lige i dagbrydningen

English translation: at first light

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Danish term or phrase:lige i dagbrydningen
English translation:at first light
Entered by: Timoshka

01:38 Dec 6, 2013
Danish to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Danish term or phrase: lige i dagbrydningen
This idiom is used in the memoirs of a Danish man, living in Texas in the 1890s. He was visiting Danish friends in Houston, who were spending the night at a local farmers' market so they could unload their produce in the early morning hours. He slept on the floor of a wagon, and writes: "Endelig faldt jeg i Søvn, men blev purret ud lige i Dagbrydningen." He goes on to say that the group drank coffee, delivered their produce to their assigned booths in the market hall, and were on their way home "før Solopgang.") My proposed translation is something like: "Finally, I fell asleep, but was roused out of bed like..." Any suggestions?
Timoshka
Local time: 16:27
first light
Explanation:
At first light is another possible expression, but daybreak is fine.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/first light
Selected response from:

Christine Andersen
Denmark
Local time: 22:27
Grading comment
Thanks, Christine! I think this explanation makes most sense, since the writer was definitely making a distinction between "dagbrydning" and "solopgang"
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2right at the break of dawn
Pernille Kienle
3 +1at daybreak
564354352 (X)
3first light
Christine Andersen


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


23 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
right at the break of dawn


Explanation:
According to Politiken's Danish Dictionary, dagbrækning (they don't have dagbrydning, but I'm guessing it's the same) says "(ældre): tiden for dagens første frembrud". I would say 'break of dawn' - but I find the text confusing as the break of dawn is the same is 'solopgang' (sunrise), right?

Also, make sure to say that he was 'routed out of bed' (not roused out of bed)! http://www.thefreedictionary.com/rout out

Example sentence(s):
  • He got up right at the break of dawn

    Reference: http://ordnet.dk/ddo/ordbog?query=dagbr%C3%A6kning
    Reference: http://ordnet.dk/ods/ordbog?query=dagbr%C3%A6kning
Pernille Kienle
Canada
Local time: 14:27
Native speaker of: Native in DanishDanish, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Robert Rowe: I would say 'at first light', which is not the same as daybreak or sunrise but means the stage before that when the sun is still below the horizon but the first signs appear in the sky that it will soon be rising.
39 mins

neutral  David Young (X): I would say the same as Robert.
4 hrs

agree  Michele Fauble
15 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
at daybreak


Explanation:
Just an alternative to the other suggestions, which are equally as good...

564354352 (X)
Denmark
Local time: 22:27
Native speaker of: Danish
PRO pts in category: 8

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Christine Andersen
2 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

7 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
first light


Explanation:
At first light is another possible expression, but daybreak is fine.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/first light

Christine Andersen
Denmark
Local time: 22:27
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 39
Grading comment
Thanks, Christine! I think this explanation makes most sense, since the writer was definitely making a distinction between "dagbrydning" and "solopgang"
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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