People and Culture in China

“Antique yet up-to-the-minute, familiar yet unrecognisable, outwardly urban but quintessentially rural, conservative yet path-breaking, space-age but old fashioned, China is a land of mesmerising contradictions.”

Remember how your parents used to tell you to keep your elbows off the table during meals? Or that it’s rude to slurp your soup? Well there’s good news guys, these American cultures and customs don’t always translate to other countries! While the local people you meet won’t expect you to be fluent in their language, culture and customs, it is important to familiarize yourself with them.

Do you know how kissing, snoring and other things sound in other languages? That’s right, even sound effects can be translated!

The most important thing to remember while you’re abroad is that things will be different. But, different doesn’t mean wrong. Be open, be curious, and read more about the culture you will be stepping into. Get excited about LIVING the life you’ve only dreamt and read about until now!

#CISAlumniTip

“Do your best to fully immerse yourself in the culture and take advantage of the opportunities abroad. This is your chance to experience many new things: new people, new food, new places, new traditions, new languages, new everything! Even if you feel physically or emotionally tired, get out there, leave your fear at home, and bring a positive attitude. Don’t take anything for granted. Even the most seemingly insignificant experience will become a highly valuable memory in the future.” – Debora C., Intern in Barcelona Alumna.

Fast Facts

Names: China – The People’s Republic of China – Zhōngguó – 中国 – “Middle Kingdom”

Continent: Asia
Capital City: Beijing
Population: approx. 1,355,692,576 people
Ethnic groups (recognized by the Chinese government): 52 ethnic groups; Han Chinese 91.6%
Languages: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (official; Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, Zhuang, Mongolian, Uighur, Kyrgyz, and Tibetan
Religions: Buddhist, Christina, Muslim, folk religion, Hindu, Jewish, others; 52.2% unaffiliated
Country code: 86
Internet Country Code: .cn

Useful phrases

Hello – Nǐ hǎo – 你好
Hello (polite) – Nín hǎo – 您好
Hi (while on the phone)! – Wèi !- 喂！
How are you? – Nǐ zěn me yàng – 你怎么样?
Good. And you? – Hǎo. Nǐ ne？ – 好。你呢？
Thank you！ – Xiè xiè！ – 谢谢！
You’re welcome! -Bù kèqì – 不客气！
What’s your name? – Nǐ jiào shén me míng zì? – 你叫什么名字？
My name is – Wǒ jiào ______. – 我叫 _______ 。
Where are you from? – Nǐ shì nǎ lǐ lái? – 你是哪里来？
I am American. – Wǒ shì měi guó rén. – 我是美国人。
I am Chinese. – Wǒ shì zhōng guó rén. – 我是中国人。
What is this? – Zhè shì shén me? – 这是什么？
Have you been to China before? – Nǐ qù guò zhōng guó ma? – 你去过中国吗？
I had never come to China before. This is my first time in China. – Wǒ méi qù guò zhōng guó. Zhè shì wǒ dì yī cì zài zhōng guò. – 我没去过中国。这是我第一次在中国。
Do you speak English? – Nǐ huì shuō yīng wén ma? – 你会说英文吗？
I do not speak Chinese. – Wǒ bù huì shuō zhōng wén. – 我不会说中文。
I study Chinese, but my Chinese is very bad. I’m sorry. – Wǒ xué xí zhōng wén, dàn shì wǒ de zhōng wén bù hǎo. Duì bù qǐ. – 我学习中文，但是我的中文不好。对不起。

(Some pronunciation help.)

A few “dos and don’ts”

DON’T… give clocks, handkerchiefs, straw sandals, flowers, gifts wrapped in white, blue, or black paper, or four of anything as these are all associated with death.

DO… present gifts with two hands, bring small gifts to hostesses, remove shoes before entering a home, arrive on time, and hold the rice bowl close to your mouth when eating.