This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
Blendungsfrei
spezifische Alarmierung

Glossary entry

German term or phrase:

Ich hätte da gern mal ein Problem

English translation:

May I have a problem, please?

Added to glossary by Rowan Morrell
Feb 6, 2004 13:31
20 yrs ago
1 viewer *
German term

Ich hätte da gern mal ein Problem (EXTREMELY URGENT!)

German to English Art/Literary Cinema, Film, TV, Drama Bodo Bach Catchphrase
"Bei gutem Essen, einer wirklich tollen 12 Mann Band, Getränken soviel die Leber vertrug, sorgte nicht zuletzt die Show-Einlage von Bodo Bach, der mit seinen Anrufen: “Ich hätte da gern mal ein Problem“ auch schon im Fernsehen brillierte, für tollte Stimmung."

Talking about some dentist's convention or other.

I need, extremely urgently, a translation for the phrase "Ich hätte da gern mal ein Problem". All that "da gern mal" stuff confuses me. It seems to be saying "I would rather have a problem", but that doesn't make any sense (but then, I know nothing whatsoever about Bodo Bach).

I would rather have a solution! This little editing job has been sprung on me in the last hour and I have to get it done ASAP! TIA for your fast help!
Proposed translations (English)
3 +1 Can/Could I trouble you for a minute/moment?
5 +2 I would love to have a problem with that!
5 I would rather have a problem
3 +2 'May I have a problem please?'
5 I would really have a problem with that!
4 That's a problem I'd like to have
4 I have a problem (that I would like some help with)
3 I would like to have a problem

Discussion

Non-ProZ.com Feb 6, 2004:
Ina's Answer is actually the best one. But because I was in such a desperate hurry, I had to go with what I felt was the best option at the time and hope for the best. But on reflection, I've changed the glossary to reflect what Ina suggested.

Proposed translations

+1
13 mins
Selected

Can/Could I trouble you for a minute/moment?

he seems to be replacing 'Frage' with 'Problem'

mixup of:
ich hätte da gern mal eine Frage (I'd like to ask you a question)
and
ich hätte da ein Problem (I've a (minor) problem))

Dunno really how you'd get it across in Eng.

From what I know of him, he phones up people/authorities and pretends to have a problem and proceeds to take the mickey out of whoever he's talking to.
His opening line is your quote.
Peer comment(s):
agree Hildegard Fatahtouii : oder auch: May I bother you with a problem?
3 hrs
neutral danilingua : but he is playing with the words... peoples ears are so used to hear what they expcet to hear, and he actually is telling people "hey, I'd like to have a problem"
8 hrs
I agree
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "I know it's not done to grade an answer so fast, but I've got to get this job out of here. I appreciate everyone's help hugely. What I've actually decided to say is "I've got a little problem here". From the context Cilian described, that would make reasonable sense. If I was going to pull a stunt like this Bach guy, I'd probably say something like "I've got a little problem here" or "Can you help me out with a problem I'm having?" Cilian gets the points for a clear explanation that pointed me in the right direction. Credit though (and commiserations) to Ingo, who gave a similar explanation. Thanks again to everyone who responded so quickly in my hour of need! If anyone else has responded after I graded this question, my apologies."
5 mins

I would like to have a problem

or something similar. Just as you suspected, it makes no sense whatsoever, and I don't know Bodo Bach, but he must be a comedian of some sort. The sentence looks as if he tried to produce an exact cross between "I have a problem that I need help with" and "I would like some help with my problem."

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2004-02-06 13:39:19 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

or between \"Ich hätte da mal ein Problem\" and \"ich hätte gerne Ihre Unterstützung\"

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2004-02-06 13:41:40 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It\'s probably best not to try to translate this--it sounds corny in English and will be taken as another proof that German humor sucks ;-)
Something went wrong...
6 mins

I would rather have a problem

Your translation was absolutely right. Don't forget it's a comedian and the phrase probably derives from "Ich hätte mal eine Frage" (I've got a question). He apparently phones up customer services and companies and confuses them with starting with that catchphrase.
Something went wrong...
+2
10 mins

I would love to have a problem with that!

On his official web site Bodo has a song of that title. Under the song title are photos and text: "Ford Taunus, Doping Probe, Ferrari, Aufzug (mit Bild einer schoenen Frau im Aufzug, Frauenarzt, Skischuh"). I'm thinking he saying: "I would love to have a problem with a Ferrari", i.e. he'd love to have a Ferrari in the first place....and the problems wouldn't bother him one bit!
Peer comment(s):
agree L. Russell Jones : seems reasonable, if that is the context
5 mins
agree desiderata (X)
4 hrs
Something went wrong...
13 mins
German term (edited): Ich h�tte da gern mal ein Problem (EXTREMELY URGENT!)

That's a problem I'd like to have

Just a suggested translation based on the above explanations
Peer comment(s):
agree L. Russell Jones : yup, that's it
3 mins
disagree astauber : I think this means something different
21 mins
Something went wrong...
19 mins

I have a problem (that I would like some help with)

This simply means I've got a problem.

Lots of quotes to be found in Google.
Something went wrong...
+2
1 hr
German term (edited): Ich h�tte da gern mal ein Problem (EXTREMELY URGENT!)

'May I have a problem please?'

A German friend told me about Bodo Bach. He apparently hosts a type of radio show, which has him telephoning all sorts of companies and institutions. He pretends to be extremely stupid, presenting the called party with a preposterous fictional problem, and tests their reactions and patience in dealing with him. The German catchphrase combines "I have a problem" with "I would like some help/information please", and is presumably meant to highlight his (alleged) stupidity. The translation I suggested contains that little bit of ambiguity in the original - 'May I have a problem?' is absurd because normally a person would ask for an answer or solution, but it also allows the interpretation of 'Is it alright for me to have a problem, would you be willing to help?'.

Hope that helps, good luck with your translation!
Peer comment(s):
agree Cilian O'Tuama : good answer, pity it came so late :-)
1 hr
agree Endre Both : Great.
1 hr
Something went wrong...
6 hrs

I would really have a problem with that!

The "hätte" shows that there isn't a problem yet, so the translation, "I have" isn't correct.
In colloquial English, this would be:
"I'd really have a problem with that!"

I know you already decided, just thought I'd add my comment. :)
Peer comment(s):
neutral Cilian O'Tuama : 'hätte' isn't always conditional, e.g. 'hättest du einen Vorschlag?' can mean 'do you have a(ny) suggestion(s)' and not 'would you have...'. :-)
20 hrs
Something went wrong...
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search