Estonian proverbs

Proverbs from all Estonian speaking parts of the world.

C

• Hunt hunti ei murra.
  • Idiomatic translation: Crows do not pick out crows eyes.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 31. ISBN 0415160502. 

E

• Ega vana koer valet ei haugu.
  • Idiomatic translation: An old dog barks not in vain.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 55. ISBN 0415160502. 

H

• Hunt murrab ka loetud lambad.
  • Idiomatic translation: Cats eat what hussies spare.
  • Note: "Cat" is a slang term for prostitute.
  • Meaning: An inferior workman might defeat his competition by making the services he provides more remarkable.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 641. ISBN 0415096243. 

K

• Kõik ei ole kuld, mis hiilgab.
  • Idiomatic translation: All that glimmers is not gold.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 89. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Kes ees, see mees
  • Idiomatic translation: Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 824. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Kuidas ema, nõnda tütar.
  • 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. 

• Käbi ei kuku kännust kaugele.
  • 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.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 488. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 259. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

M

• Magaja kassi suhu hiir ei jookse.
  • 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. 

O

• Oras ei kasva külvamata.
  • Translation: What you reap is what you sow.
  • Strauss (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 394. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Õuin ei kuku iial puust kaugele.
  • 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. 

P

• Pime kana leiab ka tera.
  • Idiomatic translation: A blind may sometimes hit the mark.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 36. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Pisuke kala on suurema söömaeg.
  • 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: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 420. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Pole surma vastu ega rohtu ega ohtu.
  • Idiomatic translation: Death meets us everywhere.
  • Meaning: Don't take for granted that you will die old.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 694. ISBN 0415096243. 

S

• Sogases vees on hea kalu pűűda.
  • Translation: It is good fishing in streamy water.
  • English equivalent: It is good fishing in troubled waters.
  • Meaning: In taking advantage of chaotic conditions one can easily serve one's own purposes.
  • Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 391. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

V

• Vana arm ei kustu.
  • 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. 

• Vana hobune, varsa mõtted.
  • Meaning: Age will not refrain people from acting foolish and unprudent.
  • Idiomatic translation: Wisdom goes not always by years.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 39. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Valel on lühikesed jalad.
  • Translation: A lie has short legs.
  • Strauss (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 73. ISBN 0415160502. 

Ä

• Ära enne solgivett maha viska, kui puhas käes on.
  • Idiomatic translation: Cast no dirt into the well that gives you water.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 634. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Ära karu nahka enne ära müü, kui karu käes on.
  • Idiomatic translation: Don't sell the skin till you have caught the bear.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 641. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Ära tee sääsest härga.
  • Translation: Don't make an ox out of a fly.
  • English equivalent: Don't make a mountain out of a molehill.
  • Meaning: Don't make something momentous out of a trifle.
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 409. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.