Dec 14, 2006 11:16
17 yrs ago
French term
fait au revoir de la main
French to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
Novel/roman
Hi,
I know that this expression means "to wave goodbye", but does it ever mean something like "to give the finger to someone"? (Though this is usually "donner le bras d'honneur").
Context: p’pa fait au revoir de la main au monsieur, juste pour prouver qu’il ne se sent pas humilié.
It just doesn't seem to be strong enough a gesture to show that you're not humiliated (the man he gestures to gets really angry after this).
Thanks.
I know that this expression means "to wave goodbye", but does it ever mean something like "to give the finger to someone"? (Though this is usually "donner le bras d'honneur").
Context: p’pa fait au revoir de la main au monsieur, juste pour prouver qu’il ne se sent pas humilié.
It just doesn't seem to be strong enough a gesture to show that you're not humiliated (the man he gestures to gets really angry after this).
Thanks.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 +2 | voir commentaire |
Christine Alba
|
| 4 | gives him a little wave goodbye |
Ben Gaia
|
| 3 | flutters his hand at him in farewell |
ormiston
|
| 3 | Gave a nonchalant farewell wave |
TinaA
|
Proposed translations
+2
52 mins
Christine Alba
Native in French
Native in: French 
Works in: Italian to French, French to Italian, English to French, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
voir commentaire
Vous dites :
It just doesn't seem to be strong enough a gesture to show that you're not humiliated (the man he gestures to gets really angry after this).
En l'absence de plus de contexte, je suppose que le père le salue de la main comme si de rien n'était, en ignorant totalement un évènement/comportement/incident/remarque antérieur qui aurait du/pu le faire réagir. Si "the man he waves to" se met en colère, c'est donc probablement ce manque de réaction qui le froisse, et non le geste par lui-meme, qui est bien "waves goodbye".
It just doesn't seem to be strong enough a gesture to show that you're not humiliated (the man he gestures to gets really angry after this).
En l'absence de plus de contexte, je suppose que le père le salue de la main comme si de rien n'était, en ignorant totalement un évènement/comportement/incident/remarque antérieur qui aurait du/pu le faire réagir. Si "the man he waves to" se met en colère, c'est donc probablement ce manque de réaction qui le froisse, et non le geste par lui-meme, qui est bien "waves goodbye".
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Odette Grille (X)
46 mins
|
| agree |
NancyLynn
: I think there is general agreement to this - it would certainly infuriate me! but the answer box will have to read "waves goodbye"
2 hrs
|
| neutral |
Maurice Thibaux
: see my comments re not waving goodbye
11 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
4 hrs
flutters his hand at him in farewell
i.e. he gives that little finger-twiddling gesture ! might sound a little more impertinent than solemnly waving !
5 hrs
Gave a nonchalant farewell wave
Just some suggestions for you to try in the context of the text. "Gave a quick farewell wave.... a quick wave in farewell...
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Philippe ROUSSEAU
: I just react to the word "farewell". This word means that you will not see the person anymore. If the hand is agitated, it means that the person hopes to see you again. so I would rather translate "au revoir" by "Goodbye"" instead of "Farewell"
1 hr
|
|
I disagree about the meaning of farewell. It just means taking one's leave. It does however seem to suggest a "pleasant" kind of leave-taking. It's up to the asker to decide if any of these ideas fit the text.
|
9 hrs
gives him a little wave goodbye
.
Discussion