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  2. Portuguese to English

soubesse

English translation: If she only knew....

15:11 Sep 26, 2000
Portuguese to English translations [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary
Portuguese term or phrase: soubesse
In the song "Garota De Ipanema" the line is:Ah,se ela soubesse
Donalda
English translation:If she only knew....
Explanation:
The "only" is added because it's more natural in English. I believe that the entire phrase, roughly translated, is "if she only knew that when she passes the entire world becomes full of grace and becomes more beautiful because of love..."
Selected response from:

Donna Sandin
United States
Local time: 11:47
Grading comment

Thank-you , D.Sandin, your answer has been very helpful to me .I am a singer and have only just started to study this beautiful language.Understanding the meaning of these great songs makes it such a pleasure to sing them! ~ I would also like to thank M.Barda for pointing out something that has been making me crazy.I have the lyrics in Portuguese from my teacher,and several versions of the song on CD including one by the great composer himself.The words in this line don' t fit . I have been going over it for days,now I have the answer . thank-you
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
naIf she only knew....
Donna Sandin
naDSandin is right
Márcio Badra


  

Answers


49 mins
If she only knew....


Explanation:
The "only" is added because it's more natural in English. I believe that the entire phrase, roughly translated, is "if she only knew that when she passes the entire world becomes full of grace and becomes more beautiful because of love..."

Donna Sandin
United States
Local time: 11:47
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in pair: 1120
Grading comment

Thank-you , D.Sandin, your answer has been very helpful to me .I am a singer and have only just started to study this beautiful language.Understanding the meaning of these great songs makes it such a pleasure to sing them! ~ I would also like to thank M.Barda for pointing out something that has been making me crazy.I have the lyrics in Portuguese from my teacher,and several versions of the song on CD including one by the great composer himself.The words in this line don' t fit . I have been going over it for days,now I have the answer . thank-you

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
Márcio Badra
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 hrs
DSandin is right


Explanation:
I have nothing to add to the above answer, wich is perfect.
But this song in portuguese says "O mundo sorrindo se enche de graça" and not "o mundo inteirinho ...". So the translation would be "and the world, smiling, becomes full of grace ..." instead of "the entire world becomes full of grace".


    Reference: http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/2096/ipanema.htm
Márcio Badra
Brazil
Local time: 12:47
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in pair: 68
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