Susan, a friend of mine, comes from Germany. One day, she asked me,excitedly: ‘I heard that Germany in Chinese means a Land of Virtue. Is that true?’
‘True.’ I said, ‘DEGUO, Country of Virtue.’
‘I love Chinese! Tell me more. What is France in Chinese?’
– ‘FAGUO, Legal Country.’
‘Hm, it makes sense. How about America?’
– ‘MEIGUO, Beautiful Country.’
‘Really? and Britain?’
– ‘YINGJILI, Lucky flowers.’
‘Funny! and the Netherlands?’
– ‘HELAN, Lotus and Orchid.’
‘Finland?’
– ‘FENLAN, Fragrant Orchid.’
‘Denmark?’
– ‘DANMAI, Red Wheat.’
‘Czech?’
– ‘JIEKE, Defeating the Enemies and Winning the War!’
‘OMG! Austria?’
– ‘AODILI, the Earthly Right Place.’
‘Why is it earthly?’
– ‘Because of Belgium. BILISHI, the Heavenly Right Time!’
‘OK. Portugal?’
– ‘PUTAOYA, the Teeth of Grapes.’
‘What? … Spain?’
– ‘XIBANYA, the Separated West Teeth!’
‘Got it! How about Asian Countries? Vietnam?’
– ‘YUENAN, the South of Yue People.’
‘Thailand?’
– ‘Taiguo, Peaceful Country.’
‘Korea?’
– ‘CHAOXIAN, Bright Morning.’
‘How about Japan?’
– ‘RIBEN, the Root of the Sun.’
‘The names of Far East Countries make more sense in Chinese. Then China?’
– ‘We are not Far East. ZHONGGUO, the Center of the World.’