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。
像“孔子”“功夫”“麻将”和“豆腐”一样,以下是老师们精心挑选出的具有中国“气质”并在世界范围内深深影响了现代生活的10个中国词:
NO.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。
NO.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。
NO.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。
NO.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。
NO.5 a 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。
NO.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。
NO.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。
NO.8 Yin Yang - yin-yang
Yin and yang, the two opposing principles in nature, the former feminine and negative and the latter masculine and positive。
阴阳的概念,源自古代中国人民的自然观。古人观察到自然界中各种对立又相联的大自然现象,如天地、日月、昼夜、寒暑、男女、上下等,以哲学的思想方式,归纳出“阴阳”的概念。
NO.9 Kou Tou - kowtow
Former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead is a sign of respect or submission。
古代中国的一种习俗,用额头接触地面以表达尊敬与服从。