Mar 13, 2008 18:13
16 yrs ago
German term

Die Dinge würden sich selbst im Weg stehen.

German to English Art/Literary History
This is from a literary text - a travel narrative about the Congo.

Mobutus Kinder wollten es für sich. Aber, warum sollte man nicht dieses ganze Geld locker machen, um das Land wieder aufzubauen? Eine Unmöglichkeit, so plausibel, wie nicht durchführbar. **Die Dinge würden sich selbst im Weg stehen.**

Proposed translations

+1
25 mins
Selected

Things would get in their own way.

or possibly: ... in each others' way.
(depending on context)

You may want to use something more specific than "things," but I'd have to see the whole text to suggest an alternative.
Peer comment(s):

agree Ulrike Kraemer : mit "in their own way" - bei "in each other's way" würde die Dinge sich gegenseitig, nicht sich selbst im Weg stehen.
1 hr
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
43 mins

The country itself is its biggest problem.

could possibly fit quite well, more context needed
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46 mins

Things would get in each other's way.

This is how I would say it.
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4 hrs

The country/system is its own worst enemy.

This is a guess - we could do with a little more context - but it might fit, or at least give you a start.
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21 hrs

The idea is simply a non-starter.

Perhaps?
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