Glossary entry (derived from question below)
German term or phrase:
zählebig
English translation:
persistent, difficult to get rid of, tenacious, stubborn
Added to glossary by
Roddy Stegemann
Dec 20, 2003 14:40
20 yrs ago
German term
United States
Search HKLNA!
Native in: English 
Works in: German to English, Japanese to English, French to English, and 3 more.
zählebig
German to English
Bus/Financial
Economics
macroeconomics
Diese negative Vertrauenshaltung zeigt sich als zählebig und ist mit herkömmlichen wachstumsstimulierenden Maßnahmen des Staates offensichtlich nicht zu erschüttern.
I want to translate this sentence as follows: This widespread lack of confidence on the part of consumers cannot be shaken by the heretofore large economic stimulative packages administered by the state.
Nevertheless, I am concerned that I have missed something by ignoring the word "zählebig". Here is an alterative, but what I believe to be a more literal rendering:
The lack of confidence among consumers counts big, and they are obviously not taken in by the large macroeconomic stimulative packages of the past.
I can generate many more such sentences, but until I know what the word zählebig means, I am reluctant to decide on one.
I want to translate this sentence as follows: This widespread lack of confidence on the part of consumers cannot be shaken by the heretofore large economic stimulative packages administered by the state.
Nevertheless, I am concerned that I have missed something by ignoring the word "zählebig". Here is an alterative, but what I believe to be a more literal rendering:
The lack of confidence among consumers counts big, and they are obviously not taken in by the large macroeconomic stimulative packages of the past.
I can generate many more such sentences, but until I know what the word zählebig means, I am reluctant to decide on one.
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
2 hrs
Selected
persistent
would not call it resistant, cause it definitely has a negative touch in the german. zählebig means that it is very hard to get rid of; like weeds, you think you've got them all and the next morning they are all over the garden again. I like you first version best: It seems that this widespread lack of confidence on the part of consumers cannot be shaken by the traditional growth-stimulating measures taken by the state.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Though I am uncertain as to whether Germans and Austrians interpret this word the same, certainly you have captured an aspect of the word that others have not -- its negative conotation.
As the word persistent can often be interpreted negatively, this appears to be the best glossary entry.
Amorel's entry was probably better for the context provided, however.
Thanks to everyone. "
+3
8 mins
Сергей Лузан
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Specializes in field
Russian Federation
Always welcome! :)
Native in: Russian
Works in: German to Russian, English to Russian, Spanish to Russian, and 7 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
7
persistent
Collins German Dictionary, ISBN 0-00-470406-1
Luck, Hamo!
Luck, Hamo!
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Marshall Waddell
: Also, perhaps consider moving 'heretofore' to preceed 'administered'.
24 mins
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Thank you & danke for your comment, Marshall Waddell! They persist in doing so & it's a tough task to change both their operational mode & behaviour.
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| agree |
Michele Johnson
: And then perhaps "dispelled" for erschüttern. Hamo, I also think your second sentence is problematic (counts big? also agree with Endre about herkömmlich. Also, watch out: die Vertrauenshaltung wird erschüttert, nicht die Verbraucher)
3 hrs
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Thank you & danke for your ideas & shrewd comments, Michele Johnson!
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| agree |
Jose Paez
10 hrs
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Thank you & danke, imagenes3d!
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9 mins
tenacious of life/hardy
This is the definition given by Langenscheidt. LEO, on the other hand, gives "hardy".
Text from the quoted website reference:
Aufgrund der zahlreichen und schmerzlichen Schicksalschlaege, die Jakob getroffen hatten, koennte man ableiten, dass das Leben als Christ grundsaetzlich eine muehselige, quaelende Angelegenheit ist. Nun, vermutlich ist eben unser Fleisch, unser alte Natur so zaehlebig und stur, dass sie eine saftige Behandlung benoetigt. Doch damit war Gott noch nicht am Ende. Die beste Zeit im Leben von Jakob lag noch vor ihm!
Text from the quoted website reference:
Aufgrund der zahlreichen und schmerzlichen Schicksalschlaege, die Jakob getroffen hatten, koennte man ableiten, dass das Leben als Christ grundsaetzlich eine muehselige, quaelende Angelegenheit ist. Nun, vermutlich ist eben unser Fleisch, unser alte Natur so zaehlebig und stur, dass sie eine saftige Behandlung benoetigt. Doch damit war Gott noch nicht am Ende. Die beste Zeit im Leben von Jakob lag noch vor ihm!
12 mins
Kim Metzger
Mexico
Mexico
Native in English
Mexico
Committed to Quality and Service
Native in: English (Variant: US) 
Works in: German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
24
German term (edited):
z�hlebig
resistant
zählebig - sehr widerstandsfähig gegen ungünstige Einflüsse, Verletzungen, Krankheiten o.Ä.: Organismen, Tiere = tenacious of life, tough
2 hrs
hard to get rid of
literally it means it's tough - in the sense of clinging on to life
+1
3 hrs
Steffen Walter
Germany
Germany
Native in German
Works in field
Germany
Top-Notch Service | Direct Clients Only
Native in: German (Variant: Germany)
Works in: English to German, German to English, French to German, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
71
German term (edited):
z�hlebig
hard to overcome
Or, as a more liberal interpretation (if it's really about ***consumer*** sentiment - I don't see any such indication in your context):
Consumers are hard to convince to overcome their lack of confidence [to regain their confidence]...
These would be other options for your particular context. I agree with Endre ("conventional" or "traditional" would adequately render "herkömmlich").
Consumers are hard to convince to overcome their lack of confidence [to regain their confidence]...
These would be other options for your particular context. I agree with Endre ("conventional" or "traditional" would adequately render "herkömmlich").
6 hrs
Gareth McMillan
Native in English
Least is most, so keep it simple!
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, English
German term (edited):
z�hlebig
tenacious, stubborn, ingrained
But I like your translation very much, but please take out "the heretofore"- only lawers use it in UKE.
Discussion
Conventions, traditions, and other enduring standards are what they are because they have stood the test of time. This is what the word "heretofore" suggests -- namely, what has always been as far back as one can remember without having to perform history to determine when something began.