https://www.proz.com/kudoz/german-to-english/advertising-public-relations/342154-need-catchy-phrase.html
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. German to English
  3. Advertising / Public Relations

(need catchy phrase)

English translation: come about

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:ergeben sich
English translation:come about
Entered by: Jennie Sherrick, MA

23:42 Jan 13, 2003
German to English translations [Non-PRO]
Marketing - Advertising / Public Relations / advertising
German term or phrase: (need catchy phrase)
I need a catchy phrase for an advertisment for a wristwatch.

At the top of the page for the ad there is a picture of a wristwatch. Below it says in large text:

"MANCHMAL ERGEBEN SICH GENIALE ERFINDUNGEN GANZ AUTOMATISCH."

I have a few ideas, but none that seem catchy or creative enough and am looking for some more options.

Any ideas?
Jennie Sherrick, MA
United States
Local time: 07:28
sometimes the most brilliant inventions come about automatically
Explanation:
Could be an allusion to the fact that it's an "automatic" watch (quartz) rather than a wind-up watch.
Selected response from:

Trudy Peters
United States
Local time: 07:28
Grading comment
Nice options here, but Trudy's I think would go best in this context, especially to help allude to the wristwatch. Thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4sometimes the most brilliant inventions come about automatically
Trudy Peters
5 +1Sometimes brilliance is just a consequence
Claudia Tomaschek
5Some of the best inventions happen by accident
lone (X)
4Sometimes brilliant inventions are the logical consequence.
wrtransco
3SOME OF THE BEST IDEAS / INVENTIONS CAN HAPPEN BY CHANCE
Norbert Hermann


  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
SOME OF THE BEST IDEAS / INVENTIONS CAN HAPPEN BY CHANCE


Explanation:
/.. :-))

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-01-13 23:48:00 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

keine Gewaehr, ob dieser Slogan bereits geschuetzt ist :-))!

Norbert Hermann
Local time: 12:28
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 12
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Some of the best inventions happen by accident


Explanation:
Maybe you can use this!


    x
lone (X)
Canada
Local time: 07:28
Works in field
Native speaker of: Danish
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
sometimes the most brilliant inventions come about automatically


Explanation:
Could be an allusion to the fact that it's an "automatic" watch (quartz) rather than a wind-up watch.

Trudy Peters
United States
Local time: 07:28
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 32
Grading comment
Nice options here, but Trudy's I think would go best in this context, especially to help allude to the wristwatch. Thank you!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Kim Metzger
13 mins
agree  wrtransco: There are many poss. Are there still wind-up watches?? - I wonder!
13 mins
agree  Norbert Hermann: very neat combination :-)
20 mins
agree  Mary Worby: Although an automatic watch is normally one that runs off the movement of your wrist. You don't have to wind it up, but if you stop wearing it, it stops! ;-)
13 hrs
  -> Touché :-)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

18 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Sometimes brilliant inventions are the logical consequence.


Explanation:
for some variation :-)

wrtransco
Local time: 07:28
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

33 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Sometimes brilliance is just a consequence


Explanation:
You could also say "brilliant inventions". A less literal translations could be:

"Sometimes brilliant inventions are the result of tradition and innovation" which is what logo aim at.

Or if you want to make it shorter:

"Sometimes brilliant inventions are just to happen" or "Sometimes brilliant inventions are determined to happen." or "Sometimes brilliance is a consequence".

In any case, the "automatisch" doesn't in my opinion aim at a "coincidence" but at the "consistancy principle". If an invention happens automatically then it is domed to happen, ie. there is just no way that it doesn't happen, which in regards to a company refers to tradition and hard work, which finally translates to innovation.

Cheers
Claudia



Claudia Tomaschek
Local time: 13:28
Works in field
Native speaker of: German

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Norbert Hermann: brilliance doesn't work i think - excellence would be my choice
7 mins
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