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conter a choro

English translation: "He could hold back the tears..."

20:02 Jan 28, 2009
Portuguese to English translations [PRO]
Textiles / Clothing / Fashion
Portuguese term or phrase: conter a choro
. Ele pode conter o choro ao lembrar um momento de sua vida, ou ao mostrar uma jóia que parecia impossível e ele realizou.
Gad Kohenov
Israel
Local time: 13:11
English translation:"He could hold back the tears..."
Explanation:
Ditto!

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Note added at 7 mins (2009-01-28 20:09:39 GMT)
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Verb Conter | v. tr. | v. refl.


from Latin continere


v. tr.,
ter dentro;
encerrar;
incluir em si;
compreender;
conservar unido, não deixar separar;

fig.,
reprimir;
moderar;
sofrear;

v. refl.,
refrear-se;
conservar-se;
manter-se.
Selected response from:

Beta Cummins
United States
Local time: 06:11
Grading comment
Thanks!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +2"He could hold back the tears..."
Beta Cummins
5hold back tears
aoliveira09 (X)
3refrain from crying
Fernando Domeniconi


  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
hold back tears


Explanation:
I think the term should be "nao pode conter o choro".

He can't hold back his tears when he thinks about special or happy or sad moments in his life.

Hope this helps.

aoliveira09 (X)
United States
Local time: 06:11
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in PortuguesePortuguese

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Beta Cummins: The sentence shows that he did could hold them back, by use of the verb "pode". Unless this is a typo. Yes, you can most certainly correct me! "Did could" is solely a way to sound vehement. Thank you for your input.
5 mins
  -> Yes, you're right. I got confused because it's not common to hear it like this. But if I could correct you, as a translator of English you should know not to use "did could". I hope that was a typo.
agree  Amy Duncan (X): "could hold back" sounds strange to me, too...it could be a mistake
2 hrs
  -> Thanks. I agree, it sounds strange in English to say "he could hold back tears"
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 min   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
"He could hold back the tears..."


Explanation:
Ditto!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 mins (2009-01-28 20:09:39 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Verb Conter | v. tr. | v. refl.


from Latin continere


v. tr.,
ter dentro;
encerrar;
incluir em si;
compreender;
conservar unido, não deixar separar;

fig.,
reprimir;
moderar;
sofrear;

v. refl.,
refrear-se;
conservar-se;
manter-se.

Beta Cummins
United States
Local time: 06:11
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Marlene Curtis
2 mins
  -> Thank you, Marlene.
agree  rhandler
18 mins
  -> Thank you, Randler.
neutral  Amy Duncan (X): I wonder...this sounds really strange in English. Something like "he never cries" sounds more natural. "Hold back the tears" I've only heard used in the negative, although there may be exceptions.
2 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
conter o choro
refrain from crying


Explanation:
Só uma variação, para ajudar...

said the Lady; and her smile made me wonder how both the phantoms could refrain from crying out with joy. 'What needs could I have,' she said, ...
http://books.google.com/books?id=44ml8Z4UGEMC&pg=RA1-PA126&l...

(These Google book links are way too long...)

Fernando Domeniconi
United States
Local time: 06:11
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese
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