English proverbs act as a bright reflection popular thought, moral values ​​and attitudes. Simple truths characteristic of universal human morality are entrenched in the folk literary heritage, both in English and in other languages. English and Russian proverbs and sayings have a lot in common; they contain life experience people. Many English proverbs convey through other images the same meaning (convey the same idea) as Russian ones, although their literal translation does not coincide. An example would be the following proverbs.
English version: There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
Literal translation: There are no free lunches.
Interpretation (meaning): Free things have a hidden price.
Russian variant: Free cheese only comes in a mousetrap.

The process of searching and selecting analogue proverbs is considered fascinating by teachers, students and enthusiasts of learning English. There is not always an equivalent to English proverbs in the Russian language. Such expressions are of keen interest to those interested in language, since they reflect the socio-cultural characteristics of peoples.

By expressing thoughts figuratively in rhymed form, proverbs decorate and diversify the language, making it richer and more colorful.

Perhaps because English is widely spoken and in demand, for more effective learning English grammar Proverbs in English are used much more intensively than when studying other languages. Working with students on the text of proverbs helps improve pronunciation, consolidate grammatical skills, and enrich lexicon, develop translation skills and learn to express your thoughts in a foreign language.

Using proverbs as an example:

- practice the most difficult elements of pronunciation - interdental sounds [θ, ð] and nasal sounds [ŋ], which do not exist in the Russian language;
— improve speaking, writing, reading and listening;
- learn grammatical structures.

It is noted that when using proverbs in English, learning the plural of nouns is much easier and forms are remembered irregular verbs, degrees of comparison of adjectives, modal verbs.

English proverbs in the educational process, in addition to their teaching function, broaden horizons, develop cognitive abilities, influence the formation of moral principles, cultivate a tolerant attitude towards another culture, develop interest and strengthen the motivation for learning English.

English proverbs with translation into large quantities are given in the section of our portal dedicated to the English language. You can easily pick up English proverbs to solve regular problems at all stages of learning.

Proverbs and sayings have become so firmly established in our lives that they have practically “dissolved” in it. And now we weave apt phrases into our speech, rarely thinking about their wording. Because a proverb is a ready-made “formula” of thought, with deep meaning and polished form. These are English proverbs and sayings. Over their centuries-old history, they have achieved perfect accuracy of every thought expressed. Especially if you take into account your unique view of the world. Therefore, now we have English proverbs for any situation and area of ​​life: be it friendship, family, work and other important circumstances.

There are even proverbs about English in the English language! And this, in general, is not surprising, since it concerns such an important and voluminous area of ​​life. And so in every language, in every culture, proverbs reflect the accumulated invaluable experience of generations. Therefore, you can almost always find the equivalent of proverbs in different languages. In this article, we will definitely look at not only the best proverbs about friendship, about family, about life and discuss their meaning, but also find an English analogue of a proverb that is familiar in Russian.

Proverbs in English with translation into Russian

If so, then we’ll start right away with familiar plots. More precisely, not like that: let's start by looking for familiar plots and ideas among English proverbs. To do this, we looked for proverbs in English that have direct Russian analogues. That's what came out of it:

It's funny to watch how similar thoughts are embodied in different languages ​​into those realities that are understandable to one or another people. For example, where Russian wisdom mentions a “black dog,” the English equivalent of the proverb speaks of a leopard, which Russian storytellers simply could not see.

English proverbs and their meaning

The meaning of proverbs in English lies not only in conveying folk wisdom, reflection cultural achievements and other abstract formulations that we so often see in textbooks. In fact, you can find much more useful for real life application of proverbs in English. It's about about expanding vocabulary.

The use of proverbs in English is a sign of a developed vocabulary and fairly fluent command of the language. This means that you can not only express a certain thought, but also creatively play with it. There are several advantages of knowing proverbs and sayings:

• development of spoken language in addition to the techniques and training that we wrote about in.
• a deeper understanding of the plots of books in English and audiobooks (with our recommendations).
• free perception and without.

Original English proverbs

Despite the similar meaning of many proverbs, there are completely original sayings that cannot be found in any other language. This is all the more interesting and helps in learning a foreign language and culture in general. We found the following proverbs in English:

• If you can't be good - be careful (Be careful if you can't be good). Obviously, the point here is to behave carefully when you need to do something wrong, and at least not to cause harm to yourself or others. This proverb does not have a Russian analogue, but there is an analogue in Latin: “Si non caste, tamen caute” (if not chastely, then at least carefully).
• A volunteer is worth twenty pressed men (One volunteer is worth twenty forced ones). This proverb also has no direct analogue in Russian culture, but we can understand it this way: sincere desire and enthusiasm can achieve more than completing a task without interest and desire.
• Suffering for a friend double friendship (Suffering for a friend doubles the friendship). Please note that this is not about helping out a friend or remaining friends despite any problems. Namely, about empathizing, sympathizing with a friend and even experiencing his grief as your own.
• Don't keep a dog and bark yourself (Don't get a dog if you bark yourself). Apparently, the proverb speaks of the importance of delegation of authority, in other words, that you do not need to fulfill other people's duties (for example, your subordinates).
• Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery (Imitation is the most sincere flattery). There’s not even anything to add here, this remark is so apt and eloquent.
• It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness (It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness). That is, it is better to do at least something to correct the situation than to sit back and complain.
• Money talks (The money speaks for itself). That is, money decides everything. This is more of a saying than a proverb. And, contrary to popular belief, its translation into Russian is not an analogue at all, but a later borrowing.

Friends are made in wine and proven in tears

Translation: Friendship is born in wine and tested in tears. You can recall several Russian proverbs, the meaning of which fits into this one laconic statement. If you know other expressive English proverbs, we will be very glad to see them in the comments!

A cracked bell can never sound well.- A broken bell never rings. (Old age is not a joy).

A good example is the best sermon.- A good example is the best sermon.

A friend in court is better than a penny in purse.- An influential friend is worth more than money. (Don’t have a hundred rubles, but have a hundred friends).

A friend in need is a friend indeed.- A true friend is known in trouble.

A little help is worth a deal of pity.- A little help is better than big regrets.

A man is known by the company he keeps.- Tell me who your friend is, and I will tell you who you are.

A stitch in time saves nine. - One stitch done on time is worth nine. (A spoon is on its way to dinner).

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.- Feelings grow stronger in separation.

Barking dogs rarely bite. - Barking dogs rarely bite. (He who threatens a lot does little harm.)

Better an open enemy than a false friend.- Better a good enemy than a false friend.

Better a new friend than an old foe.- Better new friend than the old enemy.

Eggs can't teach a hen. - Eggs don't teach a chicken.

Fling dirt enough and some will stick.- Throw enough dirt and some of it will stick. (Slander is like coal: if it doesn’t burn, it gets dirty).

Get anything given - run being beaten.- They give - take, they hit - run.

No man is a hero to his valet.- No one is a hero in the eyes of his servant.

Once bitten, twice shy. - Once bitten, he is doubly timid. (The frightened crow is afraid of the bush).

Pride goes before a fall. - Pride comes before a fall. (The devil was proud, but fell from heaven).

The devil is not so black as he is painted.- The devil is not as scary as he is painted. (The lion is not as scary as he is portrayed).

The first wealth is health. - Health is the main wealth.

(There is) now smoke without fire.- There is no smoke without fire.

You can't serve two masters. - You cannot serve two masters.

Proverbs and sayings in English.

A good name is better than riches. - Good fame is better than wealth.

A word is enough to wise. - A word is enough for a smart person. A smart person hears right away.

All sugar and honey. - All made of sugar and honey. Sugar Medovich (about a sugary, insincere person.).

An Englishman’s home (house) is his castle. - An Englishman's home is his fortress; An Englishman is the master at home.

As slippery as an eel. - Slippery like an eel (quirky).

Better late than never. - Better late than never.

Charity begins at home. - Mercy begins at home. Your shirt is closer to your body.

Custom is a second nature. - Habit is second nature.

Fortune favors the brave. - Fortune favors the brave.

Politeness goes far, yet costs nothing. - Politeness is highly valued, but it costs nothing.

Still waters run deep. - Quiet waters have deep currents. Still waters run deep.

To take to something like a duck to water. - Like a fish in water.

To wear one"s heart upon one"s sleeve. - Wear your heart on your sleeve. The soul is wide open.

Two heads are better than one. - One head it's good, but two better.

You can't serve two masters. - You cannot serve two masters.

Proverbs and sayings in English about home.

English Proverbs and Sayings about House.

East or West, home is best. - Whether it’s East or West, home is better.

Keep a thing seven years and you will find a use for it. - Keep the thing for seven years, and you will be able to benefit from it. (After all, any thing can come in handy.)

People who live in glass houses should never throw stones. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. (Don't cut the branch you're sitting on).

There is no place like home. - (Native) home is the most the best place. Being a guest is good, but being at home is better.

Proverbs and sayings in English about health.

English Proverbs and Sayings about Health.

Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. -Whoever goes to bed early and gets up early will gain health, wealth and intelligence.

Fit as a fiddle. - Healthy as a bull.

Health is better than wealth. - Health is the best wealth.

One hour's sleep before midnight is worth two after. - An hour of sleep before midnight is worth two after.

One man's meat is another man's poison. - What is food for one is poison for another.

Health is not valued till sickness comes. - Health is not valued as long as you are healthy.

Prevention is better than cure. - It is better to prevent a disease than to treat it.

Proverbs and sayings in English about travel.

English Proverbs and Sayings about Traveling.

So many countries, so many customs. - There are so many countries, so many customs.

To carry coals to Newcastle. - Transport coal to Newcastle. Travel to Tula with your own samovar.

When at Rome, do as Romans do. - When you are in Rome, do as the Romans do. They don’t go to someone else’s monastery with their own rules.

Proverbs and sayings in English about food.

English Proverbs and Sayings about Food.

A hungry belly has no ears. - A hungry belly is deaf to learning.

An apple a day the doctor away. - An apple a day - and you don't need a doctor.

Appetite comes with eating. - Appetite comes with eating. Don’t live to eat, but eat to live. - Don't live to eat, but eat to live.

Eat at pleasure, drink with measure. - Eat plenty, (and) drink in moderation.

Hunger breaks stone walls. - Hunger breaks even stone walls; need will teach you everything.

Hunger is the best sauce. – Hunger is the best seasoning.

One man's meat is another man's poison. - What is food for one is poison for another.

Tastes differ. - Tastes could not be discussed.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. - To find out what the pudding is like, you need to taste it (everything is tested by practice).

Too many cooks spoil the broth. - Too many cooks spoil the broth, (Seven nannies have a child without an eye).

You can’t eat your cake and have it too. - You can’t have your cake and eat it at the same time (you can’t do mutually exclusive things).

Who has never tasted bitter, knows not what is sweet. - Anyone who has never tasted bitter does not know what sweet is.

Proverbs in English about work. Work.

A rolling stone gathers no moss. - Anyone who can’t sit still won’t make any good.

An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening. - One morning hour is better than two evening hours. The morning is wiser than the evening.

Business before pleasure. - It's time for fun.

By fits and starts. - Jerks; convulsively; irregularly.

If you want a thing well done, do it yourself. - If you want something done well, do it yourself. Your eye is a diamond.

It is never too late to learn. - It's never too late to learn.

Jack of all trades and master of none. - A person who undertakes everything, but knows how to do nothing.

Live and learn. - Live and learn. Live and learn.

Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. - Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

No pain, no gain. - You can’t catch a fish from a pond without difficulty.

To be busy as a bee. - Spinning like a squirrel in a wheel.

To know everything is to know nothing. To know everything is to know nothing.

To know something like the palm of one’s hand. - Have at one's fingertips.

To work with the left hand. - Work carelessly. Work with your left hand.

Well begun is half done. - Well started is half done.

Where there's a will, there's a way. - Where there is a desire, there is a way (i.e. a means). Where there is will, there is ability.

Sometimes it is easier to learn a foreign language from books and films, but from time to time there are not very clear phrases that, as it turns out, are English proverbs and sayings. Let's get acquainted with the 100 most common proverbs in English and their Russian analogues.

1. Extremes meet - Extremes meet
2. East or West home is best - Away is good, but home is better
3. Better late than never - Better late than never
4. All’s well that ends well - All is well that ends well
5. Out of sight out of mind - Out of sight, out of mind
6. As fit as a fiddle - In good health, in a good mood
7. No sweet without sweat - Without tasting the bitter, you won’t see the sweet
8. A penny saved is a penny gained - If you didn’t spend a penny, it means you earned it
9. By one’s father’s side - On the paternal side, on the paternal side
10. Just a joke - Just a joke

11. Have a heart! - Have mercy! Have mercy!
12. A good beginning makes a good ending - A good beginning is half the battle.
13. Too good to be true - Incredible, it can’t be / can’t believe that this is true
14. Who knew, who is who - Who knows - “who is who”
15. New lords new laws - The new broom sweeps in a new way….
16. Honesty is the best policy - Honesty is the best policy
17. A light purse is a heavy curse - The worst of all troubles is when there is no money
18. It’s like putting a saddle on a cow - It goes like a cow’s saddle
19. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth - An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
20. I dare swear - I dare to swear

21. As snug as a bug in a rug - Settled down like a bug in a carpet
22. Look who’s talking! - Whose cow would moo, and yours would be silent!
23. There is no rose without a thorn - There is no rose without thorns
24. If there is a will, there is a way - To want is to be able
25. There is no place like home - Away is good, but home is better
26. There is no smoke without fire - There is no smoke without fire
27. Lovely weather for ducks! - There is no bad weather!
28. There is a black sleep in every flock - White Crow
29. But... There is always but... - But... There is always some kind, but...
30. There are spots even on the sun - And there are spots in the sun

31. When a friend asks, there is no tomorrow - For a dear friend and an earring from his ear
32. There is no royal road to learning - There are no beaten paths in science
33. There’s many a slip between the cup and the lip - Grandma said this in two / We’ll see about that later
34. While there is life, there is hope - While I’m breathing [living] – I hope
35. There is no flying from fate - You can’t escape fate
36. There is a small choice in rotten apples - For lack of fish and cancer, fish
37. If there were no clouds we should not enjoy the sun - If there were no clouds, then we would not appreciate the sun
38. There is no so faithful friend, as a good book - There is no better friend than a book
39. No butts! - No buts!
40. No new – is a good new - No news is good news


41. Tastes differ - There are no comrades for the taste and color
42. Where there is a will there is a way - If there was a hunt, the work would work out / Where there is a will, there is a ability
43. One man’s meat is another man’s poison - What is useful to one is harmful to another
44. Pull your finger out / to make more effort - Make more effort
45. Turn over a new leaf - Start a new life, improve, change for the better, break with the past
46. ​​Break a leg / good luck - Good luck! Break a leg
47. Rome wasn’t built in a day - Moscow was not built right away
48. The early bird catches the worm - Who gets up early, good luck awaits him
49. Practice makes perfect - The skill of the master sets, the work of the master is afraid
50. Start from scratch - Start with the basics

51. All in the same boat - To be in the same position with someone.
52. You can count it on your fingers - One or two and I’ve lost the number / You can count it on your fingers
53. Twist the knife in the wound - Open wounds/sprinkle salt on a wound
54. Put that in your pine and smoke it - Remember this once and for all / write it down on your nose
55. But there is no flying from fate - You can’t escape fate
56. A dog is a manger - The dog is lying in the manger - he doesn’t eat and doesn’t give it to others
57. Well begun is half done - A good beginning half the battle has been pumped out / dashing trouble beginning
58. A lame duck - Loser
59. It’s never too late to learn - Live forever, learn forever
60. True love has no happy end, true love – has no end at all - U true love No happy ending, true love has no end at all


61. No man can serve two masters - You cannot serve two masters at once
62. Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today - Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today
63. You can’t judge a man’s character by his looks - You can’t judge a person’s character by his appearance
64. A man can do no more than he can - You can’t jump higher than your head
65. You can’t have it both ways - Try to combine incompatible things, adhere to two mutually exclusive points of view
66. Put one’s money where one’s mouth is - Support words with deeds
67. If you can’t beat them, join them - If you can’t beat them, join them
68. One cannot be in two places at once - They don’t dance at two weddings at once
69. The leopard cannot change his spots - The grave will correct the hunchback
70. You can’t sell the cow and drink the milk - It’s impossible to sell a cow and drink her milk

71. You can’t eat your cake and have it - You can’t eat one pie twice
72. You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs - You can’t make scrambled eggs without breaking eggs
73. Man can’t live by bread alone - Man can’t live only on bread
74. One can’t make a silk purse if a sow’s ear - Man does not live by bread alone
75. He that can’t obey command - Good is the general who was a soldier
76. You can’t get blood from a stone - You can’t squeeze pity out of a stone
77. Pigs to you! - But screw you!
78. Nothing is stolen without hands - No smoke without fire
79. Men may meet but mountains never - Man will meet man. and mountain with mountain - never
80. The evil would may be cured but not the evil name - Take care of honor from a young age


81. What can be done at any time is done at no time - What can always be done is never done
82. Nothing is impossible to a willing heart - If there was a hunt, there would always be an opportunity
83. A bird may be known by its song - A bird is visible in flight
84. Nothing is so certain as the unexpected - What you don’t expect is what you get
85. As well be hung (hung) for a sheep as for a lamb - Two deaths cannot happen, but one cannot be avoided
86. Every man has a fool in his sleeve - Simplicity is enough for every wise man
87. Men leap over where the hedge is lowest - A stream is crossed in a shallow place
88. No man is born wise or learned - A sage and a scientist are not born
89. He knows all the answers - He won’t go into his pocket for a word
90. They that think they know everything, know nothing - People who think they know everything know nothing

91. Wit bought once is worth twice taught - Own experience teaches better than instruction
92. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink - You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink
93. Learning is the eye of the mind - Learning is light, ignorance is darkness
94. He know most who speaks least - Talk less, listen more
95. Money makes the mare go - For oats and a nag will gallop
96. Money can’t buy you love- Money can't buy love
97. The love of money is the root of all evil - Money can’t buy love
98. Money doesn’t grow on trees - Money doesn’t lie on the street
99. One swallow does not make a summer - One swallow does not make spring
100. Make hay while the sun shines - Mow your hair while the dew / Strike the iron while it’s hot