https://www.proz.com/kudoz/italian-to-english/law-patents/102113-forza-maggiore.html?
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. Italian to English

forza maggiore

English translation: force majeure

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Italian term or phrase:forza maggiore
English translation:force majeure

11:54 Oct 28, 2001
Italian to English translations [PRO]
Law/Patents
Italian term or phrase: forza maggiore
This is the title of a contract clause, and I guess I'm asking advice more than a translation. I'm wondering if "force majeure" is used in the actual contract or if it's just a name for the clause used when speaking about that type of clause.

If it's not used in the actual contract, then what is? "Circumstances Beyond Control"?
Grey Drane (X)
United States
Local time: 17:00
force majeure
Explanation:
It is often used in the actual contract, at least in the U.S. And it's in Black's Law, which is the gold standard around here: "In the law of insurance, superior or irresistible force. Such clause is common in construction contracts....
Selected response from:

Marian Greenfield
Local time: 17:00
Grading comment
Thanks! I'll give you the kudos for speed and for naming reference material. But thanks to all the others who responded, too!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +1force majeure
Marian Greenfield
5Exceptional event.
Simon Charass
4 +1an act of God, force majeure
Thijs van Dorssen
5force majeure
Umit Altug
5Circumstances beyond one's control
Rick Henry
4 +1force majeure
Anusca Mantovani
4force majeure
Tania Marques-Cardoso


  

Answers


10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Exceptional event.


Explanation:
Experience in legal and financial documents.

Simon Charass
Canada
Local time: 17:00
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in pair: 543

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Umit Altug: "Unforeseen" and "beyond control" rather than "exceptional
15 mins
  -> Allow me to disagree with you.
agree  Gail: We use the French term in English.
1 hr
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
force majeure


Explanation:
It is often used in the actual contract, at least in the U.S. And it's in Black's Law, which is the gold standard around here: "In the law of insurance, superior or irresistible force. Such clause is common in construction contracts....

Marian Greenfield
Local time: 17:00
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 1215
Grading comment
Thanks! I'll give you the kudos for speed and for naming reference material. But thanks to all the others who responded, too!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Floriana (X): common legal us in US (lawyer husband confirms!)
52 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
force majeure


Explanation:
Yes, it is a legal term, so that it can be used in the contract. You can choose between "force majeure clause" and 'force majeure provisions'.

Tania Marques-Cardoso
Brazil
Local time: 18:00
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
an act of God, force majeure


Explanation:
Hi Grey,

force majeure may sound very French to you, and it is in fact. But you can use it in English too, right everybody?

An act of God, is plain English for the same term.

In German this is called "höhere Gewalt"

Regards

Thijs van Dorssen
Local time: 23:00
PRO pts in pair: 3

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Marian Greenfield: act of God is not the same as force majeure
1 min
  -> No, of course not. But it CAN be a translation for forza maggiore. But not in this context, that is right.
agree  Anusca Mantovani: Acts of God is one of the possible reasons of force majeure, it is CATASTRIFI NATURALI (flood, earthquake &c.)
51 mins
  -> Grazie mille, signor(in)a bella! Ireally appreciate your comment!
agree  ninasc (X): force majeure works here
1 hr
  -> Tnx Nina, I appreciate it! But "Act of God" is not right here. Anusca wanted to disagree but pushed "send" too quickly.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

26 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
force majeure


Explanation:
The term "force majeure" is very commonly used in contracts, not only in the name of a clause or heading. Usually, it is followed by mentioning the events included in the scope, natural disasters, government actions, labor disputes, etc. Exceptional events or conditions are only a part of it. Force majeure events are unforeseen events rather than exceptional. Circusmtances beyond control" can be used. But force majure is more comprehensive.


    Has translated (literally) hundreds of contracts including this term in the body of the text
Umit Altug
Local time: 00:00
Native speaker of: Turkish
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

27 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Circumstances beyond one's control


Explanation:
See answer.

Rick

Rick Henry
United States
Local time: 16:00
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 623
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
force majeure


Explanation:
In the many contracts that I have translated from English into Italian
I always found the clause Force Majeure (title) and the below the list of the different reasons: war, strike, acts of God &.

It should have been DISAGREE with T. Van Dorssen.
Acts of God ist CATASTROFI NATURALI.

Slt
anusca

Anusca Mantovani
Italy
Local time: 23:00
Native speaker of: Italian
PRO pts in pair: 164

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Thijs van Dorssen: Of course the right answer is force majeure. Non si preoccupa! But never push the send button too quickly! Saluti.
4 mins
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