Chinese loan words and 'Friends'?- eChinacities Answers

Welcome to eChinacities Answers! Please or register if you wish to join conversations or ask questions relating to life in China. For help, click here.

[ Latest Answers ] [ Latest Questions ] [ Most Answered ] [ Need Answers ]

Verify email

Your verification code has been sent to:

Didn`t receive your code? Resend code

By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .

Ludovico

Posts: 335

Shifu

Q: Chinese loan words and 'Friends'?

Chinese has borrowed many words from the West, including sofa, humour, and caffeine. In fact, looking at these, it would appear that the loan words have all come exclusively from the US sitcom 'Friends'. Why do the Chinese use this popular sitcom as their basis for borrowing new words?

14 years 37 weeks ago in Culture - China

Report Abuse Email this post

Answers (7)

Comments (3)

sunilsah2050

Posts: 436

Shifu

Add Comment

Chinese girls borrow their english names from GOSSIP GIRLS .

Report Abuse

14 years 37 weeks ago

juneyao

Posts: 91

Shifu

Add Comment

Why do you think the loan words have all come exclusively from the US sitcom 'Friends'?

Report Abuse

14 years 37 weeks ago

Ludovico

Posts: 335

Shifu

Add Comment

Juneyao,

Have you ever watched 'Friends'? 90% of the time, they are sitting on a SOFA, drinking coffee (CAFFEINE), and cracking jokes (HUMOUR).

Something's fishy there...

Report Abuse

14 years 37 weeks ago

juneyao

Posts: 91

Shifu

Add Comment

Of course, I did.
But the loaned words you picked out was used far far before the "Friends" come out. Humor as far as I know already put to use in 1930s

Report Abuse

14 years 36 weeks ago

bradb

Posts: 73

Shifu

Comments( 3 ) Add Comment

Have you forgotten than >60% of English words are borrowed from other languages ?

rich45:

yea, but not form a sticom

14 years 18 weeks ago

Report Abuse

paulmartin:

that

13 years 15 weeks ago

Report Abuse

981977405:

and in turn those words were borrowed from other languages ...

13 years 11 weeks ago

Report Abuse

14 years 18 weeks ago

mattaya

Posts: 2603

Shifu

Add Comment

Probably because the Sitcom 'Friends' was popular for some time. Now that they won't have any more episodes they still show reruns and the loan words that you are speaking of could have just came to them in a dream.

Report Abuse

13 years 15 weeks ago

Scandinavian

Posts: 9631

Emperor

Add Comment

...I have seen no evidence that the Chinese have borrowed the word "humor" but rather "embarrassing platitudes"

Report Abuse

13 years 11 weeks ago

Know the answer ?

Please or register to post answer.

Answers HighlightMORE >>

Q: Can I get a job in China (i am Arabic teacher for native & non native)?

A: Your first step should be at FindJobs, top L corner of this screen, wh

A:Your first step should be at FindJobs, top L corner of this screen, where you should look for an Arabic language teacher job openings. In order to move to China for longer term (more than 30-days), you'll need an employer, who will sponsor your entry ( Z ) visa, Working and Residence permit later on.https://hrone.com/blog/work-visa-in-china-the-complete-2025-guide-for-professionals/ You could also look for a schools in China in need of Arabic language teacher, by using web's search engine with 'Arabic teacher in China' or similar in search. As I look quickly for an Arabic language teacher job openings in China ... https://www.hiredchina.com/jobs/arabic_teacher_1609227685465 https://jobs.echinacities.com/jobchapter/1355067167 https://www.georjob.com/jobs/we-need-an-arabic-teacher-in-beijing-tzikajvtkhlwuvixgexusmeukboizq Good luck! -- icnif77