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 >

- Г -
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.

                                                           3 of 15 | < Prev   Next >

Index of Russian proverbs and sayings

  1. Russian proverbs and sayings: а-б
  2. Russian proverbs and sayings: в
  3. Russian proverbs and sayings: г
  4. Russian proverbs and sayings: д
  5. Russian proverbs and sayings: е-з
  6. Russian proverbs and sayings: и-к
  7. Russian proverbs and sayings: л-м
  8. Russian proverbs and sayings: н
  9. Russian proverbs and sayings: о
  10. Russian proverbs and sayings: п
  11. Russian proverbs and sayings: р-с
  12. Russian proverbs and sayings: т-у
  13. Russian proverbs and sayings: ф-х
  14. Russian proverbs and sayings: ц-ч
  15. Russian proverbs and sayings: ш-я

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