May 18, 2007 17:34
17 yrs ago
Chinese term
第一时间
Chinese to English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
project names
This term is popping up everywhere in China. Where and how does it get started? It sounds like a literal translation, though likely not from English. And how would you translate it? Would ASAP work or any better ideas?
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 +2 | immediate (reaction) |
pkchan
|
| 3 +4 | FYI |
Malcolm Mayfield
|
| 3 +1 | soonest |
Spring City (X)
|
| 3 +1 | another choice: at the earliest time possible |
Ritchest
|
| 4 | in the first place |
wingedvampire
|
| 4 | First In Time |
C2Expert
|
| 3 | shortly |
li sha
|
| 4 -1 | At First instant |
Philip Tang
|
Proposed translations
+2
13 mins
Selected
immediate (reaction)
第一时间(反應）=immediate (reaction)
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Note added at 18 mins (2007-05-18 17:53:13 GMT)
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Where does it get started? Hong Kong
How? Newspaper/TV reporting
第一时间報導=搶先報導
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Note added at 2 days21 hrs (2007-05-21 14:44:17 GMT)
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又是賽馬術語﹕閘門打開，第一時間彈出是8號草上飛。
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Note added at 18 mins (2007-05-18 17:53:13 GMT)
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Where does it get started? Hong Kong
How? Newspaper/TV reporting
第一时间報導=搶先報導
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days21 hrs (2007-05-21 14:44:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
又是賽馬術語﹕閘門打開，第一時間彈出是8號草上飛。
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Wenjer Leuschel (X)
6 hrs
|
|
thanks
|
|
| agree |
Malcolm Mayfield
: Seems about right.
2 days 17 hrs
|
|
thanks
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
+1
10 mins
soonest
Well, as soon as possible would be one idea. In some contexts, soonest might also work. I know this term and the way it is used in the US is viewed as cringeworthy by many people in the UK, but it could work. You didn't give any context.
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Note added at 12 mins (2007-05-18 17:47:38 GMT)
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Let me add that "the soonest I can arrive is midday" would be accepted by UK speakers, but "please get back to me soonest" would not. I tagged my suggestion as US English.
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Note added at 12 mins (2007-05-18 17:47:38 GMT)
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Let me add that "the soonest I can arrive is midday" would be accepted by UK speakers, but "please get back to me soonest" would not. I tagged my suggestion as US English.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Wenjer Leuschel (X)
6 hrs
|
+1
6 hrs
another choice: at the earliest time possible
at the earliest time possible
Agencies shall integrate the NEPA process with other planning at the earliest possible time to insure that planning and ... Request the participation of each cooperating agency in the NEPA process at the earliest possible time. ...
Advise personal healthcare providers of Laboratory policy regarding restricted (light) duty at the earliest time possible.
Agencies shall integrate the NEPA process with other planning at the earliest possible time to insure that planning and ... Request the participation of each cooperating agency in the NEPA process at the earliest possible time. ...
Advise personal healthcare providers of Laboratory policy regarding restricted (light) duty at the earliest time possible.
15 hrs
shortly
another way of saying immedialtely
20 hrs
wingedvampire
Native in Chinese
years of experience in commercial bank
Native in: Chinese 
Works in: English to Chinese, Chinese to English
in the first place
in the first place
+4
18 mins
FYI
(see page from a certain translation-oriented site below)
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Note added at 21 hrs (2007-05-19 15:19:35 GMT)
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As pkchan says, 第一时间 has its origins in HK print/broadcast media, so s.t. like "the latest" or "first look" might make sense as long as the context is akin to that. The intent seems to be to convey s.t. like "first on the scene", "first with the breaking news", "you heard it here first"...
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Note added at 21 hrs (2007-05-19 15:19:35 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
As pkchan says, 第一时间 has its origins in HK print/broadcast media, so s.t. like "the latest" or "first look" might make sense as long as the context is akin to that. The intent seems to be to convey s.t. like "first on the scene", "first with the breaking news", "you heard it here first"...
Reference:
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Spring City (X)
: yes, the previous discussion shows that "instantly" is the best translation
30 mins
|
| agree |
Wenjer Leuschel (X)
6 hrs
|
| agree |
crowdparadise
2 days 15 hrs
|
| agree |
stephanie_li
3 days 21 hrs
|
-1
1 day 4 hrs
Philip Tang
China
China
Native in Chinese
&
English
Works in field
China
Seasoned US hi-tech/management executive
Native in: English , Chinese
Works in: Chinese, Chinese to English, English to Chinese
Related KudoZ points
:
31
At First instant
If 第一时间 means instant response to something, I suggest
"At First Instant"
"At First Instant"
Peer comment(s):
| disagree |
Spring City (X)
: I am replacing my earlier comment to say that "at first instant" is not correct English. Even with a "the" in it, it wouldn't sound right.
9 hrs
|
|
I think we understand "第一时间" differently. Under a specific context "第一时间" could mean "at first instant"!
|
4 days
First In Time
This would apply to news scoops, actions, reactions, and other situations where the chronological order, speed or immediacy is of importance.
The exact translation will depend on whether the term is to be used as an adjective, adverb or noun, which varies with the context in which it is used.
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Note added at 6 days (2007-05-24 22:18:03 GMT) Post-grading
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Depending on the context, it is highly likely that one will use some word or phrase to effectively express the true meaning intended in the original message. There are many words in English that can convey the "first in time" idea, which can be more concise and precise for a specific situation. The best translation is usually one that takes full account of the context in which the Chinese phrase was used.
The exact translation will depend on whether the term is to be used as an adjective, adverb or noun, which varies with the context in which it is used.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 days (2007-05-24 22:18:03 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------
Depending on the context, it is highly likely that one will use some word or phrase to effectively express the true meaning intended in the original message. There are many words in English that can convey the "first in time" idea, which can be more concise and precise for a specific situation. The best translation is usually one that takes full account of the context in which the Chinese phrase was used.
Discussion
Mao Kong, thanks much for the link....I actually searched Kudo glossary but must have overlooked this one.