Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Chinese term or phrase:
粉子
English translation:
babe (Cheng Du slang)
Added to glossary by
Will Wong
Apr 14, 2006 06:11
18 yrs ago
Chinese term
粉子
Chinese to English
Art/Literary
Slang
This is a term in Chengdu dialect meaning "beautiful girl" or something similar. Perhaps the best-known use is in the title of the popular web novel, "成都粉子". Cantonese equivalent=靓女 Mandarin equivalent=亮女
I would like your creative input re: two questions:
1.Origin of the term: Many ways to say "beautiful girl" or "beautiful woman." But why use 粉子? Is it due to the meanings of 粉, which can include powder/make-up? Or another reason?
2. How best to translate into English in a way that suggests associations with 粉?
Many thanks in advance...and have fun!
I would like your creative input re: two questions:
1.Origin of the term: Many ways to say "beautiful girl" or "beautiful woman." But why use 粉子? Is it due to the meanings of 粉, which can include powder/make-up? Or another reason?
2. How best to translate into English in a way that suggests associations with 粉?
Many thanks in advance...and have fun!
Proposed translations
+3
1 hr
Selected
babe
According to this web site (see links below: 2nd link is the google cache of the first), 粉子 refers to the 汤圆圆粉子, the tapioca balls served in sweet soup; so there is no link to powder/make-up. So I would suggest "Chendu Babe" or "Pretty Chengdu Girl."
"“追女孩”在成都男人的嘴里成了“绕粉子”。“粉”是漂亮的意思，“粉子”就是prettygirl。成都话里的“粉子”还指汤圆圆粉子，糯糯的，香香的，而“绕”，是多么有想像力的说法！"
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Note added at 1 hr (2006-04-14 08:02:36 GMT)
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http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:KjxQ9tSLBW0J:caolei.200...
"“追女孩”在成都男人的嘴里成了“绕粉子”。“粉”是漂亮的意思，“粉子”就是prettygirl。成都话里的“粉子”还指汤圆圆粉子，糯糯的，香香的，而“绕”，是多么有想像力的说法！"
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Note added at 1 hr (2006-04-14 08:02:36 GMT)
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http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:KjxQ9tSLBW0J:caolei.200...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "This is the most interesting of the four responses. The background about "tapioca balls" is neat! Many thanks."
20 mins
geisha
We think "粉子" here does not only mean beautiful women, but also implies some sexual connotation as in the Japanese Geisha girls with their pure white powdered faces with bright red lipstick.
Other Chinese words such as "粉头" also has similar connotations.
We haven't read this book, but we found some information about this book which suggests a similar meaning. "书名叫“成都粉子”，书中的一打粉子虽然各有姿色，但大都贪婪、愚昧、放纵、神经质、水性扬花"
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Note added at 22 mins (2006-04-14 06:34:14 GMT)
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Here is the source website of the above quote:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/forum/2004-06/09/content_1513669.h...
Other Chinese words such as "粉头" also has similar connotations.
We haven't read this book, but we found some information about this book which suggests a similar meaning. "书名叫“成都粉子”，书中的一打粉子虽然各有姿色，但大都贪婪、愚昧、放纵、神经质、水性扬花"
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Note added at 22 mins (2006-04-14 06:34:14 GMT)
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Here is the source website of the above quote:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/forum/2004-06/09/content_1513669.h...
4 hrs
chick
http://bbs.zol.com.cn/index20060314/index_233_4819.html
I am not sure about the origin of 粉子, this site might help.
The reason for me to choose the word "chick" is because it sounds like "chic".
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Note added at 4 hrs (2006-04-14 10:37:07 GMT)
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And it is a slang, just like 粉子.
I am not sure about the origin of 粉子, this site might help.
The reason for me to choose the word "chick" is because it sounds like "chic".
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Note added at 4 hrs (2006-04-14 10:37:07 GMT)
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And it is a slang, just like 粉子.
+1
5 hrs
some suggestions from slang dictionary
beeyatch ( byach-- pronounced "BEE-YOCH" ) (n; voc)
1. An exclamatory response to a girl that dissed ya or used to describe a chick that ain't worth mugging with. Take a hike, beeyatch ! [Texas A&M University, College Station, TX] 2. An attractively fine lady, especially with an attitude. Check out the beeyatch in the red dress. [Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN]
bomb-diggity (adj)
Extremely cool or interesting. The bomb-diggity chick walked by my locker. [Elgin Community College, Elgin, IL, 1998]
chick (n)
1. A female. 2. A guy's girlfriend. That's my chick .[California State University-Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, 1998] 3. A female normally consided as hot (attractive). That chick is totally fine. [Elgin Comunity College, Elgin, IL, 1998]
chick
(noun) A girl; a young woman; a woman. There were a lot of chicks at that party. [ Da Bomb , Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, CA, 1997]
doll
(n. & voc.) Term used to salute or simply call a young woman. Hello, doll! Where are you going? [ Da Bomb , Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, CA, 1997]
............................
1. An exclamatory response to a girl that dissed ya or used to describe a chick that ain't worth mugging with. Take a hike, beeyatch ! [Texas A&M University, College Station, TX] 2. An attractively fine lady, especially with an attitude. Check out the beeyatch in the red dress. [Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN]
bomb-diggity (adj)
Extremely cool or interesting. The bomb-diggity chick walked by my locker. [Elgin Community College, Elgin, IL, 1998]
chick (n)
1. A female. 2. A guy's girlfriend. That's my chick .[California State University-Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, 1998] 3. A female normally consided as hot (attractive). That chick is totally fine. [Elgin Comunity College, Elgin, IL, 1998]
chick
(noun) A girl; a young woman; a woman. There were a lot of chicks at that party. [ Da Bomb , Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, CA, 1997]
doll
(n. & voc.) Term used to salute or simply call a young woman. Hello, doll! Where are you going? [ Da Bomb , Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, CA, 1997]
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Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Naikei Wong
: Thanks, I'll "try"...:P
43 mins
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Thanks!! Happy Eastern!! Don't work too hard!!
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| neutral |
Will Wong
: disagree on the "beeyatch" (means "bitch") or "bomb-diggity" (slightly outdated); both terms are more urban with hip-hop connotations.
6 hrs
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I do not personally use these terms in my daily life, I got them from slang dictionary...
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