a sentence

English translation: When I spend a lot of money, only the best will do.

11:04 Oct 6, 2001
German to English translations [Non-PRO]
German term or phrase: a sentence
Wenn ich schon viel Geld ausgebe, dann ist das Beste gerade gut genug.

I don't understand the meaning of this sentence.
Tan
English translation:When I spend a lot of money, only the best will do.
Explanation:
none needed
Selected response from:

zapfsully
United States
Local time: 21:41
Grading comment
Thanks
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2If I do go ahead and spend a lot of money, then
Kim Metzger
5When I spend alot of money, Only the best will do.
Toppfaerie (X)
4 +1another sentence
Mary Worby
4 +1Once I spend a lot of money only the best will do.
Steffen Pollex (X)
4When I spend a lot of money, only the best will do.
zapfsully
4If I decide to spend so much money...
Maya Jurt
4If I have to spend a lot of money etc
Abu Amaal (X)


  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
When I spend a lot of money, only the best will do.


Explanation:
none needed


    German native living in the US
zapfsully
United States
Local time: 21:41
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in pair: 38
Grading comment
Thanks
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
If I do go ahead and spend a lot of money, then


Explanation:
only the best will do.


    Native English speaker
Kim Metzger
Mexico
Local time: 22:41
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 22192

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Trudy Peters
1 hr

agree  Thijs van Dorssen: This is the perfect answer
4 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

52 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
When I spend alot of money, Only the best will do.


Explanation:
none needed

Toppfaerie (X)
Local time: 05:41
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

57 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
If I decide to spend so much money...


Explanation:
only the best will do.

I think you may have a problem with the word "schon". It has many meanings and is seldom translated into English. The sentence just has to be adapted without using this adverby. When it fits, you can translate it "already". In your context, it does not fit.

Ich weiss das schon - I already know it.

Hope that helps.

Maya Jurt
Switzerland
Local time: 06:41
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in pair: 545
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
another sentence


Explanation:
I think the way we'd express it in English would be ...

If I'm going to spend a lot of money, then only the best is good enough / only the best will do / I expect the best.

The implication is if you're spending less money, you're not so worried!

HTH

Mary

Mary Worby
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:41
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in pair: 2770

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Abu Amaal (X): with "only the best will do"
10 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

12 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Once I spend a lot of money only the best will do.


Explanation:
The term "wenn ich schon", in my opinion is best reflected by the English "once", which is a synonyme for "if I have to" or "if I decided to" etc.


    ecperience
Steffen Pollex (X)
Local time: 06:41
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in RussianRussian
PRO pts in pair: 503

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Abu Amaal (X): don't care for "once" myself but "if I have to" is nice
1 hr
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

13 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
If I have to spend a lot of money etc


Explanation:
This is Steffen's but he buried it a bit.

This and "going to" are the smoothest and to me they get the feel of the "schon".



Abu Amaal (X)
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 24
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.

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:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search