Just something that I have noticed and that so far none of my Japanese Study friends could answer. Come on, let's show them Chinese Studies knows more :P

Take a look at the picture under the cut from Spirited Away (I have seen it in other anime, too).

What is the connection between oil 油 and bathhouse? Is it a homophone? An in-joke? A meaning ( Read more... )

Hello wonderfully fluent members of zhongwen!

I am working on a translation of the following and would appreciate any help you could throw my way. I have a feeling the translation is very awkward. My translations from English to Chinese usually are. :)

The original in English:
Cast your free vote - Help get $5,000 to orphans in ChinaI have an entry in ( Read more... )

Is 难承认 the correct term for inadmissible, in respect to evidence or facts in legal proceedings?

Hi I've come across a journal article in which the author, writing in English, made reference to "Barbarian Tribes" and provided as its Pinyin "fan zu ( Read more... )

I'm looking for a literate native speaker to answer occasional annoying questions about colloquialisms, and maybe for editorial help with Chinese blog entries every now and then.

( Current questions: )

Hey, all:

I can't seem to find "速战速决" in my dictionaries, though I can see that it gets lots of hits on Google. Can someone enlighten me? The whole phrase is: “如果我们使用另外的方法，事情就可以速战速决了！” By context there should be something like "quicker and easier."

Does anyone know a good online dictionary of idioms?

I'm wondering how to say "bisexual" in Chinese. Last time I was in China I had a terrible time conveying the idea, and when they finally got it they told me there was no word for it. That seems hard to believe. Anyone know more?

Translating is definitely a pain in the neck. I would look up all the resources I have and still fail to find that particular graceful word ( Read more... )

I wonder about how to translate "不甘心" into English. There were several insitances I want to explain my '不甘心' feelings to my friends but I could not. I know it is sort of like, unwilling, but still---this word does not fully conveys the angst and disappointment, I guess...

Any suggestions, please?