Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Italiano term or phrase:
complicità
Inglese translation:
close companionship
Italiano term
Stati Uniti
Multilingual. Very careful & precise.
Native in: Inglese 
Works in: Da Spagnolo a Inglese, Da Italiano a Inglese
complicità
I found a sentence online that uses this word: "Cerco amore, passione e complicita' - 54 anni."
The translator for my document, probably in a hurry to meet his/her deadline, chose 'complicity' for the English term ... but this of course doesn't work in this situation, which is about close, intimate relationships.
These possible meanings come to mind: togetherness, closeness, close connection, bonding, compatibility ....
What do Italians mean by this *complicita'* in the context of relationships?
Grazie per l'aiuto!
Grazie
Jul 25, 2009 08:51: Sarah Ferrara changed "Level" from "Non-PRO" to "PRO"
Jul 25, 2009 10:20: Emanuela Galdelli changed "Term asked" from "complicita\'" to "complicità"
PRO (3): Oliver Lawrence, Tom in London, Sarah Ferrara
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Proposed translations
close companionship
| agree |
Shera Lyn Parpia
: I think this is just right.
28 min
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thanks - perhaps also "connection" or "close connection"?
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Away with words
Native in: Italiano (Variant: Standard-Italy) , Inglese (Variant: UK)
Works in: Da Italiano a Inglese, Da Inglese a Italiano, Inglese, and 1 more.
being on the same wavelength
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=1007282
Here's an interesting thread about "complicità":
http://it.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=2007102503023...
mutual understanding
| agree |
Giuseppe Bellone
: I think it's more than enough for the context and the kind of questions being asked. :) After all it's not a scientific research! :)
1 ora
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Grazie Beppe, ciao.
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Italia
Texts with zest by a Chartered Linguist
Native in: Inglese (Variants: British, UK)
Works in: Da Italiano a Inglese, Inglese
chemistry
Regno Unito
Architecture, design, technical, etc.
Native in: Inglese (Variant: British) 
Works in: Da Italiano a Inglese
innate understanding
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Note added at 47 mins (2009-07-25 08:47:42 GMT)
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er.. *I* know
| agree |
Sarah Ferrara
: yes, this is the element missing from simply "close companionship"
7 min
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Thanks Sarah
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Italia
Reliable, punctual and accurate
Native in: Inglese (Variants: US, UK) , Italiano
Works in: Da Italiano a Inglese
reciprocity
compatibility
They are accomplices in love and life (rather than committing a crime)
soulmate
SOULMATE.
True it's not rocket science but it's been bugging me all morning.
| agree |
Sarah Jane Webb
: BINGO! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soulmate
6 ore
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thanks it was your discussion entry that gave me that "eureka" moment!
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| agree |
Oliver Lawrence
: great stuff
7 ore
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thanks :)
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Accuracy and professionality
Native in: Italiano
Works in: Da Inglese a Italiano, Da Italiano a Inglese
consonance
Anyway I agree with Michael, complicity can be used also in metaphorical sense.
Accurate & Reliable
Native in: Spagnolo , Inglese
Works in: Da Inglese a Spagnolo, Da Spagnolo a Inglese, Da Francese a Inglese, and 2 more.
kindred spirits/true partnership/spiritual partnership
| agree |
Monia Di Martino
: I think "kindred spirits" is the best option because it contains the concept of something spiritual and kindred, more than "soulmate" that in Italian is supposed to correspond to "anima gemella".
2 giorni 18 ore
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grazie!
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Italia
Native in: Inglese , Russo
Works in: Da Russo a Inglese, Da Inglese a Russo, Da Italiano a Russo, and 2 more.
Just what it says - "à", + "y" (see)
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Note added at 8 hrs (2009-07-25 16:04:02 GMT)
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Hi, Joseph. I wouldn't have too many qualms about using it, but I see whatchamean. Cheers!
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Note added at 22 hrs (2009-07-26 06:59:18 GMT)
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Not only Merriam Webster! Lookee 'ere, Joseph (and there are tons more!):
A rare total match in bed and in life, Full lovers complicity developed. As the story grew strong we decided to go for a trip. We chose Spain since I had to ...
www.asexstories.com/Summer-in-barcelona/
| Ciao Michael and thank you for your suggestion and comments. I think I missed the 'commozione' because I just woke up to find all of these interesting and diverse responses. Let me say in comment to yours that I will not leave the translator's 'complicity' term in the document. In English (at least US) 'complicity' has criminal or at least negative overtones. My Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary says: 'complicity' = association or participation in a wrongful act. Nothing about tight relationships. Ma grazie di nuovo per il tuo suggerimento! |
| Ciao Michael. From the Di Mauro online Italian dictionary: " chi partecipa con altri a un delitto o a un’azione riprovevole o ne favorisce il compimento: il c. di un delitto, essere il c. di qcn. in una rapina, hanno arrestato anche i complici ". This is still the main / almost exclusive way that 'complicity' is understood in English (at least US). Thanks for keeping the interesting discussion going. |
| agree |
Maria Vita Licata
: sure
4 ore
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grazie Maria Vita. Sinceramente, non capisco perchè tutta questa commozione.
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| agree |
Gina Ferlisi
4 ore
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Grazie Gina!
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Discussion
Anche in ITALIANO il significato "primario" di "complicità" è, come in inglese, d'uso quotidiano nel vocabulario dei giudici e poliziotti. Ed è il "secondario" che c'interessa qui, sia in italiano che, insisto, in Inglese, dove, insisto ancora, esiste altrettanto (basta guardare un po' di siti... anche porno – divertiti!)
Michael ha perfettamente ragione: "an implicit approval of and the readiness to participate in whatever the action initiated by the partner....a "total mutual acceptance".
La maggioranza delle risposte trascura quest'aspetto fondamentale a mio avviso ...
più che un termine....un viaggio nella cultura italiana...