Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Malay term or phrase:
madu kerja
English translation:
fruits of (one's) labor
Added to glossary by
Catherine Muir
Apr 5, 2012 05:45
12 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Malay term
madu kerja
Malay to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
early 20th Century Indonesian novel written in Malay lingua france
A man asks his friend to do something for him that he should really do himself. The friend replies, "Tapi kau sendiri tahu saya tidak suka menerima yang bukan madu kerja saya sendiri."
I think he means that he does not like to get involved in the affairs of others.
I know that 'madu' means 'honey', but what does 'madu kerja' mean in this context?
Thank you.
I think he means that he does not like to get involved in the affairs of others.
I know that 'madu' means 'honey', but what does 'madu kerja' mean in this context?
Thank you.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 2 | wages |
Naim Jalil
|
| 2 | reward |
yam2u
|
Change log
Apr 7, 2012 10:35: Catherine Muir Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
2 hrs
Naim Jalil
Malaysia
Malaysia
Native in Malay
Malaysia
Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa
Native in: Malay 
Works in: Malay to English, English to Malay, Malay, and 2 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
8
Selected
wages
Madu is the essence of a flower, or the outcome of the work of a bee. So in this context I guess, madu kerja is best translated into wages.
I think, the speaker is using reverse psychology. He don't accept anything except for what he deserved. Likewise, he is expecting his friend to understand and adhere to the same principle.
"But you're much aware, aren't you, I don't like to accept anything except for what I earned."
ps: sorry for all the slashes... forgot the html coding ;)
I think, the speaker is using reverse psychology. He don't accept anything except for what he deserved. Likewise, he is expecting his friend to understand and adhere to the same principle.
"But you're much aware, aren't you, I don't like to accept anything except for what I earned."
ps: sorry for all the slashes... forgot the html coding ;)
Note from asker:
| Thank you, Naim. You have made it very clear to me. In English, 'madu kerja saya sendiri' would be 'the fruit of my own labor'. The speaker has, in fact, demonstrated the characteristic of standing on his own two feet and never accepting charity. So, I have translated the sentence (including the one before it) as "Thanks all the same, Henri, but you know very well that I don't like to accept anything that isn't the fruit of my own labor." |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "If you google "fruits labor" you will see references to this idiom, which is exactly what the speaker in the novel was expressing. Thank you for putting me on the right trail!"
9 hrs
reward
that is how i understand it, in a literary sort of way.
there is a typical malay subtlety, or vagueness (if you will), there that can be taken to mean anything from bald compensation to the satisfaction of benefitting only from one's own work.
there is probably a better word to express that idea, but i cannot think of any at the moment.
there is a typical malay subtlety, or vagueness (if you will), there that can be taken to mean anything from bald compensation to the satisfaction of benefitting only from one's own work.
there is probably a better word to express that idea, but i cannot think of any at the moment.
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