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Chinese Transliterations Trivia Quiz

This quiz regards transliterations, or loanwords, that have entered the Chinese vocabulary. These are the types of words that a foreign student of Chinese loves to see...it makes it easier to study. Have fun!

A multiple-choice quiz by thejazzkickazz. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
thejazzkickazz

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
26,264

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1716

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What English word is represented by the following 'mo tuo che' in Mandarin Chinese? Hint

motor oil

motorcycle & motorbike

mother

murder

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Question 2 of 10

2. 'Lei she' is the Chinese transliteration of what English word? Hint

lazy

leash

lace

laser

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Question 3 of 10

3. What are you sitting on if you sit on a 'sha fa'?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which of the following is a transliteration into Chinese of 'salad'? Hint

sha la

sai le

sa li de

she li da

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Question 5 of 10

5. Whose name has been transliterated as 'Ke lin dun'?

Answer: (Famous American)

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Question 6 of 10

6. 'Ao Da Li Ya' is the Chinese transliteration of what country's name? Hint

Japan

Rwanda

Romania

Australia

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Question 7 of 10

7. What English word is transliterated as 'mei ti'? Hint

media

mayday

mate

meat

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of the following country names is not transliterated in Chinese? Hint

United States

Australia

Turkey

Spain

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Question 9 of 10

9. The only term for 'philosophy' in Chinese is a transliteration.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. The Chinese language has very few loanwords from English and other Western languages (i.e. less than 1% of the dictionary).

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What English word is represented by the following 'mo tuo che' in Mandarin Chinese?

Answer: motorcycle & motorbike

2. 'Lei she' is the Chinese transliteration of what English word?

Answer: laser

3. What are you sitting on if you sit on a 'sha fa'?

Answer: sofa

4. Which of the following is a transliteration into Chinese of 'salad'?

Answer: sha la

5. Whose name has been transliterated as 'Ke lin dun'?

Answer: Clinton

6. 'Ao Da Li Ya' is the Chinese transliteration of what country's name?

Answer: Australia

Just for your information, the mandarin word for Japan is 'Ri ben'. The Japanese term 'Nippon' is a transliteration of this.

7. What English word is transliterated as 'mei ti'?

Answer: media

8. Which of the following country names is not transliterated in Chinese?

Answer: United States

'Mei guo (beautiful country)' is the name for the United States in Chinese. The rest are as follows: Turkey = Tu er ji, Australia = Ao da li ya, and Spain = Xi ban ya.

9. The only term for 'philosophy' in Chinese is a transliteration.

Answer: False

The word for philosophy is 'zhe xue', or 'wise study'.

10. The Chinese language has very few loanwords from English and other Western languages (i.e. less than 1% of the dictionary).

Answer: True

The Chinese language is actually quite untarnished by Western influence. The Chinese are a proud people, transliterated words are seen by many to be a 'contamination' of the language. Thus, instead of transliterations, the Chinese use calques such as 'dianshi (electric vision)' for television and 'tielu (iron road)' for railroad.

Source: Author thejazzkickazz

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