8 Different Sports in Chinese

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China’s passion for sports is reflected not only in the international mega-events it has proudly hosted – the 2008 Olympics, the 2021 World University Games, and the 2022 Winter Olympics, to name a few – but also in its consistent performance.

So, if you’re intrigued by China’s love for competitive sports and want to communicate with your Chinese friends about their favorite pastimes, you’re in the right place!

When it comes to sports involving a ball in Chinese, you’ll very likely encounter the character 球 (qiú). Combining the components 玉 (jade; yù) and 求 (excessive demand; qiú), the original meaning of 球 depicted a beautiful and much-desired jade sphere. Today, 球 is used to mean “ball” or any spherical object.

Basketball 篮球

Can you guess which country boasts the largest NBA (National Basketball Association) fanbase outside of the USA? That’s right – it’s China! However, the NBA truly skyrocketed in popularity when China’s most famed basketball player, Yao Ming (姚明; yáo míng), joined the Houston Rockets in 2002. His influence significantly expanded the NBA’s market reach in China.

Basketball in Chinese, you say 籃球/篮球 (lán qiú), which directly translates to “basket ball.”

Football (Soccer) 足球

Football (or soccer) is the second most popular team sport in China. An interesting fact is that some experts believe football’s origins can be traced back to ancient China.

In China, football isn’t just for the professionals; it’s played by people of all ages in schools and parks nationwide. The Chinese word for “football” is 足球 (zú qiú), literally translating to “foot ball.” The character 足 (zú) means “foot,” while 球 (qiú), as we’ve already learnt, stands for “ball.”

Baseball 棒球

What’s the team sport played by two teams of nine players and involving a bat, a ball, and gloves? It’s baseball! While baseball might not be as popular as basketball or football in China, it has been steadily gaining recognition and attracting a following over the years.

The word for baseball in Chinese is 棒球 (bàng qiú). In this term, 棒 (bàng) means “stick” or “bat,” and 球 (qiú) means “ball.” So, 棒球 literally is “bat ball” in Chinese.

Volleyball 排球

The Chinese word for “volleyball” is 排球 (pái qiú). 排 means “to line up,” which hints at a volleyball game’s formation, the lineup. Interestingly, the term “volley” in English refers to hitting the ball into the net.

There’s a shorthand term for “women’s volleyball team.” You add 女 (female/woman; nǚ) and drop 球 from 排球, so it becomes 女排 (nǚ pái).

Table tennis 乒乓球

In this sport, China stands tall with an impressive record. The Chinese national team has pocketed over 100 gold medals in world tournaments since 1926, and it’s no secret that China dominates Olympic table tennis as well.

This love for the sport is so widespread that it’s often referred to as the “national ball game” (国球; guó qiú). This enthusiasm has even made its way into Chinese cinema, with several films based on table tennis.

Interestingly, the Chinese invented the characters 乒乓 (pīng pāng) as a phonetic copy of the word “ping pong.”

Tennis 网球

The Chinese term for “tennis” is 网球 (wǎng qiú). The character 網/网 (wǎng) represents a “net,” reflecting the vital equipment of this sport. Meanwhile, 球 (qiú), as we have seen in multiple sports names, means “ball.” So, 网球 directly translates to “net ball.”

Badminton 羽毛球

Badminton holds exceptional popularity in China, with roots reaching back as far as the 5th century BC. This early form of badminton was referred to as踢键子 (tī jiàn zi) in Chinese, literally translating to “kicking shuttle.”

The Chinese term for “badminton” is 羽毛球 (yǔ máo qiú). 羽毛 (yǔ máo) translates to “feather,” referencing the overlapping feathers fixed on a round core base in the shuttlecock.

Swimming 游泳

Moving from land to water, we find a sport that has made quite a splash in China – swimming.

The Chinese word for “swimming” is 游泳 (yóu yǒng). 游 (yóu) can mean “to swim” or “to wander” as a verb, indicating the effortless glide of a swimmer through the water.

On the other hand, 泳 (yǒng) translates to “swim” as a noun. The combination 游泳 (yóu yǒng) perfectly captures the harmonious interaction between humans and water that is at the heart of the sport of swimming.

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