Context: I’m missing a cutting board. So I wrote in our telegram family group: “Wo ist eigentlich unser zweites großes Schneidebrett hin?” (literally: “Where is actually our second big cuttingboard thither?”).

By using the modal particle “eigentlich” I insinuate that something is oddly off and express an emotional state of curiousity and/or mild discontent.

By adding “hin”, I notify that I ask because it is not where it is supposed to be and not because I don’t know where it should be.

Now I ask myself, how would I express this additional information in English?


Edit: Thank you all for your answers! I learned a lot. Just our cutting board is still gone, and probably enjoying it’s freedom somewhere … I suppose.

  • @[email protected]
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    fedilink
    210 months ago

    “Who’s nicked the cutting board?” Indicates that it is not in its proper place and makes a (light-hearted) accusation of theft to indicate that it shouldn’t be anywhere else.

    • @agent_flounder
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      English
      210 months ago

      If spoken, heavily dependent on tone of course.