German proverbs are very diverse. There really are just a huge number of them - it is possible that even more than in the Russian language. In general, German wisdom is of particular interest. Well, the topic is entertaining, so I would like to talk about it in detail.
About German Wisdom
Before listing German proverbs, it is worth briefly talking about the topic as a whole. So, first of all. 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, moral character. This is their main distinguishing feature.
Why are expressions of this nature so loved by people and entrenched in every culture for a long time? Everything is simple here. These phrases are formed by ordinary people, the people. No one sat in a circle and thought about what expression to compose. Everything arose by itself - in some situations, in certaincircumstances. And so it got fixed. All expressions are real, not contrived. This is their s alt. They can really make a person not just think, but analyze something - sometimes even his life. They have a deep meaning, and each person is able to take something from these words.
Proverbs are easy to interpret. A striking example is the following expression: "Der Ball sieht den guten Spieler". Literally translated as "the ball sees a good player." Reminds me of something, doesn't it? That's right, this is the interpretation of our great “the hunter and the beast runs”.
Each nation is unique and original. German proverbs are part of the local culture. And if you delve into this topic, you can see that many expressions that appeared in Germany have the same or similar meaning with Russians.
Expressions with Russian analogy
So, it's worth listing some German proverbs. One of the most effective is the following: "Adel liegt im Gemüte, nicht im Geblüte". It is translated as follows: “Nobility is not in the blood, but in the soul.” If we talk about famous German proverbs with translation, then this one, perhaps, will be at the very beginning. And there is no need to look for a hidden meaning - it lies on the surface.
We are all well aware of the Russian expression “everything has its time”. Well, the Germans like to say that too. It just sounds different: “All Ding währt seine Zeit”. And “dashing trouble is the beginning”? It is also often used by our people. In Germany it sounds different:"Aller Anfang ist schwer". True, and translated a little more elegantly: "Any beginning is hard." But the essence is the same, in principle.
“Old age is not a joy” is what we hear regularly. In German, this expression sounds like this: “Alter ist ein schweres M alter”. The translation is different, but the meaning is the same. “Old age is a heavy price” – and it’s true.
There is also a very original expression. In our native language, it sounds like this: “Initially, it was called “Long life!”. And the ending sounded like singing at a funeral.” Even the Russian analogy does not need to be cited as an example - everything is already clear. By the way, it sounds like a toast in German: “Am Anfang hiess es “Lebe lang!”. Das Ende klang wie Grabgesang.”
Unique expressions
In principle, whatever one may say, in this or that people there are the same expressions, only they sound differently, and this is logical. This fact was proved by previous German proverbs with translation.
But Germany has its own twist. In the form of proverbs, analogies of which do not exist in other nations. Here is a vivid example: “Anfang und Ende reichen einander die Hände”. In Russian, it will sound like this: “The beginning and the end are pulling hands towards each other.” Surely this means that the business, ever started, will surely be completed, regardless of the circumstances - no matter how. Quite an interesting expression. "Beredter Mund geht nicht zugrund" - translates as "you will not be lost with eloquence." Our short definition immediately comes to mind, which is impossiblebetter suits some people - “hanging tongue”. In Germany, as in many other countries, they value their native language and believe that the word is capable of much. This is probably where this expression came from.
The phrase “besser zehn Neider denn ein Mitleider” has a special character. It translates as follows: "10 envious people are better than 1 sympathizer." This proverb immediately demonstrates the character of the native Germans. And confirms their strength of mind. The meaning of the phrase is obvious. Indeed, it is better to endure the envy of others than sympathy. If they envy, then there is something. And sympathy for many means pity. Not the best feeling.
Expressions with financial meanings
Germany is a rich country. There are many we althy and successful people there. It may be a paradox, but many German proverbs have a meaning in themselves, meaning that we alth is good and one should strive for it. Unlike the Russian ones, “poverty is not a vice”, “it is not a shame to be poor”, etc. There is no need to draw conclusions - it is enough just to compare the standard of living and the number of unemployed. For example, this phrase is a good example: “Armut ist fürs Podagra gut”. It translates as "poverty promotes gout." Everyone knows that this is a terrible disease, a real mutilation of the human body. So the meaning is clear.
“Dem Armen wird immer das Ärgste zuteil”. The meaning of this saying is approximately that the worst evil constantly falls to the lot of the beggar. Another expression meaning that "laziness pays with poverty." A deep meaning, which, unfortunately, not all people understand. More precisely, they do not fully realize it. In German it sounds like this: “Faulheit lohnt mit Armut”. And one more motivating proverb: "Unglück trifft nur die Armen". Its meaning lies in the fact that troubles always come only to the poor.
And these are just some of the examples. No wonder people in Germany aspire to we alth. It is possible that the values of we alth and prosperity were laid down a very long time ago, and the above folk wisdom could play a role in this.
Wisdom of the greats
Telling about German proverbs with translation into Russian, one cannot help but note the expressions belonging to the great philosophers, writers and other famous personalities of Germany.
For example, Johann Goethe once said: “Ein Mensch sein heißt ein Kämpfer sein”, which means “to be a man means to be a fighter”. And he said it right. After all, all people daily face problems, obstacles, troubles, troubles that they have to solve. And no matter how many there are, there is no way out. We need to deal with everything, albeit through force. Isn't this a fight? The same theme is also touched upon in his other catchphrase, which sounds like this: “Nur der verdient sich Freiheit wie das Leben, der täglich sie erobern muss”. And the meaning is this: only that person is worthy of life and freedom, who daily fights for them.
And Nietzsche introduced such a concept as “umwertung aller Werte”. That is "revaluation of values". Here and so everything is clear - he meant that people sometimes givetoo much value for anything.
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. "Das Sein bestimmt das Bewusstsein" ("Being determines consciousness"), "Die Arbeit hat den Menschen geschaffen" ("Work made man"), "Das Rad der Geschichte zurückdrehen" ("Turning back the wheel of history") are just a few popular sayings belonging to them.
I would like to finish the topic of celebrity statements with the saying of Heinrich Heine. In the native language of the publicist and poet, it sounded like this: “Ein Kluger bemerkt alles. Ein Dummer macht über alles eine Bemerkung.” And the essence of the saying is that a reasonable person notices absolutely everything. A fool draws conclusions only from a single case.
Subtle expressions
Many unique German proverbs and sayings carry a very subtle meaning. And this is what makes them remarkable. For example: “Wenn man auch schief sitzt, so muss man doch gerade sprechen.” The translation is that even if a person sits crookedly, he should always speak straight. The wisdom “man wird zu schnell alt=""Image" und zu spät gescheit” also makes good sense. And it consists in the following: people age too quickly and grow wiser too late. Also relevant. “Keine Antwort ist auch eine Antwort” - the main idea of this expression is that if there is no answer, then it’s all the sameanswer. Paradox, but it happens. The phrase “wer viel fragt, der viel irrt” contains a rather topical meaning. Its meaning is simple. And it lies in the fact that the person who asks too much and often, just in fact, was often mistaken.
Well, all of the above is just a small fraction of those expressions, wisdom and proverbs that the people of Germany can boast of. And if you think about each one, it may seem that many words that have become entrenched in German culture are really not just letters, but something that influenced the formation of the characters, values and ideas of the Germans.
