Бог не выдаст, свинья не съест

Russian

Alternative forms

  • бог не вы́даст, свинья́ не съест (box ne výdast, svinʹjá ne sʺjest)
  • Бог не вы́даст — свинья́ не съест (Box ne výdast — svinʹjá ne sʺjest)
  • Госпо́дь не вы́даст, свинья́ не съест (Gospódʹ ne výdast, svinʹjá ne sʺjest)
  • конь не вы́даст, враг не съест (konʹ ne výdast, vrag ne sʺjest)

Etymology

Likely derived from an apocryphal Nativity story: when newborn Jesus was in the manger, a horse helped cover him in hay to hide him from Herod's men, while a pig tried to uncover him.

Literally, if God doesn't give us up, a pig won't eat us.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [box nʲɪ‿ˈvɨdəst | svʲɪˈnʲja nʲɪ‿ˈsjest] (phonetic respelling: Бох не вы́даст, свинья́ не съест)

Proverb

Бог не вы́даст, свинья́ не съест (Box ne výdast, svinʹjá ne sʺjest)

  1. never say die and hope for the best (expressing hope that one will find one's way out of a difficult or dangerous situation)
    • 1930, Г. А. Соломон, Среди красных вождей:
      Приготовься ― Бог не вы́даст, свинья́ не съест. Пиши о всех затруднениях и держи меня, по возможности, в курсе всех твоих шагов.
      Prigotovʹsja ― Box ne výdast, svinʹjá ne sʺjest. Piši o vsex zatrudnenijax i derži menja, po vozmožnosti, v kurse vsex tvoix šagov.
      Be prepared; never say die and hope for the best. Write to me about any problems and keep me, whenever possible, informed about all your steps.
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