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What are some common false friends in Chinese and English visualisation

What are some common false friends in Chinese and English

False friends when learning Chinese: What are some common false friends in Chinese and English
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Common false friends between Chinese and English are words that appear similar in form or sound but have different meanings in the two languages, often leading to misunderstandings for language learners and translators. Here are some examples:

  1. Chinese “电话” (diànhuà) vs. English “telephone”

    • Both relate to phone communication.
    • “电话” means “telephone” in general.
    • English “telephone” can also be shortened to “phone” casually.

  2. Chinese “老板” (lǎobǎn) vs. English “boss”

    • “老板” means “shop owner” or “business owner.”
    • English “boss” may refer to any supervisor, not always an owner.

  3. Chinese “出色” (chūsè) vs. English “outstanding”

    • “出色” means excellent or remarkable.
    • English “outstanding” can mean unpaid (e.g., bills), aside from excellent.

  4. Chinese “方便” (fāngbiàn) vs. English “convenient”

    • “方便” means convenient or handy.
    • English “convenient” has a broader scope but can be neutral.

  5. Chinese “漫画” (mànhuà) vs. English “manga”

    • “漫画” means comic or cartoon.
    • English “manga” specifically refers to Japanese comics.

  6. Chinese “尴尬” (gāngà) vs. English “awkward”

    • “尴尬” means embarrassed or awkward.
    • English “awkward” can also mean clumsy or difficult to handle.

These false friends highlight lexical and cultural differences despite seeming similarity in pronunciation or meaning. Understanding these can aid in better communication and translation between Chinese and English speakers.

References

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