Flemish proverbs
Flemish is a language similar to Dutch spoken in northern Belgium.
A
- Appeltje smaakt gemeenlik bomig.
- 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.
D
- Die noten woll smaken, die moet ze kraken.
- Idiomatic translation: No pain, no gain.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 680. ISBN 0415096243.
E
- Een blind man schiet somtijds wel een kraai.
- Idiomatic translation: A blind may sometimes hit the mark.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 36. ISBN 0415096243.
G
- Gebraden patrijsen komen niemand in de mond.
- 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.
M
- Men moet de huid niet willen verdelen voor dat de beer duud is.
- 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.
- Men nyght onder den boom, daermen te bet afheeft.
- 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.
- Met het fluitken gewonnen, met het trommelken verteerd.
- Idiomatic translation: Easy come, easy go.
- Meaning: Something good that enters your life easily, will also often leave quickly.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 762. ISBN 0415096243.
O
- Oud zo is duivels zot.
- Idiomatic translation: Wisdom goes not always by years.
- Meaning: Age will not refrain people from acting foolish and imprudently.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 39. ISBN 0415160502.
T
- Twist verguist, eendrecht maakt macht.
- Idiomatic translation: United we stand, divided we fall; Union is strength.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 79. ISBN 0415096243.