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rétrocession
Tu fais ta propre loi et tu es un justicier parfois mal compris

Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

l\'eau pure ne devient pas aigre toute seule

English translation:

Things don\'t just happen

Added to glossary by Christopher Fitzsimons
Nov 23, 2009 16:15
15 yrs ago
French term

l'eau pure ne devient pas aigre toute seule

French to English Other Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Merci d'avance
Proposed translations (English)
4 +2 Things don't just happen
4 +1 there's no smoke without fire
3 +1 there's no effect without a cause
4 nothing happens for no reason
2 there's no smoke without fire
Change log

Nov 23, 2009 16:32: Julie Barber changed "Term asked" from "«l\'eau pure ne devient pas aigre toute seule»" to "l\'eau pure ne devient pas aigre toute seule"

Discussion

roisin56 Nov 23, 2009:
Not 'there's no smoke without a fire' because this idiom is used generally in instances of rumour and noticed suspect behaviour which is then related to another or generating circumstance. Water doesn't spoil all on its own is different. There is an event and its origin needs to be elucidated.
Christopher Fitzsimons (asker) Nov 23, 2009:
"Saitane"(1973) by Oumarou Ganda Thanks for that Carol!
Carol Gullidge Nov 23, 2009:
water hi Christopher, if this was indeed a Nigerian script originally, then the water part just might in fact have been fairly crucial. I speak as one who lived there for much of my childhood. If a well became contaminated, then questions would be (more than!) asked, and answers sought
Christopher Fitzsimons (asker) Nov 23, 2009:
Vous avez raison Anne! The film script has been translated into French from the Zarma language as the film is Nigerian. Sorry, I probably should have mentioned that before.
Anne Farina Nov 23, 2009:
Proverbe wolof Curieux, la seule référence qu'on trouve à cette phrase est un proverbe wolof : une eau pure ne sera jamais aigre
Christopher Fitzsimons (asker) Nov 23, 2009:
It's quite a complex plot so I'm not sure that the lines of script before/after this phrase are very relevant or helpful unfortunately! But the idea being suggested is definitely along the lines of what has been suggested below and it is certainly meant in a negative sense. Thanks for your help.
Dr Lofthouse Nov 23, 2009:
do you have more information? eg some lines of script before this line, and an idea of the character who is speaking? it would help to make an appropriate suggestion
Christopher Fitzsimons (asker) Nov 23, 2009:
Film Script It's from a film script. I assume that it is an idiom. The idea of pure water not being spoiled/becoming bitter/going off without interference? I wondered if perhaps there was an equivalent set phrase in English.
Jean-Louis S. Nov 23, 2009:
Context? Is it really "Idioms / Maxims / Sayings"?

Proposed translations

+2
11 mins
French term (edited): «l'eau pure ne devient pas aigre toute seule»
Selected

Things don't just happen

par exemple. Encore que dans le français la connotation soit carrément négative.
Note from asker:
Merci! Je suis d'accord avec vous- la connotation est, sans doute, assez négative.
Peer comment(s):
agree Ingeborg Gowans (X) : oui, ç'est fort possible
27 mins
agree Sheila Wilson : Certainly a mother's reaction to a broken vase at the feet of her young child
1 hr
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
+1
8 mins
French term (edited): «l'eau pure ne devient pas aigre toute seule»

there's no effect without a cause

nothing happens without a reason

behind every successful/great man there's a great woman

it takes two to tango
Note from asker:
That seems to definitely be along the same lines as what this phrase is getting at. Thanks for this Carol.
Peer comment(s):
neutral Julie Barber : Good on you Carol for adding "behind every great man...there's a great woman" - it for sure! but how does it relate to the question?? ;-))
12 mins
it's just another eg of there being a reason behind everything. I didn't know the context at the time
agree Travelin Ann : I like "nothing happens without a reason"
13 mins
thanks Travelin Ann!
Something went wrong...
19 mins

there's no smoke without fire

never seen the French before, so just guessing
Something went wrong...
+1
18 mins

there's no smoke without fire

if you don't need to keep with water, I think this has a similar meaning.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 20 mins (2009-11-23 16:35:36 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

this may be a little strong
I'll see if I can think of anything else
Note from asker:
Indeed it does. Thank-you. And I don't think the water part is necessary.
Peer comment(s):
agree Colin Rowe : Had my "Answer" window open too long before hitting "Submit"!
6 mins
there seems to have been several of us all thinking the same thing at once!
Something went wrong...
32 mins

nothing happens for no reason

or even : everything happens for a reason !
Something went wrong...
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