Cultural Synonyms

During my first Chinese class, my Chinese teacher, who does not speak stellar English and occasionally struggles to communicate with me, commented that my Chinese was "terrible". I shrugged and continued on butchering her language; fuck her, I paid. My following and may I add SECOND lesson the teacher came to me with a compassionate look on her face. She, fictional American name Alice, apologized to me. She said "I misspoke last class. I used wrong word. I said your Chinese terrible this is the wrong word." Finally an apology, which was greatly due to me was forthcoming. Fictional name Alice continued; "I am sorry for misunderstanding, I meant your Chinese is horrible." A sigh of relief came over me and I continued to butcher her language, then I fucking paid her.