(no subject)

[tree_and_leaf]

Hm. German speakers: any thoughts on the specific nuance of referring to a nineteenth century married scholar's† Hausfreundin, and how it ought to be translated? House-guest? Are we in menage a trois territory, or not?



† F Schlegel, for the record.

Comments

[widsidh.livejournal.com]

> Are we in menage a trois territory, or not?

It sounds like we might, although that is based on modern associations and may have been more harmless in the past.
Have you tried Grimm's (19th cent.) dictionary?

www.dwb.uni-trier.de

[juno-magic.livejournal.com]

JMH and I think that it probably means just "friend of the family" - could be more, though. But that would depend on the situation. We're voting for Platonic friendship right now. ;-)

[wuglet.livejournal.com]

I agree with juno_magic.
Especially in Schlegel's time it usually meant 'friend of the family', nothing more. Of course, depending on the situation and persons involved, it might mean more, but that would be hinted at somehow. :)

[caulkhead.livejournal.com]

I don't know the context, but would 'companion' be a possibility?

[azdak.livejournal.com]

Since a Hausarzt is the family doctor, rather than a live-in physician, I'll add my vote for "friend of the family" rather than "live-in lover".