cringe

Chinese translation: 避而不谈

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:cringe
Chinese translation:避而不谈
Entered by: IC --

23:51 May 23, 2007
English to Chinese translations [PRO]
Journalism / politics
English term or phrase: cringe
"When you talk to people, they cringe," said a White House official, who spoke about the prospect of McCain succeeding Bush on the condition of anonymity.

"cringe = 卑躬屈膝,阿諛奉承,畏縮;蜷縮"

What is the right meaning of "cringe" in this given case?
Does it mean people don't want to come forward with their true opinion/feeling?
Philip Tang
China
Local time: 02:47
避而不谈
Explanation:
避而不谈
Selected response from:

IC --
Local time: 19:47
Grading comment
Thank you!
I think 避而不谈 fits the context best!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +1退避;不愿或不敢置评。
orientalhorizon
4 +1FYI
clearwater
4 +1避而不谈
IC --
5迴避, 退避三舍 (FYI)
FourSeasons
5支持 避而不谈
tomu6526


  

Answers


20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
FYI


Explanation:
退缩;

clearwater
China
Local time: 02:47
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 32

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  licullen
6 days
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
退避;不愿或不敢置评。


Explanation:
cringe一般指过于害怕或顺从而退缩、退避,而“卑躬屈膝,阿諛奉承”其实是其中的一个表现,所以此处的意思就是大家都尽量避而不谈。

orientalhorizon
Local time: 02:47
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 8

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  licullen
6 days
  -> thanks
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9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
避而不谈


Explanation:
避而不谈

IC --
Local time: 19:47
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you!
I think 避而不谈 fits the context best!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Danbing HE
25 days
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12 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
迴避, 退避三舍 (FYI)


Explanation:
According to Cambridge Dictionaries Online:

'To cringe' (verb) has two meanings --

1) to suddenly move away from someone or something because you are frightened
This is interpreted as in the sense of avoidance.

2) to feel very embarrassed
This is used casually. It's a bit like "起雞皮疙瘩", you get so embarrased that you feel very uncomfortable.

It seems that both meanings are applicable to the excerpt you quoted. "Cringe" sounds a bit informal when used. If that person meant to be formal, he would probably use 'avoid' or 'evade' instead. You have the whole text, so you could decide yourself.




    Reference: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=18321&dict=CA...
FourSeasons
Local time: 19:47
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 4
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1 day 4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
支持 避而不谈


Explanation:
避而不谈

tomu6526
Local time: 02:47
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese, Native in JapaneseJapanese
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