Translate English to Chinese: Movie titles

Frankly speaking, I am a big fan of watching movies, from love films to detective ones, from comedy to sad ones, I am crazy about almost every genre of movies. Well, when I watch movies produced in English-spoken countries, I find at the first glimpse, what really appeals to me is the movie titles, not just the original titles, but their Chinese versions.

To my mind, it is of great importance to choose appropriate Chinese titles for English films with the purpose of successful promotion in China. As an English Chinese translator, he or she should well realize the importance of English movie titles translation, since a successful translation can be converted automatically to more commercial values.

In English Chinese translation, the principles of “faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance” are widely accepted by English Chinese translators in China. By observing the principles, they contribute to the successful spread of English movies in China.   Anyway, let’s enjoy the classical Chinese translation of English movie titles.





Translate English to Chinese - City of Angels

  

Literal translation - 直译(zhí yì):

Roman Holiday   - 《罗马假日》 - (luó mǎ jià rì)

The Lion King  - 《狮子王》 –(shīzi wáng)

City of Angles  -  《天使之城》- (tiān shǐ zhī chéng)

Brave Heart -     《勇敢的心》- (yǒng gǎn de xīn)

Brokeback Mountain - 《断背山》- (duàn bèi shān)

Transliteration –音译(yīn yì)

 

English Chinese translation - King Kong

Jane Eyre - 《简爱》- (jiǎn ài)

Romeo and Juliet 《罗密欧与朱丽叶》(luó mì ōu yǔ zhū lì yè)

King Kong  -  《金刚》- (jīn gāng)

Troy - 《特洛伊》- (tè luò yī)

Free Translation / Paraphrasing –意译(yì yì)



English Chinese translation Services - Home Alone



Seven - 《七宗罪》- (qī zōng zuì)

Gone with the Wind - 《乱世佳人》 - (luàn shì jiā rén)

Home Alone - 《小鬼当家》 - (xiǎo guǐ dāng jiā)

Pretty Woman - 《风月俏佳人》- (fēng yuè qiào jiā rén)

Waterloo Bridge  - 《魂断蓝桥》- (hún duàn lán qiáo)

Ghost - 《人鬼情未了》- (rén guǐ qíng wèi liǎo)

Safe House - 《藏身之所》- (cáng shēn zhī suǒ)

It Happened One Night - 《一夜风流》- (yī yè fēng liú)

Sister Act  - 《修女也疯狂》- (xiū nǚ yě fēng kuáng)

Mission Impossible - 《碟中谍》- (dié zhōng dié)

As we can see above, all the movies gained popularity over China. We can’t deny the wonderful plots and excellent directing techniques of the movies themselves, but what also can’t ignore are the catchy Chinese titles. In order to do this, it needs English Chinese translator to be familiar with the movie contents.