Wrong translation (I think)

HalimA0Kwiziq community member

Wrong translation (I think)

1. I think the translation of this sentence is wrong

On ne doit pas penser qu'à soi : One mustn't think only of oneself.

2.For me, it must be like this: 

One must think only of oneself.

Asked 4 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi H,

On ne doit penser qu'à soi 

would be what you are suggesting , the pas makes it a negative meaning.

ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

The negated verb is devoir, so it is "must not".

On doit penser à soi. -- One must think of oneself.

On ne doit penser pas à soi. -- One mustn't think of oneself.

On ne doit penser pas qu'à soi. -- One mustn't hink only of oneself.

JoanA1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Is "On ne doit pas penser à soi." correct? 

"Je ne veux pas travailler" .Why "veux travailler" is not placed in between "ne..pas" as "On ne doit penser pas à soi." do?

How should we place "ne...pas" in "verb+infinitive" structure? 

DiegoB1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
"On ne doit penser pas" is wrong. It'd be "On ne doit pas penser ...".

On doit penser à soi. -- One must think of oneself.

On ne doit pas penser à soi. -- One mustn't think of oneself.

On ne doit pas penser qu'à soi. -- One mustn't think only of oneself.

Finally, On doit penser qu'a soi means One should only think of oneself (or care for / look after oneself).

Halim asked:View original

Wrong translation (I think)

1. I think the translation of this sentence is wrong

On ne doit pas penser qu'à soi : One mustn't think only of oneself.

2.For me, it must be like this: 

One must think only of oneself.

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