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A und O

English translation: is (the) key to success

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:A und O
English translation:is (the) key to success
Entered by: Nadja Leonard

22:36 May 7, 2004
German to English translations [PRO]
Marketing - Advertising / Public Relations
German term or phrase: A und O
"Der erste Moment" entscheidet bei vielen Dingen des Lebens über deren Verlauf, so auch im Verkauf!
Dieser 1. Moment ist das "A und O", um erfolgreich zu sein.

Thank you!
Nadja
Nadja Leonard
United States
Local time: 11:50
is (the) key to success
Explanation:
...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 hrs 26 mins (2004-05-08 09:02:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

We are talking about sales, aren\'t we?
\"Key to success\" is sales lingo and very common.
Just for curiosity (I am not an English native speaker):
why have literal translations been preferred so far?
Selected response from:

Aniello Scognamiglio (X)
Germany
Local time: 17:50
Grading comment
This answer works best in the context of the translation (sales tactics for selling perfume).

This was not in the glossary (I checked before posting the question).

Thanks to everyone who helped me.
Nadja

4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +7be all and end all
David Hollywood
3 +7is (the) key to success
Aniello Scognamiglio (X)
4 +5the Alpha and Omega/the beginning and the end/the essence
Kim Metzger
4 +1Under
Gareth McMillan
2you got it all, from A to Z
Gabo Pena


  

Answers


5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
the Alpha and Omega/the beginning and the end/the essence


Explanation:
Muret-Sanders

Kim Metzger
Mexico
Local time: 09:50
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 90

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Robert Kleemaier: I rest my case;-)
1 min
agree  Schwabamädle
21 mins
agree  Will Matter: the above is ok, but i was going to add this, it comes from the original expression "Alpha and Omega", the first & last, the beginning & ending usw.
4 hrs
agree  lindaellen (X)
8 hrs
agree  Orla Ryan
1 day 16 hrs
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4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +7
be all and end all


Explanation:
this is what we say

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Note added at 6 mins (2004-05-07 22:42:36 GMT)
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The first instant is the be all and end all of success/ being successful.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 mins (2004-05-07 22:47:44 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

As we\'re dealing with \"sales\", I feel this sounds fairly \"snappy\".

David Hollywood
Local time: 12:50
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 24

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Robert Kleemaier: Based on the Bible, it refers literally to the beginning and the end (and everything else in between). David's solution is very suitable, though there might be another one or two lying around. Cheers, Rob
2 mins
  -> Thanks Rob :)
agree  Wenjer Leuschel (X): All and end all, nice way to say "everything."
27 mins
agree  Thomas Bollmann
35 mins
agree  Will Matter: also acceptable.
4 hrs
agree  Andrea Kopf
11 hrs
agree  Melanie Nassar
12 hrs
agree  gangels (X)
18 hrs
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13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
you got it all, from A to Z


Explanation:
I mean it!

8^7

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Note added at 2004-05-07 22:52:36 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

A1-
the ultimate!-
The Cat\'s meoww!-

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2004-05-07 22:54:35 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

it!

Gabo Pena
Local time: 08:50
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
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19 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +7
is (the) key to success


Explanation:
...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 hrs 26 mins (2004-05-08 09:02:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

We are talking about sales, aren\'t we?
\"Key to success\" is sales lingo and very common.
Just for curiosity (I am not an English native speaker):
why have literal translations been preferred so far?

Aniello Scognamiglio (X)
Germany
Local time: 17:50
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 39
Grading comment
This answer works best in the context of the translation (sales tactics for selling perfume).

This was not in the glossary (I checked before posting the question).

Thanks to everyone who helped me.
Nadja

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  IanW (X): "the key to success" is great - far better than the literal translations (in my humble native speaker opinion :-)) Tach Aniello
10 hrs
  -> Thanks, Ian, good to know that my English is not too bad after all;-)
agree  Michael Pauls: You're right IMHO as non-native: literal doesn't work here. Key to success is spot on!
16 hrs
  -> Thanks, mpBerlin!
agree  Textklick: You're all right IMO. Literally-translated advertising gets laughed out of town!
16 hrs
  -> Thanks, Textklick. "Gets laughed out of town" -> nice expression!
agree  Gareth McMillan: Agree. And to your "curiosity"- possibly because most translators either can't sell, or are too scared to try it, or just can't see it/feel it.
17 hrs
  -> Oh yes, an issue that deserves serious consideration...
agree  Nancy Arrowsmith: for the literal-minded, this should be in the glossary, was asked before
22 hrs
  -> Thanks, Nancy.
agree  Schwabamädle: I agreed first with Kim because thats where the expression comes from but this is how you use this expression
23 hrs
  -> "...so auch im Verkauf"...
agree  Kim Metzger: Yes, this is the best way to translate the sentence.
1 day 15 hrs
  -> My respect!
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19 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Under


Explanation:
Your success will stand or fall in this first moment.

This first moment will make or break you.

or maybe better:

This first moment is make or break.

Just a couple more- I think a literal for A und O is just too hackneyed. IMHO wie immer!

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Note added at 19 hrs 48 mins (2004-05-08 18:24:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Here\'s another- if a bit more risqué:

This first moment is shit or bust.

Heh, heh (this is fun).

Gareth McMillan
Local time: 17:50
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 10

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  jerrie: Those all important first impressions ... ;-)
7 days
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