nĭn hăo – formal greeting in Mandarin

nĭ hăo – informal greeting in Mandarin

shūshu – “uncle” (father’s younger brother) in Mandarin

zhínǚ – “niece” (brother’s daughter) in Mandarin

xiānshēng – “Mr.” in Mandarin

Nonya – a traditional blend of Chinese and Malay cuisine

chī fàn – traditional words spoken for elders to eat first

xiǎo tùzi guāi guāi – nursery rhyme “Well-behaved Little Rabbit”

tùzi – “rabbit” in Mandarin

Lái Zhīdé – Neo-Confucian philosopher who introduced the yin-yang symbol

sayang – “love” in Malay, used as a term of endearment

yin-yang – complementary, opposing forces that when in sync, result in the balance of the Earth. When out of sync, the Earth falls into imbalance. Yin is dark, cold, water, death, female, moon, etc. Yang is light, hot, fire, life, male, sun, etc.

jīng – one of the Three Treasures; sexual energy

qì – one of the Three Treasures; life-force energy

shén – one of the Three Treasures; spiritual energy

qìgōng – a practice involving coordinated breathing, movement, and awareness, traditionally viewed as a practice to cultivate and balance qì

Iron Crutch Li – Li Tieguai, Sheng’s ancestor and the hero of Rematch. One of the Eight Immortals

Hé Qióng – The Immortal Woman, one of the Eight Immortals. Mei and Lucy’s ancestor.

Zhongli Quan – one of the Eight Immortals. Natalie’s ancestor.

Zhang Guolao – one of the Eight Immortals. Kassian’s ancestor.

Pénglái, Fāngzhàng, Yíngzhōu – the islands of the Eight Immortals

Áo – a large marine turtle in Chinese mythology that carries the islands of the Eight Immortals upon his back

yāoguài – demons who live in Dìyù and sometimes break free

Dìyù – Hell. It contains eighteen layers.

batik – a traditional Malaysian fabric

wǔshù – a form of martial arts

Kongsi – a clan association; a secret society

Hai San – Sheng’s Kongsi

Ghee Hin – the enemy of the Hai San

Wen Shen – The Plague God responsible for the Red Death

Báijiǔ – an Asian liquor similar to vodka

Shèhúnzéi – “Spirit Thief”

Néih hóu – a Cantonese greeting

Yum cha – to “drink tea” in Cantonese

M goi – “thank you” in Cantonese

M̀h'sái haak-hei – “you’re welcome” in Cantonese

Suanmeitang – a traditional cooling tea

húli jīng – a fox spirit

shuǐ guǐ – a water ghost

nǎinai – “grandmother” in Mandarin

Nüwa – the goddess of the fox spirits

Yuánjiāo Island - one of the islands of the Eight Immortals

Kun Peng – a mythological creature that can transform into both a bird and a fish

Bahasa – language of the fox spirits

saat saum – “pretty please” in Bahasa

arkoun – “thank you” in Bahasa

sthananorok – “hell” in Bahasa

semangat – Malay for “passion”

Aschar Mteay – “Great Mother” in Bahasa

phaem – “sweet” in Bahasa

sapha – “mine” in Bahasa

Kar Svakom – greeting in Bahasa

Jiaolong dragons – crocodile-like green dragons that rule the seas

Huanglong dragons – yellow dragons; representatives of the Jade Emperor

jadie – slang for a human who seeks out carnal exploits with those of the Jade Emperor’s world

Han Xiangzi – one of the Eight Immortals. Famous for being a musician and the star-crossed lover of a dragon princess

Shenlong dragons – azure dragons who control thunder and weather

Qinglong dragons – sapphire-scaled dragons of the East

Fucanglong dragons – copper-scaled dragons who hoard treasures deep in the bowels of the Earth

Feilong dragons – multi-colored, winged dragons who control clouds and mists

Zhulong – scarlet torch dragons who possess the hottest dragon fire, rumored to be extinct

Dilong – brown-scaled dragons who rule the rivers and seas

jian – a two-foot-long, double-edged, straight sword

Donghai Longwang – the Dragon King

mogwai – harmful demons intent on breeding

shé xià – an iron-clad oath, meaning that if broken, one’s tongue would be ripped from one’s mouth

qilin – Chinese unicorns