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. French to English
  3. Slang

avancer

English translation: to front

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:avancer
English translation:to front
Entered by: Pavlovna

16:12 Sep 24, 2007
French to English translations [PRO]
Slang / drug dealing
French term or phrase: avancer
This is from the transcript of a court hearing in France where the suspect is being questioned about his drug purchasing activities. He uses the verb "avancer" to describe how his dealer sometimes gave him drugs without asking for the payment immediately. I don't think "gave me an advance" works in this context but since I'm unfamiliar with this kind of situation I don't know what the natural thing to say would be...

Here's the exchange in question. P = prosecutor, S = suspect.

S: C'était pour pouvoir le vendre parce que j'étais voir les personnes qui me vendent et il ne voulait pas m'avancer

P: D'habitude il vous avance ?

S: Oui, il m'a avancé deux ou trois fois, et après il a arrêté. C'était des avances style cadeau quoi, pour me faire revenir à chaque fois mais avec de l'argent. Il me disait chaque fois tu reviens avec de l'argent quoi.

Target language is US English. Thanks in advance for any ideas!
Pavlovna
to front
Explanation:
Slang.
Selected response from:

Jean-Claude Gouin
Canada
Local time: 22:21
Grading comment
Thanks very much! This is just the word I was looking for but couldn't think of. I also found this word used in online English-language legal documents discussing similar defendant testimonies. Note: Someone pointed out that "avancer" isn't slang, and that's true; I guess I was thinking more of the informality of the suspect's speech, and the possibility that the translation would involve slang.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +6to front
Jean-Claude Gouin
5 +3to advance
David Vaughn
3 +2he gave me the stuff up front
Cervin
3to give "stuff" and accept deleyed payment
Etienne Muylle Wallace
1he usually accepted to be paid later on
Mohamed Mehenoun


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
to front


Explanation:
Slang.

Jean-Claude Gouin
Canada
Local time: 22:21
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thanks very much! This is just the word I was looking for but couldn't think of. I also found this word used in online English-language legal documents discussing similar defendant testimonies. Note: Someone pointed out that "avancer" isn't slang, and that's true; I guess I was thinking more of the informality of the suspect's speech, and the possibility that the translation would involve slang.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Julie Barber: this link says that to front is to put the money up first. I presume it's the other way around - drugs first, money later http://www.drugtestingnetwork.com/slangterms.htm unless the term can be used for both...(?)
3 mins
  -> Interesting site indeed, Julie, but some definitions are incomplete ... like the verb "to front" ...
agree  David Vaughn: Yes Juliebarba, it can work both ways. It's a very common slang term.
5 mins
  -> Thanks Vaughn. The addict is given drugs first and no payment is required; it's "goodwill" if you wish. Later, money will be required hen you sell it or when you're "hooked" ...
agree  Mohamed Mehenoun
8 mins
  -> Merci Mohamed ...
agree  jean-jacques alexandre: definitely to front
18 mins
  -> Merci Jean-Jacques ...
agree  Crystal Samples: yes.
32 mins
  -> Merci sindee21 ...
agree  Nico Staes
1 hr
  -> Merci Nico ...
agree  siragui: Perfect. "He fronted me drugs", etc. I'll post links above.
2 hrs
  -> Merci siragui ...
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +3
to advance


Explanation:
normal dictionary definition

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 mins (2007-09-24 16:25:50 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

"to supply or furnish in expectation of repayment" Merriam Webster

David Vaughn
Local time: 04:21
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Julie Barber: without expecting to be paid at the time....(but later on)
3 mins
agree  nordiste: there is nothing slang in "avancer"
4 mins
agree  Assimina Vavoula
1 hr
neutral  siragui: "Advance me" not totally satisfying for "m'avancer", which is sub-standard French.
2 hrs
  -> I tend to agree with you. I think "to front" is the best solution, unless the translator wants to avoid slang.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 1/5Answerer confidence 1/5
he usually accepted to be paid later on


Explanation:
a guess...I'mnot familiar with it too...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 16 mins (2007-09-24 16:29:11 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

and the judge can ask ...

so you usually took the "merchandise" and paid afterwards?

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 mins (2007-09-24 16:29:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

a

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 mins (2007-09-24 16:31:38 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

and for the first one :

I went to see the dealers I usually buy from but they didn't wanna provide me with the "merchandise/stuff" and get paid afterwards/later on

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 mins (2007-09-24 16:32:21 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

as usual

Mohamed Mehenoun
Canada
Local time: 03:21
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench, Native in ArabicArabic
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
he gave me the stuff up front


Explanation:
..

Cervin
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:21
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  siragui: Another possibility.
36 mins
  -> Thank you
agree  Emma Paulay: This avoids any confusion about what is being advanced, drugs or money.
13 hrs
  -> Many thanks Emma
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
to give "stuff" and accept deleyed payment


Explanation:
just a proposal

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2007-09-24 18:01:19 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

of course I meant "delayed". Sorry

Etienne Muylle Wallace
Spain
Local time: 04:21
Native speaker of: Native in DutchDutch, Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Julie Barber: commonly known as an advance!
1 min
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
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search