Inquiry of the moment: Which phrase within our "grand and powerful" entity catches your attention the most?
Fun Fact Friday: Which Russian Saying Tops Your List?
Photo credit: Ekaterina MARTINOVICH. Picture from KP Photo Bank
Interview with Influential Figures:
Vladimir Khotinenko, film director, People's Artist of Russia:"Pushkin's words, 'Moroz i solntse; den' chudesnyi! Eshche ty dremleesh', drug prelesnii' — just doesn't translate well into other languages. But it's so expressive for a Russian person. Foreigners can't understand it, but that's part of its charm!"
Salavat Shcherbakov, sculptor, People's Artist of Russia:"From my grandmother, I remember, 'Life to live is not a field to cross.' Simple yet profound. I've found it helpful when sculpting my artwork. In contrast, I'm also a fan of Suvorov's phrase, 'speed and attack,' which drives me to push my boundaries."
Leo Bokeria, cardiologist, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences:"'Don't hit a lying one' is a classic. I grew up in Poti, Georgia, where fights were common, so 'Until the first blood' was a common phrase too. But as a cardiologist, I'm not into that kind of thing!"
Franz Klinkovich, former senator, head of the Union of Afghanistan Veterans:"I'm fond of the question, 'What does the phrase 'under the lieutenant, Kizlyarsky cognac doesn't flow' mean?' Confusion and hilarity ensue when attempting to decipher its meaning, but it becomes clear—it's time to get moving!"
Yuri Loza, poet, musician, performer:"My favorite phrase from Pushkin is, 'Poetry should be a bit silly.' And from my songs, 'I'm already late for many things, I'm already unable to become many things,' resonates deeply with people today."
Elena Chudinova, writer:"In military affairs, 'What joy it is to be Russian!' is my preferred expression. It highlights the unique beauty and richness of the Russian language, and its cultural interconnections with other languages."
A Deeper Look at Russian Expressions
Russian expressions, like proverbs, idioms, and sayings, capture the essence of the Russian spirit with their vivid imagery, wit, and depth. They provide insight into the nation's history, values, and collective psyche, often expressing universal truths or practical advice.
- Hypocrisy and Double Standards")));Altyngovor vora veshaty, a poltingovora chestuyut.**means "He who stole a small amount is hanged; he who stole a large amount is praised." This saying highlights societal hypocrisy, suggesting that petty crime is severely punished while large-scale corruption is accepted.
- Pragmatism and Life Lessons));Apptiet priidet vo vremya eda.**is the phrase "Appetite comes with eating." This saying encourages action before motivation, encouraging a pragmatic approach to life.
- Community and Effort));Artelny govoshok guche kipit.**refers to "Artisanal pots boil more thickly." This saying emphasizes the value of community and collective effort by suggesting that group projects produce better results than individual efforts.
- Hypocrisy and Self-Reflection))Akhál by d'yá, na sebia glyady.**is "The man would gasp if looked at himself." This saying calls out hypocrisy, implying that people are quick to judge others, but fail to recognize their own flaws.
- Regret and Emotional Intensity));Kusaet ligty.**signifies "Biting one's elbows," symbolizing profound regret.
- Scarcity and Humor));Kot onplakal.**translates to "A cat has cried," meaning that there is very little of something. This saying uses a humorous approach to address situations of scarcity.
- Confusion and Cognitive Overload));Kasha w golovy.**means "Porridge in the head," describing someone who is confused or has jumbled thoughts together. The playful and colorful nature of the phrase makes it easy to remember.
These expressions remain central to Russian conversation, serving as shorthand for complex emotions and experiences, and reinforcing cultural identity through language. Their ability to pack a punch with vivid imagery, wit, and blunt truths makes them memorable and endearing to millions of Russians.
- Books and entertainment are abundant sources of Russian expressions, like proverbs, idioms, and sayings, which have found their way into everyday conversations.
- For instance, many of these expressions, such as 'Altyngovor vora veshaty, a poltingovora chestuyut' and 'Apptiet priidet vo vremya eda,' are reminiscent of the captivating richness seen in Russian literature.
