Qīn, zài mɑ?
亲, 在 吗?
Dear, are you online?
If you spend any time chatting online with Chinese friends or if you communicate with online sellers on Taobao or another web sales platform, it's very likely that you'll be addressed with a word that most translation applications will read as "Dear." The first time it happens, you may be a bit alarmed…thinking perhaps that your relationship has become more intimate than you'd planned.
Fear not, we're here to explain why. The word "Qin亲(qīn)" is the short form of "亲爱的(qīnài de)", which translates as dear. While Dear is used to address relatively informal letters in the west, calling a random stranger"dear" online is not a typical way to interact.
To gain some perspective, it is important to remember that all languages are constantly evolving and changing. More and more Chinese people use the Internet as a social and shopping portal and increasingly, words are created or given new meaning by this collective group known as netizens.
If you need to ask a seller from an online store a question, the accepted first salutation is 亲, 在吗Qīn, zàimɑ? – translated as "Dear, are you online?"
Similarly, when using QQ, WeChat or other social media applications, friends and acquaintances utilize 亲, 在吗Qīn, zàimɑ as an opening line as it expresses a warm and welcoming tone.
Of course, 亲爱的qīnài de can also be used in its original, more traditional form and meaning.
For example “亲(qīn)” can be used as a noun referring to the members of family with blood or marriage relations to you. Relatives such as parents, uncle, mother in law and other are generally called“亲人(qīnrén).”
Jim shì Tom de qīnérzi.
Jim 是Tom的亲儿子。
Jim is Tom’s own son.
Secondly, “亲(qīn)” can be translated into close, intimate or dear to express the intimate relationship. We have “亲密(qīnmì,) close.” You can say:
“qīn mì de xiǎohuǒbàn.
亲 密 的 小 伙 伴。
close friends. ”
Finally, “亲(qīn)” also can be used as a verb indicating kiss.
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