| Word | Meaning | Notes |
|---|
| char |
tea |
Used in UK slang as in 'a cup of char'. |
| China |
middle country |
Asian country. Also used for porcelain in UK. |
| feng shui |
wind, water |
|
| ginseng |
image of man |
Root of medicinal plant which is forked. |
| Japan |
rising sun |
Asian country. |
| kowtow |
bump head |
Showing respect. |
| kung fu |
merit master |
A martial art. |
| mahjong |
|
the game |
| sampan |
three sails |
A three sailed boat. |
| shanghai |
on the sea |
In the old days men would be 'shanghaied' - forced to serve in the navy. |
| tofu |
spoiled bean |
from 'dou fu', a soya bean extract |
| typhoon |
big wind |
Violent Asian storm. The Atlantic Ocean version is called a 'hurricane'. |
| yin and yang |
|
Opposite characteristics. |
