China Romance

General Discussion and Useful Links => Newbies Corner => Topic started by: ahkiwi on August 30, 2009, 07:39:12 am

Title: Translation help please
Post by: ahkiwi on August 30, 2009, 07:39:12 am
I've been trying to find out what this sentence means - Xing qi tian kuai le !!!

It didn't go to well as the first word gave me loads of choices in MDBG, including fishy, ape & punishment :icon_eek:

I think there's also a chopsticks in there too (kuai), maybe she wants to punish me by filling me up with chopsticks :icon_redface:

Help would be appreciated!
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Willy The Londoner on August 30, 2009, 07:48:16 am
Quote from: 'ahkiwi' pid='14848' dateline='1251632352'

I've been trying to find out what this sentence means - Xing qi tian kuai le !!!

It didn't go to well as the first word gave me loads of choices in MDBG, including fishy, ape & punishment :icon_eek:

I think there's also a chopsticks in there too (kuai), maybe she wants to punish me by filling me up with chopsticks :icon_redface:

Help would be appreciated!


Roughly, i believe that is  - someone is 'feeling very happy today'
kuai is happy and the le indicates something has happened.  Tian is today.

Willy
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: ahkiwi on August 30, 2009, 08:03:21 am
Thanks Willy, much appreciated!
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: seagull on August 31, 2009, 09:50:08 am
Unfortunately, I find that when the translators type pinyin, they type each word separately which makes it difficult to find the correct translation.

In pinyin it should read "Xingqi tian kuaile". If you typed each of the 3 words in MDBG like that, you should be able to make out the translation.

But what Willy said is correct :)
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Arnold on August 31, 2009, 11:12:16 am
I think it means your going to get Spanked with Chopsticks !
Way to go Ahkiwi . :icon_cheesygrin:
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Scottish_Rob on August 31, 2009, 11:14:35 am
Roughly, i believe that is - someone is 'feeling very happy today'......

I think it means , your going to get spank with Chopsticks .....

Willy and arnold how can he feel happy knowing he is going to be spanked with chopsticks...lol:icon_biggrin:

Wait a minute it's the idea of it.....right...:angel:

Way to go ahkiwi.....lol
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Willy The Londoner on August 31, 2009, 11:53:49 am
Talking of Chopsticks - I can use the wooden ones no problem but those damn plastic ones are a different story.  Why are they so slippery - I am sure whenever I get a set I can smell WD40 on them!!!

Willy
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Irishman on August 31, 2009, 03:50:31 pm
I hate them too, but metal ones are worse again, had them in a Korean restaurant in Malaysia and could barely use em at all.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Arnold on August 31, 2009, 04:52:16 pm
yeah ... same here . Maybe it's a good idea to carry wooden ones with you all the time . Buy a couple doz. at Chinatown for a few Bucks and your set for a while . At my Wife's home it's alway's wooden ones , I think they found that out already ... wood is better even for them .
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: ahkiwi on August 31, 2009, 05:12:13 pm
Thanks guys
/fingerscrossed

Quote from: 'Scottish_Rob' pid='15033' dateline='1251731675'
Willy and arnold how can he feel happy knowing he is going to be spanked with chopsticks...lol:icon_biggrin:


I certainly wouldn't mind being spanked with chopsticks ...

... it would mean I would be with her :icon_cool::icon_cheesygrin:
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: wilsbrough on September 02, 2009, 02:53:59 pm
Hi guys

i need help from the 'Brothers'. My girl has sent me an email and she included some pin yin, the online translators do not help as i do not know the tonal pronunciation of the words and as you know if you use mdbg it gives you so many different options it's like being a cold war code breaker trying to work it out! :icon_cheesygrin:

She said, ni de zhong wen hen hao. Wo peng bang wo fanyi de zhe fengxin. Xiwang ni neng kangong, and finally. Fei chang bao qian. If any guys or their ladies can help me it would be very much appreciated.

Thanks.
Andy.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: ahkiwi on September 03, 2009, 07:34:45 am
I've one that I can't figure out either :s

ni jin tian gou de hao ma ??
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Irishman on September 03, 2009, 08:05:59 am
Quote from: 'ahkiwi' pid='15352' dateline='1251977685'

I've one that I can't figure out either :s

ni jin tian gou de hao ma ??


My pigeon Chinese reads that , "are you feeling good today?"
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: ahkiwi on September 03, 2009, 08:54:03 am
Thanks Irish .. I'm managing to spot some words but full sentences are still beyond me :(
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: maxx on September 03, 2009, 07:28:33 pm
Andy it says your Chinese is very good. wo peng Bang has no meaning. the rest of it says I hope you understand.I'm sorry.

that is the official translation according to my wife.Hope this helps.Translation software does loose something in translation.But that should be real close
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: wilsbrough on September 04, 2009, 02:59:45 pm
Thanks for the assist Maxx.

I guess my Chinese is not as good as she thinks it is eh? :icon_cheesygrin: And thank your good lady for me too.

Cheers
Andy.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Chinese Knot on September 04, 2009, 09:49:24 pm
Quote from: 'wilsbrough' pid='15284' dateline='1251917639'

Hi guys

i need help from the 'Brothers'. My girl has sent me an email and she included some pin yin, the online translators do not help as i do not know the tonal pronunciation of the words and as you know if you use mdbg it gives you so many different options it's like being a cold war code breaker trying to work it out! :icon_cheesygrin:

She said, ni de zhong wen hen hao. Wo peng bang wo fanyi de zhe fengxin. Xiwang ni neng kangong, and finally. Fei chang bao qian. If any guys or their ladies can help me it would be very much appreciated.

Thanks.
Andy.


Hello Andy

Very nice to exchange more ideas about the translation . As the the words your girl sent to you , I think some pinyin is also wrong, but I can figure this sentence out .   It means your Chinese is good and my friend help me translate this letter . Hope you can understand it ? ?Fei chang bao qian  means I am very sorry or please accept my sincere apology . )

Hope you can understand this now , wish you have a great weekend !:heart:
Quote from: 'ahkiwi' pid='14848' dateline='1251632352'

I've been trying to find out what this sentence means - Xing qi tian kuai le !!!

It didn't go to well as the first word gave me loads of choices in MDBG, including fishy, ape & punishment :icon_eek:

I think there's also a chopsticks in there too (kuai), maybe she wants to punish me by filling me up with chopsticks :icon_redface:

Help would be appreciated!


Hello sir

Xing qi tian kuai le ! means have a great weekend !
ni jin tian gou de hao ma ? means how are you today ?

Hope you understand these two sentences now , if you have any other questions , please tell me . Wish you have a nice time ! Good Luck !
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: ahkiwi on September 04, 2009, 10:47:36 pm
Thanks Knot !
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: wilsbrough on September 06, 2009, 12:50:58 pm
Again, thanks Maxx and Knot, you have been very helpful.

We had our first phone call today, i dunno where she was but it was sooo noisy there, i could not tell if she was speaking Chinese or English to me....! :icon_cheesygrin: So, not the most successful first phone call. Lets hope it gets a little easier from here on. :icon_biggrin:
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Arnold on September 06, 2009, 01:04:34 pm
Andrew , the first is alway's the hardest . Both of you are the most nervous , but just to have done it is a very big plus . She could have been at work or on a Bus . Sometimes I talk to my Wife , it's seems the same way ... with many People in the background . You two have to set a better time aside to call it seems , when she will be at home or during a Lunch break . That works for me the best . About her speaking chinese or english , hey .. it sometimes does not matter at all , just want to hear her voice and that is so comforting beyond believe .
Both of you will have a easier time in the coming phone calls , I'm sure of that .
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Vince G on September 06, 2009, 05:07:32 pm
It always gets better after the first call. My lady and I have been talking for a few months now on the phone. The first call we were both nervous but we got through it alright. Over time there were times when she was at the market. Which has become a joke between us. She loves to shop and I'm calling her on Sunday 6 AM. I could tell by the background noise where she is. I'd say "Are you shopping AGAIN?" and she laughs.

She's pulled jokes on me a few times with "Who is this? you dialed wrong number" in english. and has done other things like that. Once she had her sister answer that only knows these english words "How do you do".

So yeah it gets better.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: ahkiwi on September 07, 2009, 06:15:41 am
Help again :/

Wo jin tian you yi dian lei , ni ne ??
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Proteus on September 19, 2009, 02:20:35 am
Quote from: 'ahkiwi' pid='15750' dateline='1252318541'

Help again :/

Wo jin tian you yi dian lei , ni ne ??


Wo jin tian you yi dian lei , ni ne ?? = ? ? ? ? ? ? ?, ? ??

I'm a bit tired today, how about you?
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Irishman on September 19, 2009, 04:49:08 am
Ni hao Proteus!
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: shaun on September 19, 2009, 07:45:56 am
Wow, Proteus.  Welcome back!!!!!
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: MLM on September 19, 2009, 09:05:56 am
Well, Hello Proteus, welcome back, been a long time  :icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Irishman on September 21, 2009, 07:09:11 am
I have one of my own now, google makes no sense of this one at all and she says she doesn't know how to put it in English either.

????,????

Anyone want to have a stab at it?
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Scottish_Rob on September 21, 2009, 07:13:50 am
Hehe tried both simpliefied and traditional...your right it make no sense

Except maybe she is saying "...Way to go..."
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Vince G on September 21, 2009, 09:59:03 am
I think maybe it's something like this?

(Study) Volume of books, thousands of miles to go

Saying basically reading allot of books.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Irishman on September 21, 2009, 11:43:18 am
We were talking about travelling. My own guess is that she wrote "travel book is no substitute for reality" or something along those lines.
Hoping the native speakers can vocalise it better.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: MLM on September 21, 2009, 07:23:37 pm
When Zhou and the kids come in and I remember I'll ask Zhou to have a look at this
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Irishman on September 21, 2009, 07:25:43 pm
Thanks Michael, I'd appreciate that.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Paul Todd on September 21, 2009, 10:20:58 pm
My wife say's this is an old Chinese saying. She translates it as-
In a person's life they should study more, learn more, go far and understand a lot.
Hope this helps!
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Irishman on September 22, 2009, 12:57:25 am
Thanks paul, that fits in with what we were talking about, thanks very much!
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: MLM on September 22, 2009, 06:17:50 am
Ronan, Zhou and Lili say it means, " One must study hard, learn much, and travel to understand what is learned ", I don't know if this is a lose translation or not but there you go.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Scottish_Rob on September 22, 2009, 06:24:34 am
Ronan, as you know I'm too learning..BUT I would listen to my Li Li...hehe MLM
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Irishman on September 22, 2009, 12:07:57 pm
So shes telling me to get my laowai ass in gear and learn the Mandarin faster and then travel to see her to be tested haha! :D
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: MLM on September 22, 2009, 12:47:00 pm
that sounds about right to me Hahaha, good luck Ronan
Rob, :icon_cheesygrin:
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: markymark on September 24, 2009, 11:20:22 am
Hi guys

Can anybody tell me what ' Zhao gu hao zi ji ' means

thank you
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Paul Todd on September 25, 2009, 05:54:30 am
Hi Mark,

Ming Zhi says it means....Take good care or yourself.

Hope this helps
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: markymark on September 25, 2009, 06:46:55 pm
Thank you Paul and Ming Zhi. It helps very much. Congrats to you and your good lady
All the best
Mark
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Sylvain D on October 05, 2009, 11:49:43 am
I remember a chinese sentence which would be translated as "the power of love", or "love is powerful".
It was "ai de li luanx wu xian na" or something like that.
Does anybody know this famous sentence please?
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Proteus on October 06, 2009, 09:20:03 am
Quote from: 'Sylvain D' pid='18979' dateline='1254757783'

I remember a chinese sentence which would be translated as "the power of love", or "love is powerful".
It was "ai de li luanx wu xian na" or something like that.
Does anybody know this famous sentence please?


From the Pin Yin I guess it's "? ? ? ? ? ? ?"

And it seems coming from "The power of love" of Celine Dion, otherwise I can't figure out how such a plain sentence can become famous.

Hope to help a bit.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Sylvain D on October 06, 2009, 09:27:17 am
Thanks, Proteus, I think that's the correct translation :)
but I can't know if it is related to Celine Dion's song...
hemMM?
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Voiceroveip on October 09, 2009, 05:33:53 am
Hi guys, need some help here, trying to arrange a visit with my girl and I believe she says a weekend? What does this mean:

?????????????????????

Thanks a million!
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Scottish_Rob on October 09, 2009, 07:19:02 am
Then I would like to first the next, and last two days, busy, come back Seems weird and empty!

I would say that she wants to be the first and last.  and without you its weird and empty without you
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Voiceroveip on October 09, 2009, 07:59:38 am
Rob, thanks I did google it.

Actually I was offering to come for a weekend, then maybe do some business while she is busy, and come back the next weekend to see her again, but it would involve a lot of flying. That's why I wonder whether she wants to see me the weekend, or a little more. If you translate "last two days" alone, it comes out as weekend, so maybe she wants to see me the first and next day of the weekend, ... I need a native :icon_cry:

On a side note, I don't know what this girl is doing to me, but I'm feeling all jittery, emotional and fickle, can't get any work done since yesterday for lack of concentration. Can email romance do that to you?
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Proteus on October 09, 2009, 09:13:21 am
Hmmm, to be honest, it does not contain much affection and means,

I'll be off line right now. I'm busy this couple of days and will chat with you after I come back.

:-/
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Voiceroveip on October 09, 2009, 09:29:25 am
Well this is from QQ chat, that's not surprising.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Scottish_Rob on October 09, 2009, 10:36:19 am
"...Can email romance do that to you? ...2

Yes it can and repeatedly does mate...:icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin:

Mate as you know I'm going in 6 weeks or less, and for the last month I have packed, unpacked, repacked, unrepacked and rerepacked again...

Nervy ...ME  *biting fingernails ALL the time....
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Brian Mc on October 10, 2009, 12:46:33 am
Quote from: 'Scottish_Rob' pid='19501' dateline='1255098979'

"...Can email romance do that to you? ...2

Yes it can and repeatedly does mate...:icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin:

Mate as you know I'm going in 6 weeks or less, and for the last month I have packed, unpacked, repacked, unrepacked and rerepacked again...

Nervy ...ME  *biting fingernails ALL the time....


Greetings Brothers,

Hahah Rob you are as bad as I am hehe I am doing the same thing.  Everytime I think my suitcase is set I find another piece of clothing I think I might need.  Plus I still have to find room for gifts and such.  Ahh the perils of moving your entire life over there, its hard to know what to take and what to leave behind.

Regards,

Zhen and Brian
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Voiceroveip on October 10, 2009, 04:54:08 am
Quote from: 'Scottish_Rob' pid='19501' dateline='1255098979'

"...Can email romance do that to you? ...2

Yes it can and repeatedly does mate...:icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin:


Then this is the first time for me. For her too, unfortunately she's panicking and tempted to run from her feelings ... I learned that last night on QQ. I'm a bit depressed right now, I stopped the QQ session and agreed with her that I would write my heart through EMF to be as clear as possible. I did that last night, the wait is painful.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Johnboy on October 10, 2009, 09:01:54 am
Hi Everyone,

In her last letter to me after 'Dear John'  Fei wrote:  "Wo jin tian guo dei hen hao, xiexie."  Can anyone help me with this please?

I've tried google translation, IM and a couple of others but had no luck; also, in google, when I put in Chinese to English it keeps changing English to Vietnamese!  Why? Maybe it's me, I'm still new to this and a bit of a geek with this stuff.

Thanks, Johnboy
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Irishman on October 10, 2009, 09:15:07 am
I think it means something like "Today I'm doing very good, thanks".
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Johnboy on October 10, 2009, 10:22:49 am
Quote from: 'Irishman' pid='19584' dateline='1255180507'

I think it means something like "Today I'm doing very good, thanks".


Thank you (xiexie) Irishman,

I think you are right.  I managed to work some of it out  but the jin tian semed to be that I am some sort of 5th? centurty Chinese emperor (I think I got that wrong!).  

I'm trying to introduce Mandarin words/phrases in to my EMF's to Fei and I'm anxious to avoid the usual "where is the toilet?" phrases.

Thanks a lot

Johnboy
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Vince G on October 10, 2009, 10:30:29 am
Johnboy, you can use this http://mdbg.net/  for pinyin. without the tones it's still a job to figure the sentences.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Johnboy on October 10, 2009, 11:55:38 am
Quote from: 'Vince G' pid='19588' dateline='1255185029'

Johnboy, you can use this http://mdbg.net/  for pinyin. without the tones it's still a job to figure the sentences.


Hey, thanks Vince, I'll have a look at that.  When I first started writing to Fei I went in to google and immediately found a place where you could type in English phrases/sentences and translate them in to Chinese and back again in to English, and I thought this is really quite easy.  But I just can't find that place any more; all I seem to get is Babylon etc, which is a load of babble to me.

However, come to think of it, if/when I make it to Chongqin and get to try some of its famous hotpots that Fei writes about - "where is the toilet" might be the first question I need to know how to ask! ha ha
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Vince G on October 10, 2009, 12:37:27 pm
Google Translator is good for chinese to english and back. But that's chinese characters not for Pinyin.
AH? Johnboy why are you flying a Swiss flag? Your from the UK? right?
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Irishman on October 10, 2009, 12:43:30 pm
Quote from: 'Vince G' pid='19598' dateline='1255192647'
Google Translator is good for chinese to english and back. But that's chinese characters not for Pinyin.
AH? Johnboy why are you flying a Swiss flag? Your from the UK? right?

/sits back, gets popcorn.

Please continue :icon_twisted:
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: brett on October 10, 2009, 01:00:23 pm
I use Google to translate my stuff for MSN - when my lady is on mobile MSN she can't type much English.

Today Google was making me go crazy with its stupidly maddening English to Chinese translations. Sometimes it thinks "lady" should become "wife", and trying to tell her that my father was on holiday in Crete completely drained my brain.

Fortunately I did manage to write some Chinese to tell her that as my plane flies over Hubei Province I'd wave to her, and I would be very happy because I knew she would be waving back :heart:. Wow, I got many romance points for that :angel:!
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Johnboy on October 10, 2009, 01:36:19 pm
Quote from: 'Vince G' pid='19598' dateline='1255192647'

Google Translator is good for chinese to english and back. But that's chinese characters not for Pinyin.

AH? Johnboy why are you flying a Swiss flag? Your from the UK? right?


No Vince, what I was talking about was Chinese (simplified) words not characters.  

Yes, I am from the UK.  I can't remember choosing any flag but, as I keep saying, I'm a bit of a geek, so it's possible I clicked on something....I thought that the flag with my name was the Cross of St George, the English flag, and I was quite pleased about that as the Union Jack is the flag of Great Britain.  Now you have mentioned it, I've had a proper look and see that it isn't the English flag! I thought maybe you or another mod put it there?  Anyway, I'm cool with the Union Jack or whatever ha ha.  Could you do it for me please?
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Vince G on October 10, 2009, 01:49:49 pm
OK.... This is Chinese (simplified) characters - ??????????

This is Pinyin - Wo jin tian guo dei hen hao, xiexie
There are tones (a number after the word to tell the tone that makes the word) or a accent over a letter to show tone.
Go to mdbg.net and type in ma. Then click on it and it will sound it out. Click different ones and you will hear the different tones.
Newbies gezzzz  :icon_cheesygrin:
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: brett on October 10, 2009, 01:53:20 pm
Wow, good to see a fellow Englishman here John, we can't let the Canadians get all those lovely ladies :sleepy:.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Willy The Londoner on October 10, 2009, 02:04:04 pm
Quote from: 'brett' pid='19601' dateline='1255194023'



Fortunately I did manage to write some Chinese to tell her that as my plane flies over Hubei Province I'd wave to her, and I would be very happy because I knew she would be waving back :heart:. Wow, I got many romance points for that :angel:!


If you were using an African airline then for a small 'gift' the pilot would open the door and drop you of as they were going past.  

Willy
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Johnboy on October 10, 2009, 02:33:49 pm
Quote from: 'Vince G' pid='19606' dateline='1255196989'

OK.... This is Chinese (simplified) characters - ??????????

This is Pinyin - Wo jin tian guo dei hen hao, xiexie
There are tones (a number after the word to tell the tone that makes the word) or a accent over a letter to show tone.
Go to mdbg.net and type in ma. Then click on it and it will sound it out. Click different ones and you will hear the different tones.
Newbies gezzzz  :icon_cheesygrin:

 Yes, it was the pinyin words but there were no accents over them, just plain words, just like those you have written: Wo jin etc.  I saw the ones with accents and tones, on other sites last night, but the text was very limited and you couldn't type in a phrase or sentence and get it translated.  

I know, I know, Newbies - don't you just love em! :heart:

(PS. Hey Vince, you won't send the dog round will you?)
Quote from: 'brett' pid='19607' dateline='1255197200'

Wow, good to see a fellow Englishman here John, we can't let the Canadians get all those lovely ladies :sleepy:.


Most certainly not Brett. Or the Ausies, or the LA guys - to say nothing of Willy the Londoner who seems to be bedding half of China! I hope he doesn't 'shop' in Chongqing.....:@

John
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Danny on October 11, 2009, 07:22:50 am
Quote from: 'Johnboy' pid='19611' dateline='1255199629'

Yes, it was the pinyin words but there were no accents over them, just plain words, just like those you have written: Wo jin etc.  I saw the ones with accents and tones, on other sites last night, but the text was very limited and you couldn't type in a phrase or sentence and get it translated.  



My suggestion is not to worry about the tones. Most people can follow what you're trying to say from the context. If you're making an effort they will appreciate it. It's better to have more sentences than to worry about getting the pronunciation just right. Try and find a website that gives you useful chinese sentences, and then aim to get twenty good sentences (eg thank you, please, yes, no, stuff like that). It's better than nothing.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Voiceroveip on October 11, 2009, 10:20:59 am
Interpretation help please ^^

????????????????????????????????????????“?”??????????????“soulmate”??????????????????????????????????????????

Thanks! It's a post not a part of a letter, I'm not sure this is intended for me but it might be.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Vince G on October 11, 2009, 11:24:44 am
Quote from: 'Johnboy' pid='19611' dateline='1255199629'

I know, I know, Newbies - don't you just love em! :heart:

(PS. Hey Vince, you won't send the dog round will you?)


Curious what DOG are you referring to?
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Johnboy on October 11, 2009, 04:13:49 pm
Quote from: 'Vince G' pid='19735' dateline='1255274684'

Quote from: 'Johnboy' pid='19611' dateline='1255199629'

I know, I know, Newbies - don't you just love em! :heart:

(PS. Hey Vince, you won't send the dog round will you?)


Curious what DOG are you referring to?


You posted a picture of what looked like a big, teeth baring, Rottweiler in one of the threads.  Can't remember which one but if I get time I'll try to find it.  I'm sure it was you, I hope it was or I'll feel like a right dumbo!
By the way, if you move the vertical bar on 'my flag' a bit to the left it becomes the English flag....ha ha
Quote from: 'Danny' pid='19707' dateline='1255260170'

Quote from: 'Johnboy' pid='19611' dateline='1255199629'

Yes, it was the pinyin words but there were no accents over them, just plain words, just like those you have written: Wo jin etc.  I saw the ones with accents and tones, on other sites last night, but the text was very limited and you couldn't type in a phrase or sentence and get it translated.  



My suggestion is not to worry about the tones. Most people can follow what you're trying to say from the context. If you're making an effort they will appreciate it. It's better to have more sentences than to worry about getting the pronunciation just right. Try and find a website that gives you useful chinese sentences, and then aim to get twenty good sentences (eg thank you, please, yes, no, stuff like that). It's better than nothing.


Hi there Danny!

Thanks for your advice.  I'm with you all the way on this one, and I have already tried what  you are suggesting in my letters to Fei and she was obviously very pleased that I was, to use your words, "making an effort"; isn't that what much of it is about when all is said and done? She also clearly understood my chinese words and phrases (without tones) and replied in a like-manner!  So, mission accomplished in impressing and pleasing my lady; longer letters from her in reply  - and it helps me to learn.  Win, win, win  situation?

Thanks for your support Danny, I need all the help I can get!!!
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Vince G on October 11, 2009, 07:00:00 pm
Ah yes the 24 hr rule protection dog.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Ming Zhi on October 12, 2009, 04:59:22 am
Voiceroverip,

My wife asked me to write this;
She says that she thinks this was written by a man., and that he was expressing satisfaction with his girlfriend. hope this helps.

Ming zhi
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Voiceroveip on October 12, 2009, 07:13:32 am
Quote from: 'Ming Zhi' pid='19799' dateline='1255337962'

Voiceroverip,

My wife asked me to write this;
She says that she thinks this was written by a man., and that he was expressing satisfaction with his girlfriend. hope this helps.

Ming zhi


Dear Ming zhi
Thanks a million! It does help yes ... very much! Thanks so much for your time, I wish I can send you some happiness to put a big smile on your face as there is on mine right now.

Thank you!
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Johnboy on October 12, 2009, 08:21:36 am
Quote from: 'Irishman' pid='19599' dateline='1255193010'

Quote from: 'Vince G' pid='19598' dateline='1255192647'

Google Translator is good for chinese to english and back. But that's chinese characters not for Pinyin.

AH? Johnboy why are you flying a Swiss flag? Your from the UK? right?


/sits back, gets popcorn.

Please continue :icon_twisted:


Nice one Irishman! You've got a good sense of humour, are you from the South? Johnboy:icon_biggrin:
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: ron on October 12, 2009, 11:46:53 am
if you have any jolly rodgers I will take one:fi_lone_ranger:
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Voiceroveip on October 13, 2009, 03:18:27 pm
ROFL ....Swiss Flag :icon_cheesygrin:
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Voiceroveip on October 14, 2009, 10:17:51 am
Hi, me again, sorry I hope I'm not too bothersome. I don't get this:

??????????????????

Something about me being busy at work, but the second half comes out strange on google translate. Any help is dearly apprecitated!
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Vince G on October 14, 2009, 10:29:26 am
Voice, maybe it is a type of expression?

Ah, good, you first busy to work, later Seems weird and empty Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan, a republic in central Asia, south of Russia, that extends east from the Caspian Sea to the Altai Mountains and China
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Voiceroveip on October 14, 2009, 11:00:05 am
Lol, Hi Vince,

No I asked her and she said she did not say Kazakhstan ... ^_^ I know the country, actually know a guy who works there ...
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Irishman on October 14, 2009, 07:24:56 pm
Quote from: 'Johnboy' pid='19823' dateline='1255350096'

Nice one Irishman! You've got a good sense of humour, are you from the South? Johnboy:icon_biggrin:


Yep, currently living in Wicklow, originally from Dublin. Have you visited here before?
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Neil on October 14, 2009, 07:46:58 pm
This is why I use MDBG instead of Google translate.  It shows the different words that the chinese character can be.  As it says: laughter / yawn / abbr. for Kazakhstan / a Pekinese / a pug

http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php?page=translate   - scroll down once you translate something.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Johnboy on October 14, 2009, 08:11:33 pm
Quote from: 'Irishman' pid='20117' dateline='1255562696'

Quote from: 'Johnboy' pid='19823' dateline='1255350096'

Nice one Irishman! You've got a good sense of humour, are you from the South? Johnboy:icon_biggrin:


Yep, currently living in Wicklow, originally from Dublin. Have you visited here before?


Yes I have, I have relatives in Spiddal, Co. Galway.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Voiceroveip on October 14, 2009, 08:21:17 pm
Quote from: 'Neil' pid='20119' dateline='1255564018'

This is why I use MDBG instead of Google translate.  It shows the different words that the chinese character can be.  As it says: laughter / yawn / abbr. for Kazakhstan / a Pekinese / a pug

http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php?page=translate   - scroll down once you translate something.


Cool thanks! So it means, Ok first you do your work, later we can have a chat (laughter)

I guess at least, that would make sense ...

I'm bookmariking this one, thanks so much Neil!
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Johnboy on October 14, 2009, 08:39:35 pm
Quote from: 'Irishman' pid='20117' dateline='1255562696'

Quote from: 'Johnboy' pid='19823' dateline='1255350096'

Nice one Irishman! You've got a good sense of humour, are you from the South? Johnboy:icon_biggrin:


Yep, currently living in Wicklow, originally from Dublin. Have you visited here before?


Yes I have; I have relatives in Spiddal, Co. Galway.  Never been to Wicklow though, but lots of other beautiful places.  I love Ireland and the Irish to bits - especially the Republic!!!  I should have spotted your flag...........and love your signature.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Voiceroveip on October 14, 2009, 08:43:41 pm
Why do I know Wicklow? Castlebar? My ex is from Westport and I worked for a startup in Dublin a while back, how come wicklow rings a bell?
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Johnboy on October 14, 2009, 09:06:18 pm
Quote from: 'Voiceroveip' pid='20124' dateline='1255567421'

Why do I know Wicklow? Castlebar? My ex is from Westport and I worked for a startup in Dublin a while back, how come wicklow rings a bell?


I've no idea why voice!  Castebar is in Co.Mayo, which is on the West coast, in fact I think it's the county town of Co.Mayo, whereas Wicklow is on the East coast.  Happy bell ringing.....
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Voiceroveip on October 14, 2009, 09:09:12 pm
Yes, I thought it was Mayo alright. I think I know Wicklow because I have some ex-relatives :icon_cheesygrin: there... close to Dublin?
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Irishman on October 14, 2009, 09:40:02 pm
Wicklow is the county to the south of Dublin. We have mountains here so its very popular for tourists and Dubliners to descend at the weekend to beauty spots such as  "Powerscourt" and "Glendalough". I'm very lucky to live in such a naturally beautiful area..but I'd rather a warm bed ...
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Voiceroveip on October 15, 2009, 07:40:20 am
... and warm and dry weather ?:icon_cheesygrin:

I was back and forth between Dublin and Paris for at least two years, loved Ryanair for that, but the weather, always rainy drizzly, taxis smelling of fungus :icon_cheesygrin: Nice city center in Dublin though, and the nature is just incredible anywhere I've been in Ireland, especially all the rhododenron in the forests in the West.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: wilsbrough on October 22, 2009, 05:20:47 pm
Hi Guy's.

Anyone know what ''Hen gao xing zai ci ting dao ne de xiao xi!'' means?

Cheers,
Andy.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Ming Zhi on October 22, 2009, 08:49:03 pm
Hi Andy,

My wife asked me to write this, she said it means:- "Is very pleased to hear from you"
Hope this helps,

Ming Zhi,Paul
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Johnboy on October 22, 2009, 09:18:19 pm
Quote from: 'Ming Zhi' pid='20815' dateline='1256258943'

Hi Andy,

My wife asked me to write this, she said it means:- "Is very pleased to hear from you"
Hope this helps,

Ming Zhi,Paul

Hi Ming Zhi!

Sorry to bother you but could you help me out please and let me know what "wo ye hen gaoxing shou dao ni de lai xin" means?  I've tried to translate it using MDBG Chinese Reader but can't work it out.

Thanks very much and nice to talk to you hear.

Best wishes to you and Paul

John  
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Ming Zhi on October 22, 2009, 09:34:05 pm
Hello John,

No problem, she  says it means: "I am also very pleased to receive your letter"
Ming Zhi says if you have any more questions she is always happy to answer them.:fi_lone_ranger:

All the best to you John
 Ming Zhi,Paul
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Scottish_Rob on October 22, 2009, 09:37:32 pm
Ming how would I say, "does anyone speak English here?"

Thank you
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Ming Zhi on October 22, 2009, 10:16:48 pm
Hi rob,

Not long now!:icon_cheesygrin:
Ming zhi said "Who can speak English here?" is "you shui neng gou jiang ying yu ma? "
Best of luck with your packing and see you soon :fi_lone_ranger:

MingZhi,Paul
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Johnboy on October 22, 2009, 10:22:33 pm
Quote from: 'Ming Zhi' pid='20818' dateline='1256261645'

Hello John,

No problem, she  says it means: "I am also very pleased to receive your letter"
Ming Zhi says if you have any more questions she is always happy to answer them.:fi_lone_ranger:

All the best to you John
 Ming Zhi,Paul


Hi Paul,

Wow, such a quick reply, thanks very much.  And thank you Ming Zhi, you are a real diamond!

Thank you also for your very kind offer of further help Ming Zhi, I am extremely grateful for that and will certainly call upon your goodness again.

I wonder if I could ask you a question of a different nature, as you are  Chinese and understand Chinese culture and a woman's thoughts and feelings.  The beautiful Fei, who I am writing to (who lives in Chongqin) says in almost all her letters to me: "I am a simple girl and like a simple life.  I will express my feelings directly."  I think I know what that means in relation to Western values, but have no idea if it has a different meaning in the context of my relationship with Fei.  And as Fei says it so often I am beginning to wonder if there is a message for me in her words; or perhaps I am reading too much between the lines?

Sorry to bother you with this but I have been wanting to ask someone about it for some time.

Thanks Ming Zhi and Paul for being so kind and helpful.

John
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: mustfocus on October 22, 2009, 10:43:32 pm
Hey guys,

May I recommend another site instead of MDBG?  I took a quick look and it seems more difficult to use than the one I would recommend.  The problem is it's a bit broader in scope.  I'll let you guys make up your minds, but I think you may enjoy this translator better...

http://www.zhongwenweb.com/getword.html


In-Jaul
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Neil on October 22, 2009, 11:30:31 pm
well, MDBG is able to translate phrases and entire paragraphs, heck, entire emails.  The one word I tried at Zhongwenweb was ??? (Dear) to which it found no result - 0 for 0 is a pretty low percentage.

*edit - ok, on further testing, it will find single words quite well.  "Dear" came up with 4 entries.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: mustfocus on October 23, 2009, 12:18:19 am
Quote from: 'Neil' pid='20828' dateline='1256268631'

well, MDBG is able to translate phrases and entire paragraphs, heck, entire emails.  The one word I tried at Zhongwenweb was ??? (Dear) to which it found no result - 0 for 0 is a pretty low percentage.

*edit - ok, on further testing, it will find single words quite well.  "Dear" came up with 4 entries.


Maybe used in combination then?  It just seems that you guys have a lot of trouble translating phrases.  Just trying to help.  I'll try to help translate if I read it first. :)
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Ming Zhi on October 23, 2009, 01:23:54 am
Hello John,

I asked Ming Zhi about this and she said in her opinion that Fei is saying that  "She like the simple life, does not like the complexity of the expression.Is honest and  straightforward. His girlfriend this way: to prove that she also liked the same simple man" These are her words.
 I have often asked my wife to comment on other posts here but she says that she can not speak for other Chinese people so prefers to say nothing. Why she made an exception here I'm not sure!
Hope this helps,:fi_lone_ranger:

Ming Zhi,Paul
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Johnboy on October 23, 2009, 08:13:12 am
Quote from: 'Ming Zhi' pid='20835' dateline='1256275434'

Hello John,

I asked Ming Zhi about this and she said in her opinion that Fei is saying that  "She like the simple life, does not like the complexity of the expression.Is honest and  straightforward. His girlfriend this way: to prove that she also liked the same simple man" These are her words.
 I have often asked my wife to comment on other posts here but she says that she can not speak for other Chinese people so prefers to say nothing. Why she made an exception here I'm not sure!
Hope this helps,:fi_lone_ranger:

Ming Zhi,Paul


Hello Paul,

Thanks very much for getting back to me on this; Ming Zhi has given me much to think about, which is precisely why I wanted her opinion about the meaning of Fei's words, mhhh.............!

Yes, Ming Zhi's wise and timely advice is extremely helpful and has given me a far better understanding of Fei's thinking - and how I need to write my letters to her in the light of that.  In fact, it's exactly what I needed to know!

Please give my thanks to Ming Zhi.  I am deeply grateful (and very honoured!) that she has made an exception for me.

Big thanks to you both,

John :idea:
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: wilsbrough on October 23, 2009, 01:05:25 pm
Hi Paul and Ming Zhi.

Thanks for the help...:icon_biggrin:

Andy..
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: Scottish_Rob on November 06, 2009, 07:00:27 pm
Can someone please translate this for me...Thank you

"xia wu hao! Hen gao xing jian dao ni"
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: mustfocus on November 06, 2009, 07:50:51 pm
Quote from: 'Scottish_Rob' pid='22168' dateline='1257552027'

Can someone please translate this for me...Thank you

"xia wu hao! Hen gao xing jian dao ni"


Good afternoon! Very happy to meet you.
Title: RE: Translation help please
Post by: ron on November 06, 2009, 10:46:56 pm
Yes focus was just about to send the same thing