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German: A und O

English translation: is (the) key to success







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GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:A und O
English translation:is (the) key to success
Entered by:Nadja Leonard
Options:
- Contribute to this entry

10:36pm May 7, 2004Login or register (free) for more options.
German to English translations [PRO]
Marketing - Advertising / Public Relations
German term or phrase: A und O
"Der erste Moment" entscheidet bei vielen Dingen des Lebens über deren Verlauf, so auch im Verkauf!
Dieser 1. Moment ist das "A und O", um erfolgreich zu sein.

Thank you!
Nadja
Nadja Leonard
United States
is (the) key to success
Explanation:
...

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Note added at 10 hrs 26 mins (2004-05-08 09:02:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

We are talking about sales, aren\'t we?
\"Key to success\" is sales lingo and very common.
Just for curiosity (I am not an English native speaker):
why have literal translations been preferred so far?
Selected response from:

Aniello Scognamiglio
Germany
Note from asker to answerer
This answer works best in the context of the translation (sales tactics for selling perfume).

This was not in the glossary (I checked before posting the question).

Thanks to everyone who helped me.
Nadja

4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +7be all and end allDavid Hollywood
3 +7is (the) key to success
Aniello Scognamiglio
4 +5the Alpha and Omega/the beginning and the end/the essence
Kim Metzger
4 +1Under
Gareth McMillan
2you got it all, from A to ZGabe Pena


  

Answers

5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
the Alpha and Omega/the beginning and the end/the essence

Explanation:
Muret-Sanders

Kim Metzger
Mexico
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 70

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree Robert Kleemaier: I rest my case;-)
1 min
agree Andrea Di Marco
21 mins
agree Will Matter: the above is ok, but i was going to add this, it comes from the original expression "Alpha and Omega", the first & last, the beginning & ending usw.
4 hrs
agree lindaellen
8 hrs
agree Orla Ryan
1 day16 hrs
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4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +7
be all and end all

Explanation:
this is what we say

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Note added at 6 mins (2004-05-07 22:42:36 GMT)
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The first instant is the be all and end all of success/ being successful.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 mins (2004-05-07 22:47:44 GMT)
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As we\'re dealing with \"sales\", I feel this sounds fairly \"snappy\".

David Hollywood
Argentina
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 16

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree Robert Kleemaier: Based on the Bible, it refers literally to the beginning and the end (and everything else in between). David's solution is very suitable, though there might be another one or two lying around. Cheers, Rob
2 mins
  -> Thanks Rob :)
agree Wenjer Leuschel: All and end all, nice way to say "everything."
27 mins
agree Thomas Bollmann
35 mins
agree Will Matter: also acceptable.
4 hrs
agree Andrea Kopf
11 hrs
agree Melanie Nassar
12 hrs
agree gangels
18 hrs
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13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
you got it all, from A to Z

Explanation:
I mean it!

8^7

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Note added at 2004-05-07 22:52:36 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

A1-
the ultimate!-
The Cat\'s meoww!-

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2004-05-07 22:54:35 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

it!

Gabe Pena
United States
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
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19 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +7
is (the) key to success

Explanation:
...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 hrs 26 mins (2004-05-08 09:02:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

We are talking about sales, aren\'t we?
\"Key to success\" is sales lingo and very common.
Just for curiosity (I am not an English native speaker):
why have literal translations been preferred so far?

Aniello Scognamiglio
Germany
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 39
Note from asker to answerer
This answer works best in the context of the translation (sales tactics for selling perfume).

This was not in the glossary (I checked before posting the question).

Thanks to everyone who helped me.
Nadja

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree xxxIanW: "the key to success" is great - far better than the literal translations (in my humble native speaker opinion :-)) Tach Aniello
10 hrs
  -> Thanks, Ian, good to know that my English is not too bad after all;-)
agree mpBerlin: You're right IMHO as non-native: literal doesn't work here. Key to success is spot on!
16 hrs
  -> Thanks, mpBerlin!
agree Textklick: You're all right IMO. Literally-translated advertising gets laughed out of town!
16 hrs
  -> Thanks, Textklick. "Gets laughed out of town" -> nice expression!
agree Gareth McMillan: Agree. And to your "curiosity"- possibly because most translators either can't sell, or are too scared to try it, or just can't see it/feel it.
17 hrs
  -> Oh yes, an issue that deserves serious consideration...
agree Nancy Arrowsmith: for the literal-minded, this should be in the glossary, was asked before
22 hrs
  -> Thanks, Nancy.
agree Andrea Di Marco: I agreed first with Kim because thats where the expression comes from but this is how you use this expression
23 hrs
  -> "...so auch im Verkauf"...
agree Kim Metzger: Yes, this is the best way to translate the sentence.
1 day15 hrs
  -> My respect!
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19 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Under

Explanation:
Your success will stand or fall in this first moment.

This first moment will make or break you.

or maybe better:

This first moment is make or break.

Just a couple more- I think a literal for A und O is just too hackneyed. IMHO wie immer!

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Note added at 19 hrs 48 mins (2004-05-08 18:24:33 GMT)
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Here\'s another- if a bit more risqué:

This first moment is shit or bust.

Heh, heh (this is fun).

Gareth McMillan
Germany
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 10

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree jerrie: Those all important first impressions ... ;-)
7 days
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