The Top 4 Mandarin Misunderstandings by Chinese Learners

Mandarin Chinese is definitely a foreign language for Westerners and even Easterners alike. But what are some of the most common misconceptions that Mandarin Chinese Learners have? We explore the top four below:

Not true! When I was traveling throughout China, even though I was an HSK Level 6, I couldn't understand much of the conversation in the more rural provinces. Why? Because besides Mandarin Chinese, there are many different "方言 (fāngyán) dialects" spoken in China. Different Chinese dialects have different pronunciation. So don't be surprised if you can't understand what Chinese people are saying on the street, even if you have passed the HSK 6!

If you're not able to understand chances are that these people are speaking a different dialect of Chinese. And yes, even Chinese people can not understand each other if each is speaking his/her own dialect. So you're not alone.

Local dialects will affect the Mandarin used in daily conversation.

Different Mandarin dialects have different pronunciation. Due to the dialects influence, people from different provinces also have different accents even though they all speak Mandarin Chinese. It's similar to accents in the United States--and the different vocabulary different regions have. There's southern accents, Minnesota accents, New York accents--and many more. Many different people in America pronounce English differently.

Also not true! In many Mandarin textbooks it will be written that people say the following to greet one another:

"你好吗 (Nǐ hǎo ma)?= How are you?
"很高兴认识你 (Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ)! = Nice to meet you!"

Often, the Mandarin Chinese students in my class will hear trendy slang language that they don't understand. It's always fun, as a Chinese teacher, to explain to the class what these new expressions mean. Often, I let the students make an educated guess before explaining the meaning fully. Today, I will introduce to you an expression that is commonly used online in forums and group chats, but also increasingly used on the streets. The expression is "躺着也中枪 (Tǎngzhe yě zhòngqiāng) Get shot even when lying down". Can you guess what it means?

For occasions when you are the "innocent bystander" and a victim of overhearing some gossip or criticism that was not intended for you, but applies to you and may offend you anyway, you "躺着也中枪 (Tǎngzhe yě zhòngqiāng) Get shot even when lying down". Basically, you are caught in the crossfire even though you tried to remain quiet and not get involved. You're innocent, but still hit. How unfortunate!

"躺枪 (tǎngqiāng)" is the shortened version of "躺着也中枪 (Tǎngzhe yě zhòngqiāng)". "躺枪 (tǎngqiāng)" is often used online and by young people in social situations.

We can break the expression down as:

躺着 (tǎngzhe) = lying down;
也 (yě) = also;
中枪 (zhòngqiāng) = get shot.

Examples of how you can use "躺着也中枪 (Tǎngzhe yě zhòngqiāng) Get shot even when lying down" in everyday conversation:

Quiz:

A. You make someone angry and they want to pick an argument with you.
B. You can't agree on a resolution to an argument.
C. You are minding your own business and someone suddenly insults people from your country.
D. You criticize people who are behaving a certain way in an online forum.
See Answer