Questions tagged [translation]
Questions on specific points regarding translating Chinese to/from another language. Do your own research first!
1,710
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这 vs 这里, 我家 vs 我的家 to translate ”this is my home"?
I am going through some flashcards and was asked to translate "This is my home" into Mandarin. I proposed "这里是我的家" but the answer was "这是我家". Is there anything incorrect about my translation? Namely ...
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3answers
37 views
Does this type of colloquial compound adjective translate directly: “got-rejected dance”
做我被拒绝的舞蹈! Doing my "got-rejected" dance!
Final answer:
被拒绝后，我气得直跺脚跳 "我被拒绝后的舞蹈!"
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4answers
74 views
Is “Have never seen” translated as 没看到
Is this a correct translation? Emphasis on being colloquial - the tone similar to Eminem's "Y'all act like you never seen a white person before"
What, you look like you've never seen a Chinese girl ...
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1answer
49 views
What does 打着饱嗝 and 嫌缸沿脏 and 踩上去蹲在上面 mean in the novel 活着 p.7?
I've started reading 活着 which is supposedly a good book for new readers. However, I'm having trouble understanding this part on page 7 (my translation). [Warning: it's about poop.]
我爹走到了城里，...
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1answer
78 views
Seal marks on a little pot (Characters identified: 吳祥君)
Can I have help reading what these two marks say? Thank you.
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1answer
116 views
Soapstone Seal Translation
Can anyone give me any information about this old stamp? possibly translate the symbols? Very worn carved soapstone in tortoise shell case with red waxy ink.
Thanks for your help.
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1answer
74 views
What does this mark mean? (Characters identified: 周桂珍制)
Could someone please help me with the mark on this yixing teapot please?
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2answers
56 views
Please translate 他听到我们这边有水瓶掉下去 砰地一声 （正好是停车场出口 万一有车就很危险）他马上和保安指出来 小朋友好乖哦
他听到我们这边有水瓶掉下去 砰地一声
（正好是停车场出口 万一有车就很危险）他马上和保安指出来 小朋友好乖哦
He heard bottle fell down ( ;$##? (I can't trans it)
He and bodyguard pointed out??
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4answers
657 views
Whats the amount of money in 你明天带着两万两前去天琴城，买我赢得第一?
你明天带着两万两前去天琴城，买我赢得第一。
Google says 220,000 taels, but I’m not really sure. Could someone clarify?
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1answer
376 views
How to give a number describing a “kilometer per hour speed limit”?
How can I talk about speed limits in Chinese?
For example, how would I say, "That road has a 50 mile-per-hour speed limit?
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1answer
78 views
Can someone translate what these say?
I bought a hooded shirt/short sleeve pullover from yesstyle. It looked cool but I also want to know what the front means and what the top text on the back means.
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4answers
101 views
How does 你的健康都难得到保证，就更别说幸福了 work?
From 标准教程HSK4上(p.124; nearly finished this book!):
当你生病了，如果由于缺钱而不能及时去看医生，你的健康都难得到保证，就更别说幸福了。
I translate this to:
When you're sick, if because of lack of money [you] cannot promptly visit the ...
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2answers
89 views
What is the sword style in 大巧不工剑讲究的就是一个不工，意念要厚重，剑式要雄强圆厚…?
大巧不工剑讲究的就是一个不工，意念要厚重，剑式要雄强圆厚，气势要庄严雄浑，你看看你使出的剑式，太过松散，转折太过刚硬，致使出剑无力，剑式笼罩的范围太小……”
I’m not learning Chinese, I just enjoy doing machine translations to read and translate, but Google and the dictionary ...
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435 views
What's the amount of time in 足足有一刻钟，简默的脸上现出了惊喜和迷惑?
足足有一刻钟，简默的脸上现出了惊喜和迷惑。
It is less than a quarter of an hour, or a full quarter of an hour, or what amount of time is being talked about here?
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1answer
74 views
How can I express “14 less than the result of 2 times y” in Chinese?
I am translating a high school math quiz for an English Language Learning student whose native language is Chinese. One of the sections on this quiz involves writing algebraic expressions for English ...
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4answers
73 views
How do I express “I follow my GPS's instructions”?
I'm accustomed to sentences like 我听我老公 which literally states "I listen to my husband", but it implies something like "I do what my husband says". I'm sure I've said 我听你的 to my teacher at some point, ...
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2answers
145 views
How do I translate 自己已经将地级上品功法无相神功…?
自己已经将地级上品功法无相神功，以及无相步，无相指和无相剑法传授给了他，不知道他如今修炼的如何？
This is what Google says:
He has already taught him the skills at the prefecture level, and there is no step by step, no point and no swordsmanship....
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2answers
37 views
What does 神功 shén gōng mean?
What does 神功 shén gōng mean? Most chinese dictionaries say it means miracle; remarkable feat but is that really it? This term is mentioned in a cultivation novel, so I want to know.
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1answer
97 views
Help with translating a traditional Chinese calligraphy inscription
I got a vase with this inscription that I would like some help with translating. I believe it might have been made in the winter year of 1921 (?), but not much else. Is it perhaps possible to find an ...
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1answer
28 views
“candidates for cross-border leadership assignments” in Chinese?
I've had some trouble translating this phrase into Chinese:"candidates for cross-border leadership assignments".
Can anyone help me please?
Will be glad for your help :)
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1answer
65 views
What does 藝蘭軒備 mean?
So my Chinese at the moment is pretty limited, and I can't seem to figure out the meaning of this four character mark on a bowl that I bought: 藝蘭軒備.
I tried translating the characters individually, ...
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2answers
66 views
Search terms for chinese home improvement books?
Trying to help some friends who constantly struggle with home repairs due to lack of home maintence experience.
I have a nice english book with a lot of pictures, but it is not very useful for non ...
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votes
3answers
89 views
What does 琴酒相壽 mean?
This Chinese phrase 琴酒相壽 occurs in some calligraphy given to a colleague.
What does this mean in English?
I've tried basic Google searches and Google translator. I see other examples of the ...
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2answers
98 views
What does this writing mean on this jacket?
I saw this jacket and was wondering what the characters above the logo mean?
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1answer
40 views
How do I say “from now on, every time I hear 拔, I will think of you going to the dentist”?
My Chinese colleague wrote to me on WeChat:
我刚刚拔了三颗门牙
I just had three teeth pulled out
I attempted to reply, but I think I totally botched it:
从来每一次我听到“拔”我会想你在牙医时。
I was trying to say
...
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3answers
2k views
I am particularly fascinated by the Chinese character that is pronounced SHIN & means faith or belief
Can you add an illustration please and elaborate on the strokes, each one and the detailed meaning nehind it? Ie..I have held this character close to my heart and wear it on my sleeve so to speak. ...
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423 views
Could you please confirm or provide a better translation for this?
I'm trying to translate to my native language the content of this image:
Here's the translation I have available (not made by me, unfortunately I don't know Chinese so I have to rely on what I find ...
3
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2answers
111 views
how to translate this slogan '向前一小步，文明一大步' and the like in almost every public toilet in China
the other one is '靠近方便, 贴近文明', both of which have different versions of English translations, most of them, though, suck. they go like:
One small step forward
One giant leap toward civilization
A ...
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2answers
55 views
What does 自己师 means?
I’ve found an interview and there is question that I have no idea what it's mean, the question is “什么时候发现自己师的”
I try to understand but not sure. Does it mean “When did you learn by yourself” or ...
2
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2answers
98 views
What's the meaning of “刀不长眼”? Is it proverb or something like that?
I was watching the movie "fearless (2006)" starring Jet Li and the character said to his friend "After all these years of friend ship, you still don't know me?" and then he goes with this phrase : "...
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1answer
77 views
“Big Fish & Begonia” 大鱼海棠
I just saw the movie, and I can’t understand why it has this title.
First of all, A whale is not a fish! Is the word translated as “fish” used for all swimming animals? Even if that’s the case, any ...
2
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3answers
95 views
Good translation for song title “二泉映月”?
I’m working on materials for a concert of Chinese music, with an audience of general people here in Texas (not for the Chinese community). So, I want meaningful and lucid titles in English along with ...
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1answer
48 views
How do I translate “both medicines and foods have common origin”?
I am trying to translate the sentence
both medicines and foods have common origin
into simplified Chinese using different translation apps etc. and get weirdly different answers.
0
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2answers
89 views
What does this Cantonese sentence “冧哥覆咗你未?” mean in English?
What does this Cantonese sentence "冧哥覆咗你未" mean in English?
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3answers
90 views
How do I say “if I don't study, I cannot learn”?
I'm trying to think of how to say "if I don't study, I cannot learn" in Chinese. However, 学习 means both "study" and "learn", so it translates to:
If I don't study, I cannot learn.
如果我不学习，我就不会学习。 ...
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1answer
251 views
How do I translate the definition of the mathematical term “Latinity” into Chinese?
I'm going to try giving another mathematics talk in Chinese. I'm struggling with this sentence:
Definition: The Latinity lambda(G) of a graph G is the smallest d for which there exists a d-...
2
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1answer
68 views
Which is better for “undo” in computing: 撤消 or 撤销
I first learned that 撤销 was the word for undo in computing terminology, for example to undo a database change or to undo a Git commit. However I've also encountered 撤消 for this same purpose.
...
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1answer
58 views
Translation of artist signature
Can someone translate this artists name please? Thank you in advance.
(https://i.stack.imgur.com/h3mLF.jpg)
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1answer
137 views
can you help translate this painting caligraphy
]2[]3I recently purchased this painting and it has great calligraphy, I would love to know more about the story behind the painting
I recently purchased this painting and it has great calligraphy, I ...
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1answer
106 views
I just purchased this painting and I need some information
Hello I need help with these symbols and calligraphy. I purchased the painting on a flea market for my husband. We don't have a clue as to what it says but I would love to find out about the story on ...
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2answers
139 views
What does the word 'field' mean in this context?
I edit a manuscript for non-chinese-speakers. The writer was an expert in Chinese language and literature. I want to learn, but I am not a native speaker. So, I have difficulty in interpreting how ...
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4answers
135 views
Once a [noun], always a [noun]
How do you say “Once a [noun], always a [noun]” in Chinese?
For example : “Once a loser, always a loser” or “Once a flirt, always a flirt”
I have tried to look for it online and found some patterns ...
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0answers
79 views
Translating seal stamp
I have recently been given some artwork and was looking for some help in translating the seal found on the art
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
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1answer
74 views
Can somebody translate this please
I just found this piece and wonder what does it means. I'm really not sure if this is Chinese either, so any help its appreciated
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2answers
184 views
What does 我正好是诗情勃发 mean in the Chinese translation of Roald Dahl's Matilda (p.2)?
I went to a library the other day and found Roald Dahl's Matilda. I started reading, and I found what I think might be a typo (but maybe not---Roald Dahl has a quirky writing style):
My ...
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1answer
107 views
Translate a calligraphic painting to identify the artist and when it was painted
Please help translate this painting to identify the artist and when it was painted.
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112 views
Identifying a type of topping used for congee
I am hoping somebody could help me identify the name of a type of topping that goes with the congee that my grandma would give me as a kid.
She didn't know English and had passed away years ago. I ...
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4answers
63 views
How to say we failed to reach an agreement
How do I convey that two parties were unable to come to terms on a given issue?
For example in English we can say this in a variety of different ways:
We failed to reach an agreement on plans for ...
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1answer
106 views
What does this approx. 300-year-old Korean text by Choi Seok-Jeong say?
This image comes from the paper https://arxiv.org/pdf/1812.02202.pdf:
It's an old Korean orthogonal Latin square attributed to Choi Seok-Jeong, in the book Koo-Soo-Ryak. It's of historical interest, ...
