Croatian (Serbian) Proverbs ~ Poslovice

Thread: Croatian (Serbian) Proverbs ~ Poslovice

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  1. Spring's Avatar

    Spring said:

    Default Croatian (Serbian) Proverbs ~ Poslovice

    I think this could be useful and if we could add more to the list or find English equivalents where they are missing, it would be great!

    (2 articles from Wikiquote (Croatian proverbs) with my additions in the brackets)
    • Bez muke nema nauke.
      • Translation: Without suffering, there is no learning.
      • English equivalent: No pain, no gain.
    • Bog je prvo sebi bradu stvorio.
      • Translation: God first created a beard for himself.
    • Bolje ikad nego nikad.
      • Translation: Better ever than never.
      • English equivalent: Better late than never.
    • Bolje spriječiti nego liječiti (SR: Bolje sprečiti nego lečiti)
      • Translation: Better to prevent than to have to cure.
      • English equivalent: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
    • Bolje vrabac u ruci, nego golub na grani.
      • Translation: A sparrow in your hand is better than a pigeon on the branch.
      • English equivalent: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
    C
    • Čovjek je čovjeku vuk. (SR: Čovek je čoveku vuk)
      • English equivalent: Man is man's wolf.
      • Latin equivalent: Homo homini lupus est.
    • Čovjek snuje, Bog određuje. (SR: Čovek sanja, dobri Bog određuje)
      • Translation: Men wishes(dreams), but god decides.
      • English equivalent: Man proposes, but God disposes.
    G
    • Glava u oblacima.
      • Translation: (To have the) head in clouds.
      • English equivalent: To have one's head in the clouds
    • Gdje ima dima ima i vatre. (SR: Gde ima dima ima i vatre)
      • Translation: Where there is smoke, there is fire too.
      • English equivalent: Where there's smoke, there's fire.
    I
    • Il' kuj, il ne mrči gaćâ!
      • English equivalent: **** or get off the pot.
    • Imati veće oči od želuca. (Samo su mi oči gladne - only my eyes are hungry)
      • Translation: To have bigger eyes than the stomach.
      • English equivalent: Your eyes are bigger than your stomach.
    • Ispalo vragu iz torbe.
      • Translation: (Something that has) fallen out of a devil's pouch.
      • English equivalent: untamed.
    • Iver ne pada daleko od klade.
      • Translation: A splinter doesn't land far from the trunk.
      • English equivalent: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
    J
    • Jabuka ne pada daleko od stabla.
      • Translation: The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
    • Jedna lasta ne čini proljeće. (SR: Jedna lasta ne čini proleće)
      • Translation: One swallow does not make a spring.
      • English equivalent: One swallow does not make a spring.
      • Source of original proverb: Aristotle
    • Jutro je pametnije od večeri.
      • Translation: Morning is smarter than evening.
    K
    • Kad mačke nema, miševi kolo vode.
      • Translation: When cat is absent, mice dance.
      • English equivalent: When the cat's away the mice will play.
    • Kad na vrbi rodi grožđe.
      • Translation: When willows bear grapes.
      • English equivalent: When pigs fly.
    • Kako došlo, tako prošlo.
      • Translation: The way it came is the way it will go.
      • English equivalent: Easy come, easy go.
    • Kao mačka oko vruće kaše.
      • Translation: Like the cat around the hot meal.
      • English equivalent: Beating around bush.
    • Kruh bez motike. (SR: Nema hleba bez motike)
      • Translation: Bread without shovel.
    • Krv nije voda.
      • Translation: Blood is not water.
      • English equivalent: Blood is thicker than water.
    M
    • Mi o vuku, a vuk na vrata.
      • Translation: (speaking) of the wolf as the wolf (comes) to the door.
      • English equivalent: Speak of the devil.
      • Latin equivalent: Lupus in fabula.
    N
    • Na muci se poznaju junaci.
      • Translation: In trouble you know a hero.
    • Naći iglu u plastu sijena. (SR: Naći iglu u plastu sena)
      • English equivalent: Finding a needle in a haystack.
    • Navika je dobar sluga, ali loš gospodar.
      • Translation: Habit is a good servant, but a poor master.
    • Ne gledaj poklonjenom konju u zube. (Poklonjenom konju se ne gleda u zube)
      • Translation: Don't look a gift horse in the teeth.
      • English equivalent: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
    • Ne laje pas zbog sela.
      • Translation: The dog doesn’t bark because of the village.
    • Ne maljaj vraga na zid. (SR: Ne crtaj vraga)
      • Translation: To not paint the devil on the wall.
    • Ne možeš imati i ovce i novce.
      • Translation: You can’t have both money and sheep.
      • English equivalent: You can't have your cake and eat it too
    • Ne kupuj mačka u vreći. (Ne kupuj mačku u džaku)
      • Translation: Don't buy a cat in a bag.
      • English equivalent: Don't buy a pig in a poke.
    • Ne stavljaj sva jaja u jednu košaru.
      • Translation: Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
    • Ne trči pred rudo. (SR: Ne trči pred rudu)
      • Translation: Don't run in front of a carriage.
      • English equivalent: Don't jump the gun.
    • Nesreća nikad ne dolazi sama.
      • Translation: Misfortune never comes alone.
      • English equivalent: When it rains, it pours.
      • English equivalent: Bad luck comes in threes.
      • German equivalent: Bad luck rarely comes alone. (Ein Unglück kommt selten allein.)
    • Nije zlato sve što sja.
      • Translation: Gold is not everything that shines.
      • English equivalent: All that glistens is not gold.
    • Novac se na novac lijepi. (SR: Novac se na novac lepi)
      • Translation: Money sticks to money.
      • English equivalent: Money hangs around money.
    O
    • Od Kulina bana i dobrijeh dana.
      • Translation: Since Koohleen the prince and the good times.
    • O mrtvima sve najbolje.
      • Translation: Speak only the best of the dead.
      • English equivalent: Don't speak ill of the dead.
      • Latin equivalent: De mortuis nil nisi bonum.
    • Odijelo ne čini čovjeka. (SR: Odelo ne čini čoveka)
      • Translation: A suit doesn't make a man.
      • English equivalent: You can't tell a book by its cover.
      • French equivalent: L'habit ne fait pas le moine.
    • Odnijeti gaće na štapu. (SR: Odneti gaće na štapu; Na kraju ostanu samo gaće na štapu)
      • Translation: To end up with underpants on a stick. (i.e. be really poor)
    • Ovca bleji, zalogaj gubi!
      • Translation: The sheep that bleats - loses it's share in food.
    P
    • Papir trpi sve.
      • Translation: Paper can withstand anything.
    • Pas koji laje, ne grize. (SR: Pas koji laje ne ujeda)
      • Translation: A dog that barks does not bite.
      • English equivalent: His bark is worse than his bite.
      • Latin equivalent: Canis timidus vehementius latrat quam mordet. (Curtius)
    • Po jutru se dan poznaje.
      • Translation: The morning shows how the day will be.
    • Počisti prvo pred svojim vratima.
      • Translation: First sweep the ground in front of your own door.
    • Pomozi si sam pa će ti i Bog pomoći. (SR: Pomozi sam sebi pa će ti i Bog pomoći)
      • Translation: First help yourself and then God will help you.
      • English equivalent: God helps those who help themselves.
    • Pomozi sirotu na svoju sramotu.
      • Translation: Help the poor one for your own shame.
    • Pored takvih prijatelja što će mi neprijatelji.
      • Translation: With such friends, one doesn't need enemies anymore.
      • English equivalent: With friends like those, who needs enemies?
    • Poslije kiše dolazi sunce. (SR: Posle kiše uvek dođe sunce)
      • Translation: After rain comes sun.
    • Prodati rog pod svijeću.
      • Translation: To sell a horn as if it was a candle.
    • Prodati mačka u vreći.
      • Translation: To sell a cat in a bag.
        • To succeed in selling something useless or of a very poor quality.
    • Prošla baba s kolačima.
      • Translation: The old lady with cakes has already passed by.
        • Now it is too late to act (you have missed the opportunity to do something).
        • English: To miss the boat
          American Sign Language: train go sorry
    • Puno baba, kilavo dijete. (SR: Puno babica kilava dečica)
      • Translation: Many midwives, child will be lazy.
      • English equivalent: Too many cooks spoil the broth.
    • Prvo skoči pa reci: "hop"!
      • Translation: First leap, then say: "jump"!
      • English equivalent: Look before you leap.
        • First do your task, then talk about it
    R
    • Raditi račun bez krčmara. (SR: Praviti račun bez krčmara)
      • Translation: To make the bill without the bartender.
    • Rugala se sova sjenici. (SR: Rugala se sova senici; Rugala se ruga)
      • Translation: The owl mocked the tit.
      • English equivalent: The pot calls the kettle black.
    • Ruka ruku mije.
      • Translation: One hand washes the other.
      • English equivalent: You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.
      • Latin equivalent: Manus manum lavat.
    S
    • Sit gladnom ne vjeruje. (SR: Sit gladnom ne veruje)
      • Translation: The well fed one does not believe the hungry one.
    • Svakog gosta tri dana dosta.
      • Translation: Three days of any guest is plenty.
      • English equivalent: Fish and visitors stink after three days.
    • Sve je dobro što se dobro svrši.
      • English equivalent and translation: All's well that ends well.
    • Sve što je dobro kratko traje.
      • Translation: All that's well lasts short.
      • English equivalent: All good things come to an end.
    • Svi putevi vode u Rim.
      • English equivalent and translation: All roads lead to Rome.
    • Strpljen – spašen.
      • Translation: Patient – saved.
      • English equivalent: All things come to he who waits.
    • Što bi gore sad je dolje, a što bi dolje sad je gore.
      • Translation: What once was up now is down and what once was down now is up
      • English equivalent: What goes around comes around.
    • Što je previše, ni s kruhom nije dobro.
      • Translation: What is too much is not good even with bread.
    • Što možeš danas, ne ostavljaj za sutra.
      • Translation: Do not leave for tomorrow, things you can do today.
      • English equivalent: Don't put off until tomorrow what can be done today (Better now than later).
    T
    • Teško žabu u vodu natjerati.
      • Translation: It is difficult to chase a frog into the water. (sarcasticaly)
    • Tiha voda brege dere. (SR: Tiha voda breg roni)
      • Translation: Still water wears down mountains.
      • English equivalent: Still waters run deep.
    • Tko kupuje što mu ne treba, prodavat će što mu treba.
      • Translation: He who buys what he does not need will (eventually have to) sell what he needs.
    • Tko pita, ne skita. (SR: Ko pita ne skita)
      • Translation: He who asks, need not wander.
    • Tko pod drugim jamu kopa, sam u nju pada. (SR: Ko drugom jamu kopa, sam u nju upada)
      • Translation: He who digs a hole under someone else will fall into it himself.
    • Tko rano rani, dvije sreće grabi. (SR: Ko rano rani, dve sreće grabi)
      • Translation: He who wakes up early, catches two fortunes.
      • English equivalent: The early bird catches the worm.
    • Tko s malom djecom liježe, popišan se budi. (SR: Ko sa decom spava, popišan se budi)
      • Translation: If one goes to bed with small kids, wakes up wet.
    • Tko se zadnji smije, najslađe se smije. (SR: Ko se poslednji smeje, najslađe se smeje)
      • Translation: He who laughs last has the sweetest laugh.
      • English equivalent: He who laughs last laughs best.
    • Tko umije, njemu dvije.
      • Translation: He who can, gets two.
    • Tko želi rata, bio mu u kući.
      • Translation: Who wishes war, may war be in his house.
    • Tri loša ubiše Miloša. (Hardly can this be a CR proverb but ok lol)
      • Translation: Three bad ones killed Milosh.
    U
    • U laži su kratke noge.
      • Translation: In lies one has short legs.
      • English equivalent: A lie has no legs.
    • Uzdaj se u se i u svoje kljuse.
      • Translation: Trust yourself and your horse.
    V
    • Vrijeme je novac. (SR: Vreme je novac)
      • English equivalent and translation: Time is money.
    • Vuk dlaku mijenja, ali ćud nikada. (SR: Vuk dlaku menja, ali ćud nikada)
      • Translation: The wolf changes his hair, but never his temperament.
      • English equivalent: A fox may change its skin, but never its character.
      • Latin equivalent: Vulpes pilum mutat, non mores.
    Z
    • Željezo se kuje dok je vruće. (SR: Gvožđe se kuje dok je vruće)
      • English equivalent and translation: Forge while the iron is hot.
    • Žuri polako.
      • Translation: Hasten slowly.
      • English equivalent: Slowly but carefully.
      • Latin equivalent: Festina lente.
    Last edited by Spring; 07-25-2009 at 10:54 AM. Reason: comments by pthalo
  2. Dangerous & Moving's Avatar

    Dangerous & Moving said:

    Default

    I was reading those recently on Wikiquote! Very interesting topic!
    ''Glupost je sama u sebe zaljubljena i njeno je samoljublje bezgranično.''

    ''Siamo niente senza fantasie''

    ''Наверное мне место на луне, но страшно оставаться в темноте''
  3. Spring's Avatar

    Spring said:

    Default Serbian Proverbs

    Here's also the list of Serbian proverbs.. Though, as you can see, some of them are the same

    Б


    • Bog visoko, a Rusija daleko. Cyrillic: Бог високо, a Русија далеко
    o Translation: God is high above, and Russia is far away. (Meaning that help is far and unlikely.)

    • Bog je prvo sebi bradu stvorio. Cyrillic: Бог је прво себи браду створио.
    o Translation: God created the beard on himself first. (Meaning that everybody looks after himself first.)

    • Bolje vrabac u ruci, nego golub na grani. Cyrillic: Боље врабац у руци, него голуб на грани.
    o Translation: A sparrow in the hand is better than a pigeon on the branch. (A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.)

    В


    • Vrana vrani oči ne vadi. Cyrillic: Врана врани очи не вади.
    o Translation: A crow doesn't pick out another crow's eyes. (A thief does not steal from another thief)

    Г

    • Gvožđe se kuje dok je vruće.Cyrillic: Гвожђе се кује док је вруће.
    o Translation: Iron is worked when it's still hot. (Strike while the iron is hot.)

    • Gde je mnogo babica, kilava su deca. Cyrillic: Где je много бабица, килава cу деца.
    o Translation: Where there are many midwives, children will be feeble. (Too many cooks spoil the broth.)

    Gde ti mnogo obećavaju, malu torbu ponesi.Cyrillic: Где ти много обећавају, малу торбу понеси.
    o Translation: Where people are promising much to you, bring a small bag. (Similar to There is no free lunch.)

    Д

    • Da padne na leđa,razbio bi nos.Cyrillic: Да падне на леђа,разбио би нос.
    o Translation: If he fell onto his back, he'd break his nose. (when the person is very unlucky)

    • Dala baba dinar da se uhvati u kolo, a dva da se pusti. Cyrillic: Дала баба динар да се ухвати у коло, а два да се пусти.
    o Translation: Grandma gave a dinar to dance, and two to stop. (Be careful what you wish for.)

    И

    • Iver ne pada daleko od klade. Cyrillic: Ивер не пада далеко од кладе
    o Translation: A splinter doesn't land far from the trunk. (An apple doesn't fall far from the tree.)

    • Ispeci pa reci. Cyrillic: Иcпeци пa peци.
    o Translation: Bake it and then say it. (Think before you speak).

    К

    • Kad mačke nema, miševi kolo vode. Cyrillic: Кад мачке нема, мишеви коло воде.
    o Translation: When cat is absent, mice dance. (When the cat's away, the mice will play.)

    • Ko vino večera, vodu doručkuje. Cyrillic: Ко вино вечера, воду доручкује.
    o Translation: Who has wine for dinner, he has water for breakfast. (You can't avoid paying consequences for your deeds)

    • Ko drugome jamu kopa sam u nju pada. Cyrillic: Ко другоме јаму копа сам у њу пада.
    o Translation: Who digs a trap for others ends up in it himself. (What goes around, comes around.)

    • Ko rano rani, dve sreće grabi. Cyrillic: Ко рано рани, две среће граби.
    o Translation: One who gets up early is doubly lucky. (The early bird gets the worm.)

    • Ko s vragom tikve sadi, o glavu mu se obiju. Cyrillic: Ко с ђаволом тикве сади, о главу му се обију.
    o Translation: If one sows pumpkins with the devil, they will bash onto one's head. (Similar to As you sow, so you shall reap.)

    • Ko nema u glavi, ima u nogama. Cyrillic: Кo нeмa у глави, имa у нoгaмa.
    o Translation: Who doesn't have in his head has in his feet. (Absent-minded do the work twice)

    • Ko seje vetar, žanje oluju. Cyrillic: Ко сeје ветар, жање олују.
    o Translation: Who sows wind will harvest storm. (Similar to As you sow, so you shall reap.)

    • Ko ume, njemu dve. Cyrillic: Ко уме, њему две.
    o Translation: The one who can gets two. (Skilled worker is paid double.)

    • Ko uči znaće, ko štedi imaće. Cyrillic: Ко учи знаће, ко штеди имаће.
    o Translation: Those who study will know, those who save will have.

    Л


    • Lepa reč i gvozdena vrata otvara. Cyrilic: Лепа реч и гвоздена врата отвара.
    o Translation: A kind word opens even the iron doors. (You can succeed in anything by being polite.)

    Н

    • Na mladima svet ostaje. Cyrillic: На младима свет остаје.
    o Translation: The world is left to the young.
    • Na muci se poznaju junaci. Cyrillic: На муци се познају јунаци.
    o Translation: You can tell a fearless in times of trouble. (When the going gets tough, the tough get going.)

    • Najtamnije je ispod sveće. Cyrillic: Најтамније је испод свеће.
    o Translation: Its the darkest underneath the candle. (What you seek could be near you yet unnoticed.)

    • Na nevidišu nema krivice. Cyrillic: На невидишу нема кривице.
    o Translation: If it isn't seen, there's no guilt. (If you do something without being caught it isn't done.)

    • Ne može kruška da rodi jabuku. Cyrillic: Не можe крушка да роди јабуку.
    o Translation: A pear tree cannot bear an apple.

    • Ne sej tikve gde jos nisu nikle! Cyrillic: Не сeј тикве где још нису никле!
    o Translation: Don't plant pumpkins where they never sprouted! (Don't waste your time trying things which are proven won't work.)

    • Nema vatre bez dima. Cyrillic: Нема ватре без дима.
    o Translation: There is no fire without smoke. (Where there is smoke there is fire.)

    • Nema mirnog deteta ni mlade babe. Cyrillic: Нема мирног детета ни младе бабе.
    o Translation: There's no quiet child nor young grandmother.

    • Nema hleba bez motike! Cyrillic: Нема хлеба без мотике!
    o Translation: There's no bread without ***! (You cannot make omelets without eggs. Similar to Only hard work pays off.)

    • Nije zlato sve što sija. Cyrillic: Није злато све што сија.
    o Translation: Gold is not all that shines. (All that glitters is not gold.)

    O

    • Obećanje ludom radovanje. Cyrillic: Oбeћaње лудoм рaдoвaње.
    o Translation: Promise makes a fool happy. (Do not be fooled by empty promises.)


    П

    • Pas koji laje ne ujeda. Cyrillic: Пас који лаје не уједа.
    o Translation: The dog that barks doesn't bite. (Barking dogs seldom bite; to be full of empty threats.)

    • Praviti od komarca magarca. (od muve slona) Cyrillic: Правити од комарца магарца.
    o Translation: To make a donkey out of a mosquito. (To make a mountain out of a molehill.)

    • Prvo skoči pa reci hop. Cyrillic: Прво скочи па реци хоп.
    o Translation: First leap, and then say "hop"! (Do something before you brag about it.)

    • Ptica ranoranilica prva crva nađe. Cyrillic: Птица раноранилицa прва црва нађе.
    o Translation: The early bird catches the first worm.

    Р

    • Rugala se šerpa loncu, široka mu usta. Cyrillic: Ругала се шерпа лонцу, широка му уста.
    o Translation: A pan was mocking a pot because his mouth is big. (The pot calls the kettle black.)

    • Ružnoj devojci ogledalo krivo. Cyrillic: Ружној девојци огледало криво.
    o Translation: An ugly girl blames the mirror. (A bad craftsman blames his tools.)

    С

    • Samo Sloga Srbina Spasava Cyrillic: Само слога Србина спашава
    o Translation: Only unity saves the Serbs.

    • Svuda pođi, kući dođi. Cyrillic: Свуда пођи, својој кући дођи.
    o Translation: Go everywhere, but come back home. (There's no place like home).

    Т
    • Tiha voda breg roni. Тиха вода брег рони.
    o Translation: Quiet water wears down a shore. (Anything is possible with time.)
    + Note: this proverb uses an archaic word for river shore (breg), whereas today that word has changed its meaning and signifies 'mountain'.

    • Triput meri, jednom seci. Cyrillic: Трипут мери, једном сеци.
    o Translation: Three times measure, one time cut. (Measure thrice, cut once; think first, act later.)

    У

    • U tom grmu čuči zec! (U tom grmu leži zec) Cyrillic: У том грму чучи зец!
    o Translation: That's the bush where the hare squats! (to find a solution to the problem)

    • Uzdaj se u se i u svoje kljuse! Cyrillic: Уздај се у се и у своје кљусе!
    o Translation: Trust yourself and your horse! (If you want to get things done, do it yourself.)
    • Umiljato jagnje dve ovce sisa. Cyrillic: Умиљато јагње две овце сиса.
    o Translation: Cuddly lamb sucks two ewes. (Similar to Flattery will get you anywhere.)

    Ш

    • Što možeš danas, ne ostavljaj za sutra. Cyrillic: Што можеш данас, не остављај за сутра.
    o Translation: What you can do today do not leave off for tomorrow. (Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.)

    Source: Serbian Proverbs
  4. pthalo's Avatar

    pthalo said:

    Default

    what does these mean? in what contexts are they used?

    Ne laje pas zbog sela.
    Translation: The dog doesn’t bark because of the village.

    Ne maljaj vraga na zid. (SR: Ne crtaj vraga)
    Translation: Don't paint the devil on the wall.

    Od Kulina bana i dobrijeh dana.
    Translation: Since Koohleen the prince and the good times.

    Papir trpi sve.
    Translation: Paper can withstand anything.

    Raditi račun bez krčmara. (SR: Praviti račun bez krčmara)
    Translation: To make the bill without the bartender.



    corrections/additions

    Bolje spriječiti nego liječiti (SR: Bolje sprečiti nego lečiti)
    Translation: Better to prevent than to have to cure.
    English equivalent: Prevention is better than cure.

    We say "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

    Glava u oblacima.
    Translation: (To have the) head in clouds.
    English equivalent: To have one's head in the clouds.

    Jedna lasta ne čini proljeće. (SR: Jedna lasta ne čini proleće)
    Translation: One swallow does not make a spring.
    English equivalent: One swallow does not make a spring.
    Source of original proverb: Aristotle

    "One swallow does not spring make"

    Ne možeš imati i ovce i novce.
    Translation: You can’t have both money and sheep.
    English equivalent: You can’t have a cake and eat it, too.

    That's close to the English equivalent (I've hear most often "You can't have your cake and eat it too"), but the original English sentence was the other way around (and makes more sense): "You can't eat your cake and have it too." (meaning if you eat it, you won't have it anymore)

    Ne stavljaj sva jaja u jednu košaru.
    Translation: Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

    Počisti prvo pred svojim vratima.
    Translation: First sweep the ground in front of your own door.

    In English we use the Biblical, which is "And why do you look at the splinter in your brother's eye, and not notice the beam which is in your own eye?" but I'm almost sure we have a shorter way of saying it ....


    Prodati rog pod svijeću.
    Translation: To sell a horn as if it were a candle.

    Prošla baba s kolačima.
    Translation: The old lady with cakes has already passed by.
    Now it is too late to act (you have missed the opportunity to do something).

    English: To miss the boat
    American Sign Language: train go sorry



    Što možeš danas, ne ostavljaj za sutra.
    Translation: Do not leave for tomorrow, things you can do today.
    English equivalent: Better now than later.

    yes, but we also say "Don't put off for tomorrow what can be done today" in English
    I'm stronger than the tricks played on your heart. We look at them together then we take 'em apart. Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two.
  5. Spring's Avatar

    Spring said:

    Default

    Thanks pthalo!

    And the ones you ask about...

    Ne laje pas zbog sela. = I have no freakin idea lol
    but I've found a longer version which might shed some light to it
    "Ne laje pas zbog sela, nego radi sebe" - everybody cares about themselves the most

    Ne crtaj vraga - hm.. don't invite misfortune; don't talk about bad things that might happen because that could invite them to happen
    .. ne zelim da crtam vraga ali bojim se da ce padati kisa (a ti peres prozore )

    Od Kulina bana i dobrijeh dana.

    Vladavina Kulin bana je u narodu zapamćena kao razdoblje blagostanja što je ušlo u poslovicu Za Kulina bana i dobrijeh dana.
    - in remembrance of the good old days of Lord Kulin

    - "back in the good old days"

    Papir trpi sve.
    You can write anything on paper - doesn't mean it's true (a fact)

    Praviti račun bez krčmara
    raditi nepromišljeno - do something hasty
  6. miki444's Avatar

    miki444 said:

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    ne laje pas zbog sela...

    mabye that the dog doesn't bark because of known people but because of unknown people.
  7. Spring's Avatar

    Spring said:

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    I've found an explanation for the barking dog

    (Ne laje KUCA sela radi, nego sebe radi.)
    Kuca (pas) laje kad se prepadne nekog ili nečeg nepoznatog. Drugim riječima, laje zbog toga što se boji, a ne zato što je dobra pa želi druge upozoriti na opasnost. Značenje: u onome što se čini da je učinjeno zbog kolektiva skriveni su sopstveni interesi.

    Quote Originally Posted by pthalo View Post


    "One swallow does not spring make"
    ...
    To sell a horn as if it were a candle.
    WHY the corrections?
    Quote Originally Posted by pthalo View Post
    Počisti prvo pred svojim vratima.
    Translation: First sweep the ground in front of your own door.

    In English we use the Biblical, which is "And why do you look at the splinter in your brother's eye, and not notice the beam which is in your own eye?" but I'm almost sure we have a shorter way of saying it ....
    People who live in glass houses should not throw stones (don't criticize other people when you yourself have faults and weaknesses ... )

    It's similar to Can't see the forest fores for the trees but there's SR equivalent for that one too = "Ne vidi šumu od drveća"
  8. tedinkyyy's Avatar

    tedinkyyy said:

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    Wow it was really funny to read that ones In Bulgarian we also have some of them... if u don't mind, I can write them just to compare...

    Quote Originally Posted by Spring View Post

    [*]Bolje ikad nego nikad.
    • Translation: Better ever than never.
    • English equivalent: Better late than never.
    [/LIST]
    • БГ: По-добре късно, отколкото никога.

    • Jabuka ne pada daleko od stabla.
      • Translation: The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
  9. [LIST]
    We say for that "krusha"(pear) instead of "jabuka"
    БГ: Крушата не пада по-далеч от дървото.

    [*]Jedna lasta ne čini proljeće. (SR: Jedna lasta ne čini proleće)
    • Translation: One swallow does not make a spring.
    • English equivalent: One swallow does not make a spring.
    • БГ: Една лястовичка пролет не прави.

    • Jutro je pametnije od večeri.
      • Translation: Morning is smarter than evening.
K
M
[LIST]
БГ: Като игла в купа сено.

[*]Nesreća nikad ne dolazi sama.[LIST][*]Translation: Misfortune never comes alone.
БГ: Никоя беда не идва сама.

[*]Nije zlato sve što sja.
  • Translation: Gold is not everything that shines
T
[LIST]
БГ: Времето е пари.

[*]Vuk dlaku mijenja, ali ćud nikada. (SR: Vuk dlaku menja, ali ćud nikada)
[LIST][*]Translation: The wolf changes his hair, but never his temperament.
БГ: Вълкът козината си мени, но нрава не.

Eins.. hier kommt die Sonne
Zwei..hier kommt die Sonne
Drei.. hier kommt die Sonne
Vier
Fünf
Sechs
Sieben..
Acht..
Neun.....
Ich hab' keine Lust.
  • pthalo's Avatar

    pthalo said:

    Default

    Interesting thanks.

    I was looking at "papir trpi sve" and thinking "kakav papir trpi vatru?"

    Quote Originally Posted by Spring View Post

    To sell a horn as if it were a candle.


    WHY the corrections?
    zbog upotreba konjunktiva


    Quote Originally Posted by Spring View Post
    People who live in glass houses should not throw stones (don't criticize other people when you yourself have faults and weaknesses ... )

    It's similar to Can't see the forest fores for the trees but there's SR equivalent for that one too = "Ne vidi šumu od drveća"
    da
    I'm stronger than the tricks played on your heart. We look at them together then we take 'em apart. Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two.
  • PlainChaos said:

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    Beautiful work, Spring!
  • Zahal's Avatar

    Zahal said:

    Default Nova poslovica?

    Zdravo!

    Pre par dana sam čitao ovu poslovicu, među komentarima na sajtu Blica:
    "Dok ima ovaca, biće i šišanja".

    Šta to znači?

    Pozdrav,
    Zahal
  • Spring's Avatar

    Spring said:

    Default

    Literally: As long as there are sheep, there will be fleecing.

    As long as there are gullible/ helpless people, they will be ripped off/exploited

    Example:
    Taxpayers are getting fleeced like sheep
  • dragonfly93's Avatar

    dragonfly93 said:

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    Hey, haven't been here before! I have a few to add later
    Minä olen horjunut, epäilen enemmän kuin ennen
    Mutta halusit ihmisen, sen viat, sen heikkouden
  • Nur_Demir's Avatar

    Nur_Demir said:

    Default

    interesting. I haven't been here in a while, I see I have a lot of catching up to do!!
    Ostani do kraj,
    cekaj go denot nov sto se budi,
    ljubi me i znaj,
    ti si se sto sakam jas.