This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. German to English
  3. Idioms / Maxims / Sayings

lieber gestern als heute

English translation: can't wait to...

08:09 Sep 3, 2010
German to English translations [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
German term or phrase: lieber gestern als heute
The literal meaning is '(to do something) as soon as possible', figurately paraphrased in German as '(would rather) yesterday than today'. There must be an equally lyrical way of putting it in English...
Kuno771
Germany
Local time: 10:52
English translation:can't wait to...
Explanation:
another option
Selected response from:

Katia DG
Italy
Local time: 10:52
Grading comment
This is the one I chose because it was the most succinct one.
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3the sooner, the better
polyglot45
3yesterday wouldn't be too soon
Nicole Schnell
3can't be soon enough
Cilian O'Tuama
3can't wait to...
Katia DG


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


28 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
yesterday wouldn't be too soon


Explanation:
springs to my mind. Can you provide the full sentence by any chance? TIA!

Nicole Schnell
United States
Local time: 01:52
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 64
Notes to answerer
Asker: Die Europäer würden lieber gestern als heute [aus Afghanistan] abziehen, und die USA werden dies morgen wohl tun.

Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

37 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
the sooner, the better


Explanation:
not poetic but what one would probably say

polyglot45
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Melanie Mueller, PhD (X)
7 hrs
agree  StephanieHarrod
12 hrs
agree  Nicole Backhaus
15 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
can't be soon enough


Explanation:
praps

Cilian O'Tuama
Germany
Local time: 10:52
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 109
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
can't wait to...


Explanation:
another option

Katia DG
Italy
Local time: 10:52
Native speaker of: Native in ItalianItalian, Native in GermanGerman
Grading comment
This is the one I chose because it was the most succinct one.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search