnpn) To turn defeat into victory

8.

(dngdozh) Host

9.

(him) Dark horse

10. (ltng) To support strongly

Chapter One: Top Ten Popular Daily Chinese Words

Chapter One: Top Ten Popular Daily Chinese Words

1. (xingqn) Blind date/to have a blind date

Origin

Caught up in the hustle and bustle of city life and striving to get ahead, many "
(shngnn) single men" and "(shngn) women" find themselves alone as a result of
their excessive devotion to work. It is under these circumstances that " (xingqn)
blind dating" has grown incredibly in popularity. TV programs based around the concept
of the "(xingqn) Blind date" have sprung up to cater to this need. Some prominent
TV programs like " (Fichngwro)" and websites like "
(Shjjiyun)" and " (Bihwng)" have not only led the industry to a new
prosperous era, but have also provided viewers with a much needed platform for
socializing. The market dominance of such platforms reflects the prevalence of blind
dating in today's society.
In fact, the phenomenon of the blind date can be traced back to ancient China. At that time,
through the work of matchmakers, two families who were previously unacquainted would
meet and evaluate the other family's background and status. If both sides were satisfied, a
marriage would be arranged. A major difference between this ancient practice and what we
find today is that the decision making over partner choice and marriage has shifted from
the parents into the hands of the couple themselves.

Example

Mary:
Hi, tngshu n zutin q xingqn le, znmeyng a?
Hi, I heard that you had a blind date yesterday. How was it?
Tina:
Bit le, w ydinr gnju du miyou.
Don't remind me. I have no feelings for him at all.

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Chapter One: Top Ten Popular Daily Chinese Words

2. (luhn) Getting married with no car, no house, and no wedding

ceremony
Origin
"(luhn) getting married without having a car, a house, and an elaborate wedding
ceremony" became a popular internet phrase recently. A vastly growing number of young
people are putting less emphasis on the "traditional" marriage practice."

The typical person willing to "(luhn) or get married without a car, a house, and
an elaborate wedding" is in the 20-35 age group, and more open-minded and willing to
accept new trends than the average person. Some are well educated, " (bilng)
white-collar workers" with high-level incomes. They believe that there is nothing wrong
with two people living together with a marriage certificate and not having done any of the
traditional customs.

Example

Lily:
N dsuan shnme shhou shng bobao?
When do you plan to have a baby?
Lucy:
Wmen shluhn, dng zn gu le qin, zi zu dsun ba.
We got married without a car, a house, and a wedding ceremony. We plan to
have children once we have saved enough money.

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Chapter One: Top Ten Popular Daily Chinese Words

3. (ddio) Keep a low profile

Origin

The word (ddio) means to keep a low profile. It comes from a sentence
(Godio zush, ddio zurn), which means to work in a high profile and
behave in a low profile. Another sentence shares the same meaning:
(Shq wign zush, kndo wign zurn). It means that when you try to
catch fish on the sea, you can put up the mast to speed up your ship. And when you
encounter the storm, you should cut the mast off to survive.

Usage

(d) means low. In the word (ddio), it also refers to something inconspicuous.
And (dio), as a noun, can be used to refer to melody and tune of music.
(ddio) means that one is modest and prudent toward people, and should not make a
show of his ability in front of others. So when there are people who tend to flaunt
themselves in public, we can say you should (ddio) keep a low profile.

Examples

1.
Wmen zi zhngg shjin zhng bx boch ddio.
We must keep the whole thing in a low profile.
2.
T zh rn yzh hn ddio.
He always keeps a low profile.

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Chapter One: Top Ten Popular Daily Chinese Words

4. (ndng de) You know.

The expression " (ndng de)" was translated from the English expression
"you know." Its popularization is due to a video Old Boy, made by the Chopsticks
Brothers. It's a story about two middle-aged friends who combine their talents they
learned in middle school to participate in a sort of "China's Got Talent" competition.
In the video, the expression " (ndng de)" expresses an acknowledgment of
their shared nostalgia of youth. Ever since then, " (ndng de)" has become
a popular expression when two people share a mutual comprehension of a time or
feeling. The phrase simply means, "you really do understand," mixed with the
French mood of "c'est la vie!"
Nowadays, the saying is frequently used to assure an understanding between two
people in conversation. Next time you find yourself in a situation where details
aren't convenient to say out loud, a simple " (ndng de)" conveys "you
understand what I'm talking about."

Examples
1. Tom: Mike Mary
Mike, n znme h Mary zi yq le?
Mike, how come you are now with Mary?
Mike:
Xiodinr shng, n dng de
Keep it down, you know what's been going on
2. Lily:
Znme le? Chumiklin de.
What's wrong? Why such a long face?
Lucy:
W wngj zhnbi lobn yo de wnjin le, jigu N dng de.
I forgot to prepare the documents for my boss, so nowwell, you know
what'll happen.
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Chapter One: Top Ten Popular Daily Chinese Words

5. (pimp) Kiss up to someone

Origin

In Yuan Dynasty, herders took great pride in raising horses. When horse herders
encountered one another, they would often pat the buttocks of the others horse and say,
What a good horse! to fawn on the owner of the horse. At first, people only praised
truly good horses, but soon people began to do so to flatter others, regardless of whether
the herder's horse was good or bad, strong or weak. This action became known as
(pimp).

Usage

Literally, (pimp) refers to patting a horses buttocks: (pi) means to pat,

(m) is horse, and (p) refers to fart or buttocks. But now (pimp) is
widely used as an analogy to ridicule blatant flattery that is meant to please others without
regard for objective reality. Consequently, people who like to kiss up are called
(mpjng).

Examples

1.
Zh jihuo sh pimp de hoshu, zng nng rng shngs goxng!
This guy is an expert at kissing up, always pleasing his authorities!
2.
T shny pimp, suy shngqin hn kui.
He is good at kissing up, so he gets promoted very quickly.

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Chapter One: Top Ten Popular Daily Chinese Words

6. (xnsi) Feel crushed

Meaning and Usage

(xnsi) has become a popular buzzword these days. Here (xn) is heart and
(si) means blocked or plugged, so put together, (xnsi) is used to vividly
describe a kind of emotion in which your heart seems to be suffocated or blocked up and
uncomfortable. If something goes wrong and you are left feeling helpless or speechless,
you can say that you feel (xnsi).
For example, your mood could be described as (xnsi) when the weekend finally
comes and you have big, exciting plans, but it ends up pouring down rain and youve no
choice but to cancel. Or you are all dressed up for your date but a car drives through a
puddle and splashes mud all over you. Your feeling at that moment is (xnsi). Or
your boss remarks that your proposal, for which you have stayed up working on for
several nights, is of no use, so your frustration can also be described as (xnsi).

Examples

1.
W nnpngyou shu w zu de fn hn nn ch, xnsi!
My boyfriend said my cooking is terrible, so I feel horrible!
2.
Zhge zhum yuyo jibn, ho xnsi !
It sucks! I have to work again this weekend!

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Chapter One: Top Ten Popular Daily Chinese Words

7. (kop) Reliable/To be trusted

Origin and Usage

(kop) originated from northern China and means reliable and to be trusted.
When you pronounce it, you can add (r) at the end of (p), just like
(kopr). If you say that something is (kopr), that means it is feasible and
possible. The opposite is (b kopr) which means that something is
digressing from the subject, straying from the point or is unpractical. (ko) means to
rely on. (p) means music scores literally, but here it refers to feasibility and
rationality.

Examples

1.
N zh rn zhn b kopr!
You're so unreliable!
2.
Zh jin sh y din du b kopr, gj b ho bn.
This isn't feasible at all. I'm afraid that it will be difficult to do.

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Chapter One: Top Ten Popular Daily Chinese Words

8. (shi) Show and share

Meaning and Usage

Well, summer is here, the hottest time of the year. Do you feel burned by the sun? We do!
But we always try to use sun protection. In Chinese, " (shi)" means "to sun" or "to
shine." " (shi tiyang)" means "to bask in the sun." Most people who bask in the
sun this year will use some sort of sun protection, which is called " (fngshi)." "
(fng) means "to prevent" or "to guard against.
But " (shi)" also has another more modern meaning; it can also mean "to show" or "to
share." The internet is a great source of information, and it can also be a platform for
creativity. One example is that people have now begun to add new meanings to words.
Nowadays, people like to use " (shi)" to mean "to demonstrate special skills" and "to
share wonderful life experiences with others," or even "to flaunt something they are proud
of." Just look at these examples of the most recent uses of " (shi)" on the internet: "
(shi gngz)" means "to divulge one's salary," " (shi xngf)" means "to
show happiness," and " (shi zhopin)" means "to share pictures."

Examples

1.
Dji du xhuan zi wngshng shi zhopin.
We all like to share and show our pictures online.
2.
Xinzi de mngxng du xhuan zi wib shng shi xngf.
These days, celebrities like to use micro-blogs to share and show their happiness.

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Chapter One: Top Ten Popular Daily Chinese Words

9. (Pn) To Put Together or to Unite

Meaning and Usage
(pn) originally means to put together or to unite. Recently, (pn) means that
people work together to accomplish certain objectives. For instance, some popular daily
Chinese words starting with (pn) appeared.
(pnch) means carpool, where means car.
(pnyu) means to travel together, where means to travel.
(pnch) means to eat together, where means to eat.
(pnzh) means share a room, where means to live.

Examples
A:
Hi, n y zi Rnmnl shngbn ma? W jngchng jin n bxng q nr ne.
Hi, do you work on Renmin Road? I often saw you go there on foot.
B: ,
Sh ya, w gng bn li zhr bji, hi miyu zho do hsh pnch de rn.
Yes, I just moved here recently, and I havent found the right person to carpool with.
A:
N n yunyh w pnch ma? W y zi Rnmnl shngbn.
Are you willing to carpool with me? I also work on Renmin Road.

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Chapter One: Top Ten Popular Daily Chinese Words

10. (gil) Cool/Great

Origin

" (gil)" was probably one of the most " (lixng) popular" new phrases in the
Chinese language in 2010. It is an expression deriving from the Manlam dialect and it
means "awesome" or "very good."
It spread widely during the period of 2010 World Cup because it expresses excitement of
the soccer fans. If we choose words from modern English to explain the expression,
"awesome," "cool," and "exciting" are suitable choices. Foreign media sometimes
translate it literally as "giving power." Interestingly, it was not " " but it was the
antonym " (b gil)" that was popular on the Internet at first.
In fact, "" is an ancient word in the Chinese language. It describes how government
authorities used to pay for their officials with servants. More specifically, the royal
government gave different officials different numbers of servants depending on the rank
of the officials. These servants provided free household services or worked in the fields
for the officials.

Example

1. A: NBA
Zutin wnshang n kn NBA bsi le ma?
Did you watch the NBA game last night?
B:
Dngrn. Hrn du ti gil le.
Of course. The L.A. Lakers was great!
2.
Zhge yux ydinr du b gil.
This game is not cool at all.

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Chapter Two: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Internet

16

Chapter Two: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Internet

1. (zhngnngling) Positive energy

Origin and Usage

(zhngnngling), or positive energy, is a physical term originating from the

theory of Quantum Electrodynamics proposed by the British physicist Paul Dirac.
Nowadays, the term is widely used in psychology and first became widely known thanks
to Rip It Up written by the British psychologist Richard Wiseman. The books title is
translated as (zhngnngling) in Mandarin, which refers to a kind of healthy,
optimistic and positive emotion and motivation. Anyone who is ambitious and positive, or
anything that provides people with encouragement and hope can be labelled as
(zhngnngling).
(zhngnngling) is used as a noun, and the term always collocates with
(chund), (chngmn), etc. We usually say someone (chngmn
zhngnngling) or (mnmnde dush zhngnngling), meaning
that someone is full of positive energy. For example, if a person has an optimistic and
confident outlook on his or her life and remains peaceful and happy in the face of
hardship, we say that he or she (chngmn zhngnngling). Also, if there
is something in your life that makes you keep hoping for the best and confident or feeling
that life is meaningful and beautiful, you can also say that you
(mnmnde dush zhngnngling).

Examples
1. !
T sh yg chngmn zhngnngling de rn!
He is a person who is full of positive energy!

2.
Jntin lobn bioyng w le, xinzi w qunshn dush zhngnngling!
Today my boss praised me, so now I am full of positive energy!

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Chapter Two: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Internet

2. (nunnn) A warm, nice guy

Meaning and Usage

(nun) basically means warm, but in the case of (nunnn), the word is also
used to modify a person. (nunnn) refers to guys who give off a sense of warmth
to others, just like the sunshine. However, the word warm here refers to emotional
warmth and an understanding of others feelings.
(nunnn) is defined as a warm, nice guy who is tender, considerate and
understanding. He always makes the people around him feel cared for and appreciated.
He may remind you to put on more clothes when he knows the weather is going to change,
or act as a patient listener when you just broke up with your boyfriend. When at home,
especially as a husband, he knows how to take good care of his beloved family and
always tries to spend as much time as possible with them. He might also be good at
cooking. All of what he does contributes to a warm and comfortable family atmosphere.
Last, but not least, a warm, nice guy is always meticulous, compassionate, and good at
understanding others emotions or feelings.

Examples
1.
W xwng wde nnpngyou sh g nunnn!
I wish that my boyfriend were a warm, nice guy!
2.
L Mng yu rqng yu tti, zhn sh g nunnn!
Li Ming is enthusiastic and considerate. Hes a real sweet guy!

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Chapter Two: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Internet

3. (miosh) Seckil
Origin and Usage

(mio) means second, as in the unit of time, and (sh) is a verb which means
to kill. Combining them, (miosh) is translated literally as one-second kill.
The term originated from online, multi-player videogames, in which the term refers to a
situation in which a player who doesnt have any other option is killed or kills his
opponent in an instantaneous attack.
When it comes to shopping, (miosh) means seckill, a new term that refers to a
sales method with which online vendors sell an expensive product at an exorbitantly low
price far below market value for a given time period. For example, they may sell an iPad
for just one Yuan. With such a low price, a lot of Chinese netizens will flock to the
website at the designated time, constantly refreshing their screen until the given moment
arrives. For just one second, the price will plummet and the shopper whose index finger
clicks the fastest will walk away with an incredible bargain.
In addition, (miosh) has another meaning, which is out-sanding or to be
better than someone in terms of a given aspect.

Examples

1.
Zh sh w zi wngshng miosh de xingj, jig hn pinyi.
This is the camera I got from seckilling. It was very cheap.
2.
T de mil miosh le zichng de qt nhir.
Her beauty trumped that of the other girls at the party.

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Chapter Two: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Internet

4. (qn) Dear

" (qn) " is short for "(qn'i de) dear." " (qn) Dear" originated from the
online conversation between sellers and buyers on Taobao.com, which is the Chinese
version of eBay.The word " (qn)" helps the sellers create a friendly image, and some
customers maycall the sellers " (qn) dear" back.
Now, you may hear people say " (qn) dear" in daily greetings. For example: "
(Qn, nngbngwgemng ma?) Dear, could you please do me a favor?"

Example
Lisa:
Qn, n jude zh tio qnzi znme yng?
Dear, how do you likethis dress?
Anne:
W hn xhuan, jiqin y pinyi.
I love it, and this dress is also very cheap.

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Chapter Two: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Internet

5. (rnq) Popularity
Origin

(rnq) literally means human breathing, but now it is widely used to refer to
the degree of popularity of something. It can be used as a noun or in the following
phrase structure: (rnq) + people/thing.

Usage

When a person or thing enjoys extreme popularity, we can say its /(rnq
hn go/wng). For such popular online stores as Taobao (a Chinese website for online
shopping), the first thing sellers want to do is (zngji rnq) increase
popularity of their products. By doing so, they can get a higher position in product
search results, which can bring them more potential buyers. Also, with social networks
now being widely used, blog owners, like those on Weibo, also want their personal
homepages to have (rnq) to attract more attention.

Examples
1. Beyonce
Beyonce sh migu zu j rnq de gshu zh y.
Beyonce is one of the most popular singers in America.
2.
Zh ji bngqln din rnq hn wng, wmen q zh ji ba!
This ice-cream shop is really famous. Lets go to this one!

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Chapter Two: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Internet

6. (zhi) To stay at home all day

Origin and Usage

(zhi) means house or residence. Now people give (zhi) a new meaning and
use it to describe those who seldom go out but stay at home all day. They usually rely on
the Internet to connect with the outside world. They can stay at home for several weeks at
a time. Later, people invented two additional popular words using (zhi). One word
is (zhinn), which refers to a male who likes staying at home and hardly takes
part in social activities. The other one is (zhin), the female version of
(zhinn).

Examples

1.
T hn zhi.
He always stays at home all day.
2.
T sh yg zhinn.
He is always staying at home.
3.
T de lop sh g zhin.
His wife is always staying at home.

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Chapter Two: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Internet

7. (chhu) Foodie
Origin and Usage

(hu) basically means goods or commodities, but people sometimes use it

nowadays in a derogatory way to make jokes about or insult other people. Examples of
this phrase in use include (chnhu) idiot and (rhu) stupid person.
(chhu) actually refers to people who have a special love for food or who have
great tastes when it comes to food. In most cases, this type of people can eat like a horse.
(chhu) was first used to insult people, meaning that they cant do anything other
than eat. However, with the popularity of social media and the broadcast of the Chinese
documentary A Bite of China, use of the word (chhu) spread. From that point on,
the meaning of (chhu) started to change while more and more Chinese started
using this word to describe themselves and friends, as a way to show their great love for
food. Now, this word is often used as a neutral word bearing a slightly positive
connotation.

Examples
Amy
Wnshng n xing ch shnme?
What do you want to eat tonight?
Tracy
W xing ch bijng koy, gngbojdng, yxingrus, hi xing ch
nipi h bs!
I want to eat Beijing duck, kung pao chicken,fish flavored pork, plus steak
and pirzza!
Amy:
N k zhn sh yg shz de chhu ya!
Wow, you are a total foodie!

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Chapter Two: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Internet

8. (shn) To act quickly

Origin

(shn) originally means to sparkle or flash.

Usage

For instance, (shnyo) means glitter or shine. But it has a new meaning: describe
those who act quickly. (shnrn) means that somebody leaves quickly.
(shnhn) means getting married quickly (note: often means pre-maturely).

Examples

1.
W xin shnrn le, n yhu zi guli zho w ba.
Let me go first. You may come to see me later.
2.
Mi shjin le, wmen di shn le.
Time is up. We have to go now.
3.
T li ci rnshi ygyu ji shnhn le.
They got married so quickly since they knew each other only for a month.

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Chapter Two: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Internet

9. (xi) Show
Origin

Literally, (xi) means beautiful or elegant. But now it is also used as a verb to
show. It comes from the transliteration of the English word show.

Usage and examples

1.
T yu zi xi zj de xn fmng.
He is showing off his new invention to us again.
2.
Dji kui li xi yi xi zj de xingf, kn shu de zu bng.
Lets all show our ideas and see which one is the best.

(zuxi) Make a show

(zuxi) originates from the entertainment industry in Hong Kong and means to
perform. Now people usually use the phrase to describe someone who does something
superficially in order to gain others approval. (zu) means to make.

Example
, ?
Bi zuxi le, n n dinr huhu chngzi w hi b lioji ma?
Dont make a show. You think I dont know what youre plotting?

(tukuxi) Talk show

(tukuxi) is the transliteration of the English phrase talk show. (tu)

literally means to take off (clothes), but here it means to say something quickly and
fluently. (ku) refers to mouth, and (xi) means to show.

(shzhungxi) Fashion show

(sh) literally refers to time, but here it means fashion. (zhung) means costume
and dress.
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Chapter Two: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Internet

10. (zn) Great or marvelous

Origin
With more and more Chinese people becoming internet users, Chinese social networks are
growing ever more popular. Everyday, millions of Chinese netizens post their thoughts,
their photos or even share tidbits of their daily personal lives on social media sites such as
Weibo or WeChat. Consequently, many of their followers will comment on those posts or
click the button-(zn). So what does the Chinese character (zn) mean? Read on
for the answer in todays online Chinese lesson.

Usage
(zn) is basically used as a verb meaning to praise or to laud. However, it can
also be used as an adjective to mean something/someone is great or marvelous.
Nowadays, most Chinese social networks have a (zn) button, with the word
(zn) alongside a thumbs-up icon or a heart-shaped icon under every post, similar to the
Like button on Facebook. (din) means to click, so, can you guess what
(dinzn) means? If you guessed to click on the thumbs-up button you are right! If you
(dinzn) it means that you agree with or like what your friends posted. With the
(dinzn) system becoming so popular, it has become a new part of Chinese
peoples daily conversations, a way to show their favorable emotion or praise for other
people. The commonly seen sentence structure is ()().

Examples

1. J.K
J.K luln de sh ti zn le!
J.K Rowlings books are really great!
2.
Wmen yo xuhu gi zj dinzn.
We should learn to praise ourselves.

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Chapter Three: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Campus

27

Chapter Three: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Campus

1. (jiji) Be entangled with

"(jiji)" was first used by the animation Fansub group back in 2001. In one of the
cartoons, a character shouted "! (jiji a!) Since then, the term transitioned from
being popular among animation fans, to being a popular termed widely used by the
masses.
The phrase " (jiji)" literally means entangled ropes or vines. It has come to
represent the various feelings that tug on our heartstrings and play with our emotions for
better or worse. Weve all felt those inextricable knots in our stomachs when confronted
with moments of confusion, hesitance, or bewilderment. In daily life, the phrase "
(jiji)" is quite flexible in its usage; it can act as a verb, adjective or noun. For instance, "
(jiji)" can be used when people find themselves in a dilemma that prevents them
from moving forward. Also, when they are indecisive and confronted with a particular
choice, "(jiji)" can describe their state of mind. If you go on any Chinese language
social network, its quite common to see someone change their status to "(w
hn jiji)" when they have no idea how to make a decision.

Examples

1.
Zujn de gngzu rng w hn jiji.
My recentworks got me in a tough spot lately.
2.
Zhge dinyng knqli t jiji.
This movie makes everyone feel conflicted.
3.
W xing ch dngo, dn yu hip zhng png, ho jiji ya!
I want to eat that cake, but Im afraid of getting fatso many choices!

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Chapter Three: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Campus

2. (ni) Excellent
Origin

The original meaning of (ni) is cow, but it now also means cool or excellent.
It is said that this additional meaning has originated from the north-eastern Chinese
dialect.

Usage
You can say (n ho ni a) or (zhn ni) to express your praise to
others. So there are many circumstances for which you can use this word. For example,
if your friend has won the championship title in a competition, you can give him/her a
thumbs up and say, ! (n ho ni a) or ! (zhn ni) to express You
are really excellent!

Examples

1.
N zhn ni a, mic kosh dush qunbn dy.
You are really excellent! Every time you are the number one in examination in your
class.
2. !
Zhn ni! T ygyu ni ji dng le jngl.
Excellent! He became a manager within one month.

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Chapter Three: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Campus

3. (xiohu) School beauty

Origin and Usage

Flowers are usually beautiful, so a girl who is well-known for her beauty in school is
called (xiohu). Meanwhile, the most handsome boy in school is called
(xioco); grass and flowers are silhouetted against each other. (xio) means school,
(hu) means flower and (co) refers to grass.

Examples

1.
N nhi zhn pioliang a, zhn bku sh xiohu.
How beautiful the girl is! She is indeed the school beauty.
2.
Tmen yg sh xiohu yg sh xioco, zhn sh jupi a!
She is the school beauty and he is the most handsome boy in school; they are a perfect
match.

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Chapter Three: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Campus

4. (qiok) To skip school

Origin and Usage

Generally, the phrase (qiok) to skip school is also called (tok) in

Chinese. It comes from the Chinese character (qio) which vividly describes the
action of lifting ones bottom and leaving the seat. Have you ever played
(qioqiobn) seesaw? One will go up while the other goes down. So (qiok)
describes that when a teacher comes, students leave. (qio) here means skipping and
(k) refers to classes.

Examples

1.
T losh qiok, qm kosh kndng gu b lio.
He always skips school. I think he will fail in the final exams.
2.
T shngk hn rnzhn, rqi cng b qiok.
She studies carefully and never skips school.

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Chapter Three: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Campus

5. (fnggzi) To fail to keep an appointment

Origin

The phrase (fng gzi) means that one doesnt keep his promise. (fng)
means to release or let go. And (gzi) refers to a dove. In ancient times, people
mailed letters by using doves. One time, two people agreed to write letters to each other,
but one of them sent a dove without a letter. Then the other person asked: why did you
only send me back the dove? You didnt keep your promise.

Usage

When you make an appointment with your friend and he fails to make the appointment,
you can say (w bi pngyou fng gzi le).

Examples

1.
N yu bi t fnggzi le? N yhu byo qngy xingxn t de hu.
Did she fail to keep the appointment again? Then dont believe her words easily.
2.
Kui, mi shjin le, wmen b nng fng t gzi le.
Hurry up, time is up. We can not fail to keep the appointment.

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Chapter Three: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Campus

6. (guk) To fail an exam

Origin and Usage

(guk) To fail an exam came from a story. It is said that one year in a school, the
school put up all the names of those who failed the exam on one paper and posted it on a
public board on the wall. The character (gu) means to hang, and many young people
(especially the teens) use the word to refer to a failure in life. You can say (w
gu le) to express that you failed in something. The character (k) means a subject
in school. So the phrase (guk) refers to fail in a subject in school/ to fail an exam.
(yu guk le) means someone failed the exam again.

Examples

1.
W de shxuk bnng gu, yobrn jingxujn ji potng le.
I cant fail in math, or my scholarship goes up in smoke.
2.
Xio mng qm kosh guk le, mma hnhn ppng le t.
Xio mng failed the final exam, and his mother criticized him severely.

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Chapter Three: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Campus

7. (jinzh) Part-time job

Origin and Usage

The phrase (jinzh) refers to a part-time job. The character (jin) means
doing more than one thing. And in (jinzh), (jin) describes that a person
severing two or more positions, and (zh) means duty or job.

Examples
1.
W xing zhxngq q zho fn jinzh, gi zj zhundin shnghufi.
I plan to find a part-time job this weekend to make some extra money.
2.
N jiq l ynggi zho fn jinzh dunlin yxi zj.
You should look for a part-time job to develop yourself during the vacations.

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Chapter Three: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Campus

8. (chuni) Brag and boast

Origin and Usage

It is said that the phrase (chuni) comes from the butcher shop. In some places,
when a butcher butchers pigs and sheep, he will cut a small slit on the pigs or sheeps leg
near the hoof. And after the blood has been completely drained, he will inflate them by
blowing through the slit until the whole body expands, thus making the skin easy to peel.
This is called inflating the pig. If this is done to a cow, it would be called
(chuni), which literally means to inflate a cow. However, because a cow has such a
huge body, it is very difficult for ordinary people to inflate it on their own. Thus, anyone
who claims that he can inflate a cow is completely bragging or boasting. (chu)
means to blow and (ni) means cow, and (chuni) is used to describe people
who are bragging and boasting.

Examples

1.
Bi tng t de, t hn i chuni!
Don't believe him, he loves to brag.
2.
T tbi nng chuni, mitin du shu yxi rng rn wf xingxn de sh!
He is good at bragging and often says unbelievable things.

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Chapter Three: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Campus

9. (hyou) Hoodwink
Origin

(hyou) is a commonly used word in northern area of China and it originates from
the word (hyu), which means recklessly misleading. It became popular from a
witty skit (migui) selling crutches, created by comic stars Zhao Benshan, Fan
Wei and Gao Xiumin in the Spring Festival Gala Evening in 2001. Since then, it has been
widely used in daily life.

Usage

The word (hyou) means flicker in its literal sense. Figuratively speaking, it
means to hoodwink or bamboozle someone into doing something by using flattery or by
boasting.

Examples

1.
Nbi hyou w le.
Dont trick me anymore.
2. ,
Zh ge rn k zhn nng hyou, mish lo hyou rn.
He is really a great talker and plays tricks now and then.
3.
W men q hyou hyou t.
Let's persuade him.

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Chapter Three: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words on Campus

10. (xub) Curve wrecker

Meaning

Literally, (b) means to dominate, lord over, tyrannize over or rule by force.
(xu b) is a new buzzword that has recently been spread widely on the Internet,
but we also use it in our daily lives. If we call someone a (xu b), we mean that
he or she is a hard-working student, good at studying, and has extensive knowledge.
Usually, a (xu b) gets excellent scores on exams. A (xu b) is
approximately the equivalent to a curve wrecker or a super scholar.

Example

M Dnxn h M Dnhn sh ydu shunboti, tmen sh qnhudxu de xu b

jimihu.
Ma Dongxin and Ma Donghan are twins. They are super scholar twins at Tsinghua
University.

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Chapter Four: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Relationships

38

Chapter Four: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Relationships

1. (go f shui) Tall, rich and handsome

Meaning and Usage

During the Euro 2012 games, time and time again fans cheered the fantastic goals made
by Cristiano Ronaldo. His impeccable performance, combined with his good looks,
attracted the attention of many girls' eyes in China. Ronaldo was dubbed the top "
(go f shui)" of Euro 2012.
So what does " (go f shui)" mean? It is composed of three adjectives: (go)
tall, (f) rich and (shui) handsome, and refers to men who possess all three of
these enviable qualities. Basically, " (go f shui)" makes ideal candidates for
dating and marriage! Although an old idea, " (go f shui)" is a relatively new
word.
With the popularity of " (go f shui)" came the corresponding phrase "
(bi f mi)." This refers to girls who have ivory complexion, and are rich, and beautiful.
Three adjectives are: (bi) ivory complexion, (f) rich and (mi) beautiful.
People believe that " (go f shui)" and " (bi f mi)" are a match made
in heaven.

Example

Mary: Lucy
Tngshu Lucy lin'i le.
I heard that Lucy fell in love.
Jenny:
Sh a, t nn pngyou sh go f shui ne.
Yes, her boyfriend is tall, rich and handsome.

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Chapter Four: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Relationships

2. (w i n) I love you
Origin and Usage

The character (w) means I, (i ) means love and (n) means you. The
character (i) love consists of a character (zho) claw on the top and a character
(yu) friend below. So, there is a saying that you will achieve love if you can grasp
your friend. You can say /(lopo/logng, w i n!) to show your
love to your wife or husband.

Examples
1.
T shnqng de du ll shu: W i n, rng w yng yshng li zhngmng
w du n de i ba!
He said to lily affectionately: I love you, let me use my lifetime to prove my
love for you.
2. !
W i n, mma, xixi n wi w su zu de yqi.
I love you, Mom! Thanks for what you have done for me.

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Chapter Four: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Relationships

3. (hngynzhj) Female soul mate

Origin and Usage

(hngynzhj) refers to a female soul mate for a male. The character

(hng) means red; the character (yn) means face or countenance; the character
(zh) means to know or to understand and the character (j) means oneself.
The phrase (hngyn) literally refers to sanguine complexions, especially the
femalesrosy cheeks. But here (hngyn) refers to a beauty. The phrase
(zhj) confidant means people who have respect, deep understanding, adoration, and
appreciation between each other. They also tolerate and care for each other.

Examples
1.
Hngynzhj sh k y r b k qi de.
One can only expect to meet a female soul mate by chance, rather than by searching.
2.
Xing chngwi birn de hngynzhj sh b rngy de.
It is difficult to become anothers confidante.

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Chapter Four: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Relationships

4. (rlin) Head over heels in love

Origin and Usage
(r) originally means hot, but it also means a strong emotion--passionate about
certain things. (lin) means love or love affair. When someone falls passionately in
love and is intoxicated by the feeling we call him/her in the state of (rlin). There
are another two stages when people are in love: (chlin) refers to Fall in love for
the time and (shlin) be crossed in love.

Example

T ling zhng ch zi rlin jidun, mitin xngyngbl.

They are together with each other every day, because they are passionately in love.

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Chapter Four: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Relationships

5. (chlin) First love

Meaning

Whats the meaning of (chlin)? (ch) in Chinese means "first," and (lin)
means "to fall in love." So (chlin) means "first love." (chlin) can be
used to describe the first time you fell in love as well as the first person you fell in love
with. Lets look at the following sentences. Can you guess which of the two uses is being
used?

Examples
1. ?
N nng jingjiang n de chlin ma?
2.
T sh w de chlin.
In the first sentence, (chlin) means your first love affair. The whole sentence
means "Could you please talk about your first love affair?" In the second sentence,
(chlin) refers to the first person you fell in love with. The whole sentence means "He is
my first love."
Most (chlin) happens during school time when people are young. Some people
say that the feeling of (chlin) is like eating an unripe apple: bittersweet.

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Chapter Four: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Relationships

6. (zolin) Puppy Love/Falling in Love at an Early Age

Origin and Usage

(zolin) puppy love is also called puberty love. (zo) literally means early,
such as in the word (zochn) and (zoshng) which both mean morning.
But here (zo)means at a young age. (lin) means love or have a love affair. In
China, puppy love refers to the relationship where people involved are less than 18 years
old, especially the students in secondary schools. According to a recent report, for the
past twenty-years in China, most people had the experience of (zolin) in their
secondary schools, including (nlin) unrequited love. (n) literally means
dim such as in the word (hin) dark. And in (nlin) unrequited love the
character (n) means secretly.

Examples
1.

Jizhng xyo zhngqu yndo hizi de zolin.

The parents need to guide their childrens puppy love properly.

2.

Losh men du b zolin knzu yg jshu de wnt.

The so-called puppy love problem is a thorny issue for all teachers.

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Chapter Four: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Relationships

7. (dsnzh) Someone who is in an adulterous relationship with a

married man or woman
Origin and Usage
(dsnzh) literally means third party. The character (d) is a prefix before a
number, ( sn) means three and (zh) means person. (dsnzh) is also
called (xiosn), where (xio) means little.

Examples

1.
Ynwi t chngdng le b gungci de dsnzh, mqin chjng shfn gng.
She is in an embarrassing situation because she is in an adulterous relationship with a
married man.
2. ,
Dinshj wj zhng, Gu Hizo jish yg bzhbku de dsnzh.
In TV series Dwelling Narrowness, Guo Haizao is a fully-fledged third party.

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Chapter Four: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Relationships

8. (nsngqib) Secretly to cast flirtatious looks at somebody

Origin

The idiom (nsngqib) make eyes at somebody came from a story about L
Bu and Diao Chan in the great Chinese classic novel The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Situ Wangyun wanted to kill Dong Zhuo who was
autocratic. He had a good idea. He asked a beautiful girl named Diao Chan, who is good
at both singing and dancing, to seduce both Dong Zhuo and his adopted son L Bu. Diao
Chan secretly made eyes at them so they would both fall in love with her. And when L
Bu found out that Dong Zhuo liked Diao Chan, he became very angry and killed Dong
Zhuo.

Usage

The idiom (nsngqib) make eyes at somebody is for men and women who
secretly express their love between each other. (n) means secretly and (song)
means to send. (qi) refers to autumn and (b) refers to water waves.

Examples
1.
W kndo n du ng nhi nsngqib le.
I saw you secretly making eyes at that girl.
2.
Lini wngwng sh cng nsngqib kish de.
Love is often started from making eyes at each other.

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Chapter Four: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Relationships

9. (yd lin) Long-distance relationship

Origin and Usage

The phrase (ydlin) refers to Long-distance Relationship. The character

(y) means different, and (d) means place. (lin) means love.

Examples

1.
Xunz ydlin sh xyo hn d de yngq de.
Choosing a long-distance relationship requires a lot of courage.
2.
Xingh xnrn sh wich yd lin de gunjin.
Mutual trust is the key to a long-distance relationship.

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Chapter Four: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Relationships

10. (lidin) To click with someone/have sparks

Origin

(lidin) originally refers to the restoration of electricity supply after a power

failure. Now it is used to vividly describe the feeling between a man and a woman when
they first meet each other--just like an electric shock.

Usage
The phrase (lidin) means to click with someone or have sparks. (li) means
to come and (din) originally refers to electricity, but here, it refers to a kind of
lightning emotional feeling.

Examples

1.
Lingg rn ydn lidin, nozi l ji qun sh dufng.
Once two people click with each other, each persons mind is full of the other person.
2.
Rnpng w znyng cuhe, tli jish b lidin.
No matter what I do, they still dont click with each other.

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Chapter Five: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Entertainment

49

Chapter Five: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Entertainment

1. (mng) young and innocent

" (mng)" literarily means to sprout and is the symbol of spring. From this, the
meaning of " (mng)" has been extended to describe girls who are young and innocent.
The term originated from the animation industry and was used as a lingua franca to refer
to young, innocent and beautiful little girls.
Another popular phrase is " (mimng)" which is a verb and means to "pretend to be
cute" to attract the audience. The word " (mi)" literally means to sell, but here it is the
short form of " (mnong)" meaning to show off.

Examples
1.
T zi zhge dinyng l yn de jus ho mng a, wmen du hn xhuan.
The role he played in the movie was really young and innocent; we all liked it!
2.
Mimei zng sh zi w minqin mimng ho rng w gi t mi tng ch!
My little sister always pretends to be innocentin front of me in order to get candy
from me!
3.
Wsu de n'r chunzhe fns de qnzi, y shng ti ji mng fn qunchng.
My 5-year-old daughter is so innocentand cute when she wears her pink skirt.
The entire audience cannot help applauding her when she comes out on the
stage.

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Chapter Five: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Entertainment

2. (shudpi) To snub
Meaning and Usage
(shudpi) basically means to snub and is always used to describe
self-important or arrogant stars. We can remark that a star (shudpi) if he or
she looks down upon others and treats them as inferior, often attends activities late
whether intentionally or not, turns down an invitation to an event which he or she has
already promised to attend without any notice, rejects interviews in a rude manner, etc.

Examples
1.
Ng nmngxng jngchng shudpi, cnji hudng de shhou chngchng
chdo!
That female star is such a snob, because she often arrives late when attending events!
2.
Li Dhu sh dmngxng, dnsh t hnsho shudpi.
Lau Andy is a big star, but he is seldom arrogant.

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Chapter Five: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Entertainment

3. (xnxi) Up-and-coming youngster

Origin and Usage

The phrase (xnxi) means up-and-coming youngster. It was originated from the
word (xi) which means to show. Here the word refers to a new comer and (xn)
means new.

Examples

1. NBA ,
Zi NBA zhng, wmen b dynin jn qidu d bsi de rn jio xnix.
The one playing in the NBA in his first year is called a rookie.
2.
Xinzi ylji de xnxi cngchbqing.
Now up-and-coming youngsters in showbiz emerge one after another.

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Chapter Five: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Entertainment

4. (bgu) Gossip
Origin
The phrase (bgu) the Eight diagram originates from the ancient thinking of the
origin of the universe. It relates to the relationship among the earth, the sun, the moon,
and various aspects of the society and human life. (bgu) The Eight diagram
represents the philosophical thinking of ancient China, which had influences on
traditional Chinese medicine, kung fu, music and so on.
In the entertainment world, however, (bgu) means gossip, often referring to the
private lives of celebrities as reported by entertainment news or paparazzi.

Usage
The character (b) refers to eight and the character (gu) means trigram.
(bgu) means to tell tales everywhere.

Examples
1.
Wln sh miyu tngxn de shdi hish jntin de wnglu shhu, bgu cng
wi xiosh.
Gossip has never disappeared, whether in an era without communication technology
or in todays the networked society.
2. ,
Zu xn dioch biomng, nnren b nren hi i bgu.
The latest research has shown that men gossip more than women do.

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Chapter Five: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Entertainment

5. (fiwn) Pink news/ Love affair

Origin and Usage

(fiwn) means pink news, or love affair. The character (fi) means red or
pink. The character (wn) means news. (fiwn) was once only used to refer
to the love affair between men and women in the entertainment business. However, it is
now also used between common people as well. When people talk about (fiwn),
they may not know the truthfulness of the news, but they cant help spreading and
enjoying the process of circling it.

Examples

1.
L li h Hn Mimi zhjin de fiwn sh zhn de ma?
Is the pink news between Li Lei and Han meimei true?
2.
Ylqun de fiwn ddush dush ji de.
Most of the pink news from the entertainment world is not true.

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Chapter Five: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Entertainment

6. (guzidu) Paparazzi
Origin

(guzidu) originally came from the word paparazzi, which was the last name
of an actor who acted as a journalist taking private photos of public figures in an Italian
movie. Since the spelling and the pronunciation of paparazzi is similar to that of
(guzi) puppy, and the paparazzi normally work as a (du) team, people in Hong
Kong first coined this Chinese phrase (guzidu).

Usage

(gu) means dog and (zi) means young animal, so (guzi) means
puppy. (gu) also implies that paparazzi are acting like dogs chasing after something.
(du) means group or team.

Examples

1.
Dbfen mngrn du toyn guzidu, ynwi guzidu bo ch de xnwn du sh
fmin de.
Most of the celebrities dislike the paparazzi, because news reported by paparazzi is
mostly negative.
2.
Guzidu de gngzu bng bsh hn ho gn.
The job of Paparazzi is not easy to do.

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Chapter Five: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Entertainment

7. (dwnr) Big shot

Origin

(dwnr) big shot was originated from the phrase which came from
, the transliteration of the English phrase number one. It was used to describe
foremen in the factories in Shanghai in the early twenty century. With the release of a
blockbuster movie Big Shot directed by Feng Xiaogang in the late 90s, the phrase became
popular.

Usage

The phrase (dwnr) big shot is generally used as a noun. (d) means big and
(wn) literally means wrist, but here it means popularity. (dwnr) big shot is
used to describe a person who has a great reputation and a good standing in a certain area.
We also use this phrase in other situations to describe high-status, or those who have
made great contributions.

Examples

1.
Xinzi de dwnr ji i shudpi.
The big shots nowadays are fond of putting on airs.
2.
Zhuxngz men fngkung de zhupng tmen xhuan de mngxng dwnr.
Fans crazily follow those celebrity big shots wherever they appear.

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Chapter Five: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Entertainment

8. (chozu) To hype
Origin and Usage

(chozu) to hype refers to the promotion of a particular matter with exaggeration.

The literary meaning of (cho) is to stir-fry and the literary meaning of (zu) is
to do.

Examples

1.
Yude mngxng wile tgo mngq, ji gy yng ji jihn de xnwn chozu zj.
In order to enhance their reputations, some stars hype themselves deliberately with the
false marriage news.
2.
Mit de chozu yuliyu chngjin le.
The media hype has been more and more widespread.

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Chapter Five: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Entertainment

9. (fns) Fans
Origin and Usage

Original (fns) refers to bean vermicelli. Since the pronunciation of English word
fans is very similar to that of Chinese word (fns), thus people call fans
(fns) in China. So (fns) is transliterated from fans. (fn) means powder
and (s) means thread.

Examples

1.
Hndu mngxng du yu yqn ltng tmen de fns.
Many stars have a group of fans who support them.
2. NBA
T sh NBA de zhngsh fns, mi chng bsi du hu gunkn.
He is a loyal NBA fans and watches every game.

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Chapter Five: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Entertainment

10. (hu) Hot

Origin and Usage

The original meaning of (hu) is fire. Since (hu) fire is very hot and its color is
red, the extended meaning of (hu) is to be popular or a hit. So we can say:
(zhb dinyng ti hu le) this film is so hot. (hu) here means popular or
hot.

Examples

1.
Zhb dinyng zujn hn hu.
Recently, this movie became very hot.
2.
Jnjnin li, gzhng dinsh xunxi jim du hn hu.
In the past a few years, various TV talent shows are very hot.

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Chapter Six: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Sports

60

Chapter Six: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Sports

1. (dmngun) Grand slam

Origin and Usage
(dmngun) was originally a bridge term, which means winning all tricks
during the play of one hand. Now, the word is usually used in the sports world.
(dmngun) generally refers to an athlete or a sports team that has won championships
of several key competitions such as the Olympic Games, World Championships, and the
World Cup. (d) means big, (mn) means complete, and (gun) means to
pass through. (mngun) means slam.

Examples

1.
Zi Zhnggu pngpngqi sh shng, Li Guling sh d y wi hud dmngun
de xunshu.
In the history of Chinese table tennis, Liu Guoliang was the first grand slam winner.
2. 1968

Zcng yjilib nin wngqi chngwi zhy yndng y li, shji y ho

xunshu Xnjs chngwi zu ninqng de dmngun dn d gunjn.
Hingis, who ranked number one in the world, had been the youngest grand slam
champion since tennis was opened to professional players in 1968.

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Chapter Six: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Sports

2. (chnlin) To defend ones title successfully

Origin and Usage

The phrase (chnlin) means to defend ones title successfully. (chn) cicada
is a kind of insect. And the character (lin) means continuous or (linx de).
For example, (chnlin yjn) means to maintain the second place two years
in a row.

Examples

1.
Firn Brt chnlin bn nind tinjng zu ji yndngyun bngshu.
Bolt won The best track and field athlete award two years in a row.
2. 400
T zi shjnsi zhng chnlin le sn ji sbi m po gunjn.
She has won 400 meters World Championship three times in a row.

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Chapter Six: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Sports

3. (lldu) Cheering squad

Origin and Usage

(l) originally means to pull. Here in (lldu), it describes that everyone

holds together hand by hand to make joint efforts. You can say (w l n y
b) I can help you. And (du) means team. So a team gathered together to boost
athletes morale is called (lldu) Cheering squad.

Examples

1.
Ychng qisi zhng, lldu de nhn sh bbksho de.
A cheering squads performance is important for a sports game.
2.
Zutin de lnqi bsi ho jli a, zhngg bsi zhng lldu de jiohnshng yzh
mi tng gu.
Yesterdays basketball game was so intense, the cheering squads hurrah continued till
the end of the match.

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Chapter Six: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Sports

4. (Hisho) Bad ref. calls

Meaning

(hi) means black, and (sho) means whistle, together they make the word,
(hisho), which literally means black whistle. But, what does it really mean? In
fact, (hisho) means that the referees are corrupt. If a referee (chu
hisho) in a game, it means that he is being unfair in his judgment. A referee is
supposed to be transparent and objective in his manner and should serve as an unbiased
judge during the match. However, in reality, we can often see unfair judgment calls on the
part of the referee. During the opening match between Brazil and Croatia, the Japanese
referee Nishimura Yuichi was considered to (chu hisho). This is due to the
penalty awarded by him to Brazil when Brazil striker Fred appeared to be tugged inside
the penalty area by Lovren. However the slow-motion playback showed that Fred wasnt
touched.

Example

Qiyun men jt bsi, kngy cipn de hisho.

The players refused to play to protest against the bias of the referees.

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Chapter Six: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Sports

5. (wlngqi) Own goal

Origin and Usage

(wlngqi) originates from the English word own goal. From the 1960s,
journalists in Hong Kong began to translate own goal into (wlngqi),
because the two have similar sound in Cantonese. The character (w) means black or
dark, (lng) means dragon, and (qi) means ball. There is a folklore about
(wlng) in Guangdong Province. It is said that in ancient China, people prayed to the
Green Dragon, which is the lucky symbol for rain during a long drought. However, when
Black or Dark Dragon appeared instead of the Green Dragon, disasters came one after
another. Later on, people used Black or Dark Dragon to describe misfortune.
(wlngqi) own goal is a frequently used word in conversations related to
soccer. (wlngqi) stands for bad luck for the team just as the Dark Dragon
stood for misfortune for ancient Chinese people.

Examples

1.
Yng Chng bnchng de lingj wlngqi zhdng le qidu de bij.
Two own goals by Yang Cheng led to the failure of his team in the game.
2.
Wlngqi sh qim men jnjnldo de hut.
Soccer fans are never tired of talking about own goals.

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Chapter Six: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Sports

6. (bolngmn) To have an unexpected winner

Origin

(bolngmn) appeared first in the casino. Most people put their stakes on the
popular side, thus the hot side emerged. The opposite of the popular side was the
unpopular side, which received little attention to gamblers. This unpopular side was
called (lngmn). (bo) means to produce an unexpected result. (lng)
means cold literally, but here it means unpopular. (mn) means door.

Examples

1.
Zutin zqi bsi bolngmn, yu yp him yng qi le, sh yg
mngbjinjngzhun de xn qidu.
A dark horse bobbed up in yesterdays football game. An unknown team won.
2.
Jnnin de jnm jing bo le g d lngmn.
This years Gold Horse Award had a big unexpected winner.

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Chapter Six: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Sports

7. (fnpn) To turn defeat into victory

Origin and Usage

The phrase (fnpn) to turn defeat into victory was originated from a sentence
(Zhg hi miyu shu ho, ng yu
fnpn le, ji zhyng shujinjio) This doesnt come to an agreement and that promise
is already broken. He is such a slippery fellow from the movie The Gold Rush directed
and acted by Charles Chaplin, where (fnpn) means to break the promise. But
now (fnpn) is widely used in sports meaning to turn defeat into victory.
(fn) means to overthrow and (pn) literally means tray.

Examples

1. 2009 12 22 NBA
rlnglngji nin shr yu rshr r, Guwng chungzo le NBA lsh shng xn de
fnpn jl.
Sacremento Kings broke NBAs new record for turning defeat into victory on
December 22, 2009.
2.
Lngxin y qi de snndu zi w fnzhng ni bi dushu fnpn.
While Arsenal was one goal ahead toward the end of the game, it was defeated by its
opponent within the last five minutes.

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Chapter Six: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Sports

8. (dngdozh) Host
Origin and Usage

The phrase (dngdozh) host was originated from (zuzhun) (a

commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals). At that time, the State of Zheng on the
east side of the State of Qin welcomed Qins ambassador, so Zheng is called
(dngdozh) host. (dng) means east, (do) means road, and (zh) means
host. Later, (dngdozh) refers to anybody who offers a treat to others in
general. Now it also refers to any hosts such as host countries, host cities, and so on.

Examples

1. 6
Dngdozh du zi li j zhng de jqi d de shfn chs.
The host team was very good at the bat for six innings.
2.
Wmen xuxio dnrn zh c xush huy de dngdozh.
Our school will be the host of this academic conference.

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Chapter Six: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Sports

9. (him) Dark horse

Origin and Usage

The word (him) dark horse came from a horse racing scene in a novel called
Young Duke by British statesman Benjamin Disileisi in the 19th century. The character
(hi) means dark and (m) means horse. (him) dark horse refers to an
unexpected winner.

Examples

1.
Png Shui bi chngwi wngqiji de yp him.
Peng Shuai is referred as a dark horse in the tennis world.
2. 3000
N zhn sh him a! Mi xingdo n jngrn zi zhc snqin m chngpo bsi
zhng n dy.
You're really a dark horse! Unexpectedly, you have won the champion in the 3,000
meter long-distance race.

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Chapter Six: Top Ten Popular Chinese Words for Sports

10. (ltng) To support strongly

Origin and usage

The word (ltng) is believed to have been introduced by politicians in Taiwan.

Now it is used in different fields, such as entertainment and sports. The character (l)
means strength and (tng) means to hold out.

Examples
1.
Qunbn tngxu ltng n cnji zhc xunxi hudng.
The whole class will support you strongly to participate in this talent show.
2.
Shnzhn shzhngf ltng shnhng dgu nngun.
The government of Shengzheng gives Shengzheng Aviation Company strong support
to ride out the storm.

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