Чапаў пры разуме
Meaning: Born away from one’s senses; not very smart. This idiom is often used to describe a person who is considered foolish or lacking in common sense.
Я не магу зразумець, чаму ён так зрабіў – здаецца, што ён чапаў пры разуме.
З галоду не памрэ
Meaning: He/she won’t die of hunger; used to refer to someone who always manages to have enough food or means of subsistence, even if they aren’t wealthy or in a good situation.
Нягледзячы на яго скаргі, ён з галоду не памрэ.
І воўку сыт і авечкі цэлы
Meaning: Similar to the English idiom “To have one’s cake and eat it too,” this phrase is used to describe a situation where one can obtain or do two good things at the same time that are normally considered impossible to achieve together.
Ён знойдзе спосаб задаволіць абодва бакі – і воўку сыт і авечкі цэлы.
Трыццацкаротны бур
Meaning: An extremely noisy person; it refers to someone who is loud or makes a lot of fuss.
Калі ён уваходзіць у пакой, усё запаўняецца галасам трыццацкаротнага бура.
Каб мяч у тарбе не прапаў
Meaning: It’s not a waste to take precautions; an expression emphasizing the value of being prepared even if it seems unnecessary.
Я ўпакаваў доўгі плашч – каб мяч у тарбе не прапаў.
Як кабан на новыя вараты
Meaning: Like a boar at new gates; describes a person who is confused or doesn’t know how to handle a new situation or object.
Перад новай тэхналогіяй ён спыняецца як кабан на новыя вараты.
Як снег на галаве
Meaning: Like snow on one’s head; signifies something completely unexpected or a sudden problem.
Гэтая навіна прыйшла да яго як снег на галаве.
Лепей варана ў руцэ, чым журавель у небе
Meaning: A sparrow in the hand is better than a crane in the sky; it’s better to have a small but certain advantage than the possibility of a greater one that may come to nothing.
Я згодны працюваць тут, бо лепей варана ў руцэ, чым журавель у небе.
Understanding and using idioms appropriately can be a rewarding part of learning a new language. For learners of Belarusian, these idiomatic expressions serve not just to convey messages more vividly, but also to provide deeper cultural insights. Remember, language is not only a means of communication but also a reflection of the society and its values. By mastering idioms, one gets closer to thinking and articulating thoughts like a native speaker.