How to say :-
Keth
January 22, 2011, 07:43 AM posted in I Have a QuestionI wrote 用不超过10个字写下自己的墓志铭。I wanted to say " You can only use 10 words to write your own epitaph". Any suggestions would be appreciated.
watyamacallit
January 22, 2011, 02:38 PMCan I suggest a few more general questions concerning related actions. How would you say:
1. By (doing this), (do that).
eg. By dressing up as a clown, infiltrate the circus.
2. Without (doing this), (do that).
eg. Without using more than 10 characters, write your own epitaph. [original example]
2a. I'm not able to (do this) without (doing that).
eg. I can't work all day without having a cigarette break.
3. Instead of (doing this), (do that).
eg. Instead of sniffing, try blowing your nose.
4. While (doing this), also (do that).
eg. While you're skiing down the slope, could you pluck that flower for me, dear.
5. (Doing this) causes (that to happen).
eg. Scratching the dog's tummy makes his leg twitch.
zhenlijiang
January 22, 2011, 10:30 PMThis is different from your original sentence; I avoided the "can only use". It seemed easiest to me to do it like a problem in an exam--Write (compose) your own epitaph in 10 characters or fewer:
10个字以内创作自己的墓志铭。
Perhaps you would prefer to sound a bit more friendly and inviting though, since this is obviously for fun, not a real exam?
Keth
Yes I wanted it be friendly if possible .I thought it might be fun to do.It is not for an exam.
zhenlijiang
Sorry, I didn't express myself well. My concern is actually, like Calkins, that of accuracy, not sounding unfriendly. I just made my suggestion in what I think is exam-question style because it seemed the most natural way to word this. But there's probably a way to express more closely what you said in English, in good Chinese.
In the context people will see this, I'm sure no one will have trouble understanding that it is just for fun. Well anyway it's Monday, so hopefully we'll have teachers' input here.
lujiaojie
January 24, 2011, 06:32 AMI think “用不超过10个字写下自己的墓志铭。” is perfect!
calkins
January 22, 2011, 08:16 AMNot sure if this is accurate, but how about:
自己寫你的墓誌銘，只能使用10個字以下。