yang258 Posted February 22, 2011 at 12:11 AM Report Posted February 22, 2011 at 12:11 AM Hi Everyone, Could you confirm that 力拔山兮气盖世 = With strength to lift mountains and spirit to take on the World I have gone on various translation websites and they give me varying results so wanted to be 100% sure. Thanks in advance all! Quote
fanglu Posted February 22, 2011 at 03:12 AM Report Posted February 22, 2011 at 03:12 AM I can confirm that it does not mean that. It means something like: power pull out mountain aaaaaa spirit unmatched. I'll leave it to others to do a better translation. Quote
yang258 Posted February 22, 2011 at 05:28 AM Author Report Posted February 22, 2011 at 05:28 AM Hmmmm yeah I was told that it doesnt make sense by my friend, but when I look at websites with this saying they are all consistant with what I have written above... http://tg5th.pbworks.com/w/page/9106332/Popular-Chinese-Quotes http://www.chinapage.com/quote/quote.html http://www.chinese-tools.com/forum/read.html?q=19%2C24180 http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,80206 Help! Quote
imron Posted February 22, 2011 at 05:56 AM Report Posted February 22, 2011 at 05:56 AM That's because none of them speak Chinese and they all copy from each other? Trust the native speaker over the website everytime. Quote
aristotle1990 Posted February 22, 2011 at 06:31 AM Report Posted February 22, 2011 at 06:31 AM Makes perfect sense. Comes from a classical poem by Xiang Yu, a Qin-era general. Means "the strength to lift mountains, the spirit to cover the earth [i.e., matchless energy/talent/heroism]." 1 Quote
New Members dora Posted February 22, 2011 at 06:39 AM New Members Report Posted February 22, 2011 at 06:39 AM the meaning translate is correct! Quote
fanglu Posted February 22, 2011 at 07:18 AM Report Posted February 22, 2011 at 07:18 AM :unsure: That'll teach me to comment before googling. Quote
skylee Posted February 22, 2011 at 07:41 AM Report Posted February 22, 2011 at 07:41 AM edit - comment deleted. Quote
yang258 Posted February 22, 2011 at 08:13 AM Author Report Posted February 22, 2011 at 08:13 AM Ok, so it is correct in classical Chinese? Can I have some more people confirm this? Also, since most Chinese people may not know classical Chinese, would it be weird to have this as a tattoo? I would imagine most would see it and make no sense of it.... Quote
roddy Posted February 22, 2011 at 09:23 AM Report Posted February 22, 2011 at 09:23 AM Chinapage.com should be trustworthy, they've been around since the Internet was young and the site owner knows his stuff. Quote
xiaocai Posted February 22, 2011 at 02:28 PM Report Posted February 22, 2011 at 02:28 PM I think it sounds good. Many Chinese know this poem and I think it will make sense to them. Quote
yang258 Posted February 22, 2011 at 11:15 PM Author Report Posted February 22, 2011 at 11:15 PM Great, thanks for all your help guys! Anyone out there dispute what the helpful people above have mentioned? Quote
renzhe Posted February 23, 2011 at 10:32 AM Report Posted February 23, 2011 at 10:32 AM This link confirms what aristotle said: http://zhidao.baidu.com/question/15602358 But do note that the link also illustrates what other people have told you -- this is classical Chinese and many Chinese native speakers will not understand it either, unless they know the poem. If Chinese native speakers have to ask on the Internet what it means, then it might not be appropriate in all contexts and will not be understood by everyone. Quote
aristotle1990 Posted February 23, 2011 at 02:18 PM Report Posted February 23, 2011 at 02:18 PM Meh. I think a tattoo in classical Chinese about a badass Qin warrior is even cooler because some Chinese people don't understand it. I don't think you could pick a better line for a tattoo on your body -- it has gravitas, you know? Quote
yang258 Posted February 23, 2011 at 10:41 PM Author Report Posted February 23, 2011 at 10:41 PM OK cool thanks all! I think I have all the info I need now, but feel free to add more comments/opinions. Cheers! Quote
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