Icelandic proverbs
From Wikiquote
Proverbs reflective of conventional wisdom in Iceland.
Contents |
B [edit]
- Ber er hver að baki nema sér bróður eigi.
- Translation: Bare is the back of a brotherless man.
- English equivalent: Every man is defenseless unless he has a brother.
- Source: Hreinsson, Viðar, ed (1997). Brennu-Njáls saga. 3. Translated by Robert Cook. Leifur Eiriksson Publishing. p. 209. ISBN 9979929308.
- Betra er einn aŏ vera, en illan stallbróǒur hafa.
- Translation: It is better to be alone than to be in bad company.
- English equivalent: Better be alone than in bad company.
- Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 572. ISBN 0415096243.
- Brennt barn forðast eldinn.
- Translation: A burnt child keeps away from fire.
- English equivalent: Once bitten, twice shy.
- Meaning: You will avoid an activity which has given you a bad experience for the rest of your life.
- Source: Dal, Gunnar (2007). Einn heimur: fimm heimsmyndir. Jonas Halldorsson. p. 124. ISBN 9979651032.
E [edit]
- Efter þvi sem gamlir fuglar sungu, kvököu þeir ungu.
- Translation: As the old birds sing, so do the young ones tweet.
- Meaning: Children will become like older generations.
- Norwegian equivalent: Some dei gamle sungo, so kveda dei unge.
- Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 138. ISBN 0415160502.
- Engum flygur sofanda staekt gess i munn.
- Idiomatic translation: Birds fly not into our mouth ready roasted.
- Meaning: One cannot (or should not) expect to benefit without making some effort.
- Source for meaning: (Paczolay, 1997 p. 455)
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 171. ISBN 0415096243.
G [edit]
- Goa oro finna godan samastao.
- Idiomatic translation: Politeness costs little but yields much.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 70. ISBN 0415160502.
- Guð hjálpar þeim sem hjálpa sér sjálfir.
- Translation: God helps those who help themselves.
- English equivalent: Heaven helps those who help themselves.
- Meaning: When in trouble first of all every one himself should do his best to improve his condition.
- Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 150. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
- Source: Laxness, Halldór (2000). Smásögur. Vaka-Helgafell. p. 131. ISBN 9979214546.
H [edit]
- Hvar sem fjandinn er par hafur hann sina.
- Idiomatic translation: A wise man changes his mind, a fool never will.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 150. ISBN 0415160502.
- Hver er sinnar gæfu smiður.
- Translation: Every man is the smith of his own fortune.
- English equivalent: Also, Every man is the smith of his own fortune.
- Meaning: In shaping one's own fortune one should not rely on the help of others, as they are also concerned mainly about their own matters.
- Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 388. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
L [edit]
- Linur bartskeri gjörir fúin sár.
- Idiomatic translation: Mild physician – putrid wounds.
- Meaning: Telling harsh truths constructively (to yourself as well), and stern measures, makes for a good figurative and literal cure.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1091. ISBN 0415096243.
K [edit]
- Kemst þó hægt fari.
- Translation: You will reach your destination even though you travel slowly.
- English equivalent: We rode slow, but we ride sure.
- Source: Íslands, Landsbókasafn (1980). Árbók. Bókasafnið. p. 71. ISBN 9979911107.
- Kornbarn, drukkin maðr og dárinn segja sannleikann.
- Idiomatic translation: Children, fools and drunken men tell the truth.
- Meaning: Children and fools have no inhibition, and alcohol consumed removes the inhibition against telling the truth that occasionally one would like to keep secret.
- Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 272. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
O [edit]
- Ofta hafa fagrar hnetur fúinn kjarna.
- Idiomatic translation: A fair face and a foul heart.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 34. ISBN 0415160502.
P [edit]
- Pá mér klaeÆr, parf ég að klóra mér.
- Translation: To whom it itches, scratches it.
- English equivalent: If the shoe fits, wear it.
- Meaning: Accept an unflattering, yet accurate, description of yourself.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 998. ISBN 0415096243.
R [edit]
- Ragur madur fiflar aldri frida konu.
- Translation: Fortune favours the bold.
- Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 130. ISBN 0415160502.
S [edit]
- Sá er fuglinn verstr, sem i sjáls sins hreiḋr dritr.
- Idiomatic translation: It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest; Don't wash your dirty linen in public.
- Meaning: Don't speak ill off yourself and the groups you belong to.
- Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 466. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
- Sjaldan er ein báran stök.
- Transation: There seldom is a single wave.
- English equivalent: When it rains, it pours.
- Meaning: Good luck or bad luck is often followed by more of the same.
- Source: Sigurðsson, Arngrímur (1975). Íslenzk-ensk orðabók. Leiftur. p. 731. ISBN 9979651032.
- Sjaldan feller eplið lángt frá eikini.
- Idiomatic translation: The apple does not fall far from the tree.
- Meaning: Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents.
- Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 259. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
Á [edit]
- Árinni kennir illur ræðari.
- Translation: A bad rower blames the oar.
- English equivalent: A bad workman blames his tools.
- Source: Magnúsdóttir, Elín Bára (1993). Halldórsstefna, 12.-14. júní 1992. Stofnun Sigurðar Nordals. p. 116. ISBN 9979911107.