Niubi!: The Real Chinese You Were Never Taught in School

by Eveline Chao, Chris Murphy (Illustrator)

How to talk dirty and influence people - in Chinese!

Are you looking to learn the Chinese only a native speaker knows? Niubi! will teach you the colorful vernacular phrases used by Chinese people of all ages in a wide variety of situations, including flirting and dating, fighting and partying, and all the swear words you'll ever need. Learn why many Chinese insults involve turtle eggs, how code words referring to Internet censorship have evolved, multiple names for body parts your textbook skipped, and how they've perfected the art of everyday abuse and insults. 

For complete novices ( Niubi! newbies), intermediate students of Mandarin Chinese, or just anyone who enjoys cursing in other languages, this hilariously illustrated guide is packed with irreverent anecdotes, mini cultural lessons, and contextual explanations. So whether you're planning a trip to Beijing, flirting with an online acquaintance from Shanghai, or just want to start a fight in Chinatown -  Niubi! will ensure that nothing you say is lost in translation.

Genres: China, Language, Reference, Adult, Humor, Nonfiction, Cultural

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

I'm a freelance writer based in Brooklyn, New York. I previously spent 5 years living in Beijing, China, where I spent a lot of time jotting down dirty words I overheard and asking Chinese friends inappropriate questions about what they say in bathrooms, bedrooms, and brawl-rooms. Eventually, I put it all together into a book, called "NIUBI! - The Real Chinese You Were Never Taught in School."

My articles about China, Chinatowns, and numerous other topics have appeared on the BBC, Rolling Stone, Fast Company, the Daily Beast, Foreign Policy, Atlas Obscura, the New York Times Chinese-language site, and the Sydney Morning Herald, among others. My radio pieces have appeared on the BBC’s “Business Daily.” I also write a regular "Chinese Corner" language column for the LA Review of Books China Channel.

To stay posted on articles I've written, stray China and language-related news, or just random things that made me laugh, be sure to follow me on Twitter @EvelineChao or "Like" the NIUBI! Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/NiubiBook ).