Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
je veux bien lui en toucher deux mots
English translation:
I\'m willing to have a word with him
Added to glossary by
Daniel Weston
Jul 13, 2011 01:18
13 yrs ago
1 viewer *
French term
United States
Communication: one link at a time
Native in: English (Variant: US) 
Works in: French to English, English
je veux bien lui en toucher deux mots
Non-PRO
French to English
Bus/Financial
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Conversation
This is pretty self explanatory, here is the entire sentence:
"Ecoute… je dois le rencontrer la semaine prochaine, je veux bien lui en toucher deux mots."
My try: Listen..I need to meet with him next week, I'd really like to have a couple of words with him."
I'm not entirely sure about, though!
"Ecoute… je dois le rencontrer la semaine prochaine, je veux bien lui en toucher deux mots."
My try: Listen..I need to meet with him next week, I'd really like to have a couple of words with him."
I'm not entirely sure about, though!
Change log
Jul 13, 2011 08:54: writeaway changed "Field (specific)" from "Business/Commerce (general)" to "General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters"
Proposed translations
+5
1 hr
Selected
I'm willing to try to have a word with him
As I was sharing with you in the discussion board:
Your translation is right on; I would just add that here " Je veux bien" gives a sense that the interlocutor is willing to try and talk to the other person, but it is not sure that this will necessarily result in the desired outcome.
Thanks for reminding me to post this!
Your translation is right on; I would just add that here " Je veux bien" gives a sense that the interlocutor is willing to try and talk to the other person, but it is not sure that this will necessarily result in the desired outcome.
Thanks for reminding me to post this!
Note from asker:
| Thanks FX Torrentx - but I'd like to point out that it was CC in NYC that pointed it out! Your answer rellay fits the context nicely. |
| Sorry - I mispelled your name! |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Verbier TransIT
1 hr
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Merci!
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| agree |
Sandra Petch
: Although I would drop the "try to" - I'm willing to have a word with him, or even I can have a word with him, if you like.
6 hrs
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Thank you. Yes, I agree, it would sound more idiomatic.
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| agree |
B D Finch
7 hrs
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Thank you.
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| agree |
AllegroTrans
: agree with Sandra
9 hrs
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Thanks AllegroTrans.
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| agree |
Jennifer White
: agree with Sandra
12 hrs
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Thank you Jennifer.
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks"
30 mins
I'd really like to have a word with him
IMO
And there's a thread in Wordreference for "to have a word with":
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=842003
See marcolo's reply.
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Note added at 31 mins (2011-07-13 01:49:29 GMT)
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Or "... a couple of words with him."
And there's a thread in Wordreference for "to have a word with":
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=842003
See marcolo's reply.
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Note added at 31 mins (2011-07-13 01:49:29 GMT)
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Or "... a couple of words with him."
1 hr
Barbara Cochran, MFA
United States
United States
Native in English
Specializes in field
United States
Laudable Lady Linguist
Native in: English 
Works in: Spanish to English, French to English, English to Spanish, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
16
I'd really like to have a just a/at least a short conversation with him.
HTH
Discussion