Done [JP] Proverb help

[natural-log]

Anyone familiar with the proverb "天に三日の晴れは無し"? Also, if I were to translate it literally, would "In heaven, fair weather shan’t go on for three days" be correct?

 

[saladesu]

Re: Proverb help

I would prefer to translate it in a less literal manner (although how you've done it literally is technically correct), maybe something like "good things don't last forever" or "all good things must come to an end"?

 

[Boon0175]

Re: Proverb help

I totally agree with saladesu.
"天に三日の晴れは無し" sounds like an established proverb, but it is an original proverb-ish expression.

FYI:
In this phrase, 天 means 天下(under the sun/ world) or 天候(weather) rather than "heaven". So I think salades's translations are perfectly good.

 

[natural-log]

Re: Proverb help

I see, "good things won't last forever". Btw, I chose to translate it literally because the character who said the proverb misunderstood its meaning. She misunderstood it as "the patience of a saint only goes up to three" or something close to that.

So, based on your advice, I'm guessing "fair weather shan’t go on for three days" is literally correct? Or should I add "under the sun" at the beginning?

 

[saladesu]

Re: Proverb help

Ah i see, that makes sense

It sounds a little unnatural imo :/ how bout "fair weather never lasts three days"?

 

[Boon0175]

Re: Proverb help

I think all of "fair weather shan’t go on for three days" and saladesu's translations are correct literally and technically, though I don't know the given context.

>>She misunderstood it as "the patience of a saint only goes up to three" or something close to that.

I can't guess and it's interesting that how she misunderstood them.
Could you give me/us more context, transcription or scan of the relevant part?

And you don't need to use "under the sun" and "(fair) weather" at the same time.
I think it's redundant.

Thank you

 

[mikkih]

Re: Proverb help

I would translate it the way Salad did, and add the real meaning with * mark somewhere on the side.

 

[natural-log]

Re: Proverb help

I think I'll take up Saladesu's suggestion. So, her character is that of a straight-laced samurai (yet kinda childish) but I guess my imperfect English failed to make the line sounds cool. Anyway, if anyone still interested with the context. (harhar, so late 'coz I thought I'd be to make do with just the proverb meaning)

http://voile.gensokyo.org/res/32245.html
--the page in question is in post No.32349, and for the context we'll need No.32348 as well (u can just search for the number w/ ctrl+f)

Additional context:
Before the event in this manga, Youmu (the girl who misunderstood the proverb) fought her rival Sakuya twice. She lost the first encounter but the result of the second encounter is unknown. Now, Youmu gets the chance to fight her rival for the third time. Since the straight-laced Youmu even asked for her master's permission to fight a duel, I'd say she's very obsessed about it.