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överseende leende

English translation: indulging smile

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Swedish term or phrase:överseende leende
English translation:indulging smile
Entered by: Deane Goltermann

21:14 Dec 13, 2011
Swedish to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Swedish term or phrase: överseende leende
Can 'ett överseende leende' be translated into 'a condescending smile'?

Situation
A patient asks a question about his disease to a doctor, who answers with ett överseende leende.

Can 'ett överseende leende' either mean 'an indulgent smile' or 'a condescending smile' depending on the context?
eoneo
Local time: 15:54
indulging smile
Explanation:
A doctor isn't 'lenient' towards their patient, style-wise.

Patronizing is something else entirely-- more like nedlåtande in the dictionary.
The doctor can indulge the patient's worries. Otherwise George's suggestion'understanding' is fine. That is what you would want from a doctor, but depends on this particular person's character.
Selected response from:

Deane Goltermann
Sweden
Local time: 08:54
Grading comment
Tack!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2indulging smile
Deane Goltermann
5 +1indulgent smile
Cynthia Coan
4 +1lenient smile
Anna Herbst
4 +1patronizing smile
Sven Petersson
4tolerant/kind/benevolent smile
Åsa Schoening
Summary of reference entries provided
Smile
George Hopkins
"Indulgent" definition
Cynthia Coan

  

Answers


19 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
lenient smile


Explanation:
There are several possible translations of the adjective "överseende" depending on context. I would most lilkely go with "lenient" in this case.


    Reference: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lenient
Anna Herbst
Australia
Local time: 16:54
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in SwedishSwedish, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 37

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  lena helson
20 hrs
  -> Tack Lena!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
patronizing smile


Explanation:
:o)

Sven Petersson
Sweden
Local time: 08:54
Native speaker of: Native in SwedishSwedish, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 118

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Linda Larsson (X)
3 hrs
  -> Thank you very much!
neutral  Anna Herbst: I hope this is not the case - I would hate to be that doctor's patient...
5 hrs
  -> I fear your hopes are in vain.
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12 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
indulging smile


Explanation:
A doctor isn't 'lenient' towards their patient, style-wise.

Patronizing is something else entirely-- more like nedlåtande in the dictionary.
The doctor can indulge the patient's worries. Otherwise George's suggestion'understanding' is fine. That is what you would want from a doctor, but depends on this particular person's character.

Deane Goltermann
Sweden
Local time: 08:55
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SwedishSwedish
PRO pts in category: 70
Grading comment
Tack!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tectotal-Mau (X)
4 hrs
agree  Michele Fauble: 'indulgent smile'
1 day 20 hrs
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15 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
tolerant/kind/benevolent smile


Explanation:
I don't view "överseende" as implicitly negative. On the contrary, someone who demonstrates "överseende" (as in "han hade överseende med..." shows a certain tolerance or kindness. To me, condescending and patronizing are too strong and too negative. I agree with George Hopkins's view of the doctor as probably wanting to appear more understanding than judgmental.

Åsa Schoening
United States
Local time: 02:55
Works in field
Native speaker of: Swedish
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

16 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
indulgent smile


Explanation:
Per Norstedts Stora Svensk-Engelska Ordbok.

Cynthia Coan
United States
Local time: 23:55
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 19

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Michele Fauble
1 day 16 hrs
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Reference comments


12 hrs
Reference: Smile

Reference information:
On the basis of the context I would suggest 'understanding smile'.
The doctor would probably not wish to appear condescending, patronizing, etc.

George Hopkins
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 52
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16 hrs
Reference: "Indulgent" definition

Reference information:
"Having or indicating a readiness or overreadiness to be generous to or lenient with someone."


    Reference: http://www.google.com/search?q=define%3Aindulgent&ie=utf-8&o...
Cynthia Coan
United States
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 19
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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