English proverb. Proverbs in English with translation. English proverbs and proverbs

English is very imaginative and accurate. In addition, there are many hints of various historical events, which with the course of years have become figurative expressions and sayings. Englishmen like to chat about the weather, adore the queen, often engage in gardening and do not mind eating a delicious snack. Therefore, many of their sayings are connected with these topics.

Expressions about the weather

Of course, starting to get acquainted with English utterances is worth of those associated with the weather. Discuss the rain or sun the Englishman is always ready, and many phrases help him to do this. For example, the English proverb "It never rains, it pours" reminds of the Russian meaning "Trouble does not come alone". A more comforting meaning is hidden in the phrase "All the clouds have silver linings", meaning that in every situation there are advantages. Enumerating English proverbs about the weather, it is worth mentioning and "A little rain must fall into every life". The most suitable Russian equivalent sounds like "Not all cats are carnival." Does not have a suitable expression for the translation of the proverb "Never mind is this is good for your garden," which calls for stoic treatment of any troubles, because even in the rain there are advantages. In addition, this expression emphasizes the love of the British for gardening and growing roses, because it recalls that rain is useful for plants.

Proverbs about the house

As in any country, in England much attention is paid to home comfort. English proverbs and proverbs are often associated with the house. Perhaps, the most famous expression sounds like "One's house is a castle". In translation, it means that a person's house is his fortress. The fact that houses are always cozier, says the English proverb "East or west, one's home is best". The Russian equivalent of the statement says that the houses help and the walls. With the imaginative understanding of the house, the saying "Walking the street of" by-and-by "you arrive at the house of" Never "is connected, which means that it is practically impossible to achieve much without effort. Literally this phrase can be translated like this: on the street "a little bit" you can only get to the house "never".

Phrases about friendship

Of course, the British are concerned about relationships with other people. English proverbs about friendship and relationships are very interesting and sufficiently accurate. For example, there is the saying "Better to be alone than to be in bad company," which advises to prefer the loneliness of a bad company. It's reasonable to approach the friendly relations advises the English proverb "Even reckonings make long friends". In translation, it sounds like "A frequent account prolongs friendship". The equivalents of English proverbs do not always exist in the Russian language. But the phrase "Before making friends eat a bushel of salt with them" fully corresponds to the saying about the need to eat with a friend a pood of salt. Differences only in this measure of weight, which seems necessary for checking friendship for the English and Russian.

A somewhat pessimistic view of friendship is demonstrated by the proverb "Friend is a thief of time", according to which friends steal time. Of course, pastime with a friend can not always be called useful, but it brings positive emotions, which is also of great importance. The wise idea is in the phrase "Better open enemies than false friends". Translation means that a clear enemy is better than a cheating friend. Another English proverb about friendship reports that "Company in distress makes your trouble less" - the presence of friends makes it possible to make any problem less significant.

English proverbs and proverbs about cats

Cats are very beloved by the British and are found in their conversations very often. For example, the proverb "All cats are gray in the dark" is known in Russian almost literally: "In the dark, any cat is gray." This apt expression says that it is almost impossible to distinguish colors at dusk. Indeed, almost any shade seems exceptionally gray. The unanimity of Russians and Britons against cats is demonstrated by an English proverb, such as "Cats shut their eyes when stealing the cream", which means that the cat knows who she stole the cream from. The phrase "Cats in gloves catch no mice", which corresponds to the well-known saying about the necessity of labor for obtaining fish, advises us to work harder. Cruelly with the cat manages the English proverb "Curiosity kills a cat", but the Russian analogue of this expression is written in the affected people, informing that curious Varvara in the market tore off his nose. Another famous phrase sounds like "The scalded cats fear cold water", which literally means "scalded cats are afraid of cold water", and the closest equivalent among Russian sayings is the saying "Burning on milk, blowing on water". Even the nervous tension, because of which you sit on needles, the English are tied with cats. The proverb sounds like "Like a cat on hot bricks". In addition, the British believe in a cat's sense of humor. When the Russians say "chickens to laugh", the inhabitants of the foggy Albion will note - "It's enough to make cats laugh".

Proverbs about money

The money issue also did not bypass the British side. On the subject of finance, there are a variety of proverbs and sayings of the English language. For example, "Better be lucky than be rich" - a phrase that says that happiness is better than wealth. Another saying is a bit sadder and sounds like "Beggars can not choose", that is, beggars can not choose. There are other proverbs in English with translation and equivalents. For example, "Saved penny is gained penny", that is, the saved penny - just like earned. And such a proverb as "You are not poor if you have little, but if you desire much" advises less to indulge in dreams about material things. Another idea coincides with this idea, "Money can be a good servant but they are a bad master". Do not put money at the forefront. And very categorical citizens of the foggy Albion can and do say that "Muck and money are going together," which means that the abomination is always close to the money. A small income, on the contrary, is not considered shameful for an Englishman.

Health sayings

Studying English proverbs on topics relating to different aspects of life, it is worth paying attention to those that are associated with a healthy body and diseases. For example, everyone knows the phrase "In a sound body there's a sound mind". In Russian she reports that a healthy body is distinguished by a healthy spirit, with which it is difficult not to agree. In translating proverbs in English with a translation, one can not fail to mention "One apple a day is keeping the doctor away". This phrase notes that one apple a day is enough to forget about visits to the doctor. Another useful tip for maintaining well-being is "Disease is the interest of pleasures," which literally means "health is in moderation." A similar thought is expressed by the saying "Gluttony killed more men than the sword", or "More people die from excessive appetite than from a sword". The saying "Good health is more important than wealth", which rightly notes that health is more important than money, advises to value the acquired by such principles. Rejecting drunkenness very wisely recommends the proverb "Drunken days will have their tomorrow", meaning that a drunkard always has to be tough tomorrow. Similar meaning and the proverb "Drunkenness can reveal what soberness will conceal", which has the exact Russian equivalent: the drunk says what the sober remains on his mind.

Saying honesty

The British are not less concerned with the question of truth and lies. So, the British believe that the best thing is honesty, which is what the proverb "Honesty is your best policy" says. Careful handling of questions so as not to listen to lies, advises the saying, which sounds like "Ask no questions and you'll be told no lies." Less to deceive, so as not to lose the confidence of others - that's the meaning of the proverb, sounding like "Not that once deceived will always be suspected". But sometimes one should believe in the most incredible, suggests the proverb "Truth can be stranger than fiction", which can literally be translated as "the truth is more strange than fiction". Make sure that things are that way, it is quite difficult - the British suggest not to believe the eyes and half of what is heard, too, according to the phrase "Do not believe all that you see and half what you hear." Beware of gossip, because they are close to lies, advises the proverb "Gossips and lies go hand in hand." According to the British, slander goes with deceit by the hand.

Sayings of love

A lot of proverbs are written about real feelings. The phrase "Beauty lies in lover's eyes" advises you to think wisely about appearance, because beauty is really more noticeable in a loved one. Forget about narcissism is suggested by the saying "If one is full of himself he is very empty," which literally translates as: "He who is too full of himself is very empty." Do not judge the people too strictly, the British believe. At least, the saying that sounds like "Do not hate at the first harm" suggests, from the first blunder, not to write down a person as an enemy. About the hardships of relations at a distance says the saying "Longer absent, sooner forgotten", which has an analog and in Russian - "Out of sight, out of mind". Love is not a disease, and one can not be cured of it, people's wisdom notices. After all, "No herb can cure love", there is no cure for feelings. However, it is unlikely that this situation seriously saddens at least one Englishman.

Proverbs about work

Industrious Englishmen are sure that it is better to do than to say. This is confirmed verbatim from the saying "Better doing than saying". But do not take yourself too rigidly. This is evidenced by the saying "No living man can all things", which means that no one can cope with all matters in the world. Do not be afraid of mistakes, the proverb "He is lifeless if it is faultless" teaches, which means that only those who do nothing can remain impeccable. Only this way guarantees complete absence of mistakes and failures. The British consider it necessary to plan their business in advance and be lazy at a minimum, which is confirmed by the saying "Never put off till tomorrow something you can do today", which urges you to do everything that can not be postponed for the next few days. The proverb "Not everyone can be master" emphasizes that not everyone is allowed to be a leader. A well-known Russian saying of time for business and an hour for fun exactly corresponds to "All work with no play makes Jack a dull boy".
Literally this phrase means that a day full of work and deprived of a resting minute, turns Jack into a boring boy.

Sayings about courage

A common theme of proverbs is also a courageous resolute character. Englishmen are sure: "You will not win a fair lady with a faint heart." This means that a cowardly person will not be able to conquer a beautiful woman. In addition, the brave man is accompanied by luck, as the proverb "Fortune will favors the brave" assures. The fact that cowardly people often try to harm those who are disliked, surreptitiously, informs folk wisdom in the saying "Not that fears you present hates you absent": one who is afraid of your presence hates you behind your back. Finally, the British also know that the risk-free does not drink champagne, but they express this idea with the phrase "If nothing was ventured, nothing will be gained". It is worth mentioning and saying, which became a national idea: "Keep calm and carry on". Krepis and do your thing - that's the idea with which all the English people live, from the queen to the simple worker. This slogan is even used on souvenirs - posters, bags, cups, magnets and notebooks of all kinds of colors and shapes.