Feb 12, 2008 22:00
16 yrs ago
2 viewers *
French term
Je suis désolé(e)
Non-PRO
French to English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
customer service
conversation entre 1 pers. et 1 client, peut également être entre 1 pers. et 1 autre pers. que l'on ne connaît pas bien.
This is a typical French expression, being polite and all. I can't seem to remember the English expression (too tired...)
I know it's not the obvious "I am sorry", at least not in the States.
Example:
Customer: ....oui, je viens de bousiller mes pneus...
Employee: Je suis désolée
This is a typical French expression, being polite and all. I can't seem to remember the English expression (too tired...)
I know it's not the obvious "I am sorry", at least not in the States.
Example:
Customer: ....oui, je viens de bousiller mes pneus...
Employee: Je suis désolée
Proposed translations
(English)
| 5 +5 | sorry to hear that |
Pierre Renault
|
| 4 +6 | I am so sorry |
Etienne Muylle Wallace
|
| 5 +1 | That's a shame / too bad |
Enrique Huber (X)
|
| 4 +1 | I am sorry to ...; I regret to... |
Karine Gentil
|
| 4 | Oh Dear... |
Myriam Dupouy
|
Change log
Feb 12, 2008 22:08: Tony M changed "Level" from "PRO" to "Non-PRO"
Proposed translations
+5
1 hr
Selected
sorry to hear that
Probably how it would be said.
Note from asker:
| Thank you. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
PB Trans
1 hr
|
| agree |
Sandra Petch
8 hrs
|
| agree |
Andrew Levine
: This sounds most like what an employee should say to a customer in this situation
9 hrs
|
| agree |
Mona G
9 hrs
|
| agree |
Michael Varga
2 days 4 hrs
|
2 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you. Mark Nathan had already suggested it (see above)"
+6
9 mins
Etienne Muylle Wallace
Spain
Spain
Native in French
Spain
QUICK SERVICE AND PERSONAL CONTROL
Native in: Dutch 
, French
Works in: French to Catalan, French to Flemish, French to Spanish, and 24 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
8
I am so sorry
I am so sorry, but that is the meaning
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
emiledgar
: Yes. Or in this case, "Gee, that's too bad."
7 mins
|
|
merci
|
|
| agree |
Victoria Porter-Burns
: why not?
8 mins
|
|
merci
|
|
| agree |
Jean-Claude Gouin
8 mins
|
|
merci
|
|
| agree |
Katarina Peters
9 mins
|
|
merci
|
|
| agree |
askell
27 mins
|
|
merci
|
|
| agree |
Ingeborg Gowans (X)
54 mins
|
|
merci
|
+1
12 mins
Karine Gentil
United States
United States
Native in English
Specializes in field
United States
accurate and precise, Delivered on time
Native in: English 
Works in: English to Haitian-Creole, French to English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
I am sorry to ...; I regret to...
It all depends on the entire phrase. It could be something like I regret to inform you. to tell you. etc
Or it can be I am sorry to hear about; to learn about... etc.
Or it can be I am sorry to hear about; to learn about... etc.
+1
1 hr
That's a shame / too bad
typical expressions of regret /sorrow
Note from asker:
| Hello Enrique and thank you. However this type of reply in the US is often considered a bit condescending, I don't know about UK though... |
3 days 23 hrs
Myriam Dupouy
France
France
Native in French
Specializes in field
France
Literary Translator-Nature Photographer
Native in: French
Works in: English to French, French
Oh Dear...
In fact "je suis désolée" in such a conversation means, above all, that you feel for the person who is telling you about it and that you are sorry it happened. Since it is a conversation, I would definitely use "oh dear".
Note from asker:
| Thank you Myriam. I'll keep that one in mind as well. |
Discussion