This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
Tank Storage receipt
rip up

Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

physically

English answer:

her body cannot handle the tasks of caring for a child

Added to glossary by Lydia De Jorge
    The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2020-05-19 14:57:41 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)
May 15, 2020 16:47
4 yrs ago
41 viewers *
English term

physically

Non-PRO English Other General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters physically
I was taken from my family via DoCS, because my mother just wasn't physically able to look after me.

Does it means "Financially" here?

I don't have further context to confirm or deny.

Thanks in advance,
Responses
4 +4 her body cannot handle the tasks of caring for a child
4 +1 physiquement
3 [physically]
3 -1 too ill / has a physical disability / cannot be there
4 -2 she wasn't fit to look after him
Change log

May 19, 2020 16:42: Lydia De Jorge Created KOG entry

Discussion

Michael Barnett May 17, 2020:
Physically... I agree with Tony. In addition to it meaning that the mother had a physical disability that prevented her from caring for the child, it could also mean that she was disabled due to her location or physical circumstances, such as being in another country, being in jail or otherwise physically restrained.
S.J (asker) May 16, 2020:
Thank you all.
Tony M May 16, 2020:
@ Asker By the way, there is possibly an implication here that the 'physically' suggests it was really her last resort: had there been any other reasons, she would have carried on looking after the child, but she was physically unable to; it was something out of her control that prevented her from being able to do so, against her will. In other words, the writer could, to some extent, be trying to exonerate their mother from any blame in giving up her child "so easily".
Tony M May 16, 2020:
@ Asker Pertinent extra context might also be "at what age the child was taken away from their mother?" — this might help to explain in what way she was physically unable; e.g. bad back so unable to life a baby as it got bigger; not in good health, so couldn't walk the child to school; unable to cope with large amounts of washing needed; child growing older and difficult, she was not physically strong enough to restrain them.
The fact that the writer specifically says 'physically' suggest they are deliberatly try to avoid saying the mother was mentally unable to care for them, nor even simply in terms of financial resources.
Daryo May 15, 2020:
there is no context where "physically able to look after s.o." could mean/equate to financial problems.

That person may well ALSO have financial problems, but that wouldn't IN ANY WAY change the meaning of "being physically able".

Just because a box is red and also made of wood could NEVER be construed that "red" is the same as "wood".
Taña Dalglish May 15, 2020:
@ Sjaatoul No, it is not financial at all, so in essence, I was merely confirming what others have said!
S.J (asker) May 15, 2020:
I thought financially would be more convenient in this context. So I asked if physically could be used in that context. That's it.
Taña Dalglish May 15, 2020:
@ Sjaatoul What do you mean exactly "But I thought it could (be) used in another sense"? The sentence "...because my mother just wasn't physically able to look after me", means "....because my mother just wasn't capable of looking after me" [due to her physical limitations], whatever those may have been? Hope this helps and regards and P.S. Sjaatoul, remember to provide adequate context with your queries, won't you?
Thx and regards. Stay safe!
S.J (asker) May 15, 2020:
That's the obvious meaning. But I thought it could use in another sense.

Responses

+4
1 hr
Selected

her body cannot handle the tasks of caring for a child

,
Peer comment(s):
agree Daryo : yes - for whatever reason - chronic illness, physical disability, more or less healthy but simply not strong enough ....
48 mins
Thanks!
agree Yvonne Gallagher : Yea, that is ALL we can say from the little context
2 hrs
Thank you.
agree Tony M
3 hrs
Thank you.
neutral Becca Resnik : But it might not be her body. It could be her presence (e.g. working hours too long).
3 hrs
The possibilities are endless, but with the limited context, this is my take. It does state she is "not physically able". Thanks.
agree Taña Dalglish : Perfectly good! // I disagree with Becca Resnik: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physical (3. of or related to the body)//This is splitting hairs, now!
5 hrs
Thank you, Taña. I appreciate your support.
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you."
+1
2 mins

physiquement

It does not mean financially. Maybe she was handicapped.
Peer comment(s):
agree philgoddard : She had too many other problems. The sentence would mean the same if they left out "physically".
7 mins
Thanks
neutral Taña Dalglish : Cathy, no disrepect but note the language pairing! It is English to English although your answer is correct; the language options are always at the top of the page. Continue to stay safe and regards.
54 mins
Thanks Taña. Stay safe too.
neutral Yvonne Gallagher : English is asked for
4 hrs
Something went wrong...
3 mins

[physically]

No, it can mean "physically." It could mean that the parent couldn't meet the child's physical needs, such as clothing, food, etc. It could also refer to the mother's physical capabilities (maybe she has psychotic episodes during which she can't take care of them, for instance). Just examples, and it does depend on the context.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 mins (2020-05-15 16:53:53 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

And in the example of psychotic episodes, a specific physical example would be something like a parent not being able to feed a baby for a prolonged period of time due to the episodes.
Peer comment(s):
agree Astrid Fiess
37 mins
neutral Daryo : I wouldn't include mental health problems in "physical capacities" to care for a child.
2 hrs
Not generally, but that's what my added note was meant to clarify - just applies in this example if those mental health problems make her incapable of physically caring for them.
disagree Yvonne Gallagher : Over translation and guesswork
4 hrs
My response was only "physically." The rest are examples to help the asker understand what this could mean, as he's not sure why "financial" isn't a substitute term. Hence "could mean," "could also," "just examples," and "depend on context."
Something went wrong...
-1
34 mins

too ill / has a physical disability / cannot be there


1. she is too ill to take care of her child.
2. she has a physical disability.
3. the mother cannot be physically there. For example, she has to go to work.
Peer comment(s):
disagree Yvonne Gallagher : Over translation. Lot of guesswork
3 hrs
Something went wrong...
-2
8 hrs

she wasn't fit to look after him

unable to look after him
Peer comment(s):
disagree Tony M : Inappropriate here: the use of 'fit' in this context would imply 'unsuitable', which implies a judgement about this mother that cannot be inferred from the source text we have in front of us.
3 hrs
I got it, thanks
disagree Yvonne Gallagher : that changes the meaning
11 hrs
Something went wrong...
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search