Questions tagged [translation]
Questions on specific points regarding translating Chinese to/from another language. Do your own research first!
1,607
questions
2
votes
2answers
90 views
What letters (A-Z) have Chinese counterparts?
Some letters (A-Z) have Chinese character counterparts. For instance:
X = 叉
U = 优
What other examples of this phenomenon are there?
0
votes
2answers
58 views
Various uses of the English “for” to indicate purpose
The sentences below all use the word "for" to indicate purpose. I tried to think of a few sentences that may use "for" a little bit differently. Can you help me understand how to use "for" in Chinese?
...
1
vote
1answer
62 views
What was money worth during the Republic of China (1912 - 1949) era?
I'm working on translating the following sentence:
一年学费都要化千把，一套童子军服都要四五百
The book takes place during the Second Sino-Japanese War which is during the Republic of China era.
I would like to make ...
2
votes
2answers
353 views
How would I ask for a fade haircut plus a little bit off the top in chinese?
In the US I usually ask for the following:
A #2 (top) to #1 (bottom) fade on the sides and neck
The neckline grows way too low so I ask them to cut that to a certain length
Half an inch off the top
...
0
votes
1answer
22 views
English translations for the operatic terms 二流 and 倒板?
There are two Chinese operatic terms that I'm looking at at the moment:
二流
倒板
Neither of these terms show up in any dictionary that I have gone through.
I have seen both translated just ...
2
votes
2answers
145 views
“Please hold the handrail during the whole journey” in Chinese/Cantonese? (As heard in Hong Kong airport trains)
I have rode this automated people mover inside Hong Kong airport and the voice always says "Please hold the handrail during the whole journey" everytime when the train starts to move and after ...
0
votes
1answer
84 views
I'm getting a package and I'm trying to find out what this phrase mean [closed]
到达北京市国际邮件交换站Yanwen
北京市 in English ,north american thankyou
-3
votes
1answer
81 views
1
vote
1answer
94 views
Word count in Classical Chinese vs English
Apologies if the title isn't clear, I'm not sure how to express this.
I'm trying to establish roughly how many words a Classical Chinese text results in, once translated into English. Classical ...
0
votes
6answers
171 views
Help with Cantonese correct translation
I thouhgt about posting here twice as I know rules do not allow for users to simply ask for translations. But after a few efforst in trying to translate it myself, I decided to ask for your kind help.
...
1
vote
2answers
92 views
Translation for 无效
I'm looking for a translation of "无效".
Does that mean
"incorrect"
?
Thanks for answers.
1
vote
3answers
180 views
1
vote
2answers
51 views
What is the translation for terms associated with “predatory lending”?
Predatory lending is usually associated with 'loan-sharks' who trap a borrower into a circumstance where he will likely encounter difficulty in repayment. Usually, the borrower finds himself in a hole ...
2
votes
1answer
213 views
What is this flute inscription?
A saw this inscription on a flute. Can someone tell what does it is?
I'm really curious.
Thanks in advance.
1
vote
3answers
823 views
What do Chinese write on a condolence card?
I was wondering what Chinese people would write when they write a condolence card. Is it just a translation from the English or are there specific sentences?
0
votes
2answers
75 views
Is this translation English to Chinese translation correct or close?
An unprecedented look into the food and culture of ice, from Iceland's premier chef and the owner of Reykjavik's Restaurant Dill.
一个史无前例的食物和冰岛的文化，从冰岛总理厨师和雷克雅未克的所有者迪尔餐厅。
1
vote
2answers
444 views
How would you translate “grit” (personality trait) to Chinese?
According to psychologist Angela Duckworth and colleagues, "grit" is defined as "perseverance and passion for long-term goals".
What would be the closest term for "grit" in Chinese?
Google gives me "...
0
votes
2answers
69 views
What is the function of 的 in the sentence below?
在有形的以太
It should mean "here in tangible ether" but I don't understand the function of 的.
Can't I say the exact same thing writing it like that: 在有形以太
?
2
votes
1answer
150 views
Seal Script Title + Artist Seals
This is another part of the same book I posted on here yesterday - I'm certain I've got one of the characters, I'm unsure of another, and I'm really struggling with the last one. If anyone is able to ...
2
votes
1answer
142 views
Passage in Seal Script - 18th C Japanese Book of Chinese Poems (Poem identified: 唐・賈至《西亭春望》)
I recently got an old Japanese Orihon (folding book) which has a lengthy passage in seal script - my assumption was that Japanese seal script would be the same as Chinese seal script, but if I'm wrong ...
3
votes
3answers
166 views
Logic of the word 上午 (shànɡwǔ, morning)
上午 apparently means "morning". But I don't understand the logic of this word for two reasons:
1) Isn't the meaning of 午 "noon"?
2) With the words 早上 (early morning) and 晚上 (evening) then 上 is the ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
How to better identify the location of these land forms?
I've just posted the question What produces these amazing 3D structures in Tibet? in Earth Science SE with the screen shots below. I'm told that the area is called 札达土林 in Chinese, and that seems to ...
2
votes
2answers
61 views
How do the terms in 千里之行，始于足下 modify its meaning?
I came across the phrase
千里之行，始于足下
on the Internet. Per consensus from native speakers, it appears it can be loosely translated as 'the journey of a thousand miles begins at your feet'.
I'm able ...
3
votes
1answer
66 views
Translating sentence of Luxun
Lu Xun says here:
夫國民發展，功雖有在於懷古，然其懷也，思理朗然，如鑒明鏡，時時上征，時時反顧…
夫 is probably the literary auxiliary for introducing a new topic.
有，I assume means “partly”
思理：I’m very unsure about this. Might go ...
1
vote
1answer
83 views
How would one write the following officially?
I was wondering how would a contract in Chinese state that:
Utilities (gas, water and electricity) are 200 every month and will be settled with a final settlement at the end of the year.
EDIT -
So ...
1
vote
4answers
75 views
Translation of 这庙又不是我家开的
So I'm reading this manhua to practice my Chinese (I'm A2 level) and this sentence came up: 这庙又不是我家开的
Does this mean “this is shrine is not my home to open”
0
votes
6answers
134 views
Excuse me, Can I post your photo on facebook in mandarin
Can someone help me translate that sentence.
I can use 不好意思 or 对不起 in that situation, right?
0
votes
2answers
72 views
Looking for chinese R/C car remote instructions translated
I got my son a R/C car that has the instructions to pair the remote in the Chinese language. I tried many online tools to scan and translate the image, but to no success. Can anyone help?
1
vote
2answers
46 views
Translating “wings” (of a stage)
Is there a set phrase for this term? It seems to me that an acceptable translation would be 舞台左右侧, but that seems rather long.
在中文里面，这词有一个约定俗成的翻译吗？我觉得”舞台左右侧“这翻译还行，但还是有点长。
1
vote
1answer
50 views
Trying to figure out what says here and what this artifact is
I'm not sure if this language is Chinese or Japanese, pardon my ignorance, but I'm trying to figure out what it says here and what this artifact is.
Thanks in advance!
3
votes
2answers
149 views
He “looks like”
In my Chinese class we’ve recently had a chapter quiz. I missed the following question:
Translate “He looks like Guan Gong” into Chinese.
My response: 他看关公一样。
Teacher’s correction: 他看起来像关公一样。
So ...
3
votes
0answers
149 views
Please help identify traditional Chinese painting
I've inherited a Chinese cloth painting from my ancestors. I'd be grateful if you could help me know more about the artwork through the signature and seal.
Regards,
VinayakFull artwork
1
vote
4answers
70 views
Matrix movie quote question: Advice on saying/translating “There is a difference in knowing the path and walking the path”?
I know how Google Translate translates this, but wondering how those who actually use Mandarin/Chinese would say it.
Thank you very much in advance.
8
votes
4answers
2k views
Chinese Seal on silk painting - what does it mean?
I have inherited a beautiful Chinese silk artwork. I would like to know what age it is and what the script and seal mean. Much appreciated if anyone can help
0
votes
1answer
171 views
Why “mistreat” is translated as “三顿饭” by Google translate?
In Google translate, one of the Chinese translations of “mistreat” is “三顿饭”:
Why does “三顿饭” have anything to do with "mistreat"? It is not an idiom, is it?
1
vote
5answers
155 views
How to translate 就 into English as in 这就是个很好的例子?
这就是个很好的例子。
Either with or without 就, it can be translated to
This is a good example.
1
vote
2answers
63 views
„Incognito” in mandarin
I.e. a person trying to hide his/her true identity? I asked Chinese friends but they are providing different options and I’m not sure if there is a direct equivalent of the English word. I’d like to ...
-1
votes
1answer
80 views
English text from chinese author - What does “It will be better to …” mean
I am trying to read a research paper from a Chinese research group (written in english). The author is frequently using the phrase "It will be better to ...", and I am having a hard time to understand ...
4
votes
2answers
71 views
Journey to the West: “Mother of wood”
I am reading Wu Cheng'en's Journey to the West in English (using the translation by Anthony C. Yu, don't know enough language to understand the source) and there seems to be a recurring theme of using ...
1
vote
0answers
64 views
I want to identify the chinese stamp and words on a painting
I recently purchased a Chinese painting with 2 stamps (Baiwen) and Chinese symbols on the side. I was hope you could give me some insight on the artist or translation of the words.
Images below
...
2
votes
1answer
103 views
Is referring to Mandarin as just “Chinese” problematic?
I am living in Taiwan learning Mandarin Chinese (with traditional characters). When speaking in English I try to refer to the language as Mandarin both for clarity, and because I imagine people who ...
0
votes
1answer
73 views
what's the best translation for English for the following words?
what is the best translation for English for the following words:
初试锋芒，渐入佳境，登堂入室，独孤求败
For badges of game achievements
1
vote
1answer
64 views
译成 To translate from… into
大家好，
我想知道怎么说
I translate from English into Chinese.
I interpret from English into Chinese.
My attempts：
我从英文笔译成汉语。
我从英文口译成汉语。
However, I'm unaware of whether it is better to use cong...dao...从。。。到
...
2
votes
2answers
67 views
How would a person start translating classical stories from the Han dynasty?
Stories like both Confucius's Analects and Ying Shao's Fengsu Tonyi seem to use the characters in different ways than I've encountered so far.
As an example, I'm currently working on translating a ...
4
votes
1answer
112 views
Is 电视剧 equivalent to “TV series” or “TV drama”?
https://www.quora.com/topic/Television-Dramas
I find TV dramas only refer to Chinese/Japanese/Korean 电视剧 on the quora topic. Why?
English 电视剧 only are called TV series?
If an English 电视剧 only has ...
2
votes
2answers
76 views
Is this a true translation of a famous quote?
I got this out of the Routledge Encyclopedia of the Chinese Language, it really spoke to me, but was wondering if the translation is as true as they depict it. Nothing is as good as running it by ...
1
vote
2answers
68 views
Error in Book? Need help
I was reading Assimil Chinese with Ease and came across this.
你见过他？
Since this is a question, is 吗 necessary for the question? Perhaps an error? Or can you omit 吗？
3
votes
2answers
575 views
Can anyone translate this Seal Script into english for me?
I played this game called Sleeping Dogs that I really loved! It took place in Hong Kong and the main character Wei Shen has this tattoo on his arm that I thought would be cool to have. After doing ...
2
votes
2answers
46 views
Difference in meaning based on position of modal verb
Here's a child's essay [1]:
今天是元宵节，妈妈说，在滨江公园有猜灯谜的活动。她还说，看花灯、猜灯谜、还有吃汤圆是元宵节的民俗。
晚上七点半，我和妈妈还有亲戚一起来到滨江公园，人真多，非常热闹！那里没有猜灯谜，我好失望。但是我们放了烟花，还放了孔明灯和河灯，真是太有趣了！
我觉得最有意思的是放孔明灯。我先在上面写了“希望我学习100分”，...
1
vote
2answers
727 views
Is `方法是通过xxx` a correct sentence? i.e. 中文中,介宾结构能作为名词(宾语)使用吗
The phrase often appears in english-chinese translation.
For example:
If you want to become a better photographer, the only way is through repetition.
如果您想成为一名较好的摄影师，惟一的方法是通过反复练习。
The ...
