has seen and heard

The Greek that is translated as “has seen and heard” in English is translated in the Catholic Mandarin Chinese Sigao version with a historical Chinese idiom: suǒjiàn suǒwén (所見所聞 / 所见所闻) or “what I saw and heard (lit. “all seen, all heard”).”

Note that the Protestant Union Version also uses it in John 3:32. (Source: Toshikazu S. Foley in Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, 2011, p. 45ff.)

double-minded

The Greek that is translated as “double-minded” in English is translated in Owa as “double-hearted” (doubt; first one thought, then the opposite) (source: Carl Gross) and in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) with zwei gegensätzliche Seelen in der Brust haben or “having two opposed souls in one’s chest” (in James 1:8).

In the Catholic Mandarin Chinese Sigao version and the Protestant Union Version it is translated with two forms of one historical Chinese idiom: sānxīn liǎngyì (三心兩意 / 三心两意) and sānxīn èryì (三心二意), both: “three hearts, two minds.” (Source: Toshikazu S. Foley in Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, 2011, p. 45ff.)

See also double-minded.

whole world / under the heavens

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “under the heaven(s)” or “the whole world” in English is translated in the Protestant Mandarin Chinese Union Version with a historical Chinese idiom: pǔtiān zhīxià (普天之下) or “under heaven.” (Source: Toshikazu S. Foley in Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, 2011, p. 45ff.)

See also under the heavens.

lost and found again

The Greek that is translated as “was lost and found again” or similar in English is translated in these verses in the Catholic Mandarin Chinese Sigao version and the Protestant Union Version with a historical Chinese idiom: shī ér fùdé (失而復得 / 失而复得) or “lost and regained again.” (Source: Toshikazu S. Foley in Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, 2011, p. 45ff.)

gave up his spirit

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The Greek in John 19:30 that is often translated as “he gave up his spirit” in English is translated in a variety of ways:

  • Huehuetla Tepehua: “And then he died”
  • Aguaruna: “His breath went out”
  • Navajo (Dinė): “He gave back his spirit”
  • North Alaskan Inupiatun: “He breathed his last”
  • Chol: “He caused his spirit to leave him”
  • Lalana Chinantec: “He sent away his life breath” (source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
  • Kankanaey: “He entrusted his spirit to God” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “He released his spirit” (lit. caused it to spring away) (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Uma: “His spirit/breath broke” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “His breath snapped” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Indonesian Common Language Translation: “His breath was cut off” (source: Daniel Arichea in The Bible Translator 1983, p. 209ff. )
  • Mandarin Chinese (Union Version): “He gave (or: delivered) his soul to God”
  • Cantonese: “He breathed his last (斷氣) and died” (source for this and one above: Zetzsche)
  • German translation by Fridolin Stier (1989) as “He handed over the spirit” (übergab den Geist).

boldness

The Greek that is typically translated as “boldness” in English is often translated in the Protestant Mandarin Chinese Union Version with an existing Chinese proverb: tǎnrán wújù (坦然无惧) or “calm and fearless.” (Source: Zetzsche)

In Makonde it is translated as “being strong in heart.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

See also the boldness we have in him.

naked

The Greek, Latin and Hebrew that is translated as “naked” in English is translated in Enlhet with a figure of speech: “(one’s) smoothness.” (Source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1969, p. 24ff. )

In Elhomwe the word for “naked” is “shameful to use, and would never be used by a preacher in church.” Therefore “without clothes” is used. (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In Cherokee it is translated as “being in a bodily state.” (source: Bender / Belt 2025, p. 30)

In the Catholic Mandarin Chinese Sigao version and the Protestant Union Version, historical Chinese idioms are used: chìshēn lòutǐ (赤身露體 / 赤身露体) or chìshēn luǒtǐ (赤身裸體 / 赤身裸体): “bare and uncovered body.” (Source: Toshikazu S. Foley in Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, 2011, p. 45ff.)

ingratitude

The Greek in 2 Timothy 3:2 that is translated as “ungrateful” in English is translated in the Protestant Mandarin Chinese Union Version with a historical Chinese idiom: wàng ēn fù yì (忘恩負義 / 忘恩负义) or “ingratitude (lit. “ungrateful and unfaithful”).” (Source: Toshikazu S. Foley in Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, 2011, p. 45ff.)

Likewise, in Wisdom 14:26, “forgetfulness of favors” is translated in the Catholic Mandarin Chinese Sigao version with the same idiom.