Using the English

Question

It would be a closer translation I think to say "goes with" in English. As English uses "to go" in the exact same way as french. E.g., "that shirt goes with my sister", is a closer translation than "that shirt suits my sister". In my opinion, as it maintains the "to go with" lineage in its meaning.

Maarten Kamp · Answer

Matthew,

not sure I could agree that the almost direct translation ( near word for word ) you suggest is better. Quite often direct translations do not sound colloquial or may even be nonsensical in the ‘ recipient ‘ language.

Translations from one language to another should be and ‘ sound ‘ natural/correct in both languages, with the primary intention being to convey the same idea in each language.

Maybe there are regional differences in English usage here I am unaware of, but I have never heard anyone use the expression ‘ it goes with you ‘ to mean that ‘ it suits you ‘.