As Brazil prepares to host the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro this week, a unique cultural exchange is unfolding offstage. CGTN's recent interviews with young Brazilians reveal practical Chinese phrases gaining popularity among South America's youth, bridging linguistic gaps between the two BRICS nations.
Students from the Confucius Institute at Bahia's Federal University demonstrated how language fosters connection. High school student Antonio Alves Campos Neto emphasized the universal utility of 'Qǐngwèn, zhèlǐ shì nǎlǐ?' (Excuse me, where is this place?), calling it 'a traveler's lifeline and a conversation starter'.
Biologist Francisco Sanches Gomes highlighted digital-age communication with 'Wǒ sǎo nǐ, háishì nǐ sǎo wǒ?' (Should I scan your code, or will you scan mine?). 'This phrase opens doors to instant connections through WeChat and simplifies mobile payments – something every visitor to China needs,' he explained.
These linguistic insights emerge as BRICS nations deepen economic cooperation, with China remaining Brazil's largest trading partner. The recommended phrases reflect practical needs in tourism, technology, and cross-cultural engagement – key themes at this year's summit focused on multilateral collaboration.
