Fedex Ad - Mr Zhang

[skylee]

I like this ad. Strange thing is that in the version on HK TV, I think the subtitle of the last line that I saw is "弓長的那個張". In the versions on the internet, the last line is "工廠的那個張".

Youtube -> http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc5zHwTAn5g (traditional chinese subtitles)

Youtube -> http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=YRkHvRecYVE (english subtitles)

Youku -> http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_cj00XMjA3MjIyNDA=.html

Tudou -> http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/Xhcq-gBKbP4/

[heartless]

I think the ad is playing on the homophonic and polyphonic Chinese characters. "工"and"弓"have the same pronounciation and the word "长" has two different pronounciations in different contexts. Thus, "弓长的张" refers to the composition of the Chinese character "张", while "工厂的张" refers to a person whose family name is "张" and works in a factory. Very interesting and smart trick.

[skylee]

I suppose those of you who are on the mainland can view the ad on youku or tudou, right?

Actually "弓長的那個張" vs "工廠的那個張" is not the main point of the ad.

The ad basically sells the better service of Fedex claiming that it knows the place better (knowing that Zhang is a very common name) so it serves better (calling Mr Zhang Wei instead of just Mr Zhang).

[Lu]

I saw that commercial too, and thought it was brilliant for this pun on words. Nayige Zhang? Gongchan(g) neige Zhang! I don't remember seeing subtitles (that would kind of kill the pun), but I might just have forgotten.

[Meng Lelan]

I agree with Lu, seeing subtitles would have killed the pun. Oh that was so funny!! I just sent the video link to a Chinese friend. I enjoy seeing funny commercials in Chinese like that. Thank you skylee for making this such a great forum.

[Lu]

Thank you skylee for making this such a great forum.

I second that.

[heartless]

Yes, I checked the ad again and see the main idea there, but still the main idea is established on that pun, right?

[ZhangXinQiang]

lol... My friend gave me same name..

I am another Zhang