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English translation: a bluff

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

Japanese term or phrase:	当て馬
English translation:	a bluff
Entered by:	David Higbee

01:08 Mar 9, 2011

Japanese to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Business/Commerce (general)

Japanese term or phrase: 当て馬

This is from a document explaining the parts supply decisions of a manufacturing company. Here is the phrase it was taken from:

Ｘ社にＹ社の価格への不信感はなく、Ｚ社の相見積もりはＸ社内妥当性説明用の当て馬と判明。

I'm having a hard time wording this naturally in English, mostly because of the above term, but basically is this saying that X company really has no problem with Y company's estimate, and it's merely using Z company's estimate (which is presumably higher) in order to justify the first estimate to internal decision makers?

Thanks in advance for your help!

David Higbee KudoZ activity Questions: 248 (2 open) (27 closed without grading) Answers: 132 United States
Local time: 03:03

bluff, tentative or stalking quotation

Explanation:
「当て馬」とは相手の様子や手の内を知るために仮に出す手口、モノやヒトという意味で、この場合は見積りにかかっているので上記の訳になりますが、うまく当てはまるように文章を考えたらいいかと思います。

Selected response from:

fumipi829
Local time: 03:03

Grading comment

Thanks!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

3 +4

quote for comparison or negotiation purpose

FlowingSpiri (X)

4 +1

bluff, tentative or stalking quotation

fumipi829

3 +1

a validation tool

T.B.

preparatory move/device/manoeuver

Joyce A

Answers

47 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

bluff, tentative or stalking quotation

fumipi829
Local time: 03:03
Works in field
Native speaker of:

Japanese,

English
PRO pts in category: 13

Grading comment

Thanks!

1 hr confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

quote for comparison or negotiation purpose

Explanation:
I think in this scenario Company X already decided to go with Company Y. However, X also asked Z to submit a quote. If Z's price is higher than Y's, no problem. If Z's price is lower than Y's, then X can negotiate with Y using Z's quote.

Reference: http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BD%93%E3%81%A6%E9%A6%AC

FlowingSpiri (X)
United States
Local time: 06:03
Native speaker of: Japanese

2 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

a validation tool

Explanation:
For the meaning of 当て馬, see:
http://zokugo-dict.com/01a/ateuma.htm

I would read the phrase the same way as you do. Z company's estimate was used for the purpose of affirmation of Y company's. It appears that there was an actual estimate from Z, which is not deceptive.

If Z company's estimate was used for the means of bargaining, it would be translated as 'a bargaining tool' instead.

T.B.
United States
Local time: 05:03
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

Japanese
PRO pts in category: 32

2 hrs confidence:

preparatory move/device/manoeuver

Explanation:
当て馬 is defined as "confronting a mare with a stallion to test readiness to mate" and "preparatory move" (which applies in this case). [Source: Nelson’s Japanese Character Dictionary.

Joyce A
Thailand
Local time: 17:03
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 65

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