4.9 Cultural Notes

1. The Chinese way to respond to compliments

In Chinese culture, responding to compliments is an art that reflects the values of modesty and humility. Unlike in Western cultures where a simple “thank you” suffices, Chinese responses often involve deflecting or downplaying the praise. This practice stems from the Confucian tradition of self-effacement and the desire to maintain social harmony.

One of the most frequently used phrases is “哪里哪里” (nǎlǐ nǎlǐ), which literally means “where, where” but is understood as “not at all” or “you’re too kind”. For example, if someone compliments your Chinese ability by saying 你的中文非常好。 (Nǐ de Zhōngwén fēicháng hǎo.), you might say: “哪里哪里，还需要改进。” (Nǎlǐ nǎlǐ, hái xūyào gǎijìn.) – “Not at all, it still needs improvement.” When you receive compliment on appearance 你今天穿得很漂亮！(Nǐ jīntiān chuān de hěn piàoliang! “You look great today!”), you can say  哪里，没有啦。(Nǎ lǐ, méi yǒu la. “Not at all, not really.”)

Another common response is “过奖了” (guòjiǎng le), meaning “you flatter me”. This can be used in various situations, such as when people say 你的汉语很流利！(Nǐ de Hànyǔ hěn liúlì! “Your Chinese is fluent!”), you would say “过奖了，我还在学习。(Guò jiǎng le, wǒ hái zài xuéxí. “You overpraise me; I’m still learning.” and when receiving praise for a work presentation: “过奖了，这是团队努力的结果。” (Guòjiǎng le, zhè shì tuánduì nǔlì de jiéguǒ.) – “You’re too kind, this is the result of our team’s effort.” In a workplace context, it’s common to emphasize continued effort. For instance if a supervisor praises your performance, you might say: “我会继续努力的。” (Wǒ huì jìxù nǔlì de.) – “I will continue to work hard.” Sometimes, Chinese people reciprocate compliments. If someone praises your outfit, you could respond: “你的也很漂亮。” (Nǐ de yě hěn piàoliang.) – “Yours is beautiful too.” Feigning surprise is another way to deflect compliments. If someone praises your Chinese language skills, you might say: 是吗？ or “真的吗？我觉得还差得远。” (Shì ma? or Zhēnde ma? Wǒ juéde hái chà de yuǎn.) – “Really? I think I still have a long way to go.”

These responses illustrate humility while maintaining politeness, a hallmark of Chinese interpersonal communication. Understanding these cultural nuances is crucial for effective communication in Chinese. While younger generations and those in international settings might be more accepting of direct compliments, traditional responses remain prevalent. By mastering these phrases, learners can navigate social interactions with greater cultural sensitivity and build stronger relationships in Chinese-speaking environments.

2. Chinese browsers and search engines （中国的浏览器和搜索引擎）

The internet ecosystem in China is markedly different from that in the United States, particularly when it comes to the use of browsers and search engines. In China, domestically developed browsers and search engines dominate the market, whereas in the U.S., global platforms are more prevalent.

Chinese Browsers:

In China, the major browsers include:

1. QQ Browser (QQ浏览器, QQ liúlǎn qì): Developed by Tencent and integrated with popular applications like QQ and WeChat (微信Wēi xìn).
2. UC Browser (UC浏览器, UC liúlǎn qì): Focused on mobile usage and owned by Alibaba.
3. 360 Safe Browser (360安全浏览器, 360 ānquán liúlǎn qì): Emphasizing security and integrated with 360 Search.

Chinese Search Engines:

In China, Baidu (百度, bǎi dù) is the leading search engine, commanding over 75% of the market share. In contrast, the U.S. market is predominantly ruled by Google (谷歌, gǔ gē), which holds a significant advantage. Baidu not only provides search services but also ventures into artificial intelligence and other internet-related products.

Other notable Chinese search engines include:

1. Sogou (搜狗, sōu gǒu): With about 5.58% market share, it is known for its language processing technology and integration with Tencent (腾讯Téng xùn) ‘s ecosystem.
2. 360 Search (好搜, hǎo sōu): Holding approximately 6.86% market share, it is known for its emphasis on security features.
3. Shenma Search (神马, shén mǎ): Focused on mobile search and closely integrated with Alibaba (阿里巴巴 Ā lǐ bā bā) ‘s e-commerce platforms.

Chinese browsers and search engines tend to index simplified Chinese websites and prioritize those hosted within China. They are often closely integrated with local social media, e-commerce platforms, and other services, creating a unique ecosystem. For instance, Sogou integrates with Tencent’s services, while Shenma Search connects with Alibaba’s shopping platform.

In contrast, American search engines and browsers focus more on globalization and cross-platform compatibility. They typically support multiple languages and provide a broader range of international search results.