Since China’s dramatic and successful hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games “奥运会 (Aoyùnhuì),” the Chinese people have considered The Olympics as a point of pride for their country. The Beijing games, and its colorful opening ceremony, captured the attention of the world and are still the most-watched Olympics in history. After China won 50 gold medals that year, Chinese sports fans have had “Olympic fever” ever since! So, this year the fever is back, with the 2016 Summer Olympic Games being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Let’s look at some of the Chinese language behind the Olympics:
“夺冠 (duóguàn)” is the most commonly-used name for the Olympics. It is the short version of “夺取冠军 (duóqǔ guànjūn).”
夺取 (duóqǔ): capture, seize
冠军 (guànjūn):champion
“夺duó” is the word most commonly used in competitions. We see it in the name and we’ll read about it’s use for winning “the gold” later on!
Some examples of “夺冠 (duóguàn)” in use are:
Tā zài zhè cì bǐsài zhōng duóguàn.
他 在 这 次 比赛 中 夺冠。
He won first place in this competition.
Wǒ bú kěnéng duóguàn.
我 不 可能 夺冠。
I can’t win a gold medal!
We can take “夺 (duó)” and add “金 (jīn)” to make “夺金 (duójīn)”: gold medal-winning / to capture a gold medal
“夺金 (duójīn)” has a similar meaning to the word “夺冠 (duóguàn).” 夺/夺取 (duó/duóqǔ): capture, seize; 金牌 (jīnpái): gold medal. So, often we can also use it to describe people who receive the gold medal in a competition.
Zhāng Mèngxuě zài shí mǐ qìshǒuqiāng bǐsài zhōng duójīn.
张 梦雪 在 10 米 气手枪 比赛 中 夺金。
Zhang Mengxue claimed the gold medal in women’s 10m Air Pistol.
Now you’re ready to talk to your Chinese friends who also have the “Olympic spirit.” Now is the season to put this language to use!
1. If you receive a “金牌 (jīnpái),” it means that you are the:
A. 2nd-place winner
B. not good enough to compete in the Olympics
C. 3rd-place winner
D. 1st-place winner
2. All the following words means you are the winner EXCEPT:
A. 夺金 (duójīn)
B. 夺取 (duóqǔ)
C. 夺冠 (duóguàn)
D. 夺取冠军 (duóqǔ guànjūn)