Since Firefly' s single-season run, one common talking point among fans is its use of the Mandarin Chinese phrases that are sprinkled throughout the show. Series creator Joss Whedon has remarked that this was a way to try and represent an integrated, futuristic society, in which the two superpowers of Earth (China and the USA) both had dominant elements of their culture represented. Several fans have pointed out a few issues with the series' representation of the language — namely, despite being set in a universe where a Chinese language is so prominent, very few (if any) characters are of Chinese descent. Many viewers also point out that the pronunciation of most Mandarin words and phrases is atrocious. These are definitely valid criticisms; however, it's still interesting to examine the ways in which the language was used, especially the phrases that fans may have heard a few times during the series.
Often, the use of Mandarin provided a way to include some extremely colorful language without tripping the alarm bells of network television's censors. Of course, cursing wasn't the only way in which the Chinese language was incorporated. Characters also used it for slang, terms of endearment, and more, to add flavor to the setting of the show. The following phrases may be familiar to those who have binge-watched Firefly multiple times, even those who don't speak a word of Mandarin.
Tian xiaode (Heaven knows what)
This phrase is most often used in much the same way as its English translation is. In the episode "Bushwhacked," for example, Wash demands to know "what the tian xiaode is going on" over the comms, upon hearing some commotion. In a flashback during the episode "Safe," Simon's father forbids his young son from accessing "whatever tian xiaode" appears over the interplanetary network, implying that some unsavory material could be coming through.
Often, the use of tian xiaode (at least within Firefly) implies that the unknown events, content, or whatever else the phrase refers to is something undesirable. Only heaven knows, and perhaps only heaven should — but with this crew's knack for getting into trouble, they usually find themselves in the middle of tian xiaode anyways.
Dong ma? (Understand?)
This is perhaps the most frequently-used Mandarin phrase in Firefly, as it can be heard in about half the episodes. It's often tacked onto the end of orders, requests, or threats, and varies in tone depending on what precedes it. Mal uses it to gently urge Kaylee to fix the engine in the episode "Out of Gas": "We got work to do, dong ma?" Meanwhile, in "The Message," an Alliance officer uses it to reinforce a threat to a space station postmaster: "You'll wish we had burned you. Dong ma?"
In Mandarin, the verb dōng means, simply, "to understand," while the particle "ma" indicates that a question is being asked. Of course, in most instances where this phrase is used in Firefly, that question is a rhetorical one. Often, it's used in the sense, "You'd better understand."
Ta de ma / Wo de ma (His mother / My mother)
Both versions of this phrase are heard occasionally, and have virtually identical colloquial meanings. Unsurprisingly, no character actually uses it to refer to their own or another person's mother; rather, it's used in the same sense as many four-letter curses in English to express surprise, panic, frustration, or the sudden arrival of big trouble.
Jayne, for example, exclaims "Wo de ma!" Upon seeing a derelict ship; Wash mutters, "Ta de ma," as an Alliance cruiser closes in on Serenity. It's one of the milder curses used by the show's cast (at least in terms of direct translation), but is usually an indication that the situation is getting tense — as situations often do.
Hundan (Bastard)
One of the most common (and most mild) Mandarin curses uttered on the show, hundan is Mal's, Jayne's, and many others' descriptor of choice for Alliance officials, rival criminals, the villain of the week, or anyone who has sparked their ire at the moment. Pandora's criminal lowlife Badger is a hundan; the Alliance officer who confiscates the crew's loot is a hundan; a village leader who marries off young women for trade is a hundan.
The crew of Serenity often gets much more colorful with their name-calling, using insults in Mandarin that definitely wouldn't have been allowed on network TV had they been said in English. Hundan, though, serves as a catch-all for a quick insult whenever there isn't much time to be creative.
Meimei (Little Sister)
Obviously, Simon uses meimei to address River, as she is literally his younger sister. However, throughout the show, this term serves as more than a description of a literal sibling relationship. Both Mal and Inara often refer to Kaylee as meimei, reinforcing their affection for her and their tendency to feel protective over her. In the episode "Heart of Gold," Inara's old friend and senior from the academy, Nandi, addresses Inara as meimei as well.
In general, at least within the world of Firefly, the word carries the affection of a sibling or sibling-like relationship. Characters most often use it as a term of endearment towards a girl or young woman with whom they share such a bond; for example, Simon when he is trying to calm or console River, or Mal when Kaylee is injured.