A strange way to say things
Every language, and indeed every locality has them. Some people call them idiomatic expressions. Others call them colloquialisms, or sayings, or just plain idioms. Our village and surrounding villages had words or expressions that may sound strange to others, but were used in everyday speaking. And everyone knew what they meant. Some were used to scold and some were used to show love. Here are some that a few elders from our village remember. If you can remember more, please pass along to us. We post these with love for our ancestors.
(More idioms to come.)
Sayings, Idioms, or Proverbs
(Not easily translatable verbatim)
1. “Zhivi magare za da pasish zelena treva”.
Stay alive donkey so that you may eat green grass in the spring.
Meaning: When you ignore the problems of the present and look hopefully to the future.
2. “Ah sho aro me naide”.
Ah what crazy (bad) thing caught me.
Meaning: I am doing too many wrong things.
3. “Toori mou pepul”.
Throw some ashes into it.
Meaning: It is not that important. Never mind.
4. “Tee na tatkoti nivata ne mozhish da mee a kazhish”.
You can’t show me your father’s plot (lot).
Meaning: I know more than you know.
5. “Tee deh odish, yas see greda”.
Wherever you are going, I have been there.
Meaning: I have been there and know more than you know
6. “Ot bulvata loy ne izvavash”.
You can’t get fat from a flea.
Meaning: One is a cheap person.
7. “Ee petelo yaytsa mou nesi”.
Even his rooster lays eggs.
Meaning: He is a lucky so-and-so.
8. “Se fati siromao na oroto, se skina tapano”.
The poor man started to lead the dance, the drum burst.
Meaning: When one fails to achieve his goal.
9. “Ee na guzo oko ima”.
He even has an eye on his behind (ass).
Meaning: He is very smart.
10. “Vulko vulnata si e furga, no oo yo ne go furga”.
The wolf sheds his fur but not his habits.
Meaning: A person does not change his ways.
11. “Zavurna snego see posipa tragite”.
The snow fell and covered up his tracks.
Meaning: When someone tries to hide his past.
12. “Na shoushata ee grado ardisva”.
In a drought even the hailstones are beneficial.
Meaning: When you don’t get what you expected.
13. “Oochee, oochee, tikva boochee”.
Teach, teach, the pumpkin is empty.
Meaning: You don’t learn anything no matter how much you teach.
14. “Oshe so nounkovata koshoula odish”.
You still wear you godfather’s shirt.
Meaning: You haven’t grown up yet.
15. “Go vlechee poyaso”.
He drags his belt (sash).
Meaning: He is looking for trouble.
16. “Da ne padnee skeparo do go oubie deteto”.
Lest the hatchet falls and kills the child.
Meaning: When a person is a pessimist.
17. “Raseepee koukya, napravee plemna”.
Destroy a house to build a barn.
Meaning: An achievement of much less value than your efforts.
18. “Ee steeso oushee ima”.
Even the walls have ears.
Meaning: obvious, be careful of what you say.
19. “Arizan kon na zubite ne se gleda”.
You don’t look a gifted horse in the mouth.
Meaning: Obvious, same as in American English.
20. “Ne se furliay gol vo koprivite”.
Don’t throw youself naked in the nettles.
Meaning: Don’t interfere in the arguments of others.
21. “Veede malko oorda, misli bachilo e”.
He saw some cottage cheese and thinks it is cheese making factory.
Meaning: When a person exaggerates his wealth.
22. “So gola ruka zmeeya ne se fatva”.
With bare hands you don’t catch a snake.
Meaning: When a person does not have sufficient means to do anything.
23. “So purdeshka yaytsa ne se vapsouvat”.
You don’t color eggs with a fart.
Meaning: You economize too much..
24. “Em ftesen, em besen”.
One is guilty but goes berserk.
Meaning: He does not admit his guilt.
The following were used either to scold or curse someone.
Scolding or Cursing Idioms, etc
| # | Idiom | Interpretation | Meaning</strong |
| 01 | Zmia da te kliukni
May a snake bite youYou are cursing your enemy 02Kourshoum da te oudri |
May a bullet strike you | You are wishing that he/she drop dead. |
| 03 | Da neh te imam
|
I wish I did not have you | Parent regrets having the child |
| 04 | Damla da te oodri
|
May a lightning strike you | Obvious, same as in English |
| 05 | Ot Gospod da see go naydish
|
May God find you | God will punish you |
| 06 | Tee se skurshee rukata?
|
Did you arm (hand) break? | Did your arm (hand) break, that you were not able to finish the job? |
| 07 | Evdovitsa da te vida
|
May I see you widowed | Wishing her to lose her husband and be widowed |
| 08 | A muri shoota!
|
You are a nutcase! | Does not behave normal.Not quite right in the head. ( shoota refers to a girl or woman) |
| 09 | Tehbeh tee go ispia oomo vrapsiteh
|
The birds drank your brain | You lost your mind. Not behaving normal |
| 10 | Glava imash a oom nemash
|
You have a head but you are missing your brain | You lost your mind. |
| 11 | Tehbeh neh tee sechi oomo
|
Your mind is not functioning right. | Your are not smart enough. You are stupid |
| 12 | Abre krivo durvo
|
You crooked person | You always do things the wrong way. |
| 13 | Durvo neh delano
|
Unfinished lumber | You are not polished enough |
| 14 | Neh keh se storish chovek
|
You are not going to be a man | It is impossible to make something out of you |
| 15 | Koy go zagina a tee da go naide?
|
Who lost it for you to find it? | It is not your thing |
| 16 | Abre Toorchin!
Abre Arnautin! |
You Turk! You Albanian! | You do things the Turkish (Albanian) way. (Neither the Turks or Albanians were beloved in the village) |
| 17 | Neh kerdosan
|
Without profit (benefit) | Useless person |
| 18 | So inka oom neh se toorva
|
Without a funnel you can not fill your brain | You cannot get anywhere |
| 19 | Ot tehbeh a eer nehma da vida
|
From you I see no benefit | You are a useless peson |
| 20 | Ako te fata pra keh te naprava
|
If I grab you I’ll make dust out of you. | Obvious. Wait until I catch you! |
The following were used to show love to close ones or encouragement.
Loving Idioms, etc
| # | Idiom | Interpretation | Meaning |
| 1 | Abre kootaleh na baba
|
Baba’s little puppy | Grandma likes this child |
| 2 | Abre maymoon
|
You little monkey | Praising the little child |
| 3 | Mush na dedo
|
Dehdo’s young man | Praising the little child |
| 4 | Zlato na baba
|
Baba’s gold | Grandma loves him like gold |
| 5 | Ot turn trandafil
|
From thistle to rose | 100% turn around |
| 6 | Stopan na maika
|
Mama’s master (breadwinner) | He undertook his responsibility |
| 7 | Aide breh milo
|
Let’s go my love | Encouraging the little child |
| 8 | Ah segah
|
Let’s do it now | Encouragement to do better |
Below this line.