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English translation: and then no one can touch you
15:16 Mar 30, 2018
Dutch to English translations [Non-PRO] Social Sciences - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / colloquial expression/in a transcript of an interview with a young offender
Dutch term or phrase:dan kan niemand je iets maken
This comes from an interview in which a young offender explains how he got drawn into crime.
The whole sentence is:
Op een gegeven moment... mensen kregen aanzien voor mij, want ik was er goed in [good at breaking into properties] en dan voel je stoer, tof en dan kan niemand je iets maken.
I only need help with the last part of the sentence: ... en dan kan niemand je iets maken
Thanks Michael, this is the answer I chose as it fitted best into the rest of the sentence. The other suggestions were also good and contributed to a helpful discussion. Thanks to all who contributed. 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
Barend, as a native speaker, I just don't think I would use "everything" in this specific context. And I think most other native speakers would agree with me. In any case, it's not an argument that can be won or lost, it's just a feeling. If something doesn't sound right, it just doesn't sound right. Not much else I can say really.
'anything' OR 'everything' 'everything' is more definite/positive and 'anything' is more indefinite/negative/random ; everything - G = 553000, anything - G = 573000. It's a matter of choice.
So your argument that 'everything' does not sound right is not right.
"get away with everything" site:uk G-hits = 210.000
Where does it go from here? Up its own bottom, I suspect. An explanation of how the sexist criminal justice system always fails women and allows men to get away with everything, including probably murder.
American slang would be something like "and then no'one got nothing on you" or something similar moronic with a double negative ;)
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
7 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +2
You're invincible
Explanation: It reflects the sense of being invincible. You're above everyone. More literally: no one can harm you. Van Dale: hij kan mij niets maken - hij kan mij niet schaden = (he/they) can't harm me.
Lianne van de Ven United States Local time: 16:25 Native speaker of: Dutch PRO pts in category: 43
14 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +2
Then you're untouchable
Explanation: I think I'd put it like that if it fitted the style of the interview. There are a lot of other expressions you could use though.
Kirsten Bodart United Kingdom Local time: 21:25 Native speaker of: Dutch, English PRO pts in category: 6
20 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +4
then you (start believing you) can get away with everything
Explanation: no pun intended :-)
Barend van Zadelhoff Netherlands Local time: 21:25 Native speaker of: Dutch PRO pts in category: 89