https://www.proz.com/kudoz/german-to-english/tech-engineering/586020-haftkralle.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

Haftkralle

English translation: extreme adhesion quality

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Haftkralle
English translation:extreme adhesion quality
Entered by: Valentín Hernández Lima

14:55 Dec 3, 2003
German to English translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering / OIL PROPERTIES
German term or phrase: Haftkralle
Dear friends,

I am familiar with 'Haftmaske' and 'Haftgrenze' but the use of 'Haftkralle' in connection with oil puzzles me. Have you ever encountered this term in your translations?

Einzigartiges synthetisches Öl mit Haftkralle zur Langzeitschmierung.

Thank you for your help.
Valentín Hernández Lima
Spain
Local time: 10:11
below
Explanation:
I read this to mean that the oil is "unique" because of this "Haftkralle" which, being a property of the oil itself, aids long-term lubrication.

The writer is trying to capitalise on the property that many modern oils have of depositing a semi permanent molecular film on to the moving surfaces to provide additional protection.
I am sure "Haftkralle" is a "hook" word invented by the manufacturers to emphasise this "adhesive" characteristic of their oil. It may even be a copyrighted phrase. I find it quite brilliant as a hook phrase.

I recently saw an advert for a special engine oil which used the phrase "polar attraction" to describe this characteristic in their oil. But we shouldn't use that- it's probably registered.

Is this "Haftkralle" used more often? In which case it should be translated as a hook phrase.
Or is it used only once, in which case you could substitute it with any descriptive passage which works convincingly.

Some guys get paid BIG bucks to sit around all day and come up with product "hooks". So if you think of a real winner, maybe you should keep it to yourself!

A few suggestions (not v. inspiring, I'm afraid):
molecular claw(s), molecular talons,
the claw(s) of adhesion, talons of adhesion,
the claw of tenacity,
molecular tenacity,
claw-like adhesion,
ahesive bite, molecular bite, molecular anchor,

and so on- if I think of anything better, I'll post it. Maybe these ideas will trigger a thought in someone else?



Placing the prep. "of" between the key words tends to dramatise the effect in English.

Selected response from:

Gareth McMillan
Local time: 11:11
Grading comment
The client had this to say regarding my query:

"verständliche Frage. Der Begriff Haftkralle ist bei uns "Firmenjargon" und soll extremes Haftvermögen beschreiben.
Bitte übersetzen Sie daher den begriff "Haftkralle" mit "extremes Haftvermögen".

Heartfelt thanks to all of you.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
2 +2probably means
gangels (X)
3below
Gareth McMillan


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


46 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5 peer agreement (net): +2
probably means


Explanation:
the oil has great 'clinging properties' for longlife endurance, but 'clinging claw' would sound strange.

gangels (X)
Local time: 03:11
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in pair: 5559

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Gareth McMillan: Yes, this is not a technical term, pure sales guff. But a good phrase for English?
6 mins
  -> perhaps 'clinging power' to satisfy our resident devil's advocate
agree  John Bowden: Yes, you get some very intersting results if you google "clinging claw" - oil of some sort may play a part, but probably not the sort that's meant in the question!
3 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

18 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
below


Explanation:
I read this to mean that the oil is "unique" because of this "Haftkralle" which, being a property of the oil itself, aids long-term lubrication.

The writer is trying to capitalise on the property that many modern oils have of depositing a semi permanent molecular film on to the moving surfaces to provide additional protection.
I am sure "Haftkralle" is a "hook" word invented by the manufacturers to emphasise this "adhesive" characteristic of their oil. It may even be a copyrighted phrase. I find it quite brilliant as a hook phrase.

I recently saw an advert for a special engine oil which used the phrase "polar attraction" to describe this characteristic in their oil. But we shouldn't use that- it's probably registered.

Is this "Haftkralle" used more often? In which case it should be translated as a hook phrase.
Or is it used only once, in which case you could substitute it with any descriptive passage which works convincingly.

Some guys get paid BIG bucks to sit around all day and come up with product "hooks". So if you think of a real winner, maybe you should keep it to yourself!

A few suggestions (not v. inspiring, I'm afraid):
molecular claw(s), molecular talons,
the claw(s) of adhesion, talons of adhesion,
the claw of tenacity,
molecular tenacity,
claw-like adhesion,
ahesive bite, molecular bite, molecular anchor,

and so on- if I think of anything better, I'll post it. Maybe these ideas will trigger a thought in someone else?



Placing the prep. "of" between the key words tends to dramatise the effect in English.



Gareth McMillan
Local time: 11:11
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 793
Grading comment
The client had this to say regarding my query:

"verständliche Frage. Der Begriff Haftkralle ist bei uns "Firmenjargon" und soll extremes Haftvermögen beschreiben.
Bitte übersetzen Sie daher den begriff "Haftkralle" mit "extremes Haftvermögen".

Heartfelt thanks to all of you.
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