The reference shelf

Phrases

Useful Chinese phrases and what they really mean — pronunciation, usage, and cultural context.

Compare China destinations · Chinese phrases for travelers · All article titles

Source-backed reading and learning guides

Chinese menu vocabulary and vegetarian ordering questions

Guides

203 guides · Page 1 of 17

AWSL: Meaning in Chinese Internet Language

AWSL: Meaning in Chinese Internet Language

An initialism for 啊我死了, used as an exaggerated reaction of delight or excitement.

把字句 (bǎ zì jù): Mandarin Grammar Example

把字句 (bǎ zì jù): Mandarin Grammar Example

把 introduces the affected object before the verb.

摆烂 (bǎi làn): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

摆烂 (bǎi làn): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

摆烂 (bǎi làn) means to stop striving; to let things go; in sports, to tank.

帮我一下 (bāng wǒ yī xià): Meaning in English

帮我一下 (bāng wǒ yī xià): Meaning in English

帮我一下 (bāng wǒ yī xià) means “Help me for a moment”.

报价 (bào jià): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

报价 (bào jià): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

报价 (bào jià) means to quote a price; a quoted price.

保重 (bǎo zhòng): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

保重 (bǎo zhòng): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

保重 (bǎo zhòng) means to take care of oneself.

包子 (bāo zi): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

包子 (bāo zi): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

包子 (bāo zi) means a steamed stuffed bun.

被字句 (bèi zì jù): Mandarin Grammar Example

被字句 (bèi zì jù): Mandarin Grammar Example

被 introduces a passive construction.

必须 (bì xū): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

必须 (bì xū): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

必须 (bì xū) means must; to have to.

不但……而且…… (bù dàn … ér qiě …): Mandarin Grammar Example

不但……而且…… (bù dàn … ér qiě …): Mandarin Grammar Example

不但……而且…… links an additional point: not only, but also.

不够 (bù gòu): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

不够 (bù gòu): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

不够 (bù gòu) means not enough; insufficient.

不客气 (bù kè qi): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

不客气 (bù kè qi): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

不客气 (bù kè qi) means you are welcome; also impolite or blunt, depending on context.