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How would you translate this quote?

The difference between the impossible and possible lies in a person's determination.

You can translate it to this:

Der Unterschied zwischen dem Unmöglichen und dem Möglichen liegt in der Entschlossenheit einer Person.

or maybe this:

Der Unterschied zwischen dem Unmöglichen und dem Möglichen liegt in der Festlegung des Einzelnen.

What would you say?

2 Answers 2

1

Nice work, apart from your first translation I'd go for

Der Unterschied zwischen dem Unmöglichen und dem Möglichen liegt in der Entschlossenheit des Einzelnen.

although that is obviously not gendered, so if that's required:

Der Unterschied zwischen dem Unmöglichen und dem Möglichen liegt in der Entschlossenheit der jeweiligen Person.

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  • Just in case.
    – user6191
    Commented Aug 12, 2014 at 11:50
  • 2
    +1 I like the first one. It sounds "natural" and keeps the reference to an individual.
    – Matthias
    Commented Aug 12, 2014 at 11:52
  • Thanks. But would you say that "determination" can only mean "willpower" in this case or could it also mean "everyone has his own reality and thinks some things are possible and some not" -> Festlegung ?
    – Basti
    Commented Aug 12, 2014 at 11:58
  • I wouldn't say it's the only interpretation, but I certainly saw the aspect of willpower first.
    – user6191
    Commented Aug 12, 2014 at 12:02
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Rather the first one. I would allow a bit more freedom and say it this way:

Ob etwas möglich oder unmöglich ist, ist eine Frage der Entschlossenheit.

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