当“中国银行”遇上中国游客 - When 'Chugoku Bank' Meets Chinese Tourists [HSK 4]

A bank in Kobe, Japan, sparks confusion and discussion because of its name.

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《English Translation》

刘娜: Yuko, did you see the news recently? There’s a bank in Kobe, Japan called 'Chugoku Bank,' and many Chinese tourists are misunderstanding it.
优子: Yes, I’ve seen that bank in Japan. I think Chinese people could easily get confused.
刘娜: Exactly, tourists think it’s a Chinese bank and expect the staff to speak Chinese. But when they go in, they find everyone speaks Japanese, which really surprises them.
优子: I’ve heard about that too. Later, the bank put up signs in Chinese inside, explaining that this is a Japanese bank and has no connection to China.
刘娜: Right, but some people online still think the name is misleading and seems to be using the reputation of the Bank of China.
优子: Actually, in Japan, 'Chugoku' refers to a region in Japan, not the country China. The bank probably didn’t expect the name would cause so many issues.
刘娜: That’s true. This shows we need more communication and understanding between different cultures. The same words can mean different things in different places.
优子: Yes, that’s why when we learn a language, we should also learn about the culture, so we can avoid misunderstandings.
刘娜: Well said. Your Chinese is sounding more natural, and you’re really understanding Chinese culture better!