Proverbs and Sayings

In our life we use proverbs and sayings very often, usually without thinking about their origins. In fact, proverbs provide us with folk wisdom that came from life experience. The previous generations experience, that doesn’t depend neither on historical era, nor on fashion or political and economic conditions. So let’s discover the most frequently used proverbs and sayings and find out their meaning.

А воз и ныне там” (the exact translation — The wagon is on the same place) The quote from Krylov’s fable means that despite all the promises nothing has been made on this or that matter. Things aren’t moving.

“Авось, да небось” (the exact translation — To hope and bet). The proverb means that a person, who says it, isn’t going to do something to change and improve the current situation and just observes the developments without personal involvement.

“Без меня меня женили” (I got married without my agreement). The proverb is used when a person was absent at the meeting where some decision that concern his interests was made. It’s like you wake up and find your goose is cooked.

“Без труда не вытащишь и рыбку из пруда” (You can’t take fish out of the pond without an effort). One of the most popular slavic proverbs. It means that if you want to get the desired outcome you should strive and work hard. No sweet without sweat.

“В ногах правды нет” (There is no truth in the legs). Usually the phrase follows the proposal to have a seat with the idea that there is no sense in standing while you have the opportunity to sit down.

“Где родился, там и пригодился” (You will be useful in the place where you were born). The proverb is used with respect to a person who realised his talent in the city where he was born being of value to his native place of birth and its citizens.
Dry bread at home is better than roast meat abroad.

“Дареному коню в зубы не смотрят” (Don’t check the teeth of the horse you were presented with). The phrase means that you shouldn’t express dissatisfaction in a situation when you don’t like the gift or you expected something more. Don’t ask a gift horse too many questions.

“Если гора не идет к Магомеду, то Магомед идет к горе” (If the mountain won’t come to Muhammad then Muhammad must go to the mountain). If you want to achieve something you must do your best.

“За двумя зайцами погонишься — ни одного не поймаешь” (If you run after two hares, you will catch neither). You shouldn’t do two things at once cause you are unlikely to succeed in any of them. It’s better to concentrate on one of the cases. Jack of all trades is a master of none.

“Когда рак на горе свистнет” (When the crawfish whistles on the mountain). The proverb is used when you discuss the unrealistic situation that is unlikely to happen. When pigs fly. When Hell freezes over

Using the proverbs and sayings you can express your ideas eloquently and briefly.

Ссылка на основную публикацию