Tag Archives: vocabulary
Random Word Trivia #10
See how many of these random words you can guess the English and Chinese for! 1. You have a bad habit, like smoking or gambling. 2. You have a tool that enables you to appear taller than what you are. 3. You look really similar to a celebrity. 4. You have an argument with someone […]
50 Skills and Abilities in Chinese
Lately I’ve noticed that Chinese has many words to describe skills and abilities that English lacks. While some like 杂技 and 想像力 are easy to translate, others are notoriously difficult In particular I found 内功, 号召力 and 悟性 real challenges. Here’s the list I’ve compiled. Note that there are four main suffixes that describe skills […]
Vocabulary for the NAATI Professional Interpreting Examination (English and Chinese)
As I just took my NAATI Professional Interpreting Exam (NAATI三級口譯考試) last week, I thought I’d share with you the vocabulary that I have collected over the past year in preparing for it. There are ten glossaries in total, each with 30 words in total, including: 30 Legal Terms in English and Chinese 30 Medical Terms […]
An Introduction to Criminal Law Terms in English and Chinese (+ Glossary)
The following is an introduction to commonly used terms in criminal law (刑法) that I’ve collected over the years of translating and teaching interpreting. The focus is mainly on vocabulary common in Australian and British law. At the end of this post is a glossary of all the terms mentioned (150 in total!) Disclaimer: I […]
Random Word Trivia #9 – Marriage
See how many of these random words you can guess the English and Chinese for! This week’s topic is “marriage”! Enjoy! (Note: some of them do not have English equivalents!) 1. Getting married to someone you have only just met. (Chinese) 2. Getting married to someone without having first bought a house, car, or wedding […]
Random Word Trivia #8
Now it’s time for another Random Word Trivia Quiz! Which of these can you guess the Chinese and English for? Answers are at the bottom! (Don’t peek until you can figure them out!) You have a big belly, possibly from too much eating or drinking (noun) You know someone who has a huge vocabulary and […]
25 Common Abbreviations in Mandarin
I’ve had a number of readers ask me when I’ll be updating Parts 3 and 4 of the Top 100 Chinese Words feature. They’re currently a work in progress; I hope this list of common Mandarin abbreviations can tie you over in the meantime. If you can think of any good ones to add let […]
Carl’s Top 100 Chinese Words – Part 2
Words chosen in this post 26. 搭讪 dāshàn, 27. 走光 zǒuguāng, 28. 默认 mòrèn, 29. 领情 lǐngqíng, 30. 碰头 pèngtóu, 31. 坦率 tǎnshuài, 32. 打量 dǎliang, 33. 拜托 bàituō, 34. 发福 fāfú, 35. 山寨 shānzhài, 36. 靠谱 kàopǔ, 37. 郁闷 yùmèn, 38. 有种 yǒuzhǒng, 39. 臭美 chòuměi, 40. 无奈 wúnài, 41. 陶醉 táozuì, 42. 陪衬 […]
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