Verträumt und gutmütig traut man ihr nicht viel zu

English translation: halber Satz

21:41 Jan 17, 2005
German to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Cinema, Film, TV, Drama
German term or phrase: Verträumt und gutmütig traut man ihr nicht viel zu
A character in a film:
"Verträumt und gutmütig traut man ihr nicht viel zu, doch sie kann eine ganze Horde Kühe zum Tanzen bringen."
I'm thinking along the lines of "Her #(naive?)# character makes her (syonym for "implausible" - but not that)... " but I just can't think of a slick way of getting it across ...
P.S. This is not as such a film-related question - which category should be under?
Francis Lee (X)
Local time: 07:29
English translation:halber Satz
Explanation:
She may come across as pensive and mellow, but don’t be deceived....

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Note added at 16 mins (2005-01-17 21:58:03 GMT)
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oder: don\'t be fooled by her pensive and mellow appearance
Selected response from:

Johanna Timm, PhD
Canada
Local time: 22:29
Grading comment
I'm going with Erik's fantastic blend (except "but don't be deceived"). Thanks EVERYBODY!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +7halber Satz
Johanna Timm, PhD
4 +1A good natured dreamer you wouldn't expect much from her, but you'd be surprised
vanessak
3day-dreaming and naive
Joseph Hovan


Discussion entries: 9





  

Answers


14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +7
(halber) Satz
halber Satz


Explanation:
She may come across as pensive and mellow, but don’t be deceived....

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 16 mins (2005-01-17 21:58:03 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

oder: don\'t be fooled by her pensive and mellow appearance

Johanna Timm, PhD
Canada
Local time: 22:29
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 20
Grading comment
I'm going with Erik's fantastic blend (except "but don't be deceived"). Thanks EVERYBODY!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Annika Neudecker: Nice :-)
11 mins

agree  Ulrike Lieder (X): Exzellent, Frau Dr. Timm! :-))))
12 mins
  -> hach, das wird mir noch zu Kopf steigen!!

agree  Christine Lam
28 mins

agree  Gabrielle Lyons: maybe 'dreamy' rather than pensive
1 hr

agree  Erik Macki: I like this syntax best, but I think kotoula's word choice reads better, so why not blend: "She may come across as a good-natured dreamer, but you'd be surprised."
1 hr

agree  Hilary Davies Shelby: I like this one - and erik's modification; both sound very natural!
13 hrs

agree  gangels (X)
18 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
(halber) Satz
A good natured dreamer you wouldn't expect much from her, but you'd be surprised


Explanation:
a more literal approach

vanessak
Greece
Local time: 08:29
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GreekGreek, Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  gangels (X)
17 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
(halber) Satz
day-dreaming and naive


Explanation:
I wouldn't interpret so much and stick to the original text a bit more, unless the author has given you so much poetic license. ;-)

Joseph Hovan
Local time: 07:29
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
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