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合味八爪鱼
中空木薄片

Glossary entry

Chinese term or phrase:

佛都有火

English translation:

It would try the patience of a saint

Added to glossary by David Lin
May 10, 2017 12:03
7 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Chinese term

佛都有火

Chinese to English Other Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
from an audio recording
那就算是佛都有火啊。
我们普通话就是说我...我...我...我耐心再好的人，我也拖不起这种东西。
Proposed translations (English)
5 +3 It would try the patience of a saint
4 This is completely unbearable
4 -1 the boxer from the temple
Change log

May 24, 2017 04:04: David Lin Created KOG entry

Discussion

David Lin May 22, 2017:
Thanks Sharon Well said indeed!
Sharon Toh, MITI MCIL May 21, 2017:
Essentially agree with David Sorry for chiming in late on this.
IMHO, a Chinese does not need any serious religious knowledge or belief to know what is 佛, 神, 老天爷, 上天 and whatever other similar so-called religious words/phrases as they are being commonly used and said in daily life, whether one believes in or is familiar with them or not.
The same also applies to 'saint' and other similar words in a western context.
Besides, as David has mentioned, the Chinese source term is a common idiom, and so is the suggested English term.
And in translation, if something in the source language does not work in the target language, we try to find an alternative equivalent. It is only when the alternative could not be found that we have no choice but to convey the meaning explicitly.
Just my two cents.
David Lin May 16, 2017:
A very common English idiom It's very hard to agree with you Yi Cao that to render the word "saint" as the equivalence for the source text "buddha" could create confusion and dispute. "The patience of a saint" is such a common English idiom that it is listed in the major English dictionaries as follows:

The Wordsworth Dictionary of Idioms

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=8C7k7ZW3dIEC&pg=PA310&lp...

Cambridge Dictionary
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/zht/詞典/英語/have-the-patience-...

Oxford Learner's Dictionary
http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english...

Merriam Webster Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/have the patience...

It's even the name of a song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8gkWq-M2d4
Yi Cao May 16, 2017:
Religious Teaching belongs to specialised group of people. it is not a part of daily life of the majority of common people.If you incorporate into your translation, it would definitely create issues of confusion or disputes.
Yi Cao May 16, 2017:
The fact that the original term is very prevalent in Cantonese is irrelevant to our discussion. The key to our discussion is whether or not inclusion of religious figure or teaching in daily life communication would create confusion for members of public who are not familiar with religious teachings. I think the key to solve this problem is to find out the targeted readers in the first instance.
Yi Cao May 16, 2017:
I think the definition of "saint" is not as well defined as "buddha" to be able to function in the way as David has desired. For the understanding of general public, efforts should be made to avoid any kinds of confusion or disputes of meaning. The incorporation of saint creates room for disputes as it is not as well defined as buddha. It is not everyone who is very familiar with religious teachings. Therefore , inevitably, the incorporation of religious figure in the translation will create possible confusion or disputes. Thanks
David Lin May 15, 2017:
Just for discussion I agree that in Chinese language too, one should use a metaphor a selected target audience should be familiar with, but in translation, if the source text uses a common metaphor with a certain religious connotation, the "rule of thumb" for the good translation, I think, is for the translator to render a similar term with the same religious tone to reflect the exact meaning of the source text, unless the translator runs out of ideas (which could happen) and chooses an easy way out with a term that has no religious connotation.

Nevertheless, 佛都有火 is extremely common in the Cantonese-speaking community that even non-Buddhists know what it means without having any knowledge of Buddhism. And I can tell because I am a Cantonese speaker.

In this instance, to suggest an English term without having reference to a religious figure, while the English-speaking community does have a known and similar rendition - "saint" - in their language (and culture), is, I think, just inappropriate, if not unprofessional.

It's just for discussion on translation issues - nothing personal really.
Yi Cao May 14, 2017:
This applies to Chinese as well. It is not true that everyone in China has background knowledge of buddhism. Therefore, the easiest way is not to use any kinds of metaphor to be able to reach the maximum number of target audience. You could use metaphor should you wish to reach selected portion of target audience. Thanks!
Yi Cao May 14, 2017:
Because of the fact that any kinds of metaphors all require pre-existing knowledge, the answer, which is the easiest for someone without necessary background knowledge to understand, is not to use any kind of metaphor at all.
Yi Cao May 12, 2017:
The metaphor of buddha could not be used I have noticed a new problem that it would be very difficult for someone, without the background knowledge of buddhism, to understand the true meaning of this sentence, should it have been translated literally, meaning using the metaphor of buddhism. This is especially so, for that fact that those white people who speak English mostly do not have buddhism background. Therefore the metaphor of buddha could not be used from the point of understanding of the target readers.
Yi Cao May 11, 2017:
Even the budha is losing his temper.18:50
For people who are not aware of the details of buddhism, they would not be able to appreciate the significance of this metaphor.
Yi Cao May 11, 2017:
This has used the buddha as a metacphor, which has not focused on the buddha at all. Therefore it is not necessary to translate it literally, at least I think so
Frank Zou May 11, 2017:
Even the budha is losing his temper. 这个翻译挺好，没有失去文化内涵。

Proposed translations

+3
3 hrs
Selected

It would try the patience of a saint

佛都有火 is a common Cantonese idiom to mean 难以容忍。

Or, “It would provoke God to anger.”

My two cents for a non-literal translation in case you want.

Hope you‘ll find it helpful.
Peer comment(s):
agree Jinhang Wang
21 hrs
Thanks J.H. !
agree Frances Nichol
1 day 1 hr
Thanks Frances!
disagree Yi Cao : I have noticed a new problem that it would be very difficult for someone, without the background knowledge of buddhism, to understand the true meaning of this sentence, should it have been translated literally, meaning using the metaphor of buddhism. This
1 day 16 hrs
so what? My suggestion is not literal and is easily understood by English readers who know well what a "Saint" is.
agree Sharon Toh, MITI MCIL : Cao Yi is right to say that the original metaphor of Buddha is inappropriate in English, but using 'saint' as the alternative metaphor works very well in English, IMO.
2 days 13 hrs
Thanks Sharon.
agree Rita Pang : Agree with David here. While (as Sharon mentioned) that the term indeed draws inspiration from Buddhism, there's no need to over-extend the meaning of "trying the patience of a saint". The term= the most patient of people would get angry/frustrated etc
10 days
Thanks Rita!
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
-1
36 mins

the boxer from the temple

lit: Even the budha is losing his temper.

佛都有火英文 - 查查在线翻译
www.ichacha.net › 英语翻译
Translate this page
佛都有火英文翻译：the boxer from the temple…，点击查查权威在线词典详细解释佛都有火英文怎么说，怎么用英语翻译佛都有火，佛都有火的英语例句用法和解释。
佛都有火的英文_佛都有火的英语翻译_佛都有火用英语怎么说_爱词霸 ...
www.iciba.com/佛都有火
Translate this page
爱词霸在线词典,为您提供佛都有火的英文翻译,佛都有火的英语,佛都有火用英语怎么说，怎么用英语翻译佛都有火，佛都有火的英语例句用法和解释.
佛都有火英文係咩?重有可唔可以提供d英文字係關於罵人| Yahoo 知識+
https://hk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid...
Translate this page
Jul 21, 2008 - 最佳解答: Even the budha is losing his temper. Even the budha is angry 重有可唔可以提供d英文字係關於罵人 damn you you make me sick
Peer comment(s):
disagree Yi Cao : 爱词霸上说这是电影名字,不是翻译
17 hrs
so what!
Something went wrong...
17 hrs

This is completely unbearable

佛教讲由于佛已经从俗世中解脱了,他是没有脾气也不会受周围的事物所影响, 所以他不会发活. 现在他发活了, 就说明难以容忍

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Note added at 1 day20 hrs (2017-05-12 08:56:05 GMT)
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I have noticed a new problem that it would be very difficult for someone, without the background knowledge of buddhism, to understand the true meaning of this sentence, should it have been translated literally, meaning using the metaphor of buddhism. This is especially so, for that fact that those white people who speak English mostly do not have buddhism background. Therefore the metaphor of buddha could not be used from the point of understanding of the target readers.

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Note added at 3 days23 hrs (2017-05-14 11:55:05 GMT)
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Because of the fact that any kinds of metaphors all require pre-existing knowledge, the answer, which is the easiest for someone without necessary background knowledge to understand, is not to use any kind of metaphor at all.

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Note added at 3 days23 hrs (2017-05-14 11:55:35 GMT)
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23:54 Click here to delete your post Click here to edit your post

This applies to Chinese as well. It is not true that everyone in China has background knowledge of buddhism. Therefore, the easiest way is not to use any kinds of metaphor to be able to reach the maximum number of target audience. You could use metaphor should you wish to reach selected portion of target audience. Thanks!

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Note added at 3 days23 hrs (2017-05-14 11:57:42 GMT)
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Therefore, from the point of view of being able to reach the maximum number of target audience, I am of the view that my rendition is best. Because it does not require any kinds of pre-existing background knowledge. Thanks

It is of course true that you could have your own opinion.

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Note added at 3 days23 hrs (2017-05-14 11:59:54 GMT)
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This is just my personal opinion, which may be incorrect. And this is a discussion forum. We are entitled to express our own opinion. Please do not have any kinds of animosity towards me! Thanks
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