Chinese Words in English

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Instructions: From tea to typhoon, explore the Chinese linguistic roots behind many familiar English words!

1.
The word 'tea' comes from the Chinese dialect word 'te' (from Hokkien). The Mandarin word for tea is what?
A
Cha
B
Chi
C
Te
D
Tao
2.
Which English word for a type of sauce comes from the Chinese (Cantonese) 'ke-tsiap'?
A
Teriyaki
B
Ketchup
C
Soy sauce
D
Hoisin
3.
The word 'silk' likely has ancient Chinese origins. What was China's famous trade route for silk called?
A
The Spice Route
B
The Eastern Highway
C
The Golden Road
D
The Silk Road
4.
Which English word for a type of fine ceramic comes from the old European name for China?
A
Porcelain
B
Pottery
C
Stoneware
D
China (chinaware)
5.
The word 'typhoon' partly derives from the Chinese 'tai fung.' What does 'tai fung' mean?
A
Great storm
B
Sea monster
C
Thunder god
D
Great wind
6.
Which English word for a type of boat used on rivers in China comes from Cantonese?
A
Sampan
B
Kayak
C
Gondola
D
Junk
7.
The word 'dim sum' is Cantonese. What does it literally mean?
A
Morning food
B
Small plates
C
Tea snacks
D
Touch the heart
8.
Which English word for a system of exercise and meditation comes from the Chinese 'qi gong'?
A
Yoga
B
Kung fu
C
Qigong
D
Tai chi
9.
The word 'tofu' entered English through Japanese, but it originates from the Chinese 'doufu.' What does 'doufu' mean?
A
White block
B
Soft food
C
Bean curd
D
Soy cheese
10.
Which English word meaning 'kowtow' comes from the Chinese 'ketou'? What did it originally describe?
A
Touching the ground with the forehead in respect
B
Kneeling before a king
C
Clapping hands in greeting
D
Bowing politely
11.
The word 'wok' comes from Cantonese. What does it refer to?
A
A rice bowl
B
A type of knife
C
A steaming basket
D
A round-bottomed cooking pan
12.
Which English word for a type of martial art literally means 'supreme ultimate fist' in Chinese?
A
Wing chun
B
Kung fu
C
Karate
D
Tai chi (taijiquan)
13.
The word 'feng shui' is Chinese. What does it literally translate to?
A
Harmony and balance
B
Good fortune
C
Nature's way
D
Wind and water
14.
Which English word for a mandarin orange variety (and its color) derives from the Cantonese word for the fruit?
A
Satsuma
B
Clementine
C
Tangerine
D
Kumquat
15.
The word 'yin' and 'yang' come from Chinese philosophy. What do they represent?
A
Past and future
B
Complementary opposites (dark/light, passive/active)
C
Good and evil
D
Heaven and earth

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