|
Originally Posted by henry999
(Post 28079882)
Again: the question is not about the wish; the wish is understood. The question is how to translate this German phrase into natural English. If you're in the pub with your mates and someone leaves (and you know he lives across the road and 100 metres down), you're not going to say 'have a safe trip home' unless you're taking the p!ss. Does the German Heimweg carry any sense of irony here? I didn't think so.
It depends on where you are located. Here in New York it would be *Take care* in this situation |
Originally Posted by henry999
(Post 28079882)
If you're in the pub with your mates and someone leaves (and you know he lives across the road and 100 metres down), you're not going to say 'have a safe trip home' unless you're taking the p!ss. Does the German Heimweg carry any sense of irony here? I didn't think so.
|
Originally Posted by LondonElite
(Post 28079952)
That's exactly what I would (and do) say! :confused:
Originally Posted by henry999
(Post 28079882)
Again: the question is not about the wish; the wish is understood. The question is how to translate this German phrase into natural English. If you're in the pub with your mates and someone leaves (and you know he lives across the road and 100 metres down), you're not going to say 'have a safe trip home' unless you're taking the p!ss. Does the German Heimweg carry any sense of irony here? I didn't think so.
Obviously, the question is not how to translate this German phrase into natural English. The question is whether any of us can help you figure out what you should say to your mate in idiomatic English next time he leaves a pub to walk home. I'm afraid I've tried and failed.:cool: |
Originally Posted by henry999
(Post 28079882)
Again: the question is not about the wish; the wish is understood. The question is how to translate this German phrase into natural English. If you're in the pub with your mates and someone leaves (and you know he lives across the road and 100 metres down), you're not going to say 'have a safe trip home' unless you're taking the p!ss. Does the German Heimweg carry any sense of irony here? I didn't think so.
Still donīt understand your probelm. Itīs like: How to translate "How are you today?" Common greeting in the US, not so in Germany. Nearly no one in Germany would say it if you enter a shop. Simply a cultural difference.
Originally Posted by LondonElite
(Post 28079952)
That's exactly what I would (and do) say! :confused:
|
Indeed. Not so long ago the question of "how are you" as a greeting in German would evoke a long overture of recent medical dilemmas.
|
Originally Posted by LondonElite
(Post 28080624)
Indeed. Not so long ago the question of "how are you" as a greeting in German would evoke a long overture of recent medical dilemmas.
|
Originally Posted by offerendum
(Post 28081008)
Sometimes itīs still the case:D
You always have have to consider environment (location , age , education, ....) into account. translate into English ? In London that would be different from New York from Alabama from Australia ......(trust me as a German living in the US but speaking/emailing with people in AU/UK I run into this all the time |
This evening my daughters' school had their final evening drama production. At the end of the performance there were the usual last-night thank-yous. At the end the headmistress said "...and have a safe journey home."
Made me think of this thread. ;) |
|
Originally Posted by henry999
(Post 28070441)
I had to chuckle when I looked at the receipt I got at a German brew-pub recently. They had a little tag-line at the bottom which said 'Vielen Dank und einen guten Heimweg'. I get the idea well enough -- and it's a nice thought :) -- but how does one render that second part in idiomatic English?!?
"safe journey" or "safe travels" |
Heimweg is simply the way home, a general term with no indication how near or far it is or which means of transport is used, be it car, bike, public transport or one's own feet. Trust a native speaker of German.
|
"Safe Trip Home!"
"Have a good trip home" "We wish you a pleasant journey home" "Take care on your way home" "Enjoy your way home" all dependent on context, ie friendly farewell, corporate message, and whether the journey is expected to require care or merely enjoyment. |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 7:11 pm. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.