| Love is in the air, and if you’re like many people, that means you’ve got one or two wedding invitations headed straight for your mailbox. As if deciding what to gift newlyweds isn’t hard enough, in China there are some culture-specific taboos you’ll want to be aware of before you get shopping. Ones and Twos The Chinese say: "好事成双(hǎoshì chéngshuāng)". Don’t give one blender, give two. Well, maybe not blenders. Who needs two blenders? Pillows. Give two pillows or something else in pairs. Example: Wǒ jīntiān yòu shēngzhí yòu zhòng cǎipiào, zhēn shì hǎoshì chéngshuāng a.
我 今天 又 升职 又 中 彩票， 真 是 好事 成双 啊。
Today I got promoted and won the lottery, good things really do happen in pairs. No Black and White Black and white, it’s a classic combination. But in China, do leave the black and white gift wrap at home. Together, black and white represent ...Read more. Instead, choose gifts that are red. Red represents ...Read more and you’ll see it everywhere during celebrations of all kinds. You can’t go wrong with red. Hold the Napkins, Hold the Tears Alright, so maybe you just want to keep things practical. You don’t want to buy them a gift they’ll never use. Blenders are a no, but how about a nice set of towels? ...Read more Example: Zhègè shǒupà hěn piàoliang.
这个 手帕 很 漂亮。
This handkerchief is so beautiful. Cutting deep I know what you’re thinking: Knives! Every kitchen needs knives. But in China, giving knives as wedding gifts isn’t just unimaginative, it’s out of the question. Receiving a knife brings to mind the phrase “一刀两断 (yìdāo liǎngduàn),” which means ...Read more. Example: Cóngcǐ yǐhòu, wǒ gēn nǐ yìdāoliǎngduàn.
从此 以后，我 跟 你 一刀两断。
From now onwards, I make to make clean break from you. | 