Different ways to offend and be offended in Chinese – 骂 (Mà)
There are many different ways to have a go at somebody, be offended or describe how angry you are in Chinese....
How to say “epic proportions” in Chinese – 史诗级 (Shǐshī jí)
This tongue-twister is how Intel’s self-inflicted brand ambassador disaster was described following a backlash from male followers, and then female followers,...
How to talk about sanctions in Chinese (制裁 – Zhìcái)
If you happen to be talking about sanctions (制裁 - Zhìcái) in Chinese this week, here are the essentials you’ll need: 制裁...
An idiom and two poems about hearing what hasn’t been said – 弦外之音 (xián wài zhī yīn)
I heard a speech recently that compared two poems, one in English by Shelley, one in Chinese by Liu Chenweng, to...
A Buddhist idiom about managing change 道高一尺 (Dào gāo yī chǐ)
Getting things done in China can be difficult. Someone in China once told me: "If you can get on in China,...
How to survive a compliment in China (捧杀 – Pěng shā)
Subtle nuances of language and behaviour are an important part of dealing with China, but often totally missed. Receiving or giving...
How to procrastinate in Chinese (拖延症 – tuō yán zhèng)
Procrastinators should not be able to survive in China. Procrastinators, and their procrastinations, are not welcome. To survive and be successful...
Leadership lessons from a 20th century Shanghai drug dealer, Du Yuesheng (杜月笙 – Dù yuèshēng)
There's something called the 'three bowls of noodles philosophy' which was first coined by Du Yuesheng (杜月笙 - Dù yuèshēng) -...
The six meanings of water in Chinese culture (水 Shuǐ)
The meaning of a simple word, water, in Chinese culture is complicated. Drawing on poems, idioms and China's philosophers, there are...
A Chinese idiom about making the right choice – 选择 (xuǎn zé)
The word for 'choose' in Chinese is 选择 (xuǎn zé). The traditional character for zé is 擇, and the bits that...