Taking the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) can be a challenging but rewarding experience for learners of the language. If you’ve recently taken the 116th Chinese proficiency exam and found yourself struggling with certain translation questions, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll review some common mistakes that students make in the translation section, analyze your answers, and give feedback to help you improve your Chinese language skills for future exams.
Understanding the Translation Section of the Chinese Proficiency Test
The translation section of the Chinese Proficiency Test is designed to assess your ability to understand and accurately translate sentences between Chinese and your native language. It’s an important part of the exam because it tests both your comprehension and ability to express ideas clearly in Chinese. The section is usually made up of simple to intermediate level sentences, but the nuances of the language can often make them tricky to translate correctly.
Reviewing Your Answers and Mistakes
Let’s look at the sentences you translated and evaluate where improvements can be made:
- ①あなたはどうやってきたのですか → 你怎么来的？
Correct answer: 你是怎么来的？
Your answer, ‘你怎么来的？’, is understandable, but the use of ‘是’ (is) is often necessary for clarity in this context. The correct version, ‘你是怎么来的？’, includes the ‘是,’ which makes the sentence sound more natural and grammatically correct in Chinese.
- ②私は中国に2回行ったことがあります → 我去过中国两次。
Correct answer: 我去过两次中国。
Your translation, ‘我去过中国两次,’ is understandable and conveys the intended meaning. However, the more natural phrasing in Chinese is ‘我去过两次中国.’ While the meaning remains the same, Chinese speakers typically prefer the structure ‘两次中国’ over ‘中国两次.’ This is a subtle but common construction in Chinese.
- ③私には勉強する時間がありません → 我没有时间学習。
Correct answer: 我没有时间学习。
Your translation includes the incorrect word ‘学習.’ In Chinese, the correct term is ‘学习’ for ‘study.’ The character ‘学習’ is more commonly used in Japanese. Always make sure to use the proper Chinese character for ‘study,’ which is ‘学习’ (xuéxí).
- ④今日は昨日ほど暑くない → 今天比没有昨天热。
Correct answer: 今天没有昨天（那么）热。
Your translation ‘今天比没有昨天热’ is incorrect due to the structure. The correct way to say ‘Today is not as hot as yesterday’ in Chinese is ‘今天没有昨天（那么）热.’ The structure ‘没有’ is used to compare the degree of heat, and the word ‘那么’ adds the nuance of ‘as’ or ‘so’ to the comparison.
How to Improve Your Chinese Translation Skills
To improve your translation skills for future exams, focus on the following:
- 1. Practice with a native speaker: Engage with native speakers to improve your natural understanding of the language’s nuances and sentence structures. This will help you internalize correct phrasing and word choices.
- 2. Study grammar and sentence structure: Review sentence patterns, especially for comparisons and questions. Understanding how native speakers structure sentences will help you create more accurate translations.
- 3. Build your vocabulary: Expand your vocabulary by reading Chinese books, articles, and watching Chinese TV shows or movies. This will expose you to a variety of sentence structures and vocabulary used in different contexts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Chinese Translation
When translating between languages, it’s easy to make mistakes, especially with subtle grammatical differences. Here are a few common pitfalls to avoid:
- Misusing words with similar meanings: In your translation of ‘study,’ you used ‘学習’ (which is Japanese). Be aware of these small but crucial differences between languages.
- Incorrect word order: Chinese sentence structure can differ significantly from English or Japanese. Be sure to practice constructing sentences with proper word order.
- Forgetting to use auxiliary verbs: As shown in your translation of ‘How did you come?’, remember that auxiliary verbs like ‘是’ often play a role in making sentences sound more natural.
Conclusion: Evaluating Your Performance
In conclusion, your answers show a good understanding of basic Chinese translation, but there are areas where small improvements could be made. The key is to keep practicing and refining your skills. By understanding the subtle differences in sentence structure, word choice, and grammar, you’ll continue to improve your translation abilities. Remember, translation is about capturing the meaning and tone, and sometimes it’s the small details that make a big difference.
コメント