Arguably the LARGEST Chinese - English Dictionary Online

[tooironic]

I don't think that's the word's fault though. In conversation it is very common for Chinese people to underestimate the words you know. Like the other day, when I said 凉拌 (slang, meaning 没法子) and I got the reply of, "Wow you know 凉拌?". It can also be a regional thing (like it is with 同志). I asked a friend of mine the other night if she could 海量, a word which she had never encountered before. Turns out in the south they say something else (I can't remember exactly, something like "can drink a lot"). So obviously there are a lot of things which can influence comprehension; a word can still be used and understood widely, just in different contexts and regions. And dictionaries should demonstrate as such.

[renzhe]

Something that I've always wondered about...

It seems to me that using the word 同志 implies that you are homosexual yourself, in other words, it is used as a slang word among homosexuals. The same way that calling somebody "comrade" in general implies that you share the outlook, or that person wouldn't be your comrade in the first place.

Also, like chrix said "comrade" and the equivalent in many European languages ( like "Genosse") are widely used among the left-wing spectrum especially in Europe, from Gerhard Schroeder to anti-globalist demonstrators. This might be different in the US and Australia, but the word is relatively common in certain contexts. It's not a communist term, it's a general socialist moniker.

[Kobo-Daishi]

Dear all,

Faggot!!!!

Queer!!!!

Homo!!!!

These are the words that you'd hear in America.

And You'd know whether it was said in hate or jest by how the guys who are saying it behave.

If they're saying it through gritted teeth while they're punching, kicking, stomping and spitting on you to unconsciousness just before they chain you're limp body to the back of a pickup and drag you through a desolate stretch of road before leaving you for dead, that's hate.

Other forms of English, other than American, might use other words, like "poof".

But if you used it in America, they might think that you're one. ;-0

It might be okay for the Brits...we in America think they're all pansies anyway but... ;-)

Not that there's anything wrong with it.

Being a poof or a Brit. ;-)

Or both. ;-)

Elton. ;-0

Just kidding.

Don't take offense...or offence. ;-0

Pouf?

Poove?

Kobo-Daishi, PLLA.

[tooironic]

I was gonna say your post is complete and utter nonsense, but I gotta admit that attachment is pretty hilarious.

[AlexBlackman]

How natural sounding are the example sentances on EngKoo?