COLD FEET! Literal vs implied meaning. Is there a Chinese equivalent?

COLD FEET! Literal vs implied meaning. Is there a Chinese equivalent?
May 6, 2008 10:19
GRIZ326 Points: Join Date: Jun 12, 2006 Status: offline	In the USA when we say cold feet it does not often mean that someone's feet are cold. It often means that someone is getting nervous about doing something. Common examples of times that a person might get "cold feet" is before they make a large financial decision like buying a home; or before they get married. That is what cold feet usually means in the USA. What do the Chinese say to describe someone getting nervous before a big decision or event? Do Chinese get "cold feet" or something else? :-)

May 6, 2008 10:19

GRIZ326
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Join Date: Jun 12, 2006
Status: offline

In the USA when we say cold feet it does not often mean that someone's feet are cold. It often means that someone is getting nervous about doing something.

Common examples of times that a person might get "cold feet" is before they make a large financial decision like buying a home; or before they get married.

That is what cold feet usually means in the USA.

What do the Chinese say to describe someone getting nervous before a big decision or event? Do Chinese get "cold feet" or something else? :-)

May 6, 2008 20:24	#1
EMILYJOY Points: Join Date: May 4, 2008 Status: Offline	haaa. In Chinese there is not the description of cold feet. Sometimes we may say jinzhang or bu'an before making big decision. Sometimes we say: I feel my back (or spine) is cold, which means you are scared or shocked especially when you hear some horrific news.

May 7, 2008 10:38	#2
GRIZ326 Points: Join Date: Jun 12, 2006 Status: Offline	Thank you Emily. If you could add the Chinese characters it would be very helpful to me. I like to use my electronic dictionary to read about the characters. :-)

May 7, 2008 21:46	#3
CHINESELESSON Points: Join Date: Nov 18, 2007 Status: Offline	脊背发凉，these r the characters.

May 8, 2008 10:40	#4
GRIZ326 Points: Join Date: Jun 12, 2006 Status: Offline	Thank you for the characters ... 脊背发凉 ...I would translate that as "chill up my spine" it is the sort of thing a person might say when they see a ghost or have a scary and unexpected experience. Is that the Chinese meaning? If so, is there an expression that better characterizes apprehension?

May 8, 2008 20:50	#5
ALICIAYIYI Points: Join Date: Apr 21, 2008 Status: Offline	In China, get cold feet means 犹豫不决（you2 yu4 bu4 jue2) , it means someone can't make a decision. And it has another meaning 临阵退缩（lin2 zhen4 tui4 suo1）, it means that someone is so nervous before a big decision or event that he even wants to give up.

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