官\兵

English translation: supervisors vs. subordinates

09:51 Oct 8, 2011
Chinese to English translations [PRO]
Social Science, Sociology, Ethics, etc.
Chinese term or phrase: 官\兵
一所公安派出所只有7、8人,其中有4、5个官,只有1、2个兵

I need the translation for 官 and 兵. thank you.
Carol C.W. CHUNG
Local time: 20:33
English translation:supervisors vs. subordinates
Explanation:
The context is talking about the (unreasonable) ratio of subordinates to supervisors in a local police station (or a "public security station") in China.
Try Google "ratio of subordinates to supervisors" and you will see relevant results with the use of this term or "XX subordinates per supervisor".
In case of companies, I would tend to use "managers" instead of "supervisors" but in this context I believe "supervisors" would be the appropriate word for a 公安派出所, which is not commercial.


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Note added at 9小时 (2011-10-08 19:40:49 GMT)
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I meant try searching in Google for "..." : )
Selected response from:

Echo Wu
China
Local time: 20:33
Grading comment
thank you
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4supervisors vs. subordinates
Echo Wu
4too many chiefs and not enough indians
Phil Hand


  

Answers


9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
supervisors vs. subordinates


Explanation:
The context is talking about the (unreasonable) ratio of subordinates to supervisors in a local police station (or a "public security station") in China.
Try Google "ratio of subordinates to supervisors" and you will see relevant results with the use of this term or "XX subordinates per supervisor".
In case of companies, I would tend to use "managers" instead of "supervisors" but in this context I believe "supervisors" would be the appropriate word for a 公安派出所, which is not commercial.


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9小时 (2011-10-08 19:40:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I meant try searching in Google for "..." : )

Echo Wu
China
Local time: 20:33
Native speaker of: Chinese
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
thank you
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

16 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
too many chiefs and not enough indians


Explanation:
That's a colloquial phrase, bit old fashioned now.

You could say, a lot of officers and just one or two beat cops.
5 or 6 leaders, and only 1 or 2 followers
In British English, the most junior police rank is constable, so you could say,
Only 1-2 constables and 5-6 high-ups directing them.

Phil Hand
China
Local time: 20:33
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
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