Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Swedish Proverbs

A friend sent me her book of poetry and it is in Swedish. So I am reading Swedish proverbs hoping to learn a few words. This would be a hilarious way to learn a language.

Den som aldrig har tid är den som uträttar minst.
Translation: He who never has time accomplishes the least.

Den som gräver en grop åt andra faller ofta själv däri. (Often shortened to "den som gräver en grop åt andra...")
Translation: He who digs a pit for others, often falls into it himself.

Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder.
Translation: There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.

Det man förlorar på gungorna tar man igen på karusellen.
Translation: What you lose at the swings you take back at the merry-go-round.

Det som börjar med en knappnål slutar oftast med en silverskål
Translation: What starts with a needle usually ends with a silver bowl.
English equivalent: He that steals an egg will steal an ox.
Meaning: Crimes tend to escalate.

Efter regn kommer solsken.
Translation: After rain comes sunshine.
Meaning: Hard times seldom last forever.

Delad glädje är dubbel glädje (och delad sorg är halv sorg).
Translation: Shared joy is twice the joy (and shared grief is half the grief).

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Swedish_proverbs

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