{"id":183363,"date":"2015-09-28T17:35:02","date_gmt":"2015-09-28T21:35:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/chinese-euphemisms\/"},"modified":"2025-06-09T06:02:02","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T10:02:02","slug":"chinese-euphemisms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/chinese\/chinese-euphemisms\/","title":{"rendered":"45 Chinese Euphemisms to Help You Navigate Awkward and Taboo Topics"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Chinese culture, it’s especially important to be wary of certain topics due to the emphasis on \u7559\u9762\u5b50(li\u00fa mi\u00e0nzi \u2014 <\/em>saving face). That means you don’t want to embarrass or disrespect anyone, intentionally or otherwise, and euphemisms are handy for this.<\/p>\n

Chinese euphemisms often refer to a well-known story or historical figure and rely heavily on wordplay. For example, the phrase \u5979\u662f\u4e2a\u9e21(t\u0101 sh\u00ec g\u00e8 j\u012b) <\/em>literally means “She is a chicken,” but actually means “lady of the night.” Here, \u9e21(j\u012b<\/em> \u2014 chicken) sounds a bit like \u5993(j\u00ec)<\/em>, which means “prostitute.”<\/p>\n

If that one euphemism sounds intriguing enough, check out the rest of the phrases in the list below.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. \u53bb\u4e16\u4e86(Q<\/em>\u00f9sh\u00ecle) <\/em>\u2014 Left the world<\/h2>\n

One universal topic where euphemisms are often used is death, which is \u6b7b\u4ea1(s\u01d0w\u00e1ng) <\/em>in Mandarin Chinese. \u53bb\u4e16\u4e86 is similar to the English \u201cpassed away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u6211\u5976\u5976\u53bb\u4e16\u4e86\u3002<\/strong>
\n(W\u01d2 n\u01ceinai q\u00f9sh\u00ecle<\/strong>.)<\/em>
\nMy grandmother passed away.<\/p>\n

2. \u89c1\u960e\u738b(Ji\u00e0n y\u00e1nw\u00e1ng) <\/em>\u2014 Gone to see Hades<\/h2>\n

A not-so-kind way of saying someone you dislike has died, this is similar to the English euphemism \u201cburning in hell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u53bb\u89c1\u960e\u738b<\/strong>\u4e86\u3002
\n(T\u0101 q\u00f9 ji\u00e0n y\u00e1nw\u00e1ng<\/strong>le.)
\n<\/em>He went to see Hades.<\/p>\n

3. \u89c1\u9a6c\u514b\u601d(Ji\u00e0n m\u01cek\u00e8s\u012b) <\/em>\u2014 Gone to see Marx
\n<\/b><\/h2>\n

This witty phrase can be traced back to the history of communism in China. Originally a slang phrase that Chinese communists used to refer to death, it’s now relatively common and has a slightly humorous connotation.<\/p>\n

You could say this means the same as \u201cjoined the ancestors\u201d and \u201cwent to meet the Maker.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u6211\u7238\u53bb\u89c1\u9a6c\u514b\u601d<\/strong>\u4e86\u3002
\n(W\u01d2 b\u00e0 q\u00f9 ji\u00e0n m\u01cek\u00e8s\u012b<\/strong>le.)<\/em>
\nMy dad went to see Marx.<\/p>\n

4. \u5e72\u6389(G\u00e0ndi\u00e0o) <\/em>\u2014 Do away with<\/h2>\n

\u5e72\u6389 is a euphemism for “murder” or \u6740\u6b7b(sh\u0101 s\u01d0)<\/em>. Similar to \u201cI\u2019ll do away with you,\u201d this term is a death threat. You may hear this phrase in Chinese movies<\/a> and TV shows<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u6211\u628a\u4ed6\u5e72\u6389<\/strong>\u4e86\u3002
\n(W\u01d2 b\u01ce t\u0101 g\u00e0ndi\u00e0o<\/strong>le.)
\n<\/em>I did away with him.<\/p>\n

5. \u9001\u4f60\u4e0a\u897f\u5929(S\u00f2ng n\u01d0 sh\u00e0ng x\u012bti\u0101n) <\/em>\u2014 Send you to the Western Pure Land
\n<\/em><\/h2>\n

In Buddhism, Pure Land is a place of bliss where people go when they die.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, you’ll hear this when someone is fighting you and is usually uttered in a humorous way. So don’t be alarmed if you hear this from your Chinese friend!<\/p>\n

\u9001\u4f60\u4e0a\u897f\u5929\uff01<\/strong>
\n(S\u00f2ng n\u01d0 sh\u00e0ng x\u012bti\u0101n<\/strong>!)
\n<\/em>I\u2019ll send you to the Western Pure Land!<\/p>\n

6. \u81ea\u6211\u4e86\u65ad(Z\u00ecw\u01d2 li\u01ceodu\u00e0n) <\/em>\u2014 Self-shortening<\/h2>\n

This is a gentle way to refer to suicide or \u81ea\u6740(z\u00ecsh\u0101)<\/em>. The English counterpart would be “She wanted to end her life.”<\/p>\n

\u5979\u60f3\u81ea\u6211\u4e86\u65ad\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101 xi\u01ceng z\u00ecw\u01d2 li\u01ceodu\u00e0n<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>She wants to shorten her life.<\/p>\n

7. \u8f7b\u751f(Q\u012bngsh\u0113ng) <\/em>\u2014 Light life<\/h2>\n

Similar to the above, \u8f7b\u751f is another indirect way of talking about suicide. “Light life” here means that someone values their life lightly enough to end it.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u6709\u8f7b\u751f<\/strong>\u7684\u60f3\u6cd5\u3002
\n(T\u0101 y\u01d2u q\u012bngsh\u0113ng<\/strong> de xi\u01cengf\u01ce.)
\n<\/em>He thinks of his life lightly.<\/p>\n

8. \u6050\u9f99\u59b9(K\u01d2ngl\u00f3ng m\u00e8i) <\/em>\u2014 Dinosaur’s sister
\n<\/b><\/h2>\n

In Chinese, the concept of physical unattractiveness can be summed up in one character: \u4e11(ch\u01d2u)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u6050\u9f99\u59b9 is a relatively new phrase that’s gained popularity thanks to the internet. It’s used exclusively to refer to women and is often uttered in the context of meeting someone in person for the first time after communicating with them exclusively online.<\/p>\n

\u522b\u7ed9\u6211\u4ecb\u7ecd\u5230\u6050\u9f99\u59b9\uff01<\/strong>
\n(Bi\u00e9 g\u011bi w\u01d2 ji\u00e8sh\u00e0o d\u00e0o k\u01d2ngl\u00f3ng m\u00e8i<\/strong>!)
\n<\/em>Don\u2019t introduce me to a dinosaur’s sister!<\/p>\n

9. \u765e\u86e4\u87c6(L\u00e0ih\u00e1m\u00e1) <\/em>\u2014 Toad<\/h2>\n

You know how it’s said you have to kiss a lot of frogs to meet your prince? Interestingly enough, one Chinese phrase used to describe men who are unattractive (whether in looks and\/or personality) is \u765e\u86e4\u87c6.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u771f\u662f\u4e2a\u765e\u86e4\u87c6\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101 zh\u0113nshi g\u00e8 l\u00e0ih\u00e1m\u00e1<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>He is such a toad.<\/p>\n

10. \u53d1\u798f\u4e86(F\u0101f\u00fale) <\/em>\u2014 Send blessings
\n<\/b><\/h2>\n

No one wants to be told that they’ve gained weight or \u589e\u91cd(z\u0113ng zh\u00f2ng)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Up until modern times, being “big” meant you had enough money to buy food. Someone with a larger build can be described as \u5bcc\u6001(f\u00f9tai)<\/em> or \u201cin a rich state.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, to say someone has gained weight, you would use \u53d1\u798f\u4e86(f\u0101f\u00fale)<\/em>. Notice how the character for “blessings” or \u798f(f\u00fa) <\/em>appears in this expression.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u53d1\u798f\u4e86\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101 f\u0101f\u00fale<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>He\u2019s getting fat.<\/p>\n

11. \u5564\u9152\u809a(<\/em>P\u00edji\u01d4d\u00f9) <\/em>\u2014 Beer belly<\/h2>\n

This has the same meaning as it does in English\u2014someone who drinks so much that it’s showing in the shape of their belly.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u8fd9\u51e0\u5e74\u957f\u4e86\u4e2a\u5564\u9152\u809a\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101 zh\u00e8 j\u01d0 ni\u00e1n zh\u01cengle g\u00e8 p\u00edji\u01d4d\u00f9<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>He has a beer belly.<\/p>\n

12. \u5c06\u519b\u809a(<\/em>Ji\u0101ngj\u016bn d\u00f9) <\/em>\u2014 General’s belly<\/h2>\n

This also means “beer belly,” though the presence of the word “general” or \u5c06\u519b(ji\u0101ngj\u016bn) <\/em>might soften the blow a little bit.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u8fd9\u51e0\u5e74\u957f\u4e86\u4e2a\u5c06\u519b\u809a\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101 zh\u00e8 j\u01d0 ni\u00e1n zh\u01cengle g\u00e8 ji\u0101ngj\u016bn d\u00f9<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>He has a general’s belly.<\/p>\n

13. \u7f57\u6c49\u809a(Lu\u00f3h\u00e0n d\u00f9) <\/em>\u2014 Pork belly<\/h2>\n

Of the euphemisms for “beer belly” I’ve mentioned so far, this is probably the most humorous\u2014or possibly offensive, depending on the person you’re talking to.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u8fd9\u51e0\u5e74\u957f\u4e86\u4e2a\u7f57\u6c49\u809a\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101 zh\u00e8 j\u01d0 ni\u00e1n zh\u01cengle g\u00e8 lu\u00f3h\u00e0n d\u00f9<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>He has a pork belly.<\/p>\n

14. \u559d\u591a\u4e86(H\u0113 du\u014dle)<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Drank too much<\/h2>\n

There isn’t really a politically correct way to say “intoxication” or \u559d\u9189(h\u0113 zu\u00ec)<\/em> in Chinese. But one slightly nicer way to express the same idea is \u559d\u591a\u4e86.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u559d\u591a\u4e86\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101 h\u0113 du\u014dle<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>He drank too much.<\/p>\n

15. \u559d\u9ad8\u4e86(H\u0113 g\u0101ole) <\/em><\/strong>\u2014 Drank high<\/h2>\n

Of course, it’s not grammatically correct to say “drank high” in English. But this expression and \u559d\u591a\u4e86mean the same thing.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u559d\u9ad8\u4e86\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101 h\u0113 g\u0101ole<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>He drank high.<\/p>\n

16. \u795e\u7ecf\u75c5(Sh\u00e9nj\u012bngb\u00ecng) <\/em>\u2014 Mental disorder<\/h2>\n

Even in English, \u7cbe\u795e\u75c5(j\u012bngsh\u00e9nb\u00ecng)<\/em> \u2014 mental illness isn’t a topic you want to talk about lightly.<\/p>\n

\u795e\u7ecf\u75c5 is a play on \u7cbe\u795e\u75c5, where \u7cbe(j\u012bng)<\/em> has a similar pronunciation as \u7ecf(j\u012bng)<\/em>. As you can imagine, this isn’t the nicest thing to say about people and is often used as an insult.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u662f\u4e2a\u795e\u7ecf\u75c5<\/strong>\uff01
\n(T\u0101 sh\u00ecg\u00e8 sh\u00e9nj\u012bngb\u00ecng<\/strong>!)
\n<\/em>He is a crazy person!<\/p>\n

17. \u8111\u5b50\u6709\u95ee\u9898(N\u01ceozi y\u01d2u w\u00e8nt\u00ed) <\/em>\u2014 The brain has problems<\/h2>\n

Most euphemisms for mental illness in Chinese are negative and used to insult others. The “politically correct” way to say it would be \u7cbe\u795e\u75c5.<\/p>\n

Although you want to avoid using \u795e\u7ecf\u75c5 and \u8111\u5b50\u6709\u95ee\u9898 as much as possible, you should still be aware of what they mean in case they come up in conversation.<\/p>\n

Aside from the literal “the brain has problems,” \u8111\u5b50\u6709\u95ee\u9898 could also refer to someone who has done something stupid.<\/p>\n

\u4f60\u8111\u5b50\u6709\u95ee\u9898<\/strong>\u5417\uff1f
\n(N\u01d0 n\u01ceozi y\u01d2u w\u00e8nt\u00ed<\/strong> ma?)
\n<\/em>(Does your brain have problems? \/ Are you stupid?)<\/p>\n

18. \u7b28\u86cb(B\u00e8nd\u00e0n)<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 Stupid egg
\n<\/em><\/h2>\n

The Chinese language has several phrases for describing people who aren’t the sharpest crayons in the box (see what I did there?), such as \u611a\u8822(y\u00fach\u01d4n)<\/em>, \u50bb(sh\u01ce)<\/em> and \u7b28\u86cb.<\/p>\n

\u4f60\u662f\u4e2a\u5927\u7b28\u86cb<\/strong>\uff01
\n(N\u01d0 sh\u00ecg\u00e8 d\u00e0 b\u00e8nd\u00e0n<\/strong>!)<\/em>
\nYou are a huge fool!<\/p>\n

19. \u8111\u5b50\u8fdb\u6c34(N\u01ceozi j\u00ecn shu\u01d0) <\/em>\u2014 Water in the brain<\/h2>\n

The imagery conjured up by “water in the brain” should be enough to tell you why \u8111\u5b50\u8fdb\u6c34 can come off as rude. It’s often used to describe people who are otherwise rational and suddenly do something stupid.<\/p>\n

\u5979\u8111\u5b50\u8fdb\u6c34<\/strong>\u4e86\u3002
\n(T\u0101 n\u01ceozi j\u00ecn shu\u01d0<\/strong>le.)
\n<\/em>Water has entered her brain. \/ She has done something stupid.<\/p>\n

20. \u51fa\u8f68(Ch\u016bgu\u01d0) <\/em>\u2014 Derail \/ Go off the tracks<\/h2>\n

In Chinese, the word for “extramarital affairs” is \u5916\u9047(w\u00e0iy\u00f9)<\/em>. \u51fa\u8f68 is a subtler way to refer to infidelity.<\/p>\n

\u5979\u51fa\u8f68<\/strong>\u4e86\u3002
\n(T\u0101 ch\u016bgu\u01d0<\/b><\/strong>le.)
\n<\/em>She has gone off the tracks. \/ She has an extramarital affair.<\/p>\n

21. \u65b0\u6b22(X\u012bnhu\u0101n) <\/em>\u2014 New happiness<\/h2>\n

This phrase refers to a new lover. It has a slightly more positive connotation than “cheating.”<\/p>\n

\u6211\u79bb\u5a5a\u56e0\u4e3a\u6211\u6709\u65b0\u6b22<\/strong>\u4e86\u3002
\n(W\u01d2 l\u00edh\u016bn y\u012bnw\u00e8i w\u01d2 y\u01d2u x\u012bnhu\u0101n<\/b><\/strong>le.)
\n<\/em>I divorced because I found a new happiness (i.e., “lover”).<\/p>\n

22. \u4e00\u4eba\u5288\u817f\u513f(Y\u012br\u00e9n p\u012btu\u01d0 er) <\/em>\u2014 Someone has done the leg splits<\/h2>\n

This is a slightly more comical way of looking at extramarital affairs. You can remember the meaning of \u4e00\u4eba\u5288\u817f\u513f by thinking of someone who does things that would make a gymnast blush just to be with their lover.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u4eec\u4e24\uff0c\u4e00\u4eba\u5288\u817f\u513f<\/strong>\u4e86\u3002
\n(T\u0101men li\u01ceng, y\u012br\u00e9n p\u012btu\u01d0 er<\/b><\/strong>le.) <\/em>
\nBetween the two of them, one of them did the splits. \/ Between the two of them, one person cheated.<\/p>\n

23. \u6d17\u624b(X\u01d0sh\u01d2u) <\/em>\u2014 Wash hands<\/h2>\n

If you want a direct way to say “go to the bathroom” in Mandarin Chinese, you say \u4e0a\u5395\u6240 (sh\u00e0ng c\u00e8su\u01d2)<\/em>. You can learn more in our YouTube video<\/a> below:<\/p>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

But since we’re on the topic of euphemisms, you should use \u6d17\u624b instead. This can mean anything you do in the bathroom\u2014whether it’s literally washing your hands or something else. (By the way, the Chinese word for “toilet” is \u6d17\u624b\u95f4(x\u01d0sh\u01d2uji\u0101n)<\/em>, which literally translates to “washroom.”)<\/p>\n

\u6211\u8981\u53bb\u6d17\u624b\u3002<\/strong>
\n(W\u01d2 y\u00e0o q\u00f9 x\u01d0sh\u01d2u<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>I have to go wash my hands. \/ I have to go to the bathroom.<\/p>\n

24. \u89e3\u624b(Ji\u011bsh\u01d2u) <\/em>\u2014 Relieve hands<\/h2>\n

This is less ambiguous than \u6d17\u624b. It means the same thing as \u201crelieve myself\u201d in English.<\/p>\n

\u5979\u53bb\u89e3\u624b<\/strong>\u4e86\u3002
\n(T\u0101 q\u00f9 ji\u011bsh\u01d2u<\/strong>le.)
\n<\/em>She went to relieve herself. \/ She went to the toilet.<\/p>\n

25. \u5927\u59e8\u5988\u6765\u4e86(D<\/em>\u00e0 y\u00edm\u0101 l\u00e1ile) <\/em>\u2014 Older aunt is coming<\/h2>\n

There are plenty of euphemisms for menstruation or \u6765\u6708\u7ecf(l\u00e1i yu\u00e8j\u012bng)<\/em> in Chinese.<\/p>\n

Let’s start with \u5927\u59e8\u5988\u6765\u4e86.<\/p>\n

\u5979\u5927\u59e8\u5988\u6765\u4e86\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101\u00a0d\u00e0 y\u00edm\u0101 l\u00e1ile<\/strong>.)
\n<\/strong><\/em>Her older aunt is coming.<\/p>\n

26. \u8001\u670b\u53cb\u6765\u4e86(L\u01ceo p\u00e9ngy\u01d2u l\u00e1ile) <\/em>\u2014 Old friend is coming<\/h2>\n

Sometimes, it’s an “old friend” rather than an “old aunt” who comes during “that time of the month” for a woman.<\/p>\n

\u5979\u8001\u670b\u53cb\u6765\u4e86\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101 l\u01ceo p\u00e9ngy\u01d2u l\u00e1ile<\/strong>.)<\/em>
\n<\/strong><\/em>Her old friend is coming.<\/p>\n

27. \u559c\u4e8b\u6765\u4e86(X\u01d0sh\u00ec l\u00e1ile) <\/em>\u2014 Good things are coming<\/h2>\n

I don’t know if “that time of the month” is “good” for every woman, but this is yet another Chinese euphemism for menstruation.<\/p>\n

\u5979\u559c\u4e8b\u6765\u4e86\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101 x\u01d0sh\u00ec l\u00e1ile<\/strong>.)
\n<\/strong><\/em>Good things are coming for her.<\/p>\n

28. \u4f8b\u5047(L\u00ecji\u00e0) <\/em>\u2014 Go on a public holiday<\/h2>\n

This is also a subtle way to talk about a woman’s period without having to mention the exact words.<\/p>\n

\u5979\u4f8b\u5047 \u4e86\u3002
\n(T\u0101 l\u00ecji\u00e0\u00a0<\/strong>le.)<\/em>
\nShe is on a public holiday. \/ She is on her period.<\/p>\n

29. \u53d1\u751f\u5173\u7cfb(F\u0101sh\u0113ng gu\u0101nx\u00ec) <\/em>\u2014 Had relations<\/h2>\n

The Chinese term for “sex” is \u6027\u4ea4(x\u00ecngji\u0101o)<\/em>, and \u53d1\u751f\u5173\u7cfb is one of its many euphemisms.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u4eec\u4fe9\u53d1\u751f\u5173\u7cfb<\/strong>\u4e86\u3002
\n(T\u0101men li\u01ce f\u0101sh\u0113ng<\/b><\/strong> gu\u0101nx\u00ec<\/strong>le.)<\/em>
\n<\/b><\/strong><\/em>The two of them had relations.<\/p>\n

30. \u4e0a\u5e8a(<\/em>Sh\u00e0ngchu\u00e1ng) <\/em>\u2014 Go to bed<\/h2>\n

This phrase means the same thing as “slept together.”<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u4e0e\u5979\u4e0a\u5e8a<\/strong>\u4e86\u3002
\n(T\u0101 y\u01d4 t\u0101 sh\u00e0ngchu\u00e1ng<\/strong>le.)
\n<\/em>He went to bed with her.<\/p>\n

31. \u884c\u4e86\u623f\u4e8b(X\u00edngle f\u00e1ngsh\u00ec) <\/em>\u2014 Did room matters<\/h2>\n

\u884c\u4e86\u623f\u4e8b is another way to talk about sexual relations without being too direct about it. A similar expression in English would be “doing the deed.”<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u4eec\u884c\u4e86\u623f\u4e8b\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101men x\u00edngle f\u00e1ngsh\u00ec<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>They did bedroom matters.<\/p>\n

32. \u6b63\u5feb\u6d3b\u7740(Zh\u00e8ng ku\u00e0ihu\u00f3zhe) <\/em>\u2014 Having a good time<\/h2>\n

Similar to “fooling around,” \u6b63\u5feb\u6d3b\u7740 is an informal way to describe sex.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u4eec\u6b63\u5feb\u6d3b\u7740\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101men z<\/strong><\/em>h\u00e8ng ku\u00e0ihu\u00f3zhe<\/em><\/b>.<\/em>)
\n<\/em>They are having a good time.<\/p>\n

33. \u505a\u7231(Zu\u00f2 \u00e0i) <\/em>\u2014 Make love<\/h2>\n

This means exactly the same as it does in English. Need I explain more?<\/p>\n

\u6628\u5929\u665a\u4e0a\uff0c \u6211\u4eec\u505a\u4e86\u7231\u3002<\/strong>
\n(Zu\u00f3ti\u0101n w\u01censh\u00e0ng, w\u01d2men zu\u00f2le \u00e0i<\/em><\/b><\/strong>.<\/em>) <\/em><\/em>
\nLast night, we made love.<\/p>\n

34. \u6253\u91ce\u6218(D\u01ce y\u011bzh\u00e0n) <\/em>\u2014 Guerrilla warfare<\/h2>\n

\u6253\u91ce\u6218 is a slightly more humorous way to talk about people who “do the act” in public places. If you hear this phrase dropped in casual conversation to refer to two people\u2014well, you’ll know better than to think that they’re talking about literal warfare.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u4eec\u53bb\u6253\u91ce\u6218\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101men q\u00f9 d\u01ce y\u011bzh\u00e0n<\/b><\/strong>.)<\/em>
\nThey engaged in guerrilla warfare. \/ They went to have sex in public.<\/p>\n

35. \u51fa\u53f0\u5973(Ch\u016bt\u00e1i n\u01da) <\/em>\u2014 Coming on stage girl<\/h2>\n

In Chinese, “sex worker” is \u6027\u5de5\u4f5c(x\u00ecng g\u014dngzu\u00f2)<\/em>. \u51fa\u53f0\u5973, in particular, refers to a paid escort.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u8bf7\u4e86\u4e00\u4f4d\u51fa\u53f0\u5973\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101 q\u01d0ngle y\u012b w\u00e8i ch\u016bt\u00e1i n\u01da<\/b><\/strong>.)<\/em>
\nHe hired an escort.<\/p>\n

36. \u9e21(J\u012b) <\/em>\u2014 Lady of the night<\/h2>\n

If you’ve already learned about animals in Chinese<\/a>, you may know that \u9e21 means “chicken.” But because it has a similar pronunciation as the word for “prostitute,” which is \u5993(j\u00ec)<\/em>, you can see how this euphemism came about.<\/p>\n

\u5979\u662f\u4e2a\u9e21\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101 sh\u00ecg\u00e8 j\u012b<\/strong>.)<\/em>
\nShe is a chicken. \/ She is a prostitute.<\/p>\n

37. \u9e2d(Y\u0101) <\/em>\u2014 Male prostitute<\/h2>\n

Similarly, \u9e2d\u00a0translates to “duck,” and is used to refer to male prostitutes.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u662f\u4e2a\u9e2d\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101 sh\u00ecg\u00e8 y\u0101<\/strong>.)<\/em>
\nHe is a duck. \/ He is a prostitute.<\/p>\n

38. \u9752\u697c\u5973(Q\u012bngl\u00f3u n\u01da) <\/em>\u2014 Brothel woman<\/h2>\n

In ancient China, \u9752\u697c(q\u012bngl\u00f3u)<\/em> was the term for a brothel. Attach the word for “woman” or \u5973(n\u01da)<\/em> at the end, and you can guess what \u9752\u697c\u5973 means.<\/p>\n

\u90a3\u9752\u697c\u5973<\/strong>\u5f88\u7f8e\u3002
\n(N\u00e0 q\u012bngl\u00f3u n\u01da <\/b><\/strong>h\u011bn m\u011bi.)<\/em>
\nThe girl in the brothel is beautiful.<\/p>\n

39. \u7ad9\u8857\u5973(Zh\u00e0n ji\u0113 n\u01da) <\/em>\u2014 Standing street woman<\/h2>\n

This phrase refers to how some prostitutes find work. It has a slightly more negative connotation, and is similar to the English phrase “a woman of the streets” or “a woman of the night.”<\/p>\n

\u5979\u662f\u4e2a\u7ad9\u8857\u5973\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101 sh\u00ecg\u00e8 zh\u00e0n ji\u0113 n\u01da<\/b><\/strong>.)
\n<\/b><\/strong><\/em>She is a woman of the streets.<\/p>\n

40. \u5c0f\u59d0(Xi\u01ceoji\u011b) <\/em>\u2014 Miss\/Lady<\/h2>\n

This is another discreet way to talk about an escort. It simply means “miss” or “lady.”<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u8bf7\u4e86\u4e00\u4f4d\u5c0f\u59d0\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101 q\u01d0ngle y\u012b w\u00e8i xi\u01ceoji\u011b<\/b><\/strong>.)
\n<\/b><\/strong><\/em>He invited a miss.<\/p>\n

41. \u88ab\u7092\u9c7f\u9c7c(<\/em>B\u00e8i ch\u01ceoy\u00f3uy\u00fa) <\/em>\u2014 Turned into fried squid<\/h2>\n

\u89e3\u96c7(ji\u011bg\u00f9)<\/em> means to “fire” or “dismiss” someone from their place of employment.<\/p>\n

Getting fired feels awful for the person on the receiving end, so \u88ab\u7092\u9c7f\u9c7c came about as a humorous way to describe something that’s usually thought of as negative.<\/p>\n

\u6628\u5929\uff0c\u6211\u88ab\u7092\u9c7f\u9c7c<\/strong>\u4e86\u3002
\n(Zu\u00f3ti\u0101n, w\u01d2 b\u00e8i ch\u01ceoy\u00f3uy\u00fale<\/b><\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>Yesterday, I was fried squid. \/ I was fired yesterday.<\/p>\n

42. \u4e0b\u5c97(Xi\u00e0g\u01ceng) <\/em>\u2014 Laid off<\/h2>\n

\u4e0b\u5c97 is a subtle and polite way to talk about people who just lost their jobs and is nicer than \u89e3\u96c7.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u4eec\u90fd\u4e0b\u5c97<\/strong>\u4e86\u3002
\n(T\u0101men d\u014du xi\u00e0g\u01ceng<\/b><\/strong>le.)<\/em>
\nThey were both laid off.<\/p>\n

43. \u5f85\u4e1a(D\u00e0iy\u00e8) <\/em>\u2014 Waiting for work<\/h2>\n

One positive spin on being jobless or \u5931\u4e1a(sh\u012by\u00e8)<\/em> is saying that you’re \u5f85\u4e1a.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u8fd9\u51e0\u4e2a\u6708\u5728\u5f85\u4e1a\u3002<\/strong>
\n(<\/em>T\u0101 zh\u00e8 j\u01d0 g\u00e8 yu\u00e8 z\u00e0i <\/em>d\u00e0iy\u00e8<\/b><\/strong>.)
\nThese past few months, he has been waiting for work.<\/p>\n

44. \u8d4b\u95f2\u5728\u5bb6(F\u00f9xi\u00e1n z\u00e0iji\u0101) <\/em>\u2014 Staying at home<\/h2>\n

Another nice way of saying someone is unemployed is \u8d4b\u95f2\u5728\u5bb6.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

\u5979\u73b0\u5728\u8d4b\u95f2\u5728\u5bb6\u3002<\/strong>
\n(T\u0101 xi\u00e0nz\u00e0i f\u00f9xi\u00e1n z\u00e0iji\u0101<\/b><\/strong>.)<\/em>
\nShe is currently staying home. \/ She is currently unemployed.<\/p>\n

45. \u5bb6\u91cc\u8e72(Ji\u0101l\u01d0 d\u016bn) <\/em>\u2014 At home squatting<\/h2>\n

As you can guess from the word “squatting,” this has a slightly more negative connotation, but is still better than saying outright that someone is unemployed. \u5bb6\u91cc\u8e72 implies that the person who doesn’t have a job is in such a state because they’re lazy.<\/p>\n

\u592b\u5987\u4fe9\u90fd\u5728\u5bb6\u91cc\u8e72\u3002<\/strong>
\n(F\u016bf\u00f9 li\u01ce d\u014du z\u00e0i ji\u0101l\u01d0 d\u016bn<\/b>.)
\n<\/b><\/em>The couple is at home squatting. \/ The couple is unemployed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Of course, there are many other euphemisms in Chinese for countless other topics. These are just a few of the most common ones you’ll hear thrown around.<\/p>\n

From the embarrassing to the taboo, these phrases can help you feel a little more confident when you’re navigating everyday situations in Chinese<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can learn more about these euphemisms through a language-learning platform like FluentU<\/a>.<\/p>\n

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

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