Shawn Powrie

Chinese

Chinese four character idiom 入乡随俗 (Rù xiāng suí sú)
May 11, 2014
Chinese four character idiom 入乡随俗 (Rù xiāng suí sú)

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do” Occasionally there is a Chinese phrase which translates very neatly into English through an equivalent phrase, this is one of those cases, you already know what “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” (or just “when in Rome” for short!) This is how you say that ...

“Yes” and “No” in Mandarin Chinese
January 5, 2014
“Yes” and “No” in Mandarin Chinese

It’s a simple question right? How do you say “yes” or “no” in Mandarin Chinese? Unfortunately sometimes simple questions have complex answers, and in this case something as simple as “yes” and “no” has a relatively intricate answer — that’s what...

Shawn Powrie
3 min read
Chinese four character idiom 守株待兔 (Shǒu zhū dài tù)
November 28, 2013
Chinese four character idiom 守株待兔 (Shǒu zhū dài tù)

“To guard a tree-stump waiting for rabbits” One of the nicest and most meaningful four character phrases in Mandarin Chinese is the phrase 守株待兔 (Shǒu zhū dài tù), — because it’s about the need to go out to seek opportunities....

Shawn Powrie
1 min read
Chinese Four Character Idiom: 忠言逆耳 (Zhōng yán nì ěr)
November 21, 2013
Chinese Four Character Idiom: 忠言逆耳 (Zhōng yán nì ěr)

“Loyal advice jars on the ears” Another great four character phrase in Mandarin Chinese is 忠言逆耳 (Zhōng yán nì ěr) which could be translated to “Loyal advice jars on the ears” It’s referring to a situation where correction is given...

Shawn Powrie
43 sec read
Chinese Four Character Idiom: 死灰复燃 (Sǐ huī fù rán)
October 21, 2013
Chinese Four Character Idiom: 死灰复燃 (Sǐ huī fù rán)

“Resurgence” A very nice four character phrase in Chinese is 死灰复燃 (Sǐ huī fù rán), which is roughly translated to describe a “resurgence”, it describes a situation where something that previously “died” or “disappeared” has for whatever reason come back....

Shawn Powrie
56 sec read
The Chinese counterfactual
September 9, 2013
The Chinese counterfactual

2026 Update I first published this article back in 2013. Since then, the availability of online information about the Chinese counterfactual has improved dramatically. Though my article still ranks well in Google search for the topic, and I do...

Shawn Powrie
7 min read
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