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. Portuguese to English
  3. Cinema, Film, TV, Drama

Os comboios só passam uma vez.

English translation: Opportunity only knocks once

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Portuguese term or phrase:Os comboios só passam uma vez
English translation:Opportunity only knocks once
Entered by: Tania Pires

15:33 Nov 21, 2016
Portuguese to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Cinema, Film, TV, Drama / Subtitles
Portuguese term or phrase: Os comboios só passam uma vez.
'Os comboios só passam uma vez. Eu estive na estação. E fui apanhando os comboios que achei que eram os mais convenientes.'

This is about how things only happen once and you have to take your chance.

Can you say that trains only stop once? - As an expression to mean the above. I've never heard it in English and I'm afraid it'll sound foreign...

Thanks in advance for your help!
Tania Pires
Portugal
Local time: 16:28
Opportunity only knocks once
Explanation:
https://www.englishclub.com/ref/esl/Sayings/Chance/Opportuni...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 mins (2016-11-21 15:37:38 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

We should take an opportunity (or chance) when it comes. According to this saying, it will not come again.
Selected response from:

Margarida Martins Costelha
Portugal
Local time: 16:28
Grading comment
I ended up using this one and adapting the rest of the text.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4Opportunity only knocks once
Margarida Martins Costelha
4Make hay while the sun shines.
Marian Vieyra
4we've only have one chance, take it
María Leonor Acevedo-Miranda
3once in a life time opportunity
Verginia Ophof


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Make hay while the sun shines.


Explanation:
Or strike while the iron is hot.

Marian Vieyra
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:28
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Marian!

Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
Opportunity only knocks once


Explanation:
https://www.englishclub.com/ref/esl/Sayings/Chance/Opportuni...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 mins (2016-11-21 15:37:38 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

We should take an opportunity (or chance) when it comes. According to this saying, it will not come again.


Margarida Martins Costelha
Portugal
Local time: 16:28
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in category: 16
Grading comment
I ended up using this one and adapting the rest of the text.
Notes to answerer
Asker: I already know this one, but thanks Margarida!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Gilmar Fernandes: http://desportivopaulense.blogspot.com.br/2008/05/felipo-aco...
55 mins
  -> Exatamente, Gilmar ;) Obrigada
agree  Mario Freitas:
2 hrs
  -> Obrigada, Mario
agree  Nick Taylor: opportunity doesn't knock twicere familiar with - opportunity doesn't knock twice
7 hrs
  -> Obrigada, Nick
agree  Muriel Vasconcellos: Perfect
7 hrs
  -> Obrigada, Muriel :)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
we've only have one chance, take it


Explanation:
HTH

María Leonor Acevedo-Miranda
Local time: 10:28
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Margarida Martins Costelha: "we've... have" is incorrect
2 mins
  -> Foi o corrector do telemovel
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

8 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
once in a life time opportunity


Explanation:
suggestion

Verginia Ophof
Belize
Local time: 09:28
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 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.

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