二人で一人前

English translation: We complete each other/my better half

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

Japanese term or phrase:	二人で一人前
English translation:	We complete each other/my better half
Entered by:	michiko tsum (X)

06:09 Jul 6, 2007

Japanese to English translations [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

Japanese term or phrase: 二人で一人前

会話の中です。
他人に自分のパートナーのことを話すときに、｢僕たちは二人で一人前なんです」と言う場合です。自分たちの能力が半人前というより、互いになくてはならない存在であるという意味が強いです。うまい英語の表現があったら教えてください。よろしくお願いします。

michiko tsum (X) KudoZ activity Questions: 117 (none open) (15 closed without grading) Answers: 263 Canada
Local time: 20:45

We complete each other

Explanation:
a la Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise & Renée Zellweger).

a little corny, but just one idea...
HTHal.

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Note added at 2 hrs (2007-07-06 08:59:10 GMT)
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Hi Michiko,
In response to your note, I think that sounds great :-)

Selected response from:

KathyT
Australia
Local time: 13:45

Grading comment

Thank you, Kathy. Your answer was very helpful. I'm adding this to the Glossary, just in case someone esle may be looking for this term in the future.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

3 +2

my better half

casey

3 +1

We complete each other

KathyT

my other half

paul_b

brothers in crime

peter arnout

we are one

Roger Johnson

Answers

6 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

my better half

Explanation:
We have a similar expression in English. We often refer to the spouse as our "better half."

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Note added at 7 mins (2007-07-06 06:17:02 GMT)
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Most often spoken by men, but can also be used by women.

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Note added at 15 mins (2007-07-06 06:24:22 GMT)
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As Kathy notes, this doesn't completely convey the nuances of 二人で一人前, but in a similar situation in the US, you'd likely encounter this expression. It's used all the time. It means "I can't get along without her, because she's"....well, "my better half."

casey
United States
Local time: 23:45
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 59

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thank you very much for your prompt answer. Although I choose Kathy's this time, this would have been good as well.

22 mins confidence:

my other half

Explanation:
See "my better half". Main differences are
1) both partners are equal with this term and
2) "my better half" tends to be used to refer to the female partner of a couple.

paul_b
United Kingdom
Local time: 04:45
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 8

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thank you for taking time to answer, paul. I see your point about a couple.

4 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

We complete each other

KathyT
Australia
Local time: 13:45
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 42

Grading comment

Thank you, Kathy. Your answer was very helpful. I'm adding this to the Glossary, just in case someone esle may be looking for this term in the future.

Notes to answerer

Asker: How does this sound? "It takes both of us to complete each other"

7 hrs confidence:

we are one

Explanation:
美智子先生、
あんまり話をついていけないけど、これはどうですか。
I also agree with Kathy's..よろしく！

Roger Johnson
Local time: 12:45
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English

Notes to answerer

Asker: Hi Roger. This one sounds good as well but remind me too much of "Toy Story":)

Asker: Thank you!

42 mins confidence:

brothers in crime

Explanation:
just to put it in a more ironical way ;-)

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Note added at 19 hrs (2007-07-07 01:33:22 GMT) Post-grading
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all other suggestions are far too 'clean', I think. Let's rock'n roll, also in translation environments!

peter arnout
Belgium
Local time: 05:45
Native speaker of: Dutch
PRO pts in category: 4

Notes to answerer

Asker: I wasn't familiar with this expression. I appreciate your input.

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