Glossary entry (derived from question below)
German term or phrase:
es kann nicht alles beisammen sein
English translation:
but you can\'t have it all (in life)
Added to glossary by
Timoshka
May 14, 2023 18:42
1 yr ago
42 viewers *
German term
es kann nicht alles beisammen sein
German to English
Social Sciences
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
A non-native German speaker in Hungary was writing about her recently deceased husband, when she used this phrase:
It was so awfully beautiful around him, and it has become so empty. I am frightfully alone in spite of the fact that I have friends who are unparalleled. They support me in word and deed, which is really touching. My and my husband's families really keep their distance, "aber es kann ja im Leben nicht alles beisammen sein."
I think this must be some idiom I'm not aware of, like "...but everything can't be perfect in life." Or, is it meant literally, as in all the family members can't be together in life?
It was so awfully beautiful around him, and it has become so empty. I am frightfully alone in spite of the fact that I have friends who are unparalleled. They support me in word and deed, which is really touching. My and my husband's families really keep their distance, "aber es kann ja im Leben nicht alles beisammen sein."
I think this must be some idiom I'm not aware of, like "...but everything can't be perfect in life." Or, is it meant literally, as in all the family members can't be together in life?
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 +4 | but you can't have it all (in life) |
Ramey Rieger (X)
|
| 4 +2 | life can't all be spent in company |
Justin Verceles
|
Proposed translations
+4
9 hrs
Selected
but you can't have it all (in life)
My take.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Steve Robbie
: or "you can't have everything" as I would say it. (My take, too, but I'm not swearing to it - hence "neutral" rather than "agree").
5 hrs
|
| agree |
Simon Vigneault
: or perhaps, "but you can't do everything together in life"
6 hrs
|
| neutral |
philgoddard
: I think this is more likely, but you need references.
8 hrs
|
| agree |
Johanna Timm, PhD
: https://tinyurl.com/mvvyxv72
11 hrs
|
| agree |
writeaway
19 hrs
|
| agree |
Lancashireman
: More than likely, and you didn't need references.
3 days 8 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Vielen Dank! I appreciate it."
+2
7 hrs
Justin Verceles
United States
United States
Native in English
Works in field
United States
Related KudoZ points
:
4
life can't all be spent in company
She's saying that since her husband's passing, she can't comprehend why she's felt so alone when she has such great friends, though, "[Granted,] my and my husband's families really keep their distance," but life can't all be spent in company.
Discussion