"圆不过月亮方不过斗"

English translation: FYI

23:41 Mar 26, 2008
Chinese to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Folklore / 裕固族
Chinese term or phrase: "圆不过月亮方不过斗"
喜看今日裕固族草原,出现了一片繁荣的新气象.正如裕固族民歌中所唱的:

"圆不过月亮方不过斗,
花不过彩楼的绣球.
永远跟着共产党走,
幸福的日子还在后头."
chica nueva
Local time: 13:50
English translation:FYI
Explanation:
其间的逻辑正如“太阳最红,毛主席最亲” - “月亮最圆...共产党最好”。另外,从与“月亮”并列,我认为这里的“斗”指北斗,不然突然从天上到日常生活,显得变扭。因此建议把Dipper大写。

Roundest is the Moon and squarest is the Dipper,

...

Trustworthiest is the Party,
Selected response from:

H. J. Zhang
Local time: 08:50
Grading comment
Thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1FYI
H. J. Zhang
4nothing is rounder than the moon and squarer than the bucket.
Duobing Chen


  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
nothing is rounder than the moon and squarer than the bucket.


Explanation:
供参考

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2008-03-27 00:59:15 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

from your context, it shall be:
not rounder than the moon or squarer than the bucket.
of course, different persons have different understandings. Just for your reference.

Duobing Chen
China
Local time: 08:50
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
FYI


Explanation:
其间的逻辑正如“太阳最红,毛主席最亲” - “月亮最圆...共产党最好”。另外,从与“月亮”并列,我认为这里的“斗”指北斗,不然突然从天上到日常生活,显得变扭。因此建议把Dipper大写。

Roundest is the Moon and squarest is the Dipper,

...

Trustworthiest is the Party,

H. J. Zhang
Local time: 08:50
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thank you!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  CHEN-Ling
6 hrs
  -> thanks.

neutral  xiaoyanchen: Squarest is the Dipper?? "晋北人唱圆不过月亮方不过斗,甜不过尕妹妹的温柔。可见,晋北的斗全是方的了。"
12 hrs
  -> thanks. i saw this and gave a different interpretation as I think mine reading makes more sense.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.


See also:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search