Q: 《後宮甄嬛傳》英文要怎麼說?
A: “Hou Gong Zhen Huan Zhuan” or “Legend of Concubine Zhen Huan.”
legend = 傳說; 傳奇故事
concubine = 妾
Zhen Huan = 甄嬛
imperial harem = 後宮
清朝后妃位階: ranks of imperial consorts in the Qing dynasty
皇后: Empress – only one in the imperial harem, the wife of the emperor (皇帝)
皇貴妃: Imperial Noble Consort – only one in the imperial harem
貴妃: Noble Consorts – only two in the imperial harem
妃: Consorts – only four in the imperial harem
嬪: Imperial Concubines – only six in the imperial harem
貴人: Noble Ladies – unlimited number in the imperial harem
常在: First Class Female Attendant – unlimited number in the imperial harem
答應: Second Class Female Attendant – unlimited number in the imperial harem
So, as you can see, the translation of the show’s title in English is not entirely accurate since Zhen Huan is technically not a concubine.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranks_of_imperial_consorts_in_China#Qing
http://tw.knowledge.yahoo.com/question/question?qid=1406091704219
http://asianmediagalaxy.blogspot.tw/2011/11/legend-of-concubine-zhen-huan-2011.html