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Quiz about We Stole That from the Chinese

We Stole That from the Chinese Quiz

Unlike English words borrowed from European based languages, words borrowed from the Chinese are a little bit more obvious and less disguised. Here are ten of them.

A matching quiz by Joepetz. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Joepetz

Time
3 mins

Type
Match Quiz

Quiz #
390,405

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Very Easy

Avg Score
9 / 10

Plays
933

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 108 (10/10), zp2000 (10/10), Guest 68 (10/10).

(a) Drag-and-drop from the right to the left, or (b) click on a right side answer box and then on a left side box to move it.

Questions		Choices
1. From the Sino-Japanese word for human cart - that's a fairly accurate description		Rickshaw
2. From the Mandarin word for big wind - a definite understatement		Tofu
3. From the Cantonese phrase for cloud swallow - they can be quite heavenly if prepared right		Shih Tzu
4. From the Cantonese word for white vegetable - I always thought they were green		Tycoon
5. From the Cantonese word for golden tangerine - mmm... citrusy		Typhoon
6. From the Chinese word for fish brine - I think tomatoes are better		Bok choy
7. From the Mandarin word for lion - but not as intimidating		Kumquat
8. From the Chinese word for quickly - but they just slow me down		Ketchup
9. From the Middle Chinese word for rotten bean - this carnivore agrees		Wonton
10. From the Cantonese word for great nobleman - I was a roller coaster one in my childhood		Chopsticks

Select each answer

1. From the Sino-Japanese word for human cart - that's a fairly accurate description

2. From the Mandarin word for big wind - a definite understatement

3. From the Cantonese phrase for cloud swallow - they can be quite heavenly if prepared right

4. From the Cantonese word for white vegetable - I always thought they were green

5. From the Cantonese word for golden tangerine - mmm... citrusy

6. From the Chinese word for fish brine - I think tomatoes are better

7. From the Mandarin word for lion - but not as intimidating

8. From the Chinese word for quickly - but they just slow me down

9. From the Middle Chinese word for rotten bean - this carnivore agrees

10. From the Cantonese word for great nobleman - I was a roller coaster one in my childhood

Most Recent Scores

Nov 12 2024 : Guest 108: 10/10
Nov 11 2024 : zp2000: 10/10
Nov 01 2024 : Guest 68: 10/10
Nov 01 2024 : Verbonica: 10/10
Oct 23 2024 : Kiwikaz: 10/10
Oct 17 2024 : Guest 124: 10/10

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. From the Sino-Japanese word for human cart - that's a fairly accurate description

Answer: Rickshaw

The origin of the word rickshaw is a little complicated. It comes from the Sino-Japanese (meaning a combination of Chinese and Japanese) word "jinrikisha" which means human power cart. This refers to how rickshaws are lightweight carriages pulled by humans.

2. From the Mandarin word for big wind - a definite understatement

Answer: Typhoon

The Mandarin word for big wind is "dafeng". A similar phrase "daai fung" also exists in Cantonese and means the same thing. A typhoon is a large storm, similar to a hurricane, that occurs in the Pacific Ocean.

3. From the Cantonese phrase for cloud swallow - they can be quite heavenly if prepared right

Answer: Wonton

The English word wonton is derived from the Cantonese phrase "wantan" which means cloud swallow, referring to the shape of the wontons. Wontons are small, filled Chinese dumplings sometimes found in soup.

4. From the Cantonese word for white vegetable - I always thought they were green

Answer: Bok choy

Bok Choy is a leafy vegetable with green leaves and whitish stems. It is named from the Cantonese words "baak choi" which means white vegetable. It is also sometimes referred to as Chinese cabbage.

5. From the Cantonese word for golden tangerine - mmm... citrusy

Answer: Kumquat

Kumquats are small citrus fruits that look like tiny oranges. The name kumquat is a corruption of the Cantonese word for the fruit "gamgwat". Kumquats are native to China and the surrounding countries.

6. From the Chinese word for fish brine - I think tomatoes are better

Answer: Ketchup

Ketchup comes from the Min Nan Chinese word "ke-chiap" which refers to the brine in which a fish is marinated. Gradually over time the word evolved into ketchup and took on the meaning of any spicy sauce before finally evolving into the tomato-based condiment popular in English speaking countries today.

7. From the Mandarin word for lion - but not as intimidating

Answer: Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus are small-sized dogs that originated in China. There are named after the Mandarin Chinese word "shizi" which means lion. Shih Tzus were originally bred to resemble lions as depicted in some Chinese art. They are also called Chrysanthemum dogs.

8. From the Chinese word for quickly - but they just slow me down

Answer: Chopsticks

Chopsticks are named from the Chinese Pidgin English phrase "chop chop" which means quickly. Chinese Pidgin English is a simplified form of Chinese intended to make communication easier with English speakers. The language is also sometimes called Chinese Coastal English.

9. From the Middle Chinese word for rotten bean - this carnivore agrees

Answer: Tofu

Tofu is a fermented bean curd product. Its name comes from the Chinese word "doufu" meaning rotten bean, with rotten referring to fermented. The Japanese word for tofu is also "tofu" and it also comes from the Chinese word.

10. From the Cantonese word for great nobleman - I was a roller coaster one in my childhood

Answer: Tycoon

Tycoon, referring to a wealthy and powerful business person, comes from the Cantonese word "taipan" which means great nobleman. It originally referred to a powerful ruler as well as successful merchants. Another possible origin of the word tycoon is from the Japanese word "taikun" which means great lord and refers to the shoguns.

Source: Author Joepetz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ponycargirl before going online.
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