十个最具中国气质的外来词

十个最具中国气质的外来词

According to accurate statistics drawn by the Europeans, of all words absorbed into English since 1994, Chinese English makes a contribution of 5%-20% and surpasses all other sources。

据欧洲人的精确统计，自94年来自中文的外来词占到英语中外来词总数的5%—20%，比例高于所有其他语种。

Like such unique terms as Confucius, kung fu, mahjong and tofu, we will choose another ten words which carry the temperament of China and influence the contemporary life in the world。

像“孔子”“功夫”“麻将”和“豆腐”一样，以下选出了具有中国“气质”并在世界范围内深深影响了现代生活的10个中国词：

1. Sichou - silk

China is a major sericulture country and the homeland of silk。

丝绸：silk

中国是一个养蚕大国，也是丝绸之乡。

2. Cha - tea

The word "tea" is borrowed from southern Fujian dialect。

茶：tea

这个词来自福建南部的方言。

3. Shi Wai Tao Yuan - Shangrila (Xanadu)

Shangrila and Xanadu are near synonyms for the Chinese word "Shi Wai Tao Yuan"

世外桃源：Shangrila or Xanadu

“香格里拉”和“仙那度”都是世外桃源的同义词。

4. Feng Shui - Feng Shui

Feng Shui is a transliterated word that is imbued with the collective wisdom of ancient Chinese people in arranging houses for the living and cemeteries for the dead。

风水：Feng Shui

Feng Shui是个直译词，是中国古人安排住宅、坟墓的一种智慧。5. Cha Dian - dim sum

From its pronunciation we can see that dim sum is a word from Fujian and Guangdong dialects。

茶点：dim sum

从这个词的发音可以知道它来源于福建、广东一带的方言。

6. Zou Gou - running dogs

The Chinese English word is a right word for a servile follower。

走狗：running dogs

意为顺从的追随者。

7. Zhi Laohu - paper tiger

The word was created by Mao Zedong, a great national hero。

纸老虎：paper tiger

这是民族英雄毛泽东造出的一个词。

8. Dakuan - tycoon

This word refers to a businessman or entrepreneur with money and power。

大款：tycoon

指颇有权势的商人和企业家

9. Duchang - Casino

This word, although pronounced like a French or Italian word, is actually transliterated from the Fujian dialect。

赌场：Casino

这个词听起来像法语或意大利语，但实际是从福建方言中直译过来的。

10. Xiaofei, Shangqian - Cumshaw

The word is transliterated from the word "thanks" in the southern Fujian dialect。

小费，赏钱：Cumshaw

这个词是从福建方言中的“谢谢”直译过来的。