“Slovak Sayings"

Taken from the pages of the “ Wisconsin Slovak.”

Spring, 2002 Issue:

 

“Lepšie s mudrim plaka, jak s bláznom tancova." 

  Better to cry with a wise person than to dance with a fool.  

 

“Kdo má plné brucho, hladnemu neverí."    

  The one with a full stomach doesn't believe the one who is hungry.

 

“Ked' je pálenka na stole, nemoc čaká pod stolom."

  When whiskey is on the table, illness waits under the table.

 

“Kdo chce dlho žit, musi vodu pit'."   

  Who wants a long life, must drink water.

 

Christmas, 2001 Issue:

 

“Kde sa moc pije, choroby otváraju dvere." 

  Where there is much drinking, illnesses enter the door.  

 

“Vetor je vzduch čo sa vel’me ponahlá."    

  Who believes everything is often disappointed.

 

“Lacné maso, riedka polievka."

  Cheap meat, thin soup.

 

“Od včely med, od hádky jed."   

  From the bee, honey;  from argument, anger.

 

“Zelené Vianoce, biela Velka Noc."   

  A green Christmas, a white Easter.

 

Autumn, 2001 Issue:

 

“Pri studenej kuchyni aj horuca laska zchladne." 

  In a cold kitchen, even hot love cools.  

 

“Kdo všetko veri, sklamany byva."   

  Who believes everything is often disappointed.

 

“O čom triezvy myslí, opitý to povie."

  What a sober person is thinking, a drunk one is saying.

 

“Neni každy svatý čo do kostola chodí."   

  Not everyone who goes to church is a saint.

 

Summer, 2001 Issue:

 

“Opity' sa aj starej koze klani.”

  A drunkard will bow even to an old goat.

 

“Najprv praca, potom pláca." 

  Who rises early in the morning is blessed by God.

 

“A nevieš jak robit, bieda tá nauči."  

  Where there is nothing, even the devil doesn’t take it.

 

Spring, 2001 Issue:

 

“Komu sa neleni, tomu sa zeleni.”

  Who is not lazy has everything come up green.

 

“Kdo včas rano vstava, Boh ho požehnáva.”

  Who rises early in the morning is blessed by God.

 

“Kde neni nič, ani čert nebere.”

  Where there is nothing, even the devil doesn’t take it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slovak Links