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  3. General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

zoden aan de dijk

English translation: "I didn't know we/our actions/our efforts are making/made such a big difference."

13:47 Nov 8, 2010
Dutch to English translations [Non-PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Dutch term or phrase: zoden aan de dijk
ik had geen idee dat wij zoveel zoden aan de dijk zetten
Lucia Maria Grella
Italy
Local time: 11:42
English translation:"I didn't know we/our actions/our efforts are making/made such a big difference."
Explanation:
I'm not sure about the were/are because "zetten" can be either present or past tense. More context is needed to determine what it should be.
Selected response from:

Michael Baeyens
Belgium
Local time: 11:42
Grading comment
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4getting somewhere
Kate Hudson (X)
4 +1"I didn't know we/our actions/our efforts are making/made such a big difference."
Michael Baeyens


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
getting somewhere


Explanation:
I had no idea that we were getting somewhere so well/fast

Kate Hudson (X)
Netherlands
Local time: 11:42
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 44

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Barend van Zadelhoff: it seems the speaker is surprised / he/she is not looking back ("zouden" would be used) but realizes something. So I think it should be"ARE getting somewhere so well/fast
31 mins
  -> I totally agree, "... are getting somewhere...' would probably be even better. Thank you!
agree  Chris Hopley: Agree, although contrary to Barend's note, I think that the past tense "were" is a perfectly acceptable rendering of Dutch present tense when recounting.
8 hrs
  -> Thank you
agree  Tina Vonhof (X)
10 hrs
  -> Thank you
agree  Ron Willems: also with Chris, and: "zetten" IS past tense here, if you ask me ;-)
20 hrs
  -> Thank you - it really depends on the rest of the text
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57 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
"I didn't know we/our actions/our efforts are making/made such a big difference."


Explanation:
I'm not sure about the were/are because "zetten" can be either present or past tense. More context is needed to determine what it should be.

Michael Baeyens
Belgium
Local time: 11:42
Native speaker of: Dutch

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jonna Meeuwissen
18 mins
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