making the rules up as they go

Chinese translation: 自订规则,自行其是

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:making the rules up as they go
Chinese translation:自订规则,自行其是
Entered by: Julia Zou

02:35 Jan 27, 2008
English to Chinese translations [PRO]
Psychology
English term or phrase: making the rules up as they go
Originators may appear undisciplined and unconventional.Their desks may appear cluttered and chaotic. Sometimes they seem to be ***making the rules up as they go***. However, this outward appearance of disorganization does not necessarily indicate that the originator is actually disorganized.Within a cluttered office the originator may be able to immediately locate an article or file.

Thank you in advance!
Julia Zou
China
Local time: 17:09
自行一套
Explanation:
making the rules up
作出一套规矩/办事条例等

这句话前面提到的那些人,他们不守纪律,违反常规,他们的办公桌是乱七八糟。给人的感觉是:似乎他们是自行一套。

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Note added at 2 days12 hrs (2008-01-29 15:21:04 GMT)
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或 “自定一套”

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Note added at 2 days13 hrs (2008-01-29 16:01:33 GMT)
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或“一路自行(自定)一套”, 用“一路”来强调“as they go"也可以。
Selected response from:

lhcm
Local time: 17:09
Grading comment
Thank you very much!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +1自行一套
lhcm
4 +1见机行事
Milton Guo
5放到哪儿(就)是哪儿
Wei Liu
3 +1一路走来,自订规则
Wenjer Leuschel (X)
4自以为是
Lucy Liang
3制度尚未健全
franksf


Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


32 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
一路走来,自订规则


Explanation:
表面上看来,自创倾向性格的人缺乏纪律,不按牌理出牌。他们的工作桌上可能看起来杂乱无章。有时候,他们像是不遵守一套定则,而是一面进行事务,一面自订规则。...

Wenjer Leuschel (X)
Taiwan
Local time: 17:09
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  lhcm: 有时候,他们像是不遵守一套定则,而是一面进行事务,一面自订规则--- agree with you on this understanding。突然想到用“一路”来突出“as they go”,然后才有注意到您也用了“一路”. So I agree with you on this expression as well.Not on "走来" though.
2 days 12 hrs
  -> Thanks.
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
见机行事


Explanation:
一边做事,一边根据情况制定规则,而不是先定规则再做事

Milton Guo
China
Local time: 17:09
Native speaker of: Chinese

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  William He
6 hrs
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
制度尚未健全


Explanation:
making the rules up as they go - 两件相同的事情,因为尚无规矩遵循,处理得不一样。给出一个印象,即one rule for one thing and one rule for another -- making the rules up as they go -- inconsistent。



franksf
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in ChineseChinese
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16 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
放到哪儿(就)是哪儿


Explanation:
感觉这里的意思要结合段落变通下。因为我也是这样一个人,东西摆的很乱,但却能准确快速找出来。自己也许之前订下了布置方案,这边放词典,那边放书本杂志,可到时候总是放哪儿就是哪儿,可能就变成了“这边放文学类的,那边放理科类的”或者“这边放近期要用的,那边放近期不会用到的”。

Wei Liu
Canada
Local time: 02:09
Works in field
Native speaker of: Chinese
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18 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
自以为是


Explanation:
英语的意思有些贬义,特别合适出现在'however'前面,as to show a contrast.

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Note added at 20 hrs (2008-01-27 22:59:06 GMT)
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或者‘随遇而安’

Lucy Liang
Local time: 05:09
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
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2 days 12 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
自行一套


Explanation:
making the rules up
作出一套规矩/办事条例等

这句话前面提到的那些人,他们不守纪律,违反常规,他们的办公桌是乱七八糟。给人的感觉是:似乎他们是自行一套。

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days12 hrs (2008-01-29 15:21:04 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

或 “自定一套”

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days13 hrs (2008-01-29 16:01:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

或“一路自行(自定)一套”, 用“一路”来强调“as they go"也可以。

lhcm
Local time: 17:09
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you very much!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Wenjer Leuschel (X): 自行其是?/ 简单说,自创倾向性格的人一面做一面订自己的规则,那就是他们自己认为“是”,所以我才说他们“自行其是”,可能真的有好的结果,但也有可能给他们自己和别人带来灾害。
21 hrs
  -> 原文中的“make up rules"跟中文里的“一套规矩/规则”相关,因此,我倾向于用“一套”来反映这种联系。“自行其是”的“其是“是指“他自己认为正确的”。这种表达比“自行一套”意思更广,“自行一套(按照他认为正确的那套规矩去做)”属于“自行其是”范围中的一种,然而,“自行其是“不都是“自行一套”。谢谢您的建议。
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