10 Russian proverbs & idioms about winter and frost
The longest season of the year has left a rich mark on folk life and language. We’ve put together a handy list of some of the most common Russian proverbs and sayings about cold weather! Brrr!
1. Что летом родится, то зимой пригодится
What is born in summer will come in handy in winter.
In Old Russia, there were many variations of such sayings. But, the meaning is always the same: You must work hard in summer, so you won’t be in need during winter.
2. Не страшна зима, коли есть корма
Winter is not scary, if you have fodder.
If you’re prepared and have stocked up supplies, you can survive the winter peacefully.
3. Зима без мороза не бывает
There’s no winter without frost.
A simple truth that people sometimes forget.
4. Зима без трёх подзимков не бывает
Winter doesn’t come without three “early frosts”.
‘Podzimki’ are the first frosts. It was believed that about 40 days always pass from the first frosts and the first snow until real winter.
5. Снег – крестьянское богатство
Snow is a peasant’s wealth.
Another saying goes: “Snow is cold, but it shields from frost!” Covering the ground, it protects fertile soil from freezing.
6. В зимний холод всякий молод
In winter’s cold, everyone is young.
To keep warm, you need to move faster, so everyone becomes more active, as if in their youth.
7. У февраля два друга – метель да вьюга
February has two friends – snowstorm and blizzard.
February is considered the harshest month of winter and was even dubbed “the fierce one”. Though the shortest, it often turns out the coldest and windiest.
8. Береги нос в большой мороз
Protect your nose in the big frost.
Russian has many sayings warning you to guard your nose in winter: “Frost grabs the lazy by the nose”, “The frost may be small, but it reddens the nose”.
9. Готовь сани летом, а телегу – зимой
Prepare the sled in summer and the cart in winter.
Another simple truth – everything should be prepared in advance.
10. Любишь кататься, люби и саночки возить
If you love to ride, then also love pulling the sled back up.
Every child has heard this at least once in winter, when, after sliding down a hill, they have to drag the sled back up.
