{"id":7824,"date":"2018-01-05T13:01:59","date_gmt":"2018-01-05T05:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.writtenchinese.com\/?p=7824"},"modified":"2022-09-01T11:38:27","modified_gmt":"2022-09-01T03:38:27","slug":"common-chinese-symbols-and-meanings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.writtenchinese.com\/common-chinese-symbols-and-meanings\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Chinese Characters You’ll Definitely Find in Chinatown"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chinatown is a great way to begin looking for Chinese characters in your home country. You\u2019ll find useful characters or bigrams (2-character combinations) repeated frequently, which is handy if you\u2019re a beginner studying Written Chinese! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of these common Chinese symbols are found as traditional Chinese characters, but <\/span>it\u2019s often helpful to look at the traditional version of a character<\/span><\/a>, even if you\u2019re learning simplified characters.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The examples below have been found in Chinatowns around the world, so next time you\u2019re in Chinatown, lookout for these common Chinese symbols and you\u2019ll know their meanings!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u4e2d\u570b \/ \u4e2d\u56fd<\/span><\/a> (zh\u014dng gu\u00f3) China<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Two of the most common Chinese characters found together in written Chinese are \u4e2d\u56fd (zh\u014dng<\/span> gu\u00f3) or \u2018China\u2019. \u4e2d (zh\u014dng) means \u2018middle\u2019, whilst \u56fd (gu\u00f3) means \u2018country\u2019, but in ancient times, was also used for \u2018capital city\u2019. China is often referred to as the \u2018Middle Kingdom\u2019, but this is not an egotistical reference to being the center of the world, but describes the Luoyang Basin. The basin was considered to be the central point of the \u2018known\u2019 world, which in Chinese culture was seen as being righteous and balanced. Just look at the Chinese character \u4e2d and consider the balance of the character.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u83ef\u57e0 \/ \u534e\u57e0<\/span><\/a> (hu\u00e1 b\u00f9) \/ <\/span>\u4e2d\u570b\u57ce \/ \u4e2d\u56fd\u57ce<\/span><\/a> (zh\u014dng gu\u00f3 ch\u00e9ng) \/ <\/span>\u5510\u4eba\u8857<\/span><\/a> (t\u00e1ng r\u00e9n ji\u0113) Chinatown<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Image Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Chinatown\u2019 is sometimes translated literally into \u2018\u4e2d\u56fd\u57ce\u2019 \u2018Chinatown\u2019, although it is more commonly found <\/span>written as the colloquial \u534e\u57e0<\/span><\/a>. \u2018\u83ef is used as an alternative word for \u2018China\u2019, <\/span>used by the Han people<\/span><\/a>, but is now <\/span>associated with something that is not geographically related to China<\/span><\/a>. \u57e0 means \u2018wharf\u2019 or \u2018port\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Image Source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Chinese immigrants arrived in the USA and UK during the diaspora<\/span><\/a>, they would often keep themselves to 2 or 3 streets, known as \u5510\u4eba\u8857 (<\/span>t\u00e1ng<\/span> r\u00e9n<\/span> ji\u0113)<\/span> or \u2018the streets of the Tang\u2019. Tang refers to the Tang dynasty <\/span>\u5510\u671d (618-907) which was an imperial dynasty said to be the \u2018high point\u2019 of Chinese civilisation. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u8d85\u5e02<\/span><\/a> (ch\u0101o sh\u00ec) Supermarket \/ <\/span>\u5e02\u5834 \/ \u5e02\u573a<\/span><\/a> (sh\u00ec ch\u01ceng) Marketplace<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u8d85\u5e02 (ch\u0101o sh\u00ec) is a very literal translation of \u2018super\u2019 and \u2018market\u2019 and is short for <\/span>\u8d85\u7ea7\u5e02\u573a<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>ch\u0101o<\/span> j\u00ed<\/span> sh\u00ec <\/span>ch\u01ceng)<\/span>. You may also see \u2018\u5e02\u2019 (sh\u00ec) by itself, or with \u5834 \/\u573a (ch\u01ceng) to mean \u2018marketplace\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\u98ef\u5e97 \/ \u996d\u5e97<\/span><\/a> (f\u00e0n di\u00e0n) \/ <\/span>\u9910\u9928 \/ \u9910\u9986<\/span><\/a> (c\u0101n gu\u01cen) Restaurant<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Image Source <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be on the lookout for \u996d\u5e97 (f\u00e0n di\u00e0n) or \u9910\u9986 (c\u0101n gu\u01cen) when you\u2019re hungry! \u996d (f\u00e0n) means \u2018food\u2019 or \u2018meal\u2019 and \u5e97 (di\u00e0n) means \u2018shop\u2019. You\u2019ll no doubt see \u5e97 (di\u00e0n) on many shop signs in Chinatown. \u996d\u5e97 is often a larger, more expensive establishment that sometimes has accommodation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u9928 \/ \u9986<\/span><\/a> (gu\u01cen) Shop \/ Establishment<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Image Source<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u9986 <\/span>(gu\u01cen)<\/span> is a word used in a similar way to \u5e97 (di\u00e0n), although \u9986 is often a place where you can sit and use the establishment such as a <\/span>\u5496\u5561\u9986<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>k\u0101<\/span> f\u0113i<\/span> gu\u01cen)<\/span> \u2018coffee shop\u2019 or <\/span>\u9910\u9986 \u2018restaurant\u2019.<\/span> \u65c5\u9986<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>l\u01da<\/span> gu\u01cen)<\/span> can also sometimes be used for \u2018hotel\u2019. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u9152\u5bb6<\/span><\/a> (ji\u01d4 ji\u0101) Restaurant \/ Tavern<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Image Source<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u9152\u5bb6 (ji\u01d4 ji\u0101) is a phrase rarely used in modern Chinese but was used to express \u2018restaurant\u2019. This is still commonly found in Chinatowns around the world. You\u2019ll find a cheaper, more casual place to eat and drink than a \u996d\u5e97 (f\u00e0n di\u00e0n).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u9152\u5e97<\/span><\/a> (ji\u01d4 di\u00e0n) Hotel \/ Restaurant<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Although \u996d\u5e97 (f\u00e0n di\u00e0n) is sometimes used as a place with accommodation, \u9152\u5e97 (ji\u01d4 di\u00e0n) is also used for a \u2018hotel\u2019. \u9152\u5e97 (ji\u01d4 di\u00e0n) translates to \u2018wine inn\u2019 and was traditionally a place to eat, drink and sleep before continuing on a long journey.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u5929\u4e0b\u70ba\u516c \/ \u5929\u4e0b\u4e3a\u516c<\/span><\/a> (ti\u0101n xi\u00e0 w\u00e8i g\u014dng) \u2018To serve the world as a whole\u2019<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Image Source<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u5929\u4e0b<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>ti\u0101n<\/span> xi\u00e0) <\/span>means \u2018the land under heaven\u2019 and was first seen in texts during the Zhou period ((1046\u2013221 BCE). The phrase \u5929\u4e0b\u70ba\u516c was used as a social commentary that the world should be owned by the people. This goes back to the hereditary inheritance of the \u2018throne\u2019 or leadership role during the Chinese dynasties. The people believed that the leader should be the most \u2018able\u2019 and virtuous person, not given the position based on the blood. This led to the social ideal of \u5929\u4e0b\u70ba\u516c .<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u6599\u7406<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>li\u00e0o<\/span> l\u01d0) Cuisine<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
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YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 15, 2015: Yokohama’s Chinatown district at night. It is the largest Chinatown in Japan.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Image Source<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u6599\u7406 (li\u00e0o l\u01d0) means \u2018cuisine\u2019 and was \u2018borrowed\u2019 from the Japanese \u6599\u308a\u3087 \u3046\u7406\u308a. \u6599\u7406 (li\u00e0o l\u01d0) is often found with the character for \u2018shop\u2019 \u5e97 di\u00e0n), which also means \u2018restaurant\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u65b0\u6625\u5feb\u6a02 \/ \u65b0\u6625\u5feb\u4e50<\/span><\/a> (x\u012bn ch\u016bn ku\u00e0i l\u00e8) Happy Beginning Of Spring (Happy New Year)<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Image Source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chinatowns around the world put up decorations and have celebrations on the street during Chinese New Year. During this time, you may see \u65b0\u6625\u5feb\u6a02 literally meaning \u2018Happy Beginning of Spring\u2019. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you found other commonly occurring Chinese characters in a Chinatown or your local area? Share the characters of your photos below!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\n
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\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Chinese Character Men\u2019s\/Women\u2019s Sterling Ring<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Women\u2019s Chinese Traditional Wedge Shoes<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m awesome\u201d in Chinese T-shirt <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201dKing\u201d in Chinese T-shirt <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeace\u201d in Chinese T-shirt <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love you\u201d in Chinese Gift Necklace<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cFriend\u201d in Chinese Sterling Silver Friendship Necklace<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Riot Society Hoodie<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWisdom\u201d in Chinese T-shirt <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHarmony\u201d in Chinese T-shirt<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First Chinese Words Cute Picture Book<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chinatown is a great way to begin looking for Chinese characters in your home country. You\u2019ll find useful characters or bigrams (2-character combinations) repeated frequently, which is handy if you\u2019re a beginner studying Written Chinese! Most of these common Chinese symbols are found as traditional Chinese characters, but it\u2019s often helpful to look at the… Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7839,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[142,84],"tags":[259,175,269,47,322,355],"class_list":["use-editor no-single","post-7824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-culture-lessons","tag-beginners","tag-chinese-characters","tag-culture","tag-spring-festival","tag-tourist","tag-tradition"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCommon Chinese Symbols and Meanings - Written Chinese<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn Chinese in Chinatown! 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