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quem pode, pode

English translation: It\'s alright for some.

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Portuguese term or phrase:quem pode, pode
English translation:It\'s alright for some.
Entered by: Tania Pires

17:43 Apr 23, 2015
Portuguese to English translations [PRO]
Cinema, Film, TV, Drama / Subtitles
Portuguese term or phrase: quem pode, pode
This is a documentary where someone in a company is saying that the competition didn't have the same history as them so they don't have such a wonderful space. The other person answers with 'quem pode, pode', as if to say 'some people are lucky'.

What would be a proper expression for this? I know there's one about a silver spoon, but that's related to wealth, which isn't the case here.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Tania Pires
Portugal
Local time: 10:52
Its alright for some.
Explanation:
Suggestion. (Apostrophe in Its obviously but the keyboard Im using wont accept it for some reason).

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Note added at 2 hrs (2015-04-23 19:58:44 GMT)
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Here are some references:

https://www.google.com.br/search?q=its alright for some&ie=u...
Selected response from:

Colin Bowles
Brazil
Local time: 06:52
Grading comment
Thanks Colin!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3Its alright for some.
Colin Bowles
4 +2they have what it takes
Katarina Peters
4 +2Well, lucky you! / Well, lucky them!
Ana Vozone
4 +2that's the way the cookie crumbles!
Nick Taylor
4 +1He who can, does;
Andrew Bramhall
2 -1The only thing that overcomes luck is hard work
Salvador Scofano and Gry Midttun


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
they have what it takes


Explanation:
one way of saying it...

Katarina Peters
Canada
Local time: 05:52
Native speaker of: Native in HungarianHungarian, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Katarina!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Claudio Mazotti
43 mins
  -> Thanks, Claudio!
agree  Verginia Ophof
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, Verginia!
agree  Beatriz Baker Méio
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, Beatriz!
disagree  Diana Coada (X): Does not express the sarcasm or envy meant by the original phrase.
16 hrs
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34 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
He who can, does;


Explanation:
In other words, the person of ability simply gets on with achieving things rather than standing around bemoaning adverse circumstances. and his fate in general;
Nothing to do with being born with a silver spoon in your mouth, in my opibion;

Andrew Bramhall
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:52
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Oliver, this is more like it, but I didn't know you could say it without the rest of the sentence, it's usually 'he who can, does; he who cannot, teaches'.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  suesimons: Yes, keep it simple & to the point!
15 mins
  -> Thanks
agree  Paulinho Fonseca
24 mins
  -> Thanks
neutral  Marian Vieyra: Not sure this is actually a set phrase in English. I think the quote is 'those who can, do, those who can't, teach.
2 hrs
  -> No; it can stand alone also;
disagree  Diana Coada (X): Does not express the sarcasm or envy meant by the original phrase.
16 hrs
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49 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5 peer agreement (net): -1
The only thing that overcomes luck is hard work


Explanation:
Depending on what the documentary wants to say.

Salvador Scofano and Gry Midttun
Norway
Local time: 11:52
Native speaker of: Native in NorwegianNorwegian, Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Andrew Bramhall: except that 'luck' is something positive; you have to say 'ill-luck', 'ill-fortune' or similar for it to make sense in English.
13 hrs
disagree  Diana Coada (X): Does not express the sarcasm or envy meant by the original phrase.
15 hrs
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Well, lucky you! / Well, lucky them!


Explanation:
Mais uma sugestão.

https://www.google.pt/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&es...

Ana Vozone
Local time: 10:52
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in category: 20
Notes to answerer
Asker: Obrigada Ana!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Diana Coada (X): Yes, said either jokingly, sarcastically or with spite, this is the closest to the original meaning of the phrase.
25 mins
  -> Thank you, Diana!
agree  Verginia Ophof: some people have all the luck ?
1 hr
  -> Thank you, Verginia!
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
Its alright for some.


Explanation:
Suggestion. (Apostrophe in Its obviously but the keyboard Im using wont accept it for some reason).

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2015-04-23 19:58:44 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Here are some references:

https://www.google.com.br/search?q=its alright for some&ie=u...

Colin Bowles
Brazil
Local time: 06:52
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks Colin!
Notes to answerer
Asker: I like this one. Thanks Colin!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Marian Vieyra: I like this one, very (UK) idiomatic, gets across the idea of resignation, mixed with envy and admiration.
22 mins
agree  Lindsay Spratt
12 hrs
agree  Diana Coada (X)
14 hrs
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
that's the way the cookie crumbles!


Explanation:
that's the way the cookie crumbles!

Nick Taylor
Local time: 10:52
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 40
Notes to answerer
Asker: I like it, but it's a little long to put in a subtitle. Thanks Nick!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Muriel Vasconcellos: Nice!
2 hrs
  -> ;-) thanks Muriel
agree  Douglas Bissell
21 hrs
  -> cheers Douglas
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