Firefly-Serenity Chinese Pinyinary
Chinese by Story
"The Message" to "Objects in Space" / Firefly Elsewhere
Please note:
- Numerals (e.g., ni3hao3) represent Chinese tones (more information in FAQ).
- Chinese characters for dialog are given first in traditional form then in simplified form.
- Words in "quotation marks, bold, and typewriter font" come from the published scripts or from relevant English appearing near the Chinese characters. Those not in the scripts, especially those in {curly brackets/braces}, are less certain.
- Some of the original translations from script-English into Chinese were very loose.
"The Message" | "Heart of Gold" | "Objects in Space" | Firefly Elsewhere
Chinese by Story | Chinese Dialog by Phrase | Main Page
"The Message"
Chinese Dialog
- Ni3 gao4su5 na4 niu2 ta1 you3 shuang1 mei3mu4?
- 你告訴那牛牠有雙美目?・你告诉那牛它有双美目?
- "Nee GAO-soo NA niou, TA yo shwong mei-moo?"
- "Why don't you tell the cow about its beautiful eyes?"
- Kaylee [off-screen], after Simon compliments her eyes then jokes that she's the only woman available
- ni3 gao4su5: you tell; ni3 you [singular]; gao4su5 tell, inform (gao4 tell, inform; su4 tell, inform)
- na4 niu2: that cow; na4 that, those; niu2 cow
- ta1: it
- you3: have
- shuang1 mei4mu4: beautiful eyes; shuang1, two, pair; mei3mu4 beautiful eyes (mei3 beautiful; mu4 eye)
- damp lung [NOT CHINESE]
- [NO CHARACTERS]
- "the Damplung" [Jayne sounds like damp long; subtitles: wrongly say it's Chinese]
- damp lung
- Jayne [off-screen], reading aloud letter from mother [brother Matty is sick with it]
- [ENGLISH]
- damp lung: name for a lung disease
- Dong3 ma5?
- 懂嗎?・懂吗?
- "Dong ma?" [subtitles: "Dong ma?"]
- "understand?"
- Womack, to Amnon about keeping quiet
- dong3 ma5: understand?; dong3 understand; ma5 question marker
See also:
- "The Train Job"
- "Out of Gas"
- "Heart of Gold"
Related Expression(s):
- dong3 le5 ma5? (Serenity Novelization)
- Dong3 le5 ma5? Ni3 chou2lian3, you3 mei2you3? (Serenity Movie)
- tian1 xiao3de2
- 天曉得・天晓得
- "TYEN shiao-duh"
- "name of all that's sacred"
- Mal, invoked to Tracey about what Tracey stole
- tian1 xiao3de2: [colloquial] God knows, Heaven knows; tian1 heaven, God; xiao3de2 [borrowed from non-Mandarin Chinese] know (xiao3 know; de2 -able)
- Mandarin term is 知道・知道 zhi1dao5: know; zhi1 know; dao4 path.
See also:
- "Bushwhacked"
- "Safe"
Related Expression(s):
- Ai1ya1. Tian1 a5 . . . (Serenity Movie)
- Lao3tian1, bu4. ("Safe")
- Lao3tian1ye2. ("Arial")
- Tian1sha1 de5 e4mo2. ("Ariel")
- Wo3 de5 tian1, a5. ("Bushwhacked")
- xiong1can2 sha1shou3
- 兇殘殺手・凶残杀手
- shiong-tsan sha-sho [Kaylee sounds like shiong tse sha sho.]
- a**-kicking killer
- Kaylee, telling Tracey how he makes wartime Zoe sound
- xiong1can2: ruthless, bloodthirsty; xiong1 brutal; can2 ruthless
- sha1shou3: killer; sha1 to kill; shou3 suffix making verbs into nouns meaning: expert at, professional, [literally] hand
- Thanks to Firefly Chinese Translator Jenny Lynn for the less-literal English meaning (and for confirming the pinyin in this entry).
Related Expression(s):
- xiong1meng3 de5 kuang2ren2 ("Objects in Space")
- Wo3 de5 ma1
- 我的媽・我的妈
- "Wuo duh MA"
- "Mother-of-Jesus"
- Wash, reaction to nearby explosions
- wo3 de5 ma1: My God!, [literally] My ma!, Mamma mia!; wo3 de5 my (wo3 I; de5 possessive marker); ma1 ma
See also:
- Bushwhacked
Related Expression(s):
- Wo3 de5 ma1 he2 ta1 de5 feng1kuang2 de5 wai4sheng5 dou1 ("Our Mrs. Reynolds")
- Wo3 de5 tian1, a5. ("Bushwhacked")
Cut Chinese Dialog
- gou3shi3 [CUT]
- 狗屎・狗屎
- "go-se"
- crap [in script without English]
- Womack, referring to Tracey
- gou3shi3: [derogatory] worthless thing, [literally] dog excrement; gou3 dog; shi3 [Taiwan si3] excrement, dung
- Thanks to Firefly Chinese Translator Jenny Lynn for the si3 form and Taiwan origin.
See also:
- "Shindig"
- "Safe"
- "Out of Gas"
- Serenity Novelization
Related Expression(s):
- gen1 hou2zi5 bi3 diu1shi3 ("Heart of Gold")
- gou3 cao4 de5 ("The Train Job")
- niu2shi3 ("War Stories")
- zheng1qi4 de5 gou3shi3 dui1 ("Our Mrs. Reynolds")
Top | Chinese by Story | Chinese Dialog by Phrase | Main Page
Visible Chinese
- 茶
- Cha2
- Tea
- on space station poster to the right of the barker, visible as he says "proof of alien life"
- cha2: tea
See also:
- Serenity Movie
- 易碎
- [ 2: written backwards and seen upside-down ]
- Yi4sui4
- Fragile
- 1. on patch with what looks like AIR COM on Amnon's postal uniform, somewhat visible as he meets Mal and gets clipboard
- 2. on two stickers on crate, somewhat visible as Mal and Zoe stare at it
- yi4sui4: fragile; yi4 easy, easy to, easily; sui4 to break into pieces
- 綢緞商店
- [ dian4 partially obscured; Simplified: 绸缎商店 ]
- Chou2duan4 Shang1dian4
- Silk-and-Satin Shop
- posted in space station behind Jayne, visible as he pulls out hat
- chou2duan4: silk and satin; chou2 silk; duan4 satin
- shang1dian4: store, shop; shang1 business; dian4 shop, store
- 蓝日
- [ Traditional: 藍日 ]
- Lan2 Ri4
- "Blue Sun" [new]
- in video ad on outside of space station, just before Womack arrives [also on blocks of stickers in several parts of the space station, but hard to make out]
- lan2: blue, indigo plant
- ri4: day, [regional and old-fashioned use] sun
See also:
- Firefly Elsewhere: Series Former Official Site
Related Expression(s):
- Qing1 Ri4 ("Serenity, Part 1," "Bushwhacked," "Shindig," "Ariel")
- Shi4 ni3 de5; Ke3zhen1 ke3zhen1; Lan2 Ri4 ("The Message")
- 是你的 可・真・可・真 蓝日
- [ ke3zhen1 flashes down sides; Lan2 Ri4 appears next in upper left corner of green part; Traditional: 是你的 可・真・可・真 藍日 ]
- Shi4 ni3 de5; Ke3zhen1 ke3zhen1; Lan2 Ri4
- {Yours, Truly}; "Blue Sun" [new]
- in video ad inside space station, behind Womack as he enters
- shi4 ni3 de5: is your(s); shi4 be; ni3 de5 your(s) (ni3 you [singular]; de5 possessive marker)
- ke3zhen1 ke3zhen1: truly; ke3 emphatic marker; zhen1 truly, indeed
- lan2 ri4: Blue Sun; lan2 blue, indigo plant; ri4 day, [regional and old-fashioned use] sun
Related Expression(s):
- Lan2 Ri4 ("The Message," Firefly Elsewhere: Series Former Official Site)
- Qing1 Ri4 ("Serenity, Part 1," "Bushwhacked," "Shindig," "Ariel")
- 平静
- [ Traditional: 平靜 ]
- Ping2jing4
- "Serenity" [new]
- in logo on outside of Serenity, visible after Womack starts leaving the space station
- ping2jing4: calm, tranquil; ping2 calm, peaceful; jing4 calm, still
See also:
- "Serenity, Part 1"
- "The Train Job"
- "Safe"
- Firefly Elsewhere: Press Kit
Related Expression(s):
- Jing4 (Serenity Movie)
- Jing3wei4; Ping2jing4 (Firefly Elsewhere: Cast and Crew Stuff)
- Ning2jing4 (Serenity #1–3 Comics, Serenity Movie)
- Ping2 ("Jaynestown")
- Ping2an1 (Serenity Elsewhere: Official Site [USA])
- 危 電・氛
- [ Simplified: 危 电・氛 ]
- Wei1 Dian4; Fen1
- Danger Electricity; Vapor
- on white duct outside Serenity's cargo bay, visible when River joins Jayne and Book
- wei1: danger
- dian4: electricity, electric
- fen1: vapor
See also:
- "Serenity, Part 1"
- "The Train Job"
- "Shindig"
- "Our Mrs. Reynolds"
- "Out of Gas"
- "Ariel"
- "War Stories"
- "Trash"
Related Expression(s):
- Wei1 ("Ariel," "Trash," "Objects in Space")
- 玩闹
- [ Traditional: 玩鬧 ]
- Wan2nao4
- {Troublemaker}
- on Jayne's T-shirt with picture of pistol, somewhat visible as River gets on coffin
- wan2nao4: [colloquial] troublemaker, a good-for-nothing, run wild, fool around: wan2 to play; nao4 make noise, stir up trouble
See also:
- "Jaynestown"
- Serenity Movie
- 东 南 西 北
- [ clockwise from top; Traditional: 東 南 西 北 ]
- Dong1, Nan2, Xi1, Bei3
- East, South, West, North
- on computerized terrain map of St Albans in cockpit
- dong1: east
- nan2: south
- xi1: west
- bei3: north
- 臾
- Yu2
- "short interval" [from Joss Whedon's "Serenity" commentary]
- on Inara's hourglass stand, somewhat visible during magnetic depth-charge bombing
- yu2: a short moment, an instant
See also:
- "Serenity, Part 1"
- "Heart of Gold"
- 廊
- Lang2
- Corridor
- on inside of Serenity's bridge door, visible next to Tracey as he eavesdrops on Book and Mal
- lang2: corridor
See also:
- "Serenity, Part 2"
Top | Chinese by Story | Chinese Dialog by Phrase | Main Page
"Heart of Gold"
Chinese Dialog
- gen1 hou2zi5 bi3 diu1shi3
- 跟猴子比丟屎・跟猴子比丢屎
- "gun HOE-tze bee DIO-se"
- "engage in a feces hurling contest with a monkey"
- Inara, about what the companion house could go and do
- gen1: with
- hou2zi5: monkey; hou2 monkey; zi5 suffix to make noun two syllables
- bi3 diu1shi3: compete throwing excrement; bi3 compete, a contest; diu1 to throw; shi3 [Taiwan si3] excrement, dung
- Thanks to Firefly Chinese Translator Jenny Lynn for the si3 form and Taiwan origin.
Related Expression(s):
- gou3shi3 ("Shindig," "Safe," "Out of Gas," Serenity Novelization)
- hou2zi5 de5 pi4gu5! ("Trash")
- Liu2 kou3shui3 de5 biao3zi5 he2 hou2zi5 de5 ben4 er2zi5. ("Safe")
- niu2shi3 ("War Stories")
- qiang2bao4 hou2zi5 de5 ("Trash")
- zheng1qi4 de5 gou3shi3 dui1 ("Our Mrs. Reynolds")
- Zhu4fu2 ni3, mei4mei5.
- 祝福你,妹妹。・祝福你,妹妹。
- "TZOO-foo nee, mei-mei."
- "Blessing on you, dear sister."
- Nandi, addressing Inara
- zhu4fu2 ni3: bless you; zhu4fu2 blessings, bless, wish happiness (zhu4 bless, pray for blessing, wish well; fu2 blessing, good luck, happiness); ni3 you [singular]
- mei4mei5: little sister, younger sister; mei4 little sister, younger sister
Related Expression(s):
- mei4mei5 ("Serenity, Part 1," "Safe," "Our Mrs. Reynolds," "Ariel," "War Stories," "Heart of Gold")
- xiao3mei4mei4 ("Serenity, Part 2")
- Mei4mei5
- 妹妹・妹妹
- "Mei Mei" [subtitles: "mei-mei"]
- Little Sister [in script without English]
- Nandi, addressing Inara
- mei4mei5: little sister, younger sister; mei4 little sister, younger sister
See also:
- "Serenity, Part 1"
- "Safe"
- "Our Mrs. Reynolds"
- "Ariel"
- "War Stories"
Related Expression(s):
- xiao3mei4mei4 ("Serenity, Part 2")
- Zhu4fu2 ni3, mei4mei5. ("Heart of Gold")
- wei4 zuo4zhe5 man3zai4 er2 qu4
- 為做著滿載而去・为做着满载而去
- way tzwo-juh man-tzai ur choo
- "Swollen of her, they left."
- Puppet Theater Narrator, about leaving Earth That Was after people used it up, as Mal and Inara enter theater
- wei4: for the sake of
- zuo4zhe5: making; zuo4 do, make; zhe5 marker of continuation of action, -ing
- man3zai4 er2 qu4: fully loaded and left; man3zai4 be fully loaded (man3 completely; zai4 to load, transport); er2 and [causal relation, change of state]; qu4 leave, depart
- The last four syllables are a play on the fixed expression 滿載而歸・满载而归 man3zai4er2gui1: to return home with money/honors; gui1 to return, go back. Thanks to Firefly fan Patrick Zein for the suggested translation, including Chinese characters, and idiom information (his Chinese stuff).
- dong3 ma5?
- 懂嗎?・懂吗?
- "dong MA?" [subtitles: "Dong ma?"]
- "you understand?"
- Jayne [off-screen], to prostitutes after revealing penalty for missing the target
- dong3 ma5: understand?; dong3 understand; ma5 question marker
See also:
- "The Train Job"
- "Out of Gas"
- "The Message"
Related Expression(s):
- dong3 le5 ma5? (Serenity Novelization)
- Dong3 le5 ma5? Ni3 chou2lian3, you3 mei2you3? (Serenity Movie)
- Zhen1 mei2 nai4xing4 de5 Fo2zu3
- 真沒耐性的佛祖・真没耐性的佛祖
- "jen mei NAI-shing duh FWO-tzoo"
- "Extraordinarily impatient Buddha"
- Nandi, response to Mal's gentlemanly manner
- zhen1: truly, indeed
- mei2 nai4xing4 de5: without patience; mei2 have no, -less; nai4xing4 patience, endurance (nai4 patient; xing4 suffix making abstract nouns from adjectives, -ness, -ity); de5 possessive marker
- Fo2zu3: [courteous form] Buddha; Fo2 Buddha; zu3 ancestor
- 佛陀・佛陀 Fo2tuo2 are phonetic characters for Sanskrit: Buddha [Fo2 Buddha; tuo2 phonetic character, [literally] steep bank, hilly].
Related Expression(s):
- Ren2ci2 de5 Fo2zu3 . . . ("Our Mrs. Reynolds")
- Ren2ci2 de5 Fo2zu3, qing3 bao3you4 wo3men5 . . . (Serenity Movie)
- Wang2ba5dan4--
- 王八蛋—・王八蛋—
- "Wang bao [sic] DAHN--" [Nandi sounds like Wung bao dahn.]
- "dirty bastard sons-of--"
- Nandi, referring to Rance's man who just shot her male prostitute
- wang2ba5dan4: [derogatory] S.O.B., [literally] turtle's egg; wang2ba5 [derogatory] S.O.B., cuckold, [literally] tortoise (wang2 king; ba1 eight); dan4 word used in insults, [literally] egg
Related Expression(s):
- Wang2ba5dan4 de5 biao3zi5. ("Trash")
- niao4 shi1 de5 du3gui3
- 尿濕的賭鬼・尿湿的赌鬼
- "niao SE duh DOO-gway" [Wash sounds like niao say duh goo-ay.]
- "p***-soaked pikers"
- Wash, referring to Rance's men now trapped on Serenity
- niao4 shi1 de5: urine-soaked; niao4 urine; shi1 soaked, wet; de5 adjective marker
- du3gui3: habitual/long-time gambler; du3 to gamble; gui3 suffix used in insults, [literally] demon, ghost
Related Expression(s):
- chou4 ma3-niao4 (Serenity Novelization)
- gui3 ("Out of Gas")
- Jian4 ta1 de5 gui3! ("Safe")
- xiong2mao1 niao4 ("Jaynestown")
Cut Chinese Dialog
- Lan4dan4 jiang4! [CUT]
- 爛蛋醬!・烂蛋酱!
- "LAN-dan JIANG!"
- "Weak-a** sauce!"
- Mal, referring to his fancy drink
- lan4dan4: [literally] rotten egg; lan4 rotten, awful, mushy; dan4 egg
- jiang4: thick sauce, paste
Top | Chinese by Story | Chinese Dialog by Phrase | Main Page
Visible Chinese
- 臾
- Yu2
- "short interval" [from Joss Whedon's "Serenity" commentary]
- on Inara's hourglass stand, visible as Mal enters after eavesdropping
- yu2: a short moment, an instant
See also:
- "Serenity, Part 1"
- "The Message"
- 完美猫
- [ Traditional: 完美貓 ]
- Wan2mei3 Mao1
- Perfect Cat
- on Jayne's T-shirt, visible when he wakes up
- wan2mei3: perfect, beautiful; wan2 complete; mei3 beautiful, perfect
- mao1: cat
Top | Chinese by Story | Chinese Dialog by Phrase | Main Page
"Objects in Space"
Chinese Dialog
- fei4fei4 de5 pi4yan3
- 狒狒的屁眼・狒狒的屁眼
- "FAY-FAY duh PEE-yen"
- "a babboon's [sic] a**-crack"
- Jayne, about Kaylee's recounting of River's shooting
- fei4fei4 de5: baboon's; fei4fei4 baboon; de5 possessive marker
- pi4yan3: [short for 屁股眼・屁股眼 pi4gu5yan3] anus; pi4gu5 butt, backside (pi4 butt, backside; gu3 thigh); yan3 small hole, [literally] eye
Related Expression(s):
- hou2zi5 de5 pi4gu5! ("Trash")
- pi4gu5 ("Shindig")
- Tai4kong1 suo3you3 de5 xing1qiu2 sai1jin4 wo3 de5 pi4gu5 ("War Stories")
- Ti1 wo3 de5 pi4gu5. ("Shindig")
- Bi4zui3, nin2 hen3 bu4ti3tie1 de5 nan2sheng1!
- 閉嘴,您很不體貼的男生!・闭嘴,您很不体贴的男生!
- "BEE-jway, neen hen BOO-TEE-TYEH duh NAN-shung!"
- "Shut up, you inconsiderate schoolboys!"
- Inara, as Wash and Jayne bicker during River discussion
- bi4zui3: [slang] Shut up!; bi4 shut, close; zui3 beak, snout, mouth
- nin2 hen3 bu4ti3tie1 de5: you very inconsiderate; nin2 you [polite, singular]; hen3 very; bu4ti3tie1 de5 inconsiderate (bu4 not, negative prefix non-/un-; ti3tie1 considerate [ti3 realize, understand; tie1 to near]; de5 adjective marker)
- nan2sheng1: schoolboy; nan2 male, boy; sheng1 student
Related Expression(s):
- Bi4zui3. ("Serenity, Part 1")
- Bi4zui3. Rong2 wo3men5 fa1cai2. (Serenity Movie)
- Ni3men5 dou1 bi4zui3! ("Serenity, Part 2")
- xiong1meng3 de5 kuang2ren2
- 兇猛的狂人・凶猛的狂人
- shiong-mung duh kwong-run
- "violent lunatic"
- Inara, referring to Early
- xiong1meng3 de5: violent, fierce; xiong1 brutal; meng3 fierce; de5 adjective marker
- kuang2ren2: lunatic, madman; kuang2 crazy, insane; ren2 person
Related Expression(s):
- fang4zong4 feng1kuang2 de5 jie2 ("War Stories")
- kuang2zhe3 de5 ("Serenity, Part 2")
- Wo3 de5 ma1 he2 ta1 de5 feng1kuang2 de5 wai4sheng5 dou1 ("Our Mrs. Reynolds")
- xiong1can2 sha1shou3 ("The Message")
Top | Chinese by Story | Chinese Dialog by Phrase | Main Page
Visible Chinese
- 警报・逮捕证・同盟
- [ Traditional: 警報・逮捕證・同盟 ]
- Jing3bao4; Dai4bu3zheng4; Tong2meng2
- "Alert"; Arrest Warrant; Alliance
- on Tams' arrest warrant on Early's ship, first two words especially visible backwards through the transparent paper as he looks at it
- jing3bao4: an alert, warning; jing3 warn; bao4 to report
- dai4bu3zheng4: arrest warrant; dai4bu3 to arrest (dai4 to arrest, to catch, bu3 to catch, seize); zheng4 certificate
- tong2meng2: alliance; tong2 together; meng2 alliance
Related Expression(s):
- Jing3gao4 ("Ariel")
- Jing3gao4: Zha4yao4 Dan4tou2 (Serenity Movie)
- Tong2meng2 ("Serenity, Part 1," "The Train Job," "Bushwhacked," "Safe," Firefly Elsewhere: Press Kit, Firefly Elsewhere: Firefly: The Official Companion - Volume One)
- Tong2meng2 Gong1gong4 Cai2chan3 (Firefly Elsewhere: Press Kit)
- 蚈
- [ 1: written backwards; obscure word/character ]
- Qian1
- Firefly [old]
- 1. on inside of Serenity's cockpit, visible left of Early as River calls him by name
- 2. on inside of Serenity's cockpit, visible above Simon as Early holds gun to Simon's head
- qian1: firefly, lightning bug
See also:
- "Serenity, Part 2"
- "Safe"
- "Our Mrs. Reynolds"
- Firefly Elsewhere: Press Kit
- 危
- Wei1
- Danger
- on inside of Serenity's hatch as Early goes topside
- wei1: danger
See also:
- "Ariel"
- "Trash"
Related Expression(s):
- Wei1 Dian4; Fen1 ("Serenity, Part 1," "The Train Job," "Shindig," "Our Mrs. Reynolds," "Out of Gas," "Ariel," "War Stories," "Trash," "The Message")
Top | Chinese by Story | Chinese Dialog by Phrase | Main Page
Firefly Elsewhere
Visible Chinese
DVD Special Features
- 呆若木鸡
- [ second character is inverse coloring; Traditional: 呆若木雞 ]
- Dai1ruo4mu4ji1
- Dumb as a Wooden Chicken
- in "Here's How It Was," on Adam Baldwin's Jayne T-shirt with drawing of Asian face
- dai1ruo4mu4ji1: [fixed expression] dumb as a wooden chicken, dumbstruck; dai1 foolish, stupid; ruo4 as, like; mu4 wood, wooden; ji1 chicken
See also:
- "Trash"
- 窩
- [ Simplified: 窝 ]
- Wo1
- Living Quarters
- in "Joss Tours the Set," on cone-shaped part of vertical pipe, somewhat visible as Joss Whedon introduces the passenger area
- wo1: living quarters, nest
See also:
- "Safe"
- "Out of Gas"
- Firefly Elsewhere: Firefly: The Official Companion - Volume One
DVD Official Site
- 喜
- Xi3
- Happiness
- on Kaylee's jumpsuit right pant-leg, in wallpaper on site's Downloads page, Desktops - photo of cast in front of ship
- xi3: happy, happiness
- 酒吧
- Jiu3ba1
- "Bar"
- on saloon holographic window for "The Train Job" under the word "BAR," in video on site's Media page, the train job - "train montage" (video #01)
- jiu3ba1: bar; jiu3 liquor; ba1 phonetic character for loanword: bar, [literally] "snap" sound
See also:
- "The Train Job"
Related Expression(s):
- Jiu3ba1 he2 Shao1kao3dian4 ("Shindig")
Firefly: The Official Companion - Volume One
- 藝人・玻璃櫃
- [ Simplified: 艺人・玻璃柜 ]
- Yi4ren2; Bo1li5gui4
- Artisan; Glass Cabinet
- p. 4, on poster
- yi4ren2: artist, artisan; yi4 art, craftsmanship; ren2 person, people
- bo1li5gui4: glass cabinet; bo1li5 glass (bo1 glass; li2 glass); gui4 cabinet
- The sixth visible character might be 琉 liu2, the beginning of words like 琉璃瓦 liu2li5wa3: glazed tile; liu2li5 colored glaze (liu2 precious stone; li2 colored glaze); wa3 a tile
- 勇
- Yong3
- "Soldier" [from costume designer Shawna Trpcic's "Shindig" commentary]
- p. 7, on Jayne's T-shirt
- yong3: brave, soldier
See also:
- "The Train Job"
- "Shindig"
- "Ariel"
- "War Stories"
- Firefly Elsewhere: Firefly: The Official Companion - Volume One [below]
- 爱
- [ Traditional: 愛 ]
- Ai4
- Love
- p. 7, on Kaylee's jumpsuit left pant-leg below teddy bear patch
- ai4: love, to love
- 载・这种
- [ Traditional: 載・這種 ]
- Zai4 Zhe4zhong3
- "Transport Class"
- p. 9, bridge control panel, with "FF" on Cortex
- zai4: to transport, convey
- zhe4zhong3: this kind, this type; zhe4 this; zhong3 kind, variety
See also:
- Firefly Elsewhere: Firefly: The Official Companion - Volume Two
- Firefly Elsewhere: Series Former Official Site
- 窩
- [ Simplified: 窝 ]
- Wo1
- Living Quarters
- p. 11, on cone-shaped part of vertical pipe in pictures of common area outside infirmiry
- wo1: living quarters, nest
See also:
- "Safe"
- "Out of Gas"
- Firefly Elsewhere: DVD Special Features
- 同盟
- Tong2meng2
- Alliance
- p. 13, on insignia
- tong2meng2: alliance; tong2 together; meng2 alliance
See also:
- "Serenity, Part One"
- "The Train Job"
- "Bushwhacked"
- "Safe"
- Firefly Elsewhere: Firefly: The Official Companion - Volume One [below]
- Firefly Elsewhere: Press Kit
Related Expression(s):
- Jing3bao4; Dai4bu3zheng4; Tong2meng2 ("Objects in Space")
- Tong2meng2 Gong1gong4 Cai2chan3 (Firefly Elsewhere: Press Kit)
- 警
- Jing3
- Police
- p. 67, on Paradiso sheriff's badge
- jing3: [short for 警察 jing3cha2] police; jing3 police; cha2 investigate, inspect
See also:
- "The Train Job"
- Firefly Elsewhere: Firefly: The Official Companion - Volume One [below]
- 警 [AGAIN]
- [ written backwards ]
- Jing3
- Police
- p. 70, on Paradiso sheriff's shoulder patch
- jing3: [short for 警察 jing3cha2] police; jing3 police; cha2 investigate, inspect
See also:
- "The Train Job"
- Firefly Elsewhere: Firefly: The Official Companion - Volume One [above]
- 卖春
- [ Traditional: 賣春 ]
- Mai4chun1
- do prostitution
- p. 73, on front of Inara's official Companion papers
- mai4chun1: do prostitution; mai4 make a living by, be paid for [occupation]; chun1 love [sentiment], romance, [literally] spring [season]
- 同盟 [AGAIN]
- Tong2meng2
- Alliance
- p. 77, on insignia on money
- tong2meng2: alliance; tong2 together; meng2 alliance
See also:
- "Serenity, Part One"
- "The Train Job"
- "Bushwhacked"
- "Safe"
- Firefly Elsewhere: Firefly: The Official Companion - Volume One [above]
- Firefly Elsewhere: Press Kit
Related Expression(s):
- Jing3bao4; Dai4bu3zheng4; Tong2meng2 ("Objects in Space")
- Tong2meng2 Gong1gong4 Cai2chan3 (Firefly Elsewhere: Press Kit)
- 年 月 日・春 夏・年
- [ in vertical columns from left; xia4 partially obscured by hand ]
- nian2, yue4, ri4; chun1, xia4; nian2
- year, month, day; spring, summer; year
- p. 93, on paper on which Inara does Chinese calligraphy practice
- nian2: year
- yue4: month, moon
- ri4: day
- chun1: spring [season]
- xia4: summer; nian2 year
- nian2: year
See also:
- "Bushwhacked"
- 勇 [AGAIN]
- Yong3
- "Soldier" [from costume designer Shawna Trpcic's "Shindig" commentary]
- p. 94, on Jayne's T-shirt
- yong3: brave, soldier
See also:
- "The Train Job"
- "Shindig"
- "Ariel"
- "War Stories"
- Firefly Elsewhere: Firefly: The Official Companion - Volume One [above]
- 南無觀世音菩薩・護身符・一生平安
- [ stylized; last line barely visible; Simplified: 南无观世音菩萨・护身符・一生平安 ]
- Na1mo2 Guan1shi4yin1 Pu2sa4; Hu4shen1fu2; Yi1sheng1 Ping2an1
- [chant] I take refuge in Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva; Amulet; A Whole Life in Good Health
- p. 113, on metal Chinese poker tokens [actually Buddhist amulets]
- Na1mo2 Guan1shi4yin1 Pu2sa4: [chant] I take refuge in/pay homage to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva; na1mo2 [phonetic characters for Sanskrit word: namah] I take refuge in/pay homage ([literally] nan2 south; wu2 not [mo is older pronunciation from Southern Chinese]); Guan1shi4yin1 Avalokitesvara, The Observer of the Sights and Sounds of the World/The Goddess of Mercy (guan1 observe; shi4 world; yin1 sound); Pu2sa4 Bodhisattva (pu2 phonetic character for Sanskrit: bodhi, [literally] name of a fragrant herb; sa4 Buddhist immortal, phonetic character for Sanskrit: sattva)
- hu4shen1fu2: amulet to protect against demons/black magic; hu4 protect; shen1 body, a life; fu2 a charm, talisman
- yi1sheng1 ping2an1: a whole life in good health; yi1sheng1 whole life, all of one's life (yi1 [shifts to yi4 before a 1st-tone syllable] all of, throughout; sheng1 life, lifetime); ping2an1 in good health, peaceful (ping2 calm, peaceful; an1 in good health, peaceful)
- Some Buddhists believe that Bodhisattvas compassionately delay their own attainment of nirvana (end of the cycle of reincarnation, suffering, and individual consciousness) in order to help all humanity to attain it. Full of compassion, Avalokitesvara (the Goddess of Mercy in English, Guanshiyin/Guanyin/Kwanyin in Mandarin Chinese, Kanzeon/Kannon in Japanese, Chenrezig in Tibetan) is very popular with Buddhists. Tibet's Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokitesvara. More: Siddham Information Network
See also:
- Firefly Elsewhere: Cast and Crew Stuff
- 吉祥如意・吉星高照万事如意・菩薩保佑出入平安・唵嘛呢叭彌吽
- [ Simplified: 吉祥如意・吉星高照万事如意・菩萨保佑出入平安・唵嘛呢叭弥吽 ; popular form 万 for traditional 萬 ; last, bottom, line written right to left ]
- Ji2xiang2ru2yi4; Ji2xing1gao1zhao4 wan4shi4ru2yi4; Pu2sa4 bao3you4 chu1ru4 ping2an1; An3 ma2ni2 ba1mi2 hong1
- May you have good luck and may your wishes be granted; May you be blessed by a lucky star and may all your wishes be granted; May the Bodhisattva [Avalokitesvara] keep you safe wherever you go; Om mani padme hum [the six-syllable mantra of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva]
- p. 113 and back cover, on outer edge of metal Chinese poker token [actually Buddhist amulet], with a picture of one's birth-year animal of the Chinese zodiac
- ji2xiang2ru2yi4: [fixed expression] May you have good luck and may your wishes be granted; ji2xiang2 lucky, good luck (ji2 lucky; xiang2 good luck); ru2yi4 as one desires (ru2 be like; yi4 desire)
- ji2xing1gao1zhao4: [fixed expression] May you be blessed by a lucky star, May you have a spell of luck; ji2xing1 (ji2 lucky; xing1 star); gao1zhao4 (gao1 high; zhao4 to shine)
- wan4shi4ru2yi4: [fixed expression] May all your wishes be granted; wan4shi4 ten thousand things (wan4 completely, [literally] ten thousand; shi4 thing); ru2yi4 as one desires (ru2 be like; yi4 desire)
- Pu2sa4 bao3you4 chu1ru4 ping2an1: May the Bodhisattva [Avalokitesvara] keep you safe wherever you go; Pu2sa4 Bodhisattva (pu2 phonetic character for Sanskrit: bodhi, [literally] name of a fragrant herb; sa4 Buddhist immortal, phonetic character for Sanskrit: sattva); bao3you4 [May God] protect and bless (bao3 keep safe; you4 to help); chu1ru4 going out and coming in (chu1 go out; ru4 come in); ping2an1 in good health, peaceful (ping2 calm, peaceful; an1 in good health, peaceful)
- an3 ma2ni2 ba1mi2 hong1: [phonetic characters for the Sanskrit] om mani padme hum [the six-syllable mantra of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva]; an3 [Buddhism] phonetic character for Sanskrit: om/aum; ma2ni2 phonetic characters for Sanskrit: mani jewel (ma2 phonetic character, [literally] [colloquial] what?; ni2 phonetic character, [literally] woolen cloth); ba1mi2 phonetic characters for Sanskrit: padme lotus (ba1 phonetic character, sound for sharp noise ["snap"]; mi2 phonetic character, [literally] full); hong1 [Buddhism] phonetic character for Sanskrit: hum
- The mi2 of "padme" on the card is not actually the character shown above ( 彌 ) but an obscure, non-browser-friendly character with a left-side "mouth" (square-shaped) signific that I will show via image:
(Unihan Database entry). Also used for this syllable is the phonetic character 咪 mi1. - Some Buddhists believe that Bodhisattvas compassionately delay their own attainment of nirvana (end of the cycle of reincarnation, suffering, and individual consciousness) in order to help all humanity to attain it. Full of compassion, Avalokitesvara (the Goddess of Mercy in English, Guanshiyin/Guanyin/Kwanyin in Mandarin Chinese, Kanzeon/Kannon in Japanese, Chenrezig in Tibetan) is very popular with Buddhists. Tibet's Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokitesvara. More: Siddham Information Network
- 普渡天下众生・消免一切灾难・護身符
- [ Simplified: 普渡天下尔生・消免一切灾难・护身符 ; popular forms 众 and 灾难 for traditional 眾 and 災難 ; last, bottom, line written right to left ]
- Pu3du4 tian1xia4 zhong4sheng1; Xiao1 mian3 yi1qie4 zai1nan4; Hu4shen1fu2
- Save all living things under heaven from anguish; Dispel all misfortune; Amulet
- p. 113 and back cover, on interior of metal Chinese poker token [actually Buddhist amulet], with a picture of one's birth-year animal of the Chinese zodiac
- pu3du4 tian1xia4 zhong4sheng1: save all living things under heaven from anguish; pu3du4 [Buddhism] universal salvation [from anguish], (pu3 widespread, generally; du4 to ferry, cross over); tian1xia4 the world, under heaven (tian1 the sky, heaven; xia4 under, below); zhong4sheng1 all living things (zhong4 numerous; sheng1 living things)
- xiao1 mian3 yi1qie4 zai1nan4: dispel all misfortune; xiao1 dispel, remove; mian3 relieved from; yi1qie4 all, everything (yi1 [shifts to yi2 before a 4th-tone syllable] all; qie4 absolutely); zai1nan4 misfortune, calamity (zai1 disaster, calamity; nan4 disaster, calamity)
- hu4shen1fu2: amulet to protect against demons/black magic; hu4 protect; shen1 body, a life; fu2 a charm, talisman
- Also 普度・普度 Pu3du4: [Buddhism] festival like traditional All Hallows Eve or Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in the Chinese seventh lunar month when people give food to "wandering ghosts" or pray for the deceased who are unburied or have drowned at sea. More: Ghost Month and the Pudu Rite
- Also 普度眾生・普度众生 pu3du4zhong4sheng1: [Buddism; fixed expression] save all living things from anguish; pu3du4 universal salvation [from anguish] (pu3 widespread; du4 unit of measurement); zhong4sheng1 all living things (zhong4 numerous; sheng1 living things)
- Some Buddhists believe that Bodhisattvas compassionately delay their own attainment of nirvana (end of the cycle of reincarnation, suffering, and individual consciousness) in order to help all humanity to attain it. Full of compassion, Avalokitesvara (the Goddess of Mercy in English, Guanshiyin/Guanyin/Kwanyin in Mandarin Chinese, Kanzeon/Kannon in Japanese, Chenrezig in Tibetan) is very popular with Buddhists. Tibet's Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokitesvara. More: Siddham Information Network
Series Former Official Site
- 汽回・回汽
- Qi4 Hui2, Hui2 Qi4
- { ? }
- on Spoilers page, Cortex
- qi4: steam
- hui2: return
- 宿貨
- [ Simplified: 宿货 ]
- Su4huo4
- {possibly abbreviation for transport of passengers and cargo}
- on Show Info page, Cortex
- su4: overnight, to lodge for the night
- huo4: merchandise, goods
- 载・这种
- [ Traditional: 載・這種 ]
- Zai4 Zhe4zhong3
- "Transport Class"
- on Features page, with "FF" on Cortex
- zai4: to transport, convey
- zhe4zhong3: this kind, this type; zhe4 this; zhong3 kind, variety
See also:
- Firefly Elsewhere: Firefly: The Official Companion - Volume One
- 蓝日
- [ Traditional: 藍日 ]
- Lan2 Ri4
- "Blue Sun" [new]
- 1. on Features page link, on downloadable Blue Sun logo image from 20th Century Fox
- 2. on Features page link, in video for fictional soft drink, starring producer's assistant and official show blogger Kelly Wheeler [part of it was used in "Ariel" on the hospital vid phone that Jayne used]
- lan2: blue, indigo plant
- ri4: day, [regional and old-fashioned use] sun
See also:
- "The Message"
Related Expression(s):
- Qing1 Ri4 ("Serenity, Part 1," "Bushwhacked," "Shindig," "Ariel")
- Shi4 ni3 de5; Ke3zhen1 ke3zhen1; Lan2 Ri4 ("The Message")
Press Kit
[Posted on Ackerdackerly's site and by Dockingbay97 on Haken's Firefly Fans.net]
- 太空
- Tai4kong1
- Outer Space
- on crate, with "TG FREIGHT"
- tai4kong1: outer space; tai4 great, grand; kong1 the sky, space
See also:
- "Serenity, Part 1"
- 平静
- [ Traditional: 平靜 ]
- Ping2jing4
- "Serenity" [new]
- on crate paper with network address and random Japanese katakana syllables
- ping2jing4: calm, tranquil; ping2 calm, peaceful; jing4 calm, still
See also:
- "Serenity, Part 1"
- "Safe"
Related Expression(s):
- Jing4 (Serenity Movie)
- Jing3wei4; Ping2jing4 (Firefly Elsewhere: Cast and Crew Stuff)
- Ning2jing4 (Serenity #1–3 Comics, Serenity Movie)
- Ping2 ("Jaynestown")
- Ping2an1 (Serenity Elsewhere: Official Site [USA])
- 蚈
- [ obscure word/character ]
- Qian1
- "Firefly" [old]
- on crate
- qian1: firefly, lightning bug
See also:
- "Serenity, Part 2"
- "Safe"
- "Our Mrs. Reynolds"
- "Objects in Space"
- 勁
- [ Simplified: 劲 ]
- Jin4
- Vigor
- on crate with "SUPER FOOD" in stylized letters [the bottom, English, part is also visible in "Serenity, Part 1" at the Eavesdown docks as Book meets Kaylee for first time]
- jin4: [colloquial] vigor, energy, strength
- Also jing4: powerful, sturdy
- 贮藏! 不许 乘客!
- [ Traditional: 貯藏! 不許 乘客! ]
- Zhu4cang2! Bu4xu3 Cheng2ke4!
- "Storage Only! Passengers Prohibited!"
- on crate with "ZHUCANG! BUXU CHENGKE!" and future international symbol for No Passengers [standing and sitting people in red hexagon and slash through it]
- zhu4cang2: to stockpile, store up; zhu4 to store; cang2 to store, conceal
- bu4xu3 cheng2ke4: passengers not allowed; bu4xu3 not allow (bu4 not; xu3 permit, allow); cheng2ke4 passenger (cheng2 ride; ke4 guest, customer)
See also:
- "The Train Job"
- 同盟
- Tong2meng2
- Alliance
- on Mal's pilot license with data and random Japanese katakana syllables
- tong2meng2: alliance; tong2 together; meng2 alliance
See also:
- "Serenity, Part 1"
- "The Train Job"
- "Bushwhacked"
- "Safe"
- Firefly Elsewhere: Firefly: The Official Companion - Volume One
Related Expression(s):
- Jing3bao4; Dai4bu3zheng4; Tong2meng2 ("Objects in Space")
- Tong2meng2 Gong1gong4 Cai2chan3 (Firefly Elsewhere: Press Kit)
- 同盟公共財产
- [ Traditional 財 for 财; Traditional: 同盟公共財產 ]
- Tong2meng2 Gong1gong4 Cai2chan3
- "Alliance Property"
- on rations and star map
- tong2meng2: alliance; tong2 together; meng2 alliance
- gong1gong4 cai2chan3: public property; gong1gong4 public, common (gong1 public, common; gong4 general, common); cai2chan3 property (cai2 property, wealth; chan3 property, product)
Related Expression(s):
- Jing3bao4; Dai4bu3zheng4; Tong2meng2 ("Objects in Space")
- Tong2meng2 ("Serenity, Part 1," "The Train Job," "Bushwhacked," "Safe," Firefly Elsewhere: Firefly: The Official Companion - Volume One, Firefly Elsewhere: Firefly Press Kit)
Cast and Crew Stuff
- 萤火虫
- [ stylized; Traditional: 螢火蟲 ]
- Ying2huo3chong2
- Firefly [new]
- on back of T-shirt, on Lux Lucre's site
- ying2huo3chong2: firefly, lightning bug, glowworm; ying2 firefly; huo3 fire; chong2 insect, worm
- 祇
- Qi2
- Serenity [old]
- on front of sweatshirt, image courtesy of the eBay seller
- qi2: [Ancient Chinese] peace and happiness
- 警卫・平静
- [ Traditional: 警衛・平靜 ]
- Jing3wei4; Ping2jing4
- Security Guard; "Serenity" [new]
- on patch for Ariel with the snaky medical [caduceus] symbol; in logo on another patch, formerly on JUIM's site (http://www.hotdeathdiner.com/images/patches.jpg [now a dead link])
- jing3wei4: a guard, security guard; jing3 guard against; wei4 to guard, a guard
- ping2jing4: calm, tranquil; ping2 calm, peaceful; jing4 calm, still
- The medical patch may have been a mistake that wasn't used. Mal and the gang wore more appropriate medical ones in "Ariel", and the Feds didn't seem to have any special patches.
Related Expression(s):
- Jing4 (Serenity Movie)
- Ning2jing4 (Serenity #1–3 Comics, Serenity Movie)
- Ping2 ("Jaynestown")
- Ping2an1 (Serenity Elsewhere: Official Site [USA])
- Ping2jing4 ("Serenity, Part 1," "The Train Job," "Safe," "The Message," Firefly Elsewhere: Press Kit)
- 南無觀世音菩薩・護身符・一生平安
- [ stylized; Simplified: 南无观世音菩萨・护身符・一生平安
- Na1mo2 Guan1shi4yin1 Pu2sa4; Hu4shen1fu2; Yi1sheng1 Ping2an1
- [chant] I take refuge in Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva; Amulet; A Whole Life in Good Health
- on metal Chinese poker token [actually Buddhist amulet], as used in "Shindig" during both card games, given by Adam "Jayne Cobb" Baldwin to fan and Serenity movie extra TheDuke333, posted on Haken's Firefly Fans.net
- Na1mo2 Guan1shi4yin1 Pu2sa4: [chant] I take refuge in/pay homage to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva; na1mo2 [phonetic characters for Sanskrit word: namah] I take refuge in/pay homage ([literally] nan2 south; wu2 not [mo is Southern Chinese pronunciation]); Guan1shi4yin1 Avalokitesvara, The Observer of the Sights and Sounds of the World/The Goddess of Mercy (guan1 observe; shi4 world; yin1 sound); Pu2sa4 Bodhisattva (pu2 phonetic character for Sanskrit: bodhi, [literally] name of a fragrant herb; sa4 Buddhist immortal, phonetic character for Sanskrit: sattva)
- hu4shen1fu2: amulet to protect against demons/black magic; hu4 protect; shen1 body, a life; fu2 a charm, talisman
- yi1sheng1 ping2an1: a whole life in good health; yi1sheng1 whole life, all of one's life (yi1 [shifts to yi4 before a 1st-tone syllable] all of, throughout; sheng1 life, lifetime); ping2an1 in good health, peaceful (ping2 calm, peaceful; an1 in good health, peaceful)
- Some Buddhists believe that Bodhisattvas compassionately delay their own attainment of nirvana (end of the cycle of reincarnation, suffering, and individual consciousness) in order to help all humanity to attain it. Full of compassion, Avalokitesvara (the Goddess of Mercy in English, Guanshiyin/Guanyin/Kwanyin in Mandarin Chinese, Kanzeon/Kannon in Japanese, Chenrezig in Tibetan) is very popular with Buddhists. Tibet's Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokitesvara. More: Siddham Information Network
See also:
- Firefly Elsewhere: Firefly: The Official Companion - Volume One
Top | Chinese by Story | Chinese Dialog by Phrase | Main Page
![[IMAGE: Chinese characters and text; TEXT: Ping2jing4 Serenity, Ning2jing4 Serenity, dong3 ma5 understand?, mei4mei5 little sister, Qing1 Ri4 Blue Sun, Lan2 Ri4 Blue Sun]](images/popcombohz.gif)
Pinyin romanization and TV/movie-dialog Chinese characters by Ying, fireflychinese at kevinsullivansite dot net. Updated September 25, 2006.
![MAIN-PAGE LINK IMAGE: Ying2[huo3chong2] Ning2[jing4] Zhong1[wen2] (Firefly-Serenity Chinese) [MAIN-PAGE LINK IMAGE: logo with Chinese characters in box; TEXT: Ying2[huo3chong2] Ning2[jing4] Zhong1[wen2] (Firefly-Serenity Chinese)]](images/fsclogodkbl.gif)