Russian - English Dictionary of Proverbs and Sayings 2

Русские пословицы с переводом на английский язык

Была бы шея, хомут найдётся Used ironically to mean: if there is a worker, very hard work is not to be long in waiting for him ~ All lay load (or loads) on the willing horse. If the devil finds a man idle, he'll set him to work. The devil finds work for idle hands to do. God shapes the back for the burden. An ass endures his burden ^ If there's a back, there's a burden.

В тихом омуте черти водятся ~ Still waters run deep. Still waters have deep bottoms. Beware of a silent dog and still water. Where the river is deepest it makes the least noise. The still sow eats all the draff. The devil lurks behind the cross. He knows most who speaks least.

В чужой монастырь со своим уставом не ходят A visitor must follow the host's regulations and customs and must not interfere with other people's affairs ~ When in Rome, do (or live) as the Romans do (or live). Every land has its laugh ( = law), and every corn has its chaff. A man's house is his castle # One mustn't venture into others' home with a charter of one's own.

Видна птица по полёту. Тж. Видно (Видать) птицу (сокола, сову) по полёту One can tell a person by his (her) manners, looks and/or deeds = A bird may be known by its song ^ It's easy to know a hawk from a handsaw # One can tell a (the) bird by the way it flies (or by its flight)

Вот (тебе) Бог, а вот (и) порог Used when a person is unceremoniously shown the door ~ Here's the door :: Rain or snow, out you go!

Для милого дружка и серёжка из ушка. Used to mean: nothing is too good for a man's best friend = Between friends all is common. A friend who shares is a friend who cares. A friend's someone who lends you an umbrella on a rainy day. Dearly bought and farfetched are dainties for ladies :: For friends like you, there's nothing I won't do # Just anything for my dear - even the ear-ring from my ear!

Дорога ложка к обеду Used to mean: that is good what is in time ^ It's good to have mustard in time, not after dinner (Contrast:~ After dinner (or meat), mustard. After death, the doctor. Slow help is no help. When the house is burned down, you dring water. When a thing is done, advice comes too late) # A spoon is dear when lunch time is near.

Дорого яичко к христову дню That is most appreciated that is given or offered when needed and not too late ~ I have a good bow, but it is in the castle ^ An umbrella is needed on a rainy day # An egg is dearest at Easter.

Дорого, да мило, дёшево, да гнило ~ Cheap and nasty. Cheapest is the dearest ^ Expensive and tasty, cheap and nasty.

Дружба дружбой, а табачок врозь Used to mean: friendship is friendship, but our tastes (interests, responsibilities, etc) differ ^ Friends are O.K. when they don't get in the way. # We might be very good friends, but our tobacco is different brands.

Дуракам закон не писан A stupid or reckless person observes no rules of behaviour, shows no common sense ~ Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. As the fool thinks, so the bell clinks. Experience keeps a dear school, but fools learn in no other. Some are wise, and some are otherwise # Fools are fools - they observe no rules.

Дыма без огня не бывает = There is no smoke without fire ~ Nothing is stolen without hands (Contrast: ~ Make no fire, raise no smoke)

Золото и в грязи блестит He who has great merits is always marked, noticeable, attracts attention # Gold may be easily told. True gold will shine through mud and slime.

Или грудь в крестах, или голова в кустах ^It's win all, or lose all # A cross on your chest or a cross in the ground!

Каков поп, таков и приход = Like priest, like people. Like master, like man. Like teacher, like pupil. Like cow, like calf # Like priest, like flock.

Кашу маслом не испортишь = Never too much of a good thing. Plenty is no plague. # Too much butter won't spoil the porridge (or makes the porridge better)

Кто любит попа, а кто попадью = Tastes differ. There is no accounting for tastes # Some like the priest, and some like his daughter at least.

Ласковый телёнок двух маток сосёт He who is friendly with everyone, gets help and protection from everyone # A friendly calf sucks two mothers.

Лёгок на помине = Speak (or Talk) or the devil and he will (or is sure to) appear. Talk of the devil! Speak of the angel and you will hear the fluttering of her wings.

Любишь кататься - люби и саночки возить One cannot have pleasure either without working hard for it or without paying a lot after-wards ~ If you dance you must pay the fiddler. He that would have eggs must endure the cackling of hens. He that would eat (or have) the fruit, must climb the tree. No pains, no gains. Love me, love my dog. After dinner comes the reckoning ^ You called the tune, now you must pay the piper. You've made your bed and now you must lie on it # He who likes skiing downhill must enjoy climbing uphill.