Russian proverbs

Охо́та пу́ще нево́ли.Transliteration: Okhota pusche nevoli. Translation: Desire is worse then compulsion. English equivalent: A burden of ones own choice is not felt. Meaning: Work you enjoy never feels too hard.

— Russian proverbs joy

1 Confirmed through Russian Proverbs and Sayings1.1 А 1.2 Б 1.3 В 1.4 Г 1.5 Д 1.6 Е 1.7 Ж 1.8 З 1.9 И 1.10 К 1.11 Л 1.12 М 1.13 Н 1.14 О 1.15 П 1.16 Р 1.17 С 1.18 Т 1.19 У 1.20 Ф 1.21 Х 1.22 Ц 1.23 Ч 1.24 Ш 1.25 Щ 1.26 Э 1.27 Ю 1.28 Я

— Russian proverbs

Арте́льный горшо́к гу́ще кипи́т.Transliteration: Artelnyi gorshok gusche kipit. English Equivalent: Many hands make light work. See also: Бери́сь дру́жно, не бу́дет гру́зно.

— Russian proverbs art

Ба́ба с во́зу — кобы́ле ле́гче.Transliteration: Baba s vozu — kobyle legche. Translation: It is easier for the mare when a woman is off the cart.. Meaning: If you want to sneak away from doing this hard part of the job, go ahead, you will only make it simpler for me. — Also: Good riddance! — Modern mockery: Ба́ба с во́зу — кобы́ла в ку́рсе. When a woman gets off the cart, the horse will notice.

— Russian proverbs art

Meaning: If you want to sneak away from doing this hard part of the job, go ahead, you will only make it simpler for me. — Also: Good riddance! —

— Russian proverbs art

Modern mockery: Ба́ба с во́зу — кобы́ла в ку́рсе. When a woman gets off the cart, the horse will notice.

— Russian proverbs art

Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла— то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.Transliteraion: Babushka gadala, da nadvoye skazala— to li dozhdik, to li sneg, to li budet, to li net. Translation: Granny told fortunes and said two things — it will either rain or snow; it either will or will not. English equivalent: Well see what well see; maybe rain or maybe snow, maybe yes or maybe no. Meaning: The outcome is still unknown despite all thats been said. — Also: You seem uncertain. Compare: Ви́лами на воде́ пи́сано.

— Russian proverbs meaning

Transliteraion: Babushka gadala, da nadvoye skazala— to li dozhdik, to li sneg, to li budet, to li net.

— Russian proverbs

Translation: Granny told fortunes and said two things — it will either rain or snow; it either will or will not.

— Russian proverbs rain

Без кота́ мыша́м раздо́лье.Transliteration: Bez kota mysham razdolye. Translation: Without a cat, mice feel free. English equivalent: When the cat is away, the mice will play.

— Russian proverbs will

Closest English equivalent: God helps those who help themselves. Pray to God but keep the powder dry.

— Russian proverbs god

Modern mockery: Бережёного Бог бережёт, а небережёного конвой стережёт. God watches over those who are careful, and the jail wardens watch over those who were not.

— Russian proverbs god

See also: Арте́льный горшо́к гу́ще кипи́т.Note: Mertvago translates this as Good will and welcome are the best cheer, but the literal definition is closer to the original translation.

— Russian proverbs good

Note: Mertvago translates this as Good will and welcome are the best cheer, but the literal definition is closer to the original translation.

— Russian proverbs good

Болту́н — нахо́дка для шпио́на.Transliteration: Boltun — nakhodka dlya shpiona. Translation: A chatterbox is a treasure for a spy. English equivalent: Loose lips sink ships.

— Russian proverbs ya

Большо́му кораблю́ — большо́е пла́вание.Transliteration: Bolshomu korablyu — bolshoye plavaniye. Translation: For a big ship, a big voyage. Modern mockery: Большо́му кораблю́ — больша́я торпе́да. For a big ship, a big torpedo Meaning: Remarkable people make a big impact in the world.

— Russian proverbs people

Modern mockery: Большо́му кораблю́ — больша́я торпе́да. For a big ship, a big torpedo

— Russian proverbs

Бу́дет и на на́шей у́лице пра́здник.Transliteration: Budet i na nashey ulitse prazdnik. Translation: Therell be a holiday in our street too. Meaning: One day we will get lucky too.

— Russian proverbs meaning

Была́ не была́.Transliteration: Byla ne byla. Translation: There was — there wasnt. Meaning: Whatever the consequences can be — Ill try it! Compare: И́ли грудь в креста́х, и́ли голова́ в куста́х.; Дву́м смертя́м не быва́ть, одно́й не минова́ть.

— Russian proverbs hate

Compare: И́ли грудь в креста́х, и́ли голова́ в куста́х.; Дву́м смертя́м не быва́ть, одно́й не минова́ть.

— Russian proverbs

В гостя́х хорошо́, а до́ма лу́чше.Transliteration: V gostyakh khorosho, a doma luchshe. Translation: Visiting is good, but home is better. English equivalent: East or West - home is best.

— Russian proverbs good

В дождь избы́ не кро́ют, а в вёдро и сама́ не ка́плет.Translitration: V dozhd izby ne kroyut, a v vyodro i sama ne kaplet Translation: When its raining one doesnt roof the cottage, and when its not raining the roof isnt leaking . Meaning: Lazy people find excuses to delay their job.

— Russian proverbs people

Translation: When its raining one doesnt roof the cottage, and when its not raining the roof isnt leaking .

— Russian proverbs age

Вели́к те́лом, да мал де́лом.Transliteration: Velik telom, da mal delom Translation: Big in body, but small in deeds.

— Russian proverbs body

Видна́ пти́ца по полёту.Transliteration: Vidna ptitsa po polyotu. Translation: The bird is known by its flight. English equivalent: A tree is known by its fruit. Meaning: You can judge someone based on his surroundings. For instance, a person living in a messy house is messy. Modern mockery: Видна́ пти́ца по помёту. The bird is known by its droppings.

— Russian proverbs living

Meaning: You can judge someone based on his surroundings. For instance, a person living in a messy house is messy.

— Russian proverbs living

Ви́дит о́ко, да зуб неймёт.Transliteration: Vidit oko, da zub neymyot. Translation: The eye can see it, but the tooth cant bite it. English equivalent: Ones reach exceeds ones grasp.

— Russian proverbs

Вино́ вину́ твори́т.Transliteration: Vino vinu tvorit. Translation: Wine causes guilt.

— Russian proverbs guilt

В нога́х правды не́т.Transliteration: V nogakh pravdy net. Translation: There is no truth in feet. Meaning: Take a seat, please.

— Russian proverbs truth

Во́лка но́ги ко́рмят.Transliteration: Volka nogi kormyat. Translation: Wolf feeds on his feet. Meaning: A hard time of scarce resources.

— Russian proverbs time

Meaning: People deserve recognition for their skills and contributions even if they are otherwise unworthy or unlikeable.

— Russian proverbs people

Волк в ове́чьей шку́ре.Transliteration: Volk v ovechyey shkurye. Translation: Wolf in sheeps pelt. English equivalent: Wolf in sheeps clothing. Meaning: An innocent demeanor may hide much guilt. Compare: В ти́хом о́муте че́рти во́дятся.

— Russian proverbs meaning

Translation note: Although the original proverb has the structure of a declarative sentence it is commonly understood and used in context as a rhetorical question.

— Russian proverbs

Вот где соба́ка зары́та.Transliteration: Vot gde sobaka zaryta Translation: Thats where the dog is buried English equivalent: That’s where the shoe pinches; That’s the crux the rub. See also: Вот в чём загво́здка.

— Russian proverbs

Modern mockery: Время — лучший доктор, но ужасный косметолог. Time is the best healer, but a terrible cosmetologist.

— Russian proverbs time

В семье́ не без уро́да.Transliteration: V semye ne bez uroda. Translation: No family has no ugly member. English equivalent: There is a black sheep in every flock.

— Russian proverbs family

Всё хорошо́, что хорошо́ конча́ется.Transliteration: Vsyo khorosho, chto khorosho konchayetsa. Translation: All is well that ends well. English equivalent: Alls well that ends well.

— Russian proverbs end

Всяк кули́к своё боло́то хва́лит.Transliteration: Vsyak kulik svoyo boloto khvalit. Translation: Every sandpiper praises his own swamp. Meaning: Everyone praises their own work or possession, no matter how inferior it is. English equivalent: Every cook praises his own broth.

— Russian proverbs work

В тесноте́, да не в оби́де.Transliteration: V tesnote da ne v obide. Translation: In a crush, yet without resentment. Meaning: Though the place is crowded, nobody will mind if you join as well. — Also: Come on in! Compare: Вме́сте те́сно, а врозь ску́чно.

— Russian proverbs mind

Modern mockery: В Тулу со своим пулемётом To Tula with your own machine gun; Tula is center of firearms design and production.

— Russian proverbs fire

В чужо́й монасты́рь со свои́м уста́вом не хо́дят.Transliteration: V chuzhoy monastyr so svoim ustavom ne khodyat. Translation: No-one goes to another monastery with their own charter. English equivalent: When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Compare: В Ту́лу со свои́м самова́ром не е́здят.

— Russian proverbs art

English equivalent: Luke 6:41: And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brothers eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

— Russian proverbs

See also: Чья́ бы коро́ва мыча́ла, а твоя́ бы молча́ла; На зе́ркало не́ча пеня́ть, ко́ли ро́жа крива́.

— Russian proverbs

Meaning: Obstacles that were overlooked/ignored during planning, turned out to be a major showstopper when executing the plan.

— Russian proverbs meaning

Meaning: If youre afraid of doing something, relax and and let your reflexes do the job; — Also: Dont be afraid if the amount of work seems large; it can be handled step-by-step.

— Russian proverbs work

Compare: Я́годка по я́годке - бу́дет кузово́к; У стра́ха глаза́ велики́.

— Russian proverbs

Говоря́т, что кур доя́т.Transliteration: Govoryat, shto kur doyat. Translation: They say they milk chickens. Meaning: Dont believe all the rumors.

— Russian proverbs believe

Meaning: If you are in need, help yourself and dont count on the situation improving by itself. — Also: If youre in need, take what they give you, its not time to decline offers.

— Russian proverbs time

Compare: Дарёному коню́ в зу́бы не смотря́т; На безры́бье и рак — ры́ба.

— Russian proverbs

Го́лой овцы́ не стригу́т.Transliteration: Goloy ovtsy ne strigut. Translation: One doesnt shear naked sheep. English equivalent: A beggar can never be bankrupt.

— Russian proverbs

Голь на вы́думку хитра́.Transliteration: Gol na vydumku khitra. Translation: Poor people are crafty. English equivalent: Necessity is the mother of invention.

— Russian proverbs people

Гром не гря́нет, мужи́к не перекре́стится.Transliteration: Grom ne gryanet, muzhik ne perekrestitsya. Translation: Unless thunder strikes, a man wont cross himself. Cultural background: Since lightning strikes were considered acts of punishment by God, it was believed that crossing oneself would prevent one from being hit by a lightning. Swedish equivalent: You dont miss the cow until the barn is empty. Meaning: People tend to not take precautionary measures until trouble actually happens.

— Russian proverbs god

Cultural background: Since lightning strikes were considered acts of punishment by God, it was believed that crossing oneself would prevent one from being hit by a lightning.

— Russian proverbs god

Гусь свинье́ не това́рищ.Transliteration: Gus svinye ne tovarisch. Translation: A goose is not a pigs friend. Meaning: Opposite of Birds of a feather flock together; — Also: I despise you. Answer: Ну, тогда я полетел.Well, Im flying away. Compare: Тамбо́вский волк тебе́ това́рищ.

— Russian proverbs meaning

Note: Looking at a horses 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.

— Russian proverbs meaning

Meaning: Don’t question a gifts value; be thankful, rather than judging something you received as a gift.

— Russian proverbs meaning

Modern mockery: Дарёному коню́ под хвост не смо́трят. Dont check a gift horse under the tail

— Russian proverbs gift

Даю́т - бери́, а бьют - беги́.Transliteration: Dayut - beri, a byut - begi Translation: If given - take it; if beaten - run away.

— Russian proverbs day

Compare: И́ли грудь в креста́х, и́ли голова́ в куста́х.; Была́ не была́.

— Russian proverbs

Дели́ть шку́ру неуби́того медве́дя.Transliteration: Delit shkuru neubitovo medvedya. Translation: To divide the pelt of a bear not yet killed. English equivalent: To cook a hare before catching him; Dont count your chickens before they hatch; Dont run before your horse to market; Dont put the cart before the horse. Compare: Не говори́ гоп, пока́ не переско́чишь перепры́гнешь.

— Russian proverbs art

English equivalent: To cook a hare before catching him; Dont count your chickens before they hatch; Dont run before your horse to market; Dont put the cart before the horse.

— Russian proverbs art

Compare: Не говори́ гоп, пока́ не переско́чишь перепры́гнешь.

— Russian proverbs

Де́ло ма́стера бои́тся.Transliteration: Delo mastera boitsya. Translation: Work is afraid of a skilled worker. Meaning: Work goes well when you know what you are doing.

— Russian proverbs work

До́брое бра́тство — лу́чшее бога́тство.Transliteration: Dobroye bratstvo — luchsheye bogatstvo. Translation: Good brotherhood is the best wealth. Compare: Не име́й сто рубле́й, а име́й сто друзе́й.

— Russian proverbs wealth

Meaning: Debt is a shame until it is repaid; – Also used as a hint: Its time for you to pay me back.

— Russian proverbs time

Дорога́ ло́жка к обе́ду.Transliteration: Doroga lozhka k obyedu. Transalation: A spoon is valuable at dinner. Meaning: Things are best in their respective time.; Proper timing is everything. — Also: Things are most expensive when in high demand. Compare: До́рого яи́чко ко Христо́ву дню. See also: Вся́кому о́вощу своё вре́мя. English equivalent: A stitch in time saves nine.

— Russian proverbs time

Meaning: Things are best in their respective time.; Proper timing is everything. — Also: Things are most expensive when in high demand.

— Russian proverbs time

До́рого яи́чко ко Христо́ву дню.Transliteration: Dorogo yaichko k Khristovu dnyu. Translation: A spring egg is dear at the Easter day. Meaning: Things are best in their respective time.; Proper timing is everything. — Also: Things are most expensive when in high demand. Compare: Дорога́ ло́жка к обе́ду.

— Russian proverbs time

Дру́жба дру́жбой, а слу́жба слу́жбой.Transliteration: Druzhba druzhboy, a sluzhba sluzhboy. Translation: Friendship is friendship but service is service. Meaning: Friendship is one thing, business another; Nothing personal; just business. Compare: Дру́жба дру́жбой, а табачо́к де́нежки - врозь.

— Russian proverbs friendship

Meaning: You might be my friend, but it doesnt entitle you to using my assets or not repaying my debts.

— Russian proverbs sin

Дурака́м зако́н не пи́сан , е́сли пи́сан, то не чи́тан, е́сли чи́тан, то не по́нят, е́сли по́нят, то не так.Transliteration: Durakam zakon ne pisan , yesli pisan, to ne chitan, yesli chitan, to ne ponyat, yesly ponyat, to ne tak. Translation: There is no law written for foolsif it is written its not read, if it is read its not understood, if it is understood, in the wrong way. English equivalent: There is no law for fools.

— Russian proverbs ya

Transliteration: Durakam zakon ne pisan , yesli pisan, to ne chitan, yesli chitan, to ne ponyat, yesly ponyat, to ne tak.

— Russian proverbs ya

Translation: There is no law written for foolsif it is written its not read, if it is read its not understood, if it is understood, in the wrong way.

— Russian proverbs law

Дурако́в не се́ют, не жнут, са́ми родя́тся.Transliteration: Durakov ne seyut, ne zhnut, sami rodyatsya. Translation: Fools are not sown or reaped, they appear by themselves. English equivalent: Theres a sucker born every minute.

— Russian proverbs ya

Е́дешь на́ день, хле́ба бери́ на неде́лю.Transliteration: Yedesh na den, khleba beri na nedelyu. Translation: If you take a day trip, take a weeks supply of bread. English equivalent: Always be prepared or always bring more than you need Compare: Запа́с карма́н не тя́нет

— Russian proverbs you

Е́сли бы да кабы́ да во рту росли́ грибы́ бобы́, это был бы не рот, а огоро́д.Transliteration: Yesli by da kaby da vo rtu rosli griby boby , eto byl by nye rot a ogorod Translation: If and when mushrooms beans grew in the mouth, that would have been not mouth but kitchen garden. English equivalent: If ifs and buts were candy and nuts; If wishes were horses, beggars might ride.; If ifs and ands were pots and pans, then we would need no tinkers.; If wishes were fishes, thered be no room in the river for water.; If wishes were horses, wed all be eating steak. Modern mockery: Если бы у бабушки были яйца, то она была бы дедушкой If only Grandma had balls, she would have been Grandpa

— Russian proverbs water

Translation: If and when mushrooms beans grew in the mouth, that would have been not mouth but kitchen garden.

— Russian proverbs

English equivalent: If ifs and buts were candy and nuts; If wishes were horses, beggars might ride.; If ifs and ands were pots and pans, then we would need no tinkers.; If wishes were fishes, thered be no room in the river for water.; If wishes were horses, wed all be eating steak.

— Russian proverbs water

Modern mockery: Если бы у бабушки были яйца, то она была бы дедушкой If only Grandma had balls, she would have been Grandpa

— Russian proverbs

Если бы молодость знала, если бы старость могла.Transliteration: Yesli by molodost znala, yesli by starost mogla. Translation: If only youth would know, if only old age were able. Meaning: If only youth had the wisdom, and old age had the strength everything would have been much better. English equivalent: Youth is wasted on the young

— Russian proverbs wisdom

Meaning: If only youth had the wisdom, and old age had the strength everything would have been much better.

— Russian proverbs wisdom

Если бы не закон, не было бы и преступника.English equivalent: The more laws, the more offenders.

— Russian proverbs law

Зако́н что ды́шло, куда́ повернёшь - туда́ и вы́шло.Transliteration: Zakon chto dyshlo, kuda povernyosh - tuda i vyshlo. Translation: Law is like the shaft of a cart, it points wherever you turn it. Alt. Translation: The law is like a shaft, no matter the way you turn it, youre shafted. Meaning: Powerful, rich or smart people can make the law work for them.

— Russian proverbs art

Transliteration: Zastav duraka Bogu molitsya - on sebe lob rasshibyot i drugim nogi pootshibayet.

— Russian proverbs ya

Meaning: When eagerness is coupled with lack of understanding of the task, ones efforts will be more of a hindrance than a help; Better not to follow instructions literally but understand their purpose.

— Russian proverbs purpose

Compare: Что ни сде́лает дура́к — все он сде́лает не так; Медве́жья услу́га.

— Russian proverbs

Compare: Пошёл за ше́рстью, а верну́лся стри́женым; Не рой друго́му я́му, сам в неё попадёшь.

— Russian proverbs

English equivalents: To be hoisted by ones own petard; to shoot oneself in the foot; to slit ones own throat.

— Russian proverbs self

Meaning: One can suffer for his/her activity or initiative; result is sometimes an oposite of expected.

— Russian proverbs time

Meaning: People who know they have done wrong reveal their guilt by the things they say or the way they interpret what other people say.

— Russian proverbs people

Compare: За двумя зайцами погонишься , ни одного не поймаешь. Двух зайцев одной пулей.

— Russian proverbs

Meaning: You cannot alter the information that many people know by heart. — Also: The following may contain obscene, rude or otherwise questionable content, yet it content cannot be omitted as its an integral part of the story.

— Russian proverbs art

Compare: Сло́во – не воробе́й: вы́летит – не пойма́ешь.; Что напи́сано перо́м – не вы́рубить топоро́м.

— Russian proverbs

English equivalent: Prevention is better than cure.; An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

— Russian proverbs

Исподво́ль и ольху́ согнёшь.Transliteration: Ispodvol i olkhu sognyosh. Translation: You can bend an alder-tree, if you do it gradually. English equivalent: Little strokes fell great oaks.; Time conquers all.

— Russian proverbs time

Ищи́ ве́тра в по́ле.Transliteration: Ishchi vetra v pole. Translation: Look for wind in a field. Meaning: Whats lost cannot be found. English equivalent: You cant catch the wind in a net.

— Russian proverbs meaning

Ка́шу ма́слом не испо́ртишь.Transliteration: Kashu maslom ne isportish. Translation: One cant spoil porridge with butter. Meaning: You can’t spoil a good thing with another good thing. English equivalent: Plenty is no plague. Compare: Мно́го — не ма́ло.

— Russian proverbs good

Клин кли́ном вышиба́ют.Transliteration: Klin klinom vyshibayut. Translation: They use a wedge to knock out a wedge. Meaning: Pay back with the same medicine. English equivalents: Fight fire with fire; Like cures like; One nail drives out another.

— Russian proverbs meaning

Когото́к увя́з - всей пти́чке пропа́сть.Transliteration: Kogotok uvyaz — vsey ptichke propast. Translation: If the claw is stuck, the whole bird is lost. Meaning: Trouble begins with small mistakes. Compare: Пришла́ беда́ - отворя́й ворота́, Лиха́ беда́ нача́ло.

— Russian proverbs past

Compare: Пришла́ беда́ - отворя́й ворота́, Лиха́ беда́ нача́ло.

— Russian proverbs

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