Oct 14, 2004 16:18
19 yrs ago
2 viewers *
Italiano term
Works in: Da Italiano a Inglese, Da Inglese a Italiano
paracula
May offend
Da Italiano a Inglese
Arte/Letteratura
Poesia e Prosa
"Quella paracula della mia amica ha combinato un'altra delle sue."
Proposed translations
(Inglese)
| 5 +3 | smart-arse/smart-ass |
Angela Arnone
|
| 4 +2 | scheming bastard/bitch |
Lindsay Sabadosa (X)
|
| 4 +1 | lucky b**ch |
Mauro Baglieri
|
| 4 | schemer |
Ivana UK
|
Proposed translations
+3
24 min
Angela Arnone
Native in Inglese
Works in field
Italian by name ... English by nature!
Native in: Inglese 
Works in: Da Italiano a Inglese, Inglese, Italiano
Related KudoZ points
:
54
Selected
smart-arse/smart-ass
It can mean a few things but on the whole it means someone who is an opportunist - "pararsi il culo" means to mind your back... cover yourself in case something goes wrong.
I thought smart-ass would fit as it recovers the imagery!!!
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day 2 hrs 39 mins (2004-10-15 18:57:44 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
This discussion is a wee bit out of hand!!! I\'m going to add some reflections on the Italian \"paraculo\" - as it is used where I live - it refers to someone who covers their back, licking up to people, changes opinion or it is someone who falls on their feet.
My dictionary also suggests \"smart-arse/ass\" as a suitable translation.
Now, if someone called me paraculo in Italian, I would laugh it off ... as I would if they called me a smart-arse in English. If someone called me a scheming bitch, I would get really cross. But I\'m British!!!
I thought smart-ass would fit as it recovers the imagery!!!
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day 2 hrs 39 mins (2004-10-15 18:57:44 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
This discussion is a wee bit out of hand!!! I\'m going to add some reflections on the Italian \"paraculo\" - as it is used where I live - it refers to someone who covers their back, licking up to people, changes opinion or it is someone who falls on their feet.
My dictionary also suggests \"smart-arse/ass\" as a suitable translation.
Now, if someone called me paraculo in Italian, I would laugh it off ... as I would if they called me a smart-arse in English. If someone called me a scheming bitch, I would get really cross. But I\'m British!!!
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Grazie! Your answer also helped me to remember something I've heard here in Texas quite a few times: "Scammin' ass"!"
+2
10 min
scheming bastard/bitch
Usually it is bastard but because, I believe, bastard nowadays is used more for men than women, I would suggest changing it to "bitch" instead. Of course, historically "bastard" can be used for both sexes but this sentence seems to be rather informal so "bitch" will probably work just fine. In any case, my source is Garzanti.
"My friend, that scheming bitch, has done it again/pulled another one."
"My friend, that scheming bitch, has done it again/pulled another one."
Reference:
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Michele Fauble
: "bitch' Your definition of smart-ass is correct, at least that is how I have always heard it used in US English. "Scheming bastard" (or any type of bastard) I would consider too strong.
7 ore
|
| neutral |
Angela Arnone
: I rarely comment other answers if I have made my own, but as mine has been, I'll explain- this is far stronger language than is warranted by the Italian, which is almost joking in tone
12 ore
|
|
Sorry, didn't mean to offend! This translation is pretty impossible because we all use these words in such a personal way. I actually didn't think that my solution was that harsh but it's good to know that other people might!
|
|
| agree |
Mauro Baglieri
: "para**** " mostly refers to a very very lucky person. Are you sure b**** or smart *** is the right word ?
22 ore
|
50 min
schemer
The usual term is "paraculo" in the masculine form.
It's not quite as common in the feminine form.
Have a look at the following online dictionary:
Persona che riesce a evitare lavori pesanti e/o situazioni di stress (paraculo) ... //// ...tipo che si copre sempre le spalle e non solo...
In a different context it has an entirely different meaning!
It's not quite as common in the feminine form.
Have a look at the following online dictionary:
Persona che riesce a evitare lavori pesanti e/o situazioni di stress (paraculo) ... //// ...tipo che si copre sempre le spalle e non solo...
In a different context it has an entirely different meaning!
+1
1 giorno 3 ore
Mauro Baglieri
Italia
Italia
Native in Italiano
Specializes in field
Italia
All-in-one web and language services
Native in: Italiano 
Works in: Da Inglese a Italiano, Da Italiano a Inglese, Da Francese a Italiano, and 3 more.
lucky b**ch
like that lucky son of a ...., just feminine.
this is the closest i can get, i think there is no perfect rendering. Para**** often means you are lucky because you have "friends in high places". Context will tell anyway.
Eg. John Doe: Ho vinto il concorso!
Mario Rossi: Ma che para**** che sei! Come hai fatto?
this is the closest i can get, i think there is no perfect rendering. Para**** often means you are lucky because you have "friends in high places". Context will tell anyway.
Eg. John Doe: Ho vinto il concorso!
Mario Rossi: Ma che para**** che sei! Come hai fatto?
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Lindsay Sabadosa (X)
: Hmmm, this solution does seem to take into account many of the concerns voiced above. I like it!
20 ore
|
|
thanks ; -)
|
Something went wrong...