[2024-05-02] Dive into Chinese culture and language - new words and a proverb!

长凳

zhǎng dèng

The Chinese word for bench is '长凳'. It is usually referred as a long seat for several people, typically made of wood or stone. It is commonly used in public areas like parks.

Here's how to use it:

• 长凳上有一个包。
  chángdèng shàng yǒu yíge bāo.
• 长凳被雪覆盖了。
  chángdèng bèi xuě fùgài le.
• 她在长凳旁边做瑜伽。
  tā zài chángdèng pángbiān zuò yújiā.

骄傲

jiāo'ào

In Chinese, '骄傲' is used to describe a positive emotion that involves feeling happy about yourself or something related to yourself. Like in English, it can also have a negative connotation when it pertains to an excessively high opinion of oneself or one's dignity. It can be used as a noun or as an adjective.

Here's how to use it:

• 骄傲使人落后。
  Jiāo'ào shǐ rén luòhòu.
• 他为自己的骄傲付出了代价。
  Tā wèi zìjǐ de jiāo'ào fùchū le dàijià.
• 骄傲不能解决任何问题。
  Jiāo'ào bùnéng jiějué rènhé wèntí.

出

chū

The Chinese word '出' translates to 'out' in English and can be used in context similar to English. It is commonly used as a verb that refers to going or coming out of somewhere. For example, 'He comes out of the room' translates to '他从房间出来'.

Here's how to use it:

• 出租车来了
  chū zū chē lái le
• 书籍可以淘汰，人才始终不能出卖
  shū jí kě yǐ táo tài, rén cái shǐ zhōng bù néng chū mài
• 这个人有出息
  zhè gè rén yǒu chū xī

视觉

Shì jué

The Chinese term for 'visual' is '视觉', which is typically used in the same context as in English, meaning anything related to the faculty or power to see. This term can be used in a variety of settings, ranging from everyday conversations, to academic and professional fields such as art, design and medicine.

Here's how to use it:

• 视觉艺术给我带来了新的启示。
  Shìjué yìshù gěi wǒ dài lái le xīn de qǐshì.
• 这是视觉幻觉的一种。
  Zhè shì shìjué huànjué de yī zhǒng.
• 视觉和听觉是我们最重要的感官。
  Shìjué hé tīngjué shì wǒmen zuì zhòngyào de gǎnguǎn.

常青

cháng qīng

The Chinese word '常青' is used to describe trees or plants that stay green throughout the year. Just like in English, it can also be used metaphorically to describe things which are enduring or constantly fresh or self-renewing.

Here's how to use it:

• 这是一个常青的话题。
  zhè shì yī gè cháng qīng de huà tí.
• 我们需要有像常青树一样的精神。
  wǒ men xū yào yǒu xiàng cháng qīng shù yī yàng de jīng shén.
• 他的作品就像常青树，经得起时间的考验。
  tā de zuò pǐn jiù xiàng cháng qīng shù, jīng dé qǐ shí jiān de kǎo yàn.

血浓于水

xuè nóng yú shuǐ