Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Russian term or phrase:
Я его давно знаю, заочно
English translation:
I've known him for a long time but never actually met him.
Added to glossary by
Mools
Apr 4, 2005 12:07
19 yrs ago
2 viewers *
Russian term
Russia, Moscow
Native in: Russian 
Works in: French to Russian, English to Russian, Latin to Russian, and 2 more.
Я его давно знаю, заочно
Non-PRO
Russian to English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
.
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+3
9 mins
Russian term (edited):
� ��� ����� ���, �����
Selected
I've known him for a long time but never actually met him.
You need the present perfect.... ;-)
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
+1
1 min
Kirill Semenov
Ukraine
Ukraine
Native in Russian
Works in field
Ukraine
60+ books translated and published
Native in: Russian 
Works in: English to Russian, Russian
Related KudoZ points
:
148
Russian term (edited):
� ��� ����� ���, �����
I know him for a long time, (but) not in person
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Peer comment(s):
| agree |
JoeYeckley (X)
: "I *have* known him a long time," and then maybe "but only from a distance" -- "distance" being figurative here.
12 mins
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you are too merciful, dear Joe ;-)
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7 mins
Alexander Taguiltsev
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Native in Russian
Russian Federation
Accessible round the clock
Native in: Russian (Variant: Standard-Russia)
Works in: English to Russian, Russian to English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Russian term (edited):
� ��� ����� ���, �����
I heard of him for a long time but never seen
/
8 mins
Mikhail Kropotov
Germany
Germany
Native in Russian
Works in field
Germany
US-educated, precise & thorough
Native in: Russian
Works in: English to Russian, Russian to English, Russian
Related KudoZ points
:
488
Russian term (edited):
� ��� ����� ���, �����
I've known him a long time but we never met
I've known him a long time but never up close
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Mools
: By taking out 'we' you make 'I' the subject for both verbs, which means you're using "met" in the transitive form... Without 'him' it'd be like saying "I lost my wallet but never found." Your last version is A OK! ..."met him" ;-)
2 mins
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+++ For correct formal English, yes. For regular speech, no. My colloquial version: I've known him a long time but never met. ++ I've known him but never met [him] - what's wrong? Thx for your patience! +++ Okay technically you are right. Thanx.
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14 mins
Russian term (edited):
� ��� ����� ���, �����
I have known him for a long time, but had never met him personally
.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Mikhail Kropotov
: had? the source doesn't indicate that the speaker has met the subject, while your version does No, not really :) the first time I just forgot to select 'neutral'. My point is, your version changes the meaning. ++ Make it 5 :) So?
3 mins
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you keep changing your comment so often, I can not keep up with you :) the total of 4 changes
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