Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Jan 12, 2010 13:13
14 yrs ago
Danish term
i udu
Danish to English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
A patient feels " i udu".
"hun føler sig " i udu".
Thanks for any suggestions.
"hun føler sig " i udu".
Thanks for any suggestions.
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+1
14 mins
Christine Andersen
Denmark
Denmark
Native in English
Denmark
the message, not just the words
Native in: English (Variant: UK) 
Works in: Danish to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
75
Selected
unable to function properly
This is an odd expression to use about oneself.
Normally ´i udu´ is used of something mechanical that has broken down, or something not functioning as it should.
The patient may be feeling weak, or unable to concentrate because of headache or other symptoms.
Clumsy and uncoordinated?
I am guessing wildly without more context, but could it have psychological connotations of low self esteem?
´I feel I am no good/useless.`
Normally ´i udu´ is used of something mechanical that has broken down, or something not functioning as it should.
The patient may be feeling weak, or unable to concentrate because of headache or other symptoms.
Clumsy and uncoordinated?
I am guessing wildly without more context, but could it have psychological connotations of low self esteem?
´I feel I am no good/useless.`
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks to all for the suggestions. I put 'unable to function'."
+1
7 mins
Yasutomo Kanazawa
Japan
Japan
Works in field
Japan
Scientia est potentia
Native in: Japanese
Works in: English to Japanese, German to Japanese, Italian to Japanese, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
incompetence
I think "i udu" here is a shortened form of "i uduelig", being in the state of incompentence or feeling incompetent.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Michael Davies
: Yes - more usually used in connection with things (machines) but the meaning would be similar for people (slang).
20 hrs
|
|
Thank you Michael
|
17 mins
Susanne Birkmose Søndergaard
Denmark
Denmark
Native in Danish
Specializes in field
Denmark
Professional translation, English/Danish
Native in: Danish
Works in: English to Danish, Danish to English
down/sick/broken/not working
I don't know if any of these words can be used in your context (as I don't have much context to go from).
'udu' is not a real word and cannot be looked up in the Danish dictionary Retskrivningsordbogen, but it is used in everyday language and normally means that something is not working or broken, e.g. "computeren er i udu". I must admit that I have never heard it used about people: "she's feeling i udu"...
See as an example this article from the Danish tabloid Ekstrabladet - it is about google not working: http://ekstrabladet.dk/nyheder/samfund/article1118746.ece
'udu' is not a real word and cannot be looked up in the Danish dictionary Retskrivningsordbogen, but it is used in everyday language and normally means that something is not working or broken, e.g. "computeren er i udu". I must admit that I have never heard it used about people: "she's feeling i udu"...
See as an example this article from the Danish tabloid Ekstrabladet - it is about google not working: http://ekstrabladet.dk/nyheder/samfund/article1118746.ece
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Michael Davies
: I agree with your comment about the usage of the word and with one of your suggestions (sick) but not the others in connection with a person.
20 hrs
|
+1
45 mins
Janie Wendel
Denmark
Denmark
Native in Danish
Specializes in field
Denmark
Business, Aviation, Hotels, Fashion.
Native in: Danish
Works in: English to Danish, Norwegian to Danish, Swedish to Danish
dårligt tilpas
udu bruges normalt, når noget er gået i stykker
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Note added at 47 mins (2010-01-12 14:00:56 GMT)
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på engelsk altså unwell
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Note added at 47 mins (2010-01-12 14:00:56 GMT)
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på engelsk altså unwell
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Michael Davies
: Yes, I agree - both with your comment abou the usage of the expression for people and with the meaning in this context.
19 hrs
|
19 hrs
Helen Johnson
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
Taught MA translation at Uni of Surrey
Native in: English
Works in: Swedish to English, Danish to English, Norwegian to English
incapable
I also agree with Christine's answer, but thought that "incapable" would cover things from both the ability to think and the physical points of view without being too specific (e.g. if you have a terrible cold and you can't think properly and also feel physically incapable of working properly)
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