China Romance

General Discussion and Useful Links => Ask An Experienced Member => Topic started by: mustfocus on January 18, 2011, 03:43:50 am

Title: The many facets of the chinese language
Post by: mustfocus on January 18, 2011, 03:43:50 am

It just occurred to me that with many members Guangdong, that they will often hear many phrases that won't work between mandarin and cantonese.  So I thought we might want to start a thread where some of you can see the differences (especially if you don't deal with both) for the new year...  Please note, except for the pinyin, the others are really phonetic recreations.

Gong Xi Fai Cai (Mandarin) = Kung Key Fatt Choy (Cantonese) = Keong Hee Hwhat Zai (Minanhua)

Gam bei (Mandarin) = Yam Seng (Cantonese)

(Will be continued/edited later as I can figure out how to reproduce the sayings phonetically)

Title: Re: The many facets of the chinese language
Post by: halfpint on January 18, 2011, 09:45:38 pm

For those of us ignorant of Chinese languages, maybe you could add the English translation?

Title: Re: The many facets of the chinese language
Post by: Rachel on January 18, 2011, 11:56:15 pm

You say that the first sentence is:gong xi fa cai=Wishing you prosperity.(This is the Chinese New Year meet favourite words.)
Your second sentence. I don't know what mean? gan bei? If is :gan bei=Cheers



^_*Embarrassed. Excuse me.  Rachel.

Title: Re: The many facets of the chinese language
Post by: maxx on January 19, 2011, 02:32:01 am

Rachel don't be embarrassed.I didn't know what the first sentence said.And you cleared it up for me.

The second sentence I knew what was written.And I knew what the poster meant.I have seen it spelled many different ways in English and Chinese in China.I have Evan seen it spelled this way Gom Bei.I seen it spelled like that on a street sign in Zhuhai.

So keep posting.And thiere is no reason to feel embarrassed.

Title: Re: The many facets of the chinese language
Post by: halfpint on January 19, 2011, 02:33:15 am

Rachel
 
I was with a Chinese lady for 28 years and I know very few words, I'm the one that should be embarassed, not you.  To my credit, her dialect was quite rare I guess, she said there was no point in teaching me, no one in Canada spoke it.  I do wish I could converse in Mandarin, maybe that is a project for my future.

Title: Re: The many facets of the chinese language
Post by: Rachel on January 19, 2011, 04:34:51 am

Quote from: maxx on January 19, 2011, 02:32:01 am

Rachel don't be embarrassed.I didn't know what the first sentence said.And you cleared it up for me.

The second sentence I knew what was written.And I knew what the poster meant.I have seen it spelled many different ways in English and Chinese in China.I have Evan seen it spelled this way Gom Bei.I seen it spelled like that on a street sign in Zhuhai.

So keep posting.And thiere is no reason to feel embarrassed.

Thank you MAXX! ;)       Rachel.

Title: Re: The many facets of the chinese language
Post by: Rachel on January 19, 2011, 04:38:49 am

Quote from: halfpint on January 19, 2011, 02:33:15 am

Rachel
 
I was with a Chinese lady for 28 years and I know very few words, I'm the one that should be embarassed, not you.  To my credit, her dialect was quite rare I guess, she said there was no point in teaching me, no one in Canada spoke it.  I do wish I could converse in Mandarin, maybe that is a project for my future.

Thank you!halfpint :haha,Very happy that you will a little Chinese.If you are interested in Chinese. I can when your teacher. Haha.

Rachel.^_*

Title: Re: The many facets of the chinese language
Post by: mustfocus on January 19, 2011, 04:49:59 am

Hi Rachel,

Yes it's Gan bei.  Sometimes I forget to check the spelling (especially when I'm typing quickly).

年年有裕 = Nian Nian You Yu... Translated it means abundant new year.  Not sure how to say it in guangdonghua

Title: Re: The many facets of the chinese language
Post by: Rachel on January 19, 2011, 05:04:49 am

Quote from: mustfocus on January 19, 2011, 04:49:59 am

Hi Rachel,

Yes it's Gan bei.  Sometimes I forget to check the spelling (especially when I'm typing quickly).

年年有裕 = Nian Nian You Yu... Translated it means abundant new year.  Not sure how to say it in guangdonghua

Really? Haha. I was afraid I understand error.You for Chinese understand very profound. These words all Chinese propitious words,
is the Chinese people like it.Especially the Chinese New Year. People all liked each other speak these words propitious.Next year will be peace, happiness, health, prosperity.Because I am  Chinese. Here I wish everybody:新年快乐!万事如意!大吉大利!心想事成!年年有余!恭喜发财!红包拿来!哈哈,干杯!

Title: Re: The many facets of the chinese language
Post by: mustfocus on January 19, 2011, 05:23:11 am

Very nice Rachel...

恭喜發財 (Gong Xi Fa Cai)
新年快乐 (Xin Nian Kuai Le)
万事如意 (Wan Shi Ru Yi)
身体健康 (Shen Ti Jian Kang)


I remember as a kid... if I visited my grandmother when it was Chinese New Year, my cousins would always say to my grandmother: 恭喜發財! 红包拿来! (Gong Xi Fa Cai! Hong Bao Na Lai!)

Title: Re: The many facets of the chinese language
Post by: Rachel on January 19, 2011, 05:30:03 am

HAHA.I'm so happy. Happy. Ha ha. Because:Gong xi fa cai,hong bao na lai.恭喜发财.红包拿来! ;D

Title: Re: The many facets of the chinese language
Post by: Rachel on January 19, 2011, 05:32:36 am

Your ancestral home is in China?

Title: Re: The many facets of the chinese language
Post by: mustfocus on January 19, 2011, 06:04:13 am

Hi Rachel,

Yes, I'm a Canadian-born chinese.  There are a few overseas chinese here... although I think only Chong and myself are the active ones.  My ancestors if you go back a few generations are from Fujian province.

Title: Re: The many facets of the chinese language
Post by: Rachel on January 19, 2011, 06:27:28 am

哦.我知道了.福建省.福建的厦门离台湾很近.福建人说闽南语吧.好像. :)

Title: Re: The many facets of the chinese language
Post by: mustfocus on January 19, 2011, 07:58:45 am

Hi Rachel,

I've never been to Xiamen before.  Would like to go one day, given a chance.