English has long expanded its vocabulary by incorporating so-called "loan words" from various languages. As fiction reviewer James Nicoll observed, our cherished language “follows other languages down dimly lit streets, knocks them down, and rummages through their pockets for loose grammar.”
Among the countless loan words and phrases that comprise modern English, a mere fraction have roots in Chinese. These words originate from diverse regions within China, with many retaining pronunciations influenced by Cantonese or Hokkien, partially due to British colonization of Hong Kong and maritime trade between ports in Guangzhou and Fujian province since the Tang dynasty (618-907). Immigrants brought these terms to Western countries in the early 1970s.
Below is a compilation of ten commonly used English words with Chinese origins.
**Brainwashing 洗脑 xǐnǎo**
The term xǐnǎo (洗脑, literally "wash brain") was initially used to describe the coercive mind control techniques employed by the Maoist government in China. The Oxford English Dictionary notes that the earliest recorded use of "brainwashing" in English appeared in a Miami News article on September 24, 1950.
**Cheongsam 旗袍 qípáo**
Cheongsam, the Cantonese version of qipao, refers to a form-fitting dress characterized by distinctive Manchu features that gained popularity among Chinese socialites and upper-class women in Shanghai.
**Feng Shui 风水 fēng shuǐ**
Feng shui, also known as Chinese geomancy, is one of the Five Arts of Chinese Metaphysics, which suggests that manipulating energy forces can help individuals harmonize with their environment. The term translates literally to "wind-water" and was first introduced to Western audiences in 1757.
**Ginseng 人参 rén shēn**
Ginseng is a herbal root commonly used in Chinese medicine, known for its various health benefits, such as improving circulation and reducing cholesterol. The term comes from the Hokkien dialect and literally means “person plant root,” referring to the herb’s resemblance to human legs.
**Ketchup 番茄酱 fānqié jiàng**
In the 17th century, residents of Fujian created a mixture of pickled fish and spices called kôe-chiap in their dialect, referring to the brine of pickled fish. By the early 18th century, this sauce reached parts of what are now Malaysia and Singapore, where English colonists first tasted it. Although modern ketchup differs significantly from the original fish sauce, the name has been preserved in English as “ketchup.”
**Kowtow 磕头 kē tóu**
The term literally means “knock head,” and the act of ke tou involves bowing and touching one’s forehead to the ground, a common practice in ancient China to show respect to emperors and officials. Today, this custom is seldom practiced, typically reserved for elders during specific festivals or to honor deceased ancestors. However, the word 'kowtow' remains in English, used to describe groveling, prostration, or submissive behavior.
**Long time no see 好久不见 hǎo jiǔ bù jiàn**
Directly translated from 好久不见, "long time no see" is frequently used in English as in Chinese. The phrase first appeared in print in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1901.
**Silk 丝绸 sī chóu**
Silk’s use in clothing dates back approximately 8,500 years in ancient China. Known as sī or sī chóu in standard Mandarin, it was introduced to Western culture by smugglers who took silkworms from China to the rest of the world.
**Typhoon 台风 tái fēng**
The Oxford English Dictionary identifies Cantonese tai fung as one of the early forms of "typhoon" in English, with spellings influenced by older Urdu-derived terms. The first character simplifies the traditional Chinese character 颱 tái, meaning "strong wind."
**Zen 禅 chán**
Zen is a unique school of Chinese Buddhism that originated during the Tang dynasty, later evolving into various schools and spreading to countries such as Vietnam and Japan. The term "zen" is derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word 禅 chán.
READ: Mandarin Monday: 25 Ways To Complain About the Heat in Chinese
Images: Flickr, Giphy.com
English has historically expanded its vocabulary by incorporating "loan words" from various languages.