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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]
Achievements require patience
| 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
| 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
| 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 | το ράσο δεν κάνει 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
| 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
| 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 |
Destroy one's paths, connections or opportunities
| 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 ενώνει 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
| 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 |
Prominence invites trouble
| 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 |
Give one a little benefit and the one will demand more
| 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 |
Heavy rain
| 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 | lać jak z cebra | pour like from a bucket |
| 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 |
| 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 ведра́ | 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
| 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 είναι κινέζικα για μένα | it's 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 |
Inexperienced
| 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
| 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
| 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 |
People who often threat seldom commit it
| 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 |
Prevent before it happens
| 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 ή(παρά) το θεραπεύειν | 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 |
Random people
| 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
| 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 |
| 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
| 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 |
| Northern Kurdish | kitik ne li mal e, navê mişkî Evdal e | the kitten is not at home, the mouse's name is Evdal |
| 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 |
| 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 |
> Other Lessons
- 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