How to say "when is the latest we can get there?"
xiaophil
May 10, 2010 at 11:33 PM posted in I Have a QuestionI just had a tough time translating this sentence. I'm afraid to even type out my attempt for all to see. Anyway, just so it is down here in the text box, this is what I want to say:
"When is the latest we can get there?"
Thanks
changye
May 11, 2010 at 03:02 AM
HI go_manly
That's right. The original meaning of “迟” is "late" (not on time), but the character is also used in the sense of "later". For example, you can say both “迟早” and “早晚” (sooner or later) in Chinese.
go_manly
May 11, 2010 at 01:40 AM
changye
In your 2nd sentence, doesn't 迟 mean 'late' as in 'not on time' ?
suansuanru
May 16, 2010 at 02:55 PM
I like the dei3 you used here.It is correct.
"我们什么时候得到那里"makes sense.
go_manly
May 11, 2010 at 01:25 AM
Actually, lets change the word order slightly:
"Wǒmen shénme shíhou yǐqián děi dào le?"
Does that make any sense?
ruoruodewen
May 11, 2010 at 12:23 AM
I think "women zui wan shenme shihou keyi dao nali? " sounds more natural. ^___^
bababardwan
May 10, 2010 at 11:48 PM
Ok,decided to put myself on the spot just for fun to have a shot and this is what I would have come up with on the spur of the moment:
shenme shihou women keyi zui wan le daole?
..sure it's way off,but I'll be interested to see what it should have been
xiaophil
May 11, 2010 at 05:20 AM
Hi Baba,
Another reason I didn't attempt was time considerations. I just got back online and am happy to see so much activity. Thanks for jumping in first!
bababardwan
May 11, 2010 at 12:08 AM
ok,now had a chance to think a bit more,perhaps I'd modify it to"
women shenme shihou zui wanle keyi daole nali ?
..hehe,probs just getting in more of a hole
changye
May 11, 2010 at 01:34 AM我们最晚什么时候能到那里？
我们最迟什么时候能到那里？