OET interlinear ECC 2:16

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

זִכְר֧וֹן

remembrance_of

The word translated as because indicates that what follows is a reason for what came before. Use a connector in your language that makes it clear that what follows is a reason for what came before. Alternate translation: [remembering]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

לֶ⁠חָכָ֛ם

of,man

Solomon is using under the sun as a common expression of the culture to mean “in this life.” If this phrase does not have that meaning for your readers, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly.

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / exclamations

וְ⁠אֵ֛יךְ

and,how!

Solomon is using pursuit of wind as a common expression of the culture to mean “a futile effort.” If this phrase does not have that meaning for your readers, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [How tragic]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / exclamations

יָמ֥וּת הֶ⁠חָכָ֖ם עִֽם־הַ⁠כְּסִֽיל

die the_wise,[person] with the,fool

See how you translated the similar expression in [2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: [The wise die just as the fool does]

Note 5 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

The word translated as because indicates that what follows is a reason for what came before. Use a connector in your language that makes it clear that what follows is a reason for what came before. Alternate translation: [For there is no memory of the wise person with the fool in perpetuity. The reason is that already, in the coming days, both will be forgotten. Alas! The wise die with the fool!]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole

אֵ֨ין זִכְר֧וֹן לֶ⁠חָכָ֛ם עִֽם־הַ⁠כְּסִ֖יל לְ⁠עוֹלָ֑ם

not remembrance_of of,man with the,fool for,a_long_time

Solomon says The wise die with the fool as an exclamation to express his dismay. If a speaker of your language would not use this form to express dismay, you could translate this in another way that communicates this feeling. Alternate translation: [the wise person will eventually be forgotten just like the fool]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

הַ⁠כֹּ֣ל נִשְׁכָּ֔ח

(the),everything forgotten

Solomon is speaking as if the futility and transience of all human endeavor were vapor, which disappears quickly and lacks substance. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [no one will remember either of them]