玩法弄权

English translation: to exploit the law and abuse one's power

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

Chinese term or phrase:	玩法弄权
English translation:	to exploit the law and abuse one's power
Entered by:	Wenjer Leuschel (X)

07:07 Jul 30, 2007

Chinese to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / Common Expression

Chinese term or phrase: 玩法弄权

The context:
It is clear in Chinese what it means and also clear that a person who 玩法弄权 or 贪赃枉法 must be in 权势地位. Probably, such a person believes that he can 只手遮天, so that nobody knows what he/she is doing.

This expression is especially interesting for the use of 玩 and 弄. To 玩法 and to 弄权 are 一体两面. Because of 权势地位, such persons believe to be able to 玩法 and 弄权 with all rights. But such persons miss something which a solid man would understand, that the position is to be checked in a system not only from above, but also from beneath.

The term asked: 玩法弄权
I need a proper translation in English.
Any idea is welcome.
Many thanks in advance!

Wenjer Leuschel (X) KudoZ activity Questions: 367 (3 open) (5 closed without grading) Answers: 4078 Taiwan
Local time: 09:07

to exploit the law and abuse one's power

Explanation:
To exploit is basically 利用, which is what 玩 really seems to mean in this case. Abusing one's power is of course using one's power inappropriately.

Selected response from:

Caroline Moreno
United States
Local time: 18:07

Grading comment

All the suggestions are very helpful. However, this one is most close to what the Chinese expression hits. Thanks to all of you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

4 +2

manipulate, exploit, maneuver

mutant2007

to exploit the law and abuse one's power

Caroline Moreno

to abuse laws and play politics

tomu6526

play fast and loose with the law

Malcolm Mayfield

misinterprete law to one's advantage and abuse one's power

franksf

play around with laws and politics

sophietao

Discussion entries: 1

Answers

32 mins confidence:

play fast and loose with the law

Explanation:
Perhaps "be overly litigious" would be better.

Malcolm Mayfield
United States
Local time: 20:07
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 23

40 mins confidence:

play around with laws and politics

Explanation:
玩、弄都可理解为play around with

sophietao
China
Local time: 09:07
Native speaker of:

Chinese

2 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

manipulate, exploit, maneuver

Explanation:
我的理解这里的‘玩、弄’是操纵法、权to his own advantage.
manipulate， exploit， maneuver
The central meaning shared by these verbs is “to influence, manage, use, or control to one's advantage by artful or indirect means”

mutant2007
Local time: 09:07
Works in field
Native speaker of:

Chinese

Notes to answerer

Asker: Quite insightfull. Thank you!

17 hrs confidence:

misinterprete law to one's advantage and abuse one's power

Explanation:
misinterprete law to one's advantage and abuse one's power

franksf
Native speaker of:

English,

Chinese
PRO pts in category: 24

18 hrs confidence:

to exploit the law and abuse one's power

Explanation:
To exploit is basically 利用, which is what 玩 really seems to mean in this case. Abusing one's power is of course using one's power inappropriately.

Caroline Moreno
United States
Local time: 18:07
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 44

Grading comment

All the suggestions are very helpful. However, this one is most close to what the Chinese expression hits. Thanks to all of you!

Notes to answerer

Asker: In a bad social system, as Chinese say, "只准州官放火，不许百姓点灯" (allowing governers burn down cities while they forbid common people light on their oil lamps), and such system allows power plays by the same ones who legislate, judge and enforce the law at their own will. Check and balance would be the solution.

1 day 7 hrs confidence:

to abuse laws and play politics

Explanation:
ab use 滥用

play 玩弄

注意对仗

tomu6526
Local time: 09:07
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

Chinese,

Japanese
PRO pts in category: 4

Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:

ProZ.com term search

Search millions of term translations