tben Posted May 8, 2012 at 10:03 AM Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 at 10:03 AM Hi Im designing a tattoo, and am incorporating a phrase/saying into it and I would like to have it written in Chinese characters. I was hoping that someone would be able to help me translate a couple of sayings, I want to be very thorough in my research so as to avoid any unfortunate mistakes in my translation. Ideally, Im looking for 3-4 characters with 5 being the max as the tattoo is supposed to be fairly small. Obviously if the phrases just cant be translated within that limit I will have to choose a different one. When I know which options can actually work length wise, then I can better choose what is right for me. The options are listed below, some are said to be Chinese proverbs, others are natively english: - I don’t fear Death; I see it as just returning home - I was angered, for I had no shoes. Then I met a man who had no feet - Make happy those who are near, and those who are far will come - There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same - Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end. - Imagine if there was two of me Thankyou and I really appreciate any help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skylee Posted May 8, 2012 at 10:16 PM Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 at 10:16 PM I don’t fear Death; I see it as just returning home - 視死如歸 -> http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php?page=worddict&wdrst=1&wdqb=%E8%A6%96%E6%AD%BB%E5%A6%82%E6%AD%B8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clary Posted May 9, 2012 at 02:02 AM Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 at 02:02 AM No.4 could be 殊途同归。 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tben Posted May 9, 2012 at 12:41 PM Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 at 12:41 PM Great thanks for the help! Number 1 and 2 are probably my favourites, so great to have one half done! Do you know the second at all, or maybe something similar in chinese? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tben Posted May 14, 2012 at 10:01 AM Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 at 10:01 AM No one can help!? Thanks to those that did, I will keep searching Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daofeishi Posted May 14, 2012 at 11:07 AM Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 at 11:07 AM "Make happy those who are near, and those who are far will come" is from the Analects. 近者悦，遠者來 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tben Posted May 16, 2012 at 05:34 AM Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 at 05:34 AM awesome thanks! just the one more and il be hapy happy! if anyone can figure out - "I was angered, for I had no shoes. Then I met a man who had no feet" i would be ery pleased Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clary Posted May 21, 2012 at 07:38 AM Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 at 07:38 AM Is it from Chinese? I doubt it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skylee Posted May 21, 2012 at 08:41 AM Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 at 08:41 AM Consider 比上不足，比下有餘. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clary Posted May 21, 2012 at 10:26 AM Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 at 10:26 AM Nice. But I have to say, comparing to the "dread" image of no shoes and no feet, 比上不足，比下有餘 is full of Chinese aesthetic taste....in term of moderation and symmetry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imron Posted May 21, 2012 at 11:54 AM Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 at 11:54 AM comparing to the "dread" image of no shoes and no feet The Chinese also mentions no feet (or at least 不 - no, 足 foot) haha * *before anyone asks, yes, that was a joke, and yes, I am aware of what 不足 actually means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clary Posted May 22, 2012 at 03:15 AM Report Share Posted May 22, 2012 at 03:15 AM Yes, bloody indeed. And someone would make that into a tatoo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tben Posted May 22, 2012 at 11:25 PM Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2012 at 11:25 PM Haha, i cant remember exactly where I saw it, but I really thought it said it was a chinese proverb. Either I must remember incorrectly, or someone didnt know what they were talking about! I fully appreciate the translation there, but sadly I just wouldnt be able to fit it into my design anyway! Puty, I really like that saying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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