Glossary entry

German term or phrase:

so wenig wie möglich - so viel wie nötig

English translation:

As Little as Possible - As Much as Necessary

Added to glossary by lindaellen (X)
Sep 27, 2004 08:35
19 yrs ago
5 viewers *
German term

so wenig wie möglich - so viel wie nötig

German to English Medical General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters back pain
Context: combination of high-tech medical treatment and gentle traditional methods.
Can somebody can up with something more snappy for a title than
As Little as Possible – As Much as Necessary ?

Proposed translations

25 mins
German term (edited): so wenig wie m�glich - so viel wie n�tig
Selected

I prefer your original

Sometimes "snappiness" gets on my nerves. I think you original is just fine. Afterall "so wenig wie möglich - so viel wie nötig" also applies to language.
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you all - there were a few suggestions I also liked, but to convey the message accurately, it seemed best to stick to the original"
3 mins
German term (edited): so wenig wie m�glich - so viel wie n�tig

Maximum impact - minimum discomfort

I'm aware that it's not quite the same thing, but if you have the freedom to do so, I would suggestion "Maximum impact - minimum discomfort".
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+6
8 mins

minimum pain - maximum gain

unless I pinched it from somewhere
Peer comment(s):

agree Tamara Ferencak
6 mins
agree msherms : very nice
15 mins
agree Thomas Bollmann
20 mins
agree Terence Ajbro : would also work for bodybuilders!
21 mins
agree Herbert2
24 mins
agree Maria Ferstl
1 hr
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15 mins
German term (edited): so wenig wie m�glich - so viel wie n�tig

don't overdo it - do it right

Don't overdo it (the treatment) - do it right

just an idea keeping a bit closer to the context...
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49 mins
German term (edited): so wenig wie m�glich - so viel wie n�tig

striking the balance

wouldn't "striking the balance" do as a header? In the context, it should become quite clear what is meant as you read on.
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1 hr
German term (edited): so wenig wie m�glich - so viel wie n�tig

A little goes a long way

I agree that a direct rendering doesn’t sound like much of a heading in English. Rather than sticking too closely to the original, I would use a phrase which
a. conveys the same (or at least a very similar) message
b. catches the reader’s eye and makes him/her want to read on
c. is snappy to read, easy on the eye, perhaps with a wordplay thrown in for good measure?

My suggestions:

A little goes a long way
Back to Nature
Backing away from medical intervention
Gently does it
No more than necessary

hope it helps ;-)
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1 hr
German term (edited): so wenig wie m�glich - so viel wie n�tig

what you need - and nothing more

Something along these lines? All depends on the style of your document, e.g.whether addressing the reader directly is suitable or not
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4 hrs
German term (edited): so wenig wie m�glich - so viel wie n�tig

Not too much and not too little

Or: Our treatments are right in the middle: Not too much and not to little!
Or: We treat just right! bla, bla
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