Russian English proverbs. English proverbs and sayings

Proverbs and sayings in English for primary schoolchildren

English provers and sayings

English proverbs and sayings and their Russian analogues, corresponding to them in meaning

English proverbs and sayings:

1. A bad corn promise is better than a good lawsuit.

2. A bargain is a bargain.

3. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

4. A bird may be known by its song.

5. A burden of one's own choice is not felt.

6. A burnt child dreads the fire.

7. A cat in gloves catches no mice.

8. A drop in the bucket.

9. A fault confessed is half redressed.

10. A fly in the ointment.

11. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

12. A great ship asks deep waters.

13. A little body often harbors a great soul.

14. A man can do no more than he can.

15. A man is known by the company he keeps.

16. A new broom sweeps clean.

17. A silent fool is counted wise.

18. A sound mind in a sound body.

19. A thief knows a thief as a wolf knows a wolf.

20. A word spoken is past recalling.

21. After dinner comes the reckoning.

22. All that glitters is not gold.

23. All cats are gray in the dark.

24. All is well that ends well.

25. Among the blind the one-eyed man is king.

26. An evil chance rarely comes alone.

27. An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening.

28. An ox is taken by the horns, and a man by the tongue.

29. Appetite comes with eating.

30. As like as two peas.

31. As the call, so the echo.

32. As the fool thinks, so the bell clinks.

33. As well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb.

34. As you sow, so shall you reap.

35. Before you make a friend eat a bushel of salt with him.

36. Better a lean peace than a fat victory.

37. Better to be born lucky than rich.

38. Better late than never.

39. Between the cup and the lip a morsel may slip.

40. Beware of a silent dog and still water.

41. Business before pleasure.

42. Catch the bear before you sell his skin.

43. Circumstances alter cases.

44. Company in distress makes trouble less.

45. Cross the stream where it is shallowest.

46. ​​Curses like chickens come home to roost.

47. Death when it comes will have no denial.

48. Diligence is the mother of success.

49. Do as you would be done by.

50. Dog does not eat dog.

51. Dogs that put up many harms kill none.

52. Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.

53. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

54. Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.

55. Drunkenness reveals what soberness conceals.

56. East or West - home is best.

57. Every bird likes its own nest.

58. Every dark cloud has a silver lining.

59. Every day is not Sunday.

60. Every man to his taste.

61. Everybody's business is nobody's business.

62. Everything is good in its season.

63. Evil communications corrupt good manners.

64. Fine words butter no parsnips.

65. Fish begins to stink at the head.

66. Fool's haste is no speed.

67. Fools never know when they are well.

68. Forbidden fruit is sweet.

69. Give a fool rope enough, and he will hang himself.

70. Good clothes open all doors.

71. Grasp all, lose all.

72. Habit cures habit.

73. He is lifeless that is faultless.

Russian equivalent of English proverbs and sayings

1. A bad peace is better than a good quarrel.

2. An agreement is more valuable than money.

3. Better a bird in the hand than a pie in the sky.

4. The bird is visible in flight.

5. You can’t bear your own burden.

6. If you burn yourself on milk, you will blow on water.

7. You can’t even pull a fish out of the pond without difficulty.

8. A drop in the sea.

9. The sword does not cut off a guilty head.

10. A fly in the ointment.

11. Friends are known in trouble.

12. big ship- great swimming.

13. The spool is small, but expensive.

14. You can’t jump above your head.

15. Tell me who your friend is and I will tell you who you are.

16. The new broom sweeps well.

17. Keep quiet - you’ll pass for smart.

18. A healthy mind in a healthy body.

19. A fisherman sees a fisherman from afar.

20. The word is not a sparrow; if it flies out, you won’t catch it.

21. If you love to ride, you also love to carry sleds.

22. All that glitters is not gold.

23. At night all cats are gray.

24. All's well that ends well.

25. In the absence of fish and cancer, fish.

26. Trouble has come, open the gate.

27. The morning is wiser than the evening.

28. My tongue is my enemy.

29. Appetite comes with eating.

30. Like two peas in a pod.

31. As it comes back, so will it respond.

32. The law is not written for fools.

33. Seven troubles - one answer.

34. What goes around comes around.

35. You recognize a person when you eat a peck of salt with him.

36. A bad peace is better than a good quarrel.

37. Don’t be born beautiful, but be born happy.

38. Better late than never.

39. Don’t say “gop” until you jump over.

40. There are devils in still waters.

41. Time for business, time for fun.

42. Without killing a bear, do not sell the skins.

43. Don’t think ahead.

44. Even death is red in the world.

45. If you don’t know the ford, don’t poke your nose into the water.

46. ​​Don’t dig a hole for someone else, you will fall into it yourself.

47. You can’t buy yourself out of death.

48. Patience and work will grind everything down.

49. What you don’t want for yourself, don’t do to someone else.

50. A raven will not peck out a crow’s eye.

51. If you chase two hares, you won’t catch either.

52. Chickens are counted in the fall.

53. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

54. Don’t wake up the trouble while it’s quiet.

55. What is on the sober mind is on the tongue of the drunk.

56. It’s good to be away, but it’s better to be at home.

57. Every sandpiper praises its swamp.

58. Every cloud has a silver lining.

59. Not everything is Maslenitsa for the cat.

60. For taste, for color - there is no comrade.

61. Seven nannies have a child without an eye.

62. Everything has its time.

A bargain is a bargian. - A bargain is a bargain.

A cracked bell can never sound well.- A broken bell never rings. (Old age is not a joy).

A good example is the best sermon.- A good example is the best sermon.

A friend in court is better than a penny in purse.- An influential friend is worth more than money. (Don’t have a hundred rubles, but have a hundred friends).

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

A little help is worth a deal of pity. - Small help better than big regrets.

A man is known by the company he keeps.- Tell me who your friend is, and I will tell you who you are.

A stitch in time saves nine. - One stitch done on time is worth nine. (A spoon is on its way to dinner).

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.- Feelings grow stronger in separation.

Barking dogs rarely bite. - Barking dogs rarely bite. (He who threatens a lot does little harm.)

Better an open enemy than a false friend.- Better a good enemy than a false friend.

Better a new friend than an old foe.- Better new friend than the old enemy.

Eggs can't teach a hen. - Eggs don't teach a chicken.

Fling dirt enough and some will stick.- Throw enough dirt and some of it will stick. (Slander is like coal: if it doesn’t burn, it gets dirty).

Get anything given - run being beaten.- They give - take, they hit - run.

No man is a hero to his valet.- No one is a hero in the eyes of his servant.

Once bitten, twice shy. - Once bitten, he is doubly timid. (The frightened crow is afraid of the bush).

Pride goes before a fall. - Pride comes before a fall. (The devil was proud, but fell from heaven).

The devil is not so black as he is painted.- The devil is not as scary as he is painted. (The lion is not as scary as he is portrayed).

The first wealth is health. - Health is the main wealth.

(There is) now smoke without fire.- There is no smoke without fire.

You can't serve two masters. - You cannot serve two masters.

Proverbs and sayings in English.

A dog in the manger. - The dog is in the manger. Dog in the manger.

A good name is better than riches. - Good fame is better than wealth.

A word is enough to wise. - A word is enough for a smart person. A smart person hears right away.

All sugar and honey. - All made of sugar and honey. Sugar Medovich (about a sugary, insincere person.).

An Englishman’s home (house) is his castle. - An Englishman's home is his fortress; An Englishman is the master at home.

As slippery as an eel. - Slippery like an eel (quirky).

Better late than never. - Better late than never.

Charity begins at home. - Mercy begins at home. Your shirt is closer to your body.

Custom is a second nature. - Habit is second nature.

Fortune favors the brave. - Fortune favors the brave.

Politeness goes far, yet costs nothing. - Politeness is highly valued, but it costs nothing.

Still waters run deep. - Quiet waters have deep currents. Still waters run deep.

To take to something like a duck to water. - Like a fish in water.

To wear one"s heart upon one"s sleeve. - Wear your heart on your sleeve. The soul is wide open.

Two heads are better than one. - One head it's good, but two better.

You can't serve two masters. - You cannot serve two masters.

Proverbs and sayings in English about home.

English Proverbs and Sayings about House.

Burn not house to rid it of the mouse. - Don't burn down your house to get rid of a mouse.

East or West, home is best. - Whether it’s East or West, home is better.

Keep a thing seven years and you will find a use for it. - Keep the thing for seven years, and you will be able to benefit from it. (After all, any thing can come in handy.)

People who live in glass houses should never throw stones. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. (Don't cut the branch you're sitting on).

There is no place like home. - (Native) home is the most the best place. Being a guest is good, but being at home is better.

Proverbs and sayings in English about health.

English Proverbs and Sayings about Health.

A sound mind in a sound body. - In a healthy body healthy mind.

Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. -Whoever goes to bed early and gets up early will gain health, wealth and intelligence.

Fit as a fiddle. - Healthy as a bull.

Health is better than wealth. - Health is the best wealth.

One hour's sleep before midnight is worth two after. - An hour of sleep before midnight is worth two after.

One man's meat is another man's poison. - What is food for one is poison for another.

Health is not valued till sickness comes. - Health is not valued as long as you are healthy.

Prevention is better than cure. - It is better to prevent a disease than to treat it.

Proverbs and sayings in English about travel.

English Proverbs and Sayings about Traveling.

Every country has its customs. - Each country has its own customs. The city is noisy.

So many countries, so many customs. - There are so many countries, so many customs.

To carry coals to Newcastle. - Transport coal to Newcastle. Travel to Tula with your own samovar.

When at Rome, do as Romans do. - When you are in Rome, do as the Romans do. They don’t go to someone else’s monastery with their own rules.

Proverbs and sayings in English about food.

English Proverbs and Sayings about Food.

I am as hungry as a hunter. - I'm hungry as a wolf.

A hungry belly has no ears. - A hungry belly is deaf to learning.

An apple a day the doctor away. - An apple a day - and you don't need a doctor.

Appetite comes with eating. - Appetite comes with eating. Don’t live to eat, but eat to live. - Don't live to eat, but eat to live.

Eat at pleasure, drink with measure. - Eat plenty, (and) drink in moderation.

Hunger breaks stone walls. - Hunger breaks even stone walls; need will teach you everything.

Hunger is the best sauce. – Hunger is the best seasoning.

One man's meat is another man's poison. - What is food for one is poison for another.

Tastes differ. - Tastes could not be discussed.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. - To find out what the pudding is like, you need to taste it (everything is tested by practice).

Too many cooks spoil the broth. - Too many cooks spoil the broth, (Seven nannies have a child without an eye).

You can’t eat your cake and have it too. - You can’t have your cake and eat it at the same time (you can’t do mutually exclusive things).

Who has never tasted bitter, knows not what is sweet. - Anyone who has never tasted bitter does not know what sweet is.

Proverbs in English about work. Work.

A light purse is a heavy curse. - The worst of all troubles is when there is no money.

A rolling stone gathers no moss. - Anyone who can’t sit still won’t make any good.

An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening. - One morning hour is better than two evening hours. The morning is wiser than the evening.

Business before pleasure. - It's time for fun.

By fits and starts. - Jerks; convulsively; irregularly.

If you want a thing well done, do it yourself. - If you want something done well, do it yourself. Your eye is a diamond.

It is never too late to learn. - It's never too late to learn.

Jack of all trades and master of none. - A person who undertakes everything, but knows how to do nothing.

Live and learn. - Live and learn. Live and learn.

Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. - Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

No pain, no gain. - You can’t catch a fish from a pond without difficulty.

To be busy as a bee. - Spinning like a squirrel in a wheel.

To know everything is to know nothing. To know everything is to know nothing.

To know something like the palm of one’s hand. - Have at one's fingertips.

To work with the left hand. - Work carelessly. Work with your left hand.

Well begun is half done. - Well started is half done.

Where there's a will, there's a way. - Where there is a desire, there is a way (i.e. a means). Where there is will, there is ability.

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 in English, we want to insert this or that Russian proverb into the conversation, but having carried out its literal translation, we understand that its meaning is 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, they will remain a mystery purely english sayings, 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 the 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!

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 look at not only the best proverbs about friendship, about family, about life and discuss their meaning, but also find an English analogue of a proverb that is 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:

English proverb	Translation into Russian	Russian analogue of the proverb
A cat in gloves catches no mice	A cat with gloves won't catch mice	You can’t even pull a fish out of a pond without difficulty.
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link	A chain is only as strong as its weakest link	Where it’s thin, that’s where it breaks.
A change is as good as a rest	Change is as good as rest.	Best vacation– change of type of activity.
A friend in need is a friend indeed	A friend in need is a friend indeed.	A friend in need is a friend indeed.
A good beginning makes a good ending	Gets off to a good start happy end	Down and Out trouble started
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step	A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.	The one who walks will master the road
A leopard cannot change its spots	A leopard cannot change its spots.	Leopard change his spots. A black dog cannot be washed white.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing	Knowing little is dangerous	Half-knowledge is worse than ignorance.
A little of what you fancy does you good	A little treat goes a long way	Anything is possible, just be careful.
A new broom sweeps clean	The new broom sweeps cleanly.	A new broom sweeps in a new way.

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 conveying folk wisdom, reflection of cultural achievements and other abstract formulations that we so often find in textbooks. In fact, you can find much more useful for real life application of proverbs in English. It's about about expanding 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 colloquial speech 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.

So we are definitely in favor of learning proverbs, especially about friendship, family and other fundamental concepts.

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!