Russian top 20 quotes

You just can’t learn a new language if you don’t have a passion for new languages. Psychologically, you are just so connected with your own lingo that it takes time for you to relate and understand new languages, especially if we are not mentally prepared for the change. But there are hundreds of thousands out there who are deeply obsessed with conquering the new lexicon lands.

Just like some of you might be interested in learning Russian. The unique language of the soviets has its own significant crisp and sound. And if you fell in love with the Russian language after hearing a soviet military personnel in a Hollywood film, we don’t blame you. But even if you are planning to move to Russia and learning Russian is purely because of your job, or you want to become an English to Russian translator, you can’t miss the fun of the most interesting sayings in the Russian language.

We all hear and use proverbs, saying, words and phrases that we heard from our elders and our elders heard from theirs and so on. Interestingly, you wouldn’t have thought about them, because you never realized that familiarizing yourself with the mainstream conversational usages isn’t enough. To blend in perfectly, you have to sound like them, so let us introduce you to some of the most famous quotes and sayings in the Russian language.

1. Лучше один раз увидеть, чем сто раз услышать.

(It is better to see once than to hear hundred times)
Wise words, aren’t they? Well, we think the same, and this is why we put this quote at the top. But let us give you the clear meaning as well, the saying means that instead of hearing different versions of a story, one must see for himself and spare himself from the opinions of hundreds. Cool, isn’t it?

2. Не все то золото, что блестит.

Well, this second one is a saying that we all are familiar with from a very young age. We read it in books, hear from elders and then comes a time when we hear ourselves expressing the mantra of life by saying: Everything that glitters isn’t gold.

3. Сделал дело – гуляй смело.

This commonly used Russian proverb is the true depiction of what we all want, “Did the job_ Go Walk Boldly”, meaning that once you have done your work, you can relieve the burden off your shoulder. The quote is also used to commend people who work on time to save themselves from later trouble.

4. Раз на раз не приходится.

Next up on our list is a quote which is very close to our lives and a lesson we all must learn, “from time to time, it does not happen”
The meaning of the quote is that luck doesn’t remain the same every day and everyone faces good and bad times eventually, so next time you feel down, keep this saying in mind.

5. О вкусах не спорят.

This one has to be everyone’s favorite, literally interpreting as, “tastes are not argued”, it truly means arguing over preferences is useless. And we wholeheartedly agree.

6. Ни к селу, ни к городу.

If you know someone who always stays away from others or doesn’t blend in, this is a saying about them, “Not for village, not for town”

7. У кого что болит, тот про то и говорит.

Do you know when you are concerned or worried about something in particular, you unconsciously bring that thing again and again, well, the Russians know that, which is why they say, “You talk about the pain you have”

8. Пан или пропа́л

Closely related to “do or die”, this one translates into To become a master or to be gone.

9. В тихом омуте черти водятся.

This is somewhat one of the most interesting quotes, “Still waters are inhabited by the Devil” meaning it’s hard to assess what a calm person thinks deep down or how he can act.

10. Поживём – увидим.

When things are not that clear and you still have to determine how they turn in the future, you can use this quote, “We will live- We will see”

11. Пе́рвый блин всегда́ ко́мом

We can assume that this one must have been used a lot by the Russian moms, because, “The first pan cake is always lumpy” means that you can always try again if you fail in your first attempt.

12. Сила есть, ума не надо.

Translating into a rather sarcastic meaning, this quote mocks the people who think that physical strength is enough. Try saying “If you have physical power, you do not need intelligence” in a sarcastic tone and you’ll know what we mean.

13. Не имей сто рублей, а имей сто друзей.

This beautiful quote is about friendship, it says, “Do not have hundred rubles, rather have hundred friends” since friendship is priceless.

14. С ми́ру по ни́тке – го́лому руба́ха.

So beautifully put, this line translates into, one thread of a world, shirt for a naked. It means that if everyone gives out a little, something great can be achieved.

15. Ждать с моря погоды

To wait for the weather by the sea is what this one translates into, but is actually used to stop someone from waiting for something that would never occur.

16. Взять себя в руки

This one up here is how they tell their fellows to man up.

17. В деньгах родства нет

Depicting the hard truth, this one means, there is no kinship in money. So be careful when it comes to money, even with friends and family.

18. Бальзам на душу

A Balm for the soul is what it literally interprets to, however, it means something very pleasant to the soul.

19. Муж – голова, а жена – шея

A husband wife status depiction in Russian, stating that man may be the one that rules the family, but the wife rules over him.

20. У него семь пятниц на неделе

Ever thought of having 7 Fridays in a week? Well, this is for someone who does and it means a person who keeps on changing his mind all the time.