March 27, 2008 · 5:07 pm

China – Under the Hood: Poles apart – Chinese to English wordplay

When the expression “da pen ti” is used it means to answer, yet the literal translation is “to sneeze“.
“nao xin” means to be restless / agitated, yet the literal translation is “noisy heart“
“shao bao” refers to a shopping fanatic, yet the literal translation is “to burn the bag“
“xian ke ya” means to chat, yet the literal translation is “the idle knocking of teeth“
“chi cu” means jealousy, yet the literal translation is “eat vinegar“
“chou mei” means something akin to vanity, yet the literal translation is”stinking beauty“
“xiu chang cheng” means to play mahjong, a strategy game people over here like to kill their time by playing. The literal translation is: “fix the Great Wall“!
“mai dan” means to pay the bill, yet the literal translation is “bury the bill“