What are some (non-English) idioms, and what do they mean (both literally and in context)? Odd ones, your favorite ones - any and all are welcome. :)
For example, in English I might call someone a “good egg,” meaning they’re a nice person. Or, if it’s raining heavily, I might say “it’s raining cats and dogs.”
In Norwegian we say “helt sylta” (“completely pickled”) when we have a very stuffy nose. I tried using that idiom when calling out of work in the US once, and was informed that I had just told them I was too drunk to go to work!
In Piedmontese (northern Italian dialect):
“To be mounted over squared ball bearing” = to be really strange, not as other people
“Horse brand” = a product of an unknown low quality brand
“To beat the goat” = throw a tantrum
Sorry for the necro, but i need to contribute:
In Southern Sardinian, su schiron’e linna in sa domu 'e ferreri(the wooden skewer in the smith’s house): something completely out of place.
Also from Piemonte I’ve never heard the horse brand one but “three hens brand” was used regularly when I was a kid.
My favourite though is “Coma na barca ant el bòsch”, like a boat in the woods
Italian here (Veneto) How do you say it in your dialect? The ball bearing one. I really can’t translate it myself into something that could make sense to me.
“esse montà 'n sle bije quadre”, and the literal translation in italian is “essere montato sulle biglie (cuscinetti a sfera) quadre”
Fun question! There’s an abundance in Vietnamese. Usually used by parents and/or old folk (I can hear it now…)
Mèo khen mèo dài đuôi — Literal translation “cat praises cat’s long tail.” A way of expressing narcissism.
Uống nước nhớ nguồn — Literal translation is “drink water, remember roots.” So you’d pause, reflect, and remember where you came from.
Gieo gió gặt bão— Literal translation is “sow winds, weather storms.” A way of saying “you reap what you sow.”
Có công mài sắt có ngày nên kim — Literal translation “Perseverance grinds iron some day into needles.” Used like “practice makes perfect.”
Trời có mắt — Literal translation “Heaven has eyes.” Usually used when someone’s wronged, but don’t worry - heaven is watching.
Gần mực thì đen, gần đèn thì sáng — Literal translation “near the ink it blackens, near the lamp it lights.” You’re influenced by those you’re around.
Nuôi ong tay áo — Literal translation “raise bees in shirtsleeve.” As in “to nurture a snake in one’s bosom,” kindness will be met by betrayal.
