双桅帆船
shuāng wéi fān chuán
The English word 'brig' can be translated into Chinese as 双桅帆船 (shuāng wéi fān chuán).
In this context, the term refers to a naval military jail or a guardhouse.
Meaning: naval military jail or guardhouse (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, 双桅帆船 means 'two-mast sailing ship'.
How do you pronounce it?
shuāng wéi fān chuán
Did you know?
- Chinese has no single word that captures both the 'ship' and 'jail' meanings of 'brig' simultaneously. One must choose between describing the vessel or the punishment.
- In modern Chinese maritime contexts, 双桅帆船 is often associated with luxury yachts or museum replicas rather than military hardware. Using it in a military context might sound archaic to a native speaker.
- In modern Chinese nautical terms, the number 'two' in 双 (shuāng) implies a matched pair, which is more formal than the standard number 'two' used for counting.
Examples in context
- 他因为打架而被送到船上的监狱。 (Tā yīnwèi dǎjià ér bèi sòng dào chuán shàng de jiān yù.)He was sent to the prison onboard the ship due to his involvement in a fight.
Example conversation
Two coworkers are discussing a movie about the navy.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那个水手为什么在双桅帆船里？Nàge shuǐshǒu wèishéme zài shuāngwéifānchuán lǐ?Why is that sailor in the brig?
- 俊杰 Junjie因为他违反了军规。Yīnwèi tā wéifǎnle jūnguī.Because he violated military regulations.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen他会被关很久吗？Tā huì bèi guān hěnjiǔ ma?Will he be locked up for long?
- 俊杰 Junjie大概一周时间。Dàgài yīzhōu shíjiān.About a week.
