Practical Knowledge Encyclopedia

Author: / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-05-01
Features: Why are things called "dongxi"? The entry "Dongxi" in Tongya: Names states: "Things are called 'dongxi'." The term "dongxi" as a fixed word first appeared in the Tang Dynasty. It is recorded that the famous Song Dynasty philosopher Zhu Xi once encountered his friend Sheng Wenru carrying a basket while going out. Zhu Xi asked him, "What are you doing?" Sheng replied, "I'm going to buy dongxi." Zhu Xi then asked, "Why not buy beiqi?" Sheng answered, "According to the Five Elements (wood, metal, water, fire, earth) paired with the Five Directions (east, west, south, north, center), the east belongs to wood, and the west belongs to metal. My basket can hold wood and metal, but the south belongs to fire, and the north belongs to water. My basket cannot hold fire and water. Therefore, we say 'buying dongxi,' not 'buying beiqi.'" In the Han Dynasty, Xun Yue mentioned in Shenjian that as early as the Han Dynasty, there was a custom called "fangji" (taboo against certain directions) regarding the four directions. As a result, people often avoided the north and south, and this custom continued, leading people to habitually use "dongxi" to refer to things. Another explanation is that although things come from the four directions (east, west, south, north), they can be simply referred to as "dongxi," similar to how the four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter) are simply referred to as "chunqiu." (Excerpted from Chadian Daily)
On the Meaning of "Kè" (Guest)
(1) The general term for all guests is "bīnkè."
(2) Guests who visit infrequently are called "xīkè."
(3) Guests who visit often are called "chángkè."
(4) Guests who travel far are called "yuǎnkè."
(5) Guests who are strangers are called "shēngkè."
(6) Distant or distant guests are called "wàikè."
(7) People skilled in swordsmanship are called "jiànkè."
(8) Noble guests are called "guìkè."
(9) Eloquent and persuasive guests are called "biànkè."
(10) Guests who frequent prostitutes are called "piāokè."
(11) Guests who dance in dance halls are called "wùkè."
(12) Poets are sometimes called "sàokè."
(13) Writers are sometimes called "mókè."
(14) Passengers traveling by car, ship, or plane are called "chéngkè."
(15) Customers who buy things in stores are called "kèhù."
(16) Tourists who travel to see mountains and rivers are called "yóukè."
(17) Assassins are called "cìkè."
(18) People who pray to gods in temples are called "xiāngkè."
(19) Strangers or those living in a foreign land are called "yìkè."
(20) Sons-in-law or delicate people are sometimes called "jiāokè."
(21) Spectators of cultural events are sometimes called "kànkè."
(22) Visitors who come to visit are sometimes called "láikè."
(23) People who travel to persuade others are called "shuōkè."
(24) Guests who drink tea in tea houses are called "chákè."
(25) Politicians who are called "zhèngkè."
(26) Tenants renting from landlords are called "fángkè."
(27) People specially invited to entertain guests are called "péikè."
(28) In the past, those who were exiled and transferred were called "qiānkè."
(29) Invited guests are sometimes called "zuòshàngkè."
(30) Uninvited guests are called "bùsùzhīkè."
(31) In ancient times, servants in noble households were called "ménkè."
(32) In the past, people who were skilled in martial arts and righteous were called "xiákè."
(33) In ancient times, people who lived with nobles and officials and served them were called "shíkè."
(34) In the past, bandits were called "bàokè" or "hàokè."
(35) In old society, servants in wealthy households were called "qīngkè."
(36) In the past, guards who protected travelers or goods were called "biāokè."
(37) In the past, people who hosted guests at weddings or funerals and welcomed or sent them off were called "zhīkè."
(38) People who introduced transactions and earned commissions were called "qiānkè." (Excerpted from Chinese Language Knowledge, by Zhu Ronghua)
The Origin of the Word "Jiān" on Envelopes
Today, when people write letters, they often write "jiān" at the end of the envelope, following an ancient custom. "Jiān" originally referred to a rope used to tie boxes. Shuowen Jiezi states: "Jiān, to tie a small box." A "xiè" is a type of box. The Book of Han records: "Jiě xiè jiān," meaning to untie the rope that tied the box. The Family Sayings records that Confucius, during the Zhou Dynasty, saw a bronze figure with its mouth tied three times and inscribed on its back. "Tying the mouth three times" means the mouth of the bronze figure was tied with ropes multiple times. This is where expressions like "jiānkǒu" (to keep silent) and "jiānmì" (secret) come from. "Jiān" also evolved to mean "to seal," referring to stamping official documents or letters to prevent others from seeing their contents. The evolution of "jiān" from "tying" to "sealing" is related to ancient official documents and letters. Before the Eastern Han Dynasty, paper was not used, and official documents and letters were often written on wooden boards or bamboo slips, called "zhá," and tied with ropes. Knots in the ropes were sealed with clay, and seals were stamped on the clay to prevent tampering. This was called "sealing with clay." Tying with ropes was called "jiān." Sealing with clay was called "fēng." Untying the ropes was called "kāijiān." The purpose of all these was to keep the secrets of the "zhá." (Excerpted from Chinese Language Knowledge, by Chen Shougang)
Names of Animal Habitats
1. Birds' homes are called "cháo."
2. Dogs' homes are called "dòng" or "dòu."
3. Snakes' homes are called "kū."
4. Horses' homes are called "jiù."
5. Cows' homes are called "lán."
6. Pigs' homes are called "quān."
7. Rabbits' homes are called "wō" or "kū."
8. Sheep's homes are called "láo."
9. Chickens' homes are called "zhí" or "lóng."
10. Tigers' homes are called "xué."
11. Silkworms' homes are called "jià."
12. Bees' homes are called "xiāng."
13. Spiders' homes are called "wǎng." (Excerpted from Seeking Knowledge Daily)
The Diverse and Varied "Figurative Words for People"
Modern Chinese has many vivid and expressive figurative words, reflecting the richness of the language. For example:
- Figurative words for birds and beasts: "jīnggōngzhīniǎo" (a bird startled by an arrow), "bǎilíngniǎo" (a chatty bird), "yīguānqínshòu" (a beastly man in fine clothes), "húqúnǒudǎng" (a gang of foxes and dogs), "yīqiūzhīhé" (birds of a feather), "sèláng" (lecher), "shòuhóu" (a skinny monkey), "mālǎohǔ" (a tigress).
- Figurative words for domestic animals: "sàngjiāzhīquǎn" (a dog without a home), "luòshuǐgǒu" (a disgraced dog), "hābāgǒu" (a puppy), "gǒulěizi" (a lackey), "yèmāozi" (a night owl), "chūshēngzhīdú" (a greenhorn), "tiěgōngjī" (a miser), "luòtāngjī" (a drowned chicken), "chǔzhū" (a foolish pig), "bènlǘ" (a clumsy donkey).
- Figurative words for flowers, grass, trees, and insects: "jiāojiāhuā" (a socialite), "qiángtóucǎo" (a fickle person), "yáoniánshù" (a money-making tree), "hútuochóng" (a gullible person), "yìngshēngchóng" (a parrot), "jǐngdǐzhīwā" (a narrow-minded person).
- Figurative words for objects: "yàoguànzǐ" (a medicine bottle), "cùpiānzǐ" (a vinegar bottle), "pàotǒngzi" (a cannon), "bǐgǎnzǐ" (a pen pusher), "qìdàizi" (a blowhard), "bǎohùsǎn" (a shield), "lǎogǔdǒng" (an old relic), "lúcháibàng" (a weakling), "guānggùn" (a bachelor), "chuánshēngtóng" (a megaphone), "chūqìtóng" (a vent), "yǎngzhōngdīng" (an eye sore), "zhǎngshàngmíngzhū" (a palm of the hand).
- Figurative words for organs: "shìlìyǎn" (a snobbish eye), "shùnfēng'ěr" (an ear that hears everything), "wūyāzuǐ" (a gossipy mouth), "sānzhīshǒu" (a thief), "fēimáotuǐ" (a fast runner), "zhēngyǎnxiā" (a blind person).
- Figurative words for others: "ruǎngǔtou" (a spineless person), "tiàoliángxiǎochǒu" (a petty villain), "wōnaluòfèi" (a incompetent person), "bànjīshí" (an obstacle), "qìguǎnyán" (a wheezing person), "biànhuàlóng" (a chameleon), "dìtóushé" (a local bully).
The above list of figurative words for people can be direct or indirect, beautiful or ugly, complimentary or derogatory, loving or hateful. They metaphorically describe the diverse and varied aspects of human nature. (Excerpted from Southern Daily)
Wonderful Animal Metaphors for People
- "Qiānlǐjū" (a, a person with outstanding talent).
- "Rénzhōnglóng" (a , a person admired for excellence).
- "Xiàshānhǔ" (a , a strong and brave young man).
- "Zhōngshānláng" (a , a treacherous person who repays kindness with ingratitude).
- "Sàngjiāquǎn" (a , a person without support).
- "Dìtóushé" (a , a local bully).
- "Tiěgōngjī" (a , a stingy person).
- "Biànhuàlóng" (a , a fickle person who flatters superiors).
- "Yìngshēngchóng" (a , a person with no opinion of their own).
- "Xiàomiàn hǔ" (a , a person who appears kind but is vicious).
- "Luòshuǐgǒu" (a , a disgraced person).
- "Sānjiǎomāo" (a , a person with mediocre skills).
- "Jǐngdǐwā" (a , a narrow-minded person). (Excerpted from Chinese Language World)
Humorous Idioms
- The biggest mouth: "qìtūnshānhé" (to swallow mountains and rivers).
- The tallest person: "dǐngtiāndìdì" (to touch the sky and stand on the earth).
- The sharpest needle: "wúpòngrùn" (to pierce through everything).
- The largest capacity: "bāoluówànxiàng" (to encompass everything).
- The hardest-to-cook meal: "wúmǐzhīchuī" (to cook without rice).
- The fastest speed: "fēngchíchàndiàn" (to move like the wind and lightning).
- The shortest season: "rìsānsuì" (three autumns in a day).
- The longest day: "dùrìrúnián" (a day feels like a year).
- The strangest animal: "hǔtóushéwěi" (a tiger's head and a snake's tail).
- The most cunning thief: "tōuliánghuànzhù" (to steal the of the house).
- The longest legs: "yībùdēngtiān" (to reach the sky in one step).
- The smallest person: "qīngrúhóngmáo" (light as a feather).
- The heaviest words: "yīyánjiǔdǐng" (a word worth a thousand pounds).
- The biggest difference: "tiānrǎnzhībié" (a heaven and earth difference).
- The biggest change: "tiānfāndìfù" (the sky and earth turned upside down).
- The most abundant resources: "qǔzhīwújìn" (to take without end).
- The widest perspective: "yīlǎntiānyú" (to see the sky at a glance).
- The biggest place: "wúbiānwújì" (boundless and limitless).
- The most valuable words: "jīnyùyán" (golden words).
- The biggest operation: "tuōtāihuànǔ" (to be reborn and transformed).