English proverbs and sayings about youth. Proverbs in English and their analogues in Russian

Hi all! As you know, sayings enrich and decorate our speech. It is not for nothing that they have been preserved from ancient times to the present day. This means that our ancestors, understanding their significance, but not knowing how to write, passed on sayings from mouth to mouth from generation to generation. Thus, sayings have become our indispensable folklore, which we use to speak metaphorically about any phenomenon in life.

Sometimes when communicating with foreigners or when corresponding on English language We want to insert this or that Russian proverb into the conversation, but having carried out its literal translation, we understand that its meaning has been completely lost. In such cases, it is necessary to find an analogue of the Russian proverb in English. Today I will try to provide English analogues and translations of the most popular Russian sayings.

And sometimes foreigners will simply not understand this or that saying for certain reasons. The fact is that a saying is a reflection of a certain national peculiarity. That is, this turn of phrase reflects the temperament, history, culture of the people, some political realities. Therefore, purely Russian metaphors will be completely incomprehensible to the English, just as for us, purely English sayings will remain a mystery, even if we find a good translation.

Here's a clear example:

Travel to Tula with your own samovar.
Then carry coals to Newcastle. (Translation: Carry coal to Newcastle)

For Americans, it is completely incomprehensible why not go to Tula with your samovar, and we don’t understand why they don’t transport coal to Newcastle. But if you understand that these are analogues, then everything falls into place. For a foreigner, it will become clear that Tula is the capital of samovars, and for a Russian, that Newcastle is the birthplace of coal. And in any language, this phrase will mean doing something useless, unnecessary.

As I already said, due to our national characteristics some Russian sayings will not be understandable to those who communicate in English, even with very good translation. Therefore, it is necessary to select appropriate analogues in their native language if you want to convey a certain thought to your interlocutor, veiling it under a beautiful turn of phrase.

For example, the famous Russian expression "A bargain is a bargain" in English will find an analogue in the phrase “ “A bargain is a bargain” what is translated "A deal is a deal."

Check out some more examples:

Naked sheep are not sheared
A beggar can never be bankrupt. (Translation: A poor man never goes bankrupt)

The word is not hard - it doesn’t hit the forehead
Hard words break no bones. (Translation: A strong word does not break bones)

You can't spoil porridge with oil
Plenty is no plague. (Translation: Abundance is not a problem)

Pan, or it's gone!
Sink or swim! (Translation: Sink or swim!)

Shearing a naked sheep.
Then flog a dead horse. (Translation: Whipping a dead horse)

Download more Analogues of Russian sayings in English

As you can see, the British and Americans use completely different words and phrases to convey any phenomenon of life than the Slavs. However, the meaning remains the same. This suggests that all humanity, all nations and all civilizations, no matter what language they speak, are concerned with the same eternal problems: friendship, trust, wealth, labor, human stupidity, etc.

How will it be in English...

There are also sayings in Russian, the translation of which is identical or very similar to English expression. And then there is no need to look for analogues, it is enough to simply find a competent translation that will fully show what this expression means. Therefore, be very careful when you want to insert this or that figurative metaphor into your speech, think about whether the meaning of the phrase will be clear to a foreigner in his native language.

For example, such Russian sayings will be clear to native English speakers if the correct translation is made:

A rolling stone gathers no moss
A rolling stone gathers no moss

The best type of defense is offense
Best defense is attack

In death everyone is equal
Death is the great leveler

Easy Come Easy Go
Easy come, easy go

Talk less, work more
Least said, soonest mended

Download more Russian sayings with translation to English

If you cannot find an analogue in English, and the meaning of the phrase is lost during translation, then try to find a saying with a similar meaning in Russian, and then try to translate it again. Try not to use metaphors with a pronounced Russian flavor, as they are not understandable to foreigners: Senka’s hat is not right, Trishkin’s caftan, Pancakes are boring even then, The spool is small.

Don’t be afraid to use proverbs, sayings, and quotes in English in your speech. Enrich and decorate your speech with stable expressions, phrases, synonyms, metaphors. Even if you say a phrase incorrectly, you will be asked again or corrected. And knowing at least something and correcting mistakes is much better than knowing nothing and doing nothing.

Therefore, I wish you fruitful and successful activities in any area of ​​your life! Learn, develop, work on yourself! Bye!

Found in books, especially in journalism and fiction. Native speakers may use them without noticing. That’s why “communication formulas” (formulaic language) are convenient because they serve as convenient templates with which you can easily express a thought.

Read also:

Difficulties in translating sayings and proverbs

Speaking about the meaning of proverbs, sayings, idioms, riddles, puns and other works of oral folk art, which are not to be taken literally, the term “equivalent” is usually preferred rather than “translation”.

Some sayings can be translated literally, and their translation will be an exact equivalent of the original: Better late than never - Better late than never. But this is a rather rare case. Often it is better not to translate literally, but to select an equivalent from the Russian language. For example:

• In English: Rome wasn’t built in a day.
• Literal translation into Russian: Rome was not built in a day.

In films and literature, when a hero uses a saying, it is often translated as the context requires. Sometimes it is better to translate literally than to take the equivalent from Russian folklore. For example, there is an English proverb “Curiosity killed a cat” - “curiosity killed the cat.” The equivalent can be considered “the curious Varvara’s nose was torn off at the market,” since the meaning is, in general, the same.

But if in a film about a British spy, one MI6 agent reminds another that “curiosity killed a cat,” the remark about Varvara will be inappropriate, it is better to translate it literally or replace it with a suitable expression that conveys the meaning.

Below are 53 popular sayings and proverbs in English. The first 10 are translated literally without any tricks. The remaining 40 are given literal translations and equivalents.

Sayings and proverbs in English that are translated literally

1. Don’t judge a book by its cover.

• Do not judge a book by its cover; Not all that glitters is gold.

2. Strike while the iron is hot.

• Strike while the iron is hot.

3.Better late than never.

• Better late than never.

4. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

• Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

5. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

• Don't put all your eggs in one basket; Don't put everything on one card.

6.My hands are tied.

• My hands are tied.

7. It’s the tip of the iceberg.

• This is the tip of the iceberg.

8.Easy come, easy go.

• Easy Come Easy Go; as it came, so it went; God gave, God took.

9. The forbidden fruit is always the sweetest.

• The forbidden fruit is always sweet.

10. You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.

• You can't make scrambled eggs without breaking eggs.

Proverbs and sayings in English with Russian equivalents

11. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

• Literally: the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
• Equivalent: it’s good where we are not.

12. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

• Literally: when you are in Rome, do everything as the Romans do.
• Equivalent: they don’t go to someone else’s monastery with their own rules.

13. Don’t make a mountain out of an anthill.

• Literally: don’t make a mountain out of an anthill.
• Equivalent: don't make a mountain out of a molehill.

14. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

• Literally: an apple a day, and you don't need a doctor.
• Equivalent: onion for seven ailments.

15. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

• Literally: Rome was not built in a day.
• Equivalent: Moscow was not built right away.

16. You made your bed, now you have to lie in it.

• Literally: you make the bed, sleep on it.
• Equivalent: whoever made the mess, it’s up to him to sort it out.

17. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

• Literally: don't count your chickens before they hatch.
• Equivalent: chickens are counted in the fall.

18. Money doesn’t grow on trees.

• Literally: money doesn't grow on trees.
• Equivalent: Money doesn't grow on trees; there is no money lying around on the street.

In Russian, you can say about anything “... it’s not lying on the road (street),” not only about money.

19. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

• Literally: too many cooks spoil the broth (soup).
• Equivalent: seven nannies have a child without an eye.

This refers to a situation where too many people are working on one thing, interfering with each other.

20. Many hands make light work.

• Literally: many hands make light work.
• Equivalent: tackle together - it won’t be too heavy; when there are many hands, the work gets done.

21. Honesty is the best policy.

• Literally: honesty is the best strategy (policy).
• Equivalent: Honesty is the best strategy; the secret becomes apparent; murder will out.

22. Practice makes perfect.

• Literally: practice makes perfect.
• Equivalent: practice makes perfect; repetition is the mother of learning; practice makes perfect.

23. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

• Literally: where there is a will, there is a way.
• Equivalent: whoever wants, will achieve it; If there is a desire, there will be a way.

24.Look before you leap.

• Literally: look before you leap.
• Equivalent: if you don’t know the ford, don’t stick your nose into the water.

It's funny that there is a saying that contradicts this one: He who hesitates is lost. - He who hesitates loses.

25. Beggars can’ t be choosers.

• Literally: poor people don't get to choose.
• Equivalent: Poor people don't have to choose; I wouldn't live to be fat.

26. The early bird catches the worm.

• Literally: the early bird catches the worm.
• Equivalent: whoever gets up early, God provides; who gets up early, good luck awaits him.

27. The cat is out of the bag.

• Literally: the cat got out of the bag.
• Equivalent: the secret has become apparent; the cards are revealed.

28. He who laughs last, laughs longest.

• Literally: he who laughs last laughs longest.
• Equivalent: He who laughs last laughs best.

29. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

• Literally: better safe than sorry.
• Equivalent: measure seven times - cut once.

30. Old habits die hard.

• Literally: old habits die hard.
• Equivalent: habit is second nature; Old habits are hard to break.

31. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.

• Literally: don't bite off more than you can chew.
• Equivalent: Don't take more than you can take; Don't bite off more than you can chew.

32. Actions speak louder than words.

• Literally: actions speak louder than words.
• Equivalent: people are judged not by words, but by deeds.

33. It takes two to tango.

• Literally: tango is danced together.
• Equivalent: in a quarrel, both are always to blame.

This is usually what they say about quarreling people. It is impossible to start a quarrel alone, just as it is impossible to dance tango alone.

34. It’s no use crying over spilled milk.

• Literally: there is no use crying over spilled milk.
• Equivalent: what's done is done.

35. Lost time is never found again.

• Literally: lost time is never found again.
• Equivalent: lost time cannot be regained.

36. A rolling stones gathers no moss.

• Literally: no moss grows on a rolling stone.
• Equivalent: whoever can’t sit still will not make a fortune.

In Russian there is similar saying“water does not flow under a lying stone,” but it cannot be called an equivalent, because the meaning is very different. Its essence is that a person needs to work to achieve something, and the meaning English proverb another: a person who constantly changes occupations, places (rolling stone) will not make good (moss).

3 7 . First things first.

• Literally: the main things come first.
• Equivalent: first things first; First things first; First of all - airplanes.

3 8 . Still waters run deep.

• Literally: still waters have deep currents.
• Equivalent: there are devils in still waters; someone else's soul is darkness.

Both equivalents do not accurately convey the essence of the saying. What this means is that just because a person doesn't talk much doesn't mean he doesn't have deep thoughts.

39. If it is not broke, don’t fix it.

• Literally: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
• Equivalent: it works - don’t touch it; don't touch it, otherwise you'll break it; best the enemy of the good.

40 . Curiosity killed the cat.

• Literally: curiosity killed the cat.
• Equivalent: curious Varvara’s nose was torn off at the market; curiosity brings no good.

41. Learn to walk before you run.

• Literally: learn to walk before you run.
• Equivalent: not all at once; everything has its turn.

42. Do a little well and you do much.

• Literally: do a little well and you will do a lot.
• Equivalent: less is more.

43. Out of sight, out of mind.

• Literally: out of sight, out of mind.
• Equivalent: out of sight, out of mind.

44. If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.

• Literally: if you scratched my back, I'll scratch yours.
• Equivalent: do good and it will come back to you.

45. Ignorance is bliss.

• Literally: ignorance is a blessing.
• Equivalent: ignorance is bliss; the less you know the better you sleep.

46. ​​Every cloud has a silver lining.

• Literally: every cloud has a silver lining.
• Equivalent: every cloud has a silver lining.

47 . Close but no cigar.

• Literally: close, but not a cigar.
• Equivalent: almost, but by; barely counts.

Cigars were traditional prizes in games at fairs. “Close but no cigar” means that you played well, but did not win.

48. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

• Literally: you can't have your cake and eat it too.
• Equivalent: you can't sit on two chairs.

49. Don’t cross the bridge until you come to it.

• Literally: do not cross the bridge before reaching it.
• Equivalent: everything has its turn; solve problems as they arise.

50. Lend your money and lose your friend.

• Literally: borrow money and you will lose a friend.
• Equivalent: to give a loan is to lose friendship.

51. A picture is worth a thousand words.

• Literally: a picture is worth a thousand words.
• Equivalent: it is better to see once than to hear a hundred times.

52. Birds of a feather flock together.

• Literally: birds of the same color stick together.
• Equivalent: a fisherman sees a fisherman from afar; suit is matched to suit; his reluctant brother.

53. No man is an island.

• Literally: a person is not an island.
• Equivalent: alone in the field is not a warrior.

The equivalent is not entirely accurate. It is implied that a person cannot be alone, he by nature is part of a larger one. The expression appears in the epigraph to Hemingway’s novel “For Whom the Bell Tolls” (an excerpt from a sermon by the 17th century English poet and priest John Donne):

“There is no person who would be like an Island, in itself, every person is part of the Continent, part of the Land; and if a wave carries the coastal cliff into the sea, Europe will become smaller, and the same if the edge of the cape is washed away or your castle or your friend is destroyed; the death of every Man diminishes me too, for I am one with all Mankind, and therefore do not ask for whom the bell tolls: it tolls for You.”

“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of your friend’s or of thine own were. Any man's death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for them."

Proverbs and sayings have become so firmly established in our lives that they have practically “dissolved” in it. And now we weave apt phrases into our speech, rarely thinking about their wording. Because a proverb is a ready-made “formula” of thought, with deep meaning and polished form. These are English proverbs and sayings. Over their centuries-old history, they have achieved perfect accuracy of every thought expressed. Especially if you take into account your unique view of the world. Therefore, now we have English proverbs for any situation and area of ​​life: be it friendship, family, work and other important circumstances.

There are even proverbs about English in the English language! And this, in general, is not surprising, since it concerns such an important and voluminous area of ​​life. And so in every language, in every culture, proverbs reflect the accumulated invaluable experience of generations. Therefore, you can almost always find the equivalent of proverbs in different languages. In this article we will definitely consider not only best proverbs about friendship, about family, about life and discuss their meaning, but also find an English analogue of a proverb familiar in Russian.

Proverbs in English with translation into Russian

If so, then we’ll start right away with familiar plots. More precisely, not like that: let's start by looking for familiar plots and ideas among English proverbs. To do this, we looked for proverbs in English that have direct Russian analogues. That's what came out of it:

It's funny to watch how similar thoughts are embodied in different languages ​​into those realities that are understandable to one or another people. For example, where Russian wisdom mentions a “black dog,” the English equivalent of the proverb speaks of a leopard, which Russian storytellers simply could not see.

English proverbs and their meaning

The meaning of proverbs in English lies not only in the transmission of folk wisdom, reflection cultural achievements and other abstract formulations that we so often encounter in textbooks. In fact, you can find much more useful for real life application of proverbs in English. It's about expanding your vocabulary.

The use of proverbs in English is a sign of a developed vocabulary and fairly fluent command of the language. This means that you can not only express a certain thought, but also creatively play with it. There are several advantages of knowing proverbs and sayings:

• development of spoken language in addition to the techniques and training that we wrote about in.
• a deeper understanding of the plots of books in English and audiobooks (with our recommendations).
• free perception and without.

Original English proverbs

Despite the similar meaning of many proverbs, there are completely original sayings that cannot be found in any other language. This is all the more interesting and helps in learning a foreign language and culture in general. We found the following proverbs in English:

• If you can't be good - be careful (Be careful if you can't be good). Obviously, the point here is to behave carefully when you need to do something wrong, and at least not to cause harm to yourself or others. This proverb does not have a Russian analogue, but there is an analogue in Latin: “Si non caste, tamen caute” (if not chastely, then at least carefully).
• A volunteer is worth twenty pressed men (One volunteer is worth twenty forced ones). This proverb also has no direct analogue in Russian culture, but we can understand it this way: sincere desire and enthusiasm can achieve more than completing a task without interest and desire.
• Suffering for a friend double friendship (Suffering for a friend doubles the friendship). Please note that this is not about helping out a friend or remaining friends despite any problems. Namely, about empathizing, sympathizing with a friend and even experiencing his grief as your own.
• Don't keep a dog and bark yourself (Don't get a dog if you bark yourself). Apparently, the proverb speaks of the importance of delegation of authority, in other words, that you do not need to fulfill other people's duties (for example, your subordinates).
• Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery (Imitation is the most sincere flattery). There’s not even anything to add here, this remark is so apt and eloquent.
• It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness (It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness). That is, it is better to do at least something to correct the situation than to sit back and complain.
• Money talks (The money speaks for itself). That is, money decides everything. This is more of a saying than a proverb. And, contrary to popular belief, its translation into Russian is not an analogue at all, but a later borrowing.

Friends are made in wine and proven in tears

Translation: Friendship is born in wine and tested in tears. You can recall several Russian proverbs, the meaning of which fits into this one laconic statement. If you know other expressive English proverbs, we will be very glad to see them in the comments!

English proverbs, sayings and idiomatic expressions English and their analogues in Russian.

Proverb in English
"A Heart of Gold!" - Golden heart!" Proverb this is a phrase, reflecting some phenomenon of life. Proverb this is a complete sentence, also reflecting life phenomenon. Proverbs and sayings are idioms and cannot be translated literally. When translating an English proverb or saying, it is necessary to choose one that is suitable in meaning and meaning. Idiom is a set phrase or phrase which cannot be divided into parts or words, since it carries meaning and significance precisely in the form in which it is used. Set (idiomatic) expressions are present in any language and bear the imprint of cultural and historical development people.

Proverbs and sayings

A friend in need is a friend indeed. - Friend is known in trouble.

All is well that ends well. - All is well that ends well.

East or West, home is best. - Being a guest is good, but being at home is better.

He laughs best who laughs last. - He who laughs last laughs best.

One swallow doesn't make a summer - One swallow does not make spring.

The devil is not so black as he is painted. - The devil is not as scary as he is painted.

There is no smoke without fire. - There is no smoke without fire.

Two heads are better than one. - A mind is good, but two are better.

Laughter is the best medicine. - Laughter is the best healer.

The exception proves the rule. - There are no rules without exceptions.

After dinner comes the reckoning. - If you love to ride, you also love to carry sleds.

Nothing succeeds like success. - Success promotes success.

Silence gives consent. - Silent means consent.

Extremes meet. - Extremes meet.

A great ship asks deep waters. - A big ship has a long voyage.

Tastes differ. - Tastes could not be discussed.

Wise men learn by other men's mistakes, fools by their own. - Smart people Fools learn from other people's mistakes, but fools learn from their own.

Birds of a feather flock together. - Birds of a feather flock together.

Empty vessels make the greatest noise. - Empty vessels make the greatest sound.

The rotten apple injures its neighbors. - Rotten apple injures its neighbors.

A good beginning makes a good ending. - Down and Out trouble started.
Down and Out trouble started. This Russian proverb can be interpreted as follows: Starting any business is difficult, but later it will be easier.

Fortune favors the bold. - Cheek brings success.

Practice makes perfect. - The master's work is afraid.

Necessity is the mother of invention. - The need for invention is cunning.

Praise makes good men better and bad men worse. - From praise good people get better, and bad ones get worse.

Appetite comes with eating. - Appetite comes with eating.

Curses, like the chickens returned home. - Don't dig a hole for someone else, you will fall into it yourself.

Every cook praises his own broth. - There is nothing like leather.

Little strokes fell great oaks. - Patience and a little effort.

One nail drives out another. - Fight fire with fire.

Bad news travel fast. - Bad news comes faster than good news.

Second thoughts are best. - Seven times measure cut once.

A Heart of Gold! - Golden heart!

The following English proverbs and sayings can be compared with several versions of Russian proverbs.

A burnt child dreads the fire.

1. The frightened crow is afraid of the bush.
2. If you burn yourself on milk, you will blow on water.

The early bird catches the worm.

1. Good luck awaits those who get up early.
2. Whoever gets up early, God gives him.
3. The early bird cleans its sock, the late bird opens its eyes.

Proverbs and sayings that require explanation.

Charity begins at home. In Great Britain this idiom is interpreted as follows:

You should take care of your family and others people who live close to you before helping people who are living further away or in another country. - You should take care of your family and other people who live near you before helping people who live further away or in another country.

Proverbs and sayings are short but meaningful statements that reflect some worldly wisdom or advice. A proverb is a complete sentence, and a saying is a brightly colored phrase. They are much more common in everyday speech than they might seem. This is because sometimes we use them almost unconsciously. Many of them are very laconic and literally roll off the tongue in certain situations.

Why is it important to know English proverbs and sayings?

1. It's just interesting. They reflect the worldview of the people, their culture, and this aspect is very important for a language learner.
2. When communicating in English in real life, we often support our words with some examples and arguments, and proverbs are something that is very difficult to argue with, because they are pearls of worldly wisdom.
3. If you use a particular proverb appropriately in an English exam, you will definitely improve your score.

Look at how an example of an answer with a proverb to a simple question sounds:

Examiner : Tell me about you home town?

Candidate 1 : My home town is N. It is small but beautiful and I like it very much.

Candidate 2 : My home town is N. It is small but beautiful and, you know, people say there’s no place like home. I believe it's really so...

Examiner: Tell me about your hometown.

Candidate 1: My hometown– N. It’s small, but beautiful, and I really like it.

Candidate 2: My hometown is N. It is small, but beautiful, and you know, they say that visiting is good, but home is better. I think this is really true...

We bring to your attention 10 proverbs and sayings that are very popular both in English and Russian:

This video presents some of the above proverbs with additional explanation and examples:

And finally, we suggest you take a short test to consolidate the material.

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Proverbs and sayings in English for every day