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弄潮兒

English translation: pioneer

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Chinese term or phrase:弄潮兒
English translation:pioneer
Entered by: Malgorzata Souffez

15:31 Oct 9, 2004
Chinese to English translations [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting / article about art history
Chinese term or phrase: 弄潮兒
交接點上的弄潮兒

it is a person who introduced occidental culture elements to China and therefore he is "交接點上的弄潮兒". What is the 弄潮兒"?
Malgorzata Souffez
Poland
Local time: 19:40
pioneer
Explanation:
avant-courier
Selected response from:

Mark Xiang
Local time: 01:40
Grading comment
thank you
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3pioneer
Mark Xiang
5 +1IMHO, "pioneer" for "弄潮儿" could be misleading.
Last Hermit
4 +1vanguard leader
Shang
4 +1Swimmer, (today may be equaled to) surfer; in very much extended sense "pioneer."
Francis Fine
3pioneer
chica nueva


Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
弄潮兒
pioneer


Explanation:
avant-courier

Mark Xiang
Local time: 01:40
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
Grading comment
thank you

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Wenjer Leuschel (X): 冲在浪潮的尖端者
24 mins
  -> Thx.
agree  Ray Luo
24 mins
  -> Thx.
agree  chica nueva
7 hrs
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15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
弄潮兒
vanguard leader


Explanation:
vanguard leader

Shang
China
Local time: 01:40
Native speaker of: Chinese
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Wenjer Leuschel (X): 冲在浪潮的尖端者
16 mins
  -> thanks!
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
弄潮兒
Swimmer, (today may be equaled to) surfer; in very much extended sense "pioneer."


Explanation:
In this context, the extended sense of "pioneer" may be used. And I support our colleagues' interpretation.
But, ordinarily, the three Chinese characters do not mean pioneer, and are not customarily used in this sense. Literal translation would be the "boy(s) who plays with the waves or in the surf." The term connotes adventure, daring and pleasure. Originally, the term refers to the daring swimmers at the mouth of Qiantang River in Zhejiang province esp. when the high waves come in.

Francis Fine
United States
Local time: 10:40
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese, Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  chica nueva: great explanation. riding a new wave, swimming with/at the front of a new tide, out in front in the new era ...(in the 庆业集团那一段)
3 hrs
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7 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
弄潮兒
pioneer


Explanation:
庆业集团
... 的方略，庆业集团北通大连、南及深圳、中守北京，在改革开放的大潮中勇作新时代的弄潮儿，
竭诚服务于中华民族复兴的伟大事业，虽不是一帆风顺 ... Qingye Group has been the pioneer
in the new era with its businesses expanding to Dalian in the North ...
www.qing-ye.com/dlqy/ - 7k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages

=> leading the pack, out in front, daring innovator... (?)


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Note added at 7 hrs 16 mins (2004-10-09 22:48:14 GMT) Post-grading
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at the forefront, riding the cusp of change...(?)

chica nueva
Local time: 05:40
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 36
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1 day 11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
弄潮兒
IMHO, "pioneer" for "弄潮儿" could be misleading.


Explanation:
■ 弄潮 ■1 在潮水里游水作戏。以钱塘弄潮最著名。又南宋临安风俗■八月观潮■少年百十为群■执旗泅水上■称弄潮之戏。参阅宋吴自牧《梦粱录・观潮》。 鲁迅 《呐喊・社戏》 ：“这十多个少年■委实没有一个不会凫水的■而且两三个还是弄潮的好手。” 宋 苏辙 《竞渡》 诗 ：“父老不知招屈恨■少年争作弄潮游。” 清 李渔 《蜃中楼・训女》 ：“又何曾步出■湘手弄潮。” 宋 王谠 《唐语林・夙慧》 ：“杭州端午■渡■於■塘弄潮。http://www.ewen.cc/books/hd20.asp

Thus "adventurer" would be close.

For Chinese etymological dictionary, you may want to get 《说文解字》 by 许慎 Check this: http://www.southcn.com/edu/newbook/ebook/xinshu6/20040601074...

This e-dictionary is most recommended: http://www.ewen.cc/books/hd20.asp

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Note added at 1 day 14 mins (2004-10-10 15:45:41 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Check this one: http://www.gg-art.com/imgbook/index.php?bookid=53


    Reference: http://www.ewen.cc/books/hd20.asp
Last Hermit
Local time: 01:40
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 9

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Francis Fine: superbly researched
32 mins
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