What China Expats Say vs. What They Actually Mean

Say: I’m trying to eat healthy for a while.
Mean: I’m going to order Element Fresh & Sproutworks until I cave eating chaomian  at 2am this weekend.

Say: It’s such a nice day out!
Mean: I didn’t check the weather, but the AQI is only at ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’.

Say: I love living in China because it’s so convenient to travel to explore Asia from here.
Mean: I hate living in China so I leave every single weekend and holiday.

Say: Let’s meet up for a drink after work.
Mean: Happy Hour -> dinner boozing -> KTV until 3:30am.

Say: I don’t have time to learn Chinese!
Mean: I got through a few weeks with a tutor, but now I cancel my lessons at the last minute almost every session because I didn’t do my homework.

Say: My ayi doesn’t listen to any of my instructions!
Mean: I don’t’ speak Chinese and my ayi from Anhui isn’t a mind reader.

Say: Chinese food is the best!
Mean: No seriously, my favorite restaurants are my best friends.

Say: Pudong isn’t so bad!
Mean: I am forced to live here by my employer, so I tell myself this to feel better about my life.

Say: Beijing is so much better than Shanghai.
Mean: I am forced to live here by my employer, so I tell myself this to feel better about my life.

Say: China is officially a world’s superpower.
Mean: I want to feel important about my life here, so I’ll build China up to everyone I meet.

Say: Yes, KTV was so much fun!
Mean: OMG, I went to KTV last night? Please tell me the evidence has been destroyed.

Say: There’s nothing to do in Shanghai!
Mean: I am always too hungover to function during daylight hours and weekends.

Say: I don’t have an ayi.
Mean: I have no idea what I’m doing.

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