Questions tagged [translation]
This tag is for question about determining English equivalents for words or phrases in other languages.
2
votes
1answer
26 views
What does the meaning of words “jigsaw” and “decay” in this paragraph?
Please tell me meaning of the words "jigsaw" and "decay" in this paragraph.The combination "the crazy, jigsaw geometry of decay" seems strange and vague to me.
Whenever I visit Khartoum I find I am ...
-1
votes
3answers
24 views
What does “one” refer to in “one pushing the other”? Does it refer to the girls or to the cars?
In the sentence below, what does "one" refer to in "one pushing the other"? Does it refer to the girls or to the cars?
On the way into town one day I noticed a couple of young girls working their ...
0
votes
1answer
27 views
The meaning of “stuff” in this paragraph
I have problem in understanding the meaning of word "stuff", the first one and the second one:
Jean says that she’s “getting tougher” and learning to detach herself from each teacher’s individual ...
1
vote
1answer
25 views
What's the meaning of “throw a pallet at her”?
Please tell me the meaning of "throw a pallet at her" in this context:
Teachers might be using the Unit Organizer and the course map and starting to see kids that normally don’t respond, responding....
1
vote
1answer
31 views
Which part of this Shakespearean sentence translates to: “Thank you”?
This is a quote from The Tempest by Stephano:
Be you quiet, monster.—Mistress line, is not this my
jerkin? Now is the jerkin under the line.
And it is translated (according to this source) into:
...
-2
votes
1answer
14 views
How can “take it as you list” mean anything like “go to hell”?
This is a quote from "the Tempest" by Stephano:
If thou beest a man, show thyself in thy likeness. If
thou beest a devil, take ’t as thou list.
And it was translated to:
If you’re a man who's ...
-1
votes
2answers
26 views
What is the meaning of “lay it on” in this sentence?
I read a sentence in "The Tempest" which was:
Lead, monster; we’ll follow. I would I could see this
taborer. He lays it on.
And it is translated to:
Lead on, monster. We’ll follow. I wish I ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
Which word would be a good replacement for “office” in this text?
This is a literal transcription of a text in Portuguese:
The judge understood that the sergeant could not be found guilty of things that he was obliged to do in the exercise of his office.
Is the ...
1
vote
1answer
38 views
Informally asking a rider/driver to accelerate
Are any of these constructions legitimate when talking to a person driving a car or riding a motorcycle? If no, which ones can be used?
"Add (some) gas!"
"Push the gas!" (This one for the car, ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
A better way to say “masters of translation”
What is the best and native way to use words master and translators to denote a "group of highly skilled translators"?
I am stuck with initial "M" letter, as it is used in the brand name and logo, so ...
2
votes
3answers
223 views
How to find proper phrasal verbs or idioms for the sentence you're translating?
Let's assume you're translating a sentence. You can translate everything in English but sometimes there are idioms and phrasal verbs that you can use to make your sentnce more clear and compact. e.g., ...
1
vote
2answers
8 views
Friends reunited?
I used to see my Phd Supervisor regularly every fortnight. I have not seen him for a while after my graduation. I would like now to drop him a line to say I would like to... (suggest an expression):
...
2
votes
0answers
66 views
Meaning of 'excess' in this sentence [closed]
Can you help me to understand meaning of 'excess'' in sentence below:
The project may, in fact, be hopeless when it comes to the absolute
birth and death of being as meaning – here we can only ...
2
votes
1answer
43 views
What do we call the relief person in a shift work (the next shift worker who comes to continue the work)?
I'm translating a sentence from Russian that says that a chromatography room operator failed to inform the next shift worker that he needs to test a further three filters:
Cause of deviation: the ...
1
vote
1answer
29 views
Is there a noun or a noun phrase describing the “let stand” part in “Prepare the solution, let stand for 10 min”?
I'm translating a table of deviations in a biotech manufacturing process. One of the sentences concerns an occurrence in which a solution was found not to conform to prescribed limits.
Protein ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
If a worker did not follow instructions, what do we call the document he is asked to compose to explain his actions?
If a worker did not follow instructions at work, and this has affected the performance of the company, he/she is often asked to write a kind of an explanatory letter to the management. What do we call ...
0
votes
1answer
14 views
Proper terminology for the edition and version/printing of a book
On the inside of the cover of a typical book you'll find the small print about the book. Stuff like copyright notices, place of print, authors, editors and alike.
Also, you'll find information about ...
4
votes
2answers
306 views
One can only be so unsensible, you know. -> explain please?
One can only be so unsensible, you know.
That line came from an Anime, so it's Japanese to English translation. The original Japanese line is something like "A lack of common sense is allowed only to ...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
Equivalents of Russian perfective/imperfective verbs
Which one of the sentences means "Ne ustanovili pravila", but don't "Ne ustanavlivali pravila"?
They didn't set rules.
or
They didn't have to set rules.
What is the difference? Which one makes ...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
who it is and what it is
I wonder what this is: who it is and what it is.
Does it mean whoever it is and whatever it is?
And I don't understand how this is translated : “With respect to Western ideals and who it is and what ...
9
votes
2answers
792 views
Can exams in university be called “session”? (Similarly to Russian “сессия”)
In Russian, the period of time when students need to pass the exams after a semester are called "sessiya"(сессия), "session". Can the same word "session" be used in English or is it just wrong?
1
vote
2answers
21 views
What is a good, common alternative for the “He is the engine of the group” expression?
In French, to say that someone is the key element of the dynamic of a group, we can use the expression "she/he is the engine of the group" (Elle/Il est le moteur du groupe). This clearly shows that ...
0
votes
1answer
32 views
How to advise someone about the danger of a television failling from his arms
Does the sentence "You drop the television!" express the purpose of advising someone about the danger (of the television falling from his arms) or the fact of not being able to believe that someone ...
4
votes
2answers
226 views
Can you paraphrase “hold all of humankind”?
Writing to the woman who would become his third wife, Hermann Hesse complained: “Life for me now holds almost no pleasures any more, in fact I am living in Hell.” The event that had reduced Hesse to ...
1
vote
1answer
36 views
Do I have to translate “closest companion” to “wife” in this passage?
Writing to the woman who would become his third wife, Hermann Hesse complained: “Life for me now holds almost no pleasures any more, in fact I am living in Hell.” The event that had reduced Hesse to ...
1
vote
1answer
20 views
What does “hold” mean in this passage?
Writing to the woman who would become his third wife, Hermann Hesse complained: “Life for me now holds almost no pleasures any more, in fact I am living in Hell.” The event that had reduced Hesse to ...
1
vote
1answer
17 views
Does the word “would” means “was” here?
Writing to the woman who would become his third wife, Hermann Hesse complained: “Life for me now holds almost no pleasures any more, in fact I am living in Hell.” The event that had reduced Hesse to ...
0
votes
1answer
17 views
Is “orderly existence” in this passage just a common expression?
Writing to the woman who would become his third wife, Hermann Hesse complained: “Life for me now holds almost no pleasures any more, in fact I am living in Hell.” The event that had reduced Hesse to ...
0
votes
2answers
21 views
What the word “moving” has to do with in this paragraph regarding Hesse?
Writing to the woman who would become his third wife, Hermann Hesse complained: “Life for me now holds almost no pleasures any more, in fact I am living in Hell.” The event that had reduced Hesse to ...
0
votes
2answers
55 views
Meaning of the Japanese “Kanteishi” in English
This is linked to my other question there: https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/62852/meaning-of-鑑定士-in-english-or-french
I'm trying to translate the word Japanese word "Kanteishi" in English....
3
votes
1answer
68 views
How do I say that an investment program is set to last until 2025?
I have a sentence in Russian:
Компания в рамках инвестиционной программы до 2025 года продолжает дальнейшее наращивание мощностей и объемов производства.
My translation:
The company is ...
0
votes
1answer
41 views
Translation from Spanish “Cuenta” with “it has” or “It counts”
This is a translation question
From the Spanish:
Cuenta con 14 campos de cultivo en los estados de Michoacán, Baja California Norte y Jalisco.
Which one would be a better translation?
It ...
1
vote
1answer
22 views
What do I call a curve of drug concentration vs. time if the concentration axis is on a log scale?
I have a number of curves of drug concentration vs. time. The time scale, on the horizontal (x) axis, is normal, while the concentration scale is logarithmic (the equidistant notches say 1000 ng/mL, ...
0
votes
2answers
661 views
How to translate “mention bien” and “mention très bien” in English?
I'm applying to universities. I was thinking to translate "mention bien/très bien" by "with honors" but on my transcripts I had both (on different diplomas), so I would like to know if I can ...
1
vote
2answers
74 views
In one word, how can I say that something can be scored?
In my native language, there's a single word that identifies an object as something that can get a score, let's say, from 1 to 10. I tried some translators, and I'm getting "scoring", but doesn't ...
0
votes
1answer
51 views
What is the name of the words group in English which translates into Russian in many words combination?
What is the name of the words group in English which translates into Russian in many words combination? For instance, accomplish (one word) in Russian means "dostigat' sovershenstva" (two words).
1
vote
1answer
33 views
Emphasize 'Only when allowed' in contrast to NOT being allowed
In Dutch I can let the user choose between (a software setting):
Alleen indien NIET toegestaan
Alleen indien WEL toegestaan
for which I think the English translation should be:
Only when NOT ...
0
votes
3answers
62 views
Irregularity allowance?
In The Netherlands it is possible that you get paid extra (above your hourly wage) if you have 'irregular' working hours, e.g. you work at uncommon times, like Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays ...
0
votes
4answers
67 views
Political division: department or departamento?
In some countries of Latinoamerica the political divisions of territory are called "Departamento". Is it correct to translate it as Department? I think it could sound odd.
For example, "Departamento ...
0
votes
2answers
40 views
What does “have all” means? Is it a collocation?
Examples:
We have all said that we advocate effective multilateralism.
The coaches have all necessary documentation for domestic and
international passenger transport.
What is the ...
1
vote
0answers
43 views
English words for female genital parts [closed]
Please note! The following question contains words from what is known as 'adult language'.
I recently read a question in here, regarding swear words from ancient egypt. I did think 'Wow, can you ask ...
1
vote
1answer
60 views
Is the word “news” always singular?
Using Google Translate, I have this translation from Russian to English:
каковы спортивные новости?
what are the sports news?
I know, that the word "news" is uncountable, so it is ...
3
votes
3answers
433 views
Memorizing without understanding
In Russian, we have a couple of verbs that mean “memorize without understanding”. We use them when a student remember some facts just to pass an exam instead of actually trying to comprehend the ...
0
votes
1answer
772 views
“I'm new here and would appreciate your guidance”
I'm a Hong Kong English learner. There's a Chinese phrase usually used when introducing yourself to a new group, that means "I'm new here and would appreciate your guidance." Would it sound strange to ...
1
vote
0answers
39 views
How to correct those doorplates? Need your assistance [closed]
everyone. I am an non-English speaker. My boss ask me to check if there any problems of the translation of those rooms numbers. I have no idea , it seems a little awkward, but I didn't find any ...
0
votes
2answers
194 views
How would you translate the “ehhhhhh” interjection from Spanish to English?
For some reason, spanish speaking people (or at least argentines) when we hesitate before speaking we say "ehhhhh" (you can hear an example of the use here: ehhh) which is something that might be said ...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
What does “I wanna be who I couldn't say I'd ever been” mean?
I was asked to translate a song. I tried to understand the lyrics but I couldn't seem to get it right. The lines are:
(Say Amen, Panic at the Disco)
And every morning when I wake up
I wanna be ...
1
vote
1answer
43 views
What’s a word for a motif which is being overused and became boring
I want to say a film band is a very boring motive for a film production company logo because every other production company uses it. Is there a single word for it?
In Czech, we call it "ohraný" which ...
4
votes
1answer
50 views
Can I use 'false' word in this case?
I am translating Russian song to English (it's very hard to save rhymes). And one sentence I am going to translate like below:
Disappear in the darkness and fly to the light.
Be quiet in the ...
2
votes
3answers
66 views
Translation for German word “doch”
So there's this beautiful German word "doch" which is mostly used to contradict a contradiction.
Example:
Ich war heute schon draußen
I already went outside today
Nein warst du nicht
No ...
