Proverbe românești - 8 (struggling to make the tradition live again)

Romanian
După faptă, și răsplată
Literal translation to English
After deed, reward too
English
According to each deed there is its reward
Well this short sentence hold a bit of an uncertainty in how to be translated, at least - I can see 2 ways: After (afterwards) any deed, there comes a reward also; or According to each deed there is a coressponding reward.In the end the both translations mean the same thing basically, which is the fact that there is no deed that you make, that won't have its reward, which can be regarded as a consequence. Of course, there are good and bad deeds, and the rewards can be good and bad too. Usually if the deed is bad, so will be the reward also. If the deed is good, ideally there will be a positive reward, or good consequences also. Therefore, in a pure selfish way, by which we guide ourselves in our lives, we should try spreading good deeds so that we attract good consequences on ourselves, good rewards. And we should try cutting on the bad deeds so that we diminish, reduce, the bad things around us. On the same level, we can try to persuade others to the the same, which will of course lead to a better world all around us, coz we can suffer, I guess, not only because of our bad deeds, but also because someone else's bad deeds. And similarily we can enjoy on the rewards that come from other's good deeds as well.
după = after, according to/ based on	time adverb / adverb of manner	time adverb: După cină vom pleca = After dinner we will leave; place adverb: Fereastra e după perdea  = The curtian is after the curtain; adverb of manner (?) 1: L-am recunoscut după cămașă = I've recognized him after the shirt; adverb of manner (?) 2: După gravitatea faptei, aș spune că va primi 3 ani de închisoare = According to the gravity of the deed/act/action, I would say that he will receive 3 years of jail
faptă = deed	noun	feminine: sg. faptă; pl. fapte.  (just like laudă)
și = and, too, also	conjunction
răsplată = deed	noun	feminine: sg. răsplată; pl. răsplăți

Two different types of deeds lead to two types of rewards.

Proverbe românești - 7 (trying to mentain tradition)

Romanian
Nu tot ce zboară se mănâncă
Literal translation to English
Not everything that flies is eaten
English
Not everything that flies can (should) be eaten
Soon after I posted my previous entry here, my previous proverb, well a few days later, we started talking about some weird things people believe. I don't remember the main issue discussed, but also brought up was "scientology". To keep it short, this proverb just suggests, in a quite plastic (artistic?) way, that not everything that can seem true, or can seem to bear explanations, is necessarily true. So many rumors and news and legends "fly" by our ears each day, throughout our lives, but we can't "eat" them all, we can't believe and accept them all for granted. Or maybe I should say "shouldn't". We have to learn about them, check them out, search for info and see which can be eaten - which are real and true; and which should be avoided - which are non-sense, made up things, false things. I think traditions, smaller or bigger, either just cultural & social or religious ones, get perpetuated and carried on, generations after generations (but a bit distorted maybe year after year), exactly because people are willing to accept things and take them for granted without pondering on them and using logic and deep thinking. There's just so many things flying around that shouldn't be eaten, and do us bad, but we just carry on hunting them down or opening our windows for them to drop on our kitchen table, stuff them in the oven and bake them for us and our kids and friends and relatives, past and future generations. If you know what I mean.
nu = doesn't, didn't, don't etc. (negating a verb or a proposition), no	adverb(?)	Like in Nu știu = I don't know
tot = everything (, all, whole)	indefinite pronoun	These pronouns can also become adjectives, maybe in this proverb it's an adjective? Defining which flying objects - all. sg., masc. tot; pl. masc. toți; sg. fem. toată; pl. fem. toate tot tortul = all the cake; toată casa = the whole house. As you know, there's also another way to use this word, like saying "ce faci? - bine, tu? - tot bine". Here it's like saying "[I am] also well"
ce = what, which/that	relative pronoun
a zbura = to fly	verb	zboară - 3rd person, sg. & pl., present tense
se = ???	reflexive pronoun	this time this doesnțt show that the action made is being supported or is done on the subject itself like in "mulți viteji se arată" or like in "ei se joacă". It's really complex and I myself don't know how to explain, neither could I even find much info about it online, but it's being used so, so much in Romanian. It can be used forming verbs that are somehow impersonal, like se pare că... = it seems that...; se știe că... = it is known that...; pizza se mănâncă cel mai bine cu ketchup = pizza is best eaten with ketchup
a mânca = to eat	verb	3rd person, sg./pl., present tense, se poate mânca = se mănâncă = can be eaten = is eaten

Not everything that flies is eaten? get it? flying pig? pig haraam? the amigurumi(?) piggie also has wings, white, harder to spot on that background.

Proverbe românești - 6 (we're cruising good so far)

Romanian
Lauda de sine nu miroase (a) bine!
Literal translation to English
The praise of self doesn't smell (of) good!
English
Self-praising (bragging) doesn't smell good!
I wish I would live by this proverb that I've known ever since I was a kid, for sure when I was in first grade. Many of the proverbs I knew since a child and I knew overall what they mean, though I might had used a lot of imagination when thinking about them. This is a metaphoric, quite...not visual, but olfactive (related to smell) way of suggesting how bad it is to brag. To praise yourself. I am linking this proverb with the two previous ones, the one with the mice bragging themselves with what they would do if the cat was still home, while they only dare to be so brave when she is not around. And with the one about the valiants showing themselves after the battle is over just to say they took part, or they would've done a better job. I think everything has limits, and it's normal to like to show off a bit with your accomplishments, to people you care about or about their opinion. It's good to let people know about what you did, they might want you to let them know. At the same time it's useful to gather some critics and opinions about what you've done. Like you showing beautiful crochet purses, or bracelets. Or me talking about projects or good jokes or pranks I did at work lol. I might find it natural to let a colleague or more know about how my magical function was included in a bigger template. Though this example might be closer to the limits. So I think there are limits. Maybe it's ok to brag a bit, once in a while, in a nice manner in which you remain humble and say you didn't expect it or it's still not so great. Instead of saying, of course I did it, I'm the best (well I talk like that but only in joking ways, I hope people understand lol). It might also be ok if you limit yourself to only people you are close with. I tend to consider many need to know about my smart thinking about work topics. I am so bad. I wish I'll learn to live by this proverb. Why do I seek other's approval? why do I need them to know I'm clever? I dont't know. Another thing I recently realized is: if you brag with something today, some time in the near future that thing you accomplished a while back, and bragged with, no longer seems so great to you. And it doesn't feel good feeling you bragged with something that is not even so great hehe. It's like you've set limits to yourself when you chose to brag about something, coz people might think, wow he brags with only this. Lol again about what people think. Plus when others brag in front of you they are really dislikeable, so I should remember that I am probably dislikable too when I brag, even if I am feeling good right then, I should let others praise me and make the moment really enjoyable by everyone not only by me. A good, respectable, honest and valuable man would let others praise him if the case, and might even dislike receiving praises from others. Besides, it seems immature to brag (like in the first pic below). And also, isn't it one of the 10 commandments - not to brag? :D
laudă = praise, brag	noun	feminine: sg. laudă; pl. laude
de = of (or sometimes: by, with, from)	preposition	usually forms adjectives: floare de cactus = flower of cactus; secție de poliție = section of police (literally) or police station
sine	reflexive pronoun	this is quite hard to explain, not even I understand the complex explanations lol, but it comes naturally with time, while talking Romanian, I hope; it's related with those "se" in "[El/Ea] se spală" (He/She's washing himself/herself) or "mă" in "[Eu] mă duc acasă" (I am going myself home...hmm maybe like I am taking myself home) El se laudă (pe sine) cu ce a făcut = He is praising himself (bragging) with what he did
nu = doesn't, didn't, don't etc. (negating a verb  or a proposition), no	adverb(?)	Like in Nu știu = I don't know
a mirosi = to smell / to sniff	verb	miroase = smells - 3rd person, sg. , masc. & fem. It can have 2 meanings: Eu miros floarea = I am smelling (sniffing?) the flower; Camera miroase frumos = the room smells beautifully (nicely)
bine = good	adverb of manner	Just like replying to ce faci = how are you, with (sunt) bine = (I'm) good/well. Or: (Tu) miroși bine = you smell good It can also become a noun, like binele din lume = the good in the world.

Proverbe românești - 5 (keep up, pick up what's easier)

Romanian
După război mulți viteji se arată!
Literal translation to English
After war many valiants(/brave people/heroes) show themselves up!
English
After the war (is over) many heroes show up!
The previous proverb with the mice showing up after the cat is gone reminded me of this proverb. The mice show themselves up, talk smack about the cat, dance and defy the cat only in her absence, after her leave. They're often throwing out there some bold statements like: "where's that cat now? if she was here I'd show her who the boss is! how dares she frighten us, who does she think she is? let her come now, oh if only she was here, I would tell her so many things and make her pay for everything! she will run crying, oh, too bad she is not here now!" Hehe, and people are like that too, often liking to show braveness not for what they have done but for how they like to even fool themselves that they would have acted. I too fall in this sad cateogry. "Oh I will tell my boss it's the last time I stay overtime, no matter what!" and then go and talk like a mouse. Sure this is not about a war that was, but it's similar. "Oh you didn't tell your boss you dislike the working conditions? ha ha, I pity you, if I was there I would have told him all my frustrations and make him change stuff around here!" Ya, right. And then the time comes, no need to say how I and others really act. In another way, more literally, this reminds me of the movie The Gladiator, which I only saw fully or >90% just recently. The bad, mischevious son showed up at the camp of the battle after it was won by his father, the Emperor, and his greatest general (which the son despised because his father loved that guy and not him). He tried to like take merits for the battle in front of the soldiers, he even said something to his father like "too bad I wasn't here to fight with you". Ha ha, why weren't you there if you were so brave? And why the need to praise yourself for something you didn't do, instead of waiting for the next chance to prove yourself? Waht better example than actions. Maybe words should follow actions, and not the other way around. Or better yet, you do the actions and let the other say the words about them, hopefully praising you. Yes, I think it is very low to not only praise yourself instead of letting others do it, if the case, while remaining humble. But at the same time actually praising yourself for something you didn't even do, and chances are you will not be able to actually do. And all is done at the cost of cutting the others merits, somehow berating them for not being as good as you would have been. Haha, really great. And now I realize that I would be probably very bad at inventing proverbs. I am not sure, sometimes I tried, maybe I suceeded, but I forget them lol. But It took me a lot of time and words to explain what this simple proverb succeeds to portray in just 6-7 words.
după= after	time adverb
război = war	noun	neutral: sg. - război  -> masc.; pl. - războaie -> fem.
mulți = many, lots of	adjective	Ha, the first adjective so far. Proverbs are really to the point. quantifier adjective?mult m.sg., mulți m.pl.; multă f.sg., multe f.pl. you might rememebr it from the "La mulți ani!" wish. Perhaps if you think of multi-touch devices you could rememebr it means many touches
viteaz = valiant, brave  one, curageous, hero	noun ……….. ……...adjective	sg., masc.; viteji = pl., masc; Here it's a standalone noun but usually it's an adjective. I bet you don't know but one of the greatest leaders of Romanians, who fought against the Ottomans at ~1600 C.E. was Mihai Viteazul = Michael the Brave
a (se) arăta = to show  (up themselves)	verb	3rd person, sg. & pl., masc. & fem. With se it means it is in reflexive form - they show themselves up; without se, it just means to show something

Proverbe românești - 4 (easier and funnier)

Romanian
Când pisica nu-i acasă, șoarecii joacă pe masă
English
When the cat is not at home, the mice are playing/dancing on [the] table
Hehe, I liked to imagine this proverb visually when I was very little, at my grandparents' house. The mice are so funny and snealy, as soon as the cat goes out, maybe shopping lol, they run out of their holes and start dancing and yelling happy sounds on the table, throwing a paryt coz they are so happy. They defy the cat and talk smack about her(it), mock her, but only as long as she is gone :D That reminds me of another proverb, which I mightwrite thenext time hehe. This applies in real life, for example if one would only eat lunch in the living room, at TV, when the house owner is not at home coz that would annoy he house owner :D Kids are more "cuminte" in the class when the teacher is inisde, workers work harder or more when the boss is around, siblings might postpone fighting until the parents leave the room, and so on :) I guess naughty kids these days actually throw a party when the parents go in trips, hehe, but not me.
când = when	time adverb
pisică = cat	noun	plural: pisici = cats
nu = negating a verb  or a proposition, no	adverb(?)
-i, e , este  = is (from a fi = to be)	verb	3rd person, sg., present tense, infinitive is "a fi = to be"; comes from archaic form îi = e, este (to be)
acasă = (own) home	noun	(or ??) place adverb
șoarice = mouse	noun	plural: șoareci = mice; but you can safely say șoarici, it's very used and easier to pronounce
(se) joacă = (are playing) are dancing	verb	3rd person, sg./pl., present tense, infinitive is "a (se) juca = to (play) dance"; a se juca is the usual form and it means to play (themselves), without "se" it can mean to dance (traditional popular dances lol)
pe = on	preposition
masă = table, meal	noun	plural: mese = tables, meals

Proverbe românești - 3 (a bit too hard)

Romanian
Ce ție nu-ți place, altuia nu-i face!
English
What for you you don't like, to another don't do to him!
Things are getting pretty serious, sorry for the hard grammar and words, sentence; I had this one in mind because of the recent events in my life lol. Translating it into English is not hard, but translating it while somehow trying to do it literally, word by word, is almost impossible, and I didn't do a great job. You will notice that somehow the pronouns are doubled, for "you/to you" and "to another/to him", this is quite usual in Romanian, and here it's, I guess, to underline more about the difference of attitude between persons.         Don't do to others what you don't like for yourself! simple as that. It should be intuitive, kan? for each and everyone of us, that if you want a better world, where people treat you right, and you want to take part in that world, then obviously you also have to treat people right. How can you dare asking car drivers tohave patience when you cross the road or when you are biking, if when you also get behind the wheel, you horn like crazy and yell or curse at people crossing the road too slowly or bikers using the same road as you. If you want people to consider your opinions, to let you finish your ideas, then let others finish their ideas when it's their turn, and consider their ideas as well. There are countless examples. If I want understanding from you, or appreciation, then I should (first?) learn to understand and appreciate you.         Maybe you have to deserve to get to be treated right, and you earn that right when you also treat people right. How do you know that you are hurting someone? you know because your brain thinks "hey that would hurt me if someone did it to me". And yet we continue doing it, somehow glad that it's not us being poked but the ones to poke.         But actually, not everyone likes what you like. What you might dislike, others might really love, and what you might like, others might hate :P
ce = what, which	relative pronoun
a plăcea = to like	verb
a face = to do, to make	verb
ție = to you, thee	personal pronoun	2nd person, sg., dative, accentuated form Related to    tu = you
altuia = to another	indefinite pronoun	sg., masc., genitive - dative Related to    alt = other; altul =an other, the other
îți, -ți  = to you	personal pronoun	2nd person, sg., dative, accentuated form Related to    tu = you
îi, -i  = to him	personal pronoun	3rd person, sg., masc., dative, NOT unaccentuated form Related to  el = he,him; lui = to him
nu = negating a verb  or a proposition, no	adverb(?)

Proverbe românești - 2 (taking off!)

Romanian
Nu lăsa pe mâine ce poți face azi!
English
Don't let on tomorrow what you can do today!
It clearily means that you (yes, you = you, Wiwit! :P) shouldn't postpone on tomorrow the tasks that you are able to do today. I guess it's because, and I found it out "on my own skin" so many, many times, who knows what will keep you from succeeding in doing it tomorrow, and then the day after tomorrow and so on. And you can end up not being able to do important things that needed your attention, just because you were too lazy to do them when you were able. This is a very straight foroward saying, and it's very sound and clear, and true! And yet, I myself never learn this lesson, no matter how many times I prove it to be correct... argh!
ce = what, which	relative pronoun
a lăsa = to let, to leave	verb
a putea = to be able, can , may	verb
azi , astăzi = today	time adverb
mâine = tomorrow	time adverb
nu = negating a verb or a proposition, no	adverb(?)