Serbian proverbs

Б

Cyrillic: Sebi je brady prvo Bog stvorio. – Latin: Sebi je bradu prvo Bog stvorio.

Translation: The beard was first created by God upon himself. (Meaning that every person puts their own interests first.)

Cyrillic: Vrabac u ruci vredniji je od goluba na grani. – Latin: Vrabac u ruci vredniji je od goluba na grani.

Translation: Having a sparrow in your hand is preferable to a pigeon perched on a branch. (A bird in hand surpasses two in the bush.)

В

Cyrillic: Vrana drugoj vrrani oči ne vadi. – Latin: Vrana drugoj vrrani oči ne vadi.

Translation: One crow will not injure the eyes of another crow. (One criminal doesn't betray another criminal.)

Г

Cyrillic: Gvožđe se oblikuje dok je toplo. – Latin: Gvožđe se oblikuje dok je toplo.

Translation: Metal is shaped while it remains hot. (Act decisively while opportunity exists.)

Cyrillic: Gde je puno babica, deca su slabunjava. – Latin: Gde je puno babica, deca su slabunjava.

Translation: In locations with many midwives, the children tend to be sickly. (When too many people contribute, the results suffer.)

Cyrillic: Gde ti se puno obećava, mali prtljag ponesi. – Latin: Gde ti se puno obećava, mali prtljag ponesi.

Translation: When people offer you grand promises, carry little with you. (Similar to: Nothing is truly free.)

Д

Cyrillic: Baba je dala dinar da se neko uhvati u kolu, dva da se otrgne. – Latin: Baba je dala dinar da se neko uhvati u kolu, dva da se otrgne.

Translation: A grandmother gave one coin to join the circle, and two to leave it. (Consider the price of your desires.)

И

Cyrillic: Opiljak ne pada dalje od panja. – Latin: Opiljak ne pada dalje od panja.

Translation: A wood chip doesn't travel far from its log. (Children resemble their parents.)

Cyrillic: Prvo spremi, zatim priči. – Latin: Prvo spremi, zatim priči.

Translation: Complete the deed, then share your words. (Act before you speak).

К

Cyrillic: Dok mačka nije tu, miševi se igraju. – Latin: Dok mačka nije tu, miševi se igraju.

Translation: In the cat's absence, the mice frolic freely. (Without supervision, people misbehave.)

Cyrillic: Ko uveče pije vino, ujutru pije vodu. – Latin: Ko uveče pije vino, ujutru pije vodu.

Translation: The person who drinks wine at dusk drinks water at dawn. (Actions have inevitable consequences.)

Cyrillic: Ko za drugoga jamu kopa, sam u nju pada. – Latin: Ko za drugoga jamu kopa, sam u nju pada.

Translation: Those who prepare traps for others fall into them. (Harm returns to the one who causes it.)

Cyrillic: Ko rano vstane, dve sreće grabi. – Latin: Ko rano vstane, dve sreće grabi.

Translation: Those who rise at dawn reap double fortune. (Success favors the diligent.)

Cyrillic: Ko s đavolom nešto sadi, o glavu mu se padne. – Latin: Ko s đavolom nešto sadi, o glavu mu se padne.

Translation: When one sows alongside evil, it will fall upon one's head. (Similar to: Every deed brings its own reward or punishment.)

Cyrillic: Ko je bez razuma, umara se nogama. – Latin: Ko je bez razuma, umara se nogama.

Translation: The person lacking sense must toil with their limbs. (Foolishness demands greater effort.)

Cyrillic: Onaj koji sije vetar će žnjeti nevreme. – Latin: Onaj koji sije vetar će žnjeti nevreme.

Translation: Whoever plants wind shall reap tempest. (Similar to: As you sow, so you shall reap.)

Cyrillic: Majstor dobija dve. – Latin: Majstor dobija dve.

Translation: Skilled workers receive double compensation. (Those with expertise earn twice as much.)

Cyrillic: Učenje donosi znanje, štednja donosi imovinu. – Latin: Učenje donosi znanje, štednja donosi imovinu.

Translation: Study brings knowledge, frugality brings wealth.

Л

Cyrilic: Uljudna reč čak i željezna vrata može otvoriti. – Latin: Uljudna reč čak i željezna vrata može otvoriti.

Translation: Even iron gates yield to a gentle word. (Politeness can unlock any barrier.)

Н

Cyrillic: Svetom vladaju mladi. – Latin: Svetom vladaju mladi.

Translation: Youth inherits the world.

Cyrillic: U nevoljama se pokazuju junaci. – Latin: U nevoljama se pokazuju junaci.

Translation: Hardship reveals true heroism. (When the going gets tough, the tough get going.)

Cyrillic: Ispod svetiljke je najtamnije. – Latin: Ispod svetiljke je najtamnije.

Translation: The deepest shadow falls below the light. (What you seek could be near you yet unnoticed.)

Cyrillic: Šta se ne vidi, nije greška. – Latin: Šta se ne vidi, nije greška.

Translation: What remains hidden bears no fault. (If you do something without being caught it isn't done.)

Cyrillic: Kruška nikad ne nosi jabuke. – Latin: Kruška nikad ne nosi jabuke.

Translation: Pears never grow from a pear tree's branches as apples.

Cyrillic: Gde se tikve nisu nikad pojavile, ne sadi ih! – Latin: Gde se tikve nisu nikad pojavile, ne sadi ih!

Translation: Avoid planting pumpkins in fields where they never thrive! (Don't waste your time trying things which are proven won't work.)

Cyrillic: Gde ima dima, tu je i vatra. – Latin: Gde ima dima, tu je i vatra.

Translation: Smoke signals the existence of fire. (Where there is smoke there is fire.)

Cyrillic: Mirno dete ni mlada baba ne postoje. – Latin: Mirno dete ni mlada baba ne postoje.

Translation: Calm children and youthful elderly do not exist.

Cyrillic: Bez motike nema hleba! – Latin: Bez motike nema hleba!

Translation: Bread cannot exist without the hoe! (You cannot make omelets without eggs. Similar to: Only hard work pays off.)

Cyrillic: Sve što sija nije nužno zlato. – Latin: Sve što sija nije nužno zlato.

Translation: Not everything gleaming is valuable gold. (All that glitters is not gold.)

O

Cyrillic: Ludaka čini blagom samo obećanje. – Latin: Ludaka čini blagom samo obećanje.

Translation: Only empty promises delight the foolish. (Do not be fooled by empty promises.)

П

Cyrillic: Pas što glasa ne kusa. – Latin: Pas što glasa ne kusa.

Translation: A dog that makes noise won't hurt you. (Dogs that bark rarely attack; to be all bluster and no bite.)

Cyrillic: Od komarca napraviti magarca. – Latin: Od komarca napraviti magarca.

Translation: To turn a mosquito into a donkey. (To blow something minor out of proportion.)

Cyrillic: Skačeš prvo, pa tek onda vikneš hop. – Latin: Skačeš prvo, pa tek onda vikneš hop.

Translation: Jump first, then shout "hop"! (Act before you boast about it.)

Cyrillic: Ranoranioca ptica prvi crv nane. – Latin: Ranoranioca ptica prvi crv nane.

Translation: The bird that rises early secures the first worm.

Р

Cyrillic: Šerpa se rugala loncu što ima široka usta. – Latin: Šerpa se rugala loncu što ima široka usta.

Translation: The pan derided the pot for its wide opening. (The pot calls the kettle black.)

Cyrillic: Ogledalo je krivo za ružnu devojku. – Latin: Ogledalo je krivo za ružnu devojku.

Translation: The plain girl puts blame on her looking glass. (A poor craftsman finds fault with his tools.)

С

Cyrillic: Jedino se slaganjem Srbin spasava – Latin: Jedino se slaganjem Srbin spasava

Translation: The Serbs are preserved through unity alone.

Cyrillic: Ide svuda, ali do svoje kuće dođi. – Latin: Ide svuda, ali do svoje kuće dođi.

Translation: Wander anywhere, but return to your own home. (No place beats home).

Т

Cyrillic: Breg se roni od tihe vode. – Latin: Breg se roni od tihe vode.

Translation: Still water erodes the riverbank. (Time and patience achieve anything.)

Note: This phrase employs an old-fashioned word for riverbank (breg), whereas in current usage that word now carries the meaning of 'mountain'.

Cyrillic: Tri puta meri, jedan put seči. – Latin: Tri puta meri, jedan put seči.

Translation: Measure thrice before you cut once. (Consider carefully, then proceed; deliberate before you make your move.)

У

Cyrillic: Tu se u grmu zec krije! – Latin: Tu se u grmu zec krije!

Translation: That's the thicket where the rabbit hides! (to locate the answer to a matter)

Cyrillic: U se i u svoje kljuse stavi poverenja! – Latin: U se i u svoje kljuse stavi poverenja!

Translation: Have faith in yourself and your steed! (To get results, depend on your own strength.)

Cyrillic: Jagnje što se umiljavalo dve ovce je sisalo. – Latin: Jagnje što se umiljavalo dve ovce je sisalo.

Translation: The sweet lamb nurses from two sheep. (Similar to: Charm can take you far.)

Ш

Cyrillic: Što je do dana moguće, ne odlagaj na sutra. – Latin: Što je do dana moguće, ne odlagaj na sutra.

Translation: Do not defer to tomorrow that which you can accomplish today. (Never delay until tomorrow what lies in your power right now.)

Source obtained from: en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Serbian_proverbs