New Branding For A Very Old Chinese Character
A few months ago I came across the preceding character while searching through the Chinese blogosphere. At first I thought a Chinese netizen found a way to create his own character, but then the image seemed to start popping up all over the place. The character is pronounced jiong and as you can tell by [...]
88: It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye
An SMS and online spin on a contemporary form of farewell
Before your first visit to China you ask your Chinese-speaking friend for a quick lesson in Mandarin Chinese. She tells you:
â€œä½ å¥½â€ ni hao.
Hello.
“谢谢†xie xie.
Thank you.
“å†è§â€ zai jian.
Goodbye.
After you arrive in Beijing, you are eager to start practicing the only three phrases you know with [...]
Quick Observation: Fubai - It’s Not Just For Corrupt Government Officials Anymore
“咱们今晚去è…败,好ä¸å¥½ï¼Ÿ”
My co-worker asks me if I want to go fubai (è…败)with him tonight. I am utterly confused, because as a Chinese student I learned that the word fubai is generally used to describe corrupt government officials.
There is a new definition of the word spreading around the BBS message boards. Online, fubai (abbreviated FB) most often [...]
Observer ABC: A Lesson in Internet Language and Other Useful Phrases
Let’s make sense of this simulated MSN conversation between a Chinese boyfriend and girlfriend.
First, we need to learn the essential vocabulary:
A. Nanzihan ç”·åæ±‰: is the essence of manliness. Someone who is considered a Nanzihan is typically strong, responsible and courageous.
B. 放鸽å fang gezi: What you say to someone if you two already have plans, but [...]








