Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Chinese term or phrase:
天网恢恢 疏而不漏
English translation:
(lit.) the net of Heaven has large meshes but it lets nothing through
Added to glossary by
vwkl (X)
Feb 23, 2008 03:41
16 yrs ago
5 viewers *
Chinese term
Chinese and English native speaker
Native in: Chinese 
, English
Works in: Chinese to English, English to Chinese, Japanese to English, and 3 more.
天网恢恢疏而不漏
Chinese to English
Art/Literary
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Part of this phrase was used as the title of a book by Lian Hearn "Heaven's net is wide". Just wondering if there is a good suggestion for the second part of the phrase. Thank you for your time
Proposed translations
(English)
Change log
Feb 25, 2008 01:01: vwkl (X) Created KOG entry
Feb 25, 2008 01:48: vwkl (X) changed "Edited KOG entry" from "<a href="/profile/48185">vwkl (X)'s</a> old entry - "天网恢恢 疏而不漏"" to ""(lit.) the net of Heaven has large meshes but it lets nothing through""
Feb 25, 2008 03:22: vwkl (X) changed "Edited KOG entry" from "<a href="/profile/48185">vwkl (X)'s</a> old entry - "天网恢恢 疏而不漏"" to ""(lit.) the net of Heaven has large meshes but it lets nothing through""
Proposed translations
+1
1 hr
Selected
(lit.) the net of Heaven has large meshes but it lets nothing through
This would be the literal translation.
However an appropriate interpretation in English would be:
The mills of God grind slowly but surely
mills of God = Fate / Plans of God (天网)
although it DOES NOT necessary imply the punishing of an evil deed as in the Chinese phrase.
grinds slowly = takes time to unfold
but surely (而不漏)
However an appropriate interpretation in English would be:
The mills of God grind slowly but surely
mills of God = Fate / Plans of God (天网)
although it DOES NOT necessary imply the punishing of an evil deed as in the Chinese phrase.
grinds slowly = takes time to unfold
but surely (而不漏)
Reference:
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Caroline Moreno
: I like your first suggestion for a literal translation here.
16 hrs
|
|
thanks!
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you."
+3
23 mins
justice will ultimately prevail
or:Justice has long arms
汉语俗语英译20句- [ Translate this page ]汉语俗语英译20句. 1. 她动不动就骂她的孩子们，但孩子们都知道她是刀子嘴豆腐心。 ... 扩展：天网恢恢，疏而不漏：Justice has long arms. 14. 江山易改，本性难移。 ...
www.cycnet.com/cms/2004/englishcorner/translation/200609/t2... - 21k - Cached - Similar pages
汉语俗语英译20句- 沪江口译频道- [ Translate this page ]汉译英， '放开'用'eliminate'? "家教"的英文该怎么说？ .... 扩展：天网恢恢，疏而不漏：Justice has long arms. 14. 江山易改，本性难移。 ...
tr.hjenglish.com/page/13036/ - 37k - Cached - Similar pages
汉语俗语英译20句- [ Translate this page ]汉语俗语英译20句. 1. 她动不动就骂她的孩子们，但孩子们都知道她是刀子嘴豆腐心。 ... 扩展：天网恢恢，疏而不漏：Justice has long arms. 14. 江山易改，本性难移。 ...
www.cycnet.com/cms/2004/englishcorner/translation/200609/t2... - 21k - Cached - Similar pages
汉语俗语英译20句- 沪江口译频道- [ Translate this page ]汉译英， '放开'用'eliminate'? "家教"的英文该怎么说？ .... 扩展：天网恢恢，疏而不漏：Justice has long arms. 14. 江山易改，本性难移。 ...
tr.hjenglish.com/page/13036/ - 37k - Cached - Similar pages
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Jason Ma
1 hr
|
|
謝謝
|
|
| agree |
orientalhorizon
: Justice has long arms
3 hrs
|
|
感謝
|
|
| agree |
Angus Woo
9 hrs
|
|
多謝
|
1 hr
can never get away with a crime, even though every law seemingly has its loopholes
直译为"can never get away with a crime, even though every law seemingly has its loopholes"
2 hrs
heaven's vengeance is slow but sure
It seems well accepted.
http://www.google.cn/search?q=heaven's vengeance is slow but...
http://www.google.cn/search?q=heaven's vengeance is slow but...
18 hrs
Caroline Moreno
United States
United States
Native in English
United States
Quality, timely Chinese translation.
Native in: English 
Works in: Chinese to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Heaven's net is wide- it always catches the wicked.
This is more of a free translation, so it conveys the meaning of Heaven catching the wicked in the end. You could also use the word "evildoers" instead of "the wicked" if you like that better.
Discussion