Translation notes

A Chinese reader gets a lot for free. Our job is to hand an English reader the same thing without turning the novel into homework.

Three jin or three jins? The answer turns out to depend on what kind of word it is, and the pattern is the same one English already applies to Japanese and Korean borrowings.

A moonlit meeting on the Qiantang River — Zhang Cuishan's investigation leads him to an encounter that will change everything.

Zhang Cuishan's grief and fury — a short, sharp chapter that sets a tragedy in motion.

A young man leaves the monastery and begins a journey that will define a new martial tradition.

He Zudao's audacious challenge at Shaolin and a young monk's awakening — Chapter 2 brings fire to the monastery gates.

A young monk, a grieving girl, and a secret manual — the opening chapter of Jin Yong's epic sets the stage for everything that follows.

The character 青 (qīng) historically encompassed blue, green, and black in Chinese, creating translation challenges in wuxia literature where colour descriptions carry cultural and symbolic significance beyond simple chromatic designation.

Two paired swords with brotherly names — one auspicious, one ill-omened — set a tragedy in motion.

Parts 4 through 8 of Chapter 1 are now available, continuing the story of the Lin family.

Exploring the traditional salutes and greeting gestures such as the famous fist in palm salute and cupped hands, and their cultural significance.

Parts 1 through 3 now feature Quick Reference sections.

A comprehensive framework for translating factions in wuxia. Learn when to use School, Sect, or Order based on perspective and context, with examples across Jin Yong's novels.

Ancient Tomb School or Sect? Both translations are valid depending on perspective.

Exploring why wuxia translations use 'transmission' for martial arts teaching and what this reveals about lineage, legacy, and the sacred bond between shifu and disciple.

The Mandarin Duck Blades translation has been updated to align with Jin Yong's Third Edition, with a comprehensive changelog documenting differences between editions.

We've completed the translation of Jin Yong's Mandarin Duck Blades, a delightful comedy that subverts wuxia expectations.

There are two interesting literary references in Chapter 2 of Mandarin Duck Blades.

I've started translating the Third Edition of Mandarin Duck Blades.

I've completed the third edition of Sword of the Yue Maiden.

I've done a complete re-translation of Chapter 1 of Demi-Gods & Semi-Devils.

We have adopted the translations of the Condor Trilogy.