Language learning is an incredibly enriching experience, and diving into idioms is one of the most exciting parts. Idioms are figurative phrases that provide insights into a culture’s way of thinking and communicating. Belarusian, an East Slavic language spoken predominantly in Belarus, is rich in idiomatic expressions. These idioms often carry a deep cultural significance, and understanding them can give learners a more nuanced grasp of the language. Let’s explore some common Belarusian idioms and their meanings.
Belarusian Idioms Related to Nature and Animals
Як рыба ў вадзе (Yak ryba ŭ vadze)
Literal Translation: Like a fish in water
Meaning: This idiom is used to describe someone who is very comfortable or proficient in a particular environment or situation. It’s similar to the English expression “like a duck to water.”
Example:
“Пасля пераезду ў вёску, ён быў як рыба ў вадзе.”
(“After moving to the village, he was like a fish in water.”)
Зрабіць з мухі слана (Zrabіć z mukhі slana)
Literal Translation: To make an elephant out of a fly
Meaning: This idiom describes the act of exaggerating or making a big deal out of something trivial, akin to the English phrase “making a mountain out of a molehill.”
Example:
“Не трэба рабіць з мухі слана, гэта не такая вялікая праблема.”
(“Don’t make an elephant out of a fly, it’s not that big of a problem.”)
Кот у мяшку (Kot u myashku)
Literal Translation: A cat in a sack
Meaning: This idiom is used to describe something bought or accepted without being seen first, similar to the English idiom “a pig in a poke.”
Example:
“Купляць машыну без агляду – гэта як купіць ката ў мяшку.”
(“Buying a car without seeing it is like buying a cat in a sack.”)
Belarusian Idioms Related to Human Behavior and Emotions
На свой страх і рызыку (Na svoy strakh і ryzyku)
Literal Translation: At one’s own fear and risk
Meaning: This idiom means doing something with full knowledge of the possible dangers and without any guarantees, similar to the English phrase “at one’s own risk.”
Example:
“Ён вырашыў пайсці ў горы на свой страх і рызыку.”
(“He decided to go into the mountains at his own risk.”)
Лапаць з двара (Lapat’s z dvara)
Literal Translation: A shoe from the yard
Meaning: This idiom is used to describe someone who is uncultured or unsophisticated, akin to calling someone a “country bumpkin” in English.
Example:
“Яго паводзіны былі як лапаць з двара, зусім не культурныя.”
(“His behavior was like a shoe from the yard, completely uncultured.”)
Золата ў роце (Zolata ŭ rotsye)
Literal Translation: Gold in the mouth
Meaning: This idiom refers to someone who is very eloquent or has a way with words, similar to saying someone has “a silver tongue” in English.
Example:
“Яго прамовы заўсёды ўражваюць, у яго сапраўды золата ў роце.”
(“His speeches are always impressive; he truly has gold in his mouth.”)
Belarusian Idioms Related to Wisdom and Folly
Лёгка сказаць, цяжка зрабіць (Lyohka skazats’, tsyazhka zrabіts’)
Literal Translation: Easy to say, hard to do
Meaning: This idiom highlights the difference between saying something and actually doing it, akin to the English phrase “easier said than done.”
Example:
“Пабудаваць дом лёгка сказаць, але цяжка зрабіць.”
(“Building a house is easier said than done.”)
Сляпому і сонца не трэба (Slyapomu і sontsa ne treba)
Literal Translation: To the blind, the sun is not necessary
Meaning: This idiom means that certain things are useless to people who cannot perceive or appreciate them, similar to the English phrase “casting pearls before swine.”
Example:
“Гэта як даваць кнігу сляпому, яму і сонца не трэба.”
(“It’s like giving a book to the blind; he doesn’t need the sun either.”)
Калі грошы ёсць, то і розум знойдзецца (Kalі hroshy yosts’, to і rozum znojdzyetstsa)
Literal Translation: If there is money, wisdom will be found
Meaning: This idiom suggests that having money can solve many problems, or that people with money are often perceived as more intelligent or capable.
Example:
“Ён заўсёды казаў, што калі грошы ёсць, то і розум знойдзецца.”
(“He always said that if there is money, wisdom will be found.”)
Belarusian Idioms Related to Work and Effort
Не ўсё тое золата, што блішчыць (Ne ŭsyo toye zolata, shto blіshchyt’)
Literal Translation: Not all that glitters is gold
Meaning: This idiom warns against being deceived by appearances, much like the English proverb with the same phrasing.
Example:
“Не вер яму, не ўсё тое золата, што блішчыць.”
(“Don’t trust him; not all that glitters is gold.”)
Знайсці агульную мову (Znajstsі agul’nuyu movu)
Literal Translation: To find a common language
Meaning: This idiom means to reach an understanding or agreement with someone, similar to the English phrase “to find common ground.”
Example:
“Нам удалося знайсці агульную мову і вырашыць праблему.”
(“We managed to find a common language and solve the problem.”)
Жыць як кат пад мостам (Zhyt’s yak kat pad mostam)
Literal Translation: To live like a cat under a bridge
Meaning: This idiom is used to describe living in poverty or under harsh conditions, akin to the English phrase “living hand to mouth.”
Example:
“Пасля страты працы, ён жыў як кат пад мостам.”
(“After losing his job, he lived like a cat under a bridge.”)
Belarusian Idioms Related to Fortune and Misfortune
Няма той бяды, каб шчасце не дапамагло (Nyama toy byady, kab shchas’tsye ne dapamaglo)
Literal Translation: There is no misfortune that luck cannot help
Meaning: This idiom suggests that even in bad situations, there is always hope for a positive turn of events, similar to the English saying “every cloud has a silver lining.”
Example:
“Не хвалюйся, няма той бяды, каб шчасце не дапамагло.”
(“Don’t worry; there is no misfortune that luck cannot help.”)
Гандляваць шчасцем (Handlyavats’ shchas’tsem)
Literal Translation: To trade happiness
Meaning: This idiom means to risk or gamble with one’s happiness, often for material gain.
Example:
“Ён гандлюе сваім шчасцем, каб зарабіць больш грошай.”
(“He is trading his happiness to earn more money.”)
Быць на мяжы шчасця і гора (Być na myazhy shchas’tsya і hora)
Literal Translation: To be on the edge of happiness and sorrow
Meaning: This idiom describes a precarious situation where one is close to either a great success or a significant failure.
Example:
“Пасля ўсяго, што здарылася, яна была на мяжы шчасця і гора.”
(“After everything that happened, she was on the edge of happiness and sorrow.”)
Conclusion
Learning idioms is not just about understanding the literal meaning of words but also about grasping the cultural context and emotional undertones. Belarusian idioms, rich in imagery and often rooted in everyday life, provide a unique window into the Belarusian way of thinking and living. By familiarizing yourself with these expressions, you not only enhance your linguistic skills but also gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural nuances of Belarus. So, the next time you encounter a Belarusian idiom, take a moment to savor its richness and the cultural wisdom it encapsulates.
