5 Bad Gift Ideas for Chinese People

Next time you want to give something special to a Chinese person you know, be sure not to choose one of these bad gifts that are culturally taboo items:

1. Clocks

Clock is pronounced the same as “the end“ in Chinese. Giving someone a clock means you are awaiting their death.

Emperor Kangxi dealt with government affairs only in the morning. (Image: Unsplash via Pixabay) — Clock is pronounced the same as “the end“ in Chinese. (Image: Unsplash via Pixabay)

2. Shoes

“Shoes” and “evil” are both pronounced “xié” in Chinese. Giving shoes can connote giving evil (except when given by relatives).

Is there a hidden meaning behind the NIKE swoosh? (Image: Pixabay/CC0 1.0) — “Shoes” and “evil” are both pronounced “xié” in Chinese. (Image: Pixabay/CC0 1.0)

3. Umbrellas

Umbrella is pronounced the same as the Chinese term for “break apart.” Giving a friend an umbrella means that you are destined to be apart in the future.

Umbrella is pronounced the same as the Chinese term for “break apart.” (Image: pixabay / CC0 1.0)

4. Pears or plums

Pears and plums, both pronounced “li” in Chinese, are similar to the pronunciation of “separate.” Giving either of these two fruits to someone means you might separate from each other in the future.