Translating idioms/set phrases

[xianhua]

For example, I came across 做牛做马 today. Can anyone recommend a resource for searching and finding English translations of such phrases/idioms? I've searched several sites and dictionaries but can't find it so I'm not even sure if this is 成语.

[PhilipLean]

做牛做马

"lit. to work like an ox, to work like a horse; fig. to work extremely hard"

The above is from the online MDBG dictionary.

http://usa.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php

[skylee]

http://www.chinese-tools.com/chinese/chengyu/dictionary

http://www.wku.edu/~yuanh/China/proverbs/

http://www.cybertranslator.idv.tw/idioms/idioms_chinese-1.htm

PS - For 做牛做馬, perhaps you could consider "work like a dog".

[renzhe]

I've had good success with nciku with idioms.

If that fails, your best bet is a good, brick-sized paper dictionary. Once you're at the intermediate level, you really should have one.

[xianhua]

Thank for the suggestions. I tried each one of them, but the only one that seemed to have it was the MDBG one (maybe I was doing something wrong?). I do have an Oxford dictionary, which does sometimes have idioms but not this one. Maybe it is time to invest in something bigger and better.

Edited September 3, 2009 at 07:01 AM by xianhua

[studentyoung]

I tried each one of them, but the only one that seemed to have it was the MDBG one

How about this one? -> http://www.iciba.com/%E5%81%9A%E7%89%9B%E5%81%9A%E9%A9%AC/

Cheers!

[Chi-Eng]

Hi, I must say that this website opened my eyes. I'm Chinese, but I learn so much about my native language from you guys:clap

I would like to say that you need to be careful with iciba, particularly when a search is not in their dictionary. Then they'll assemble websites that include the search and a translated version. They'll also show how many websites include the search term. But these may be viewed as only reference or suggestions, but not final. You need to consider your own context and come up with appropriate translations.

Renzhe said about "good, brick-sized paper dictionary". I wonder what specific dictionary do you use?

Well, I guess the reality in China is still, translators are almost all Chinese, which means they translate into their mother tongue, and also into the foreign language. How many of native speakers of other languages can translate from Chinese? I don't know when the Chinese-English translation scene will be changed drastically, and dominated by some of you.

[renzhe]

Renzhe said about "good, brick-sized paper dictionary". I wonder what specific dictionary do you use?

I use 新世纪汉英大词典, published 外研社. There are more canonical ones (Chinese-Chinese), but this one was recommended as a good compromise between modern vocabulary, comprehensiveness and compactness (2260 pages, on really thin paper). It's also really good for translating into English.

I'm very happy with it.

Edited September 5, 2009 at 05:32 PM by renzhe

[PhilipLean]

I think this is it - but the smaller print / compact version.

新世纪汉英大词典（缩印本） )

http://www.mandarinbooks.cn/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_book_info&products_id=1604

http://www.amazon.com/Century-Chinese-English-Dictionary-Smaller-Chinese/dp/7560043240

The large print version

http://homabooks.com/eBookstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_10_12_35&products_id=1103

[renzhe]

Yes, that's the one.

There is no difference in contents between the full-sized and compact edition, just the size. The full version is probably more durable, though. I have the compact edition and the pages are so thin that they're half-transparent.