In our adult world, many Chinese people disguise their true intentions with words that make you believe something else.
Example No. 1
A simple example is when you ask someone to do something and they don’t say yes immediately when what they actually want to do is say no.
Such as:
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有时间再约！
“Let’s hang out another time if you can!”
What this really means: “I don’t expect to see you again.”
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改天出来吃饭！
“Let’s get dinner sometime!”
That also basically means “never”.
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What they say: “I can’t accept your red packet!”
What they’re thinking “Give it to me NOW, quickly!
I also accept WeChat Pay and Alipay!”
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A few other examples:
“I’ll think about it.” = “No way”
“Yeah, we’re having a party… Feel free to come by.” =
“Please don’t come, I’m just trying to be polite.”
Example No. 2
Characters have confused foreigners for generations, and their use can have multiple meanings and interpretations based on what you use. Sometimes, changing only one character can lead to something completely different.
For example:
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哈哈(hāhā) = so awkward…
哈哈哈哈哈哈 hahahahaha = you’re soooo funny!!!
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Different characters can go with “吧(bā)”:
“行吧(xíng bā) ok” = not ok
“好吧(hǎo bā) ok” = whatever…
“还好吧(hái hǎo bā) just ok” = not so good
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A word with the character “好” can have different meanings based on the character that goes before it:
“好(hǎo)ok”= ok
“好呀(hǎo yā) ok ya” = “ok!!!!!!”
“好吧(hǎo bā) ok” = whatever
Example No. 3
“Are you online “在吗！”= “I need a favor/some money” (common messages from people you rarely hear from until they need something from you.)
“I don’t want to bother people and ask them to help me do something I can do on my own, thank you though” = “I hate when people bother me, leave me alone!”
What they say: “Do you know him/her well?”
What they mean: “If you don’t, we talk behind their backs!”
“Don’t tell her about the things I tell you about her!”
You should definitely think twice before you say something bad about someone in your office… And also think hard about what some people may tell you.
Example No. 4
“This is tough to deal with” = “This can be done, but it’ll cost ya”
“Ohhhhhh I know I know! Ahhh, what’s the name again? It’s on the tip of my tongue!” = “Nope, never heard of it.”
“Yeah, he’s… nice” = “Not feelings for him whatsoever”