Norwegian proverbs
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(Redirected from Norweigan proverbs)
Proverbs reflective of conventional wisdom in Norway.
Contents |
A [edit]
- Aldren er laak Lensmann.
- Idiomatic translation: Age and poverty are ill to bear.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 177. ISBN 0415096243.
B [edit]
- Bedre med en fugl i hånden enn ti på taket.
- Translation: Better to have one bird in hand than ten on the roof.
- English equivalent: Better one bird in the hand than ten in the bush.
- (Firm), Nordmanns-forbundet (1999). The Norseman. p. 140.
- Blind hǿne kann og finna eit konn.
- Idiomatic translation: A blind may sometimes hit the mark.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 36. ISBN 0415096243.
D [edit]
- D'er inkje greidt aa gripa aalen um sporden.
- Idiomatic translation: You might as well try to hold an eel by the tail.
- Meaning: Don't take a man by his word.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 480. ISBN 0415096243.
- D'er lettast aa laera av annan manns skade.
- Translation: It is easiest to learn from another mans damage.
- English equivalent: Wise men learn by other men's mistakes, fools by their own.
- Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 619. ISBN 0415096243.
- D'er låk fugl som skjemmer sitt eige reir.
- 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.
- D'er mange ǿksarhogg, som eiki skal fella.
- Idiomatic translation: Little strokes fell great oaks.
- Meaning: A difficult task, e. g. removing a person/group from a strong position, or changing established ideas cannot be done quickly. It can be achieved gradually, by small steps, a little at a time.
- Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 252. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
- De gamle er eldst.
- Translation: The old are the oldest.
- Meaning: The oldest people are the wisest.
- Lund (1977). De Gamle er eldst: 11 samtaler i dur og moll. Norsk kunstforl.. pp. 140. ISBN 8290069812.
- Dei er inkje alle tjuvar, som hunden gjoyr paa.
- Idiomatic translation: All are not thieves that dogs bark at.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 77. ISBN 0415160502.
- Dei er inkje nytt under solen.
- Idiomatic translation: There is nothing new under the sun.
- Meaning: Absolutely everything has been done before.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1114. ISBN 0415096243.
- Dei store fiskane eta dei små — dei liger under som minst förmå.
- Translation: The big fish eat the small ones - they are disadvantaged, those who are little.
- Idiomatic translation: Men are like fish; the great ones devour the small.
- Meaning: A weak person/group/community/country can be an easy prey to an immoral, powerful one.
- Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 420. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
- Det kjem inkte steikte fuglar flugjande i mun.
- 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, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 455. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 171. ISBN 0415096243.
- Det kan ingen tena tvo herrar (samstundes).
- Translation: Nobody can serve two masters (simultaneously).
- English equivalent: Also, Nobody can serve two masters.
- Meaning: One cannot serve two conflicting causes simultaneously. If this is attempted neither will be served properly.
- Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 283. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
E [edit]
- En svale gjør ingen sommer.
- Translation: One swallow does not make a summer.
- Meaning: A single event is no indication that a major change is taking place.
- Vanberg (1992). Of Norwegian Ways. Harpercollins (P). p. 211. ISBN 0060923474.
- Ein skal lyda ut, nr gamle hunden gjöyr.
- Idiomatic translation: An old dog barks not in vain.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 55. ISBN 0415160502.
- Ein må lære seg å krype før ein lærer å gå.
- Translation: One must learn to crawl before one can walk.
- English equivalent: Learn to walk before you can run.
- Meaning: Learn the basics of any subject first.
- Brox, Arthur (1992). Folkeminne frå Ytre Senja. Universitetsforlaget. p. 88. ISBN 8200271307.
- Eple faller ikke langt fra stammen.
- 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.
G [edit]
- Gamall kjaerlik rustar inkje.
- Idiomatic translation: Of soup and love the first is the best.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 825. ISBN 0415096243.
- Godt upplag gjerer godt nedlag.
- Idiomatic translation: A good beginning makes a good ending.
- Meaning: Just trying something is a great way in order to solve a problem.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 24. ISBN 0415160502.
I [edit]
- I nød skal du lære dine venner å kenne.
- Translation: In need you will recognize your friends.
- English equivalent: A friend is known in need, like gold is known in fire.
- Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 159. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
K [edit]
- Kast ikke barnet ut med badevannet.
- Idiomatic translation: Don't throw out the child with the bath water.
- Meaning: Do not reject an idea entirely because parts of it are bad; Someone who is absolutely right about parts of an idea, can still be absolutely wrong about another part of it.
- Skogindustri (Volume 44 ed.). K/S Selvig Publishing. 1990. p. 150.
L [edit]
- Liten tue kan velte stort lass.
- Translation: A small (grass) tuft can topple a big (cart) load.
- English equivalent: The straw that broke the camels back. (idiom)
- Meaning: Something grand can be ruined by a thing which is seemingly insignificant.
- Council (1970). Nordisk kontakt. Statens reproduktionsanstalt. p. 284. ISBN 1.
N [edit]
- Naar leiken er best, skal ein helst halda upp.
- Idiomatic translation: Leave a jest when it pleases you best.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 863. ISBN 0415096243.
R [edit]
- Raude eple kan og vera rotne.
- Idiomatic translation: A fair face and a foul heart.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 34. ISBN 0415160502.
S [edit]
- Smi mens jernet er varmt.
- Translation: Forge while the iron is hot.
- Schottmann (2012). Vergleichende Idiomatik des Schwedischen. Lit Verlag. p. 145. ISBN 3643117337.
- Som faren går fyre, kjem sonen etter.
- Translation: As the father goes ahead, so he is followed by his son.
- English equivalent: Like father, like son.
- Meaning: Sons may look and behave like their fathers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily.
- Source for meaning and proverb: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 137. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
- Som mora er, so er dottera.
- Translation: Such mother, such daughter.
- English equivalent: Like mother, like daughter.
- Meaning: Daughters may look and behave like their mothers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and rarely.
- Source for meaning and proverb: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 137. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
- Some dei gamle sungo, so kveda dei unge.
- Translation: As the old birds sing, so does the young ones tweet.
- English equivalent: As the old cock crows, so crows the young.
- Meaning: Children will become like older generations.
- Icelandic equivalent: Efter þvi sem gamlir fuglar sungu, kvököu þeir ungu.
- Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 138. ISBN 0415160502.
