IrisLu Posted April 22, 2013 at 12:51 PM Report Posted April 22, 2013 at 12:51 PM Hey, I have been wondering for ages how to translate "might as well" into Chinese. I can not find a single word or phrase expressing this in Mandarin. (I can translate this into Shanghainese though) Please help! Any suggestion would be appreciated XD Quote
skylee Posted April 22, 2013 at 01:12 PM Report Posted April 22, 2013 at 01:12 PM How about 倒不如？ Quote
IrisLu Posted April 22, 2013 at 01:21 PM Author Report Posted April 22, 2013 at 01:21 PM Thank you for your reply! Sorry I didn't make it clear, imagine this situation: A: 你居然真的转载了这条微博？你觉得真的会中奖吗？千分之一的几率…… B: You know, might as well/ it wouldn't hurt. I guess it can be translated as 不妨 but I am looking for a colloquial word for this... Quote
anonymoose Posted April 22, 2013 at 02:43 PM Report Posted April 22, 2013 at 02:43 PM So what is it in Shanghainese then? Quote
skylee Posted April 22, 2013 at 03:05 PM Report Posted April 22, 2013 at 03:05 PM How about "不x白不x" then? Quote
IrisLu Posted April 22, 2013 at 03:20 PM Author Report Posted April 22, 2013 at 03:20 PM @skylee yes "不x白不x" is good, thank you Quote
IrisLu Posted April 22, 2013 at 03:23 PM Author Report Posted April 22, 2013 at 03:23 PM @anonymoose: I don't know how to type it properly, it's pi zi va zi in Shanghainese（譬是不是？） Quote
lingo-ling Posted April 24, 2013 at 06:54 PM Report Posted April 24, 2013 at 06:54 PM How about 只好? Or, in the context of the sample conversation above: 也可以 or 也好? Quote
tooironic Posted April 24, 2013 at 10:37 PM Report Posted April 24, 2013 at 10:37 PM Consider 干脆. Quote
IrisLu Posted April 25, 2013 at 02:14 AM Author Report Posted April 25, 2013 at 02:14 AM Consider 干脆. @ tooitonic I don't think 干脆 is the meaning I am looking for, I am looking for a more colloquial way to say 何妨, but surely 干脆 can be translated to might as well in other circumstances Quote
IrisLu Posted April 25, 2013 at 02:16 AM Author Report Posted April 25, 2013 at 02:16 AM I think 也好 is good, but it doesn't really imply the meaning of "it wouldn't hurt to..." Quote
tooironic Posted April 25, 2013 at 04:07 AM Report Posted April 25, 2013 at 04:07 AM These are the definitions: 何妨héfáng ①动妨碍什么。 让他一让又何妨? ②副用反问语气表示不妨。 何妨不拘一格用人才? 干脆gāncuì ①形（言语行动）直截了当，不拖泥带水。 办事干脆利索 ②副索性。 这事儿，干脆你来办。 If that helps. Quote
skylee Posted April 25, 2013 at 11:06 AM Report Posted April 25, 2013 at 11:06 AM @skylee yes "不x白不x" is good, thank you You are welcome. I am glad you think it is ok. Quote
roddy Posted April 25, 2013 at 11:08 AM Report Posted April 25, 2013 at 11:08 AM Yeah, I liked that one. Quote
anonymoose Posted April 28, 2013 at 07:33 AM Report Posted April 28, 2013 at 07:33 AM I don't know how to type it properly, it's pi zi va zi in Shanghainese（譬是不是？） I found it in a dictionary. I think it's 譬如勿是. Quote
IrisLu Posted April 28, 2013 at 12:01 PM Author Report Posted April 28, 2013 at 12:01 PM @ anonymoose: Yes I found 譬如勿是 to be the correct characters as well. Wonder if there's a certain way to express this phrase in Mandarin other than 不X白不X =) Quote
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