Top 6 Chinglish Mistakes

What is Chinglish

Chinese + English = Chinglish!A mixture of Chinese and English. When Chinese people speak poor English and when Americans speak poor Chinese.

For example, an American might say

• 谢谢你们很多• Why? Because in English you say

“Thank you very much.”• Is this good Chinese? No. Instead you

should say 非常感谢你们

In English, you sometimes make similar mistakes

•Today : Become aware of the most common mistakes so that we can change bad oral English habits!

1. Going to + CountryGoing to + City

Wrong:I am going to the France. I am going to the Paris.

Right:I am going to France. I am going to Paris.

Which is correct?

a. I am going to Milan tomorrow to see my sister.b. I am going to the Paris tomorrow. c. Next week I am going to the China. d. I want to go to the Beijing.

Which is correct?

a. I am going to Milan tomorrow to see my sister.b. I am going to the Paris tomorrow. c. Next week I am going to the China. d. I want to go to the Beijing.

Where are you going?

Where are you going?

2.He and She

• Why is it a common mistake? Because in Chinese 她 and 他 are both pronounced “ta”, so you don’t have to think about gender when speaking Chinese

• In English, you say and write the pronouns differently

• Stop, think, don’t just say he

• Which is correct? – She is watching a movie. – He is watching a movie.

a. She is washing her hair.

b. He is washing his hair.

Please describe the image.

What are they doing?

3. Be Careful or Take care + of + _____. Wrong:• “Take Care”• Chinese people often say “take care” instead of “be careful”

Right:• Be careful OR• Take care + of + someone or something.

• Take care of your sister. • You are sick, you should take care of yourself. • Please take care of the dog when I am away next week.• Take care + of + somebody/something.

• Yesterday, I went to the doctor because I am sick.

• Oh no, you should go home and __________.

• A. take care. • B. you sick.• C. take care of yourself.

• Tom: It is snowing outside. • Sarah: Be careful, don’t slip and fall.

4. Happy every day

• Wrong: – Happy every day.

• Right– Subject + verb + happy every day. – I am happy every day. – She is happy every day. – I want to be happy every day.

• Alicia: Tomorrow is Spring Festival, you must be very happy!

• Tom: ______________________, even when I have exams!

• A: Happy every day! • B: I am happy every day• C: Happy all the time• D: Every day happy

5. You’re Welcome

• “Thank you for the birthday presents!• “No thanks”• Why do you say no thanks, because in Chinese

you say 不谢 , but this is wrong in English

• Thank you for the birthday presents!• You’re welcome!

Sarah: Happy Birthday Laura, here is a small gift. Laura: Wow, thanks so much.

Sarah: ____________.

A. No ThanksB. You’re welcome

• A: Thank you for the red pocket money that you gave me on the Chinese New Year!

• B: You’re welcome!

• Did anyone give you red pocket money for the New Year? Did you say thank you ?

6. Why? Because ____.

- Why do you believe in ghosts?- No why.

Why do you believe in ghosts? Option 1: I believe in ghosts because _____.Option 2: I can’t explain why I believe in ghosts, I just do.

• Timothy: Do you believe in UFOs? • Nina: Yes. • Timothy: Why? • Nina: I can’t explain why, I just do.

• Person A: Do you like eating chocolate ? • Person B: No, I hate it! • Person A: Why?!• Person B: I don’t know why, I just do.

• Do you like scary movies? • No, I don’t like scary movies because after I

can’t sleep.

Review:

• 1. Going to + country, going to + city• 2. He/she• 3. Be careful/ take care of + _____• 4. I am happy every day. • 5. You’re welcome• 6. Because/ I just do.

Please find the mistakes!

Yesterday, I caught a cold and my mother was very angry. She said “take care”! She reminded me that next week I am taking the train to go to the Beijing to visit the Great Wall of China. If I am sick, then I won’t be able to go which would be too bad. I said to her “Mother, I will try to take care of myself all week”. Her mother said “Good, thank you” and her daughter replied “I am a very luck girl, happy every day.”

Please find the mistakes!

Yesterday, I caught a cold and my mother was very angry. She said “take care of yourself”! She reminded me that next week I am taking the train to go to the Beijing. If I am sick, then I won’t be able to go which would be too bad. I said to her “Mother, I will try to take care of myself all week”. Her mother said “Good, thank you” and her daughter replied “I am a very luck girl, I am happy every day.”

Write a dialogue using at least 3 of these English rules!

• 1. Going to + country, going to + city• 2. He/she• 3. Be careful/ take care of + _____• 4. I am happy every day. • 5. You’re welcome• 6. Because/ I just do.