LOST IN TRANSLATING CHINESE / 在翻译中丢失了的中文 / Zài Fān Yì Zhōng Diū Shī Le De Zhōng Wén

Does having over 5000 years of history makes life easier? Of course NOT. There are some Chinese phrases or concepts that are a nightmare even to professional translators. For example, it is very challenging to explain to foreigners that some words are mentioned only out of politeness or to disguise a phenomenon known as "fake humble." As if life ain't complicated enough! After all, many ancient Chinese philosophers such as Laozi and Confucius always emphasized on being humble. So now you understand the reason Chinese people tend be be VERY humble indeed.

CHALLENGING CHINESE PHRASES

1) 敷衍 (Fū Yǎn)

These two Chinese characters are directly translated as perfunctory in dictionary. In actual conversational situation, saying this word is an effective method to call out on the indifferent person who was trying to beat around the bush instead of focusing on pertinent issues.
Sentence Construction - 请你不要敷衍我！
Pinyin - Qǐng Nǐ Bù Yào Fū Yǎn Wǒ!
Direct Translation - Please don't perfuse me!
Subtext - Please don't beat around the bush!

2) 辛苦了！(Xīn Kǔ Le!)

This phrase is especially difficult to explain to foreigners because neither can they understand nor agree with the virtue of hardworking. That's because other races except for Chinese people believe in working smart instead. Anyway, this phrase is too indispensable when trying to console and motivate co-workers or employees to work even harder.
Sentence Construction - 辛苦你了！
Pinyin - Xīn Kǔ Nǐ Le!
Direct Translation - You have worked hard!
Subtext - Thank you for working hard! or Thank you for helping out!

3) 请多多指较 (Qǐng Duō Duō Zhǐ Jiào)

This phrase is very effective when applied on respectable people, elderly or mentors. A polite and again superficial method to bootlick your way up the classroom or corporate ladder. Our goal is to be as fake as possible. This phrase is so powerful that it can be used as a stand alone sentence on it's own.
Direct Translation - Please many many show and teach!
Subtext - Please guide me as much as possible!

4) 做月子 (Zuò Yuè Zi)

In the Chinese culture, a woman goes through at least one month of postpartum confinement therapy after delivering a baby. During the postpartum confinement period, there are many restrictions to ensure healthier aging process in the future. The new mother will be nursed back to health. She is not suppose to eat, drink or touch cold food and water. Also, she should not be exposed to cold air.
Sentence Construction - 美美去做月子了！
Pinyin - Měi Měi Qù Zuò Yuè Zi Le!
Direct Translation - Mei Mei went to make little moon!
Subtext - Mei Mei went to postpartum confinement therapy!

5) 笑到不要不要 (Xiào Dào Bù Yào Bù Yào)

Chinese people are so perplexing at times. They cannot decide whether they want to laugh or not. Can you please make up your mind?
Direct Translation - Laugh until don't want don't want
Subtext - So funny that one laughs until experiencing stomachache.

6) 哪里！哪里！(Nǎ Lǐ! Nǎ Lǐ!)

Chinese people have serious navigation problem. When complimenting a Chinese person, they will sometimes reply with 哪里！哪里！Usually, only a non-Chinese will be confident enough to reply with a humble thank you upon receiving compliments.
Direct Translation - Where? Where?
Subtext - Nah! Nah! (as in expressing disbelief)

7) 少来！ (Shǎo Lái!)

Don't be shocked if your Chinese spouse replied "less come" after you've complimented him or her. It doesn't indicate rejection or shifting of seating position but quite on the contrary.
Direct Translation - Less come!
Subtext - Stop it! or Come on! (as in expressing disbelief)

Hope you've had fun learning some challenging Chinese phrases!

Thank you for reading!

Regards,
@wittywheat

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LINKS to my other sites that may interest you:
10 Wicked Taiwanese Mandarin Slang Words
Chinese Idiom - Comparing Crabs
Chinese Idiom - Hoes Before Bros?

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