Discusses how the different conceptions of a "private world" between native English speakers and native Chinese speakers can result in misunderstandings. The study examines the semantic structures of two Chinese categories, "si" (i.e., private, selfish, illegal) and "gong" (i.e., public, unselfish, official). Results indicate that both are polysemous and reflections of Chinese views on individualism, privacy, and groupism. (38 references) (Author/CK)