~ Український фольклор
Ukrainian Proverbs for Beginners
- Rachel Louise
- , May 9, 2023
Knowing a handful of proverbs is actually one of the greatest ways by which you can acquire more details about the language and the people’s culture. Because these sayings are filled with so much wisdom, they can be used as a way to connect with other people more profoundly!
In this article, we will dive into the various Ukrainian proverbs that will make you sound like a native speaker. While this language is a challenge to learn for some people but knowing these might just make the learning process easier. Are you ready? Read on below!
What Are Some Ukrainian Sayings?
Ukrainian is a wonderful language, and anyone who wants to master it should start by learning the interesting details related to it. One area that can make you love the language more is mastering its wisdom-filled sayings. Learn more about this in the sections below!
Borrowed Bread Lies Heavy On The Stomach
In Ukrainian: Позичений хліб тяжко лежить на животі (Pozychenyy khlib tyazhko lezhytʹ na zhyvoti)
This means that sometimes, people will not be able to appreciate what they have if they do not go through difficult times. This shows that one must always be appreciative of whatever they have because you don’t really know what can come next.
A Hungry Wolf Is Stronger Than A Satisfied Dog
In Ukrainian: Голодний вовк сильніший за ситу собаку (Holodnyy vovk sylʹnishyy za sytu sobaku)
This Ukrainian proverb means that it is better to be hungry for progress than to be satisfied with being stagnant. This saying reminds us that while making mistakes and failing is a part of the process, it should not stop you from the passion for becoming better at what you do.
A Woman’s Beauty Cannot Warm A Winter’s Night
In Ukraianian: Жіноча краса не може зігріти зимової ночі (Zhinocha krasa ne mozhe zihrity zymovoyi nochi)
This is one of the Ukrainian proverbs that remind someone’s physical attributes will not be enough during hard times. At the same time, it is nice to be with someone that you are attracted to; how they are as a person and their personality will matter more than anything. A man’s or woman’s beauty might be nice at first, but it will surely not warm the winter’s night or on very challenging days for both of you!
Wise Men Learn From Other Men’s Mistakes
In Ukrainian: Мудрі люди вчаться на чужих помилках (Mudri lyudy vchatʹsya na chuzhykh pomylkakh)
This proverb is a timely reminder not to repeat the mistakes that other people have made but rather to learn from them. Because experience is the best teacher, it is also best that you learn from other experiences aside from your own too!
A Crow Will Never Be A Falcon
In Ukrainian: Ворона ніколи не стане соколом (Vorona nikoly ne stane sokolom)
This saying is a reminder that there are certain skills that some people have that you don’t and vice versa. At first glance, it may seem very discouraging to hear but do keep in mind that both a crow and a falcon can still serve their purpose at the end of the day – just differently. Aside from that, it can also act as a reminder that whatever you do, you will never be anyone but yourself.
The Malicious Cow Disturbs The Entire Herd
In Ukrainian: Злісна корова турбує все стадо (Zlisna korova turbuye vse stado)
This proverb means that one person with the wrong intentions might just rattle the community. This also reminds us to be careful with the people we choose to associate with. After all, not everyone is who they seem to be!
The Fear Of Death Takes Away From The Simple Joy Of Living
In Ukrainian: Страх смерті позбавляє простої радості життя (Strakh smerti pozbavlyaye prostoyi radosti zhyttya)
Fear of the unknown? We feel you! Even if it cannot be helped, this proverb will surely remind you that being in fear of what’s to come might just stop you from living the life that you want.
Too Many Cooks Spoil The Broth
In Ukrainian: Забагато кухарів псують бульйон (Zabahato kukhariv psuyutʹ bulʹyon)
Some More Ukrainian Proverbs
“Ось вони говорили-говорили, та й кажуть…“
” (They have been talking, talking, and now they say…) This is usually said when all the previous conversation seems to be in vain.
“Хіба хочеш – мусиш.” (Do we want? We must.) That is, I do it not because I want it.
“На городі бузина, а в Києві дядько.” (There are elderberry in the garden and an uncle in Kyiv) = The mentioned things are not in connection.
“В них одна дяка за рибу й за рака.” (They pay the same gratitude for fish and crayfish.) = Whatever you do, they will not appreciate it.
Не кажи “гоп” поки не пресекочиш. [Ne kazhy “hop” poky ne presekochysh]. – Don’t say “hop” before you jump over it.
Баба з возу – кобилі легше. [Baba z vozu – kobyli lehshe.] – When an old lady leaves a cart, it gets easier for the horse to move it.
Не було би щастя – так нещастя допомогло. [Ne bulo by shchastya – tak neshchastya dopomohlo.] – There wouldn’t have been the happiness if the misery hadn’t helped.
Біла ворона – “A white crow”
his idiom is used to describe a person who is unusual or extraordinary, not like others. It can be translated in English as “a black sheep” or just an odd person. Біла ворона is someone who stands out of a group (looks different, behaves differently).
- У школі її називали білою вороною, бо вона ніколи не гралась з іншими дітьми і весь свій вільний час проводила за читанням книг.
- At school, she used to be called an odd bird as she never played with other children, and she spent all her free time reading books.
Speak of the Wolf – Про вовка промовка
Про вовка промовка – “Talking about the wolf”
Something that you say when someone you have been talking or thinking about suddenly appears.
- Ти сьогодні бачила Петра? О, а ось і він! Про вовка промовка.
- Did you see Peter today? Oh, here he comes! Speak of the devil.”
Proverbs about the Ukrainian Language
Прислів'я про українську мову
Prysliv'ya pro ukrayinsʹku movu
“Our native language is melodic, bright, expressive and we want to cherish and develop it. Moreover, the word is a key component of human communication, therefore the folk thought about it is said very often and aptly.”
- If you do not know your own language, let yourself be forgotten/ A bird is recognized by its bird, but a man by his words. The Ukrainians have devoted an increasing number of sayings to their mother tongue which has been under persecution for centuries. To speak Ukrainian and hear it in return is a real value.
- The word is not a pea, the wilt is not a spit / Don’t throw words to the wind / Be lord of your word / Deeds are more vocal than words. Sayings about responsibility for your words are a vast folklore stratum.
- A warm word makes the ice thaw / A strong word makes the heart grow fonder. Dozens of proverbs are dedicated to the emotional power of a word, which can support or hurt.
Sayings about love & friendship
Висловлювання про любов і дружбу
Vyslovlyuvannya pro lyubov i druzhbu
“Human relationships are the core of life. That is why Ukrainian folklore is full of proverbs about love, friendship and family. Many of them now seem outdated, as they appeared in the old days of patriarchy and harsh traditional values. But some retain their relevance to this day.”
- Do not be silent/ Do not help me and charms, as someone is not up to par. Despite the fact that in traditional society marriage was decided by parents, great importance was attached to feelings.
- The heart has no control over anything, it has its own will/ Let the heart have its will, it will set it free. The power of emotion can override all reasonable arguments, which has been noted since ancient times.
- The tree is strong with its roots and the man with his friends/ You can’t buy the other for a pittance/ You have to look for the other, but if you find him, try. Faithful friends who will support you in any situation are a precious resource of life at all times.
The Mitten
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Mitten (Ukrainian: Рукавичка) is a Ukrainian fairy tale. It remains popular in modern Ukraine and has been translated into other languages.
The Plot
There are numerous variations of this Ukrainian folk tale. In the general story, a person loses their mitten in a forest in the snow during a cold winter. One by one, various animals come and settle inside the mitten, all of them planning to stay warm. Eventually, the mitten can no longer hold all those who want to warm themselves inside. The mitten then splits open and spills out all the animals into the cold.
Variations
The individual losing the mitten varies – some versions feature a child who loses their mitten. The animals included varies in different versions but often includes a mouse, a frog, a hare, a fox, a wolf, a boar and a bear. The animals fitting into the mitten get progressively larger. In some retellings, each of the animals have adjectives or nicknames.
In many retellings, prior to settling in, the new-comer asks permission from the animals already inside. When the mitten can hold no more, sometimes a sneeze causes the animals to no longer fit inside. In some retellings, the person who lost the mitten finds it after the animals have left.[3][4][5]
Показати де раки зимують – about crayfish…
“To show where the crayfish is wintering“
To show where the crayfish is wintering”.
“Often used as a threat. To punish, to teach someone a lesson, to show someone what’s what.
- Я покажу тобі де раки зимують! 😡
- I’ll teach you a lesson!
