Translation question: booger

Language Learning Chinese
1

I’ve no idea, the wife isn’t sure, the daughter’s got us curious.

Suggestions?

Thnx

2

鼻屎 (bi2 shi3) = “nose shit” = booger

3

But does it have the requisite level of ‘booger’? Not just the equivalent of ‘mucous’, for example.

4

This clearly belongs in “Learning Chinese”, not Temp.

5

But does it have the requisite level of ‘booger’? Not just the equivalent of ‘mucous’, for example.[/quote]
鼻屎 is a colloquial word. The scientific term for “nasal mucus” is 鼻涕 (bi2 ti4).

By the way, 鼻屎 can also mean “snot”.

6

You’re right. It belongs elsewhere.

“Hear that, Willow? Your booger’s in the wrong place!”

earlier that evening
~poke, poke~
“Ow! What’s that? Did you have crackers in bed?”
“No, not me. Oh, look. It’s a pointy, crusty, baby booger. Ain’t that sweet.”

7

By the way, Google Translate… No idea what a booger is. Perhaps someone would like to suggest a few translations: booger, nose shit; boogerhead, censorious hacking CCP asshats; ect.

Thanks all

8

make it up as you go… :laughing:

9

But does it have the requisite level of ‘booger’? Not just the equivalent of ‘mucous’, for example.[/quote]
Recall the immortal words of a former foreign minister, who, when pissed off at Singapore, described it as being (rough translation) “a country no bigger than a booger.”

In that case he used the word bishi (or rather the Hoklo equivalent).

10

But does it have the requisite level of ‘booger’? Not just the equivalent of ‘mucous’, for example.[/quote]

I think Chris is right. Bi2shi3 is booger and bi2ti4 is liquid nasal mucous. For the associated verbs, you ‘wa1’ 挖 (dig out) bi2shi3 but you ‘xing3’ 擤 (blow) bi2ti4. So to blow your nose is xing3 bi2ti4 (not xing3 bi2zi).

11

But does it have the requisite level of ‘booger’? Not just the equivalent of ‘mucous’, for example.[/quote]

I think Chris is right. Bi2shi3 is booger and bi2ti4 is liquid nasal mucous.[/quote]
Minor nitpick: “mucus” is a noun, “mucous” is an adjective (“mucous membrane”).

“-us” is a noun ending, “-ous” is an adjective ending.

Another commonly confused pair of words is “callus” vs. “callous”.

Sorry, just a spelling peeve of mine! :smiley:

12

Good to know, thanks! :slight_smile:

13

Learned a new word today: “rhinotillexis”. It means 挖鼻子.

14

Let’s not forget that in order to 挖 (wa1; dig) 鼻屎 (bi2shi3; booger), one must 摳 (kou1; retrieve with finger/fingernail) 鼻子 (bi2zi; nose).