Translatable
The best language courses go beyond textbook English and teach idioms as well. Even so, I've found that some of the most important ones are missing. Here is a list of common sayings and their translations:
- I don't mean to be rude, but . . ..
Prepare to have your feelings hurt
- Thank you for being a valued customer.
Prepare for a sales pitch.
- With a 90% chance of precipitation.
It's going to rain
- With a 90 % chance of blue skies and sunshine
It's going to rain
Number 3 and 4 are particularly tricky. In areas of extreme drought, they mean unremitting sunshine.
- I'm sure you'll have better luck next time.
Come on. Spend your hard earned money on more lottery tickets.
- Left lane closed in 500 ft.
The right lane will now be filled with bumper-to-bumper traffic that would rather wreck their car than let you merge.
- Time limited offer
You will be listening to this ad for months
- Critic acclaimed movie
Most of us will neither understand or like this one.
- Download for free.
Be prepared to provide your credit card information.
- Even a child can do it.
Only a child can do it.
- Easy to learn. Simple to operate.
Not even a child can do it.
- Get out of debt forever.
Give me money you can't afford to part with.
- That dress is really you!
I work almost totally on commission
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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!
Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Ha! Ha! very funny. Loved all of these. Made my day.
ReplyDeleteHere is mine – 13 Best novel first lines!
LOL Very clever. Thanks for starting my day with a smile. Happy T13!
ReplyDeleteOh, those are great! You forgot "I'm sorry, but..." No. I'm never sorry when I say that. I just don't have another phrase to use!
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head with those translations!
ReplyDeletereally funny and clever! the number 1 is surely a winner!!!:D :D
ReplyDeleteLOL, Are these true, or what?
ReplyDelete#6 is GREAT! (and very true if you live in NJ)
ReplyDeleteSo true! And it is raining, or about to!
ReplyDeleteNo kidding.... I'm so tired of it all....
ReplyDeleteHave a great Thursday!
http://iamharriet.blogspot.com/2010/02/they-said-were-not-laughing-at-you-were.html
#3.....love that one. So true. It's been raining here for what seems like 40 days and 40 nights!!!
ReplyDeleteMy 13 is listed below my Thursday Thunks...scroll down a bit on my blog entry. It's all about odd surnames and their origins today ---like Suess, etc. Here they are I'm going through the Mr. Linky right now, so if you've stopped by already and I didn't know.......thanks for the visit.
LOL Love it!!! :)
ReplyDeleteVery clever and funny. Happy T13! Thank you for visiting.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Love your translations.
ReplyDeleteThese were great. Another is "Trust me." It means "Run from me very fast because I'm gonna do something very bad to you."
ReplyDelete13 Characters from Rose and Prince Brendan
*gigglesnort*
ReplyDeleteSo true!
True testimonial from a real person...
ReplyDelete"Grandma's translations gave me the confidence I needed to accomplish my goals. I was able to quit my job. Now I can spend more time with my family! Thanks Grandma!"
Results not typical. But you will laugh.
Thanks for visiting my T13 13 Fun Facts About Walking!