Glossary entry (derived from question below)
German term or phrase:
Lebensbejahende Körperbau
English translation:
built for (life's) abundance/life-affirming physique
Added to glossary by
Ramey Rieger (X)
Dec 17, 2017 16:29
6 yrs ago
German term
Germany
Business translation w/ WLS Certificate
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, English
Lebensbejahende Körperbau
German to English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
This isn't actually from a text; it's a phrase an Austrian acquaintance of mine uses to describe himself. What he means is that he has a large beer belly and he clearly loves to say yes to all that life has to offer (particularly wine and food). I've been mulling over a good and succinct translation for this phrase for years, but the closest I've come is "an epicurean stature". I'm curious to see what all of you would suggest as an alternative. :)
Proposed translations
(English)
Change log
Dec 22, 2017 11:43: Ramey Rieger (X) Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
+3
42 mins
Selected
built for (life's) abundance
body bountiful
Note from asker:
| Thank you so much to everyone for all of your suggestions. I loved many of the suggestions, especially "jolly" and "a body that loves life," but I think the word "abundant" gives it a great direction. Something like "a physique that attested to life's abundance" or even just "an abundant physique" could work really well. Thanks again to everyone for your creative ideas! |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Anne Schulz
: Wonderful - should it be "built from life's abundance", rather? lol
2 hrs
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Hihihi!
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| agree |
Herbmione Granger
: I could imagine someone describing himself this way :)
20 hrs
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Could be me, but it wouldn't refer to food and drink!
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| neutral |
philgoddard
: I think this implies that it's his natural build. It's not, it's the result of indulging in life's abundance.
22 hrs
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Built is a double entendre here - it's how he's built and what he's 'made' for, or born to be.
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| agree |
Eleanore Strauss
: Great way to incorporate all aspects.. with "Augenzwinkern'.. no need to split hairs, it does not imply a natural build... Good idea to split a bottle...
1 day 23 hrs
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But we could split a bottle of something...
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you so much to everyone for all of your suggestions. I loved many of the suggestions, especially "jolly" and "a body that loves life," but I think the word "abundant" gives it a great direction. Something like "a physique that attested to life's abundance" or even just "an abundant physique" could work really well. Thanks again to everyone for your creative ideas!"
+2
9 mins
Kim Metzger
Mexico
Mexico
Native in English
Mexico
Committed to Quality and Service
Native in: English (Variant: US) 
Works in: German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
100
life-affirming physique
How about a literal translation?
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
philgoddard
: Yes, it has an exact English equivalent, so you might as well use it.
3 mins
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| agree |
Kristina Cosumano (X)
: I like this! Where is it from - Falstaff?
20 hrs
|
15 mins
Julia Burgess
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
Specializes in field
United Kingdom
Experienced in the travel industry
Native in: English (Variants: US, British)
Works in: German to English
[he] lives for today
Just an idea. Perhaps makes the unspoken suggestion that his gourmandism may have a downside in the future.
I love your own invention though!
I love your own invention though!
2 hrs
Stephen Sadie
Germany
Germany
Native in English
Germany
Practical business experience, reliable
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, English to German
Related KudoZ points
:
48
a gourmand figure
just another option
3 hrs
Herbmione Granger
Germany
Germany
Native in English
Germany
An American scholar based in Germany
Native in: English (Variant: US) 
Works in: French to English, German to English, English
"merry" body shape
Thinking of Santa Claus. Perhaps influenced by the time of year :)
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Note added at 3 hrs (2017-12-17 20:13:52 GMT)
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Or "jolly"
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Note added at 3 hrs (2017-12-17 20:24:42 GMT)
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12...
Arnold, 54, a warm, bespectacled man with rough hands, a bushy moustache and a jolly physique worthy of Santa
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Note added at 3 hrs (2017-12-17 20:13:52 GMT)
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Or "jolly"
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Note added at 3 hrs (2017-12-17 20:24:42 GMT)
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12...
Arnold, 54, a warm, bespectacled man with rough hands, a bushy moustache and a jolly physique worthy of Santa
7 hrs
David Hollywood
Native in English
Works in field
worked for int. orgs (IMF, OAS, IDB)
Native in: English
Works in: Spanish to English, German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
64
a body that loves life
I would say
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Note added at 7 hrs (2017-12-17 23:56:48 GMT)
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you've got a good play on words here
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Note added at 7 hrs (2017-12-17 23:57:44 GMT)
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as I do myself lol
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Note added at 7 hrs (2017-12-18 00:01:54 GMT)
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as in love life but as I'm a golfer, I try to keep the body more or less in a fit state to carry on (and so far so good)
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Note added at 7 hrs (2017-12-17 23:56:48 GMT)
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you've got a good play on words here
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Note added at 7 hrs (2017-12-17 23:57:44 GMT)
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as I do myself lol
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Note added at 7 hrs (2017-12-18 00:01:54 GMT)
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as in love life but as I'm a golfer, I try to keep the body more or less in a fit state to carry on (and so far so good)
1 day 9 mins
Michael Martin, MA
United States
United States
Native in German
&
English
Specializes in field
United States
Creativity wins in the long run
Native in: German (Variant: Germany) , English (Variant: US)
Works in: German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
98
body shape attesting to a fondness for life's pleasures
..body shape attesting to a fondness/affinity for life's (great) pleasures..
For the English equivalent, we could use stronger imagery. The Austrian expression may be a little dry for most English speakers.
For the English equivalent, we could use stronger imagery. The Austrian expression may be a little dry for most English speakers.
+1
1 day 20 hrs
Falstaffian physique/stature
Shakespeare's Falstaff character epitomizes the pleasures of the table.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Teangacha (X)
36 mins
|
Discussion
Here's an article that you might enjoy reading:
https://www.guidelinesinpractice.co.uk/your-practice/take-th...
I thought it was well written and funny.
One tidbit: "One study found that some women feel more guilty about eating ice cream than committing adultery. And committing adultery with ice cream is what keeps therapists in business."
Oh my.
Best wishes