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Posts: 151

Governor

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Q: what "fangbian" really means?

Ok, my earlier question was deleted by admin , here comes the English version.  A foreigner who has learned a little Chinese comes to Taiwan for the first time. He’s invited to a restaurant by some Taiwanese friends.
 After led to their table, a Taiwanese friend says, (1)“Sorry, but I have to方便 (fang bian4)” and then left. Another Taiwanese friend explains to the foreigner that方便 means “going to the bathroom.”
 During the meal, one of the Taiwanese friends says to the foreigner, (2)“I hope next time when I go to your country, you can offer me some方便. ” The latter wonders, “Why do I have to offer him bathroom?”。” The folks eat and talk until the closing time. A waiter comes to the table and says, (3)“Sorry, but it’s our closing time. Would you please check the bill if it’s方便 for you?” The Taiwanese goes to the bathroom before he pays the bill. The foreigner wonders if it’s a special custom in Taiwan to go to the bathroom before checking the bill. Before they leave, one of the Taiwanese says to the foreigner,(4) “I’d also like to treat you to dinner when we both 方便.” The foreigner’s puzzled why they keep talking about going to the bathroom when inviting him to eat? Besides being a euphemism for “going to the bathroom,” 方便mainly means convenient. That’s why we have to use it when inviting someone. For example, in English you might say “Is it convenient for you to come tomorrow?” In Chinese it would be“明天你方便來嗎?” (ming2 tian ni3 fang bian4 lai2 ma?) In the second sentence, 方便 means favor, help. So the Taiwanese is asking for a potential favor from the foreigner. Such favors are often business ones, especially from the authority. For example, when passing the Customs, some celebrities or high ranking government officials might be allowed special entrance to give them privacy. This is a方便offered to them. In China, 方便麵 (fang bian4 mian4) refers to instant noodles while in Taiwan we call them 泡麵 (pao4 mian4). I’d also like mention one thing about inviting someone for dinner. It’s Chinese way to be modest and keep a low profile. As a result, when inviting someone to a meal, we often call the meal便飯, which means a simple, usual meal, nothing fancy or luxurious. So, next time, when you’re asked when it is方便 for you for a便飯, it has nothing to do with your nature call. And very unlikely it will turn out to be a simple potluck!   IF YOU HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE, YOU ARE WELCOME TO LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO SHARE!  

10 years 35 weeks ago in  General  - China

 
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Emperor

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fang bian not sure that is how you spell it means convenient                  fang bian fang bian means to take a piss

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10 years 35 weeks ago
 
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"In China, 方便麵 (fang bian4 mian4) refers to instant noodles while in Taiwan we call them 泡麵 (pao4 mian4)."

 

You mean, in Taiwan province you don't eat the same noodles? That's not fangbian.

 

May I be excused? I am going to go do some fangbian. I am so hungry.

diehard:

yes, that's right, different packaging, different taste, look it up on wikipedia .

10 years 35 weeks ago
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10 years 35 weeks ago
 
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I'm not sure what it means, but I am sure this post is a worth reading: Sex in China on a 30 day Visa.

99Silva:

Stop with the 30 day visa Thread...Capice?

10 years 35 weeks ago
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10 years 35 weeks ago
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TedDBayer:

If I can make Traveller stop, will you disappear Sparkey (and with out coming back with a new ID?)

10 years 35 weeks ago
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10 years 35 weeks ago
 
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I read all that expecting a funny punchline, like don't pee in my noodles or something?crying

diehard:

uh... like sorrel said "lost in translation", I can send you the Chinese version only if you can read it.

10 years 35 weeks ago
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10 years 35 weeks ago
 
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this seems to be an example of what some of my local friends call a 'cold joke' which is a joke, when translated and explained, is not that funny.

'Lost in translation' ??

diehard:

Yes, I posted the Chinese version  and it got deleted by admin cool

10 years 35 weeks ago
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10 years 35 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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Yes, 方便 has many meanings: verb-go to bathroom; adjective-convenient; adverb-comfortably; noun-convenience.

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10 years 35 weeks ago
 
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It means I'm having a really bad day due to some sort of headache or other aches...that are causing my head to explode..

Traveler:

I'm sorry you're having a bad day. Try reading Sex in China on a 30 day Visa to cheer yourself up.

10 years 35 weeks ago
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10 years 35 weeks ago

There are cookies, bookies and too many rookies for me to sit here trying to be a hooky! Looky Looky don't call me a wooky. Touchy Touchy Feely Feely Spicy Spicy Nicey Nicey & that's what the doctor Ordered!!

 
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