Category Archives: greetings

Thank you for your understanding. 请多多包涵

Posted on April 15, 2012 by rolling piggy

请多多包涵 is a formal, courtesy expression. It says: something undesirable has happened, please accept my apology and thank you for your understanding.  The basic meaning of 包涵 is to take in and to contain. Metaphorically, it means accepting something with grace. … Continue reading →

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我不知道 I don’t know.

Posted on April 3, 2012 by rolling piggy

知道 is “know”. It literally means “know the path”. (listen:) I don’t know  • 我: I or me. Pronunciation: wǒ (3) • 不: no. Pronunciation: bù (4) • 知: know. Pronunciation: zhī (1) • 道: path, method. Pronunciation: dào (4)

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Whatever. 随便

Posted on April 2, 2012 by rolling piggy

When you are asked but don’t want to make a decision, you can say 随便. It literally means follow (whatever is) convenient. This phrase is good for casual conversations. (listen:) whatever  • 随: follow. Pronunciation: suí (2) • 便: convenience. Pronunciation: biàn (4)

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April Fools! 你上当了!

Posted on March 30, 2012 by rolling piggy

你上当了 means you’ve been fooled.  You can use it after successfully pull off a prank on someone too.  (listen:) April fools  • 你: you. Pronunciation: nǐ (3) • 上: up. Pronunciation: shàng (4) • 当: sell to pawn shop. Pronunciation: dàng (4) • 了 … Continue reading →

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Idiot 二百五 (two hundred and fifty)

Posted on March 29, 2012 by rolling piggy

二百五 is two hundred and fifty. It also means stupid, fool, idiot. One of the stories regarding the origin is: someone killed an Emperor’s favorite advisor. In order to find the murderer, the Emperor falsely announced that he was glad … Continue reading →

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