(no subject)

[beltspinner.livejournal.com]

can someone help me translate this term: кое-кто

In context:

Институт она закончила уже в Москве, поелившись в полупустой Николая Ивановича. Кое-кто многозначительно по этому поводу улыбался и подмигивал.....

Comments

[oryx_and_crake]

some people, certain people

[rano-radyetes.livejournal.com]

we use this word, when we know the person who did something but we don't want to name him. it's a little bit like riddle or intrigue.

[oryx_and_crake]

This is one of the possible meanings, the other one is just "some people, a certain group of people", not necessarily known.

[sventhelost.livejournal.com]

Sounds like how we use "they" in English sometimes. Like "They say too many cooks spoil the broth," where there's not a specific "they," except a nebulous group.

[oryx_and_crake]

It's not exactly the same. "They say" in English has a pretty good equivalent in Russian: "Говорят, что..." It means that it is a widespread, common knowledge or opinion. "Кое-кто улыбался и подмигивал", on the other hand, implies that it was not a general opinion but just some people (maybe of the most nasty and gossiping type) hinted that something was wrong with her living in Nikolay Ivanovich's apartment.

[russian-bob.livejournal.com]

"Somebody" who knew something about her and Николай Ивановича.

It looks like you've missed some letter and words in first sentence, should it be: "Институт она закончила уже в Москве, поселившись в полупустой квартире Николая Ивановича." ?

[russian-bob.livejournal.com]

It depends on context, it could be "someone" or "somebody" who knew something about her or Nickalay Ivanovich.

If it is really "some people" then "Кое-кто многозначительно по этому поводу улыбался и подмигивал....." does not sound right, it should be rather "Некоторые многозначительно по этому поводу улыбались и подмигивали ..."

[beltspinner.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you're right, I'm not too good at typing in Russian.

[oryx_and_crake]

In this context некоторые and кое-кто are equivalent.

[el-cardenal.livejournal.com]

Someone or somebody