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Lebensbejahende Körperbau

English translation: built for (life's) abundance/life-affirming physique

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Lebensbejahende Körperbau
English translation:built for (life's) abundance/life-affirming physique
Entered by: Ramey Rieger (X)

16:29 Dec 17, 2017
German to English translations [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
German term or phrase: Lebensbejahende Körperbau
This isn't actually from a text; it's a phrase an Austrian acquaintance of mine uses to describe himself. What he means is that he has a large beer belly and he clearly loves to say yes to all that life has to offer (particularly wine and food). I've been mulling over a good and succinct translation for this phrase for years, but the closest I've come is "an epicurean stature". I'm curious to see what all of you would suggest as an alternative. :)
Kristal Fellinger
Germany
Local time: 00:00
built for (life's) abundance
Explanation:
body bountiful
Selected response from:

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 00:00
Grading comment
Thank you so much to everyone for all of your suggestions. I loved many of the suggestions, especially "jolly" and "a body that loves life," but I think the word "abundant" gives it a great direction. Something like "a physique that attested to life's abundance" or even just "an abundant physique" could work really well. Thanks again to everyone for your creative ideas!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3built for (life's) abundance
Ramey Rieger (X)
3 +2life-affirming physique
Kim Metzger
4a body that loves life
David Hollywood
3 +1Falstaffian physique/stature
gangels (X)
3[he] lives for today
Julia Burgess
3a gourmand figure
Stephen Sadie
3"merry" body shape
Herbmione Granger
3body shape attesting to a fondness for life's pleasures
Michael Martin, MA


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
life-affirming physique


Explanation:
How about a literal translation?

Kim Metzger
Mexico
Local time: 16:00
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 100

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  philgoddard: Yes, it has an exact English equivalent, so you might as well use it.
3 mins
agree  Kristina Cosumano (X): I like this! Where is it from - Falstaff?
20 hrs
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15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
[he] lives for today


Explanation:
Just an idea. Perhaps makes the unspoken suggestion that his gourmandism may have a downside in the future.

I love your own invention though!

Julia Burgess
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:00
Meets criteria
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
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42 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
built for (life's) abundance


Explanation:
body bountiful

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 00:00
Meets criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 116
Grading comment
Thank you so much to everyone for all of your suggestions. I loved many of the suggestions, especially "jolly" and "a body that loves life," but I think the word "abundant" gives it a great direction. Something like "a physique that attested to life's abundance" or even just "an abundant physique" could work really well. Thanks again to everyone for your creative ideas!
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you so much to everyone for all of your suggestions. I loved many of the suggestions, especially "jolly" and "a body that loves life," but I think the word "abundant" gives it a great direction. Something like "a physique that attested to life's abundance" or even just "an abundant physique" could work really well. Thanks again to everyone for your creative ideas!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Anne Schulz: Wonderful - should it be "built from life's abundance", rather? lol
2 hrs
  -> Hihihi!
agree  Herbmione Granger: I could imagine someone describing himself this way :)
20 hrs
  -> Could be me, but it wouldn't refer to food and drink!
neutral  philgoddard: I think this implies that it's his natural build. It's not, it's the result of indulging in life's abundance.
22 hrs
  -> Built is a double entendre here - it's how he's built and what he's 'made' for, or born to be.
agree  Eleanore Strauss: Great way to incorporate all aspects.. with "Augenzwinkern'.. no need to split hairs, it does not imply a natural build... Good idea to split a bottle...
1 day 23 hrs
  -> But we could split a bottle of something...
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
a gourmand figure


Explanation:
just another option

Stephen Sadie
Germany
Local time: 00:00
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 48
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
"merry" body shape


Explanation:
Thinking of Santa Claus. Perhaps influenced by the time of year :)

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Note added at 3 hrs (2017-12-17 20:13:52 GMT)
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Or "jolly"

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Note added at 3 hrs (2017-12-17 20:24:42 GMT)
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12...
Arnold, 54, a warm, bespectacled man with rough hands, a bushy moustache and a jolly physique worthy of Santa

Herbmione Granger
Germany
Local time: 00:00
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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7 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
a body that loves life


Explanation:
I would say

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Note added at 7 hrs (2017-12-17 23:56:48 GMT)
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you've got a good play on words here

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Note added at 7 hrs (2017-12-17 23:57:44 GMT)
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as I do myself lol

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Note added at 7 hrs (2017-12-18 00:01:54 GMT)
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as in love life but as I'm a golfer, I try to keep the body more or less in a fit state to carry on (and so far so good)

David Hollywood
Local time: 19:00
Meets criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 64
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1 day 9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
body shape attesting to a fondness for life's pleasures


Explanation:
..body shape attesting to a fondness/affinity for life's (great) pleasures..

For the English equivalent, we could use stronger imagery. The Austrian expression may be a little dry for most English speakers.

Michael Martin, MA
United States
Local time: 18:00
Meets criteria
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 98
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1 day 20 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Falstaffian physique/stature


Explanation:
Shakespeare's Falstaff character epitomizes the pleasures of the table.


gangels (X)
Local time: 16:00
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 20

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Teangacha (X)
36 mins
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