🏠 Daily Life Chinglish Phrases

One knife two pieces

一刀两断

Means to cut ties cleanly or end something decisively. A literal translation of the Chinese idiom.

Seven up eight down

七上八下

Describes an anxious or uneasy feeling, literally "seven up, eight down" like a heart leaping and sinking.

Long time no see

好久不见

A greeting used after a long period apart. Now standard English.

Heart tired

心累

Emotionally exhausted, mentally drained.

Good good study day day up

好好学习天天向上

Study hard and make progress every day.

No door

没门

No way, impossible.

You have two down son

你有两下子

You are quite skilled.

How old are you

怎么老是你

Pun: both asking age and "why is it always you."

You see see you one day day

你看看你一天天的

Look at yourself day after day (expression of disappointment).

Cry what cry

哭什么哭

Stop crying! What are you crying for?

You ask me I ask who

你问我我问谁

You ask me, then who do I ask? I have no idea.

Same same

一样一样

Same, identical.

Eat have not

吃了没

Have you eaten? A common Chinese greeting.

I eat too full

我吃太饱了

I ate too much, I am very full.

You this person how can like this

你这人怎么这样

How can you be like this?

I really service you

我真是服了你

I really admire you (sarcastic). I give up.

Want cry no tear

想哭没眼泪

So frustrated that you want to cry but have no tears.

I also think very strange

我也觉得很奇怪

I also find this very strange.

Why you so diao

你为什么这么屌

Why are you so awesome/cocky?

You go first I go first

你先走我先走

You go first, then I go. Politeness struggle in Chinese culture.