Literal translation of Baoji (宝鸡), Shaanxi?

[Hyde_Park]

Ni Hao! 

 

What is the literal translation into English of the city of Baoji in Shaanxi province, in Chinese written: 宝鸡?

 

I like Precious Chicken, but others have said Treasured Chicken?

 

This is just for interest, it is a placename so I don't actually want the translation to use in English (I wouldn't for instance say to a friend "I've just been to Precious Chicken on business", I'd say, "I've just been to Baoji on business") - but curious to know anyway!

 

Thanks for your help. Xie, Xie!

[abcdefg]

宝 = precious or treasured.

 

I like Precious Chicken, but others have said Treasured Chicken?

 

Either one should work as a literal translation. I don't know the history of that place name.

 

http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php?page=worddict&wdrst=0&wdqtm=0&wdqcham=1&wdqt=%E5%AE%9D

[Demonic_Duck]

Don't "precious" and "treasured" basically mean the same thing?

[Hyde_Park]

Demonic - They do basically mean the same thing.  There is a slightly different emphasis maybe.  Personally, because of the route of the words, I see precious as slightly more emotional (i.e. people / feelings), whereas treasured is slightly more about wealth (i.e. treasure)!  But this is only very, very slight - a matter of emphasis.  There is nothing wrong with a 'treasured aunt' (in fact it sounds completely appropriate) or whatever; just my own subjective view on the words.  There are so many different ways to say what amounts to the same thing in English!  Maybe my question doesn't even make sense.  What might have been better is to ask about how Baoji got the name  (it is a little strange) and then make my own judgement based on that.  Unfortunately wikipedia isn't very helpful on the subject...  Any ideas?

[edelweis]

唐至德二年（公元757年），因市区东南鸡峰山有“石鸡啼鸣”之祥兆而改称宝鸡。

whatever that means - context here:

http://xxsb.baoji.gov.cn/view.php?tid=595&cid=8