Translation

[briana288]

 

What does this translate to?

 

Thanks

[eddyf]

平安 - safe and sound

[889]

Context is everything.

 

This could also be someone's name, 安平 Anping.

[Kamille]

I think you've got your context here: that's one of those all reddish and goldish hearts/balls/squares/whatever that wish you a long life/prosperity/happiness/other very imaginative stuff.

 

Or do they also write names on those where you come from?

[889]

I was thinking it might be meant to be worn or serve as wedding decoration. Maybe like a groom's nametag.

[Lu]

I was thinking it might be meant to be worn or serve as wedding decoration. Maybe like a groom's nametag.

I suppose that's possible, but not the most likely option. Besides, if it was for a wedding, wouldn't the little characters around 平安 say 囍 instead of 福?

[889]

"Not the most likely."

 

Nobody ever said it was or wasn't.

 

Anyway, there presumably would have been a pair of hearts, perhaps decorating the podium where the happy couple would be entertaining their guests, his for 福 and hers for 囍. And it would hardly be surprising if decorative calligraphy for a wedding read right-to-left, depending on traditions of the particular Chinese community.

[briana288]

My name is Brittany. My boyfriend sent it to me from China.

[eddyf]

Well, the people in this hypothetical wedding with right-to-left calligraphy would have certainly realized that the nametag looked like it said "平安" which is a common word. 

[889]

Can't find the statistics for China, but in Japan about 1300 people are named 安平 Yasuhira (among other readings).

 

They have to get married, too.

 

There must be a good 相声 routine or two out there involving people with names that can easily be misread or misunderstood.

[briana288]

I'm posting this again with more detail.  I got this from my boyfriend.  He sent it to me from China.  I'm not sure of the meaning.

[Shelley]

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/51582-translation/#comment-395826

[imron]

Merged.  No need to post again, you'll get the same answers.  For reference, I agree with eddyf, Kamille and Lu.