https://www.proz.com/kudoz/russian-to-english/art-arts-crafts-painting/1656952-%D0%BF%D1%83%D1%82%D1%8C-%D0%BA-%D1%83%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%85%D1%83-%D0%B1%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%82-%D1%83%D1%81%D0%B5%D1%8F%D0%BD-%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BD%D1%8E%D0%B4%D1%8C-%D0%BD%D0%B5-%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B8-%D0%B0-%D1%88%D0%B8%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B8.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. Russian to English
  3. Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting

путь к успеху будет усеян отнюдь не розами, а шипами

English translation: The path to success will be strewn not with roses but with thorns

21:32 Nov 26, 2006
Russian to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting / Performing Arts
Russian term or phrase: путь к успеху будет усеян отнюдь не розами, а шипами
"Он благословил ее на самостоятельную концертную деятельность и предупредил, что путь к успеху будет усеян отнюдь не розами, а острыми шипами".

"Путь к успеху будет усеян отнюдь не розами, а острыми шипами" is in need of translation.

Thank you.
Pavel Zalutski
United States
Local time: 11:27
English translation:The path to success will be strewn not with roses but with thorns
Explanation:
Yes, we translate the word as "strewn". You'll find 536 hits
in Google for "path was strewn"

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 20 hrs (2006-11-27 18:24:42 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Pavel, it's idiomatic in English, too, as exemplified by this quote"... Editor of the BMJ's Career Focus section, MacDonald, first "came out" as having scleroderma two years ago in an editorial. As a (typical) junior doctor on the wards, she had ignored her initial symptoms — black fingers. Later, working as a doctor while undergoing treatment, colleagues refused to work with her. While her path may not be strewn with roses, neither is it all thorns. Her Personal Perspective is a celebration of life lived to the full.." from http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/179_05_010903/iti_010903...

I searched Google for "strewn with roses" and "thorns" and found 249 hits
Selected response from:

GaryG
Local time: 11:27
Grading comment
Thank you for your help, Gary! Now I know another US idiom. Thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4The path to success will be strewn not with roses but with thorns
GaryG
4 +1the path to success is not a bed of feathers
Yulia Bayat
4the road to success is paved with obstacles
zhop (X)
3the pass to success would not be a bed of roses but cacti
Valery Kaminski


  

Answers


2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
the path to success is not a bed of feathers


Explanation:
Expression "a bed of feathers" was first used by Jefferson in his famous quote "One cannot expect to be carried from tyrany to liberty in a bed of feathers"

Yulia Bayat
United States
Local time: 11:27
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian, Native in BelarusianBelarusian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Anna Launay (X): or of roses
10 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

10 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
the road to success is paved with obstacles


Explanation:
а если предположить, что он усеян сплошь розами, так они ведь все равно с шипами :)

zhop (X)
Local time: 18:27
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian
Notes to answerer
Asker: Your comment is hilarious!

Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

15 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
the pass to success would not be a bed of roses but cacti


Explanation:
творческая интерпретация

Valery Kaminski
Belarus
Local time: 18:27
Works in field
Native speaker of: Russian
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
The path to success will be strewn not with roses but with thorns


Explanation:
Yes, we translate the word as "strewn". You'll find 536 hits
in Google for "path was strewn"

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 20 hrs (2006-11-27 18:24:42 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Pavel, it's idiomatic in English, too, as exemplified by this quote"... Editor of the BMJ's Career Focus section, MacDonald, first "came out" as having scleroderma two years ago in an editorial. As a (typical) junior doctor on the wards, she had ignored her initial symptoms — black fingers. Later, working as a doctor while undergoing treatment, colleagues refused to work with her. While her path may not be strewn with roses, neither is it all thorns. Her Personal Perspective is a celebration of life lived to the full.." from http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/179_05_010903/iti_010903...

I searched Google for "strewn with roses" and "thorns" and found 249 hits

GaryG
Local time: 11:27
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 18
Grading comment
Thank you for your help, Gary! Now I know another US idiom. Thank you!
Notes to answerer
Asker: Gary, don't you think 'roses vs. thorns' doesn't create such an immediate association in English as it does in Russian? I mean, in Russian it sounds idiomatic. How about English? I just don;t want to sound like one of those word-by-word translations of Russian sayings: yes, you do get the idea, but the phrase itself is not part of the culture. It's only a question I'm asking.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Olga Cartlidge: The original says "prickly thorns".
50 mins
agree  Sergei Tumanov
1 hr
agree  Andrew Vdovin: No need for 'prickly'.
10 hrs
agree  ariann: I think this is entirely accurate, without "prickly" or sharp and equally idiomatic to English speakers
1 day 18 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