Делу время, потехе час
With accent marks:
Де́лу вре́мя, поте́хе час.
Translation:
Time for business, an hour for fun.
Meaning:
This is the expression of the Russian Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich (1629 - 1676) written by him in a book dedicated to falconry.
Meaning: most of the time shoud be dedicated to business (work) and duties, and less time - to entertainment.
It is usually said as a reminder to a person who, having fun, forgets about his duties.
Other Russian proverbs
-
Бесплатный сыр только в мышеловке
Free cheese is only in a mousetrap.
-
Silent means consent.
-
The best is the enemy of the good.
-
За двумя зайцами погонишься – ни одного не поймаешь
If you are chasing two hares at once, you won’t catch a single one.
-
There is no smoke without fire.
-
Some to the forest, some for firewood.
-
Яблоко от яблони недалеко падает
The apple never falls far from the tree.
-
Терпи, казак – атаманом станешь!
Be patient, Cossack - you will become an ataman!
Subscribe and receive notifications about new Russian proverbs in your inbox
