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Scientists and philosophers have at various times been quoted as saying: "There's nothing of which I'm absolutely sure" or "I'm not absolutely sure of anything". (Richard Feynman, for example.)

How can this logical concept be expressed in Chinese?

I've made a first attempt below:

對任何事情我都沒有絕對的把握.

For some reason the above translation "feels" unsatisfactory (though, that might just be due to my undeveloped "語感").

Are there any clearer ways to express this logical concept in Chinese?

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  • It sounds a little official, but still, perfect for me.
    – Stan
    May 25, 2013 at 13:52

3 Answers 3

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1) (对)任何事情我都没有绝对的把握.

There is nothing wrong in this sentence, but it focuses on personal belief, a little bit inclining to the speaker's subjectiveness.

If we want to state something that describes a general belief, which focuses more on objectiveness, then we can say:

2) (对)任何事情 我们 都没有绝对的把握.

3) (对)什么事 我们不可能有 绝对的把握.

Sentence 2 generalizes the idea expressed in sentence 1 by replacing 我 with 我们. 我们 covers not only the speaker, but also the readers and listeners.

Sentence 3 makes it even stronger, which emphasizes on the impossibility of having, while in sentence 2 没有 just describes the fact of not having.

Note: 任何事情 in sentence 2 is same as 什么事 in setence 3, no differences at all, they are interchangable.

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Colloquial:

我什么事情都不确定 Wǒ shénme dōu bù quèdìng

I'm not sure of anything...

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In Chinese, they will say '凡事我都没有十足的把握',and '我能确定的就是凡事我都不确定' to enhance mood. Another alike saying is ' I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance', '我所知道的就是我一无所知'.

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