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“打几巴掌，再给个甜枣”

English translation: carrot after stick


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GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Chinese term or phrase:“打几巴掌，再给个甜枣”
English translation:carrot after stick
Entered by: Caroline Moreno
Options:
- Contribute to this entry
- Include in personal glossary

21:00 Jun 1, 2010
Chinese to English translations [PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / Foreign Relations
Chinese term or phrase: “打几巴掌，再给个甜枣”
中国不能接受美国“打几巴掌，再给个甜枣”的套路.

I understand the literal meaning of this but not the figurative meaning and cultural nuances. Thanks in advance!
Caroline Moreno
United States
Local time: 03:23
carrot after stick
Explanation:
Not punishment and award together, (as "carrot and stick"), but punishment first.
Selected response from:

kager
Local time: 18:23
Grading comment
I like this one because it conveys the 再 and the idea that the punishment is first and the reward comes later. Thanks everyone!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +5carrot and stickjameslao
4 -1carrot after stickkager


  

Answers


2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
carrot and stick


Explanation:
It means to make threat / punishment, then give some reward / consolation.

jameslao
Local time: 06:23
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Grace Liu
2 hrs
agree  Tai Fu: Or to tear down and build back up, similar to boot camp in the military.
10 hrs
agree  Adsion Liu
14 hrs
agree  Bin Tiede
15 hrs
agree  Rita Pang
278 days
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8 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -1
carrot after stick


Explanation:
Not punishment and award together, (as "carrot and stick"), but punishment first.

kager
Local time: 18:23
Native speaker of: Chinese
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
I like this one because it conveys the 再 and the idea that the punishment is first and the reward comes later. Thanks everyone!
Notes to answerer
Asker: Hmm, that is a very good point!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  jameslao: It is not. This context implies repeated actions instead of a sequence. Chinese idioms are not of such rigidity.
6 days
  -> Then how do you translate 软硬兼施 ?
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