That doesn't make sense

[Bighead]

"That doesn't make sense."

Anyone know a good way to say it in Chinese. I've asked my Chinese friends but often their answers confuse me. I'm wondering if it's not as widely applicable as the English term; that it needs to be in a more specific context? I'm using in reference to somebody's path of logic.

Also:

"I don't understand you." as in: "I don't GET you"

Somehow saying: 我不懂你 doesn't ring true for me. 对你我不明白 seems better but I'm just guessing at it. Anyone have a good way to express with the same sort of attitude as in English?

It's frustrating how many things don't seem to translate. Dare I say English is a much cooler language??

[FSO]

"That doesn't make sense."

。 。 。没有道理。

You might also want to say that the logic is problematic: 那个逻辑有问题。

Also:

"I don't understand you." as in: "I don't GET you"

Somehow saying: 我不懂你 doesn't ring true for me. 对你我不明白 seems better but I'm just guessing at it. Anyone have a good way to express with the same sort of attitude as in English?

I would go with 我不明白 here, though there are probably other ways to say it (I suspect this includes one or more 成语, as well.)

[semantic nuance]

That doesn't make sense.--那沒道理. 那說不通. 那說不過去.

I don't understand you.--(我)真搞不懂你(耶).

Hope it helps!

[gato]

我(真)不能理解你 probably is more common in mainland Mandarin. "真" can be added for emphasis.

[HashiriKata]

It's frustrating how many things don't seem to translate. Dare I say English is a much cooler language??

As long as the context is clear, you can say anything in either language. Translation itself, in fact, is the hindering factor.

[Bighead]

Thanks, guys. It certainly does help. Yes I am arguing with my gf if anyone caught on. Women in general are basically the same in any culture it seems..

Me:"That doesn't make sense"

Her: "What's sense got to do with it?"

haha

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bighead

It's frustrating how many things don't seem to translate. Dare I say English is a much cooler language??

As long as the context is clear, you can say anything in either language. Translation itself, in fact, is the hindering factor.

Wise words indeed. I will start a new thread on this. It's worth discussion I think.

[heifeng]

there is this somewhat related thread

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/12-horse-horse-tiger-tiger-slang-and-idioms8&highlight=%22equivalent%22

which is from chinese to english....

[Bighead]

Thanks for the link. I read through it but I'd still like to start a new thread for the English side. When I get around to it. Even though they seem to come up in everyday life a lot I can't think of any good examples right now.. except that maybe cursing people in English allows more creative freedom.. I think...

[xianu]

Is this particular thread all men?

"Yes I am arguing with my gf if anyone caught on. Women in general are basically the same in any culture it seems"

Hmmm...

I might go for a more polite or innocent response (course tone of voice might change how polite it comes across) and just ask 那有什么意思？

If you want to be direct and argumentative (and make her a little mad) 你说的有什么意思？有什么逻辑？

I personally, as a woman, would prefer the non-confrontational and innocent approach, as though you truly want to hear what I have to say, because I swear to you, we women have logic and reason, you men are often just too dense to pick up on it!