Pairi Daiza is a really cool place to go to if you live near Belgium. Why is this place so cool? There are many reasons this place has been voted “Best theme park” in the Benelux, but our top reason to love this place is that they have a really beautiful area that represents China. It really looks like China, so if you miss the Middle Kingdom or have never been to China, Pairi Daiza is the place to go. Every little aspect of the China area is from China, they even brought back some rocks from China! Like they say: “Everything is authentic: the temples, pavilions, the paths of gemstones, the scholarly garden, stones, jade, the bronze…” Sound cool, isn’t?

That’s not all, they also put animals from China in that area: pandas (they even had a little baby panda birth last year), red pandas, birds, alligators and more in what they call the largest “Chinese garden” outside of China.

Really, if you’re itching to go (back) to China, go there. You’ll see nice Chinese roofs, typical Chinese-style windows and walls, a big Chinese style restaurant, a beautiful tea house that entirely comes from Shanghai (I like to imagine one day, a rich Belgium guy went to China and said “I want this in Belgium” and so they took it apart and brought every little part to there).

Really, being there is a little like being in China and that feels good sometimes. Ok, let’s stop speaking and let’s see the pictures!

Nincha visiting Pairi Daiza

Do you recognize what Nincha is sitting on? That’s an old turtle! What? Master Turtle looks like that?! Yes. The turtle in traditional China can be found in a lot of stories, from the black Turtle warrior to the turtle that holds the worlds. The turtle always represents forces and knowledge. They are often protector of entrances. If you’ve never been to China, I guarantee that when you do, you’ll see turtles (and Chinese lions / dragons) everywhere.

That’s the Tea Palace that was imported from Shanghai. It’s a very nice place to be and I always stop there to take an ice cream. I know, I should be having a cup of tea or something but the ice cream there is really good. I don’t feel guilty :p.

In China, in almost every park, you’ll find something like this walkway. They’re of varying length and are often (more or less) hand-decorated and adorned by paintings. It feels good to walk in a walkway, like that, in the shade. There are convenient places where you can sit and admire the view of the park. In China, it’s not rare to run into groups playing music, or dancing, or playing games under those walkways, when the sun gets to be too much. Also, these walkways can be a good way to exercise. Some of these in China are kilometers-long but worth the walk!

That’s all for the little tour of  the Chinese part of Pairi Daizai. Nincha had fun, and we hope you enjoyed the pictures!

Pictures by Mat and text by Jean-Rémi, two meowsome members of:

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Two cat expressions you’re puuuurfectly familiar with

You’ve probably heard of the first two expressions before. They also exist in English and are used the same way as in English. All you need to do is learn how to say them in Chinese and you’ll be good to go.

Cat saying #1: Curiosity and cats don’t match

好奇心杀死猫

hào qí xīn shā sǐ māo.

Curiosity killed the cat.

一只好奇的小猫。A curious cat – Photo by Juliàn Cantarelli

You all probably know “Curiosity killed the cat”:  this cat quote is used to warn of dangerous situations. Here at Ninchanese, we try very hard not to think about what happened to the first cat who was too curious and from whom this quote derives…and choose to focus on a more positive note: Wikipedia notes “A less frequently-seen rejoinder to “curiosity killed the cat” is “but satisfaction brought it back””and we kind of like that idea!”

Cat saying #2: Cats live multiple lives

猫有九条命

māo yǒu jiǔ tiáo mìng.

A cat has nine lives!

The Chinese, as do many cultures, believe that a cat has multiple lives. They also opt for 9 lives, just like we do in English (and in a number of other places). Lucky cats!  In Chinese, this expression is used to symbolize someone who has a stronger vitality than others.

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Four cat sayings you’ll be pawzzled with

The following cat expressions and sayings are unique to Chinese, as far as we know. Cats are given interesting roles in Chinese sayings, we’ll tell you that!

Cat saying #3:  Cats as women

猫性女子

māo xìng nǚ zǐ

A woman with the character of a cat

Photo credit: Fanny Latour-Lambert

Chinese people often like to compare cats and women. Here’s why.

A cat can be very gentle, but it also has a strong sense of self-esteem. For example, if a baby kitten does something wrong, you need to comfort it, not scold it. For, if you hit it, it will remember that (and blame you) forever.

In Chinese, some woman are considered as cats: we/they have varied personalities and are seen as gentle, elegant but also sly, elusive creatures with a high level of self-esteem. That could also describe a cat, don’t you think? The Chinese like to liken the two anyways.

Cat saying #4: Cats as men and fish as women

猫改不了偷腥

māo gǎi bù liǎo tōu xīng.

A cat cannot stop stealing fish.

Photo credit: Serena (Flickr)

Eating fish is most likely inscribed in a cat’s DNA: it’s pretty sure that all the cats in this world like the smell of fish. Well, expect for Nincha, who doesn’t like fish. But that’s another story. So, for most cats, fish are a fatal attraction, and they can’t resist the sight of fresh fish.

The Chinese tend to think some men are the same, and won’t ever be satisfied with one girl, be she his girlfriend or his wife. This cat quote is therefore used to refer to those men who are married or have a girl friend, but are still ready and open to seducing others.

Cat saying # 5: of cats and rats

不论白猫黑猫,抓到老鼠就是好猫

bù guǎn hēi māo bái māo

 bái māo hēi māo, zhuā dào lǎo shǔ de jiù shì hǎo māo.

No matter if it is a white cat or a black cat, a cat that can catch rats is a good cat.

This is a very popular saying in China because it is linked to a special era: the 70s and to Deng Xiaoping, who frequently used this proverb to emphasize the importance of participating to bring about social change.

The idea behind this saying is: the truth can only be tested in practice, we should try before jumping to any conclusions.

Cat proverb #6: of cats and rats (2)

猫哭老鼠

māokūlǎoshǔ

A cat is crying for a rat.

Cats and rats don’t match? Source – Kantsuu.com

Everyone knows that cats eat rats so how can a cat be sad for a rat? Impossible, right? Especially considering the lousy trick the rats pulled on cats in the zodiac race to fame…So this Chinese cat proverb means the same as “crocodile tears” in English. It is used to describe fake compassion or sympathy.

So there you have, 6 Chinese expressions that are about cats! It’s funny how different cultures share some of the same cat sayings and beliefs about cats, don’t you think? Use these Chinese cat quotes in your daily life to impress your cat loving friends and remember: enjoy the fun the cats bring you!

Yanjie and 

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For Batman cat, Mario cat and more sweet pop cats, check out the “Iconic Cats” Collection by Shanghai-based illustrator A Ke!

I don’t know why but I could love see a movie based on these cats! They are cute; well design and hillarius. You must check it out.

The Pop Cat King and his friends

A Ke has made reaaly funny pics with pop culture star turned into cat. We also made a gallery with more picture of pop cat. You will find it at the start of this article.

Here’s what some of these iconic cats are called in Chinese.

•  The pop cat 猫王 Māo wáng  : Elvis Presley

Notice Elvis’ name in Chinese? It means the Cat King! So this Chinese Elvis Prescat is spot-on!

• 达斯·维达 Dá sī·wéi dá – Darth Vader

• 马里奥 Mǎlǐ ào Mario, as in “It’s me Mario!”

• 李小龙 Lixiǎolóng is Bruce Lee’s Chinese name, his birthname is Cantonese and is: 李振藩 Lee Jun-fan.

• 财神 Cáishén aka 招财猫 Zhāo cái māo the lucky cat!

See up to this article for the gallery  :

But where is Lupishu cat?

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Valentine’s day in Chinese

Valentine’s day in Chinese is called 情人节 (qíngrén jié), literally the festival for those who have feelings, i.e. lovers. Awww.

Declare your love in Chinese with a love Nincha

As Nincha shows, saying I love you in Chinese is easy:

Share this Love Nincha to show your love! Or use this Nincha Valentine’s card to declare your love in Chinese to someone special!

Ninchanese is a new platform where you’ll have a blast learning Chinese! We’re still working on it for now, so sign up to try the beta for free when we launch! Check out our trailer : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahnj5pLMulo and stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Weibo.

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Miaow! The Ninchanese trailer is here!

Calling all Chinese learners! Are you ready to save the Ninchas, get the pearl back and have a blast learning Chinese? ^_^

Check out the trailer and let us know what you think!

And make sure to sign up on www.ninchanese.com to be part of the upcoming beta!

We heart you!

The Nincha Team

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Happy holidays from the NinchaTeam!

Every Nincha in this Christmas picture is a member of the Nincha Team. Can you guess who’s who? Pair us all up and the first one to guess all the Ninchas correctly on Facebook will get a special Ninchanese gift!

Ninchanese is a new platform where you’ll have fun learning Chinese! We’re still working on it for now, so sign up to try the beta for free when we launch! And stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Weibo.

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Can’t wait!

Thanksgiving: the grateful festival

In Chinese, Thanksgiving is called 感恩节 Gǎn’ēn jié.

Let’s break down the characters:

On Thanksgiving, we are all officially allowed to pig out on delicious turkey, butternut purees, creamy mashed potatoes, awesome pumpkin pies and more great-tasting fare!

Thanksgiving not celebrated where you live? Well, tomorrow is still a great excuse to:

1. Eat a lot and try out new recipes
2. Give thanks. To the people you love for instance
3. Have a great day. Like every day!

感恩节快乐!Happy Thanksgiving!

We wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Enjoy!

The Nincha Team

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Happy Halloween 2013!

In Chinese we say 万圣节快乐! wànshèngjié kuàilè! Happy Halloween!

So do you have any freaking plans for this halloween? The Nincha Team wishes you a happy halloween 2013!

The Nincha Team

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What is Halloween called in Chinese?

 

Halloween in Chinese is 万圣节 (wànshèngjié).
It litterally means the “thousand – or many – spirit holiday”.

So that’s how you say Halloween in Chinese: 万圣节 (wànshèngjié).

Note: The Chinese name of Halloween also covers the next day, which is known as “All Saints Day” in other parts of the world!

To wish someone a Happy Halloween in Chinese, say 万圣节快乐 (wànshèngkuàilè!)!

Halloween traditions in Chinese

A big Halloween tradition is carving pumpkins. What are you going to carve on your pumpkin?

A pumpkin is called a 南瓜 (Nánguā).

Are you going to stick with the traditional scary/smiley face for your Jack-O-Lantern or attempt something different? What about carving your favorite Chinese characters, perhaps? Bet it’s good practice!

Can you guess what a Jack-O-Lantern is called in Chinese?

Hint: think about it in no-nonsense mode. How would you simply describe a Jack-O-Lantern to someone? What would you tell them?

A Jack-O-Lantern is, really, a light in a pumpkin! 

So that’s why the Chinese call a Jack-O-Lantern: 南瓜灯 (Nánguādēng). This literally means a pumpkin light.

A Jack-O-Lantern is called a 南瓜灯 (Nánguādēng).

Carve your pumpkin like a Nincha!

This is our 南瓜灯 project: a lucky Nincha cat Jack-o-lantern! That’s right, we carved your favorite Chinese teacher on a pumpkin for Halloween too!
Want to make your own Nincha pumpkin?  Here are the instructions if you want to give it a try too!

Happy trick or treating!

The Nincha Team

Ninchanese is a mew platform where you’ll have fun learning Chinese. Stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Weibo.

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 I love you, will you kiss me ?!

This Nincha is so cute…

Ninchanese is a new platform where you’ll have a blast learning Chinese! We’re still working on it for now, so sign up to try the beta for free when we launch! Check out our trailer and stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Weibo.

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