This lesson is courtesy of chinaSMACK.com:
“Shanzhai” (山寨) = shan1 zhai4 = literally “mountain stronghold” in reference to historical warlord holdouts that were outside of government control. A “shanzhai” edition product thus refers to products outside of government regulations that are widely reflected in the numerous fake and knockoff electronics/commodities made in China today. The term “shanzhai” can also refer to things that are improvised or home-made and are generally crude in both form and function (the closest English equivalent would be “ghetto”).
In other words: KNOCK OFFS. Like when you buy IVIKE vs NIKE or SQNY vs SONY! Did you know there was a name for them aside from “FAKE?!”
There are a bunch of good examples at chinaSMACK’s post, so check it out!
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7 Comments to “Chinese “Shanzhai” Brands”
Lily wrote:
lol, KFG. what does the “G” stand for?
Posted on 29-Nov-08 at 11:36 am | Permalink
jozjozjoz wrote:
Duh, Lily!
“G” = 雞 = jī!
hahahahaha!
Ok, I don’t know if that’s true, but that’s what it is in my head! Makes sense to me!
Posted on 29-Nov-08 at 12:08 pm | Permalink
Ernie wrote:
OMG Joz, is THAT’S why it’s “G?” That just made this photo about a jillion times cooler.
Posted on 29-Nov-08 at 12:18 pm | Permalink
jozjozjoz wrote:
Actually, I’m pretty sure the reason it’s “G” is because it looks most like “C.”
But I liked my story better.
Posted on 29-Nov-08 at 1:02 pm | Permalink
8Asians.com » KFC vs. KGC, WTF??? wrote:
[...] Maybe these guys are actually fighting about KFG?! [...]
Posted on 01-Jun-09 at 1:07 am | Permalink
8Asians.com » The Snack Foods Brands You Know, with a Chinese Twist wrote:
[...] Of course, we’ve discussed how popular American fast food chains like McDonald’s have different menus for different parts of the globe, so it shouldn’t surprise you that McDonald’s has a purple taro pie in China. But could you imagine getting your Starbucks coffee with jelly cubes in the bottom? How about getting spicy squid on a stick at KFC. Does that make it “Kentucky Fried Cuttlefish” instead of “Chicken?” [...]
Posted on 15-Aug-09 at 12:49 am | Permalink
Another KFC FAIL: Kentucky Grilled Chicken commercial with two Asian guys wearing kamikaze* headbands and looking all stupid at jozjozjoz.com wrote:
[...] Maybe these guys are actually fighting about KFG?! [...]
Posted on 19-Sep-09 at 4:01 am | Permalink
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