“Don’t play dumb!” This English phrase has a Chinese equivalent that, although its meaning is the same, has a very different literal translation with unique origins. The Chinese “装蒜 (zhuāngsuàn)” literally means “to pretend garlic” which may sound kind of funny in English. It is used to mean “feign ignorance” and “make a pretense.” Read the examples below to better understand how it is used in Chinese. Examples: Bié zhuāngsuàn le, nǐ zhīdào wǒ zài shuō shénme. 别 装蒜 了,你 知道 我 在 说 什么。 Don’t play dumb, you know what I’m saying. Nǐ hái zhuāngsuàn, nǐ yǐwéi wǒ shǎ a? 你 还 装蒜, 你 以为 我 傻 啊? You’re still feigning ignorance, do you think I’m stupid? Nǐ bié zhuāngsuàn le, wǒ shénme dōu zhīdào le. 你 别 装蒜 了,我 什么 都 知道 了。 Don’t you act coy, I know everything. By now you may be wondering why “pretending garlic” means the same thing as playing dumb. Read this interesting story set in the Qing Dynasty about deceiving an emperor to find out! Related Post: Chinese Mini-Test: 大蒜 (intermediate)
Quiz: Mǎ kè: Wǒ zhēnde bú rènshi nàgè nǚháier. 马 克:我 真的 不 认识 那个 女孩儿。 Mark: I really don’t recognize that girl. Lǐ lì: Nǐ bié zhuāngsuàn. 李丽:你 别 装蒜。 What does Lily mean?
A.She thinks that Mark knows the girl. B.She doesn’t think that Mark knows the girl. C.She doesn’t care whether Mark knows the girl or not. See Answer |