This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. French to English

jouer les saint-bernards

English translation: play the good samaritans

16:09 Aug 24, 2001
French to English translations [PRO]
French term or phrase: jouer les saint-bernards
Again, a French expression which I haven't found an equivalent form for in English.
apancake
United States
Local time: 08:06
English translation:play the good samaritans
Explanation:
good samaritan is from collins-robert, as figurative meaning.
Selected response from:

Theodore Quester
United States
Local time: 08:06
Grading comment
Thanks a million!

Amy Pancake
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
na +5play the good samaritans
Theodore Quester
na +2being a good samaritan
Alexandra Hague
na +2I like Theodore's offering...
Anna Beria
naHey, they're both good!
Parrot
nagood samaritan
Maya Jurt
nacoming to the rescue
mckinnc
na -1to come as godsend
1964


  

Answers


5 mins peer agreement (net): +2
being a good samaritan


Explanation:
Just a suggestion.

Alexandra Hague
Local time: 14:06
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 116

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jenniclair: Sounds good
9 mins
agree  Kateabc
2 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

15 mins peer agreement (net): -1
to come as godsend


Explanation:
or "hanna from heaven " ?
In my opinion that saint-bernard - dogs save people in ices and perhaps that is indicated.


1964
Türkiye
Local time: 15:06
Native speaker of: Native in TurkishTurkish
PRO pts in pair: 294

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Kateabc: This does not have quite the same meaning as the one above. Note: Manna from heaven.
2 hrs
  -> Ýf you mean second prop. below may be I am very suspicious but may give partial meaning, First one is my favorite
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

33 mins
Hey, they're both good!


Explanation:
I can't decide who to agree with.

Parrot
Spain
Local time: 14:06
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in pair: 1861
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

42 mins peer agreement (net): +5
play the good samaritans


Explanation:
good samaritan is from collins-robert, as figurative meaning.


    Collins-Robert
Theodore Quester
United States
Local time: 08:06
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 35
Grading comment
Thanks a million!

Amy Pancake

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Anna Beria: I like this one. See below
12 mins
agree  Kateabc: I like this too.
1 hr
agree  Guy Bray: or, act the good samaritan
2 hrs
agree  Nikki Scott-Despaigne
5 hrs
agree  dovo
7 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr peer agreement (net): +2
I like Theodore's offering...


Explanation:
... because it seems to me that there is a hint of spitefulness in the French (->jouer). It's not a question of being truly helpful in a quiet manner: it's more a question of doing something highly visible, potentially dangerous and getting public recognition. I think using "play" or "play at" in English conveys the same idea. How about "To play at being Mother Theresa"?

Anna Beria
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:06
PRO pts in pair: 67

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Alexandra Hague: Yes, and using the term good samaritan can sometimes have an ironical ring all on its own.
59 mins
agree  Kateabc
1 hr
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 hrs
good samaritan


Explanation:
I agree with almost everyone. Webster give the same meaning. But 'jouer les saints-bernards' has a slightly negative connotation in France and Switzerland. It means a person being stupidly altruistic. It ist mostly used in negation: "Je ne suis pas un Saint-Bernard" Or in German: "Ich bin nicht Pestalozzi" (a Swiss teacher. philosopher-mentor of orphans during the FRench Revolution).

Maya Jurt
Switzerland
Local time: 14:06
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in pair: 412
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

10 hrs
coming to the rescue


Explanation:
none needed

mckinnc
Local time: 14:06
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 922
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search