Broken English produced by people whose mother tongue is Chinese, that results from one or more of the following:
- translating Chinese sentences on a word-by-word basis, instead of conveying the intended meaning (e.g. translating "wǒ hěn xǐhuan" as "I very like" instead of "I like it a lot")
- using faulty translation software and not bothering to check whether the translation is correct (e.g. translating "sàn gānguǒ" as "Spread to fuck the fruit" instead of "loose dried fruits"
- using obscure or slang words instead of the more common synonym (e.g. translating "Guānmén" as "steek" instead of "close", or translating "Shǒuzhǐ" as "bumf" instead of "toilet paper")
- falling victim of absurd translations provided as jokes (e.g. translating "tāotiè" as "exterminate capitalism" instead of "tantalizing")
- translating Chinese sentences on a word-by-word basis, instead of conveying the intended meaning (e.g. translating "wǒ hěn xǐhuan" as "I very like" instead of "I like it a lot")
- using faulty translation software and not bothering to check whether the translation is correct (e.g. translating "sàn gānguǒ" as "Spread to fuck the fruit" instead of "loose dried fruits"
- using obscure or slang words instead of the more common synonym (e.g. translating "Guānmén" as "steek" instead of "close", or translating "Shǒuzhǐ" as "bumf" instead of "toilet paper")
- falling victim of absurd translations provided as jokes (e.g. translating "tāotiè" as "exterminate capitalism" instead of "tantalizing")
Get rid of those signs! You can't expect people to read "To take notice of safe: The slippery are very crafty" and not to laugh at us!
(that was probably what Chen Lin said, when he decided that Chinglish signs in Beijing needed to be replaced)
(that was probably what Chen Lin said, when he decided that Chinglish signs in Beijing needed to be replaced)
by Darth Detori January 10, 2011
English with Chinese grammar mixed together during speaking a sentence. Tho the term is sometimes used with a variation of other Asian spoken languages.
Although the term is widely expressed nowadays, it is still legally considered Slang as, unlike its neighbor term "Spanglish" is not featured in an official dictionary.
Although the term is widely expressed nowadays, it is still legally considered Slang as, unlike its neighbor term "Spanglish" is not featured in an official dictionary.
by Lm8000 July 3, 2014
A style of speaking English by native born Chinese people, that is formed by the natural differences in our languages. Certain fundamental differences are difficult to overcome, even if the speaker is highly educated. Simple things can come into play, from the fact that the Chinese word for he and she is the same word, "TA", to the lack of any "V" sound in their entire language.
Interesting side note: the word "usually" seems to be the most difficult word for a Mandarin Chinese speaker to say in English.
Interesting side note: the word "usually" seems to be the most difficult word for a Mandarin Chinese speaker to say in English.
English - My husband (he) took me to a restaurant last night.
Chinglish - My husband, last night she take me to restaurant.
English - Hey, we shouldn't buy a sportscar, we should buy a mini-van.
Chinglish - Hi, we should not buy sportscar, we should buy mini-wan.
Chinglish - My husband, last night she take me to restaurant.
English - Hey, we shouldn't buy a sportscar, we should buy a mini-van.
Chinglish - Hi, we should not buy sportscar, we should buy mini-wan.
by An1Zhu2 June 29, 2006
Chinese/Japanese text that has been translated into English by someone Chinese/Japanese. This can give embarassing results, or just plain stupid ones. See Instruction manuals from cheap remote controlled cars, etc.
by Chris Blunden July 26, 2004
A combination of the words Chinese and English, referring to text which has been translated from Chinese into English where said text makes little sense, often due to a lack of grammar or the use of random words. Words may also be spelled incorrectly.
I bought something from China, it came with a card in Chinglish which said: "Bless everything goes well ! If like our items, please kindly help leave a 5 star review ! If have any questions, we will always beside by you !"
by Hana26 August 18, 2017
Chinese English.
I live in an english speaking country where 14% of the population is made up of asian immigrants whose english can be heavily accented or they speak using poor grammar or pronunciation.
My friends and I started to call these misprounouncings as Chinglish and in my town it is starting to be a common expression now.
I live in an english speaking country where 14% of the population is made up of asian immigrants whose english can be heavily accented or they speak using poor grammar or pronunciation.
My friends and I started to call these misprounouncings as Chinglish and in my town it is starting to be a common expression now.
by Dunedin November 4, 2006
while at a Chinese restaurant, the waitress tries explaining the specials in chinglish , i don't understand, i don't speak chinglish.
by Jewelzfire June 19, 2014