Glossary
"Face" (面子 - miàn zi)
A crucial concept in Chinese society referring to one's reputation, dignity, and social standing, which must be maintained to ensure social harmony and avoid shame.
Example:
Losing "Face" can be very embarrassing in Chinese culture, so people often try to avoid public criticism.
996 工作制 (996 gōngzuò zhì)
The '996 working hour system' refers to working from 9 am to 9 pm, 6 days a week. It is a controversial work schedule prevalent in some Chinese tech companies.
Example:
许多互联网公司实行996 工作制，这给员工带来了巨大的工作压力。
Assimilation Policy
A government strategy historically promoting a unified national identity in China, often by encouraging the adoption of Mandarin Chinese and Han culture among ethnic minorities.
Example:
The government's Assimilation Policy has led to more schools in minority regions teaching primarily in Mandarin.
Changing Dynamics (Individualism)
The ongoing shift in modern Chinese society, particularly among younger generations, towards greater emphasis on individual aspirations, rights, and personal expression.
Example:
The rise of social media in China reflects the Changing Dynamics towards more individualism, as young people share their unique experiences and opinions.
Chinese Heroes and National Figures
Individuals highly respected in Chinese society for their significant contributions and achievements, encompassing historical figures, political leaders, and cultural icons.
Example:
Studying Chinese Heroes and National Figures helps us understand the values and aspirations that have shaped the nation over centuries.
Confucius
An influential ancient Chinese philosopher and educator (6th century BCE) whose teachings on ethics, morality, and social harmony profoundly shaped Chinese culture.
Example:
Confucius's emphasis on filial piety and respect for elders remains a cornerstone of Chinese family values today.
Ethnic Diversity
The recognition of 56 distinct ethnic groups within China, each possessing unique traditions, languages, and cultural practices.
Example:
China's rich Ethnic Diversity is evident in the vibrant costumes and distinct music of groups like the Miao and Yi people.
Filial Piety
A core Confucian value emphasizing respect, obedience, and care for one's parents and elders, including supporting them in their old age.
Example:
A student demonstrating Filial Piety might regularly call their grandparents and help them with household chores.
Han Chinese
The largest ethnic group in China, forming the majority of the population and often associated with the mainstream Chinese culture and language.
Example:
Most students in Beijing are Han Chinese, speaking Mandarin and celebrating traditional Han holidays.
Major Minorities
Significant non-Han ethnic groups in China, such as Tibetans, Uighurs, and Mongolians, who maintain distinct cultures and often reside in specific regions.
Example:
The unique nomadic lifestyle of the Mongolian people makes them one of China's prominent Major Minorities.
Mao Zedong
The founding father of the People's Republic of China (PRC), who led the Communist Party to victory in 1949 and played a pivotal, albeit controversial, role in shaping modern China.
Example:
Mao Zedong's portrait still hangs prominently in Tiananmen Square, symbolizing his enduring legacy in China.
National Identity
A sense of belonging to a nation, often based on shared history, culture, and language, particularly associated with the Han Chinese majority in China.
Example:
Many Chinese people feel a strong sense of National Identity when they celebrate traditional festivals like Chinese New Year, sharing common customs and values.
Sun Yat-sen
Known as the 'Father of Modern China,' he was the first president of the Republic of China, instrumental in overthrowing the Qing dynasty and establishing a modern democratic government.
Example:
Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People laid the ideological foundation for modern Chinese nationalism and democracy.
Tensions (Ethnic Minorities)
Conflicts and challenges that have arisen due to issues like discrimination and calls for greater autonomy among China's ethnic minority groups.
Example:
Understanding the historical context is crucial to comprehending the Tensions that sometimes exist between ethnic minorities and the central government.
Traditional Collectivism
A historical Chinese societal value where the group (family, community) is prioritized over individual desires, focusing on collective goals and harmony.
Example:
In a family practicing Traditional Collectivism, a child might choose a career path that benefits the family business rather than pursuing a personal passion.
中国文化 (Zhōng guó wén huà)
Chinese culture; the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of China.
Example:
春节是中国文化中最重要的节日之一。
中国社会 (Zhōng guó shè huì)
Chinese society; the collective community and social structure of China.
Example:
了解传统价值观对理解中国社会至关重要。
中文 (zhōngwén)
Chinese language; a general term for the languages spoken by Chinese people. It often refers to Mandarin Chinese in common usage.
Example:
学习中文可以帮助你更好地了解中国文化。
主要作位 (zhǔ yào zuò wèi)
Significant role; an important or influential part played by someone or something.
Example:
他在公司的发展中扮演了主要作位。
他 (tā)
The third-person singular pronoun in Chinese, traditionally meaning 'he' or 'him'. It can also be used as a gender-neutral pronoun, especially in spoken language.
Example:
小明很高兴，因为他的考试得了满分。
伊斯兰教 (Yīsīlánjiào)
Islam; a monotheistic religion originating in the 7th century CE, based on the teachings of Muhammad as recorded in the Quran. It is one of the five officially recognized religions in China.
Example:
中国西北地区有许多信仰伊斯兰教的少数民族。
佛教 (fójiào)
Buddhism; a religion and dharma that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs, and spiritual practices largely based on original teachings attributed to the Buddha.
Example:
许多中国古老的寺庙都是佛教的圣地。
你 (nǐ)
The second-person singular pronoun in Chinese, meaning 'you'. It is a versatile pronoun that can be used for any gender.
Example:
老师问学生：'你今天作业完成了吗？'
创立父亲 (chuàng lì fù qīn)
Founding father; a person who plays a significant role in the establishment of a nation or institution.
Example:
毛泽东是中华人民共和国的创立父亲。
加班 (jiābān)
Overtime; working beyond regular working hours. It is a common practice in many Chinese industries.
Example:
为了按时完成项目，团队成员经常需要加班到深夜。
历史人物 (lì shǐ rén wù)
Historical figure; a person who played a significant role in history.
Example:
秦始皇是一位重要的历史人物，他统一了中国。
变性人 (biànxìng rén)
A transgender person; an individual whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
Example:
社会对变性人的认识和接受度正在逐步提高。
同性恋者 (tóngxìngliàn zhě)
A gay or lesbian person; an individual who is primarily emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to people of the same sex.
Example:
越来越多的国家承认同性恋者的婚姻权利。
向外移民 (xiàng wài yímín)
Emigration; the act of people leaving their own country to settle permanently in another. China has a significant number of emigrants.
Example:
近年来，一些富裕的中国人选择向外移民，寻求更好的教育和生活环境。
国家移民管理局 (guójiā yímín guǎnlǐ jú)
National Immigration Agency; the government body in China responsible for immigration, naturalization, and refugee affairs.
Example:
办理签证和居留许可需要向国家移民管理局提交申请。
国家领导 (guó jiā lǐng dǎo)
Country's leader; the head of a nation's government or state.
Example:
这位国家领导在国际会议上发表了重要讲话。
基督教 (Jīdūjiào)
Christianity; a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. In China, Protestantism is often referred to by this broader term.
Example:
圣诞节是基督教的重要节日，许多人会庆祝。
壮族 (Zhuàngzú)
Zhuang ethnic group; the second-largest ethnic group in China, primarily residing in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Example:
壮族人民以其独特的歌舞和节日而闻名。
外国人 (wàiguó rén)/老外 (lǎowài)
Foreigner; a person from a country other than China. '老外' is a more colloquial term, sometimes used informally.
Example:
在中国的大学里，你可以看到很多来自不同国家的外国人。
外来移民 (wàilái yímín)
Immigration; the act of people coming to live permanently in a foreign country. China has seen an increase in immigration in recent years.
Example:
随着中国经济的发展，越来越多的外来移民选择在中国工作和生活。
天主教 (tiānzhǔjiào)
Catholicism; a major branch of Christianity led by the Pope. It is one of the five officially recognized religions in China.
Example:
在上海，你可以找到一些历史悠久的天主教教堂。
宗教 (zōngjiào)
Religion; a system of faith and worship. In China, several religions are officially recognized.
Example:
中国有多种宗教信仰，包括佛教和道教。
尊敬 (zūn jìng)
Revered; to feel deep respect or admiration for someone or something.
Example:
这位老师因其渊博的知识和高尚的品德而受到学生的尊敬。
常常影响 (cháng cháng yǐng xiǎng)
Lasting impact; to have a continuous or long-term effect.
Example:
他的发明对科学发展产生了常常影响。
年假 (niánjià)
Annual leave; paid time off granted to employees each year. The duration often depends on years of employment in China.
Example:
辛苦工作一年后，小李终于可以享受他的带薪年假了。
年龄 (niánlíng)
Refers to a person's age. It's a common demographic detail used when describing oneself or others.
Example:
在填写表格时，通常需要填写你的准确年龄。
广东话 (guǎngdōng huà)/粤语 (yuèyǔ)
Cantonese; a major Chinese dialect spoken in Guangdong province, Hong Kong, and Macau, as well as by many overseas Chinese communities.
Example:
如果你去香港旅游，你会听到很多人说广东话。
广泛学习 (guǎng fàn xué xí)
Widely studied; to be learned or examined by many people or in many places.
Example:
他的理论在学术界被广泛学习和讨论。
建立 (jiàn lì)
Establish; to set up or found something.
Example:
他们共同努力建立了一个新的慈善机构。
异性恋者 (yìxìng liàn zhě)
A heterosexual person; an individual who is primarily emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex.
Example:
大多数人是异性恋者，但社会也包含多种性倾向。
性倾向 (xìng qīngxiàng)
Sexual orientation; a person's romantic or sexual attraction to others. This term is part of discussing diverse personal identities.
Example:
了解不同的性倾向有助于我们更好地理解和尊重每个人的独特之处。
成就 (chéng jiù)
Achievement; something successfully accomplished, especially by effort.
Example:
他最大的成就是发明了一种新的环保技术。
我 (wǒ)
The first-person singular pronoun in Chinese, meaning 'I' or 'me'. It is fundamental for expressing personal identity.
Example:
在自我介绍时，你可以说 '我叫小明'，表示你的名字是小明。
打乱 (dǎ luàn)
Overthrow; to remove from power, especially by force.
Example:
农民起义试图打乱腐败的统治者。
拼音 (pīnyīn)
Pinyin; a system using the Latin alphabet to transcribe the pronunciation of Chinese characters. It is widely used for teaching Chinese and for inputting characters on computers.
Example:
学习拼音是掌握中文发音和输入汉字的关键一步。
政府领导 (zhèng fǔ lǐng dǎo)
Political leader; an individual who holds a position of authority in a government.
Example:
这位政府领导致力于改善民生，深受人民爱戴。
教学 (jiǎo xué)
Teachings; the principles or doctrines taught by a person or system.
Example:
孔子的教学强调仁爱和礼仪。
文化偶像 (wén huà ǒu xiàng)
Cultural icon; a person or thing regarded as a symbol or representative of a culture or cultural movement.
Example:
李小龙是全球公认的中国文化偶像。
方言 (fāngyán)
Dialect; a particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group. China has a rich diversity of regional dialects.
Example:
虽然普通话是官方语言，但中国各地仍保留着独特的方言。
无神论者 (wúshénlùn zhě)
An atheist; a person who does not believe in the existence of God or gods. The Chinese Communist Party is officially atheist.
Example:
虽然中国官方是无神论者，但许多公民仍有宗教信仰。
普通话 (pǔtōnghuà)
Mandarin Chinese; the official national language of China and one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.
Example:
在中国的学校里，学生们主要学习和使用普通话。
有论辩的人物 (yǒu lùn biàn de rén wù)
Controversial figure; a person about whom there is a lot of public disagreement or argument.
Example:
他是一位有论辩的人物，他的政策引起了广泛的讨论。
有重要的影响 (yǒu zhòng yào de yǐng xiǎng)
Have a significant impact; to have a strong effect on something or someone.
Example:
互联网对现代社会有重要的影响。
民族 (mínzú)
Ethnic group; a community or population made up of people who share a common cultural background or descent. China officially recognizes 56 ethnic groups.
Example:
中国是一个多民族国家，拥有丰富多彩的民族文化。
汉族 (Hànzú)
Han ethnic group; the largest ethnic group in China, constituting the vast majority of the population.
Example:
汉族是中国人口最多的民族，其文化对中国社会影响深远。
清朝 (Qīng cháo)
Qing dynasty; the last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912.
Example:
清朝是中国历史上最后一个封建王朝。
玉不琢，不成器 (yù bù zhuó, bù chéng qì)
A Chinese proverb meaning 'Jade that is not cut and polished cannot become a useful object.' It emphasizes the importance of education and discipline for personal development.
Example:
老师常用'玉不琢，不成器'来鼓励学生努力学习，不要虚度光阴。
现代中国的父亲 (xiàn dài Zhōng guó de fù qīn)
'Father of Modern China'; a title often given to Sun Yat-sen for his role in establishing the Republic of China.
Example:
孙中山被誉为现代中国的父亲，因为他推翻了清朝。
现代民主政府 (xiàn dài mín zhǔ zhèn gfǔ)
Modern, democratic government; a contemporary system of governance where citizens exercise power either directly or through elected representatives.
Example:
许多国家都在努力建立现代民主政府。
第一总统 (dì yī zǒng tǒng)
First president; the initial leader of a republic or country.
Example:
乔治·华盛顿是美国的第一总统。
签证 (qiānzhèng)
Visa; an endorsement issued by an authorized representative of a country, indicating that the applicant is allowed to enter, stay in, or pass through that country.
Example:
前往中国旅游需要提前申请旅游签证。
精神健康 (jīngshén jiànkāng)
Mental health; a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. There can be a stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues in China.
Example:
现代社会越来越重视精神健康，鼓励人们在需要时寻求专业帮助。
识字率 (shìzì lǜ)
Literacy rate; the percentage of people who can read and write. China has achieved high literacy rates, especially in urban areas.
Example:
随着教育的普及，中国的识字率显著提高。
谦虚 (qiānxū)
Modesty; a personality trait characterized by not being overly proud or boastful. It is highly valued in Chinese culture.
Example:
即使取得了巨大的成功，他依然保持着谦虚的态度。
贡献 (gòng xiàn)
Contribution; something given or done to help achieve or make something successful.
Example:
他对社区的贡献非常大，帮助了许多有需要的人。
道德 (dào dé)
Ethics and morality; principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior.
Example:
诚实是做人的基本道德。
道教 (dàojiào)
Daoism; an indigenous Chinese philosophical system and religion. It emphasizes living in harmony with the 'Dao' (the Way).
Example:
武当山是著名的道教圣地，以其武术和养生之道闻名。
酷儿 (kù er)
Queer; an umbrella term used by some to describe sexual and gender identities other than straight and cisgender. It can also be used to challenge traditional norms.
Example:
在一些文化语境中，酷儿被用作一个包容性的词语，代表非主流的性少数群体。
非二元性别 (Fēi èr yuán xìngbié)
Non-binary gender; a gender identity that is not exclusively male or female. It challenges traditional binary gender classifications.
Example:
一些人认为自己的性别认同是非二元性别，这意味着他们不完全是男性或女性。
面子 (miànzi)
Face; a concept in Chinese culture referring to a person's reputation, dignity, and prestige. 'Saving face' is crucial in social interactions.
Example:
在商务谈判中，给对方留足面子是非常重要的。