13 Jul Idioms or cliché

Posted at 11:42h in Travel services by
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Perfect way to add a pinch of fun and life narrative ‘how world works’ content or just simply earn the nickname ‘philosopher’. Cliche words happen everywhere, literally everywhere! And sometimes it helps to befriend foreigners without speaking the same language. Funny enough many countries have the same cliche phrases; Some expressions are utterly – word to word – the same (only translated) and other have an identical meaning but using different terms.

The Value might be deceiving

In English “All that glitters is not gold.” 

In Russian “Не все то золото что блестит” (Ne vse zoloto chto blestit)

The same words only rearrange(ending ahead in Russian translation), and the same meaning.

Here some more examples 

Never give up

(Eng)”Better late than never”

(Fra) “Mais mieux vaut tard que jamais.” (French cliche) 

(Rus) “Лучше поздно, чем никогда” (Luchshe pozdno chem nikogda)

(Eng) “Impossible is nothing”

“Don’t throw in the towel”

(Fra) “Impossible n’est pas français”

(Rus) “Нет ничего невозможного”(net niche nevozmojnogo) – Nothing is impossible 

(Chi) 不能一口吃成胖子。(Bùnéng yīkǒu chī chéng pàngzi / ‘can’t one mouthful eat become fat-person’) – you can’t get fat with one bite. (China cliche 1)

(Jap) 七転び八起き (ななころびやおき) Nana korobi ya oki – Seven times fallen, eight times standing. (Japanese cliche)

 

First appearance 

(Eng) “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”

(Fra) “L’habit ne fait pas le moine” – the clothing doesn’t make the monk

(Rus) “Не суди книгу по обложке” (Ne sudi kinigu po oblojke)

(Eng) “Every rose has its thorn”

(Rus) “Каждая роза имеет свои шипы”(Kajdaya roza imiet svoi shipu)

Act fast when you can 

(Eng) “Strike an iron while its hot!”

(Fra) Il faut battre le fer pendant qu’il est chaud !

(Rus) “Куй железо пока горячо” (Kui jelezo poka goryacho)

All have the same meaning – take advantage of favorable situations – and almost word to word translation

 

No clue

(Eng) “Its all Greek to me” or “That’s Greek to me”

(Rus) “Без понятия ” ( Bez ponyatiya) – no clue 

(Ger) “Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof” – I understand only the train station

 

Easy-Breezy 

(Eng) “It’s a piece of cake” – so easy to do.

“Easy peasy” – so simple to do.

(Rus) ” Как два пальца об асфальт” (Kak dva pal’ca ob asfalt) – Like two fingers touch on the asphalt 

(Jap) 朝飯前 (あさめしまえ)Asa meshi mae – Before breakfast

 への河童 (へのかっぽ)He no kappo – The fart of a cucumber.

(Spa) “Ser pan comido” (To be eaten bread) – To be very easy

 

Luck

(Eng) “Cross you fingers” – to bring luck 

(Rus) “Скрести пальцы” (Skresti palci) – cross fingers

(Ger) “Jemandem die Daumen drucken” – Press the thumbs for someone

(Eng) “Take the tiger by the tail”

(Rus) “Лови удачу за хвост” (lovi udachu za chvost)

(Ger) “Schwein haben”

The same meaning but the (Eng) version has the tiger for a word ‘luck’ (удача) “Rus”

Jemanden über den Tisch ziehen (Pull someone over the table) – ripped someone off, use somebody (in a game)

Got an Idea/Figured 

(Eng) “A light bulb moment” 

(Rus) “И тут меня осенило” (i tut menya osenilo) – and then it dawned on me 

(Ger)  “Das Ei des Kolumbus” – The egg of Columbus (German cliché)

Annoy

(Eng) “A thorn in one’s side” – a person or thing that repeatedly annoys and causing problems.

(Rus) “Как бельмо на глазу” ( Kak bel’mo na glazy) – As a eyesore

(Spa) “Estar hasta las narices” (To be up the nose) 

Follow/ Obey

(Rus) “Танцевать под чью то дудочку /дудку” ( Tancevat’ pod dudochky/dudku) – Dance to someone’s flute 

(Ger) “Nach jemandes Pfeife tanzen” -Dance to someone’s flute

Blindly obeying , or doing anything that someone tell them

Sleep/Rest

(Eng) “Sleep like a baby” or “Sleep like a log”

“Without sleeping a wink” – Not being  able to sleep 

(Rus) “Спать как сурок” ( Spat’  kak surok) – sleep like a marmot 

(Ger) “Shlafen wie ein Murmeltier”(sleep like a marmot)

(Spa) “Dormir a pierna suelta” (Sleep with a loose leg)

“No pegar ojo” (To not strike an eye) – Not being able to sleep

Growing/multiplying 

(Eng) “Spring up everywhere” 

(Rus) “Растут как на дрожжах” (Rastut kak na drojjah) – Grow like yeast 

(Ger) “Wie Pilze aus dem Boden schießen” – Shoot out of the ground like mushrooms

Sorrow/ Remorse

(Eng) “Cry your balls out” 

(Rus) “Лить крокодиловые слезы” (Lit’ krokodilovue slezu) Cry crocodile tears

(Ger) “Krokodilstränen weinen” – Cry crocodile tears 

Insincere display of remorse

Judging/Irrelevant 

(Eng) split hairs – do unnecessary things, make a peevish criticisms or objections that are minor, unimportant, or irrelevant.

(Chi) 鸡毛蒜皮  (jīmáosuànpísort) – sort chicken feathers and garlic skins

(Eng) “Different strokes for different folks” – Everybody is deferent and has their own likes and dislikes. 

(Rus) “Сколько людей столько и мнений” ( Skol’ko ludei stol’ko i mnenii) – Number of people equals to number of opinions.

(Jap)十人十色 (じゅうにんといろ)Juu nin to iro – Ten people, ten colours.

Behave 

(Eng) “The nail that’s sticks out will be hammered down” – If you stand out from the masses you will face resistance and criticism that others.

(Jap) 出る杭は打たれる (でるくいはうたれる) Dekiru kui ha utarereu – the post that can be will be struck (Japanese cliché) 

Own the moment 

(Eng) “Crowned touch” – The moment you owned it, doing/ending something gracefully.

(Rus) “Завершающий штрих” (zavershayushchiy shtrikh)

(Chi) 画龙点睛, (huàlóngdiǎnjīng) – paint a dragon and, at last, dots the eyes.

Some of Chinese cliche phrases are good to use: 拍马屁, pāimǎpì (beat a horse’s behind) – kiss butts; 缘木求鱼, yuánmùqiúyú (climbing a tree to catch fish) – don’t fight over the lost case; 鸡毛蒜皮, jīmáosuànpí (sort chicken feathers and garlic skins) – killing time doing silly things.

Waste of time

(Eng) “Split hairs” – being pedantic and unnecessary things.

(Fra) “Tu coupes les cheveux en quatre” – you’re cutting the hair into four pieces.

(Rus) “Дурака валять” (Duraka  valyat’) Fool to roll – to do nothing/ act ridiculous.

(Chi)) 鸡毛蒜皮, jīmáosuànpí – sort chicken feathers and garlic skins – waste time doing meaningless things.

Done is done 

(Rus) “Что сделано то сделано”(Chto sdelano to sdelano) – What’s done is done.

“Наломать дров”(Nalomat’ drov) – break log/firewood. 

(Latin) “Factum fieri infectum non potest.” – It is impossible for a deed to be undone.

(Chi) 木已成舟，生米煮成熟饭。 (Mù yǐ chéng zhōu, Shēngmǐ zhǔ chéng shúfàn) – The timber’s already a boat; the rice is cooked (Chinese cliche)

It means: what’s done cannot be undone.

Fortune

(Eng) “The early bird gets the worm”

(Rus) “Кто рано встает тому Бог дает” (Kto rano vstaet tomu Bog daet) – Whoever gets up early, gets God’s blessing.

(Ger) “Wer zuerst kommt, mahlt zuerst” – Whoever comes first eats first.

(Chi) 捷足先登  (Jiézú xiān dēng) –  The quick-footed climb first.

 

Wise

(Eng) “He knows most who speaks least” 

(Rus) “Молчать за умного сойти” (Molchanie zoloto / Mulchat’ – za umnogo soiti) – Silence is gold / Keep quiet to seem smart) 

(Chi) 大智若愚 (Dàzhì ruò yú) – Great wisdom can seem foolish.

Boasting/ Know your surroundings 

(Eng) ” Don’t cast your pearls before swine” – aware of the value of what you have and share it only with those who are worth it.

(Rus) “Метать бисер перед свиньями” (Metat’ biser pered svin’yami) – Cast pearls before swines.

(Jap)猫に小判 (ねこにこばん)Neko ni koban – Giving a gold coin to a cat

From left: “Les doigts dans la nez”– when something is very easy do; “Give you 2 peni(pennies)”/ “to give one’s two cents” – it means your opinion doesn’t really matter; “quand les poules auront des dents ” /when pigs fly” –similar to “when hell freezes over.”– something that 99% is unlikely to happen , 1 % I leave for a miracle! ; “Avoir les chevilles qui enflent” (to have ankles that swell) –  full off yourself with a big ego ; “jeter l’éponge” (throw in the sponge) – to give up or surrender (throw the towel) ; “В рот мне ноги”(V rot mne nogi) – be shocked/ surprised (legs in my mouth)

 

Knowing for sure 

(Eng) “Knowing it like the back of my hand”

(Rus) “Знаю как свои пять пальцев”(Znay oak svoi pyat’ pal’cev)I know it like my five fingers.

(Ger) “Etwas wie seine Westentasche kennen” – knowing something like your vest pocket.

 

Don’t celebrate ahead 

(Eng) ” Dont count your chickens before they hatch” – don’t celebrate prematurely as you could be disappointed after.

(Fra) “Vendre la peau de l’ours avant de l’avoir tué” – to sell the skin of the bear before even killing it.

(Rus) “Цыплят по осени считают”(Cuplyat po oseni schitayt) – chickens are counted in autumn 

(Ger) “Man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend loden” – one shouldn’t praise the day before the evening

 

Surprised 

(Eng) “You’ve got to be kidding me” – so surprised to hear somethig

(Rus) “В рот мне ноги” ( V rot mne nogi) – Feet in my mouth 

(Ger) “Ich glaube ich spinne” – I think i spider 

“Da fresse ich glatt einen Besen” – I’ll smoothly chow down on a broom

 

Act difficult

(Eng) “Act like a prima Donna”  – be easily offended and act difficult.

(Ger) ” Die beleidigte Leberwurst spielen” – Act like the offended liver sausage

(Rus) “С вами кашу не свариш” ( S vami kashu ne svarish) – you won’t cook porridge with you – When a person seems very resistant to any solution and difficult to deal with. 

 

Drinking 

(Rus) “Трезвый как стеклышко ” (Trezvui kak  steklushko) – Sober as a glass

“Пить пиво – сидеть криво” ( Pit’ pivo sidet’ krivo) Driving beer – to sit crooketly  – Meaning – if you drink you will look funny. 

(Eng) “Dutch courage” – take a drink to get brave enough/ feel more confident 

 

Moment Last 

(Eng) “Nothing lasts forever” – literally means fortunately or unfortunately everything has an end.

(Rus) “Ничто не вечно под Луной”(Nichto ne vechno pod Lunoi) – Nothing lasts forever under the Moon 

” У всего есть свой конец” (U sego west’ svoi konec) – everything has its end

(Ger) “Alles hat ein ende, nur eine Wurst hat zwei” – Everything has an end. Only a sausage has two.  

Ignorance 

(Eng) “ignorance is a bliss” – the less you known the better you sleep/ happier you feel

(Rus) ” Меньше знаешь лучше спишь” “(Men’she znaesh luchshe spish) – Leseer you know the better you sleep ( literally) 

(Chi) 难得糊涂。 (Nándé hútu / ‘hard get confusion’) – Where ignorance is bliss, it’s folly to be wise.

(Jap) 知らぬが仏 (しらぬがほとけ) Shiranu ga hotoke – Not knowing is Buddha.

Gain/ Hard Work 

(Eng) ” No pain no gain” – Without hard work don’t expect good results.

(Fra) “Sans sacrifices, nous n’aboutirons à rien”

(Rus) “Что посеешь то и пожмешь” ( Chto poseesh to i pojmesh) / What you sow is what you will press – What you will give you will earn. 

(Jap) 虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず (こけつにいらずんばこじをえず) Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu – You will not get the tiger’s cub without entering into the tiger’s den.

自業自得 (じごうじとく) Jigou jitoku – One’s work, one’s profit or You reap what you sow.

(Chi) 种瓜得瓜, 种豆得豆。 (Zhòngguā dé guā, zhòngdòu dé dòu / ‘sow melons reap melons; sow beans reap beans’) – You reap what you sow. 

(Rus) “Knowing someone/ something  like 5 fingers”/”Znat’ kogo-to/chto-to kak svoi peat’ pal’cev” – “Knowing something/someone like the back of your hand” – knowing smith completely ; (Eng) and (Rus) – “Have a skeleton in the closet” and “Skelet v shkafu” – to have secrets.

Alone/Value yourself

(Eng)”Better be alone than with whoever” 

(Fra) “Mieux vaut être seul que mal accompagné“

(Rus) “Лучше одному чем с кем попало” (Luchshe odnomy chem s kem popalo) 

Judge in the end 

(Eng) “All is well that ends well”

(Fra) “Tout est bien qui finit bien”

(Rus) “Все хорошо что хорошо кончается” (Vse horosho chto horosho konchaetsya)

Food (literally) or Greed 

(Eng) “Appetite comes with eating.”

(Fra) “L’appétit vient en mangeant”

(Rus)”Аппетит просыпаться во время еды” ( Appetit prosupaetsya vo vremya edi)

Offensive

 

Don’t Bother

(Eng) “Mind your own business” 

(Fra) “S’occuper de ses oignons”

(Rus) “Не лезь не в свое дело”(Ne lez’ ne v svoe delo) or “Занимайся своими делами”(Zanimaisya svoimi delami)

Crazy 

(Eng) “Has screw loose” 

(Fra) “Avoir une araignée au plafond.”(To have a spider on the ceiling)

“Péter un plomb” ( to break or blow a fuse) – it means “to go crazy” or “to get very angry”.

(Rus) ” Не все дома”(ne vse doma) (not everyone at home) 

(Ger) ” Einem Vogel haben” – have a bird 

In every language there is own funny expression for a bit crazy, weird, or odd.

Dark Secrets 

(Eng) ” Have skeleton in the closet” – you have secrets from the past

(Rus) “Скелет в шкафу” (Skelet v shkafu) – skeleton in the closet.

(Ger)” Eine Leiche im Keller haben” – have a dead body in the basement.

Resemble ancestors

(Eng) “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” 

“He’s a chip off the old block”.

(Rus) “Яблоня от яблони не далеко падает” (Yablonya ot yabloni ne daleko padaet)

(Jap) 蛙の子は蛙 – Kaeruno koha kaeru (The frog’s child is a frog)

Only the beginning/ the little which is seem

(Eng) “The tip of the iceberg”

(Rus) ” Верхушка айсберга” ( Verhushka Iceberga)

(Jap)  氷山の一角 – Hyōzan no ikkaku (The tip of the iceberg)

Jealousy /The best is not yours

(Eng) “The grass is always greener on the other side.”

(Rus) “Трава всегда зеленее на другой стороне” (trava vsegda zelenee na drugoi storone)

(Jap) 隣の芝生は青い –  Tonarino shibafuha aoi (The grass is greener on the other side)

Threat

(Rus) “Показать/покажу кузькину мать” (pokazat’/pokaju kuz’kinu mat’) Show Kuz’kin’s mether – telling a treat, warning to not mess with.Can be used as a joke as well. 

Boasting 

(Eng) “Each frog boasting of its swamp”

(Rus) “Каждая лягушка хвастает свое болото” (Kajdaya lyagushka hvastaet svoe boloto) Each frog boasting of its swamp

Looking for someone

(Eng) ” Looking for Prince Charming” – To look for the perfect man

(Rus) “Ждать Принца на белом коне” (Jdat’ Princa na belom kone) – Wait for the Prince on the white horse

(Spa) ” Buscar el príncipe azul” – To look for the blue prince.

“Encontrar tu media naranja” (To find your half orange) – To find the perfect partner

(Eng) “To find your other / better half”

(Chi) 人无完人，金无足赤。(Rén wú wánrén, jīn wú zúchì / ‘man lack perfect man; gold lack enough red) – Its quiet impossible to  find a perfect man as it is to find 100% pure gold.

Born lucky 

(Eng) “To be born with a silver spoon in your mouth”

(Rus) “Родиться с золотой ложкой” (Roditsya s zolotoi lojkoi) – To be born with golden spoon 

“Голубых кровей” (Golubih krovei) – Blue blooded

(Spa) “Tener sangre azul” – To have blue blood.

Been Deceived 

(Eng) “Cry wine and sell vinegar” – you don’t get what you pay for as you’ve been tricked by the seller falsely advertising. 

(Rus) “Рога и копыта” (Roga i koputa) – Horns and hooves.

(Jap)羊頭狗肉 (ようとうくにく)Youtou kuniku – Sheep’s head and dog’s meat.

Time value 

(Eng) “Time is money” 

(Rus) “Время деньги” (Vremya den’gi)

(Jap) 時は金なり – Tokiha kanenari (time is money)

No matter what

(Eng) “Come rain or shine”

(Jap) 雨が降ろうと、槍が降ろうと – Ame ga furou to, yari ga furou to (Whether it rains or spears)

(Eng) “To not give a monkey about it”

(Rus)  “И в снег и в стужу” (E v sneg e v stujy) Both in the snow and in the cold – no matter in what condition. 

 (Spa) ” No importar un pepino / un rábano / un pimiento” ( Not to matter a cucumber / radish / pepper)

Matter of a sec/ Shocking 

(Eng) “Close call”

(Rus) ” Это было близко” (Eto bilo blizko)

(Jap) 危機一髪-kiki ippatsu (close call)

Unfortunate/ Trying to be best for everyone and everything

(Eng) “Those who chase two rabbits do not get one”

(Rus) ” Кто гонится за двумя зайцами ни одного не поймает” (Kto gonitsya za dvumya zaicami ni odnogo ne poimaet)

(Jap) 二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず・Nitowo oumo noha ittowo moezu (Those who chase two rabbits do not get one) 

Luck/One deed helped to solve/ succeed in other

(Eng) “Kill two birds with one stone” – Get two things done with a single action

(Rus) “Убить двух зайцев одним выстрелом”(Ubit’ dvuh zaicev odnim vustrelom)Kill two rabbits in one gunshot

(Ger) “Zwei Feigen mit einer Klappe schlagen” (Killing two birds with one stone)

(Jap)一石二鳥 (いっせきにちょう)Isseki nichou – One stone, two birds.

Be Unlucky at certain time and place 

(Rus) ” Оказаться под аттакой со всех сторон” (Okazat’sya pod attakoi so vseh storon)

(Jap)(四面楚歌・shimen soka (Surrounded by enemies)

Experience 

(Rus) “Извлечь урок из чего-то ” (Izvlech urok iz chego-to) -Learn a lesson from something

(Jap) 爪の垢を煎じて飲む・Tsume no aka o senjite nomu (Brew and drink the dirt from under someone’s fingernails)

Finish a day/ working late

(Eng) “Call it a day”

“Hit the sack”

“Go on a wild goose chase”

(Rus) “Утро вечера мудренее” (Utro vechera mudrenee) The morning of the evening is wiser.

Jealous 

(Rus) “Кусать локти” (Biting elbows) – The lest to do after not achieving something that you aimed for.

Hiding the true intentions 

(Eng) “Beat around the bush”

(Rus) “Ходить вокруг да около” (Hodit’ vokrug da okolo) – walk around and by.

Food/Appreciate the Chief

(Fra) “Crème de la crème” — Meaning ‘the best of the best’) 

“Haute cuisine” — High cooking

(Rus) “Что ни блюдо то объедение”(chto ne bludo  to ob’edenie) or “объедение”(ob’edenie) — Any dish you have is delicious

(Turkish) “elenize sağlık”(eleneezey sahlik) — health to your hands.

Life 

(Eng)”Life is short”

(Fra) “La vie est trop courte pour boire du mauvais vin”

(Rus) “Жизнь коротка”( Jizn korotka)

(Eng) “That’s life”

(Fra) “C’est la vie”

(Rus) “Это жизнь” (Eto jizn’)

Knowledge 

(Eng) “Ignorance is bliss”

(Rus) “Меньше знаешь – крепче спишь” (Menshe znaesh krepche spish) – Less know, stronger sleep 

(Jap) 知らぬが仏 – Shiranuga hotoke (Not knowing is buddha)

見ぬが花 –  Minugahana (Ignorance is bliss)

(Japanese idioms)

To be continued…

Don’t want to deal 

(Eng) “To pass the bucket”

(Rus) ” Умываю руки” – washing my hands 

(Rus) ” Остановите планету я сойду” – stop the planet Im out

(Spa) “Lavarse las manos” (To wash your hands) – To avoid your responsibility

Advise / Abide the fact 

(Eng) “Everything in moderation’ 

(Rus) “Все хорошо в меру” ( Vse horosho v meru) – Everything is good in moderationю

(Jap) 腹八分に医者いらず (はらはちぶにいしゃいらず) Hara hachi bu ni isha irazu – If the stomach is at 80%, you won’t need a doctor.

Interference 

(Eng) “Deal breaker” , “Sticking point”, “Stumbling block”

(Rus) “Камень преткновения”(Kamen’ pretknoveniya) – Stumbling block

 

Not bothered 

(Eng) “Water off a duck’s back” – thick-skinned, got out of troubles or also as a negative comment that person isn’t bothered. 

(Rus) ” Как с гуся вода” (Kak s goosya voda/ Water off a duck’s back) 

Care less/ no interest 

(Rus) “По барабану” ( Po barabanu) to the drums/ beating the drums – can care less.

Фиалетово” ( Fialetovo) – Purply 

(” По хую”/po houi = “not give a fuck” negative form)

(Latin) “Aquila non capit muscas”, the eagle does not catch flies – no interest on someone’s nonsense. (Latin cliche)

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