Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Russian term or phrase:
а был ли мальчик?
English translation:
Are you sure it really happened?/ Did it really happen?
Added to glossary by
blawith (X)
Jul 16, 2005 16:20
18 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Russian term
blawith (X)
а был ли мальчик?
Russian to English
Other
Linguistics
i am trying to find an alternative expression in English?
As well as correct meaning of this expression in any language. Thank you.
As well as correct meaning of this expression in any language. Thank you.
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+3
8 mins
Russian term (edited):
� �� �� �����?
Selected
Are you sure it really happened?/ Did it really happen?
А был ли мальчик-то? - выражение крайней неуверенности в чем-либо. В романе М. Горького "Жизнь Клима Самгина" есть эпизод из катания на коньках главного героя и еще двух детей. Клим становится свидетелем того, как проваливаются в полынью его товарищи, и он не успевает спасти детей - они тонут. Во время поиска утонувших Клима потряс "чей-то серьезный недоверчивый вопрос: "Да был ли мальчик-то, может, мальчика-то и не было?"
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Note added at 9 mins (2005-07-16 16:29:11 GMT)
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Are you sure?
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Note added at 54 mins (2005-07-16 17:14:26 GMT)
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But why all the fuss?
What\'s all the fuss about?
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Note added at 9 mins (2005-07-16 16:29:11 GMT)
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Are you sure?
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Note added at 54 mins (2005-07-16 17:14:26 GMT)
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But why all the fuss?
What\'s all the fuss about?
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Vladimir Chumak
6 hrs
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Thank you! :)
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| agree |
Nina Tchernova
17 hrs
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Thank you! :)
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| agree |
tanyazst
: именно
1 day 15 hrs
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Thank you! :)
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I think this translation delivers exact meaning of the phrase. Thank you."
+3
17 mins
Kirill Semenov
Ukraine
Ukraine
Native in Russian
Works in field
Ukraine
60+ books translated and published
Native in: Russian 
Works in: English to Russian, Russian
Related KudoZ points
:
40
Russian term (edited):
� �� �� �����?
Is there a real reason to worry about?
But isn't it a much ado of nothing?
В том смысле, что, может, шум на ровном месте подняли, а повода-то и не было? Мне кажется, в исходном варианте именно такое значение?
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Note added at 38 mins (2005-07-16 16:58:38 GMT)
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much ado about nothing :)
В том смысле, что, может, шум на ровном месте подняли, а повода-то и не было? Мне кажется, в исходном варианте именно такое значение?
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Note added at 38 mins (2005-07-16 16:58:38 GMT)
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much ado about nothing :)
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Alla Tatyants
18 mins
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| agree |
Anjani Bhakta
54 mins
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| agree |
Vitali Stanisheuski
: Is there any real reason to worry about? По-моему "any" было бы здесь очень кстати. По-моему даже "Was there any reason..." чтобы показать, что тема началась давно.
2 hrs
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наверное :)
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+1
39 mins
Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
Translator since 1953
Native in: English
Works in: Russian to English, German to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
28
Russian term (edited):
� �� �� �����?
Is it just a storm in a teacup?
I don't know the Russian expression, I'm just trying to think of something to cover it in English on the basis of other people's answers.
If it means something like the Shakespeare play title "Much Ado About Nothing", "a storm in a teacup" is another way of saying this.
Or maybe it should start differently:
"Isn't it just...?"
"Could it be just..."
If it means something like the Shakespeare play title "Much Ado About Nothing", "a storm in a teacup" is another way of saying this.
Or maybe it should start differently:
"Isn't it just...?"
"Could it be just..."
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
David Knowles
: Sounds right to me - I'll withdraw my answer!
8 mins
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Thank you.
|
+1
2 hrs
Russian term (edited):
� �� �� �����?
Opposition to everyone is a mistaken act
Opposition to everyone is a mistaken act
From Encyclopedia of World proverbs by Wolfgang Mieder
P.356 #11882
Did a boy really exist?--I doubt…
However we definitely know that he existed and died tragically.
Did Stalin’s labor camps really exist?--I doubt…
But this tagedy is well known. No more words need...
To doubt on quite obvious, to oppose to everyone prevents critical thinking.
From Encyclopedia of World proverbs by Wolfgang Mieder
P.356 #11882
Did a boy really exist?--I doubt…
However we definitely know that he existed and died tragically.
Did Stalin’s labor camps really exist?--I doubt…
But this tagedy is well known. No more words need...
To doubt on quite obvious, to oppose to everyone prevents critical thinking.
Discussion