Ring Engraving

[Mattatx]

Hello! 

 

First time posting here, I was hoping I could get some opinions from someone within the chinese culture.

 

Here's my story. My name is Matt and I am from Austin Texas. A little over a year ago I met the most amazing woman, her name is Lily. Lily was originally from Taiwan, but moved to America back in the 90s. She is 100% fluent in both English and Mandarin, and I hope to learn Mandarin myself one day.

 

And with all of that being said, I made the big decision to propose to the girl I love. I am currently making the ring for her, but I was wanting to get something engraved. I have spent what feels like forever trying to figure out what I want to get engraved and after thinking about things, I was hoping to get something romantic, meaningful and genuine..in Chinese. One thing I came across was this: 

 

海枯石烂

 

I actually did talk to her brother about it just to verify the direct translation of the statement and he informed me it was what I thought. "Till the seas dry up and the rocks decy, no matter what happens"

 

My question to you guys is not only to again verify that is what it translates as, but also to get your opinion on engraving that into her ring, are there any social implications/meanings behind the statement that I need to be aware of? What do you think she will think or her parents? 

 

So far I love her culture and family and I know they are very traditional, I just want to be sure of my decision before I get it done! Any thoughts/opinions/help is greatly appreciated!!!

 

Matt

[Kamille]

It seems to me like a very nice idea. But just one thing: you might want to consider engraving this chengyu in traditional Chinese (which is 海枯石爛). It would make more sense for one good reason (apart from that traditional characters are better looking than their simplified counterpart) : your soon-to-be-wife is Taiwanese and in Taiwan this is how people write Chinese.

 

Now I'm also aware that the only character that's written differently in both set of characters, 爛, shows a great number of strokes and that it might be much harder to engrave on a wedding ring that, commonly, doesn't offer much space. You should first see with the jeweller whether they think it possible or not to write it that way.

[889]

You'll need an engraver who can write Chinese, not one who simply copies a printed text, or it won't look quite right.

[imron]

Laser Engraving for the win!

[skylee]

An alternative is 地老天荒. Same meaning, fewer strokes.

http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php?wdqr=%E5%A4%A9%E8%8D%92%E5%9C%B0%E8%80%81%5Btian1%20huang1%20di4%20lao3%5D&wdrst=0

[imron]

Are these the sort of things one might put on an engagement ring/tell a fiance(e)?  There are plenty of 4 character sayings used in the context of marriage/weddings regarding couples living happily forever and growing old together.  I wonder if perhaps one of them might be more suitable.

 

I've certainly never heard either of those two phrases at any wedding I've attended.

[skylee]

Probaby because they are too dramatic. Ordinary people usually just want to be able to 同偕白首, 永結同心.

[Shelley]

My partner often puts this on things he gives me cards, etc. This is a very rough approximation as its hard to find these things in the character set.

 

I ♥ U ∞

 

 

Nice and simple and to the point

[imron]

just want to be able to 同偕白首, 永結同心.

In my opinion what you've written there would be a far more suitable thing to engrave.

[skylee]

Another nice one is 天長地久. I think it is nice as it is not too ordinary and not too dramatic.

http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php?wdqb=%E5%A4%A9%E9%95%BF%E5%9C%B0%E4%B9%85

[Mattatx]

 

Are these the sort of things one might put on an engagement ring/tell a fiance(e)?  There are plenty of 4 character sayings used in the context of marriage/weddings regarding couples living happily forever and growing old together.  I wonder if perhaps one of them might be more suitable.

 

I've certainly never heard either of those two phrases at any wedding I've attended.

 

Well, I am new to the culture and unfortunately do not yet understand the language, I really just wanted to put something genuine and heartfelt about how I feel, in her own language. Could you give me examples of the statements you find more appropriate? (both in their chinese character form, along with an english translation for me please). I would greatly appreciate it.

 

And thank you all for the feedback!

[Mattatx]

19 Aug 2015

Hello! 

 

First time posting here, I was hoping I could get some opinions from someone within the chinese culture.

 

Here's my story. My name is Matt and I am from Austin Texas. A little over a year ago I met the most amazing woman, her name is Lily. Lily was originally from Taiwan, but moved to America back in the 90s. She is 100% fluent in both English and Mandarin, and I hope to learn Mandarin myself one day.

 

And with all of that being said, I made the big decision to propose to the girl I love. I am currently making the ring for her, but I was wanting to get something engraved. I have spent what feels like forever trying to figure out what I want to get engraved and after thinking about things, I was hoping to get something romantic, meaningful and genuine..in Chinese. One thing I came across was this: 

 

海枯石烂

 

I actually did talk to her brother about it just to verify the direct translation of the statement and he informed me it was what I thought. "Till the seas dry up and the rocks decy, no matter what happens"

 

My question to you guys is not only to again verify that is what it translates as, but also to get your opinion on engraving that into her ring, are there any social implications/meanings behind the statement that I need to be aware of? What do you think she will think or her parents? 

 

So far I love her culture and family and I know they are very traditional, I just want to be sure of my decision before I get it done! Any thoughts/opinions/help is greatly appreciated!!!

 

Matt

[Shelley]

Wasn't this your question here

 

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/49509-translation-for-engraving-on-a-ring/   

 

sometime ago.

[Shelley]

For some reason my editing didn't work,

 

I wanted to say was this not your question posted sometime ago at the above link.

 

There was lots of suggestions there that seemed good.

[Mattatx]

Yes, but the person with reservations I replied to and never got another response :/ considering it's such a big decision I was just trying to get more feedback. Sorry :/

[dwq]

As said in the other thread, if she's from Taiwan, definitely get the engraving in Traditional Chinese.

[imron]

Merged.

 

Apologies for not replying to your other question, as I must have just been skimming and missed it.

 

As mentioned by skylee, your original is very dramatic and I think not really suitable for the occasion.

 

What skylee suggested is quite good I think:

 

同偕白首, 永結同心.

 

A translation might be something like:  Growing white-haired together, one heart forever.

[Demonic_Duck]

One vote for 天長地久 from me!

 

Edit: partly because of this song. But also, as @skylee said, because it's neither overstated nor understated.