Many English speakers use Chinese words and concepts in everyday conversations without even realizing their origins. This cultural exchange enriches our language and gives us new ways to communicate ideas. In this post, I will explore some of the most common Chinese vocabulary that has been absorbed into English and become part of the global lingua franca.
One you may hear frequently is "feng shui" - the ancient Chinese practice of arranging spaces and objects to promote positive energy flow or qi. Its rising popularity in the West has led to real estate agents and interior designers incorporating its principles of balance and harmony. Grander entrance ways, the strategic placement of mirrors, and how you orient furniture to take advantage of natural light and views speak to how intrinsic feng shui has become in architecture and design.
Similarly, the concept of "yin and yang" has become a shorthand for two opposing forces that are interconnected and interdependent. From the sitcom Friends to rap lyrics, this Daoist notion of dualism can be applied to any set of contrasting pairs - light and dark, female and male, good and evil. The black and white swirled symbol visually captures how yin and yang are both opposing and complementary.
Martial arts films and TV shows
Martial arts films and TV shows have familiarized English speakers with titles like "sifu," "sensei," and "grasshopper." Sifu means master or teacher in Chinese, while sensei has the same meaning in Japanese. And calling someone grasshopper affectionately references the TV series Kung Fu and the relationship between student and mentor.
You may also have heard the Chinese Zodiac animals - rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. People often identify with or gift merchandise featuring their Zodiac sign, particularly in a Year of the Dragon versus Year of the Snake for example. 2022 was the Year of the Water Tiger and 2023 will usher in the Year of the Rabbit.
Chinese cuisine
In cuisine, Chinese flavors and dishes have also left their mark on the English food lexicon. Cantonese dim sum, lo mein noodles, moo shu pork have become common menu items that need no explanation. Less common regional fare like Ma po tofu (Sichuan), thousand-year eggs, and bird's nest soup may sound cryptic to Westerners. And the ubiquitous fortune cookie is actually a Chinese-American creation, having no direct equivalent in China.
Beyond vocabularly, the Chinese language has also influenced English linguistics more broadly. For example, grammar structures like stating double negatives for emphasis - "small no small matter." English speakers increasingly use self-deprecating terms like calling themselves a potato to connote awkwardness. And code-switching between Mandarin and English words mid-sentence is now common not just for Chinese diaspora but English speakers trying to sound intellectual or worldly.
Chinese mythical creatures have also captured the popular imagination globally. You can find references to mystical beasts like the Qi lin (a mix between ox and dragon), phoenixes Fenghuang (symbolizing peace and prosperity), and celestial dragons Long (representing strength and heroism). Their symbols appear frequently in popular media like Star Wars films (note resemblance between Qi lin and Appa/sky bison) and Pokémon creatures.
Perhaps most fundamentally, the yin-yang duality concept shapes how English speakers understand opposing extremes. Like the tide going in and out - we know joy inevitably gives way to grief, and hardship is eventually relieved by calm. This cyclical rather than binary perception of nature and consciousness has become almost intuitive now.
So whether you realize it or not, the Chinese language has infiltrated everyday English in some fun, thoughtful and tasty ways! It shows how cultures blend together to create new meanings and perspectives in our shared world over centuries of exchange. The next time you use popular terms like feng shui, yin-yang or hear fortune cookies mentioned on TV, appreciate the intricacies of cross-cultural pollination. Our global vocabulary is ever richer for it.
Beyond adopting vocabulary and concepts, many English speakers are now actively learning Mandarin Chinese through online classes. The tonal language can seemalien at first glance with its logographic characters and four dialectical tones. However online learning platforms have made mastering Chinese more accessible than ever globally. Whether on apps like Duolingo or dedicated language sites, English speakers can now easily grasp basics like pronouncing "ni hao" (hello) and numbers like "yi, er san" etc. Virtual classrooms also create student-teacher connection and accountability missing from solitary self-study. From the comfort of your home, you can practice conversational skills over Zoom video with a tutor in Beijing. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) also provide structured
curriculums mapped to CEFR levels.
As China continues its economic ascent, the incentive to learn Chinese will only grow. And technology now enables authentic language acquisition that mimics immersive overseas programs. So if you have wanted to decode the menu at your favorite Chinese restaurant or order off Taobao, online Chinese classes can turn that cultural curiosity into reality.
Common Chinese words used in English
Many English speakers use Chinese words and concepts in everyday conversations without even realizing their origins. This cultural exchange enriches our language and gives us new ways to communicate ideas. In this post, I will explore some of the most common Chinese vocabulary that has been absorbed into English and become part of the global lingua franca.
One you may hear frequently is "feng shui" - the ancient Chinese practice of arranging spaces and objects to promote positive energy flow or qi. Its rising popularity in the West has led to real estate agents and interior designers incorporating its principles of balance and harmony. Grander entrance ways, the strategic placement of mirrors, and how you orient furniture to take advantage of natural light and views speak to how intrinsic feng shui has become in architecture and design.
Similarly, the concept of "yin and yang" has become a shorthand for two opposing forces that are interconnected and interdependent. From the sitcom Friends to rap lyrics, this Daoist notion of dualism can be applied to any set of contrasting pairs - light and dark, female and male, good and evil. The black and white swirled symbol visually captures how yin and yang are both opposing and complementary.
Martial arts films and TV shows
Martial arts films and TV shows have familiarized English speakers with titles like "sifu," "sensei," and "grasshopper." Sifu means master or teacher in Chinese, while sensei has the same meaning in Japanese. And calling someone grasshopper affectionately references the TV series Kung Fu and the relationship between student and mentor.
You may also have heard the Chinese Zodiac animals - rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. People often identify with or gift merchandise featuring their Zodiac sign, particularly in a Year of the Dragon versus Year of the Snake for example. 2022 was the Year of the Water Tiger and 2023 will usher in the Year of the Rabbit.
Chinese cuisine
In cuisine, Chinese flavors and dishes have also left their mark on the English food lexicon. Cantonese dim sum, lo mein noodles, moo shu pork have become common menu items that need no explanation. Less common regional fare like Ma po tofu (Sichuan), thousand-year eggs, and bird's nest soup may sound cryptic to Westerners. And the ubiquitous fortune cookie is actually a Chinese-American creation, having no direct equivalent in China.
Beyond vocabularly, the Chinese language has also influenced English linguistics more broadly. For example, grammar structures like stating double negatives for emphasis - "small no small matter." English speakers increasingly use self-deprecating terms like calling themselves a potato to connote awkwardness. And code-switching between Mandarin and English words mid-sentence is now common not just for Chinese diaspora but English speakers trying to sound intellectual or worldly.
Chinese mythical creatures have also captured the popular imagination globally. You can find references to mystical beasts like the Qi lin (a mix between ox and dragon), phoenixes Fenghuang (symbolizing peace and prosperity), and celestial dragons Long (representing strength and heroism). Their symbols appear frequently in popular media like Star Wars films (note resemblance between Qi lin and Appa/sky bison) and Pokémon creatures.
Perhaps most fundamentally, the yin-yang duality concept shapes how English speakers understand opposing extremes. Like the tide going in and out - we know joy inevitably gives way to grief, and hardship is eventually relieved by calm. This cyclical rather than binary perception of nature and consciousness has become almost intuitive now.
So whether you realize it or not, the Chinese language has infiltrated everyday English in some fun, thoughtful and tasty ways! It shows how cultures blend together to create new meanings and perspectives in our shared world over centuries of exchange. The next time you use popular terms like feng shui, yin-yang or hear fortune cookies mentioned on TV, appreciate the intricacies of cross-cultural pollination. Our global vocabulary is ever richer for it.
Beyond adopting vocabulary and concepts, many English speakers are now actively learning Mandarin Chinese through online classes. The tonal language can seemalien at first glance with its logographic characters and four dialectical tones. However online learning platforms have made mastering Chinese more accessible than ever globally. Whether on apps like Duolingo or dedicated language sites, English speakers can now easily grasp basics like pronouncing "ni hao" (hello) and numbers like "yi, er san" etc. Virtual classrooms also create student-teacher connection and accountability missing from solitary self-study. From the comfort of your home, you can practice conversational skills over Zoom video with a tutor in Beijing. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) also provide structured
curriculums mapped to CEFR levels.
As China continues its economic ascent, the incentive to learn Chinese will only grow. And technology now enables authentic language acquisition that mimics immersive overseas programs. So if you have wanted to decode the menu at your favorite Chinese restaurant or order off Taobao, online Chinese classes can turn that cultural curiosity into reality.