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German: Der Köder muss dem Fisch gefallen, nicht dem Fischer

English translation: The bait must appeal to the fish, not the fisherman






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GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Der Köder muss dem Fisch gefallen, nicht dem Fischer
English translation:The bait must appeal to the fish, not the fisherman
Entered by:isabelr
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3:18pm Dec 11, 2007Login or register (free) for more options.
German to English translations [PRO]
Marketing - Internet, e-Commerce / Idiom
German term or phrase: Der Köder muss dem Fisch gefallen, nicht dem Fischer
This is used in a text on marketing. I do not find a corresponding idiom in English. Can I just translate it with "The fish have to like the bait, not the fisherman" or something like that or does anyone have a better proposal? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
isabelr
The bait must appeal to the fish, not the fisherman
Explanation:
Be careful to get the sentence order right! Your version means something different!
Selected response from:

DHPete
United Kingdom
Note from asker to answerer
Oops, I see what you mean ;-) Thank you for the quick help. Your version sounds much better!!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1The bait must appeal to the fish, not to the fisherman.
gflan
4The bait must appeal to the fish, not the fishermanDHPete


  

Answers

4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
The bait must appeal to the fish, not the fisherman


Explanation:
Be careful to get the sentence order right! Your version means something different!

DHPete
United Kingdom
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Note from asker to answerer
Oops, I see what you mean ;-) Thank you for the quick help. Your version sounds much better!!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)


5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
The bait must appeal to the fish, not to the fisherman.


Explanation:
I believe the "to" is important in the second clause in order to make the dative clear, ie it is the "bait" that must be appealing, and not the fisherman.

gflan
France
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree Aniello Scognamiglio: correct!
5 mins
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