conso

English translation: consumption

09:05 Mar 27, 2001

French to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial

French term or phrase: conso

My dictionary says that "conso" is short for consommation and means "drink." The editor translated it as "consumption" which I think sounds funny in the following sentence (it makes me think of tuberculosis!). So now I'm not sure whether it's referring to drinking or things the men have bought. Please tell me what you think. The document is describing the type of articles written for a trendy men's magazine: "Un chemin de fer simple: 'un diner entre mecs, au cours duquel on parle d'abord de futilites, puis d'actualite puis de sujets plus personnels boulot, conso, marmot et meme intimes le sexe, l'amour, les femmes. Une montee en puissance sur un ton humoristique et second degree'". Thanks, Karen

Karen Tucker (X) KudoZ activity Questions: 393 (none open) (6 closed without grading) Answers: 288 United States
Local time: 19:11

English translation:consumption

Explanation:
hi!
your dictionary is only half-right, or rather, only right half the time.

'conso' is indeed short for consommation... which can in some cases (ie your 'consommation' in a bar) be a drink but is in general consumption...

It definately refers to things they bought/things they buy! (no ifs, ands, or buts about it.)

'Conso' now seems - in Paris at least - to be general/popular shorthand for consumer consumption... there is even a short tv program (can't remember which channel at the moment though) called 'conso le dise' (play on words with 'qu'on se le dise' I believe) which focuses on consumer paterns and how to get the best value for your money.

Your sentence seems to have a play on words going too: '... boulot, conso, marmot ...' makes me think of the well-known 'boulot - metro - dodo' (work - commute (metro=subway) - sleep), that much compained about condition in modern city life...

Hope this helps...

PS I hate 'consumption' too... always makes me think of tuberculosis as well... ;-)
PPS Let me know if "chemin de fer" poses difficulty (it surprised me the first time I saw it in that context in French. It is standard journalism-ese (for roughly the planned layout and content of a magazine or newspaper) and has no ties other than methaphorical to railroads but would have to go hunting if you wanted the English. I may go hunting all the same... my curiosity is up.)

Selected response from:

LAC
France
Local time: 01:11

Grading comment

Thanks very much. You answered in the nick of time. I used "purchases" because I thought "consumption" didn't fit the style. I also thought of "shopping" but I know "cool" men don't like to think of themselves as shoppers (it's supposedly a "woman thing")! Thanks for your explanation of "chemin de fer," but I simply used the word "concept" since the style here is breezy and non-technical. Much obliged, Karen
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

Beverages, drinks

Gokhan SARPKAYA

simply, "drinks"

Parrot

refers to what they have bought and not drinks

Albert Golub

consumption

LAC

consumerism

Dawn Cuccinello-Cruz (X)

drinks

Serge

is it possble to be abr " Consomme "

1964

shopping/new gadgets

CLS Lexi-tech

shopping

Annie Robberecht, C. Tr.

Answers

9 mins

Beverages, drinks

Explanation:
Conso=Boissons, apéritifs
Just an idea....
Hope it helps.

My own experience

Gokhan SARPKAYA
Local time: 18:11
Native speaker of:

Turkish

12 mins

simply, "drinks"

Explanation:
to keep it sounding informal.

Parrot
Spain
Local time: 01:11
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in pair: 1861

17 mins

refers to what they have bought and not drinks

Explanation:
conso is not consos!!!!!!!
consumption, consumer habits, behaviours
boulot=money in conso=money out except for professional drunkards!!!!!!

Albert Golub
Local time: 01:11
Native speaker of: French
PRO pts in pair: 359

18 mins

consumption

LAC
France
Local time: 01:11
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in pair: 45

Grading comment

33 mins

consumerism

Explanation:
When you read the rest of the context, it is actually describing different types of forms of discussion. I don't think it's referring to drinks, because it already makes a reference to eating out. Consumption doesn't necessarily have to mean something one eats or drinks in English. It could also mean something one uses up, or spends money on. I think consumerism would be a better English word.

Dawn Cuccinello-Cruz (X)
PRO pts in pair: 5

37 mins

drinks

Explanation:
Although "consommation" has a meaning of "comsumption" I think in this context is means "drinks, drinking, beverages, spirits etc." Drinking is also consumption but for railway magazin I think words like "drinks, drinking, beverages, spirits etc." sound more adequately.

Compare:
Les modes de consommation du Cognac
http://www.bnic.fr/web_bnic/htm/cognac_conso_consommation_de...

Consommation : Page de cadres
Le Cognac est une boisson que l'on peut apprécier de multiples façons. En digestif ou à l'apéritif, sec ou allongé, sur glaçons ou en cocktail, tout est possible pour cette eau-de-vie aux multiples arômes. Le choix dépend simplement du moment et des conditions de consommation. A la fin d'un excellent repas, un Cognac servi sec dans un verre "tulipe" s'impose. Il est recommandé de prendre son temps et d'explorer par la dégustation toutes les saveurs du Cognac.
URL: http://www.bnic.fr/web_bnic/htm/cognac_conso_consommation_cd...

Hope it can help you.
Best Regards,
Serge

Serge Roshchin
[email protected]

Serge
PRO pts in pair: 10

41 mins

is it possble to be abr " Consomme "

Explanation:
That is clear soup (broth) ?Because that is used in some cooking book in such fashion

1964
Türkiye
Local time: 02:11
Native speaker of:

Turkish
PRO pts in pair: 294

48 mins

shopping/new gadgets

Explanation:
. Consomania net-conso 04/10/99
Magazine consumériste en ligne pour suivre l'actualité des nouveaux produits et guide d'achat participatif pour donner son avis
URL
Cannot open this site (Consomania) but this is how I would translate it"new gadgets": how can they talk about drinks? I know that in some cultures (mine too, I am an Italian living in Quebec) it is best to talk about food when you are actually eating, and fantasize about better meals and wines, but I think that they are talking about new gadgets, new things to buy, and the French uses the colloquial short form in keeping with the tone of the article. Consumerism does not sound very appropriate.
Cheers
Paola L M
Mod EN>IT

CLS Lexi-tech
Local time: 19:11
Native speaker of:

Italian
PRO pts in pair: 162

54 mins

shopping

Explanation:
[as a socio-cultural activity]

L'auteur du texte joue sur l'euphonie -- tout à fait d'accord avec golub : il s'agit bien de parler des tout derniers achats. Je crois que les Nord-Americains utiliseraient "shopping".

If you want to play on sound as the French text does, you might consider :
talking shop [for work], shopping...

Suggestions

Annie Robberecht, C. Tr.
Local time: 01:11
Native speaker of:

French
PRO pts in pair: 187

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