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

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О вку́сах не спо́рят.	To each his own. Literal: Tastes are not argued. (from Latin "De gustibus non est disputandum")
Обе́щанного три го́да ждут.	Jam tomorrow. Literal: They wait three years for what was promised.
Обже́гшись на молоке́, ду́ют на́ воду.	Once bitten, twice shy. Literal: The one who got burned by hot milk, blows on water.
Овчи́нка вы́делки не сто́ит.	The game isn't worth the candle. Literal: The lambskin is not worth the currying.
Оди́н в по́ле не во́ин.	One can not conquer alone. Literal: Single man in a field is not a warrior.
Один раз соврёшь -- другой не поверят.	Once lain, who will believe you?
Оди́н с со́шкой -- се́меро с ло́жкой.	With the cultivator he is alone, but those who eat are many. Literal: For every one with a plow -- there're seven with a spoon.
Оди́н сын -- не сын, два сы́на -- по́лсына, три сы́на -- сын.	Literal: One son is not a son, two sons are half a son, three sons are a son.
Одна́ голова́ -- хорошо́, а две -- луч́ше.	Two heads are better than one. Literal: One head is good; two heads are better.
Одна женщина -- баба, две бабы -- базар, а три -- ярмарка.	Three women and a goose make a marketplace.
Одна ласточка весны не делает.	One swallow does not make a spring.
Он за словом в карман не лезет.	He's not at a loss for a word.
Оре́шек не по зуба́м.	A hard nut to crack Literal: The teeth are not match for the nut.
От во́лка бежа́л, да на медве́дя попа́л.	Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Literal: I ran from the wolf but ran into a bear.
От добра́ добра́ не и́щут.	Leave well enough alone; Enough is as good as a feast. Literal: Do not look for further good from good.
От любопы́тства ко́шка сдо́хла.	Curiosity killed the cat. Literal: Cat died of curiosity.
От ма́ленькой и́скры большо́й пожа́р быва́ет.	Little spark lights great fires. Literal: A little spark may cause a big fire.
От сумы́ и от тюрьмы́ не зарека́йся.	Never say 'never'. Literal: Don't swear off of beggary and jail.
От трудо́в пра́ведных не наживёшь пала́т ка́менных.	Honour and profit lie not in one sack. Literal: Honest work won't let you live on the stone palace.
Отолью́тся ко́шке мы́шкины слёзки	What goes around, comes around. Literal: Cat will eventually get a downpour of mice' tears
Охо́та пу́ще нево́ли.	Desire is stronger than compulsion. Literal: Desire is worse then compulsion.

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Index of Russian proverbs and sayings

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