This question was closed without grading. Reason: No acceptable answer
May 2, 2005 20:37
19 yrs ago
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Dutch term
United States
Dutch into English since 1991
Native in: English
Works in: Dutch to English, English, Flemish to English
klinkt het niet, dan botst het
Dutch to English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
expression
I'm unfamiliar with this expression. Perhaps it's Flemish?
The context is a report of a cycling race. One of the cyclists expends too much energy early on and has to quit before the finish.
The context is a report of a cycling race. One of the cyclists expends too much energy early on and has to quit before the finish.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 5 | it is sink or swim |
mariette (X)
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| 3 | he had to reconcile the situation |
Paul Peeraerts
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| 2 | ... |
Ljiljana Malovic
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Proposed translations
18 mins
Ljiljana Malovic
Netherlands
Netherlands
Native in English
Works in field
Netherlands
Native in: English
Works in: English to Serbo-Croat, English to Dutch, Croatian to English, and 9 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
...
"Klinkt het niet, dan botst het maar!" is a Flemish expression.
Meaning: "redeneren in het wilde weg" [Van Dale]
I don't see how it fits into this context you mentioned.
Maybe you could write a whole sentence.
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Note added at 36 mins (2005-05-02 21:13:54 GMT)
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I\'ve just got an idea:
\"Klinkt het niet dan botst het\" = \"Hit-or-miss\" approach
Could this be a possibility?
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Note added at 23 hrs 43 mins (2005-05-03 20:20:56 GMT)
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This cyclist has just reminded me of that famous Rabbit from a fairy tale, competing the Turtle in a race.
Everyone\'s been trying so hard to find an English equivalent to this Flemish expression, using Van Dale (including me) while this \'poor guy\' simply acted like our famous Rabbit.
He actually didn\'t fall asleep (at least we don\'t know that for sure)like our Rabbit, but all other cyclists who remained in the race could just be considered as \'the Turtle\'.
Therefore, the solution in this case could easily be:
\"He just seems to have forgotten that slow and steady wins the race!\"
or just:
\"Always remember: Slow and steady wins the race!\"
It doesn\'t have to be anything like any of our previous examples and suggestions. Free translation.
(This is a very free one, that\'s for sure.)
Meaning: "redeneren in het wilde weg" [Van Dale]
I don't see how it fits into this context you mentioned.
Maybe you could write a whole sentence.
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Note added at 36 mins (2005-05-02 21:13:54 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I\'ve just got an idea:
\"Klinkt het niet dan botst het\" = \"Hit-or-miss\" approach
Could this be a possibility?
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 23 hrs 43 mins (2005-05-03 20:20:56 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
This cyclist has just reminded me of that famous Rabbit from a fairy tale, competing the Turtle in a race.
Everyone\'s been trying so hard to find an English equivalent to this Flemish expression, using Van Dale (including me) while this \'poor guy\' simply acted like our famous Rabbit.
He actually didn\'t fall asleep (at least we don\'t know that for sure)like our Rabbit, but all other cyclists who remained in the race could just be considered as \'the Turtle\'.
Therefore, the solution in this case could easily be:
\"He just seems to have forgotten that slow and steady wins the race!\"
or just:
\"Always remember: Slow and steady wins the race!\"
It doesn\'t have to be anything like any of our previous examples and suggestions. Free translation.
(This is a very free one, that\'s for sure.)
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Ken Cox
: FWIW, van Dale also gives the translation 'nothing ventured, nothing gained' (said in encouragement), which probably fits better here (of course, more context would be better).
27 mins
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see my last note and comment. Very intriguing Flemish expression!
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| neutral |
Fred ten Berge
: Definitely very 'Bels'! With Kenneth and others.: context please - - -
5 hrs
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perhaps you'd like to comment on my last note?
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| neutral |
Seger Bonebakker (X)
: I agree with Kenneth: 'nothing ventured, nothing gained'. The cyclists has expended his energy heedless of the consequences. He has to drop out of the race, but it might have won him the race.
22 hrs
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see my last note and comment. it was just another try.
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| neutral |
Paul Peeraerts
: "He just seems to have forgotten that slow and steady wins the race!" is natuurlijk leuk, maar dat staat niet in het origineel.
1 day 12 hrs
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thanks a lot! (for your original agree-comment of course, which you've changed in the meantime)
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22 hrs
Paul Peeraerts
Native in Dutch
Native in: Dutch 
Works in: German to Dutch, Esperanto to Dutch, French to Dutch, and 7 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
he had to reconcile the situation
Hier betekent het: "Hij moest zich daar willens nillens bij leerleggen".
"Zich opblazen" heb je volgens mij goed vertaald.
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Note added at 1 day 13 hrs 3 mins (2005-05-04 09:41:33 GMT)
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Nog met een paar collega\'s hier gepraat. Een andere interpretatie kan zijn: \"Dat had hij dan zelf gezocht\". \"Entirely his own fault\"
"Zich opblazen" heb je volgens mij goed vertaald.
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Note added at 1 day 13 hrs 3 mins (2005-05-04 09:41:33 GMT)
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Nog met een paar collega\'s hier gepraat. Een andere interpretatie kan zijn: \"Dat had hij dan zelf gezocht\". \"Entirely his own fault\"
6 days
it is sink or swim
In het Nederlands de uitdrukking "pompen of verzuipen". Volgens de Van Dale betekent dit: "Men moet zijn uiterste krachten inspannen, alles op het spel zetten om de zaak te winnen".
Discussion
In *Plaatsnaam* blies *wielrenner* zich compleet op in de aanvangsfase. Gevolg: Hij mag al na vijf ronden afdraaien richting kleedkamers� Klinkt het niet, dan botst het�!