shanzhai
Language: Mandarin · [ʂan˥ ʈʂaɪ˥˩] · Pronunciation: shahn-JYE
Meaning
a cheeky copy of a famous product — a knock-off
The story
Shanzhai were mountain strongholds where bandits lived beyond the reach of the law. In the 2000s the word moved to the phones built in Shenzhen workshops that copied famous brands, sometimes adding features of their own. English says knock-off.
The four rounds
- Which language is it from?
- Mandarin
- What does it literally say?
- Mountain-stronghold
- Where would you hear it?
- A stall of phones with odd brand names
- What does it mean?
- A cheeky copy of a famous brand
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