Three Essential Words in Chinese Dramas

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[@esmagiyar3338]

So that's what translators mean when they write "there is no fate between us" or "if we have fate we will meet again". Thank you!

[@kptsjn]

Being Asian who grew up watching a lot of Chinese drama growing up I totally love this video. I could listen to you talk about this topic all day. A lot of deep meaning words lost its meaning through translation which is a shame for sure. Wonderful video as always! 💖

[@may12355]

I just want to let you know how much a Chinese born but American grown person appreciates these types of lessons. I understand conversational mandarin just fine but it’s these bigger concepts that I think is lost on me. Thank you for clarifying it brings a deeper level of understanding

[@lilshadowyc]

Lan Zhan+Wei Ying=缘分😏

[@newname3718]

Re-entering hongchen for that one person who have yuan. 😆 And then they set off to bring peace to tianxia, occasionally whacking some asses of their kids or planting shizhui.. I think that was the synopsis of the ebook? 😂😂😂😂

[@osborne6363]

Oh hell yes!

[@roxelaneelmira4678]

I'd say that they had yuan from the start, but the fen was simply not there in the 1st incarnation of WWX... ;) Then the fen was there so all is well in tianxia! :P

[@dennylam269]

Great video. I too find translators have a hard time translating those three words/phrases. 1) Tian Xia--should be translated as, "all under the heaven." 2) Hung Chen--should be translated as, "worldly possessions, relationships and entanglements." 3) Yuen Fen--is serendipity, serendipitous, and serendipitously

[@HanQ28]

I’ve been watching you for close to two years now, almost right from the beginning! And I couldn’t even remember how I found out this channel in the first place. So this must mean: I have Yuan with you😝 and with everyone who stumbles upon this comment of mine. Hope you all have a great day😋😋🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Neferkit1]

I always enjoy your videos and learn so much from you that really enriches my C-drama experience. Knowing the complexity of meaning to words, and the world view behind them, has always been important to me. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@LikeOMGDuh21]

In my language, (Khmer) these words actually translated nicely. Except maybe for the third word which require two words. That’s why i watch the subs versions so I can catch the words they say and see if the subs match well. I understand a little mandarin so that helps. Especially when watch Love and Destiny, some things are not translated properly.

[@buckrogers5331]

yuan fen - I've always thought fen is "part". Thus, "you yuan wu fen" means you have the fate to meet, but no luck in being a part of each other's life. Or be in each other's life. Kind of like you meet a married man or woman that you get along very well, but alas. you cannot have each other.

[@IcyFlakas]

These explanations are so helpful! The dictionaries don't do these terms justice. Thank you!

[@noushzad19]

I have a very strong yuan with you, considering I've been here since your third video uploaded!!!!

[@RoseNZieg]

the only word i could find for yuan is affinity, but even that word can be used slightly in different ways as well.

[@tailor31415]

yuanfen is a fascinating concept! thanks for the explanation. you yuan wu fen seems a bit like "star-crossed lovers" in english

[@angelxxsin]

The Pleco definition for yuanfen is predestined relationship; natural affinity among people; lot or luck by which people are brought together. Also, fate or chance that brings people together or when it comes to Buddhism, it's just defined as destiny. Taking all that into consideration it does seem like fate is probably the definition in English. As a professional translator, perfect translations aren't always possible, so the closest possible translation is usually enough to communicate both a definition and a connotation.

[@wyrmbooty]

I agree - the word "fated" as in fated lovers or fated meeting seems like an almost perfect match.

[@lilyTlily]

AvenueX your videos are true gems and my understanding of Chinese has improved because we have yuan fen 😀 .you are my Chinese lao shi and my Cdrama shifu.

[@chokypocky]

the way you explained 'yuan fun' was absolutely beautiful. i loved it!

[@noanRUA]

I never knew where it came from, but it sounds like it's through the translation of the Tiān Xià that "under the heavens" became another name for China in Russian language. Thank you for the video! 😘

[@janicepan2092]

I really enjoy these types of videos. You do such a great job of explaining these concepts!

[@controlAmusik]

I love that type of videos too She explain so well

[@sarahvaeti119]

Your voice is soo calming! Which is just what most of us need with the new semester going on. 😭

[@actuallyvidding]

Thank you so much!!! Ahhh I'm so so so glad that I came across your channel that day. ❤️

[@ungersj9530]

Best translation I can think of for yuan is quantum entanglement of the soul. It even has the nice corollary that its really freaking hard to explain!

[@miz1041]

I love these videos you've been putting up lately. Explaining words. Please put up more! ☺️

[@karolalpha]

Thank you for making this video! It was really interesting, you can talk and express yourself so well!

[@charatize]

Thnakyou! I'm very excited to hear the word '红尘' cuz one of my favorite songs from Jay Chou is 红尘客栈

[@opensecret51]

Thank you so much for your wonderful explanations!!

[@fairlymoon448]

I love these explanatory vids! Informative, interesting and well explained!

[@scrsra1883]

Thank you! Your "explanation videos" are particularly interesting and fascinating. I've even started to take notes while watching them.. ^_^

[@sophalanier9329]

Hi Lady AvenueX, before i ramble on let me say that I definitely have a "yuan" connection with you even we are thousands of mile apart. thank you for explaning the 3 difficult to translate words you attempted to explain earlier. i always appreciate chinese people who do the translation of movies, novels, songs, manhua, and nonEnglish sub youtube etc..Chinese is an old language thousands of years old and very beautiful and poetic, i am slowly discovering. thank you for doing your channel in English for us English speaker. You are an absolute IDOL of mine:)

[@AvenueX123]

Thank you! Lady AvenueX sounds like a game character😂

[@moiravanchristen]

This is truly wonderful! Such a "haoyun" for me to have come across your channel😃. I'm enjoying your vids so much, thank you!!!

[@jrmykhy]

I love these videos, there's such a calming vibe to them and they help me understand dramas better since I'm not a native speaker, thank you so much

[@Damonistique]

This was SO interesting! Thank you for such detailed explanation. If one day you will come across the idea of making vids about something as conceptually filled as chengyu or poems, you have one supporter for sure :D

[@janicebrabec176]

Informative and fascinating! Thank you very much!

[@StarElementalDancer]

I love that other cultures have words for intangible things. Intuition. Feeling, instant connection with someone else based on whatever, etc. And I love that I get to know them through the art (dramas) that different cultures produce. Super cool explanations. Would love to have more. Thank you.

[@mikaelaolaguera1124]

Thanks for this, I learned a lot. Please keep going with this kind of content. I started formally learning Mandarin because of cdrama and your videos make me appreciate more the beauty of this language.

[@shaw590]

I´m so thankful to having yuan with you and your channel. ;)

[@erich.1257]

We definitely have 缘!!!! I don't remember which was the first episode I saw from your channel. The only thing I know is that I love and feel so so comfortable with the way you talk and the content you make. I really really enjoy the small yet very insightful knowledge you share. Please keep up the good work!!!

[@isabelmartinezz]

Thanks a lot for the explanation. I love your channel, since the first day I watched it, a year ago more or less. I dont remember how I find you, I think I was looking for a new drama to watch and then your video appears on my screem. I have a special feeling about you and how do you explain every drama or what ever. So Im sure we have that special conection, or Yuan Fen

[@bankuei]

Thank you for this video! As a 3rd generation Chinese in America, I didn't get to hear about a lot of these cultural aspects and it's really informative. I've only recently discovered your channel (I stumbled across your Wu Kong videogame video) and have been loving all the range of topics you've covered, from series to the background of how dramas are made, to these cultural bits. Thank you again!

[@dominiquengsingkwong7117]

Thank you very much for sharing and giving us an insight on Chinese culture! Just love your videos! Please keep enlightening us! We are grateful! Take care!

[@SirSailorStar]

Awe. I watched your Mulan video recently and found my way here. I really like your channel! Its fun, I've been wanting to watch a drama since I know one of the friends I have really loves them and they got two of my other friends to watch. I'm happy I got to learn what some of the words mean, if I ever get to watch one! The last one you explained felt so special. I'm glad it brought me here. Have a nice night, AvenueX!

[@sushmarai2015]

Love all your videos. I think I have seen nearly all of them. I am always looking out for your videos- seeing if you have put put new ones. Big Fan of you. Keep doing what you do- you are doing well.

[@alinaghidion9189]

Thank you for such an extensive explanation. I find Chinese language fascinating. It has a musicality, a depth and a poetry that I resonate with. I am actually learning it by watching Chinese series and I have often noticed that the translations of the same phrase/word vary. Thank you again for bringing light to such a beautiful world :)

[@moniqueclarke8415]

These are my favorite types of videos from you.

[@alicea5]

I love your gray top!!!

[@juliamoon8860]

I really loved watching this video 💗😘, pls keep uploading this type of content .

[@linhtrang8803]

Started watching c drama again since the quarantined working from home and stumbled across your channel. I guess we have yuan. Make more videos like this, very education and useful.

[@Crivitao]

Such a really great video, I totally love the definition of yuan. That’s how I felt upon meeting my husband for the first time. We just instantly were drawn to each other. Now I have a word for it.😊

[@imah1991]

Love this informative video. I'm multi-lingual and I love to watch other culture/language dramas. I tend to pick up the connotations easily so I can detect when the subs are off. I also tend to translate the word to the other languages I know just to see if there's an equivalent. The word 红尘 is something I didn't notice before though. It's always interesting how the meaning of a world is derive. Thank you!

[@cameronayers2414]

I'm currently learning Chinese and I love your videos about the language and poetry. ❤

[@Thisaccountisnotabot]

You explain things so well! It would be really cool for you to do these type of segments where you explain chinese language and idioms or poems instead of all the drama reviews (I know you said in previous videos you were getting tired of that). Thank you for all the great content you do!

[@mnx6880]

Thank you sooo much i really enjoy your vids 😍

[@christinecharbonneau4448]

This is so interesting. I kept seeing this concept of “destiny” in the couple of C-dramas I have watched, and it is obviously a romantic idea, but I appreciated the complexity of it with this explanation. Thanks!

[@g-alicecheng1287]

Thank you so much, remind me of myself trying to explain these ideas to my foreign friends

[@taiwo3136]

I love your videos so much! Your content is always unique and interesting. Thank you for explaining. Btw, I'm watching Joy of Life now because of you! I really like it. I didn't expect it to be so funny lol. Thanks for the recommendation. Stay safe and healthy ❤

[@mkull910]

This was so fascinating! I love the way you focused on three Chinese words and gave them the same careful attention you give in evaluating dramas. I learn so much by watching your videos. It also develops my appetite to know more about Chinese dramas, culture, language, and history. By the way, are you familiar with Chris Stewart’s The History of China podcast? I think you and him possess a similar presentation style and tone. Anyways, I love this video and wonder if you’ll do another one like it. What about focusing on some words from either the modern corporate drama world or from fan phrases/slang from Weibo & Bilibili?

[@pearudo9455]

Thank you so much. It’s such a lovely video.

[@suethao14]

i loved Hero. One of my fav movie. Cried so much at the end.

[@shengkoivu953]

As always, THANK YOU!!!

[@rebeccayuan789]

Thanks for explaining the literal meaning of hong chen. I knew it in the context of monks/nuns giving up the world, but never thought about the background or poetic meaning. Hope there can be more educational videos like these!

[@noname-why]

Great choice of words to explain!

[@lawrenceluo3365]

Really make sense! （悄悄说我一直看你的视频来学英文···XD

[@ladyhae9858]

This video changed my life like, now my perspective is different. I loved it 💜

[@amandatinnin5702]

I've been watching many dramas and I keep running across ba uhn - something about repaying debts? It's not just a Feng Jiu thing...I hear it over and over as I've started watching more period dramas in particular and I assume it is linked to spirituality, but I feel there is a much deeper context like yuan. It seems embedded in predistination, so maybe an exploration of Destiny, Repaying of Debts, and Calamity? would be an interesting tryptich for lack of a better word. I love this topic because I am a huge fan of etymology. I have been looking for something like this, but came across your channel by accident.

[@acrossthepacific5832]

I really love these kinds of videos that you do!! I am learning Mandarin Chinese right now these kinds of videos and lessons are difficult to find other places. Especially when it comes to terms in Dramas and movies (which I love). I was wondering if the word yuan is synonymous with the idea of soulmates or platonic soulmates.

[@frankleepower2333]

Very fascinating! I'm currently watching "The Story of Ming Lan". Have seen "The Empress of China".

[@popkitlum8415]

You explained it very clearly!!

[@chinasubtitled8892]

语文老师AvenueX! 作为一个中国人，我听了也受益。😊 你做的真的是很有价值的事情！

[@user-fm3lh7gh4k]

您解释的太细致了！！！向您学习！！！

[@aguitaVM]

Yuen remainds me the expression of "mean to be", which implies god's will. There is a mdxican song that says "aunque no quieras tú, ni quiera yo, lo quiso Dios, hasta la eternidad siempre serás mi amor"

[@mnm2156]

this was very interesting, thank you!

[@9nidow756]

Thank you, my thinking has been expanded

[@EloiseInParis]

I get what you mean by Tian Sha and Hong Shen , and I can't think of one word that encompasses all of those meanings for either word. Your Yuan conversation sounds like soul mates. There is the concept that soul mates don't have to mean romantic, but someone you come into contact with every life. Like a parent and child could've been siblings in another life. Or friends are friends in every life. Sometimes it easy and you remain close, and sometimes it's only for a reason or season. The twin flame concept would apply to Jiu Chen and Ling Xi. Someone more than a soul mate. Someone you are destined to be closely connected to every life. Someone being with won't be easy, but is meant to be and ultimately what makes you happy.

[@AvenueX123]

soulmates are too specific, yuan can be bad or good or fleeting, long lasting or short lived, any form of entanglement can be called yuan

[@raini0705]

yuan is a vaguer term, but yes, soulmates is inside the broad category thats how i see it!!

[@EloiseInParis]

@@AvenueX123 That's what I said, lol (a reason or a season). Soul Mate means the same thing. Its true meaning is a soul you re-encounter across lives. The idea is that you have more than one soul mate. You can have a short or long term relationship. It can be platonic or romantic. It can even be someone you are an enemy of. Hollywood co-opted the word and have tried to redefine it as your one true romantic partner, but that's not really all it is.

[@flysmask]

@@EloiseInParis Not quite, because soul mate usually implies there is a definite connection, but for yuan there may not be a definite connection just the circumstance for which people meet, and it may be positive or negative, while soul mate is usually positive and implies actual relationship of sorts. Yuan can also be used for objects and people, or place and people too in some circumstances.

[@becksfun]

Hihi! My 2 cents opinion on 缘 = karma. If you have 缘 with someone or something, you either keep running into it or you are attracted to it (a 'karmic connection'). Serendipity is also a good word choice for 缘

[@estancemoriarty1810]

Thank you so much!

[@danielzhang2823]

Hi my beautiful jiejie ❤❤ I always love watching your video contents especially everything about CDramas... and wow you actually live in Canada instead of Mainland/Taiwan/Hongkong ..... My best regards from Indonesia 👍🙏

[@gufbrindleback]

One of the things I notice in a lot of Asian drama, is the apparent preference for tragic or downer endings. Are these ideas related? For example, that you might change your fen but your yuan is going to bring you to your appointed ending no matter what?

[@IllusionQueen4Eva]

1) 天下 = World/Beneath Heaven 2) 紅塵 = Mortal World/Mundane World 3) 緣分 Predestined Relationship Those are the translations I prefer the most but you're right, they can't be used for every situation.

[@angelxxsin]

Yeah, this is basically it, from what I understand. I maintain that fate is probably the best single term for yuanfen, even if it's not a perfect translation. It's still close enough that with context people can derive the true meaning.

[@Sushisan-wv2jd]

I love to learn chinese things from you. It's very exotic for a bavarian woman

[@adelaidesocorroschramm7380]

Very good and important explication for person's likes the dramas chineses thanks

[@bonniegreen5188]

Thank you for your explanations! They are very clear.👍 I think "分(fen)" in "缘分(yuan fen)" could be understood by biblical terms "share," "portion"or "lot." For example, two people meet and fall in love because they have "缘(yuan)", but they do not end up together because they do not have "分(fen)"/ Such fate is not their share, or portion, or lot.

[@NeahNadie]

Okay, "Bichen" makes soooo much more sense now! How deliciously ironic for LWJ and WWX.

[@CelesCI]

I love the digusted sound "pff" "pfui" xDD (they do with like they want to spit on the ground with it)

[@annechristinerivera7526]

I'm studying Chinese to enhance the drama watching. Thanks for this. I will say your vibe attracts your tribe.

[@AvenueX123]

Lol, nice rhyming

[@user-is9ym9hz3j]

学英语！这个角度好有趣，谢谢🍓

[@ShanaJahsintaWalters]

Love your videos lady.

[@period9_1.4.9]

Absolutely pleased with your last few videos after being busy with so many other stuff over the past year or so. Your translation and presentation is very engaging and unpretentious. The world would be a better place with 修身齐家治国平天下 as a guiding principle.

[@sirupsee4698]

I wonder if this feeling of 'forcing it', be it a job or relationship, maybe this is when you have one of the wrong constellations. Man, it seems so applicable in my situation right now :(

[@kflowers8276]

I found this very interesting. Thanks for the explanation, however, if I'm being honest, characters speak so quickly that I don't remember ever hearing any of these words. And I'm watching Love and Destiny right now!!! LOL!! Thanks for deepening my reason to watch c-dramas though.

[@clarachan8262]

跟着A太学英语是真的，记下了好多新单词

[@Hirku00Hellgates]

Maybe Yuan can be the emotional bonds, the relationship and connections.

[@siner7631]

缘from Malaysia 💕

[@katiirabbi]

真的跟你的频道很有缘分啊（才不是因为youtube推送的哈哈哈

[@AvenueX123]

嘤~

[@stephaniefaithsim]

I really like this video 🤭

[@cremevanille737]

I love your work .and i wanna ask you how can i learn chinese because i love this beautiful language💗🥰

[@katjakartsch2814]

Yuan - what a wonderful word! The idea of chinese is so different from our indoeuropean languages. But beautiful. I may be mistaken, but isn`t it so, that how the others adress the Kings are in some of the dramas" tian xia and sometimes bie xia?

[@mikaelaolaguera1124]

I agree. Chinese language is so complicated and beautiful. Btw, Tianxia 天下 is different to how they address the royals. In most cases, emperors are addressed as Bixia 陛下 (Your Majesty) and princes are addressed as Dianxia 殿下 (Your Highness). *with varieties depending on sovereignty across the periods and dynasties

[@katjakartsch2814]

@@mikaelaolaguera1124 Thank You!

[@clairetan]

@avenuex can you share where you get your outfits from? I love them!

[@Shayri01]

Hong Chen sounds like "world" - I will give up worldly attachments to obtain enlightenment . Sansar is world in sanskrit/hindi too! Pratyay in Sanskrit means two things - cause & suffix.

[@angelxxsin]

Sounds like Tian Xia is just a term for "world", figuratively or literally, depending on context.

[@sanako03]

Thank you for explaining these concepts! Particularly 'yuan'. I don't know Mandarin very well, but I would see 'yuan' next to 'ren' sometimes and it would confuse me. It kind of sounds like it's a "blessing of chemistry" between people and things. Is that just about right?? For instance; between two people , a group of people, or a person and a thing? Can it still be 'yuan'? Thanks again for the help!

[@sanako03]

Is a "blessing of bonds" better than a "blessing of chemistry"? 🤔

[@zainyodus5404]

Tian xia e ren xia...this word came from novoland eagle flag

[@calkestis5817]

What’s the thumbnail from? That’s a beautiful shot.