Proverbs are windows into the cultural soul of a nation, and Russian proverbs are no exception. These time-tested sayings offer insight into the values, wisdom, and humor of the Russian people. Understanding these proverbs not only enriches your knowledge of the Russian language but also deepens your appreciation for the cultural nuances that shape everyday life in Russia. In this post, we’ve translated 20 quintessential Russian proverbs in English.
Each proverb is presented with its original Russian version, a phonetic transcription to help with pronunciation, a detailed explanation, and two practical examples using the translated proverb.
Table of Contents
- Best 20 Russian Proverbs in English with Examples
- #1. 🪆 “Measure twice, cut once.”
- #2. 🪆 “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
- #3. 🪆 “An apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
- #4. 🪆 “Out of sight, out of mind.”
- #5. 🪆 “Every cloud has a silver lining.”
- #6. 🪆 “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”
- #7. 🪆 “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.”
- #8. 🪆 “All that glitters is not gold.”
- #9. 🪆 “Better late than never.”
- #10. 🪆 “You reap what you sow.”
- #11. 🪆 “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
- #12. 🪆 “Practice makes perfect.”
- #13. 🪆 “Actions speak louder than words.”
- #14. 🪆 “Two heads are better than one.”
- #15. 🪆 “The early bird catches the worm.”
- #16. 🪆 “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
- #17. 🪆 “Still waters run deep.”
- #18. 🪆 “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
- #19. 🪆 “A leopard can’t change its spots.”
- #20. 🪆 “Better safe than sorry.”
- Russian Proverbs in English Table
- Russian Proverbs in English Printable
- Conclusion
Best 20 Russian Proverbs in English with Examples
Whether you’re a language learner, a cultural enthusiast, or simply curious, delving into these Russian Proverbs in English will provide you with a unique perspective on Russian thought and expression.
This structure is designed to not only enhance your language skills but also to give you a richer understanding of the cultural contexts in which these proverbs are used. So, let’s dive into the world of Russian wisdom and see what lessons these age-old sayings have to offer.
#1. 🪆 “Measure twice, cut once.”
- Original: Семь раз отмерь, один раз отрежь.
- Phonetic: Sem’ raz otmer’, odin raz otrezh’.
- Explanation: This proverb emphasizes the importance of careful planning before taking action. It suggests that one should think and plan thoroughly before making a decision to avoid mistakes.
- Examples:
- “Before submitting your assignment, remember: ‘Measure twice, cut once.’ Double-check your work.”
- “He always lives by the saying ‘Measure twice, cut once,’ which is why his projects are always flawless.”
#2. 🪆 “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
- Original: Дареному коню в зубы не смотрят.
- Phonetic: Darenom konju v zuby ne smotryat.
- Explanation: This proverb advises not to criticize or scrutinize something that has been given to you as a gift. Accept it graciously without finding faults.
- Examples:
- “She wasn’t happy with the color, but I told her, ‘Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.'”
- “When they offered me the old car, I knew it wasn’t perfect, but I didn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
#3. 🪆 “An apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
- Original: Яблоко от яблони недалеко падает.
- Phonetic: Yabloko ot yabloni nedaleko padayet.
- Explanation: This proverb means that children often resemble their parents, whether in appearance, behavior, or character.
- Examples:
- “John is just as ambitious as his father—an apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
- “Seeing her with a book, I smiled. Truly, an apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
#4. 🪆 “Out of sight, out of mind.”
- Original: С глаз долой, из сердца вон.
- Phonetic: S glaz doloy, iz serdtsa von.
- Explanation: This proverb suggests that if you do not see someone or something for a while, you tend to forget about them or it.
- Examples:
- They say ‘Out of sight, out of mind,’ but I still think of her every day.
- “Once he moved to a new city, his old friends became ‘out of sight, out of mind.'”
#5. 🪆 “Every cloud has a silver lining.”
- Original: Нет худа без добра.
- Phonetic: Net khuda bez dobra.
- Explanation: This saying expresses optimism, suggesting that there is something good in every bad situation.
- Examples:
- Losing that job was hard, but I believe every cloud has a silver lining.”
- After the storm, she reminded herself that every cloud has a silver lining.”
#6. 🪆 “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”
- Original: Старый друг лучше новых двух.
- Phonetic: Stary drug luchshe novykh dvukh.
- Explanation: This proverb highlights the value of a true friend who stands by you in difficult times, often valued more than new acquaintances.
- Examples:
- “When I was sick, Jane stayed with me the whole time—a friend in need is a friend indeed.”
- “He proved that a friend in need is a friend indeed by helping me move.”
#7. 🪆 “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.”
- Original: И рыбку съесть, и на санках покататься.
- Phonetic: I rybku s’yest’, i na sankakh pokatat’sya.
- Explanation: This proverb means you can’t enjoy two desirable but mutually exclusive options at once.
- Examples:
- “You want to save money but also buy that expensive dress—you can’t have your cake and eat it too.”
- “Trying to keep both jobs is impossible; you can’t have your cake and eat it too.”
#8. 🪆 “All that glitters is not gold.”
- Original: Не всё то золото, что блестит.
- Phonetic: Ne vsyo to zoloto, chto blestit.
- Explanation: This saying warns that not everything that looks valuable or true turns out to be so.
- Examples:
- “He seemed perfect at first, but all that glitters is not gold.”
- “The deal looked great, but remember, all that glitters is not gold.”
#9. 🪆 “Better late than never.”
- Original: Лучше поздно, чем никогда.
- Phonetic: Luchshe pozdno, chem nikogda.
- Explanation: It’s better to do something late than not do it at all.
- Examples:
- “She finally graduated at 50—better late than never.”
- “He apologized after a week, but better late than never.”
#10. 🪆 “You reap what you sow.”
- Original: Что посеешь, то и пожнёшь.
- Phonetic: Chto poseyesh’, to i pozhnyosh’.
- Explanation: This proverb means that your actions, good or bad, will have consequences.
- Examples:
- “If you treat people well, they will respect you. You reap what you sow.”
- “He ignored his studies, and now he’s struggling—you reap what you sow.”
#11. 🪆 “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
- Original: Лучше синица в руках, чем журавль в небе.
- Phonetic: Luchshe sinitsa v rukakh, chem zhuravl’ v nebe.
- Explanation: This saying advises that it’s better to have a sure thing than to risk it for something greater that may not happen.
- Examples:
- “I decided to keep my current job—better a bird in the hand than two in the bush.”
- “He wanted to invest in stocks, but I told him, ‘A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.'”
#12. 🪆 “Practice makes perfect.”
- Original: Повторение – мать учения.
- Phonetic: Povtoreniye – mat’ ucheniya.
- Explanation: This proverb emphasizes the importance of practice and repetition to achieve mastery.
- Examples:
- “He practices the piano every day because practice makes perfect.”
- “Don’t give up—remember, practice makes perfect.”
#13. 🪆 “Actions speak louder than words.”
- Original: Не по словам судят, а по делам.
- Phonetic: Ne po slovam sudyat, a po delam.
- Explanation: This proverb suggests that what people do is more important than what they say.
- Examples:
- “She promised to help, but actions speak louder than words.”
- “They apologized, but actions speak louder than words.”
#14. 🪆 “Two heads are better than one.”
- Original: Одна голова хорошо, а две лучше.
- Phonetic: Odna golova khorosho, a dve luchshe.
- Explanation: This proverb highlights the value of collaboration and teamwork.
- Examples:
- Let’s work on this project together—two heads are better than one.
- “We came up with a great solution because two heads are better than one.”
#15. 🪆 “The early bird catches the worm.”
- Original: Кто рано встает, тому Бог подает.
- Phonetic: Kto rano vstayet, tomu
Bog podayet.
- Explanation: This proverb suggests that those who start early are more likely to succeed.
- Examples:
- “She’s always the first in the office—the early bird catches the worm.”
- “He secured the best deals because he believes the early bird catches the worm.”
#16. 🪆 “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
- Original: Делу время, потехе час.
- Phonetic: Delu vremya, potehe chas.
- Explanation: This proverb emphasizes the need for a balance between work and leisure.
- Examples:
- “Don’t forget to take a break—remember, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
- “She works hard, but she also knows that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
#17. 🪆 “Still waters run deep.”
- Original: В тихом омуте черти водятся.
- Phonetic: V tikhom omute cherti vodyatsya.
- Explanation: This proverb suggests that a quiet person may have a complex or hidden personality.
- Examples:
- “He’s very reserved, but still waters run deep.”
- “She doesn’t say much, but still waters run deep.”
#18. 🪆 “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
- Original: Москва не сразу строилась.
- Phonetic: Moskva ne srazu stroilas’.
- Explanation: This proverb means that important things take time to achieve.
- Examples:
- “He’s frustrated with the slow progress, but Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
- “Keep working on your skills—Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
#19. 🪆 “A leopard can’t change its spots.”
- Original: Горбатого могила исправит.
- Phonetic: Gorbatogo mogila ispravit.
- Explanation: This saying suggests that people cannot change their true nature or character.
- Examples:
- “He apologized, but I doubt he’ll change—a leopard can’t change its spots.”
- “She tries to be nice, but a leopard can’t change its spots.”
#20. 🪆 “Better safe than sorry.”
- Original: Бережёного Бог бережёт.
- Phonetic: Berezhyonogo Bog berezhot.
- Explanation: This proverb advises caution to avoid regrets later on.
- Examples:
- “I always double-check my work—better safe than sorry.”
- “He bought insurance, thinking, ‘Better safe than sorry.'”
Russian Proverbs in English Table
| 1. 🪆 “Measure twice, cut once.” | 11. 🪆 “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” |
| 2. 🪆 “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” | 12. 🪆 “Practice makes perfect.” |
| 3. 🪆 “An apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” | 13. 🪆 “Actions speak louder than words.” |
| 4. 🪆 “Out of sight, out of mind.” | 14. 🪆 “Two heads are better than one.” |
| 5. 🪆 “Every cloud has a silver lining.” | 15. 🪆 “The early bird catches the worm.” |
| 6. 🪆 “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” | 16. 🪆 “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” |
| 7. 🪆 “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” | 17. 🪆 “Still waters run deep.” |
| 8. 🪆 “All that glitters is not gold.” | 18. 🪆 “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” |
| 9. 🪆 “Better late than never.” | 19. 🪆 “A leopard can’t change its spots.” |
| 10. 🪆 “You reap what you sow.” | 20. 🪆 “Better safe than sorry.” |
Russian Proverbs in English Printable
Conclusion
Russian proverbs in English, with their rich imagery and deep meanings, offer more than just language lessons—they provide cultural insights and practical wisdom that transcends borders. By learning these proverbs, you gain a deeper understanding of how Russians perceive the world, their values, and their philosophies. These sayings, passed down through generations, continue to resonate in everyday conversations, reflecting timeless truths and shared human experiences.
As you explore these proverbs, remember that language learning is not just about vocabulary and grammar; it’s about connecting with a culture, understanding its people, and appreciating the subtleties that define their way of life.
By incorporating these Russian Proverbs in English into your language practice, you’ll not only improve your Russian but also enrich your understanding of the human condition as seen through the lens of Russian wisdom.
So, keep these proverbs in mind as you continue your language journey—they may offer guidance, comfort, or simply a moment of reflection when you need it most.
Looking for a deeper dive into Russian culture? Discover 20 fascinating Russian proverbs translated into English, complete with explanations and examples. 🌟 Uncover the wisdom behind these sayings and see how they can add a touch of Russian insight to your daily life. and don’t forget to follow and like EnglEzz for more enriching content! 👍✨Check out the full post now at
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