Chinaisms - How the English language works

[lele]

Fun Thread!

 

I just heard this one today:

 

"wo yao shopping"

[Robert S.]

Now Ping is crazy about yard sales, she loves it. I so much enjoy watching her looking at everything, and it is especially great when she talks with other people there, giving her a chance to practice her English. Still she finds a way to make it all her own when she asks me on Saturday morning, "okay now we go sell yard, yes?"

[Jason+Joanna]

Joanna has some funny ones too for example:

 

Blanket = basket (as in shopping basket).

Banana = umberlla

click = clinic

 

It is almost like we have our own little language to ourselves.

[Robert S.]

Joanna has some funny ones too for example:

 

Blanket = basket (as in shopping basket).

Banana = umberlla

click = clinic

 

It is almost like we have our own little language to ourselves.

I hope you are not trying to teach her to say "umberlla" no wonder she wants to say banana instead. Umbrella, um - brel - la. She could say that if she wanted!!! I think she is playing around, about like the way Ping says "Arkansalt."

[warpedbored]

While not a china ism Bing has taken to the phrase "pretty good" Something about it seems to amuse her greatly.

[Jason+Joanna]

Here is another one, that is kind of funny that she says:

 

Chicken = Kitchen.

[Jason+Joanna]

Joanna has some funny ones too for example:

 

Blanket = basket (as in shopping basket).

Banana = umberlla

click = clinic

 

It is almost like we have our own little language to ourselves.

I hope you are not trying to teach her to say "umberlla" no wonder she wants to say banana instead. Umbrella, um - brel - la. She could say that if she wanted!!! I think she is playing around, about like the way Ping says "Arkansalt."

Opps I spelled umbrella wrong there. Would that be Englese ??

[nousername]

I always liked when i heard people tell me "Good Eve-nling"?

 

Or, "Can i use your naptop?"

 

I always wondered, why in one case they cannot say the "n", and it is replaced with and "l" or "nl"? And, in the other case they don't say the "l" instead it's an "n"!!!!

[sylinchinastill]

Hengli tells me I am trouble at least 5 times a day, "troublesome, troublesome, I am troublesome dammit!"

[lele]

I also have recently heard "no problem", even when there is no problem. I think that its cute, but I am not sure if it is just for Chinese, as many thai people and vietnamese people I know tend to say it a lot as well.

[nousername]

Have you notice that they often use "It doesn't matter" incorrectly. I am not exactly sure what it is, but everytimes i hear it i think "No...... actually, it does matter."

 

I cannot really think of a context right now... but.... ah, anyway.

[Robert S.]

Have you notice that they often use "It doesn't matter" incorrectly. I am not exactly sure what it is, but everytimes i hear it i think "No...... actually, it does matter."

 

I cannot really think of a context right now... but.... ah, anyway.

I know what you are talking about but I can't think of a good example either right now.

[msmckee]

Have you notice that they often use "It doesn't matter" incorrectly. I am not exactly sure what it is, but everytimes i hear it i think "No...... actually, it does matter."

 

I cannot really think of a context right now... but.... ah, anyway.

I know what you are talking about but I can't think of a good example either right now.

Yue will say something is "unimportant" when it really is. I think it may be her way of dealing with difficult or unpleasant things. It's easier to forget about a problem that to solve it. I think it may be part of the Chinese "group harmony" thing.

[ed and ying]

I have learned the hard way that " Not a problem" or "uninmportant" can often mean the opposite - in business and personal relationships. Now it is a red flag to me - need to study the context and possible subtle meaning in what else is said. Find a way to comfortably address the issue.

 

Example of subtle meaning

 

" You must not be looking at my pictures, my face must be dim in your mind. Your face is so clear in my mind"

 

The wrong answer is "I look at your pictures everyday" She was saying, she felt I was neglecting her. Short talk about problems at work, busy with I-129, etc and everyone is happy.

 

You just have to understand what is really being said, provide the correct answer. I have had too much practice !

[awch]

when xiao ming wants to say that someone was hit by a car, he says "the car kicked him".

 

also, for anything related to "men's" stuff he has a cute way:

 

mens clothing= "man's taste"

 

and he is never sweaty or stinky or salty, that's also "man's smell" and "man's taste".