This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Chinese to English
  3. History

无米不能为炊

English translation: can't cook a meal without rice

04:01 May 28, 2008
Chinese to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - History
Chinese term or phrase: 无米不能为炊
What's the meaning of 无米不能为炊?
Tony Zhou
Local time: 06:00
English translation:can't cook a meal without rice
Explanation:
解释成语“巧妇难为无米之炊”_雅虎知识堂 - [ Translate this page ]用法主谓式；作谓语、定语；比喻做事缺少必要条件，很难做成近义词无米难为炊反义词指雁为羹英文the cleverest housewife can't cook a meal without rice--one can't ...
ks.cn.yahoo.com/question/1406100110174.html - 63k - Cached - Similar pages
Selected response from:

pkchan
United States
Local time: 19:00
Grading comment
Thanks
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +4can't cook a meal without rice
pkchan
4 +1You can't cook without rice.
Mark Chen
5If you have no hand you can't make a fist
fly away
5you can't leave rice out of me goreng
QUOI
4no rice, no meal.
Duobing Chen


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +4
can't cook a meal without rice


Explanation:
解释成语“巧妇难为无米之炊”_雅虎知识堂 - [ Translate this page ]用法主谓式；作谓语、定语；比喻做事缺少必要条件，很难做成近义词无米难为炊反义词指雁为羹英文the cleverest housewife can't cook a meal without rice--one can't ...
ks.cn.yahoo.com/question/1406100110174.html - 63k - Cached - Similar pages


pkchan
United States
Local time: 19:00
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 18
Grading comment
Thanks

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  orientalhorizon
17 mins
  -> thanks
agree  Wenjer Leuschel (X): No stuff, no cook. Something like: No money, no honey. Or: No power, no talk.
20 mins
  -> thanks
agree  Jason Ma
29 mins
  -> thanks
agree  855649 (X): though i prefer to Wenjer's "no..no.." structure. No rice, no meal, or something
38 mins
  -> thanks
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

24 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
You can't cook without rice.


Explanation:
my suggestion

Mark Chen
Local time: 07:00
Works in field
Native speaker of: Chinese
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jason Ma
2 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

32 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
no rice, no meal.


Explanation:
供参考

Duobing Chen
China
Local time: 07:00
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 12
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
If you have no hand you can't make a fist


Explanation:
这句话来自中国的一个成语：巧妇难为无米之炊

for information

fly away
China
Local time: 07:00
Native speaker of: Chinese
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
you can't leave rice out of me goreng


Explanation:
or it will be called something else, won't it?

QUOI
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search