Chinese Listening Practice | 淺談「台灣流行語」(Cool Chinese Buzzwords/Slangs in 2022)

Summary

Let’s learn some buzzwords to spice up your Mandarin Chinese today! The content roughly corresponds to HSK6 and up.

🔽Go to the end of this blog post to check out our Free Verse Poem Challenge.


🆔 About Us
📽️ YouTube:https://youtube.com/@trilingual-chatbox
📱 twitter:https://twitter.com/3lingualcb
📬 Email:3lingual.cb@gmail.com


🎶 BGM
● 甘茶の音楽工房「夏色のキャンパス」


©️ This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.


Photo by UK Black Tech on Unsplash

💠Vocabulary

  1. 變遷/变迁 biànqiān
    changes [HSK6][TBCL6]
  2. 過時/过时 guòshí
    old-fashioned; out of date [TBCL6]
  3. 術語/术语 shùyǔ
    term; terminology [TBCL6]
  4. 發布/发布 fābù
    to release; to issue; to announce; to distribute [HSK6][TBCL6]
  5. 建構/建构 jiàngòu
    to construct; to set up; to develop [TBCL6]
  6. 擴增實境/扩增实境 kuòzēngshíjìng
    augmented reality (AR; computing)
  7. 虛擬實境/虚拟实境 xūnǐshíjìng
    virtual reality (VR; used in Taiwan)
  8. 商機/商机 shāngjī
    business opportunity; commercial opportunity [TBCL6]
  9. 失序 shīxù
    to get into disarray [TBCL7]
  10. 醜聞/丑闻 chǒuwén
    scandal [TBCL6]
  11. 大肆 dàsì
    without restraint; unbridled [HSK6][TBCL7]
  12. 附和 fùhè
    to agree; to echo (what sb says) [HSK6][TBCL6]
  13. 任意 rènyì
    any; arbitrary; at will; at random [HSK6][TBCL6]
  14. 詩意/诗意 shīyì
    poetic quality or flavor [TBCL6]
  15. 捲/卷 juǎn
    to roll (up) (one’s tongue, etc) [HSK6]

💠Transcript

Hello, I’m Lori, your host of the Trilingual Chatbox today. Let’s begin today’s episode by answering the two questions from Listening Practice episode number 24. Feel free to skip ahead if you’ve already checked your answers, or you haven’t even listened to the previous episode yet. [……] All right. Those are the answers.

– Traditional Chinese –

以上就是上上一回聽力練習的答案。那我們現在就開始今天的聽力練習。我使用的語言程度在HSK漢語水平考試的第6級以上,語速會是正常偏快的喔。我們要來談談所謂的Buzzwords,也就是流行語。華語圈裡有些什麼樣的流行語呢?大家可以先看一看今天的單字,再繼續播放。

那我們現在開始囉!

首先呢,在中文裡面「流行語」這三個字其實經常對應到英文的「Slang」和「Buzzword」這幾個字。「Slang」比較像是中文所說的「俚語」,這些詞語已經在某個地區行之有年,也相當普遍,大多數人都能理解。不過使用中的語言就像是有機生物體一樣,會隨著時間、或隨著社會變遷₁、文化潮流等等而產生新增的詞彙,一個俚語過時₂了,使用的人就會比較少,所以很容易可以依據一個人使用的俚語來大約判斷他的年紀。如果大家試著在網路上搜尋相關資訊的話,就會發現台灣大多數的流行語都是指這一類型的詞彙。

而「Buzzword」比較接近英文的「Jargon」,也就是中文的「行話」或是「專業術語₃」,但不止是這樣而已,「Buzzword」是被延伸到其他領域廣泛使用的專業術語。台灣還沒有特定的機構選出當年度最具代表性的Buzzwords,不過中國有一個機構叫「國家語言資源監測與研究中心」,他們會在每年約12月發布₄「年度十大網路用語」,這些網路用語比較接近Buzzwords的定義。那今天,我就從這些流行語當中,選幾個直到今年在台灣都還經常使用的共同流行語或俚語,一併在節目中跟大家分享。

第一個詞是「元宇宙」。元宇宙(metaverse)的概念來自美國科幻小說家尼爾史蒂文森 (Neal Stephenson)在1992年出版的小說《潰雪(Snow Crash)》,這個詞彙指的就是建構₅一個虛擬現實的世界,人們將可以在元宇宙當中從事任何現實當中能做的活動,例如聊天、購物,但跟純粹的虛擬世界不同的是,元宇宙實際上結合了虛擬及現實世界並讓人們透過網路在兩者之間進行互動。而這個概念與擴增實境₆虛擬實境₇等技術的應用將能幫助人類發揮無限的想像,產生無窮的商機₈,於是這個詞彙也越來越多人在各行各業當中廣泛使用了。

第二個詞是「炎上」。這個詞彙源自於日語「えんじょう」,華語從日語借用了這個字的引伸義,指的是因為失言等等的公共失序₉行為或甚至醜聞₁₀、而在網路上受到大肆₁₁批評的狀態。那要怎麼使用呢?舉例來說,在新聞標題中可能可以看到「某某事件炎上」,表示這個事件持續延燒、仍然受到高度關注甚至抨擊的意思。「炎上」這個詞只有負面的意義。

第三個詞是「像極了愛情」,據說這句話來自一名網友。來由是這樣的,有一首在網路上流傳的音樂視頻很受歡迎(台灣稱作音樂錄影帶),這名網友就在視頻下方的留言區留下了這個詞,很多人附和₁₂他的說法。接著網路上開始流傳一個遊戲,只要在任意₁₃的一段話下面加上「像極了愛情」這幾個字,就變成了一首像樣的新詩。例如:

我一打開窗
窗邊的小鳥就飛走了
像極了愛情

雖然前面這兩個句子沒有什麼特別的詩意₁₄,但跟「像極了愛情」這句話結合的時候,就會讓人思考,愛情是不是就像這樣,一接近、就消失了呢?大家是不是也覺得很有意思!

最後一個是俚語「芭比Q了」。這個詞源自英文,不曉得大家猜不猜得到「芭比Q」是什麼英文字呢?沒錯,這其實是中文式發音的「Barbecue」,把捲₁₅舌音省略了。至於「了」這個字,相信在學習中文的各位絕對不陌生,它有表示完成的意味。所以「芭比Q了」就是「Being barbecued」- 「被燒烤過了」的意思。這個詞其實是中國有一位網友在玩網路遊戲被打敗的時候,說了這句話,表示自己「完蛋了」、「沒有希望了」、「輸了」的意思。是不是很有趣呢?

那我們今天的流行語就介紹到這裡囉!最後,大家可以試著回答兩個問題:

問題一、Lori提到中文的「流行語」涵蓋了英文的「Slang」和「Buzzword」。請問「元宇宙」比較像是「Buzzword」還是「Slang」?
問題二、請你試試看用「像極了愛情」寫一首短詩。

非常歡迎你到WordPress網站分享你寫的短詩給我和Mai-san看看喔!接下來就是英文版的部份了,大家可以確認一下,剛剛你究竟理解了多少。

– Simplified Chinese –

以上就是上上一回听力练习的答案。那我们现在就开始今天的听力练习。我使用的语言程度在HSK汉语水平考试的第6级以上,语速会是正常偏快的喔。我们要来谈谈所谓的Buzzwords,也就是流行语。华语圈里有些什么样的流行语呢?大家可以先看一看今天的单字,再继续播放。

那我们现在开始啰!

首先呢,在中文里面「流行语」这三个字其实经常对应到英文的「Slang」和「Buzzword」这几个字。「Slang」比较像是中文所说的「俚语」,这些词语已经在某个地区行之有年,也相当普遍,大多数人都能理解。不过使用中的语言就像是有机生物体一样,会随着时间、或随着社会变迁₁、文化潮流等等而产生新增的词汇,一个俚语过时₂了,使用的人就会比较少,所以很容易可以依据一个人使用的俚语来大约判断他的年纪。如果大家试着在网路上搜寻相关资讯的话,就会发现台湾大多数的流行语都是指这一类型的词汇。

而「Buzzword」比较接近英文的「Jargon」,也就是中文的「行话」或是「专业术语₃」,但不止是这样而已,「Buzzword」是被延伸到其他领域广泛使用的专业术语。台湾还没有特定的机构选出当年度最具代表性的Buzzwords,不过中国有一个机构叫「国家语言资源监测与研究中心」,他们会在每年约12月发布₄「年度十大网路用语」,这些网路用语比较接近Buzzwords的定义。那今天,我就从这些流行语当中,选几个直到今年在台湾都还经常使用的共同流行语或俚语,一并在节目中跟大家分享。

第一个词是「元宇宙」。元宇宙(metaverse)的概念来自美国科幻小说家尼尔史蒂文森 (Neal Stephenson)在1992年出版的小说《溃雪(Snow Crash)》,这个词汇指的就是建构₅一个虚拟现实的世界,人们将可以在元宇宙当中从事任何现实当中能做的活动,例如聊天、购物,但跟纯粹的虚拟世界不同的是,元宇宙实际上结合了虚拟及现实世界并让人们透过网路在两者之间进行互动。而这个概念与扩增实境₆虚拟实境₇等技术的应用将能帮助人类发挥无限的想像,产生无穷的商机₈,于是这个词汇也越来越多人在各行各业当中广泛使用了。

第二个词是「炎上」。这个词汇源自于日语「えんじょう」,华语从日语借用了这个字的引伸义,指的是因为失言等等的公共失序₉行为或甚至丑闻₁₀、而在网路上受到大肆₁₁批评的状态。那要怎么使用呢?举例来说,在新闻标题中可能可以看到「某某事件炎上」,表示这个事件持续延烧、仍然受到高度关注甚至抨击的意思。「炎上」这个词只有负面的意义。

第三个词是「像极了爱情」,据说这句话来自一名网友。来由是这样的,有一首在网路上流传的音乐视频很受欢迎(台湾称作音乐录影带),这名网友就在视频下方的留言区留下了这个词,很多人附和₁₂他的说法。接着网路上开始流传一个游戏,只要在任意₁₃的一段话下面加上「像极了爱情」这几个字,就变成了一首像样的新诗。例如:

我一打开窗
窗边的小鸟就飞走了
像极了爱情

虽然前面这两个句子没有什么特别的诗意₁₄,但跟「像极了爱情」这句话结合的时候,就会让人思考,爱情是不是就像这样,一接近、就消失了呢?大家是不是也觉得很有意思!

最后一个是俚语「芭比Q了」。这个词源自英文,不晓得大家猜不猜得到「芭比Q」是什么英文字呢?没错,这其实是中文式发音的「Barbecue」,把卷₁₅舌音省略了。至于「了」这个字,相信在学习中文的各位绝对不陌生,它有表示完成的意味。所以「芭比Q了」就是「Being barbecued」- 「被烧烤过了」的意思。这个词其实是中国有一位网友在玩网路游戏被打败的时候,说了这句话,表示自己「完蛋了」、「没有希望了」、「输了」的意思。是不是很有趣呢?

那我们今天的流行语就介绍到这里啰!最后,大家可以试着回答两个问题:

问题一、Lori提到中文的「流行语」涵盖了英文的「Slang」和「Buzzword」。请问「元宇宙」比较像是「Buzzword」还是「Slang」?
问题二、请你试试看用「像极了爱情」写一首短诗。

非常欢迎你到WordPress网站分享你写的短诗给我和Mai-san看看喔!接下来就是英文版的部份了,大家可以确认一下,刚刚你究竟理解了多少。

– English –

The meaning of the word “Liú Xíng Yǔ” in Chinese actually encompasses both “slang” and “buzzword” in English. “Lǐ Yǔ” means “slang” in Chinese, referring to words or phrases that have been used in a specific area for a long time. They are common and understood by most people. However, languages are like living organisms. New vocabulary is generated over time due to social changes, cultural trends, and so on. If a slang term is outdated, fewer people are likely to use it. It becomes easy to tell a person’s age based on the slang words they use. You’ll find that most of the buzzwords in Taiwan actually refer to slang words if you try googling the keyword.

By definition, the word “buzzword” is closer to “jargon,” though not exactly the same. A buzzword is a professional term derived from jargon and has been extended beyond its original fields. We don’t have any specific organization in Taiwan that puts together the most symbolic buzzwords of the year. There is one institute in China, though, called the “National Language Resources Monitoring and Research Center.” It releases the top ten new words and cyber slang phrases of the year in December annually. These terms are actually closer to the definition of buzzwords. So today, I will select and share with you guys some buzzwords or slang terms that are still commonly used in Taiwan as of the time I speak right now.

The first word is “Yuán Yǔ Zhòu,” which means “metaverse” in English. This concept comes from a novel titled “Snow Crash” published by an American science-fiction author, Neal Stephenson, in 1992. This term refers to the construction of a virtual reality world where it will be possible for people to engage in real-life activities, such as chatting and shopping. However, unlike a pure virtual world, the “metaverse” actually combines virtual and real worlds, allowing people to interact between the two worlds through internet access. Implementing this concept as well as utilizing technologies such as Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality will help human beings use their imagination without limits and generate infinite business opportunities. So the term “metaverse” is now widely used by more and more people from all walks of life.

The second word is “Yán Shàng,” which means “flaming” or “flaring up.” This word comes from the Japanese word “えんじょう.” Chinese borrows its extended definition, referring to a state of being criticized on the internet for disorderly conduct such as gaffes or even scandals. So how do we use it in a sentence? For instance, you may see “So-and-so Yán Shàng” as a news headline. The title means someone continues to be flamed, or they have come under fire because of an incident, or they are being inundated with negative comments. This term can only be used in a negative sense.

The third buzzword, or buzz phrase, in this case, is “Xiàng Jí Le Ài Qíng,” which literally means “It’s so much like love.” The term came from a netizen. There was this music video circulating on the Internet. The netizen left this statement in the comments below the video, which got echoed by many others. A game began to go viral on the Internet accordingly. It’s said that you can simply end some random sentences with the phrase “Xiàng Jí Le Ài Qíng” and it will become a decent free verse poem. For example, I can say,

As soon as I opened the window
The bird by the window flew away
It was so much like love

The first two sentences aren’t particularly poetic, but when they’re combined with the buzz phrase, the free verse poem makes people ponder, “isn’t love just like the bird in the poem, disappearing as soon as I come near it?” Fascinating, isn’t it?

The last one is the slang phrase “Bā Bī Q Le.” The phrase stems from English. Can you guess what word it actually is in English? Yes, it’s the word “Barbecue” pronounced the Mandarin way with the retroflex R omitted. As for the word “Le,” I believe as Chinese learners, you’re probably quite familiar with it. It implies the completion of an action. So “Bā Bī Q Le” means “being barbecued” or “being roasted over an open fire.” In fact, the phrase came from a Chinese netizen when he got defeated in an online game. He said this as a cry of despair over the lost game. Isn’t it funny?


Q1: Lori提到中文的「流行語」涵蓋了英文的「Slang」和「Buzzword」。請問「元宇宙」比較像是「Buzzword」還是「Slang」?

– Traditional Chinese –

「元宇宙」是一個「Buzzword」。

– Simplified Chinese –

「元宇宙」是一个「Buzzword」。

Q2: 請你試試看用「像極了愛情」寫一首短詩。

– Traditional Chinese –

請見下方欄「The Free Verse Poem Challenge」。

– Simplified Chinese –

请见下方栏「The Free Verse Poem Challenge」。


💠
The Free Verse Poem Challenge

Let’s try creating your own Chinese poem today and win a chance to get a surprising gift! The poem can be as long or as short as you would like it to be. Just remember to end your poem with the buzz phrase:
“像極了愛情/像极了爱情”
Submit yours, right now!


We would like to HEAR from you!
With consent, your message could be on a future episode!


Leave a Comment