Old Words, Big Lessons—Proverbs from Ukraine
Ukrainian proverbs are short, wise, and full of charm. They’ve been passed down from grandparents to grandchildren and still fill conversations, songs, and stories today. For kids learning Ukrainian, proverbs offer a fun way to pick up vocabulary and understand the heart of the culture.
These tiny sentences teach big ideas—like kindness, patience, and courage. Here are a few popular ones:
- Без праці нема плода (Bez pratsi nema ploda) – Without work, there is no fruit. (Hard work pays off.)
- Друзі пізнаються в біді (Druzi piznaiutsia v bidi) – Friends are known in trouble. (True friends show up when it counts.)
- Слово — не горобець (Slovo — ne horobets’) – A word is not a sparrow. (Once spoken, you can’t take it back.)
These proverbs are easy for children to memorize, and many come with rhymes or rhythm that make them even more fun to repeat. They appear in cartoons, classroom posters, and even lunchbox notes.
Language platforms like Dinolingo introduce learners to meaningful, real-life language like this—helping them connect words with values.
Try These Fun Activities
Proverb Poster
Choose a Ukrainian proverb, draw a scene that matches its meaning, and write the proverb underneath in both Ukrainian and English.
Match the Meaning Game
Say a proverb aloud in Ukrainian. Can your child guess its meaning or give an example when it’s true?
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