Vocabulary lessons

词汇课

Vocabulary lessons

词汇课

Jiayou: A Message of Encouragement for Everybody

SHEN JIAYI

Though 加油 jiayou literally means adding gas to a car or oil to a cooking pan, it has another meaning: encouraging people to push on with their work and try their best.

It Must Be Yuanfen

WU RUITIAN

A keyword in both traditional and contemporary Chinese culture, yuanfen (缘分) both resonates with Buddhist cosmology and oils the gears of social relationships.

The Yanhuoqi in Our Life

YANG ZITONG

Yanhuoqi(烟火气)–The unique word that captures the essence of bustling Chinese street life.

Mabao: The Giant Baby Phenomenon

CHEN PEIYING

Literally meaning “mommy’s treasure,” the word Mabao 妈宝 can teach us a lot about Chinese mother-son relationships.

Jiangjiu: The Chinese Way of Getting the Details Right

LIN XIAOBING

Used to describe both a refined sense of aesthetics and a special care taken in matters of etiquette and custom, the word jiangjiu (讲究) reflects the traditional Chinese value placed on attention to detail.

The Mysterious World of Jianghu

CHEN WEI

Evoking the underworld of Chinese martial arts, jianghu 江湖, literally meaning “rivers and lakes,” evokes a hidden realm waiting to be explored.

Suibian: From Ice Cream Brand to Chinese Culture Value

WU YIZHEN

More than a pet phrase meaning “whatever,” the word suibian (随便) can cast meaningful light on patterns of thought in Chinese culture.

Intersections: A Journal of Language, Culture, and Ideas is an online magazine featuring writing in Chinese and English by members of the Duke Kunshan community.

《交集：语言文化论刊》是一栏由昆杜人撰写的中英双语线上杂志。