Thread: Some questions...

Could someone help me with these questions please?

1. If I guess about something just five seconds ago, how do I say:
Wait... I have a brain wave.
or
Wait... I had a brain wave. ?

2. Can I use the expression "so far not" meaning "not yet"? Say, in this context:
- Why do you think I am crazy? I am not! I shot at nobody, I didn't burn the house!..
- Well, so far not.
Or this:
Why are you talking to me like that?! (i.e.impolite) I am your boss so far!

3. What is correct – deep or deeply?
I feel this somewhere very deep(ly?) in my heart.

4. What is the best way to translate "в одиночку" in this context?
Алкоголик – это тот, кто пьет в одиночку.
An alcoholist is someone who drinks being alone. [i.e. who doesn't need a company for drinking].
(Is there a better way?)

5. How do I translate "Мне некуда идти"? I have nowhere to go?

6. Do I need the "-ve" here:
- Your brother shows very good taste, he always wears elegant clothes.
- Really? I've never noticed.

7. Is it possible to say, "I have lots of work" ?

8. Which is correct:
- I'd like to talk to you.
- About what? OR What about?

9. Do you use this construction in English:
- Did you like that book?
- It was a book like a book. (A common book, nothing special)
(In Russian we say "книга как книга", "город как город", "парень как парень", and so on...)

Here's my guesses:

Originally Posted by Оля

Could someone help me with these questions please?
1. If I guess about something just five seconds ago, how do I say:
Wait... I have a brain wave.
or
Wait... I had a brain wave. ?

I don't understand this part. What's a brain wave?

2. Can I use the expression "so far not" meaning "not yet"? Say, in this context:
- Why do you think I am crazy? I am not! I shot at nobody, I didn't burn the house!..
- Well, so far not.

No, I don't think you can use it. Maybe if you put comma in:

Well, not... so far. (I still think you should use 'yet' here).

Or this:
Why are you talking to me like that?! (i.e.impolite) I am your boss so far!

I think the second construction is possible. But why don't you want to use 'still' here? I am still your boss.

3. What is correct – deep or deeply?
I feel this somewhere very deep(ly?) in my heart.

I feel this somewhere very deep in my heart.
I feel this somewhere at the very bottom of my heart.
I feel this deeply in my heart (I think this will do as well, but I'm not sure).

somewhere = where? not how?
where? = deep
how? = deeply

4. What is the best way to translate "в одиночку" in this context?
Алкоголик – это тот, кто пьет в одиночку.
An alcoholist is someone who drinks being alone. [i.e. who doesn't need a company for drinking].
(Is there a better way?)

Alcoholic - I think this word is very official. But I am not in the position to judge.

Drunkard is a person who drinks alone.

5. How do I translate "Мне некуда идти"? I have nowhere to go?

Precisely.

6. Do I need the "-ve" here:
- Your brother shows very good taste, he always wears elegant clothes.
- Really? I've never noticed.

Not it's not mandatory, as far as I can tell. Even though I've been taught some very long time ago that I should always use perfect with 'never' I saw many natives using past indefinite here.

7. Is it possible to say, "I have lots of work" ?

Maybe not. 'Lots' requires a noun in plural, i.e. lots of works

8. Which is correct:
- I'd like to talk to you.
- About what? OR What about?

The first one. Technically though, I don't see anything wrong with the second one. Again, I'm not a native.

9. Do you use this construction in English:
- Did you like that book?
- It was a book like a book. (A common book, nothing special)
(In Russian we say "книга как книга", "город как город", "парень как парень", and so on...)

it was just a/another book.

1. It sounds strange to me, I would not say anything like that. The term you want is "brainstorm" I think, but that does not fit either. I would say. Wait, I got it! ....

2. Well, not so far. "so far not" sounds foreign.
I am still your boss! So far I'm still your boss. I was your boss the last time I checked.

3. deep in my heart. I live deep in the heart of North Carolina. Well, maybe not so deep.

4. who drinks alone

5. I don't have anywhere to go. Yours is ok, but a little bookish.

6. No. Just I never noticed.

7. yes. pronounced lotsa

8. both are normal

9. We don't have that expression. We would say Well, a book is a book. or: You read one mystery novel, you've read them all [=they are all the same]. You might also say "Eh, so-so." in your context.

These are ok:
Could any native English speaker
Could any native speaker of English
Could any English native speaker
"speakers" is ok too.
Something strikes me about this phrase, but I can't get a handle on it. Scotcher - what's wrong here? Or is it just British? =:^0

Some additonal info:

1. These construction could also work: I just had an idea! Wait, I have an idea.
9. This is pretty close in meaning: It was a book like every other

1. If I guess about something just five seconds ago, how do I say?
Wait... I have a brain wave.
or
Wait... I had a brain wave. ?

I don't know what everyone else is talking about, I've heard plenty of people use the expression "brain wave" I would say "I have a brain wave" if I'm in the middle of gathering the thought. So, for your example, I had a brain wave would be best. But no one would look at you funny if you used either of them

2. Can I use the expression "so far not" meaning "not yet"? Say, in this context:
- Why do you think I am crazy? I am not! I shot at nobody, I didn't burn the house!..
- Well, so far not.
Or this:
Why are you talking to me like that?! (i.e.impolite) I am your boss so far!

Honestly, I would go ahead and say "not yet" but if you wanted to use "so far not", make it "not so far" and in the second example either "I am still your boss" or "So far, I'm still your boss"

4. What is the best way to translate "в одиночку" in this context?
Алкоголик – это тот, кто пьет в одиночку.
An alcoholist is someone who drinks being alone. [i.e. who doesn't need a company for drinking].
(Is there a better way?)

Alcoholic. I think the sentence should be "An alcoholic is someone who drinks alone" "being" is unneccessary.

6. Do I need the "-ve" here:
- Your brother shows very good taste, he always wears elegant clothes.
- Really? I've never noticed.

Personally, I would use the "-ve" but I'm also in love with contractions. You can get by using either. Remember, most native English speakers (especially we Americans) don't know the rules either.

7. Is it possible to say, "I have lots of work" ?

Well you just said it, so yes it is possible As for correct...I don't think so, but I say it every day.

8. Which is correct:
- I'd like to talk to you.
- About what? OR What about?

I've heard both.

9. Do you use this construction in English:
- Did you like that book?
- It was a book like a book. (A common book, nothing special)
(In Russian we say "книга как книга", "город как город", "парень как парень", and so on...)

No. Shrugging and saying "It was a book" would work. Or even just shrugging. I'm a big fan of the shrug.

Hope I helped!

Thank you very much, guys!

Originally Posted by Ramil

Originally Posted by Оля

Could someone help me with these questions please?
1. If I guess about something just five seconds ago, how do I say:
Wait... I have a brain wave.
or
Wait... I had a brain wave. ?

I don't understand this part. What's a brain wave?

I meant "Меня осенила догадка". I don't like "I got it" for that...

Originally Posted by Оля

Could someone help me with these questions please?

1. If I guess about something just five seconds ago, how do I say:
Wait... I have a brain wave.
or
Wait... I had a brain wave. ?

I thought the question was about what tense of the verb to have she should have used.
The nicholieeee's choice was had, wasn't it?

Originally Posted by Оля

Could someone help me with these questions please?

1. If I guess about something just five seconds ago, how do I say:
Wait... I have a brain wave.
or
Wait... I had a brain wave. ?

I've had a brainwave.

2. Can I use the expression "so far not" meaning "not yet"? Say, in this context:
- Why do you think I am crazy? I am not! I shot at nobody, I didn't burn the house!..
- Well, so far not.
Or this:
Why are you talking to me like that?! (i.e.impolite) I am your boss so far!

No.

3. What is correct – deep or deeply?
I feel this somewhere very deep(ly?) in my heart.

Deep.

4. What is the best way to translate "в одиночку" in this context?
Алкоголик – это тот, кто пьет в одиночку.
An alcoholist is someone who drinks being alone. [i.e. who doesn't need a company for drinking].
(Is there a better way?)

Someone who drinks alone.

5. How do I translate "Мне некуда идти"? I have nowhere to go?

Yes

6. Do I need the "-ve" here:
- Your brother shows very good taste, he always wears elegant clothes.
- Really? I've never noticed.

Technically yes, but "I never noticed" doesn't sound horrible and I've certainly heard it said that way.

7. Is it possible to say, "I have lots of work" ?

Yes.

8. Which is correct:
- I'd like to talk to you.
- About what? OR What about?

Either.

9. Do you use this construction in English:
- Did you like that book?
- It was a book like a book. (A common book, nothing special)
(In Russian we say "книга как книга", "город как город", "парень как парень", and so on...)

"It was a book like any other" is probably the direct translation, but you'd be more likely to hear it said as "it was just a book" or "it was nothing special".

"Alcoholist" is a very rare word, by the way. "Alcoholic" is more common by far.

[quote=Оля]Thank you very much, guys!

Originally Posted by Ramil

Originally Posted by "Оля":3abtkisl

Could someone help me with these questions please?
1. If I guess about something just five seconds ago, how do I say:
Wait... I have a brain wave.
or
Wait... I had a brain wave. ?

I don't understand this part. What's a brain wave?

I meant "Меня осенила догадка". I don't like "I got it" for that... [/quote:3abtkisl]

Perhaps you could say:
It just dawned on me...
The idea occurred to me..
The thought occurred to me...

I've never heard of brain wave in reference to thoughts, guesses etc.

Brain wave means exactly what Оля thinks it means. Must be a British thing, it's a really common expression here.

Yep, I guess brain wave means what Оля thinks it means. I don't think I've ever heard it used like that. To me it brings to mind lots of electronic equipment, Dr. Frankenstein, etc.

Thank you all very much, guys. Another few questions please

1.
Как можно сказать "У нас в офисе заклеивают окна (на зиму)."
The windows are sealed up in our office?
И как тогда в английском определить разницу между "заклеивают" и "(уже) заклеены".

2.
Зачем ты давал ему читать мой журнал? (имеется в виду не давал на дом, а позволял)
Тут ведь не надо gave? Надо просто let? То есть, Why did you let him to read my magazine?

3.
Как в английском говорят "послушные дети"? Obedient children?

4.
Как сказать "Не сбивайте меня, я и без вас собьюсь"?
My attempt: I'll lose my train of thought myself / without help.

5.
Про мужчин говорят likable? Например, если я просто хочу сказать "он очень симпатичный"? He's very likable?

6.
Как перевести "Я это сделала ему в отместку"?
Я знаю, что в отместку - in revenge. Но как сказать "ему в отместку"?

7.
Как сказать по-английски "угостить девушку коктейлем"? Со словарями я совсем запуталась. To treat a cocktail to a girl?

8. Еще не всё потеряно = Not everything is lost yet. ?

2. Why did you let him read my magazine? (выкинь to, остальное нормально).
7. To treat a cocktail to a girl - это "Угостить коктель девушкой" . Поменяй порядок слов на обратный, или просто скажи "Buy a cocktail for a/the girl" (артикль зависит от конекста). Они именно так и говорят: "Let me buy you a drink/lunch/cup of coffee", имея в виду "Позвольте угостить вас".

Originally Posted by translationsnmru

To treat a cocktail to a girl - это "Угостить коктель девушкой" .

Вот именно этого я и боялась.

"Buy a cocktail for a/the girl" (артикль зависит от конекста). Они именно так и говорят: "Let me buy you a drink".

Нет, мне не надо buy, мне надо именно угостить, скажем, на вечеринке - там же не покупают.

Originally Posted by Оля

Thank you all very much, guys. Another few questions please

1.
Как можно сказать "У нас в офисе заклеивают окна (на зиму)."
The windows are sealed up in our office?
И как тогда в английском определить разницу между "заклеивают" и "(уже) заклеены".

Correct.

"The windows are sealed up in the office" implies that they are permanently sealed.
"The windows have been sealed up in the office" implies that they are usually not sealed, but are now.

2.
Зачем ты давал ему читать мой журнал? (имеется в виду не давал на дом, а позволял)
Тут ведь не надо gave? Надо просто let? То есть, Why did you let him to read my magazine?

"Why did you let him_read my magazine?"

3.
Как в английском говорят "послушные дети"? Obedient children?

Yeah, but usually you'd just say "good children" and the same thing would be understood.

4.
Как сказать "Не сбивайте меня, я и без вас собьюсь"?
My attempt: I'll lose my train of thought myself / without help.

I'm not sure of the nuances of сбивать[ся], is the bolded part meant sort of jokingly? If so you'd usually say something like "i can manage to lose my train of thought just fine on my own thanks."

5.
Про мужчин говорят likable? Например, если я просто хочу сказать "он очень симпатичный"? He's very likable?

Yep.

6.
Как перевести "Я это сделала ему в отместку"?
Я знаю, что в отместку - in revenge. Но как сказать "ему в отместку"?

You could say "I did it to him in revenge for X", but without stating a specific reason you'd more likely say "I did it to him for revenge" or "I did it to him to get my own back."

7.
Как сказать по-английски "угостить девушку коктейлем"? Со словарями я совсем запуталась. To treat a cocktail to a girl?

To treat a girl to a cocktail.
To buy a girl a cocktail.

8. Еще не всё потеряно = Not everything is lost yet. ?

Is this a set phrase in Russian? I take it that "lost" is being used figuratively? If so then the equivalent expression in English is "All is not lost".

Thank you so much, scotcher.

Originally Posted by scotcher

"The windows are sealed up in the office" implies that they are permanently sealed.
"The windows have been sealed up in the office" implies that they are usually not sealed, but are now.

Нет, я имела в виду, что сейчас, в данный момент их заклеивают. Скажем, там находятся рабочие и заклеивают их. Наверное, в этом случае надо сказать "рабочие", да? "Workers are sealing up the windows in our office", maybe?

Is this a set phrase in Russian? I take it that "lost" is being used figuratively? If so then the equivalent expression in English is "All is not lost".

Yes, it's a set phrase. Thank you.

I'm not sure of the nuances of сбивать[ся], is the bolded part meant sort of jokingly? If so you'd usually say something like "i can manage to lose my train of thought just fine on my own thanks."

I don't know how to explain it better... But it's not jokingly. Сбиться means, as I understand, "to lose one's train of thought", "speak in a confused manner, incoherently, and fail to explain smth well".
"И сам" means here "even without you interrupting me", "even if you don't interrupt me, I will lose my train of thought". Maybe "I'll lose my train of thought even so"?...

Originally Posted by Оля

Нет, я имела в виду, что сейчас, в данный момент их заклеивают. Скажем, там находятся рабочие и заклеивают их. Наверное, в этом случае надо сказать "рабочие", да? "Workers are sealing up the windows in our office", maybe?

Gotcha.

"They are sealing up the windows in the office" or "the windows in the office are being sealed up."

You could say "Workmen are sealing up the windows in the office" but you don't need to specify who is doing it if it's not pertinent. For example, if it were government health and safety officers who were doing it you might use this structure because that would be interesting information, but if the fact that they're being sealed up is the main point of the sentence then "they" is enough.

I don't know how to explain it better... But it's not jokingly. Сбиться means, as I understand, "to lose one's train of thought", "speak in a confused manner, incoherently, and fail to explain smth well".
"И сам" means here "even without you interrupting me", "even if you don't interrupt me, I will lose my train of thought". Maybe "I'll lose my train of thought even so"?...

Yeah I understand the meaning of Сбиться, it's just that when I translated your sentence into English every variant I thought of sounded a bit facetious, and so I tried to make it idiomatically facetious. Would the context be, for example, that you are working on something complicated and a person tries to interrupt you, so you'd use this sentence to mean "please shut up or you'll confuse me"?

Just not to create another topic with a similar title, I'll ask some questions here, if you let me.

1. There's a number. Let's say, it is 180. How do you pronounce it?
- a hundred (one hundred) and eighty
- a hundred (one hundred) _ eighty
Do you usially use 'and' here?

2. What do you usially call "пылесос"?
slovari.yandex.ru offers two variants here: hoover and vacuum cleaner. I can't choose wich variant I should use. The second one is longer to pronounce, so I doubt that this variant is beeing common used.

Thanks. =)

Originally Posted by blacky

Just not to create another topic with a similar title, I'll ask some questions here, if you let me.

1) "And" не обязательно -- бывает, что его и опускают в речи. В основном американцы. Может быть, только американцы. Но и они опускают его не всегда. А в письменой речи мне гораздо чаще встречаются конструкции с "and" чем без. Так что лучше, наверное, использовать.
2) Hoover - это британское слово. Американцы говорят "I've bought a new vacuum", "I need to vacuum my room."