Dec 20, 2010 12:43
13 yrs ago
2 viewers *
German term

Danke für die gute Zusammenarbeit

Non-PRO German to English Other General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters Christmas card
This is for my client's Christmas card to his clients. I know it's more than trivial, but does anyone know how to turn this phrase nicely. Obviously neither "cooperation" nor "collaboration" work. It's a trilingual Christmas card and the Spanish version also uses "coopercion."

The whole sentence is:
Wir danken für die gute Zusammenarbeit, wünschen fröhliche und erholsame Festtage!

Thanks in advance - and have a Merry Christmas yourselves!!
Votes to reclassify question as PRO/non-PRO:

PRO (2): Kim Metzger, casper (X)

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Discussion

mary austria (asker) Dec 21, 2010:
My client liked "Thank you for the opportunity to work with you" best, because the English was good and it said Thank You, which is what he wanted.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
mary austria (asker) Dec 20, 2010:
Thanks, Kim When we get this one settled, maybe we can work on "Danke für Ihr Verständnis." That's one that's mistranslated all the time.
Kim Metzger Dec 20, 2010:
Thanks for an interesting question, Mary. It's a phrase we deal with abundantly at this time of year, and usually muddle through but seldom get it just right.
AllegroTrans Dec 20, 2010:
Thanks! that background is helpful
mary austria (asker) Dec 20, 2010:
Business My client is an engineering office. His clients are international, primarily in South America. "Cooperation" does not work, because it sounds like a roundabout way of saying "thanks for not having been stubborn or obstinate."
AllegroTrans Dec 20, 2010:
It would help.... if you told us what kind of "business to business" relationship is involved and why "co-operation" doesn't work

Proposed translations

+1
25 mins
Selected

Thank you for the opportunity to work with you

Try this.
Peer comment(s):

agree franglish
7 mins
neutral writeaway : why add opportunity? And how does this fit in with the Holiday greetings that follow?
9 mins
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "My client liked this one best, because the English was good and it said Thank You, which is what he wanted."
+1
6 mins

We wish to thank you for great teamwork...

This could be an option, a little more casual than collaboration.
Peer comment(s):

agree Katia DG
19 mins
Something went wrong...
21 mins

thank you for your custom/for working with us

plenty of other ways to say this probably
Something went wrong...
23 mins

Thank you for satisfying cooperation....

I don't see why this doesn't work.
Alternative: Thank you for work well done.
Peer comment(s):

neutral writeaway : 'satisfying cooperation?' satisfying for whom? this is supposed to be part of a card bringing Holiday greetings, oder?
13 mins
yes. sorry, I'm having a bad day
neutral Cilian O'Tuama : and how does one satisfy cooperation?
36 mins
see above
Something went wrong...
+10
57 mins

It has been a pleasure working with you

I think this is the type of phrasing more naturally used in a Christmas card to clients.

See, e.g. the advertising by this card company:
Inside: What better time to thank you and wish you a Merry Christmas.
It has been a pleasure working with you.
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/-Ornament and gold moon ...
Peer comment(s):

agree Lesley Robertson MA, Dip Trans IoLET
5 mins
Thanks, Lesley!
agree Kim Metzger : Yes, sounds natural.
11 mins
Thanks, Kim!
agree Ingeborg Gowans (X) : this is the most elegant way of putting it and flows nicely/ Merry Christmas!
16 mins
Thanks, and a Happy Christmas to you too, Ingeborg!
agree Gertraud K. : I like it!
1 hr
Thanks, Gertraud!
agree adamgajlewicz
1 hr
Thanks, Adam!
agree Thayenga
1 hr
Thanks, Thayenga!
agree RachelG
1 hr
Thanks, Rachel!
agree AllegroTrans
4 hrs
Thanks, AllegroTrans!
agree Ramey Rieger (X) : yes, this is right!
6 hrs
Thanks, Ramey - much appreciated!
agree Horst Huber (X) : Certainly! Defintiely this is creating an appropriate equivalent for a different culture.
13 hrs
Thanks, Horst!
Something went wrong...
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