100 most hot words used by foreigners

[Wippen (inactive)]

The list has just been published today. Before you look think about which words you would expect to be on that list, you may be surprised.

 

Link

 

Oh this chengyu springs to mind 崇洋媚外

[Tomsima]

How was this list compiled? From listening to news reports on china in English? The amount of foreigners i have heard using the phrase 十三五 (including myself) is approximately zero…

[Wippen (inactive)]

Yes the methodology was not explained unfortunately. (Like so often)

[imron]

This is the full report and it explains the methodology also.

 

The top 10 seem pretty accurate, though I'm surprised 故宫 was that high.  I'm glad to see 宫保鸡丁 made it in, and suspect that 十三五 is more a bit of flattery towards the current president than anything else.

[DavyJonesLocker]

1 hour ago, imron said:

 

The top 10 seem pretty accurate, though I'm surprised 故宫 was that high.  I'm glad to see 宫保鸡丁 made it in, and suspect that 十三五 is more a bit of flattery towards the current president than anything else.

 

Really, that list seems odd to me? I must be out of touch. 三林， 阴阳 are in the top ten but 学习, 中国，中文， 外国人， 美国, aren't？

 

Oh the all important ones

对对对 and (我)明白 which really means "I have no idea what you're talking about"

 

[imron]

It's talking about recognition of the words as used in the English language. From that perspective, Yin and yang is definitely more well known than xuexi or meiguo. 

 

Likewise 三体 has recognition because the English translation recently won the Hugo. 

[DavyJonesLocker]

Oh  in English! Ok that makes sense then. Still I would have thought the number one "中国词" would be "china"