Glossary entry

Russian term or phrase:

все может быть

English translation:

who knows (contextual)

Added to glossary by Vladimir Dubisskiy
Feb 28, 2005 11:28
19 yrs ago
Russian term

все может быть

Russian to English Art/Literary Poetry & Literature children's literature
- Чего они ждут? – тихо спросил у Вьюна Пустозвон.
- Может, они передумали переходить долину, - сказал Золотой Шар.
- Все может быть. Давайте подождем и посмотрим, что они будут делать, - решил Вьюн.



Прошу прощения за столь, казалось бы, пустяковый вопрос.
Но мне кажется, здесь важно передать тонкий оттенок.

Не просто "может быть", а "все может быть" - фраза, которая тоже выражает согласие, но с меньшей долей уверенности. Т.е. "может быть да, а может быть и нет, все может быть" - такой смысл.

Я сперва подумал было о фразе "That's as may be" - но это, скорее, "очень может быть" - т.е. наоборот, большая степень уверенности.

А вот как перевести "все может быть"?
Please advise!
Votes to reclassify question as PRO/non-PRO:

Non-PRO (1): AlanG (X)

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Discussion

Kirill Semenov Feb 28, 2005:
������ ��� ���� � �����, � ��� �� �������� ������... ;-)

Proposed translations

+2
6 hrs
Russian term (edited): ��� ����� ��
Selected

Who knows...

Considering the context Especially the previous phrase of Золотой Шар:

Может, они передумали переходить долину, - сказал Золотой Шар.

Who knows...Let's wait and see what they are up to - решил Вьюн.
Peer comment(s):

agree Emil Tubinshlak
22 mins
Thank you!
agree granat97
3 hrs
Thanks a lot!
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Well, I believe this one is the most appropriate here. Thanks a lot, Vladimir! Thanks everyone!"
+1
10 mins
Russian term (edited): ��� ����� ��

quite possible; well may be; well possible

.
Peer comment(s):

agree Jinglebob
10 mins
Something went wrong...
+4
10 mins
Russian term (edited): ��� ����� ��

Everything is possible or quite possible

Everything is possible or quite possible
Peer comment(s):

agree Jinglebob
10 mins
Thanks!
agree Shane London
59 mins
Thanks!
agree Levan Namoradze
1 hr
Thanx!
agree granat97
9 hrs
Something went wrong...
20 mins
Russian term (edited): ��� ����� ��

Could be

In a different context, you might consider using the Adidas tag line: "Impossible is nothing!" LOL The kiddos would love that!
Something went wrong...
+9
24 mins
Russian term (edited): ��� ����� ��

Anything's possible.

To give the requested level of uncertainty!
Peer comment(s):

agree Mikhail Kropotov
9 mins
agree Jinglebob
13 mins
agree Tsogt Gombosuren
32 mins
agree Mark Vaintroub
46 mins
agree Jack Doughty
1 hr
agree tatyana000
1 hr
agree Alena Lehmkau
2 hrs
agree gungan
3 hrs
agree Alexandra Tussing
15 hrs
Something went wrong...
+2
3 hrs
Russian term (edited): ��� ����� ��

Anything could happen...

.. to express that the possibilities are open.
Peer comment(s):

agree TranslatonatoR : exactly
3 hrs
agree Alexandra Tussing
12 hrs
Something went wrong...
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