German proverbs are very diverse. There really is simply a huge number of them - it is possible that even more than in the Russian language. And indeed, German wisdom is of particular interest. Well, the topic is entertaining, because I would like to talk about it in detail.
About German Wisdom
Before listing German proverbs, it is worth briefly telling about the topic as a whole. So firstly. Proverbs are not sayings. They are different from each other. A proverb is an unfinished sentence, characterized by a figurative and vivid expression that carries a certain symbolic meaning. But the proverb is wisdom. They have a special, moralizing character. This is their main distinguishing feature.
Why are expressions of this nature so loved by people and long entrenched in every culture? Everything is simple here. These phrases are formed by ordinary people, people. No one sat in a circle and wondered what expression to compose. Everything arose by itself - in some situations, in certain circumstances. And so it was fixed. All expressions are vital, not far-fetched. This is their salt. They really can make a person not just think, but analyze something - sometimes even their own lives. They have a deep meaning, and each person is able to make something of these words.
Sayings are easy to interpret. A striking example is the following expression: "Der Ball sieht den guten Spieler". Literally translated as âthe ball sees a good playerâ. Something reminds, right? True, this is an interpretation of our great âcatcher and the beast fleesâ.
Each nation is unique and distinctive. German proverbs are a component of local culture. And if you delve into this topic, you can see that many of the expressions that appeared in Germany have the same or similar meaning with the Russians.
Expressions with Russian analogy
So, it is worth listing some German proverbs. One of the most spectacular is the following: âAdel liegt im GemĂźte, nicht im GeblĂźteâ. It is translated as follows: "Nobleness - it is not in the blood, but in the soul." If we talk about famous German proverbs with a translation, then this, perhaps, will stand at the very beginning. And there is no need to search for hidden meaning - it lies on the surface.
We are all well aware of the Russian expression âeverything has its time.â Well, the Germans also love to say that. It just sounds different: âAll Ding währt seine Zeitâ. And âdashing trouble is the beginningâ? Also often used by our people. In Germany, it sounds differently: âAller Anfang ist schwerâ. The truth is translated a little more elegantly: "Any beginning is hard." But the essence is the same, in principle.
âOld age is not joyâ - this we hear regularly. In German, this expression reads as follows: âAlter ist ein schweres Malterâ. The translation is different, but the meaning is the same. âOld age is a heavy payâ - and itâs true.
There is still a very original expression. In our native language it sounds like this: âInitially, it was calledâ Long Life! â. And the ending sounded like singing at a funeral. â Even the Russian analogy does not need to be given as an example - everything is already clear. By the way, it sounds like a toast in German: âAm Anfang hiess esâ Lebe lang! â. Das Ende klang wie Grabgesang. "
Unique expressions
In principle, whatever one may say, in one or another people the same expressions exist, they only sound differently, and this is logical. This fact was proved by previous German proverbs with translation.
But Germany has its own highlight. In the form of proverbs, analogies of which in other nations do not exist. Here is a prime example: âAnfang und Ende reichen einander die Händeâ. In Russian, it will sound like this: âThe beginning with the end pulled his hands to each other.â Surely this means that the business that has ever begun, will certainly be completed regardless of the circumstances - no matter how. Pretty interesting expression. âBeredter Mund geht nicht zugrundâ - it is translated as âyou will not disappear with eloquenceâ. Our short definition immediately comes to mind, which is best suited to some people - âsuspended languageâ. In Germany, as in many other countries, they value their native language and believe that the word is capable of much. Here, probably, this expression came from there.
Of particular character is the phrase âbesser zehn Neider denn ein Mitleiderâ. Translated as follows: â10 envy is better than 1 sympathizer.â This proverb immediately demonstrates the character of the native Germans. And confirms their strength of mind. The meaning of the phrase is obvious. And indeed, it is better to endure the envy of the rest than sympathy. If they envy, then there is something. And for many, sympathy means pity. Not the best feeling.
Financial Sense Expressions
Germany is a rich country. There are many wealthy and prosperous people. Maybe this is a paradox, but many German proverbs have a meaning in themselves, meaning that wealth is good and you need to strive for it. Unlike Russian ones, âpoverty is not a viceâ, âitâs not a shame to be poor,â etc. There is no need to draw conclusions - just compare the standard of living and the number of unemployed. For example, such a phrase is a good example: âArmut ist fĂźrs Podagra gutâ. Translated as âpoverty contributes to gout.â Everyone knows that this is a terrible disease, a real injury to the human body. So the meaning is clear here.
âDem Armen wird immer das Ărgste zuteilâ. The meaning of this saying is approximately that the worst evil constantly falls to the lot of the beggar. Another expression meaning "laziness pays poverty." Deep meaning, which, unfortunately, is not understood by all people. More precisely, they are not fully aware of it. In German it sounds like this: âFaulheit lohnt mit Armutâ. And another motivating proverb: "UnglĂźck trifft nur die Armen". Its meaning is that troubles always come only to the poor.
And these are just some of the examples. It is not surprising that people in Germany strive for wealth. It is possible that the values ââof wealth and wealth were laid down a very long time ago, and the abovementioned folk wisdom could play a role in this.
The wisdom of the great
Speaking about German proverbs with a translation into Russian, one cannot but notice the expression belonging to the great philosophers, writers and other famous personalities of Germany.
So, for example, Johann Goethe once said: âEin Mensch sein heiĂt ein Kämpfer seinâ, which meant âto be human means to be a fighterâ. And after all, he said everything correctly. After all, every day people are faced with problems, obstacles, troubles, troubles that they have to solve. And no matter how many there are, there is no way out. It is necessary to deal with everything, albeit through force. Is this not a fight? The same theme was touched upon in his other winged expression, which sounds like this: âNur der verdient sich Freiheit wie das Leben, der täglich sie erobern mussâ. But the meaning is this: only that person is worthy of life and freedom, who daily fights for them.
And Nietzsche introduced the concept of umwertung aller Werte. That is, "revaluation of values." Everything is clear here - he meant that people sometimes attach too much importance to something.
Marx and Engels are also famous people, who wrote a lot of statements. Although these are not German sayings and proverbs with translation, they also deserve attention. âDas Sein bestimmt das Bewusstseinâ (âGenesis defines consciousnessâ), âDie Arbeit hat den Menschen geschaffenâ (âWork made manâ), âDas Rad der Geschichte zurĂźckdrehenâ (âTurn back the wheel of historyâ) are just a few popular aphorisms belonging to them.
To complete the topic of celebrity statements, I would like to say Heinrich Heine. In the native language of the publicist and poet, it sounded like this: âEin Kluger bemerkt alles. Ein Dummer macht Ăźber alles eine Bemerkung. " And the essence of the saying is that a reasonable person notices absolutely everything. Stupid draws conclusions only on the basis of a single case.
Subtle expressions
Many unique German proverbs and sayings carry a very subtle meaning. And they are remarkable for this. For example: âWenn man auch schief sitzt, so muss man doch gerade sprechenâ. The translation is that even if a person sits crookedly, he should always speak directly. The wisdom of âman wird zu schnell alt und zu spät gescheitâ also has a good meaning. And it consists in the following: people grow old too quickly and become too wise too late. Also relevant. âKeine Antwort ist auch eine Antwortâ - the main idea of ââthis expression is that if there is no answer, then this is still the answer. A paradox, but it happens. The phrase âwer viel fragt, der viel irrtâ contains a rather topical meaning. Its meaning is simple. And it consists in the fact that the person who asked too much and often asks just really often made a mistake.
Well, all of the above is just a fraction of the expressions, wisdom and proverbs that the people of Germany can boast. And if you think about each, it may seem that many of the words entrenched in German culture are really not just letters, but something that influenced the formation of the characters, values ââand ideas of the Germans.