| Change log entry 38349 | |
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| Processed by: | richwarm (2011-11-19 00:30:48 UTC) |
| Comment: |
<< review queue entry 37240 - submitted by 'richwarm' >> I think "let's not leave before we've met" is unnatural -- it's not the sort of thing one would say in that situation. It's also cryptic -- if one is not familiar with the Chinese phrase, one muses "Well, if we haven't met, it wouldn't even be *possible* for us to leave (together) anyway!" -- which is why our definition requires the explanatory note "(said when making an appointment)". After reading that explanation, one realises "Oh, 'leave' means 'leave without the other person'!" Our previous definition "Let's not leave without seeing each other" (same as FLTRP) is also unnatural and cryptic. Yves suggested (a couple of years ago) "See you there" as idiomatic and I think that is a good one to have as *part* of the definition. It sounds natural and, like 不见不散, is intended to reassure the other person that the appointment is on -- just in case one is running a little late. There are some really bad translations out there -- Be there or be square I'll wait till the cows come home. Mind you keep the date! You no see me you no go, I no see you i no go, no see no go! And nciku and Z doesn't even have an entry for 不见不散! ABC's "don't leave until others have arrived" introduces mysterious "others", suggesting that the phrase can't be used for an arrangement between just two people. Example (phone conversation) Boy: 明天下午我要去体育馆打球。你能来看我打球吗？ Girl: 嗯，好的。(14-year-old girl, not sounding too enthusiastic, because her mum is standing nearby listening) Boy: 那明天下午三点，我在体育馆门口等你。不见不散！ Editor: Processing now, after discussion |
| Diff: |
- 不見不散 不见不散 [bu4 jian4 bu4 san4] /let's not leave before we've met (said when making an appointment) (idiom)/ # + 不見不散 不见不散 [bu4 jian4 bu4 san4] /(lit.) (Even if we) don't see (each other, and it's past the agreed time) don't (give up and) leave (idiom)/Be sure to wait, even if one of us is late, right?/See you there!/ + 不見不散 不见不散 [bu4 jian4 bu4 san4] /(lit.) Even if we don't see each other, don't give up and leave (idiom)/Be sure to wait!/See you there!/ |