Översättning - Grekiska-Engelska - τι βοτάνι ήταν αυτό

kruidendrank - herbal drink
liefdesdrank - love drink (love potion)
toverdrank - magic(al) drink

Hi Maki,
I think you are making those suggestions based on the Dutch version, right? However User10 voted "correct" from the original in Greek
Perhaps that version needs to be reviewed

Let's wait a bit

CC: Lein

Yes, that's right.

Let's wait for Lein...

Judging from the Dutch text as well as from the context, Galka uses 'herb' here with the meaning of 'herbal drink' (strictly spoken, one can't drink a herb). Marija is absolutely right in correcting the translation based on the Dutch translation. I think you will have to decide wether you accept 'herb' instead of 'herbal drink'. If you do, this one seems fine to me.

CC: lilian canale

Yep to me it also seems that the English version isn't correct (like you said you can't drink a herb..). Maybe we need a Greek expert to have a look at it, maybe in Greek it is said in this way . At least I know that in the English version it should be 'what kind of herb was it that you gave me to drink'

In the original Greek version (song lyrics) it's "herb" (βοτάνι) and not "herbal drink". "βοτάνι" just like "herb" refers to the plant. However, what we have here is a phenomenon of metonymic extension. In my opinion, Galka's decision not to give an explanatory translation is the right one (within the specific context, since it's not a scientific text or whatever) as her translation conveys not only the meaning, but also the writing style of the original.

Thanks, User10.

@ Chantal, The syntax in the question is correct. It's an ellipsis of "What herb was that (one that) you gave me to drink?"

@ Lein,
Is there anything that can be edited in the Dutch version so that it will be closer to the original and to this version?

CC: galka Lein

I would rather leave it as it is. It is pretty clear how the different words are different ways to express the same thing. The Dutch translation is very nice and fluent at the moment and would appear artificial is we replaced 'herbal drink' etc. by 'herb'.