Don't be so naive

English translation: do not be so artless

12:21 May 8, 2023

English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Poetry & Literature

English term or phrase: Don't be so naive

I need to find a more archaic expression with this meaning. It's a dialogue between a young man and a tribal elder.

Young man: Don't be so naive, old man/ I thought you're were a wise man, but I was wrong / or something similar /// at least something neutral/no so contemporary.

There was a long silence. They remained quiet, looking straight.

Many thanks in advance.

Lakasa Stnorden KudoZ activity Questions: 993 (7 open) (2 without valid answers) (8 closed without grading) Answers: 253
Local time: 06:21

Selected answer:do not be so artless

Explanation:
Naive is a French word, and a relatively recent addition to the English language, whereas the suffix '-less' is Germanic and much older. And 'do not' is more formal than 'don't'.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 mins (2023-05-08 12:31:08 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/artless

Selected response from:

philgoddard
United States

Grading comment

Thanks for your help!!!
2 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

4 +1

do not be so artless

philgoddard

Don't be so guileless

Tatiane Andrade

But my dear sir, are you really of such a simple disposition?

British Diana

Discussion entries: 1

Answers

7 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

don't be so naive

do not be so artless

philgoddard
United States
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 50

Grading comment

Thanks for your help!!!

3 hrs confidence:

Don't be so guileless

Explanation:
Guileless is a word we find in books from 60s/70s

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/guileless

Tatiane Andrade
Brazil
Local time: 06:21
Works in field
Native speaker of:

Portuguese

3 days 2 hrs confidence:

But my dear sir, are you really of such a simple disposition?

Explanation:
just slightly changing the sentence to fit my suggested term

British Diana
Germany
Local time: 11:21
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 8

Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:

ProZ.com term search

Search millions of term translations

Don't be so naive

English translation: do not be so artless

Answers

KudoZ™ translation help

Your current localization setting

Select a language

Don't be so naive

English translation: do not be so artless

Answers

KudoZ™ translation help

You have native languages that can be verified

Your current localization setting

Select a language