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Random new word of the day


roddy

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僭建 (jian4 jian4) - unapproved/illegal structures (or having/building one or more)

This seems to me to be the key word to understanding today's politics in Hong Kong (that is if anyone is interested, of course). Such structures are common and widespread. But for a political figure to have them, and /or deny having them, it is intolerable. And it appears to be the sure-win tactic for attacking/undermining one's opponents.

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巴律師 - barrister

I had never seen or heard this Chinese term before tonight. I was watching The Good Wife Season 3 Episode 2, and the term Queen's Counsel appeared. The good people who provided the Chinese subtitles have also given an explanation of the term, saying that it is an honorary title of 巴律師.

In Hong Kong, a barrister is simply called 大律師 (at one point the term 訟務律師 was proposed), and a Queen's Counsel is 御用大律師. This latter title has now been replaced by Senior Counsel (資深大律師) here for obvious reasons. A solicitor is simply called 律師 (at one point the term 事務律師 was proposed).

I think 巴律師 sounds cute. :P

PS - and 沙律師 for solicitor in the subtitle explanations. How cute.

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They English terms were also random new words of the day for me. I had heard "barrister" before, but never knew what it was exactly (still don't exactly understand it), and this use of "solicitor" was new to me too, although I do recall having heard of a Solicitor General as a position in government. I'm not really familiar with law terms in general, probably because I (thankfully) haven't had those types of experiences. Oh, and I'm not that interested. :oops:

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殘疾人奧林匹克運動會 (cánjírén àolínpǐkè yùndònghuì)

or

帕拉林匹克運動會 (pàlālínpǐkè yùndònghuì) = Paralympic Games

The second one is also shortened to 帕運會. I figure this is somewhat topical.

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選帝侯 - Elector (as in German history)

I saw this term in the subtitle of the Aussie TV programme Classical Destinations. It is Australian, right? Splendid programme. Makes me want to visit Germany instead of the Netherlands. :)

Oh then it moves on to Amsterdam. Great.

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性工作者: sex worker. I came across the English during interpreting training and translated it as *性工. My trainer burst out laughing. Well, I thought it made sense seeing as social worker is 社工 and all... :-P

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Came up in conversation...usage 2 that is:

【原译】 天方夜谭(tiān fāng yè tán )

【解释】 (1)书籍:即《一千零一夜》,阿拉伯民间故事。(The Arabian Nights)

(2)词语:比喻虚诞夸饰的议论,荒诞不经*的说法

 【用法】 联合式;作宾语;比喻虚诞离奇的议论

*Don't you love a definition w/ another word or chengyu that should be looked up too? well here you go: 荒诞不经=absurd / preposterous / ridiculous

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