a til å (in this context)

English translation: by the book

15:18 Dec 27, 2012
Norwegian to English translations [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Norwegian term or phrase: a til å (in this context)
From a description of a hotel with a reputation for off-the-beaten-path relaxation: "Alt er ikkje berre a til å, endelaus rutine eller mas."

I know the meaning, I just can't think of a suitable English phrase at the moment. (Maybe I'm too far divorced from hectic urban life myself these days ...)
Charles Ek
United States
Local time: 16:28
English translation:by the book
Explanation:
A suggested translation is: Not everything is by the book, routined or planned.
Selected response from:

Peter Smedskjaer-Stenland
Faroe Islands
Local time: 22:28
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1by the book
Peter Smedskjaer-Stenland
5a to z
Per Bergvall
3(here, it's not) all/unrelieved daily grind/routine
Alexander C. Thomson
3the everyday humdrum
eodd


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
by the book


Explanation:
A suggested translation is: Not everything is by the book, routined or planned.

Peter Smedskjaer-Stenland
Faroe Islands
Local time: 22:28
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks, I like that "Not everything is by the book". It works better than what I had in mind.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Zofia Wyszynski
32 days
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1 day 19 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
(here, it's not) all/unrelieved daily grind/routine


Explanation:
Perhaps something as bland as one of these choices woudl fit best, as (thanks for the extra context) it does seem to be describing the way of life in Luster rather than specifically their hotel.

Alexander C. Thomson
Netherlands
Local time: 23:28
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in ScotsScots
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2 days 1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
a to z


Explanation:
Please understand that this isn't exactly plain spoken Norwegian either - but something the writer thinks will twinkle the bells of the target groups. So let him/her have a shot at the same target groups in English.

Per Bergvall
Norway
Local time: 23:28
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in NorwegianNorwegian
PRO pts in category: 98
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7 days   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
the everyday humdrum


Explanation:
Perhaps you could translate the entire sentence as: Shouldn't there be more to life than the everyday humdrum?

eodd
Local time: 22:28
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 20
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