Help with small translation

[JustJon]

Hi Guys,

Im looking for 2 small translations from English to Simplified Chinese (where possible). Maybe a literal translation or maybe not depending on what you think is best.

1) "last minute"

Is there a phrase in Chinese that better describes buying something at the last minute (in this particular case it relates to holidays) or would a word for word translation convey the same meaning?

2) ".cn" As in the end of a Chinese web address

Is there a single character that used for this?

Do the Chinese use .'s in URL's or other punctuation?

Any help would be much appreciated.

[florazheng]

Hi

1) "last minute"

Is there a phrase in Chinese that better describes buying something at the last minute (in this particular case it relates to holidays) or would a word for word translation convey the same meaning?

Word for word translation is ok.最后一分钟; 最后一秒;

2) ".cn" As in the end of a Chinese web address

Is there a single character that used for this?

中=CN but I never use it. Just enter the Chinese name is OK

Do the Chinese use .'s in URL's or other punctuation?

I never use any puntctuation

[confucius]

临时抱佛脚 would be an appropriate idiom for the situation you described.

[florazheng]

临时抱佛脚 would be an appropriate idiom for the situation you described.

Hi , S/he said that it is used in this particular case it relates to holidays.

So I think that 临时抱佛脚 isn't proper enough.

And 临时抱佛脚 is a little derogative.

So word for word translation is safe for any situation.

[confucius]

I use 临时抱佛脚 almost every year when shopping for Christmas presents, so any argument against using this idiom for holidays appears to hit a brick wall.

Another holiday that can invoke this idiom is Valentine's Day. Try going to the florist on February 14 and see what flowers are still available.

[JustJon]

Hi thanks for the responses guys,

Is 临时抱佛脚 considered slightly negative because it's considered disorganised?

What I'm trying to do is translate the meaning of the brand "http://www.lastminute.com" to something Chinese people can relate to.

Is there a well known (positive) phrase or saying in Chinese that means:

"Buying or doing something on impulse"

"Throwing caution to the wind"

"Living life for the moment"

that would better describe the fun positive aspects of brand?

[skylee]

Perhaps you could consider - 率性而行 ~ act/travel impetuously

From this dictionary

11. 率性 [shuai4xing4], (1) adj. & adv., impetuous, -ly, rash, -ly; (2) v.t., 率性之謂道 (AC) to follow nature is called 道 [dao4].

"Living life for the moment" ~ 活在當下