CZ 2 EN

Discussion in 'Vocabulary & Translation Help' started by About_Nothing, Aug 22, 2007.

  1. About_Nothing

    About_Nothing New Member

    Hi there!

    I wonder how could be translated that sentence: "když jinak nedáte" ?
    diky,.. :lol:
     
  2. wer

    wer Well-Known Member

    if you insist
     
  3. dzurisova

    dzurisova Well-Known Member

    Goodness I got it way off. I translated it as "when differently you don't give"
     
  4. Kanadanka

    Kanadanka Well-Known Member

    also similar to "if you won't have it any other way".
     
  5. Troll

    Troll Well-Known Member

    It's a kind of ellipsis (the sign for ellipsis is "..."), to understand this phrase you must add a fitting word.

    Když jinak nedáte ... = If otherwise you don't give ...
    or maybe If otherwise you won't give ...

    The speaker did not finish the sentence.
    This incomplete sentence is common in a conversation, but rare in the written texts and nonexistent in the official documents.

    Examples of more complete sentences:

    Když (mi, nám) jinak nedáte (svůj) souhlas. = If otherwise you won't give me/us your permission.

    Když mi jinak nedáte (své) požehnání. = If otherwise you won't give me your blessing.

    Když mi jinak nedáte peníze. = If otherwise you won't give me your money.

    The "if you insist" is not word-for-word translation.
     
  6. Jana

    Jana Well-Known Member

    I disagree with Troll - když jinak nedáte is a complete sentence and it definitely means if you insist. As it is a reluctant positive answer to a previous statement, all you need to know is the context of the conversation.
    E.g. "Půjdu s vámi, jen když si budu moci vzít s sebou svého psa." (I will go with you only if I can take my dog with me.)
    "Když jinak nedáte..." (If you insist...)
     
  7. Karel_lerak

    Karel_lerak Well-Known Member

    It is not, but the meaning is exactly this one. 8)
     

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