Chinglish：

1 “Welcome to my hometown”

You should only say this when someone is actually visiting you in your hometown.

When you are just telling people about your hometown, you can say, “That’s my hometown in a nutshell（简而言之，一言以蔽之）”

Or if you want to invite them, say something like, “Now you know about my hometown. I would love to show you around if you ever have a chance to visit me there

2 “Relax yourself” or “Have a rest”

Relax is verb, not a noun. Should be simply, “relax,”

as in:

a) “In my free time, I like to relax.”

b) “Listening to music helps me relax.”

c) When instructing someone else, just say, “Relax

• Can also say:

• take a break

• Unwind

• 放松，使轻松

• take it easy

• kill time

• put your feet up

• chill (out)

• chillax – slang

“Have a rest” is a Chinglish phrase. Although they will probably understand if someone else says this, native speakers do not say this.

Instead you should say “Get some rest.”

For example, “I don’t want you to catch a cold. Maybe you should go home and get some rest.”

Other casual phrases you can use include:

i. get some shuteye

ii. hit the sack就寝 / hit the hay

iii. rest up

If you’re talking about a brief time of rest or sleep, you can also say “take a nap.小睡一下”

3 “Have a try”

Try is verb, not a noun.

Instead of “have a try,”

you can just say “try it.” As in:

a) This food is fantastic! You should try it.

b) I have never had this before. I guess I’ll try it.

• Can also say:

• Try it out试一下吧

• Try it on (if it’s clothing)

• Try this

• Try my…

• Try the…

• Give it a shot.

• Popular phrase,

“I’ll try anything once”

4 “In a word”

“In a word” actually means that you will sum概括 something up in one word.

a) For example, “That movie was, in a word, incredible.”

• Instead, you can say:

• to sum up总之

• in conclusion最后，综上所述

• simply put

• in simple terms

• basically

• in a nutshell

5 How to pronounce:“Famous”“Campus”“Delicious”

a) None of these words have an “r” anywhere in them.

Be careful not to add an “r” sound to a simple “us.”

“Delicious” is a great word, but it’s important to remember that it’s not the ONLY word that can describe food.

• Alternatives供选方案 to Delicious:

• tasty

• Mouthwatering令人垂涎的

• Appetizing开胃的诱人是

• Flavorful可口的

• Succulent汁多味美的

• Scrumptious美味的

• “delish”

• yummy

• finger-licking

• amazing

6 “Daily Life” “Lover” and “Play”

The phrase “daily life” is not technically incorrect. However, it is an unusual phrase, and it sounds stilted 不自然的(unnaturally formal or strange) to native speakers.

Instead of “in my daily life”

you can say “on a daily basis.”

As in:

a) Sometimes I like to attend formal dinners but not on a daily basis.

b) It’s good for you to practice speaking English on a daily basis.

• You can also say:

• On a day-to-day basis

• Every day

• Regularly

• Usually

• Generally

• Generally-speaking

• In most situations

• Most of the time

Chinglish speakers often use “lover” in place of “boyfriend” or “girlfriend.” This is incorrect.

The word “lover” is an extremely personal word that refers to someone you are having sex with.

It is not used in public or casual contexts

• Instead you should say:

• boyfriend / girlfriend

• significant other

• “my other half”

• “main squeeze”

• sweetheart

• baby

• darling

• spouse (if married)

• Wifey / Hubby

“Play” in English is not the same as “wánr” or 玩儿

Young children often “play” together; however, when you ask adults (even young adults) to “play” with you, it has a very strange and somewhat inappropriate connotation (meaning), UNLESS you are referring to a specific sport or game.

• For example,

• “Do you want to play basketball with me?” is OK.

• “Do you want to play with me?” is not OK.

• Instead, you can say:

• hang out

• chill

• do something

• Or “Are you busy tomorrow?” followed by a suggestion for a specific activity, like “Do you want to go to a movie / go to the park / play cards?”

7 “Decorate Myself, Make-Up, and “Fashion” vs. “Fashionable”

“Decorate myself” is a Chinglish phrase. Don’t say it.

You decorate a cake or a room, but not a person, especially yourself.

• Instead you can say:

• get dressed up

• accessorize

• “get all dolled up”

• put on your “Sunday Best”

• “dressed to the nines”

“Make-up” is a noun.

The verb, “make up,” means you have made up with someone from a fight or you can make up for something you have done.

• The verbs you should use with “make-up” are:

• put on

• wear

• take off

• For example, “Before I go out, I put on make-up.”

Fashion is a noun.

It is incorrect to say someone is “fashion.”

Instead you should use the adjective and say that someone is “fashionable.”

• You can also say:

• trendy

• stylish['stailiʃ] 有格调的

• chic[ʃi:k]

• adj.<法>漂亮的, 时髦的, 潇洒的

There is also a term called “personal style” used to describe an individuals unique, yet stylish way of dressing.

8 Problem Sound: “th”

In order to pronounce the “th” sound correctly, you must stick your tongue [舌头] out a little bit [between your teeth]

9 The difference between: “Fun” & “Funny” “Bored” & Boring“ Nature” & “Natural”

If you enjoy it, it’s “fun”

For example: Games are fun.

Fun (n. or adj.)

amusing, entertaining, or enjoyable can be used with “to be” or with “to have”

If you laugh, it’s “funny”

For example: Jokes are funny.

Funny (adj.)

causing laughter or amusement; humorous can be used with “to be”, but NOT with “to have

If it’s a feeling you have – you are “bored”

For example: I feel bored when I have nothing to do.

Bored (adj.)

feeling weary because one is unoccupied or lacks interest in one's current activity

describes a personal feeling

If it’s something that isn’t interesting – it’s “boring”

For example: I think political speeches are boring.

Boring (adj.)

not interesting, tedious describes an activity (it is very rude to describe a person with this word

Things like plants, animals, mountains, etc. are parts of “nature”

For example: I often go outside to be closer to nature.

Nature (n.)

the world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the earth, not including humans or human creations

Things that are unchanged by people are described as “natural”

For example: My hair color is natural.

Natural (adj.)

existing in or caused by nature; not made or caused by humankind

10 “-a” or “-ah”

It’s common for native Chinese speakers to add an “-a” or “-ah” sound at the end of English words, especially words ending in a consonant

a) Ex: “that” becomes “that-ah”

11 Use of the word “ever”

It can be a little tricky微妙的、复杂的 to use “ever” correctly. Some correct common uses are:

a) “ever since” = throughout the period since

b) “ever so” = very [a little old-fashioned]

c) “for ever” = same as “forever”

“Ever” often used with the negative or in questions

Ex: Practice or you English won’t ever improve!

Ex: Have you ever tried stinky tofu?

i. *This question would not be answered with an “ever” statement unless the answer is negative*

It can sometimes be used to mean “at all times” or “always,” but it’s very commonly misused in this context [Keep in mind, it sets a more formal tone.]

She was ever practicing her pronunciation of “Th”

…and they lived happily ever after.

I thought it was going to be temporary, but Lady Gaga is as popular as ever.

If you aren’t sure you’re using it correctly or can’t remember the ways to use it right, it’s better to just use “always” or give a more specific answer.

Chinglish 中式英语大全