14 July 2014

Question 0

Grief, distress, trouble, tribulation

Answer 0

Горя

Question 1

Tear(s)

Answer 1

Слеза (слезы)

Question 2

“You won’t help troubles with tears.”

In English, we might say, Don’t cry over spilt milk.’

Answer 2

“Слезами горю не поможешь.”

Question 3

Trouble, misfortune, calamity

Answer 3

Беда

Question 4

“Misfortune doesn’t come alone.”

If one bad thing happens, this is not said. Only after a second bad thing happens do people say this. To say this after the first would be like inviting trouble to come.

Answer 4

“Беда не приходит одна.”

Question 5

“There is no bad without good.”

Problems may come, but even in the worst situation there is still something good that can come from it. We might say in English, ‘Every cloud has a silver lining.’

Answer 5

“Нет худа без добра.”

Question 6

To leak, flow (as in water)

Answer 6

Течь

Я теку
Ты течёшь
Они текут

Question 7

Rock, stone

Answer 7

Камень

Question 8

“Water doesn’t flow under a laying rock.”

Basically, don’t wait for things to happen. If you want something to happen, you need to do it yourself.

Answer 8

“Под лежачий камень вода не течёт.”

Question 9

“Seven times measure, one time cut.”

In English this refers to doing work, specifically from carpentry. But in Russian, it refers more so to decisions. Take extra care to think very well about a decision before making it.

Answer 9

“Семь раз отмерь, один раз отрежь.”

Question 10

“Seven don’t wait for one.”

The majority won’t wait for the minority to show up. At some point, late is simply late.

Answer 10

“Семеро одного не ждут.”

–> ‘Большинство не ждёт меньшинство.”

Question 11

“Better late than never.”

Answer 11

“Лучше поздно, чем некогда.”

Question 12

“To not believe the eyes/ears.”
“I don’t believe my eyes/ears.”

We see or hear something that can’t be, and don’t believe it. We know it is true because it happened, but we have a hard time believing it.

Answer 12

“Ушам/глазам не верить.”

“Я не верю своим глазам/ушам.”

Question 13

“To stick your nose in another’s business.”

Answer 13

“Совать нос в чужие дела.”

Question 14

“Talk teeth to (someone).”

Basically, a smooth talker. When someone asks you a question you don’t want to answer, you are adept at talking about whatever you want, however long you want, and practically making the person forget what they asked you in the first place for having distracted them so long in the process.

Answer 14

“Договаривать/Договорить зубы (кому-то).”

Question 15

“(Someone’s) eyes are running in all directions.”

When it is difficult to choose, either because there are too many choices to look at or decide between. Can be in a store, while touring, or possibly in life situations as well.

Answer 15

“(У кого-то) глаза разбегаются.”

Question 16

“(My) hands don’t go to (that).”

It’s kind of funny, because hands don’t move. But the idea is that you have been asked to do something or you need to do something and, either you don’t have time or (more likely) you just don’t want to do it, so you say this. It has become an idiom for saying I don’t want to do something.

Answer 16

“(У кого-то) руки не доходят/доездят (до чего-то/+ inf.).”

Question 17

“I know (it/someone) like my five fingers.”

Better English would be to say you know this like the back of your own hand. But the point remains: you know this thing or person very well.

Answer 17

“Знать как свои пят пальцев (кого-то, что-то).”

Question 18

“To wave the hand at something.”

Someone is doing something you don’t agree with. You tell them repeatedly to stop doing it, yet they continue. You finally get fed-up and ‘wave your hand at them.’ Why? Because you’re tired of telling them, and you will continue to do so no longer.

Answer 18

“Махнуть рукой (на кого-то, что-то).”

Question 19

“Close the eyes to something.”

I don’t want to look at one problem, so I close my eyes to it. This is especially important with friends and family. We see what we want to see.

Answer 19

“Закрывать-Закрыть глаза на (что-то).”