Russian Proverbs and Sayings

This page continues the alphabetical list of Russian proverbs and sayings along with their English versions and literal translations.

А Б В Г Д Е Ё Ж З И Й К Л M Н О П Р С Т У Ф Х Ц Ч Ш Щ Ь Ы Ъ Э Ю Я

Russian proverbs: г 3 of 15 | < Prev Next >

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Где говорят деньги, там молчит совесть.	The money will heal all the hurts of honor. Literal: Where money speak, there the conscience is silent.
Где любовь и совет, там и горя нет.	Literal: Where love and advice exists, there is no grief.
Где плохо лежит, туда вор и глядит.	An open door may tempt a saint. Literal: A thieve looks in the direction here something lies not properly.
Где то́нко -- там и рвётся.	The chain is no stronger than its weakest link. Literal: It will snap where it's the thinnest.
Гла́дко бы́ло на бума́ге, да забы́ли про овра́ги. (Л. Толстой)	On paper, it was attractive. Literal: It was smooth on paper, but we've forgotten about ravines.
Глаз видит, да зуб неймёт.	Eyes watch but cannot take.
Глаза -- зеркало души.	Eyes are the mirror of a heart.
Глаза боятся, а руки делают.	You never know what you can do till you try.
Глаза́ боя́тся, а ру́ки де́лают.	You never know what you can do till you try. Literal: Eyes are afraid, but hands are doing the job.
Глупый да малый правду говорят.	Truth comes out of the mouths of babes and sucklings. Literal: A fool and a baby tells the truth.
Говори меньше, умнее будет.	A silent fool is counted wise. Literal: Speak less, it will be smarter.
Говори, да не проговаривайся.	A close mouth catches no flies. Literal: Speak, but do not slip.
Говорил бы много, да сосед у порога.	Fools and madmen speak the truth.
Говорил горшку котелок: уж больно ты чёрен, дружок.	The pot calls the kettle black.
Говорил день до вечера, а слушать нечего.	lip-service; hot air; idle words
Говорит направо, а глядит налево.	To carry fire in one hand and water in the other. Literal: Talks to the right, but looks to the left.
Говорить правду -- потерять дружбу.	Flattery makes friends and truth makes enemies.
Говоришь по секрету, пойдет по всему свету.	Nothing is as burdensome as a secret.
Говорят -- кур доят, а коровы яйца несут.	Pigs might fly. Literal: They say they milk chicken and cows hatch eggs.
Говоря́т, что кур доя́т.	Pigs might fly. Literal: They say they milk chicken.
Го́лод не тётка, пирожка́ не поднесёт.	The hunger is not like an aunt. Literal: Hunger is not your aunt, it will not bring you a pie.
Голодное брюхо ушей не имеет.	Hungry bellies have no ears.
Голо́дный, как волк.	Hungry like a wolf. Literal: As hungry as a wolf.
Го́лой овцы́ не стригу́т.	A beggar can never be bankrupt. Literal: One doesn't shear the naked sheep.
Голь на вы́думку хитра́.	Necessity is the mother of invention. Literal: Poor people are crafty.
Горба́того моги́ла испра́вит.	The leopard cannot change his spots. Literal: Only grave will cure the hunchback.
Готовь сани летом, а телегу зимой.	While it is fine weather mend your sails. Literal: Prepare the sled in summer, and cart in winter.
Гром не гря́нет -- мужи́к не перекре́стится.	The peasant will not cross himself before it begins to thunder. Literal: Unless the thunder strikes, a peasant won't cross himself.
Гроша не стоит, а глядит рублем.	He regarded himself as ton of gold and was only ounce of brass.
Гусь свинье́ не това́рищ.	Geese with geese, and women with women. Literal: A goose is not a pig's friend.

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Index of Russian proverbs and sayings

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