From Babylon-Pro
方阵
n. (Trad=方陣, Pinyin=fang1 zhen4) phalanx

方阵=人民解放軍列隊受檢閱陣式

帖子内容- [ Translate this page ]The first era(第一个时代) 资源：1.Food Preservation(食物储藏)，完成后可以造warehouse( ... Advanced Infantry(高级步兵)，允许使用Square Formation(方阵)， ...
bbs.gamezone.qq.com/cgi-bin/bbs/show/jh_content?groupid=10632&messageid=719 - 83k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2006-12-29 03:21:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

意謂﹕世界一流的陣勢

方阵 - literally, array, horizontally and vertically aligned objects, square matrix (math)

I think they try to say "world's first class" but stop short of saying that, because the company has not been internationally recognized as a "world's first class" manufacturer yet. It is just what they say they are and they seem to blur the issue by using 第一方阵 rather than "first class." 第一方阵 is more flexible than "first class" as 第一方阵 can be interpreted as containing "first class" and some "second class" manufacturers, giving more room for interpretation.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2006-12-29 03:25:11 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Another form that PRC media use is 第一集團 as in the medal counts of the summer and winter Olympics. 第一集團 consists of the US, Russia, and some countries (depending on summer or winter). In the summer games, China leads the 第二集團. 集團 also leaves more room for interpretation than "class".

I think this phase cannot be translated word by word since it indicates that the machinary manufacturer can establish certain standards shared and used internationally, so that they consider they are one of best manufactuers worldwide.

http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&q=进入世界第一方阵&btnG=Search&...

'第一方阵' is often in quotes, it must be an allusion to something...





--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2006-12-29 04:11:43 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

3 translations:

我国机床工业已跨入世界行列第一方阵- [ Translate this page ]我国机床工业已跨入世界行列第一方阵Our Machine Tool Manufacturing Industry Ranks among the Best in the World. 梁训瑄 从国产机床的总量供给能力、产品品种及性能水平、研发能力和技术开拓、企业管理中的信息技术应用状况等方面,介绍了中国机床工具 ...
scholar.ilib.cn/abstract.aspx?A=jxzz200310002 - Similar pages

我国机床工业已跨入世界行列第一方阵- [ Translate this page ]我国机床工业已跨入世界行列第一方阵Chinese Machine Tool Industry being in 1st Phalanx of the Global Procession. 梁训瑄 我国机床工业在世界行列中的定位,国内舆论界、业界人士、广大用户、政府相关主管部门等有多种评价.本文以数字与业绩作依据, ...
scholar.ilib.cn/abstract.aspx?A=dyjx200304008 - Similar pages
[ More results from scholar.ilib.cn ]

制造技术与机床030703- [ Translate this page ]我国机床工业已跨入世界行列第一方阵. China Machine Tool Industry has entered into the First Matrix of the World ... 机床是装备工业的基本生产手段,机床工业是关系国计民生、国防建设的基础工业和战略性产业,在世界范围内备受各方密切关注. ...
www.wanfangdata.com.cn/qikan/periodical.Articles/zzjsyjc/zz... - Similar pages

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2006-12-29 04:15:03 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

世界制造技术与装备市场030303- [ Translate this page ]我国机床工业已跨入世界行列第一方阵. China machine tool industry has stridden into the front array among the world's parade. 梁训瑄. 编者按我国机床工业在世界行列中的定位,国内舆论界、广大用户、政府相关主管部门及同行业界,有多种论证. ...
www.wanfangdata.com.cn/qikan/periodical.Articles/sjzzjsyzbs... - Similar pages
[ More results from www.wanfangdata.com.cn ]


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2006-12-29 04:22:21 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

metaphor, the leading 'pack' or front group of runners in a running race, such as the marathon:

http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&q=第一方阵 马拉松&btnG=Search&...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2006-12-29 04:23:58 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

or the leading bunch in a cycle race such as the Tour de France?

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2006-12-29 04:26:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:7j2a10MXdF8J:www.exgods....

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2006-12-29 04:28:01 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

'麦克迪文、兰迪斯都呆在了第二方阵的大部队里.第一方阵只有4名选手,最后波波发力,赢得了赛程冠军'

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2006-12-29 04:31:32 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:yP8wn5BH-hAJ:www.dongshi...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2006-12-29 04:34:48 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

方阵 = legion:

中国商帮在改革开放的春风里生机勃发，市场经济的大潮中走来中国商人的第一方阵、第二方阵。

Chinese merchant leagues have been budding with vigor and vitality in the spring breeze of reform and open-up, with the first legion and the second legion of Chinese merchants marching on the tidal wave of market economy.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2006-12-29 04:46:57 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

[PDF] 专题研究资料通讯2004年第6期口苏开源繁荣发展哲学社会科学常识、公理 ...File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat
不具备这样持续奋斗三五十年乃至一辈子的大家识度和气质，是极难进入当代国际科学和学术“马拉松长跑”的第一方阵、第二方阵行列中去的，更休言夺得国际性的科学和学术的金杯银环铜圈了。从容学术这种治学识度、大家气质，须下真功夫、大功夫和恒工夫方可习 ...
engine.cqvip.com/content/a/80983x/2004/000/006/sk22_a2_9910691.pdf - Supplemental Result - Similar pages

the first tier

Having joined the leading ranks of world's machine tool manufturers, Liaoning Machine Tool Co. sets technical standards through its R&D.

(or "Having advanced to the forefront of...")

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days16 hrs (2006-12-31 18:17:32 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

should have been "the leading ranks of the world's"