Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: The meaning of these phrases

  1. #1
    Завсегдатай kalinka_vinnie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Sunnyvale, Cali
    Posts
    5,771
    Rep Power
    19

    The meaning of these phrases

    What the фигня does these sentences mean? Not literal translations but the смысл behind them

    На безрыбье сама раком станешь

    Зачем мне чины, когда нет ветчины

    мужчина, как загар, сначала пристаёт к женщине, потом смывается

    Hei, rett norsken min og du er død.
    I am a notourriouse misspeller. Be easy on me.
    Пожалуйста! Исправляйте мои глупые ошибки (но оставьте умные)!
    Yo hablo español mejor que tú.
    Trusnse kal'rt eturule sikay!!! ))

  2. #2
    Почётный участник
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    77
    Rep Power
    13
    That's not фигня but meaningful phrases (although, a little humorous)

    На безрыбье сама раком станешь
    It's a derivation of the proverb "На безрыбье и рак рыба". You can understand it as you like to

    Зачем мне чины, когда нет ветчины
    Do you remember the motivational hierarchy of Maslow? When you have nothing to eat, even a high-fly position in the society won't make you satisfied.

    мужчина, как загар, сначала пристаёт к женщине, потом смывается
    It's a pun around the word "смываться" (literary "wash off", conversational "slip away"). As you understand, sunburn always washes off, while a man slips away (although, not always)

  3. #3
    Властелин
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    french camp
    Posts
    1,234
    Rep Power
    15
    I'd like to elaborate on the first one. Well, you see, the proverb "На безрыбье и рак рыба" basically means "In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king". On the other hand, "(в)стать раком" is to assume a sexual position, doggy-style if you insist on specifics (don't use the expression casually).

    So, in the nutshell, the equivalent of the joke would be something like growing this one-eyed creature herself if there are no kings to take care of her. Other versions acceptable.
    I've got a TV, and I'm not afraid to use it

  4. #4
    Завсегдатай kalinka_vinnie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Sunnyvale, Cali
    Posts
    5,771
    Rep Power
    19
    I see, I see! Thanks!

    So, the first one could be translated like: In the kingdom of blind, even you are attractive?
    Hei, rett norsken min og du er død.
    I am a notourriouse misspeller. Be easy on me.
    Пожалуйста! Исправляйте мои глупые ошибки (но оставьте умные)!
    Yo hablo español mejor que tú.
    Trusnse kal'rt eturule sikay!!! ))

  5. #5
    Почтенный гражданин
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Astrakhan, Russia
    Posts
    159
    Rep Power
    13
    My attempt: "In the kingdom of the blind you are even ready to стать раком to attract the one-eyed man"

  6. #6
    Завсегдатай
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Северо-Восточный Администритивный Округ.
    Posts
    3,471
    Rep Power
    18
    Quote Originally Posted by Rostova
    My attempt: "In the kingdom of the blind you are even ready to стать раком to attract the one-eyed man"
    In english its something like "When the world is blind the one eyed man is king"
    Вот это да, я так люблю себя. И сегодня я люблю себя, ещё больше чем вчера, а завтра я буду любить себя to ещё больше чем сегодня. Тем что происходит,я вполне доволен!

  7. #7
    Завсегдатай kalinka_vinnie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Sunnyvale, Cali
    Posts
    5,771
    Rep Power
    19
    Quote Originally Posted by Dogboy182
    Quote Originally Posted by Rostova
    My attempt: "In the kingdom of the blind you are even ready to стать раком to attract the one-eyed man"
    In english its something like "When the world is blind the one eyed man is king"
    Right, that is what adoc said in his post. Rostova's is just an amusing alternative to explain the russian expression I mentioned. I am going to use it in my next russian conversation
    Hei, rett norsken min og du er død.
    I am a notourriouse misspeller. Be easy on me.
    Пожалуйста! Исправляйте мои глупые ошибки (но оставьте умные)!
    Yo hablo español mejor que tú.
    Trusnse kal'rt eturule sikay!!! ))

  8. #8
    Завсегдатай
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Северо-Восточный Администритивный Округ.
    Posts
    3,471
    Rep Power
    18
    Quote Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
    Quote Originally Posted by Dogboy182
    Quote Originally Posted by Rostova
    My attempt: "In the kingdom of the blind you are even ready to стать раком to attract the one-eyed man"
    In english its something like "When the world is blind the one eyed man is king"
    Right, that is what adoc said in his post. Rostova's is just an amusing alternative to explain the russian expression I mentioned. I am going to use it in my next russian conversation
    Well wah wah wah i said what someone else said already, its not like no one ever does it to me.
    Вот это да, я так люблю себя. И сегодня я люблю себя, ещё больше чем вчера, а завтра я буду любить себя to ещё больше чем сегодня. Тем что происходит,я вполне доволен!

  9. #9
    Почтенный гражданин
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Astrakhan, Russia
    Posts
    159
    Rep Power
    13
    Quote Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
    I am going to use it in my next russian conversation
    There is pretty dangerous experiment. Tell us about the results please

  10. #10
    Властелин
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Сварга
    Posts
    1,391
    Rep Power
    15
    Quote Originally Posted by Al Polonski
    мужчина, как загар, сначала пристаёт к женщине, потом смывается
    It's a pun around the word "смываться" (literary "wash off", conversational "slip away")
    Приставать has double meaning too.

Similar Threads

  1. What is the meaning of...
    By PunkyBabyJr in forum Translate This!
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: November 16th, 2009, 12:37 AM
  2. What is the meaning of
    By ahmed sujau in forum Translate This!
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: April 2nd, 2009, 10:05 PM
  3. please help with meaning?
    By nice_melons in forum Translate This!
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: February 10th, 2009, 07:12 PM
  4. Meaning?
    By Trzeci_Wymiar in forum Translate This!
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: February 22nd, 2008, 06:17 PM
  5. same meaning?
    By basurero in forum Grammar and Vocabulary
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: July 8th, 2005, 07:14 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


Russian Lessons                           

Russian Tests and Quizzes            

Russian Vocabulary