ProZ.com global directory of translation services
The translation workplace
Ideas
KudoZ home » Swedish to English » Science (general)

cirkelpassare

English translation: pair of compasses


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.
GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Swedish term or phrase:cirkelpassare
English translation:pair of compasses
Entered by: Helen Johnson
Options:
- Contribute to this entry
- Include in personal glossary

21:44 Dec 3, 2007
Swedish to English translations [PRO]
Science - Science (general) / vacuum technology
Swedish term or phrase: cirkelpassare
Deras första produkt var en cirkelpassare, därav namnet Pi (3,14) AB.
Advice appreciated.
Helen Johnson
United Kingdom
Local time: 04:19
pair of compasses
Explanation:
This should work.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs (2007-12-04 02:23:35 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pair_of_compasses
Selected response from:

Hanne Rask Sønderborg
Local time: 23:19
Grading comment
Thanks, Hanne!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +5pair of compasses
Hanne Rask Sønderborg
3 +1dividersDon Spade


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


34 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
dividers


Explanation:
I think this is the same as "passare" - see URL. Not absolutely certain!


    Reference: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dividers
Don Spade
Meets criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  George Hopkins: A type of compass with two pointed arms.
9 hrs
  -> Thanks George, but see my change of view to "(pair of) compasses".
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

32 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +5
pair of compasses


Explanation:
This should work.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs (2007-12-04 02:23:35 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pair_of_compasses

Example sentence(s):
  • The first PIAB product was a pair of compasses that simplified the work of designers and draftsmen. This pair of compasses has given the company its name, Pi (=3.14) AB.

    Reference: http://www.piab.com/upload/GB/Documents/Products/Special/011...
Hanne Rask Sønderborg
Local time: 23:19
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: Native in DanishDanish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks, Hanne!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Sven Petersson
2 mins
  -> Thank you Sven!
agree  Transcrit: you guys are right, sorry.
3 hrs
  -> Sorry, but you would never ever say "one compass" in English. The tool has too legs, therefore "a pair" or "a set". Look it up in any English dictionary!
agree  Larry Abramson: In the US, at least, it's just called a compass. Scissors, on the other hand, are "a pair"
3 hrs
  -> "a compass" is a navigating tool, which is an entirely different tool. A "pair of compasses" is one tool and it is correct in this context.
agree  George Hopkins: Pair of compasses or simply, compass. Both are correct.
9 hrs
  -> Yes, I should never say never! However, using the plural does avoid any chance of misunderstanding. Thank you George!
agree  Don Spade: See PIAB's English website (http://www.piab.com/Templates/Page.aspx?id=5790, click on the instrument shown over the year 1951). Also to be found on their Swedish sites, and this is a pair of compasses (one foot has a pencil lead) rather than dividers.
11 hrs
  -> Thank you Don!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)




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

Terminology | Jobs and directories | Member activities | Education | Tools
About ProZ.com | ProZ.com basics | Advertising | Support | FAQ | Terms of use
ProZ.com social network linksFacebookLinkedInTwitterDiggStumbleUpondel.icio.us
Print page
Copyright © 1999-2012 ProZ.com - All rights reserved. Privacy