Catch Phrase | 星爸爸(xīngbàbà)

Writer: Debra Li  |  Editor: Stephanie Yang  |  From: Shenzhen Daily  |  Updated: 2021-08-23

Meaning:

“星” means “star,” and “爸爸” means “dad.” While the official Chinese name for Starbucks, a coffee chain brand, is “星巴克” (xīngbākè), many Chinese have jokingly used the nickname “星爸爸” to refer to the brand, because of a similarity in the Chinese pronunciation. Some also say that Starbucks registered many similar Chinese brand names to deter rip-offs, which actually included “星爸爸.”

Example:

A: 你上班是不是路过一家星爸爸?

Nǐ shàngbān shìbushì lùguò yījiā xīngbàbà?

Do you happen to walk past a Starbucks store on your way to the office?

B: 是啊,要我带一杯吗?

Shì a,yào wǒ dài yībēi ma?

Yeah, need me to bring you a cup of joe?

A: 对,麻烦帮我带一杯焦糖玛奇朵,中杯。

Duì ,máfán bāngwǒ dài yībēi jiāotáng mǎqíduǒ,zhōngbēi。

Yes, please order a Caramel Macchiato takeout for me, medium cup.