Learn Chinese from Chinglish


Angela - HLC   |   October 7, 2020

It’s fun to listen to non-native speakers speak English. But if you pay attention to the mistakes they make, you might find interesting rules from those mistakes and learn a lot about their mother tongues.

Today, we’re going to talk about some very typical Chinglish sentences, explain the reasons and find the Chinese grammar rules & speaking habits from these mistakes.

  • Waiter, I want ……  服务员,我要……

It’s not rude to call the waiter/waitress and order food by saying “I want ……” in Chinese

  • Fighting! 加油

Chinese people say jiayou a lot to cheer someone up, but a lot of people thought “fighting” is the correct translation in English from Korean TV shows

  • I very like dogs  我很喜欢/我非常喜欢

Yes, you can put very(很/非常) in front of some verbs like 喜欢/不喜欢/讨厌/爱……

  • You want to play together with me?   你想跟我一起玩吗?

The word play(玩) could means to hang out or to travel in many situations in Chinese

  • This is my Girl friend, he is …… 这是我的女朋友,她是……

He/she/it in Chinese have the same pronunciation ta. That’s why a lot of Chinese people find it difficult to think of the gender when talking

  • It has small rain outside  外面下小雨了

Small rain(小雨) in Chinese means drizzling

  • I closed my phone  我把手机关了

To close(关) in Chinese also means to turn off

  • Are you convenient?  你方便吗?

“你方便吗?”actually means is it convenient for you

  • Drink hot water is good for your body  喝热水对你的身体好

Body(身体) in Chinese also means health.

  • The school has a lot of students  学校有很多学生

Have(有) in Chinese also means there are/is.

  • Give you 给你

给你actually means here you are

HLC汉林:

Hanlin Language Center is a professional language school. Our mission is to apply the knowledge learned in class into practice and help students achieve their learning targets. We spread Chinese culture, helping foreign students master Chinese language to better adapt to the local life. Our students come from different parts of the world, making Hanlin a real global village. Our Chinese students and foreign students are good learning partners, helping each other. We warmly welcome you to join Hanlin.

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