Heteronyms - SSBD part 2
This is part 2 of the Same Same But Different (SSBD) series. I'm covering Chinese words which are written identically but have different sounds and meanings when used under different contexts. For part 1, please click here.
Let's look at 4 sets of Chinese heteronyms with very similar pinyin sounds.
弹 dàn refers to the bullet or projectile that is being shot out (think: slingshot or bomb). However, as a verb, it is pronounced tán, relating to the action of strumming / flicking / springing. For example, playing the guitar is 弹吉他 tán jí tā.
If, for instance, a particular email bounced back, you can say it in Chinese as: 电邮弹回来 diàn yóu tán huí lái.
This is another pair that you'll need to differentiate the d- & the t- pinyin sound. 调 diào has multiple meanings. As a verb, it means the action of transferring or shifting something. E.g. 调换 diào huàn is to exchange something for something. If you are investigating or inquiring into something, that’s 调查 diào chá. Lastly, it can also refer to a tune or melody (think: 曲调 qǔ diào).
For the t- pinyin sound, it relates to the idea of regulating or adjusting something to a certain level. E.g. to 调养身体 tiáo yǎng shēn tǐ means to nurse one’s health back (you can use this phrase as part of a get-well-soon message for someone who is recuperating).
Next, 2 pairs of words on the c- & the z- pinyin sound. Firstly, 曾 céng refers to something that was in the past. Often, we use the phrase 曾经 céng jīng which means “once upon a time”. Raise your hand if you can remember the phrase that's immortalised in the Titus advertisement: 不在乎天长地久， 只在乎曾经拥有?
It takes a certain .. ahem .. age group to appreciate this ad from the past.
Tagline: 不在乎天长地久(bù zài hu tiān cháng dì jiǔ), 只在乎曾经拥有 (zhī zài hu céng jīng yōng yǒu)
Translation: It doesn't matter how long we've been together. It's the times spent together that really counts
On the other hand, as a noun, 曾 zēng refers to great-grand (father, child, etc).
Last but not the least, the second pair for the c- & the z- pinyin sound. The word 重 zhòng means heavy. As an adjective, you can use it for something that is important or weighty. As a verb, it's 重chóng, used to describe repetition. E.g. 重复chóng fù means to repeat. 重来一次 chóng lái yī cì means to redo something. Or in army lingo, the dreaded phrase "SEMULA!"
An animated GIF loops endlessly, making it the perfect example to illustrate 重复.