Do you think being a mother...

[Silverobama]

A friend of mine has been a mother for a few years. Today I asked her a question:

Do you think being a mother is a burden or happiness?

Is my question natural?

 

[probus]

Yes.

 

[Rover_KE]

Is it natural in Chinese, Silver?

 

[teechar]

I don't like the ending. Perhaps "... or a blessing?"

 

[Silverobama]

Is it natural in Chinese, Silver?

I think so because I translated it into English. But now I don't think it's natural, Rover.

 

[Tdol]

Teechar's suggestion gives it a nice balance.

 

[tedmc]

How about:
Is it a burden or a joy?

 

[Tarheel]

How about:
Is it a burden or a joy?

I thought of that myself, but I decided teechar's suggestion is better.


I think you could also say:

Is it a blessing or a curse? (Admittedly, that says something a little bit different.)

 

[tedmc]

I thought of that myself, but I decided teechar's suggestion is better.


I think you could also say:

Is it a blessing or a curse? (Admittedly, that says something a little bit different.)

You are right that blessing is an antonym of curse. Both are from the Almighty, aren't they?
But I'd prefer joy as an antonym of burden, both being perceived human feelings and make a better pair.

 

[probus]

@tedmc You are right about the better antonym, but "a blessing or a curse" is a common stock phrase, at least in AmE.

 

[jutfrank]

You could say 'a burden or a gift'. Those two words seem to me to go together well.