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同志 usage

lan_dawei
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同志 usage

Postby lan_dawei » November 1st, 2009 5:18 pm

When I first encountered the word 同志, I learned it in
the context of "comrade" in the context that it would be used in a Socialist/Communist society. I see that it is slang for
"homosexual" as well. (I thought that that sort of usage was
restricted to Taiwan, but I don't recall where I read that).

How did the term "comrade" also become a word for "homosexual"? Also, is the term still commonly used
as "comrade" in PRC or has that usage fallen by the way side?
That is would classmates growing up call each other "comrade" or members in the military?
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david
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Postby david » November 2nd, 2009 8:31 pm

Did you catch the coverage of the military parade they held to celebrate the 60th anniversary of 建国? CCTV is definitely doing it's bit to hold up the original usage. Leads to some interesting television.

I'd be curious to know exactly where the dividing line is in terms of which people think of what definition by default.

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lan_dawei
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Postby lan_dawei » November 3rd, 2009 3:51 am

Well, that's in interesting question. The best that I can ascertain is that it comes from the lexicographers, at YellowBridge. I asked my wife about the word usage and she agreed that "comrade" was the default usage and that "homosexual" was a secondary or slang usage. I was wondering if I jokingly called someone from Taiwan "comrade" if it would be taken in the wrong way. I suppose the best thing to do is avoid the attempt at joking in this instance.
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jchow
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Postby jchow » April 24th, 2010 3:36 pm

the original meaning of 同志 is "comrade", but in the daily life of nowadays, Chinese won't use 同志(comrade) besides the mainland. Not only Taiwan, the mainland chinese also use 同志 mean gay people just for banter. 同志 you heard on tv just as the government medium and the party, we don't use the word in our life. :wink:

david
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Postby david » April 25th, 2010 7:01 am

Even in the mainland, it's quickly taking on the Taiwanese meaning. Except on television. CCTV is trying to pretend the second definition doesn't exist, which adds a surreal tone to the televised celebrations starring Party leaders. :)

lan_dawei
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Postby lan_dawei » April 25th, 2010 12:57 pm

david wrote:Even in the mainland, it's quickly taking on the Taiwanese meaning. Except on television. CCTV is trying to pretend the second definition doesn't exist, which adds a surreal tone to the televised celebrations starring Party leaders. :)


I think it would be cool if they started calling each other 哥们儿。 :D
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bigal
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Postby bigal » September 29th, 2010 8:34 am

There is a separate word for classmate which our teacher was quick to teach us.

同学 tóng xué

There are a few (I'm not sure of the differences)

同班同学 tóng bān tóng xué

同砚 tóng yàn

砚友 yàn yǒu

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