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http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Russian_proverbs
А
• Аппети́т прихо́дит во вре́мя еды́.
o Transliteration: Appetit prikhodit vo vremya yedy
o Translation: The appetite comes when eating
o English version: The appetite comes when eating
Б
• Ба́ба с во́зу — кобы́ле ле́гче.
o Transliteration: Baba s vozu — kobyle legche.
o Translation: It is easier for the mare when a woman gets off the cart.
o Moral: If you want to sneak away from doing this hard part of the job, go ahead, you will
only make it simplier for me. — Also: Good riddance! — Also (obsolete): Don't let a
woman do a man's job.
o Modern mockery: Ба́ба с во́зу — кобы́ла в ку́рсе. (When a woman gets off the cart, the
horse will notice.)
• Была́ не была́.
o Transliteration: Byla ne byla.
o Translation: There was — there wasn't.
o Moral: Whatever the consequences can be — I'll try it!
o English version: Whatever betide.
o Compare: И́ли грудь в креста́х, и́ли голова́ в куста́х.; Дву́м смертя́м не быва́ть,
одно́й не минова́ть.
В
• В Росси́и купола кроют чи́стым золотом, чтобы ча́ще Госпо́дь замеча́л.
o Translitteration: v rossiyi kupola kroyut chistim zolotom, chtoby chasche gospod'
zamechal.
o Translation: in russia, the domes (of churches) are covered with gold so that god notices
them more often.
• В тесноте́, да не в оби́де.
o Transliteration: V tesnote da ne v obide.
o Translation: In a crush, yet without resentment.
o Moral: Though the place is crowded, nobody will mind if you join as well. — Also: Come
on in!
o Compare: Вме́сте те́сно, а врозь ску́чно.
Г
• Где то́нко — там и рвётся.
o Transliteration: Gde tonko — tam i rvyotsya.
o Translation: It will snap where it's the thinnest.
o English version: The chain is no stronger than its weakest link.
Д
• Дарёному коню́ в зу́бы не смо́трят.
o Transliteration: Daryonomu konyu v zuby ne smotryat.
o Translation: Don't look at the teeth of a horse you've been given.
o English version: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
o Moral: Don’t question a gift's value; be thankful, rather than judging something you
received for free.
o Background: Looking at a horse's teeth is a way to determine its age, and thus its value (a
practice that also gives us the English expression “long in the tooth,” meaning old.)
o Compare: Го́лод не тётка(, пирожка́ не поднесёт).
o Modern mockery: Дарёному коню́ под хвост не смо́трят. (Don't check a gift horse
under the tail)
• До сва́дьбы заживёт.
o Transliteration: Do svad'by zazhivyot.
o Translation: [It] will heal [well] before [your] wedding.
o English version: You'll live.
• Доверя́й, но проверя́й.
o Transliteration: Doveryay, no proveryay.
o Translation: Trust, but verify.
o English version: Better safe than sorry.
o See also: Обже́гшись на молоке́, ду́ют на́ воду.
• Дурака́м зако́н не пи́сан (, е́сли пи́сан, то не чи́тан, е́сли чи́тан, то не по́нят, е́сли по́нят, то
не так).
o Transliteration: Durakam zakon ne pisan (, yesli pisan, to ne chitan, yesli chitan, to ne
ponyat, yesly ponyat, to ne tak).
o Translation: There is no law written for fools (, if it is written, it is not read, if it is read, it
is not understood, if it is understood, then in wrong way).
o English version: There is no law for fools.
Е
• Е́дешь на́ день, хле́ба бери́ на неде́лю.
o Transliteration: Yedesh na den', khleba beri na nedelyu.
o Translation: If you go for a day trip, take a week supply of bread.
o English Version: Always be prepared also, Always bring more than you need (extra)
o Compare: Запа́с карма́н не тя́нет
Ж
• Жизнь коротка́, а дел мно́го.
o Transliteration: Zhizn' korotka, a del mnogo.
o Translation: Life is short, but there's a lot to be done.
o English version: Life is short.
З
• За́втрак съешь сам, обе́д раздели́ с дру́гом, у́жин отда́й врагу́.
o Transliteration: Zavtrak s'esh sam, obed razdeli s drugom, uzhin otday vragu.
o Translation: Eat breakfast yourself, share dinner with [your] friend, give the supper to
[your] enemy.
o Moral: The most generous meal must be in the morning, and eating much in the evening is
harmful.
o English version: Breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen and dine like a pauper.
• Заста́вь дурака́ Бо́гу моли́ться - он (себе́) лоб расшибёт (и други́м но́ги поотшиба́ет).
o Transliteration: Zastav' duraka Bogu molitsya - on (sebe) lob rasshibyot (i drugim nogi
pootshibayet).
o Translation: [If you] make a fool to pray to God, he will hurt (both his) forehead (and
other people's toes).
o Moral: When eagerness is coupled with lack of understanding of the task, one's efforts will
be more of a hindrance than a help; Better not to follow instructions literally but
understand their purpose.
o English version: Zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse.
o Compare: Что ни сде́лает дура́к — все он сде́лает не так; Медве́жья услу́га.
И
• И волки сыты, и овцы целы.
o Transliteration: I volki syty, i ovtsy tsely.
o Translation: The wolves are sated, and the sheep are intact.
o Moral: Everyone has gotten what they want.
• И дёшево и сердито.
o Transliteration: I dyoshevo i serdito.
o Translation: Both cheap and angry.
o Moral: "You have spent little money wisely."
• Из огня́ да в полымя́.
o Transliteration: Iz ognya da v polymya.
o Translation: From fire to flame.
o Moral: [Got] out of trouble just to get into another trouble.
o English version: Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
o Compare: Ме́жду мо́лотом и накова́льней.
• И хо́чется и ко́лется.
o Transliteration: I khochetsya i koletsya.
o Translation: It is wanted and repellent.
o Moral: You can't easily get the thing you desire.
o English version: The cat would eat fish and would not wet her feet.
o Compare: Без труда́ не вы́тащишь и ры́бку из пруда́.
• Ищи́ и обря́щешь.
o Transliteration: Ishchi i obryaschesh.
o Translation: Seek and you will find.
К
• Казённого козла́ хоть за хвост подержа́ть - мо́жно шу́бу сшить.
o Transliteration: Kazyonnovo kozla za khvost poderzhat - mozhno shubu sshit'
o Translation: [Just even] having [once] held a state goat's tail one can make a fur-coat.
o Moral: The official can make a lot of money by bribes.
• Ка́пля в мо́ре.
o Transliteration: Kaplya v more.
o Translation: A drop in the sea.
o English version: A drop in the ocean.
• Кто ста́рое помя́нет, тому́ глаз вон(, а кто забу́дет - тому́ о́ба).
o Transliteration: Kto staroye pomyanet, tomu glaz von (, a kto zabudyet - tomu oba).
o Translation: Who reminds old [events,insults], will be deprived of his eye,(and who forgets
it - of both).
o English version: Let sleeping dogs lie.
Л
• Лбом сте́нку не расшибёшь .
o Transliteration: Lbom stenku ne rasshibyosh'.
o Translation: You cannot break a wall with your forehead.
o Moral: Use the correct tool for the job. – Also: Don't deal with stubborn people.
М
• Мал клоп, да воню́ч.
o Transliteration: Mal klop, da vonyuch.
o Translation: Bedbug [might be] small, but [definitely is] stinky.
o Moral: Even if that guy looks innocent/vulnerable, you better don't fool around with him,
as you likely won't enjoy the outcome.
• Матери́нский гнев — что весе́нний снег: и мно́го его вы́падет, да ско́ро раста́ет.
o Transliteration: Materinskiy gnev — chto vesenniy sneg: i mnogo yego vypadet, da skoro
rastayet
o Translation: Mother's anger is like spring snow: a lot of it may fall, but it will melt away
shortly.
o Moral: Mothers don't hold grudges against their kids.
Н
• На безры́бье и рак — ры́ба.
o Transliteration: Na bezryb'ye i rak — ryba.
o Translation: On a fishing lull, even a crayfish is fish.
o Moral: Maybe this is not the best choice, but it's our only option.
o English version: Something is better than nothing.
o See also: Из двух зол выбира́ют ме́ньшее, Го́лод не тётка(, пирожка́ не поднесёт)
• На Бо́га наде́йся, а сам не плоша́й.
o Transliteration: Na boga nadeysya, a sam ne ploshay
o Translation: Hope for God, but do not be reliant.
o English version: Trust in God, but lock your car.
o Compare: Бо́гу моли́сь, а добра́-ума́ держи́сь; Бережёного Бог бережёт.
• На всех не угоди́шь
o Transliteration: Na vsekh ne ugodish.
o Translation: You cannot please everybody.
o English version: He who pleased everybody died before he was born.
o Compare: О вку́сах не спо́рят.
• Не по́йман — не во́р.
o Transliteration: Ne poyman — ne vor.
o Translation: Unless caught [stealing], [one is] not a thief.
o English version: Innocent till proven guilty.
• Не учи́ учёного.
o Transliteration: Ne uchi uchonogo.
o Translation: Do not teach a learned person.
o Note: The word "учёный" literally means a "learned person", however the everyday
meaning is "scientist". This "proverb" is more of a wordplay, and relies on that semantic
connection for its profound effect. A more true-to-intended-effect translation would be:
"Don't teach the teacher."
o Compare: Я́йца ку́рицу не у́чат.
• Ни к селу́, ни к го́роду.
o Transliteration: Ni k selu, ni k gorodu.
o Translation: Not for village, not for town.
o Meaning: Not useful for anything.
o English version: Neither here nor there
• Ни пу́ха, ни пера́.
o Transliteration: Ni pukha, ni pera.
o Translation: Neither down (from a duck), nor feather.
o Meaning: Good Luck (more directly May nothing stand in your way.)
o English version: Break a leg!
• Ни ры́ба, ни мя́со.
o Transliteration: Ni ryba, ni myaso.
o Translation: Neither fish nor meat.
o Usage: A person without a strong character.
o English version: Neither fish nor flesh.
О
• Обе́щанного три го́да ждут.
o Transliteration: Obeschannovo tri goda zhdut.
o Translation: [They] wait three years for [what was] promised.
o Moral: Promises aren't usually carried out immediately.
• О вку́сах не спо́рят.
o Transliteration: O vkusakh ne sporyat.
o Translation: Tastes are not argued. (from Latin "De gustibus non est disputandum")
o English version: To each his own.
• Оре́шек не по зуба́м.
o Transliteration: Oreshek ne po zubam.
o Translation: The teeth are not match for the nut.
o English version: A hard nut to crack
П
• Парши́вая овца́ всё ста́до по́ртит.
o Transliteration: Parshivaya ovtsa vsyo stado portit.
o Translation: The scabby sheep spoils the whole flock.
o English version: Rotten apple spoils the whole barrel.
Р
• Рабо́та не волк, в лес не убежи́т.
o Transliteration: Rabota ne volk, v les ne ubezhit.
o Translation: Work is unlike wolf; it won't run to the woods.
o Moral: No need to rush to work.
o Contrast: Сде́лал де́ло, гуля́й сме́ло.
С
• Сам навари́л, сам и ку́шай.
o Transliteration: Sam navaril, sam i kushay.
o Translation: You cooked it, so eat it yourself.
o English version: You've made your bed, now lie in it.
• Ста́рость - не ра́дость.
o Transliteration: Starost' - ne radost'.
o Translation: Old age is no fun.
o English version: An old ape has an old eye; Old age, boy, is no joy.
Т
• Та же пе́сня, да на но́вый лад.
o Transliteration: Ta zhe pesmya, da na novyj lad.
o Translation: The same song, but with a new melody.
o English version: Same meat, different gravy.
У
• Убы́ток — уму́ прибы́ток.
o Translitertion: Ubytok — umu pribytok.
o Translation: A loss is a gain for mind.
o Moral: Experience is worth it.
o English version: Winning is earning, losing is learning.
• Укоро́тишь – не воро́тишь.
o Transliteration: Ukorotish - ne vorotish.
o Translations: If you cut [it], you won't get it back.
Ф
• Федо́т, да не тот.
o Transliteration: Fedot, da ne tot.
o Translation: Fedot, yet not the [right] one.
o Moral: You've mistaken him for somebody else. — Also: This is not genuine.
o Compare: Хороша́ Ма́ша, да не на́ша.
Х
• Хвали́лась сини́ца мо́ре заже́чь.
o Transliteration: Khvalilas' sinitsa more zazhech.
o Translation: Titmouse boasted to put sea on fire..
o Moral: Your plan doesn't hold water.
o See also: Пья́ному мо́ре по коле́но(, а лу́жа — по́ уши).
• Хвали́лся чёрт всем ми́ром владе́ть, а Бог ему́ и над свиньёй не дал вла́сти.
o Transliteration: Khvalilsya chort vsem mirom vladet', a Bog yemu i nad svin'yoy ne dal
vlasti.
o Translation: The devil boasted to rule the whole world, but God didn't give him power
even over the pig.
o Moral: Your plan doesn't hold water.
o See also: Пья́ному мо́ре по коле́но(, а лу́жа — по́ уши).
Ц
• Це́рковь бли́зко, да идти́ скли́зко, каба́к далеко́, да идти́ легко́.
o Transliteration: Tserkov' blizko, da idti sklizko, kabak daleko, la idti legko.
o Translation: Church is close, but the road is slippery, pub is far, but the road is easy.
• Что пнём об сову́, что сово́й об пень( — всё одно́ сове́ несла́дко).
o Transliteration: Chto pnyom ob sovu, chto sovoy ob pen' (— vsyo odno sove ne sladko.)
o Translation: Whether [you hit] an owl with a stump, or a stump with an owl(, [it's] the owl
[who] will suffer).
o Moral: No matter what way you choose, you won't benefit at the end.
o English version: Have you any idea how much damage that bulldozer would suffer if I just
let it roll straight over you?
o Compare: Что в лоб, что по лбу.
Ш
• Шей да пори́ — не бу́дет пусто́й поры́.
o Transliteration: Shey da pori — ne budet pustoy pory.
o Translation: Sew and cut, and you'll never see idle(hungry) times.
o Moral: (often said in embarrasment when the client changes their requirements on the fly).
Щ
Э
• Э́то бы́ло давно́, и непра́вда.
o Transliteration: Eto bylo davno, i nepravda.
o Translation: This [story] happened long ago, and isn't true.
o Moral: An attempt to jokingly dismiss a reminder of an actual, but dishonorable or
displeasant event.
o See also: Кто ста́рое помя́нет, тому́ глаз вон; Что бы́ло, то прошло́ (и быльём
поросло́).
Ю
Я
• Я́блоко от я́блони недалеко́ па́дает.
o Transliteration: Yabloko ot yabloni nedaleko padayet.
o Translation: The apple falls not so far away from the apple-tree.
o English version: Like father like son; The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
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