Monthly Archives: January 2012

[Fun composition] Man proposes, God disposes 谋事在ざい人ひと 成なり事ごと在天ざいてん

Posted on January 31, 2012 by rolling piggy

I was pleasantly surprised there is a perfect mirror translation for this idiom. 天てん is an interesting character: the horizontal stroke on the top symbolizes that no matter how big you are, sky is the limit. 天てん is the home for … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese basics, Chinese culture, Chinese idiom | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Fun compositions |大人おとな Grown ups

Posted on January 30, 2012 by rolling piggy

大人おとな literally means big person. In the old days, it was used to address someone of significance. Today, it is a casual term that means adults or grown ups. 大だい vividly illustrates someone spreading their arms (thus looks bigger). (listen:) grown … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese basics | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

How long is the Spring Festival

Posted on January 25, 2012 by rolling piggy

The answer is 15 days: from January 1st to the 15th, in lunar calendar. Because of the significance of that time period, those 15 days have special names. (listen:) Chinese New Year’s Day  Chinese New Year’s Day is: 正月しょうがつ初はつ一いち • 正月しょうがつ: … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese culture, Holidays, numbers, Time | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Some “pressure age money” for the New Year?

Posted on January 24, 2012 by rolling piggy

Western holidays are mostly family centered, Chinese New Year is a very social holiday beyond just family functions. It is customary for people to go to the homes of their bosses, co-workers and friends to 拜はい年ねん (literal translation: bow year), in … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese culture, Courtesy, greetings, Holidays | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hot pot for New Year’s Eve 除じょ夕ゆう吃ども火ひ锅

Posted on January 23, 2012 by rolling piggy

Happy Year of Dragon! Chinese thinks of New Year’s Eve as a time to get ride of diseases. It is common to do a thorough house cleaning as well before the New Year. (listen:) CNY eve hot pot  • 除じょ: eliminate, divide. Pronunciation: … Continue reading →

Posted in Ceremony, Chinese culture, Family, food, Holidays, Time | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment