慢工出細貨

ㄇㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄔㄨ ㄒㄧˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

маньгун чу сихо

/män⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/maːn²² kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐi̯³³ fɔː³³/

/män⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/maːn²² kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐi̯³³ fɔː³³/

soft fire makes sweet malt
soft fire makes sweet malt

slow and steady wins the race
slow and steady wins the race

slow and meticulous work leads to fine quality; soft fire makes sweet malt; slow and steady wins the race


갗에서 좀 난다

From 갗 (gat, “leather”) + 에서 (-eseo, “on”) + 좀 (jom, “moth”) + 난다 (nanda, “to be born”). Literally meaning "the moths [that feed] on the leather are born from [the leather]."

com

the root of the issue (or problem) can be found within itself


head

te yu mati barba e bron, yu musu nati di fu yu

Literally, "when your friend's beard is burning, you have to wet yours".

forewarned is forearmed
forewarned is forearmed#English

forewarned is forearmed (advance awareness of a situation, especially a risky one, prepares one to deal with it)


Бог не выдаст, свинья не съест

Бог не вы́даст, свинья́ не съест

Бог не вы́даст, свинья́ не съест • (Box ne výdast, svinʹjá ne sʺjest)

Бог не вы́даст (canonical)
свинья́ не съест (canonical)
Box ne výdast (romanization)
svinʹjá ne sʺjest (romanization)

[box nʲɪ‿ˈvɨdəst | svʲɪˈnʲja nʲɪ‿ˈsjest]

Likely derived from an apocryphal Nativity story: when newborn Jesus was in the manger, a horse helped cover him in hay to hide him from Herod's men, while a pig tried to uncover him.
Literally, “if God doesn't give us up, a pig won't eat us”.

lit

Приготовься ― Бог не вы́даст, свинья́ не съест. Пиши о всех затруднениях и держи меня, по возможности, в курсе всех твоих шагов.

1930, Г. А. Соломон, Среди красных вождей:

Be prepared; never say die and hope for the best. Write to me about any problems and keep me, whenever possible, informed about all your steps.

Prigotovʹsja ― Box ne výdast, svinʹjá ne sʺjest. Piši o vsex zatrudnenijax i derži menja, po vozmožnosti, v kurse vsex tvoix šagov.

never say die and hope for the best (expressing hope that one will find one's way out of a difficult or dangerous situation)

en-Бог_не_выдаст,_свинья_не_съест-ru-proverb-1au33aL-

English translation from Ekaterina Telfer

матушка! — отвечал Иван Игнатьич. — Бог милостив: солдат у нас довольно

пушку я вычистил. Авось дадим отпор Пугачёву. Господь не выдаст

matuška! — otvečal Ivan Ignatʹič. — Bog milostiv: soldat u nas dovolʹno

pušku ja vyčistil. Avosʹ dadim otpor Pugačóvu. Gospodʹ ne vydast

my little mother!" answered Ivan Ignatitch

"God is merciful. We have a pretty good number of soldiers

and I have cleaned out the gun. We may yet repulse Pougatcheff. If God does not forsake us


qui cherche, trouve

qui cherche trouve
qui cherche trouve#French

(rare) Alternative spelling of qui cherche trouve


head

když nejde hora k Mohamedovi, musí Mohamed k hoře

if the mountain won't come to Muhammad
if the mountain won't come to Muhammad

if the mountain won't come to Muhammad, if the mountain won't come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain


jak rak świśnie a ryba piśnie

Literally, “when a crawfish swishes and a fish whistles”. Compare Russian когда рак на горе свистнет (kogda rak na gore svistnet), Belarusian калі рак свісне (kali rak svisnje).

cog

когда рак на горе свистнет

калі рак свісне

(idiomatic) cold day in Hell, when pigs fly (time of occurrence of an event that will never happen)


one bad turn deserves another

One act of malice should be paid back by another act of malice.


흉년에 윤달

From 흉년(凶年) (hyungnyeon, “a year of poor harvest”) + 에 (-e) + 윤(閏)달 (yundal, “leap month”).

com

one bad turn deserves another
one bad turn deserves another

ill often comes on the back of worse; one bad turn deserves another


a no babariman e broko pranasi

Literally, “it's not the noisy ones who destroy the plantations”. Refers to escaped enslaved people who stealthily returned to wreck plantations and free other enslaved people.

lit

A no Babariman de broko pranasi. Nicht die Schreier zerstören die Plantagen. (Geht auf die ehemaligen Buschneger-Einfälle^([sic])). Hunde, die beißen wollen, bellen nicht zuvor. - Hunde, die bellen, beißen nicht.

1856, Heinrich Wullschlägel, Deutsch-negerenglisches Wörterbuch. Nebst einem Anhang, negerenglische Sprüchwörter enthaltend [German-Negro English dictionary. Containing, in addition to an appendix, Negro English proverbs], Löbau: J.U. Duroldt, page 304:

A no Babariman de broko pranasi. It's not the screamers that are destroying the plantations. (Goes [back] to the former Bush Negro incursions). Dogs that want to bite don't bark first. - Dogs that bark do not bite.

barking dogs seldom bite
barking dogs seldom bite#English


acta, non verba

An individual's deeds present something of more importance in the contrary to their statements.


golare har inga polare

snitches get stitches
snitches get stitches


kommt Zeit, kommt Rat

Literally, “[as] time comes, guidance comes”.

cross that bridge when one comes to it
cross that bridge when one comes to it

a solution to a problem will come with time; one should cross that bridge when one comes to it


een zwaluw maakt nog geen zomer

Ultimately a calque of Ancient Greek μία χελιδὼν ἔαρ οὐ ποιεῖ (mía khelidṑn éar ou poieî), possibly via an intermediary; note that the Dutch has zomer whereas the Greek refers to spring, not summer. This deviation from the original is shared with various languages that borrowed this proverb, including English.

cal

μία χελιδὼν ἔαρ οὐ ποιεῖ

one swallow does not a summer make
one swallow does not a summer make


head

/vɛn man fɔm ˈtɔɪ̯fl̩ ʃpʁɪçt dan kɔmt eːɐ̯/

De-wenn man vom Teufel spricht, dann kommt er.ogg

Literally, “when one speaks of the devil, then he comes”.

lit

wenn man vom Teufel spricht, dann ist er nicht weit


head

/vɛn man fɔm ˈtɔɪ̯fl̩ ʃpʁɪçt dan ɪst eːɐ̯ nɪçt vaɪ̯t/

De-wenn man vom Teufel spricht, dann ist er nicht weit.ogg

Literally, “when one speaks of the devil, then he isn’t far”.

lit

speak of the devil and he shall appear
speak of the devil and he shall appear

speak of the devil and he shall appear, speak of the devil


μία χελιδὼν ἔαρ οὐ ποιεῖ

head

μίᾰ χελῑδὼν ἔᾰρ οὐ ποιεῖ

μίᾰ χελῑδὼν ἔᾰρ οὐ ποιεῖ • (mía khelīdṑn éar ou poieî)

μίᾰ χελῑδὼν ἔᾰρ οὐ ποιεῖ (canonical)
mía khelīdṑn éar ou poieî (romanization)

desc

ένα χελιδόνι δεν φέρνει την άνοιξη

Greek: ένα χελιδόνι δεν φέρνει την άνοιξη (éna chelidóni den férnei tin ánoixi)

→ Dutch: een zwaluw maakt nog geen zomer (calque)

→ English: one swallow does not a summer make (calque) (see there for further translations)

→ Chinese: 一燕不成夏 (yīyànbùchéngxià) (calque)

한 마리의 제비가 왔다고 봄이 온 것은 아니다

→ Korean: 한 마리의 제비가 왔다고 봄이 온 것은 아니다 (han mariui jebiga watdago bomi on geoseun anida) (calque)

→ French: une hirondelle ne fait pas le printemps (calque)

→ German: eine Schwalbe macht noch keinen Sommer (calque)

→ Italian: una rondine non fa primavera (calque)

→ Polish: jedna jaskółka wiosny nie czyni (calque)

→ Portuguese: uma andorinha só não faz verão (calque)

пе́рвая ла́сточка весны́ не де́лает

→ Russian: пе́рвая ла́сточка весны́ не де́лает (pérvaja lástočka vesný ne délajet) (calque)

→ Spanish: una golondrina no hace verano (calque)

Literally, “one swallow does not make a spring”. A remark found in Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics (1098a18: “one swallow does not a summer make, nor one fine day; similarly one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy”), itself inspired by the fable The Young Man and the Swallow by Aesop.

lit

Aesop
Aristotle
Nicomachean Ethics
The Young Man and the Swallow

en-μία_χελιδὼν_ἔαρ_οὐ_ποιεῖ-grc-proverb-P-5rXwRC


한 마리의 제비가 왔다고 봄이 온 것은 아니다

ko-pos

한 마리-의 제비-가 왔다고 봄-이 온 것-은 아니다

한 마리의 제비가 왔다고 봄이 온 것은 아니다 • (han mari-ui jebi-ga watdago bom-i on geos-eun anida)

[ha̠n ma̠ɾiɰi t͡ɕe̞biɡa̠ wa̠t̚t͈a̠ɡo̞ po̞mi o̞n kʌ̹sʰɯn a̠nida̠]

한마리의제비가왇따고보미온거슨아니다

[한마리의제비가왇따고보미온거슨아니다]

Calque of English one swallow does not a summer make. From 한 (han, “one”) + 마리 (mari) + 의 (-ui, “of”) + 제비 (jebi, “swallow”) + 가 (-ga) + 왔다고 (watdago, “to come”) + 봄 (bom, “spring”) + 이 (-i) + 온 (on, “come”) + 것 (geot, “something”) + 은 (-eun) + 아니다 (anida, “to be not something”).

com

one swallow does not a summer make#English

en-한_마리의_제비가_왔다고_봄이_온_것은_아니다-ko-proverb-P-5rXwRC


haltur leiðir blindan

a collaboration between people in which they are able to make up for the other's weakness (as in the fable The Blind Man and the Lame)


虎死留皮，人死留名

desc

호사유피 인사유명(虎死留皮，人死留名)

→ Korean: 호사유피 인사유명(虎死留皮，人死留名)

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (虎死留皮，人死留名):
* → Korean: 호사유피 인사유명(虎死留皮，人死留名)

when a tiger dies, it leaves behind its pelt; when a person dies, they leave behind their name

ㄏㄨˇ ㄙˇ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄆㄧˊ

ㄖㄣˊ ㄙˇ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

hu³ ssŭ³ liu² pʻi², jên² ssŭ³ liu² ming²

жэнь сы лю мин

/xu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ pʰi³⁵ ʐən³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

a person should focus on the legacy they will have on others


호사유피 인사유명

ko-proverb

호사유피 인사유명 • (hosayupi insayumyeong) (hanja 虎死留皮，人死留名)

hosayupi insayumyeong (romanization)
虎死留皮，人死留名 (hanja)

Borrowed from Chinese 虎死留皮，人死留名 (hǔ sǐ liú pí, rén sǐ liú míng), literally “when a tiger dies, it leaves behind its pelt; when a person dies, they leave behind their name”.

bor

호랑(虎狼)이는 죽어서 가죽을 남기고 사람은 죽어서 이름을 남긴다

same meaning, calqued instead of borrowed

horang'ineun jugeoseo gajugeul namgigo sarameun jugeoseo ireumeul namginda


erst die Arbeit, dann das Vergnügen

De-erst die Arbeit, dann das Vergnügen.ogg

Literally, “first the work, then the joy”

lit

business before pleasure
business before pleasure#English


矮仔多計

/ɐi̯³⁵ t͡sɐi̯³⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ kɐi̯³³⁻³⁵/

/ɐi̯³⁵ t͡sɐi̯³⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ kɐi̯³³⁻³⁵/

(Cantonese) a short person has many tricks, ideas, etc.


꽃보다 경단

From 꽃 (kkot, “flowers”) + 보다 (-boda, “[more] than”) + 경단(瓊團) (gyeongdan, “dumplings”). Cognate with Japanese 花(はな)より団子(だんご) (hanayoridango).


comparison is the thief of joy

Comparing one's own situation with that of others will lead to unhappiness or bitterness.


好心冇好報

no good deed goes unpunished
no good deed goes unpunished

(Cantonese) no good deed goes unpunished; those who help often end up being resented by those whom they help


nhất nước, nhì phân, tam cần, tứ giống

(agriculture) in order of priority for successful culture, water, manure/fertilizer, hard work, cultivars

nhất canh trì, nhị canh viên, tam canh điền


head

nhất canh trì, nhị canh viên, tam canh điền

nhất canh trì, nhì canh viên, tam canh điền

(literal) first cultivate the pond, second cultivate the garden, third cultivate the paddy

(agriculture) in order of ease, low overhead and profitability, aquaculture, horticulture and rice culture


źle się dzieje w państwie duńskim

żle się dzieje w państwie duńskim (canonical)

/ʑlɛ ɕɛ ˈd͡ʑɛ.jɛ f ˈpaɲ.stfjɛ ˈduɲ.skim/

Literally, “bad things are happening in the Danish state”. Calque of English something is rotten in the state of Denmark from William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet".

cal

(idiomatic) something is rotten in the state of Denmark


en-proverb

ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer

ask a silly question, get a silly answer#English

Alternative form of ask a silly question, get a silly answer


królestwo za konia

Calque of English my kingdom for a horse, from William Shakespeare's play Richard III.

cal

my kingdom for a horse
my kingdom for a horse

(idiomatic) my kingdom for a horse (speaker is willing to sacrifice anything to obtain a seemingly unimportant item that becomes invaluable at a critical moment)


en-proverb

gender is between your ears, not between your legs

Coined by American writer, musician and actor Chaz Bono, who is also a trans man.

coinage

Gender only exists as a social construct, and is not confined to one's birth sex.


człowiek strzela, Pan Bóg kule nosi

/ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk stʂɛlaˌ pan buk ˈku.lɛ ˈnɔ.ɕi/

Literally, “a man shoots, Lord God carries the bullets”.

lit

man proposes, God disposes
man proposes, God disposes

(idiomatic) man proposes, God disposes (things don't always work out as they were planned)


இக்கரைக்கு அக்கரை பச்சை

head

இக்கரைக்கு அக்கரை பச்சை • (ikkaraikku akkarai paccai)

ikkaraikku akkarai paccai (romanization)

that side is always greener compared to this one.

en-இக்கரைக்கு_அக்கரை_பச்சை-ta-proverb-2u3UOsh~


காக்கைக்கு தன் குஞ்சு பொன் குஞ்சு

காக்கைக்கு தன் குஞ்சு பொன் குஞ்சு • (kākkaikku taṉ kuñcu poṉ kuñcu)

kākkaikku taṉ kuñcu poṉ kuñcu (romanization)

en-காக்கைக்கு_தன்_குஞ்சு_பொன்_குஞ்சு-ta-proverb-OGyMmPCM


矮子矮，一肚子拐

ㄧ ㄉㄨˋ ˙ㄗ ㄍㄨㄞˇ

/ˀaɪ̯²¹⁴ d͡z̥z̩⁴ ˀaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tu⁵¹ d͡z̥z̩¹ ku̯aɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


el vivo vive del bobo

[el ˌβ̞i.β̞o ˌβ̞i.β̞e ð̞el ˈβ̞o.β̞o]

there's a sucker born every minute
there's a sucker born every minute

(Colombia) there's a sucker born every minute


அறுக்கமாட்டாதவன் இடுப்பிலே ஐம்பத்தெட்டு அரிவாள் • (aṟukkamāṭṭātavaṉ iṭuppilē aimpatteṭṭu arivāḷ)

/ɐrʊkːɐmaːʈːaːd̪ɐʋɐn ɪɖʊpːɪleː ɐɪ̯mbɐt̪ːɛʈːʊ ɐɾɪʋaːɭ/

[ɐrʊkːɐmaːʈːaːd̪ɐʋɐn ɪɖʊpːɪleː ɐɪ̯mbɐt̪ːɛʈːɯ ɐɾɪʋaːɭ]

he who cannot cut owns fifty-eight sickles around his waist.

en-அறுக்கமாட்டாதவன்_இடுப்பிலே_ஐம்பத்தெட்டு_அரிவாள்-ta-proverb-c2hDI-fB


風雨如晦，雞鳴不已

ㄈㄥ ㄩˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄟˋ

ㄐㄧ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˇ

fung¹ jyu⁵ jyu⁴ fui³, gai¹ ming⁴ bat¹ ji⁵

фэнъюй жу хуэй

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³ jyː²¹ fuːi̯³³ kɐi̯⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jiː¹³/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 90 (《詩經·鄭風·風雨》)

lang

(《詩經·鄭風·風雨》)

(《詩經·鄭風·風雨》)

Through the wind and rain all looks dark, And the cock crows without ceasing.
But I have seen my husband, And how should I not rejoice?

The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Fēngyǔ rú huì, jīmíng bùyǐ.
Jì jiàn jūnzǐ, yún hú bù xǐ.

風雨如晦，雞鳴不已。
既見君子，云胡不喜。

风雨如晦，鸡鸣不已。
既见君子，云胡不喜。

a gentleman acts in a principled manner even in the darkest of times


a szem a lélek tükre

a (“the”) + szem (“eye”) + a (“the”) + lélek (“soul”) + tükör (“mirror”) + -e (“of”, possessive suffix), literally “the eye [is] the mirror of the soul”

affix

the eyes are the window to the soul
the eyes are the window to the soul


choisir c'est renoncer

have one's cake and eat it too
have one's cake and eat it too

to choose is to forsake; one can't have one's cake and eat it too (when you make a choice, you have to give up on something else)


phúc bất trùng lai, họa vô đơn chí

[fʊwk͡p̚˧˦ ʔɓət̚˧˦ t͡ɕʊwŋ͡m˨˩ laːj˧˧ hwaː˧˨ʔ vo˧˧ ʔɗəːn˧˧ t͡ɕi˧˦]

[fʊwk͡p̚˦˧˥ ʔɓək̚˦˧˥ ʈʊwŋ͡m˦˩ laːj˧˧ hwaː˨˩ʔ vow˧˧ ʔɗəːŋ˧˧ t͡ɕɪj˨˩˦]

[fʊwk͡p̚˦˥ ʔɓək̚˦˥ ʈʊwŋ͡m˨˩ laːj˧˧ waː˨˩˨ vow˧˧ ʔɗəːŋ˧˧ cɪj˦˥]

[fʊwk͡p̚˦˥ ʔɓək̚˦˥ ʈʊwŋ͡m˨˩ laːj˧˧ waː˨˩˨ jow˧˧ ʔɗəːŋ˧˧ cɪj˦˥]

Sino-Vietnamese reading of 福不重來，禍無單至; based on 福不重至，禍必重來／福不重至，祸必重来 (phúc bất trùng chí, họa tất trùng lai).

zh-l

Shi Nai'an, Water Margin, Ch. 36; Vietnamese translation by Trần Tuấn Khải

Song Jiang, upon hearing that, clutched the two guards tightly and moaned: "Good Heavens, woe is me! Indeed, blessings never come in pair; disasters never come singly!"

Tống Giang nghe nói níu lấy hai người công sai mà kêu rằng: "Khổ lắm trời ơi! Thực là phúc bất trùng lai, họa vô đơn chí!"

2011, Hoàng Đình Trung MD, "Báo SK&ĐS - Ân nhân của tôi (Health and Life Newspaper - My Benefactor)" Health and Life Newspaper

We urgently determined to save the life of the woman in childbirth yet with every moment the situation became more and more critical. Indeed, “blessings never come in pair; disasters never come singly”.

Chúng tôi khẩn trương quyết cứu sản phụ nhưng tình hình mỗi lúc một nguy kịch. Thật là “Phúc bất trùng lai, họa vô đơn chí”.

opportunity seldom knocks twice
opportunity seldom knocks twice

misfortunes never come singly
misfortunes never come singly

Blessings do not come in pair, disasters do not come singly; opportunity seldom knocks twice, misfortunes never come singly


福無雙至，禍不單行

ㄈㄨˊ ㄨˊ ㄕㄨㄤ ㄓˋ

ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄢ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/fu³⁵ u³⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

Alternative form of 福不重至，禍必重來／福不重至，祸必重来 (fú bù chóng zhì, huò bì chóng lái).

alternative form of

福无双至，祸不单行
福不重至，禍必重來

No sooner (Song) Jiang heard that than he clutched the two guards tightly and moaned: "Aye, woe is me! Indeed: Blessings never come in pair; misfortunes never come singly!"

Shi Nai'an, Water Margin, circa 14ᵗʰ century CE

Wèi Jiāng tīng bà, chě dìng liǎng ge gōngrén, shuōdào: “Quèshì kǔ yě! Zhèngshì: ‘Fúwúshuāngzhì, huòbùdānxíng!’”

未江聽罷，扯定兩個公人，說道：「卻是苦也！正是：『福無雙至，禍不單行！』」

未江听罢，扯定两个公人，说道：「却是苦也！正是：『福无双至，祸不单行！』」

opportunity seldom knocks twice, misfortunes never come singly


福不重至，禍必重來

ㄈㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄓˋ

ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄌㄞˊ

fu² pu⁴ chʻung² chih⁴, huo⁴ pi⁴ chʻung² lai²

фу бу чун чжи

хо би чун лай

/fu³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

Attested earliest in a speech attributed to Qu Yijiu (屈宜咎) and quoted in Shuoyuan

People, for a certainty, have both propitious and unpropitious times. Marquis Zhao of Hán has had propitious periods, but he failed [to use them] to build a tall gate. The year before last, Qin seized Yi Yang, and the next year there was a great drought, and the people suffered famine. He failed to take this opportunity to help the people in their time of need but instead grew more extravagant. This is what is meant by the saying ‘Good fortune never comes twice, but disasters come in droves.’

Rén gù yǒulì bùlì. Zhāohóu cháng lì yǐ, bù zuò gāomén. Wǎngnián Qín bá yíyáng, míngnián dàhàn mín jī, bù yǐ cǐshí xù mín zhī jí yě, ér gùfǎn yìshē, cǐ suǒwèi fú bù zhòngzhì, huò bì zhònglái zhě yě.

人固有利不利。昭侯嘗利矣，不作高門。往年秦拔宜陽，明年大旱民饑，不以此時恤民之急也，而顧反益奢，此所謂福不重至、禍必重來者也。

人固有利不利。昭侯尝利矣，不作高门。往年秦拔宜阳，明年大旱民饥，不以此时恤民之急也，而顾反益奢，此所谓福不重至、祸必重来者也。

福不重至，祸必重来
福無雙至，禍不單行

misfortunes never come alone
misfortunes never come alone

opportunity seldom knocks twice, misfortunes never come alone


choisir, c'est renoncer

choisir (canonical)
c’est renoncer (canonical)

choisir c’est renoncer
choisir c'est renoncer#French

Alternative spelling of choisir c’est renoncer


head

jos on lusikalla annettu, ei voi kauhalla vaatia

One cannot expect too much from a (hopelessly) unintelligent person; there is no cure for stupidity.

(more generally) If someone simply lacks some quality, one cannot expect too much from them in that regard.

ei voi kauhalla vaatia, jos on lusikalla annettu

kun on lusikalla annettu, ei voi kauhalla vaatia

ei voi kauhalla vaatia, kun on lusikalla annettu


kauneus on katsojan silmissä

beauty is in the eye of the beholder
beauty is in the eye of the beholder


ei se ole tyhmä, joka pyytää, vaan se, joka maksaa

One better think twice before making a bad purchase or deal.

ei se ole hullu, joka pyytää, vaan se, joka maksaa

ei se ole tyhmä, joka pyytää, vaan joka maksaa

ei se ole hullu, joka pyytää, vaan joka maksaa

tyhmä ei ole se, joka pyytää, vaan se, joka maksaa

hullu ei ole se, joka pyytää, vaan se, joka maksaa

ei tyhmä ole se, joka pyytää, vaan se, joka antaa


en-proverb

if you go far enough left, you get your guns back

(politics) Liberals or center-leftists widely support firearm restrictions, while those on the far left, such as Marxists, do not.


money has no smell

money does not smell
money does not smell#English


癩蛤蟆想食天鵝肉

癞蛤蟆想食天鹅肉
癩蝦蟆想食天鵝肉

laai³ haa¹ mou¹ soeng² sik⁶ tin¹ ngo⁴ juk⁶

laai³ haa¹ mou¹ soeng² sik⁹ tin¹ ngo⁴ juk⁹

/laːi̯³³ haː⁵⁵ mou̯⁵⁵ sœːŋ³⁵ sɪk̚² tʰiːn⁵⁵ ŋɔː²¹ jʊk̚²/

(Cantonese) to be carried away by one's wishful thinking and overestimate one's abilities; to pursue something that is out of one's league


癩蛤蟆想吃天鵝肉

desc

เป็นคางคกคิดอาจเอื้อมกินเนื้อห่านฟ้า

Thai: เป็นคางคกคิดอาจเอื้อมกินเนื้อห่านฟ้า (“to pursue something/someone that is out of one's league”)

癞蛤蟆想吃天鹅肉
癩蝦蟆想吃天鵝肉

ㄌㄞˋ ㄏㄚˊ ˙ㄇㄚ ㄒㄧㄤˇ ㄔ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄜˊ ㄖㄡˋ

lai⁴-ha²-ma⁵ hsiang³ chʻih¹ tʻien¹-o²-jou⁴

лайхама сян чи тяньэжоу

/laɪ̯⁵¹ xä³⁵ mä³ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ˀɤ³⁵ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹/


peilingen zijn palingen

Literally, “polls are eels”, referring to the slipperiness of eels.

(politics) opinion polls are fickle and an unreliable indicator of election results


ist der Ruf erst ruiniert

ist der Ruf erst ruiniert, lebt es sich ganz ungeniert#German

Ellipsis of ist der Ruf erst ruiniert, lebt es sich ganz ungeniert.


行運醫生醫病尾

a lucky doctor treats a patient at the end of the illness

/haːŋ²¹ wɐn²² jiː⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ pɛːŋ²² mei̯¹³/

to get credit for doing something easy or trivial

to do something easy or trivial in order to get credit for it


head

one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter

English has various similar expressions; compare one man's trash is another man's treasure, one man's meat is another man's poison, and so forth.

one's view on war and political violence depends on perspective


die Katze lässt das Mausen nicht

Literally, “a cat won't stop chasing mice”

lit

a leopard cannot change its spots
a leopard cannot change its spots

wenn die Katze nicht zu Hause ist, tanzen die Mäuse auf Tisch und Bänken


en-proverb

hell is full of good meanings, but heaven is full of good works

the road to hell is paved with good intentions#English

Synonym of the road to hell is paved with good intentions


auf alten Pferden lernt man reiten

De-auf alten Pferden lernt man reiten.ogg

Literally, “on old horses one learns to ride”.

lit

auf alten Schiffen lernt man segeln#German

Synonym of auf alten Schiffen lernt man segeln


a bird in the hand

a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush#English

Short for a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.


head

en la mucha necesidad, se conoce al amigo de verdad

a friend in need is a friend indeed
a friend in need is a friend indeed


if can, can; if no can, no can

If you’re able to do it, do it. If you’re not able to, don’t do it.


မရှိတာထက် မသိတာခက်

မရှိတာထက် မသိတာခက်

မရှိတာထက် မသိတာခက် • (ma.hri.tahtak ma.si.tahkak)

/məʃḭdàtʰɛʔ məθḭdàkʰɛʔ/

not knowing is worse than not having (ignorance is worse than material poverty)

en-မရှိတာထက်_မသိတာခက်-my-proverb-7Gi11my2


Gegensätze ziehen sich an

/ˈɡeːɡənˌzɛt͡sə ˈt͡siː(ə)n zɪç ˈan/


en-proverb

if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it's probably a duck

if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck#English

Alternative form of if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck


head

der eine isst gern Wurst, der andere grüne Seife

Literally, “one likes to eat sausage, the other green soap”. Coined by Erich Kästner.

lit

one man's meat is another man's poison
one man's meat is another man's poison


ஏட்டு சுரைக்காய் கறிக்கு உதவாது

head

ஏட்டு சுரைக்காய் கறிக்கு உதவாது • (ēṭṭu curaikkāy kaṟikku utavātu)

ēṭṭu curaikkāy kaṟikku utavātu (romanization)

/eːʈːʊ t͡ɕʊɾɐɪ̯kːaːj kɐrɪkːʊ ʊd̪ɐʋaːd̪ʊ/

[eːʈːɯ sʊɾɐɪ̯kːaːj kɐrɪkːɯ ʊd̪ɐʋaːd̪ɯ]

a calabash on a paper is no good for cooking

en-ஏட்டு_சுரைக்காய்_கறிக்கு_உதவாது-ta-proverb-xCbY8hRO


tilaisuus tekee varkaan

opportunity makes a thief
opportunity makes a thief


in der Kürze steckt die Würze

in der Kürze liegt die Würze
in der Kürze liegt die Würze#German

Alternative form of in der Kürze liegt die Würze


kaikki virtaa

[ˈkɑ̝i̯kːi ˈʋirt̪ɑ̝ː]

From kaikki + virtaa; calque of Ancient Greek πάντα ῥεῖ (pánta rheî), attributed to Heraclitus.

cal

(idiomatic, philosophy) panta rhei, life changes

all things are in a state of flux
all things are in a state of flux

(idiomatic, philosophy) panta rhei, all things are in a state of flux


всі дороги ведуть до Риму

head

всі доро́ги веду́ть до Ри́му

всі доро́ги веду́ть до Ри́му • (vsi doróhy vedútʹ do Rýmu)

всі доро́ги веду́ть до Ри́му (canonical)
vsi doróhy vedútʹ do Rýmu (romanization)

all roads lead to Rome
all roads lead to Rome

all roads lead to Rome (different paths to the same goal)

en-всі_дороги_ведуть_до_Риму-uk-proverb-12go3~yt


câte bordeie, atâtea obiceie

Literally, “as many huts, so many customs”.

lit

when in Rome, do as the Romans do
when in Rome, do as the Romans do


lupul își schimbă părul, dar năravul ba

Literally, “the wolf changes its hair, but not its temperament”.

lit

the wolf may lose his teeth but never his nature


banul este ochiul dracului

money is the root of all evil
money is the root of all evil


sângele apă nu se face

Literally, “blood doesn't turn into water”.

blood is thicker than water
blood is thicker than water


bate fierul cât e cald

Literally, “strike the iron while it's hot”.

strike the iron while it's hot
strike the iron while it's hot


câinele care latră nu mușcă

barking dogs seldom bite
barking dogs seldom bite


nu lăsa pe mâine ce poți face azi

Literally, “don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today”.

lit

there's no time like the present
there's no time like the present

never put off until tomorrow what you can do today; there's no time like the present


peștele de la cap se împute

Literally, “the fish starts to stink from the head”. Ultimately, calque of Latin piscis primum a capite foetet.

calque

the fish rots from the head
the fish rots from the head


head

când pisica nu-i acasă, joacă șoarecii pe masă

Literally, “when the cat isn't home, the mice are dancing on the table”.

lit

when the cat's away the mice will play
when the cat's away the mice will play


head

cine se trezește de dimineață, departe ajunge

Literally, “he who wakes up early, gets far away”.

lit

the early bird gets the worm
the early bird gets the worm


la plăcinte înainte, la război înapoi

Literally, “ahead, when it comes to pies and backwards, when there is war”.

lit

everyone likes pleasant things, no one wants to do the hard and dangerous ones.


fă-te frate cu dracul până treci puntea

Literally, “become a brother to the devil until you cross the bridge”.

lit

if you can't beat them, join them
if you can't beat them, join them


cui pe cui se scoate

Literally, “one nail removes another nail”.

one nail drives out another
one nail drives out another


ochii care nu se văd se uită

Literally, “the eyes which don't see each other forget each other”.

lit

long absent, soon forgotten
long absent, soon forgotten


no one should be judge in his own cause

Calque of Latin nēmō dēbet esse jūdex in propriā causā.

calque

(law) One ought not be permitted to decide a case in which one has an interest.


capul plecat sabia nu-l taie

Literally, “bowing head is not cut by the sword”.

lit

better bend than break
better bend than break

a submissive man is not persecuted; better bend than break


cu răbdarea treci și marea

Literally, “by having patience, you can cross even the sea”.

lit

good things come to those who wait
good things come to those who wait


ro-proverb

nu da vrabia din mână pe cioara de pe gard

Literally, “don't exchange the sparrow in the hand with the crow on the fence”.

lit

a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush


apa trece, pietrele rămân

Literally, “water goes by, stones remain”.

irrelevant things pass, important things remain, so one should focus on the important things


cuius regio, eius religio

cuius regiō (canonical)
eius religiō (canonical)

Idem est, 4. quoad curam Religionis, ut pote quae ad Dominos territoriales pertinet, & sequela est superioritatis territorialis indubitata, ita ut cuius regio, eius religio; is autem, qui merum Imperium, sive jurisdictionem criminalem tantùm habet, modum in religione praescribere vel eandem mutare nequit, infra lib. 3. cap. 1. n. 76.

1693, Philipp Knipschildt, Tractatus politico-historico-juridicus de juribus et privilegiis nobilitatis […] , page 235:

The same goes for 4., with respect to the care of Religion, since it pertains to the territorial Lords, and is undoubtedly a consequence of territorial sovereignty, thus whose the region, his the religion; he, however, who holds only merum imperium or criminal jurisdiction, cannot prescribe religious custom or alter the same, below, book 3, chapter 1, n. 76.

(New Latin, Germany, law) “Whose the region, his the religion”: The sovereign of a state or territory has the right to determine its official religion.

Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman emperor
Peace of Augsburg
cuius regio, eius religio


scopul scuză mijloacele

Literally, “the goal excuses the means”.

the ends justify the means
the ends justify the means


nu iese fum fără foc

Literally, “no smoke comes out without fire”.

no smoke without fire
no smoke without fire


râde ciob de oală spartă

Literally, “a potsherd laughs at the cracked pot”.

pot calling the kettle black
pot calling the kettle black


nu haina îl face pe om

Literally, “clothes don't make the man”.

clothes don't make the man
clothes don't make the man

you can't judge a book by its cover
you can't judge a book by its cover

clothes don't make the man; you can't judge a book by its cover


foamea este cel mai bun bucătar

hunger is a good sauce
hunger is a good sauce


ro-proverb

socoteala de acasă nu se potrivește cu cea din târg

Literally, “home calculation doesn't match the one at the market”.


prietenul la nevoie se cunoaște

Literally, “one can tell who is a friend when in need”.

lit

a friend in need is a friend indeed
a friend in need is a friend indeed


cum îți așterni, așa dormi

Literally, “as you make your bed, so you sleep”.

as you make your bed, so you must lie in it


ziua bună se cunoaște de dimineață

Literally, “a good day can be told from the morning”.

lit

a good beginning makes a good ending
a good beginning makes a good ending


head

chelului tichie de mărgăritar îi trebuie

Literally, “the bald man needs a hat adorned with pearls”.

lit

one should focus on important things first


head

spune-mi cu cine te însoțești, ca să-ți spun cine ești

Literally, “tell me with whom you congregate, so I can tell you who you are”.

lit

a man is known by the company he keeps
a man is known by the company he keeps


head

cine fură azi un ou, mâine va fura un bou

Literally, “he who steals today an egg will steal tomorrow an ox”. Compare qui vole un œuf vole un bœuf.

lit

once a thief, always a thief
once a thief, always a thief


nu vinde blana ursului din pădure

Ultimately from Aesop's fable The Bear and the Travelers.

don't sell the skin till you have caught the bear


toamna se numără bobocii

Literally, “one should count the ducklings in autumn”.

lit

don't count your chickens before they're hatched


vorba lungă, sărăcia omului

great talkers are little doers
great talkers are little doers


corb la corb nu scoate ochii

Literally, “a raven does not pull out the eyes of another raven”.

lit

dog does not eat dog
dog does not eat dog


fă ce zice popa, nu ce face popa

Literally, “do what the priest says, not what the priest does”.

lit

do as I say and not as I do
do as I say and not as I do


obraznicul mănâncă praznicul

fortune favors the bold
fortune favors the bold


cine seamănă vânt culege furtună

Literally, “he who sows the wind, reaps the whirlwind”.

lit

sow the wind, reap the whirlwind
sow the wind, reap the whirlwind


tot țiganul își laudă ciocanul

Literally, “every Gypsy [smith] is praising his own hammer”.

m-g

every Gypsy 􂀿smith􂁀 is praising his own hammer

lit

all his geese are swans
all his geese are swans


buturuga mică răstoarnă carul mare

Literally, “the small stump topples the big cart”.

little strokes fell great oaks
little strokes fell great oaks


nu tot ce zboară se mănâncă

Literally, “not everything that flies can be eaten”.

lit

one should not believe everything one hears.


cine se aseamănă se adună

Literally, “people who are alike come together”.

birds of a feather flock together
birds of a feather flock together


cine râde la urmă, râde mai bine

Literally, “he who laughs at the end, laughs better”.

lit

he who laughs last laughs best
he who laughs last laughs best


a barking dog never bites

barking dogs seldom bite
barking dogs seldom bite#English

Alternative form of barking dogs seldom bite


a cipész maradjon a kaptafánál

From a (“the”) + cipész (“cobbler, shoemaker”) + marad (“to stay”) + -jon (personal suffix) + a (“the”) + kaptafa (“last”) + -nál (“at”), literally “the cobbler should stay with the last”. (The sentence-initial article may be omitted.) Calque of Latin ne suprā crepidam sūtor iūdicāret (“Let not the cobbler pass judgment beyond the shoes”) or sutor, ne ultra crepidam; compare also ultracrepidarian.

calque

cobbler, keep to your last
cobbler, keep to your last

ne tovább a kaptafánál

…no further [don’t go futher] than the last


kenen jalka kapsaa, sen suu napsaa

One who works hard also eats/gets to eat well.


ઉતાવળે આંબા ન પાકે

head

ઉતાવળે આંબા ન પાકે • (utāvaḷe ā̃bā na pāke)

Literally, “mangos will not ripen with haste”.

lit

Rome wasn't built in a day
Rome wasn't built in a day


差以毫釐，失之千里

ㄔㄚ ㄧˇ ㄏㄠˊ ㄌㄧˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɑʊ̯³⁵ li³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

small discrepancies lead to great errors


差之毫釐，謬以千里

差之毫厘，谬以千里
差之毫釐，繆以千里

ㄔㄚ ㄓ ㄏㄠˊ ㄌㄧˊ

ㄇㄧㄡˋ ㄧˇ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄌㄧˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯³⁵ li³⁵ mi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

tsaa¹ dzi¹ hou⁴ lei⁴, mau⁶ ji⁵ tsin¹ lei⁵

/t͡sʰaː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hou̯²¹ lei̯²¹ mɐu̯²² jiː¹³ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ lei̯¹³/


gura bate curul

a closed mouth gathers no feet
a closed mouth gathers no feet


liten tuva stjälper ofta stort lass

liten (“small”) + tuva (“tuft”) + stjälper (“overturns”) + ofta (“often”) + stort (“large”) + lass (“load”), "(a) small tuft often overturns (a) large load"

af

(idiomatic) seemingly insignificant things can have major negative consequences


ulciorul nu merge de multe ori la apă

Literally, “the pitcher doesn't go many times to get water”.

lit

the pitcher goes so often to the well that it is broken at last


cu o floare nu se face primăvară

Literally, “one flower doesn't make spring”.

one swallow does not a summer make
one swallow does not a summer make


en-proverb

the bigger they come, the harder they fall

the bigger they are, the harder they fall#English

Alternative form of the bigger they are, the harder they fall


head

piensa el ladrón que todos son de su condición

it takes one to know one
it takes one to know one


hasta el rabo, todo es toro

Literally, “until the tail [is cut off], it is all bull”. The phrase originated in the bullfighting world.

m-g

until the tail 􂀿is cut off􂁀, it is all bull

lit

it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings
it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings


while there's life, there's hope

hope springs eternal
hope springs eternal#English


敵人的敵人就是朋友

ㄉㄧˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄉㄧˋ ㄉㄧˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄕˋ ㄆㄥˊ ㄧㄡˇ

dik⁶ jan⁴ dik¹ dik⁶ jan⁴ zau⁶ si⁶ pang⁴ jau⁵

ti²-jên² ti⁴ ti²-jên² chiu⁴-shih⁴ pʻêng²-yu³

дижэнь ди дижэнь цзюши пэнъю

/ti³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ti⁵¹ ti³⁵ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pʰɤŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

dihk yàhn dīk dihk yàhn jauh sih pàhng yáuh

dik⁹ jan⁴ dik⁷ dik⁹ jan⁴ dzau⁶ si⁶ pang⁴ jau⁵

dig⁶ yen⁴ dig¹ dig⁶ yen⁴ zeo⁶ xi⁶ peng⁴ yeo⁵

/tɪk̚² jɐn²¹ tɪk̚⁵ tɪk̚² jɐn²¹ t͡sɐu̯²² siː²² pʰɐŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³/

the enemy of my enemy is my friend
the enemy of my enemy is my friend


comerás con la cuchara que escojas

you made your bed, now sleep in it
you made your bed, now sleep in it


head

moñıs qulaqdın qıddı, sağal kürlükdın uzan

Related to Turkish boynuz kulağı geçmek (“Those who grow up later in a subject get ahead of the old ones in terms of talent. (lit. the horn gets ahead of the ear)”).

cog

Those who grow up later in a subject get ahead of the old ones in terms of talent. (lit. The horn is stronger than the ear, the beard is longer than the eyebrows.)


vesi vanhin voitehista

Literally, “water, the oldest of ointments”. From the Kalevala (rune III).


rakkaudesta se hevonenkin potkii

Literally, “love makes horses kick too”.


錢不是萬能，但沒錢萬萬不能

head

錢不是萬能，但沒錢萬萬不能

钱不是万能，但没钱万万不能

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˋ ㄨㄢˋ ㄋㄥˊ

ㄉㄢˋ ㄇㄟˊ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄨㄢˋ ㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄥˊ

dàn méi qián wànwàn bùnéng [Phonetic:qián búshì wànnéng

цянь буши ваньнэн

дань мэй цянь ваньвань бунэн

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ wän⁵¹ nɤŋ³⁵ tän⁵¹ meɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

money is not everything, but without money, you are nothing


行得快，好世界

one who walks quickly will [enjoy a] better world

/haːŋ²¹ tɐk̚⁵ faːi̯³³ hou̯³⁵ sɐi̯³³ kaːi̯³³/

(Cantonese) if one does things quickly, they can enjoy good fortune


行得嚤，冇鼻哥

one who walks slowly will lose [their] nose

/haːŋ²¹ tɐk̚⁵ mɔː⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ pei̯²² kɔː⁵⁵/

(Cantonese) if one does things slowly, they will see consequences


人一世物一世

/jɐn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ sɐi̯³³ mɐt̚² jɐt̚⁵ sɐi̯³³/

/jɐn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ sɐi̯³³ mɐt̚² jɐt̚⁵ sɐi̯³³/

(Cantonese) one only has one opportunity to live, so make the most of the things in life


有食唔食，罪大惡極

jau⁵ sik⁹ m⁴ sik⁹, dzoey⁶ daai⁶ ok⁸ gik⁹

/jɐu̯¹³ sɪk̚² m̩²¹ sɪk̚² t͡sɵy̯²² taːi̯²² ɔːk̚³ kɪk̚²/

(Hong Kong Cantonese) if one can enjoy something but chooses to decline it, one has committed a grave sin


贏粒糖輸間廠

wins a piece of candy and loses a factory

/jɛːŋ²¹ nɐp̚⁵ tʰɔːŋ²¹⁻³⁵ syː⁵⁵ kaːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ³⁵/

penny wise and pound foolish
penny wise and pound foolish

spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar
spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar

(Cantonese) penny wise and pound foolish; spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar


入屋叫人，入廟拜神

when entering a house, call out someone's names in salutation; when entering a temple, worship the deity

jap⁶ uk¹ giu³ jan⁴, jap⁶ miu⁶⁻² baai³ san⁴

jap⁹ uk⁷ giu³ jan⁴, jap⁹ miu⁶⁻² baai³ san⁴

yeb⁶ ug¹ giu³ yen⁴, yeb⁶ miu⁶⁻² bai³ sen⁴

/jɐp̚² ʊk̚⁵ kiːu̯³³ jɐn²¹ jɐp̚² miːu̯²²⁻³⁵ paːi̯³³ sɐn²¹/

when in Rome, do as the Romans do
when in Rome, do as the Romans do

(Cantonese) when in Rome, do as the Romans do


清官難審家庭事

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kuːn⁵⁵ naːn²¹ sɐm³⁵ kaː⁵⁵ tʰɪŋ²¹ siː²²/

(Cantonese) even upright officials find it hard to settle family quarrels


唔怕一萬，只怕萬一

m⁴ paa³ jat⁷ maan⁶, dzi² paa³ maan⁶ jat⁷

/m̩²¹ pʰaː³³ jɐt̚⁵ maːn²² t͡siː³⁵ pʰaː³³ maːn²² jɐt̚⁵/

(Cantonese) one should be prepared for unexpected situations


夫妻本是同林鳥，大難臨頭各自飛

夫妻本是同林鳥，大難臨頭各自飛

夫妻本是同林鸟，大难临头各自飞

ㄈㄨ ㄑㄧ ㄅㄣˇ ㄕˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄋㄧㄠˇ

ㄉㄚˋ ㄋㄢˊ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄍㄜˋ ㄗˋ ㄈㄟ

fu¹ cai¹ bun² si⁶ tung⁴ lam⁴ niu⁵, daai⁶ naan⁶ lam⁴ tau⁴ gok³ zi⁶ fei¹

фуцибэньшитунлиньняо

дананьлинь тоугэ цзы фэй

/fu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ lin³⁵ ni̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹ nän³⁵ lin³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

fū chāi bún sih tùhng làhm níuh, daaih naahn làhm tàuh gok jih fēi

fu¹ tsai¹ bun² si⁶ tung⁴ lam⁴ niu⁵, daai⁶ naan⁶ lam⁴ tau⁴ gok⁸ dzi⁶ fei¹

fu¹ cei¹ bun² xi⁶ tung⁴ lem⁴ niu⁵, dai⁶ nan⁶ lem⁴ teo⁴ gog³ ji⁶ féi¹

/fuː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯⁵⁵ puːn³⁵ siː²² tʰʊŋ²¹ lɐm²¹ niːu̯¹³ taːi̯²² naːn²² lɐm²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ kɔːk̚³ t͡siː²² fei̯⁵⁵/

夫妻本是同林鳥 夫妻本是同林鳥#Chinese

夫妻本是同林鸟 夫妻本是同林鸟#Chinese

Synonym of 夫妻本是同林鳥／夫妻本是同林鸟 (fūqī běn shì tóng lín niǎo)


留得青山在，哪怕冇柴燒

lau⁴ dak¹ cing¹ saan¹ zoi⁶, naa⁵ paa³ mou⁵ caai⁴ siu¹

làuh dāk chīng sāan joih, náh pa móuh chàaih sīu

lau⁴ dak⁷ tsing¹ saan¹ dzoi⁶, naa⁵ paa³ mou⁵ tsaai⁴ siu¹

leo⁴ deg¹ qing¹ san¹ zoi⁶, na⁵ pa³ mou⁵ cai⁴ xiu¹

/lɐu̯²¹ tɐk̚⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² naː¹³ pʰaː³³ mou̯¹³ t͡sʰaːi̯²¹ siːu̯⁵⁵/

(Cantonese) while there's life, there's hope


平生不做虧心事，半夜敲門也不驚

平生不做虧心事，半夜敲門也不驚

平生不做亏心事，半夜敲门也不惊

if one has not committed something of guilt in their entire life, they will not be afraid when someone is knocking on their doors in the middle of the night

ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄕㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄎㄨㄟ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄕˋ

ㄅㄢˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄑㄧㄠ ㄇㄣˊ ㄧㄝˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄥ

ping⁴ sang¹ bat¹ zou⁶ kwai¹ sam¹ si⁶, bun³ je⁶ haau¹ mun⁴ jaa⁵ bat¹ ging¹

bàn yèqiāo mén yě bù jīng [Phonetic:píngshēng bú zuò kuīxīn shì

pʻing²-shêng¹ pu⁴ tso⁴ kʻuei¹-hsin¹ shih⁴

пиншэн бу цзо куйсинь ши

бань ецяо мэнь е бу цзин

/pʰiŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ kʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ mən³⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

pìhng sāng bāt jouh kwāi sām sih, bun yeh hāau mùhn yáh bāt gīng

ping⁴ sang¹ bat⁷ dzou⁶ kwai¹ sam¹ si⁶, bun³ je⁶ haau¹ mun⁴ jaa⁵ bat⁷ ging¹

ping⁴ seng¹ bed¹ zou⁶ kuei¹ sem¹ xi⁶, bun³ yé⁶ hao¹ mun⁴ ya⁵ bed¹ ging¹

/pʰɪŋ²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sou̯²² kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ siː²² puːn³³ jɛː²² haːu̯⁵⁵ muːn²¹ jaː¹³ pɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

if one were not guilty, they have nothing to hide


ইটটি মারলে পাটকেলটি খেতে হয়

ইটটি মারলে পাটকেলটি খেতে হয় • (iṭṭi marle paṭkelṭi khete hôẏ)

iṭṭi marle paṭkelṭi khete hôẏ (romanization)

en-ইটটি_মারলে_পাটকেলটি_খেতে_হয়-bn-proverb-7wp4ygzv

Equivalent retribution; an act of returning exactly what one gets; an eye for an eye.

en-ইটটি_মারলে_পাটকেলটি_খেতে_হয়-bn-proverb-Nx37Tq~T


যত গর্জে তত বর্ষে না

যত গর্জে তত বর্ষে না • (jot gorje tot borśe na)

barking dogs seldom bite
barking dogs seldom bite

barking dogs seldom bite; people who make threats rarely carry them out.


নাচতে না জানলে উঠোন বাঁকা

নাচতে না জানলে উঠোন বাঁকা • (nacote na janle uṭhōn bãka)

nacote na janle uṭhōn bãka (romanization)

en-নাচতে_না_জানলে_উঠোন_বাঁকা-bn-proverb--DP9M0q5

Placing blame on others to cover one's own faults

en-নাচতে_না_জানলে_উঠোন_বাঁকা-bn-proverb-xCzTrDex


人靠衣裝，佛靠金裝

a man relies on his clothes, the statue of Buddha relies on its gold

ㄖㄣˊ ㄎㄠˋ ㄧ ㄓㄨㄤ

ㄈㄛˊ ㄎㄠˋ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄓㄨㄤ

jan⁴ kaau³ ji¹ zong¹, fat⁶ kaau³ gam¹ zong¹

жэнь као ичжуан

фо као цзиньчжуан

/ʐən³⁵ kʰɑʊ̯⁵¹ i⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fu̯ɔ³⁵ kʰɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

jan⁴ kaau³ ji¹ dzong¹, fat⁹ kaau³ gam¹ dzong¹

yen⁴ kao³ yi¹ zong¹, fed⁶ kao³ gem¹ zong¹

/jɐn²¹ kʰaːu̯³³ jiː⁵⁵ t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ fɐt̚² kʰaːu̯³³ kɐm⁵⁵ t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵/

clothes maketh the man
clothes maketh the man

fine feathers make fine birds
fine feathers make fine birds

clothes maketh the man; fine feathers make fine birds


দিল্লিকা লাড্ডু

দিল্লিকা লাড্ডু • (dillika laḍḍu)

Borrowed from Hindi दिल्ली का लड्डू (dillī kā laḍḍū, literally “Delhi's laddu”)

bor+

दिल्ली का लड्डू

apple of Sodom, Dead Sea apple; something that looks desirable but is worthless.


長命工夫長命做

long-lasting tasks, one is long-lived to complete them

coeng⁴ meng⁶ gung¹ fu¹ coeng⁴ meng⁶ zou⁶

chèuhng mehng gūng fū chèuhng mehng jouh

tsoeng⁴ meng⁶ gung¹ fu¹ tsoeng⁴ meng⁶ dzou⁶

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ mɛːŋ²² kʊŋ⁵⁵ fuː⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ mɛːŋ²² t͡sou̯²²/

(Cantonese) for tasks that take a long time to complete, one should do them slowly

(Cantonese) longer of life, more time to do infinite tasks


過ぎたるは猶及ばざるが如し

ja-pos

すぎたる は なお およばざる が ごとし

過ぎたるは猶及ばざるが如し

過(す)ぎたるは猶(なお)及(およ)ばざるが如(ごと)し • (sugitaru wa nao oyobazaru ga gotoshi)

過ぎたるは猶及ばざるが如し (canonical)
sugitaru wa nao oyobazaru ga gotoshi (romanization)

too much of a good thing
too much of a good thing


害人之心不可有，防人之心不可無

head

害人之心不可有，防人之心不可無

害人之心不可有，防人之心不可无

ㄏㄞˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄓ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄧㄡˇ

ㄈㄤˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄓ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄨˊ

hoi⁶ jan⁴ zi¹ sam¹ bat¹ ho² jau⁵, fong⁴ jan⁴ zi¹ sam¹ bat¹ ho² mou⁴

fángrén zhī xīn bùkě wú [Phonetic:hàirénzhīxīnbùkéyǒu

хайжэнь чжи синь букэ ю

фанжэнь чжи синь букэ у

/xaɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɑŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵/

hoih yàhn jī sām bāt hó yáuh, fòhng yàhn jī sām bāt hó mòuh

hoi⁶ jan⁴ dzi¹ sam¹ bat⁷ ho² jau⁵, fong⁴ jan⁴ dzi¹ sam¹ bat⁷ ho² mou⁴

hoi⁶ yen⁴ ji¹ sem¹ bed¹ ho² yeo⁵, fong⁴ yen⁴ ji¹ sem¹ bed¹ ho² mou⁴

/hɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ fɔːŋ²¹ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ mou̯²¹/

one should not try to harm others, but you should also be prudent and guard against those who harm you


صبر کا پھل میٹھا ہوتا ہے

ur-proverb

صبر کا پھل میٹھا ہوتا ہے • (ṣabr kā phal mīṭhā hotā hai)

ṣabr kā phal mīṭhā hotā hai (romanization)

/səbɾ kɑː pʰəl miː.ʈʰɑː ɦoː.t̪ɑː ɦɛː/

Literally, “The fruit of patience is [always] sweet.”

m-g

The fruit of patience is 􂀿always􂁀 sweet.

lit

good things come to those who wait
good things come to those who wait

en-صبر_کا_پھل_میٹھا_ہوتا_ہے-ur-proverb-WE14npPM

patience is a virtue
patience is a virtue

en-صبر_کا_پھل_میٹھا_ہوتا_ہے-ur-proverb-5wV8Emab


fingers were made before forks

A lighthearted excuse for using one's hands to pick up food while eating.


a beleza está nos olhos de quem a vê

/ɐ bɨˈle.zɐ (i)ʃˈta nuz ˈɔ.ʎuʒ dɨ ˈkɐ̃j̃ ɐ ˈve/

[ɐ βɨˈle.zɐ (i)ʃˈta nuz ˈɔ.ʎuʒ ðɨ ˈkɐ̃j̃ ɐ ˈve]

beauty is in the eye of the beholder
beauty is in the eye of the beholder

(Portugal) beauty is in the eye of the beholder (individuals have different inclinations on what is beautiful)


瘦田冇人耕，耕開有人爭

瘦田冇人耕，耕开有人争
瘦田無人耕，耕開有人爭

no one plows a thin field, but people start competing for it once it is regularly plowed

sau³ tin⁴ mou⁵ jan⁴ gaang¹, gaang¹ hoi¹ jau⁵ jan⁴ zaang¹

sau tìhn móuh yàhn gāang, gāang hōi yáuh yàhn jāang

sau³ tin⁴ mou⁵ jan⁴ gaang¹, gaang¹ hoi¹ jau⁵ jan⁴ dzaang¹

seo³ tin⁴ mou⁵ yen⁴ gang¹, gang¹ hoi¹ yeo⁵ yen⁴ zang¹

/sɐu̯³³ tʰiːn²¹ mou̯¹³ jɐn²¹ kaːŋ⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ jɐn²¹ t͡saːŋ⁵⁵/


mhux kull ma jleqq hu deheb

all that glitters is not gold
all that glitters is not gold


nine you're fine, ten you're mine

(US, informal) A police officer is likely to pull over a motorist who exceeds the speed limit by 10 or more miles per hour, but may overlook lesser amounts.


揦鮓食，揦鮓大

/laː¹³ t͡saː³⁵ sɪk̚² laː¹³ t͡saː³⁵ taːi̯²²/

(Cantonese) what doesn't kill you makes you stronger


新屎坑，三日香

/sɐn⁵⁵ siː³⁵ haːŋ⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ jɐt̚² hœːŋ⁵⁵/

(Cantonese) something new attracts interest in the beginning but is quickly forgotten (describes a passing fad)


垃圾食，垃圾大

/la(ʔ)³²⁻⁴² sap̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siaʔ⁴³ la(ʔ)³²⁻⁴² sap̚³²⁻⁴ tua²²/

(Hokkien) what doesn't kill you makes you stronger


o jogo só acaba quando termina

/u ˈʒo.ɡu ˈsɔ aˈka.bɐ ˈkwɐ̃.du teʁˈmĩ.nɐ/

[u ˈʒo.ɡu ˈsɔ aˈka.bɐ ˈkwɐ̃.du teɦˈmĩ.nɐ]

/u ˈʒo.ɡu ˈsɔ aˈka.bɐ ˈkwɐ̃.du teɾˈmĩ.nɐ/

/o ˈʒo.ɡo ˈsɔ aˈka.ba ˈkwɐ̃.do teɻˈmi.na/

/u ˈʒo.ɡu ˈsɔ ɐˈka.bɐ ˈkwɐ̃.du tɨɾˈmi.nɐ/

[u ˈʒo.ɣu ˈsɔ ɐˈka.βɐ ˈkwɐ̃.du tɨɾˈmi.nɐ]

Literally, “the game only ends when it ends”.

it ain't over till it's over
it ain't over till it's over

(Brazil) it ain't over till it's over (one should not presume to know the outcome of an event which is still in progress)


जब जाति तब सवेरे

hi-proverb

जब जाति तब सवेरे • (jab jāti tab savere)

/d͡ʒəb d͡ʒɑː.t̪ɪ t̪əb sə.ʋeː.ɾeː/

[d͡ʒɐb‿d͡ʒäː.t̪ɪ‿t̪ɐb‿sɐ.ʋeː.ɾeː]

better late than never
better late than never

“Whenever you wake up, that’s your morning”; better late than never


जिसकी लाठी उसकी भैंस

जिसकी लाठी उसकी भैंस • (jiskī lāṭhī uskī bha͠is)

[d͡ʒɪs.kiː‿läː.ʈʰiː‿ʊs.kiː‿bʱɛ̃ːs]

"Whoever has the stick has the buffalo"; might makes right


生嚿叉燒好過生你

saang¹ gau⁶ caa¹ siu¹ hou² gwo³ saang¹ nei⁵

saang¹ gau⁶ tsaa¹ siu¹ hou² gwo³ saang¹ nei⁵

sang¹ geo⁶ ca¹ xiu¹ hou² guo³ sang¹ néi⁵

/saːŋ⁵⁵ kɐu̯²² t͡sʰaː⁵⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵ hou̯³⁵ kʷɔː³³ saːŋ⁵⁵ nei̯¹³/

A piece of barbecued pork is more useful than the child in question because at least the barbecued pork can be eaten.

giving birth to a piece of char siu is better than giving birth to you

(Cantonese) Used to scold one's child for being useless.


अंत भला तो सब भला

अंत भला तो सब भला • (ant bhalā to sab bhalā)

[ɐ̃n̪t̪‿bʱɐ.läː‿t̪oː‿sɐb‿bʱɐ.läː]

all's well that ends well
all's well that ends well


head

kun yksi ovi sulkeutuu, toinen ovi avautuu

kun yksi ovi sulkeutuu, toinen avautuu#Finnish

Alternative form of kun yksi ovi sulkeutuu, toinen avautuu


kun yksi ovi sulkeutuu, toinen avautuu

when one door closes, another opens
when one door closes, another opens


nie ma tego złego, co by na dobre nie wyszło

/ˈɲɛ.ma ˈtɛ.ɡɔ ˈzwɛ.ɡɔ t͡sɔ bɘ naˈdɔb.rɛ ɲɛˈvɘʂ.wɔ/

Literally, “there is no [thing] bad [enough] that would not work out for the good”.

m-g

there is no 􂀿thing􂁀 bad 􂀿enough􂁀 that would not work out for the good

lit

every cloud has a silver lining
every cloud has a silver lining

(idiomatic) every cloud has a silver lining (there is something good in any bad situation)

nie ma tego złego, co by na gorsze nie wyszło


head

nie ma tego złego, co by na gorsze nie wyszło

/ˈɲɛ.ma ˈtɛ.ɡɔ ˈzwɛ.ɡɔ t͡sɔ bɘ naˈɡɔr.ʂɛ ɲɛˈvɘʂ.wɔ/

Literally, “there is no [thing] bad [enough] that would not work out for the worse”.

m-g

there is no 􂀿thing􂁀 bad 􂀿enough􂁀 that would not work out for the worse

lit

nie ma tego złego, co by na dobre nie wyszło#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of nie ma tego złego, co by na dobre nie wyszło


若要人不知，除非己莫為

ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄠˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄔㄨˊ ㄈㄟ ㄐㄧˇ ㄇㄛˋ ㄨㄟˊ

joek⁶ jiu³ jan⁴ bat¹ zi¹, ceoi⁴ fei¹ gei² mok⁶ wai⁴

jo⁴ yao⁴ jên² pu⁴-chih¹ chʻu²-fei¹ chi³ mo⁴ wei²

жо яо жэнь бучжи чуфэй цзи мо вэй

/ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

yeuhk yiu yàhn bāt jī, chèuih fēi géi mohk wàih

joek⁹ jiu³ jan⁴ bat⁷ dzi¹, tsoey⁴ fei¹ gei² mok⁹ wai⁴

yêg⁶ yiu³ yen⁴ bed¹ ji¹, cêu⁴ féi¹ géi² mog⁶ wei⁴

/jœːk̚² jiːu̯³³ jɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ fei̯⁵⁵ kei̯³⁵ mɔːk̚² wɐi̯²¹/

The earliest appearance of similar expressions was in Mei Cheng (枚乘)'s Petition to the Prince of Wu

Do not speak if you do not want others to hear; do not do if you do not want others to know.

Yù rén wù wén, mò ruò wù yán; yù rén wù zhī, mò ruò wù wèi.

欲人勿聞，莫若勿言；欲人勿知，莫若勿為。

欲人勿闻，莫若勿言；欲人勿知，莫若勿为。

if one wants others to not know [of their wrongdoings], only [happens] when themselves had not done it

murder will out; one should not do it if they do not want others to know


樹倒老猴散

/t͡sʰiu²² to⁴²⁻²⁴ lau²²⁻²¹ kau²⁴ suã²¹/

/t͡sʰiu²² to⁴²⁻²⁴ lau²²⁻²¹ kau²⁴ suã²¹/

(Singapore Hokkien, figurative) When a leader loses power, his/her followers disperse.


head

if you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time

If you have no ambition, you will have no success

if you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time


दिल्ली का लड्डू

दिल्ली का लड्डू • (dillī kā laḍḍū)

apple of Sodom; something that looks desirable but is worthless.


騙得了一時，騙不了一世

ㄆㄧㄢˋ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄧ ㄕˊ

ㄆㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄧ ㄕˋ

piàn bù liǎo yīshì [Phonetic:piàn de liǎo yìshí

пянь дэ ляо иши

пянь бу ляо иши

/pʰi̯ɛn⁵¹ d̥ə¹ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ pʰi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

you can fool people once but you cannot fool them forever


det som göms i snö kommer upp i tö

det (“that”) + som (“which”) + göms (“is hidden”) + i (“in”) + snö (“snow”) + kommer (“comes”) + upp (“up”) + i (“in”) + tö (“thaw”), approx. "What's hidden in snow comes forth at thaw."

af

things concealed are eventually revealed


ill doers are ill deemers

(archaic) Bad people expect others to behave badly.


den som nämnde det, han klämde det

den (“the one”) + som (“that”) + nämnde (“mentioned”) + det (“it”) + han (“he”) + klämde (“squeezed”) + det (“it”), "The one who mentioned it squeezed it."

he who smelt it dealt it
he who smelt it dealt it


河童の川流れ

ja-pos

かっぱ の かわ ながれ

河(か)童(っぱ)の川(かわ)流(なが)れ • (kappa no kawa nagare)

河童の川流れ (canonical)
kappa no kawa nagare (romanization)

Phrase consisting of 河童 (kappa, “water imp”, in traditional Japanese folklore) + の (no, possessive particle) + 川 (kawa, “river”) + 流れ (nagare, “flowing; flushing away”, the 連(れん)用(よう)形(けい) (ren'yōkei, “stem or continuative form”) of the verb 流(なが)れる (nagareru, “to flow; to be flushed away”)). Literally "Even the kappa is flushed away by the river". Metaphor for the way that anyone, even experts (as kappa are expert swimmers), might make mistakes.
First cited to a text from 1829.

ja-etym-renyokei

even Homer nods: even the experts make mistakes

Daijirin
Daijisen#Online_search_engines
Kōjien
Nihon Kokugo Daijiten
Shinmura Izuru


när fan blir gammal blir han religiös

när (“when”) + fan (“the Devil”) + blir (“becomes”) + gammal (“old”) + blir (“becomes”) + han (“he”) + religiös (“religious”), "When the Devil grows old, he becomes religious."

af

(idiomatic) Said when someone changes for the better, especially in a dramatic and unexpected way.

(idiomatic) More literally: People often become more religious as they get closer to death


意見接受，態度照舊

the suggestion is accepted, [yet] the attitude remains unchanged

ji³ gin³ zip³ sau⁶, taai³ dou⁶ ziu³ gau⁶

ji³ gin³ dzip⁸ sau⁶, taai³ dou⁶ dziu³ gau⁶

/jiː³³ kiːn³³ t͡siːp̚³ sɐu̯²² tʰaːi̯³³ tou̯²² t͡siːu̯³³ kɐu̯²²/

(Hong Kong) Used to criticise the authorities' attitude towards suggestions.


sukces ma wielu ojców

sukces ma wielu ojców, a porażka jest sierotą#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of sukces ma wielu ojców, a porażka jest sierotą


冇咁大個頭，唔好戴咁大頂帽

head

冇咁大個頭，唔好戴咁大頂帽

冇咁大个头，唔好戴咁大顶帽
冇咁大個頭，就唔好戴咁大頂帽

Don't wear such a bighat if you don't have such a big head

mou⁵ gam³ daai⁶ go³ tau⁴, m⁴ hou² daai³ gam³ daai⁶ deng² mou⁶⁻²

móuh gam daaih go tàuh, m̀h hóu daai gam daaih déng móu

mou⁵ gem³ dai⁶ go³ teo⁴, m⁴ hou² dai³ gem³ dai⁶ déng² mou⁶⁻²

/mou̯¹³ kɐm³³ taːi̯²² kɔː³³ tʰɐu̯²¹ m̩²¹ hou̯³⁵ taːi̯³³ kɐm³³ taːi̯²² tɛːŋ³⁵ mou̯²²⁻³⁵/

(Cantonese) if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen


sukces ma wielu ojców, a porażka jest sierotą

/ˈsuk.t͡sɛs ma ˈvjɛ.lu ɔjt͡suvˌ a pɔˈraʂ.ka jɛst ɕɛˈrɔ.tɔw̃/

Literally, “success has many fathers and failure is an orphan”.

lit

(idiomatic) success has many fathers, failure is an orphan


head

sukces ma wielu ojców, a klęska jest sierotą

/ˈsuk.t͡sɛs ma ˈvjɛ.lu ɔjt͡suvˌ a ˈklɛw̃s.ka jɛst ɕɛˈrɔ.tɔw̃/


kärt barn har många namn

Literally, "Dear child has many names." Compare Finnish rakkaalla lapsella on monta nimeä.

m+

someone or something well-liked gets many (endearing) epithets


年廿八，洗邋遢

/niːn²¹ jaː²² paːt̚³ sɐi̯³⁵ laːt̚² tʰaːt̚³/

(Cantonese) on the twenty-eighth day of the final month of the Chinese calendar, one cleans the house


am Abend wird der Faule fleißig

Literally, “in the evening the lazy one becomes busy”.

lit

those who start a task or work late must work all the harder to finish on time


gdy kota nie ma, myszy harcują

/ˈɡdɘ ˈkɔ.ta ˈɲɛ.ma ˈmɘ.ʂɘ xarˈt͡su.jɔw̃/

Literally, “when [the] cat's away, [the] mice cavort”.

m-g

when 􂀿the􂁀 cat's away, 􂀿the􂁀 mice cavort

lit

when the cat's away the mice will play
when the cat's away the mice will play

(idiomatic) when the cat's away the mice will play


痴痴呆呆，坐埋一檯

痴痴呆呆，坐埋一台
癡癡呆呆，坐埋一檯
痴痴呆呆，坐埋一枱

those who are stupid sit at a table together

ci¹ ci¹ ngoi⁴ ngoi⁴, co⁵ maai⁴ jat¹ toi⁴

chī chī ngòih ngòih, chóh màaih yāt tòih

tsi¹ tsi¹ ngoi⁴ ngoi⁴, tso⁵ maai⁴ jat⁷ toi⁴

/t͡sʰiː⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː⁵⁵ ŋɔːi̯²¹ ŋɔːi̯²¹ t͡sʰɔː¹³ maːi̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ tʰɔːi̯²¹/

(Cantonese) stupid people flock together


貧賤夫妻百事哀

ㄆㄧㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄈㄨ ㄑㄧ ㄅㄞˇ ㄕˋ ㄞ

пиньцзянь фуци байши ай

/pʰin³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ fu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pʰɐn²¹ t͡siːn²² fuː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯⁵⁵ paːk̚³ siː²² ɔːi̯⁵⁵/

Misinterpretation of a verse by the Tang dynasty poet Yuan Zhen. The original meaning in the poem is irrelevant to the modern meaning.

For poor couples, everything is sorrowful.


Schweiß spart Blut

Literally, “sweat saves blood”. Sometimes falsely ascribed to Erwin Rommel. In fact, called an "old saying" already in 1915.

(military or figurative) thorough training and preparation are worth the effort and help avoid grave damage


strach ma wielkie oczy

(idiomatic) fear makes things look twice as bad as they really are


चोर की दाढ़ी में तिनका

hi-proverb

چور کی داڑھی میں تنکا

चोर की दाढ़ी में तिनका • (cor kī dāṛhī mẽ tinkā) (Urdu spelling چور کی داڑھی میں تنکا)

cor kī dāṛhī mẽ tinkā (romanization)
چور کی داڑھی میں تنکا (Urdu)

/t͡ʃoːɾ kiː d̪ɑː.ɽʱiː mẽː t̪ɪn.kɑː/

[t͡ʃoːɾ‿kiː‿d̪äː.ɽʱiː‿mẽː‿t̪ɪ̃n.käː]

a guilty person will hide or brush off (real or unreal) evidence

en-चोर_की_दाढ़ी_में_तिनका-hi-proverb-k~HJ8BxI

mens rea; (general, psychology) a reactive mind

en-चोर_की_दाढ़ी_में_तिनका-hi-proverb-F25EB-fw


Jugend hat keine Tugend

Literally, “youth has no virtue”. Compare Dutch jeugd heeft geen deugd.

»Jugend hat keine Tugend« ist falsch, wie fast alle Sprichwörter; wenn wer noch Tugend hat, so ist’s eben die Jugend.

before 1885, Theodor Fontane, Private letter to Bernhard von Lepel, quoted in Fontane zum Vergnügen, Reclam, published 2011, page 103:

“Youth has no virtue” is wrong, like almost all proverbs; if anyone still has virtue, it’s the young.

young people are less likely to follow a moral and virtuous lifestyle (e.g. because they find it hard to control their desires)


there's more than one way to feed a cat

there's more than one way to skin a cat#English

(rare) Synonym of there's more than one way to skin a cat


по ленинским местам

head

по ле́нинским места́м

по ле́нинским места́м • (po léninskim mestám)

по ле́нинским места́м (canonical)
po léninskim mestám (romanization)

Ба́тька Махно́ неоднокра́тно посыла́л делега́тов вре́менного прави́тельства по ле́нинским места́м.

Bat'ko Makhno repeatedly sent the delegates of the provisional government to fuck off.

Bátʹka Maxnó neodnokrátno posylál delegátov vrémennovo pravítelʹstva po léninskim mestám.

посла́ть послать

отпра́вить отправить

(vulgar, including with the verbs посла́ть, отпра́вить, etc.) the fuck away, off, the fuck out, the fuck up, fucking

(slang, ironic) groin (about the impact)

en-по_ленинским_местам-ru-proverb-jS6NDto5


the devil you know

better the devil you know than the devil you don't know#English

Alternative form of better the devil you know than the devil you don't know


chi la dura la vince

one who perseveres is likely to find success


la vérité finit toujours par triompher

/la ve.ʁi.te fi.ni tu.ʒuʁ paʁ tʁi.jɔ̃.fe/


fr-proverb

/sə n‿ɛ pɑ ɑ̃ ka.sɑ̃ l(ə) tɛʁ.mɔ.mɛ.tʁə k‿ɔ̃ fɛ tɔ̃.be la fjɛvʁ/

LL-Q150 (fra)-WikiLucas00-ce n’est pas en cassant le thermomètre qu’on fait tomber la fièvre.wav

Literally, “it's not by breaking the thermometer that one makes the fever go down”.

lit

ce n'est pas en cassant le thermomètre qu'on fait tomber la fièvre

don't shoot the messenger
don't shoot the messenger

don't shoot the messenger (the bearer of bad news should not be held accountable for it)


are balta pește

Literally, “there are (plenty of) fish in the pond”.

lit

there are plenty of fish in the sea
there are plenty of fish in the sea


小時偷針，大時偷金

one who steals a needle during childhood will steal gold as an adult

ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄕˊ ㄊㄡ ㄓㄣ

ㄉㄚˋ ㄕˊ ㄊㄡ ㄐㄧㄣ

hsiao³ shih² tʻou¹ chên¹, ta⁴ shih² tʻou¹ chin¹

сяо ши тоу чжэнь

да ши тоу цзинь

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tʰoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tʰoʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

siu² si⁴ tau¹ dzam¹, daai⁶ si⁴ tau¹ gam¹

/siːu̯³⁵ siː²¹ tʰɐu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɐm⁵⁵ taːi̯²² siː²¹ tʰɐu̯⁵⁵ kɐm⁵⁵/

One who commits small wrongs at a young age, if left uncorrected, will continue to commit crimes that are more serious.


遲嚟先上岸

/t͡sʰiː²¹ lei̯²¹ siːn⁵⁵ sœːŋ¹³ ŋɔːn²²/

/t͡sʰiː²¹ lɐi̯²¹ siːn⁵⁵ sœːŋ¹³ ŋɔːn²²/

/t͡sʰiː²¹ lei̯²¹ siːn⁵⁵ sœːŋ¹³ ŋɔːn²²/

/t͡sʰiː²¹ lɐi̯²¹ siːn⁵⁵ sœːŋ¹³ ŋɔːn²²/


橋唔怕舊，最緊要受

do not be afraid that an idea becomes old, the most important [part is that it is] accepted

kiu⁴⁻² m⁴ paa³ gau⁶, zeoi³ gan² jiu³ sau⁶

kiu⁴⁻² m⁴ paa³ gau⁶, dzoey³ gan² jiu³ sau⁶

/kʰiːu̯²¹⁻³⁵ m̩²¹ pʰaː³³ kɐu̯²² t͡sɵy̯³³ kɐn³⁵ jiːu̯³³ sɐu̯²²/

if it ain't broke, don't fix it
if it ain't broke, don't fix it

(Cantonese, of a trick, idea, plan etc.) if it ain't broke, don't fix it


冤有頭，債有主

/ɥɛn⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyːn⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ t͡saːi̯³³ jɐu̯¹³ t͡syː³⁵/

reprisal for a wrong should be directed at the perpetrator


জহুরি জহর চেনে

a shepherd knows his ewe
a shepherd knows his ewe


bi ewe ba pẹ lara ọṣẹ, a dọṣẹ

head

bí ewé bá pẹ́ lára ọṣẹ, á dọṣẹ

bí ewé bá pẹ́ lára ọṣẹ, á dọṣẹ

yo-pos

bí ewé bá pẹ́ lára ọṣẹ, á dọṣẹ

bí ewé bá pẹ́ lára ọṣẹ, á dọṣẹ

bí ewé bá pẹ́ lára ọṣẹ (canonical)
á dọṣẹ (canonical)

(figurative) people who remain together for long enough rub off on each other

(literal) if a leaf stays wrapped around soap for long enough, it will become part of the soap


ajo ki i dun konile ma rele

(figurative) a traveler should never forget their home

(literal) a journey cannot be so good that the homeowner does not return home


英雄莫問出處

ㄧㄥ ㄒㄩㄥˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄨㄣˋ ㄔㄨ ㄔㄨˋ

инсюн мо вэнь чучу

/iŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ wən⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹/

/jɪŋ⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹ mɔːk̚² mɐn²² t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ t͡sʰyː³³/


iki qoçun başı bir qazanda qaynamaz

/iˈci ɡoˈt͡ʃun bɑˈʃɯ bir ɡɑzɑnˈdɑ ɡɑjnɑˈmɑz/

Literally, “the heads of two rams cannot boil in one pot”.

lit

This town isn't big enough for the two of us/them/etc.


igidin adı çıxınca canı çıxar

igidin adı çıxınca adı çıxar (canonical)

A real man dies rather than having his reputation tarnished; it is better to die rather than getting a bad reputation.


head

złapał Kozak Tatarzyna, a Tatarzyn za łeb trzyma

/ˈzwa.paw ˈkɔ.zak tataʐɘnaˌ a.taˈta.ʐɘn ˈza.wɛp ˈtʂɘ.ma/

Rhyme, literally, “a Cossack has caught a Tatar, but the Tatar holds his head”. (Tatars were stereotypically tall while Cossacks were short.)

lit

(idiomatic) someone in a conflict situation thinks they have won, but in fact it is the other party that has the upper hand


раз та гаразд

head

ра́з та гара́зд

ра́з та гара́зд • (ráz ta harázd)

ра́з та гара́зд (canonical)
ráz ta harázd (romanization)

even though something is done rarely, it is done extremely well

a stopped clock is right twice a day
a stopped clock is right twice a day

a poorly-skilled person or poor-quality thing can perform well, albeit rarely or by accident; a stopped clock is right twice a day


хрен редьки не слаще

хрен ре́дьки не сла́ще

хрен ре́дьки не сла́ще • (xren rédʹki ne slášče)

хрен ре́дьки не сла́ще (canonical)
xren rédʹki ne slášče (romanization)

хрен (xren) + ре́дьки (rédʹki) + не (ne) + сла́ще (slášče), literally “horseradish is not sweeter than radish”.

com

en-хрен_редьки_не_слаще-ru-proverb-59T6qUOO


on ne change pas une équipe qui gagne

Literally, “one does not change a winning team”.

lit

don't change a winning team
don't change a winning team

don't change a winning team; if it ain't broke, don't fix it


針唔㓤到肉唔知痛

针唔㓤到肉唔知痛
針唔拮到肉唔知痛

to not know pain until the needle pierces into one's flesh

/t͡sɐm⁵⁵ m̩²¹ kɐt̚⁵ tou̯³³ jʊk̚² m̩²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ³³/

(Cantonese) to not understand or the dilemma or difficulties (of something) until one has to face or deal with it


head

ziarnko do ziarnka, a zbierze się miarka

/ˈʑar.ŋkɔ dɔˈʑarn.kaˌ aˈzbjɛ.ʐɛ.ɕɛ ˈmjar.ka/

Rhyme, literally, “one grain at a time and you get the measure”.

lit

little strokes fell great oaks
little strokes fell great oaks

many a mickle makes a muckle
many a mickle makes a muckle

mighty oaks from little acorns grow
mighty oaks from little acorns grow

(idiomatic) every little helps, little strokes fell great oaks, many a mickle makes a muckle, mighty oaks from little acorns grow, take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves


trafiło się ślepej kurze ziarno

Literally, “[a] blind hen has caught a seed”.

(idiomatic) a stopped clock is right twice a day, even a blind squirrel can find a nut once in a while


阿婆走得快，一定有古怪

if an old lady runs quickly, definitely there is something odd

aa³ po⁴ zau² dak¹ faai³, jat¹ ding⁶ jau⁵ gu² gwaai³

a pòh jáu dāk faai, yāt dihng yáuh gú gwaai

aa³ po⁴ dzau² dak⁷ faai³, jat⁷ ding⁶ jau⁵ gu² gwaai³

a³ po⁴ zeo² deg¹ fai³, yed¹ ding⁶ yeo⁵ gu² guai³

/aː³³ pʰɔː²¹ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ tɐk̚⁵ faːi̯³³ jɐt̚⁵ tɪŋ²² jɐu̯¹³ kuː³⁵ kʷaːi̯³³/

(Cantonese, often humorous) something must be odd


有異性冇人性

to have [found someone in] the opposite sex but no humanity [towards others]

/jɐu̯¹³ jiː²² sɪŋ³³ mou̯¹³ jɐn²¹ sɪŋ³³/

/jɐu̯¹³ jiː²² sɪŋ³³ mou̯¹³ jɐn²¹ sɪŋ³³/

(Cantonese) one ignores their friends after having found a (heterosexual) partner (boyfriend or girlfriend)


go woke, go broke

Ellipsis of When you go woke, you go broke.

get woke, go broke
get woke, go broke#English

(informal) Alternative form of get woke, go broke


karttuisa on kansan käsi

every little helps; when many people help (even a little each), it starts to add up to large things


toivossa on hyvä elää

hope springs eternal
hope springs eternal

while there's life, there's hope
while there's life, there's hope

hope springs eternal; while there's life, there's hope


niin kauan kuin on elämää on toivoa

niin kauan kuin on elämää, on toivoa#Finnish

Alternative form of niin kauan kuin on elämää, on toivoa


schijn bedriegt

appearances are deceptive
appearances are deceptive


il n'y a si bon charretier qui ne verse

/il n‿i a si bɔ̃ ʃa.ʁə.tje ki n(ə) vɛʁs/

it's a good horse that never stumbles
it's a good horse that never stumbles

even Homer nods, it's a good horse that never stumbles


there's a lid for every pot

Somewhere in the world there is a compatible romantic partner for everybody.

tout le monde finit par trouver chaussure à son pied


there is a lid for every pot

there's a lid for every pot
there's a lid for every pot#English

Alternative form of there's a lid for every pot


kapag may gusto, may paraan

tl-head

kapág may gustó, may paraán (Baybayin spelling ᜃᜉᜄ᜔ ᜋᜌ᜔ ᜄᜓᜐ᜔ᜆᜓ ᜵ ᜋᜌ᜔ ᜉᜇᜀᜈ᜔)

kapág may gustó (canonical)
may paraán (canonical)
ᜃᜉᜄ᜔ ᜋᜌ᜔ ᜄᜓᜐ᜔ᜆᜓ ᜵ ᜋᜌ᜔ ᜉᜇᜀᜈ᜔ (Baybayin)

[kɐˌpaɡ maɪ̯ ˌɡus.t̪o | maɪ̯ pɐ.ɾɐˈʔan̪]

Literally, “when you want something, there is a way”.

lit

where there is a will, there is a way
where there is a will, there is a way


kapag may usok, may apoy

tl-head

kapág may usok, may apóy (Baybayin spelling ᜃᜉᜄ᜔ ᜋᜌ᜔ ᜂᜐᜓᜃ᜔ ᜵ ᜋᜌ᜔ ᜀᜉᜓᜌ᜔)

kapág may usok (canonical)
may apóy (canonical)
ᜃᜉᜄ᜔ ᜋᜌ᜔ ᜂᜐᜓᜃ᜔ ᜵ ᜋᜌ᜔ ᜀᜉᜓᜌ᜔ (Baybayin)

Literally, “when there is smoke, there is fire”.

lit

where there is smoke, there is fire
where there is smoke, there is fire


nasa huli ang pagsisisi

tl-head

nasa hulí ang pagsisisi (Baybayin spelling ᜈᜐ ᜑᜓᜎᜒ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜉᜄ᜔ᜐᜒᜐᜒᜐᜒ)

nasa hulí ang pagsisisi (canonical)
ᜈᜐ ᜑᜓᜎᜒ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜉᜄ᜔ᜐᜒᜐᜒᜐᜒ (Baybayin)

don't cry over spilt milk
don't cry over spilt milk

don't cry over spilt milk; what's done is done


batobato sa langit / ang tamaan huwag magalit

bató-bató sa langit, ang tamaan huwág magalit (Baybayin spelling ᜊᜆᜓᜊᜆᜓ ᜐ ᜎᜅᜒᜆ᜔ ᜵ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜆᜋᜀᜈ᜔ ᜑᜓᜏᜄ᜔ ᜋᜄᜎᜒᜆ᜔)

bató-bató sa langit (canonical)
ang tamaan huwág magalit (canonical)
ᜊᜆᜓᜊᜆᜓ ᜐ ᜎᜅᜒᜆ᜔ ᜵ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜆᜋᜀᜈ᜔ ᜑᜓᜏᜄ᜔ ᜋᜄᜎᜒᜆ᜔ (Baybayin)

/baˌto baˌto sa ˌlaŋit | ʔaŋ taˌmaʔan huˌaɡ maˈɡalit/

[bɐˌt̪o bɐˌt̪o sɐ ˌlaː.ŋɪt̪̚ | ʔɐn̪ t̪ɐˌmaː.ʔɐn̪ ˌhwaɡ mɐˈɣaː.lɪt̪̚]

Literally, “stones from the sky, whom it hits should not be angry”.

lit

bato-bato sa langit, ang tamaan huwag magalit

one should not be easily offended when being beckoned, reproached or given bad feedback

bato-bato sa langit, ang tamaan ay huwag magalit

bato-bato sa langit, ang tamaa'y huwag magalit


habang may buhay, may pag-asa

tl-head

habang may buhay, may pag-asa (Baybayin spelling ᜑᜊᜅ᜔ ᜋᜌ᜔ ᜊᜓᜑᜌ᜔ ᜵ ᜋᜌ᜔ ᜉᜄ᜔ᜀᜐ)

ᜑᜊᜅ᜔ ᜋᜌ᜔ ᜊᜓᜑᜌ᜔ ᜵ ᜋᜌ᜔ ᜉᜄ᜔ᜀᜐ (Baybayin)

[ˌhaː.bɐŋ maɪ̯ ˌbuː.haɪ̯ | maɪ̯ pɐɡˈʔaː.sɐ]

Literally, “while there is life, there is hope”.

lit

while there's life, there's hope; hope springs eternal


tl-head

kapag binato ka ng bato / batuhin mo ng tinapay

kapág binató ka ng bató, batuhín mo ng tinapay (Baybayin spelling ᜃᜉᜄ᜔ ᜊᜒᜈᜆᜓ ᜃ ᜈᜅ᜔ ᜊᜆᜓ ᜵ ᜊᜆᜓᜑᜒᜈ᜔ ᜋᜓ ᜈᜅ᜔ ᜆᜒᜈᜉᜌ᜔)

kapág binató ka ng bató (canonical)
batuhín mo ng tinapay (canonical)

/kaˌpaɡ biˌnato ka naŋ baˌto | batuˌhin mo naŋ tiˈnapaj/

[kɐˌpaɡ bɪˌn̪aː.t̪o xɐ n̪ɐm bɐˌt̪o | bɐ.t̪ʊˌhin̪ mo n̪ɐn̪ t̪ɪˈn̪aː.paɪ̯]

Literally, “when someone throws a stone at you, throw bread at them”.

lit

kapag binato ka ng bato, batuhin mo ng tinapay

kung hinagis ka ng bakal, gantihan mo ng tinapay

kung binato ka ng bato, batuhin mo ng tinapay


tl-head

ang taong nagigipit / sa patalim kumakapit

ang taong nagigipít, sa patalím kumakapit (Baybayin spelling ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜆᜂᜅ᜔ ᜈᜄᜒᜄᜒᜉᜒᜆ᜔ ᜵ ᜐ ᜉᜆᜎᜒᜋ᜔ ᜃᜓᜋᜃᜉᜒᜆ᜔)

ang taong nagigipít (canonical)
sa patalím kumakapit (canonical)
ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜆᜂᜅ᜔ ᜈᜄᜒᜄᜒᜉᜒᜆ᜔ ᜵ ᜐ ᜉᜆᜎᜒᜋ᜔ ᜃᜓᜋᜃᜉᜒᜆ᜔ (Baybayin)

/ʔaŋ ˌtaʔoŋ naɡiɡiˌpit | sa pataˌlim kumaˈkapit/

[ʔɐn̪ ˌt̪aː.ʔoŋ n̪ɐ.ɣɪ.ɣɪˌpit̪̚ | sɐ pɐ.t̪ɐˌlim kʊ.mɐˈxaː.pɪt̪̚]

Literally, “the person running short clutches on a blade”.

lit

ang taong nagigipit, sa patalim kumakapit

desperate times call for desperate measures


marami ka pang kakaining bigas

tl-head

marami ka pang kakaining bigás (Baybayin spelling ᜋᜇᜋᜒ ᜃ ᜉᜅ᜔ ᜃᜃᜁᜈᜒᜅ᜔ ᜊᜒᜄᜐ᜔)

marami ka pang kakaining bigás (canonical)
ᜋᜇᜋᜒ ᜃ ᜉᜅ᜔ ᜃᜃᜁᜈᜒᜅ᜔ ᜊᜒᜄᜐ᜔ (Baybayin)

[mɐˌɾaː.mɪ xɐ ˌpaŋ kɐ.xɐˌʔiː.n̪ɪm bɪˈɣas]

Literally, “you still have a lot of rice to eat”.

lit

one still have a lot to learn or experience in life


tl-head

kapag wala ang pusa / naglalaro ang mga dagâ

kapág walâ ang pusà, naglalarô ang mga dagâ (Baybayin spelling ᜃᜉᜄ᜔ ᜏᜎ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜉᜓᜐ ᜵ ᜈᜄ᜔ᜎᜎᜇᜓ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜋᜅ ᜇᜄ)

kapág walâ ang pusà (canonical)
naglalarô ang mga dagâ (canonical)
ᜃᜉᜄ᜔ ᜏᜎ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜉᜓᜐ ᜵ ᜈᜄ᜔ᜎᜎᜇᜓ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜋᜅ ᜇᜄ (Baybayin)

kapag wala ang pusa, naglalaro ang mga daga

/kaˌpaɡ waˌlaʔ ʔaŋ ˌpusaʔ | naɡlalaˌɾoʔ ʔaŋ maˌŋa daˈɡaʔ/

[kɐˌpaɡ wɐˌlaʔ ʔɐm ˌpuː.sɐʔ | n̪ɐɡ.lɐ.lɐˌɾoʔ ʔɐŋ mɐˌŋa d̪ɐˈɣaʔ]

/kaˌpaɡ waˌla(ʔ) ʔaŋ ˌpusaʔ | naɡlalaˌɾo(ʔ) ʔaŋ maˌŋa daˈɡaʔ/

[kɐˌpaɡ wɐˌlaː ʔɐm ˌpuː.sɐʔ | n̪ɐɡ.lɐ.lɐˌɾoː ʔɐŋ mɐˌŋa d̪ɐˈɣaʔ]

kapag wala ang pusa, naglalaro ang daga#Tagalog

Alternative form of kapag wala ang pusa, naglalaro ang daga


kapag wala ang pusa, naglalaro ang daga

kapag wala ang pusa / naglalaro ang daga

kapág walâ ang pusà, naglalarô ang dagâ (Baybayin spelling ᜃᜉᜄ᜔ ᜏᜎ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜉᜓᜐ ᜵ ᜈᜄ᜔ᜎᜎᜇᜓ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜇᜄ)

kapág walâ ang pusà (canonical)
naglalarô ang dagâ (canonical)
ᜃᜉᜄ᜔ ᜏᜎ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜉᜓᜐ ᜵ ᜈᜄ᜔ᜎᜎᜇᜓ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜇᜄ (Baybayin)

/kaˌpaɡ waˌlaʔ ʔaŋ ˌpusaʔ | naɡlalaˌɾoʔ ʔaŋ daˈɡaʔ/

[kɐˌpaɡ wɐˌlaʔ ʔɐm ˌpuː.sɐʔ | n̪ɐɡ.lɐ.lɐˌɾoʔ ʔɐn̪ d̪ɐˈɣaʔ]

/kaˌpaɡ waˌla(ʔ) ʔaŋ ˌpusaʔ | naɡlalaˌɾo(ʔ) ʔaŋ daˈɡaʔ/

[kɐˌpaɡ wɐˌlaː ʔɐm ˌpuː.sɐʔ | n̪ɐɡ.lɐ.lɐˌɾoː ʔɐn̪ d̪ɐˈɣaʔ]

Literally, “when the cat's away, the rat plays”.

lit

when the cat's away the mice will play
when the cat's away the mice will play

kapag wala ang pusa ay pista ng mga daga


głodnemu chleb na myśli

Literally, “[a] hungry person has bread on their mind”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 hungry person has bread on their mind

lit

tongue ever turns to the aching tooth
tongue ever turns to the aching tooth

(idiomatic) someone who wants something will not stop thinking nor talking about that given thing; tongue ever turns to the aching tooth

(humorous, idiomatic) used in response to a Freudian slip to imply that the interlocutor deeply desires the thing they accidentally said


w marcu jak w garncu

Rhyme, literally, “in March [it is] like in [a] pot”.

Coordinate term: kwiecień plecień, bo przeplata trochę zimy, trochę lata

(idiomatic) the weather is very changeable in March


przyganiał kocioł garnkowi, a sam smoli

/pʂɘˈɡa.ɲaw ˈkɔ.t͡ɕɔw ɡarŋkɔviˌ a sam ˈsmɔ.li/

Literally, “[the] cauldron was scorning [the] pot, yet it dirties with soot itself”.

m-g

􂀿the􂁀 cauldron was scorning 􂀿the􂁀 pot, yet it dirties with soot itself

lit

the pot is calling the kettle black
pot calling the kettle black

(idiomatic) the pot is calling the kettle black


charbonnier est maître chez soi

an Englishman's home is his castle
an Englishman's home is his castle

a man's home is his castle
a man's home is his castle

an Englishman's home is his castle, a man's home is his castle


what goes round comes round

what goes around comes around
what goes around comes around#English

Alternative form of what goes around comes around


what go round come round

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-what go round come round.wav

(African-American Vernacular) Alternative form of what goes around comes around


兔子不吃窩邊草

A rabbit does not eat grass around his burrow

ㄊㄨˋ ˙ㄗ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔ ㄨㄛ ㄅㄧㄢ ㄘㄠˇ

туцзы бу чи во бянь цао

/tʰu⁵¹ d͡z̥z̩¹ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ wɔ⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

don't shit where you eat
don't shit where you eat

don't dip your pen in company ink
don't dip your pen in company ink

don't shit where you eat; don't dip your pen in company ink


charbonnier est maître chez lui

charbonnier est maître chez soi
charbonnier est maître chez soi#French

Alternative form of charbonnier est maître chez soi


fr-proverb

quand on n’a pas de tête on a des jambes

Literally, “when one doesn't have a head, one has got legs”. Compare Danish hvad man ikke har i hovedet, må man have i benene.

cog

quand on n'a pas de tête on a des jambes

if one is forgetful or doesn't think ahead, one will have to walk more frequently

quand on n’a pas de tête, on a des jambes


hell has no fury like a woman scorned

hell hath no fury like a woman scorned#English

Alternative form of hell hath no fury like a woman scorned


la ocasión la pintan calva

make hay while the sun shines
make hay while the sun shines


a fair booty makes many a thief

People are easily tempted to dishonesty if there is a substantial prize to be gained.


十隻手指有長短

/sɐp̚² t͡sɛːk̚³ sɐu̯³⁵ t͡siː³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ tyːn³⁵/

(Cantonese) everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses


a mucha hambre no hay pan duro

beggars can't be choosers
beggars can't be choosers

en tiempos de guerra cualquier hoyo es trinchera

en tiempos de guerra cualquier agujero es trinchera


a buen hambre no hay pan duro

Literally, “to good hunger, there is no hard bread”

lit

a falta de algo más jugoso, los hambrientos camellos, demostrando que a buen hambre no hay pan duro, devoran con avidez.

1964, Juan Bautista Bergua, Historia de Las Religiones:

for lack of something more juicy, the hungry camels, demonstrating that to good hunger, there is no hard bread, devour with avidity.


nooit geschoten is altijd mis

niet geschoten is altijd mis
niet geschoten is altijd mis#Dutch


nee heb je, ja kan je krijgen

nee heb je, ja kun je krijgen
nee heb je, ja kun je krijgen#Dutch

Alternative form of nee heb je, ja kun je krijgen


nee heb je, ja kun je krijgen

Roughly, “you [already] have [a] 'no', you can [still] get [a] 'yes'”.


wie niet waagt, die niet wint

Literally, “who does not dare, does not win”. Compare the same in German wer nicht wagt, der nicht gewinnt.

cog

nothing ventured, nothing gained
nothing ventured, nothing gained


Polak, Węgier – dwa bratanki

Literally, “[a] Pole and [a] Hungarian – two brothers”. Compare Hungarian Lengyel, magyar – két jó barát.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 Pole and 􂀿a􂁀 Hungarian – two brothers

noncog

Polak, Węgier, dwa bratanki, i do szabli, i do szklanki#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of Polak, Węgier, dwa bratanki, i do szabli, i do szklanki


第一賣冰，第二做醫生

[to earn riches] first sell ice, then become a doctor

ㄉㄧˋ ㄧ ㄇㄞˋ ㄅㄧㄥ

ㄉㄧˋ ㄦˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄧ ㄕㄥ

dì'èr zuò yīshēng [Phonetic:dìyí mài bīng

диэр цзо ишэн

/ti⁵¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ maɪ̯⁵¹ piŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀɤɻ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ i⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/te³³⁻²¹ it̚³²⁻⁴ be³³⁻²¹ piɪŋ⁴⁴ te³³⁻²¹ zi³³⁻²¹ t͡sɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ i⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

The Taiwanese saying goes: "Sell ice first, then consider becoming a doctor". In Huwei, though, maybe it ought to be changed to "sell stew first" instead?

2017 June 20, 文藝好青年／第一賣冰，第二做醫生？NO，虎尾第一是賣肉羮, FTV News (民視新聞台)

Táiwān yǒu jù súyàn shuō: “Dìyīmàibīng, dì'èrzuòyīshēng.” Shìshí zhèngmíng zài hǔwěi dìyī zhě, yìnggāi shì mài ròugēng ba?

台灣有句俗諺說：「第一賣冰，第二做醫生。」事實證明在虎尾第一者，應該是賣肉羮吧？

台湾有句俗谚说：「第一卖冰，第二做医生。」事实证明在虎尾第一者，应该是卖肉羮吧？

(Taiwan) a proverb on making money, reflecting the popularity of shaved ice, especially during the summer, and the relatively low skills needed to make it


fr-proverb

il n’y a pas loin du Capitole à la roche Tarpéienne

/il n‿i a pɑ lwɛ̃ dy ka.pi.tɔl a la ʁɔʃ taʁ.pej.jɛn/

Literally, “it is not far from the Capitoline Hill to the Tarpeian rock”. Loose translation of calque of Latin arx Tarpeia Capitoli proxima.

clq

il n'y a pas loin du Capitole à la roche Tarpéienne

sic transit gloria mundi
sic transit gloria mundi

glory and fame are fleeting; there's a fine line between fame and infamy; sic transit gloria mundi


man tager vad man haver

From man (“one”) + tager (“takes (dated form of tar)”) + vad (“what”) + man (“one”) + haver (“has (dated form of har)”), "You use whatever you have." Often attributed to cookbook author Cajsa Warg (1703 – 1769), though there is no account of her using the expression.

af

takes (dated form of <i class="Latn mention" lang="sv">tar</i>)

has (dated form of <i class="Latn mention" lang="sv">har</i>)

Jag hade i pinjenötter istället för solroskärnor. Man tager vad man haver.

I added pine nuts instead of sunflower seeds. You use whatever you have.

Det blev en "man tager vad man haver"-måltid idag

I did an improvised meal with what I had available today

you use what you have on hand (if something else is not available)


en-proverb

even a stopped clock is right twice a day

a stopped clock is right twice a day#English

Alternative form of a stopped clock is right twice a day


博一博，單車變摩托

搏一搏，單車變摩托
博一博，单车变摩托

if you try, you can turn a bicycle into a motorcycle

bok⁸ jat⁷ bok⁸, daan¹ tse¹ bin³ mo¹ tok⁸

/pɔːk̚³ jɐt̚⁵ pɔːk̚³ taːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɛː⁵⁵ piːn³³ mɔː⁵⁵ tʰɔːk̚³/

(Cantonese) If you try, you will have chance to succeed.


deux têtes valent mieux qu'une

deux têtes valent mieux qu’ une (canonical)

Literally, “two heads are worth more than one”.

lit

two heads are better than one
two heads are better than one

il y a plus dans deux têtes que dans une


魚唔過塘唔肥

a fish will not grow fatter if it is not moved to another pond

/jyː²¹⁻³⁵ m̩²¹ kʷɔː³³ tʰɔːŋ²¹ m̩²¹ fei̯²¹/

(Cantonese) Having a new job may bring more benefits (e.g. salary) than staying at the same employer.


vanha koira ei opi uusia temppuja

Literally, “an old dog will not learn new tricks”.

you can't teach an old dog new tricks
you can't teach an old dog new tricks

you can't teach an old dog new tricks (it is difficult for an old person to learn new things)

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see vanha, koira, ei, opi, uusia, temppuja.

vanhalle koiralle ei voi opettaa uusia temppuja


omväxling förnöjer

omväxling (“variety”) + förnöjer (“delights”)

af

variety is the spice of life
variety is the spice of life

(idiomatic) variety is the spice of life


靠山山會倒，靠水水會燥，靠人人會老

head

靠山山會倒，靠水水會燥，靠人人會老

靠山山会倒，靠水水会燥，靠人人会老

When one relies on the mountain, the mountain may fall. When one relies on water, water may dry up. When one relies on other people, they may get old.

kho sân sân voi tó, kho súi súi voi châu, kho ngìn ngìn voi ló

ko⁴ san¹ san¹ voi⁴ do³, ko⁴ sui³ sui³ voi⁴ zau¹, ko⁴ ngin² ngin² voi⁴ lo³

/kʰo⁵⁵ san²⁴⁻¹¹ san²⁴⁻¹¹ voi̯⁵⁵ to³¹ kʰo⁵⁵ su̯i³¹ su̯i³¹ voi̯⁵⁵ t͡sau̯²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵ ŋin¹¹ ŋin¹¹ voi̯⁵⁵ lo³¹/

(Hakka) Relying on yourself is better than relying on others because people may not help you forever.

en-靠山山會倒，靠水水會燥，靠人人會老-zh-proverb-f7WdX-sx


做一行怨一行

work a profession, complain about the same profession

ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄧ ㄏㄤˊ ㄩㄢˋ ㄧ ㄏㄤˊ

zuò yīháng yuàn yīháng [Phonetic:zuò yìháng yuàn yìháng]

цзо ихан юань ихан

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xɑŋ³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xɑŋ³⁵/

2022 September 2022, 業績治百病, Cheng Ping Keat (鄭秉吉), Oriental Daily News

“zuòyīxíngyuànyīxíng”, wǒmen cháng tīng dào hěnduō rén máiyuàn zìjǐ rù cuò xíng, bàoyuàn zìjǐ cóngshì de xíngyè jìngzhēng jīliè, jíshǐ tóurù hěnduō jīnglì yě nán zhuàn dào qián.

「做一行怨一行」，我們常聽到很多人埋怨自己入錯行，抱怨自己從事的行業競爭激烈，即使投入很多精力也難賺到錢。

「做一行怨一行」，我们常听到很多人埋怨自己入错行，抱怨自己从事的行业竞争激烈，即使投入很多精力也难赚到钱。

no matter the work, there will be something to take issue with; the grass is always greener on the other side jobwise


wer zu spät kommt, den bestraft das Leben

/ˌveːɐ̯ tsu ˈʃpɛːt kɔmt ˌdeːn bəˈʃtʁaːft das ˈleːbən/

Literally, “life will punish him who comes too late”. Generally believed to have been said by Mikhail Gorbachev in East Berlin in the autumn of 1989, but the precise origin is unclear. According to some a loose translation or paraphrase, according to others a private remark later made public. At any rate the phrase was extensively quoted in West German media and quickly became proverbial.

lit

it is important not to waste time and opportunity; some situations require bold decisions


evil be to him who evil thinks

En-us-evil be to him who evil thinks.oga

Compare with Anglo-Norman honi soit qui mal y pense ("Shame on him who thinks evil of it"), the motto of the Order of the Garter

Those who plot to commit evil deeds deserve to have evil done to them.


en-proverb

you can't put the shit back in the horse

you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube#English

(vulgar) Synonym of you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube


fr-proverb

il y a plus dans deux têtes que dans une

Literally, “there is more in two heads than in one”.


bilog ang mundo

tl-head

bilóg ang mundó (Baybayin spelling ᜊᜒᜎᜓᜄ᜔ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜋᜓᜈ᜔ᜇᜓ)

bilóg ang mundó (canonical)
ᜊᜒᜎᜓᜄ᜔ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜋᜓᜈ᜔ᜇᜓ (Baybayin)

[bɪˌloɡ ʔɐŋ mʊn̪ˈd̪o]

Literally, “the world is round”. Figuratively, could also mean “everything is a circle”.

life has its ups and downs; life is like a wheel


崩口人忌崩口碗

/pɐŋ⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ kei̯²² pɐŋ⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ wuːn³⁵/

(Cantonese) Do not mention something that someone might be sensitive about because people are always aware of their own defects.


head

Freunde in der Not gehen hundert auf ein Lot

/ˈfʁɔʏ̯ndə ˌɪn dɛɐ̯ ˈnoːt ˌɡeːən ˈhʊndɐt ˌaʊ̯f aɪ̯n ˈloːt/

Literally, “friends in need are a hundred in a lot”, meaning that a friend in need weighs 1% of a Lot (English “lot”), which is a historic measure of weight equivalent to half an ounce. One could thus loosely translate: “Friends in need are weighed in milligrams.” There are two explanations: either that one’s friends become “lightweight”, i.e. unreliable, when one is in need – or, less likely, that true friends in need are so rare that they have to be weighed in infinitesimal quantities.

lit

a friend in need is a friend indeed
a friend in need is a friend indeed

Freunde in der Not gehen tausend auf ein Lot


池中無魚蝦自大

when there is no fish in a pond, the shrimps will become arrogant

ㄔˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄨˊ ㄩˊ ㄒㄧㄚ ㄗˋ ㄉㄚˋ

чи чжун у юй ся цзыда

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ y³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiː²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jyː²¹ haː⁵⁵ t͡siː²² taːi̯²²/

when the cat's away the mice will play
when the cat's away the mice will play

in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king; when the cat's away the mice will play


一年換二十四個頭家

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² nĩ²³⁻³³ uã³³⁻²¹ zi³³⁻²¹ t͡sap̚⁴⁻³² si²¹⁻⁴¹ e²³⁻³³ tʰau²³⁻³³ ke⁴⁴/

Possibly referring to the 24 solar terms of the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar year.

一年换二十四个头家
一年換二十四个頭家

(Taiwanese Hokkien) someone who is always changing jobs, a job-hopper


another day in paradise

another day, another dollar
another day, another dollar#English

Synonym of another day, another dollar (“nothing eventful or extraordinary has happened”)

another day

Used ironically to imply the opposite: Something has gone wrong.


bara döda fiskar följer strömmen

Literally, "Only dead fish follow the stream."

think for yourself, do not be overly influenced by others


head

i de lugnaste vatten simmar de fulaste fiskarna

Literally, "In the calmest waters swim the ugliest fish," with ful fisk (“ugly fish”) being an idiom for a criminal or deceitful person.

bad people sometimes turn up in unexpected places


三天不打，上房揭瓦

Don't beat (a child) for three days and (the child will) scale the roof to rip the tiles

ㄙㄢ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄚˇ

ㄕㄤˋ ㄈㄤˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄨㄚˇ

саньтяньбуда

/sän⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ wä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

spare the rod and spoil the child
spare the rod and spoil the child


人多口雜

ㄖㄣˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄎㄡˇ ㄗㄚˊ

жэньдокоуцза

/ʐən³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/ʐən³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sä³⁵/

人多嘴雜 人多嘴雜#Chinese

人多嘴杂 人多嘴杂#Chinese


kung ano ang puno, siya ang bunga

tl-head

kung anó ang punò, siyá ang bunga (Baybayin spelling ᜃᜓᜅ᜔ ᜀᜈᜓ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜉᜓᜈᜓ ᜵ ᜐᜒᜌ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜊᜓᜅ)

kung anó ang punò (canonical)
siyá ang bunga (canonical)
ᜃᜓᜅ᜔ ᜀᜈᜓ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜉᜓᜈᜓ ᜵ ᜐᜒᜌ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜊᜓᜅ (Baybayin)

[kʊŋ ʔɐˌn̪o ʔɐm ˌpuː.n̪oʔ | ˌʃa ʔɐm ˈbuː.ŋɐ]

Literally, “for what's the tree, is the fruit”.

lit

the apple does not fall far from the tree


tl-head

ang sakit ng kalingkingan/ damdam ng buong katawan

ang sakít ng kalingkingan, damdám ng buóng katawán (Baybayin spelling ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜐᜃᜒᜆ᜔ ᜈᜅ᜔ ᜃᜎᜒᜅ᜔ᜃᜒᜅᜈ᜔ ᜵ ᜇᜋ᜔ᜇᜋ᜔ ᜈᜅ᜔ ᜊᜓᜂᜅ᜔ ᜃᜆᜏᜈ᜔)

ang sakít ng kalingkingan (canonical)
damdám ng buóng katawán (canonical)

/ʔaŋ saˌkit naŋ kaliŋˌkiŋan | damˌdam naŋ buˌʔoŋ kataˈwan/

[ʔɐn̪ sɐˌxit̪ n̪ɐŋ kɐ.lɪŋˌkiː.ŋɐn̪ | d̪ɐmˌd̪am n̪ɐm bʊˌʔoŋ kɐ.t̪ɐˈwan̪]

Literally, “the pain of the little finger is felt by the whole body”.

lit

ang sakit ng kalingkingan, damdam ng buong katawan

someone's misfortune or misbehavior can affect the whole group; one bad apple spoils the bunch

ang sakit ng kalingkingan, ramdam ng buong katawan

ang sakit ng kalingkingan ay ramdam ng buong katawan


sent skall syndaren vakna

sent (“late”) + skall (“shall (dated)”) + syndaren (“the sinner”) + vakna (“awaken”)

af

sent ska syndaren vakna
sent ska syndaren vakna#Swedish

Alternative form of sent ska syndaren vakna


sent ska syndaren vakna

sent (“late”) + ska (“shall”) + syndaren (“the sinner”) + vakna (“awaken”)

Det tog fyrtio år innan de erkände sina misstag och ersatte offren. Sent ska syndaren vakna.

It took forty years before they admitted their mistakes and compensated the victims. Late shall the sinner awaken.

Jag var med i det kriminella gänget i tio år. Sent ska syndaren vakna.

I was in the criminal gang for ten years. Late shall the sinner awaken.

It takes a long time for a wrongdoer to repent.


床頭打交床尾和

床头打交床尾和
牀頭打交牀尾和

/t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ taː³⁵ kaːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ mei̯¹³ wɔː²¹/

(Cantonese, of a married couple) to quarrel with each other at the head of the bed and compromise at the end of it; to fight getting into bed and make up before falling asleep; to quickly make up after a quarrel; (sometimes specifically) to end an intense argument with make-up sex


gutta cavat lapidem

desc

→ German: steter Tropfen höhlt den Stein (calque)

→ Polish: kropla drąży skałę (calque)

ка́пля ка́мень то́чит

→ Russian: ка́пля ка́мень то́чит (káplja kámenʹ tóčit) (calque)

Literally, “the water drop bores through the rock”. Perhaps a loose calque of Ancient Greek πέτρην κοιλαίνει ῥανὶς ὕδατος ἐνδελεχείῃ (pétrēn koilaínei rhanìs húdatos endelekheíēi), a verse by fifth-century BCE poet Choerilus of Samos.
Though the exact quoted words are first found in Ovid, the idea appears twice in Lucretius already:
c. 99 BCE – 55 BCE, Lucretius, De rerum natura 4.1286–1287:
nonne vides etiam guttas in saxa cadentis / umoris longo in spatio pertundere saxa?
Don't you see, besides, how drops of water falling down against the stones at last bore through the stones?

Q

gutta cavat lapidem, consumitur anulus usu

12–13 BCE, Ovid, Letters from the Black Sea 4.10.5

the drop bores the rock, the ring is worn out by use

little strokes fell great oaks
little strokes fell great oaks

slow and steady wins the race
slow and steady wins the race

(idiomatic) little strokes fell great oaks, slow and steady wins the race


tulak ng bibig, kabig ng dibdib

tl-head

tulak ng bibíg, kabig ng dibdíb (Baybayin spelling ᜆᜓᜎᜃ᜔ ᜈᜅ᜔ ᜊᜒᜊᜒᜄ᜔ ᜵ ᜃᜊᜒᜄ᜔ ᜈᜅ᜔ ᜇᜒᜊ᜔ᜇᜒᜊ᜔)

tulak ng bibíg (canonical)
kabig ng dibdíb (canonical)
ᜆᜓᜎᜃ᜔ ᜈᜅ᜔ ᜊᜒᜊᜒᜄ᜔ ᜵ ᜃᜊᜒᜄ᜔ ᜈᜅ᜔ ᜇᜒᜊ᜔ᜇᜒᜊ᜔ (Baybayin)

/ˌtulak naŋ biˌbiɡ | ˌkabiɡ naŋ dibˈdib/

[ˌt̪uː.lɐk n̪ɐm bɪˌbiɡ̚ | ˌkaː.bɪɡ n̪ɐn̪ d̪ɪbˈd̪ib̚]

Literally, “urge of the mouth, revolting of the heart”.

lit

love or desire for someone or something comes by pretending not to feel it

linalait ng bibig, minamahal ng dibdib

what the mouth hates is what the heart loves


tl-head

áanhín pa ang damó kung patáy na ang kabayo? (Baybayin spelling ᜀᜀᜈ᜔ᜑᜒᜈ᜔ ᜉ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜇᜋᜓ ᜃᜓᜅ᜔ ᜉᜆᜌ᜔ ᜈ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜃᜊᜌᜓ)

ᜀᜀᜈ᜔ᜑᜒᜈ᜔ ᜉ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜇᜋᜓ ᜃᜓᜅ᜔ ᜉᜆᜌ᜔ ᜈ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜃᜊᜌᜓ (Baybayin)

/ˌʔaʔanˌhin pa ʔaŋ daˌmo kuŋ paˌtaj na ʔaŋ kaˈbajo/

[ˌʔaː.ʔɐn̪ˌhim pɐ ʔɐn̪ d̪ɐˌmo xʊm pɐˌt̪aɪ̯ n̪ɐ ʔɐŋ kɐˈbaː.jo]

Literally, “What good will be the grass if the horse is already dead?”

lit

aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo

close the stable door after the horse has bolted

(idiomatic) closing the stable door after the horse has bolted


капля камень точит

head

ка́пля ка́мень то́чит

ка́пля ка́мень то́чит • (káplja kámenʹ tóčit)

ка́пля ка́мень то́чит (canonical)
káplja kámenʹ tóčit (romanization)


bättre fly än illa fäkta

Originally and literally, "better flee than fight poorly," though intuitively "better flee than fence poorly" with the modern meaning of fäkta.

it's better to back out of a fight than to risk a likely defeat


hungern är den bästa kryddan

hungern är bästa kryddan
hungern är bästa kryddan#Swedish

Alternative form of hungern är bästa kryddan


hungern är bästa kryddan

Literally, "(one's) hunger is the best spice."

hunger is the best sauce
hunger is the best sauce

food tastes best when you're hungry, hunger is the best sauce


skåda inte given häst i munnen

skåda (“look”) + inte (“not”) + given (“given”) + häst (“horse”) + i (“in”) + munnen (“the mouth”)

af

don't look a gift horse in the mouth
don't look a gift horse in the mouth


車到山前必有路

A cart will find its way round the hill when it gets there

ㄔㄜ ㄉㄠˋ ㄕㄢ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄨˋ

чэдаошаньцяньбиюлу

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ pi⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɛː⁵⁵ tou̯³³ saːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ piːt̚⁵ jɐu̯¹³ lou̯²²/

we'll cross that bridge when we come to it; things will eventually sort themselves out


mabilis ang panahon

tl-head

mabilís ang panahón (Baybayin spelling ᜋᜊᜒᜎᜒᜐ᜔ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜉᜈᜑᜓᜈ᜔)

mabilís ang panahón (canonical)
ᜋᜊᜒᜎᜒᜐ᜔ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜉᜈᜑᜓᜈ᜔ (Baybayin)


nasa kanya ang huling halakhak

nasa kanyá ang huling halakhák (Baybayin spelling ᜈᜐ ᜃᜈ᜔ᜌ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜑᜓᜎᜒᜅ᜔ ᜑᜎᜃ᜔ᜑᜃ᜔)

nasa kanyá ang huling halakhák (canonical)
ᜈᜐ ᜃᜈ᜔ᜌ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜑᜓᜎᜒᜅ᜔ ᜑᜎᜃ᜔ᜑᜃ᜔ (Baybayin)

Literally, “the last laugh is at him”, a free translation of English he who laughs last laughs best.

he who laughs last laughs best
he who laughs last laughs best


sukát ang katagáng sabi sa mabuting umiintindi (Baybayin spelling ᜐᜓᜃᜆ᜔ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜃᜆᜄᜅ᜔ ᜐᜊᜒ ᜐ ᜋᜊᜓᜆᜒᜅ᜔ ᜂᜋᜒᜁᜈ᜔ᜆᜒᜈ᜔ᜇᜒ)

/suˌkat ʔaŋ kataˌɡaŋ ˌsabi sa maˌbutiŋ ʔumiʔintinˈdi/

[sʊˌxat̪ ʔɐŋ kɐ.t̪ɐˌɣan̪ ˌsaː.bɪ sɐ mɐˌbuː.t̪ɪŋ ʔʊ.mɪ.ʔɪn̪.t̪ɪn̪ˈd̪i]

Literally, “a word is enough to those who understand well”. Calque of Spanish a buen entendedor, pocas palabras bastan.

calque

sukat ang katagang sabi sa mabuting umiintindi

a nod is as good as a wink
a nod is as good as a wink


nalpas ti ani, awan ti garami

nalpás ti ani (canonical)
awán ti garami (canonical)

[nɐlˌpas ti ˌʔa.ni | ʔɐˌwan ti ɡɐˈɾa.mi]

Literally, “after the harvest, there is no straw/hay”.


山不轉水轉

ㄕㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄢˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄓㄨㄢˋ

shān bùzhuàn shuǐ zhuàn [Phonetic:shān búzhuàn shuǐ zhuàn]

шань бучжуань шуй чжуань

/ʂän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯än⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːn³³ sɵy̯³⁵ t͡syːn³³/

/saːn⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːn³³ sɵy̯³⁵ t͡syːn³³/

the world is small enough for people to meet again


otack är världens lön

Roughly, "Ingratitude is the reward of the world." See otack.

people often don't receive the gratitude (or reward) they deserve


den dagen, den sorgen

den (“that”) + dagen (“day”) + den (“that”) + sorgen (“sorrow”)

af

there's no point in worrying today about something bad that might or will happen in the future, (roughly) we'll cross that bridge when we get to it


hulaj dusza – piekła nie ma

Literally, “let your soul sway – there is no hell”. From Anton Chekhov's play Three Sisters (1901).

lit

(humorous, idiomatic) when the cat's away the mice will play


hulaj dusza

Literally, “let your soul sway”. From Anton Chekhov's play Three Sisters (1901).

hulaj dusza – piekła nie ma
hulaj dusza – piekła nie ma#Polish

(by ellipsis, humorous, idiomatic) Alternative form of hulaj dusza – piekła nie ma


星火燎原

ㄒㄧㄥ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄩㄢˊ

синхоляоюань

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

an insignificant cause can have a massive effect

(literally) even a spark can set the prairie blaze


wie praat, die gaat

"Anyone who talks, goes" (i.e. will be killed).

snitches get stitches
snitches get stitches


más vale solo que mal acompañado

it's better to be alone than in bad company


head

el amante en lo que ama, imperfecciones no halla


el tiempo y la marea ni se paran ni esperan

time and tide wait for no man
time and tide wait for no man


nie mów hop

nie mów hop, póki nie przeskoczysz#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of nie mów hop, póki nie przeskoczysz


nie mów hop, póki nie przeskoczysz

Literally, “don't say hop until you've jumped across”.

lit

(idiomatic) don't count your chickens before they're hatched


nie mów hop, dopóki nie przeskoczysz

Literally, “don't say hop before you've jumped across”.


head

powiedziały jaskółki, że niedobre są spółki

/pɔ.vjɛˈd͡ʑa.wɘ jaskuwkiˌ ʐɛ ɲɛˈdɔb.rɛ sɔw̃ ˈspuw.ki/

Rhyme, literally, “[the] swallows said that copartnerships are not good”.

m-g

􂀿the􂁀 swallows said that copartnerships are not good

lit

mówiły jaskółki, że niedobre są spółki#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of mówiły jaskółki, że niedobre są spółki


w domu wisielca nie mówi się o sznurze

/v ˈdɔ.mu viˈɕɛl.t͡sa ɲɛ ˈmu.vi ɕɛ ɔ ˈʂnu.ʐɛ/

Literally, “in the house of a hanged man, one does not speak of rope”.

lit

w domu powieszonego nie mówi się o sznurze#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of w domu powieszonego nie mówi się o sznurze


mówiły jaskółki, że niedobre są spółki

/muˈvi.wɘ jaskuwkiˌ ʐɛ ɲɛˈdɔb.rɛ sɔw̃ ˈspuw.ki/

Rhyme, literally, “[the] swallows were saying that copartnerships are not good”.

m-g

􂀿the􂁀 swallows were saying that copartnerships are not good

lit

(idiomatic) cooperative projects are likely to fail and as such it is better to rely only on oneself

gdzie kucharek sześć, tam nie ma co jeść


head

w domu powieszonego nie mówi się o sznurze

/ˈvdɔ.mu pɔ.vjɛ.ʂɔˈnɛ.ɡɔ ɲɛ ˈmu.vi ɕɛ ɔʂˈnu.ʐɛ/

Literally, “in the house of a hanged man, one does not speak of rope”. Compare French parler de corde dans la maison d’un pendu.

cog

parler de corde dans la maison d'un pendu

Na pytanie o Kołodziejczyka dodał zjadliwie: - W domu powieszonego nie mówi się o sznurze.

1994 October 7, Paweł Wroński, “Czy z \"puczu\" w Drawsku wyniknie dymisja szefa MON?”, in Gazeta Wyborcza, Agora S.A.:

He added scathingly to the question about Kołodziejczyk: - One does not speak of twine in a hanged man's house.

(idiomatic) one should not discuss certain topics around someone particularly sensitive to them


sök och du skall finna

Literally, "seek and you shall find." Likely directly or indirectly from Matthew 7:7.

seek and ye shall find
seek and ye shall find


head

finns det hjärterum så finns det stjärterum

Roughly, "If there's room in the heart, there's room for the butt," or, "If there's heart-room, there's butt-room," with an ad-hoc compound stjärterum (stjärtrum would be expected) to match hjärterum. Compare Danish hvor der er hjerterum, er der husrum.

cog

where there's a will there's a way#English

(humorous) Said when making an effort to accommodate guests or the like (despite lack of space or the like); where there's a will there's a way


అగ్గి మీద గుగ్గిలము

head

అగ్గి మీద గుగ్గిలము

అగ్గి మీద గుగ్గిలము • (aggi mīda guggilamu)

ఆ కామెంట్స్ కాంగ్రెస్కు భారీ డ్యామేజ్ చేశాయని సొంత పార్టీ నేతలే అగ్గి మీద గుగ్గిలం అవుతున్నారు.

2023 February 18, “Telangana Congress మంటలు చల్లారినట్లేనా?..వెంకట్రెడ్డి ఎపిసోడ్పై ఎలాంటి చర్చ జరుగుతోంది..?”, in Andhra Jyothy:

Even the leaders of his (Komatireddy Venkat Reddy) own party (Congress) have stated that those comments put fuel on the flames and did major damage to Congress.

ā kāmeṇṭs kāṅgresku bhārī ḍyāmēj cēśāyani sonta pārṭī nētalē aggi mīda guggilaṁ avutunnāru.

add fuel to the fire
add fuel to the fire

add fuel to the fire; escalating an already tense situation


kwiecień plecień, bo przeplata trochę zimy, trochę lata

/ˈkfjɛ.t͡ɕɛɲ ˈplɛ.t͡ɕɛɲ ˈbɔ pʂɛˈpla.ta ˈtrɔ.xɛ ˈʑi.mɘ ˈtrɔ.xɛ la.ta/

Coordinate term: w marcu jak w garncu

(idiomatic) the weather is very changeable in April


龍交龍，鳳交鳳，隱痀的交侗戇

龍交龍，鳳交鳳，隱痀的交侗戇

龙交龙，凤交凤，隐痀的交侗戆

dragons befriend dragons, phoenixes befriend phoenixes, and hunchbacks befriend morons

birds of a feather flock together
birds of a feather flock together


龍交龍，鳳交鳳

dragons befriend dragons, phoenixes befriend phoenixes

/liɪŋ²³⁻³³ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪŋ²³ hɔŋ³³⁻²¹ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ hɔŋ³³/

/liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪŋ²⁴ hɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ hɔŋ³³/

Are Sean Lien and Ting Hsin on good terms? Ko Wen-je's mother: "Like-minded folks come together"

2014 October 12, 連勝文與頂新交好？ 柯文哲母：龍交龍鳳交鳳, Taiwan People's News (民報)

Liánshèngwén yǔ dǐngxīn jiāohǎo? Kēwénzhé mǔ: lóngjiāolóngfèngjiāofèng

連勝文與頂新交好？柯文哲母：龍交龍鳳交鳳

连胜文与顶新交好？柯文哲母：龙交龙凤交凤

(Southern Min) birds of a feather flock together


靠山山會崩，靠水水會焦

When one relies on the mountain, the mountain may fall. When one relies on water, water may dry up.

khò soaⁿ soaⁿ ē pang, khò chúi chúi ē ta

khò suann suann ē pang, khò tsuí tsuí ē ta

/kʰo²¹⁻⁵³ suã⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴ e²²⁻²¹ paŋ⁴⁴ kʰo²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sui⁵³ t͡sui⁵³ e²²⁻²¹ ta⁴⁴/

/kʰo⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ suã³³ suã³³ e⁴¹⁻²² paŋ³³ kʰo⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡sui⁵⁵⁴ t͡sui⁵⁵⁴ e⁴¹⁻²² ta³³/

/kʰo¹¹⁻⁵³ suã⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴ e³³⁻¹¹ paŋ⁴⁴ kʰo¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sui⁵³ t͡sui⁵³ e³³⁻¹¹ ta⁴⁴/

/kʰɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ suã⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴ e³³⁻²¹ paŋ⁴⁴ kʰɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sui⁴¹ t͡sui⁴¹ e³³⁻²¹ ta⁴⁴/

If one only spends money without earning, it will be eventually used up no matter how much one has.

It is impossible to always rely on others because the environment is always changing, so one should strengthen one's own capabilities.


牛牽到北京也是牛

/ɡu²⁴ kʰan⁴⁴⁻²² kau²¹ pak̚³²⁻⁴ kiã⁴⁴ ia²²⁻²¹ si²²⁻²¹ ɡu²⁴/

/ɡu²⁴ kʰan³³ kau⁴¹ pak̚⁵⁻²⁴ kiã³³ ia⁴¹⁻²² si⁴¹⁻²² ɡu²⁴/

/ɡu¹³ kʰan⁴⁴⁻²² kau²¹ pak̚³²⁻⁵ kiã⁴⁴ ia²²⁻²¹ si²²⁻²¹ ɡu¹³/

/ɡu²⁴ kʰan⁴⁴⁻³³ kau¹¹ pak̚³²⁻⁴ kiã⁴⁴ ia³³⁻¹¹ si³³⁻¹¹ ɡu²⁴/

/ɡu²³ kʰan⁴⁴⁻³³ kau²¹ pak̚³²⁻⁴ kiã⁴⁴ ia³³⁻²¹ si³³⁻²¹ ɡu²³/

牛就是牛，牽到北京也是牛 牛就是牛，牽到北京也是牛#Chinese

牛就是牛，牵到北京也是牛 牛就是牛，牵到北京也是牛#Chinese

(Hokkien) Synonym of 牛就是牛，牽到北京也是牛／牛就是牛，牵到北京也是牛

Synonym of 牛就是牛，牽到北京也是牛／牛就是牛，牵到北京也是牛


人同人好，鬼同鬼好

humans befriend similar humans, ghosts befriend similar ghosts

ngin^ˇ tung^ˇ ngin^ˇ ho^ˋ, gui^ˋ tung^ˇ gui^ˋ ho^ˋ

ngin² tung² ngin² ho³, gui³ tung² gui³ ho³

/ŋin¹¹ tʰuŋ¹¹ ŋin¹¹ ho³¹ ku̯i³¹ tʰuŋ¹¹ ku̯i³¹ ho³¹/

(Hakka) birds of a feather flock together


ఆలు లేదు, చూలు లేదు, కొడుకు పేరు సోమలింగము • (ālu lēdu, cūlu lēdu, koḍuku pēru sōmaliṅgamu)

ālu lēdu (romanization)
cūlu lēdu (romanization)
koḍuku pēru sōmaliṅgamu (romanization)

Literally "no wife, no pregnancy, [and yet] the son is [already] named Somalingam".

రాజగోపాల నాయుడు గారు చెప్పినది విన్న తరువాత ఆలు లేదు, చూలు లేదు, కొడుకు పేరు సోమలింగము అన్న ఆర్యోక్తి జ్ఞాపకం వస్తోంది.

1961, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Debates Official Report:

rājagōpāla nāyuḍu gāru ceppinadi vinna taruvāta ālu lēdu, cūlu lēdu, koḍuku pēru sōmaliṅgamu anna āryōkti jñāpakaṁ vastōndi.

కానీ ఇక్కడ మాత్రం ఆలు లేదు.. చూలు లేదు.. కొడుకు పేరు సోమలింగం అన్నట్టుగా తన్నుకోవడమేమిటని పార్టీ శ్రేణులు ఆగ్రహం వ్యక్తం చేస్తున్నాయి.

2023 April 22, “కాంగ్రెస్లో సీఎం ‘కుర్చీ’ కొట్లాట.. ముఖ్యమంత్రి రేసులో 15 మంది ఉన్నారా?”, in Namasthe Telangana:

kānī ikkaḍa mātraṁ ālu lēdu.. cūlu lēdu.. koḍuku pēru sōmaliṅgaṁ annaṭṭugā tannukōvaḍamēmiṭani pārṭī śrēṇulu āgrahaṁ vyaktaṁ cēstunnāyi.

don't count your chickens before they're hatched; don't think about the fruit before executing the labor

en-ఆలు_లేదు,_చూలు_లేదు,_కొడుకు_పేరు_సోమలింగము-te-proverb-N80ZwaVp

ālu lēdu, cūlu lēdu, koḍuku pēru sōmaliṅgaṁ

ఆలు లేదు, చూలు లేదు, కొడుకు పేరు సోమలింగం


cierp ciało, kiedyś chciało

Rhyme, literally, “suffer [my] body, when you wanted to”.

lit

cierp ciało, skoroś chciało
cierp ciało, skoroś chciało#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of cierp ciało, skoroś chciało


jak Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera

/jaɡ buk xt͡sɛ ukarat͡ɕˌ tɔ ˈrɔ.zum ɔdˈbjɛ.ra/

Literally, “if The Lord wants to punish, then he takes away [one's] reasoning”.

m-g

if The Lord wants to punish, then he takes away 􂀿one's􂁀 reasoning

lit

jak Pan Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of jak Pan Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera


cierp ciało, jak ci się chciało

Rhyme, literally, “suffer [my] body, as you wanted to”.


head

chciałaby dusza do raju, ale grzechy nie dają

/xt͡ɕaˈwa.bɘ ˈdu.ʂa dɔ rajuˌ ˈa.lɛ ˈɡʐɛ.xɘ ɲɛ ˈda.jɔw̃/

Literally, “[a] soul would like [to get] into heaven, but sins don't let [it]”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 soul would like 􂀿to get􂁀 into heaven, but sins don't let 􂀿it􂁀

lit

chciałaby dusza do raju
chciałaby dusza do raju#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of chciałaby dusza do raju


head

jeżeli Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera

/jɛˈʐɛ.li buk xt͡sɛ ukarat͡ɕˌ tɔ ˈrɔ.zum ɔdˈbjɛ.ra/


chciałaby dusza do raju

Literally, “[a] soul would like [to get] into heaven”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 soul would like 􂀿to get􂁀 into heaven

lit

(idiomatic) plans and dreams do not always come true due to unforeseen obstacles

chciałaby dusza do raju, tylko grzechy nie dają

chciałaby dusza do raju, ale grzechy nie pozwalają

chciałaby dusza do raju, tylko grzechy nie pozwalają


rada by dusza do raju

Literally, “[a] soul would [be] glad [to get] into heaven”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 soul would 􂀿be􂁀 glad 􂀿to get􂁀 into heaven


head

chciałaby dusza do raju, tylko grzechy nie dają

/xt͡ɕaˈwa.bɘ ˈdu.ʂa dɔ rajuˌ ˈtɘl.kɔ ˈɡʐɛ.xɘ ɲɛ ˈda.jɔw̃/

Literally, “[a] soul would like [to get] into heaven, only sins don't let [it]”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 soul would like 􂀿to get􂁀 into heaven, only sins don't let 􂀿it􂁀


head

chciałaby dusza do raju, tylko grzechy nie pozwalają

/xt͡ɕaˈwa.bɘ ˈdu.ʂa dɔ rajuˌ ˈtɘl.kɔ ˈɡʐɛ.xɘ ɲɛ pɔz.vaˈla.jɔw̃/

Literally, “[a] soul would like [to get] into heaven, only sins don't allow [it]”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 soul would like 􂀿to get􂁀 into heaven, only sins don't allow 􂀿it􂁀