OET interlinear ECC 2:2

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

מְהוֹלָ֑ל

madness

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of wisdom and folly, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: [You are mad!]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

מַה־זֹּ֥ה עֹשָֽׂה

what? it accomplish

Solomon is using under the heavens 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. Alternate translation: [You do nothing worthwhile]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / apostrophe

לִ⁠שְׂח֖וֹק אָמַ֣רְתִּי מְהוֹלָ֑ל וּ⁠לְ⁠שִׂמְחָ֖ה מַה־זֹּ֥ה עֹשָֽׂה

of,laughter said madness and,of,pleasure what? it accomplish

The word heart here represents a person’s thoughts and intentions. Solomon means that his mind continued to guide him with sound judgment. You may have a comparable expression in your language, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [I thought to myself that laughter is madness and that joy has no purpose]