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Tattoo translation for "Time waits for no man"


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Posted

Need help translating this quote into Chinese for a tattoo. Either of them will do. Thanks


”Time waits for no man”

”Time does not wait for no man” 

 

 

Posted
19 hours ago, Joshtr01 said:

”Time does not wait for no man” 

 

Is that good English? I don't think so. Probably not what you are really trying to say. Go with the first one, "Time waits for no man." It is part of "Time and tide wait for no man."

 

Here's a discussion of versions and origin theories: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/time-and-tide-wait-for-no-one.html

And: https://grammarist.com/proverb/time-waits-for-no-man/

 

 

  • 4 months later...
Posted
On 7/1/2021 at 7:27 AM, Kenny同志 said:

A few options for time waits for no one:

時不我待

時不再來

惜時 

 

Isn't it better to say it without  我? AFAIK, Chinese rarely use 我 in sayings or things that are related to all human beings. OP's English saying is related to all human beings. Therefore I think that it would be better like this:

 

时不待人

Posted

時不我待 is a chengyu. The word order is reversed in negative sentences in classical Chinese. In modern Chinese, the order would be 時不待我, or 時間不等我. 

  • Like 3
Posted

I see. In this case I think it would be better for OP to choose traditional version: 時不我待. It's nearer to Chinese history and tradition.

  • Like 1
  • 2 weeks later...

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