Everything from Nothing

bazza
October 11, 2007, 11:58 PM posted in General Discussion
How would you best translate that?
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trevelyan
October 12, 2007, 02:24 AM

There's the saying 从无到有, but that doesn't capture "everything". I'd probably go with 从无到都, and have to explain it after being met with a blank stare. Anyone else?

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John
October 12, 2007, 02:32 AM

Well, there is exactly one instance of "从无到都" on the internet before this post. There must be something better...

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sparechange
October 12, 2007, 03:46 AM

I'm probably the least qualified to contribute to this discussion, but wouldn't it depend on context to some extent? The phrase has some heavy philosophical overtones, and would likely require some additional explanation regardless of language. Unless of course, you're planning to get this tattooed somewhere on your body; in which case, the shorter the better. :)

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bazza
October 12, 2007, 06:02 AM

How about 从没事到每件事?

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jennyzhu
October 12, 2007, 06:21 AM

Chinese is all about the unspoken and letting the imagination run wild, so 有 does capture everything. 从无到有 it is. You can also say 从有到无 after a trip to Macao.

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mark
October 12, 2007, 06:31 AM

Jenny, 你赌钱吗?