I love language

I really do. Everywhere you look, there's some fun little tidbit to learn. Did you know that the Germans "carry" their clothes? So do the Spanish, who "carry" or "convey" their clothing.

But Chinese is the most fun of all. Take the word "guo" as an example. It can be pronounced four different ways: with a high, steady tone; with a rising tone; with a low tone that falls and then rises; or with a falling tone. And here's what it can mean:

high, steady tone: 1) someone's surname; 2) a loud, swallowing sound; 3) a crucible; 4) the name of a mountain; 5) the name of a river; 6) cyrtophyllus [what?!?]; 7) outer city wall; 8) pot, pan; boiler.

rising tone: 1) country; state; nation; 2) cap worn by women; feminine; 3) to slap; 4) to cut off the left ear of the slain; 5) hollow; 6) name of an ancient state.

falling/rising tone: 1) fruit; result; 2) outer coffin; 3) monkey; 4) cooked rice for making cake; 5) Eumenes pomiformis [Again, what?!?]; 6) wrap around; 7) grease-pot under a cart.

falling tone: 1) (experienced action marker); 2) to cross; 3) to go over; 4) to pass (time); 5) to celebrate (a holiday); 6) to live; 7) to get along; 8) a surname; 9) excessively.

Seriously. You have to love a word that can mean either crucible, monkey, "to cut off the left ear of the slain" or "to live" -- depending of course on tone and, I would presume, context.

For more fun with Chinese go here.