Top Ten Popular Daily Chinese Words（2） 三、低调 (dīdiào) Keep a low profile Origin The word “ 低调( dī diào )” means to keep a low profile. It comes from asentence “ 高调做事，低调做人 (Gāo diào zuò shì, dī diào zuò rén ),” which means to work in a high profile and behave in a low profile. Another sentence shares the same meaning: “ 竖起桅杆做事， 砍倒桅杆做人 ( Shù qǐ wéi gǎn zuò shì, kǎn dǎo wéi gǎn zuò rén).” It means that when you try to catch fish on the sea, you can put up the mast to speed up your ship. And when you encounter the storm, you should cut the mast off to survive. Usage “低(dī)” means low. In the word “ 低调(dī diào),” it also refers to something inconspicuous. And “ 调(dià o), ” as a noun, can be used to refer to melody and tune of music. “ 低调 (dī diào ) ” means that one is modest and prudent toward people, and should not make a show of his ability in front of others. So when there are people who tend to flaunt themselves in public, we can say “ you should 低调(dī diào ) keep a low profile. ” Examples 1. 我们在整个事件中必须保持低调。 Wǒ men zài zhěng gè shì jiàn zhōng bì xū bǎo chí dī diào. We must keep the whole thing in a low profile. 2. 他这人一直很低调。 Tā zhè rén yì zhí hěn dī diào. He always keeps a low profile. 四、抬杠 (tái gàng) To argue for the sake of arguing Origin In early times in Northern China, there existed a custom called “ 抬杠会 ( tái gàng huì ), ” which was an argument meeting. On the day of the Lantern Festival, several strong men carried “ 杠( gàng) a thick stick” on which there was a sedan. A clown with a ready tongue sat inside the sedan. These strong men carried the sedan in the crowd and the crowd would have quarreling competitions with the clown. This kind of meeting is the origin of “ 抬杠(tái gàng) to argue for the sake of arguing. ” Usage The word “ 抬(tái)” means to lift something heavy such as a big stone, or a sedan. And the word “ 杠(gàng)” refers to a thick stick. Examples 1. 我受不了他了，他总是跟我抬杠。 Wǒ shòu bù liăo ta le, ta zǒng shì gēn wǒ tái gàng. I cannot stand him, because he always argues with me. 2. 我们一见面就抬杠。 Wǒ men yī jiàn miàn jiù tái gàng. We argue with each other whenever we meet.