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submitted 9 months ago by RyanGosling@hexbear.net to c/news@hexbear.net

"Old friend" is a common phrase China’s communist party uses as a tribute to foreigners considered helpful to their interests. It’s also an expression of nostalgia for longtime companions or acquaintances.

Is this real or did they just made it up to make China sound more mysterious and different lol

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[-] EmmaGoldman@hexbear.net 27 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Yeah no idk what the hell they're doing with this article. 老外 (lǎowài in pinyin) literally translates to "old foreign" and is sort of said with the tone and intention of calling someone an "ol' buddy." It's a good-humored thing but isn't used formally by the press or government as it's seen as unprofessional and possibly misinterpreted for exactly this reason. Media crackers being disingenuous as always.

[-] PointAndClique@hexbear.net 24 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

老外 here isn't the correct backtranslation I think, it's more mundane i.e. 老朋友 (lao pengyou lit, old friend). The 老 is affectionate, as you say. This would be the same lao pengyou they use for, for e.g. * spits * Kissinger.

Edit: read the article and yeah in that context it literally would just be 'old friend' 老朋友 with all the familiar, friendly connotations and usage it has in English. Wouldn't expect any less from VOA.

[-] EmmaGoldman@hexbear.net 13 points 9 months ago

Ahh, gotcha. I am only at the beginning of my language learning journey, thanks for the correction!

[-] PointAndClique@hexbear.net 13 points 9 months ago

No probs! 继续努力 💪

[-] VILenin@hexbear.net 11 points 9 months ago

Pretty rich coming from people who use the word "aliens" to describe foreigners

this post was submitted on 10 Feb 2024
73 points (100.0% liked)

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