chinglish

I thought it would be fun to give you all (I mean I assume there are enough that read this to say all) your first lesson in Chinglish.  There are many a word that within a week or two of living here that you pick up by default.  The Chinese words automatically become part of your English vocabulary and it can not be helped.  To the point that you will begin to say them when talking to your non-Chinese speaking friends and family.  Believe me when I say if I do it while talking to you it is in no way to impress you or to brag, it is completely unconsciously done.  But some words are just fun to say.  Also there are some words that don't really have a good English translation so saying the Chinese is just way easier.  I'll even give you a close way to pronounce (it won't be exact cause some sounds are too different to explain) so you can throw out some of your own Chinglish words if you would like.

ma fan (mah fahn)--trouble, bothersome: as in... Don't worry about sending me a Christmas card because I don't want to give you ma fan.

li hai (lee high)--clever, astute or fierce, severe; used positively or negatively: as in...She is learning Chinese so quickly, she is so li hai. OR  Don't mess with her stuff, she is really li hai about it.

cha bu duo (chah boo dwuoh)--almost, about: as in... The rug doesn't exactly fit but chabuduo. (Seriously this happened to us.  We bought a piece of carpet and they cut it a little off and they told us 'chabuduo', the Chinese are all about chabuduo and it can make you want to scream!)

dong xi (dong she)--things, goods, personal possessions: this can be used to describe almost anything, as in... I'm going to Walmart to buy dongxi.  Don't leave your dongxi laying around.  She doesn't need anything, she already has so much dongxi.

So there is your first Chinglish lesson.  If you like this I can do more another time. :)