Thread: Help with word translation for tattoo please

I want to get a tattoo in Russian language. I have been considering "fearless." I did not know if I would use "бесстрашна" since I am a female, or "бесстрашный".

If these just don't make sense, I am looking for other suggestions for words. I just want a reminder of a "you got this" or "you can do anything" mentality. Thanks!

Since you are female, you could use "бесстрашная".
Though, if from the certain point/angle of view it could be partially read as "..страшная" (ugly) it is no good at all)

Maybe something like "Воля и Разум" would be more appropriate..

Yep, russian 'бесстрашная' (literally 'fearless') is composed from prefix 'бес-' (suffix '-less') and word 'страшный' (literally 'inducing fear') which is synonym for 'ugly'. So, really, it's not good idea.
There is another word 'отважная' ('brave') which can be misread as 'важная' ('important').

Originally Posted by EfreytoR_S

Though, if from the certain point/angle of view it could be partially read as "..страшная" (ugly) it is no good at all)

Good point! Your caution is appropriate.

Originally Posted by EfreytoR_S

Maybe something like "Воля и Разум" would be more appropriate..

But «воля и разум» ‘will and reason’ has nothing in common with ‘fearless’

Maybe, храбрая ‘brave, courageous, valiant’?

What about без страха

Originally Posted by Svet24

What about без страха

Sounds good.

So does "без страха" really mean "no fear"? Can it be translated or misinterpreted in any other way?

Originally Posted by Svet24

So does "без страха" really mean "no fear"?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Svet24

Can it be translated or misinterpreted in any other way?

Doesn’t seem so.

Well, it can be interpreted as a part of the phrase «без страха и упрёка» (‘knight without fear or reproach’, ‘chevalier sans peur et sans reproche’).

Which phrase do you all think is best? Also, are my translations correct? Thank you for all the help!

Без страха "Without fear"

без страха и упрека "without fear and reproach"

ничего не бояться "do not be afraid of anything"

бояться ничего "fear nothing"

Originally Posted by Svet24

бояться ничего

This phrase is incorrect while the others are fine.

"бояться нечего" - "there is nothing to be feared of"

I would prefer "без страха".

Also you can consider well-known phrase from Maxim Gorky's poem "Song about Falcon": https://jntzimmerman.wordpress.com/2...of-the-falcon/
It is translated there as “Praised be the daring of all bold dreamers!” however more accurate translation is "We sing song in honor of madness of brave ones". In russian: "Безумству храбрых поём мы песню". However this phrase is often used ironically to describe unreasonable risk, so it's up to you.

What about "stay strong" ?

I have seen a lot of different answers for this:

крепись
держись
Будь сильным
стать сильным
быть сильным

In my opinion it's not good idea.
"крепись,держись" - imply that you are not strong. they are wishes/commands.
They are more like:



"будь сильным" is male-oriented. "будь сильной" is for female subject. Meaning is correct, but I would call it "featureless".
Last two are wrong in syntax (in your case), but anyway they express the same idea in the same way.

Thank you! This has really helped. Do you have any suggestions?

Maybe some proverbs?
I would like next ones:
"Где смелость - там победа (boldness come together with victory)" Пословицы о смелости
"Храброму серду нет невозможного (There is no impossible for brave heart) Пословицы о храбрости
"Смерть боится того кто не боится смерти (Death is afraid of the one who doesn't afraid of death) Пословицы и поговорки про бесстрашие

Смелость города берёт(, а трусость - сдаёт)
Кто смел, тот и съел.

Originally Posted by Alex80

Maybe some proverbs?
I would like next ones:
"Где смелость - там победа (boldness come together with victory)" Пословицы о смелости
"Храброму серду нет невозможного (There is no impossible for brave heart) Пословицы о храбрости
"Смерть боится того кто не боится смерти (Death is afraid of the one who doesn't afraid of death) Пословицы и поговорки про бесстрашие

Thanks for adding the links to the website. I am having trouble translating a few. Can you help?

Смелость ко всему ведет.
Тот смел, кто на коня сел.
Набирайся ума в учении, храбрости - в сра жении.
Ум дает силу, сила дает храбрость.
Будь храбрым и ты будешь сильным.
В согласном стаде и волк не страшен и храбрость крепче стен и башен.
Море перескочит - пяток не замочит.
В спокойствии - сила.
Сила да ум - счастье.
я не боюся.

Смелость ко всему ведет = Boldness leads to everything (gives everything)
Тот смел, кто на коня сел = He who put a halter on horse is a brave one.
Набирайся ума в учении, храбрости - в сражении = Get knowledge in learning and bravery in fighting
Ум дает силу, сила дает храбрость = Intellect gives power and power gives bravery
Будь храбрым и ты будешь сильным = Be brave and you'll be strong

В согласном стаде и волк не страшен
и храбрость крепче стен и башен = (rhymed)
In the herd united there is no fear of wolves
and the boldness is stronger than the towers and walls (amazing, but it was no difficult to translate it almost literally with changed order of words only. I think rhyme is preserved)

Море перескочит - пяток не замочит = (He can) cross over the sea without making heels wet. (about somebody)
В спокойствии - сила = The force is in calmness.
Сила да ум - счастье = Power and intellect lead to happiness.
я не боюся = I am not afraid.