Sep 5, 2006 13:14
17 yrs ago
English term
Germany
A law unto itself
English to German
Law/Patents
Law (general)
I have no further context, but I'd appreciate any input - whether it's a German translation or an English explanation of the concept.
Thanks a lot!
Annika
Thanks a lot!
Annika
Proposed translations
(German)
| 4 +1 | hat seine eigene Gesetze |
David Moore (X)
|
| 3 | ein Gesetz an sich |
Ulrike MacKay
|
| 3 | eigensinnig / er macht was er will |
Camilla Seifert
|
Proposed translations
+1
6 mins
Selected
hat seine eigene Gesetze
Like my computer, at times;
it's a common English expression meaning that it does what IT wants to do, and not what I tell it doe do.
Possibly more frequently associated with people, like "XYZ is/was a law unto him/herself", meaning (s)he seldom listened to (or rather, TOOK) anyone else's advice, and did just what they felt like doing.
it's a common English expression meaning that it does what IT wants to do, and not what I tell it doe do.
Possibly more frequently associated with people, like "XYZ is/was a law unto him/herself", meaning (s)he seldom listened to (or rather, TOOK) anyone else's advice, and did just what they felt like doing.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Ulrike MacKay
: So, the "first bit" of the sentence would be "... has / follows a law unto itself"? Is that right? Thanks for letting me know, David ;-) I'm always "ready, able and willing" ... to learn! ;-))
6 mins
|
|
It would normally be "is a law unto itself" - in other words, makes up its own laws as it goes along.
|
|
| neutral |
Aniello Scognamiglio (X)
: und "hat seine eigene*n* Gesetze"!!!
6 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks, David - that's what I thought. Just wasn't too sure... :-)
Annika"
7 mins
Ulrike MacKay
Germany
Germany
Native in German
Germany
Marketing and "green" specialist
Native in: German
Works in: English to German, French to German, German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
42
ein Gesetz an sich
... doch es MUSS Kontext geben - oder ist das der einzige TEILsatz / Satzteil, den du übersetzt - und das auch noch ohne zu wissen für wen / was?
Note from asker:
| Tanja/Ulrike - danke für die Antwort. Nein, kein Kontext. Ich habe den Ausdruck schon öfter gehört (in verschiedenen Zusammenhängen), und da ich im Internet und/oder Wörterbuch keine Definition hierfür finden konnte, habe ich gehofft, ein ProZianer könnte mir bei der Definition helfen. |
31 mins
Camilla Seifert
South Africa
South Africa
Native in English
&
German
Specializes in field
South Africa
Professional, experienced, high quality
Native in: English 
, German
Works in: German to English, English to German
Related KudoZ points
:
18
eigensinnig / er macht was er will
I found this in PONS Grosswörterbuch. And agree that the expression basically means that somebody does whatever they please without taking notice of rules and regulations. Sort of selfish really!
Note from asker:
| Danke, Camilla :-) |
Discussion
Das ist der einzige Zusammenhang, in dem ich den Ausdruck kenne.