Glossary entry

Russian term or phrase:

быть на короткой ноге

English translation:

to be on familiar terms

Added to glossary by Milana_R
Dec 27, 2001 07:12
22 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Russian term

"на короткой ноге"

Russian to English Art/Literary
Describies some familiarity in a relationship.
Но как лучше перевести на английский? Подскажите пожалуйста.
Контекст:
С начальником он был "на короткой ноге".
Спасибо за помощь!

Discussion

Non-ProZ.com Dec 27, 2001:
from Lingvo I did get this translation from Lingvo:
�� �� �������� ���� � ���-�. ����. � to be on close/intimate terms with smb.
But this cotext doesn't call as much for "intimacy", as it does for "familiarity".

Proposed translations

+1
40 mins
Selected

to be on familiar terms with smb, to be pally with smb, to be in with smb., to be thick with smb.

Some more options:
to be on familiar terms with smb - быть в приятельских отношениях/на короткой ноге с кем-либо
to be pally with smb - быть с кем-либо в дружбе/на короткой ноге

Быть на дружеской (короткой) ноге с кем-либо: to be on a friendly footing with smb. Ex.: She is on a first name basis (~"на ты") with him. He is in with many influential people. She has been thinck with that family for years

Быть на равной ноге с кем-либо: to be on equal footing with smb.
Ex. Бунина можно было видеть в кафе, в которых сходилась литературная молодежь. Несмотря на разницу лет и на всемирную славу, писатель, не терпевший фамильярности, все же стремился быть со всеми на равной ноге. Bunin could be seen in the cafes where literary youth preferred to get together. Despite the difference in age and his worldwide popularity, the writer who hated excessive familiarity, was eager to be on an equal footing with all of them.

Best of luck.
Peer comment(s):

agree DR. RICHARD BAVRY (X) : Also not bad at all!
9 mins
Thank you!
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you Julia, this is exactly the phrase I was looking for, given my context. Thanks a bunch to all for your help! С Наступающим! Милана."
10 mins

He and his boss were buddies.

You understand what I mean.
Close relationship in that sense.
Something went wrong...
+4
23 mins

to be on a good footing (with)

also Lingvo (нога)

быть на короткой ноге — to be on a good footing (with)
быть на дружеской ноге — to be on friendly terms (with)
быть на равной ноге — to be on an equal footing (with)
Peer comment(s):

agree Emil Tubinshlak : "On familiar terms" is also a possibility, but "good footing" is probably best
8 mins
agree Bakytbek
15 mins
agree Julia Berman : that's it exactly; also see some examples below
18 mins
agree DR. RICHARD BAVRY (X) : yes, all of your suggestions ring true to my English ears!
26 mins
Something went wrong...
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