Best English Translation for “折腾” only in the context of Hu’s speech

“Self-inflicted Setback” for “折腾”

Only used in the context of Hu’s speech. “只要我们不动摇、不懈怠、不折腾，坚定不移地推进改革开放


“self-inflicted” has the connotation of creating the unnecessary pain for one self.

折腾 in Hu’s speech has strong connotation that such kind of setback is self-seeking instead of being due to the interference from outside.


Here, “Setback” is a much better word than “trouble”, which an unseasoned translator would like to use in the first instance. “Setback” especially refers to the obstacle or difficult encountered in achieving a strategic goal. Setback means the check to progress or development. This is what Hu means.

The result of 折腾 is just such kind of setback.

The most important meaning behind 折腾 is that is self-inflicting maybe from silliness, or infighting or stubborn ideology. So self- inflicting is the best word. No one imposes such obstacle on you but it is self-seeking.

inflicting is a better word than seeking here.

Anyone can compare “Self-inflicted Setback” for “折腾” with all the existing translation for this Chinese word.

If you do translation everyday, it is a very simple translation.


不怕不识货，只怕货比货


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