Dear found this site, lingua junkie, that explains some Russian sayings/proverbs that we have found humorous.
They happened to have one of my favorites that I’ve quoted over the years.
До сва́дьбы заживёт.
English pronunciation: Do svadbi zazhivyot.
Literal meaning: It’ll heal before your wedding.
This idiom is used for cuts, bruises and other petty things that kids will cry about. Parents say this, because, you know, for kids – a wedding is still very much far off. Unless you’re arranged to be married at the age of 10, then that just sucks.
Vocab:
свадьба – svad’ba – wedding
зажить – zazhit – to heal
Do you have any favorite sayings or proverbs?
I have two disgusting scars on either side of my right wrist the result of a smashed arm that required rods and pins to put it all back together. My first comment coming out of surgery was, “No one will marry me now.” Ha! My parents thought it was very funny, but they could have used this expression. In fact, as I recall, no adults had any words of comfort regarding any of my childhood concerns. I do recall a lot of laughter. Only thing is I wasn’t laughing. This is a revelation to me…I am going to put it to good use. 😁
Vee, I have some disgusting scars myself. Enjoy the saying!
“Be all take,take,take…” My mom told us this expression and I tell my sons it! But in Portuguese it is more interesting:”Só quer venha a nós, ao Vosso reino nada!” Something like this:”Just want us to come,Your Kingdom nothing”. Have a lovely week ahead.
Maristella, There are so many expressions in Russian that just don’t make as good of sense in English. Enjoy your week ahead!
…every culture has its words of wisdom.
…very true, Tom.
So funny because I always said zazhiyvot da svadbi.
Vera, my pronunciation was off, too!
I love that Russian saying. A funny “pennsylvania dutch” aka “amish mennonite” saying that sounds much funnier said in this german dialect is: “Ich vot ich ver de hame und der hund ver do” rather than the English translation – “I wish I was at home and the dog was here!”. This one always makes me laugh.
It was always funnier in the original language, Rosella! 🙂
One of my favorite proverbs is from the Bible 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
We could all take this Proverb to heart…
A little like the one my grandmother said, “By the time you’re a grandmother, it’ll be better.”