Как аукнется, так и откликнется
With accent marks:
Как ау́кнется, так и откли́кнется.
Translation:
What goes around comes around.
Meaning:
As you treat others, so they will treat you.
This proverb is hard to translate literally. "Аукнется" comes from the sound "ау" that Russian people use to find each other in a forest. "Аукнется" is only used in this proverb, you don't find this word anywhere else. So a close to literal translation can be as follows: as you say "ау", you will receive the same response back.
Other Russian proverbs
-
A holy place is never empty.
-
Чем дальше в лес, тем больше дров
The further into the forest, the more firewood is there.
-
По одёжке встречают, по уму провожают
You are greeted by your clothes but bid farewell by your mind.
-
Бесплатный сыр только в мышеловке
Free cheese is only in a mousetrap.
-
When I eat I am deaf and mute.
-
Кто рано встаёт, тому бог подает
(lit.) Whoever gets up early, God gives him
-
Being a guest is good, but being at home is better.
-
Time for business, an hour for fun.
Subscribe and receive notifications about new Russian proverbs in your inbox
