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This must have been asked before, but I couldn't find it (brief search, I must admit). I believe there are possibly multiple terms for this in English and it all depends on the context, but mostly if someone could suggest a general feminine translation. My very lame SK-EN electronic dictionary suggests jack-a-dandy. After wiping away my tears I realized this person has apparently been watching Pirates of the Caribbean an awful lot.
Oh, I've interpreted it quite correctly and I know the context and everything else involved, as well as the target audience. My only problem is that elusive word or phrase in English that somehow won't come to my mind. I never intended to start a debate, just wanted a few suggestions. But thanks to everyone anyway
I think you face double trouble there. First you need to interpret correctly (ie understand) the meaning in a particular context, and it would differ depending on situation, speaker's age, background, etc. Subsequently you have to interpret it for particular audience, choosing from words familiar to them.
that aside from the obvious boyfriend the options are too numerous and all depend on context, and even then the options seem endless. Ladies' man comes to mind, but not for my context.
Found a quote that gives a very plausible clue as to how the 4 distinct meanings (style, attitude, partner, promiscuous behaviour) are connected:
To, jestli je chlap frajer nebo ne, neposuzuje ten chlap sám, ale opět ženy. Zkuste sbalit ženskou, když vám z očí čouhá, že už jste si rok „nevrznul,“ že se jaksi nechytáte a že až vám některá konečně „dá“, budete ji milovat až za hrob a nikdy ji neopustíte – sotva si můžete podříznout větev spolehlivěji. Jo, ale zato když z vás vyhlédnutá krasavice vycítí, že v žádném případě netrpíte nedostatkem žen a že když budete chtít, sbalíte si místo ní klidně jinou, je okamžitě vaše – protože jste frajer. Výmluvný je i ostatně etymologický původ slova frajer – der Freier je německy záletník. -- http://www.stridavka.cz/nahota-feminismu-cast-32.html
Trying to steer a course back to Nathaniel’s request for a non-girlfriend translation, how about toying with the idea of ladette (not sure if this is only British)? It’s not quite there, but might serve as inspiration…
Hannah Geiger (X)
United States
18:05 May 11, 2014
Myslím, že moje stará a frajerka je rozdíl. Stará ve smyslu the old lady or my old man etc. je už prostě někdo s kým je člověk dlouho, zná ho jako ....etc etc. Frajerka nebo frajer ve smyslu moje frajerka je spíše namlouvání a chození spolu, romance atd. Jistě že když někdo řekne moje stará tak v tom tak moc romantiky není, s tímhle výrazem pro manželku je to spíše the good old... (whathever) IMO
Nedávno som videl seriál z motorkárskeho prostredia (US) a tam používal "old lady". V titulkoch to bolo doslovne ako "stará" (to je moja stará), ale frajerka by sa dalo tiež.
Hannah Geiger (X)
United States
11:48 May 11, 2014
As some others have already insinuated, it really depends on the context. It can be SOMEONE's frajer/ka, which, in my view, is the one used most often; then a frajer who can be a bit of a lady killer, ladies' man, etc., and then also the type of a "dandy". As to the Scrappers, I don't know if it was somebody's frajer z Brooklynu or just a frajer z Brooklynu, but IMO that is where the difference might be. http://slovnik-cizich-slov.abz.cz/web.php/slovo/frajer
So basically in Czech the three distinct meanings we've already mentioned. In Slovak, however, my dictionary offers a curious additional meaning, frajer (=frajerkár) - womanizer. Never heard that one.
It has a slightly different meaning in Czech, where it is exclusively jack the lad - my (Slovak) wife immediately said 'boyfriend', and that is what I know it as as well, but is can also be a bit of a vagabond, someone who tries to be cool, as in 'robiť frajerčinu'
When I think about it, I usually hear this (in Czech, from my wife) when I’m being a clever dick (stress on the dick). I also hear it from my mother-in-law when I’m “lookin’ good”. Have also heard it as Jan's suggestion (bit of a lad).