What are some common Chinese false friends that English speakers often confuse
False friends when learning Chinese: What are some common Chinese false friends that English speakers often confuse
False friends between Chinese and English can be tricky for learners, as these words or phrases look or sound similar but have very different meanings. Here are some common examples that English speakers often confuse:
1. 扑克 (Pūkè) vs. Poker
- Chinese meaning: “Playing cards” in general.
- English meaning: Refers specifically to the card game “poker.”
2. 摩托车 (Mótuō chē) vs. Motorcar
- Chinese meaning: “Motorbike.”
- English meaning: An old-fashioned term for a car. The word 车 (chē) in Chinese broadly means “vehicle,” not just “car.”
3. 餐厅 (Cāntīng) vs. Canteen
- Chinese meaning: A general term for a restaurant, often a more formal one.
- English meaning: A cafeteria or dining area in a workplace or school, typically informal and inexpensive.
4. 抹布 (Mābù) vs. Mop
- Chinese meaning: A “rag” or “dishcloth.”
- English meaning: A cleaning tool for floors, which in Chinese is 拖把 (Tuōbǎ).
5. 风雨同舟 (Fēngyǔ tóngzhōu) vs. In the Same Boat
- Chinese meaning: Literally “same boat in wind and rain,” it implies solidarity and mutual support during tough times.
- English meaning: Sharing the same predicament, without necessarily implying teamwork or support.
6. 食言 (Shíyán) vs. Eat One’s Words
- Chinese meaning: Breaking a promise or not keeping one’s word.
- English meaning: Admitting something said earlier was wrong.
7. 儿戏 (Érxì) vs. Child’s Play
- Chinese meaning: Treating something frivolously or not taking it seriously.
- English meaning: Refers to something that is very easy to do.
8. 礼貌 (Lǐmào) vs. Lime
- Chinese meaning: “Manners” or “politeness.”
- English resemblance: Phonetically reminds learners of “lime,” but there is no relation in meaning.
9. 和 (Hé) vs. He
- Chinese meaning: Depending on context, it can mean “and,” “peace,” or “harmony.”
- English resemblance: Sounds like the pronoun “he,” but has no connection in use.
10. 汉堡包 (Hànbǎobāo) vs. Hamburger
- Chinese meaning: Refers to a burger, which can have various fillings like chicken, pork, or beef.
- English meaning: Specifically refers to a beef patty sandwich.
These examples highlight how linguistic and cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings if learners rely solely on superficial similarities in sound or appearance without understanding the context and actual meanings of words 1, 3, 4.