addig jàr a korso a kutra mig el nem torik

English translation: the pitcher goes so often to the well that it eventually breaks

18:10 Sep 9, 2011
Hungarian to English translations [Non-PRO]
Linguistics
Hungarian term or phrase: addig jàr a korso a kutra mig el nem torik
this is a general proverb in hungarian that I have not been able to translate
M Boros
English translation:the pitcher goes so often to the well that it eventually breaks
Explanation:
Dictionary definition

Selected response from:

Endre Brutyó (X)
Hungary
Local time: 16:13
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2the pitcher goes so often to the well that it eventually breaks
Endre Brutyó (X)
5 +1The pitcher goes so long to the well, until it breaks
Ildiko Santana


  

Answers


6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
the pitcher goes so often to the well that it eventually breaks


Explanation:
Dictionary definition




    Reference: http://www.amazon.com/Often-Pitcher-Water-Until-Breaks/dp/02...
    Reference: http://proverbhunter.com/the-pitcher-goes-so-often-to-the-we...
Endre Brutyó (X)
Hungary
Local time: 16:13
Native speaker of: Hungarian
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  János Untener: The pitcher will go to the well once too often vagy ez, ami a szótáramban is van
4 mins

neutral  Ildiko Santana: There is a difference between "so often" (annyiszor) and "so long" (addig). In my opinion, the standard structure for "addig - amíg" is "so long - until", not "so often - that". There is no mention of (or need for) "eventually" (végül) in the original.
3 hrs
  -> Good point, but it all comes down to context: both translations may be used, but in most cases, this proverb is used to describe an action whose inconsiderate and/or stubborn repetition leads to failure or even tragedy.

agree  Istvan Nagy: én a jános változatát sokkal jobbnak látom, mint a válaszban szereplőt
2 days 13 hrs
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
The pitcher goes so long to the well, until it breaks


Explanation:
With the correct spelling, the Hungarian version is
Addig jár a korsó a kútra, míg el nem törik"
In English:
"The pitcher goes so long to the well, until it breaks"

References:

"381. Addig jár a korsó a kútra, míg el nem törik.
The pitcher goes so long to the well, until it breaks."
750 magyar közmondás / 750 Hungarian proverbs
Paczolay Gyula (1991)
http://mek.oszk.hu/00200/00242/00242.pdf

Also here:
Paczolay Gyula: 750 magyar közmondás
750 Hungarian proverbs by Gyula Paczolay
- Bõvített kiad. - Veszprém : Veszprém Megyei Nyomda
Kft., 1991. - 127 p. ; 12 cm. - ISBN 963 02 9145 2
Forrás/Source: Magyar Elektronikus Könyvtár
(+1000 Hungarian Proverbs downloadable in rtf format)
http://terebess.hu/english/proverbeng.html

Special Dictionary / World Proverbs:
http://www.special-dictionary.com/proverbs/keywords/pitcher/...
832 Famous Hungarian Proverbs:
http://www.special-dictionary.com/proverbs/source/h/hungaria...

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Note added at 2 hrs (2011-09-09 20:44:36 GMT)
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The downloadable publication I mention above seems to be a rather useful collection of a total 1000 Hungarian proverbs. This is the full cover page:

"Paczolay Gyula

EZER MAGYAR KÖZMONDÁS ÉS SZÓLÁS

angol, észt, finn, német fordítással és megfelelőkkel, latin forrásokkal

DIÁKOKNAK ÉS NYELVTANULÓKNAK IS

1000 HUNGARIAN PROVERBS
UNGARI VANASÕNA JA KÕNEKÄÄNDU
UNKARILAISTA SANANLASKUA JA SANONTAA
UNGARISCHE SPRICHWÖRTER UND REDEWENDUNGEN

Bárczi Géza Kiejtési Alapítvány
Budapest, 2005

Bárczi Füzetek III.
Bárczi Géza Kiejtési Alapítvány

A Bárczi Füzetek sorozatában köznyelvi kiejtésünkhöz és nyelvi műveltségünkhöz kapcsolódó alkotásokat közlünk időről időre. Tervezett kiadványaink: forrásművek, elméleti tanulmányok, gyakorlati és oktatási anyagok.

http://barczi.uw.hu/barczifuzetek3.rtf

Ildiko Santana
United States
Local time: 08:13
Native speaker of: Native in HungarianHungarian, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  József Lázár
1 day 9 hrs
  -> Köszönöm!
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