10 Words and Phrases That Have a Different Meaning in Beijing

Our city is one of a kind. You know how we know that? Because when we go home and try to explain things to people, they just don't quite get it. That's because the phrases or words we use often mean completely different things elsewhere in the world, creating a rift in the space-time continuum that doesn't quite allow for Beijing life to be pinned down. 

And before you get on our case, let it be known that we love Beijing, otherwise we wouldn’t be here. Call this an exercise in trying to comprehend the intricacies of our strange lives and an attempt to describe to outsiders exactly what life in Beijing entails.

1. A Polluted Day
Beijing: Deadly 500+ AQI, surpassing the scale that was invented to measure deadliness.
Everywhere else: An AQI of approximately 100, occurring maybe once a year.

2. Blue Winter Skies 
Beijing: The blue-est blue you've ever seen. When Beijing is clear in winter, it's so clear that it'll erase any memories of what smog even is.
Everywhere else: Cloudy and a little gray (because it's winter, silly), leaving you in a blue mood and pining for blue skies and sunny days.

3. Meiyou ([we] don't have [it])
Beijing: We can't really be bothered to look for it right now as your request would require us to make too much of an effort. Maybe if you ask us again and make a whiny noise we can pretend to try to look for it.
Everywhere else: We just don't have it.

4. Spicy Food
Beijing: Burn-your-face-off-Sichuan-or-Hunan-style spicy, the type found at Zhang Mama.
Everywhere else: A tad spicy, if you choose to add the optional chili flakes.

5. Traffic Jam
Beijing: 1.5 hours just getting past Sanyuanqiao.
Everywhere else: A 15-minute delay.

6. Rush Hour on the Subway
Beijing: Queuing for 30 minutes to get onto the train, being pushed onto said train in a wave of bodies, then spending the rest of the commute squished into the carriage like the speck of universal insignificance you are ("Get me off this train!").
Everywhere else: Having to stand on the subway because there are no seats left.

7. Spring (and Autumn)
Beijing: A week between winter and summer (and vice versa) during which the weather is actually bearable and you’re confused about what to wear because it's all happening so fast – one minute you're sweating and the next you can't feel your toes.
Everywhere else: Distinct seasons that have their own wardrobe because they happen for long enough to warrant their own wardrobe.

8. Immediately (mǎshàng)
Beijing: The thing you are waiting for could happen basically anytime between right now and four hours from now, roughly. Most often happens in restaurants when waiting for food.
Everywhere else: Imminently.

9. Rich
Beijing: Loaded beyond anything you've ever imagined, with a few family properties dotted around the world mostly for citizenship purposes and multiple Ferraris to race around Gongti.
Everywhere else: Able to go on holiday abroad more than once a year, owning two (new) cars, being able to buy your children a flat when they move out and go to university.

10. Food Poisoning
Beijing: Multiple days of not being able to go anywhere that doesn't have a toilet, with a high chance of going to the hospital to get medication. You have no idea where you got it from. Occurs probably two to three times per year, depending on how often you eat 3am streetside barbecue and how ironclad your stomach is.
Everywhere else: Feeling unwell for two days once every three years because you went rogue and didn't cook your chicken through.

More stories by this author here.

Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
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Images: Sarah Lawrence, popsci.com, Reuters, kokorosot, SCMP, Daily Mail, Time, City of Beijing, Help Go Abroad, Youtube, first-aid-safety,