REAL INTERNET CHINESE
to burn incense at a temple
begging the universe for luck, half joke and half genuine wish
- Who can you say it to?
- Friends and coworkers Normal among people your own age. Skip it with elders, clients and officials.
- Out loud, or only typed?
- Typed, not spoken People type this. Saying it out loud sounds like a joke.
- Is it still used?
- Settled in Past the fad stage, part of everyday speech.
When to say it
Before the exam, the interview, the apartment lottery, you jokingly light incense to whatever runs the universe: please let this one work out. It is the stylish version of surrendering control. Typed more than done; people who never visit temples still burn incense in the comment section.
Hear it in the wild
Míngzǎo miànshì, xiān shàng xiāng qiú guò.
Interview tomorrow morning, burning incense first to pass.
Chū chéngjì qiányè, pínglùnqū dōu zài shàng xiāng.
The night before results, the comments are all burning incense.
Quick answers
What does 上香 mean?
begging the universe for luck, half joke and half genuine wish
When do people say 上香?
Before the exam, the interview, the apartment lottery, you jokingly light incense to whatever runs the universe: please let this one work out. It is the stylish version of surrendering control. Typed more than done; people who never visit temples still burn incense in the comment section.
Take the wall with you: the slang deck, $9 once
All 185 expressions with their audio as an Anki deck, with who you can say them to on the back of every card. No subscription, 14 day refund.
HearMandarinTodayLearnPracticeReviewMePro