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Українська мова - це вам не хрін моржовий

English translation: The Ukrainian language can punch its weight

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Ukrainian term or phrase:Українська мова - це вам не хрін моржовий
English translation:The Ukrainian language can punch its weight
Entered by: Sofiya Skachko

09:55 Apr 1, 2005
Ukrainian to English translations [PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Ukrainian term or phrase: Українська мова - це вам не хрін моржовий
This phrase occurs in the headline of one of the articles in Ukrainska Pravda: http://www2.pravda.com.ua/archive/2005/march/30/1.shtml
It has been translated as "small beer", with the focus on its denotative meaning (something unimportant, useless). I wonder if there's anything more expressive and vivid.
Sofiya Skachko
Denmark
The Ukrainian language can punch its weight
Explanation:
I suggest variations on this.

can/should/now
punch/punches
its weight/above its weight

The article is quite well translated, but not by a native speaker, and the headline doesn't really work. It could be "is no small beer", but I don't particularly like the phrase. Something less metaphorical like "a force to be reckoned with" might be better.
Selected response from:

David Knowles
Local time: 07:03
Grading comment
Thanks David. I was still waiting for more variants, because the idiom seemed like a tough nut to crack, and therefore interesting
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4Див.
Anatoliy Babich
3альтернативні варіанти
Dmytro Voskolovych
3The Ukrainian language can punch its weight
David Knowles


  

Answers


25 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Українська мова - це вам не хрін моржовий
Див.


Explanation:
Ukrainian (language) can kick some ass

Why not.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 51 mins (2005-04-01 10:46:42 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Ukrainian will kick your ass (butt).

Anatoliy Babich
Ukraine
Local time: 09:03
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian, Native in UkrainianUkrainian
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Óêðà¿íñüêà ìîâà - öå
альтернативні варіанти


Explanation:
1. Якщо мова йде про кризовий стан українcької: Ukrainian (language) is not dead in the water or Ukrainian is not in the worn-out category.
2. Загальні відомості про мову (яка вона суперова и т.ін.): Ukrainian(language) will sure fill the bill or Ukrainian(language) is a real hardball


Dmytro Voskolovych
Local time: 09:03
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian, Native in UkrainianUkrainian
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 day 6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Українська мова - це вам не хрін моржовий
The Ukrainian language can punch its weight


Explanation:
I suggest variations on this.

can/should/now
punch/punches
its weight/above its weight

The article is quite well translated, but not by a native speaker, and the headline doesn't really work. It could be "is no small beer", but I don't particularly like the phrase. Something less metaphorical like "a force to be reckoned with" might be better.

David Knowles
Local time: 07:03
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 7
Grading comment
Thanks David. I was still waiting for more variants, because the idiom seemed like a tough nut to crack, and therefore interesting
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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