Thread: 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

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)

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 see, I see! Thanks!

So, the first one could be translated like: In the kingdom of blind, even you are attractive?

My attempt: "In the kingdom of the blind you are even ready to стать раком to attract the one-eyed man"

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"

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

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

Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

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.

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

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.