How to post, and how translating names into Chinese works

[roddy]

The translation requests forum is designed for four main types of question:

1) Tattoos. I think generally people on here will recommend you don't get a Chinese character tattoo, and please do have a good long read of Hanzismatter to see why. There's a very real chance of getting something incomprehensible, ugly, and permanent.

2) Random objects. Bought a vase with a Chinese character on and curious about what it means? Scribblings on the back on an old photo you think might be Chinese? Post away.

3) Chinese names - often for a tattoo, so see 1) as well. Could be either a traditional style two or three character Chinese name, or a transliteration of an English name. Please have a read of this and this and this to familiarize yourself with the issues involved in converting non-Chinese names into Chinese characters.

4) Quick Chinese to English or English to Chinese translations. Please make an effort to work these out yourself with a dictionary or online translation engine before posting, then ask us about what you haven't been able to figure out.

Posting guidelines:
Give us as much information as possible - even if it's not directly relevant it makes for a more interesting post and means you are more likely to get some help. "What does it say on this vase" is ok, but a history of how this vase came to be in your family adds a bit more value.

If at all possible, make some efforts to find your own answers online, and let us know what you've already done so we don't duplicate your work. Chinese versions of lots of English names can be found online, etc.

If you are actually learning Chinese rather than just looking for a quick 'it means XXX' answer, you should probably be posting elsewhere - have a look at the forums listing and see if you can spot a better place.

Edited March 4, 2015 at 03:18 PM by roddy