Looking for an efficient translation

What’s the most concise, efficient way to say the following sentences in Mandarin? Of course I can make my meaning known, but it usually involves a lengthy explanation in Mandarin.

  1. I fear dying but not death. (the process vs. the state of being)
  2. The balloon isn’t over his head, it’s on his head.

Thanks for any help.

[quote=“Maoman”]

  1. I fear dying but not death. (the process vs. the state of being)[/quote]

我害怕的是死亡的過程, 並不是死亡本身

[quote=“Maoman”]
2. The balloon isn’t over his head, it’s on his head. [/quote]

that’s a tough one

氣球正好在他頭頂上,而不在他頭的上方 1.漂浮著 or 2. 懸掛著

Not very elegant, but I think it is clearer to add a verb.

[quote=“rice_t”][quote=“Maoman”]

  1. I fear dying but not death. (the process vs. the state of being)[/quote]

我害怕的是死亡的過程, 並不是死亡本身

[quote=“Maoman”]
2. The balloon isn’t over his head, it’s on his head.[/quote]

that’s a tough one

氣球正好在他頭頂上,而不在他頭的上方 1.漂浮著 or 2. 懸掛著

Not very elegant, but I think it is clearer to add a verb.[/quote]

That is just amazing, rice_t! It’s sorta similar to my own translation but yours is better. :blush: Is Chinese your mother tongue?

Incidently, maoman, why would you ever need to say “2. The balloon isn’t over his head, it’s on his head.”? :s

P.S. what does "H

[quote=“Dave’s girl”]wWhat does "H

[quote=“Juba”][quote=“Dave’s girl”]wWhat does "H

[quote=“Dave’s girl”]
That is just amazing, rice_t! It’s sorta similar to my own translation but yours is better. :oops: Is Chinese your mother tongue? [/quote]

Vielen Dank f

[quote=“rice_t”] Vielen Dank f

[quote=“Dave’s girl”][quote=“rice_t”] Vielen Dank f

Thank you very much for your efforts! The “death” was great - I’ll be able to use that for sure. The over/above vs. on is still demonstrated best with physical examples, I guess, especially for a children’s class, where that issue first came up. The “death” question was one that came up in an adult class…