Re: It this good Russian?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Siriusly
Here are three idioms/expressions from ГП Кубок Огня and their equivalent from the English version. Could you tell me it this is typical Russian? I am really having a hard time with all these metaphorical interpretations of JK Rowling's writing. Or is this common literary style.
Also, what do they mean, literally?
палец палцем не стукнул = he has the chance to compete
не на шутку встревоженный = was looking very anxious
появился кремень = was very serious
"Палец пальцем не стукнул" isn't good Russian. The idiom is "палец о палец не ударил (or не стукнул)". This means that one did absolutely nothing for smth, even didn't strike one his finger by another his finger.
"Не на шутку встревоженный " is good Russian, it means "very seriously alarmed" (seriously = not for joke, не на шутку).
"Появился кремень" - one needs the context.