«V tihom omute cherty vodyatsya»

(Literal translation «In calm whirlpool do live demons»)

We say this proverb to describe somebodies character and to underline that inside calm and pleasant character and soul may hide unpredictable, spontaneous behavior, which may be sometimes aggressive or evil. We also use this expression to prevent our friends from having affairs with people we don’t trust. Foreign analogue is «Still waters run deep».

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«Vsyo do svadbi zazhivyot»

(Literal translation «Before the wedding will hill»)

Parents often tell their children this adage to calm them when they get injured. It means that everything will be ok in the future; there is no need to worry or getting upset about something. Foreign similar expression is «What doesn’t kill makes stronger».

 

«Baba s vozu - kobile legche»

(Literal translation «It's easier for the horse when the woman is off the cart»)

According to Russian legend one woman was very unhappy to seat in the cart and was all the way complaining that she is feeling uncomfortable. When her husband became tired of her caprice he forced her walk at home on foot by her own. This expression means it will be much better for everybody when he or she leaves in particular if somebody is very annoying. Foreign expression is «That’s good riddance to bad rubbish».

 

«Blizok lokot’ da ne ukusish»

(Literal translation «Elbow is near, but you can't bite it»)

If something is near it doesn’t mean that you can get it. We say this adage to underline that despite all optimism people should be realists and understand that some things need to work with even if they are too close. Foreign equivalent is «You cannot touch your eye with your elbow».

 

«Shila v meshke ne utaish»

(Literal translation «You can't hide an awl in a sack»)

Awl will cut a sack and you will find it. You can’t hide the truth. Russians say this expression to prevent somebody of lying or hiding the truth. We also use this proverb when the truth goes out to highlight that it is never a good idea to play undercover and that it is impossible to hide obvious. Foreign version is «Fire cannot be hidden in a straw».

 

«U strakha glaza veliki»

(Literal translation «Fear has big eyes»)

Russians believe that sometimes people see danger where, in reality, there is nothing serious. It is a motivating expression that helps overcome fear and hesitation. We also have two similar proverbs:

«Ne tak strashen tchyort kak ego maluut» (The devil is not so black as he is painted)

and

«Volkov boyatsya – v les ne hodit’» (If you afraid of wolfs it doesn’t mean that you should not go to forests).

Foreign analogues are «Don't cry out before you are hurt» and « the fear's greater than the reason for it».

 

«Tishe edesh dalshe budesh»

(Literal translation «Fair and softly goes far»)

This means if you do something carefully, wisely and without hurry you will obtain good results. Russians use this proverb to justify their slowness in some actions. Foreign analogue is «Slow and steady wins the race».

 

«Moya hata s krau»

(Literal translation «My house is at the end of the village»)

This means it’s not my business. I have no interest in affairs, quarrels, disputes between you and others. Russians say this proverb when they don’t want to intervene in some affairs want to remain neutral.

Foreign analogues are «not my backyard» or «I am not my brother's keeper».

 

«Lutche sinitsa v rukah thcem juravl’ v nebe»

(Literal translation «A puffer in the hand is better than a crane in the sky»)

What we have already is much better than some opportunities that we may never get. There is no need to take a risk for something if risk is too strong and if we have something to loose. We use this proverb to prevent ourselves from additional actions that may bring no result and make us loose what we have. This adage is against greediness. Foreign analogue is «better an egg today than a hen tomorrow».

 

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