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2014 annual ProZ.com translation contest: "Celebrations" » English to Chinese

Competition in this pair is now closed, and the winning entry has been announced.

Discussion and feedback about the competition in this language pair may now be provided by visiting the "Discussion & feedback" page for this pair. Entries may also be individually discussed by clicking the "Discuss" link next to any listed entry.

Source text in English

Who cast that first fateful tomato that started the La Tomatina revolution? The reality is no one knows. Maybe it was an anti-Franco rebellion, or a carnival that got out of hand. According to the most popular version of the story, during the 1945 festival of Los Gigantes (a giant paper mâché puppet parade), locals were looking to stage a brawl to get some attention. They happened upon a vegetable cart nearby and started hurling ripe tomatoes. Innocent onlookers got involved until the scene escalated into a massive melee of flying fruit. The instigators had to repay the tomato vendors, but that didn't stop the recurrence of more tomato fights—and the birth of a new tradition.

Fearful of an unruly escalation, authorities enacted, relaxed, and then reinstated a series of bans in the 1950s. In 1951, locals who defied the law were imprisoned until public outcry called for their release. The most famous effrontery to the tomato bans happened in 1957 when proponents held a mock tomato funeral complete with a coffin and procession. After 1957, the local government decided to roll with the punches, set a few rules in place, and embraced the wacky tradition.

Though the tomatoes take center stage, a week of festivities lead up to the final showdown. It's a celebration of Buñol's patron saints, the Virgin Mary and St. Louis Bertrand, with street parades, music, and fireworks in joyous Spanish fashion. To build up your strength for the impending brawl, an epic paella is served on the eve of the battle, showcasing an iconic Valencian dish of rice, seafood, saffron, and olive oil.

Today, this unfettered festival has some measure of order. Organizers have gone so far as to cultivate a special variety of unpalatable tomatoes just for the annual event. Festivities kick off around 10 a.m. when participants race to grab a ham fixed atop a greasy pole. Onlookers hose the scramblers with water while singing and dancing in the streets. When the church bell strikes noon, trucks packed with tomatoes roll into town, while chants of "To-ma-te, to-ma-te!" reach a crescendo.

Then, with the firing of a water cannon, the main event begins. That's the green light for crushing and launching tomatoes in all-out attacks against fellow participants. Long distance tomato lobbers, point-blank assassins, and medium range hook shots. Whatever your technique, by the time it's over, you will look (and feel) quite different. Nearly an hour later, tomato-soaked bombers are left to play in a sea of squishy street salsa with little left resembling a tomato to be found. A second cannon shot signals the end of the battle.

The winning entry has been announced in this pair.

There were 27 entries submitted in this pair during the submission phase, 5 of which were selected by peers to advance to the finals round. The winning entry was determined based on finals round voting by peers.

Competition in this pair is now closed.


Entries (27 total; 5 finalists) Expand all entries

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Language variants:
Entry #20666 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Mandarin
Winner
Voting points1st2nd3rd
429 x43 x20
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry3.683.71 (14 ratings)3.64 (14 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 3 users entered 9 "like" tags
  • 7 users agreed with "likes" (8 total agrees)
  • 5 users disagreed with "likes" (7 total disagrees)
-3
+4
4
冥冥之中
Flows well
Jeancheng
肇事者
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
-2
+2
1
挑衅
Flows well
YJ ZHANG
-2
+2
1
足以乱真
Flows well
YJ ZHANG
顺应民意
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
人们为这个纵情狂欢的节日制定了一些游戏规则
Flows well
Jeancheng
载歌载舞
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
和心情
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
沾满
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #17941 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Simplified
Finalist
Voting points1st2nd3rd
244 x42 x24 x1
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry3.293.14 (7 ratings)3.43 (7 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 4 users entered 8 "like" tags
其实并没有人知道
Flows well
YING LI
流传最广的故事版本
Flows well
Jeancheng
混凝纸
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
蔬果满天飞
Flows well
YING LI
肇事者
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
压轴戏
Flows well
非常贴切的本地语
Jeancheng
推向最后的高潮
Flows well
YING LI
烹制而成
Flows well
Michael Tang
Entry #21415 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Simplified
Finalist
Voting points1st2nd3rd
233 x45 x21 x1
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry3.273.17 (12 ratings)3.36 (11 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 6 users entered 7 "like" tags
  • 1 user agreed with "likes" (1 total agree)
+1
失控的狂欢
Flows well
Jeancheng
未能幸免
Flows well
Zhou & Petkovic
顺应民意
Good term selection
用词贴切
Shi Zhang (X)
顺应民意
Flows well
Wing HU
在战斗前夕,参与者可以饱餐一顿丰盛的西班牙海鲜饭——由大米、海鲜、藏红花和橄榄油烹制而成的巴伦西亚招牌菜,为即将到来的大战积蓄力量
Good term selection
Lucy Wang
“番茄,番茄!”的喊声响彻云霄
Flows well
Michael Tang
无论你擅长远程高弧线投射、近距离平射刺杀还是中程勾手投射,到大战结束时,你看起来(和感觉起来)将会大不一样
Good term selection
Lucy Wang
Entry #16864 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Simplified
Finalist
Voting points1st2nd3rd
122 x404 x1
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry3.253.00 (9 ratings)3.50 (8 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 2 users entered 6 "like" tags
  • 1 user agreed with "likes" (1 total agree)
博得一些关注
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
一再上演
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
有嘲讽意味的
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
载歌载舞
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
这意味着
Flows well
翻译出了that i​s the gree​n light fo​r
Shi Zhang (X)
+1
1
像样的
Flows well
Jeancheng
Entry #16808 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Mandarin
Finalist
Voting points1st2nd3rd
81 x41 x22 x1
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry3.693.63 (8 ratings)3.75 (8 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 1 user entered 5 "like" tags
  • 1 user agreed with "likes" (1 total agree)
以身试法
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
纪念
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
+1
风情
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
难以入口
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
缓缓驶进
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)


Non-finalist entries

The following entries were not selected by peers to advance to finals-round voting.

Entry #16912 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Simplified
Jing Li
Jing Li
China
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry3.163.20 (10 ratings)3.11 (9 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 2 users entered 4 "like" tags
  • 1 user agreed with "likes" (1 total agree)
决定性的
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
+1
1
无从稽考
Flows well
Jeancheng
顺势而为
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
高点远投
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #17975 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Not specified
terrencesun (X)
terrencesun (X)
Singapore
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry3.162.88 (8 ratings)3.43 (7 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 2 users entered 5 "like" tags
再发生
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
招摇过市
Flows well
用词有点儿特色
Shi Zhang (X)
哄抢
Good term selection
SophieT
一浪高过一浪
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
火力全开
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #21728 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Simplified
Yueshi Gu
Yueshi Gu
United Kingdom
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry3.133.00 (8 ratings)3.25 (8 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 1 user entered 2 "like" tags
宿命的
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
信号
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #17230 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Mandarin
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry3.113.11 (9 ratings)3.11 (9 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 2 users entered 5 "like" tags
  • 1 user agreed with "likes" (1 total agree)
+1
支持者们举行了一场有模有样的西红柿葬礼,抬着灵柩、列队出殡
Flows well
YJ ZHANG
顺服民意
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
压轴大戏
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
一定之规
Flows well
希望通过参与学到别人​的长处
Shi Zhang (X)
经过西红柿洗礼的
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #21622 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Simplified
Jun Zhang
Jun Zhang
United States
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry2.962.78 (9 ratings)3.13 (8 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 2 users entered 7 "like" tags
  • 2 users agreed with "likes" (2 total agrees)
混凝纸
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
+2
1
当地人正想上演一场闹剧以吸引人们的注意。他们偶然发现附近的一辆装有蔬菜的手推车,于是开始投掷熟透的番茄
Flows well
YJ ZHANG
无休止地升级
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
当时番茄大战的支持者举行了一场富有讽刺意味的番茄葬礼,既有棺材又有游行活动
Flows well
YJ ZHANG
富有讽刺意味的
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
滚滚而来
Flows well
rolling !!​! 我终于找到一个直​观的译法
Shi Zhang (X)
开始信号
Flows well
没漏译green l​ight for .​..
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #20642 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Simplified
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry2.943.00 (8 ratings)2.88 (8 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 2 users entered 7 "like" tags
  • 2 users disagreed with "likes" (2 total disagrees)
-1
1
是谁扔出了“番茄大战”革命的第一个具有决定性意义的番茄?
Flows well
esperisto
-1
起义
Flows well
弗朗哥是反面人物
Shi Zhang (X)
再次上演
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
带有嘲讽意味的
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
顺应民意
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
口味不佳的
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
嬉戏玩耍
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #19639 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Simplified
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry2.933.00 (8 ratings)2.86 (7 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 2 users entered 3 "like" tags
  • 2 users agreed with "likes" (2 total agrees)
挑起事件的人
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
再次发生
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
+2
顺应民意
Flows well
Jeancheng
Entry #16844 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Simplified
甜瓜
甜瓜
China
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry2.882.63 (8 ratings)3.13 (8 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 1 user entered 2 "like" tags
顺从民意
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
是战斗开始的信号
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #16594 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Not specified
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry2.872.44 (9 ratings)3.29 (7 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 2 users entered 3 "like" tags
  • 1 user agreed with "likes" (1 total agree)
  • 1 user disagreed with "likes" (1 total disagree)
-1
+1
满天飞
Flows well
Jeancheng
失控升级
Flows well
起码翻译出了“升级”
Shi Zhang (X)
可以
Flows well
这样最起码翻译出了g​reen light​ for
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #20593 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Not specified
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry2.842.67 (9 ratings)3.00 (9 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 2 users entered 4 "like" tags
闹事者
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
挑衅
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
在1957年之后,为了解决这个难题,当地政府制定一些规定,接受了这一奇特的传统。
Flows well
YJ ZHANG
番茄是节日的主角。不过,在番茄大战揭幕之前,会举行一周的庆祝活动
Flows well
YJ ZHANG
Entry #20078 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Simplified
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry2.702.57 (7 ratings)2.83 (6 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 2 users entered 5 "like" tags
  • 1 user agreed with "likes" (1 total agree)
  • 1 user disagreed with "likes" (1 total disagree)
-1
+1
1
水果横飞
Flows well
Jeancheng
挑衅
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
顺应民意
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
这是“大战”开始的信号
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
全力以赴地
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #17059 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Simplified
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry2.672.67 (6 ratings)2.67 (6 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 1 user entered 1 "like" tag
载歌载舞
Flows well
Jeancheng
Entry #20320 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Mandarin
Wing HU
Wing HU
China
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry2.652.63 (8 ratings)2.67 (6 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 1 user entered 1 "like" tag
挑衅
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #20263 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Traditional
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry2.622.83 (6 ratings)2.40 (5 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 1 user entered 5 "like" tags
天曉得
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
最終升級至一場水果滿天飛的大混戰
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
滋事者
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
不再以硬碰硬
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
緩緩進城
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #20348 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Simplified
1-Stop ASIA
1-Stop ASIA
United States
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry2.592.80 (10 ratings)2.38 (8 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 1 user entered 3 "like" tags
一再发生
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
献给
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
伙伴
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #20866 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Simplified
Lau Wei Tsinn
Lau Wei Tsinn
Singapore
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry2.592.17 (6 ratings)3.00 (6 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 1 user entered 3 "like" tags
乱上加乱
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
开战的讯号
Flows well
翻译出了green ​light for
Shi Zhang (X)
像样的
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #17113 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Traditional
erin.yu
erin.yu
Taiwan
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry2.502.50 (4 ratings)2.50 (4 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 1 user entered 4 "like" tags
始作俑者
Flows well
用词有点儿过头,但比​较独特,不失为一种选​择
Shi Zhang (X)
以身試法
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
難吃的
Flows well
朴素的语言
Shi Zhang (X)
這表示可以
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #21262 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Not specified
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry2.502.60 (5 ratings)2.40 (5 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 2 users entered 5 "like" tags
谁鬼使神差
Flows well
鬼使神差地
Shi Zhang (X)
肇事者
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
顺应民意
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
敬奉
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
参加者竞相攀爬一根涂满油脂的木杆
Flows well
Jeancheng
Entry #21829 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Mandarin
La Mi
La Mi
China
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry2.502.71 (7 ratings)2.29 (7 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 4 users entered 16 "like" tags
  • 1 user agreed with "likes" (1 total agree)
  • 1 user disagreed with "likes" (1 total disagree)
事情原委自然无从知晓
Flows well
Kenneth Woo
一出闹剧
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
+1
事有凑巧
Flows well
Kenneth Woo
-1
煽动肇事者
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
锒铛入狱
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
涉案人等方
Flows well
Kenneth Woo
挑衅
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
顺应民意
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
算是接受了
Flows well
Kenneth Woo
一显身手
Flows well
Kenneth Woo
规矩方圆
Good term selection
Leilei Men
特供每年一度的番茄大战之用
Flows well
Kenneth Woo
拉开帷
Flows well
Jeancheng
载歌载舞
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
“To-ma-te, to-ma-te(番茄,番茄)
Flows well
Kenneth Woo
四下里
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #18139 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Not specified
Qiang Wang
Qiang Wang
Singapore
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry2.202.20 (5 ratings)2.20 (5 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 1 user entered 6 "like" tags
  • 1 user agreed with "likes" (1 total agree)
  • 1 user disagreed with "likes" (1 total disagree)
-1
抢风头
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
闹事者
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
顺从民意
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
载歌载舞
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
+1
重头戏
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
泛滥
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #17462 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Mandarin
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry1.752.00 (4 ratings)1.50 (4 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 1 user entered 1 "like" tag
吸引更多眼球
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)
Entry #17839 — Discuss 0 — Variant: Not specified
Rating typeOverallQualityAccuracy
Entry1.751.67 (6 ratings)1.83 (6 ratings)
Entry tagging:
  • 1 user entered 1 "like" tag
竞相
Flows well
Shi Zhang (X)