c'est dire si

English translation: it remains to be seen whether / if

05:11 Nov 27, 2008

French to English translations [Non-PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

French term or phrase: c'est dire si

C'est dire si l'arrivée stratégique de X ne passe pas inaperçue et que toutes les consequénces sont encore difficiles à percevoir.

I almost want to say something such as : (Only time will tell or Who knows) whether the strategic arrival of X will go unnoticed or whether all the consequences are still hard to determine.

I have a hard time with this c'est dire si; I know it is usually used to express opinion...

Silvia Brandon-Pérez KudoZ activity Questions: 567 (3 open) (46 closed without grading) Answers: 2442 United States
Local time: 14:21

English translation:it remains to be seen whether / if

Explanation:
I know that's a rather freer-than-usual translation of the expression, but I have a feeling it's what is called for here.

Selected response from:

Tony M
France
Local time: 23:21

Grading comment

This is something similar to what I thought belonged here, and anyway you can't really 'translate' French to English... they are worlds apart :)

Thank you very much!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

That is to say that if

Sara Rodriguez

no wonder

rossignol

evidently

David Goward

turn it round

Emma Paulay

it remains to be seen whether / if

Tony M

Discussion entries: 4

Answers

7 mins confidence:

That is to say that if

Explanation:
Suppose that the stratigic arrival of x does not go unnoticed

Example sentence(s):

That is to say that if we arrive on the scene noticed by the crowd,

Sara Rodriguez
United States
Local time: 16:21
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English,

Spanish
PRO pts in category: 4

Notes to answerer

Asker: This is not c'est à dire.

53 mins confidence:

evidently

Explanation:
Given the extra context, I don't think your initial idea really works (sorry!).

What they're saying is:
Group X has therefore been outmanoeuvred as the world leader, through its Brand Y, entered the running (to take over firm Z?).
Evidently, X's strategic arrival didn't go unnoticed even though the upshot of all this is still unclear.

David Goward
France
Local time: 23:21
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 43

Notes to answerer

Asker: No, I realized my idea would not work but was unsure how quite to put this, it is why I posted the question. I like your, evidently. I had actually put 'thus' prior to posting the question.

3 hrs confidence:

turn it round

Explanation:
In some cases "c'est dire" can be translated by "which goes to show". The term is always used to stress the importance of the statement. Here I would say "So X's arrival on the market will DEFINITELY NOT go unnoticed.
I don't think "time will tell" is the correct interpretation.

Emma Paulay
France
Local time: 23:21
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 126

Notes to answerer

Asker: Although I did not pick it, your answer was the one I most considered until Tony posted his... thank you for the careful explanation.

23 hrs confidence:

no wonder

Explanation:
not surprising that....

rossignol
United States
Local time: 14:21
Native speaker of:

French,

English

1 day 8 hrs confidence:

it remains to be seen whether / if

Explanation:
I know that's a rather freer-than-usual translation of the expression, but I have a feeling it's what is called for here.

Tony M
France
Local time: 23:21
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 348

Grading comment

This is something similar to what I thought belonged here, and anyway you can't really 'translate' French to English... they are worlds apart :)

Thank you very much!

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

c'est dire si

English translation: it remains to be seen whether / if

Answers

KudoZ™ translation help

Your current localization setting

Select a language

c'est dire si

English translation: it remains to be seen whether / if

Answers

KudoZ™ translation help

You have native languages that can be verified

Your current localization setting

Select a language