Loanwords from Chinese Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cheongsam

A cheongsam in Cantonese is a traditional one piece, tight fitting dress with a slit skirt, mandarin collar, and features of Manchu origin. The word "cheongsam" comes from the Shanghai term "zansae". It is "qipao" in Chinese Pinyin. The dress was popularized by many Shanghai tailors who fled to Hong Kong after the Communist takeover in 1949.

Answer: Dim sum

In Chinese Pinyin, it is pronounced as "dian-xin". "Dian" means "small" and "xin" means "delight" or "touch the heart". Dim sum is very popular in Hong Kong, Guangdong province, Singapore, and Malaysia. Most Chinese like to eat dim sum in the late morning with Chinese tea. There are many varieties such as steamed sausage rolls, steamed soup dumplings, sticky rice in lotus leaf, steamed and baked pork buns, pan fried turnip cakes, and others.

Answer: Typhoon

The word first appeared druing the 18th century. Typhoon is a tropical cyclone that usually occurs from May to October, but it can also hit at any time. The strong winds are in excess of 70 kph, and affect Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the southern part of China. Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are not affected by typhoons.

Answer: Disapprove unwilling

Kowtow was originated from Cantonese. In Chinese Pinyin, it is pronounced as "kou tou". "Kou" means "knock" and "tou" means "head". In traditional China, kowtow is to kneel and touch one's head to the ground as a sign of respect to a higher authority, usually the government officials and Emperor. The word first appeared in early 1800s during the Qing dynasty. The other meaning is to obtain favor from someone by flattering.

Answer: From foreign countries

The term "taipan" originally referred to a powerful businessman who came from a foreign country and operated in Hong Kong and China. The novel "Tai-pan", written by James Clavell, was about a powerful foreign trader who moved to operate in Hong Kong after the First Opium War in 1842. In Cantonese, "taipan" means "big boss".

Answer: Brainwashing

"Xinao" is a Chinese Pinyin word; "xi" is "wash" and nao" is "brain". It means to force someone systematically to give up one's basic belief in politics, social and religion, and to accept a contrasting doctrine. This word started to appear in the newspaper in 1950. During the Korean War (1950-1953), it was noticed in the change of the behavior in some of the American POWs when they were released after the war.

Answer: Oolong

Oolong tea originated in China about 400 years ago. Literally "oo" means "black" and "long" is "dragon". It is made from semi-green fermented leaves, sometimes called "green leaves with a red edge". The tea, however, is neither black or green. It always appears black due to its more black characteristics. Chinese believe the tea can reduce fat decomposition to aid in weight loss.

Answer: Silk

Silk was discovered in 3630 BC in Henan province during the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC). The Silk Road was established by Han Dynasty Emperor Han Wuti (140-87 BC). He sent Zhang Qian twice as an envoy to establish the trade routes to the Western Region from present-day Xian (Shanxi Province), through Xinjiang, Central Asia, and the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Silk cultivation was spread to Europe around 520 AD.

Answer: Can work together

In Chinese Pinyin, "gong" is "work" and "he" is "together". Another meaning is to describe someone who is too eager to fight. Other similar meanings include dedicated, enthusiastic, ardent, and obsessive. In the 1930s, gong he was a co-operative group of industrial companies. The US Marines adopted this word during WWII as can-do spirit.

Answer: Shanghai

Shanghai is to force someone to board a ship by unscrupulous means, usually by drug or liquor. Another meaning is to trick someone into an undesirable situation. The word first appeared around 1871. In 1840, Shanghai was rapidly developed as an international port by the British, so it attracted many people to the city port. It was a location where people could be easily tricked or kidnapped by strangers.