Scoobyqueen Posted March 12, 2009 at 11:23 AM Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 at 11:23 AM Does anyone know the origin of this colloquial expression. 泡汤? Does it literally just mean foamy soup and if so, is this supposed to be bad because of the debris on top? Another expression that I came across was 绣花枕头. Obviously, self-explanatory. However, I only saw it to be used for guys. Can it be used for girls too? Cheers in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YuehanHao Posted March 13, 2009 at 12:28 AM Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 at 12:28 AM I am not knowledgeable, but had gotten the opposite impression about 绣花枕头. I seem to recall reading it being used in reference to a woman some time ago, but forget where. A minute ago I found a website whose female owner uses that sobriquet, http://profile.blog.sina.com.cn/ava0017, and also saw some pictures labeled with that term belonging to women. 约翰好 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YuehanHao Posted March 13, 2009 at 02:05 AM Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 at 02:05 AM Quick follow-up on what I wrote. My wife, who can be wrong sometimes but whom I at least consider a qualified person, came home now and told me that phrase is for women, and not for men (and it was spoken using her 可不是吗 tone of voice). However, as I think more about it, maybe I have seen it used for men before too, although seemingly in a doubly insulting way (i.e., not only stupid, but also unmanly). 约翰好 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imron Posted March 13, 2009 at 02:28 AM Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 at 02:28 AM 绣花枕头. Obviously, self-explanatory.Really? I don't see too many people getting the second part of this 歇后语 without some explanation.绣花枕头……一包草 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlo Posted March 13, 2009 at 02:53 AM Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 at 02:53 AM 泡汤, see here: http://zhidao.baidu.com/question/7006545.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semantic nuance Posted March 13, 2009 at 03:51 AM Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 at 03:51 AM 繡花枕頭(繁體 traditional with audio clip) 绣花枕头(Simplified) Hope it helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobyqueen Posted March 13, 2009 at 08:34 AM Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 at 08:34 AM Really? I don't see too many people getting the second part of this 歇后语 without some explanation It might not be as obvious as I thought. I was thinking it was an expression such as "he is a chocolate teapot" where you dont need the context. In this case it means someone looks attractive but it does not go much deeper than that like...an embroidered pillow, nice on the outside. I had heard this used for blokes when it comes to choosing a partner who can supply a steady income in the future. For a woman, I could imagine that blokes would not be looking for anything more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and select your username and password later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.