List of Russian proverbs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Russian proverbs gained popularity in the West thanks to Ronald Reagan, who supposedly was a fan of Russian folklore. Russians have possibly thousands of proverbs. Below is a very short list of Russian proverbs with translation.
- Бодливой корове Бог рог не дает
- English pronunciation: bod-LEE-voy ko-RO-veh Bog rog nee DA-yot.
- Literally: God does not give horns to a cow that likes to butt
- Moral: Overzealous people often don't have means to do what they would like to
- Дареному коню в зубы не смотрят
- English pronunciation: Dar-YON-om-oo kon-yOO v ZOO-by ne SMOT-ryat.
- Literally: Don't look at the teeth of a horse that you got as a present
- Moral: Appreciate what you have
- Note: Looking at horse's teeth is one of the way to determine the age of a horse, and, therefore, its value.
- Рыбак рыбака видит издалека
- English pronunciation: RI-bak ri-bak-A VEE-deet eez-dal-ek-A.
- Literally: A fisherman can tell another fisherman from afar
- Moral: People of similar interests are attracted to each other
- Язык до Киева доведет
- English pronunciation: Ya-ZIK doh KEE-ye-va do-ve-DYOT.
- Literally: Your tongue can get you to Kiev
- Moral: You can achieve almost anything by asking for help from others
- Яйца курицу не учат
- English pronunciation: YAhY-tza KOOR-ee-tzu ne OO-chat.
- Literally: Eggs cannot teach a hen.
- Moral: Do not give advise to someone more experienced than you