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Saying with Similar Meanings in Many languages
Hi polyglots 😊
This is the perfect lesson for polyglots! You'll be able to learn sayings with similar meanings in many languages!
In the list below, you'll find idioms, proverbs & saying with similar meanings in different languages.
Feel free to edit the tables below if some saying or languages are missing.
This page has a child: Language/Multiple-languages/Culture/Common-Allusions.
[In progress]
Achieve two goals with one action[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Afrikaans | twee vlieë met een klap slaan | hit two flies in one slap |
Arabic | ضرب عصفورين بحجر واحد
|
hit two sparrows with one stone |
Armenian | մի գնդակով երկու նապաստակ խփել | hit two rabbits with one bullet |
Azerbaijani | bir güllə ilə iki dovşan vurmaq | hit two rabbits with one bullet |
Bengali | এক ঢিলে দুই পাখি মারা | hit two birds with one stone |
Breton | lazhañ div voualc'h gant ur maen | kill two birds with one stone |
Bulgarian | да убиеш с един куршум два заека | kill two rabbits with one bullet |
Catalan | matar dos pardals d'un tret | kill two birds with one stone |
Central Kurdish | بە بەردێک دوو چۆلەکە بکوژە
|
kill two frogs with one stone |
Chinese | 一箭雙鵰/一箭双雕 | one arrow, two eagles |
Chinese | 一石二鳥/一石二鸟 | one stone, two birds |
Czech | zabít dvě mouchy jednou ranou | kill two flies with one hit |
Danish | slå to fluer med et smæk | hit two flies with one slap |
Dutch | twee vliegen in één klap slaan | hit two flies in one slap |
English | kill two birds with one stone | |
Esperanto | trafi du celojn per unu ŝtono | hit two targets with one stone |
Estonian | tapma kaks kärbest ühe hoobiga | kill two flies in one slap |
Finnish | tappaa kaksi kärpästä yhdellä iskulla | kill two flies in one slap |
French | faire d’une pierre deux coups | use a stone for two hits |
Georgian | ერთი გასროლით ორი კურდღლის მოკვლა | kill two rabbits with one shot |
German | zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen | hit two flies in one slap |
Hebrew | לתפוס שתי ציפורים במכה אחת
|
catch two birds with one stone |
Hungarian | két legyet üt egy csapásra | kill two birds with one stone |
Icelandic | slá tvær flugur í einu höggi | hit two flies in one slap |
Indonesian | sekali mendayung, dua-tiga pulau terlampaui | reach two-three islands with one rowing stroke |
Irish | dhá éan a mharú leis an urchar amháin | kill two birds with one shot |
Italian | prendere due piccioni con una fava | catch two pigeons with one fava bean |
Iranian Persian | با یک تیر دو نشان زدن
|
hitting two targets with one arrow |
Japanese | 一石二鳥 | one stone, two birds |
Kazakh | бір оқпен екі қоян ату | kill two birds with one shot |
Korean | 일석이조 | one stone, two birds |
Latin | Duo parietes de eadem fidelia dealbare | whitewash two walls out of the same bucket |
Latvian | nošaut divus zaķus ar vienu šāvienu | shoot two bunnies with one shot |
Lithuanian | vienu šūviu nušauti du zuikius | shoot two rabbits with one shot |
Luxembourgish | zwou Mécken op ee Schlag kréien | kill two birds with one stone |
Malay | sambil menyelam minum air | submerge and drink at the same time |
Mongolian | нэг сумаар хоёр туулай буудах | kill two hares with one bullet |
Modern Greek | μ' ένα σμπάρο δυο τρυγόνια | with one shot, two pigeons |
Norwegian Bokmål | slå to fluer i en smekk | hit two flies in one slap |
Norwegian Nynorsk | slå to fluger i ein smekk | hit two flies in one slap |
Polish | upiec dwie pieczenie na jednym ogniu | cook two roasts on one fire |
Portuguese | matar dois coelhos com uma cajadada só | kill two rabbits with a single crook blow |
Romanian | omorî două muște dintr-o lovitură | hit two flies in one slap |
Romanian | împușca doi iepuri dintr-un foc | kill two rabbits with one bullet |
Russian | убить одним выстрелом двух зайцев | kill two hares with one shot |
Serbo-Croatian | убити једним ударцем двије мухе / ùbiti jèdnīm ùdārcem dvȉje mùhe | hit two flies in one slap |
Sinhala | එක ගලෙන් කුරුල්ලෝ දෙන්නයි | two birds by one stone |
Spanish | matar dos pájaros de un tiro | kill two birds with one shot |
Swedish | slå två flugor i en smäll | hit two flies in one slap |
Tamil | ఒకేదెబ్బకు రెండు పిట్టలు | two birds with one stone |
Thai | ยิงปืนนัดเดียวได้นกสองตัว | shoot two birds with one stone |
Turkish | bir taşla iki kuş vurmak | hit two birds with one stone |
Ukrainian | вбити двох зайців одним пострілом | kill two hares in one shot |
Vietnamese | nhất tiễn song điêu | one arrow, two eagles |
Vietnamese | một mũi tên trúng hai đích | two targets with one arrow |
Welsh | lladd dau aderyn â'r un garreg | kill two birds with one stone |
Yiddish | שיסן צוויי האזן מיט איין שאס
|
shoot two hares with one shot |
Achievements require patience[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Amharic | ሮም፡በአንድ፡ቀን፡አልተገነባችም | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Arabic | لم تبن روما في يوم
|
Rome wasn't built in a day |
Bulgarian | хубавите неща стават бавно | good things happen slowly |
Chinese | 冰凍三尺,非一日之寒/冰冻三尺,非一日之寒 | three chǐ (~3×30 centimetres) of ice is not the result of one day's coldness |
Chinese | 羅馬不是一日建成的/罗马不是一日建成的 | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Danish | Rom blev ikke bygget på en dag | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Dutch | Keulen en Aken zijn niet op één dag gebouwd | Cologne and Aachen were not built in a day |
Dutch | Rome is niet op één dag gebouwd | Rome wasn't built in a day |
English | Rome wasn't built in a day | |
Esperanto | ne en unu tago elkreskis Kartago | Carthage was not grown in a day |
Estonian | Roomat ei ehitatud ühe päevaga | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Finnish | ei Roomaakaan päivässä rakennettu | not even Rome was built in a day |
French | Paris ne s'est pas fait en un jour | Paris wasn't built in a day |
French | Rome ne s'est pas faite en un jour | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Galician | Roma non se fixo nun día | Rome wasn't built in a day |
German | Rom ist nicht an einem Tag erbaut worden | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Gujarati | ઉતાવળે આંબા ન પાકે | mangoes should not ripen in haste |
Hebrew | רומא לא נבנתה ביום אחד
|
Rome wasn't built in a day |
Hungarian | Róma sem egy nap alatt épült | Rome wasn't built in a day either |
Icelandic | Róm var ekki byggð á einum degi | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Ido | Roma ne konstruktesis dum un dio | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Indonesian | Roma tidak dibangun dalam sehari | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Irish | i ndiaidh a chéile a thógtar na caisleáin | the castles are built one after another |
Italian | Roma non fu fatta in un giorno | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Japanese | ローマは一日にして成らず | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Korean | 로마는 하루 아침에 이루어지지 않았다 | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Latin | Rōma nōn ūnō diē aedificāta est | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Lithuanian | Roma nebuvo pastatyta per dieną | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Modern Greek | η Ρώμη δε χτίστηκε σε μια μέρα | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Norwegian Bokmål | Rom ble ikke bygget på en dag | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Norwegian Nynorsk | Roma vart ikkje bygd på éin dag | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Polish | nie od razu Kraków zbudowano | Cracow wasn't built in a day |
Polish | nie od razu Rzym zbudowano | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Portuguese | Roma e Pavia não se fizeram num dia | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Russian | Москва не сразу строилась | Moscow wasn’t built at once |
Scottish Gaelic | chan ann leis a' chiad bhuille a thuiteas a' chraobh | it is not with the first strike that the tree will fall |
Spanish | no se ganó Zamora en una hora | Zamora was not won in an hour |
Spanish | Roma no se hizo en un día | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Swedish | Rom byggdes inte på en dag | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Thai | กรุงโรมไม่ได้สร้างเสร็จในวันเดียว | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Turkish | sabreden derviş muradına ermiş | the patient dervish achieved his wish |
Ukrainian | Київ не відразу збудований | Kyiv wasn't built immediately |
Ukrainian | Рим не одразу збудований | Rome wasn't built immediately |
Welsh | nid mewn undydd y codwyd Rhufain | Rome wasn't built in a day |
Appearance makes a difference[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Afrikaans | die vere maak die voël | the feathers make the bird |
Danish | klæder skaber folk | clothes make the man |
Dutch | kleren maken de man | clothes make the man |
Chinese | 人靠衣裝,佛靠金裝/人靠衣装,佛靠金装 | human relies on clothes, Buddha relies on the clothing of gold |
English | fine feathers make fine birds | |
Finnish | vaatteet tekevät miehen | clothes make the man |
French | la belle plume fait le bel oiseau | the beautiful feathers make the beautiful bird |
German | Kleider machen Leute | clothes make the man |
Irish | eochair uaisle éadach | clothes is the key to nobility |
Korean | 옷이 날개다 | clothes make the man |
Polish | jak cię widzą, tak cię piszą | how they see you is how they perceive you |
Russian | одежда красит человека | tailor makes the man |
Appearance makes a difference not[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Arabic | ا يمكنك الحكم على كتاب من غلافه
|
you can't judge a book by its cover |
Chinese | 人不可貌相 | man is not to be judged by the appearance |
Czech | šaty nedělají člověka | clothes don't make the man |
Danish | man skal ikke skue hunden på hårene | you must not look at the dog's hair |
English | clothes don't make the man | |
English | you can't judge a book by its cover | |
Finnish | vaatteet eivät tee miestä | clothes don't make the man |
German | Kleider machen keine Leute | clothes don't make the man |
Hungarian | nem a ruha teszi az embert | it is not the clothes that make the man |
Italian | l'abito non fa il monaco | the habit does not make the monk |
Japanese | 馬子にも衣装 | even packhorse drivers also wear clothes |
Latin | barba non facit philosophum | the beard does not make the philosopher |
Latin | cucullus non facit monachum | the cowl does not make the monk |
Modern Greek | τα ράσα δεν κάνουν τον παπά | dressing doesn't make the pope |
Polish | nie szata zdobi człowieka | clothes don't make the man |
Portuguese | o hábito não faz o monge | the habit does not make the monk |
Romanian | nu haina îl face pe om | it is not the clothes that make the man |
Russian | по одёжке встречают, по уму провожают | meet by clothes, see off by the mind |
Russian | на вид пригож, а внутри на чёрта похож | looks good, but looks like devil inside |
Serbo-Croatian | одело не чини човека / odelo ne čini čoveka | the suits does not make the man |
Slovenian | obleka ne naredi človeka | clothes don't make the man |
Spanish | el hábito no hace al monje | the habit does not make the monk |
Be patient[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Chinese | 好事多磨 | good things require much rubbing |
Czech | kdo si počká, ten se dočká | those who wait will see |
Czech | trpělivost růže přináší | patience brings roses |
Danish | alt godt kommer til den der venter | all good things come to those who wait |
Dutch | geduld is een schone zaak | patience is a virtual |
English | good things come to those who wait | |
English | patience is a virtue | |
Finnish | kärsivällisyys on hyve | patience is a virtue |
Finnish | maltti on valttia | patience is a trump |
French | tout vient à point à qui sait attendre | good things come to those who wait |
Georgian | ვინც მოითმენსო, ის მოიგებსო | he who endures will win |
German | Geduld ist eine Tugend | patience is a virtue |
German | gut Ding will Weile haben | a good thing wants to have a while |
German | was lange währt, wird endlich gut | something that takes a long time will finally be good |
Hungarian | a türelem rózsát terem | patience produces roses |
Italian | dare tempo al tempo | give time to time |
Italian | la pazienza è la virtù dei forti | patience is the virtue of the storng |
Italian | la pazienza è una virtù provata | patience is a proven virtue |
Japanese | 果報は寝て待て | results are sleeping and waiting |
Japanese | 待てば海路の日和あり | waiting for fair weather at a sea route |
Maltese | il-paċenzja hija virtù | patience is a virtue |
Modern Greek | το καλό πράγμα αργεί να γίνει | the good thing is late to happen |
Norwegian | den som venter på noe stort, venter aldri for lenge | he who waits for something great never waits too long |
Norwegian | tålmodighet er en dyd | patience is a virtue |
Portuguese | quem espera sempre alcança | who waits always reaches |
Portuguese | a paciência é uma virtude | patience is a virtue |
Russian | кто ждёт, тот дождётся | who waits will wait |
Spanish | la paciencia es una virtud | patience is a virtue |
Spanish | las mejores cosas de la vida se hacen esperar | the best things in life are made to wait |
Spanish | lo bueno se hace esperar | the good things make you wait |
Swedish | den som väntar på något gott, väntar aldrig för länge | he who waits for something good never waits too long |
Swedish | tålamod är en dygd | patience is a virtue |
Turkish | bekleyen derviş muradına ermiş | the waiting dervish got his wish |
Certain benefit is preferable even if it is little[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Arabic | عصفور في اليد أفضل من عصفورين على الشجرة
|
a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush |
Armenian | փորձված թանը անփորձ մածունի հետ չեն փոխի | seasoned butter will not be exchanged for unseasoned yogurt |
Chinese | 一鳥在手勝於十鳥在林/一鸟在手胜于十鸟在林 | a bird in the hand is better than ten in the forest |
Croatian | bolje vrabac u ruci nego golub na grani | better a sparrow in the hand than a dove on the branch |
Czech | epší vrabec v hrsti, nežli holub na střeše | better a sparrow in the hand than a pigeon on the roof |
Danish | en fugl i hånden er bedre end ti på taget | a bird in the hand is better than ten on the roof |
Dutch | beter één vogel in de hand dan tien in de lucht | better one bird in the hand than ten in the sky |
English | a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush | |
English | better an egg today than a hen tomorrow | |
Estonian | parem varblane peos kui tuvi katusel | better a sparrow in the hand than a pigeon on the roof |
Finnish | parempi pyy pivossa kuin kymmenen oksalla | better a hazel grouse in the hand than ten on the branch |
French | à la main vaut mieux que grue qui vole | a sparrow in hand is worth more than a frying crane |
French | un tiens vaut mieux que deux tu l'auras | a here-you-go is worth more than two you-can-have-it-laters |
Galician | vale máis paxaro na man que cento voando | a bird in the hand is worth more than a hundred in flight |
Georgian | დღევანდელი კვერცხი ჯობია ხვალინდელ ქათამს | today's egg is better than tomorrow's chicken |
German | besser ein Spatz in der Hand als eine Taube auf dem Dach | rather a sparrow in the hand than a pigeon on the roof |
Hebrew | טוב ציפור אחת ביד משתיים על העץ
|
rather one bird in the hand two on the tree |
Hungarian | jobb ma egy veréb, mint holnap egy túzok | better a sparrow today than a bustard tomorrow |
Icelandic | betri er einn fugl í hendi en tveir í skógi | one bird in a hand is better than two in the forest |
Italian | meglio un uovo oggi che una gallina domani | better an egg today than a hen tomorrow |
Japanese | 明日の百より今日の五十 | today's 50 over tomorrow's 100 |
Korean | 손안에 있는 새가 숲속에 있는 두 마리보다 낫다 | a bird in the hand is better than two in the forest |
Latvian | labāk zīle rokā, nekā mednis kokā | rather a titmouse in hand than a wood grouse in a tree |
Luxembourgish | Léiwer e Spatz an der Hand wei eng Dauf um Daach | rather a sparrow in the hand than a pigeon on the roof |
Macedonian | поарно врапче на рака отколку гулаб на гранка | better a sparrow on a hand than a pigeon on a branch |
Maltese | aħjar għasfur f'idejk minn mija fl-ajru | better to have a bird in your hands than a hundred in the air |
Modern Greek | κάλλιο πέντε και στο χέρι παρά δέκα και καρτέρει | rather hold five in hand than wait for ten to come |
Norwegian Bokmål | én fugl i hånden er bedre enn ti på taket | a bird in the hand is better than ten on the roof |
Norwegian Nynorsk | ein fugl i handa er betre enn ti på taket | a bird in the hand is better than ten on the roof |
Polish | lepszy wróbel w garści niż gołąb na dachu | a sparrow in the hand is better than a pigeon on the roof |
Polish | lepszy wróbel w ręku niż cietrzew na sęku | a sparrow in the hand is better than a grouse on the knur |
Polish | lepszy wróbel w ręku niż sokół na sęku | a sparrow in the hand is better than a falcon on the knur |
Portuguese | mais vale um pássaro na mão do que dois voando | one bird in the hand is worth more than two flying |
Romanian | nu da vrabia din mână pe cioara de pe gard | don't exchange the sparrow in the hand with the crow on the fence |
Russian | не сули журавля в небе, дай синицу в руки | do not promise a crane in the sky, rather give a titmouse into my hands |
Scottish Gaelic | 's fhearr eun san làimh na deich air iteig | a bird in the hand is better than ten in flight |
Serbo-Croatian | боље врабац у руци него голуб на грани / bolje vrabac u ruci nego golub na grani | better a sparrow in the hand than a dove on the branch |
Slovak | lepší vrabec v hrsti ako holub na streche | better a sparrow in a handful than a pigeon on a roof |
Spanish | más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando | a bird in the hand is worth more than one hundred in flight |
Swedish | bättre en fågel i handen än tio i skogen | better a bird in the hand than ten in the forest |
Turkish | bir eldeki kuş çalıdakinin iki misli değerdir | a bird in hand is worth twice as much in a bush |
Vietnamese | một con chim trong tay có giá trị hơn hai con trong bụi cây | one bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush |
Welsh | gwell bach mewn llaw na mawr gerllaw | better small in hand than large nearby |
Complete surprise[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Bulgarian | като гръм от ясно небе | like a bolt from the clear sky |
Chinese | 晴天霹靂/晴天霹雳 | bolt from the clear sky |
Croatian | bolje vrabac u ruci nego golub na grani | better a sparrow in the hand than a dove on the branch |
Czech | blesk z čistého nebe | bolt from the clear sky |
Danish | som et lyn fra en klar himmel | like a bolt out of the clear sky |
English | boolt from the blue | |
Finnish | salama kirkkaalta taivaalta | lightning bolt out of a clear sky |
German | Blitz aus heiterem Himmel | lightning bolt from the clear sky |
Hebrew | טכרעם ביום בהיר
|
like thunder on a clear day |
Hungarian | derült égből villámcsapás | thunderbolt from the clear sky |
Icelandic | eins og þruma úr heiðskíru lofti | like a thunder from the clear sky |
Indonesian | petir di siang bolong | lightning in broad daylight |
Japanese | 青天の霹靂 | thunderbolt on the blue sky |
Korean | 청천 벽력과 같이 | like a thunderstorm |
Latvian | kā pērkons no skaidrām debesīm | like a thunder from the clear sky |
Lithuanian | lyg perkūnas iš giedro dangaus | like a thunder from the clear sky |
Modern Greek | κεραυνός εν αιθρία | lightning in the clear sky |
Norwegian Bokmål | som lyn fra klar himmel | like lightning from the clear sky |
Polish | grom z jasnego nieba | thunderbolt from the clear sky |
Russian | гром среди ясного неба | thunder from a clear sky |
Scottish Gaelic | clach às an adhar | stone from the clear sky |
Serbo-Croatian | као гром из ведра неба / kao grom iz vedra neba | like a thunder from the bucket of heaven |
Slovak | lepší vrabec v hrsti ako holub na streche | better a sparrow in a handful than a pigeon on a roof |
Spanish | como rayo caído del cielo | like a lightning fallen from the sky |
Swedish | som en blixt från klar himmel | like a lightning bolt out of a clear sky |
Destroy one's paths, connections or opportunities[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Arabic | حرق السفن
|
burning the ship |
Arabic | قطع الجسور
|
cutting the bridge |
Chinese | 過河拆橋/过河拆桥 | cross the river, tear down the bridge |
Chinese | 破釜沉舟/破釜沉舟 | smash the cooking pots and sink the boats |
Dutch | je schepen achter je verbranden | burning your ships behind you |
Danish | bryde alle broer | burn all bridges |
Danish | brænde alle broer | break all bridges |
English | burning one's bridges | |
French | brûler les ponts | burn the bridges |
French | brûler ses vaisseaux | burn his ships |
French | faire sauter les ponts | blow up the bridges |
German | alle Brücken hinter sich abbrechen | burning all bridges behind oneself |
Icelandic | brenna allar brýr að baki sér | burn all bridges behind oneself |
Icelandic | brjóta allar brýr að baki sér | break all bridges behind oneself |
Italian | bruciarsi i ponti alle spalle | burn the bridges behind |
Modern Greek | Η αναπνοή είναι η γέφυρα που συνδέει τη ζωή με τη συνείδηση | Breathing is the bridge which unites life to consciousness |
Norwegian Bokmål | bryte alle broer | burn all bridges |
Norwegian Nynorsk | bryte alle bruer | burn all bridges |
Polish | palić za sobą mosty | burn the bridges behind |
Portuguese | queimar as pontes | burn the bridges |
Russian | сжигать все мосты | burn the bridges |
Spanish | quemar las naves | burn the ships |
Spanish | quemar los puentes | burn the bridges |
Swedish | bränna sina broar | burn the bridges |
Swedish | bränna sina skepp | burn their ships |
Do not invite suspicions[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Chinese | 瓜田不納履,李下不整冠/瓜田不纳履,李下不整冠 | don't adjust the shoes in a melon field, don't organise the hat under a plum tree |
Japanese | 瓜田に履を納れず、李下に冠を正さず | don't adjust the shoes in a melon field, don't organise the hat under a plum tree |
Korean | 과전불납리, 이하부정관 | don't adjust the shoes in a melon field, don't organise the hat under a plum tree |
False display of sorrow[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Arabic | دموع التماسيح | crocodile tears |
Armenian | կոկորդիլոսի արցունքներ | crocodile tears |
Catalan | llàgrimes de cocodril | crocodile tears |
Chinese | 貓哭耗子/猫哭耗子 | cat weeping for a mouse |
Chinese | 鱷魚的眼淚/鳄鱼的眼泪 | crocodile tears |
Czech | krokodýlí slzy | crocodile tears |
Danish | krokodilletårer | crocodile tears |
Dutch | krokodillentranen | crocodile tears |
English | crocodile tears | |
Finnish | krokotiilinkyyneleet | crocodile tears |
French | larmes de crocodile | crocodile tears |
Galician | bágoas de crocodilo | crocodile tears |
German | Krokodilstränen | crocodile tears |
Hebrew | דמעות תנין
|
crocodile tears |
Hungarian | krokodilkönnyek | crocodile tears |
Icelandic | krókódílstár | crocodile tears |
Indonesian | air mata buaya | crocodile tears |
Iranian Persian | اشک تمساح
|
crocodile tears |
Italian | lacrime di coccodrillo | crocodile tears |
Korean | 악어의 눈물 | crocodile tears |
Lithuanian | krokodilo ašaros | crocodile tears |
Malayalam | മുതലക്കണ്ണീർ | crocodile tears |
Modern Greek | κροκοδείλια δάκρυα | crocodile tears |
Norwegian | krokodilletårer | crocodile tears |
Polish | krokodyle łzy | crocodile tears |
Portuguese | lágrimas de crocodilo | crocodile tears |
Romansch | larmas da crocodil | crocodile tears |
Russian | крокодиловы слёзы | crocodile tears |
Scottish Gaelic | deòir nam breugan | crocodile tears |
Spanish | lágrimas de cocodrilo | crocodile tears |
Swedish | krokodiltårar | crocodile tears |
Telugu | మొసలి కన్నీళ్లు | crocodile tears |
Ukrainian | крокодилячі сльози | crocodile tears |
Welsh | dagrau crocodeil | crocodile tears |
Give one a little benefit and the one will demand more[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Albanian | jepja gishtin, të merr dorën | I give you the finger, take your hand |
Arabic | فتحناله، دخل بحماره
|
we opened the door, he came in with his donkey |
Chinese | 得寸進尺/得寸进尺 | get a cùn (~ 3 centemetres) and go for a chǐ (~ 30 centemetres) |
Danish | ræk nogen en lillefinger, og han tager hele armen | give someone a little finger, they take the whole arm |
English | give them an inch and they'll take a mile | |
Finnish | kun antaa pahalle pikkusormen, se vie koko käden | when you give the evil a little finger, it takes the whole hand |
French | tendez-leur la main et ils vous prennent le bras | lend a hand and they take your arm |
German | gib jemandem den kleinen Finger und er nimmt die ganze Hand | give someone the little finger and he takes the whole hand |
Modern Greek | Δώσε θάρρος στο χωριάτη, να σ΄ανέβει στο κρεβάτι | Give courage to the villager to hop on your bed! |
Hebrew | נותנים לו אצבע והוא רוצה את כל היד
|
he's given the little finger and he wants the whole hand |
Russian | дай ему палец, он всю руку откусит | give him a finger, he'll bite your whole hand off |
Heavy rain[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Azerbaijani | tut ucundan, göyə çıx | grab the ends, go to sky |
Catalan | ploure a bots i barrals | rain bota bags and barrels |
Czech | lít jako z konve | pour from a water can |
Dutch | pijpenstelen regenen | rain pipe handles |
English | rain buckets | |
English | rain cats and dogs | |
Finnish | sataa äkäisiä ämmiä äkeet selässä | rain angry hags with harrows on their back |
Finnish | sataa kuin saavista kaataen | rain as if by pouring from a tub |
French | pleuvoir comme vache qui pisse | rain like a cow pissing on a flat rock |
French | pleuvoir des cordes | rain ropes |
French | pleuvoir des hallebardes | rain halberds |
German | Bindfäden regnen | rain threads |
German | wie aus Eimern schütten | like pouring out of buckets |
Hungarian | zuhog, mintha dézsából öntenék | pour from a tub |
Icelandic | rigna eldi og brennisteini | rain fire and brimstone |
Italian | piovere a catinelle | rain buckets |
Italian | piovere come Dio la manda | rain as God sends it |
Japanese | 土砂降りになる | become dropping dirt and sand |
Mandarin Chinese | 傾盆大雨/倾盆大雨 | pour from a basin |
Modern Greek | βρέχει με το τουλούμι | rain with the goatskin |
Modern Greek | ρίχνει καντάρια | pour kantars |
Modern Greek | ρίχνει καρεκλοπόδαρα | it's raining cats and dogs |
Norwegian Bokmål | regne sinte kjerringer | rain mad hags |
Polish | lać jak z cebra | pour like from a bucket |
Portuguese | chover a cântaros | rain buckets |
Portuguese | chover a potes | rain pots |
Portuguese | chover canivete | rain pocketknives |
Portuguese | o céu vir abaixo | the sky comes down |
Romanian | ploua cu găleata | rain with the bucket |
Russian | лить как из ведра | pour like from a bucket |
Spanish | llover a cántaros | rain jugs |
Spanish | llover a mares | rain seas |
Swedish | stå som spön i backen | stand like rods in the ground |
Welsh | bwrw hen wragedd â ffyn | [beating (raining)] old women with sticks |
Yue Chinese | 落狗屎 | pouring dog poop |
I don't understand the language[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Arabic | يتحدث باللغة الصينية
|
speaking in Chinese |
Armenian | դա ինձ համար չինարեն է | it's Chinese to me |
Chavacano | Aleman ese comigo | it's German to me |
Chinese | 鳥語/鸟语 | bird's speech |
Chinese | 天書/天书 | writing from the heaven |
Czech | to je pro mě španělská vesnice | it's a Spanish village to me |
Danish | det er græsk for mig | it is Greek to me |
Danish | en by i Rusland | a town in Russia |
Danish | rent volapyk | pure Volapük |
Dutch | dat is Chinees voor mij | this is Chinese to me |
English | it's Greek to me | |
Esperanto | ĝi estas por mi volapukaĵo | it is Volapük to me |
Finnish | se on minulle täyttä hepreaa | it is totally Hebrew to me |
French | c'est de l'hébreu | it's Hebrew |
French | c'est du chinois | it's Chinese |
French | c'est du javanais | it's Javanese |
French | c'est du russe | it's Russian |
Georgian | ჩინურია ჩემთვის | Chinese to me |
German | das kommt mir spanisch vor | it seems Spanish to me |
German | das sind für mich böhmische Dörfer | that is Czech villages to me |
Hebrew | זה סינית בשבילי
|
it’s Chinese for me |
Hindi | क्या मैं फ़ारसी बोल रहा हूँ | am I speaking Persian |
Hungarian | ez nekem kínai | it’s Chinese to me |
Icelandic | þetta er hebreska fyrir mér | this is Hebrew to me |
Indonesian | bahasa dewa | language of deities |
Indonesian | itu bahasa planet | that's the language of a planet |
Italian | è ostrogoto | it's Ostrogoth |
Italian | per me è arabo | it's Arabic to me |
Latin | graecum est; nōn legitur | it's Greek; it cannot be read |
Macedonian | шпанско село | Spanish village |
Modern Greek | αυτά μου φαίνονται κινέζικα | these look chinese to me |
Norwegian Bokmål | det er helt gresk for meg | it's full Greek to me |
Norwegian Nynorsk | det er heilt gresk for meg | it's full Greek to me |
Polish | to dla mnie chińszczyzna | it's Chinese to me |
Portuguese | para mim você está falando grego | you are speaking Greek to me |
Panjabi | ਕੀ ਮੈਂ ਫਾਰਸੀ ਬੋਲਦਾ ਪਿਆਂ | am I speaking Persian |
Romanian | e chineză pentru mine | it's Chinese to me |
Russian | китайская грамота | Chinese writing |
Serbo-Croatian | шпанска села / španska sela | Spanish villages |
Spanish | esto es chino para mí | this is Chinese for me |
Spanish | no entiendo ni papa | I don't understand even one potato |
Swedish | det är rena grekiskan | it is pure Greek |
Tagalog | parang intsik | it looks like Chinese |
Turkish | bir şey anladıysam Arap olayım | let me be Arabic if I understand anything |
Ukrainian | це для мене китайська грамота | that's Chinese writing to me |
Vietnamese | nói tiếng Lào | to speak Lao |
Vietnamese | nói tiếng Miên | to speak Khmer |
Ignorant and narrow-minded person[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Chinese | 井底之蛙 | a frog at the bottom of a well |
Japanese | 井底の蛙 | a frog at the bottom of a well |
Malay | katak di bawah tempurung | a frog under a coconut shell |
Malayalam | കൂപമണ്ഡൂകം | the frog in a well |
Sanskrit | कूपमण्डूक | frog in a well |
Thai | กบในกะลา | frog in a coconut shell |
Vietnamese | ếch ngồi đáy giếng | a frog that sits at the bottom of a well |
Inexperienced[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Bulgarian | с жълто около устата | with yellow around the mouth |
Chinese | 乳臭未乾/乳臭未干 | {smell of} the mother's milk is not dried |
Dutch | nat achter de oren | wet behind the ears |
English | wet behind the ears | |
German | grün hinter den Ohren | green behind the ears |
German | feucht hinter den Ohren | wet behind the ears |
Japanese | 尻が青い | have a blue butt |
Latvian | vēl slapjš aiz ausīm | still wet behind the ears |
Norwegian | våt bak ørene | wet behind the ears |
Russian | молоко на губах не обсохло | the milk has not dried on the lips |
Irreversible actions have been taken; the future is determined[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Arabic | سبق السيف العذل
|
the sword preceded the humiliation |
Bulgarian | зарът е хвърлен | the dice have been thrown |
Catalan | el dau ha estat tirat | the die has been rolled |
Chinese | 木已成舟 | the wood has already been made into a boat |
Croatian | kostky byly vrženy | the dice were rolled |
Danish | terningen er kastet | the die is thrown |
Dutch | de geest is uit de fles | genie is out of the bottle |
English | genie is out of the bottle | |
English | the die is cast | |
Esperanto | la ĵetkubo estas ĵetita | the die is thrown |
Estonian | liisk on langenud | the die is fallen |
Finnish | arpa on heitetty | the die is thrown |
French | le sort en est jeté | the fate is thrown |
French | les dés sont jetés | the dice are thrown |
French | les jeux sont faits | the games are made |
Galician | a sorte está botada | the fate is thrown |
Georgian | კამათელი გაგორებულია | the dice are rolled |
German | die Würfel sind gefallen | the dice are fallen |
Hungarian | a kocka el van vetve | the die has been cast away |
Icelandic | teningnum er kastað | the die is thrown |
Italian | il dado è tratto | the die is thrown |
Japanese | 賽は投げられた | the dice have been thrown |
Korean | 주사위는 던져졌다 | the dice have been thrown |
Latin | ālea iacta est | the die is cast |
Macedonian | коцката е фрлена | the die is thrown |
Modern Greek | ο κύβος ερρίφθη | the die is thrown |
Northern Kurdish | tîr ji kevan pekiya | the arrow has left the bow |
Norwegian Bokmål | terningen er kastet | the die is thrown |
Norwegian Nynorsk | terningen er kasta | the die is thrown |
Persian | تاسها پرتاب شدهاند
|
the dice have been thrown |
Polish | kości zostały rzucone | the dice have been thrown |
Portuguese | a sorte está lançada | the fate is cast |
Portuguese | os dados estão lançados | the dice are thrown |
Romanian | zarul este aruncat | the die is rolled |
Russian | жребий брошен | the fate is thrown |
Scottish Gaelic | dè a bhios ann, tachraidh e | what will happen will happen |
Serbo-Croatian | ко̏цка је бачена / kȍcka je bačena | the dice is thrown |
Slovak | kocky sú hodené | the dice are rolled |
Slovenian | kọ̑cka je padla | the die is thrown |
Spanish | la suerte está echada | the fortune is thrown |
Swedish | tärningen är kastad | the dice are thrown |
Turkish | zar atıldı | dice rolled |
Ukrainian | гральну кістку кинуто | the die is thrown |
Ukrainian | жереб кинуто | the fortune is thrown |
Not easily categorised[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Arabic | لا السمك ولا الطيور
|
neither fish nor bird |
Catalan | ni carn ni peix | neither meat nor fish |
Chinese | 非驢非馬/非驴非马 | neither donkey nor horse |
Czech | ani ryba ani rak | neither fish nor crayfish |
Danish | hverken fugl eller fisk | neither bird nor fish |
Dutch | mossel noch vis | neither mussel nor fish |
Dutch | vlees noch vis | neither meat nor fish |
English | neither fish nor fowl | |
Faroese | hvørki fuglur ella fiskur | neither bird nor fish |
Finnish | ei lintu eikä kala | neither bird nor fish |
French | mi-figue mi-raisin | half-fig half-grape |
Galician | nin arre nin xo | neither too little nor too much |
German | weder Fisch noch Fleisch | neither fish nor meat |
Hebrew | לא בשר ולא חלב
|
neither meat nor milk |
Icelandic | hvorki fugl né fiskur | neither bird nor fish |
Irish | níl sé ina ghruth ná ina mheadhg | it's neither curd nor whey |
Italian | né carne né pesce | neither meat nor fish |
Japanese | 海の物とも山の物ともつかない | neither things in the ocean nor things in the mountain |
Norwegian Bokmål | hverken fugl eller fisk | neither bird nor fish |
Polish | ni pies, ni wydra | neither dog nor otter |
Portuguese | nem carne nem peixe | neither meat nor fish |
Romanian | nici cal nici măgar | neither horse nor donkey |
Russian | ни рыба ни мясо | neither fish nor meat |
Spanish | ni chicha ni limonada | neither chicha nor lemonade |
Swedish | varken fågel eller fisk | neither fowl nor fish |
Yue Chinese | 唔湯唔水 | neither soup nor water |
Opportunity has passed[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Armenian | գնացքը գնացել է | the train has left |
Danish | det tog er kørt | the train has run |
Dutch | dat is een gepasseerd station | that is a passed station |
Dutch | vlees noch vis | neither meat nor fish |
English | that ship has sailed | |
English | that train has left the station | |
Finnish | se juna meni jo | it is June for me |
German | dieser Zug ist abgefahren | that train has left |
Hungarian | ez a vonat már elment | this train has already gone |
Hungarian | ez a hajó már elment | this ship has aready gone |
Italian | hai perso il treno | you missed the train |
Norwegian Bokmål | det toget er kjørt | that train has left |
Russian | поезд ушёл | the train is gone |
Spanish | ese barco ya zarpó | that ship has already sailed |
Spanish | se te fue el tren | you missed the train |
People who often threat seldom commit it[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Afrikaans | blaffende honde byt nie | barking dogs don't bite |
Albanian | qeni që leh, s'të ha | the dog that barks will not eat you |
Basque | zakur zaunkaria nekez hozkaria | barking dog hardly bite |
Catalan | gos que lladra, no mossega | dog that barks doesn't bite |
Czech | pes, který štěká, nekouše | a dog that barks doesn't bite |
Dutch | blaffende honden bijten niet | barking dogs do not bite |
English | barking dogs seldom bite | |
Esperanto | bojanta hundo ne mordas | a barking dog does not bite |
Esperanto | ne ĉio batas, kio tondras | not everything thunders strikes |
Finnish | haukkuva koira ei pure | a barking dog does not bite |
French | chien qui aboie ne mord pas | a dog that barks does not bite |
German | Hunde, die bellen, beißen nicht | dogs who bark don't bite |
Hungarian | amelyik kutya ugat, az nem harap | the dog that barks does not bite |
Italian | can che abbaia non morde | a barking dog doesn't bite |
Japanese | 弱い犬ほどよく吠る | weak dogs bark more |
Korean | 짖는 개는 물지 않는다 | barking dogs don't bite |
Latin | canis sine dentibus vehementius lātrat | a dog without teeth barks more violently |
Macedonian | куче што лае, не каса | a dog that barks, does not bite |
Malay | anjing menyalak tak menggigit | barking dog doesn't bite |
Malayalam | കുരയ്ക്കുന്ന പട്ടി കടിക്കില്ല | a barking dog will not bite |
Modern Greek | σκύλος που γαβγίζει, δε δαγκώνει | a dog that barks doesn't bite |
Polish | pies, co bardzo szczeka, nie bardzo kąsa | a dog that barks a lot, doesn't bite much |
Portuguese | cão que ladra não morde | dog that barks, doesn't bite |
Romanian | câinele care latră nu mușcă | barking dog doesn't bite |
Russian | лающая собака не кусает | a barking dog won't bite |
Serbian | пас који ла̏је не гризе | a dog that barks doesn't bite |
Slovenian | pes, ki laja, ne grize | a dog that barks doesn't bite |
Spanish | perro ladrador, poco mordedor | barking dog, not very biting |
Swedish | skällande hund bits inte | barking dog does not bite |
Tagalog | ang asong tahol nang tahol ay hindi nangangagat | a dog that barks does not bite |
Tamil | குரைக்கும் நாய் கடிக்காது | a barking dog does not bite |
Telugu | అరిచే కుక్క కరవదు | a barking dog will not bite |
Thai | หมาเห่าไม่กัด | barking dog doesn't bite |
Turkish | havlayan köpek ısırmaz | the barking dog does not bite |
Person being mentioned arrives[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Arabic | اذكر غائبا تره
|
mention an absent person, and you shall see him |
Azerbaijani | adını çək, qulağını bur | name him, find him in the direction to which you turn your ear |
Basque | otsoa aipatu, otsoa agertu | the wolf mentioned, the wolf appears |
Bulgarian | говорим за вълка, а той в кошарата | speaking about the wolf , and he is in the sheep pen |
Catalan | parlant del rei de Roma, entra per la porta | speak of the king of Rome, and he will come in through the door |
Chinese | 說曹操,曹操到/说曹操,曹操到 | speak of Cáo Cāo and Cáo Cāo arrives |
Czech | my o vlku a vlk za dveřmi, my o vlku a vlk za humny | speak of the wolf and the wolf is behind the doors |
Danish | når man taler om solen | when you speak of the sun |
Dutch | als je het over de duivel hebt, dan zie je zijn staart | we not only see his tail, we even step on it |
English | speak of the devil and he shall appear | |
Estonian | kus hundist juttu | where speaking of the wolf |
Finnish | siinä paha missä mainitaan | there is the evil where it is mentioned |
French | quand on parle du loup, on en voit la queue | when you speak of the wolf, you see his tail |
Georgian | ძაღლი ახსენე და ჯოხი ხელში დაიჭირეო | mention the dog and hold a stick in your hand |
German | wenn man vom Teufel spricht, dann kommt er | when one speaks of the devil, then he comes |
Hebrew | מדברים על החמור, והחמור בא
|
speak of the donkey and the donkey comes |
Hungarian | ne fesd az ördögöt a falra, mert megjelenik | don't paint the devil on the wall, or he will appear |
Icelandic | oft kemur illur þá um er rætt | often evil comes when it is discussed |
Irish | tagann gach aon rud lena iomrá ach madadh rua agus marbhán | everything comes to mention but a red wolf and a dead man |
Italian | parli del diavolo e spuntano le corna | talk about the devil, and the horns appear |
Japanese | 噂をすれば影がさす | if you gossip, it will cast a shadow |
Korean | 호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다 | the tiger comes when he is spoken about |
Latin | lupus in fābulā | the wolf in a story |
Latin | lupus in sermōne | the wolf in a conversation |
Lithuanian | vilką minim, vilkas čia | you mention a wolf, the wolf is here |
Modern Greek | κατά φωνή κι ο γάιδαρος | by voice, here is the donkey |
Norwegian | når man snakker om sola | when you speak of the sun |
Polish | o wilku mowa, a wilk tu | talk about the wolf, and he is almost here |
Portuguese | falando do diabo, aparece o rabo | when you speak of the devil, his tail will show up |
Romanian | vorbești de lup și lupul la ușă | you talk about the wolf and the wolf comes |
Russian | про серого речь, а серый навстречь | when it’s spoken about a grey one, one meets the grey one |
Scottish Gaelic | thig an donas ri iomradh | the misfortune comes as mentioned |
Serbo-Croatian | ми о вуку, ми о вуку а вук на врата / mi o vuku, mi o vuku a vuk na vrata | we mention the wolf, and he enters the door |
Slovenian | ti o volku volk iz gozda | we speak of the wolf, the wolf comes from the forest |
South Levantine Arabic | ابن الحلال عند ذكره ببان
|
the decent man appears with the mention |
South Levantine Arabic | ذكرنا القط، أجا ينط
|
we mentioned the cat and he came jumping |
Spanish | habla del rey de Roma, y asoma | speak of the king of Rome, and he surprises you |
Swedish | när man talar om trollen, står de i farstun | when one speaks of the trolls, they're out in the hallway |
Turkish | iti an, çomağı hazırla | wait, prepare the stick |
Ukrainian | про вовка промовка | speaking of the wolf |
Welsh | sonier am ddiawl, fe ymddengys y cythraul | mention the devil, the devil will appear |
Yiddish | מע זאל נאר דערמאנען משיחן
|
We should only mention the Christ |
Prevent before it happens[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Arabic | الوقاية خير من العلاج
|
prevention is better than cure |
Chinese | 未雨綢繆/未雨绸缪 | bind the window tightly before it rains |
Chinese | 防患未然 | prevent trouble before it happens |
Danish | det er bedre at forebygge end at helbrede | it is better to prevent than to cure |
Dutch | voorkomen is beter dan genezen | prevention is better than cure |
French | mieux vaut prévenir que guérir | prevention is better than cure |
English | prevention is better than cure | |
German | Vorbeugen ist besser als Heilen | prevention is better than cure |
Japanese | 予防は治療に勝る | prevention is better than cure |
Malay | mencegah lebih baik daripada mengubati | prevention is better than cure |
Modern Greek | Κάλλιον το προλαμβάνειν παρά το θεραπεύειν
Κάλλιον του θεραπεύειν το προλαμβάνειν |
prevention is better than cure |
Polish | lepiej zapobiegać niż leczyć | better to prevent than to cure |
Portuguese | prevenir é melhor do que remediar | prevention is better than cure |
Russian | профилактика лучше лечения | prevention is better than cure |
Spanish | mas vale prevenir que lamentar | prevention is better than regret |
Spanish | por si las moscas | just in case there are flies |
Prominence invites trouble[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Chinese | 樹大招風/树大招风 | big tree catches wind |
Dutch | hoge bomen vangen veel wind | tall trees catch a lot of wind |
Random people[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Afrikaans | Jan Rap en sy maat | Jan Rap and his partner |
Albanian | Filani apo Fisteku | Filani or Fisteku |
Arabic | فلان، علان وترتان
|
Fulàn, 'Illàn or Tirtàn |
Azerbaijani | Ali, Vali, Pirvali | Ali, Vali, Pirvali |
Basque | Urlia, Sandia eta Berendia | Urlia, Sandia and Berendia |
Bulgarian | Сульо и Пульо | Súljo and Púljo |
Catalan | en Pau, en Pere i en Berenguera | Pau, Pere and Berenguera |
Chinese | 阿貓阿狗/阿猫阿狗 | kitties and doggies |
Chinese | 張三李四/张三李四 | the third son of Zhāng, the fourth son of Lǐ |
Danish | gud og hvermand | God and every man |
Dutch | Jan, Piet en Klaas | Jan, Piet and Klaas |
Dutch | Jan en Alleman | Jan and Alleman |
English | Tom, Dick and Harry | |
Finnish | mattimeikäläinen | Matt-someone |
French | Pierre, Paul ou Jacques | Pierre, Paul or Jacques |
German | Hans und Franz | Hans and Franz |
German | Hinz und Kunz | Hinz and Kunz |
German | Krethi und Plethi | Cherethites and Pelethites |
Hindi | ऐरा-ग़ैरा नत्थू ख़ैरा | Airā-Ġairā Natthū Xairā |
Hungarian | boldog-boldogtalan | happy-unhappy |
Italian | Tizio, Caio e Sempronio | Tizio, Caio and Sempronio |
Japanese | 猫も杓子も | cats and ladles too |
Korean | 개나 소나 | dogs or cows |
Macedonian | Петко, Трајко и Круме | Petko, Trajko and Krume |
Modern Greek | κάθε καρυδιάς καρύδι | every walnut of the walnut tree |
Norwegian | Gud og hvermann | God and every man |
Norwegian | Per, Pål og Askeladden | Per, Pål or Askeladden |
Persian | اره و اوره و شمسی کوره
|
Âre, Ure, Šamsi Kure |
Portuguese | Fulano, Beltrano e Cicrano | Fulano, Beltrano and Cicrano |
Portuguese | Fulano, Sicrano e Beltrano | Fulano, Sicrano and Beltrano |
Romanian | Ion, Vasile, Gheorghe, Ana | Ion, Vasile, Gheorghe, Ana |
Russian | Иванов, Петров, Сидоров | Ivanóv, Petróv, Sídorov |
Sardinian | Fulanu, Bodale e Nighele | Fulanu, Bodale and Nighele |
Serbo-Croatian | И Кунто и Панто / I Kunto i Panto | both Kunto and Panto |
Serbo-Croatian | Пера, Мика, Лаза / Pera, Mika, Laza | Pera, Mika, Laza |
Serbo-Croatian | Марко и Трајко / Marko i Trajko | Marko and Trajko |
Spanish | Fulano, Mengano y Sotano | Fulano, Mengano and Sotano |
Swedish | Joži or Džony | Joži or Džony |
Swedish | Andersson, Pettersson och Lundström | Andersson, Pettersson or Lundström |
Tamil | குப்பனோ சுப்பனோ | Kuppaṉō or Cuppaṉō |
Telugu | అప్పారావు, సుబ్బారావు | Appārāvu, Subbārāvu |
Turkish | Ahmet, Mehmet | Ahmet, Mehmet |
Turkish | Ali, Veli | Ali, Veli |
Urdu | ایراغیرہ نتھو خیرا
|
Era Ġera, Nathu, Khera |
Welsh | Twm, Dic neu Harri | Twm, Dic or Harri |
Stop fighting[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Catalan | enterrar la destral de guerra | bury the hatchet |
Chinese | 化干戈為玉帛/化干戈为玉帛 | turn shields and spears into jade and silk |
Czech | zakopat válečnou sekeru | bury the hatchet |
Dutch | de strijdbijl begraven | bury the hatchet |
English | bury the hatchet | |
Finnish | haudata sotakirves | bury the hatchet |
French | enterrer la hache de guerre | bury the hatchet |
German | das Kriegsbeil begraben | bury the hatchet |
Hungarian | elássa a csatabárdot | bury the hatchet |
Icelandic | að grafa stríðsöxina | bury the hatchet |
Italian | sotterrare l'ascia di guerra | bury the hatchet |
Modern Greek | Θάψτε το τσεκούρι του πολέμου | Bury the hatchet |
Norwegian Bokmål | begrave stridsøksen | bury the hatchet |
Polish | zakopać topór wojenny | bury the hatchet |
Russian | закопать топор войны | bury the hatchet |
Swedish | begrava stridsyxan | bury the hatchet |
Subordinates take the advantage when their superior is absent[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Afrikaans | as die kat weg is, is die muis baas | when the cat's away, the mouse is boss |
Chinese | 山中無老虎,猴子稱大王/山中无老虎,猴子称大王 | when there is no tiger in the mountain, the monkeys proclaim themselves kings |
Cimbrian | balda di khatz velt, di maüs tåntzan | when the cat is missing, the mice dance |
Czech | když kocour není doma, myši mají pré | when the cat's away from home, the mice are having free time |
Danish | når katten er ude, spiller musene på bordet | when the cat is out, the mice is playing on the table |
Dutch | als de kat van huis is, dansen de muizen op tafel | when the cat is not at home, the mice dance on the table |
English | when the cat's away the mice will play | |
Esperanto | kiam kato promenas, la musoj festenas | when the cats are gone, the mice feast |
Estonian | kui kassid läinud, on hiirtel pidu | when the cats are gone, the mice have a party |
Finnish | kun kissa on poissa, hiiret hyppivät pöydällä | when the cat is gone, the mice jump on the table |
French | quand le chat n'est pas là, les souris dansent | when the cat isn't there, the mice dance |
German | ist die Katze aus dem Haus, tanzen die Mäuse auf dem Tisch | if the cat is out of the house, the mice dance on the table |
Hungarian | ha nincs otthon a macska, cincognak az egerek | if the cat is not home, the mice squeak |
Icelandic | þegar kötturinn er frá fara mýsnar á stjá | when the cat is gone, the mice go to roost |
Irish | nuair a bhíonn an cat amuigh, bíonn na lucha ag rince | when the cat is out, the mice dance |
Italian | quando il gatto non c'è, i topi ballano | when the cat is away, the mice play |
Japanese | 鬼いぬ間の洗濯 | laundry when ogres are absent |
Japanese | 鼬無き間の貂誇り | pride of marten when weasels are absent |
Khmer | ឆ្មាមិននៅ កណ្ដុរឡើងរាជ្យ | if cats are not there, mice reign |
Kikuyu | hiti ciathiĩ mbwe ciegangara | when hyenas go away, foxes play |
Kikuyu | ngatia ciathiĩ hiti cĩeragara | when lions have gone, hyenas dance |
Korean | 고양이가 없으면 쥐가 살판이 난다 | if the cat is not there, the mice will eat |
Latin | audācem reddit fēlis absentia murem | the absence of cat make the mouse bold |
Lower Sorbian | gaž jo kócor z domu, ga maju myšy swóju wólu | when the cat's out of the house, the mice will have their will |
Luxembourgish | wann d’Kaz fort ass, sinn d’Mais Meeschter | when the cat is gone, the mice are masters |
Modern Greek | όταν λείπει η γάτα, χορεύουν τα ποντίκια | when the cat is away, the mice dance |
Northern Kurdish | kitik ne li mal e, navê mişkî Evdal e | the kitten is not at home, the mouse's name is Evdal |
Norwegian | når katten er borte, danser musene på bordet | when the cat’s away, the mice are dancing on the table |
Persian | در خانه کسی که گربه نباشد موش کدخداست
|
in the house of the one who does not have a cat, there are mice |
Polish | gdy kota nie ma, myszy harcują | when the cat is away, the mice play |
Portuguese | quando o gato sai, os ratos fazem a festa | when the cat is out, the mice play |
Romanian | când pisica nu-i acasă, joacă șoarecii pe masă | when the cat isn't home, the mice are dancing on the table |
Russian | без кота мышам раздолье | without the cat, it’s freedom to the mice |
Scottish Gaelic | tha fios aig an luch nach eil an cat a-staigh | the mouse knows the cat is not inside |
Serbian | где мачке у кући нема ту мишеви коло воде | where there are no cats in the house, there are mice around the water |
Spanish | cuando el gato no está, los ratones bailan | when the cat is not there, the mice dance |
Swedish | när katten är borta, dansar råttorna på bordet | when the cat is away, the rats dance on the table |
Telugu | రౌతు మెత్తనైతే గుర్రం మూడు కాళ్ళ మీద పరిగెత్తుతుంది | if the rider is soft, the horse runs on three legs |
Thai | แมวไม่อยู่ หนูร่าเริง | the cat is away, the mouse is cheerful |
Vietnamese | vắng chủ nhà, gà vọc niêu tôm | when the owner is away from home, the chicken will peck the earthenware pot of shrimp |
Unfortunate events occur in quantity[edit | edit source]
language | saying | literal meaning |
---|---|---|
Arabic | المصائب لا تأتي فرادى | misfortunes do not come alone |
Catalan | les desgràcies mai no venen soles | misfortunes do not come alone |
Chinese | 屋漏偏逢連夜雨/屋漏偏逢连夜雨 | the roof is leaking, several continuous nights of rain are following |
Chinese | 禍不單行/祸不单行 | misfortunes do not come alone |
Cimbrian | balda di khatz velt, di maüs tåntzan | when the cat is missing, the mice dance |
Czech | neštěstí nechodí nikdy samo | misfortunes never come alone |
Czech | když se to sere, tak se to sere | when it shits, then it shits |
Danish | en ulykke kommer sjældent alene | a misfortune seldom comes alone |
Dutch | een ongeluk komt zelden alleen | a misfortune seldom comes alone |
English | bad things come in threes | |
English | it never rains but it pours | |
Esperanto | malfeliĉo malofte venas sole | a misfortune seldom comes alone |
Faroese | sjáldan er ein báran støk | a wave seldome comes alone |
Faroese | har ein skriðan er lopin er onnur væntandi | when one landslide is over, another is waiting |
Finnish | ei vahinko yksinään tule | the damage will not come alone |
Finnish | kaikki on vastaan, vain saha puoltaa | everything is against me, only the saw pulls |
French | un malheur ne vient jamais seul | a misfortune never comes alone |
German | ein Unglück kommt selten allein | a misfortune seldom comes alone |
Hebrew | צרוֹת באות בצרורות
|
misfortunes come in packages |
Hungarian | a baj nem jár egyedül | trouble does not come alone |
Icelandic | sjaldan er ein báran stök | a wave seldome comes alone |
Icelandic | það er ýmist of eða van | it is either too much or too little |
Italian | i guai non vengono mai da soli | misfortunes never come alone |
Italian | piove sul bagnato | it rains on the wet |
Italian | al peggio non c'è mai fine | there is no ending to worse |
Japanese | 踏んだり蹴ったり | we often tread on and we often bump off |
Japanese | 泣きっ面に蜂 | a wasp on a tearful face |
Japanese | 弱り目に祟り目 | in times of weakness, evil eyes |
Japanese | 降れば土砂降り | if it rains, it rains like pouring dirt and sand |
Korean | 불행은 겹친다 | misfortunes pile up |
Latin | aliud ex aliō malum | one trouble after another |
Latin | nūlla calamitās sōla | no misfortune is alone |
Latin | Fortūna obesse nūllī contenta est semel | Fortune is never satisfied with hurting a man just once |
Latin | aliō relinquente flūctū alius excēpit | one wave was letting me go, another one snatched me |
Latin | dolor dolōrem trūdit et metus metum | one sorrow presses hard on another, and one fear on another fear |
Lithuanian | bėda viena nevaikšto | trouble does not come alone |
Luxembourgish | en Ongléck kënnt seelen eleng | a misfortune seldom comes alone |
Ενός κακού, μύρια έπονται | One evil is followed by thousands | |
Norwegian Bokmål | en ulykke kommer sjelden alene | a misfortune seldom comes alone |
Norwegian Nynorsk | ei ulykke kjem sjeldan aleine | a misfortune seldom comes alone |
Polish | nieszczęścia chodzą parami | misfortunes walk in pairs |
Portuguese | um mal nunca vem só | a bad thing never comes alone |
Portuguese | uma desgraça nunca vem sozinha | a misfortune never comes alone |
Romanian | o nenorocire nu vine niciodată singură | a misfortune never comes alone |
Russian | пришла беда — отворяй ворота | when the trouble comes, open the gate |
Russian | беда не приходит одна | trouble does not come alone |
Scottish Gaelic | nuair a thig air duine, thig air uile | when it befalls one, it befalls all |
Serbo-Croatian | несрећа никада не долази сама / nesreća nikada ne dolazi sama | misfortune never comes alone |
Slovak | nešťastie nechodí samo | misfortune does not come alone |
Slovenian | nesreča ne pride nikoli sama | misfortune never come alone |
Spanish | las desgracias nunca vienen solas | misfortunes never come alone |
Spanish | cuando llueve, diluvia | when it rains, it pours |
Spanish | llueve sobre mojado | it rains on the wet |
Spanish | si no quieres caldo, taza y media | if you do not want broth, a bowl and a half |
Swedish | en olycka kommer sällan ensam | a misfortune seldom comes alone |
Swedish | när det regnar så öser det ner | when it rains, it pours |
Thai | ความวัวไม่ทันหาย ความควายเข้ามาแทรก | the condition of cows does not yet cease, the condition of buffaloes comes in to join |
Vietnamese | бі́да ні́коли сама́ не хо́дить | trouble does not come alone |
Vietnamese | họa vô đơn chí | misfortune never comes alone |
Walloon | on måleur ni vént måy tot seu | misfortune never comes alone |
Walloon | helynt ni ddaw ei hunan | trouble does not come by itself |
> Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Timelines by Country
- Regional Classic Video Games
- Introduction to Sci–Tech Index
- Helpful Anki Shared Decks
- How to Customise Open–Source Language Games
- Websites of DIY Procedures
- Ranking of countries by cost of living in the world
- Most Famous Non–Contemporary Artists
- Countries and Flag Emoji by Languages
- Most Popular Forums around the World
Contributors
GrimPixel, Vincent, Marianth, Maintenance script, About Blank and 189.153.157.226