Can someone please translate this for me into English

[rob2263]

I am looking at getting this tattoo and just want to ensure it means exactly what I requested it to say prior to getting the tattoo done

[skylee]

strength courage and determination

Not a good phrase for tattoo IMO. It is shallow. When a person has strength, courage and determination, they show in what s/he does. A tattoo of these words is not necessary. Only those who lack these qualities need a tattoo to remind themselves and the world of them.

[Shelley]

Well said skylee.

it is actually more like a list, strength, tolerance, courage, morales, harmonious and heart

Why would would want a list tattooed on you?

There are too many characters and it is very clumsy.

Just because you use Chinese characters doesn't make it special or magical.

Before you ink, think and think again and again.

Remember the tattooist may not be skilled in calligraphy and you may end up with a horrible mess. The actual picture of the characters you have chosen are not easy to copy.

If you must have a tattoo, Please choose something in a language that you understand and can be sure of being correct.

There is a sticky (pinned) post in this forum about tattoos, give it a read.

[rob2263]

Thanks for the replies. I am trying to get a tattoo that will resemble the struggles I have gone through and that I am still going through after considering suicide. I want something's that will remind me when I look at that i do have the strength courage and sheer determination to keep on going, and due to the fact that I have other Asian themed tattoos I thought it appropriate to have this tattoo done in Chinese script.

Thanks for your help with the translation as when I requested this to be drawn up I explained what I have just said to the translator. Obviously they didn't get what I was talking about

[imron]

due to the fact that I have other Asian themed tattoos I thought it appropriate to have this tattoo done in Chinese script.

One of the biggest problems you'll have getting a Chinese tattoo is what Shelley mentioned above, in that many (most?) cases, the tattoo artist doesn't know how to write Chinese characters and they come out really poorly written, with missing strokes, incorrect proportions, added 'flair' that makes them look wrong, upside-down, back to front and so on. Even when they get these correct, they can still end up being written in the equivalent of 'Times New Roman' which may or may not be the look you are after.

Anyway, that's definitely something to keep in mind even if someone suggests an appropriate phrase for you. If you get the tattoo in Chinese be sure to ask for samples of other Chinese tattoos that the tattoo artist has done (whatever you do don't be their first Chinese tattoo) and get native speakers (or even us) to check/verify those for quality.

[skylee]

Perhaps the OP could consider 無畏 (fearless) instead?

[Lu]

Perhaps the OP could consider 無畏 (fearless) instead?

That would certainly look nicer and is more concise, but it doesn't really mean the same.

I agree with Shelley that the phrase the OP posts looks like a list, not a very nice tattoo. But all in all, if a list-like phrase in a questionable font and everything keeps the OP from suicide, I'm all for the OP getting that tattoo, in whatever version they like. I wish you all the strength, courage & determination there is, and please continue to not kill yourself.

[rob2263]

Thanks everyone for your replies, I guess a bit of background about me would have helped a bit more. In the previous job I did I was faced with the task of dealing with some very despicable people and some very horrific sights, due to years of this I developed PTSD along with this the nightmares became almost unbearable to live with, hence the contemplation of suicide. Long story short things are getting better now and that is why those words mean so much to me. Now understanding how misconstrued the tattoo could be interpreted I will look for an alternative. I choose this language as I have koi tattoos and I wanted to try and keep with the theme.

Thanks again for all the responses.

[Lu]

Perhaps look into a Japanese(-themed) tattoo then, as koi are Japanese. I know little about tattoos, but I know Japan has a rich tradition in it (connected to the mafia, but well). Perhaps you can find a picture or design that symbolises what you want, instead of characters?

[liuzhou]

"that is why those words mean so much to me."

despite being in a language you don't know and can't read?

come on!

[Demonic_Duck]

Agree that if you want to "keep with the theme" in any authentic sense you should be thinking along the lines of other Japanese designs. Just because China and Japan are in the same part of the world that doesn't mean they share a single, common culture.