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User:Michael F

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Charter Patron Armour Research Society.

Interests include armor (modern and historical), medieval battles, engineering, and physics.


CB This user is color blind.



--Russian Proverbs--

This is a dump of the Russian Proverbs page of Wikiquote in case anyone there gets uppity with deletion while I'm working.


Русские пословицы и поговорки

Below is a list of Russian proverbs with translation.

А - Б - В - Г - Д - Е - Ж - З - И - К - Л - М - Н - О - П - Р - С - Т - У - Ф - Х - Ц - Ч - Ш - Щ- Э- Ю - Я

А

[edit]
  • Аво́сь да небо́сь до добра́ не доведу́т.
    • Transliteration: Avos da nebos do dobra ne dovedut.
    • Translation: Maybe and somehow won't make any good.
    • Moral: Don't rely on chance.
  • Алты́нного во́ра ве́шают, а полти́нного че́ствуют.[1]
    • Transliteration: Altynnogo vora veshayut, a poltinnovo chestvuyut.
    • Translation: One hangs the thief who stole altyn(3 kopecks), and honors the one who stole poltinnik(50 kopecks).
  • Аппети́т прихо́дит во вре́мя еды́.[1]
    • Transliteration: Appetit prikhodit vo vremya yedy
    • Translation: The appetite comes during eating
    • English version: The appetite comes with eating

Б

[edit]
  • Ба́ба с во́зу — кобы́ле ле́гче.[1]
    • Transliteration: Baba s vozu — kobyle legche.
    • Translation: It is easier for the mare when a woman gets off the cart.
    • Moral: 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! — Also: Don't let a woman do a man's job.
    • Modern mockery: Ба́ба с во́зу — кобы́ла в ку́рсе. (When a woman gets off the cart, the horse will notice.)
  • Ба́бушка (гада́ла, да) на́двое сказа́ла ( — то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет).[1]
    • 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).
    • Moral: The outcome is still unknown (despite all that's been said.) — Also: You seem uncertain.
    • Compare: Ви́лами на воде́ пи́сано.
  • Ба́ре деру́тся - у холо́пов чубы́ треща́т.
    • Transliteration: Bare derutsya — u kholopov chuby treschat.
    • Translation: [When] masters are fighting, [their] servants' forelocks are creaking.
    • Moral: When powerful people (kings, presidents, etc.) are quarrelling, it's the commoners that suffer.
  • Беда́ (никогда́) не прихо́дит одна́. [1]
    • Transliteration: Beda (nikogda) ne prikhodit odna.
    • Translation: Trouble never comes alone.
    • English version: When it rains, it pours.
  • Бе́дному (го́лому) собра́ться - (то́лько) подпоя́саться.
    • Transliteration: Bednomu (golomu) sobrat'sya - (tol'ko) podpoyasat'sya.
    • Translation: For a poor (naked) man, to prepare for a trip [means] (as little as) belt himself.
    • Moral: Poor people have few possessions. — Also: I'll be ready in a moment.
  • Без кота́ мыша́м раздо́лье.[1]
    • Transliteration: Bez kota mysham razdol'ye.
    • Translation: Without a cat mice feel free.
    • English version: When the cat is away, the mice will play.
  • Без труда́ не вы́тащишь и ры́бку из пруда́.[1]
    • Transliteration: Bez truda ne vytaschish y rybku iz pruda.
    • Translation: Without effort, you can't [even] pull a fish out of the pond.
    • English version: No pain, no gain.
  • Береги́ пла́тье сно́ву а честь смо́лоду.[1]
    • Transliteration: Beregi plat'ye snovu, a chest' smolodu.
    • Translation: Take care of clothes since [when they are] new, take care of [your] honor since [you are] young.
  • Бережёного Бог бережёт.[1]
    • Transliteration: Berezhonogo bog berezhot.
    • Translation: God keeps those safe who keep themselves safe.
    • English version: The Lord helps those who help themselves.
    • 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.)
  • Бери́сь дру́жно, не бу́дет гру́зно. [1]
    • Transliteration: Beris' druzhno, ne budet gruzno.
    • Translation: [If all of us] take hold of [it] together, it won't feel heavy.
    • English version: Many hands make light work
    • 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.
  • Бе́шеной соба́ке семь вёрст не крюк.
    • Transliteration: Beshenoy sobake sem' vyorst ne kryuk.
    • Translation: For a mad dog, seven versts (Russian mile) is not a long detour.
    • Moral: If you are passionate (or unreasonably driven) about something you will do all the extra work without noticing it.
  • Близо́к локото́к, да не уку́сишь.[1]
    • Transliteration: Blizok lokotok, da ne ukusish.
    • Translation: [Your] elbow is close, yet [you] can't bite it.
    • Moral: It only seems to be easy.
  • Бог дал, Бог и взял.[1]
    • Transliteration: Bog dal, bog i vzyal.
    • Translation: God gave, God took back.
    • English version: The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away
  • Бог не вы́даст, свинья́ не съест.
    • Transliteration: Bog ne vydast, svin'ya ne s'yest.
    • Translation: God won't give [me] away, pigs won't eat [me].
    • Moral: God willing, everything will be all right, There is nothing to be afraid of
  • Бог тро́ицу лю́бит. [1]
    • Transliteration: Bog troitsu lyubit
    • Translation: God likes trinity.
      • English version: Good things come in threes.
  • Бо́гу моли́сь, а добра́-ума́ держи́сь.
    • Transliteration: Bogu molis', a dobra-uma derzhis'.
    • Translation: Pray to God, but hold on to your good mind.
  • Бодли́вой коро́ве Бог рог не даёт. [1]
    • Transliteration: Bodlivoy korove bog rog ne dayot.
    • Translation: God does not give horns to a cow that likes to gore.
    • Moral: Overzealous people often don't have means to do what they would like to.
    • English version: A curst cow has short horns.
  • Болту́н — нахо́дка для шпио́на.
    • Transliteration: Boltun — nakhodka dlya shpiona.
    • Translation: A chatterbox is a treasure for a spy.
  • Большо́му кораблю́ — большо́е пла́вание.[1]
    • Transliteration: Bol'shomu korablyu — bol'shoye plavaniye.
    • Translation: For a big ship, a big voyage.
    • Modern mockery: Большо́му кораблю́ — больша́я торпе́да. (For a big ship, a big torpedo)
  • Бу́дет и на на́шей у́лице пра́здник.[1]
    • Transliteration: Budet i na nashey ulitse prazdnik.
    • Translation: There'll be a holiday in our street too.

В

[edit]
  • Вали́ на се́рого, се́рый всё свезёт. [1]
    • Transliteration: Vali na serogo, seryy vsyo svezyot.
    • Translation: Put [everything] onto the grey [Dicks], he'll bear anything.
  • В гостя́х хорошо́, а до́ма лу́чше. [1]
    • Transliteration: V gostyakh khorosho, a doma luchshe.
    • Translation: Visiting is good, but home is better.
    • English version: East or West - home is best.
  • В дождь избы́ не кро́ют, а в вёдро и сама́ не ка́плет.[1]
    • Translitration: V dozhd' izby ne kroyut, a v vyodro i sama ne kaplet
    • Translation: When it rains one doesn't roof the cottage, and the roof is not leaking when it doesn't rain.
    • Moral: Lazy people find excuses to delay their job.
  • В до́ме пове́шенного не говоря́т о верёвке.[1]
    • Transliteration: V dome poveshennovo ne govorat o veryovke.
    • Translation: [They] don't talk about ropes in the home of the hanged person.
  • Век живи́ — век учи́сь.[1]
    • Transliteration: Vek zhivi — vek uchis'.
    • Translation: Live for a century — learn for a century.
    • Moral: Never cease to learn new things.
  • Вели́к те́лом, да мал де́лом.[1]
    • Transliteration: Velik telom, da mal delom
    • Translation: Big of the body but small by his deeds.
  • Весело́ весе́лье — тяжело́ похме́лье.
    • Transliteration: Veselo vesel'ye — tyazhelo pokhmel'ye.
    • Translation: Revelry is jolly, hangover is heavy.
  • Весь наро́д — из одних воро́т.
    • Transliteration: Ves' naród — iz odnih vorót.
    • Translation: All the mankind entered (this world) through the same gate.
    • Moral: Every person has equal rights. Nobody is entitled for more than others
  • Видна́ пти́ца по полёту.[1]
    • Transliteration: Vidna ptitsa po polyotu.
    • Translation: The bird is known by its flight.
    • Modern mockery: Видна́ пти́ца по помёту. (The bird is known by its droppings.)
  • Ви́дит о́ко, да зуб неймёт.[1]
    • Transliteration: Vidit oko, da zub neymyot.
    • Translation: The eye can see it, but the tooth can't bite it.
  • Вино́ вину́ твори́т.[1]
    • Transliteration: Vino vinu tvorit.
    • Translation: Wine causes guilt.
  • В нога́х правды не́т.[1]
    • Transliteration: V nogakh pravdy net.
    • Translation: There is no truth in feet.
    • Moral: Take a seat, please.
  • В огоро́де бузина́, а в Ки́еве дя́дька.
    • Transliteration: V ogorode buzina, a v Kiyeve dyad'ka.
    • Translation: Elder-berry is in the kitchen-garden, [therefore your] Uncle is in Kiev.
    • Moral: You're jumping to conclusions; Your story doesn't add up. — Also: So what?
  • Во́лка но́ги ко́рмят.[1]
    • Transliteration: Volka nogi kormyat.
    • Translation: The feet feed the wolf.
  • Волко́в боя́ться — в лес не ходи́ть. [1]
    • Transliteration: Volkov boyat'sa — v les ne khodit'.
    • Translation: If you're afraid of wolves, don't go to the woods.
    • English version: If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
  • Во́рон во́рону глаз не вы́клюет. [1]
  • Вор у во́ра дуби́нку укра́л.
    • Translitreation: Vor u vora dubinku ukral.
    • Translation: A thief stole other thief's club.
  • Вот где соба́ка зары́та.[1]
    • Transliteration: Vot gde sobaka zaryta
    • Translation: That's where the dog is buried
    • English version: That’s where the shoe pinches; That’s the crux (the rub).
    • See also: Вот в чём загво́здка.
  • Во́т тебе, ба́бушка, и Ю́рьев де́нь.
    • Transliteration: Vot tebe, babushka i yur'yev den'.
    • Translation: That's, Grandma, the Yuri's Day.
    • Cultural Background: On St. Yuri's Day (St. George's Day - November 26th), peasants were allowed to move from one owner to another at their own will. In 1590s, this right was put on hold, and completely cancelled in 1649. Obviously, the peasants waiting for their freedom day, weren't quite happy when that was announced.
    • Moral: What an unpleasant surprise!
    • Compare: Пришла беда́ - отворя́й ворота́.
  • Вре́мя — лу́чший до́ктор[1]
    • Transliteration: Vremya — luchshiy doktor.
    • Translation: Time [makes the] best healer.
    • English version: Time heals all wounds.
    • Modern mockery: Время — лучший доктор, но ужасный косметолог. (Time is the best healer, but a terrible cosmetologist.)
  • Всего́ с собо́й не унесёшь.
    • Transliteration: Vsego s soboy ne unesyosh.
    • Translation: You can't take everything with you.
    • English version: The one who dies with most toys, still dies.
  • В семье́ не без уро́да. [1]
    • Transliteration: V sem'ye ne bez uroda.
    • Translation: No family has no ugly member.
    • English version: There is a black sheep in every flock.
  • Всё хорошо́, что хорошо́ конча́ется.[1]
    • Transliteration: Vsyo khorosho, chto khorosho konchayetsa.
    • Translation: All is well that ends well.
    • English version: All's well that ends well.
  • Всяк кули́к своё боло́то хва́лит. [1]
    • Transliteration: Vsyak kulik svoyo boloto khvalit.
    • Translation: Every sandpiper praises his own swamp.
    • Moral: Everybody praises one's own work (or possession), no matter how inferior it is.
    • English version: Every cook praises his own broth.
  • Вся́кому о́вощу своё вре́мя. [1]
    • Transliteration: Vsyakomu ovoshchu svoyo vremya.
    • Translation: Every vegetable has its time.
    • Moral: Unlike English version, it means: It's ok if it isn't in good shape right now. Things need time to ripen.
    • English version: Everything is good in its season.
    • Compare: Пе́рвый блин (всегда́) ко́мом.
  • Всяк сверчо́к знай свой шесто́к.[1]
    • Transliteration: Vsyak sverchok znai svoy shestok.
    • Translation: Every cricket must know its hearth
    • English version: The cobbler should stick to his last
  • В тесноте́, да не в оби́де.[1]
  • В ти́хом о́муте че́рти во́дятся.
    • Transliteration: V tikhom omute cherti vodyatsa.
    • Translation: [It's the] still waters [that] are inhabited by devils.
    • Moral: Evil things tends to look most innocent.
    • English version: The devil lurks behind the cross; Always the one you least expect; It's the quiet ones you've got to watch.; "Idle hands are the devil's work"
    • Compare: Волк в ове́чьей шку́ре.
  • В чужу́ю жену́ чёрт ло́жку мёда кладёт.
    • Transliteration: V chuzhuyu zhenu chort lozku myoda kladyot.
    • Translation: The devil puts a spoonful of honey into others' wife.
  • Вы́колю себе́ глаз, пуска́й у тёщи зять криво́й бу́дет.
    • Transliteration: Vykolyu sebe glaz, puskay u tjoschi zjat' krivij budet.
    • Translation: I'll put out my eye, let my mother-in-the-law have an one-eyed son-in-the-law.
    • English version: Don't cut off your nose to spite your face.
  • Вы́ше головы́ не пры́гнешь.
    • Transliteration: Vyshe golovy ne prygnesh.
    • Translation: [One] can't jump over one's head.
    • Moral: [One] can't do more than is humanly possible.
  • Вы́ше лба у́ши не расту́т.
    • Transliteration: Vyshe lba ushi ne restut.
    • Translation: The ears don't grow above forehead.

Г

[edit]
  • Где то́нко — там и рвётся. [1]
    • Transliteration: Gde tonko — tam i rvyotsya.
    • Translation: It will snap where it's the thinnest.
    • English version: The chain is no stronger than its weakest link.
  • Гла́дко бы́ло на бума́ге, да забы́ли про овра́ги(, а по ним шага́ть). [1]
    • Transliteration: Gladko bylo na bumage, da zabyli pro ovragi(, a po nim shagat').
    • Translation: It was smooth on paper, but [we've] forgotten about ravines (and we'll have to march [them]).
    • Moral: Obstacles that were overlooked/ignored during planning, turned out to be a major showstopper when executing the plan.
  • Говоря́т, что кур доя́т.
    • Transliteration: Govoryat, shto kur doyat.
    • Translation: They say they milk chicken.
    • Moral: Don't believe all the rumors.
  • Голо́дный, как волк.
    • Transliteration: Golodnyy, kak volk.
    • Translation: As hungry as a wolf.
    • English version: Hungry like a wolf.
  • Го́лой овцы́ не стригу́т.[1]
    • Transliteration: Goloy ovtsy ne strigut.
    • Translation: One doesn't shear the naked sheep.
    • English version: A beggar can never be bankrupt.
  • Голь на вы́думку хитра́. [1]
    • Transliteration: Gol' na vydumku khitra.
    • Translation: Poor people are crafty.
    • English version: Necessity is the mother of invention.
  • Гром не гря́нет, мужи́к не перекре́стится.[1]
    • Transliteration: Grom ne gryanet, muzhik ne perekrestitsya
    • Translation: Unless the thunder strikes, a man won't 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.
    • Moral: People tend to not take precautionary measures until the trouble actually happens.
  • Гусь свинье́ не това́рищ.[1]
    • Transliteration: Gus' svin'ye ne tovarisch.
    • Translation: A goose is not a pig's friend.
    • Moral: Opposite of Birds of a feather flock together; — Also: I despise you.
    • Answer: Ну, тогда я полетел.(Well, I'm flying away.)
    • Compare: Тамбо́вский волк тебе́ това́рищ.

Д

[edit]
  • Дай с ногото́к - попро́сит с локото́к.[1]
    • Transliteration: Day s nogotok - poprosit s lokotok
    • Translation: Give [him] a fingernail, [he] will ask for forearm.
    • English version: Give him an inch and he'll take a yard/mile.
  • Дарёному коню́ в зу́бы не смо́трят. [1]
    • Transliteration: Daryonomu konyu v zuby ne smotryat.
    • Translation: Don't look at the teeth of a horse you've been given.
    • English version: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
    • Moral: Don’t question a gift's value; be thankful, rather than judging something you received as a gift.
    • 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.)
    • Compare: Го́лод не тётка(, пирожка́ не поднесёт).
    • Modern mockery: Дарёному коню́ под хвост не смо́трят. (Don't check a gift horse under the tail)
  • Да́льше с глаз - бли́же к се́рдцу.
    • Transliteration: Dal'she s glaz - blizhe k serdtsu.
    • Translation: Away from the eye - closer to the heart.
    • English version: Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
    • Contrast: С глаз доло́й — из се́рдца вон.
  • Даю́т - бери́, а бьют - беги́.[1]
    • Transliteration: Dayut - beri, a b'yut - begi
    • Translation: If given - take it; if beaten - run away.
  • Два медве́дя в одно́й берло́ге не живу́т.
    • Transliteration: Dva medvedya v odnoy berloge ne zhivut.
    • Translation: Two bears don't live in one lair.
    • English version: This house(village/town/etc.) isn't big enough for the two of us.
  • Дво́е дер́утся - тре́тий не меша́й.
    • Transliteration: Dvoye derutsya - tretiy ne meshay.
    • Translation: [Where] Two are fighting, third should not interfere.
    • Moral: Let two people figure out their disagreement themselves, or you risk being hurt by both of them.
    • See also: Что за шум, а дра́ки нет?
  • Де́ло ма́стера бои́тся.[1]
    • Transliteration: Delo mastera boitsya.
    • Translation: Work is afraid of a skilled worker.
    • Moral: Work goes well when you know what you are doing.
  • Для ми́лого дружка́ и серёжка из ушка́.
    • Transliteration: Dlya milogo druzhka i seryozhka iz ushka.
    • Translation: For dear friend, [I'm willing to take] an earring out of [my own] ear.
    • English Version: I [he] will give you the shirt off my [his] back
  • Доно́счику - пе́рвый кнут.
    • Transliteration: Donoschiku - pervyy knut.
    • Translation: The informer(sneak) gets whipped first
  • До сва́дьбы заживёт.
    • Transliteration: Do svad'by zazhivyot.
    • Translation: [It] will heal [well] before [your] wedding.
    • English version: You'll live.
  • До Бо́га высоко́, до Царя́ далеко́.
    • Transliteration: Do Boga vysoko, do Tsarya daleko.
    • Translation: God is far up high, the Tsar is far away.
    • Moral: Authorities are unlikely to hear/care about your problems.
    • Compare: Го́лод не те́тка, пирожка́ не поднесёт.
  • Добро должно быть с кулаками.
    • Transliteration: Dobro dolzhno byt s kulakami.
    • Translation: Good must have the fists.
    • Moral: Be ready to fight for your rights.
    • Mockery: Добро должно быть с кулаками, если под рукой нет пистолета. (Good must have the fists, if it haven't the gun.)
  • До́брое бра́тство — лу́чшее бога́тство.[1]
    • Transliteration: Dobroye bratstvo — luchsheye bogatstvo.
    • Translation: Good brotherhood is the best wealth.
    • Compare: Не име́й сто рубле́й, а име́й сто друзе́й.
  • До́брое сло́во и ко́шке прия́тно.[1]
    • Transliteration: Dobroye slovo i koshke priyatno.
    • Translation: Even a cat appreciates kind word[s].
  • Доверя́й, но проверя́й.[2]
    • Transliteration: Doveryay, no proveryay.
    • Translation: Trust, but verify.
    • English version: Better safe than sorry.
    • See also: Обже́гшись на молоке́, ду́ют на́ воду.
  • Долг платежо́м кра́сен. [1]
    • Transliteration: Dolg platezhom krasen.
    • Translation: Debt is beautiful [only] after [it is] repaid.
    • Moral: Debt is a shame until it is repaid; – Also used as a hint: It's time for you to pay me back.
    • English version: One good turn deserves another.
  • До́лгие про́воды - ли́шние слёзы.
    • Transliteration: Dolgiye provody - lishniye slyozy.
    • Translation: Long farewell - unnecessary tears.
  • До́ма и сте́ны помога́ют.[1]
    • Transliteration: Doma i steny pomogayut.
    • Translation: [When you are] at home, even the walls help [you].
  • Дорога́ ло́жка к обе́ду.[1]
    • Transliteration: Doroga lozhka k obyedu.
    • Transalation: A spoon is valuable at dinner.
    • Moral: 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 version: A stitch in time saves nine.
  • До́рого яи́чко ко Христо́ву дню.[1]
    • Transliteration: Dorogo yaichko k Khristovu dnyu.
    • Translation: A spring egg is dear at the Easter day.
    • Moral: 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.
  • Дру́жба дру́жбой, а слу́жба слу́жбой.[1]
    • Transliteration: Druzhba druzhboy, a sluzhba sluzhboy.
    • Translation: Friendship is friendship and service is service.
    • Moral: Friendship is one thing, business another; Nothing personal; just business.
    • Compare: Дру́жба дру́жбой, а табачо́к (де́нежки) - врозь.
  • Дру́жба дру́жбой, а табачо́к (де́нежки) - врозь.[1]
    • Transliteration: Druzhba druzhboy, a tabachok(denezhki) — vroz'.
    • Translation: Friendship is friendship, but [keep our] tobacco (money) apart.
    • Moral: You might be my friend, but it doesn't entitle you to using my assets (or not repaying my debts).
    • Compare: Дру́жба дру́жбой, а слу́жба слу́жбой.
  • Друг познаётся в беде́.[1]
    • Transliteration: Drug poznayotsa v bede.
    • Translation: [You get to really] know [your] friend when trouble [comes].
    • Moral: A friend in need's a friend indeed.
  • Дурака́м зако́н не пи́сан (, е́сли пи́сан, то не чи́тан, е́сли чи́тан, то не по́нят, е́сли по́нят, то не так).[1]
    • 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 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).
    • English version: There is no law for fools.
  • Дурака́ учи́ть — то́лько по́ртить.
    • Transliteration: Duraka uchit' — tol'ko portit'.
    • Translation: Teaching the fool [means] just spoiling him.
    • Moral: Educated fool is more dangerous because he's likely to apply the newfound knowledge in wrong ways. — Also: Don't give him any ideas
    • Variant: Дурака́ учи́ть — что мёртвого лечи́ть (Teaching the fool is like healing the dead).
    • Compare: Что ни сде́лает дура́к — все он сде́лает не так.
    • See also: Заста́вь дурака́ Бо́гу моли́ться - он (себе́) лоб расшибёт (и други́м но́ги поотшиба́ет).
  • Дура́к завя́жет — и у́мный не развя́жет.[1]
    • Transliteration: Durak zavyazhet — u umnyy ne razvyazhet.
    • Translation: [If] the fool ties [a knot], even a clever one will not be able to untie it.
    • English version: A fool may throw a stone into a well which a hundred wise men cannot pull out.
  • Дурако́в не се́ют, не жнут, са́ми родя́тся.[1]
    • Transliteration: Durakov ne seyut, ne zhnut, sami rodyatsya.
    • Translation: Fools are not sown or reaped, they appear by themselves.
    • English version: There's a sucker born every minute.
  • Дураку́ полрабо́ты не пока́зывают.
    • Transliteration: Duraku polraboty ne pokazyvayut.
    • Translation: Don't show half-done work to a fool
  • Дурна́я голова́ нога́м поко́я не даёт.
    • Transliteration: Durnaya golova nogam pokoya ne dayot.
    • Translation: The stupid head doesn' leave feet in rest.
    • English version: The Devil finds work for idle hands to do .

Е

[edit]
  • Е́дешь на́ день, хле́ба бери́ на неде́лю.[1]
    • Transliteration: Yedesh na den', khleba beri na nedelyu.
    • Translation: If you go for a day trip, take a week supply of bread.
    • English Version: Always be prepared also, Always bring more than you need (extra)
    • Compare: Запа́с карма́н не тя́нет
  • Ерёма, Ерёма, сиде́л бы ты до́ма, точи́л бы свои́ веретёна.
    • Transliteraton: Yeryoma, Yeryoma, sidel by ty doma, tochil svoi veretyona.
    • Translation: Yeryoma(Jeremy), Yeryoma, you [would better] sit at home and cut your spindles.
    • Moral: Wish I stayed out of this trouble.
  • Е́сли бы да кабы́ да во рту росли́ грибы́(бобы́)(, это был бы не рот, а огоро́д). [1]
    • 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 version: 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, there'd be no room in the river for water.
    • Modern mockery: Если бы у бабушки были яйца, то она была бы дедушкой (If only Grandma had balls, she would have been Grandpa)
  • Если бы молодость знала, если бы старость могла. [1]
    • Transliteration: Yesli by molodost' znala, yesli by starost' mogla.
    • Translation: If only the youth would know, if the old age would be able to.
    • English Version: Youth is wasted on the young
  • Если бы не закон, но было бы и преступника.[1]
    • English version: The more laws, the more offenders.
  • Если хочется работать — ляг, поспи, и всё пройдёт.
    • Transliteration: Yesli khochetsya rabotat', lyag, pospi, i vsyo proydyot.
    • Translation: If you feel an urge to work, take a nap, and it will pass.
  • Есть квас, да не про вас.
    • Transliteration: Yest' kvas, da ne pro vas.
    • Translation: I've got kvas, but not for you.
    • Compare: Ем, да свой, а ты ря́дом посто́й; Есть-то есть, да не про ва́шу честь.; Дружба - дружбой, а табачок(денежки) - врозь.
  • Есть-то есть, да не про ва́шу честь.
    • Transliteration: Yest'-to yest', da ne pro vashu chest'.
    • Translation: I have it indeed, but it's not for you.
    • Compare: Ем, да свой, а ты ря́дом посто́й; Есть квас, да не про вас; Дружба - дружбой, а табачок(денежки) - врозь.

Ж

[edit]
  • Живы бу́дем – не помрём.
    • Transliteration: Zhivy budem - ne pomryom.
    • Translation: [If we] will be alive [we] will not die.
    • Moral: It's going to be alright.
  • Жизнь коротка́, а дел мно́го.
    • Transliteration: Zhizn' korotka, a del mnogo.
    • Translation: Life is short, but there's a lot to be done.

Note: Variant in source.

    • English version: Life is short.
  • Жизнь прожи́ть — не по́ле перейти́.[1]
    • Transliteration: Zhizn' prozhit' — ne pole pereyti.
    • Translation: Living [your] life is not like crossing a meadow.
    • English version: Life was never meant to be easy.

З

[edit]
  • За́втрак съешь сам, обе́д раздели́ с дру́гом, у́жин отда́й врагу́.
    • Transliteration: Zavtrak s'esh sam, obed razdeli s drugom, uzhin otday vragu.
    • Translation: Eat breakfast yourself, share dinner with [your] friend, give the supper to [your] enemy.
    • Moral: The most generous meal must be in the morning, and eating much in the evening is harmful.
    • English version: Breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen and dine like a pauper.
  • За одного́ би́того двух неби́тых дают.
    • Transliteration: Za odnovo bitogo dvukh nebitykh dayut.
    • Translation: A beaten one is worth two unbeaten ones.
    • English version: Experience is worth it.
  • За́дним умо́м всяк кре́пок.
    • Transliteration: Zadnim umom vsyak krepok.
    • Translation: Everyone is strong of the hindmind.

Variant in source

    • English version: Hindsight is 20/20.
  • Зако́н что ды́шло, куда́ повернёшь - туда́ и вы́шло.[1]
    • Transliteration: Zakon chto dyshlo, kuda povernyosh - tuda i vyshlo.
    • Translation: Law is like a shaft of a cart, it points wherever you turn it to.
    • Alt. Translation: The law is like a shaft, no matter the way you turn it, you're shafted.
    • Moral: Powerful, rich or smart people can make the law work for them.
  • Замирённый друг ненадёжен.
    • Transliteration: Zamiryonnyy drug nenadyozhen.
    • Translation: A friend, with whom you made it up [after a quarrel] is not reliable.
    • English version: A broken friendship may be soldered, but will never be sound.
  • За́ морем телу́шка — полу́шка, да рубль перево́з.
    • Transliteration: Za morem telushka — polushka, da rubl' perevoz.
    • Translation: Overseas, a cow [costs] a quarter of kopeck, but [it will cost] a rouble to ship [it here].

var, in source

    • Moral: This offer is great by itself, but strings attached to it kill the deal.
  • Занято́й (трудолюби́вый), как пчела́.
    • Transliteration: Zanyatoy (trudolyubivyy), kak pchela.
    • Translation: As busy (hard-working) as a bee.
    • English version: As busy as a bee.
  • Зарека́лася лиса́ кур ворова́ть.
    • Transliteration: Zarekalasya lisa kur vorovat'.
    • Translation: Vixen resolved not to steal chicken.
    • Moral: Promises made by repeat offenders shouldn't be trusted.
    • English version: The leopard cannot change his spots.
    • Compare: Горба́того моги́ла испра́вит.
  • За спрос не бьют в нос.
    • Transliteration: Za spros ne b'yut v nos.
    • Translation: [They] don't hit you in the nose for asking.
    • English version: It can't [won't / doesn't] hurt to ask.

var in source

  • Заста́вь дурака́ Бо́гу моли́ться - он (себе́) лоб расшибёт (и други́м но́ги поотшиба́ет).[1]
    • Transliteration: Zastav' duraka Bogu molitsya - on (sebe) lob rasshibyot (i drugim nogi pootshibayet).
    • Translation: [If you] make a fool to pray to God, he will hurt (both his) forehead (and other people's toes).
    • 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.
    • English version: Zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse.
    • Compare: Что ни сде́лает дура́к — все он сде́лает не так; Медве́жья услу́га.
  • За что купи́л, за то и продаю́(, не лю́бо - не слу́шай, а врать не меша́й).[1]
    • Transliteration: Za chto kupil, za to i prodayu(, ne lyubo - ne slushay, a vrat' ne meshay).
    • Translation: I sell it for what I bought it(, if you don't like it, don't listen, but don't hamper [my] lying/telling).
    • Moral: I don't endorse this message, I'm just telling you what I was told.
  • Здоро́вье ухо́дит пуда́ми, а прихо́дит золотни́ками.
    • Transliteration: Zdorov'ye ukhodit pudami, a prikhodit zolotnikami.
    • Translation: Health leaves [you] in poods, but comes in zolotniks.
    • Cultural background: Пуд(pood) - old Russian weight measure = 16.38 kg. Золотник(zolotnik) - 4,26 g.

Var in source

    • English version: Diseases come on horseback, but steal away on foot.
  • Зна́ет ко́шка, чьё мя́со съе́ла.[1]
  • Знал бы где упа́сть — соло́мки б подстели́л.
    • Transliteration: Znal by gde upast' - solomki b podstelil.
    • Translation: Would I know where I will fall down, I'd lay some straw [at that spot ahead of time]
    • Moral: You never know what will happen next.
    • English version: Had I known then what I know now.

И

[edit]
  • И волки сыты, и овцы целы.[1]
    • Transliteration: I volki syty, i ovtsy tsely.
    • Translation: The wolves are sated, and the sheep are intact.
    • Moral: Everyone has gotten what they want.
  • И дёшево и сердито.
    • Transliteration: I dyoshevo i serdito.
    • Translation: Both cheap and angry.
    • Moral: "You have spent little money wisely."
  • И много — мало, и мало — хватит.
    • Transliteration: I mnogo malo i malo khvatit.
    • Translation: A lot is too little, and a bit is enough.
    • English version: "Enough is enough."
  • Из двух зол выбира́ют ме́ньшее.[1]
    • Transliteration: Iz dvukh zol vybirayut men'sheye.
    • Translation: [They] choose lesser of two evils.
    • Moral: If all the options are bad, choose the one that hurts the least.
    • English version: Lesser of two evils
  • Из огня́ да в полымя́.[1]
    • Transliteration: Iz ognya da v polymya.
    • Translation: From fire to flame.
    • Moral: [Got] out of trouble just to get into another trouble.
    • English version: Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
    • Compare: Ме́жду мо́лотом и накова́льней.
  • Из пе́сни сло́ва не вы́кинешь.[1]
    • Transliteration: Iz pesni slova ne vykinesh.
    • Translation: [You] cannot throw a word out of a song.
    • Moral: 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 it's an integral part of the story.
    • Compare: Сло́во – не воробе́й: вы́летит – не пойма́ешь.; Что напи́сано перо́м – не вы́рубить топоро́м.
  • И́ли грудь в креста́х, и́ли голова́ в куста́х.
    • Transliteration: Ili grud' v krestakh, ili golova v kustakh.
    • Translation: Either chest with crosses (orders), or a head in bushes.
    • English version: Neck or nothing.

vars in source

  • И на стару́ху бывает прору́ха.
    • Transliteration: I na starukhu byvayet prorukha.
    • Translation: Even an old lady makes mistakes.
    • English version: Everyone makes mistakes.; To err is human.
    • Latin version: Errare Humanum Est. (To err is human.)
    • Modern mockery: И на стару́ху бывает порну́ха. (There exist porn even for an old lady)
  • Индю́к то́же ду́мал, да в суп попа́л.
    • Transliteration: Indyuk tozhe dumal, da v sup popal.
    • Translation: Turkey was also thinking but ended up in the soup.
    • Moral: What one thinks is not always right.
  • Искру́ туши́ до пожа́ра, беду́ отводи́ до уда́ра.[1]
    • Transliteration: Iskru tushi do pozhara, bedu otvodi do udara.
    • Translation: Extinguish the spark before the [the house is on] fire, deflect the trouble before [its] strike.
    • English version: Prevention is better than cure.
  • И хо́чется и ко́лется.
    • Transliteration: I khochetsya i koletsya.
    • Translation: It is wanted and repellent.
    • Moral: You can't easily get the thing you desire.
    • English version: The cat would eat fish and would not wet her feet.
    • Compare: Без труда́ не вы́тащишь и ры́бку из пруда́.
  • Исподво́ль и ольху́ согнёшь.[1]
    • Transliteration: Ispodvol' i ol'khu sognyosh'.
    • Translation: You can bend an alder-tree, if you do it gradually.
    • English version: Little strokes fell great oaks.; Time conquers all.
  • И у стен бывают уши.
    • Transliteration: I u sten byvayut ushi.
    • Translation: Even walls may have ears.
    • Moral: Even if you believe that this place is sufficiently private, somebody may be snooping on us. — Also: You shouldn't have said that.
    • English Version: The walls have ears. (this place is not private...)
  • Ищи́ ве́тра в по́ле.[1]
    • Transliteration: Ishchi vetra v pole.
    • Translation: Look for wind in a field.
    • Moral: What's lost cannot be found.
    • English version: The wind cannot be caught in a net.
  • Ищи́ и обря́щешь.
    • Transliteration: Ishchi i obryaschesh.
    • Translation: Seek and you will find.

К

[edit]
  • Казённого козла́ хоть за хвост подержа́ть - мо́жно шу́бу сшить.
    • Transliteration: Kazyonnovo kozla za khvost poderzhat - mozhno shubu sshit'
    • Translation: [Just even] having [once] held a state goat's tail one can make a fur-coat.
    • Moral: The official can make a lot of money by bribes.
  • Как ау́кнется — так и откли́кнется.
    • Transliteration: Kak auknetsya — tak i otkliknetsya.
    • Translation: How [echo] is prompted, it will bounce back.
    • Moral: Others will treat you the way you treat them.
    • English version: Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.
    • Compare: Что посе́ешь, то пожнёшь.
  • Как два́жды два — четы́ре.
    • Transliteration: Kak dvazhdy dva — chetyre.
    • Translation: As twice two is four.
    • English version: As sure as eggs are eggs.
  • Как две ка́пли воды́.
    • Transliteration: Kak dve kapli vody.
    • Translation: Like two drops of water.
    • English version: As alike as two peas in a pod.
  • Как на́жито, так и про́жито.
    • Transliteration: Kak nazhito, tak i prozhito.
    • Translation: Spent as earned.
    • English version: Easy come, easy go.
  • Како́в поп, тако́в и прихо́д.
    • Transliteration: Kakov pop, takov i prikhod.
    • Translation: Like priest, like church.
    • English version: Like father, like son.
  • Ка́пля в мо́ре.
    • Transliteration: Kaplya v more.
    • Translation: A drop in the sea.
    • English version: A drop in the ocean.
  • Ка́шу ма́слом не испо́ртишь.
    • Transliteration: Kashu maslom ne isportish.
    • Translation: One can't spoil porridge with butter.
    • Moral: You can’t spoil a good thing with another good thing.
    • English version: Plenty is no plague.
    • Compare: Мно́го — не ма́ло.
  • Клин кли́ном вышиба́ют.
    • Transliteration: Klin klinom vyshibayut.
    • Translation: They use a wedge to knock out a wedge.
    • English version: Fight fire with fire; One nail drives out another.
  • Когда́ де́ньги говоря́т, тогда́ пра́вда молчи́т.
    • Transliteration: Kogda den'gi govoryat, togda pravda molchit.
    • Translation: When money talks, then truth stays silent.
    • Moral: A bribed official doesn't care about the truth.
  • Когото́к увя́з - всей пти́чке пропа́сть.
    • Transliteration: Kogotok uvyaz — vsey ptichke propast'.
    • Translation: If the claw is stuck, the whole bird is lost.
    • Moral: Trouble begins with small mistakes.
    • Compare: Пришла́ беда́ - отворя́й ворота́, Лиха́ беда́ нача́ло.
  • Козла́ бо́йся спе́реди, коня́ — сза́ди, а лихо́го челове́ка — со всех сторо́н.
    • Transliteration: Kozla boysya speredi, konya — szadi, a likhogo cheloveka — so vsekh storon.
    • Translation: Beware of the goat from its front side, of the horse - from its back side, and the evil man - from any side.
  • Кому́ война́, а кому́ мать родна́.
    • Transliteration: Komu voyna, a komu mat' rodna.
    • Translation: For some people war is war, for others - dear mother.
    • Moral: Some people suffer of war; some people make a fortune off it.
  • Кому́ на ме́сте не сиди́тся, тот добра́ не наживёт.
    • Transliteration: Komu na meste ne siditsya, tot dobra ne nazhivyot.
    • Translation: Those who are discontent to remain in one place will not earn much.
    • English version: A rolling stone gathers no moss.
  • Коне́й на перепра́ве не меня́ют.
    • Transliteration: Koney na pereprave ne menyaut.
    • Translation: One doesn't change horses at [river] crossing.
    • English version: Don't change horses in midstream.
  • Конь о четырёх нога́х, да и тот спотыка́ется.
    • Transliteration: Kon' o chetyryokh nogakh, da i tot spotykaetsya
    • Translation: A horse has four legs, but still stumbles.
    • Moral: Even most experienced (or most capable) people make mistakes sometimes.
  • Копе́йка рубль бережёт(, а рубль го́лову стережёт).
    • Transliteration: Kopeyka rubl' berezhot(, a rubl' golovu sterezhot).
    • Translation: A kopeck saves the rouble(, and the rouble guards your head).
    • English version: Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves.
  • Краси́во жить не запрети́шь.
    • Transliteration: Krasivo zhit' ne zapretish.
    • Translation: You can't forbid living beautifully.
  • Кто в мо́ре не быва́л, тот Бо́гу не ма́ливался.
    • Transliteration: Kto v more ne byval, tot Bogu ne malivalsya.
    • Translation: Who wasn't [out] in the sea, didn't pray to God.
  • Кто в чин вошёл лисо́й, тот в чи́не бу́дет во́лком.
    • Transliteration: Kto v chin voshol lisoy, tot v chine budet volkom.
    • Translation: He who gains the rank like a fox, will be a wolf in the rank.
  • Кто пьёт до дна, тот живёт без ума́.
    • Transliteration: Kto p'yot do dna, tot zhivyot bez uma.
    • Translation: Who drinks till bottom, lives without mind.
    • Moral: Drinking harms people.
  • Кто ра́но встаёт, тому́ Бог подаёт.
    • Transliteration: Kto rano vstayot, tomu bog podayot.
    • Translation: God gives to those who wake up early.
    • Modern mockery: Кто ра́но встаёт, тому́ весь день спать хо́чется (The one who wakes up early is sleepy the whole day)
    • English version: Early bird catches the worm.
  • Кто смел, тот два съeл.
    • Transliteration: Kto smel, tot dva s'yel.
    • Translation: Who is brave eats two.
    • English version: He who is tricky will get double the prize.
  • Кто ста́рое помя́нет, тому́ глаз вон(, а кто забу́дет - тому́ о́ба).
    • Transliteration: Kto staroye pomyanet, tomu glaz von (, a kto zabudyet - tomu oba).
    • Translation: Who reminds old [events,insults], will be deprived of his eye,(and who forgets it - of both).
    • English version: Let sleeping dogs lie.
  • Куда́ конь с копы́том, туда и рак с клешнёй.
    • Transliteration: Kuda kon' s kopytom, tuda i rak c kleshnyoy.
    • Translation: Where [goes] a horse with [its] hoof, there [goes] a crayfish with [its] pincer.
  • Куда́ ни кинь, везде́(всё, всю́ду) клин.
    • Transliteration: Kuda ni kin', vezde(vsyo,vsyudu) klin.
    • English Version: Damned if you do, damned if you don't
    • Compare: Что в лоб, что по́ лбу; Что пнём об сову, что сово́й об пень.
  • Куй желе́зо, пока горячо́.
    • Transliteration: Kuy zhelezo, poka goryacho.
    • Translation: Strike while the iron is hot.
    • Moral: Do things while it's the best time to to them.
    • English version: Strike while the iron is hot; Make hay while the sun shines.
    • Modern mockery: Куй желе́зо, пока Горбачёв (Strike iron while Gorbachyov [is at power] — encouraging people to use the opportunities opened by Perestroika, as it wasn't believed at the time that they will last)
  • Ку́рам на́ смех.
    • Transliteration: Kuram na smekh.
    • Translation: It makes chicken laugh.
    • English version: It is enough to make a cat laugh.
  • Ку́рица не пти́ца, ба́ба не челове́к.
    • Transliteration: Kuritsa ne ptitsa, baba ne chelovek.
    • Translation: As chicken is not a bird, woman is not a human being.
  • Купола в Росси́и кроют чи́стым золотом, чтобы ча́ще Госпо́дь замеча́л.
    • Translitteration: kupola v rossiyi kroyut chistim zolotom, chtoby chasche gospod' zamechal.
    • Translation: In Russia, the domes (of churches) are covered with pure gold so that Lord notices them more often.
    • Note: This is a line from the well-known song by Vladimir Vysotsky.
  • Ку́рочка по зёрнышку клюёт, да сыта́ быва́ет.
    • Transliteration: Kurochka po zyornyshky kl'uyot, da syta byvayet.
    • Translation: The chicken pecks one grain at a time, but it is sated.

Л

[edit]
  • Ла́сковый телёнок двух ма́ток сосёт.
    • Transliteration: Laskovyy telyonok dvukh matok sosyot.
    • Translation: The affectionate calf sucks [udders of] two cows.
  • Лбом сте́нку не расшибёшь.
    • Transliteration: Lbom stenku ne rasshibyosh.
    • Translation: You cannot break a wall with your forehead.
    • Moral: Use the correct tool for the job. – Also: Don't deal with stubborn people.
  • Лежа́чего не бьют.
    • Transliteration: Lezhachevo ne b'yut.
    • Translation: One shouldn't beat the one who fell.
    • English version: Don't kick a man when he's down.
  • Лес ру́бят — ще́пки летя́т.
    • Transliteration: Les rubyat — schepki letyat.
    • Translation: When wood is chopped, woodchips will fly.
    • English version: You can’t make an omelette without breaking an egg.
  • Лиха́ беда́ нача́ло.
  • Ло́жка дёгтя по́ртит бо́чку мёда.
    • Transliteration: Lozhka dyogtya portit bochku myoda.
    • Translation: A spoonful of tar spoils a barrel of honey.
    • English version: A fly in the ointment; The rotten apple spoils the barrel.
  • Лу́чшее — враг хоро́шего.
    • Transliteration: Luchsheye — vrag khoroshego.
    • Translation: Best is the enemy of good.
    • English version: The best is oftentimes the enemy of the good; If it's not broken, don't fix it
  • Лу́чше ме́ньше, да лу́чше.
    • Transliteration: Luchshe men'she, da luchshe.
    • Translation: It's better less/fewer but better.
    • Compare: Лу́чшее — враг хоро́шего.
  • Лу́чше оди́н раз уви́деть, чем сто раз услы́шать.
    • Transliteration: Luchshe odin raz uvidet', chem sto raz uslyshat'.
    • Translation: It's better to see once than hear a hundred times.
    • English version: Seeing is believing; One look is worth a thousand words.
  • Лу́чше перебде́ть, чем недобде́ть.
    • Transliteration: Luchshe perebdet', chem nedobdet'.
    • Translation: [It's] better [to be] too aware than too unaware.
    • Moral: It's better to be overcautious than undercautious.
    • Contrast: У семи́ ня́нек дитя́ без гла́зу.
  • Лу́чше по́здно, чем никогда́.
    • Transliteration: Luchshe pozdno, chem nikogda.
    • Translation: Better late than never.
    • English version: Better late than never.
  • Лу́чше сини́ца в рука́х, чем жура́вль в не́бе.
    • Transliteration: Luchshe sinitsa v rukakh, chem zhuravl' v nebe.
    • Translation: A titmouse in the hand is better than a crane in the sky.
    • English version: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush; Better an egg today than a hen tomorrow.
    • Mockery: Лу́чше сини́ца в рука́х, чем у́тка под крова́тью. (A titmouse in the hand is better than a bedpan(Russian: "duck") under the bed.)
  • Любо́вь зла́, полю́бишь и козла́.
    • Transliteration: Lyubov' zla, polyubish i kozla.
    • Translation: love's evil, you'll love even a goat.
    • English version: Love is blind.
  • Лю́бишь ката́ться, люби́ и са́ночки вози́ть.
    • Transliteration: Lyubish katat'sya, lyubi i sanochki vozit'.
    • Translation: If you enjoy riding, [you better] enjoy pulling the sleigh.
    • English version: He that would eat the fruit must climb the tree; No pain, no gain; After dinner comes the reckoning.
    • Compare: Без труда́ не вы́тащишь и ры́бку из пруда́.

М

[edit]
  • Мал клоп, да воню́ч.
    • Transliteration: Mal klop, da vonyuch.
    • Translation: Bedbug [might be] small, but [definitely is] stinky.
    • 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.
    • Transliteration: Materinskiy gnev — chto vesenniy sneg: i mnogo yego vypadet, da skoro rastayet
    • Translation: Mother's anger is like spring snow: a lot of it may fall, but it will melt away shortly.
    • Moral: Mothers don't hold grudges against their kids.
  • Ме́жду двух огне́й.
    • Transliteration: Mezhdu dvukh ogney
    • Translation: Between two fires.
    • English version: Between rock and hard place; Between devil and deep blue sea.
  • Ме́жду мо́лотом и накова́льней.
    • Transliteration: Mezhdu molotom i nakoval'ney
    • Translation: Between hammer and anvil.
    • English version: Between rock and hard place; Between devil and deep blue sea.
  • Ме́ньше зна́ешь — кре́пче спишь.
    • Transliteration: Men'she znayesh' — krepche spish'.
    • Translation: The less you know, the more soundly you sleep.
    • English version: Ignorance is bliss; What you don't know, cannot hurt you.
    • Compare: Мно́го бу́дешь знать, ско́ро соста́ришься.
  • Мели́, Еме́ля — твоя́ неде́ля.
    • Transliteration: Meli Yemelya: tvoya nedelya.
    • Translation: [Feel free to] jabber, Emelya — [it's] your week.
    • Moral: Lie all you want — I'm not listening.
  • Мир да лад — большой клад.
    • Transliteration: Mir da lad — bol'shoy klad.
    • Translation: Peace and harmony is great treasure
  • Мно́го бу́дешь знать, ско́ро соста́ришься.
    • Transliteration: Mnogo budesh znat', skoro sostarishya.
    • Translation: If you learn a lot, you'll age soon.
    • Moral: It's none of your business.
    • English version: Too much knowledge makes the head bald.; None of your beeswax.
    • Compare: Ме́ньше зна́ешь — кре́пче спишь.
  • Мно́го шу́ма из ничего́.
    • Transliteration: Mnogo shuma iz nichevo.
    • Translation: Much noise from nothing.
    • English version: Much ado about nothing.
  • Моё де́ло — прокукаре́кать, а да́льше — хоть не рассвета́й.
    • Transliteration: Moyo delo prokukarekat', a dal'she — khot' ne rassvetay.
    • Translation: My job [is to scream,] 'cock-a-doodle-doo'; from then on, it may not dawn.
    • Moral: I know I've done my job, and I don't care what you will do with its results next.
    • Compare: Дру́жба дру́жбой, а слу́жба слу́жбой.
  • Молоде́ц про́тив ове́ц, а про́тив молодца́ — и сам овца́.
    • Transliteration: Molodets protiv ovets, a protiv moldtsa — i sam ovtsa.
    • Translation: [He is] brave [when fighting] against sheep, and [when fighting] against a brave man [he's] a sheep himself.
  • Москва́ не сра́зу стро́илась.
    • Transliteration: Moskva ne srazu stroilas'.
    • Translation: Moscow wasn't built at once.
    • English version: Rome wasn't built in a day.
  • Москва́ слеза́м не ве́рит.
    • Transliteration: Moskva slezam ne verit.
    • Translation: Moscow doesn't believe [in] tears.
    • Moral: Never complain.
  • Моя́ ха́та с кра́ю - ничего́ не зна́ю.
    • Transliteration: Moya khata s krayu, nichego ne znayu.
    • Translation: My house is at the end of the street; so I have no idea what's going on.
    • Moral: I haven't witnessed that. — Also: I'm minding my own business.
    • Compare: Я не я, и ло́шадь не моя́(, и я не изво́зчик).
    • Contrast: Любопы́тной Варва́ре на база́ре нос оторва́ли.
  • Муж да жена́ — одна́ сатана́.
    • Transliteration: Muzh da zhena — odna satana.
    • Translation: Husband and wife are the same satan.
    • Moral: Husband and wife often unite in their opinions, deeds, etc.
  • Мя́гко сте́лет, да жёстко спать.
    • Transliteration: Myaghko stelet, da zhostko spat'.
    • Translation: [He] makes the bed soft, yet [it's] hard to sleep [on].
    • Moral: Iron fist in a velvet glove. — Also: Things built without effort are hard to use.
    • English version: Iron fist in a velvet glove; Velvet paws hide sharp claws.

Н

[edit]
  • На безры́бье и рак — ры́ба[, на безлю́дье и си́день — челове́к].
    • Transliteration: Na bezryb'ye i rak — ryba[, na bezlyud'ye i siden' chelovek].
    • Translation: On a fishing lull, even a crayfish is fish[, at the lack people even a lazybones is a human being].
    • Moral: Maybe this is not the best choice, but it's our only option.
    • English version: Something is better than nothing.
    • See also: Из двух зол выбира́ют ме́ньшее, Го́лод не тётка(, пирожка́ не поднесёт)
    • Modern Mockery: "На безрыбье и сам раком станешь" (On a fishing lull, even you can become a crayfish.)
  • На Бо́га наде́йся, а сам не плоша́й.
    • Transliteration: Na boga nadeysya, a sam ne ploshay
    • Translation: Hope for God, but do not be reliant.
    • English version: Trust in God, but lock your car.
    • Compare: Бо́гу моли́сь, а добра́-ума́ держи́сь; Бережёного Бог бережёт.
  • На Бо́га поло́жишься — не обло́жишься.
    • Transliteration: Na boga polozhish'sya — ne oblozhish'sya.
    • Translation: If you rely on God, you won't fail.
  • На брю́хе шёлк, а в брю́хе щёлк.
    • Transliteration: Na bryukhe sholk, a v bryukhe scholk
    • Translation: On the belly there is silk, and in the belly - just a click.
    • English version: All hat and no cattle.
  • На вкус и цвет това́рищей нет.
    • Transliteration: Na vkus i tsvet tovarischey net.
    • Translation: There are no friends in tastes and colours.
    • English version: There's no accounting for taste.
    • Compare: У вся́кого Па́вла своя́ пра́вда; О вку́сах не спо́рят.
  • На во́ре ша́пка гори́т.
    • Transliteration: Na vore shapka gorit.
    • Translation: A thief's hat is burning.
    • English version: A guilty mind betrays itself.
  • На всех не угоди́шь
    • Transliteration: Na vsekh ne ugodish.
    • Translation: You cannot please everybody.
    • English version: He who pleased everybody died before he was born.
    • Compare: О вку́сах не спо́рят.
  • На вся́кого мудреца́ дово́льно простоты́.
    • Transliteration: Na vsyakogo mudretsa dovol'no prostoty.
    • Translation: For each wise man there are plenty of fools.
    • English version: Homer sometimes nods.
  • Назва́лся гру́здем — полеза́й в ку́зов.
  • На зе́ркало не́ча пеня́ть, ко́ли ро́жа крива́.
    • Transliteration: Na zerkalo necha penyat', koli rozha kriva.
    • Translation: If your face [looks] skewed, don't blame the mirror.
    • Moral: Don't blame others for your own faults.
  • На миру́ и смерть красна́.
    • Transliteration: Na miru i smert' krasna.
  • На то и щу́ка [в мо́ре], что́бы кара́сь не дрема́л.
    • Transliteration: Na to i schuka v more, shtoby karas' ne dremal.
    • Translations: The pike in the sea is there to make the crucian to stay alert.
    • Moral: There are dangers, but don't complain about them, stay alert.
  • На халя́ву и у́ксус сла́док.
    • Transliteration: Na khalyavu i uksus sladok.
    • Translation: Even vinegar is sweet when for freebie.
    • Compare: Дарёному коню́ в зу́бы не смо́трят.
  • На чужо́й карава́й не рот не разева́й.
    • Transliteration: Na chuzhoy karavay rot ne razevay.
    • Translation: Don't open your mouth [to eat] other people's bread.
    • Modern Mockery (vulgar): "На чужое бухло не разевай ебло."
  • На чужо́й рото́к не наки́нешь плато́к.
    • Transliteration: Na chuzhoy rotok ne nakinesh platok.
    • Translation: [You] can't throw a handkerchief over somebody's mouth.
    • Moral: You may not silence what others say.
  • На чужо́й сторо́нушке рад свое́й воро́нушке.
    • Transliteration: Na chuzhoy storonushke rad svoyey voronushke.
    • Translation: In the foreign country you a glad [to see even] the crow from yours.
  • На чужо́м го́ре сча́стья не постро́ишь.
  • Нашла́ коса́ на ка́мень.
    • Transliteration: Nashla kosa na kamen'.
    • Translation: The scythe has hit a stone.
    • English version: Diamond cut diamond, You have met your match.
  • На языке́ мёд, а на се́рдце — лёд.
    • Transliteration: Na yazyke myod, a na serdtse — lyod.
    • Translation: On the tongue [there's] honey, and on the heart [there's] ice.
    • English version: A honey tongue, a heart of gall.
  • Не бо́ги горшки́ обжига́ют.
    • Transliteration: Ne bogi gorshki obzhigayut.
    • Translation: [It's] not gods [who] make pots.
    • Moral: All arificial objects in the world, no matter how minute or astonishing, were made by people, so do not get overexcited.
  • Не бо́йся соба́ки, что ла́ет, а бо́йся той, что молчи́т и хвосто́м виля́ет.
    • Transliteration: Ne boysya sobaki, shto layet, a bosya toy, shto molchit, da khvostom vilyayet.
    • Translation: Don't be afraid of the dog who barks, but be afraid of the one, who is silent and wags its tail.
    • English version: It's the quiet ones you gotta watch.
  • Не буди́ ли́ха, пока́ спит ти́хо.
    • Transliteration: Ne budi likha, poka spit tikho.
    • Translation: Don't wake up trouble while it sleeps quietly.
    • English version: Don’t trouble trouble till trouble troubles you; Let sleeping dogs lie.
  • Не́ было бы сча́стья, да несча́стье помогло́.
    • Transliteration: Ne bylo by schast'ya, da neschast'ye pomoglo
    • Translation: [I] would have had no luck, if not for misfortune.
    • Moral: This particular misfortune in the end has led me to more gain than it made harm.
    • Compare: Нет ху́да без добра́.
  • Не́ было у ба́бы хлопо́т, так купи́ла порося́.
    • Transliteration: Ne bylo u baby khlopot, tak kupila porosya.
    • Translation: The woman had no trouble, so she bought a piglet.
    • English version: You've asked for trouble.
  • Не всё коту́ ма́сленица, бу́дет и вели́кий пост.
    • Transliteration: Ne vsyo kotu maslenitsa, budet i velikiy post.
    • Translation: Not every day is a Shrovetide, in time it will be a Lent.
    • English version: Life's not all beer and skittles; Life's not all wine and roses; I never promised you a bed of roses
  • Не всё то зо́лото, что блести́т.
    • Transliteration: Ne vsyo to zoloto, chto blestit.
    • Translation: Not every glittering thing is gold.
    • English version: Not all that glitters is gold.
    • Modern mockery: Не всё то долото́, что блести́т.
  • Не говори́ гоп, пока́ не переско́чишь(перепры́гнешь).
  • Не гони́ коня́ кнуто́м, а гони́ коня́ рублём.
    • Transliteration: Ne goni konya knutom, a goni konya rublyom.
    • Translation: Don't drive the horse with a whip, but drive the horse with a rouble.
    • English version: Money makes the mare go.
  • Не да́вши сло́ва — крепи́сь, а да́вши — держи́сь.
    • Transliteration: Ne davshi slova — krepis', a davshi — derzhis'.
    • Moral: Don't give promises you can't fulfil; once given, the word must be kept.
    • English version: Don't make a promise you can't keep.
    • Compare: Угово́р доро́же де́нег.
  • Не за то во́лка бьют, что сер, а за то, что овцу́ съел.
    • Transliteration: Ne za to volka b'yut, shto ser, a za to, shto ovtsy s'yel.
    • Translation: The wolf is beaten not for being grey, but for having eaten a sheep.
  • Не зна́я бро́ду, не су́йся в во́ду.
    • Transliteration: Ne znaya brodu, ne suysya v vodu.
    • Translation: Don't wade into a river without knowing a ford.
    • Moral: Don't rush into something without throughly studying the matter first.
    • English version: Wait for the cat to jump.
  • Не име́й дру́га пота́тчика, а име́й дру́га попере́чника.
    • Transliteration: Ne imey druga potatchika, a imey druga poperechnika.
    • Translation: Don't have a friend who always agrees with you, but have a friend who argues with you.
  • Не име́й сто рубле́й, а име́й сто друзе́й.
    • Transliteration: Ne imey sto rubley, a imey sto druzey.
    • Translation: Don't have a hundred rubles, but have a hundred friends.
    • See also: Друг познаётся в беде́.
    • Modern mockery: Не имей сто рублей, а имей двести (Don't have a hundred roubles, but have two hundred roubles.)
  • Не клади́ все я́йца в одну́ корзи́ну.
    • Transliteration: Ne kladi vse yaytsa v odnu korzinu.
    • Translation: Don't put all [your] eggs in one basket.
    • English version: Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
  • Не ме́сто кра́сит челове́ка, а челове́к — ме́сто.
    • Transliteration: Ne mesto krasit cheloveka, a chelovek — mesto.
    • Translations: Not the place adorns the man, but a man adorns the place.
  • Не мечи́те би́сер пе́ред сви́ньями.
    • Transliteration: Ne mechite biser pered svin'yami
    • Translation: Don't cast beads before(in front of) pigs.
    • English version: Cast not your pearls before swine.
  • Не мытьём, так ка́таньем.
    • Transliteration: Ne mytyom, tak katan'yem.
    • Translation: If not by washing, then by rolling.
    • Cultural background: ка́танье ("rolling") was a special method of cloth cleaning with use of a primitive wooden hand-held "washing machine" forcefully rolled on the cloth surface -- note there were no soap; surface-active agent was prepared from ashes.
    • English version: By hook or by crook.
  • Не ошиба́ется тот, кто ничего́ не де́лает.
    • Transliteration: Ne oshibayetsa tot, kto nichego ne delayet.
    • Translation: Only he who does nothing makes no mistakes.
    • English version: He that never climbed, never fell.
  • Не плюй в коло́дец — пригоди́тся [воды] напи́ться.
    • Transliteration: Ne plyuy v kolodets — prigoditsya [vody] napit'sya.
    • Translation: Do not spit into a well—it may be useful to drink water.
    • English version: Actions can boomerang; Never cast dirt into that fountain of which you have sometime drunk; Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
    • Vulgar: Don't sh*t where you eat.
    • Modern mockery: Не плюй в коло́дец: вы́летит — не пойма́ешь.
  • Не по́йман — не во́р.
    • Transliteration: Ne poyman — ne vor.
    • Translation: Unless caught [stealing], [one is] not a thief.
    • English version: Innocent till proven guilty.
  • Не рой друго́му я́му, сам в неё попадёшь.
    • Transliteration: Ne roy drugomu yamu, sam v neyo popadyosh.
    • Translation: Don't dig a pit for somebody [to fall into], [or] you will end up in it yourself.
    • English version: Curses like chickens come home to roost.
    • Modern mockery: Не рой друго́му я́му, пусть сам ро́ет (Don't dig a pit for somebody, let he digs [it] himself)
  • Не руби́ сук, на кото́ром сиди́шь.
    • Transliteration: Ne rubi suk, na kotorom sidish.
    • Translation: Don't hack the branch you are sitting on.
    • English version: Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
  • Не сиди́ сложа́ ру́ки, так и не бу́дет ску́ки.
    • Transliteration: Ne sidi slozha ruki, tak i ne budet skuki.
    • Translation: Don't sit idly, then there will be no boredom.
  • Не спра́шивай ста́рого, спра́шивай быва́лого.
    • Transliteration: Ne sprashivay starovo, sprashivy byvalogo.
    • Translation: Don't ask the old one, ask the experienced one.
  • Не суди́те и да не суди́мы бу́дете.
    • Transliteration: Ne sudite i da ne sudimy budete.
    • Translation: Don't judge and you won't be judged.
    • English version: Judge not, lest ye be judged.
  • Не так стра́шен чёрт, как его́ малю́ют.
    • Transliteration: Ne tak strashen chort, kak ego malyuyut.
    • Translation: The devil is not as scary as they paint(draw) him.
    • Note: "Малюют" is a Ukrainian word. The Russian equivalent is "рисуют". Still, it is also used in Russian in different meanings (like "paint carelessly, with poor quality, unskillfully").
    • English version: The devil is not so black as he is painted.
    • Compare: У стра́ха глаза́ велики́.
    • Modern mockery: Не так стра́шен чёрт, как его малю́тки. (The devil is not as scary as his little offsprings.)
  • Не учи́ учёного.
    • Transliteration: Ne uchi uchonogo.
    • Translation: Do not teach a learned person.
    • 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."
    • Compare: Я́йца ку́рицу не у́чат.
  • Незва́ный гость лу́чше зва́ного.
    • Transliteration: Nezvany gost' luchshe zvanogo.
    • Translation: An unsolicited guest is better than a solicited one.
  • Незва́ный гость ху́же тата́рина.
    • Transliteration: Nezvany gost' khuzhe tatarina.
    • Translation: An unsolicited guest is worse than a Tatar.
    • Cultural background: After Tatar-Mongol invasion of Rus in the 13th century, the word, "Tatar" has acquired a secondary meaning of "invader"
  • Нем, как ры́ба.
    • Transliteration: Nem, kak ryba.
    • Translation: Mute as a fish.
    • English version: Silent as a grave.
  • Нет ды́ма без огня́.
    • Transliteration: Net dyma bez ognya.
    • Translation: There is no smoke without fire.
    • English version: There is no smoke without fire.
  • Нет плохи́х судо́в, нет плохи́х ветро́в, есть плохи́е капита́ны.
    • Transliteration: Net plokhikh sudov, net plokhikh vetrov, yest' plokhiye kapitany.
    • Translation: There are no bad ships or winds, there are bad captains.
  • Ни к селу́, ни к го́роду.
    • Transliteration: Ni k selu, ni k gorodu.
    • Translation: Not for village, not for town.
    • Meaning: Not useful for anything.
    • English version: Neither here nor there
  • Ни бэ, ни мэ, ни кукаре́ку.
    • Transliteration: Ni be, ni me, ni kukareku
    • Translation: Neither 'baaah', nor 'maaah', nor [even] 'cock-a-doodle-do'.
    • Moral: Don't bother talking to him; he cannot give a comprehensible answer.
    • See also: Ни ры́ба, ни мя́со.
  • Ни Бо́гу све́чка, ни чёрту кочерга́.
    • Transliteration: Ni Bogu svechka, ni chortu kocherga.
    • Translation: Neither candle for God, nor poker for devil.
    • Moral: synonymical to Ни ры́ба, ни мя́со
  • Ни в го́роде Богда́н, ни в селе́ Селифа́н.
    • Transliteration: Ni v gorode Bogdan, ni v sele Selifan.
    • Translation: Neither Bogdan in town, nor Selifan in village.
    • Moral: synonymical to Ни ры́ба, ни мя́со
  • Ни пу́ха, ни пера́.
    • Transliteration: Ni pukha, ni pera.
    • Translation: Neither down (from a duck), nor feather.
    • Meaning: Good Luck (more directly May nothing stand in your way.)
    • English version: Break a leg!
  • Ни ры́ба, ни мя́со.
    • Transliteration: Ni ryba, ni myaso.
    • Translation: Neither fish nor meat.
    • Usage: A person without a strong character.
    • English version: Neither fish nor flesh.
  • Ни складу ни ладу(, поцелу́й кобы́лу с за́ду).
    • Transliteration: Ni skladu ni ladu(, potseluy kobylu s zadu).
    • Translation: Neither rhyme nor harmony(, [go] kiss horse's ass).
    • Moral: You're a poor poet; — Also: Your story doesn't hold water; You're bullshitting me.
    • English version: Neither rhyme nor reason; You told it through your hat; You lied through your teeth
  • Но́вая метла по-но́вому метёт.
    • Transliteration: Novaya metla po-novomu metyot.
    • Translation: A new broom sweeps in a new way.
    • Moral: New manager brings new requirements.
    • English version: A new broom sweeps clean.; In with the new and out with the old.
  • Нынче полковник, а завтра покойник.
    • Transliteration: Nynche polkovnik, a zavtra pokoynik.
    • Translation: Today [you are] a colonel, but tomorrow [you are] dead.
    • Moral: Life is short, fortune is fickle.

О

[edit]
  • Обе́щанного три го́да ждут.
    • Transliteration: Obeschannovo tri goda zhdut.
    • Translation: [They] wait three years for [what was] promised.
    • Moral: Promises aren't usually carried out immediately.
  • Обже́гшись на молоке́, ду́ют на́ воду.
    • Transliteration: Obzhegshis' na moloke, duyut i na vodu.
    • Translation: [The one who got] burned by [hot] milk, blows on water.
    • English version: Once bitten, twice shy.
  • О вку́сах не спо́рят.
    • Transliteration: O vkusakh ne sporyat.
    • Translation: Tastes are not argued. (from Latin "De gustibus non est disputandum")
    • English version: To each his own.
  • Овчи́нка вы́делки не сто́ит.
    • Transliteration: Ovchinka vydelki ne stoit.
    • Translation: The lambskin is not worth the currying.
    • English version: The game isn’t worth the candle.
  • Оди́н в по́ле [—] не во́ин.
    • Transliteration: Odin v pole ne voin.
    • Translation: Single [man] in a field is not a warrior.
    • English version: One man, no man
  • Оди́н с со́шкой — се́меро с ло́жкой.
    • Transliteration: Odin s soshkoy — semero s lozhkoy.
    • Translation: [For every] one with a plow — [there're] seven with a spoon.
    • Moral: There's a lot of slackers for each productive worker.
  • Оди́н сын – не сын, два сы́на – по́лсына, три сы́на – сын.
    • Transliteration: Odin syn - ne syn, dva syna - polsyna, tri syna - syn.
    • Translation: One son is not a son, two sons are half a son, three sons are a son.
  • Одна́ голова́ — хорошо́, а две — луч́ше.
    • Transliteration: Odna golova — khorosho, a dve — luchshe.
    • Translation: One head is good; two heads are better.
    • Moral: Problem is more likely to be solved by a group discussion. — Also: I'll gladly lend you my experience.
    • English version: Two heads are better than one.
    • Mockery: Одна́ голова́ — хорошо́, а две — мута́ция (One head is good; two heads make a mutant.); Одна́ голова́ — хорошо́, две — лу́чше, а три - Змей Горы́ныч (One head is good, two are better, and three make a dragon).
  • Оре́шек не по зуба́м.
    • Transliteration: Oreshek ne po zubam.
    • Translation: The teeth are not match for the nut.
    • English version: A hard nut to crack
  • От во́лка бежа́л, да на медве́дя попа́л.
    • Transliteration: Ot volka bezhal, da na medvedya popal.
    • Translation: I ran from the wolf but ran into a bear.
    • English version: Out of the frying pan and into the fire.'
    • See also: Из огня́ да в полымя́.
  • От добра́ добра́ не и́щут.
    • Transliteration: Ot dobra dobra ne ishchut.
    • Translation: Do not look for [further] good from good.
    • English version: Leave well enough alone; Enough is as good as a feast.
  • От ма́ленькой и́скры большо́й пожа́р быва́ет.
    • Transliteration: Ot malen'koy iskry bol'shoy pozhar byvayet.
    • Translation: A little spark may cause a big fire.
  • От любопы́тства ко́шка сдо́хла.
    • Transliteration: Ot lyubopytstva koshka sdokhla.
    • Translation: Cat died of curiosity.
    • English version: Curiosity killed the cat.
  • От ску́ки бери́ де́ло в ру́ки.
    • Transliteration: Ot skuki beri delo v ruki.
    • Translation: To get rid of boredom, do some work.
  • От сумы́ и от тюрьмы́ не зарека́йся.
    • Transliteration: Ot sumy i ot tyur'my ne zarekaysa.
    • Translation: Don't swear off of beggary and jail.
    • Background: No one can be sure in his everlasting prosperity and freedom.
    • English version: Never say 'never'.
  • Отолью́тся ко́шке мы́шкины слёзки
    • Transliteration: Otol'yuts'a koshke myshkiny sl'ozki.
    • Translation: Cat will [eventually] get a downpour of mice' tears
    • Moral: The bully will be eventually punished.
    • English version: What goes around, comes around.
    • See also: Ско́лько верёвочке не ви́ться — коне́ц буде́т.
  • От рабо́ты ко́ни до́хнут(, а лю́ди кре́пнут.)
    • Translation: Of [hard] work, horses die(, but people get stronger.)
  • От трудо́в пра́ведных не наживёшь пала́т ка́менных.
    • Transliteration: Ot trudov pravednykh he hazhivyosh palat kamennykh.
    • Translation: Honest work won't let you live on the stone palace.
    • Moral: Great wealth stems from illegal activities more often than not.
  • Охо́та пу́ще нево́ли.
    • Transliteration: Okhota pusche nevoli.
    • Translation: Desire is worse then compulsion.
    • Moral: Work you enjoy never feels too hard.

П

[edit]
  • Парши́вая овца́ всё ста́до по́ртит.
    • Transliteration: Parshivaya ovtsa vsyo stado portit.
    • Translation: The scabby sheep spoils the whole flock.
    • English version: The rotten apple spoils the barrel.
  • Пан или пропа́л.
    • Transliteration: Pan ili propal.
    • Translation: To become a master or a deadman.
    • Note: Пан (pan) is a Ukrainian or Polish word (land-lord, master, sir) well-known in Russian literature and tradition.
    • Note: same as Была не была: Whatever the consequences can be — I'll try it!
    • English version: Neck or nothing; Stick your neck out
  • Пе́рвая ла́сточка весны́ не де́лает.
    • Transliteration: Pervaya lastochka vesny ne delayet.
    • Translation: The first swallow doesn't make the spring[to come].
  • Пе́рвый блин (всегда́)ко́мом.
    • Transliteration: Pervyy blin (vsegda) komom.
    • Translation: The first pancake is (always) a blob.
    • English version: Things don’t work the first time
    • Compare: Лиха́ беда́ нача́ло.
  • Перо́ соко́лье, а нутро́ воро́нье.
    • Transliteration: Pero sokol'je, a nutro voron'je.
    • Translation: The feather of falcon and the inside of a crow.
  • Пе́сня та же, поёт она́ же.
    • Transliteration: Pesnya ta zhe, poyot ona zhe.
    • Translation: The song is the same, and she again is the one who sings.
    • Moral: I am sick of you saying the same thing [lying, complaining] again.
    • English version: [He/she] is like a broken record
  • Пле́тью о́буха не перешибёшь.
    • Transliteration: Plet'yu obukha ne pereshibyosh.
    • Translation: [One] can't break an axe with a whip.
    • Compare: С сильным не борись, с богатым не судись.
  • Пло́х тот солда́т, кото́рый не мечта́ет стать генера́лом.
    • Translation: A soldier who doesn't dream of becoming a general is a bad one.
  • Плоха́я молва́ на кры́льях лети́т.
    • Transliteration: Plokhaya molva na kryl'yakh letit.
    • Translation: A bad rumour flies on wings.
    • English version: Bad news has wings.
  • Плохо́му нача́лу — плохо́й коне́ц.
    • Transliteration: Plokhomu nachalu plokhoi kones.
    • Translation: A bad ending for a bad beginning.
    • English version: A bad beginning makes a bad ending.
  • Плохо́му танцо́ру (и) но́ги меша́ют.
    • Transliteration: Plokhomu tantsory (i) nogi meshayut.
    • Translation: Poor dancer is impeded (even) by his own legs.
    • English version: A poor workman blames his tools.
  • Пова́дился кувши́н по́ воду ходи́ть, тут ему́ и го́лову сломи́ть.
    • Transliteration: Povadilsya kuvshin po vodu kxodit', tut yemu i golovu slomit'.
    • English version: The pitcher goes often to the well but is broken at last.
  • Пови́нную го́лову и меч не сечёт.
    • Transliteration: Povinnuyu golovu i mech ne sechot.
    • Translation: Even the sword dousn't cut the head of the one who confesses.
    • English version: A fault confessed is half redressed.
  • Повторе́нье - мать уче́нья.
    • Transliteration: Povtoren'ye — mat' uchen'ya.
    • Translation: Repetition is a mother of learning.
    • Moral: The more often you repeat your lesson, the more likely you are to memorize it.
    • Mockery: Повторе́нье - мать пита́нья (Repetition is a mother of feeding).
  • Пого́нишься за двумя́ за́йцами, ни одного́ не пойма́ешь.
    • Transliteration: Pogonishsya za dvumya zaytsami, ni odnogo ne poymayesh.
    • Translation: If you start chasing two hares, you [will] catch none.
    • English version: If you run after two hares, you will catch neither., Grasp all, lose all.
  • Пожале́л волк кобы́лу, оста́вил хвост да гри́ву.
    • Transliteration: Pozhalel volk kobylu, ostavil khvost da grivu
    • Translation: The wolf spared the mare, left a tail and mane.
  • По одёжке встреча́ют, по уму́ провожа́ют.
    • Transliteration: Po odyozhke vstrechayut, po umu provozhayut.
    • Translation: One meets/greets [people] by their clothes, and says farewell by their mind.
    • English version: Beauty may open the door, but only virtue enters.
  • Попа́л, как кур в о́щип.
    • Transliteration: Popal, kak kur v oschip.
    • Translation:[You are/I am] caught like a rooster for pluming.
    • Moral: (You are)(I am) in a really big trouble.
    • English version: Caught red-handed.
    • Compare: Ерёма, Ерёма, сидел бы ты дома, точил бы свои веретёна.
  • Поперёд ба́тьки в пе́кло не лезь.
    • Transliteration: Poperyod bat'ki v peklo ne lez'.
    • Translation: Don't try to get into hell ahead of [your] father.
    • Moral: Don't ask for troubles; Also: — Let experienced people deal with potentially dangerous situations.
  • По Се́ньке и ша́пка.
    • Transliteration: Po Sen'ke i shapka.
    • Translation: By Sen'ka (Russian name, short of Semen) also the hat.
    • Moral: One gets what he/she deserves.
  • По́сле дра́ки кулака́ми не ма́шут.
    • Transliteration: Posle draki kulakami ne mashut.
    • Translation: They don't swing fists when the fight is over.
    • English version: What’s done is done; Don't lock the stable door after the horse has bolted.
  • Поспеши́шь – люде́й насмеши́шь.
    • Transliteration: Pospeshish' – lyudey nasmeshish'.
    • Translation: If you rush things, you'll just make others laugh.
    • English version: Hasty climbers have sudden falls; The more haste, the less speed.; Haste makes waste
  • Пра́вь теле́гу зимо́й, а са́ни — ле́том.
    • Transliteration: Prav' telegu zimoy a sani letom.
    • Translation: Fix [your] cart in winter, and sled in summer.
    • Moral: Make sure your assets are ready for use well before they're needed. — Also: Do not take things down for maintenance during the peak usage periods.
  • Привы́чка — втора́я нату́ра.
    • Transliteration: Privychka — vtoraya natura.
    • Translation: Habit is a second nature.
    • English version: Custom is a second nature.
  • При царе́ Горо́хе (or: Когда царь Горох с грибами воевал)
    • Transliteration: Pri tsare Gorokhe (Kogda tsar Gorokh s gribami voyeval)
    • Translation: In the times of czar Gorokh (Pisum), When czar Gorokh fought against mushrooms (czar from fairy tales)
    • English version: Since Adam was a boy; Since time immemorial
  • Пришла́ беда́, отворя́й ворота́.
    • Transliteration: Prishla beda, otvoryay vorota.
    • Translation: Trouble is here, so open the gates.
    • English version: Misfortunes never come alone.; Troubles come not in singles but in whole battalions (Shakespeare); When it rains it pours
  • Про се́рого речь, а се́рый — навстре́чь.
    • Transliteration: Pro serovo rech, a seryy — navstrech.
    • Translation: Speak of the gray one (i.e. wolf), the gray one [heads] your way.
    • English version: Speak of the devil, and he appears.
    • Compare: На ловца́ и зверь бежи́т.
  • Простота́ ху́же воровства́.
    • Transliteration: Prostota khuzhe vorovstva.
    • Translation: Simplicity is worse than thievery(crime).
  • Пу́ганая воро́на куста́ (теле́жного скри́па/со́бственной те́ни) бои́тся.
  • Пуста́я бо́чка гро́мче гремит.
    • Transliteration: Pustaya bochka gromche gremit.
    • Translation: An empty barrel rattles louder.
    • Moral: Who does the least, brags the most.
  • Пья́ному мо́ре по коле́но(, а лу́жа — по́ уши).
    • Transliteration: P'yanomu more po koleno(, a luzha - po ushi).
    • Translation: For a drunken one, a sea is knee-deep(, and a puddle ear-deep).
    • Moral: Drunk people brag a lot, yet are capable of very little.
  • Пья́ный проспи́тся, дура́к — никогда́.
    • Transliteration: P'yanyy prospitsya, durak — nikogda.
    • Translation: The drunken will sleep it over, the fool - never.

Р

[edit]
  • Рабо́та не волк, в лес не убежи́т.
    • Transliteration: Rabota ne volk, v les ne ubezhit.
    • Translation: Work is unlike wolf; it won't run to the woods.
    • Moral: No need to rush to work.
    • Contrast: Сде́лал де́ло, гуля́й сме́ло.
  • Раз на раз не прихо́дится.
    • Transliteration: Raz na raz ne prikhoditsya.
    • Translation: Each time it is different.
    • English version: You can’t expect perfection every time.
  • Раз солга́л - наве́к лгуно́м стал.
    • Transliteration: Raz solgal - navek lgunom stal.
    • Translation: Once [you've] told a lie, [you] become a liar forever.
    • English version: Once liar, always liar.
  • Рожа́ть ё́жика про́тив ше́рсти.
    • Transliteration: Rozhat yozhika protiv shersti.
    • Translation: To give birth to a hedgehog against the lie of its spines.
    • Meaning: To have a hard time.
  • Рука́ ру́ку мо́ет [, вор во́ра кр́оет].
    • Transliteration: Ruka ruku moyet[, vor vora kroyet].
    • Translation: Hands wash each other[, a thief covers another thief].
    • English version: You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.
  • Ры́ба гниёт с головы́.
    • Transliteration: Ryba gniyot s golovy.
    • Translation: Fish rots from the head.
    • Moral: The highest ranks usually get corrupted first.
  • Ры́ба и́щет, где глу́бже, а челове́к — где лу́чше.
    • Transliteration: Ryba ischet gde glubzhe, a chelovek — gde luchshe.
    • Translation: Fish seek for a deep place, men seek for a better place.
    • Modern mockery: Ры́ба и́щет, где глу́бже, а челове́к — где ры́ба. (Fish seek for a deep place, men seek for a fishing place.)
  • Рыба́к рыбака́ ви́дит издалека́.
    • Transliteration: Rybak rybaka vidit izdaleka.
    • Translation: A fisherman can tell another fisherman from afar.
    • English version: Birds of a feather flock together.
    • Mockery: Дурак дурака видит издалека. (A fool can tell another fool from afar.)

С

[edit]
  • Сам навари́л, сам и ку́шай.
    • Transliteration: Sam navaril, sam i kushay.
    • Translation: You cooked it, so eat it yourself.
    • English version: You've made your bed, now lie in it.
  • Сам погиба́й, а това́рища выруча́й.
    • Transliteration: Sam pogibay, a tovarischa vyruchay.
    • Translation: [You might] die yourself, but [you must] save the friend.
    • Moral: Help your friends out at all costs.
  • С волка́ми жить, по-во́лчьи выть.
    • Transliteration: S volkami zhit', po-volch'i vyt'.
    • Translation: To live with wolves, you have to howl like a wolf.
    • English version: Who keeps company with the wolves, will learn to howl; You are like the company you keep; When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
    • Compare: С кем поведёшься, от того́ и наберёшься.
  • Свое́й те́ни не обго́нишь.
    • Transliteration: Svoyey teni ne obgonish.
    • Translation: You can't move faster than your shadow.
  • Своя́ но́ша не тя́нет.
    • Transliteration: Svoya nosha ne tyanet.
    • Translation: [One's] own burden doesn't encumber.
    • English version: A burden of one's own choice is not felt
  • Своя́ руба́шка бли́же к те́лу.
  • Свя́то ме́сто пу́сто не быва́ет.
    • Transliteration: Svyato mesto pusto ne byvayet.
    • Translation: Holy place is never empty.
    • English version: Nature abhors a vacuum; The throne is never vacant
  • Сде́лал де́ло, гуля́й сме́ло.
  • Седина́ в бо́роду, бес в ребро́.
    • Transliteration: Sedina v borodu, bes v rebro.
    • Translation: Grey hair into beard, devil into rib.
    • Moral: When a man gets elderly, he often becomes a womanizer.
  • Се́меро одного́ не ждут.
    • Transliteration: Semero odnogo ne zhdut.
    • Translation: Seven [people] don't wait for one.
    • English version: For one that is missing there's no spoiling a wedding.
    • Moral: If you severely hinder others, don't be surprised when you get left behind.
  • Семь бед — оди́н отве́т.
    • Transliteration: Sem' bed — odin otvet.
    • Translation: Seven troubles - one responce.
    • English version: As well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb.
  • Семь вёрст до небе́с и всё ле́сом.
    • Transliteration: Sem' vyorst do nebes, i vcyo lesom.
    • Translation: Seven versts to heaven, and all the way through the forest.
  • Семь раз отме́рь, оди́н отре́жь.
    • Transliteration: Sem' raz otmer', odin otrezh.
    • Translation: Measure seven times, cut once.
    • English version: Measure twice, cut once.
  • Семь топоро́в вме́сте лежа́т, а две пря́лки врозь.
    • Transliteration: Sem' toporov vmeste lezhat, a dve pryalki vroz'.
    • Translation: Seven axes lie together, and two distaves - apart
  • Се́рдце с пе́рцем, душа́ с чесноко́м.
    • Transliteration: Serdtse s pertsem, dusha s chesnokom.
    • Translation: Heart with pepper, soul with garlic.
  • С кем поведёшься, от того́ и наберёшься.
    • Transliteration: S kem povedyoshsya, ot togo i naberyoshsya.
    • Translation: [You'll] learn [(in a bad way)] from those [you] hang out with.
    • English version: Those who sleep with dogs will rise with fleas; You are what your friends are.
    • Modern mockery: С кем поведёшься, с тем и наберёшься. (You'll get drunk with those you hang out with.)
    • Compare: С волка́ми жить, по-во́лчьи выть.
  • Ско́лько верёвочке не ви́ться — коне́ц бу́дет.
    • Transliteration: Skol'ko veryovochke ne vit'sya — konetz budet.
    • Translation: However [much]would the string wind, the end will be reached [anyway]
    • English version: The pitcher goes often to the well, but is broken at last; It will catch up with you in the end.
    • Moral: Truth will always be discovered, sooner or later.
    • See also: Ши́ла в мешке́ не утаи́шь.
  • Ско́лько во́лка ни корми́, он всё в лес смо́трит.
    • Transliteration: Skol'ko volka ne kormi, on vsyo v les smotrit
    • Translation: However [much, well] you feed the wolf, he still looks at the woods.
    • Compare: Горбатого могила исправит.
    • Mockery: Ско́лько во́лка не корми́, он всё жрёт и жрёт (However much you feed the wolf, he still eats and eats.)
  • Ско́ро ска́зка ска́зывается, да не ско́ро де́ло де́лается.
    • Transliteration: Skoro skazka skazyvayetsya, da ne skoro delo delaetsya.
    • Translations: The tale is told quickly, but the job is done slowly.
  • Ску́пой пла́тит два́жды.
    • Transliteration: Skupoy platit dvazhdy.
    • Translation: The stingy one pays twice.
    • English version: If you buy cheaply, you pay dearly., Cheap and nasty, expensive and tasty.
  • Сла́вны бу́бны за гора́ми (а к нам приду́т, как луко́шко).
    • Transliteration: Slavny bubny za gorami, (a k nam pridut, kak lukoshko).
    • Translations: The tambourines are good when they are behind mountains(, and when they come to us, they become just like a basket)
  • Сло́во — се́ребро, молча́ние — зо́лото.
    • Transliteration: Slovo — serebro, molchaniye — zoloto.
    • Translation: Word is silver, silence is gold.
    • English version: Talk is cheap, silence is golden.
  • Сме́лость города́ берёт.
    • Transliteration: Smelost' goroda beryot.
    • Translation: Bravity takes cities.
  • С ми́ру по ни́тке — го́лому руба́ха.
  • Соловья́ ба́снями не ко́рмят.
    • Transliteration: Solov'ya basnyami ne kormyat.
    • Translation: The nightingale can't be fed by fables.
    • English version: Fine words butter no parsnips.
  • Сня́вши го́лову, по волоса́м не пла́чут.
    • Transliteration: Snyavshi golovu, po volosam ne plachut
    • Translation: After taking off the head one doesn't(shouldn't) bewail the hair.
    • English version: What's done is done.
  • С парши́вой овцы́ — хоть ше́рсти клок.
    • Transliteration: S parshivoy ovtsy — khot' shersti klok.
    • Translation: From a scabby sheep, [it's better to get] at least a flock of wool [than nothing at all].
  • С си́льным не бори́сь, с бога́тым не суди́сь.
    • Transliteration: S silnym ne boris', s bogatym ne sudis'.
    • Translation: Don't fight with the strong one, don't sue the rich one.
    • Moral: Don't do something that anyone can see will fail.
  • Соба́ка на се́не: и сама́ не ест, и други́м не даёт.
    • Transliteration: Sobaka na sene: i sama ne yest i drugim ne dayot.
    • Translation: A dog on the hay: will neither eat it himself, nor let others eat [it].
    • English version: A dog in the manger.
  • Соро́ка на хвосте́ принесла́.
    • Transliteraton: Soroka na khvoste prinesla.
    • Translation: A magpie brought it on its tail.
    • English version: A little bird told me.
  • Ста́рость - не ра́дость.
    • Transliteration: Starost' - ne radost'.
    • Translation: Old age is no fun.
    • English version: An old ape has an old eye; Old age, boy, is no joy.
  • Ста́рый друг - лу́чше но́вых двух.
    • Transliteration: Staryy drug - luchshe novykh dvukh.
    • Translation: An old friend is better than two new ones.
    • Compare: За одного́ би́того двух неби́тых даю́т.
  • Ста́рый конь борозды́ не испо́ртит (, но и но́вой не проложит).
    • Transliteration: Staryy kon' borozdy ne isportit (no i novoy ne prolozhit).
    • Translation: The old horse won't spoil the furrow(, but won't make a new one either).
    • English version: An old ox makes a straight furrow.
  • Стре́ляного воробья́ на мяки́не не проведёшь.
  • Суженого конем не объедешь
    • Transliteration: Suzhenogo konyom ne ob"edyesh.
    • Translation: You can't escape your fated one [even] with a horse.
    • Moral: You can't change your fate.
  • Сы́тый голо́дного не разуме́ет: одному́ суп жи́дкий, друго́му - же́мчуг ме́лкий.
    • Transliteration: Sytyy golodnogo ne razumeyet: odnomy sup zhidkiy, drugomu - zhemchug melkiy.
    • Translation: The sat one doesn't understand the hungry one: for one the soup is too thin, for the other - the pearls are too small.
    • English version: He that is warm thinks all so.
  • Сы́тый голо́дному не това́рищ.
    • Transliteration: Sytyy golodnomu ne tovarishch.
    • Translation: The sat one is not a friend of the hungry one.
    • Moral: Two people don't understand each other because of their differences.

Т

[edit]
  • Та же пе́сня, да на но́вый лад.
    • Transliteration: Ta zhe pesmya, da na novyj lad.
    • Translation: The same song, but with a new melody.
    • English version: Same meat, different gravy.
  • Тамбо́вский волк тебе́ това́рищ.
    • Transliteration: Tambovskiy volk tebe tovarisch.
    • Translation: Wolf from Tambov is your buddy.
    • Moral: You might want to befriend me, but I don't; — Also: I despise you.
    • Compare: Гусь свинье́ не това́рищ.
  • Там хорошо́, где нас нет.
    • Transliteration: Tam khorosho, gde nas net.
    • Translation: It is good, there where we are not.
    • English version: On the other side grass is greener.
  • Твои́ми бы уста́ми да мёд пить.
    • Transliteration: Tvoimi by ustami da myod pit'.
    • Translation: [I'd like to] drink honey with your lips.
    • Moral: The way you describe it, this story/plan/thing sounds too good to be true.
    • Compare: Гла́дко бы́ло на бума́ге, да забы́ли про овра́ги(, а по ним шага́ть).
  • Терпе́ние и труд всё перетру́т.
    • Transliteration: Terpeniye i trud vsyo peretrut.
    • Translation: Patience and work will fray through anything.
    • Compare: Я́годка по я́годке - бу́дет кузово́к.; Исподво́ль и ольху́ согнёшь.
    • See also: Ти́ше е́дешь — да́льше бу́дешь.
  • Терпи́, каза́к, атама́ном бу́дешь.
    • Transliteration: Terpi kazak, atamanom budesh.
    • Translation: Put up wit it, cossack, and you'll be an ataman.
    • Moral: On the way to your goal, sometimes you have to suffer.
  • Ти́ше е́дешь — да́льше бу́дешь.
    • Transliteration: Tishe yedesh — dal'she budesh.
    • Translation: Ride slower — [you'll] get further.
    • Moral: You will accomplish more if you do things methodically. — Also: Don't rush things.
    • Compare: Я́годка по я́годке - бу́дет кузово́к.; Исподво́ль и ольху́ согнёшь.
    • See also: Терпе́ние и труд всё перетру́т.
    • English version: Slow and steady wins the race.
  • То гу́сто, то пу́сто (,то нет ничего́).
    • Transliteration: To gusto, to pusto(, to net nichego).
    • Translation: Sometimes it's dense, sometimes it's empty(, sometimes there's nothing).
    • Moral: Life isn't uniform.
    • English version: It's either feast or famine.
  • То́лько ку́рочка от себя́ гребёт.
    • Transliteration: Tol'ko kurochka ot sebya grebyot.
    • Translation: Only a chicken rakes [stuff] away from itself.
    • Moral: People are wary of giving their belongings away. — Also sometimes said as an excuse for taking a seemingly unattended item.
    • See also: Своя́ руба́шка бли́же к те́лу.
  • Тону́л – топо́р сули́л, а как вы́тащили – и топори́ща жаль (ста́ло).
    • Transliteration: Tonul - topor sulil, a kak vytschili - i toporoscha zhal' (stalo).
    • Translation: While [he] had been sinking, [he] promised [me] an axe [if I save him], but when pulled [ashore], [he] gruged even an axe handle.
    • Moral: He's not standing up to his promises.
    • See also: Угово́р доро́же де́нег.
  • Труд челове́ка ко́рмит, а лень — по́ртит.
    • Transliteration: Trud cheloveka kormit, a len' — portit.
    • Translation: Job feeds the man, and laziness spoils him.
  • Ты бли́же к де́лу, а он про козу́ бе́лу.
    • Transliteration: Ty blizhe k delu, a on pro kozu belu.
    • Translation: You get on business, but he [keeps telling you] about white goat.
    • Moral: Stop beating the bushes around.
  • Ты меня́, рабо́та, не бо́йся, я тебя́ не тро́ну.
    • Transliteration: Ty menya, rabota, ne boysya, ya tebya ne tronu.
    • Translation: Don't be afraid of me, [my] job, i'm not going to touch you.


У

[edit]
  • Убы́ток — уму́ прибы́ток.
    • Translitertion: Ubytok — umu pribytok.
    • Translation: A loss is a gain for mind.
    • Moral: Experience is worth it.
    • English version: Winning is earning, losing is learning., Sadder but wiser
  • У ба́бы во́лос до́лог, да ум ко́роток.
    • Translitertion: U baby volos dolog, da um korotok.
    • Translation: Woman's hair is long, and mind is short.
  • У вся́кого Па́вла своя́ пра́вда.
    • Translitertion: U vsyakovo Pavla svoya pravda.
    • Translation: Every Paul has his own truth.
    • See also: На вкус и цвет това́рищей нет.
  • Угово́р доро́же де́нег.
    • Translitertion: Ugovor dorozhe deneg.
    • Translation: The agreement(contract) costs more then money.
    • Moral: You must keep your word, even if doing so costs you money.
    • Compare: Не да́вши сло́ва — крепи́сь, а да́вши — держи́сь.
    • English version: A bargain is a bargain.
  • У злой Ната́льи все лю́ди кана́льи.
    • Transliteration: U zloy Natal'i vse lyudi kanal'i.
    • Translation: For angry Nataly all the people are rascals.
  • Уката́ли Си́вку круты́е го́рки.
    • Transliteration: Ukatali Sivku krutyye gorki.
    • Translation: Steep hills fatigued Sivka (ash-grey horse).
  • Укоро́тишь – не воро́тишь.
    • Transliteration: Ukorotish - ne vorotish.
    • Translations: If you cut [it], you won't get it back.
  • Ули́та е́дет, когда́-то бу́дет.
    • Translitertion: Ulita yedet, kogda-to budet.
    • Translation: The snail i going, [who knows when] it comes[here].
  • У́мная голова́, да дураку́ доста́лась.
    • Transliteration: Umnaya golova, da duraku dostalas'.
    • Translation: A clever head but given to a fool.
  • У́мные ре́чи прия́тно и слу́шать.
    • Transliteration: Umnyye rechi priyatno i slushat'.
    • Translation: A clever speech (speaker) is pleasant to listen to.
  • У́мный в го́ру не пойдёт, у́мный го́ру обойдёт.
    • Transliteration: Umnyy v goru ne poydyot, umnyy goru oboydyot.
    • Translation: A smart person will not climb a mountain; A smart person will go around it.
    • Compare: Зако́н что ды́шло, куда́ повернёшь - туда́ и вы́шло.
    • Contrast: Заста́вь дурака́ Бо́гу моли́ться - он (себе́) лоб расшибёт (и други́м но́ги поотшиба́ет).
  • У́мный лю́бит учи́ться, а дура́к учи́ть.
    • Transliteration: Umnyy lyubit uchit'sya, a durak uchit.
    • Translation: Clever person likes to learn, and the fool - to teach.
  • У семи́ ня́нек дитя́ без гла́зу.
    • Transliteration: U semi nyanek ditya bez glazu.
    • Translation: Seven nannies make a kid not looked after.
    • Moral: If too many people are working on the same project, everybody will expect that another one will do the actuall job.
    • English version: Many cooks spoil the broth.
  • Ус в честь, а борода́ и у козла́ есть.
    • Transliteration: Us v chest' a boroda i u kozla yest'
    • Translation: Moustache is respected and beard is worn even by goats.
  • Услу́жливый дура́к опа́снее врага́.
    • Transliteration: Usluzhlivyy durak opasnee vraga'
    • Translation: Complaisant fool harms worse than enemy.
  • Уста́ми младе́нца глаго́лет и́стина.
    • Transliteration: Ustami mladentsa glagolet istina
    • Translation: Truth speaks by the toddler's mouth; From the mouth of babes
    • English version: Children and fools tell the truth.
  • У стра́ха глаза́ велики́.
    • Transliteration: U strakha glaza veliki.
    • Translation: Fear has large eyes.
    • Moral: People tend to overestimate the danger when scared.
    • Compare: Не так стра́шен чёрт, как его́ малю́ют; Глаза́ боя́тся, а ру́ки де́лают
  • Утопа́ющий за соло́минку хвата́ется.
    • Transliteration: Utopayuschiy i za solominku khvatayetsya.
    • Translation: The one who sinks grips even a straw.
  • У́тро ве́чера мудрене́е.
    • Transliteration: Utro vechera mudreneye.
    • Translation: Morning is wiser than the evening.
    • Moral: One should rather make important decisions in the morning (i.e. after getting some sleep/rest) than in the evening.
    • English version: I need to sleep on it.
  • Уче́нье свет, а неуче́нье тьма.
    • Transliteration: Uchen'ye cvet, a neuchen'ye t'ma.
    • Translation: Studying is light; not studying is darkness.
    • English version: Knowledge is power.
    • Variations: "Ученье свет, а неученых тьма." (Studying is light; there are many people who don't study. It's a play on the word тьма which can mean "many" or "darkness.")
  • Учи́, пока́ поперёк ла́вки укла́дывается, а во всю вы́тянется – не нау́чишь.
    • Transliteration: Uchi, poka poperyok lavki ukladyvayetsya, a vo vsyu vytuanetsya - ne nauchish.
    • Translation: Teach[ a child], until [it can] lay across a bench, when [it] will stretch it's whole length, you'll be unable to teach[it].

Ф

[edit]
  • Федо́т, да не тот.
    • Transliteration: Fedot, da ne tot.
    • Translation: Fedot, yet not the [right] one.
    • Moral: You've mistaken him for somebody else. — Also: This is not genuine.
    • Compare: Хороша́ Ма́ша, да не на́ша.
  • Фарао́н горди́лся, да в мо́ре утопи́лся.
    • Transliteration: Faraon gordilsya, da v more utopilsya.
    • Translation: The faraoh was proud, but drowned in the sea.

Х

[edit]
  • Хвали́лся чёрт всем ми́ром владе́ть, а Бог ему́ и над свиньёй не дал вла́сти.
  • Хва́стать – не коси́ть, спина́ не боли́т.
    • Transliteration: Khvastat' - ne kosit', spina ne bolit.
    • Translation: Bragging is unlike mowing; it won't make your back ache.
    • Moral: Bragging is one thing; doing the job is another.
  • Хлеб всему́ голова́.
    • Transliteration: Khleb vsemu golova.
    • Translation: Bread is head of everything.
    • English version: Bread is the staff of life.
  • Хлеб-соль ешь, а правду-матку режь.
    • Transliteration: Khleb-sol' yesh, a pravdu-matku rezh.
    • Translations: Eat bread and salt, cut the mother truth
  • Хороша́ верёвка дли́нная, а речь коро́ткая.
    • Transliteration: Khorosha veryovka dlinnaya, a rech korotkaya.
    • Translation: Rope is good when it's long; speech is good when it's short.
  • Хороша́ дочь А́ннушка, ко́ли (когда́) хва́лит мать и ба́бушка.
    • Transliteration: Khorosha doch Annuska, koli (kogda) khvalit mat' i babushka.
    • Translation: Daughter Annuska is good, if(when) praised by her mother and granny.
  • Хороша́ Ма́ша, да не на́ша.
    • Translitertion: Khorosha Masha, da ne nasha.
    • Translation: Masha is good, but she's not ours.
  • Хоро́ший това́р сам себя́ хва́лит.
    • Translitertion: Khoroshiy tovar sam sebya khvalit.
    • Translation: Quality goods advertise themselves.
  • Хорошо тому жить, кому бабушка ворожит.
    • Transliteration: Khorosho tomu zhit', komu babushka vorozhit.
    • Translation: That one is happy, whose Grandma tells fortunes.
  • Хоть гол, да прав.
    • Transliteration: Khot' gol, da prav.
    • Translation: Naked, but right
  • Хоть горшко́м назови́, то́лько в пе́чку не ставь.
    • Transliteration: Khot' gorshkom nazovi, tolko v pechku ne stav'.
    • Translation: [You may] call [me even] a pot, just don't put [me] into the oven.
    • English version: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
  • Хоть есть не́чего, да жить ве́село.
    • Transliteration: Khot' yest' nechego, da zhit' veselo.
    • Translation: Although there's nothing to eat, life is fun.
  • Хоть кол (ему́) на голове́ теши́.
    • Transliteration: Khot' kol (yemu) na golove teshi.
    • Translation: [You could] even hew sticks on (his) head.
    • English version: He is so pig-headed; Stubborn as a mule.
  • Хо́чется ры́бку съесть, да не хо́чется в во́ду ле́зть.
    • Transliteration: Khochetsya rybky s'yest', da ne khochetsya v vodu lezt'.
    • Translation: One wants to eat a fish, but doesn't want to get to water.
    • English version: Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die
  • Христо́с терпе́л и нам веле́л.
    • Transliteration: Khristos terpel i nam velel
    • Translation: Christ endured and told us to.
  • Худу́ю траву́ с по́ля вон.
    • Transliteration: Khuduyu travu s polya von.
    • Translation: Bad grass - away from the field.
  • Ху́же нет — ждать да догоня́ть.
    • Transliteration: Khuzhe net — zhdat' da dogonyat'.
    • Translation: Nothing is worse than waiting or chasing.

Ц

[edit]
  • Це́рковь бли́зко, да идти́ скли́зко, каба́к далеко́, да идти́ легко́.
    • Transliteration: Tserkov' blizko, da idti sklizko, kabak daleko, la idti legko.
    • Translation: Church is close, but the road is slippery, pub is far, but the road is easy.
  • Цыпля́т по о́сени счита́ют.
    • Transliteration: Tsiplyat po oseni schitayut.
    • Translation: One [should] count chicks in autumn.
    • English version: Don't count your chicken before they hatched.

Ч

[edit]
  • Чай пить – не дрова́ руби́ть.
    • Transliteration: Chay pit' - ne drova rubit'.
    • Translation: Drinking tea is unlike chopping firewood.
    • Moral: Don't compare apples to oranges.
  • Час о́т часу не ле́гче.
    • Transliteration: Chas ot chasu ne legche.
    • Translation: [It is] not [getting] easier by an hour.
    • Moral: Things are changing from bad to worse.
  • Челове́к предполага́ет, а Бог располага́ет.
    • Transliteration: Chelovek predpolagayet, a Bog raspolagayet.
    • English version: Man proposes, but God disposes.
  • Чем бога́ты, тем и ра́ды.
    • Transliteration: Chem bogaty, tem i rady.
    • Translation: We are glad to have what we have.
    • English version: Half a loaf is better then none
  • Чем бы дит́я ни те́шилось, ли́шь бы не пла́кало.
    • Transliteration: Chem by ditya ni teshilos', lish by ne plakalo.
    • Translation: It doesn't matter what the kid plays with as long as [he] doesn't cry.
    • Modern mockery: Чем бы дит́я ни те́шилось, лишь бы не вешалось (It doesn't matter what the kid plays with as long as [he] doesn't hang himself.); Чем бы дит́я ни те́шилось, лишь бы в рот не брало; Чем бы дит́я ни те́шилось, лишь бы по обоюдному согласию (It doesn't matter what(whom) the kid plays with as long as it's upon mutual agreement.); Чем бы дит́я ни те́шилось, лишь бы не руками. (It doesn't matter what the kid plays with as long as it's not with [his] hand.).
  • Чем да́льше в лес, тем бо́льше дров.
    • Transliteration: Chem dal'she v les, tem bol'she drov.
    • Translation: The further into the woods, the more firewood [you'll encounter].
    • Moral: The further you get into something, the greater gain you might expect (or the more obstacles you will encounter).
    • Modern mockery: Чем да́льше в лес, тем толще партизаны; Чем да́льше в лес, тем бли́же вы́лез (wordplay on similarly sounding "в лес"/"влез").
  • Че́м чёрт не шу́тит (, пока́ Бог спит).
    • Transliteration: Chem chort ne shutit(, poka Bog spit).
    • Moral: Unexpected or unlikely things may happen sometimes; — Also: I'm willing to take this risk, as I believe (hope) the outcome will be positive.
    • See also: Была́ не была́.
  • Чему́ быть, того́ не минова́ть.
    • Transliteration: Chemu byt', tomu ne minovat'.
    • Translation: What is to be, can't be avoided.
    • Moral: Things that were meant to be, will happen no matter what.
  • Чёрного ко́беля не отмо́ешь до́бела.
    • Transliteration: Chornovo kobelya ne otmoyesh dobela.
    • Translation: [One] can't wash the black dog all the way to whiteness.
    • English version: The leopard cannot change his spots; You cannot wash charcoal white.
    • Compare: Горба́того моги́ла испра́вит; Зарека́лася лиса́ кур не ворова́ть.
  • Чесно́к и лук — от семи неду́г.
    • Transliteration: Chesnok i luk — ot semi nedug.
    • Translation: Garlic and onions [cure] seven(many) diseases.
  • Что (ни) го́род, то но́ров.
    • Transliteration: Chto (ni) gorod, to norov.
    • Translation: Another city(town) -- another temper.
  • Что за шум, а дра́ки нет?
    • Transliteration: Chto za shum, a draki net?
    • Translation: Why the racket, [if] there's no fight?
    • Moral: You're arguing way too loud for your discussion to be considered peaceful.
  • Что име́ем — не храни́м, потеря́вши — пла́чем.
    • Transliteration: Chto imeyem — ne khranim, poteryabshi — plachem.
    • Translation: What we own, we don't [safe]keep [properly]; when [we] lose [it], [we] cry.
    • English version: We never know the value of water till the well is dry.
  • Что ру́сскому здо́рово, то не́мцу(кита́йцу) сме́рть.
    • Transliteration: Chto russkomu zdorovo, to nemtsu(kitaytsu) smert'.
    • Translation: What is good to Russian, is death for German(Chinese).
    • English version: One man's medicine is other's poison.
    • Modern mockery: Что ру́сскому здо́рово, то не́мцу - кла́ссная порну́ха (What is good to Russian, is a cool porn movie for German.).
  • Что с во́зу упа́ло, то пропа́ло.
    • Transliteration: Chto s vozu upalo, to propalo.
    • Translation: What fell off the cart, is [as good as] gone.
    • Moral: If you have lost(left behind/forgotten) something, expect to never see it again.
  • Чу́ет ко́шка, чьё мя́со съе́ла.
  • Чужа́я душа́ – потёмки.
    • Transliteration: Chuzhaya dusha - potyomki.
    • Translation: Other person's soul is [in] darkness.
    • Moral: You can't know for sure what people think.
  • Чужу́ю беду́ рука́ми разведу́, а к свое́й ума́ не приложу́.
    • Transliteration: Chuzhuyu bedu rukami razvedyu, a s svoyey uma ne prilozhu.
    • Translation: [I can] push others' problem away with my hands, but can't put my [own] mind to my own one.
    • Moral: All problems seem to be easy to solve, unless they're your own.

Ш

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  • Шей да пори́ — не бу́дет пусто́й поры́.
    • Transliteration: Shey da pori — ne budet pustoy pory.
    • Translation: Sew and cut, and you'll never see idle(hungry) times.
    • Moral: (often said in embarrasment when the client changes their requirements on the fly).

Щ

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Э

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Ю

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Я

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  • Я́блоко от я́блони недалеко́ па́дает.
    • Transliteration: Yabloko ot yabloni nedaleko padayet.
    • Translation: The apple falls not so far away from the apple-tree.
    • English version: Like father like son; The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
  • Язы́к до Ки́ева доведёт.
    • Transliteration: Yazyk do Kiyeva dovedyot.
    • Literally: [Your] tongue [can] get you [all the way] to Kiev.
    • Moral: You can find your way (or learn anything) by asking people.
    • Compare: За спрос не бьют в нос.
    • Mockery: Дли́нный язы́к доведёт до Магада́на (Speaking up [blaming the authorities] too much can get you [all the way] to Magadan.)
  • Я́йца ку́рицу не у́чат.
    • Transliteration: Yaytsa kuritsu ne uchat.
    • Literally: Eggs don't teach a hen.
    • Moral: Do not give advice to somebody more experienced than you.
    • English version: Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs.
    • Modern mockery: Не учи папу трахаться. (Don't teach your own Dad how to make sex.)
  • Я не я, и ло́шадь не моя́(, и я не изво́зчик).
    • Transliteration: Ya ne ya, i loshad' ne moya(, i ya ne izvozchik) .
    • Translation: I'm not me, and [this] horse isn't mine(, and I'm not a cabman)
    • Moral: I'm denying your accusations. — Also (used in "O RLY" fashion): What you're telling me, contradicts obvious facts; You must be lying.
    • Compare: Мели́, Еме́ля — твоя́ неде́ля.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci Mertvago, P. (1996). The comparative russian-english dictionary of russian proverbs & sayings. New York, NY: Hippocrene Books.
  2. ^ http://en.wiki.x.io/wiki/Trust,_but_verify

See also

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Category:Proverbs

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