Episode Details

This explores popular words like '萌', '控', and '宅' that entered Chinese from Japanese and their cultural meanings.

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Available in 8 languages on the app:

Chinese Listening | 중국어 리스닝 | 中国語リスニング | Аудирование по китайскому языку | Nghe tiếng Trung | Mendengarkan bahasa Mandarin | Escucha en chino | การฟังภาษาจีน | Chinesisches Hören | Écoute du chinois | Ascolto cinese | Audição em chinês | चीनी सुनना | الاستماع إلى اللغة الصينية

《English Translation》

优子: Teacher Liu, I noticed something interesting. Chinese friends often say things like 'so cute' using '萌', or 'I'm very宅'. They sound a lot like Japanese. Is that just a coincidence?
刘娜: You have a sharp eye! These words do come from Japanese. For example, '萌' originally meant 'plants sprouting' in Chinese, but now '好萌' means 'very cute'. This usage was introduced from Japan.
优子: I see! What about '控'? I've heard expressions like '萝莉控' or '眼镜控'.
刘娜: '控' originally meant 'to control' in Chinese, but now it’s used as a suffix to mean 'someone who really likes something'. This also comes from Japanese usage. For example, a '咖啡控' is someone who really loves coffee.
优子: That’s so interesting! I also often hear people say things like '宅在家里'. Did that come from Japanese too?
刘娜: Yes! '宅' originally just meant 'house', but now it refers to someone who likes staying at home and not going out. This usage was also influenced by Japanese. When young people say 'I’m going to 宅 today', they mean staying home.
优子: These loanwords really enrich Chinese expression! As a Japanese person, it feels amazing to see words from my country become popular in Chinese.
刘娜: That’s how languages work—through mutual exchange and learning. These words fill gaps in Chinese expression, make young people’s communication more vivid, and also show the depth of cultural exchange between China and Japan.