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proVERBS
Carreg a dreigla, ni fwsoga
Translation:
A rolling stone gathers no moss
Equivalent:
A rolling stone gathers no moss
Meaning:
Always moving from place to place or job to job stops a person from accumulating much
(A proverb that is of little relevance, in these days of job insecurity and short-term work contracts)
Equivalents in other languages
Romance language family
[FRE]Pierre qui roule n'amasse pas mousseA stone that rolls amasses no moss[ITA]Pietra mossa non fa muschio
A stone that is moved does not make moss[SPA]Piedra movediza, nunca el moho la cobija
Moss never shelters a moving stone[Rom]Peretii au urechi si strazile ochi
Stone which rolls from place to place does not pick up moss[Cat]Pedra movedissa no cria molsa
Stone moss jiggly no breeding [POR]Pedra que muito rola, não cria musgo
Moss doesn't grow on a rolling stone[PRO]Car qui sovent sa rauba trossa, jamai non culhirà mossa
Because the stone rolls often it will never cultivate moss
Germanic language family
[Swe]Den sten som öfta vändes blir icke mossbelupenThe stone which was used often becomes non mossy (by Google Translate: to be improved shortly)[DUT]We hebben hulp nodig bij het vertalen van dit spreekwoord
A rolling stone gathers no moss[Nor]Der gror ikke muse på rullande stein
There does not grow mouse on a roll suitable stone (by Google Translate: to be improved shortly)[DAN]Rullende sten samler ingen mos
Rolling stone gathers no moss (by Google Translate: to be improved shortly)[Fri]?
Help![GER]Am rollenden Stein wächst kein Moos
A rolling stone grows no moss
Slavic language family
[POL]Kamień często poruszany, mchem nie obrośnieNo moss matures on a stone often moved[CES]Kámen často hýbaný neobroste mechem
Stone often Jarring neobroste moss (by Google Translate: to be improved shortly)[CRO]Koji se kamen mnogo premeće, neće mahovinom obrasti
Which is a lot of turning over stones, will be overgrown with moss (by Google Translate: to be improved shortly)[Slk]Kameň čo sa moc obracia machom neobrastie
Stone as much moss turning neobrastie (by Google Translate: to be improved shortly)
Finno-Ugric language family
[FIN]Vierivä kivi ei sammaloiduA rolling stone does not gather moss[HUN]Nem mohosodik az a kő meg, melyet gyakran mozgatnak
The stone that is often moved does not become moss-covered[EST]Veereval kivil ei ole sammalt
A rolling stone does not have moss (by Google Translate: to be improved shortly)
Baltic language family
[Ltv]Akmens, ko vienmēr valsta, nekad neapsūnoThe stone which always Sates neapsūno (by Google Translate: to be improved shortly)[Lit]Ir akmou, vietoj gulėdamas, apželia
And akmou, instead of lying, overgrown (by Google Translate: to be improved shortly)
Celtic language family
[Iri]Ní chruinnigheann cloch reatha caonach, ach cruinnigheann meach siubhail mílA running stone does not gather moss, but a travelling bee gathers honey[Wel]Carreg a dreigla, ni fwsoga
A rolling stone gathers no moss[Gae]Cha chinn cóinneach air clach an udalain
Moss does not grow on a much turned stone[Bre]We need help in translating these proverbs
A stone rolling or driven by a dog will never gather moss
Maltese (an Arabic language)
[Mal]Ġebla titgerbeb ma trabbix ħażiżA rolling stone gathers no moss
Language isolates
[Bas]Harri erabiliak ez du goroldiorik izatenThe moss stone is used (by Google Translate: to be improved shortly)
Edrych yn llygad ceffyl benthyg
Translation:
To look a gift horse in the mouth
Equivalent:
Look not a gift horse in the mouth
Meaning:
You should accept gifts willingly and without highlighting their shortcomings
Equivalents in other languages
Romance language family
[LAT]Noli equi dentes inspicere donatiDon't inspect the teeth of a horse that's been given to you[FRE]À cheval donné on ne regarde pas a la bouche
One does not look in the mouth of a horse that's given[ITA]A caval donato non si guarda in bocca
Do not look in the mouth of a horse tha has been given[SPA]A caballo regalado, no le mires el diente
Do not look at the tooth of a horse that's been given[Rom]Peretii au urechi si strazile ochi
Don't search the horse that's been given to you in the teeth[POR]A cavalo dado, não se olha o dente
Do not look at the teeth of a gift horse[Cat]A cavall donat/regalat no li miris el dentat [PRO]A chivau donat fau pas agachar lei dents
One should not inspect the teeth of a horse that's given
Germanic language family
[DUT](Moenie) ’n gegewe perd (nie) in die bek kyk nie[DAN]Man skal ikke skue given hest i munden [Fri]?Help![Swe]Given häst ska man inte skåda i munnen[Nor]Ein skal ’kje skoda gjeven gamp på tennene[GER]Einem geschenkten Gaul sieht man nicht ins Maul
A gift horse in the mouth can not be seen
Slavic language family
[POL]Darowanemu koniowi nie patrzy się w zębyBeggars are not looking at teeth[CES]Darovanému koni na zuby nekoukej!
Beggars can not be choosers![Slk]Darovanému koňovi nenačím do očí hľadieť
Finno-Ugric language family
[HUN]Ajándék lónak ne nézd a fogát!Do not look at the teeth of a horse that has been given[EST]Kes kingitud hobuse suhu vaatab?
Who looks into the mouth of a gift horse?[FIN]Ei lahjahevosen suuhun ole katsomista
You do not look in the mouth of a gift horse
Baltic language family
[Lit]Dovanų žirgui į dantis neveizi[Ltv]Dāvātam zirgam zobos neskatāsCeltic language family
[Iri]Ná féachtar fiacla an chapaill a bronntar[Wel]Edrych yn llygad ceffyl benthygTo look a gift horse in the mouth
Maltese (an Arabic language)
[Mal]Jekk taqla’ żiemel tħarisx lejn ix-xedaqGan y gwirion y ceir y gwir
Translation:
It is from the innocent that truth will be had
Equivalent:
Children and fools speak the truth
Meaning:
People unable to think or conceal their feelings, either because of youth or mental infirmity, speak out loud what they feel and see.
Equivalents in other languages
Romance language family
[LAT]Stultus puerque vera dicuntA fool and a child speak the truth[FRE]Enfants et fous disent la vérité
Children and fools tell the truth[ITA]I fanciulli e i pazzi dicono la verità
Children and madmen speak the truth[SPA]Los niños y los locos dicen la verdad
Children and madmen speak the truth[Rom]Peretii au urechi si strazile ochi
He who does not work shall not eat[PRO]?
He who can, should beware of a child and a fool[POR]As crianças e os loucos dizem a verdade
Children and fools tell the truth[Cat]Infants i orats diuen les veritats
Germanic language family
[Fri]We need help in translating these proverbsChildren and fools tell the truth[Swe]I vinet kommer sanningen fram[GER]Kinder und Narren sagen die Wahrheit
Children and fools speak the truth[DAN]Børn, narre og drukne sige sandhed[Nor]Av bonn og galne folk får ein høyre sanninga[DUT]Die mond van ’n dronk man/mens praat die waarheid
Slavic language family
[CRO]Djeca, budale i pijani pravdu govore[POL]Pijany a dziecię prawdę rychlej powieThe drunk and the child tell the truth sooner[CES]Ne vše zlato co se svítí; ne vše svato, co se vidí
If you want to discover a secret or truth; a fool, a child or a drunken man can tell about it[Slk]Vo víne pravda prebýva
Finno-Ugric language family
[EST]Ega lapse suu ei valeta[HUN]Gyermek, részeg, bolond mondják az igazatChildren, drunkards and fools tell the truth[FIN]Lasten ja humalaisten suusta kuulee totuuden
Children and drunken mouth to hear the truth
Celtic language family
[Wel]Gan y gwirion y ceir y gwirIt is from the innocent that truth will be had[Bre]We need help in translating these proverbs
Never confide your secrets to a drunken man, as what he knows, all the world knows[Gae]Cha dean cridhe misgeach briag
Help!
Language isolates
[Bas]Aufetik eta erotik egiaGwell aderyn mewn llaw na dau mewn llwyn
Translation:
Better a bird in the hand than two in the bush
Equivalent:
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
notes:
The word 'bush' has two meanings, both a small round tree and an unfarmed unpopulated area of land with many trees and bushes.
Meaning:
Something you have for certain now is of more value than something better you may get, especially if you risk losing what you have in order to get it.
Equivalents in other languages
Romance language family
[LAT]Sola avis in cavea melior quam mille volantesA single bird in a cage is better than a thousand that are flying[FRE]Moineau à la main vaut mieux que grue qui vole
A sparrow in the hand is worth more than the crane that flies[ITA]È meglio un uccello in gabbia che cento fuori
Se si parla inglese molto bene e italiano è la tua lingua madre, invia a me, Tony Randall, una e-mail per discutere la traduzione di questi venti proverbi[SPA]Más vale un pájaro en mano que ciento volando
A bird in the hand is worth more than a hundred flying[Rom]Peretii au urechi si strazile ochi
You can't serve two masters at the same time[Cat]Val mès un aucèll la mà que una áliga en l'aire [PRO]?
One in the bag is worth more than three in flight[POR]Um pássaro na mão do que dois no mato
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Germanic language family
[DAN]Én fugl i hånden er bedre end ti på taget[GER]Besser ein Sperling in der Hand als eine Taube auf dem DachBetter a sparrow in the hand than a pigeon on the roof[Swe]Bättre en sparv i handen än trana på stranden[Fri]We need help in translating these proverbs
A bird in the pan is better than many in the air[DUT]Een voël in die hand is beter as tien in die lug[Nor]Betre ein fugl i handa enn tie på take
Slavic language family
[Slk]Lepší dnes vrabec, ako zajtrá moriakBetter a sparrow today than a turkey tomorrow[POL]Lepszy wróbel w garści, niż kanarek na dachu
Better a sparrow in the hand than the canary on the roof[CRO]Bolje danas kos nego sutra gusak[CES]Lepší sýkora v ruce, než jeřáb pod nebem
Better a sparrow in the hand than the crane in the air
Finno-Ugric language family
[HUN]Jobb ma egy veréb, mint holnap egy túzokBetter a sparrow today than a bustard tomorrow[EST]Parem täna pool muna kui homme terve kana
Better half an egg today than a whole hen tomorrow[FIN]Parempi pyy pivossa kuin kymmenen oksalla
A hazel hen in the hand is better than ten hazel hens in a branch
Baltic language family
[Lit]Geriau žvirblis rankoj negu briedis girioj.[Ltv]Labāk zīle rokā nekā mednis kokāCeltic language family
[Wel]Gwell aderyn mewn llaw na dau mewn llwynBetter a bird in the hand than two in the bush[Iri]Is fearr éan 'sa‘ láimh ná beirt ar a‘ chraobhóig[Bre]We need help in translating these proverbs
One hare caught is better than three running
Maltese (an Arabic language)
[Mal]Għasfur fil-gaġġa jiswa aktar minn mija fl-ajruLanguage isolates
[Bas]Aireko txoriarentzat eskukoa ez utzFor a sparrow in the air do not give one in the hand
Lle bo mwg y bydd tan
Translation:
Where there is smoke, there is fire
Equivalent:
No smoke without some fire
Meaning:
If you see the effect of something, somewhere will be the thing that caused it
Equivalents in other languages
Romance language family
[LAT]Fumus ergo ignisIf there is smoke, then there is fire[FRE]Il n'y a pas de fumée sans feu
There is no smoke without fire[ITA]Non c'è fumo senza fuoco
Se si parla inglese molto bene e italiano è la tua lingua madre, invia a me, Tony Randall, una e-mail per discutere la traduzione di questi venti proverbi[SPA]Donde fuego se hace, humo sale
Where is fire, smoke leaves[Rom]Peretii au urechi si strazile ochi
Without smoke no fire exits[PRO]Onte i a de fum i a de fuèc
Where there is smoke there is fire[POR]Não fumo sem um poco de fogo
No smoke without a little fire[Cat]Alla on hi ha foc surt fum
Germanic language family
[Fri]Where there is smoke, there is also fireWhere there is smoke, there is also fire[DUT]Daar is nooit ’n rook/rokie sonder ‘n vuur (tjie) nie[GER]Kein Rauch ohne Feuer
No smoke without fire[Swe]Ingen rök utan eld[Nor]Ingen røyk utan eld[DAN]Der er ingen ild, som jo haver nogen smøg
Slavic language family
[Slk]Kde je dym, tam i oheň byť musí[CES]Plamen nebyvá daleko od dymu[CRO]Gdje se god puši, ondje vatre ima[POL]Nie ma dymu bez ogniaThere is no smoke without fire
Finno-Ugric language family
[HUN]Ahol füst van, ott tűz is van.Where there is smoke there is fire also[FIN]Ei savua ilman tulta
No smoke without fire[EST]Kus tuli põleb, sialt suits tõuseb
Where fire burns, there smoke rises
Baltic language family
[Ltv]Kur uguns, tur dūmi[Lit]Dümai be ugnies negimsta.Celtic language family
[Bre]We need help in translating these proverbsA chimney rarely smokes if thereis no fire in the hearth[Gae]Far am bi ceò bidh teine
Where there is smoke, there is fire[Iri]Ní bhí deatach gan teinidh
Where there is smoke, there is fire[Wel]Lle bo mwg y bydd tan
Where there is smoke, there is fire
Maltese (an Arabic language)
[Mal]M’hemmx duħħan fejn ma hemmx narThere is no smoke where there is no fire
Language isolates
[Bas]Sua dagon lekuan, keea; surik eztan lekuan, kerik ez [Where there is fire, there is smoke; where there is no smoke, there is no fire]Llon llygod lle ni bo cath
Translation:
When the cat is away from home the mice keep house
Equivalent:
When the cat's away, the mice will play
Meaning:
This suggests that, in the absence of an organisation's superior, many liberties are taken
Equivalents in other languages
Romance language family
[FRE]Absent le chat, les souris dansentWhen the cat is away the mice danse[ITA]Dove non è la gatta, il topo balla
Se si parla inglese molto bene e italiano è la tua lingua madre, invia a me, Tony Randall, una e-mail per discutere la traduzione di questi venti proverbi[SPA]Cuando el gato no está, los rátones bailan
When the cat isn't there, the mice dance[Rom]Peretii au urechi si strazile ochi
When the cat is not at home, the mice play on the table[PRO]Quand lei cats i son pas, lei garris dançan
When the cats aren't there the mice dance[Cat]Quan el gat no hi és, les rates ballen [POR]Quando o gato está fora, os ratos jogar
When the cat's away, the mice play
Germanic language family
[Swe]När katten är borta, dansar råttorna på bordet[Nor]D’er godt Vera mus der det ingen katt er i hus [DAN]Når katten er ude, danser/spiller musene på bordet[GER]Wenn die Katze fort ist, tanzen die MäuseWhen the cat\'s away, the mice dance[Fri]?
?[DUT]Als die cat weg is, is die muise baas
Slavic language family
[Slk]Keď kocúr nie je doma, myši majú hodyWhen the cat is not at home, the mice will feast [CRO]Kad nije mačke, miši kolo vode[CES]Je-li kocour z domu, honí se myši po domu[POL]Jak kota nie ma, to myszy biegają
As the cat's away, the mice run
Finno-Ugric language family
[EST]Hea on hiiri(de)l elada, kui kass(i) ei ole kodus[HUN]Ha nincs otthon a macska, táncolnak az egerekIf the cat's away, the mice will dance[FIN]Kun kissa on poissa, hiiret hyppivät pöydällä
When the cat is away the mice dance on the table
Baltic language family
[Lit]Kai katinas išeina iš namų, pelės šoka ant suolų[Ltv]Kad runcis Rigā, tad peles virs galda; kad runcis mājās, tad peles kaktāWhen the cat is in Riga, the mice are on the table; when the cat is at home, the mice are in the corner
Celtic language family
[Gae]The fios aig an luch nach 'eil an cat a's tighWell knows the mouse that the cat's not in the house[Wel]Llon llygod lle ni bo cath
When the cat is away from home the mice keep house
Maltese (an Arabic language)
[Mal]Meta jorqod il-qattus, il-ġrieden joħorġuWhen the cat goes to sleep, the mice come out
Nid aur yw popeth melyn
Translation:
Everything yellow is not gold
Equivalent:
All is not gold that glitters
Meaning:
Be wary of appearances, because not everything that looks good really is so
Equivalents in other languages
Romance language family
[LAT]Non omne est aurum quod splendetNot everything that glistens is gold[FRE]Tout ce qui reluit n'est pas or
All that glistens[ITA]Non è oro tutto quel che luce
e-mail per discutere la traduzione di questi venti proverbi[SPA]No es oro todo lo que reluce
All that shines is not gold[Rom]Peretii au urechi si strazile ochi
The fence has eyes and the wall has ears ears [POR]Nem tudo que reluz é ouro
Not everything that gleams is gold[Cat]Tot el que llueix no es or [PRO]Tot çò que lusis es pas d'aur
All that shines is not gold
Germanic language family
[Swe]Det är inte guld allt som glimmar[DAN]Det er ei elt guld som glimrer; eller filsben som skinner, eller meel som er hvidt [Nor]D'er ‘kje gull alt som glimer, og ikkje massing alt som skin [Ít is not all brass that shines][GER]Es ist nicht alles Gold, was glänztAll is not gold that glitters[Fri]?
It is not all gold, that which shines[DUT]Dis nie alles goud wat blink nie
Slavic language family
[POL]Nie wszystko złoto, co się świeciNot all gold that glitters[Slk]"Nie je všetko zlato, čo sa blyští "[CES]Ne vše zlato co se svítí; ne vše svato, co se vidí
All are not saints who look like that
Finno-Ugric language family
[HUN]Nem mind arany, ami fénylikNot all that glitters is gold[FIN]Ei kaikki kultaa mikä kiiltää
All that glitters is not gold[EST]Kõik ei ole kuld, mis hiilgab, ega kõik asi nii suur, kui kiidetakse
Baltic language family
[Ltv]Ne viss ir zelts, kas spīd; ne viss ir ļauns, ko nīdIt is not all bad that you hate[Lit]Ne viskas auksas, kas žiba, ne viskas smala, kas kiba
Celtic language family
[Bre]We need help in translating these proverbsHelp![Iri]Ní (h)ór gach a sorchuigheann
Everything that shines is not gold[Gae]Chan e òr a h-uile rud buidhe
Every yellow thing is not gold[Wel]Nid aur yw popeth melyn
Everything yellow is not gold
Maltese (an Arabic language)
[Mal]Mhux kull ma jleqq dehebNid yw’r ci sy‘n cyfarth yn brathu
Translation:
A barking dog does not bite
Equivalent:
Barking dogs seldom bite
Meaning:
The people who threaten you angrily are often just blustering
Equivalents in other languages
Romance language family
[LAT]Canes qui plurimum latrant perraro mordentDogs that bark most bite least often[FRE]Chien qui aboie ne mord pas
A barking dog does not bite[ITA]Can che abbaia, non morde
The dog that barks does not bite[SPA]Perro que ladra, no muerde
The dog that barks does not bite[Rom]Peretii au urechi si strazile ochi
The dog that barks much never bites[POR]Cão que ladra não morde
A dog that barks does not bite[PRO]Tot chin que japa mossega pas
Every dog that barks does not bite[Cat]Gos/Ca que lladra, no mossega
Germanic language family
[DUT]Blaffende honden bijten niet[Fri]?Dogs that bark don't bite[DAN]Den hund der gør, bider ikke[Swe]Tigande hund biter snarast[GER]Ein Hund, der bellt, beisst nicht
A barking dog does not bite[Nor]Den hunden som gjør, biter sjelden
Slavic language family
[Slk]Pes, ktorý šteká nehryzie[CRO]Čuva’ se psa ki ne laje[CES]Pes bázlivý víc štěká než kouše[POL]Krowa, która dużo ryczy, mało mleka dajeThe cow, which has a lot of bells, gives little milk
Finno-Ugric language family
[HUN]Amelyik kutya ugat, az nem harap.The dog that barks does not bite[EST]Haukuja peni ei hammusta[FIN]Haukkuva koira ei pure
Barking dog does not bite
Baltic language family
[Lit]Ne to šunio bijok, kuris garsiai loja, tik to, kuris iš pasalu kandaDo not be afraid that dog which barks loudly, but that bites from ambush[Ltv]Suņi, kuri daudz rej, nekož
Celtic language family
[Wel]Nid yw’r ci sy‘n cyfarth yn brathuA barking dog does not bite[Iri]An madadh bhíos ag tamhaint ní hé bhaineas greim asad
The dog which barks is not the one which bites you[Bre]We need help in translating these proverbs
A man who doesnot speak, a dog that does not bark, do not trust these two ones
Language isolates
[Bas]Txakur ausilaria ezta aginkariaPeidiwch byth a gohirio tan yfory yr hyn y gellwch ei wneud heddiw
Translation:
Do not put off till tomorrow what you can do today
Equivalent:
Never put off till tomorrow what may be done today
Meaning:
Do the jobs on today's To Do list, and don't postpone any of them till tomorrow (This proverb could also be suggesting that your today's To Do list is capable of being done today, and that it should not contain things which realistically cannot all be done today)
Equivalents in other languages
Romance language family
[FRE]Ce qu'aujourd'hui tu peux faire, au lendemain non diffèreThat which you can do today, don't put off till tomorro[ITA]Non rimandare a domani quel che puoi far oggi
Se si parla inglese molto bene e italiano è la tua lingua madre, invia a me, Tony Randall, una e-mail per discutere la traduzione di questi venti proverbi[SPA]No dejes para mañana lo que puedes hacer hoy
Don't leave for tomorrow that which you can do today[Rom]Peretii au urechi si strazile ochi
Don't leave till tomorrow, what you can do today[POR]Nunca deixe para amanhã o que pode ser feito hoje
Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today[Cat]Lo que pots fer avuy, no ho esperes fer dema
Germanic language family
[DAN]Opsæt ikke til i morgen, hvad du kan gøra i dag[Nor]Utsett ikke til imorgen hva du kan gjøre idag[GER]Was du heute kannst besorgen, das verschiebe nicht auf morgenWhat you can do today that do not not put off till tomorrow[Fri]?
Help![Swe]Uppskjut inte/aldrig till imorgen, vad du kan göra idag[DUT]Stel nie uit tot môre wat jy vandag nog kan besôre
Slavic language family
[POL]Co masz zrobić jutro, zrób dziśWhat you have to do tomorrow, do today[CES]Codnes zameškaš, zítra nedohoníš[Slk]Čo máš urobiť zajtra, urob dnes a čo máš zjesť dnes, nechaj si na zajtra
Do today what you should do tomorrow: what you should eat today, reserve till tomorrow[CRO]Što se danas može u?initi, ne ostavljaj za sutra
Finno-Ugric language family
[HUN]Amit ma megtehetsz, ne halaszd holnapra.Do not postpone till tomorrow what you can do today[FIN]Älä jätä huomiseksi sitä, minkä voit tehdä jo tänään
Do not put off till tomorrow what you might do already today[EST]Tänasida toimetusi ära viska homse varna
Do not throw today‘s work on tomorrow's rack
Baltic language family
[Lit]Duoną taupyk rytojui, ne darbą[Ltv]Taupi maizi/grasi, netaupi darba/darbuReserve bread/money, do not reserve work (for tomorrow)
Celtic language family
[Wel]Peidiwch byth a gohirio tan yfory yr hyn y gellwch ei wneud heddiwDo not put off till tomorrow what you can do today[Iri]Ná fág go dtí amárach an rud a thig leat a dhéanamh indiú
Do not put back until tomorrow what you can do today
Language isolates
[Bas]Gaur egin al dena ez biarko utzi* Flashcards available.
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