Circassian

Proverbs & Sayings

Circassian Proverbs & Sayings
Адыгэ псалъэжьхэри
псалъафэхэри

Collected by Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ and Amjad Jaimoukha

Зэхуэзыхьэсар: КъардэнгъущI Зырамыку, Жэмыхъуэ Амджэд

Translated and edited

by
Amjad M. Jaimoukha

ЗезыдзэкIар, редакцие зыщIар

Жэмыхъуэ Мыхьмуд и къуэ Амджэдщ (Амыщщ)

Sanjalay Book Press

Сэнджэлей тхылъ тедзапIэ
2009

1
Circassian Culture & Folklore

First published 2009

by

© 2009 Amjad Jaimoukha

Typeset in

Printed and bound in by

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced

or utilised in any form or by electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or
in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publishers.

A catalogue record for this document is available from

( )

ISBN

2
Contents

Introduction

On the fatherland, patriotism, history, war & peace

On etiquette, counseling, education & knowledge
Outlook on life
On human character & relationships
On family matters, relations, friendship & love
On Circassian folklore
On work
On opposites
On hospitality, festal ceremonies & foodstuffs
On greetings & salutes
Other miscellaneous proverbs
Other sayings
Yet more proverbs & sayings
English expressions explained in Circassian

Appendices:
The Circassians
The Circassian language
Latinized Kabardian alphabet
Circassian lexicography
Bibliography & References
Other works by author

3
Introduction

There has been a considerable revival of interest in Circassian issues

since the start of the new millennium. Many books and articles on
Circassian matters were published in the last few years.
The principal pillars of Circassian culture are language, literature,
ancient tales and legends (including the now famous Nart epics), the
corpus of proverbs and sayings, the sacred and lay toasts, folklore,
customs and traditions, historical and folkloric songs and music, dance,
and the ancient system of beliefs and world outlook.
The study of the proverbs and sayings of a people sheds a bright
light on its ethos and cultural traits. The experiences of a nation are the
fertile ground from which wisdom and sagacity are reaped. The proverbs
and sayings are the sweet pickings of the rich harvest. The customs and
traditions are encapsulated in its proverbs and sayings. No two nations
have exactly the same experiences, for each people have a unique
outlook on life shaped by history and the environment. Yet, common
human condition gives rise to many similarities. These commonalities
and differences are reflected in the corpus of proverbs.
There are thousands of proverbs and sayings that the Circassians
have coined throughout the ages. There are some 3,000 entries in this
collection, which constitutes the basic core of the corpus of Circassian
proverbs and sayings. The equivalents and meanings of the entries in
English are given. In some instances, the proverbs are also given in Latin
script.1 The meanings of difficult words are given for linguistic benefit.
The entries are in literary Kabardian2 (except in the section "Other
Sayings"), which is an official language in both the Kabardino-Balkarian
Republic and the Karachai-Cherkess Republic in the Russian Federation.
The alphabetical arrangement is in accordance with the standard used in
literary Kabardian.3 The Circassian language is made up of Eastern and
Western language groups. All Circassian dialects are mutually
intelligible (with time). Eastern Circassian is composed of Kabardian
and Beslanay. Kabardian in Kabardino-Balkaria is divided into four sub-

1
See Appendix 3 for a proposed Latin orthography for Kabardian.
2
In Cyrillic alphabet.
3
See Appendix 3 for Cyrillic alphabet of literary Kabardian.

4
dialects named after the main rivers in the Republic: Malka, Bakhsan,
Terek, and Chegem. Some authorities divide the language into Greater
and Lesser Kabardian, the dialects spoken in Kabardato the west and east
of the Terek, respectively. Lesser Kabardian is also informally called
Jilax’steney. Outside the nominal republic there are two more dialects,
one spoken by the Christian community in Mozdok (Mezdegw) in North
Ossetia, and Kuban Kabardian, which is spoken in the Adigean Republic
in a few villages.4
In the section ‘Other Sayings’ the entries are also in literary
Kabardian but in Latin orthography, and, as such, they are arranged
alphabetically in accordance with the rules used in the English language.
The main sources used in this book are: Adige Psalhezchxer
(Circassian Proverbs), collected by Ziramikw P. Qardenghwsch’
(Nalchik: Elbrus Publishing House, 1982), and English-Kabardian-
Russian Phrase[ological] Dictionary, A[natoli] G[uzerovich] Emouzov
(Nalchik: The Kabardino-Balkarian Institute for Raising the Level of the
Academic Proficiency of the Spiritual Legacy of the Orient, 1992).
Teachers of Circassian in schools in the Caucasus and the diaspora
(and the concerned educational authorities) can elect to make this book
part of the curriculum, whereby the students are subtly directed to
appreciate the beauty of the Circassian language through learning by rote
selected proverbs and sayings (and their equivalents in English, therefore
doubling the benefit). It is suitable for students from the elementary
stage to university level. By associating Circassian with the current
global language, namely English, the perception of the importance of the
Circassian language shall be enhanced in the eyes of the students.

4
For more information on the Circassian language, refer to Appendix 2.

5
 On the Fatherland, Patriotism,
History, War and Peace

(Тхыдэм, зауэм, мамырыгъэм, адэ хэкур

фIыуэ лъагъуным теухуа псалъэжьхэр)

Бланэ щалъху йокIуэлIэж: The elk returns to its place of birth.

Дауэ делэгу щыIэщи, зауэ делэгу щыIэкъым: A foolish soul may

also engage in an argument, but not in war.
Ди унэжь пхъэжь мафIэ (Уи дей хуэдэ щыIэкъым, жыхуиIэщ.
There is nothing like home): East or West, home is best.
Дыгъужь ущышынэмэ, мэз умыкIуэ: (If you are afraid of wolves,
don’t go into the forest) 1. He that feareth every bush must never
go a-birding; 2. He that is afraid of wounds must not come near a
battle.
Дыгъужьыр бгъашхэ пэтми, мэзымкIэ маплъэ: Even if you feed
the wolf, it still yearns for the forest; the wolf is wild at heart.
ДыIуохьэри даукI, дыIуокIри дауб (Зауэм щыIухьэкIэ,
къэрабгъэщ жаIэу зрамыгъэубын щхьэкIэ, зыкърагъэукIыу
зэрыщытам псалъэжьыр къыхэкIащ): If we join the battle they
kill us, if we leave they condemn us.
Джатэ и щIагъ нанэ щыIэкъым: War is for real men, not milksops.
Джатэр ижмэ щабэщ: If the sword is unsheathed things become more
malleable.
Дзэм иуфэкъа лъахэрэ: Said of a region denuded by an army.
Дзэм хамэ хэткъым: There cannot be aliens in an army.
Дзыгъуэ пэтрэ и гъуэ щылIыхъужьщ (еплъ аргуэру Хэкужьыхьэ
лъэщщ): (Even the mouse is a hero in his hole) 1. Every dog is
lion at home; 2. Every dog is valiant at his own door; 3. A cock is
valiant on his own dunghill.

Ем щыгъуэ бжьэдыгъур зэшщ: (In bad times, even the Bzhedugh is

a brother; Bzhedugh=member of a Circassian tribe in Western
Circassia, nowadays in the Adigean Republic) 1. A drowning man
clutches at straws; 2. Any port in a storm.

Зауэ джэгурэ дауэ джэгурэ щыIэкъым: War is no game.

Зауэм и кIэр хьэдагъэщ: War brings mourning in its wake.

6
ЗауэфIрэ дауэфIрэ щыIэкъым: There are no such things as a good
war and a good dispute.

Истамбылыжьым имыкIыр щIолIэ, икIар йолIыхь (Уэкъуоу и

псалъэу жаIэ. Уэкъуоу – джэгуакIуэшхуэу, акъылыфIэу
щытащ. И пщым истамбылакIуэхэм яхэту здришати тыркухэм
я зэхэтыкIэр игу иримыхьу яхуэусэри къэкIуэсэжащ.
ЛIэжыхукIэ и хэкум щыпсэужащ): It is said that these were
Weqwow’s words. Weqwow was a great minstrel of sharp
intellect. His prince took him to the Ottoman lands at the time of
exodus in the 19th century. The bard was not very impressed with
his new position and he wrote these words to this effect. He went
back to Circassia, whence he stayed till his dying day.

Къэрабгъэр и кIэм щощтэж: (The coward is frightened by his own

tail) The coward dreads his own shadow.
Къэрабгъэр тIоулIэщ: Cowards die many times before their death.
Къигъэ нэхърэ игъыкI.

Кхъуэм хэку ищIэркъым: The pig knows no native land.

ЛIыгъэ щIапIэ лIы икIуадэркъым (КIуэдами, лIыгъэ лIэужь

къегъанэ, и цIэ къонэ, жыхуиIэщ): Even after death, his heroism
will live forever.

МафIэм сахуэ ещIри дзэм шхахуэ ищIыркъым (МафIэ=fire;

сахуэ=ash; шхахуэ=left-overs; orts).
МацIэр зыпхыкIа хадэрэ: A garden subjected to a swarm of locusts.
Мысостхэ ямейр ягъэфI, я фIыр яшхыж (Мысостхэ –
къэбэрдеипщхэм ящыщ зы лъэпкъыу щытащ. The Misosts were
one of the princely families in Kabarda).
Мыщэм ущышынэмэ, мэз умыкIуэ: (If you are afraid of bears,
don’t go into the forest) 1. He that feareth every bush must never
go a-birding; 2. He that is afraid of wounds must not come near a
battle.

Парипых уихуэ (Парипыхыр щIыпIэцIэщ. Балъкъ Iуфэрэ

Псыхъурей къуажэ щIыбымрэ я зэхуакурщ. Къэрэкъэщкъэтау
зауэм щыгъуэ къэбэрдейм къытеуауэ щыта тургъутхэр
Парипых деж къэбэрдейхэм хьэлэч зэрыщащIыгъам
псалъэжьыр къытекIащ. Pariypix is a place name. It lies between
the banks of the Balhq (Malka River) and the back of the village of
Psix’wrey. During the war of Qereqeschqetaw an epic battle was

7
 fought here between the invading Turghwt—ancestors of
Kalmyks—and the Kabardians, in which the latter were routed,
and hence the saying. In the first part of the 16th century, a
combined force of the Turghwt (ancestors of the Kalmyk) and
Tatars of Tarki engaged the Kabardians at the confluence of the
Malka and Terek rivers. The first encounter went the way of the
former party, the Circassians retreating to the Psigwensu River.
The Turghwt overwhelmed the entrenched Circassians, who were
forced to take refuge in the mountains. At the third meeting, the
Circassian forces were on the verge of a total rout when a
contingent of 2,000 warriors came to the rescue, and the tide of
battle turned. The Turghwt were driven out and all Circassian
lands were restored. The battle scene was also named
‘Qereqeschqetaw’, which means ‘fleeing to the mountains’ in
Tatar).

Сотей зэхудипIалъэщ: Sotey is our rendezvous.

Тамтаркъей (Тамтаркъай) ухъу!: see next entry.

Тамтаркъей и махуэр къыпхукIуэ (Адыгэхэм Тамтаркъей
[Тмутаракань] пщыгъуэр зэрызэхакъутэгъам псалъэжьыр
къытекIащ. Еплъ Нэгумэ, Ш. Б., «Адыгэ народым и тхыдэ», н.
120. ‘May the lot of Tamtarkan befall you!’ Refers to the
destruction of the Russian Principality of Tmutarakan by the
Circassians in the 11th century AD. See Sh. B. Nogmov’s History
of the Adigey People, Nalchik, 1958, p120).

Туб хьэсэ гуэшым уахэмытамэ, уабазэхэкъым: If you were not at

the sharing of lots on the Tub Lot, you are not an Abzakh.

УэфIым и ужьыр уэлбанэщ, зауэм и ужьыр хьэдагъэщ: After

good weather comes foul; war brings mourning in its wake.
Уи нэ къеIэм и псэ еIэж: He who tries to gouge your eye tear out his
soul.
Укъыщалъхуари зы махуэщ, ущылIэжынущ зы махуэщ: You
were born once, and you will die once.
Урысрэ Бахъсэнрэ зымыбгынэр хэкум жылагъуэу къинэжынщ.

Хамэ хэку сыщытхъэ нэхъ си хэкужь сыщылIэ: Better to die in

one’s homeland than to thrive without it.
Хамэ ущие тхьэмахуэщ, хабзэ хьэху махуищщ.
Хамэр гъэшэраши унэр гъэшэрыуэ.

8
Хамэхьэр къохьэри унэхьэр иреху: The foreign dog comes into the
house and kicks out the house dog.
Хэкужьыхьэ лъэщщ: 1. Every dog is lion at home; 2. Every dog is
valiant at his own door; 3. A cock is valiant on his own dunghill.
Хэкужьыхьэрэ пэт и унэм щылъэщщ: 1. Every dog is lion at home;
2. Every dog is valiant at his own door; 3. A cock is valiant on his
own dunghill.
Хэкуншэр унэркъым: He who has no homeland does not prosper.
Хэкуншэр кIуэдыпхъэщ: He who has no homeland is prone to be
lost.

Хьэндыркъуакъуэ пэт сызыхэс псыр кууащэрэт, жеIэ

(Hendirqwaqwe pet sizixes psir kwuwascheret, zhei’e): (Even a
frog wishes to live in deeper waters) Fish seeks deeper waters,
man seeks a better place.
Хьэндыркъуакъуэрэ пэт «сызыхэс псыр куууащэрэт» жеIэ:
(Even a frog wishes to live in deeper waters) Fish seeks deeper
waters, man seeks a better place.
Шэм зэхэгъэж ищIыркъым.

Щхьэж и унэ щылIыхъужьщ: (Everyone is hero at home) 1. Every

dog is lion at home; 2. Every dog is valiant at his own door; 3. A
cock is valiant on his own dunghill.

9
 On Etiquette, Counseling, Education and
Knowledge

(Хабзэм, ущииныгъэм, гъэсэныгъэм,

щIэныгъэм епха псалъэжьхэр)

Абы бгым зыщидзыжмэ, уэ вийкIэ увэну? (Умыфыгъуэ, умыижэ,

жыхуиIэщ. Вий=вей=dung. Do not envy): If he throws himself
down the mountain, does that mean you have to stand in dung.
Адыгэм хьэщIэ и щIасэщ: The guest is very dear to a Circassian.
Адыгэ мыгъуэ, шыгъурэ пIастэрэ (Adige mighwe, shighwre
p’astere): Even the most indigent of Circassians will prepare food
(literally: salt and boiled millet dumplings) for you.
Адыгэм япэ жиIэнур иужькIэ игу къокI (Adigem yape zhiy’enur
yiwizchch’e yigw qoch’): 1. To prophesy after the event; 2. Wise
after the event; 3. If things were to be done twice all would be
wise; 4. One’s tongue runs before one’s wit; 5. Wise behind.
Адыгэ нэмыс, урыс насып: Circassian decorum and Russian luck.
Адыгэ хабзэр адэ щIэиныжьщ: Circassian customs and traditions are
the ancient legacy of the father.
АдрыщIым ущIэдэумэ, мыдрыщIыр къыплъысынщ.
Акъыл зиIэм шыIэ иIэщ (ШыIэ=patience, perseverance): Good sense
and patience go together.
Акъыл зиIэр си щIыб ису къезухьэкI: He who has sense I would
gladly carry on my back.
Акъылым уасэ иIэкъым, гъэсэныгъэм гъунэ иIэкъым: Intellect is
priceless, education has no limit.
Акъылыр ландыщэщ, гъэсэныгъэр дыщэ жыгщ (Ландыщэ –
дыщэ зэрылэ=that which gilds): Intellect gilds and education is a
golden tree.
Анэм «сипхъу закъуэ и псэ» щыжиIэм, пхъуми «си псэ» жиIэу
хуежьащ: (When the mother said, “The soul of my only
daughter”, the daughter started to say, “My soul”) To have too
much of her mother’s blessing.
Анэмэтым хъейрэт ухуэмыхъу (Анэмэт=hostage;
хъейрэт=епцIыжыныгъэ, енэцIыжыныгъэ; betrayal. Дзыхь
къыхуащIу къыпIэщIалъхьэм уемынэцIыж, жыхуиIэщ. Do not
hanker after something that has been put in your trust).

10
А псор пщIэмэ, уи дзэр щIэхыу Iухунщ (A psor psch’eme, wiy dzer
sch’exiu ’wxwnsch): 1. Curiosity killed the cat; 2. Too much
knowledge makes the head bald.
Армум хиса жыгыр мэгъу (Armum xiysa zhigir meghw): The tree
planted by the clumsy person dies.
Ахъшэр щэ бжыгъуэщ.

Бажэм и кIэр пIыгъыу тепыхьэ (И кIэр зэрыпIыгъыу

пIэщIэкIыжынкIэ хъунущ, жыхуиIэщ. Even with his tail in your
hand the fox might get away).
Бажэм сишх нэхърэ дыгъужьым срешх: Better be fed to the wolf
than to be eaten by the fox.
Банэ хуэдэ зэхэплъхьэр
данэ хуэдэу зэхэпхыжынщи,
данэ хуэдэ зэхэплъхьэр
банэ хуэдэу зэхэпхыжынщ.
Банэ хуэдэу къэщтэж,
данэ хуэдэу гъэтIылъыж.
Бэдж пэтрэ Iэужь трах.
Бэлэрыгъ гъэр мэхъу (Belerigh gher mex’w): (A rash man is soon
captured) A rash man is an easy prey.
Бэлэрыгъыр бэлэрыгъауэ хуозэ: A rash man is taken unawares.
Бэшэчыныгъэр зытемыкIуэн щыIэкъым (Beshechinigher
ziteimik’wen schi’eqim): Patience is a plaster for all sores.
Бгъащхъуэ гушхуар, жьындум жьэхэхуэри ишхащ
(Бгъащхъуэ=steppe eagle; гушхуа=daring; animated;
жьынду=owl): The animated eagle fell into the beak of the owl
and was eaten.
Бгъэр куэдрэ уэмэ, и дамэр мэкъутэ: (If the eagle beats his wings
very often, they will break) 1. The pot goes so often to the water
that it is broken at last; 2. The pitcher goes often to the well (but is
broken at last).
Бгъеям куэдрэ укIэлъымыгъыж.
Бгъуэ (блэ) егъапщи зэ пыупщI: (Measure nine [seven] times and
cut once) 1. Measure thrice and cut once; 2. Score twice before
you cut once; 3. Look before you leap; 4. Second thoughts are
best.
БжэщхьэIум нэмыс хьэдрыхэ ноIус (БжэщхьэIу=threshold;
хьэдрыхэ=the life after): Do not utter bad words.
БжызоIэ, сипхъу, зэхэщIыкI, си нысэ: I am telling you, daughter,
hear me out, daughter-in-law.

11
Бжьым зыщIэбуамэ «къызохьэлъэкI» жумыIэж (Bzchim
zisch’ebwame ‘qizohelhech’ ’ zhumi’ezh): In for a penny, in for a
pound.
Бжьыхьэм унэмысу уи джэджьей умыбж (Bzchihem winemisu wiy
jedzchey wimibzh): 1. Don’t count your chickens before they (are)
hatch(ed); 2. Catch the bear before you sell his skin; 3. Never fry a
fish till it’s caught; 4. First catch your hare then cook him; 5. To
cook a hare before catching him; 6. To run before one’s horse to
market; 7. Don’t eat the calf in the cow’s belly; 8. Gut no fish till
you get them (Scottish).
Бзаджэ къэзылъху и гуэн лъапэ щIетIэж.
Бзаджэм уи кIэ иубыдмэ, пыупщIи блэкI: (If the bad man grabs
your tail, cut it off and go on your way) Extricate yourself from an
evil person at any price.
Бзаджэ (е е, е лей, е Iей,) пщIауэ (пщIэуэ)(,) фIы ущымыгугъ: 1.
Reap as you have sown; 2. As you sow you shall mow; 3. As the
man sows, so he shall reap; 4. As you make your bed, so you must
lie on it; 5. To lie (sleep) in (on) the bed one has made; 6. To make
one's bed, and have to lie in (on) it; 7. A bad beginning makes a
bad ending; 8. As the call, so the echo; 9. Every bullet has its
billet; 10. Curses like chickens come home to roost.
Бзаджэр уи пэшэгъумэ, уи анэ мыгъуэ хъунщ: If you befriend an
evil person, woe unto your mother!
Бзэгум къупщхьэ хэлъкъым (Bzegwm qwpschhe xelhqim): The
unruly member.
Бзэгур джатэм нэхърэ нэхъ жанщ (Bzegwr jatem nex’re nex’
zhansch): 1. The tongue is sharper than the sword; 2. The tongue is
not steel, yet it cuts; 3. Many words cut (or hurt) more than
swords.
Бзуушхуэм бзу цIыкIур пэкIэцIыну щыхуежьэм—зэIытхъащ.
Бзылъхугъэ пшэрыхь хущанэ (Пшэрыхь=hunter’s bag).
Биижь умыгъэблагъи, уи адэ и благъэжь умыбгынэ (Biyyizch
wimigheblaghiy, wiy ade yi blaghezch wimibgine): Do not invite
your old enemy (to your house) and do not desert your father's old
relative.
Бийм ущысхьмэ, уIэгъэ ухъунущ (Biym wischis-hme, wi’eghe
wix’wnusch): If you spare your enemy, you will get injured.
Блэ егъапщи зэ пыупщI (Ble yeghapschiy ze piwipsch’): (Measure
seven times and cut once) 1. Measure thrice and cut once; 2. Score
twice before you cut once; 3. Look before you leap; 4. Second
thoughts are best.
БлэкIам къэгъэзэж иIэкъым: 1. Things past cannot be recalled; 2.
Lost time is never found again; 3. What's lost is lost.

12
БлэкIар зэфIэкIащ: 1. Let the dead bury the dead; 2. Lost time is
never found again; 3. What's lost is lost.
БлэкIа хабзэжьым (хъыбарыжьым) укъемыджэж
(укъемыкъуж) (Blech’a xabzezchim [x’ibarizchim] wiqeimijezh
(wiqeimiqwzh)): (Do not recall the old custom, or the old story) 1.
Things past cannot be recalled; 2. Let the dead bury the dead; 3.
What’s lost is lost; 4. Let bygones be bygones.
Блэр «пIыщIащ» жыпIэу уи гуфIакIэм думыгъэтIысхьэ: Do not
say, ‘The snake is frozen,’ and place it in your bosom.
Быдэ и анэ гъыркъым (Bide yi ane ghirqim): (The mother of the
hardy does not cry) 1. Fast (safe, sure) bind, fast (safe, sure) find;
2. Caution is the parent of safety.
Бысымыр хьэщIэм и IуэхутхьэбзащIэщ (Bisimir hesch’em yi
’wexwthebzasch’esch): The host is his guest’s servant.

Вым уанэ трелъхьэ: (He is saddling the ox) He’s such a nitwit.
Вырэ жэмрэ хузэхэгъэкIыркъым: (He couldn’t tell an ox from a
cow) 1. He knows nothing at all; 2. He is so ignorant.

Гуащэ мыхъу жьантIакIуэщ: The unworthy mistress heads for the

place of honour (away from door, near hearth).
Гуащэр гъэрмэ, мэжабзэ, хъыджэбзыр дэсмэ, мэутхъуэ: If the
house mistress is captive, the liquid clears, and if the girl is at
home, the liquid dims.
Губгъуэм ущымыкъэрабгъэ, унэм ущымылIыхъужь: If you are
not a coward in the field, you won’t be a hero at home.
Гугъэ нэпцIыр щхьэгъэпцIэжщ: False hope is self-delusive.
ГужьеигъуафIэщ – унэхъугъуафIэщ: (He who easily succumbs to
panick, gets ruined easily) 1. Do not panick; 2. Keep a stiff upper
lip.
Гузэвэхыр щIэх жьы мэхъу: (An anxious person soon gets old) 1.
Relax; 2. Take it easy.
Гукъыдэж уиIэмэ, пхуэмыщIэн щыIэкъым (Gwqidezh wiy’eme,
pxwemisch’en schi’eqim): Nothing is impossible to a willing
heart.
Гунэс ямыщI саугъэт умыщI.
Гупсыси псалъэ, зыплъыхьи тIыс (Gwpsisiy psalhe, ziplhihiy t’is):
(Think before you speak, look around before you sit down) 1. First
think, then speak; 2. Think today and speak tomorrow; 3. Second
thoughts are best; 4. Look before you leap; 5. Draw not your bow
till your arrow is fixed; 6. Better the foot slip than the tongue trip.
Гур кIуэдмэ, лъэр щIэкIыркъым.
Гур кIуэдмэ, шыр жэркъым: If you lose heart, your horse won't run.

13
Гушхуэ Тхьэшхуэ и жагъуэщ (Гушхуэ=daring/courageous/inspirited
fellow).

Гъэузи гъэхъуж: Hurt and heal.

Гъуэгу благъэ гъуэгу жыжьэ нэхърэ, гъуэгу жыжьэ гъуэгу

благъэ (Ghwegw blaghe ghwegw zhizche nex’re, ghwegw
zhizche ghwegw blaghe): (Better a short long way than a long
short way) The furthest way about is the nearest way home.
Гъуэмылэпэм еIэзэ, гъуэмылэкIэм езауэ (Гъуэмылэ=provisions for
a journey).
Гъунэгъу бий ящIыркъым: 1. Don’t make an enemy out of your
neighbour; 2. Love thy neighbour.
Гъусэ ямыщIынум блэкIрэ пэт йоджэ.
ГъущIыр плъа щIыкIэ еуэ (Ghwsch’ir plha sch’ich’e yewe): 1.
Strike while the iron is hot; 2. Make hay while the sun shines.

Дахэ и щIагъ дыщэ щIэлъщ: There is gold under the beautiful.

Дахэр пагэмэ, пуд мэхъу: 1. If the beautiful woman puts on airs, she
becomes cheap; 2. Don’t put on airs.
ДаIуэкIейм дэгу уещIри, плъэкIейм нэф уещI: A bad listener
makes you deaf, a bad looker makes you blind.
Дэтхэнэ зы Iуэхутхьэбзэми бзыпхъэ иIэщ (Iуэхутхьэбзэ=service;
бзыпхъэ=pattern for cutting).
Делэм сэ сыфIокI, губзыгъэр езыр къысфIокI: I extricate myself
from the fool; the wise extricates himself from me.
Делэ(м) хабзэ жыхуаIэр ищIэркъым (Deile[m] xabze zhixwa’er
yisch’erqim): (A fool is ignorant of Circassian Etiquette) 1. As the
fool thinks, so the bell clinks; 2. Fools rush in where angels fear to
tread.
Дыгъуэм икIэр мыгъуэ мэхъу: Theft is followed by misfortune.
Дыгъум и пыIэр мафIэм ес (Dighwm yi pi’er maf’em yes): (The
thief’s cap is on fire) 1. If the cap fits, wear it; 2. The cap fits.
Дыгъужь мэлыхъуэ ящIрэ?: Do they make a shepherd out of a
wolf?!

Джэд пасэрэ бын пасэрэ: An early hen is like an early child.

Джэджьей зеуалэ псывэ хоупIэ: A lounging chick ends up being
boiled alive.
Джэду щысу шыпсэ умыIуатэ: Don’t tell a tall tale while the cat is
seated.

14
Дзей хуэщIэ фIыщIэ хэлъкъым (Дзей=workmate, partner [especially
in tilling]).
Дзы зыфIэпщ дзы къыпфIещыж: 1. If you ascribe a defect to
someone, he/she will ascribe a defect to you in return; 2. Do not
calumniate others.
ДзыхьмыщIыр дзыхьщIыгъуэджэщ: A distrustful person is
dangerous.

Егъэлей делагъэщ: It is stupid to go to excess.

Ем е и хущхъуэкъым (Yem ye yi xwschx’weqim): (Evil is not the
medicine for evil) Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Емрэ фIымрэ зымыщIэми имыщIэ щымыIэу къыфIощI: Even
the person who cannot differentiate between good and evil thinks
there is nothing that he/she doesn’t know.
Ем щысхьыр фIым поIуджэ (Yem schis-hir f’im po’wje): He that
spares the bad injures the good.
Емыш и уанэ ехь: (The indefatigable person wins the saddle)
Perseverance is the key to success.
Е пщIауэ фIы ущымыгугъ, фIы пщIами ущIэмыфыгъуж: 1.
Reap as you have sown; 2. As you sow you shall mow; 3. As the
man sows, so he shall reap; 4. As you make your bed, so you must
lie on it; 5. To lie (sleep) in (on) the bed one has made; 6. To make
one's bed, and have to lie in (on) it; 7. A bad beginning makes a
bad ending; 8. As the call, so the echo; 9. Every bullet has its
billet; 10. Curses like chickens come home to roost.
Есэр сэгъейщ: 1. Old (bad) habits die hard; 2. Habit is second nature.
Е улIын, е улIэн: (Either be a man, or die) 1. A man or a mouse; 2.
Neck or nothing; 3. Either win the horse or lose the saddle; 4. (I
will ) Either win the saddle or lose the horse; 5. Make or break; 6.
Sink or swim; 7. To burn one’s boats.
Еущий (еущые) зы махуэщ(и), хабзэхьыкIэр (хабзэ хьэху)
тхьэмахуэщ (махуищщ): (Instruction takes one day, its
implementation takes a week [three days]) It is easier to give an
advice than to follow one.
Еущые зы махуэщи, хабзэхьыкIэр тхьэмахуэщ (Yewschiye zi
maxweschiy, xabzehich’er themaxwesch): (Instruction takes one
day, its implementation takes a week) It is easier to give an advice
than to follow one.
Ефэ—умыудафэ: 1. Drink moderately; 2. Drink in measure.

Жэмрэ вырэ зэхуотэдж: The cow and ox stand for one another.
Жейрэ лIарэ зэхуэдэщ: He who is asleep is like the dead.

15
Жыжьэу бгъэтIылъмэ, (нэхъ) гъунэгъуу къэпщтэжынщ
(къэбгъуэтыжынщ) (Zhizchew bghet’ilhme, [nex’] ghwneghwu
qepschtezhinsch [qebghwetizhinsch]): Fast (safe, sure) bind, fast
(safe, sure) find.
Жыжьэу бгъэтIылъыр благъэу къощтэж: Fast (safe, sure) bind,
fast (safe, sure) find.
ЖыIэгъуафIэ щхьэкIэ, щIэгъуейщ: Easier said than done.

ЖьантIэм узэрыдашэр щыгъынырщ (Zchant’em wizeridasher

schighinirsch): Fine feathers make fine birds.
Жьэ лIыкIуэ нэхърэ щхьэ лIыкIуэ: Better the head mediator than
the mouth intermediary.
Жьэшхуэ тхьэшхуэ и жагъуэщ: A big mouth offends the supreme
god.
Жьым щытхъуи щIэр къащтэ (Zchim schitx’wiy sch’er qaschte):
(Praise the old and take the new) 1. Cast not out the foul water till
you bring in the clean; 2. Don’t throw out your dirty water before
you get in fresh.

Зауэ ухуэмеймэ, уи джатэр жану щыгъэлъ (Zawe wixwemeyme,

wiy jater zhanu schighelh): If you wish for peace, be prepared for
war.
Зэи нэхърэ зэгуэр (Zeyi nex’re zegwer): Better late than never.
ЗэрыпщIу мыхъумэ, зэрыхъуу щIы: If things don’t happen the way
you want, do what can be done.
Зэса (есэ) сэгъейщ: 1. Old (bad) habits die hard; 2. Habit is second
nature.
ЗэхуэгъафIэ зэфIэкIуэд къыхокI.
Зэщыгугъ мэунэхъу: (He who relies on other people gets ruined) Rely
on yourself.
Зэщыгугъ хужьгъэшхщ (Zeschigwgh xwzchgheshxsch): (He who
relies on other people ends up eating husked millet) Everybody’s
business is nobody’s business.
ЗекIуэкIейм лъашэ уещIри, дыхьэшхыкIейм Iушэ уещI: A bad
campaig makes you limp, bad laughter makes your mouth
crooked.
Зи бзэ IэфI щынэр анитI (мэлитI) ящIоф (Ziy bze ’ef’ schiner
aniyt’ (meliyt') yasch’of; щIэфын=to suck [of cubs kittens, etc.]):
Soft fire makes sweet malt.
Зи бзэ IэфIым блэр гъуэмбым къреш: (A sweet talker lures the
snake out of the hole) Soft fire makes sweet malt.

16
Зи гупкIэ уисым и уэрэд жыIэ (ежьу) (Ziy gwpch’e wiysim yi wered
zhi’e [yezchu]): (Sing the air of the person in whose cart you ride)
Do in Rome as the Romans do.
Зи мыIуэху зезыхуэм и щхьэм баш техуэнщ (Ziy mi’wexw
zeizixwem yi schhem bash teixwensch): (He who interferes in
other people’s affairs will have a stick falling on his head) 1. Mind
your own business; 2. Don’t poke your nose into other people’s
affairs; 3. Every tub must stand on its own bottom.
Зи бысым зыхъуэжым чыцIыхъу хуаукI (Ziy bisim zix’wezhim
chits’ix’w xwawich’): (A mere male-kid is slaughtered for him
who changes his original host) A guest was bound to knock at the
door of the person who received him on his first visit. Seeking
another lodging was considered a flagrant contravention of
customary law. The new host was bound to receive the errant
visitor, but he indicated his displeasure by slaughtering a mere
goat for him. Although goat meat is in no way inferior to other
kinds of flesh, it is the symbolism that is important in this regard.
There was a redemption price imposed on the guest for such a
‘misdemeanor’ decided by a special village council and payable to
the insulted party, i.e. the original host.
Зи жьэ зэIумыщIэм я гухэлъ зэрыщIэркъым: If you don’t open
your mouth, no one will know what goes on in your heart.
Зи щхьэ мыузым уи щхьэуз хуумыIуатэ: Don’t relate news of your
headache to someone who doesn’t have a headache.
Зи Iыхьэ зыфIэмащIэм хьэм фIешх (Ziy ’ihe zif’emasch’em hem
f’eishx): The lot of the person who thinks it is too little gets eaten
by the dog. Don’t be greedy!
Зи Iуэ ит нэхърэ зи щхьэ ит: Better to have in the head than in the
penfold.
Зрат нэхърэ зыт (Zrat nex’re zit): It is better to give than to take.
Зы жьэм жьэдыхьэр жьищэм жьэдохьэ.
Зы махуаем зумыгъэлI,
зы махуэлIым зумыгъашэ,
зы дзэшхуэм зумыгъэхь.
Зызумысым и щхьэр сэм пиупщIыркъым (Zizumisim yi schher
sem piywipsch’irqim): A fault confessed is half redressed.
Зызыгъэгусэ Iыхьэншэщ: A sulker does not get his share (see
associated saying Уи Iыхьэ зыIэрыгъыхьи, итIанэ зыгъэгусэ).
Зым и щэхур щэхущи, тIум я щэхур нахуэщ: (When two know it,
it’s no longer a secret) When three know it, all know it.
Зым ищIэр щэхущи, тIум ящIэр нахуэщ: (When two know it, it’s
no longer a secret) When three know it, all know it.

17
Зыщытхъур къэгъани яубыр къашэ: Don’t betroth the one they
compliment, take the one that they censure.
ЗыщIэпхьым къыпщIехьыж (ПщIэ зыхуэпщIым къыпхуещIыж,
жыхуиIэщ): Honour him that honours thee.
ЗыIурыдзэ нэхърэ зыдэдзых (Бгъуэтыр зэуэ зыIурыбдзэ нэхърэ
гъэтIылъыгъэ щIы, жыхуиIэщ): Save for a rainy day.

И ныбэ нэщI и Iэ телъыжын (Yi nibe nesch’ yi ’e teilhizhin): A clean

fast is better than a dirty breakfast.
Имылъ къолъэт (Фочыр нэщIщ жыпIэу уримыджэгу, узэдауэ
къыщIэкIыу щIэщхъу къызэрыпщыщIын пщIэнукъым,
жыхуиIэщ. Do not play with a gun—it might be loaded).
Ин жыIэ цIыкIу Iуатэщ.
Иужь акъыл нэхърэ ипэ акъыл: Good sense is better at the
beginning than at the end.

Куэд зылъэгъуам, куэд ещIэ: The more you see, the more you know.
Куэд къыубжмэ, уи тхьэмадэжь и цIэри къыхэхуэнщ: If you
chatter a lot, even the name of your father-in-law will fall off.
[According to Circassian customs a woman never called her
parents-in-law, husband, or her brothers-in-law by their names.
Instead, she used pet names, which were secretive appellations that
she never divulged outside the family circle]

КIапсэр кIыхьмэ, фIыщи, псалъэр кIэщIмэ, нэхъыфIыжщ: It is

good if the rope is long; it is even better if there are less words.
Silence is golden
КIэпIейкIэр зымылъытэр кIэпIейкIэ и уасэкъым
(КIэпIейкIэ=copeck (one hundredth of a rouble)): He who doesn’t
take care of his pennies is not worth a penny.

КъакIуэ и Iыхьэ IыхьэхэмыIуэщ.

Къан хуэщIэ фIыщIэ иIэкъым.
Къэмыс-нэмыс тIысыпIэщIэкъущ.
Къоджэ нэхъыжьщ: It is the elder that calles.
Къоуэм уемыуэжмэ, Iэ пфIэту укъищIэркъым: If you don’t hit
back he who hits you, he will think that you don’t have a hand.
Къыдыхьэр думыхуж, дэкIыжыр умыубыд: Don’t turn out he who
comes to you, and don’t hold back he who wants to leave.
КъыпкIэлъымыкIуэм узыкIэлъигъэкIуэнукъым.
КъыптекIуэ лъэщщ: He who overcomes you is strong.
КъыптекIуэр гугъущ: What overwhelms you is difficult.

18
КъуэфIми къуэ бзаджэми адэ щIэин ухуэмылъыхъуэ.
Къуэшрокъуэр пIащIэри унакъым: 1. More haste, less speed; 2.
Fool’s haste is no speed; 3. Hasty climbers have sudden falls; 4.
Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow; 5. Slow and steady wins the
race; 6. Slow and sure.

Кхъуэ етIэхъу кхъуэци къыкIэропщIэ (Q’we yet’ex’w q’wetsiy

qich’eropsch’e): He who scrubs every pig he sees will not long be
clean himself.

Лажьэ жьы хъуркъым (Лажьэ – гукъеуэ, нэщхъеягъуэ) (Lazche

zchi x’wrqim): Grief never grows old.

Лъакъуэ псынщIэ вей хэпкIэщ (Lhaqwe psinsch’e vey xepch’esch):

(A hasty foot jumps in the dung) 1. Hasty climbers have sudden
falls; 2. More haste, less speed.
ЛъапэкIэ хыфIэбдзэр дзапэкIэ къощтэж: What you flippantly
discard with the tip of your foot, you will redeem with the tips of
your teeth.
Лъэпкъыр зэкъуэтмэ – лъэщщ (Lhepqir zeqwetme – lheschsch):
There is strength in union.

ЛIэным лIыгъэ хэлъщ: There is courage in death.

ЛIы здашэ щIэупщIэркъым: A man does not ask where he is being
taken.
ЛIы и псалъэ епцIыжыркъым: A man keeps his word.
ЛIы пхам лIы еуэркъым (L'i pxam l'i yewerqim): Never strike a
tethered man.
ЛIы псори лIыкъыми фыз псори фызкъым: Not all men are men,
and not all women are women.
ЛIы хахуэр утыкум щощабэ, лIы щабэр утыкум щокIий
(Утыку=square in village where games are played, performances
take place, dances are held, etc.): The brave man turns gentle in
the village square; the soft man turns to screams in the square.
ЛIым зигъэгусэркъым.
ЛIыгъэр Iыхьэмыгуэшщ: Courage is a lot that is not shared.
ЛIыкIуэ яукIыркъым (L’ik’we yawk’irqim): Don’t kill the
messenger.
ЛIыфIыр бэ дыдэщи, лIыфI дыдэр зырызщ: There is no counting
good men, but very good men are very rare indeed.
ЛIыхъужь и лъэужь кIуэдыркъым (И цIэр, игъэхъахэр къонэж,
жыхуиIэщ): (A hero’s trail is never lost) Heroes live forever.

19
ЛIыхъур фыз дэубзэщи, лIыбзыр фыз дэуейщ: A real man pays
compliments to his wife, whereas an effeminate man beats up his
wife.

МафIэ нэхур «благъэщ» жыпIэу умыкIуэ, хьэ банэ макъыр

«жыжьэщ» жыпIэу къыумыгъанэ.
Мащэ зытI йохуэж (Masche(r) (qe)zit’(ir) yoxwezh): (He who digs a
(the) hole falls in it) 1. Curses like chickens come home to roost;
2. A dose of one’s own medicine; 3. He that mischief hatches,
mischief catches.
Мащэм зэ ихуэр набгъэщи, тIэу ихуэр нэфщ: He who falls once in
the hole is short-sighted, he who falls twice is blind.
Мащэм зэ ихуэр нэфщи, тIэу ихуэр гуншэщ: He who falls once in
the hole is blind, he who falls twice has no vision.
МащIэм зытезыгъэгусэм, куэдри фIыщIэ ищIынкъым.
Мэзрэ мазэххэрэ уи щэху щумыIуатэ.
Мэкъу мащIи къыумыхь, мэкъу бэхьи умыхъу.
МыхъумыщIэу ирагъэджар ебгъэджэжыну гугъущ: 1. Like
teaching an old dog new tricks; 2. Old (bad) habits die hard.
Мыщафэ Iэрымылъхьэм гуащэр щумыгъэгугъ, гъусэ
мыхъунум ущыгугъыу мыщэм уемыбэн (Mischafe
’erimilhhem gwascher schumighegwgh, ghwse mix’wnum
wischigwghu mischem weimiben): (Don’t promise the lady the
bear skin that you don't have) 1. Catch the bear before you sell his
skin; 2. Don’t count your chickens before they (are) hatch(ed); 3.
Never fry a fish till it's caught; 4. First catch your hare then cook
him; 5. To cook a hare before catching him; 6. Don’t eat the calf in
the cow’s belly; 7. Gut no fish till you get them (Scottish); 8.
Don’t eat the calf in the cow's belly; 9. To run before one’s horse
to market.
Мыщащхьэ плъагъуу мыщэ лъэужь зумыхуэ (умылъыхъуэ)
(Mischaschhe plhaghwu mische lhewizch zumixwe
(wimilhix'we)): Don't force an open door.
Мыщэ жея къыумыгъэуш, лIы мышынэ умыгъэгубжь (Mische
zheiya qiumighewish, l'i mishine wimighegwbzch): (Don't wake
up a sleeping bear, don’t annoy a fearless man) 1. Let sleeping
dogs lie; 2. It is ill to waken sleeping dogs; 3. Don't trouble trouble
until trouble troubles you.

Нэ зыдэщымыплъэрэ тхьэкIумэ зыщымыдаIуэрэ, бэн зэвыр

мыхъумэ, щыIэкъым: Eyes shall see, and ears shall hear.
НэгъуэщIым ишхамкIэ уэ укъэмыкъей: Do not cackle if someone
else gets the food.

20
НэгъуэщIым и щытхъум уэ уримыкъей (Уримыкъей –
уримыпагэ): Do not become conceited by compliments directed at
somebody else.
Нэмыс здэщымыIэм насыпи щыIэкъым: 1. Where there is no
decency, there is no fortune; 2. Decency and good luck go hand in
hand.
Нэмыс пщIымэ уи щхьэщ зыхуэпщIыжыр: The decent things you
do you do to maintain your own honour.
Нэмысыншэр насыпыншэщ: He who lacks decency is unfortunate
indeed.
Нэпсейр насыпыншэщ: A greedy man is unfortunate indeed.
Нэрылъагъу щытхъур щIыбагъырыубщ: He who sings your
praises in your presence calumniates you behind your back.
НэфIэгуфIэ и нэ дыщэ IуэнтIа щIэлъщ: The eyes of the cheerful
one are full of twisted gold.
Нэхъыжь теIущIыкIыпIэщ (ТеIущIыкIыпIэ=place to trim, square):
It is to the old that we go for trimming.
Нэхъыжьым жьэ ет, нэхъыщIэм гъуэгу ет: The old has the right of
speech, the young has the right of way.
НэхъыкIитIым яхэди я нэхъыфIыр къыхэх: Of two bad things,
choose the lesser evil.
Ныбэ Iей щыIэ мыхъумэ, шхын Iей щыIэкъым (Nibe ’ey schi’e
mix’wme, shxin ’ey schi’eqim): There is no such thing as bad
food, but there are bad paunches.
Ныбэм «уи адэ и жьакIэ къыпыупщIи къилъхьэ» жеIэ (Nibem
'Wiy ade yi zchach’e qipiwipsch’iy qiylhhe’ zhei’e): (The paunch
says: ‘Cut off your father’s beard and wear it.’) If you make your
paunch your master, it will lead you to impropriety. [Ныбэм
уедаIуэмэ, емыкIу къыуигъэхьынущ, жыхуиIэщ]
Ныбэр фэ цIынэ–лы цIынэщи зэIуокI (Куэд иплъхьэ хъуну
щхьэкIэ, иумылъхьэ, жыхуиIэщ): 1. Do not gluttonize; 2. Do not
be a glutton.
Ныбэрыдзэ нэхърэ щхьэдэдзых (ГъэтIылъыгъэ щIы, жыхуиIэщ):
Save for a rainy day.
Ныкъуэдыкъуэ нэхърэ уэдыкъуа: It is better to be emaciated than to
be disabled.
Нысэ мыхъунур жьантIажэ мэхъури, мафIэ мыхъунур ищхьэм
щолыд.

Пагэм и блыпкъ-блащхьэ къутэгъуафIэщ.

ПащIэгъэлыгъуэ джэгу хэлъкъым.
ПерокIэ тхэ нэхърэ, акъылкIэ тхэ: It is the mind that writes, not the
pen.

21
Псалъэ бзаджэ губзаджэщIщ, гурыщхъуэ щIыныр хуэмыхугъэщ.
Псалъэ гъущэкIэ хьэщIэ ирагъэкIыжыркъым (Psalhe
ghwschech’e hesch’e yiraghech’izhirqim): Fine (kind, or soft)
words butter no parsnips.
Псалъэ дахэкIэ куэд пхузэфIэкIынущ (Psalhe daxech’e kwed
pxwzef’ech’inusch): Soft fire makes sweet malt.
Псалъэ щабэ гущабэщIщ: Gentle words make the heart grow softer.
Псалъэ IэфIыр мэгъущIэри, псалъэ дыджыр мэщIытэ: Nice
words dry up, bitter words get wet.
Псапэ куэд хъуркъым: There is no such thing as too much charity.
Псэр ящэри напэ къащэху: They sell their souls to buy consciences.
Псы икIыпIэм (икIыгъуэм) унэмысу, уи кIэр думыхьей
(умыIэт) (Psi yich’ip’em (yich'ighwem) winemisu, wiy ch’er
dumihey (wimi’et)): 1. Laugh before breakfast you’ll cry before
supper; 2. Between (the) cup and (the) lip a morsel may slip; 3.
There’s many a slip (’twixt cup and lip); 4. Never cackle till your
egg is laid; 5. Never fry a fish till it’s caught; 6. Look before you
leap; 7. Don’t halloo till you are out of the wood; 8. It’s not safe
wading in an unknown water.
Псылъэншэу Къурей ихьэркъым (Псылъэ=flask; Къурей—Кавказ
лъапэм щыIэ губгъуэшхуэ гуэрым и цIэщ; ‘Qwrey’ is the name
of a large and dry steppe at the foothills of the Caucasus
Mountains): Do not enter the Qwrey Steppe without water-flasks.
ПфIэкIуэдам щхьэкIэ умыгъ, къэбгъуэтам щхьэкIи умыгуфIэ:
Do not cry over what you have lost, and do not be happy over
what you find.
Пхуэмыдэ пэшэгъум мыгъуэ уохъулIэ: The unworthy companion
leads you to misfortune.
Пхуэмыфащэ пэшэгъу пщIымэ, уи анэ мыгъуэ ищIынщ: If you
make a companion out of an unworthy person, woe unto your
mother!
Пхуэмыфащэ щауэгъу умыщI: Be careful whom you choose as a
best man.
Пхуэмыхьын хьэлъэ къыумыщтэ (Pxwemihin helhe qiumischte):
Zeal without knowledge (is like a runaway horse).
ПцIищэ нэхърэ зы пэж: One truth is better than a hundred lies.
Пщащэр пагэмэ, ябгынэж: If the young woman puts on airs, she will
be avoided by all.
Пыл хуэдиз зищIыну зигъэпщри тхьэкIумэкIыхьыр зэгуэудащ:
The hare burst to smithereens pumping itself to elephant’s size.

ПIащIэрэ пIыщIарэ (P’asch’ere p’isch’are): (Making haste is like

freezing) 1. More haste, less speed; 2. Fool’s haste is no speed; 3.

22
 Hasty climbers have sudden falls; 4. Too swift arrives as tardy as
too slow; 5. Slow and steady wins the race; 6. Slow and sure.

Сэлам лей хъуркъым (Selam ley x’wrqim): It is always opportune to

pronounce greetings.
Судым шыфэ псэу иплъхьэмэ, вакъапхъэ къипхыжыркъым.
Сымылъагъуу си фIэщ хъунукъым (Similhaghwu siy f’esch
x’wnuqim): Seeing is believing.

ТIакъуэр закъуэ палъэщ, закъуэр лIа пэлъытэщ (T’aqwer zaqwe

palhesch(iy), zaqwer l’a (schimi’e) pelhitesch): (Two men are like
one man, and a single man is like a dead man) 1. One man, no
man; 2. The voice of one man is the voice of no one.

Уэшх блэкIам щIакIуэ кIэлъумыщтэ(ж) (Weshx blech’am

sch’ak’we ch’elhumischte(zh)): (After the storm, don't put on the
felt cloak) 1. After death the doctor; 2. After dinner, mustard.
Удафэ и акъыл ирефыж: The unruly one drinks up his own mind.
Удын гуауэр мэгъущри, псалъэ гуауэр гъущыжкъым: The grief
caused by a blow dries up, but an offensive word grieves forever.
Уджалэ нэхърэ улъэпэрапэмэ нэхъыфIщ (Wijale nex’re
wilheperapeme nex’if’sch): A stumble may prevent a fall.
Уемыгупсысу Iуэху бублэнщ—ущыуэнщ: Look before you leap.
Ужьмэ, жьы хуэдэ щыти, ущIэмэ, щIэ хуэдэ щыт: If you are old,
behave like an elder; if you are young, behave like the young.
УзэпэгэкIыр къопэгэкIыж: Do not put on airs.
Узэралъагъуу уафIощI, узэрафIэщIу уалъытэ: As they see you
they make their minds about you, and they accord you
consideration accordingly.
УзрихьэлIэ шхыныфIщ (Wizriyhel’er shxinif’sch): 1. What you
come across (first) is good food; 2. Hunger is the best spice.
Узэрымыса бысым умыуб (Wizerimisa bisim wimiwib): Do not
condemn a host to whose guest-house you have never been.
Узэрымытым зумыгъэфIыкI.
Узэфэну псым ухэмыубжьытхэ: (Don't spit in the water from which
you need to drink) 1. Don't foul the well, you may need its waters;
2. Never cast dirt into that fountain, of which thou hast sometime
drunk; 3. Let every man praise the bridge he goes over.
Узэфэну псым хьэ хыумыукI (Wizefenu psim he xiwimiwich’e):
(Don’t kill the dog in the water from which you need to drink) 1.
Don’t foul the well, you may need its waters; 2. Never cast dirt
into that fountain, of which thou hast sometime drunk; 3. Let every
man praise the bridge he goes over.

23
Узэчэнджэщын умыгъуэтым, уи пыIэр гъэтIылъи ечэнджэщ
(Wizechenjeschin wimighwetim, wiy pi’er ghet’ilhiy
yechenjesch): If you can’t find somebody to talk things over with,
take off your hat and consult it.
Узэчэнджэщын умыгъуэтмэ, уи пыIэ гъэтIыси ечэнджэщыж: If
you can't find somebody to talk things over with, take off your hat
and consult it.
Узэщэ нэхърэ узэтэ (Wizesche nex’re wizete): It is better to donate
something than sell it very cheap
Узигъусэм и фэ къыуаплъ.
УзыгъэтIыс уиубыжыркъым: He who offers you a seat shall not
calumniate you.
УзыдэмыкIуэжын ущыщымыуэ (А зэм узэралъэгъуам хуэдэу ущыту
уафIэщынущ, жыхуиIэщ).
Узыдэмыхьэ къуэладжэ лы дэзщ: The grass is always greener on the
other side of the fence.
УзытекIуэм пэкIум уахегъэн (Фащэм, щыгъыным щысхьын хуейщ,
иужькIи цIыхум уарихыхьэн щхьэкIэ, жыхуиIэщ).
УзытелIэ нэхърэ къыптелIэ: Who falls for you is better than whom
you fall for.
Узыхэдэн щымыIэмэ, щыIэр къыхэх: If you cannot have the best,
make the best of what you have.
Узыхэтым захэгъэгъуащэ (Wizixetim zaxegheghwasche): Do in
Rome as the Romans do.
Узыхэтым уаймыкIумэ, уи унэ умыкIуэж.
Узыхэфыжыну псым ухэмыубжьытхэ: (Don’t spit in the water
from which you need to drink) 1. Don't foul the well, you may
need its waters; 2. Never cast dirt into that fountain, of which thou
hast sometime drunk; 3. Let every man praise the bridge he goes
over.
Узыщымыгугъын ущыгугъмэ, пхъашэ гъуэгу урижэнщ (Гугъу
уехьынщ, жыхуиIэщ): If you pin your hopes where you
shouldn’t, you shall run through a path of woe.
Узыщымысхьри уимыIэххэри зэхуэдэщ: 1. Nothing saved, nothing
gained; 2. Waste not, want not.
Уи адэ-анэ яхуэпщI нэмысыр уи бынми къыпхуащIыжынщ:
Respect your parents and your children shall respect you.
Уи анэ зыуб уи щхьэ дэгъэсыс (Пэж жызыIэм дыжыIэ, жыхуиIэщ).
Уи анэ къобэнми зромыгъэуд.
Уи гуащIэ еплъи уи лъэ гъэбакъуэ: (First consider your capability,
then take your step) Cut your coat according to the cloth.
Уи гуащIэ еплъи уи лъэ укъуэдий: (First consider your capability,
then stretch your legs) Cut your coat according to the cloth.

24
Уи гур зыхуеIэм уи Iэр лъоIэс.
Уи гъунэгъур бзаджэмэ, щIы хущынэ.
Уи ин жиIэнщ, уи цIыкIу иIуэтэжынщ: Your elders shall say it, and
your young shall retell it.
Уи къамэ тIэу къыумых, уи псалъэ тIэу жумыIэ: (Don’t draw
your dagger twice and don’t say you words two times) Be
decisive.
Уи мыгъусэ уи лъатэпс иумыгъапхэ.
Уи мыщауэгъу гъусэ умыщI: Do not make a companion out of
someone who is not your best man.
Уи напщIэ темылъ тумылъхьэ: Do not put on airs.
Уи нэ гъаплъи уи лъэ гъэув: Let your eyes see, and let your legs
stand.
Уи нэ къеIэм и псэ еIэж (Wiy ne qei’em yi pse ye’ezh): Measure for
measure.
Уи псалъэ гъэIэси, уи нэмыс гъэбыдэ: Tame your words, and
enhance your decency.
Уи пхъэнкIийр уи бжэкъуагъ къуэгъэлъыж (Wiy px’ench’iyr wiy
bzheqwagh qweghelhizh): Wash your dirty linen at home.
Уи тепIэн еплъи, уи лъэ укъуэдий: (Stretch your legs according to
the cover) Cut your coat according to the cloth.
Уи фIым иумытыр мафIэм уфIес.
Уи шхын нэхърэ уи нэщхъ.
Уи шым ижынур пщIэжын хуейщ: You must know where your
horse will run.
Уи щхьэ и пIалъэ зэгъэщIэж (Wiy schhe yi p’alhe zeghesch’ezh):
Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
Уи щхьэм пщIэ хуумыщIыжмэ, зыми къыпхуищIынкъым (Wiy
schhem psch’e xwumisch’izhme, zimiy qipxwiysch’inqim): 1. If
you don’t respect yourself, nobody will respect you; 2. Respect
yourself, or no one else will respect you.
Уи щхьэ(р) мыузу боз иумышэкI (йомышэкI): (Don’t wind a
coarse calico round your head) Don’t run after vain pursuits.
Уи щхьэ хуэпщIыжыр уи нэмысщ.
Уи щхьэ хъумэ, си хъыджэбз.
Уи Iыхьэ зыIэрыгъыхьи, итIанэ зыгъэгусэ: First get your share,
then sulk (see associated saying ‘Зызыгъэгусэ Iыхьэншэщ’).
Уи Iуэху зыхэмылъым уи бэлагъ хомыIу (хыумыIу) (Wiy ’wexw
zixemilhim wiy belagh xomi’w [xiwimi’w]): (Do not poke your
[flat wooden cooking] trowel into other people’s affairs) 1. Mind
your own business!; 2. Go about your business!; 3. The cobbler
must stick to his last; 4. Don’t poke your nose into other people’s
affairs.

25
Укъызэрашэ уи шыбэщ, узэралъагъу уи гъуэгущ (Япэ
зэрызыбгъэлъагъуэщ, жыхуиIэщ).
Укъыщалъхум псори гуфIащ, ущылIэжкIэ зыхуэбгъагъыжыфмэ.
УмыгъэтIылъ къэпщтэжыркъым: Fast (safe, sure) bind, fast (safe,
sure) find.
УмыщIэм ущIэупщIэныр емыкIукъым: It’s not a shame to ask
(when you don’t know).
Унэм зыщыгъаси хасэм яхыхьэ: First get proper upbringing and
education at home and then start joining gatherings.
УпIащIэмэ, уогувэ: (If you make haste you’ll be late) 1. More haste,
less speed; 2. Fool's haste is no speed; 3. Hasty climbers have
sudden falls; 4. Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow; 5. Slow and
steady wins the race; 6. Slow and sure.
УпIащIэрэ упIыщIарэ: (Making haste is like freezing) 1. More haste,
less speed; 2. Fool's haste is no speed; 3. Hasty climbers have
sudden falls; 4. Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow; 5. Slow and
steady wins the race; 6. Slow and sure.
УпщIэ щIэщхъуркъым, щIэщхъу щIэнэркъым.
УпщIэ IупщIэ хэлъкъым.
Ухеймэ улъэщщ (Wixeyme wilheschsch): (If you are innocent, you are
strong) A clear conscience laughs at false accusations.
Учэнджащэм ущыуэркъым (Wichenjaschem wischiwerqim): (If you
take counsel, you won’t err) Good counsel does no harm.
Ущакъуэ нэхърэ утакъуэ (ИмыуасэкIэ пуду пщэ нэхърэ, птымэ
нэхъыфIщ, жыхуиIэщ): It is better to donate something than sell
it very cheap.
УщыкIмэ икIэ ухъунщ (see also ЩыкIыр икIэ мэхъу): The conceited
person becomes the worst.
Ущымытхъущэ – пхуэубыжынкъым.

Фадэм текIуа щыIэкъым: No one has ever prevailed upon drink.

ФIэхъус лей хъуркъым (F’ex’ws ley x’wrqim): It is always

opportune to pronounce greetings.
ФIей зезыхьэр фIей мэхъу (F’ey zeiziher f’ey mex’w): He who
scrubs every pig he sees will not long be clean himself.
ФIы зыщIэ упщIэжрэ?: If someone does you a good turn, do you ask
him why?
ФIы къыпхуэзыщIэ фIы хуэщIэж: Repay kindness with kindness.
ФIыр умыцIыхумэ, нэхъ лъапIэр къыхэх: If you can’t choose
according to quality, pick the more expensive.

26
Хабзэ лъэIукъыми, Iумахуэ Iуэхутхьэбзэкъым: Etiquette is not
begging, and gentle talking is not servility.
Хабзэм къемызэгъыр и бийщ: He who cannot get accustomed to the
etiquette, fights it.
ХабзэмыщIэ емыкIухьщ: He/She who is ignorant of customs and
traditions perpetrates improprieties.
ХабзэмыщIэ щIыкIейщ: He/She who is ignorant of etiquette finds it
difficult to to do things properly.
Хабзэр убзэ зыфIэщIым хуэпщIэнум и ныкъуэр къегъанэ: Leave
off half of what you would do for someone who thinks that
etiquette is servile attention.
Хабзэр убзэнкъым, къалэныр Iулъхьэнкъым: Etiquette is not
servile attention, and duty is not bribery.
Хэдэ мэдакъуэри хэпхъуэ IыхьэфIэщ.
Хэдэ мэдакъуэри хэплъэ мэплъакъуэ.
Хэдэ мэдэхъу.
Хэплъыхь Iыхьэншэщ: 1. Scornful dogs will eat dirty puddings; 2.
To mistake shadow for the substance.

Хуэму укIуэмэ, нэхъыбэ пкIунщ (Xwemu wik’weme, nex’ibe

pk’wnsch): Make haste slowly.
Хужьгъэ матэр гъэкIуэди, хужьгъэ гуэн зыIэрыгъэхьэ
(Xwzchghe mater ghek’wediy, xwzchghe gwen zi’erighehe):
(Lose the husked millet basket, but not before getting the husked
millet granary) 1. Throw out a minnow to catch a whale; 2.
Sometimes the best gain is to lose.

Хьэдзыгъуанэгъуэм къуацэкIэ ухэмыуэ (Hedzighwaneghwem

qwatsech’e wixemiwe): Let sleeping dogs lie.
Хьэдэр куэдрэ зепхьэмэ, мэ щоу, Iуэхур куэдрэ зепхьэмэ,
мэлъахъэ: If you keep a corpse for long, it will smell; if you drag
a business too long, matters will become complicated.
Хьэджафэ банэркъым, лъхукъуэщо хъуанэркъым
(Хьэджафэ=borzoi, Siberian wolf-hound; лъхукъуэщо= serf;
slave; хъуэнэн=to use foul language; to curse).
Хьэрэмым хьэрэм къешэ: Evil begets evil.
ХьэфI дэплъейр хьэфI мэхъури, шыфI дэплъейр шыфI мэхъу:
He who looks up to a good dog becomes a good dog, and he who
looks up to a good horse becomes a good horse.
Хьэ хей умыукI, фыз хей иумыгъэкIыж: Don’t kill an innocent
dog, and don’t divorce a blameless woman.
Хьэху хьэху тыж умыщI: What is hired is not for hire.

27
Хьэху яхь щыIэщи, хьэху хьыж щыIэкъым: It is easier to hire out
something than to give it back.
Хьэхурэ щIыхуэрэ зэIахыу хабзэжьщ: Hiring and borrowing are
ancient customs.
ХьэщIапIэ кIуэуэ къинэжам хуэдэу (Hesch’ap’e k’wewe qiynezham
xwedew): The best fish smell when they are three days old.
ХьэщIапIэрынэр емыкIущ (Hesch’ap’eriner yemik’wsch): 1. It is in
bad taste to overstay one's welcome; 2. The best fish smell when
they are three days old.
ХьэщIэ гъунэгъу нэхърэ хьэщIэ жыжьэ нэхъ лъапIэщ (Hesch'e
ghwneghw nex're hesch'e zhizche nex' lhap'esch'): A guest from
far away is dearer than a guest from nearby.
ХьэщIэ къашэ щыIэщи, хьэщIэ ишыж щыIэкъым (Hesch'e qashe
schi'eschiy, hesch'e yishizh schi'eqim): Guests come easily, but do
not as easily go.
ХьэщIэ лей щыIэкъым (Hesch'e ley schi'eqim): 1. A guest is never in
excess (unwanted); 2. No guest should be regarded as a burden; 3.
All guests are welcome.
ХьэщIэ мыхъу жьантIакIуэщ (Hesch’e mix’w zchant’ak’wesch):
The unworthy guest heads for the place of honour (away from
door, near hearth).
ХьэщIэмыхъу жьантIакIуэщ (Hesch’emix’w zchant’ak’wesch): The
unworthy guest heads for the place of honour (away from door,
near hearth).
ХьэщIэр шхэм––бжэм йоплъ (Hesch’er shxem––bzhem yoplh): After
eating the guest looks at the door.
ХьэщIэр шхэмэ, бжэм йоплъ (Hesch’er shxeme, bzhem yoplh): After
eating the guest looks at the door.
ХьэщIэ щIалэ щыIэкъым (Hesch'e sch'ale schi'eqim): 1. There is no
such thing as a young guest; 2. A guest is a guest. [All guests must
be respected, no matter how young]

ХъуэхъукIэ узэхыхьэу, хъуэнкIэ узэхэмыкIыж: To start with a

toast and end up with a curse.

ЦIу псори дыщэкъым (Ts’u psoriy discheqim): All is not gold that
glitters.
ЦIыхум и цIэр езым зыфIещыж (ЦIыхум и дуней тетыкIэм
хуэдафэ къраплъ, жыхуиIэщ): Man makes his own name.
ЦIыхуфI и тхьэкIумэ дэгущ: (The ear of the good person is deaf)
Hear no evil.
ЦIыхуфI и Iэнэ хьэзырщ: (The table of a good person is always
ready) Keep your table always ready (for guests).

28
Чэнджащэ щыуэркъым: 1. He who takes counsel errs not; 2. Good
counsel does no harm.

Шэрэ лъырэ зэхакIэркъым: They don’t pour milk and blood into one
another.
Шэхур хуабэу яхуз, фызыр щIалэу ягъасэ: Wax is compressed
while hot, a woman is educated when she is young.
Шу хьэщIэр ягъэшэсыж, лъэс хьэщIэр пщIантIэм дашыж (Shu
hesch’er yagheshesizh, lhes hesch’er psch’ant’em dashizh): They
see to it that a guest on horseback mounts his horse on leaving,
and they accompany the unmounted guest across the yard.
Шхын нэхърэ шхалъэ (Шхалъэ=feeding-trough; manger): Mind the
feeding-trough before food.
ШыгъупIастэм уемылъэпауэ (ШыгъупIастэ=bread-and-salt): Do
not scoff at meager food.
Шыдыр удафэмэ, тало мэхъу (Удэфэн=to misbehave; to conduct
oneself in an unruly manner; тало=cholera): If the jack-ass
misbehaves, it is struck with cholera.
Шым еуи дыхьэ, елъэдэкъауи къыдэкIыж: Whip the horse and
approach, spur the horse and leave.
Шыр птымэ, шхуэри дэщIыгъу: If you give the horse, include the
bridle.
Шыуаным илъыр зымышхыжынур гуэным илъым тогужьеикI:
He who will not eat up what’s in the cauldron shall worry about
what’s in the granary.
ШыфIым къамышы хуейкъым (Shif’im qamishi xweyqim): (A
good horse is in no need of a whip) A good horse should be
seldom spurred.
Шыцуэс къесу узэрысым уимыкI (Шыцуэс=light snow): Stay put
where you are, if light snow is falling.

ЩакIуэ кIуэгъуэм хьэв япIыркъым, гузэвэгъуэм къан

къахьыркъым: They don’t raise the puppy when it’s time to go
out for the hunt, and they don’t bring in a ward in time of trouble.
[According to a peculiar custom, the ataliqate, children of princes
and nobles were entrusted at an early age to vassals to be raised
and trained in a military fashion. This institution played a major
role in strengthening relationships between the princes and their
nobles and among nobles themselves. The separation also served
to lessen emotional attachment between parents and their children.
This Spartan upbringing was necessary, as death in battle was only

29
 a heartbeat away. In ancient times, this institution was more
strictly adhered to and it was not confined to any particular caste.
Later it came to be associated only with the upper classes. When it
was time to entrust the charge, which was between the ages 6-10, a
boy was mounted on a horse, a girl in a carriage, and taken to the
foster-home, together with ample supplies of fabrics and produce.
The foster-father, ataliq (атэлыкъ), was expected to teach his
ward, qan (къан) or p’ur (пIур), many social and martial skills.]
Щауэр зыгъэщауэр гуащэщи, гуащэр зэрыгуащэр и щэнщ
(Щэн=manners; disposition, character).
Щауэ укIытэх хъыджэбзхэкIыжщ (Schawe wich’itex
x’ijebzxech’izhsch): Faint heart never won fair lady.
ЩхьэкIуэ зышх щхьэшхыгъуэ йохуэ (ЩхьэкIуэ=offence, injury,
wrong; resentment, grudge).
Щхьэр къэхь, жаIэмэ, пыIэр къахь.
Щхьэр псэумэ, пыIэ щыщIэркъым: If the head is alive, it will not
lack a cap.
Щыгъынибгъу нэхърэ теубгъуэн (Щыгъын куэд уиIэ нэхърэ
тепIэнщIэлъын, жыхуиIэщ): To have your bedding is better than
nine complements of clothes.
ЩыжаIэм щыпаупщIыркъым: It is rude to interrpt while someone
is talking.
ЩыкIыр икIэ мэхъу (see also УщыкIмэ икIэ ухъунщ): The conceited
person becomes the worst.
Щымыуэ и щыуагъэ яшхыркъым: To err is human.
ЩытхъукIей нэхърэ убыкIафIэ: A good calumny is better than a bad
compliment.
ЩыщIэ нэхърэ мащIэшх (Schisch’e nex’re masch’eshx): A little is
better than nothing.

ЩIакIуэ нэхърэ уэшх нэхъ благъэщ: 1. Rain is nearer than the great
coat; 2. Always be prepared.
ЩIалэгъуэр щхьэгъэрытщ (УщIалэху уIуэхутхьэбзащIэщ,
жыхуиIэщ): While you are young, you are a servant. [One or two
young men schhegherit (щхьэгъэрыт) were assigned to wait on
the table at a Circassian feast, being usually the youngest of the
attendants. Young though they might have been, they were
supposed to be fully conversant with table etiquette, and they got
their cues from (the subtle gestures of) the themade (тхьэмадэ).
They were also expected to divine the wishes and requirements of
the guests with minimal conversation. It was the custom to present
them with goblets and to pronounce a toast in their honour]

30
ЩIэ ягъэIущ щхьэкIэ, жьы яущиижрэ?: Do not teach an old dog
new tricks.
ЩIэм дежьи жьым дэшхэ (Sch’em deizchiy zchim deshxe): Travel
with the young and eat with the elders.
ЩIэныгъэ зимыIэр нэфым хуэдэщ: He who lacks knowledge is like
a blind man.

ЯмыгъэпсэлъэлI яукIыркъым.
Япэ джэлам ущIэмынакIэ: Do not poke fun at him who falls first.
Япэ лIар япэ ирах: First to die, first to be removed.
Япэ лIэм джэбыныр ейщ: The shroud belongs to him who dies first.

Iэщми псэ Iутщ (ГущIэгъу хуэщI, жыхуиIэщ): Even cattle have souls
(treat them kindly).
Iей пщIауэ фIы ущымыгугъ (’Ey [e bzaje, e e] psch’awe f’i
wischimigwgh): 1. Reap as you have sown; 2. As you sow you
shall mow; 3. As the man sows, so he shall reap; 4. As you make
your bed, so you must lie on it; 5. To lie (sleep) in (on) the bed one
has made; 6. To make one’s bed, and have to lie in (on) it; 7. A
bad beginning makes a bad ending; 8. As the call, so the echo; 9.
Every bullet has its billet; 10. Curses like chickens come home to
roost.

Iуэхухутэ ялIыркъым, лIыкIуэ яукIыркъым: 1. He who reveals a

matter is not slain, and a messenger is not killed; 2. Don’t kill the
messenger (if you don’t like the message).
Iуэхутхьэбзэри щIыхуэщ: Even a service is a debt.

31
 Outlook on Life

(ЦIыхум и дуней еплъыкIэр

къэзыгъэлъагъуэ псалъэжьхэр)

Абрэмывэ пэт зы пIэм илъкъым (Абрэмывэ= In the Nart Epos, a

stone of immense size and great weight): Even the big stone does
not stay in the same place forever.
Адакъэр мыIуэкIи нэху щын къанэркъым.
Адэ мылъку бынгъэкIуэдщ (И адэм и мылъкум щыгугъыу
мылажьэурэ хуэмыху мэхъу, жыхуиIэщ. If you depend on your
father’s fortune, you become lazy and you will lose it eventually):
The fortune of the father is wasted by his children.
Ажал зимыIэ щыIэкъым: 1. No fence against the flail; 2. Every door
may be shut, but death's door.
Ажалыр бжэм (бжэщхьэIум) нэхърэ нэхъ благъэщ: 1. Death is
nearer than the door; 2. Death knocks at the door.
Акъыл былымщ: Good sense is a great asset.
Акъылыр жьыгъэ-щIагъэкъым: Good sense is not tied to age.
Акъылыр нэмысщ, былымыр насыпщ: The brain is the ethos,
cattle one’s riches.
Анэм и гъуапэр пхъум и джанэщ.
Анэм и хабзэр пхъум и бзыпхъэщ: The etiquette of the mother is the
exemplar of the daughter.
Апхуэдэуи мэхъу, нэхъыфIи мэхъуж.
Аргъуейм и лым хуэдэщ и лэпсри (Arghweym yi lim xwedesch yi
lepsriy) (As the gnat’s broth so is the flesh) 1. A bird may be
known by its song; 2. A tree is known by its fruit.
Афищэ зытар хьэ матищкIэ ящэжащ.
Аслъэныр жьы хъумэ хьэIуцыдзыр щодыхьэшх: When the lion
gets old he is laughed at by the jackal.
Ахъшэр пшахъуэщи, гъащIэр пцIащхъуэщ (Ахъшэр
пIэщIолъэлъ, пцIащхъуэр пIэщIолъэт, жыхуиIэщ): Money
scatters like sand and life flies away like a swallow.

Бэрэжьей мэщхьэлъэри, щхьэж и лъэпкъ хуокIуэж: (The elder

[plant] is in bud, and everybody returns to his own kind) Like
father like son.
Бэр зэкъуэтмэ––текIуэныгъэщ (еплъ аргуэру лъэпкъыр зэкъуэтмэ
лъэщщ, икIи узэкъуэтмэ улъэщщ): There is strength in union.

32
Бэр зэнэцI нэхърэ бэр зэхъуэхъу: Better to congratulate people on
their successes than to envy them.
Бгъэплъыщэмэ, мывэри зэгуоуд: If you heat it a lot, even the stone
would collapse to pieces.
Бжэн щынэ къилъхуркъым (Bzhen schine qiylhxwrqim): (A goat
does not give birth to a lamb) Like begets like.
Бзаджэ уи пашэмэ, бзаджэ ухуешэ: An evil master leads you to the
Devil.
Бзум и лым хуэдэщ и лэпсри: (As the sparrow’s broth so is the flesh)
1. A bird may be known by its song; 2. A tree is known by its
fruit.
Бзум ил и лэпсщ: (As the sparrow's broth so is the flesh) 1. A bird
may be known by its song; 2. A tree is known by its fruit.
БлэбгъэкIым, улъэщIыхьэжыркъым: Whom you let past you, you
won’t be able to catch up with again.
Блэр бэгмэ, и гъуэм ихуэжыркъым: (If the snake puffs itself, it
won’t fit in its hole) Modesty adorns.
Былымыр уэсэпсщ, цIыхупсэр маещ (Былым=cattle; riches;
уэсэпс=dew; мае=nourishing, nutritious).

Вындым и шыр ишхыжынумэ, сабэм хекухь: If the raven needs to

eat its young, it drags them through dust.
Выри лъэщ дыдэщ—къаубыдри щIащIэ: The bull is also very
strong—but they catch and yoke him.

Губгъуэ пщIащэрэ унэ пщIащэрэ зэтохуэ (Губгъуэ=field; steppe;

пщIащэ=leaf).
Гугъэм бгыр екъутэ: Hope breaks mountains.
Гугъуехь зымылъэгъуам тыншыгъуэ ищIэркъым: He who has
not endured hardship knows not what comfort is.
Гугъуехьыр шэчыгъуафIэщ (УмышэчынкIэ Iэмал щимыIэкIэ,
уигу уогъэбыдэри уошэч, жыхуиIэщ): If there is no escaping a
hardship, bear it with a willing heart.
Гудзэр теувэгъуэ-теувэгъуэщ (Гудзэ=spoke of wheel).
Гур зыщыплъэм, нэр мэплъакъуэ.
Гур зыхуеIэм Iэр лъоIэс.
Гур мыгъмэ, нэр гъыркъым: If the heart doesn’t cry, the eyes won’t
cry.
Гурэ гурэ лъагъуэ зэхуаIэщ.
Гурыщхъуэ нэрыщхъуэ ухуешэ.
Гурыщхъуэ щIыныр икIагъэщ: Suspiciousness is a bad disposition.
ГуфIэгъуэрэ гузэвэгъуэрэ зэпылъщ: (Happiness and misfortune lie
side by side) 1. Every cloud has a silver lining; 2. Nothing so bad,

33
 as not to be good for something; 3. It's an ill wind that blows
nobody good; 4. Life after death; 5. A blessing in disguise; 6.
After rain comes fair weather.
ГуфIэгъуэри гуIэгъуэри зэпыщIащ (ГуфIэгъуэрэ гуIэгъуэрэ
зэпылъщ): (Happiness and misfortune are connected [lie side by
side]) 1. Every cloud has a silver lining; 2. Nothing so bad, as not
to be good for something; 3. It’s an ill wind that blows nobody
good; 4. Life after death; 5. A blessing in disguise; 6. After rain
comes fair weather.
Гухэхъуэ щIэщ, гухэщI жьыщ: Joy is young, misfortune is old.
Гущэ зыхуащIым бэни хуащIыж: (They make both a cradle and a
coffin to the new-born) Every door may be shut, but death's door.

ГъащIэ зиIэм уахътыи иIэщ: Every door may be shut, but death’s
door.
ГъащIэр кIэщIщ: Life is but a span.
Гъуамэ цIыкIу нэхърэ гъуамэшхуэ: Better an old scoundrel that a
young villain.
Гъуэгу благъэ (гъуэгу) жыжьэ нэхърэ, гъуэгу жыжьэ (гъуэгу)
благъэ: (Better a short long way than a long short way) The
furthest way about is the nearest way home.
Гъуэгу техьэ гъуэгу тенэркъым: If you start on your way, you will
get to your destination; the first step is always the hardest.
Гъуэгум и кIыхьагъым хуэдизи и бгъуагъущ: It is as broad as it is
long.
ГъущI куэбжэ зиIэ гъущI мастэ щощIэ (ГъущI=iron; куэбжэ=gate;
мастэ=needle; щыщIэн=to lack [smth.]): The shoemaker’s wife is
the worst shod.
ГъущIыпэ пэтрэ мэхъуапсэ: He even envies an iron nose.

Дахагъэм дагъуищэ егъэпщкIу: (Beauty hides a hundred blemishes)

1. Fair without, false (or foul) within; 2. Never judge from
appearances; 3. Appearances are deceptive; 4. The Apple of
Sodom.
Дахэу ябз дахэу ядыжыркъым (Дахагъэ псор зым бгъэдэлъкъым,
жыхуиIэщ): All beauty is not the lot of any one person.
Делэм и псалъэм Iуэху тращIыхьыркъым: The words of a fool are
scattered by the wind.
«Дунейм сыт нэхъ IэфI, сыт нэхъ дахэ, сыт нэхъ жэр? –
щыжаIэм:
– Псэ нэхъ IэфIщ, гъатхэ нэхъ дахэщ, гу нэхъ жэрщ», – жаIащ:
When they said, ‘What are the sweetest, most beautiful, and

34
 fleetest things in the world?’, it was said: ‘The soul is the sweetest,
spring is the most beautiful, and the heart is the fleetest.’
Дунейр гъуэрыгъуэ шэнтщ: 1. Life allots fortune in turns; 2. Life is
like a wheel of fortune.
Дунейр чэзущ: Every dog must have his day.
Дунейр шэрхъщи мэкIэрахъуэ: Life is like a wheel of fortune.
Дыдж емыIубам фом и IэфIагъэр ищIэркъым: 1. (He) Who has
never tasted bitter knows not what is sweet; 2. He knows best what
good is that has endured evil.
Дыдж уемыIубауэ IэфIыр зэхэпщIэркъым (Dij weimi’wbawe ’ef’ir
zexepsch’erqim): 1. (He) Who has never tasted bitter knows not
what is sweet; 2. He knows best what good is that has endured
evil.

Джэд нэхърэ джэдыкIэ нэхъ Iущщ: The egg is wiser than the hen.
Джэд щыкъун и пщIыхьщ: A hen dreams of its feed.
Джэду здэщымыIэм дзыгъуэ щоятэ (щоджэгу): When the cat’s
away, the mice will play.
Джэду и шырыр ишхыжын хъумэ, «дзыгъуэм ещхьщ» жеIэ:
(When a cat wants to eat her kitten, she says: ‘It looks like a
mouse.’) If you want a pretence to whip a dog, say that he ate the
frying-pan.
Джэдым зэрыфIагъэжыну сэр къеулъэпхъэщ: The hen rakes away
the knife with which it will be slaughtered.

Дзэр куэдрэ узмэ––Iуач: If your tooth aches so much, pull it.

Дзы зиIэ и нэIэ тетщ (Dzi ziy’e yi ne’e teitsch): (He who has a defect
worries about it all the time) He that has a great nose thinks
everybody is speaking of it (Scottish).

Е мыхъу фIы хъужыркъым: Things have to become worse before

the can become better.
Ебгъэлеймэ––къреху: If he goes too far, get rid of him.
ЕмыкIур екIу мэхъури екIур емыкIу мэхъу: What is improper
might become proper, and what is proper might become improper.
Емынэрэ пэт зэрыхьэм зыгуэр къренэ: Even black death spares a
few souls.
Ер вы бжьакъуэм къокI: 1. Evil can be born of trifles; 2. Great
disputes flare up from mere trifles.

ЖаIэр къос, ясэр къокI: What they say comes to pass, what they
plant grows to fruition.

35
Жеймрэ гугъэмрэ адэ щIэиныфI: 1. Sleep and hope are the good
legacies of the father; 2. The wish is the father to the thought; 3. If
it were not for hope, the heart would break.
Жыг зытеуэри мэгурым, пщIащэ зытеуэри мэгурым: He
complains all the time.
Жыгыжьыр иту, жыгыщIэр йобэт.
Жылэ(р) зыгъашхэ(р) шхын щхьэкIэ малIэ (Zhile(r) zighashxe(r)
shxin schhech’e mal’e): 1. The cobbler’s wife is the worst shod; 2.
Wilful waste makes woeful want; 3. Waste not, want not. [Зи
гугъу ищIыр пщафIэрщ; i.e. the cook]
Жылэ лажьэ лажьэ хъуркъым: Work for the community never
becomes a liability.

Жьэр щхьэм и лIыкIуэщ: The mouth is the messenger of the mind.

Жьы къемыпщэу къурэ сыскъым: The dry grass won’t move
without the wind.
Жьым къихьыр псым ехьыж (ехьэж) (Zchim qiyhir psim yehizh)
(Гугъу удемыхьу къэбгъуэтар кIуэдыжыгъуафIэщ,
жыхуиIэщ): Easy come, easy go.
Жьым щытхъуи щIэр къащтэ (Zchim schitx’wiy sch’er qaschte):
(Praise the old and take the new) 1. Cast not out the foul water till
you bring in the clean; 2. Don’t throw out your dirty water before
you get in fresh.
ЖьыфI здэщымыIэм щIэфIи щыIэкъым: No good old men, no
good young men.

Зэбий нэхърэ зэбэу.

Зэгуэс нэхърэ зэгуэт.
Зэдэгъуэт нэхърэ зэблэгъуэтыкI (Зы махуэм псори уиIэ нэхърэ,
мащIэми, махуэ къэс зыгуэр бгъуэтмэ, нэхъыфIщ, жыхуиIэщ):
Rather than have all for one day, it is better to have little every
day.
ЗэдеIэмэ бгыри ягъэкуэш (Ягъэкуэш—ягъэIэпхъуэ, move): There is
strength in union.
Зэзри зи хущхъуэ щыIэщ: Even bile may sometimes cure.
Зэманым декIур лIыфIщ: He who goes with the times is a good man.
Зэхьэзэхуэ мэунэри зэижитI мэунэхъу: Those who compete shall
thrive, and those who envy one another shall be ruined.
Зи игъуэр дахэщ: Everything is good in its season.
Зи къуэш мащэ хуэзытIыр йохуэж (еплъ аргуэру Мащэ зытI
йохуэж): (He who digs a hole falls in it) 1. Curses like chickens
come home to roost; 2. A dose of one’s own medicine; 3. He that
mischief hatches, mischief catches.

36
Зы акъыл нэхърэ акъылитI: 1. Two heads are better than one; 2.
Four eyes see more than two.
Зы акъыл нэхърэ акъылищэ: (Hundred brains are better than one) 1.
Two heads are better than one; 2. Four eyes see more than two.
Зыгуэр щыжаIэм зыгуэр щыщыIэщ.
Зы гъэм къэкI удзыр зы вым ихъуркъым, къэхъуну-къэщIэнур
зы лIым ищIэркъым: No one bull can graze all the grass grown
in one year, and no man can predict the future.

Зы къэлэрри къэлэрищэри зэхуэдэщ (зыщ): 1. As well be hanged

for a sheep as for a lamb; 2. Over shoes, over boots.
Зы мафIэ хъуаскIэм жылэ псор къресэкI (ХъуаскIэ=spark): One
spark sets the whole village ablaze.
Зы мэлыфэ тIэу трахыркъым: A sheep is only skinned once.
Зы хьэ зэбэным хьищэ йобэн: One barking dog sets all the street a-
barking.
Зым и гуращэр щэм я гуращэщ (Гуращэ=secret dream; intention):
The aspiration of one is the aspiration of a hundred.
Зым и хущхъуэ зым и щхъухьщ (Хущхъуэ=medicine;
щхъухь=poison): One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
Зым и хьэдагъэщ, зым и нысашэщ (Хьэдагъэ=ceremony of
mourning over the deceased; нысашэ=wedding): One man’s meat
is another man’s poison.
Зым тIур и дзэщ: Two are an army compared to one.
Зым хуэмыфI хьэдрыхэ ягъэкIуэркъым (Хьэдрыхэ=the life after)
(Zim xwemif’ hedrixe yaghek’werqim): 1. Even a fool tells the
truth every now and then; 2. A fool may sometimes speak to the
purpose; 3. A fool's bolt may sometimes hit the mark; 4. Nothing
so bad, as not to be good for something; 5. It's an ill wind that
blows nobody good.
Зыр лIа щхьэкIэ, зым зилIэжрэ?: Does one kill himself for the death
of another?
Зыхьри мэгугъэ, яхьри мэгугъэ.

ИкIута из хъужыркъым: Don’t cry over spilled milk.

Илъэс плIыщIыр – дыгъужь плIыщIщ,
илъэс хыщIыр – хьисэп хыщIщ,
илъэс пщIейр – пэщащэ пщIейщ,
илъэсищэр – джэдыкIищэщ.

Кэрдэщыщхьэ мэщхьэлъэри, щхьэж и лъэпкъ йоуэж (Кэрдэщ,

чэрдэщ: Lavatera punctata (spotted-stalked tree-mallow); еплъ
аргуэру бэрэжьей мэщхьэлъэри, щхьэж и лъэпкъ хуокIуэж):

37
 (The Lavatera punctata is in bud, and everybody returns to his own
kind) Like father like son.

Куэд зыгъащIэм куэд елъагъу: The devil knows many things

because he is old.
Куэд зыгъащIэ нэхърэ куэд зылъагъу: Better to experience many
things than live long.
Куэдрэ псэу куэд елъагъу: The devil knows many things because he
is old.
Куэдрэ шэм ухэплъэмэ, лъы холъагъуэ: If you stare long into the
milk, you shall see blood in it.

КIапсэшхуэм ихьар арэфыпсым къехьыж (КIапсэ=rope;

арэфыпс=rope made of raw hide).
КIэ зимыIэ щыIэкъым (Ch’e ziymi’e schi’eqim): (Nothing without
an end) 1. The morning sun never lasts a day; 2. All’s well that
ends well.
КIыгуугу и цIэ иреIуэж: The cuckoo keeps repeating its name, giving
itself away, exposing itself.

Къанзэгу (Къандзэгу) пэтрэ гу егъэуфэрэнкI (Къанзэгурэ пэт гу

егъэуфэрэнкI): (Even an ant-hill could overturn a carriage) One
cloud is enough to eclipse all the sun.
КъашыргъитI зэрошхри бзу и шхын къыдокI: (Even when two
hawks eat one another, a meal is spared for a sparrow) Every
cloud has a silver lining.
Къэбублэр хабзэщ: What you initiate becomes the custom.
КъэкIуэгъуафIэ кIуэжыгъуафIэщ (Qek’weghwaf’e
k’wezhighwaf’esch): Easy come, easy go.
КъежьэкIей – кIуэдыжыкIейщ: Difficult to start, difficult to go bust.

КъуанщIэм нэ хуащIати «набдзэ» жиIащ (КъуанщIэ=rook;

набдзэ=eyebrow; eyebrows): (They made eyes for the rook, and it
said, ‘Eyebrows’) Man is never satisfied.
КъуанщIэм узыхуишэр псэхэлIэлщ: The raven leads you to carion.
Къупщхьэ – къуаншэщи, лы пшэр – дахэщ: Bone is crooked, rich
meat is beautiful.

Кхъуэр зыщышынэн щымыIэм(э), Iуащхьэм докI(уей): 1. Set a

beggar on a horseback and he’ll ride to the devil; 2. When the cat’s
away, the mice will play.

38
Лажьэр къэкIуэгъуафIэ щхьэкIэ, кIуэжыгъуейщ: Misfortune
comes easily, but is difficult to leave.
Лы зышхар лэпс йофэж: He who eats the meat drinks the broth.
Лыр фымэ, шыгъу траудэ, шыгъур фымэ сыт иращIэрэ?
(МыхъумыщIэр зымыдэн хуейм езым мыхъумыщIэ ищIэмэ,
хужаIэ. Said of person who does not accept disgrace of other
people yet he brings disgrace to himself).

Лъакъуэ зышхыр щхьэ шхыгъуи йохуэ.

Лъэпкъ и зыпкъ кIуэдыркъым (КъызыхэкIа лъэпкъым зыгуэркIэ
емыщхь щыIэкъым, жыхуиIэщ).
Лъэпкъыр зэкъуэтмэ – лъэщщ: There is strength in union.
Лъы уасэрэ пхъу уасэрэ мылъку хъуркъым: Blood money and
(one’s daughter’s) bride price do not become riches.

ЛIар псэум пащIыркъым: The dead are not equalled with the living;
the dead are not given the same attention as the living.
ЛIэныгъэ зимыIэ щыIэкъым: Death is the grand leveller.
ЛIэныгъэр жьыгъэ-щIагъэкъым: Death accepts all ages.
ЛIэныгъэр Iыхьэмыгуэшщ: Every door may be shut, but death’s
door.
ЛIэужьыр бжьиблкIэ мауэ (бжьэ=бжьиз=span): (Heredity’s strike
reaches seven spans) Heredity is passed on for seven generations.
[Encapsulates the Circassian custom of interdicting marriage
between persons related up to the seventh ancestor so as to
minimize the chance of genetic defects due to inbreeding. This
was perhaps the next stage of prohibition of incest after the
interdiction of close relative marriages]
ЛIы и махуэрэ шы и махуэрэ зэхуэдэкъым: A man’s day and a
horse’s day are not the same.
ЛIыр лъэпкъщ: 1. In Circassian folklore, a (newly married) man was
considered (or hoped to be) the initiator of a new clan; 2. A man is
a nation in himself (his children, grandchildren, etc).

Мазэ пэтрэ дыркъуэ иIэщ (Мазэрэ пэт дыркъуэ иIэщ): (Even the
moon has blemishes) 1. No garden without its weeds; 2. There are
lees to every wine; 3. Every bean has its black (US).
Мардэ зимыIэ щыIэкъым: 1. Everything/everybody has a limit; 2.
Everything is good in its season.
МафIэ мащIэ Iугъуэбэщ,
бын мащIэ цIэцIалэщ,
гъаблэ бысым гуащэщ.
МафIэм и гъунэгъу лыр мажьэ: The meat cooks near the fire.

39
МафIэншэу Iугъуэ щыIэкъым (Maf’enshew ’wghwe schi’eqim):
There’s no smoke without fire.
Мащэ зытI йохуэж: (He who digs a hole falls in it) 1. Curses like
chickens come home to roost; 2. A dose of one's own medicine; 3.
He that mischief hatches, mischief catches.
Мэкъумылэр мащIэмэ, шкIащIэр шхэрей мэхъу (Meqwmiler
masch’eme, shch’asch’er shxerey mex’w): When the forage runs
low, the little calf becomes voracious.

Мэлищэ щIакъуэншэ хъурэ? (хъуркъым): (A hundred sheep must

have a lame one) 1. There is a black sheep in every flock; 2. It is a
small flock that has not a black sheep; 3. Accidents will happen in
the best regulated families; 4. Many a good cow hath a bad calf.
Мыгъуащэрэ щымыуэрэ щыIэкъым: To err is human.
МылIэр лIы мэхъу: He who doesn’t die becomes a man.
Мыпсэлъэху делэри губзыгъэщ: (While the fool is silent, he is wise)
Silence is golden.
Мыщэ дыгъужь фIэбэлацэщ: The pot calling (or calls) the kettle
black.
Мыщэр зыпIам йобэныж: The bear fights against the person who has
reared it.

Насыпыр Iыхьэмыгуэшщ: Good fortune cannot be shared.

Нащэр мыхъунумэ, кIэрэф мэхъу.
Нэдым и щхьэр умытIатэу, хьэ илърэ ху илърэ пщIэркъым
(Нэд=leather bag; хьэ=barley; ху=millet): If you don’t undo the
top of the leather bag, you won’t know what’s in it.
Нэм екIур гуми йокIу: If the eyes like it, the heart will like it too.
Нэм и узыр нахуэщи гум и узыр щэхущ: The disease of the eye is
for all to see, but the pain of the heart is a secret.
Нэм илъагъур щхьэм и уасэщ: What the eyes see is the worth of the
head; the more you see, the wiser you get.
Нэм ипэ псэр ихуэ.
Нэм псэр и фыгъуэгъущ.
Нэри хьэхущи псэри хьэхущ.
Нэхъыбэм ящIэр хабзэщ: What most people do is the custom.
Нэхъыжь нэмыс, нэхъыщIэ насып: Propriety with old age, good
fortune with youth.
НитIрэ пэт зэхуэдэкъым: Even one’s own two eyes are not exactly
the same.
Нобэрей джэдыкIэр пщэдейрей джэд нэхърэ нэхъыфIщ: 1. Better
an egg today than a hen tomorrow; 2. One today is worth two
tomorrow; 3. Today’s egg is better than tomorrow’s hen; 4. A bird

40
 in the hand is worth two in the bush, or in the wood; 5. A little is
better than none; 6. Never quit certainty for hope.
Нобэ уи махуэщ, пщэдей си махуэщ: (Today is your day, tomorrow
is my day) Every dog has his day.
Ныбэрэ бынкIэ псори зэхуэдэщ.
Ныбгъуэр бгъасэми, хьэсэр и плъапIэщ.
Ныбгъуэр жьы хъумэ, адэжынэ мэхъуж (Ныбгъуэр жьы хъумэ, и
лы адэжынэм и лым хуэдэу пхъашэ, IэфIыншэ мэхъу,
жыхуиIэщ. When the quail becomes old, its flesh becomes like
that of a little bustard – hard and bad-tasting).
Ныбгъуэр хьэм хэсми хум игу хуэгъэзащ.

ПащIэм къимыхьыр жьакIэм къихьыжыркъым.

Пэ зиIэм кIэи иIэщ: Every beginning must have an end.
ПэщIэдзэ зимыIэ щыIэкъым (Pesch’edze ziymi’e schi’eqim):
Everything must have a beginning.
Псэжьым гуащэ къелъхури, гуащэми псэжь къелъху: A harlot
may give birth to a lady, and a lady may give birth to a harlot.

Псэу лIа нэхърэ лIа псэу: better the dead and buried than the living
dead.
Псым и жапIэр езым къегъуэтыж: A river finds its own course.
Псым хэлъ мывитIрэ пэт зонтIэIу.
Псыпэр зэрыжэм (зэрыкIуэм) псыкIэр(и) (ирожэ) ирокIуэ:
(Where the river head goes the tail follows) 1. Like priest, like
people; 2. Like master, like man; 3. The wagon must go whither
the horses draw it.
Псыр гъужми, жапIэр къонэ: If the river dries up, the river-bed
remains.
Псышхуэм псы цIыкIу хокIуадэ: The rivulet disappears into the
large river.
Псы Iуфэм щыпсэум бдзэжьей зыхэсыр ещIэ: He who lives on the
river-bank knows where the fish are to be found.
Пщэдейрей ныбгъуэ нэхърэ нобэрей бзу: (Today’s sparrow is better
than tomorrow’s quail) 1. A bird in the hand is worth two in the
bush, or in the wood; 2. One today is worth two tomorrow; 3.
Today’s egg is better than tomorrow’s hen; 4. Better an egg today
than a hen tomorrow; 5. A little is better than none; 6. Never quit
certainty for hope.
ПщIэгъуалэ утесмэ, иц щыщ къыпхохуэ: If you ride a grey horse,
some of its hair rubs on you.
ПIалъэ мыщIыр жыжьэщи, пIалъэ щIар къос: That which has no
date is very far off, that which has a date comes to pass.

41
Сабыр и щIагъ дыщэ щIэлъщ: (Gold lies under the modest person)
1. Modesty adorns; 2. Speech is silver but silence is gold.
СыджыфI уадэ щышынэркъым (Sijif’ wade schishinerqim): 1. A
good anvil does not fear the hammer; 2. Truth fears no court of
law.
Сымаджэр къанэри щIэупщIакIуэр лIащ: The patient lived on
whilst his visitor died.

Тенджызрэ пэт ткIуэпс-ткIуэпсу зэхэтщ: Even the immense sea is

composed of little drops.
Тепсэр къытепхыжынщ: Thou shalt reap what thou hast sown.
ТIакъуэр закъуэ палъэщ, закъуэр щымыIэ (лIа) пэлъытэщ:
(Two men are like one man, and a single man is like a dead man)
1. One man, no man; 2. The voice of one man is the voice of no
one.

Уэсукхъуэр бзу цIыкIум къегъэхъей: (An avalanche could be

caused even by the small sparrow) One cloud is enough to eclipse
all the sun.
Уэсыр фошыгъу хъуати, фошыгъулъэ игъуэтыжакъым (Куэдыр
пудщ, жыхуиIэщ. That which is found in plenty is dirt cheap).
Уэщым зиIэтыху, пхъэм зегъэпсэху.
Удахэмэ – ухейщ, ухеймэ – улъэщщ.
Узэджэр къокIуэ: Speak of the devil (, and he will appear).
Узэкъуэтмэ—улъэщщ (Wizeqwetme—wilheschsch): There is
strength in union.
Узэрыгугъэу ухъутэмэ, уунэхъурэт?
Узыщыдыхьэшхыр къыпщыдыхьэшхыжынщ: He laughs best
who laughs last.
Уи япэкIэ мывэ хъурей бгъажэмэ, ухуэзэжынщ: Reap as you have
sown.
Уигу ирихьыр IэфIщ, фIыуэ плъагъур дахэщ: Beauty is in the eye
of the beholder.
УищIмэ (улIэмэ), ущIеинщ.

УкъызыщащIэм акъылщи, укъызыщамыщIэм былымщ.

УлIмэ, улIакъуэщ: If you are a man, you are a clan.
Унэвым уеуэмэ, мэзывым и бжьэ мэхъей: If you beat the house
bull, the horn of the forest bull moves.
Унэр зэращIа уэщыжьыр щIыбым щIадзыж.
Ухэныпэ нэхърэ лъэпхъуамбыщIэ.

42
Ущыджэлэнур пщIэтэмэ, упщIэ бгъэтIылъынт: If you knew
where you would fall, you would place a piece of felt there.
УщIалэху уотхъэ: Make merry while you are young.

Фадэр гуакIуэрыефэщи, фызыр гуакIуэрыкъашэщ.

Фор IэфI дыдэщ—зигу иримыхьым ишхыркъым (For ’ef’
didesch—ziygw yiriymihim yishxirqim; фо=honey): (Honey is
very tasty, but he who does not like it does not eat it) Different
people, different tastes.
ФIэщ хъуныгъэ хущхъуагъэ хэлъщ: Belief has a cure in it.
ФIыгъуэм я нэхъыщхьэр зэгурыIуэщ: Concord is the ultimate
wealth.
ФIым фIы къыпокIуэри, Iейм Iей покIуэжыр: One good turn for
another, one bad turn for another.

Хабзэр убзэнкъым, акъылыр къалэнкъым: Etiquette is not just

paid compliments, and reason is not a task.
ХакIуитI зы бо щIэзагъэркъым: Two thoroughbreds cannot live in
the same stable.
ХакIуэмыхъу жылэ гъэунэхъущ.
Хейм и лъыр хамэм ещIэж: The blood of the innocent is avenged by
the stranger. [The code of blood-revenge among the Circassians
was analogous to the ancient lex talionis—an eye for an eye. Many
first-hand accounts tell of the strict adherence to the law and
severity of its application. Blood for blood was the main tenet.
Nothing could assuage the rage of the relatives of the slain but the
spilling of blood—well, almost nothing. For in certain cases the
vengeance seekers could be appeased by being paid blood-price,
lhiwase, by the slayer’s kin, the amount payable being agreed
upon by arbitration. Another loophole in the law, which put an end
to many a raging vendetta, was the arrangement of a marriage
between two members of the feuding parties. In addition, a
murderer could atone for his crime by fostering a child belonging
to his foe or a member of his clan].

Хуарэр дэхуэхмэ, гум йокъу.

Хъан – техьэгъуэ-текIыгъуэщ (Тетыгъуэр чэзущ, жыхуиIэщ):

Power is had in turns.

Хьэлэр хьэлэкIэ дауд (Iуауд): 1. One nail drives out another; 2.

Diamond cut diamond; 3. Like cures like; 4. To fight fire with fire;

43
 5. One fire drives out another; 6. Take a hair of the dog that bit
you.
Хьэлърэ кхъуэлърэ зэтенэркъым.
Хьэм бацэ ишхмэ, бацэ къыдохыж.
Хьэм вакъэ хуэпщIмэ, лъешхыкIыж.
Хьэм и кIэм псы къыщIэмыуэу есыкIэ ищIэркъым: If the dog
doesn’t dip its tail in the water it won’t learn how to swim.
Хьэфэм фо из хъумэ, зэгуотхъ (НыбэизыгъэкIэ щыкIа цIыхум
хужаIэ): Said of a person who stuffs himself beyond satiety.

ХъумпIэцIэджым и кIуэдыжыгъуэм дамэ къытокIэ: (The ant

grows wings in the face of death) 1. A mouse is a lion in the face
of death; 2. Despair gives courage to a coward.

ЦIыкIуу къамылъху ин хъуркъым: You must be born small to

grow big.
ЦIыху зыпI цIыху уасэ хон.
ЦIыхуфI и гъащIэр кIыхь хъуркъым: Whom the gods love die
young.
ЦIыху цIыху щIыжщ (ЦIыхур зыгъасэр, зыущийр цIыхурщ,
жыхуиIэщ): Man mends man.
ЦIыхугъэ зиIэ, и хьэ сыкъишх (ЦIыхугъэншэм удэпсэу нэхърэ,
цIыхугъэ зиIэм удэкIуэдым нэхъыфIщ, жыхуиIэщ): Better to
die with a humane person than to live with an unscrupulous one.
ЦIыхум я фэр зэрызэхуэмыдэм хуэдэу, я гури зэхуэдэкъым: As
people are different in their skin colour, their hearts are also not
the same.

Чэзу зимыIэ щыIэкъым: (Everything has its turn) The morning to the
mountain, the evening to the fountain.
Чы щIыкIэ умыгъэшыр бжэгъу хъумэ, пхуэгъэшыжыркъым: If
you do not bend it whilst it's a twig, you won't be able to bend
when it turns into a stake.

Шэм исар шхум йопщэ (Shem yisar shxwm yopsche): (He who was
burnt by milk blows on sour milk) 1. Once bit(ten), twice shy; 2.
The scalded cat (or dog) fears cold water; 3. A burnt child dreads
the fire; 4. Burnt bairns dread the fire (Scottish).
ШкIахъуэми зы нэхъыжь яIэщ: Even the calf-breeders have one
elder.
ШкIэплъ зытелъ нэхърэ дагъэ зытет (ШкIэплъ: (bot.) Echium
rubrum. Дахэ нэхърэ фIы, жыхуиIэщ): Better the substance than
the appearance.

44
Шы бэгуитI зэхъуэгъущ (Бэгу=scab, sore): Birds of a feather flock
together.
Шы щIакъуэ утесмэ, шы лъэ псо ухуехь (ЩIакъуэ=lame): If you
ride the lame horse it will lead you to the horse with a whole leg.
Шыгъу зышхар псы йофэж: He who eats salt drinks water.
Шым и пащIэр яIуантIэмэ, и щIыбыр щогъупщэ: If the horse’s
moustache is twirled, it forgets about its back.

Щрабзэм щыпаупщIыркъым.
Щхьэж и зекIуапIэ и кIуэдыжыпIэщ.
Щхьэж щыщ и щыдэжынщ (Щыдэжын=patch).
Щхьэм имылъмэ, лъэм и мыгъуэщ: If the head is abed, woe unto
the feet.
Щхьэм имытмэ, лъакъуэм и мыгъуагъэщ (Schhem yimitme,
lhaqwem yi mighwaghesch): If the head is abed, woe unto the feet.
[This proverb was used as a title in one of Biberd Zhurt’s plays]
Щхьэм лъытэ имылъмэ, лъэр мэулэу: A light head trips the feet.
ЩхьэтепIэншэ къабзэ хъуркъым.
Щыгъын гуащэщи ятIэ пщы унэщ.
ЩыIэкIей кIуэдыжыкIейщ: A bad situation is difficult to get out of.

ЩIалэгъуэрэ дахэгъуэрэ зимыIэ щыIэкъым: Everybody enjoys a

period of youth and beauty.
ЩIалэгъуэрэ делэгъуэрэ зимыIэ щыIэкъым: Everybody goes
through a period of foolishness in his youth.
ЩIэблэ зыщIэмыхъуэр лъэпкъ хъуркъым.
ЩIэин ещэр щIэин мэхъу.
ЩIэр жьы мэхъури жьыр щIэ хъужыркъым: The young become
old, but the old never become young again.
ЩIэр къэхъунум щIэнэцIурэ жьы мэхъу, жьыр блэкIам
щIэнакIэурэ мэлIэж: The young grow old hankering after what
is to come, while the old die wishing to relive the past.
ЩIэщхъу зыщIэ къыщIэкIуэркъым.

Яжьэжь щIаха къыщIэпхьэжкIэ хуабэ хъужыркъым.

Iэзэгъуэ зимыIэ узыгъуэ щыIэкъым: Every disease has its cure.

Iей мыхъу фIы хъужыркъым: Things have to become worse before
the can become better.
IитIрэ пэт зэрымытхьэщIу зэрыщIэркъым.

45
46
 On Human Character and Relationships

(ЦIыхум и хьэл-щэнхэр,
цIыхухэм я зэхущытыкIэхэр
къэзыгъэлъагъуэ псалъэжьхэр)

Абы жиIам и дзэ удэмыплъэж (ЖиIар уи фIэщ пщIы хъунущ,

жыхуиIэщ): You may believe him.
Абы и гъащIэр Iэхъуэхэмыхьэу ехь.
Абы и Iуэхур щхьэкъутащ.
Абы нэхърэ хьэм нэхъ укIытэ иIэщ: Even a dog has more shame
than him/her.
Абы ущыгугъмэ, уи гурыгъыр ижынщ: If you rely on him, you
will be no better off than before.
Адыгэр зэхъуэзэщэщ, нэгъуейр зэщэзэблэкIщ.
Адыгэр зэшмэ, мэупсэ, урысыр зэшмэ, матхэ: When bored, the
Circassian versifies, whilst the Russian writes.
Ажалыр зыщ, ар тIущ (Жагъуэ дыдэу ялъагъум хужаIэ): (Death is
one, and he is another) Said of a repugnant person.
Ажэ цIыкIу бжьакъуэшхуэ: A small goat with large horns.
Ажэбжьэ зэрына зэригъэкIынкъым: He is weak, effete.
Ажэбжьэ зэрына зэригъэкIыфыркъым: He is weak, effete.
Акъылкъым, былымкъым: No sense, no fortune.
Акъылыр щагуэшым шыпсыранэм хэсащ.
Алмэстым «сыцIыху и гугъэу хьэр къызобэн» жеIэри мэгуфIэ.
Анэдэлъху дзыр хъужыркъым.
Анэдэлъху узыр хъужыркъым.
Анэм лIыуэ къилъхуащ: He’s a he-man.
Андызыр къетIри шыгъу кIанэ ирегъэтIысхьэж (Андыз – удзщ,
тхьэрыкъуэфщ. И лъабжьэр хущхъуэщ. ЦIыху быдэм,
нэпсейм хужаIэ. Said of a stingy person).
Ар зыхыхьа псы жэбзэнкъым: (The water he gets into never settles)
He’s a trouble-maker.
Ар си набдзэкIитIщ, ар си нитIым язщ: He/she is the light of my eyes.
Арыкъ сабынкIэ тхьэщIи къабзэ пхуэщIыжынкъым
(Арыкъ=irrigation channel in Central Asia; ЩIэпхъаджэ куэд
зыщIа цIыхум хужаIэ. Said of person with plenty of evil deeds):
Even if you wash him with soap in an irrigation channel you won't
make him clean again.
Ауан ящI ауаныщI кIуащ.

47
Бадзэ къытелъэмэ, и шхулъэ йопкI.
Бадзэ тIыса игъэтэджыркъым (ЦIыху Iэсэм хужаIэ): Said of a gentle
person.
Банэ и пIэ банэ къокIэж: (In place of a thorn, another grows again) 1.
Like father like son; 2. Like mother, like child; 3. Like mother,
like daughter; 4. As the old cock crows, so doth the young; 5. Like
begets like; 6. As the tree, so the fruit; 7. Like teacher, like pupil.
Банэхэсрэ Ерусалимрэ зэхегъэгъуащэ (Банэхэс—Краснодар и
гъунэгъуу щыс адыгэ къуажэщ; name of a Circassian village
near Krasnodar; Ерусалим—Jerusalem): He confuses Banexec
with Jerusalem.
Бэджэндибгъу кIуэнщ (ГуащIафэщ, гугъуехь хуэшэчынущ,
жыхуиIэщ): This looks difficult, toilsome.
Бэрэжьей гущэ ирапIыкIа? (ЦIыху IуэнтIам хужаIэ): To have too
much of his mother’s blessing.
Бэрэжьей гущэ ирапIыкIащ: Coddled, pampered.
Бгъур иукIыу епщIанэр кIэсу къихьа хуэдэщ (ЗыкъызыфIэщIыжым
хужаIэ): To think the world of oneself.
Бдзантхьэ гъэва хэува хуэдэщ: As if stuck in dense glue.
Бжыщхьэ зэрына зэригъэкIынкъым: He has no means, he is helpless.
Бжьо хуэдэщ (КIуэкIэ дахэ зиIэ цIыхубз бжьыфIэм хужаIэ): Her gait
is like that of a doe (of light, beautiful gait).
Бжьо КIуэкIэ (КIуэкI дахэ зиIэ цIыхубз бжьыфIэм хужаIэ): Like the
gait of a doe (of light, beautiful gait).
Бжьын щIэгъуэм Iэпэ шынщ, бжьын шхыгъуэм жумэрэнщ (Bzchin
sch'eghwem ’epe shinsch, bzchin shxighwem zhumerensch):
When it’s time to do the onions, the fingers are blistered; when it’s
time to eat the onions, he’s a gopher.
Бзаджэм и бзаджагъэр япэ кърегъэщ.
Бзаджэм ишх фIым хуеIуатэ.
Бзаджэм ищIэр фIым трелъхьэ.
Бзур IукIэ къеубыд (БзэIэфI зыIурылъым хужаIэ): Said of a charmer.
Благъуэр гъуэм къреху (Бзаджейм хужаIэ): (He could charm a dragon
out of its hole) Said of an evil person.
Блэ зэраукIа башщ.
Блэ япщэжа дыжьыныжьщ (ФIым хужаIэ): Said of a good person.

Вэнвей уэшх хэшхащ (Гугъуехь зыхуэмышэч хуэмыхур

щыдзыхэкIэ хужаIэ): Said of a lazy and effete person.
Вы мыхъунур жэмыбжьэщ, лIы мыхъунур жьэгъу жьакIэщ.
Вындыпэ иIыгъщ (Зяужь ихьэр къохъулIэ, жыхуиIэщ): (He has a
raven’s beak) He is always attended by good luck.

48
Гу зимыIэ лIибгъу я ней къысщыхуэ.
Гу кIуэм гудзэ къыхеуд.
Гу къабзэ щхьэ цIапIэ.
Гукъеуэншэ пшэрыгъуафIэщ.
Гупыр зыгъэгупыр гуп и уасэщ.
Гупыр зыгъэукхъуэр кхъуэм хуэдэщ.
Гурымыкъ гурымыкъ и щIасэщ.
ГушыIэкIэ зымыщIэр IэштIымкIэ мауэ.

Гъэми щIыми зи павэжь (Зи ныбжьым емыкIуу щIалагъэ зыхэлъым

хужаIэ).
Гъэпсалъи епхыж.

Гъуапэкъым, пщампIэкъым: (Neither a sleeve nor a collar) Neither one

thing nor the other.
Гъунэгъурэ гъуэншэджрэ: Better a close neighbour than a distant
relative.

ДахэжыIэ фIы мыщIэ: All talk and no cider (US).

Дахэр зыгъэдахэр и набдзитIщ: The eyebrows make the beautiful what
she is.
Делэ гуэшэгъу нэхърэ губзыгъэ дауэгъу: Better to quarrel with a
clever man than to share with a fool.
Делэ дыхьэшхырилэщ: A fool laughs a lot.
Делэ къуэлэн и щIасэщ.
Делэ хьэлывэ щIэнэцIщ.
Ди гъунэгъум сыкъыщышхи ди унэ мышхэу сынэсыж.
Ди гъунэгъум я джэдыр къаз хуэдэщ (Нэпсейм, фыгъуэнэдым
ауаныщIу хужаIэ): (Our neighbours’ hen looks like a goose) Said
of a covetous person.
ДунейгъэбжьыфIэщ.
Дунейгъэдахэщ.
Дунейкъым, ахърэткъым (Зыми щыщкъым, зыкIи сэбэпкъым,
жыхуиIэщ): 1. Neither one thing nor the other; 2. Utterly useless.
Дунейр бжьакъуэпэкIэ зэредзэ (Гурбияным хужаIэ): Said of a rude
fellow.
Дунейр нэкIэ игъэл фIощIыж (ЗыкъызыфIэщIыжам хужаIэ): Said
of a conceited person.
Дыгъужьыгу кIуэцIылъщ: He has the heart of a wolf.
Дыгъужьыдзэ Iутщ, бажэкIэ пытщ.
Дыгъужьым мэл зыфIихьынур и пыIэ щыгукIэ къещIэ.
Дыжьыныжь пщэжам хуэдэщ.

49
Дыщэ лъэнкIэпс, уэсэпс хэмыхьэ.

Джатэ ихам хуэдэщ: Like an unsheathed sword.

Джэгугъуэм лIыхъужьщ, зэуэгъуэм жьындущ: A hero at playtime,
but an owl during battle.
Джэду и къуэ дзыгъуащэщ: 1. Like father, like son; 2. Like begets
like; 3. As the old cock crows, so doth the young.
Джэду хьэжы зыкъещI (Хьэжы=Hadji. ЦIыхуфIыфэ зытрегъауэ,
жыхуиIэщ): Said of someone who pretends to be a good person.
ДжэдыкIэм цы къыхех: 1. He’s making a mountain out of a molehill;
2. He’s hunting fleas.

Дзыбэ дзыусщ (Дзы=flaw, defect; дзыус=calumniator): The person

with the most defects is the greatest slanderer of all.

Еджа щхьэкIэ, епщэжакъым (Зи щIэныгъэр

къэзымыгъэсэбэпыфым хужаIэ): Said of someone who is unable
to make use of his education.
Ежьэ мыхъу ежьэ хъуа упэмыплъэ.
Езым фIимыгъэжар хьэрэмщ.
Емынэр зигу, жьэгум дэмыкI.
ЕмыIусэ цыснэIу: To have too much of his mother’s blessings.
ЕмыIусэ цыснэIуу щытын: To have too much of his mother’s
blessing.
ЕплъагъулIэр ебгъуэтылIэжыркъым (Зи теплъэмрэ зи лIыгъэмрэ
зэхуэмыдэм хужаIэ): He looks like a he-man, but acts like a
coward.
Ерыщыр щыту малIэ: A steadfast man dies standing.

Жэщ дэлIэ, махуэ дэхъуж.

Жылэм ямыщхьым шыдыщхьэ фIэтщ.
Жылэм ямыщхьым бабыщыщхьэ къыфIокIэ.
Жылэр егъасэ, бадзэр есэкI (ЩхьэзыфIэфI дзыусым хужаIэ): Said
of a boastful calumniator.

ЖьэкIэ маисэщ, IэкIэ сэмэгущ: He is sharp with his tongue, but has
two left hands.
Жьэмыгъэпсэху псэмыгъэтыншщ: Restless mouth, restless soul.
ЖьэрыIэзэ Iэпэзадэ: It’s one thing to flourish and another to fight.
Жьы хъуар шхыдэ бэIущ, уемыдэIумэ, зегъэгусэ: When they turn
old they become peevish, and if you don’t listen to them, they
sulk.
Жьым тесу псым йопыдж.

50
Жьым щхьэ ядэшх, щIэм лъакъуэ ядэшх (Zchim schhe yadeshx,
sch'em lhaqwe yadeshx): Eat the head (of the sheep) with the
elders, and have the leg (of the sheep) with the young ones.

Зэрымылъагъумэ, зэщIолIэ, зэрылъагъумэ, йолIыкI.

Зэрымылъ пэ лъагэ: Empty vessels make the greatest sound.
Зэрымылъ пэлъагэщ (Zerimilh pelhagesch): Empty vessels make the
greatest sound.
Зэрымытым Iэтищэ ирегъэувэ: He makes a mountain out of a mole-
hill.
Зэрытым йоплъэ, зэрылъым йотэбэ.
Зэрыхъун хъури и нэр хъурей хъужащ.
ЗэхуэмыфI зэфIэIуа.
Зибг имылъ къудан.
Зи бзэ ныкъуэм гуныкъуэгъуэ ущигъащIэркъым.
Зи гупкIэ пысым и псысэ еIуатэ: (Recount the tale of the person in
whose cart you ride) Do in Rome as the Romans do.
Зи гупкIэ уисым и уэрэд жыIэ (ежьу): (Sing the air of the person in
whose cart you ride) Do in Rome as the Romans do.
Зи мырамысэ зыхуэмыщIыжыр гъунэгъум жэмыкIуащIэ макIуэ.
Зи нэгу къабзэм и гури къабзэщ.
Зи ныбэр зи IэфIылъэм и гур и лъэмыжщ.
Зи фIыщIэ зи мыгъуа, зи гъунэгъу зи бий.
Зи хущхьэ хъум и бзущ.
Зи шыкIэр къурыкъуу зи къэрар мащIэ (Къэрар – быдагъэ, фIэщ
хъуныгъэ. Зи къэрар мащIэ – зи псалъэ фIэщ хъугъуей, псалъэ
быдэ зимыIэ).
Зи щхьэ мыжьу зи жьэ джатэ.
Зи щхьэ Iуэху зыхуэмыщIэжыр хамэ IуэхукIэ ерыщщ.
Зи щхьэр къабзэ, зи гур бзаджэ.
Зы щIыпIэ щокъакъэ, зы щIыпIэ щокIэцI: To cackle in one place
and lay the egg at another.
Зыдигъазэр и къэблэщ (ЗэрегуакIуэу, щхьэзыфIэфIу мэпсэу,
жыхуиIэщ).
Зым и IупщIэ зым и щIыбщ.
Зыухым и дей йокIри зыукIым и деж йохьэ (ЗыукIым – Iэщ
зыукIым).
ЗыхамыIуэ мэтэджри мэпсчэIу.
Зы Iэм зы Iэр етхьэщI (Zi ’em zi ’er yethesch’): (You) Roll my log
and I’ll roll yours; 2. You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours;
3. Claw me and I will claw thee; 4. It’s a matter of give and take;
5. One hand washes another; 6. Ka me, ka thee.

51
И адэр къалъхури и къуэм зигъэпсэхужащ (Къуэ щхьэхынэм
ауаныщIу хужаIэ): Said of a lazy son.
И анэ ещхь илъагъумэ, кIэлъыжэнущ: If he sees someone like his
mother, he shall run after her.
И бамэ и пэ ирихьэжыркъым (Зи дагъуэ зымыщIэж пагэм
хужаIэ): Said of a boastful person who is blind to his own defects.
И бэкъу гурыщхъуэ дещIыкIыж (ГурыщхъуэщIым хужаIэ): Said
of a suspicious person.
И деж укIуэмэ, пащIэ лалэщ, уи деж къакIуэмэ, пащIэ задэщ: If
you go to his house he is sullen, if he comes to your house his face
brightens up.
И нэр ису и псэр хэгъуащ.
И ныбэ и хьэщIэ, и щIалэ и къан.
И псалъэ фоупсщ, и фадэ псы защIэщ.
И фэр бэгущ, и гур бзаджэщ.
И фэр фIыцIэ щхьэкIэ, и кIуэцIыр дагъэщ.
И хьэм ижынур ещIэж (ХузэфIэкIынур ещIэж, жыхуиIэщ).
И цищ мэтхъу.
И цIэ выщ, ив матэщ.
И шэ гъуанэ дадзыжынукъым (И щIыхь къутэжынукъым,
яхуэгъэпудыжынукъым, жыхуиIэщ).
И шу дыжьынщ, и жьэгу хьэ гъыпIэщ.
И щхьэ бадзэ трихужыфыркъым: He is helpless.
И щхьэр матэщ, и жьэр джатэщ.
И щхьэр мыжьрэ и жьэр бзаджэу.
И щхьэр пкъуэлъу и лъэр пкъуокI.
И Iуэху зыхэмылъым и бэлагъ хеIу: 1. Mind your own business!; 2.
Go about your business!; 3. The cobbler must stick to his last; 4.
Don't poke your nose into other people's affairs.
Имылъу мэлъатэ.
Ириуэнуи ирищтэнуи гу кIуэцIылъкъым.
Ишхыр кIуэцIокъупщхьэри и пхэ къупщхьэр къыхощ.
Ишхыр фIэмащIэщ, ищIэр фIэкуэдщ (Yishxir f'emasch'esch,
yisch'er f'ekwedsch): What he eats he considers to be too little,
what he does he thinks is too much.

Къэрабгъэр япэ мауэ: The coward strikes first.

Къэхь фIэкI, мэхь ищIэркъым.

Напэ зимыIэм дзажэпкъ иIэщ.

Ныкъуэделэр ефэмэ, делэ дыдэ мэхъу: When the half-witted drinks,
he becomes a complete fool.
НысащIэ мышынэ-мыукIытэ мэлыщхьэ фIэбзам щошынэ.

52
Пашэ ящIри яхуэкIуэркъым, дакъэм дащIэри яхуекъуркъым.
Пащтыхьым и щхьэхынэщ (Щхьэхынэ Iейм хужаIэ. Said of a
hopeless idler).
ПлIэкIэ къихьар ныбэкIэ ихьыжащ (Къихьар ишхыжри кIуэжащ,
жыхуиIэщ. He ate what he brought and left. Literally ‘what he
brought on his shoulders he took away in his belly’).
ПсэжьитIыр щызэфIым зэкъуалъхьар щызэбийм зэкъуахыж.

ПIастэгъэф уафэлъагъущ (ЦIыху сэбэпыншэм хужаIэ. Said of a

useless person).

Си тхъэгъуэм си гъуанэдэплъэ, си лъаджэгъуэм къыслъимыплъэж.

Удым и удыгъэр япэ ирегъэщ.

Уеплъмэ, дахэщ, зэгуэпхмэ, банэщ.
Уи псэ си псэ нэхърэ си псэ тIэкIу (Wiy pse siy pse nex’re siy pse
t’ek’w): 1. Self comes first; 2. Charity begins at home; 3. Each for
himself and the devil take the hindmost; 4. Near is my shirt, but
nearer is my skin.
Уи Iуэху зыхэмылъым уи бэлагъ хомыIу: 1. Mind your own
business!; 2. Go about your business!; 3. The cobbler must stick to
his last; 4. Don't poke your nose into other people's affairs.
УкIытэр и нэгу щIэлъщ, акъылыр и бзэгу телъщ.
УкIытэр щагуэшым дурэшым дэсащ.
Унэм я мыгъуэр я гъуоущ.

Фэ зытетым гу кIуэцIылъщ.
ФэкIэ щIалэрэ гукIэ лIыуэ.
Фыз бзаджэ нэпсрыгуащIэщ.
Фыз фэрыщI лIыгъапцIэщ.
Фызгъэгъу лIы гъум.

ХабзэмыщIэ щытхъухьым хьэгулывэм фо хекIэ.

Хэмылъ хэлъхьэ кIуэри лъэпхъуамбыщIэ хилъхьащ (И Iыхьэ
зыхэмылъым къыхихын и гугъэу кIуэри хилъхьэри
къэкIуэжащ, жыхуиIэщ).

Хуабэ хъумэ, мэдыд, щIыIэ хъумэ мэдий.

ХьэжыщIри сату щIынри зэдегъакIуэ.

Хьэзыр Iупэху, щIэращIэ.
ХьэкIэри кхъуэкIэри зэрепх (Iуэху куэд зэпызыщэм хужаIэ).

53
Хьэ къарэ кIапэ жьэдэлъ хуэдэ (НэкIу фIыцIэ дзэ хужьым хужаIэ).
Хьэлэболэ былым хуэщщ.
ХьэлIамэ къакIуэмэ, кIэфий нэкIуэнущ (Hel’ame qak’weme, ch’efiy
nek’wen[u]sch): 1. (You) Roll my log and I’ll roll yours; 2. (You)
Scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours; 3. Claw me and I will claw
thee; 4. Ka me, ka thee; 5. Nothing for nothing.
Хьэр и напэщ, кхъуэр и пащIэщ.
Хьыгъуэм гуащэщ, къэхьыжыгъуэм псэжьщ.

Шхэгъуэм дыгъужьщ, лажьэгъуэм жьындущ (Shxeghwem

dighwzchsch, lazcheghwem zchindusch): When it’s time to eat
he’s a wolf; when it’s time to work he’s an owl.
Шхырыджэгу ныбалъэ, гъаблэ хъумэ, щхьэпIыж.
ШыщIэ къамылъхуам уанэ хузэщIелъхьэ.

Щымысымаджэми бэджынэ и щIасэт (ЗызыгъафIэм хужаIэ).

Щыуэгъум лъапцIэщ, щыпцIапцIэм вакъэщ.

ЩIалэ фIыцIэ нэкIуфIэ, ахъшэ фIыцIэ гуфIакIэ.

ЩIалэм къижыхьмэ, лIыжьым и лъэдий мэуз.
ЩIыр бжьэкIэ епщри, къыпыщым тоувэ.
ЩIыр къэмыщтэу къэщтэнукъым.

ЯхуэукIыркъым, яхуигъэкIыжыркъым.
Яхутемыхьэ яхутекIыжыркъым.

Iэгу нэщI пащIэ пIий.

Iэмбатэ зэрымытым Iэтэ ирегъэувэ (кърегъэкI) (Iэмбатэ=quantity of
hay taken by one pitchfork; Iэтэ=rick, stook): He makes a
mountain out of a mole-hill.
Iэм Iэр етхьэщI (’Em ’er yethesch’): 1. One hand washes another; 2.
You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours; 3. Claw me and I will
claw thee; 4. It’s a matter of give and take; 5. (You) Roll my log
and I’ll roll yours; 6. Ka me, ka thee.
Iэнэ щагъэувым щохуэх, фадэ щаIэтым щохутэ.
Iыхьсыхь Iыхьэшх.

Iупэ зэв джей быхъу: Thin lips and a huge throat.

54
On Family Matters, Relations, Friendship & Love

(Бынунагъуэм, благъагъэ-
ныбжьэгъугъэм, лъагъуныгъэм
епха псалъэжьхэр)

Адэ лIэужьыншэрэ лыншэ къупщхьэрэ: A father without heredity

is like a fleshless bone.
Адэр дэм хуэдэщи, анэр нэм хуэдэщ: The father is like a nut, the
mother is like one’s eyes.
Адэр шхэкIэ къуэм зигъэнщIыркъым: When the father eats the son
does not become satiated.
АдэфI къуэфI хуэщкъым (Adef’ qwef’ xweschqim): (A good father
is not lucky in havng a good son) Many a good father hath but a
bad son.
Анэ бгъафэрэ хъурыфэ джэдыгурэ: Mother’s chest is (warm) like a
sheepskin coat.
Анэ дэкIуэрэ лIы дэкIуасэрэ (ТIуми емыкIу пылъкъым,
жыхуиIэщ).
Анэ зимыIэм гуIэр и махуэщ: He who has no mother will have
sorrowful days.
Анэ зимыIэ сабийр, адэ иIэми, ибафэщ: A motherless child is a
complete orphan, even if his father is still alive.
Анэр нэщи, адэр лъэпкъщ: The mother is one’s eyes, the father is
(the progenitor of) a clan.
АнэгукIэ къеIэри, анэIэкIэ къитри къызитам къысхуищIащ.
АнэнэпIэсыр уэсым нэхърэ нэхъ щIыIэщ, зэзым нэхърэ нэхъ
дыджщ: A step-mother is colder than snow and more bitter than
bile.
АнэнэпIэсрэ гупкIэ тIысыпIэрэ: A step-mother is like a seat in the
rear of the cart.
Анэр бын гъэкIуэдщ (Быным щысхьурэ, еубзэурэ егъэсэхъу,
жыхуиIэщ. She forgives them, pampers them and pays servile
attention to them): The mother spoils the children.
Анэ шыпхъу анэ палъэщи, адэ къуэш адэ палъэщ: A maternal
aunt is like a mother, a paternal uncle is like a father.

БэлагъыкIыр зыIыгъым хьэ къарибгъу щогугъ: He who holds

the stirring spade gives hope to the nine black dogs.

55
Биижь благъэ хъуркъым, благъэжь бий хъуркъым: An old
enemy doesn’t become a relative, and an old relative does’t
become an enemy.
Благъэ жыжьэ нэхърэ гъунэгъуфI: Better a good neighbour than a
distant relative.
Благъэ хъумэнрэ ху хъумэнрэ зэхуэдэщ (ТIури хъумэгъуейщ,
Iыгъыгъуейщ, жыхуиIэщ): Keeping a relative and preserving
millet are the same (both are difficult).
Благъэжьрэ дыжьыныжьрэ: An old relative is like old silver.
Быдзышэр хьэкхъуафэм иракIэркъым (Быдзышэм нэмыс иIэн
хуейщ, жыхуиIэщ): (Breast-milk is not poured in the trough) .

Гузэвэгъуэр ныбжьэгъу зэхэгъэкIыпIэщ (гъэунэхупIэщ)

(Gwzeveghwer nibzcheghw zexeghech’ip’esch
[ghewnexwp’esch]): 1. A friend in need is a friend in deed; 2. A
friend is never known till a man have need; 3. Prosperity makes
friends, and adversity tries them.

ДэIэбеи ет, еIэбыхи къашэ.

Делэ благъэ нэхърэ губзыгъэ бий: Better a clever enemy than a
foolish relative.
ДелитI зэгуэгъущ, тIуанитI зэегъущ: The two fools work in unison,
(whereas) the two wives (of the same man) are ill-disposed
towards one another.
Дыгъэ нэпс нэхърэ анэ бгъафэ: Mother’s chest rather than the sun’s
rays.
Драхьеймэ, мэгъущIэ,
Кърахьэхмэ, мэщIытэ: When it is lifted, it becomes dry; when it is
lowered, it becomes sodden.

Дыщ мэжаджэ IэфIщ (Мэжаджэ=unleavened bread in the form of

large flat cakes baked in the Caucasus): Bread of the homestead is
the best.

Джанэ нэхърэ гъуэншэдж нэхъ благъэщ: The trousers are nearer

than the shirt.
Джэд хуэдэ, быныфIэщ: Blessed with offspring like a hen.
Джэдумрэ фызымрэ унэгуащэщи, хьэмрэ лIымрэ ныбгъуащэщ:
Woman and cat are ladies of the house; man and dog are hunters
of quails.

56
Еблагъэ зи бэм и бын мэжалIэркъым (Yeblaghe ziy bem yi bin
mezhal’erqim): The children of the person who receives many
guests never go hungry.
Егъур гъуэтыгъуафIэщ, благъэр гъуэтыгъуейщ: Ill-wishers are
easy to find, relatives are difficult to find.
ЕтIуанэлIрэ IулIэIуданэрэ: A second husband is like a basting
thread.

Жагъуэгъурэ щIасэгъурэ зимыIэ щыIэкъым: Everyone has

friends and enemies.
ЖагъуэлIрэ лIэныгъэрэ: An enemy is like death.
Жэм лъакъуэм шкIэ иукIыркъым: (The cow does not kill the calf
with its legs) 1. Crows do not pick crows’ eyes; 2. Hawks will not
pick hawks’ eyes out; 3. Dog does not eat dog.
Жэм лъакъуэ шкIэ иукIрэ?: 1. Crows do not pick crows’ eyes; 2.
Hawks will not pick hawks’ eyes out; 3. Dog does not eat dog.

Жьы зэрымысым нэмыс илъкъым, щIэ зэрымысым насып

илъкъым.

Закъуэныгъэ нэхърэ Iэл къыбдис: It is better to live with an

unsociable person than to stay alone.
Зэдэшхэ IэфIщи, зэдэфI унэщ.
Зэкъуэш псори зы анэ къилъхуркъым: Not all brothers are born of
the same mother.
ЗэкъуэшитI зэкъуэщтыжыркъым (Зэкъуэщтыжыркъым––щтэуэ
зыр зым хыфIидзэркъым): Two brothers do not forsake one
another.
ЗэкъуэшитIрэ дзитI зыIутрэ.
ЗэлIзэфыз я псэ зы чысэ илъщ: A married couple have their souls in
one pouch.
ЗэхэкIыр губжьым къыхокI: Separation results from anger.
ЗэхуэдитIыр къызэдофэри джэду хьэжы зыкъещI.
Зэхуэфащэ зэщауэгъущ (Щауэгъу=best man): Birds of a feather
flock together.
Зегъэуби уи бын пIыж: Don’t lay off censuring when raising your
children.
Зи адэ лIар ибэ ныкъуэщ, зи анэ лIар ибэ хъурейщ: He who lost
his father is half-orphan; he who lost his mother is a complete
orphan.
Зи щхьэ уи унэ исым и псэ уи унэ илъщ: He whose head is in your
house, his soul is (also) in your house.

57
ЗилI Iэмбатэм и фыз куэтэрамэщ (Iэмбатэ=quantity of hay taken by
one pitchfork) (ЗилI мыкIуэмытэм и фызри апхуэдэщ,
жыхуиIэщ. The wife of the sloven is herself a slattern).
Зы бын зиIэми бынищэ зиIэми зэхуэдэу ялъагъу.
Зи унэ и хьэдэ зы унэ итIысэркъым.
Зы хьэщIэм зы хьэщIэ и жагъуэщи хьэщIитIыр бысымым и
жагъуэщ (Zi hesch'em zi hesch'e yi zhaghweschiy hesch'iyt'ir
bisimim yi zhaghwesch): One guest resents the other, whilst the
host is weary of both.
Зыпс ираш зэшыпхъущ.

И адэ еплъи и къуэ дэкIуэ: (Look at the father, then marry the son) 1.
Like father, like son; 2. Like father, like child.
И анэ еплъи ипхъу къашэ: (Look at the mother, then marry the
daughter) 1. Like mother, like daughter; 2. Like mother, like child.
И анэр гупсэщ, и адэр псэущ (Къэзылъхуахэр узыншэщ, псэущ,
насып иIэщ, жыхуиIэщ): The parents are healthy and prosperous.
И бын гуIущIэу зыгъэсам и нэпскIэ епшыныж.
И нэм и джабэхъщ, и псэм къыпатхъащ.
И нэм и нэхущ, и псэм и хъуахуэщ (Мы псалъитIми: фIы дыдэу
елъагъу, жыхуиIэщ).
И уанэ трилъхьэмэ, игу ирилъхьэжащ (Щхьэ закъуэу, бынунэ
зимыIэу псэум хужаIэ): Said of person who lives on his own with
no family.
И щхьэ закъуэ и лъакъуитIщ.
Игу къобгъэну анэкъилъху нэхъ бзаджэщ.
Имылъагъумэ, щIолIэ, илъагъумэ, йолIыкI.
Имысрэ сымаджэрэ Iыхьэншэщ: The absent and the sick are left
with no shares.

КъакIуэ псори благъэщ (Qak’we psoriy blaghesch): All those who

visit are considered relatives.
КъакIуэхэ я унэщ (Qak’wexe ya winesch): It is a house for all comers.
Къалъхур ирегъашэ, къашэр егъэнысэ.
Къантешэ нэхърэ къаншэж.
Къапшэ хъунущ, хуэпшиин уиIэмэ.
КъэдаIуэ, си хъыджэбз, зэхэщIыкI, си нысэ: Listen, my daughter,
comprehend, my daughter-in-law. [According to Circassian
customs, the lady of the house conveyed messages to her daughter-
in-law through talking to her daughter while the former was within
hearing range]
Къэзылъхуар мэупIэри зымыпIам хуолажьэ (Хъыджэбзыр
зыщалъхуа унагъуэм йокIри зыдэкIуам яхуолажьэ, жыхуиIэщ.

58
 The daughter leaves her family house to work for her in-laws): Her
family raised her, but she works for her in-laws
КъэзышагъащIэм щIакIуэщIэрэ кIуэкIэщIэрэ къещтэ: A newly-
married man gets a new (felt) cloak and assumes a new gait.
Къэсшэн согъуэт, сымыгъуэтыр къыздэкIуэнщ.
Къилъхуари къэзылъхуари зэхуэдэщ: 1. Like father like son; 2.
Like mother like daughter.
Къомыхъуэжынур, къомыщэжынур уи анэрэ уи нитIрэщ: What
you cannot exchange or sell are your mother and your two eyes.
Кърум шыр имыIэмэ, зы бзущ (Къру=crane): A crane with no
chicks is a mere sparrow.

Къуажэ дэз Iыхьлы нэхърэ жылэ и зырыз благъэ.

Къуажэ ив нэхърэ къуажэ и благъэ: A friend in court is better than a
penny in purse.
Къуажэ ив нэхърэ къуажэ илI: (Better the man of the village than
the village ox) A friend in court is better than a penny in purse.
КъуанщIэ и шыр фIэдэхэжщ: (A rook thinks its young are beautiful)
Each bird loves to hear himself sing.
Къуаргърэ пэт, и шырым «хужь цIыкIукIэ» йоджэ: (Even the
raven calls its young ‘my white one’s’) Each bird loves to hear
himself sing.
Къуэ бзаджэм адэм хъуэн къыхуехь, пхъу бзаджэм анэм хъуэн
къыхуехь: A bad son brings shame to his father, a bad girl bringd
disgrace to her mother.
Къуэ бзаджэм яжьэм ухегъэс, пхъу бзаджэм хасэ урехьэ.
Къуэ зимыIэ адэр нысэлъыхъу ежьэркъым: A sonless father does
not go looking for a daughter-in-law.
Къуэ мыхъумыщIэм адэр егъэулъий: A bad son is a disgrace to his
father.
Къуэ пцIыупс зиIэ и анэ гуфIэ щыщIэркъым: The mother of a
lying son knows no joy.
Къуэ уиIэмэ, нысэ уиIэщ: If you have a son, you have a daughter-in-
law.
Къуэм и нэр нэфми, анэм псэууэ елъагъу.
Къуэм и псэр анэм и псэфылъэщ.
Къуэм уилIынщ, лIым уипIынщ.
Къуэр напщIэщ, пхъур набдзэщ.
Къуэр анэм и пкъощ, пхъур унэм и щIэращIэщ.
Къуэрагъыр ираупсеящ (Къэшэгъуэ, дэкIуэгъуэ чэзур зылъыса
щIалэм е хъыджэбзым хужаIэ. Къуэрагъ: (folk.; obs.) a pole for
measuring the height of youngest brother of bridegroom, or
youngest sister of bride so as to divine the dates of their weddings,

59
 all this being done in jest): ‘They have set the pole against
him/her’ (said about those whose time to marry has obtained).
КъуэфI и анэ гуфIэ щигъащIэркъым.
Къуэш егъу нэхърэ ныбжьэгъуфI: 1. Better a good friend than a
wicked brother; 2. There is a friend that sticketh closer than a
brother (Proverbs of King Solomon, Ch. 18, v. 24).
Къуэшегъу нэхърэ ныбжьэгъуфI: 1. Better a good friend than a
wicked brother; 2. There is a friend that sticketh closer than a
brother (Proverbs of King Solomon, Ch. 18, v. 24).
Къуэш зимыIэм башым IэплIэ ирешэкI: He who has no brother
hugs the stick.
Къуэш и щIэин къуэш ехьыж.
Къуэш лей щыIэкъым: There is no extra (unnecessary) brother.
Къуэш-шыпхъур хы къумиблым къыкъуокI.
Къуэшым я нэхъ жагъуэгъумрэ щауэгъум я нэхъ щIасэмрэ
зэхуэдэщ.
Къуэшыншэ щIэупщIакIуэншэщ.
Къуэшыр зыщыбэм бэныр щыбыхъущ.

Лъагъуныгъэ зыхуэпщIым гущIэр къегъэхъей.

Лъагъуныгъэ зыщIам лъагъукIэ ищIэжыркъым.
ЛъхурыкIуэд-лъхурыщIэхщ.

ЛIакъуэр зыщыбэм быныр щыхейщ.

ЛIы гурымыкъыр фыз гъагъщи, лIым и гъринэр гуемыIущ.
ЛIы жьей фызгъэгъущ.
ЛIы зэрымыс унэр сабафэщ.
ЛIы и фыз трахрэ?
ЛIы хьэщIэ нэхърэ фыз хьэщIэ (L'i hesch'e nex're fiz hesch'e):
Better a female guest than a male guest.
ЛIы щепткIэ умыгъ, кърагъэкIыжмэ, гъей.
ЛIыгъуабэм быныр ирепхъыхь, фызабэм быныр къещыпыж.
ЛIым и узыншагъэр фызым и фIыгъэщ.
ЛIымрэ фызымрэ зэхуагъэувыр я хабзэщ.
ЛIырэ фызрэ мащэ тIа яку дэлъщ.

Малъхъэрэ, шыдрэ: A son-in-law is a jackass.

Малъхъэр хъумэ, къанщ, мыхъумэ шыдщ: If the son-in-law is
good, he’s a foster-son, оtherwise, he’s a jackass.
Малъхъэщ, жыпIэу унэгъу умыщI, щIалэщ жыпIэу къебгъэшэн
къыумыгъанэ: Say not, ‘he’s my son-in-law’, and take him into
your house.

60
Махуаем бгъуэтыжыр ныбжьэгъущи, уи хьэмтетыгъуэм
бгъуэтыр уи шхэгъущ: 1. A friend in need is a friend in deed; 2.
A friend is never known till a man have need; 3. Prosperity makes
friends, and adversity tries them.
Мэлищэ нэхърэ щуIэгъэфI (ЩуIэгъэ=щхьэгъусэ
[къамыгъэсэбэпыж псалъэхэм щыщщ]; [obs.] husband, wife):
Better a good spouse than a hundred sheep.
Мыгъуэр зи мыгъуар анэрщ.

Насыпыр фызым къыдокIуэ.

Нэгум щIэтыр нэм хуэдэщ.
Нэм псэр и фыгъуэгъущ.
Нэм псэр зыщIешэ, гум гур къреджэ.
Нэм пэжыжьэми гум пэблагъэщ.
НэхъыщIэ нэхъ щIасэщ.
«Нэчыхьым сигу щыкIащ», – жиIащ куэдрэ яшэурэ кърагъэкIыжа
пасэрей пхъужьым.
Ныбжьэгъум занщIэу къыбжиIэнщ, бийм уи щIыбкIэ
щигъэIунщ: A true friend gives it to you straight; your enemy
says it behind your back.
Ныбжьэгъум ягъэпуда лIыр фызыфIым къыдехыж.
Ныбжьэгъу нэпцI нэхърэ бий нэрылъагъу: Better an open enemy
than a false friend.
Ныбжьэгъур бгъэунэхунумэ, хуитыныгъэ ет.
Ныбжьэгъур гъуджэщ (Nibzcheghwr ghwjesch): (A friend is a
mirror) A person (man) is known by the company he keeps.
Ныбжьэгъур уи нэгу къыщIоплъэ, жагъуэгъур уи лъакъуэ йоплъых.
Ныбжьэгъур щагъэунэхур махуейщ: 1. A friend in need is a friend
in deed; 2. A friend is never known till a man have need; 3.
Prosperity makes friends, and adversity tries them.
НыбжьреилI щыIэкъыми ныбжьрей дыщ щыIэщ.
Нысэ унэгъу тIуанэгъуейщ.
Нысэ Iейм унафэр унэм ирех.
Нысэгъукъуэ нэхърэ тIуанэ къуибгъу.
Нысэм зэхихыу уи пхъум еущие: Admonish your daughter with the
daughter-in-law within hearing range.
Нысэм уеубзэмэ, данэ Iубзэ къыуитынщ.
Нысэр фIыщ, жыпIэу цIэ фIумыщ, и цIэр езым зыфIищыжынщ.

Псэр зэхъуапсэр дахэщ: What the soul desires is beautiful.

Псым икI пэтрэ я кIэ зэнтIэIуащ (Iыхьлыгъэ зэхуаIэкъым,
жыхуиIэщ).

61
ПфIэмащIэр хьэщIэ Iусщ (Pf’emasch’er hesch’e ’wssch): If you
spare your food, it becomes victuals for your guests. [Шхыным
ущысхьмэ, хьэщIэ шхын мэхъу, жыхуиIэщ]
Пхъур зэрыбгъасэщ, нысэр зэресащ.
Пхъур хамэ бынщ: The daughter is an alien child.
Пхъурылъхур пкIэм думыгъэплъей (Куэдрэ пумыгъаплъэу Iэнэ
къыхуэщтэ, жыхуиIэщ).
Пхъурылъхур къихьэмэ, псатхьэр магъ: (obs.) When the nephew
appears in the house, the icon weeps. Historically, visitors from
Kabarda used to smash the icons of their Christian Kabardian
hosts in Mozdok).
Пхъурылъхурэ къанрэ зэхуэдэщ: The child of one’s daughter and
the foster-child are the same.
ПцIырыпыхьэ щIэинхьыж.
Пщащэр дэгъуэмэ, гъунэгъур и фызщIэгъущ (И фызщIэгъущ––
фызу ешэ, жыхуиIэщ).
Пщащэр унэ гуащэмэ, кхъуейхьэбыкъуэ ешх
(Кхъуейхьэбыкъуэ=lump of fresh sheep’s milk cheese).

ПIэщхьагъей уиIэу хьэдагъэ умыкIуэ.

Сабий зэрымысым насып илъкъым.

Сабий зимыIэм имыIэIауэ къыщохъу.
Сабий щIэхъуэпсым гущэпс ед (Гущэпс=soft straps for cradle to
prevent infant from falling out): She who desires children sews
cradle straps.
Сабийм адэ имыIэжмэ, зеиншэкъым, анэ имыIэжмэ, зеиншэщ:
If a child loses his father, he is not an orphan; if he loses his
mother, he is an orphan.
Сабийм и кIэтIийр бжыхьыпэм пылъми мэджэгу.
Сабийр зыгъашхэр и анэщ.
Сэ нэхъыфI умыгъуэтмэ, сыкъэшэж.
Си анэм зэрыжиIэу симыщIу, си фыз зэрыжиIэ тхьэм сищI.
Сыкъамыдэми срадахэщ.

Уэ пхуэдэ сещэмэ, щэ иризгъэкъунщ.

УзэлъэIу къэгъани къолъэIу къашэ.
Узэрымылъагъуу IэфI щыIэкъым.
Узэфэну псым хьэ хыумыукIэ (Wizefenu psim he xiwimiwich’e):
(Don’t kill the dog in the water from which you need to drink) 1.
Don’t foul the well, you may need its waters; 2. Never cast dirt
into that fountain, of which thou hast sometime drunk; 3. Let every
man praise the bridge he goes over.

62
Узейм уигъэкъакъэмэ, хамэм къакъэ къыуатынщ.
Узыгъэблагъэ гъэблэгъэжи узыгъэбий гъэбииж.
УзыукIыр уи бийщи, ущIэзылъхьэжыр уи къуэшщ.
Узыхэфыжыну псым хьэ хыумыукI, иумыгъэкIыжыну фызым
дзы хуумыус: (Don’t kill the dog in the water from which you
need to drink, and don’t sully the name of your wife if you don’t
intend to divorce her) 1. Don't foul the well, you may need its
waters; 2. Never cast dirt into that fountain, of which thou hast
sometime drunk; 3. Let every man praise the bridge he goes over.
Уи адэр фIамэ, уэ уи щытхъукъым, къуэфI упIамэ,
къыпщытхъунщ: That your father is a good man, is not your
doing. However, if your raise a good son, you get all the credit.
Уи анэ и Iэ илъым еплъи, уэ уи Iэ илъым едзакъэ.
Уи анэ зэрымысым дыщасэ умыкIуэ.
Уи анэ къимылъхуар уи дэлъхукъым, уи дэлъху къимышари уи
нысэкъым.
Уи благъэ и унащхьэ плъагъуу ублэмыкI.
Уи благъэ къыуитым и дзэ удэмыплъэж: Don’t look a gift horse in
the mouth.
Уи благъэ уемыпэгэкI––уи бийм благъэ хуэхъунщ: Don’t behave
arrogantly towards your relative – he might end up nearer to your
enemy.
Уи бынрэ уи благъэрэ умыбж: Don’t count your children and
relatives.
Уи гъунэгъу и фэ къыптоуэ.
Уи гъунэгъу умыуб, уи благъэщIи ущымытхъу: Don’t say spiteful
things about your neighbour, and don't praise your new relative.
Уи гъунэгъум къыпхуимыщIэр жыжьэм къыпхуищIэнкъым.
Уи гъунэгъур уи гъуапэщ: Your neighbour is your sleeve.
Уи гъунэгъур уи Iэнэгъумэ, уехъулIащ: If you share a table with
your neighbour, you are surely fortunate.
Уи къуэ уемыубзэ, уи бзи уемыгуауэ (Уи бзи––уи бзылъхугъи).
Уи къуэрэ уи нысэрэ къахуэбублэр къалэнщ.
Уи кIуэдыр си кIуэдщ, уи къанэр си къанэщ: Your loss is my loss,
your gain is my gain.
Уи напIэ гъалIи лIы зэгъэгъуэт, унэкур бгъуэтмэ, уи джатэ къих.
Уи насып зыхэлъым дыщэхь тепхъуауэ уолъагъу.
Уи ныбэ къикIыр уи бынщи, уи лъэуей къелъэри уи джэдщ.
Уи нысэ уигу ебгъамэ, уипхъу ешхыдэ: If your daughter-in-law
grieves you, scold your daughter (with the former within hearing
range).
Уипхъу зэрысрэ уи нысэ и дыщрэ.
Уи тIуанэ умыуб, уи бын ущымытхъу.

63
Уи фыз къыхуэбублэ и хабзэщ.
Уи фыз лIамэ, уи щIэлъэныкъуэр гуэхуащ.
Уи фызрэ уи IэщэрэкIэ хэти дзыхь хуумыщI.
Уи фызыр бзаджэмэ, хьэдагъэ умыкIуэ––махуэ къэси уи
хьэдагъэщ: If you have an evil wife, don’t go to mourning visits
– every day is your day of mourning.
Уи фызыр фIымэ, джэгу умыкIуэж––махуэ къэси уи джэгущ: If
you have a good wife, don’t go to dancing parties anymore – for
your life will be a very long dancing party.
Уи хьэщIэри гъафIэ, уи къуэшри фIыуэ лъагъу (Wiy hesch'eriy
ghaf'e, wiy qweshriy f'iwe lhaghw): Spoil your guest but love thy
brother.
Уи щхьэр зэрыкI нэхърэ уи кIэр зэрылъ.
Уи щIалэ зэрыбгъасэщ, уилI зэресащ.
УкъэзыукIрэ укъизыгъэкIыжрэ.
УнагъащIэ гужьеигъуафIэщ.
УнагъащIэ хьэщIэхуэфIщ (Winaghasch’e hesch’exwef’sch): The
household of newly-weds is most amenable to receiving guests.
Унагъуэ зиIэм унагъуэ и пIалъэ ещIэ.
Унагъуэм гъуанибл иIэщ.
Унагъуэм лъакъуибгъу щIэтщ.
Унагъуэ умыхъуу къуажэ ухъункъым.
Унэ зэхэмыбзым си нэрыбз хэкIуадэщ.
Унэ зимыIэм унагъуэ иIэкъым.
Унэ пхашэ тешэбэщIщ.
Унэ фIейм лIыр егъэжь.
Унэрыс зы бий нэхърэ унэщIыб биищэ: Better a hundred enemies
without than one enemy within.
Унагъуэжьрэ пхъэжь мафIэрэ: East or West, home is best.
Унэкъуэщ хьэщIэ гъэфIэгъуейщ (Wineqwesch hesch’e
ghef’eghweysch): It is hard to spoil a guest who is a kindred
relative (bearing the same surname).
Унэмыхъу хьэбахъуэщ.
Унэнум я хьэ удз ехъури
унэхъунум я нысэ мэдыгъуэ.
Унэр зейр жьантIакIуэщ.
Унэр зыгъэунэри благъэр зыгъэблагъэри фызщ (Winer
zighewineriy blagher zigheblagheriy fizsch): It is the lady of the
house who makes the household prosper, and it is she who makes
the visitors welcome.
Унэр игущ, жьэгур и псэщ (Winer yigwsch, zchegwr yi psesch): The
house is her heart, the hearth is her soul.
Унэр щIабгъэр губгъэныр илъын щхьэкIэщ.

64
Ущылъхуэрэ ущылIэрэ.

Фадэр куэдрэ щытмэ, мэжабзэ,

хъыджэбзыр куэдрэ дэсмэ, мэутхъуэ: If a beverage stands for a long
time it settles; if a girl remains single for long, she becomes turbid.
Фыз бзаджэ зиIэм и унэ умыкIуэ (Fiz bzaje ziy’em yi wine
wimik’we): Don’t visit the house of a man with a wicked wife.
Фыз бзаджэ лIыгъэжьщ (ЛIыр щIэх жьы ещI, жыхуиIэщ): A bad
woman causes her husband to grow old quickly.
Фыз бзаджэ хьэщIэмыгъашхэщ (Fiz bzaje hesch’emighashxesch):
Said of a wicked woman who does not offer food to guests.
Фыз бий нэхърэ жылэ бий.
Фыз быдэ илI хьэлэлщ (Fiz bide yil’ helelsch): A mean wife and a
kind husband.
Фыз дахэ тхьэмахуэ фызщи
фызыфI ныбжьырей фызщ: A beautiful wife is for a week, a good
wife forever.
Фыз закъуэм дэмыIэпыкъу лIыр лIыфIкъым.
Фыз зимыIэ щIалэрэ
шхуэ зыпщIэхэмылъ шырэ.
Фыз мылъхуэ дахэщ.
Фыз улъыхъумэ, благъи дэлъыхъуэ.
Фыз хуэмыху зиIэр насыпыншэщ (Fiz xwemixw ziy’er
nasipinshesch): A man with a lazy spouse is unfortunate indeed.
Фыз хьэдэ лIыгъапцIэщ (Фыз хуэмыхур лIым еубзэурэ
къегъапцIэ, жыхуиIэщ): The lazy woman pulls the wool over her
husband’s eyes by piling compliments upon him.
Фыз щэ щIыгъуэщ.
Фызабэм и бын епIыжри
ЛIыгъуабэм и бын хуэпIыжыркъым.
Фызабэр бын щхьэтепхъуэщ.
Фызым еуэр лIы мыхъущи,
хъуэр зымыдэр лIы делэщ.
Фызым игъэпуда лIыр зыми къыдихыжынкъым.
Фызым и фIыр лIыгъатхъэщ.
Фызыр жьы хъумэ, фIы мэхъуж.
Фызыр тIэушхэ-щэшхэщи,
лIыр зэ шхэгъуэ закъуэщ.
Фызыр щIагъуэмэ, унагъуэм къеIуатэ.
ФызыфI быдзышэ налъэ щыщIэркъым.
ФызыфI гъэтIылъыгъэншэ хъуркъым (Fizif’ ghet’ilhighenshe
x’wrqim): A good woman is never without a store of victuals.

65
ФызыфI зиIэ и гуауэ шэчыгъуафIэщ: Misfortune is bearable to the
person with a good wife.
ФызыфI зиIэм хъуэхъу и унэ илъщ (Fizif’ ziy’em x’wex’w yi wine
yilhsch): Toasts are said in the house of he who has a good wife.
ФызыфI и хьэку ятIэ хьэзырщ (Fizif’ yi hekw yat’e hezirsch): The
oven (literally: the clay of the oven) of a good wife is always
ready.
ФызыфI и Iэнэ зэтетщ (Fizif’ yi ’ene zeteitsch): The table of a good
wife has many layers.
ФызыфI илI гъуэмылэншэ хъуркъым (Гъуэмылэ=traveller’s fare)
(Fizif’ yil’ ghwemilenshe x’wrqim): The husband of a good
woman does not go without his road fare.
ФызыфI илI нэкIущхьэплъщ (Fizif’ yil’ nek’wschheplhsch): The
husband of a good woman is red-cheeked (happy, jovial).
ФызыфI илI цIэрыIуэщ (Fizif’ yil’ ts’eri’wesch): The husband of a
good woman enjoys a good name.
ФызыфIым лIы Iейр добжьыфIэри
фыз Iейр лIыфIыр добжьыгуэ (Fizif’im l’i ’eyr dobzchif’eriy, fiz
’eyr l’if’ir dobzchigwe): A good wife enhances the stature of even
the worst of men, a bad wife diminishes the status of even the best
of men.
ФызыфIыр унэщи, фыз Iейр щIыунэщ (Fizif’ir wineschiy, fiz ’eyr
sch’iwinesch): A good woman is a household, a bad woman is a
cellar.

ФIылъагъуныгъэр къупщхьэ зауэм хуэдэщ.

ФIыуэ зэрылъагъуитIыр
зы фэ джанэм зэдохуэ.
ФIыуэ узэрылъагъумэ,
бгъэныщхьэ унэри жэнэтщ.
ФIыуэ укъэзылъагъум
уи дагъуэр уегъэлъагъуж,
жагъуэу укъэзылъагъум
уи нэ щIыбагъкIэ еIуэтэж.
ФIыуэ плъагъум зыкъебгъэщIэнумэ, и цIэр куэдрэ жыIэ.
ФIыуэ слъагъум хуэзмыщIэнур сремыIэ.

Хамэ щIалэ бгъэуджмэ,

и анэ къеджэмэ, кIуэжынщ.
Хамэм ухуэмыубэ,
быным ухуэмыдзыхэ.
Хэгъэрей хуэмыхум хьэ къыуегъэдзакъэ.
Хэгъэрей бзаджэ дэкIуатэ кIыхьщ.

66
Хэгъэрей бзаджэ шу ужьщ.
ХэгъэреифI лъыхъуи, былымлъыхъуэ кIуэ.

Хьэ мыбанэ унэ гъэунэхъущ: A silent dog is the ruin of the house.
Хьэ пэтрэ и шырыр дзапэкIэ зэрехьэ.
Хьэ хей умыукI, фыз хей иумыгъэкIыж: Don’t kill an innocent
dog, and don’t divorce an innocent woman.
Хьэдрыхэ кIуэрэ зи дыщ кIуэжрэ хэт иубыда? (Хьэдрыхэ=the life
after).
ХьэкIуф зофий, зэфэгъу зэIуощIэ (ХьэкIуф – адыгэхэм ящыщ зы
лъэпкъыу мэзым хэсу Хы фIыцIэ Iуфэм Iусащ; Hek’wf=one of
the Circassian clans that used to live in the forests by the Black
Sea) 1. Birds of a feather flock together; 2. Like draws like; 3.
Like will to like.
ХьэкIуфхэр зофийри, зэфэгъухэр зэкIуомщ (ХьэкIуф – адыгэхэм
ящыщ зы лъэпкъыу мэзым хэсу Хы фIыцIэ Iуфэм Iусащ;
Hek’wf=one of the Circassian clans that used to live in the forests
by the Black Sea; зэкIуом – урыс псалъэ кум жыхуаIэм
къытекIагъэнущ, зэблагъэщ, жыхуиIэщ): 1. Birds of a feather
flock together; 2. Like draws like; 3. Like will to like.
Хьэмэшыпхэ благъэщ: Distant relative.
ХьэмэшыпхэмкIэ къекIуэкIа: 1. Remote kinsfolk; 2. Related only
through Adam.
ХьэщIэ жагъуэ псы кIэщIакIэ (Hesch'e zhaghwe psi ch'esch'ach'e):
They splash water under the unwelcome visitor.
ХьэщIэ здэщыIэм хэгъэрей щыIэщ (Hesch'e zdeschi'em xegherey
schi’esch): Where there is a guest there is an honorary guest-
companion.
ХьэщIэ зи жагъуэм лыхуэ хуегъажьэ (Hesch’e ziy zhaghwem lixwe
xweighazche): For the obnoxious guest sinewy meat is prepared.
[This is an inferior kind of meat. In Adigean: ХьакIэ зиджагъом
лыфэ фегъажъэ].
ХьэщIэ къакIуэмэ, хэгъэрейр мэгуфIэ (Hesch’e qak’weme,
xeghereyr megwf’e): When the guest comes on a visit, the
honorary guest-companion is delighted.
ХьэщIэ къихьэмэ, хэгъэрейр мэгуфIэ (Hesch’e qiyheme, xeghereyr
megwf’e): When the guest comes on a visit, the honorary guest-
companion is delighted.
ХьэщIэ хьэщIэ тепсыхэ [хьэщIэтепсыхэ] и жагъуэщ (Hesch’e
hesch’e teipsixe [hesch’eteipsixe] yi zhaghwesch): A guest resents
the arrival of another guest.
ХьэщIэм и ерыскъыр къыдокIуэ (Hesch'em yi yerisqir qidok'we):
The guest's victuals arrive with him.

67
ХьэщIэмыгъашхэ цIэрыIуэщ (Hesch'emighashxe ts'eri'wesch): He
who doesn't offer food to his guest becomes notorious.
ХьэщIэр бысымым и гъэрщ (Hesch'er bisimim yi ghersch): The
guest is a captive of his host.
ХьэщIэр жэщищ исмэ, быным ящыщ мэхъуж (Hesch'er
zheschiysch yisme, binim yaschisch mex'wzh): If the guest stays
for three nights, he becomes part of the family.
ХьэщIэ куэдрэ щысмэ, бысымыр йозэш (Hesch'e kwedre schisme,
bisimir yozesh): If the guest stays for too long, the host becomes
very weary.
ХьэщIэр нэщхъеймэ, бысымым и ягъэщ (Hesch’er neschx’eyme,
bisimim yi yaghesch): If the guest is upset, it is a grave concern
for the host.
ХьэщIэр хущхьэрей хъумэ, гъашхи гъэгъуэлъыж (Hesch’er
xwschherey x’wme, ghashxiy gheghwelhizh): If your guest starts
to yawn, feed him and then let him sleep.
ХьэщIэр хьэзыр щхьэкIэ, бысымыр хьэзыр? (Hesch’er hezir
schhech’e, bisimir hezir?): The guest is ready, but is the host also
ready?
ХьэщIэр шхэмэ, бжэм йоплъ (Hesch’er shxeme, bzhem yoplh): After
eating, the guest looks at the door.
ХьэщIэр шхэм—бжэм йоплъ (Hesch’er shxem––bzhem yoplh): After
eating, the guest looks at the door.
ХьэщIэфI и бысымыбжэ зэIухащ (Hesch’ef’ yi bisimibzhe
ze’wxasch): The (door of the) host’s guest-room is open for a good
guest.

Хъыджэбз къапшэмэ, уэ зэрыбгъасэщи,

пхъужь къапшэмэ, зэресагъэххэщ.
Хъыджэбз унэгуащэмэ, тхьэмбылыкъу ешу.
Хъуэн зимыIэр и дыщ кIуэжри хъуэн къихьщ.

ЦIыхубз зыщIэмыс унэр сабафэщ: A house without a woman is full

of dust.

Шыгъу пут зэдумышхыу узэрыщIэркъым.

Шыпхъум и гур дэлъхумкIэ гъэзащ.
Шыпхъуншэ нэхърэ шыпхъу нэф: Better a blind sister than no sister
at all.
Шыпхъуншэрэ хьэдагъэншэрэ.

Щхьэгъусэр насып зэхэгъэкIыпIэщ.

68
Щхьэж и ныбжьэгъу и гъуджэ-мажьэщ: (Each is his friend’s
mirror-comb) A person (man) is known by the company he keeps.
Щхьэж и фэгъу и гуэгъущ.
Щхьэж хуэфащэ и щауэгъущ: Birds of a feather flock together.
ЩхьэзыфIэфI щхьэзыфIэфI къелъхуж: A boastful parent gives
birth to a smug child.
ЩыпэлIыр щыпэнэхущи, етIуанэлIыр IулIэIуданэщ.

ЩIалэ гурэпкIырэ нэхърэ лIыжь гупсэхуфI: Better a lucid old

man than an unbalanced child.
ЩIалэр унэ псоми я малъхъэщи, хъыджэбзыр унэ псоми я нысэщ.
ЩIэщыгъуэр икIри зэрыукIыр къихьащ.

Я выр уэдрэ я хьэр пшэрмэ, унагъуэщ.

Я нэхъыжь и унафэ я хъыджэбз екъутэ.
Я ныху зэпхащ (Я щэхуи я нахуи зэрощIэ, жыхуиIэщ): They know
everything about each other. They are intimate friends.
Я щIалэ щIыбыцэ, я кхъуей цы защIэ.
Ял зэхэбгъавэми, я лэпс зэхыхьэнукъым.
Ямыгъэпхъу пхъукIэ ищIэркъым.
Ямылъэгъуа бланэ къаукIыркъым: You can’t shoot the deer that
you don’t see.
Япэ къапшэр уи фызщ, етIуанэу къапшэр уи къанщ.
Яубыр бысым щIы (Yawibir bisim sch'i): Choose as your host the
person whom the people say spiteful things about.
Яхь зэхэпхмэ, уипхъу уфIощI.

Iэр бутхыпщIкIэ, Iэбжьанэр пыхурэ?: Do the nails fall out when

you shake out your hand?
Iэтащхьэ илъагъумэ, хъыджэбзыр мэгуфIэ.
Iыхьлы делэ напэтехщ: A stupid relative is an object of shame.

Iуданэ кIапэр кIэщIщ, жыпIэу хыфIумыдзэ,

пщыкъуэр щIалэщ, жыпIэу думыдзых.

69
 On Circassian Folklore

(Адыгэ фольклорым техуа

псалъафэхэр)

Адакъэ мэзынэ: Red-cheeked; ruddy, rubicund.

Адакъэ лъэджажэ: Plain, shortish person who pretends to be solidly
built.
Ажэ жьакIэ: (contempt.) Goatee (said of an old man).

Бгырыпх пцIанэ: Girdled without a dagger (literally: ‘naked waist-

belt).
Бгъэгу IэмыщIибл: With a Herculean chest.
Беслъэней пцIапцIэ: Beslanay galantine (said of an obese sedentary
person. Nickname of Prince Beslan Janx’otoqwe, the 16th century
potentate who updated the Circassian peerage system).

Вым хуэдэу лъэщщ: (As strong as an ox) Strong as a horse.

ВитI-жэмитI (унагъуэ): (Two oxen and two cows) Peasant (family) of
average means.

Ефэ-ешхэ нэхърэ джэгу (Yefe-yeshxe nex’re jegw): Better a dance

party than a drinking-bout.

Жыхафэгур зи шэджагъуакIуэ: Said of a slacker, idler.

Жыхафэгур щхьэцыкIэкIэ епхъэнкI: Said of a faultless housewife.

Зи набдзитIыр мазэм и ныкъуэ: She whose eyebrows resemble the

crescent moon.
Зы къамапIэ къамитI ихуэркъым: Two daggers do not go in one
sheath.

ИгъащIэкIэ узэрамышэн къафэжьщ: 1. Absolutely unfit, useless; 2.

Utterly useless method; 3. For no reason at all; 4. Neither here nor
there.

Куэсэ жьакIэ: Sparsely-bearded (man) (sign of an unkind man).

КIэн джэгущ: 1. Childish occupation; 2. Not serious.

70
Лъэс къабзэщ: He’s a bad dancer. Also said of a man left without a
horse.

ЛIакъуэлIэш щылъху: Blue blood, high blood.

ЛIы фIыцIэ гъущIынэ: Darksome man with eyes the colour of iron
(of Nart Sosriqwe).
ЛIы цIыкIу къамэшхуэ: Puss in Boots.

Мыкъан и мыкIыхь-мыкIэщIу зэтелъщ: Untidily dressed up, like

Miqan.
Мысостей бжьищ (Мысостхэ – къэбэрдеипщхэм ящыщ зы
лъэпкъыу щытащ. The Misosts were one of the princely families
in Kabarda): The three goblets of the Misosts (punishment for
late-comer to evening party)

Набдзэ зытелъым я нэхъ дахэ: 1. She’s a picture of beauty; 2. She’s

the most beautiful of them all.
Наурыз псэлъэгъуей: Dumb dog.

Пхъурылъхур къихьэмэ, псатхьэр магъ: When the nephew comes

into the house, the icon weeps. [Historically, some visitors from
Kabarda used to break the icons of their Christian Kabardian hosts
in Mozdok, a settlement of Christian Kabardians in northeast
Kabarda]
ПщыкъуэцIэ мыхъуамэ, къыджеIэ щэхур!: Tell us your secret, if it
isn’t the pet name of your brother-in-law! [A woman never called
her parents-in-law, husband, or her brother-in-law by their names.
In the last case, she used a pet name, пщыкъуэцIэ, to refer to him,
for example, as ‘ДыгъэцIыкIу’ ‘Little Sun’. It was a secretive
appellation that she never divulged outside the family circle].
ПыIэ зыщхьэрыгъ: (Person wearing a cap) 1. Man, male; 2. Real
man, he-man.

Тэрч кхъуэ исыкIащ (Terch q’we yisich’asch): (The pig swam across
the Terek) A nosy question was answered in this manner.

Уи пыIэ угъурлы ухъу!: Bless your cap! [Said to a newly-married

man]
УлIэрэ узэгъэжмэ, дыщэм хуэдэщ, Тамбий урифыз нэхърэ: It is
better to rot in hell than to become Tamby’s wife.

Хэтхэ я унэ къанжэ тес?: (On whose roof is a magpie perched?) With
whom are you in love?

71
Щауэ къэрабгъэ нысащIэ гъэшынэщ: The cowardly fiancé
terrorizes the bride.
Щхьэлыкъуэ хыву и пэр дрегъэзей: He puts on airs.

72
 On Work
(Лэжьэным епха псалъэжьхэр)

Абрэмывэ вагъэгъэкIуэдщ (Абрэмывэ: In the Nart Epos, a stone of

immense size and great weight; вагъэ: ploughed field).
Адакъэрэ пэт джэджьейр егъашхэ: Even the cock feeds the chick.
Адыгэшрэ лIы бэшэчрэ: The Circassian horse is like a very patient
man.
Алыхьым занщIэу зыри къыпхуридзыхынкъым: No pains, no
gains.
Алыхьыр ещIэ, ящIIамэ ешх (Alihir yesch’e, yasch’’ame, yeshx)
(Мылажьэу шхэм ауаныщIу хужаIэ. Milazchew shxem
awanisch’u xwzha’e. Said sarcastically of a person who eats
without doing any work): 1. He is a(n) lazybones/idler/loafer; 2.
He is good for nothing.
Апрелым и бгъум гуахъуэр пкIэм драдзеиж: On the ninth of April
the pitchfork is thrown up back in the loft.
Апрелым и блым мэкъу Iэмбатибл хуэгъэтIылъ (Iэмбат=quantity
of hay taken by pitchfork at one time): Save seven pitchforks of
hay for the seventh of April.
Апрелым мэлыжьыхьщ (Мэлыжьыхь=April).
Аргъынэ кIыхьыр и жагъуэщ, шынакъ кIы гъуанэр и щIасэщ:
Long windrows are his odium! The round-handled bowls are his
joy! [This is in reference to the haymaker. It is sung in the
haymaking song ‘МэкъупIэ махуэри...’ (‘Meqwp’e
Maxweriy…’; ‘Meadow of good fortune…’)]
Аргъуейр пхъэIэщэм щIэщIа вы бжьакъуэм тести «довэ»
жиIащ: The mosquito on the horn of the harnessed bull said: “We
are ploughing.”
Армум хиса жыгыр мэгъу: The tree planted by the clumsy (soon)
dries up.
Армур мэз кIуэмэ, арэфым жьитI гуэту къешэ (Арму=clumsy;
арэф=hook).

Бавэ нэхърэ бэв: Better a rich harvest than great tilling.

БаIуэ нэхърэ бащIэ (куэд жызыIэ нэхърэ куэд зылэжь, жыхуиIэщ.
Ba’we nex’re basch’e): 1. More work and less chatter; 2. More
cider and less talk (US); 3. Doing is better than saying.
Бэр зэщIэхъаемэ, щIыр къагъэхъей: There is strength in union.
Бжьэ зыдэсым фо дещIэ: Where there are bees there is honey.

73
Бжьыхьэ бейщ: Autumn is a time of plenty.
Бзурэ пэт абгъуэ ещI: Even the sparrow builds a nest.
Былымыр икIи хъугъуейщ, икIи хъумэгъуейщ (Хъугъуейщ––
къэгъуэтыгъуейщ): Riches are hard to find and difficult to keep.

Выгъашхэрэ пэт пхъэ къешэ.

Выгъашхэрэ зобзеиж (Зы Iуэху гуэр зымыщIапхъэ щыIэкъым,
жыхуиIэщ).
Выжь и махуапщIэ выщIэ и уасэщ: An old ox’s day’s work is
worth a whole young ox.
Вы зимыIэм шкIэ щIещIэ (Vi ziymi’em shch’e sch’eisch’e): (He
who has no oxen, harnesses a calf) 1. Half a loaf is better than no
bread; 2. Any port in a storm; 3. If you can’t have the best, make
the best of what you have; 4. Among the blind the one-eyed man is
king; 5. There is small choice in rotten apples.
Вы лIам сэ хэзыIу: (He is stabbing the dead ox) He is doing this for
no reason at all.
Вым хуэдэу лэжьэн: 1. To work like a horse, or a Trojan; 2. To sweat
one's guts out.
Выр жьы хъумэ, шкIэм хаутIыпщхьэж: When the ox becomes old,
he is released with the calves.

ГуахъуэкIэ уанэ трелъхьэ: (He is saddling the horse with a pitchfork)

He is negligent, careless.
Гуащэтешэрэ пэт унэ епхъэнкI.
Гуэн нэщI нэхърэ хадэ нэщI: Better an empty garden than an empty
corn-bin.
Гуэн нэщI щыIэщи, хадэ нэщI щыIэкъым (Гуэн: covered wattle
granary): There is such a thing as an empty granary, but not an
empty garden.
Гуэн щхьэкIэ, нэщIщ, жьыщIа щхьэкIэ, фIейщ.
Гур щыкъутэм щащIыж: They repair the cart at the spot.

ГъавэщIэр къыпIэрымыхьэу, гъавэжьым уемылъэстауэ: (Cast

not out the old crop till you bring in the new) Cast not out the foul
water till you bring in the clean.
Гъатхэ дыгъэм кIагъуэпскIэ уегъэпскIри, бжьыхьэ дыгъэм тхъупс
къыптрекIэ.
Гъатхэм хыумысар бжьыхьэм бгъуэтыжыркъым: (What you
haven’t sown in spring you won’t find in the autumn) They must
hunger in winter that will not work in summer.
Гъатхэ уафэр гъуанэщ.
Гъэ мэкъумэш пэтрэ яух.

74
Гъэм и зы махуэм щIымахуэм уегъашхэ: One day (of work) in
summer feeds you the whole winter.
Гъэмахуэм гупкIэ жьауэри унэщ: Even the shade of the cart is home
in summer.
Гъэмахуэм къыумылэжьа щIымахуэм бгъуэтыжыркъым: They
must hunger in winter that will not work in summer.
Гъэмахуэм Iэжьэ щIыи, щIымахуэм гу щIы: Make a sled in
summer, a cart in winter.
ГъэфIым умыгъуэта гъейм бгъуэтыжыркъым: What you didn’t
find in a good year, you won’t find in a lean one.
Гъей нэхърэ пщей: Better an evil prince than a year of dearth.

Гъуагъуэми гъущэу (Мэкъумэш къехьэлIэжыгъуэу уэшх

щыхуэмей зэманым жаIэ): If it thunders, may it remain dry! (said
at time of harvesting, when rain is definitely not needed).
ГъущIыр плъа щIыкIэ еуэ: Strike while the iron is hot.

Дыгъэр къепс щхьэкIэ, лъыпсыр къыпож.

Дыжэф пцIанэ хъуркъым: He who knows how to re-sew will not go
naked.
Дыщэр и Iэм къыпощ.

Дзыгъуэ пэтрэ щIымахуэм хуогъэтIылъэ: Even the mouse saves

for the winter.
Дзыгъуибгъу зэдеIэмэ, кхъуей кIадащхьэ трач (Dzighwiybghw
zedei’eme, q’wey ch’adaschhe trach): (If nine mice pull together,
they can remove the cover of the cheese vat) Many hands make
light work.

Емызэш мэшыбэ ещIэ (Yemizesh meshibe yesch’e): A hard worker

reaps a rich harvest.
Емыкъум еплъи дэзышым еуэ.
Емыса лэгъупэжь хъуркъым (Лэгъупэжь=head of group of
shepherds, horse-breeders, etc., on mountain pastures): He who is
ignorant of the good rules of conduct does not become a leader.

Жэм къэщэхуи вы щэхуи хэкIыж (Ар лъхуэнщи вы хъун

къилъхунщ, жыхуиIэщ): Buy a cow and sell the bull (she’ll give
birth to a future bull).
Жэмым ишх и гъэшщ: What the cow eats is (becomes) her milk.
Жыхафэр щхьэцыкIэкIэ епхъэнкI (Зи псэ емыблэжу унагъуэм
Iуэху щызыщIэ нысэм хужаIэ): (She sweeps the floor with her

75
 hair) Said of a daughter-in-law who works hard at household
chores.
Жэщырыдэ махуэрыдыхьэшх (Iуэхур щимычэзум зылэжьым
ауаныщIу хужаIэ): (She sews at night and laughs during the day)
Said of woman who doesn’t do the right thing at the right time.
Жылэ(р) зыгъашхэ(р) шхын щхьэкIэ малIэ (Zhile(r) zighashxe(r)
shxin schhech’e mal’e: (He who feeds the villagers, i.e. the cook,
is himself dying of hunger) 1. The cobbler’s wife is the worst
shod; 2. Wilful waste makes woeful want; 3. Waste not, want not.
[Зи гугъу ищIыр пщафIэрщ; i.e. the cook]

ЖьэрыIэзэ Iэпэзадэ (Zcheri’eze ’epezade): It’s one thing to flourish

and another to fight.
Жьырытэдж насыпыфIэщ: (The early riser is accompanied by good
luck) 1. Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy,
wealthy and wise; 2. He that will thrive, must rise at five; 3. The
early bird catches the worm; 4. It’s the early bird that catches the
worm.
Жьыуэ къэтэджа щIегъуэжакъым (He who rises early has never
been sorry) 1. Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy,
wealthy and wise; 2. He that will thrive, must rise at five; 3. The
early bird catches the worm; 4. It’s the early bird that catches the
worm.

ЗэдэпщIэ щIэхщи, зэдэшхэ IэфIщ (Zedepsch'e sch'exschiy, zedeshxe

’ef’sch): What is done collectively is finished quickly; what is had
with others is tasty.
ЗэбгъащIэр IэщIагъэщи умыщIэр IэфIщ.
Зэхэшэ шэбэщ.
Зэхьэзэхуэ мэунэри зэижитI мэунэхъу.
Зэшыбэ бэхьщ (Зэкъуэш куэдым куэд къалэжь, жыхуиIэщ): Many
brothers achieve much.
ЗэIэм Iэмэ щоу.
ЗэIусэм псэ хелъхьэ.
ЗекIуэ и вакъэ лажьэркъым (Жэрдэм зыщIэм, лажьэм зыгуэр
къелэжь, жыхуиIэщ): (The campaigner’s shoes do not wear out)
He who displays initiative shall earn something for his troubles.
Зи бэ пщIэм уриIэзэщ: Practice makes perfect.
Зы гъэм шкIэщ, етIуанэм жэмщ: One year it’s a calf, the next it’s a
cow.
Зы гъэр тIэу къакIуэркъым: A year passed never comes back.
Зы махуавэр зы махуэшхкъым: One day of tilling does not
correspond to one day of eating.

76
Зы тхьэрыкъуэф Iэнэ зэдытешхыкIащ (Губгъуэм зэдитащ,
щызэдэлэжьащ, жыхуиIэщ).
Зыбзым пабжьэм хедзэри зыдым къыхехыж.
ЗыгъалIи къакIуэ жаIакъым (Щичэзум лажьэ, щичэзуми
зыгъэпсэху, жыхуиIэщ): Be moderate in work.
Зымышхыжын и мэкъумэш щIэкIэщ.
ЗымыщIэм щIакIэ и Iусщ (щIакIэ: chaff): He who doesn't work gets
his share in chaff.
Зым Iэпыхур адрейм къищтэжу: Hand in hand.
ЗыщI нэхърэ еплъ нэхъ Iэзэщ: Practice makes perfect.
ЗыщIэн зымыгъуэтым и унэр къречри (е иречри) иресэж
(Zisch’en zimighwetim yi winer qreichriy (e yireichriy),
yireisezh): 1. An idle brain is the devil’s workshop; 2. By doing
nothing we learn to do ill; 3. Idleness is the mother of all evil.

И гуащIэ хьэпIацIэм яхуехъумэ (Гугъу зезымыгъэхьым ирегиеу

хужаIэ): Said in reproach of person who shies of labour.
Из зытыфым итI къыхохъуэ (Yiz zitifim yit’ qixox’we): 1.
Sometimes the best gain is to lose; 2. Throw out a minnow to
catch a whale.
И лъэщI вы тетщ: Lazy, slow, sluggish.
И хъер мащIэщ, и гумэщI бэщ (Хъер мащIэ фIэкI
къызыпымыкIыу гуащIэ куэд зытекIуадэ Iуэхум хужаIэ): Said
of hard toil that is of little benefit.
Илъэс Iуэху къэщтэжыгъуейщ.

КIыщ уэщыншэщ (КIыщ=forge; уэщ=axe with rounded butt): The

shoemaker’s wife is the worst shod.

КъэкIуэгъуафIэ кIуэжыгъуафIэщ (Гугъуехьыншэу къыпхэхъуар

кIуэдыжыгъуафIэщ, жыхуиIэщ. Qek’weghwaf’e
k’wezhighwaf’esch): Easy come, easy go.
КъэкIуэгъуэ джадэ нэхърэ кIуэжыгъуэ джадэ: Better a trudging
departure, than a plodding arrival.
Къэт кIыхь, къэхь мащIэ: Absent for long, but he brought little.
Къебыбажьэ нэхърэ къежьэуашхэ (Къебыбажьэ – къелъэтажьэ.
Уэшхыр псынщIэу къежьэу зэуэ щхьэщыкI нэхърэ щIым
пкърыхьэу хуэм-хуэмурэ къешхым нэхъыфIщ жыхуиIэщ): It is
better for gentle rain to seep slowly into the ground, rather than a
torrent that washes away the soil.
КъызыхэкIам хыхьэжащ (Qizixech’am xihezhasch): 1. What is got
over the devil’s back is spent under his belly; 2. Ill-gotten, ill-
spent.

77
КхъуафэкIитIыр зэдэзыIыгъыр псым ехь (Q’wafech’iyt’ir
zedezi’ighir psim yeh): (He who holds on to ends of two boats gets
swept by the river) To fall between two stools.

ЛэжьэнкIэ уашхэщи, шхэнкIэ лIыхъужьщ (Lezchench’e

washxeschiy, shxench’e l’ix’wzchsch): (He works like a badger
but eats like a hero) He works like a badger but eats like a wolf.
ЛэжьэнкIэ уашхэщ, шхэнкIэ дыгъужьщ (Lezchench’e washxesch,
shxench’e dighwzchsch): He works like a badger but eats like a
wolf.

ЛIы и къуэгъурэ вы и гъуррэ.

ЛIым я нэхъ мыгъуэм Iуэхугъуибгъу зэпеч.

Мастэ бейщ: The needle is rich.

МастэкIэ Iэшэщ, шатэкIэ бзаджэщ: (Clumsy with the needle, but
voracious with the cream) He works like a badger but eats like a
wolf.

Мэкъу еуэм зегъазэри кхъуей зыхузыр тхьэмыщкIэщ (Нэхъ

Iуэху тыншыр нэхъ гугъуехьу зылъытэм ауаныщIу хужаIэ):
Said sarcastically of a person who thinks his easy work is hard to
do.
Мэкъуауэгъуэ щIалэ дэгущ.
Мэкъуауэгъуэжьым гум жьы дрегъэху.
Мыбзэф и лэныстэ мэбзакъуэ: The scissors of the person who can’t
cut gets blunt.
Мыдэф и Iуданэ кIыхьщ: (The thread of the bad seamstress is long)
A bad workman quarrels with his tools.
Мыхьэжэф и щхьэлыкъуэкI къопкI (Хьэжэн=to mill, grind;
щхьэлыкъуэкI, щхьэлкъуэкI=Iэщхьэл мывэр зэрагъэкIэрахъуэ
къущ; handle of mill): A bad workman quarrels with his tools.
Мыщхьэх дахащIэщ (Щхьэх=laziness, idleness; sloth; indolence):
Hardwork adorns.

Набдзэ ищI фIэщIурэ нэр ирищIащ (Набдзэ=eyebrow): He made

things worse rather than better.
Нанэ хьэлIамащIэщ, дадэ кIэрыщIэнщ (ХьэлIамэ=boiled flat cake
made from maize flour): Grandma makes the cakes and grandpa
hangs them up.
Насыпыр пщэдджыжьым ягуэш (Жьыуэ укъэтэджу уи Iуэху яужь
уихьэн хуейщ, жыхуиIэщ): 1. Early to bed and early to rise

78
 makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise; 2. He that will thrive,
must rise at five; 3. The early bird catches the worm; 4. It’s the
early bird that catches the worm.
Нэ илъагъу нэ ещIэж: The eye knows what the eye sees.
Нэм фIэбэр Iэбэм еух.
Нэр делэщ, Iэр бланэщ.
НэрыIэзэ Iэпэзадэ: It's one thing to flourish and another to fight.
Ноби махуэщ къэунэхури мазэщ (Nobiy (Noberiy) maxwesch,
qewnexwriy mazesch): (Today is yet another day, and the moon
still shines) What may be done at any time will be done at no time.
НыкъуэцIалэ-ныкъуэтхьэщI (ИкIэм намыгъэса Iуэхум хужаIэ.
Said of an unfinished business): Half-soiled half-washed.
Нысэшхуэ и мастэу егъэбакъуэ.

ПсэукIэмыщIэ – уэкъулэ щIрейщ (Уэкъулэ=entreaty for mutual aid).

Псэуным лъакъуибгъу щIэтщ.
Псы здэщымыIэм бдзэжьей щощэ: (He’s fishing where there’s no
water) He is beating the air, milling the wind.
Псым тхъу трех (къытрах): (He’s [They are] skimming butter off
water) He's (They are) beating the air, milling the wind.
Псыр кхъузанэкIэ зэрехьэ (ез): (He is passing water through the
sieve) He is beating the air, milling the wind.
Псыр хуэмми псы Iуфэм IуелъэсыкI (Psir xwemmiy psi ’wfem
’weilhesich’): (Even slow water washes away the river-bank) Even
a drop corrodes the stone.
ПхъащIэр пкIэлъеиншэщ (Px’asch’er pch’elheyinshesch): (The
carpenter has no ladder) The shoemaker’s (cobbler’s) wife is the
worst shod.

Пхъэ къуэщIийми шэ къегъэпщт: (Even a wood splinter boils the

milk) Even a single drop gnaws away at the stone.
Пхъэ щыпаупщIкIэ къуэщIиикI мэлъей (Px’e schipawipsch’ch’e
qwesch’iyich’ melhey): (When you log wood, splinters fly) You
can’t make omelets without breaking eggs.
ПхъэIэщэ вийм зэдащтэмэ, щIыгулъ къагъазэ.
ПхъэIэщэм вы щIэмыщIамэ, пхъэдакъэщ: A plough without
bullocks is a mere stump.
Пщэдеи махуэщ, къэунэхури мазэщ (Щхьэхынэм зэман
гъэкIуэкIэщ. АуаныщIу къапсэлъ) (Pschedeyi maxwesch,
qewnexwriy mazesch): (Tomorrow is yet another day, and the
moon will also shine) 1. What may be done at any time will be
done at no time; 2. He keeps changing his mind.

79
ПщылI хуэдэу, лажьи, пщы хуэдэу, ушхэнщ (Pschil’ xwedew,
lazchiy, pschi xwedew, wishxensch): Work like a slave, and you
shall eat like a lord.
ПщылIыр гъэпщылIыкIэкIэ Iэзэщ (Pschil’ir ghepschil’ich’ech’e
’ezesch): A serf knows how to make people toil.
ПщIантIэпс пщIэншэ хъуркъым: Hard toil doesn’t go unrewarded.
ПыIэзэфIэхь махуэщ (ПыIэзэфIэхь=Circassian game in which
horsemen snatch a cap away from one another, the object of the
game being to carry away the cap; it requires both skill and
strength. Iуэху щIэным и гуащIэгъуэщ, жыхуиIэщ. Said of a day
of hard toil).
ПIастэгъажьэ зиужьыжащ (Зи Iуэху щIэкIэм зиужьам хужаIэ):
Said of a person whose work method has developed.

Сэтэнейр къэщхьэлъэмэ гъунэ иумылъыж.

«Си хьэ цIыху хъуащэрэт!» – щыжаIэ махуэщ (Лэжьэгъуэм и
гуащIэгъуэ махуэм хужаIэ): If only my dog could turn human
(said on a day of hard toil).

Тэнымрэ дэнымрэ зэхуэдэщ (Утэми ухэдэми – тIум щыгъуэми

ущыуэнкIэ хъунущ, жыхуиIэщ): (Offering and choosing are the
same) While offering or choosing you might make a mistake.

Уэгъум ихьар уэлбанэм къехьыжри, уэлбанэм ихьар уэгъум

къихьыжыркъым: What is taken by the drought is brought back
by prolonged rain; what is taken by the rain is not brought back by
the drought.
Уэлбанэ махуэр щIэпытхъщ, фызым я тхъэгъуэр къэбгъавэщ.
Уэсэпс хуабэ мэшгъэкIщ: Warm dew is good for growth of millet.
УэфIрэ уэлбанэрэ я хьэкъ зэтенэркъым.
Удэмэ – Iуданэ, убзэмэ – бзыхьэхуэ: If you sew – a thread; if you cut
– a rag.
Удз къыхэш, уэтэр шэж: Remove from the grass and take back to the
winter quarters (of animals).
Уеплъу ущыс нэхърэ уисми еIуб.
Уеуэмэ – мэкъущ, уемыуэмэ, къурэщ (Weiweme – meqwsch,
weimiweme, qwresch): If you reap – it’s hay; if you don’t, it’s dry
grass.
Узэгугъур къогугъуж.
Улажьэмэ, лыжь пшхынщ, умылажьамэ, лажьэ бгъуэтынщ
(Wilazcheme, lizch pshxinsch, wimilazcheme, lazche
bghwetinsch): If you work, you’ll eat (salted) dried meat; if you
don’t, you’ll get into trouble.

80
Улажьэу ушхэжын нэхъыфI щыIэкъым (Wilazchew wishxezhin
nex’if’ schi’eqim): There is nothing better than to eat from your
own sweat.

ХамэIэр Iэгъэзагъэ щхьэкIэ, гугъэзагъэкъым: Outside help

relieves the hand but not the heart.
ХамэIэ Iэгъэпсэху щхьэкIэ, гу гъэпсэхукъым: Outside help
relieves the hand but not the heart.
«Хэт бей?» щыжаIэм, «мастэ бейщ» жаIащ: When it was said:
"Who is rich?", "The needle is rich", came the answer.
Хыумылъхьэ къыхэпхыжыркъым (ЩIым тепсэмэ, къытохыж
жыхуиIэщ): Sow and you shall reap.

Хуэмыху и Iуэху блэкIыркъым (Хуэмыху=lazybones; sluggard;

laggard): The work of the loafer doesn’t get done.
Хуэмыхум щхьэусыгъуэ и куэдщ (Хуэмыху=lazybones; laggard;
щхьэусыгъуэ=excuse): A bad workman quarrels with his tools.

Хьэдрыхэ мывэхэх кIуэн (Хьэдрыхэ=life beyond the grave): (To go

to the world beyond to fetch stones) To be engaged in a futile
undertaking.
Хьэм нэщI щхьэIуо щеуэн (Хьэм=threshing-ground; нэщI=empty):
1. To be engaged in a futile action; 2. To waste one’s fire; 3.
Sisyphean toil.
Хьэмтетыгъуэ гъаблэ щыIэкъым: There’s no hunger whilst one is
at the threshing-floor.
Хьэрычэтым берычэт хэлъщ: Initiative is blessed.

Хъуэжэ лIыщIэ къищтэри лIыщIакIуэ ежьэжащ (Хъуэжэ=man of

cloth; лIыщIэ=farm labourer).

ЦIыхум иуасэр и лэжьыгъэщ: 1. A man is judged by his deeds; 2. A

man is known by his work.

ШэмыгъапцIэ жэщщ (Гъэмахуэм жэщ кIэщIым хужаIэ): Said of a

short summer night.
Шу гъуэгурыкIуэм бзыпхъэ трех (ЦIыхубз дэрбзэр Iэзэм хужаIэ):
Said of a skillful seamstress.
Шылэм и кIэм зеукIыж.
ШыIэ зиIэм насып иIэщ: 1. Patience pays dividends; 2. Everything
comes to him who waits.

81
ЩакIуэр зэIузэбзмэ, бажэбз къехь (ЩакIуэ=hunter; бажэбз=vixen):
Soft fire makes sweet malt.
Щихур кIыхь дыдэу докIей, ауэ къыпыкIэркъым: (Though it
reaches lofty heights, the poplar bears no fruit) Large body and
little soul.
Щхьэхынэм и махуэр кIыхьщ (Щхьэхынэ=lazybones): An idler’s
day feels too long.
Щхьэхынэм щхьэусыгъуэ и куэдщ (Schhexinem schhewsighwe yi
kwedsch): 1. Idle folks lack no excuses; 2. A bad workman
quarrels with his tools.
Щхьэхынэр тэджмэ, псыбафэр куэд мэхъу: If the lazybones gets
up, the number of those who drink too much water increases.
Щхьэхынэ хьэрхуэрэгъу хъуркъым (Schhexine herxwereghw
x’wrqim): There’s no competing with a lazybones.
Щынащхьэ плъагъумэ гъэмахуэщи, Iэтащхьэ плъагъумэ
щIымахуэщ.

ЩIым зы ептмэ, щэ къыуетыж: What you put in the land it gives it

back to you a hundred-fold.
ЩIыр вакъапхъэ-вакъапхъэу зэхэлъщ.
ЩIыр кIийуэрэ къокIуэ, гъэр гъыуэрэ мэкIуэж: Winter comes
screaming, summer leaves with a cry.
ЩIыщIэ мэш бэвщ: Virgin soil gives abundant millet.

«Яхуэмышхэн сщIынщ», – жиIэри ямышхыфын ищIащ.

Iэмбатищэ нэхърэ зы гъущагъэ.

Iэтэр Iэмбатэ щхьэкIэ мэфыж (Iэтэ=rick, stook; Iэмбатэ=quantity of
hay taken by one pitchfork) (Зы мащIэ нумыгъэсу къанэмэ,
пщIа псори мэкIуэдыж, жыхуиIэщ): If you want to do
something right, take it all the way to completion.
IэхъуэгъуэтегъэкI (Зэмыгугъуу ящIэ Iуэхум хужаIэ. Said of work
done carelessly, or in a slipshod manner).
IэщIагъэ зиIэ Iэужь иIэщ: If you master a trade you will become the
master of your own affairs.

Iуэху зи Iуэху Iуэху IуощIэри, шхын зи Iуэху шхын IуощIэ

(’Wexw ziy ’wexw ’wexw ’wosch’eriy, shxin ziy ’wexw shxin
’wosch’e): He who seeks work finds work, he who seeks food
finds food.
Iуэху мыублэ(м) блэ хэсщ (’Wexw miwible(m) ble xessch): (There’s
a snake in the unstarted business): 1. The first step is the hardest;
2. It is the first step that costs.

82
Iуэху пщIыр Iуэху мэхъу.
Iуэху щIэкIэ зымыщIэр Iуэху щIэным егъалIэ.
Iуэхум игъэлIа щыIэкъым: Nobody ever died of work.
Iуэхур жыIэгъуафIэ щхьэкIэ, щIэгъуафIэкъым: Easier said than
done.

83
Sayings and expressions associated
with hospitality, festal ceremonies, and
foodstuffs
(In Kabardian, unless otherwise indicated)

The sayings and expressions associated with a particular aspect of the

folklore of a people shed a bright light on its details and intricacies, and
citing them in profusion gives credence to the account and bestows
authenticity upon it. The relevant customs and traditions associated with
hospitality and food-taking are also encapsulated and preserved in these
vessels of etiquette and good behaviour. The collection of sayings and
expressions could be used as an instructions manual or handbook on
proper conduct and good manners. For foreign visitors (and indeed for
Circassians unaware of the intricacies of the elaborate institution of
hospitality) wishing to enjoy Caucasian hospitality to the full without
unpleasant hitches, it is a convenient reference on do’s and dont’s.
The experiences of a nation are the fertile ground from which
wisdom and sagacity are reaped. It is hoped that the (some 300) sayings
and expressions (in Kabardian and Adigean) offered here would prove
tasty pickings of that rich harvest.

Hospitality & respect for guests

• Adige(m) hesch’e yi sch’asesch (Адыгэ[м] хьэщIэ и щIасэщ): A
guest is the beloved of the Circassian. [In Adigean: Адыгэмэ
хьакIэр якIас; or УнэгъуакIэ хьакIэ икIас]
• Adige mighwe, shighwre p’astere5 (Адыгэ мыгъуэ, шыгъурэ
пIастэрэ): Even the most indigent of Circassians will prepare food
(of sorts) (literally: salt and boiled millet dumplings) for you. [See
next entry]

5
I heard my father, Mahmoud Kuchuk Jaimoukha, who was born in Jerash, Jordan, in
1927, at the time mainly a Circassian village, utter a more musical version of this
saying, ‘Adige mighwe, shighwre p’astere, hel’ame qwanshe, qereqwreshey’, the added
‘foodstuffs’ being crooked halama and a kind of wild mint.

84
• Adigem ya nekh mighwemiy shighwre p’astere qipxweischte
(Адыгэм я нэхъ мыгъуэми шыгъурэ пIастэрэ къыпхуещтэ): Even
the most indigent of Circassians will prepare food (of sorts)
(literally: salt and boiled millet dumplings) for you. [See preceding
entry]
• Adigem ya nekh mighweriy (themischch’eriy) bisimsch!
(Адыгэм я нэхъ мыгъуэри [тхьэмыщкIэри] бысымщ!): Even the
most indigent of Circassians will be more than ready to play the
host. [In Adigean: Адыгэмэ анахь тхьамыкIэри бысым]
• Adige yi hesch’e bidap’e yissch (Адыгэ и хьэщIэ быдапIэ исщ):
The guest of the Circassian is safe as if protected by a fortress. [It
was the sacred duty of the host to ensure the safety of his guest and
to uphold his honour, with weapon in hand, and to the death, if need
be. In Adigean: Адыгэ хьакIэ(р) пытапIэ ис]
• Hach’er pstewme (or pstewmiy) ap (ХьакIэр пстэумэ [е пстэуми]
ап): The guest always comes first. [Adigean]
• Hesch’e ley schi’eqim (ХьэщIэ лей щыIэкъым): 1. A guest is
never in excess (unwanted); 2. No guest should be regarded as a
burden; 3. All guests are welcome. [In Adigean: ХьэкIэ лые щыIэп]
• Hesch’em nasip qidok’we (ХьэщIэм насып къыдокIуэ): With the
guest arrives good fortune. [In Adigean: ХьакIэ къакIомэ, насып
къыдэкIо]
• Hesch’er Them yi l’ik’wesch (ХьэщIэр Тхьэм и лIыкIуэщ): A
guest is a messenger from God.
• Hesch’e sch’ale schi’eqim (ХьэщIэ щIалэ щыIэкъым): 1. There is
no such thing as a young guest; 2. A guest is a guest. [All guests
must be respected, no matter how young. In Adigean: ХьэкIэ кIалэ
хъурэп]
• Hesch’eschizch nesch’ir wetersch (ХьэщIэщыжь нэщIыр
уэтэрщ): An unused old guest-house is like winter quarters for
cattle.
• Hesch’ew qipxwek’wame, wiy zhaghweghwriy (wiy)
nibzcheghwsch (ХьэщIэу къыпхуэкIуамэ, уи жагъуэгъури [уи]
ныбжьэгъущ): If he comes to you as a guest, even the sworn enemy
is your friend. [In Adigean: ХьакIэ къыпфакIомэ, уиджэгъогъури
ныбджэгъу]
• Pf’emasch’er hesch’e ’wssch (ПфIэмащIэр хьэщIэ Iусщ): The
food you spare is victuals for your guests. [Шхыным ущысхьмэ,
хьэщIэ шхын мэхъу, жыхуиIэщ]
• Psalhe ghwschech’e hesch’e yiraghech’izhirqim (Псалъэ
гъущэкIэ хьэщIэ ирагъэкIыжыркъым; гъущэ=dry, ‘empty’): Fine
(kind, or soft) words butter no parsnips.

85
• Qak’wexe ya winesch (КъакIуэхэ я унэщ): 1. It is a house for all
comers; 2. All are welcome in this house.
• Ts’ifisch’w hach’e shimich’ (ЦIыфышIу хьакIэ щымыкI): A good
person will always have guests (visiting him). [Adigean]
• Ts’ixwf’ yi ’ene hezirsch (ЦIыхуфI и Iэнэ хьэзырщ): (The table of
a good person is always ready) Keep your table always ready (for
guests).
• Tsw nish nahiy nesch’o-gwsch’w (Цу ныщ нахьи нэшIо-гушIу):
Better a cheerful reception than an ox slaughtered in your honour.
[Adigean. «Цу къыпфаукIын нахьи къыпфэчэфхэу
къыппэгъокIыхэмэ нахьышIу» зыфиIу]
• ’Wexwm yaper f’ex’wssch (Iуэхум япэр фIэхъусщ): Greeting
precedes any other business; greeting precedes conversation.
• Yeblaghe ziy bem yi bin mezhal’erqim (Еблагъэ зи бэм и бын
мэжалIэркъым): The children of the person who receives many
guests never go hungry. [In Adigean: Еблагъэр зибэм ибын
мэлакIэрэп]
• Yerisqinshem yi duneyr ch’if’sch (Ерыскъыншэм и дунейр
кIыфIщ): His world is truly bleak he who has no victuals in his
house.
• Zhile(r) zighashxe(r) shxin schhech’e mal’e (Жылэ(р)
зыгъашхэ(р) шхын щхьэкIэ малIэ): (He who feeds the villagers,
i.e. the cook, is himself dying of hunger) 1. The cobbler’s wife is the
worst shod; 2. Wilful waste makes woeful want; 3. Waste not, want
not. [Зи гугъу ищIыр пщафIэрщ; i.e. the cook]
• Ziywine wiyherer qipfechefme, qiotaghem fed (Зиунэ уихьэрэр
къыпфэчэфмэ, къыотагъэм фэд): If the host gives you a hearty
welcome, it is as good as a gift. [Adigean]
• Ziywine wiyherer qipfechefme, qipfashterer ’esch’w (Зиунэ
уихьэрэр къыпфэчэфмэ, къыпфаштэрэр IэшIу): If the host
receives you cordially, then whatever they serve you would taste
good. [Adigean]

Host-guest relationship
• ’Aner bisimim yi’of, teilhir hach’em yi’ofsch’en (Iанэр бысымым
иIоф, телъыр хьакIэм иIофшIэн): The table is the business of the
host (to prepare and set); what is on it is the business of the guest.
[Adigean]
• Bisimir ghwaz, hach’er ghozaj [Бысымыр гъуаз, хьакIэр
гъозадж]: The host is the leader (guide); the guest is the object of
splendour. [Adigean]

86
• Bisimir hach’em yi’oftabg [Бысымыр хьакIэм иIофтабг]: The
host is his guest’s messenger. [Adigean]
• Bisimir hesch’em yi ’wexwthebzasch’esch (Бысымыр хьэщIэм и
IуэхутхьэбзащIэщ): The host is his guest’s servant.
• Bisim negw yixigh (Бысым нэгу ихыгъ): Said of a hospitable,
friendly host (with respect to guest). [Adigean]
• Biyyizch wimigheblaghiy, wiy ade yi blaghezch wimibgine
(Биижь умыгъэблагъи, уи адэ и благъэжь умыбгынэ): Do not
invite your old enemy (to your house), and do not desert your
father’s old relative.
• Hach’ak’o wik’o psch’oyighome, hach’ew qipfak’orer ghasch’o
(ХьакIакIо укIо пшIоигъомэ, хьакIэу къыпфакIорэр гъашIо): If
you like to go on visits (as a guest), you must also be prepared to
indulge your guests. [Adigean]
• Hach’em qek’onir yezh yi’of, k’ozhinir bisimim yi’of (ХьакIэм
къэкIоныр ежь иIоф, кIожьыныр бысымым иIоф): It is the
business of the guest to decide when he comes; but his leaving is the
business of the host. [Adigean]
• Hach’em qek’onir—yi’of, k’ozhinir—bisim yi’of (ХьакIэм
къэкIоныр—иIоф, кIожьыныр—бысым иIоф): See preceding
entry. [Adigean]
• Hach’em yishire yimasch’ore (ХьакIэм ишырэ имашIорэ):
(Literally: The guest’s horse and fire) Take care of your guest’s
horse, and make sure that he is kept warm. [Adigean]
• Hach’er ghasch’o, ts’ifisch’wr lhite (ХьакIэр гъашIо, цIыфышIур
лъытэ): Indulge your guests, and honour good men. [Adigean]
• Hesch’ef’ yi bisimibzhe ze’wxasch (ХьэщIэфI и бысымыбжэ
зэIухащ): The (door of the) host’s guest-room is open for a good
guest. [In Adigean: ХьэкIэшIу ибысымыпчъэ зэIухыгъ]
• Hesch’e ghwneghw nex’re hesch’e zhizche nex’ lhap’esch’
(ХьэщIэ гъунэгъу нэхърэ хьэщIэ жыжьэ нэхъ лъапIэщ): A guest
from far away is dearer than a guest from nearby. [This is in
appreciation of the hardship borne by a foreign guest to make the
visit. In Adigean: ХьэкIэ гъунэгъу нахьи хьэкIэ чыжьэр нахь
лъапI]
• Hesch’em yi yerisqir qidok’we (ХьэщIэм и ерыскъыр
къыдокIуэ): The guest’s victuals arrive with him. [In Adigean:
ХьакIэм рызыкъыр къыдэкIо]
• Hesch’e qak’weme (qek’wensch) zhi’iy ghet’ilh, kwedre
schilhasch zhip’ew wimishx(izh) (ХьэщIэ къакIуэмэ [къэкIуэнщ]
жыIи гъэтIылъ, куэдрэ щылъащ жыпIэу умышх[ыж]): Say ‘What
if we have a guest?’ (‘We will have a guest,’) and store (the guest’s

87
 share), but do not consume it, saying: ‘It has been lying there for so
long’. [Always be prepared to receive guests. In Adigean: ХьакIэ
къэкIощт Iори гъэIылъ, бэрэ щылъыгъ пIоу умышхыжь]
• Hesch’er bisimim yi ghersch (ХьэщIэр бысымым и гъэрщ): The
guest is his host’s captive. [In Adigean: ХьакIэр бысымым игъэр]
• Hesch’er zheschiysch yisme, binim yaschisch mex’wzh (ХьэщIэр
жэщищ исмэ, быным ящыщ мэхъуж): If the guest stays for three
nights, he becomes part of the family. [In Adigean: ХьакIэр чэщищ
хъумэ, бысымым щыщ мэхъужьы; or ХьакIэр чэщищэ щысымэ
унагъом (е быным) щыщ мэхъу]
• Pschedjizch hesch’e ghehesch’eghwaf’esch (Пщэдджыжь хьэщIэ
гъэхьэщIэгъуафIэщ): A morning guest is easy to host. [In Adigean:
Пчэдыжь хьакIэр хьакIэгъошIу; or Пчэдыжь хьакIэр хьакIэ
хъурэп]
• Qak’orem yi’ah xemi’w (КъакIорэм иIахь хэмыIу): Do not pierce
(touch, consume) the visitor’s share (of food). [Adigean]
• Qak’we psoriy blaghesch (КъакIуэ псори благъэщ): All those
who visit are considered relatives.
• Qeiblagher t’u mex’w (Къеблагъэр тIу мэхъу): ‘Welcome’ is said
twice. [Adigean]
• Winaghasch’e hesch’exwef’sch (УнагъащIэ хьэщIэхуэфIщ): The
household of newly-weds is most amenable to receiving guests. [In
Adigean: УнэгъуакIэр хьэкIэфэшIу]
• Wineqwesch hesch’e ghef’eghweysch (Унэкъуэщ хьэщIэ
гъэфIэгъуейщ): It is hard to spoil a guest who is a kindred relative
(bearing the same surname). [In Adigean: Унэкъощ хьакIэр
гъэшIогъуай]
• Wiy hesch’eriy ghaf’e, wiy qweshriy f’iwe lhaghw (Уи хьэщIэри
гъафIэ, уи къуэшри фIыуэ лъагъу): Indulge your guest but love thy
brother. [In Adigean: УихьакIэ гъашIо, пкъош шIу лъэгъу]
• Wizigheblagherer ghebleghezh, wizighepiyirer ghepiyizh
(Узыгъэблагъэрэр гъэблэгъэжь, узыгъэпыирэр гъэпыижь): He
who welcomes you, welcome him back; he who shows you enmity,
be his enemy in return. [Adigean]
• Yawibir bisim sch’i (Яубыр бысым щIы): Choose as your host the
person whom the people say spiteful things about. [In Adigean:
Аубырэр бысым шIы]
• Zi hesch’em zi hesch’e yi zhaghweschiy hesch’iyt’ir bisimim yi
zhaghwesch (Зы хьэщIэм зы хьэщIэ и жагъуэщи хьэщIитIыр
бысымым и жагъуэщ): One guest resents the other, whilst the host
is weary of both. [In Adigean: Зы хьакIэр зы хьакIэм иджагъу,
хьакIитIур бысымым иджагъу]

88
Host’s burdens & woes
• Bisim femifir dek’ote ch’ah (Бысым фэмыфыр дэкIотэ кIахь): A
lazy host spells a long seeing off. [Adigean. ДэкIотэн=to see off;
according to host-guest customs, it was incumbent to see off a guest
in a proper fashion]
• Bisim bzajer shiw wizh (Бысым бзаджэр шыу уж): A bad host
trails the rider. [Adigean]
• Hach’er qepshenew zipsch’ech’e phach’enewiy zeghasch’e
(ХьакIэр къэпщэнэу зыпшIэкIэ пхьакIэнэуи зэгъашIэ): If you
bring guests (to your house), you must (first) learn how to play the
host. [Adigean]
• Hesch’e qashe schi’eschiy, hesch’e yishizh schi’eqim (ХьэщIэ
къашэ щыIэщи, хьэщIэ ишыж щыIэкъым): 1. Guests come easily,
but do not as easily leave; 2. There is such a thing as inviting a guest,
but there is no such thing as showing the guest the door. [In
Adigean: ХьэкIэ къакIо щыIэ шъхьакIэ, хьэкIэ гъэкIожь щыIэп;
or Ебгъэжьэжьын нахьи ебгъэблэгъэныр нахь рэхьат]
• Hesch’er hezir schhech’e, bisimir hezir? (ХьэщIэр хьэзыр
щхьэкIэ, бысымыр хьэзыр?): The guest is always ready, but is the
host also ready? [ХьэщIэр сыт щыгъуи хьэзыр щхьэкIэ, бысымыр
щымыхьэзыри мэхъу. In Adigean: ХьакIэр хьазыр шъхьае (е
шъхьакIэ,) высымыр хьазырэп]
• Hesch’er neschx’eyme, bisimim yi yaghesch (ХьэщIэр
нэщхъеймэ, бысымым и ягъэщ): If the guest is upset, it is a grave
concern for the host. [In Adigean: ХьакIэр нэшхъэимэ, бысымым
иягъ]
• Hesch’er zeyr gwawezhirihsch (ХьэщIэр зейр гуауэжырыхьщ):
He who hosts a guest bears a great woe.
• Shu hesch’er yagheshesizh, lhes hesch’er psch’ant’em dashizh
(Шу хьэщIэр ягъэшэсыж, лъэс хьэщIэр пщIантIэм дашыж): They
see to it that a guest on horseback is assisted in mounting his horse
on leaving, and they accompany the unmounted guest across the
yard. [In Adigean: Шыу хьакIэр агъэшэсыжьы, лъэс хьакIэр
агъэкIотэжьы]
• Ziyqelapche wiqiblezimishizhirem yiwine wimik’w (Зикъэлапчъэ
укъыблэзымыщыжьырэм иунэ умыкIу): He who does not see you
off to the gate of his homestead is not worthy of being visited.
[Adigean]

Duties and character of honorary guest-companion

89
• Ghesenigher hach’e, aqilir xeghirey (Гъэсэныгъэр хьакIэ,
акъылыр хэгъырэй): The guest must be well brought up, and the
guest-companion must have a sharp mind. [Adigean]
• Hesch’e qiyheme [qak’weme], xeghereyr megwf’e (ХьэщIэ
къихьэмэ [къакIуэмэ], хэгъэрейр мэгуфIэ): When the guest comes
on a visit, the honorary guest-companion is delighted. [In Adigean:
ХьакIэ къакIомэ, хэгъырэир мэгушIо]
• Hesch’e zdeschi’em xegherey schi’esch (ХьэщIэ здэщыIэм
хэгъэрей щыIэщ): Where there is a guest there is an honorary guest-
companion. [In Adigean: ХьакIэ зыдэщыIэм хэгъырэй щыI]
• Xegherey bzaje dek’wate ch’ihsch (Хэгъэрей бзаджэ дэкIуатэ
кIыхьщ): A bad honorary guest-companion spells a long seeing off.
[ДэкIуэтэн=to see off; according to host-guest customs, it was
incumbent to see off a guest in a proper fashion. In Adigean:
Хэгъырэй бзаджэр дэкIотэкIыхь]
• Xegherey bzaje shu wizchsch (Хэгъэрей бзаджэ шу ужьщ): A bad
honorary guest-companion trails the rider. [In Adigean: Хэгъырэй
бзаджэр шыуж]
• Xegherey xwemixwm he qiweighedzaqe (Хэгъэрей хуэмыхум
хьэ къыуегъэдзакъэ): A lazy honorary guest-companion causes you
to be bitten by the dog. [The honorary guest-companion was duty-
bound to protect his charge by walking behind him across the yard to
the guest-room, and from the guest-room back across the yard. In
Adigean: Хэгъырэй фэмыфым хьэ къыуегъэцакъэ]
• Xeghereyif’ lhix’wiy, bilimlhix’we k’we (ХэгъэреифI лъыхъуи,
былымлъыхъуэ кIуэ): Seek a good honorary guest-companion
while looking for cattle (for your guests). [ХэгъырэишIу лъыхъуи,
былым лъыхъо кIо]

On table attendants
• Sch’aleghwer schhegheritsch (ЩIалэгъуэр щхьэгъэрытщ;
щхьэгъэрыт=young man assigned to wait on a table prepared for
guests, being usually the youngest of the attendants): While you are
young, you are a servant. [УщIалэху уIуэхутхьэбзащIэщ,
жыхуиIэщ]
• Schhegherit schhegherit yi zhaghwesch (Щхьэгъэрыт
щхьэгъэрыт и жагъуэщ; щхьэгъэрыт=young man assigned to wait
on a table prepared for guests, being usually the youngest of the
attendants): One guest attendant resents the other.

90
Guest’s burdens & etiquette
• Bisimir ahiy hach’er qenagh (Бысымыр ахьи хьакIэр къэнагъ):
The host was taken away, whilst the guest stayed on. [Adigean]
• Ghesenigher hach’e, aqilir xeghirey (Гъэсэныгъэр хьакIэ,
акъылыр хэгъырэй): The guest must be well brought up, and the
guest-companion must have a sharp mind. [Adigean]
• Hesch’ap’e k’wewe qiynezham xwedew (ХьэщIапIэ кIуэуэ
къинэжам хуэдэу): The best fish smell when they are three days
old.
• Hesch’ap’eriner yemik’wsch (ХьэщIапIэрынэр емыкIущ): 1. It is
unseemly to overstay one’s welcome; 2. The best fish smell when
they are three days old. [In Adigean: ХьэкIэпIэрынэр емыкIу]
• Hesch’ap’e wischi’eme, qipxwasch’ wiy winafesch (ХьэщIапIэ
ущыIэмэ, къыпхуащI уи унафэщ): While you are on a visit as a
guest, what they tell you is law. [In Adigean: ХьакIакIо ущыIэмэ,
къыпфашIырэр уиунашъо]
• Hesch’e hesch’e teipsixe [hesch’eteipsixe] yi zhaghwesch (ХьэщIэ
хьэщIэ тепсыхэ [хьэщIэтепсыхэ] и жагъуэщ): A guest resents the
arrival of another (guest). [In Adigean: Зы хьакIэм зы хьакIэр
тепсыхэжьырэп]
• Hesch’e kwedre schisme, bisimir yozesh (ХьэщIэ куэдрэ щысмэ,
бысымыр йозэш): If the guest stays for too long, the host becomes
very weary. [In Adigean: ХьакIэр бэрэ щысымэ, бысымыр езэщы]
• Hesch’er kwedre yisme, shxwe dighw mex’w (ХьэщIэр куэдрэ
исмэ, шхуэ дыгъу мэхъу): If the guest stays for too long, he
becomes a bridle thief. [The master of the house was obliged to stay
with the guest all the time]
• Hesch’er melim nex’re nex’ ’esesch (ХьэщIэр мэлым нэхърэ
нэхъ Iэсэщ): The guest is quieter than a sheep. [In Adigean:
ХьакIэр мэлым нахь Iас]
• Hesch’er schinem xwedey ’wschabew (ХьэщIэр щынэм хуэдэу
Iущабэу): The guest is as soft-spoken as a lamb.
• Hesch’er shxem––bzhem yoplh (ХьэщIэр шхэм—бжэм йоплъ):
After eating, the guest looks towards the door. [In Adigean: ХьакIэр
шхэмэ (е шхахэмэ) пчъэм еплъы]
• Hesch’er shxeme, bzhem yoplh (ХьэщIэр шхэмэ, бжэм йоплъ):
After eating, the guest looks towards the door. [In Adigean: ХьакIэр
шхэмэ (е шхахэмэ) пчъэм еплъы]
• Wiy deile hesch’ap’e wimighak’we! (Уи делэ хьэщIапIэ
умыгъакIуэ!): Don’t send your fool on a visit (to another person’s
house)!

91
• Wizerimisa bisim wimiwib (Узэрымыса бысым умыуб): Do not
condemn a host to whose guest-house you have never been.
• Ziy’ane zeteitim yihach’ (ЗиIанэ зэтетым ихьакI): (He lodges with
wealthy hosts) Said of sycophants and myrmidons.
• Ziy bisim zix’wezhim chits’ix’w xwawich’ (Зи бысым
зыхъуэжым чыцIыхъу хуаукI): They slaughter a mere male-kid for
him who changes his original host. [In Adigean: Зибысым
зыхъожьырэм чэцIыхъу фаукIы; or Бысым хъожь зышIырэм,
чыцIыхъу фаукIы аIуагъ]

Inhospitable & stingy hosts

• Bisim femifir—dek’ote ch’ih (Бысым фэмыфыр—дэкIотэ кIыхь):
Lazy host – long seeing off. [Adigean; дэкIотэн=to see off;
according to host-guest customs, it was incumbent upon a host to see
off his guest in a proper fashion]
• Bisim pech’e lanl (Бысым пэкIэ ланл; пэ=nose; ланлэ=droopy,
feeble): Said of a host who doesn’t like to receive guests. [Adigean]
• Bisim neghwtsw (Бысым нэгъуцу): Inhospitable, sullen host (with
respect to guests). [Adigean]
• ’Enem shxin teimilhme, px’ebghwzchsch (Iэнэм шхын
темылъмэ, пхъэбгъужьщ): A table without food is but an old
wood-board. [In Adigean: Iанэм темылъмэ, пхъэмбгъу джашъу]
• Ghomilapx’e zixemit zexaher zeshigho (Гъомылапхъэ зыхэмыт
зэхахьэр зэщыгъо): Where there are no foodstuffs is a boring place
indeed.
• Hesch’emighashxe ts’eri’wesch (ХьэщIэмыгъашхэ цIэрыIуэщ):
He who doesn’t offer food to his guest becomes notorious. [In
Adigean: ХьэкIэ мыгъашхэ цIэрыIу]
• Neghweiyipsch nex’ey, yi zaqwe meshxezh (Нэгъуеипщ нэхъей, и
закъуэ мэшхэж): He eats on his own, like a Nogai prince.
• ’Ws mach’er hach’em yijaghw (Iус макIэр хьакIэм иджагъу):
The guest resents it if the (host’s) victuals run low. [Adigean]
• Yadezh wik’ome pech’e lanl, wadezh qiyheme pech’e zand
(Ядэжь укIомэ пэкIэ ланл, уадэжь къихьэмэ пэкIэ занд): If you
go to his house he is sullen, if he comes to your house his face
brightens up. [Adigean; ланлэ=droopy, loose, feeble; зандэ=steep,
upright; Kabardian equivalent: И деж укIуэмэ, пащIэ лалэщ, уи
деж къакIуэмэ, пащIэ задэщ]

Good wives & bad wives

92
• Bisimgoshesch’wm chet-qazir yix’oy (БысымгощэшIум чэт-
къазыр ихъой): A good woman also herds poultry. [Adigean]
• Fiz bide yil’ helelsch (Фыз быдэ илI хьэлэлщ): A mean wife and a
kind husband. [In Adigean: Шъуз пытэм илI хьалэл]
• Fiz bzaje hesch’emighashxesch (Фыз бзаджэ
хьэщIэмыгъашхэщ): Said of a wicked woman who does not offer
food to guests. [In Adigean: Шъуз бзаджэр хьэкIэмыгъашх]
• Fiz bzaje ziy’em yi wine wimik’we (Фыз бзаджэ зиIэм и унэ
умыкIуэ): Don’t visit the house of a man with a wicked wife. [In
Adigean: Шъуз бзаджэ зиIэм иунэ умыкIу]
• Fizif’ ghet’ilhighenshe x’wrqim (ФызыфI гъэтIылъыгъэншэ
хъуркъым): A good woman is never without a store of victuals. [In
Adigean: ШъузышIур IэпэчIэгъанэ щыкIэрэп]
• Fizif’im l’i ’eyr dobzchif’eriy, fiz ’eyr l’if’ir dobzchigwe
(ФызыфIым лIы Iейр добжьыфIэри, фыз Iейр лIыфIыр
добжьыгуэ): A good wife boosts the stature of even the worst of
men; a bad wife diminishes the status of even the best of men. [In
Adigean: ШъузышIум лIы дэир дэгъу ехъулIэ, шъуз дэим лIы
дэгъур дэи ехъулIэ]
• Fizif’ir wineschiy, fiz ’eyr sch’iwinesch (ФызыфIыр унэщи, фыз
Iейр щIыунэщ): A good woman is a household; a bad woman is a
cellar. [In Adigean: ШъузышIу унэ, шъуз дэир чIыун]
• Fizif’ yi ’ene zeteitsch (ФызыфI и Iэнэ зэтетщ): The table of a
good wife has many layers, or is always ready. [In Adigean:
ШъузышIу иIанэ зэтет]
• Fizif’ yi hekw yat’e hezirsch (ФызыфI и хьэку ятIэ хьэзырщ):
The oven (literally: the clay of the oven) of a good wife is always
ready. [In Adigean: ШъузышIу ихьаку ятIэ щыкIэрэп]
• Fizif’ yil’ ghwemilenshe x’wrqim (ФызыфI илI гъуэмылэншэ
хъуркъым; гъуэмылэ=traveller’s fare): The husband of a good
woman does not go without his road fare. [In Adigean: ШъузышIу
илI гъомылэнчъэ хъурэп]
• Fizif’ yil’ nek’wschheplhsch (ФызыфI илI нэкIущхьэплъщ): The
husband of a good woman is red-cheeked (happy, jovial). [In
Adigean: ШъузышIу илI нэкIушъхьаплъ]
• Fizif’ yil’ ts’eri’wesch (ФызыфI илI цIэрыIуэщ): The husband of a
good woman enjoys a good name. [In Adigean: ШъузышIу илI
цIэрыIу]
• Fizif’ ziy’em x’wex’w yi wine yilhsch (ФызыфI зиIэм хъуэхъу и
унэ илъщ): Toasts are said in the house of he who has a good wife.

93
• Fiz xwemixw ziy’er nasipinshesch (Фыз хуэмыху зиIэр
насыпыншэщ): A man with a lazy spouse is unfortunate indeed. [In
Adigean: Шъуз фэмыф зиIэр — насыпынчъ]
• Ghabler bisimgwash (Гъаблэр бысымгуащ): Hunger is (caused
by) the lady of the house. [Adigean. In Kabardian: МафIэ мащIэ
Iугъуэбэщ, бын мащIэ цIэцIалэщ, гъаблэ бысым гуащэщ]
• Schwzisch’w yi’ane shighe [ШъузышIу иIанэ шыгъэ]: Measure
the table of the good woman. [Adigean]
• Winer yigwsch, zchegwr yi psesch (Унэр игущ, жьэгур и псэщ):
The house is her heart, the hearth is her soul.
• Winer zighewineriy blagher zigheblagheriy fizsch (Унэр
зыгъэунэри благъэр зыгъэблагъэри фызщ): It is the lady of the
house who makes the household prosper, and it is she who makes the
visitors welcome. [In Adigean: Унэр зыгъэунэри благъэр
зыгъэблагъэри шъуз]

Horrible guests
• Hech’e bzajer—bisim nepeteix (ХьэкIэ бзаджэр—бысым
нэпэтех): A wicked guest brings shame to his host. [Adigean]
• Hesch’e mix’w [Hesch’emix’w] zchant’ak’wesch (ХьэщIэ мыхъу
[ХьэщIэмыхъу] жьантIакIуэщ): The unworthy guest heads for the
seat of honour (away from door, near hearth).
• Hesch’e zhaghwe psi ch’esch’ach’e (ХьэщIэ жагъуэ псы
кIэщIакIэ): They splash water under the unwelcome visitor.
• Hesch’e ziy zhaghwem lixwe xweighazche (ХьэщIэ зи жагъуэм
лыхуэ хуегъажьэ): For the obnoxious guest sinewy meat is
prepared. [This is an inferior kind of meat. In Adigean: ХьакIэ
зиджагъом лыфэ фегъажъэ]

Table manners & etiquette

• Adige gwpim t’isin yawixme, schisin yawixawe plhite x’wnusch!’
(Адыгэ гупым тIысын яухмэ, щысын яухауэ плъытэ хъунущ):
(After a group of Circassians take their seats (at a table), you can
consider that they have finished their session!) Once the seating
arrangement has been determined at the start of a feasting table, it is
maintained throughout the session. Late-comers, notwithstanding
their status, found their places in available empty seats.
• ’Aner zishihazirim pselhe ch’ihe yishich’aghep (Iанэр
зыщыхьазырым псэлъэ кIыхьэ ищыкIагъэп): When the table is
ready it is inappropriate to deliver long speeches. [Adigean]

94
• ’Enem wiperisixw ghasch’em xiheqim! (Iэнэм упэрысыху
гъащIэм хыхьэкъым!): (The time you spend at the table is not
considered part of the usual run of life) Feasting is time out of this
world.
• ’Enem yi periy yi ch’eriy x’wex’wsch (Iэнэм и пэри и кIэри
хъуэхъущ): (A toast starts and ends a “table”) A feast could only
start with a toast by the eldest participant, then by the guests, and the
affair could last throughout the session, which at times lasted for
hours on end. [In Adigean: Iанэм ыпэри ыкIэри хъохъу]
• Fader gwak’werafesch, ziygw yiriymihim yiriyfqim (Фадэр
гуакIуэрафэщ, зигу иримыхьым ирифкъым): Though
(intoxicating) drinks are pleasant to take, he who does not have a
taste for them does not drink. [A guest is never forced to partake in
drinking; different people, different tastes; there is no accounting for
tastes]
• For ’ef’ didesch—ziygw yiriymihim yishxirqim (Фор IэфI
дыдэщ—зигу иримыхьым ишхыркъым; фо=honey): (Honey is
very tasty, but he who does not like it does not eat it) 1. Different
people, different tastes; 2. There is no accounting for tastes; 3. Many
men, many minds. [In Adigean: Шъоур IашIу, ау зыгу
римыхьырэм ышхырэп]
• Hach’e deiler bghelibeshx (ХьакIэ делэр бгъэлыбэшх): The
foolish guest eats the (fowl) brisket. [Adigean]
• Hefem fo yiz x’wme, zegwotx’ (Хьэфэм фо из хъумэ, зэгуотхъ):
If rubber is stuffed full of honey, it would burst. [НыбэизыгъэкIэ
щыкIа цIыхум хужаIэ. Eat moderately]
• Heferiy fo yizme, zegweitx’ (Хьэфэри фо измэ, зэгуетхъ): Even
rubber would burst if it is stuffed full of honey. [Eat moderately]
• Hesch’er xwschherey x’wme, ghashxiy gheghwelhizh (ХьэщIэр
хущхьэрей хъумэ, гъашхи гъэгъуэлъыж): If your guest starts to
yawn, feed him and then let him sleep. [In Adigean: ХьакIэм ыжэ
зэкIэкIы хъумэ, гъашхи гъэгъолъыжь]
• Qabzagher wizinshaghesch (Къабзагъэр узыншагъэщ):
Cleanliness is next to godliness.
• Sch’em deizchiy zchim deshxe (ЩIэм дежьи жьым дэшхэ):
Travel with the young and eat with the elders.
• X’wex’wr ch’ihme, x’ibar mex’wzh (Хъуэхъур кIыхьмэ, хъыбар
мэхъуж): If the toast is long, it turns into a story.
• X’wex’wr ch’ih psch’ime, psalhe mex’w (Хъуэхъур кIыхь
пщIымэ, псалъэ мэхъу): If you prolong your toast, it becomes a
speech.

95
• (Yape) wizriyhel’er shxinif’sch [(Япэ) узрихьэлIэр шхыныфIщ]:
1. What you come across (first) is good food; 2. Hunger is the best
spice. [The guest should be presented with ready food, tsix’wteiwid,
shortly upon arrival if the banquet, or main meal, is deemed to
require a long time to prepare. In Adigean: Апэ узэрихьылIэрэр —
шхынышIу]
• Zchim schhe yadeshx, sch’em lhaqwe yadeshx (Жьым щхьэ
ядэшх, щIэм лъакъуэ ядэшх): Eat the head (of the sheep) with the
elders, and have the leg (of the sheep) with the young ones.

Gluttony, greed, temperance & sloth

• Beshxir nasipinch (Бэшхыр насыпынчъ): Greedy guts never had
good luck. [Adigean]
• Bzchin sch’eghwem ’epe shinsch, bzchin shxighwem
zhumerensch (Бжьын щIэгъуэм Iэпэ шынщ, бжьын шхыгъуэм
жумэрэнщ): When it’s time to do the onions, the fingers are
blistered; when it’s time to eat the onions, he’s a gopher.
• Dzighwe nepseyr shem yethele (Дзыгъуэ нэпсейр шэм етхьэлэ):
The greedy mouse drowns in the milk.
• ’Enem witeifisch’ihu wimik’we (Iэнэм утефыщIыхьу умыкIуэ):
Do not go (on a visit) and clean out the table.
• Jedim fend ch’erisch’asch (Джэдым фэнд кIэрыщIащ; фэнд=
water-skin with a shape reminiscent of a hen): (He hanged up a
water-skin on the chicken) Said of a glutton. [Зэрышхэрейм
щхьэкIэ жаIэ]
• Meqwmiler masch’eme, shch’asch’er shxerey mex’w
(Мэкъумылэр мащIэмэ, шкIащIэр шхэрей мэхъу): When the
forage runs low, the little calf becomes voracious.
• Nibe ’eym shxin yi psch’ihsch (Ныбэ Iейм шхын и пщIыхьщ): A
bad paunch hankers for (literally: dreams of) food.
• Nibe ’ey schi’e mix’wme, shxin ’ey schi’eqim (Ныбэ Iей щыIэ
мыхъумэ, шхын Iей щыIэкъым): There is no such thing as bad
food, but there are bad paunches.
• Nibem: ‘Wiy ade(zch) yi zchach’e qipiwipsch’iy qiylhhe!’ —
zhei’e (Ныбэм: «уи адэ(жь) и жьакIэ къыпыупщIи къилъхьэ!» —
жеIэ): [The paunch says: ‘Cut off your father’s (grandfather’s) beard
and wear it!’] If you make your paunch your master, it will lead you
to impropriety. [Ныбэм уедаIуэмэ, емыкIу къыуигъэхьынущ,
жыхуиIэщ. In Adigean: Ныбэм «уятэ ыжакIэ къыпыупкIи къидз»
еIо. «Ныбэм уедэIумэ, емыкIу къыуигъахьын» зыфиIу]

96
• Niber xwiyt psch’ime, napeteixsch (Ныбэр хуит пщIымэ,
напэтехщ): Give the belly enough rope and it will bring shame on
you.
• Schisch’e nex’re masch’eshx (ЩыщIэ нэхърэ мащIэшх): 1. To eat
a little is better than not to have at all; 2. A little is better than
nothing. [In Adigean: ЩыкIэ нахьи мэкIэшх]
• Shaschher teixin (Шащхьэр техын; шащхьэ=the skin on boiled
milk; техын=to skim off): Cat the ginger (amer.).
• Shaschher teizishxich’a xwedew (ziywschexwasch) (Шащхьэр
тезышхыкIа хуэдэу (зиущэхуащ): To look like the cat who
swallowed the canary.
• Shxeghwem dighwzchsch, lazcheghwem zchindusch (Шхэгъуэм
дыгъужьщ, лажьэгъуэм жьындущ): When it’s time to eat he’s a
wolf; when it’s time to work he’s an owl.
• Shxeni’e ch’ihsch (ШхэныIэ кIыхьщ): The hand that takes the food
at the table is long.
• Shxerey yi wizinshaghemch’e thewsixereysch (Шхэрей и
узыншагъэмкIэ тхьэусыхэрейщ): A glutton complains all the time
about his health.
• Shxen sch’ebdzeme, shxinir pschok’we (Шхэн щIэбдзэмэ,
шхыныр пщокIуэ): Eating and scratching wants just a beginning
(Scottish).
• Shxinim ya nex’if’riy schi’ef’ir sch’eschighwemesch (Шхыным я
нэхъыфIри щыIэфIыр щIэщыгъуэмэщ): Even the best of foods are
tasty only when they are novel.
• Ts’ifim inibe yipiy (ЦIыфым ыныбэ ипый): One’s belly is one’s
enemy. [Adigean]
• Yishxir f’emasch’esch, yisch’er f’ekwedsch (Ишхыр фIэмащIэщ,
ищIэр фIэкуэдщ): What he eats he considers to be too little, what he
does he thinks is too much.
• Yiz zishxinum niqwe shxich’e yisch’erqim (Из зышхынум
ныкъуэ шхыкIэ ищIэркъым): He who will eat his fill does not
know how to eat the half of it.
• Ziy ’ihe zif’emasch’em hem f’eishx (Зи Iыхьэ зыфIэмащIэм хьэм
фIешх): The lot of the person who thinks it is too little gets eaten by
the dog.

Fruits of labour
• Alihir yesch’e, yasch’’ame, yeshx (Алыхьыр ещIэ, ящIIамэ ешх):
1. He is a(n) lazybones/idler/loafer; 2. He is good for nothing.
[Мылажьэу шхэм ауаныщIу хужаIэ. Milazchew shxem awanisch’u

97
 xwzha’e. Said sarcastically of a person who eats without doing any
work]
• Lezchench’e washxeschiy, shxench’e l’ix’wzchsch (ЛэжьэнкIэ
уашхэщи, шхэнкIэ лIыхъужьщ): (He works like a badger but eats
like a hero) He works like a badger but eats like a wolf.
• Lezchench’e washxesch, shxench’e dighwzchsch (ЛэжьэнкIэ
уашхэщ, шхэнкIэ дыгъужьщ): He works like a badger but eats like
a wolf.
• Mastech’e ’eshesch, shatech’e bzajesch (МастэкIэ Iэшэщ,
шатэкIэ бзаджэщ): (Clumsy with the needle, but voracious with the
cream) He works like a badger but eats like a wolf.
• Pschil’ xwedew, lazchiy, pschi xwedew, wishxensch (ПщылI
хуэдэу, лажьи, пщы хуэдэу, ушхэнщ): Work like a slave, and you
shall eat like a lord.
• Qezighech’riy zishxizhriy wersch (КъэзыгъэкIри зышхыжри
уэрщ): (What you sow is what you eat) You reap what you sow.
• Qezih zishxizh bey mex’w (Къэзыхь зышхыж бей мэхъу): He
who eats from what he earns becomes wealthy. [Лажьэу шхэжыр
фIыуэ мэпсэу, жыхуиIэщ]
• Sch’aq’we ’ihe qwdey qizisch’ech’in qemilezchin (ЩIакхъуэ
Iыхьэ къудей къызыщIэкIын къэмылэжьын): Not to earn salt for
one’s porridge. [Ziriy qemilezchin zhixwiy’esch]
• Weiweme—meqwsch, weimiweme, qwresch (Уеуэмэ—мэкъущ,
уемыуэмэ, къурэщ): If you reap – it’s hay; if you don’t, it’s dry
stalks. [In Adigean: УупкIэмэ мэкъу, умыупкIэмэ—къурэ]
• ’Wexw ziy ’wexw ’wexw ’wosch’eriy, shxin ziy ’wexw shxin
’wosch’e (Iуэху зи Iуэху Iуэху IуощIэри, шхын зи Iуэху шхын
IуощIэ): He who seeks work finds work; he who seeks food finds
food.
• Wilazcheme, lizch pshxinsch, wimilazcheme, lazche bghwetinsch
(Улажьэмэ, лыжь пшхынщ, умылажьамэ, лажьэ бгъуэтынщ): If
you work, you’ll eat dried (salted) meat; if you don’t, you’ll get into
trouble. [In Adigean: Улажьэмэ, лыжъ пшхын]
• Wilazchew wishxezhin nex’if’ schi’eqim (Улажьэу ушхэжын
нэхъыфI щыIэкъым): There is nothing better than to eat from your
own sweat.
• Wiy sch’aq’we ’iher psch’enshew mishxin (Уи щIакхъуэ Iыхьэр
пщIэншэу мышхын): To earn one’s salt.
• Zedepsch’e sch’exschiy, zedeshxe ’ef’sch (ЗэдэпщIэ щIэхщи,
зэдэшхэ IэфIщ): What is done collectively is finished quickly; what
is had with others is tasty. [In Adigean: Зэдашхэ IашIу, зэдэлажьэ
тхъагъо]

98
On foodstuffs & beverages
• Bzchinixwr xwschx’wesch, bzchinischher schx’whsch
(Бжьыныхур хущхъуэщ, бжьыныщхьэр щхъухьщ): Garlic is
remedy, the onion bulb is poison. [In Adigean: Бжьыныфыр
фышхъу, бжьынышхъор шхъухьэ]
• Bzhinifim wizighwiybl yegheghw (Бжьыныфым узыгъуибл
егъэгъу): Garlic is a cure for seven ailments. [Adigean]
• Disch mezhaje ’ef’sch (Дыщ мэжаджэ IэфIщ; дыщ=тыщ
(Adigean)=kinsfolk of married woman or widow): (Home-made
mezhaje is tasty) Home-cooked food is best.
• Fade-p’aste (Фадэ-пIастэ): Food and drink.
• Fade ziy nibzcheghwm yi ch’ezhip ghwanesch (Фадэ зи
ныбжьэгъум и кIэжып гъуанэщ): He who is friends with the bottle
has a gaping hole in his pocket. [In Adigean: Шъоныр
зиныбджэгъум джыбэ гъуанэ иI]
• Gheshir zerimitim berchet yilhep (Гъэщыр зэрымытым бэрчэт
илъэп): A household with no dairy products is a poor one indeed.
[Adigean]
• Gheshir zishibem shi’ach’er shisch’w (Гъэщыр зыщыбэм
щыIакIэр щышIу): Life is good where there is an abundance of
dairy products. [Adigean]
• Gheshir zishibem ts’ifir shibay (Гъэщыр зыщыбэм цIыфыр
щыбай): Abundance of dairy products is a mark of wealth.
[Adigean]
• Ghomiler ghogwm shihilhep (Гъомылэр гъогум щыхьылъэп):
The road fare is never too heavy for the traveller. [Adigean]
• Nane hel’amasch’esch, dade ch’erisch’ensch (Нанэ
хьэлIамащIэщ, дадэ кIэрыщIэнщ): Grandma makes the cakes and
grandpa hangs them up. [As part of festal celebrations]
• Pchedizh hach’er sheteshx (Пчэдыжь хьакIэр щэтэшх): The
morning guest is offered fresh cream. [Adigean. Boiled milk is
allowed to stand overnight and fresh cream collected from the top in
the morning]
• Pirezchiyer ghomilezch fed (Пырэжъыер гъомылэжъ фэд):
(Dried) Sloe is as nutritious as traveller’s fare. [Adigean]
• Schwatem nasip qixezixighe shi’ep (Шъуатэм насып
къыхэзыхыгъэ щыIэп): Nothing good comes out of (drinking)
shuata. [Adigean. Shuata is an alcoholic drink]

99
• Schwatem ts’ifir yeghepiwti (Шъуатэм цIыфыр егъэпыуты):
Shuata (see II.9.2) demeans a person. [Adigean. Shuata is an
alcoholic drink]
• Shxin ’esch’wr ts’if ghechef (Шхын IэшIур цIыф гъэчэф): Good
food gladdens the heart of man. [Adigean]
• X’irbidzisch’wr ischoch’e qasch’e (ХъырбыдзышIур ышъокIэ
къашIэ): Good water-melon is known from the rind. [Adigean]

Other expressions
• Apsisch’ir aps niqoch’e mashxe (АпсышIыр апс ныкъокIэ
машхэ; апс=wooden bowl): (The bowl-maker eats from an inferior
bowl) The cobbler’s wife is the worst shod.
• Belaghich’er zi’ighim he qeriybghw shegwghi (БэлагъыкIэр
зыIыгъым хьэ къэрибгъу щэгугъы): (The nine black dogs have
their hope pinned on the holder of the trowel) Everybody pins his
hope on the cook. [Adigean. «ПщэрыхьакIом зэкIэ щэгугъы»
зыфиIу]
• Bisim sch’igho x’wghe (Бысым шIыгъо хъугъэ): Evening came.
[Adigean; шIыгъо=time for doing (smth.)]
• Ch’eqiyner ’ef’sch (КIэкъинэр IэфIщ): The nearer the bone, the
sweeter the flesh.
• Dekwm xwedew qeghepts’en (Дэкум хуэдэу къэгъэпцIэн;
дэку=kernel of nut): 1. To turn somebody round one’s finger; 2. To
catch with chaff; 3. To swindle, dupe; 4. To humbug.
• Dekwu qeghepts’en (Дэкуу къэгъэпцIэн): See preceding entry.
• Dzech’e masch’ew, hesch’ech’e kwedu (ДзэкIэ мащIэу,
хьэщIэкIэ куэду): Little victuals and many guests.
• ’Eshri’er zighevam yirireifizh (IэшрыIэр зыгъэвам ирырефыж):
1. You make your bed, now lie in it; 2. Who breaks, pays; 3. As you
brew, so must you drink.
• Hach’ap’er deghwmiy wiywine fede x’wrep (ХьакIапIэр дэгъуми
уиунэ фэдэ хъурэп): (Even if the guest-house is fine, it won’t be as
good as your home) East or west, home is best. [Adigean]
• Haziriyyir piyim pay, yabghwanerer shiwim pay (Хьазыриир
пыим пай, ябгъуанэрэр шыум пай): The eight cartridge cases are
for the enemy, the ninth for the horseman. [Adigean. The cherkesska
(tsey), the distinctive long-waisted, tight-fitting circassian tunic, was
– and still is – a potent folkloric symbol donned by almost all
peoples of the Caucasus. It was adorned by a row of (usually white)
capped cartridge cases (hezir) made of nielloed silver, or wood,
inserted into flaps sewn on each side of the breast. These cartridge

100
 cases were usually used to store gunpowder and leadshot for
personal light muskets. However, one of the cases was filled with
flour, to be used in extreme situations to satisfy one’s hunger]
• Hel’ame qak’weme, ch’efiy nek’wen(u)sch (ХьэлIамэ къакIуэмэ,
кIэфий нэкIуэнущ; кIэфий=whistle): 1. (You) Roll my log and I’ll
roll yours; 2. (You) Scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours; 3. Claw
me and I will claw thee; 4. Ka me, ka thee; 5. Nothing for nothing.
• Jedich’e shk’wmp’ yi waseqim (ДжэдыкIэ шкIумпI и уасэкъым):
(Not worth a rotten egg) Not worth a bean (or button, curse, damn).
• L’i hesch’e nex’re fiz hesch’e (ЛIы хьэщIэ нэхърэ фыз хьэщIэ):
Better a female guest than a male guest.
• Shemiy seys, shxwmiy seys (Шэми сес, шхуми сес): 1. To have
mixed feelings; 2. Between the upper and nether millstone; 3.
Between Scylla and Charybdis.
• Shem yisar shxwm yopsche (Шэм исар шхум йопщэ): (He who
was burnt by the milk blows on the yoghourt) 1. Once bit(ten), twice
shy; 2. The scalded cat (or dog) fears cold water; 3. A burnt child
dreads the fire; 4. Burnt bairns dread the fire (Scottish).
• Shibzhiy xwiywden (Шыбжий хуиудэн): (To pound hot red pepper
for somebody) To cast salt on somebody’s tail.
• Shighwp’aste (ШыгъупIастэ): Bread-and-salt.
• Shighw six’wa se sitk’wnu (Шыгъу сыхъуа сэ сыткIуну): 1. I am
not made of salt; 2. I am neither sugar nor salt.
• Wiy ’wexw zixemilhim wiy belagh xomi’w [xiwimi’w] (Уи Iуэху
зыхэмылъым уи бэлагъ хомыIу [хыумыIу]): (Do not poke your
[flat wooden cooking] trowel into other people’s affairs) 1. Mind
your own business!; 2. Go about your business!; 3. The cobbler must
stick to his last; 4. Don’t poke your nose into other people’s affairs.
[In Adigean: УиIоф зыхэмылъым уибэлагъэ хэмыIу]
• Yefe-yeshxe nex’re jegw (Ефэ-ешхэ нэхърэ джэгу): Better a dance
party than a feast.
• Yeshxe-yefe nex’re jegw (Ешхэ-ефэ нэхърэ джэгу): Better a dance
party than a feast.
• Zexwemide qizedefeqim, zemifeghw qizedewijqim (Зэхуэмыдэ
къызэдэфэкъым, зэмыфэгъу къызэдэуджкъым): Those dissimilar
in their social rank do not dance together.

101
 On Greetings & Salutes

(ФIэхъусхэм теухуа псалъэжьхэр)

Бзаджэр убзэмэ, зыгуэр хуейщ (Bzajer wibzeme, zigwer xweysch):

When the wicked starts to suck up, know that he is after
something.
Псалъэ гуапэм пщIэ щIэпткъым (Psalhe gwapem psch’e
sch’eptqim): Nice words are priceless.
Уи бзэр гъэбыдэ, уи жьэр гъэдахэ (Wiy bzer ghebide, wiy zcher
ghedaxe): Hold your tongue and adorn your mouth.
ФIэхъус лей хъуркъым (F’ex’ws ley x’wrqim): It is always
opportune to pronounce greetings.
ЦIыхум и нэгум и гум илъым ухуеузэщI (Ts’ixwm yi negwm yi
gwm yilhim wixweiwzesch’): A person’s facial expression
ameliorates for you what lurks inside of him.
IитIкIэ уи Iэр зыубыдыр уи щIыб щопсэлъэж (’Iyt’ch’e wiy ’er
ziwbidir wiy sch’ib schopselhezh): He who greets you with both
hands talks about you behind your back.
IитIкIэ Iэ зыубыдыр фызщ (’Iyt’ch’e ’e ziwbidir fizsch): Only
women shake hands with both hands.
Iуэхум япэр фIэхъусщ (’Wexwm yaper f’ex’wssch): Greeting
precedes any other business; greeting precedes conversation.

102
 On Opposites

(Зэхуэмыдэныгъэ щыIахэр
къэзыгъэлъэгъуэж псалъэжьхэр)
Атэкъынэр зи вакъэпс, къэсыр зытеухь (Атэкъынэ—гуэншэрыкъ
лъэпс. Laces of man’s raw hide shoes).

Бацэжь и щIагъ лIыхъужь къыщIокI: (A hero emerges from old

shaggy wool) 1. A little body often harbours a great soul; 2. Little
bodies may have great souls.
Бацэр и бэщ, бзур и бынщ (ТхьэмыщкIэщ, бын и куэдщ,
жыхуиIэщ: Said of a poor man having many children).
Бацэхэплъ нэплъэжыгъуэ егъуэт.
Бгъэр бгъэкIэ ягъасэ, былымыр былымкIэ къагъуэт.
Бей жей езэгъыркъым: No sleep for the rich.
Бейм и хьэ удз ехъу: The rich-man's dog grazes grass.
Бейм я гугъу ящIурэ тхьэмыщкIэм я уэздыгъэ мэс.
Бжэн къуий тегушхуэгъуафIэщ: Brave before the lamb, but a lamb
before the brave.
Бжэн щIакъуэ тегушхуэгъуафIэщ (еплъ аргуэру Бжэн къуий
тегушхуэгъуафIэщ): Brave before the lamb, but a lamb before the
brave.
Бзу кхъуей фIэкIа ямыIэ щыIэкъым.
Бзум худрапхъей и унэ щIэлъкъым.
Вырэ цIэрэ зэпокъу: The bull and louse are measuring swords.

Гуащэрэ пэт, къаз деху.

Данэр лъапэкIэ зэрехуэ (ЗэщыхуэпыкIауэ къэзыкIухь цIыхубзым

хужаIэу щытащ).
Делэми пэж жиIэнкIэ мэхъу (Deilemiy pezh zhiy’ench’e mex’w): 1.
A fool may sometimes speak to the purpose; 2. A fool’s bolt may
sometimes hit the mark.
Делэр бейм я гуэшэгъущ (Бейм здигъэгуэшэну щогугъ,
жыхуиIэщ): (The fool [thinks that he] is the rich-man’s partner)
As the fool thinks, so the bell clinks.
Дунейр и жэнэтщ (Тхъэуэ мэпсэу, жыхуиIэщ): He lives in clover.
Дунейр и хьэдрыхэщ (Хьэдрыхэ=life after death): Hell on earth.
Дымыгъуэкъым, дыгущэкъым, ди унэ щхьэ кIапэ дагъэкIэ
дымыирэ? (ЩыкIам ауаныщIу хужаIэ. Said of a conceited
person).

103
Жылэм я мыгъуэ я гъуощ.

Жьы къыщIэпщэркъым, псы къыщIэуэркъым: (A gale won’t

blow, the river won’t flood) There’s no hurry!
Жьыр и гупэу мэпсэу (Гугъуехьым пэщIэту мэпсэу, жыхуиIэщ).

Зэрабзыр иIэ щхьэкIэ кърабзэ иIэкъым.

Зэрыгъэпщыркъым, зэрыгъатхъэркъым (ЛIыфIыгъэ
зэпэзыубыдаитIым хужаIэ).
ЗэхуэдитI зэдзейщ.
Зеиншэ шэгъуафIэщ.
Зи вакъэ зэврэ зи гъавэ мащIэрэ.
Зи деур мащIэм и духьэр кIэщIщ (деур=money given out by
relatives of the deceased to atone for his/her sins; духьэр=prayer):
Little alms, short prayers.
Зи Iэгу нэщIым и нэгу щIыIэщ: Empty hands and cold face.
ЗимыIэм бдзы кIыхьри бдзы кIэщIри хуохъу: Beggars can't be
choosers.
ЗимыIэххэ къызэщэри зил къыщIэщ къызэтэщ.
Зипщ пэмылъэщ и фыз и табыщэгъущ (И фызым йоныкъуэкъу,
йозауэ, жыхуиIэщ).
Зы выр шхэмэ, зы выр мэгурым: When one bull eats another
moans.
Зы лIыр джэдыгуибгъурэ лIибгъур джэдыгуншэу: One man with
nine fur coats, and nine men with no fur coats.
Зы хьэнэф зы хьэнэф и пщыжщ: It's a case of the blind leading the
blind.
ЗылъэмыкI IэфракIэ и Iыхьэщ.
Зым и мыгъуэ, зым и махуэщ: One man's meat is another man's
poison.
ЗыхуащIэ нэхърэ зыщIэф.
Зыхуэхъур быхъуу мэтIыс.

И дунейр дэгъэзеигъуэу ехь (Гугъу ехьу мэпсэу, жыхуиIэщ. He

leads a miserable life).
И дзыгъуэ лъынэ къокI (ХуэщIауэ, тхъэуэ мэпсэу, жыхуиIэщ. He
lives in clover, he is well off. Literally: ‘His mouse is fat’).
И кIэтIий и вакъэпсу мэпсэу (КIэтIий=gut, intestine; вакъэпс=shoe-
lace): He is indigent.
И мэлыхъуэ баш пкIэм дридзеижащ (И мылъкур IэщIэкIуэдэжащ,
жыхуиIэщ): (He threw his shepherd’s stick in the loft) He lost his
fortune.

104
И хьэрэ и кхъуэрэ зэрошх (Гукъеуэншэу, тхъэуэ мэпсэу,
жыхуиIэщ): He lives in clover.
И щэ и ныбэ ихуэжыркъым (Yi sche yi nibe yixwezhirqim): (His fat
does not fit into his stomach) He lives in clover.
И щэ къовэ (Къулейм хужаIэ): Said of a rich man.
Ибэ бэшэчщ: An orphan is a hardy creature.
Изрэ ныкъуэрэ зэрыщIэркъым: The rich and the poor are deaf to
one another.

КIэкъинэ IэфIщ: (The dregs are the sweetest) The nearer the bone, the
sweeter the flesh.

Къаным и нэ уезыгъэбор былымщ.

Къызыхих ныкъуэ хъуркъым.
КъыптекIуэ лъэщщ: He who beats you is strong.
Къратыр и Iусщ, есыхыр и мафIэщ (Зыри зылъэмыкI
хьэрычэтыншэм хужаIэ): Said of a helpless fellow.

Лэгъупыр нэкIэ къегъавэ (Нэсауэ къулейуэ мэпсэу, жыхуиIэщ):

He lives in clover.

ЛъэкIамэ, зыкъригъэлъхунтэкъым (Щхьэхынэ Iейм хужаIэ): Said

of a very lazy person.
ЛъхукъуэлI нысэ зыгъэ-зыщIщ, дыжь джэдыгур зы
щIымахуэщ.

Мыгъуэм и кIапсэр бейм егъэлажьэ.

Мыгъуэр мыгъуэщIкъым, ищIыр тэджыжкъым.
Мыунэ-мыунэхъу, жэщ хъумэ пхъэдыгъу.

«Нанэ и лыIу, дадэ и Iунэ» жиIэурэ зэригъэуIуащ (Гугъу дехьурэ

ерагъыу зэригъэпэщащ, жыхуиIэщ): Said of something that was
just barely managed to be done.
Насып зимыIэм и дзэр хъудырым IуещIыкI: (An unfortunate man
would have his teeth broken while having pottage) An unfortunate
man would be drowned in a teacup.
Насып зиIэм шыIэ иIэщ: Fortune and perseverence go hand and
hand.
Насыпыншэм махъшэм тесми хьэ къодзакъэ (Насып уимыIэмэ,
махъшэм утесми, хьэр къодзакъэ): (If out of luck, a dog would
bite you even on camelback) An unfortunate man would be
drowned in a teacup.

105
Насыпыр щагуэшым дурэшым дэсащ: When good fortune was
being allotted he was in a secluded corner; he is poor, unfortunate.
Нэгъуеипщ нэхъей, и закъуэ мэшхэж (Neghweiyipsch nex’ey, yi
zaqwe meshxezh): He eats on his own, like a Nogai prince.
НыбэщIэубзэ IуэхутхьэбзащIэщ.

ТхьэмыщкIагъэм сынокIуэ жиIэркъым: Indigence never says ‘I

am leaving’.
ТхьэмыщкIэм и псалъэ тIэу жыIэщ: The poor man’s words are
twice said.
ТхьэмыщкIэм и фэр Iувщ (Гугъуехь куэд и фэм докI, ешэч,
жыхуиIэщ): The poor have thick skins.
ТхьэмыщкIэм тхьэр хуэлъэщ.
ТхьэмыщкIитI зэгъусэмэ, бей хуэдэу мэпсэу: If two poor people
band together, they will live like the rich.
Тхьэр тебгащ, бгыр теуащ.

Уэрэдус пщыпсэIухщ: The song-writer is the terror of the prince.

Уэсэпс тхьэгъум зегъэшри, гъэш зимыIэр тхьэмыщкIэщ.
Удафэр фэм йокI.
«Уи адэр шхын щхьэкIэ лIащ» жаIэу щрахъуэным, «Игъуэту
лIа?» – къажриIащ: ‘Your father died for lack of food,’ they
said, scolding, ‘Did he find food and die?’ he retorted.
Уи Iэшхылъэ нэбдзыфIэмэ, унэфI япхъу къыуатынщ.
УлIэу упсэу нэхърэ, утхъэу урелIэ.
Урыс тхьэмыщкIэ и кхъуэлу зэрегъэзахуэ.

Факъырэ пэщмэн (ТхьэмыщкIэ пагэм хужаIэу щытащ. Пэщмэн:

beggar’s pouch): Used to be said of proud indigent people.

Хабзэр сщIэ щхьэкIэ, ирабзэр сIэщIэлъкъым.

Хьэзабыр хьэмбытIу (хьэмбыIуу) ешэч (ХьэмбытIу, хьэмбыIуу:

squatting): He is suffering the torments of Tantalus.
Хьэндыркъуакъуэ щэ кIэлъопкIэ: Luckless, unlucky.

ЦIэ бжьакъуэм фIэсщ.

Щхьэ къуийм и лажьэ щхьэ псэум ищIэркъым.

ЩымыIэр IыхьитIщ: Two lots when there is nothing.

Iэгу нэщI IэщI джафэщ.

106
 Other Miscellaneous Proverbs

(Iуэхугъуэ зэмылIэужьыгъуэхэм
ятепсэлъыхь,
къинэмыщI псалъэжьхэр)

Абы нэхъ лажьэ акъужьым къимыхькIэ: May the south wind bring
no more misfortune!
АдакъэщIэрэ хущIэ пIастэрэ: A young cock is like fresh millet
dumplings.
Адыгэр вакъэ лъэныкъуэу шхэркъым, шхэурэ уэрэд
жиIэркъым.
Ажалым «сынокIуэ» жиIэркъым: Death doesn’t say ‘I am leaving’.
Ажалыр зэмыпIэщIэкIым къэмысын фIощI.
Ажалыр ныбжьэгъукъым, къыпхуеймэ, къоупщIыркъым:
Death is no friend; if it wants you, it does not ask your permission.
«Ажэр зыдыгъуам ажафэ техыгъуэм сыкъищIэнщ», – жиIащ зи
ажэ ядыгъуам.
Ажэр мэлым я пашэщ: The billy-goat is the leader of the sheep.
Алащэм уеуэмэ, мэлъэхъу, мылъэхъуххэр шыдщ: If you hit the
horse, it will trot; that which doesn’t trot is the ass.
Алыхьым къыптрилъхьэмэ, фошыгъу шей уефэнщ.
Алъпым дыгъужь хуэлъэщ.
Алъпыр къралъгулъкIэ ягъашхэ (Къ[р]алъгулъ – удз
лъэпкъщ=Melilotus officinalis).
Анэ зиIэ нэхърэ Iэ зыпыт.
АпэсищкIэ къызощэху, сом ныкъуэкIэ сощэж – фейдэр здэкIуэр
къэщIэж! (Апэсы=twenty copecks; сом=rouble).
Апхуэди мэхъу, шкIэхъужьи малIэ.
Аргъуей мыдзакъэ щыIэкъым (Аргъуей=mosquito): There is no
such thing as a mosquito that doesn’t bite.
Аргъуейм и куэпкъ щыхахым, «Зыхэпхми еплъ, хэпхми еплъ», –
жиIащ.
Ахъмэт и фо изщ (, улъэмыIэсмэ, сыт и сэбэп) (Akhmat–name of a
sheer rock–is full of honey (, but if you cannot get to it, what is its
use). 1. There's many a slip (’twixt cup and lip); 2. Between (the)
cup and (the) lip a morsel may slip).
Ахъшэ уиIэмэ, бохъшэ бгъуэтынщ (Ахъшэ=money;
бохъшэ=purse). If you have money, you will find a purse for it.
Ахъшэр псым хуэдэщ: Money is like water.

107
Бабыщ псым итхьэлэркъым, мэлыхъуэ хьэм ишхыркъым: A
duck does not drown in water, a shepherd does not get eaten by his
dog.
Бадзэ и дзапэ узылъэщ: The proboscis of a fly is a source of disease.
Бажэм дыгъужьибл къегъапцIэ: The fox outwits seven wolves.
Бажэм и фэр и бийщ: The fox’s enemy is his fur coat.
Бажэм и хьилагъэр япэ итщ: The fox is preceded by his cunning.
Бажэм я нэхъ Iущыр и гъуэм щаубыд: Even the most cunning fox is
caught in his lair.
Бажэр ныбажэ хъумэ, дыгъэмыхъуэ мэлъыхъуэ: If the fox is
diarrhetic, it seeks the shade.
Бажэр ущу ежьэмэ, мэщакIуэ: If the fox goes on the jog-trot, it is
hunting.

БампIэгъуэ лъхуэри зэгуэудыгъуэ къилъхуащ (Зы зэгуэпыгъуэм

нэхъ зэгуэпыгъуэж къытехъуэмэ, жаIэ): (Sadness gave birth to
irritation) 1. Out of the frying-pan into the fire; 2. To go from
clover to rye-grass.
Банэм и щIыб ухъу (ТпэIэщIэ ухъу, жыхуиIэщ): May you stay away
from us!
Бацэ япхъ, цы япхъэх (Заужьыж, жыхуиIэщ).
Бгым джэдыкIэкIэ еуэ: 1. You cannot chop wood with a penknife; 2.
Like being against a brick wall.
Бгым натIэкIэ еуэ (Мы псалъитIми къарыкIыр зыщ: Зыри
пхуэщIэнукъым, жыхуиIэщ) 1. You cannot chop wood with a
penknife; 2. Like being against a brick wall.
Бгъэ быдз нэхърэ Iу быдз.
Бгъуэтхъуэнумэ, тхъуэ лъэпкъ, Бгъэжэнумэ, гъуэ лъэпкъ (Зи гугъу
ищIыр шыщ).
Бжэмышх нэщI жьэм хуахьыркъым: An empty spoon is not taken
to the mouth.
Бжэн и дзэ Iухурэ? (ЩымыIэ бгъуэтын, жыхуиIэщ).
Бжэн къуий бжьакъуэ лъыхъуэ ежьэри и тхьэкIумэ хилъхьащ.
Бжэн къуийр псым хэплъэмэ, «сыщIалэщ» жеIэ.
Бжэнми жьакIэ тетщ: Even a goat has a beard.
Бжэныжь зи лIэжыгъуэм прамыжыщхьэ здехьыж.
Бжэным и кIапэр и кIуэцIым илъщ.
Бжэныр ефэри дыгъужьым езэуэну кIуащ: 1. The goat had one too
many and went to fight the wolf; 2. Dutch courage.
БжьакъуитI щхьэкIэ хъун бэгъуам хокIыж (Акъылыншэщ,
былымым хуэдэщ, жыхуиIэщ): Senseless, like an animal.
Бжьахъуэм и фор зэбграхырти, езыми зы фо IэмыщIэ къыхихыжащ.

108
Бжьэ матэ зи куэдым и жьантIэ дегъэувэ.
Бжьэ уиIэмэ, щунэфыр зищIысыр пщIэнщ (Щунэф – бжьэ зышх
бзущ): If you have bees, you will know about their predators.
Бжьэм фо здэщыIэр ещIэ: A bee knows where the honey is.
Бжьэр уэмэ, мэлIэж: If the bee stings, it dies.
Бжьэхуцым мафIэ пхухэгъэпщкIуэнкъым.
Бжьэцым къуацэкIэ хэуащ (Iуэхур зэIигъэхьащ, жыхуиIэщ).
Бжьыныхур хущхъуэщ, бжьыныщхьэр щхъухьщ (Bzchinixwr
xwschx’wesch, bzchinischher schx’whsch): Garlic is remedy, the
onion bulb is poison.
Бжьыхьэ бадзэ дзакъэрейщ: The autumn fly is biting.
Бжьыхьэ жэщ щэрэ минщ (Куэдрэ зызэрехъуэкI, жыхуиIэщ).
Бжьыхьэ жэщым вырэ шырэ йокIуадэ (ЗэрыкIыхьым щхьэкIэ жаIэ).
Бзэгум цIыхур зэрегъэук1.
Бзэгур гум и тэрмэшщ: The tongue is the interpreter of the heart.
Бзэгур джатэм нэхърэ нэхъ жанщ: 1. The tongue is sharper than the
sword; 2. The tongue is not steel, yet it cuts; 3. Many words cut (or
hurt) more than swords.
Бзэгур шэм нэхърэ нэхъ жэрщ: The tongue is faster than the arrow
(or bullet).
Бзэр зэзым нэхърэ нэхъ дыджщ, фом нэхърэ нэхъ IэфIщ, джатэм
нэхърэ нэхъ жанщ: The tongue is more bitter than bile, sweeter
than honey, and sharper than the sword.
Бзу лъакъуэ къупщхьэ хахыркъым.
Бзум ямыфэгъум си мэш ешх.
Бзур зышхынум Iуоджагуэ.
Бийм и пIалъэр ущыIущIэщ.
Бланэм и лъагъуи и убыди зы хъуркъым.
Бланэр жэр щхьэкIэ зэраукIыр шыщ.
Блэ зэуар аркъэным щощтэ: (He who was bitten by the snake, is
frightened by the lasso) 1. Once bit(ten), twice shy; 2. The scalded
cat (or dog) fears cold water; 3. A burnt child dreads the fire; 4.
Burnt bairns dread the fire (Scottish).
Блэр зытраукIэр и шэрэзщ.
Блэр и щхъухь ихьыжыркъым.
Блэр уеуэху мэбэг.
Ботэщейм Дол унафэ ирагъэщIри езым ягу еIу ящIэж.
Быдзышэ хъунщ, жызоIэри сошх, жызыIам нэхъей.
Былым къыпэкIу нэхърэ насып къыпэкIу.
Былымым зейр и ажалщ.
Былымым и нэр шхыным ирещI.
Былымыр жьы зэрыхъур и фэщ.
Былымыр зейм емыщхьмэ, хьэрэмщ.

109
Брулым шибл я кIэн хэлъщ.
Вакъэжьылъэ шынэркъым: An old boot doesn't fear the mud.
Выгъуэжьыр къурашэщ,
гур зезышэр гурыгъщ,
ныбэр зымыгъагъыр хьэлущ.

Вым и бжьакъуэ и хьэлъэкъым.

Вым лъэмыIэсыр гуфэм йоуэ.
Вым худэмышыр и вейщ.
Вы пIалъэмыщIэр бжьыкъутэщ.
Выр гъуахъуэри хъуным хидзащ (Тхъэгъуэ хэхуам хужаIэ).
Вы хьэху къозымытынум вы щэгъу ухегъэн.
Вы хъунур шкIэ щIыкIэ уощIэ.
Вы щхьэIу зэптым вы хьэху къыуитыжыркъым.

Гуэбэнэч и щIагъ лIы къыщIокI: (A he-man emerges from a

herdsman’s clothes) 1. A little body often harbours a great soul; 2.
Little bodies may have great souls.
Гуэным имылъмэ, Iэнэми телъкъым.
Гуэныхь гулъэ зезышэм гуэныхь фэншей худрадзей (Гуэныхь=sin;
гулъэ=cart-load; фэншей, фэнжей, фэнджей=leather bag for dry
and loose substances).
Гуэрэфыр гухэлъэфщи, фэрэкIыр гуимыкIыжщ (Гуэрэф=furuncle,
boil; фэрэкI=smallpox; гуимыкIыж=unforgettable).
Гуэрэфыр узыгъуибл поув.
ГуэшакIуэ Iыхьэншэщ: The cobbler’s wife is the worst shod.
Губзыгъэм и гуIэгъуэр делэм и гуфIэгъуэщ: The misfortune of the
wise is joy for the fool.
ГубзыгъитI ягу зэрощIэ: (The hearts of two wise people recognize
one another) Good wits jump.
Гугъэр адэжь щIэинщ: (Hope is the legacy of the grandfathers) 1. The
wish is the father to the thought; 2. If it were not for hope, the
heart would break.
Гугъуехь зымылъэгъуам гъуэгуанэ хуэшэчыркъым: He who
hasn't experienced hardship won't be able to bear the journey.
Гугъуехь зымышэчыр лIым хабжэркъым: He who hasn't
experienced hardship is not counted amongst men.
ГуемыIу хъыбарым щIэхыу зеубгъу: 1. Bad news has wings; 2. Ill
news flies fast; 3. Bad news travels quickly.
ГуемыIу хъыбарыр щIэх зэлъащIыс: 1. Bad news has wings; 2. Ill
news flies fast; 3. Bad news travels quickly.
Гужь зиIэр вакъэжькIэ мауэ: He who has an old cart hits it with his
old shoes.

110
Гузэвэгъуэ лъхуэри гуфIэгъуэ къилъхуащ: (Anxiety gave birth to
joy) 1. Every cloud has a silver lining; 2. Nothing so bad, as not to
be good for something; 3. Life after death; 4. A blessing in
disguise.
Гум дэбгъахуэр фэм къеIуатэ.
Гум емыкIур нэми екIуркъым: Shameful to the heart, shameful to
the eyes.
Гум илъыр жьэм жеIэ: The mouth says what’s in the heart.
Гум илъыр нэгум къыуегъащIэ: The face is the mirror of the heart.
Гум хэщIмэ, пащIэм хоз.
Гур жьы хъуркъым: The heart never grows old.
Гур зэрыгъум дыгъур ирокIуэ.
Гур зэрыкIуэдыкIыр и шэрхъщ.
Гур здэкIуэм кIуэфыр лIыфIщ.
Гур уфэрэкIмэ, щIалэм и ягъэщ.
ГушыIэр тхьэм и щIасэщ: Humour is the minion of the gods.
ГуIэ и Iэпэ йодзэкъэж: (The injured bites his finger) A drowning man
clutches at straws.
ГуIэр и Iэпэ йодзакъэ: (The injured bites his finger) A drowning man
clutches at straws.

Гъатхэ бацэри бжьыхьэ цыжьри тегъуауэ пхуэщ ухъу.

Гъэрихым щауэр мэшэс.
Гъэшыр зыщыбэм цIыхур щыбейщ: dairy products are a sure sign
of wealth.

Гъуабжэ псори мыщэкъым, лыд псори дыщэкъым: (All that is

grey is not a bear, and) All is not gold that glitters.
ГъуэгунапщIэ сабэм мэкъу щеуэркъым, ер зэуа жыгым пщIащэ
къыпыкIэркъым.
Гъурым цIынэри дос.
Гъусэ пэплъэрэ пIалъэтесымрэ шэчыгъуейщ.
Гъусэ мыхъурэ, Iэщэ мыхъурэ.

Дагъуэ зимыIэ цIыху щыIэкъым: (Everybody has a defect) 1. No

garden without its weeds; 2. There are lees to every wine; 3. Every
white hath its black, and every sweet its sour; 4. Every bean has its
black (US).

Дагъуэ зиIэу къалъхуар дагъуэ иIэу лIэжынщ: (He who was born
with a defect will die with it) What is bred in the bone will not go
out of the flesh.
Дауэ сщIымэ дауэ хъун, дауэ хъумэ дауэ сщIын?

111
ДаущыфIыр щылъу даущ бзаджэр мэIу: Bad news has wings.
ДаущыфIыр щылъщи, даущ бзаджэр мэIу: Bad news has wings.
Дахагъэм гур егъэгушхуэ: Beauty animates the heart.
Дахэ псори дахэкъым: Not all beautiful people are nice.
Дахэм еплъыр нэщхъыфIэщ, шыфIым тесыр тхуэбгъакъэщ.
Дахэм и напэ пIастэ ирагъэпщIыркъым.
ДаIуэ шхиипэ тоувэ (ДаIуэм насып къохъулIэ, жыхуиIэщ): Success
comes to him who obeys.
Дэгум жиIэн егъуэт, нэфым игъуэтыр екъуз: The deaf finds what
to say, and the blind grabs at what he finds.
Дэгум псори дэгу фIощI: The deaf thinks all are deaf.
Дэгум щхьэкIэ гъуор лейуэ джэркъым: The public crier does not
call more for the deaf.
Делэ бзаджэ нэхърэ делэ дыдэ: A complete fool is better than a
wicked fool.
Делэм куэд ищIэ къыфIощIыж: As the fool thinks, so the bell clinks.
Делэр гугъэурэ жьы мэхъу.
Делэр жылэу ясэркъым.
«Ди жэмыр зышха дыгъужьым кхъуэлым хуэдэу сигу щыкIащ»
жызыIам нэхъей.
Ди зы мэл хэтщ, дэри зэ дывгъэфий.
«Ди фэр бэзэрым щызэхуэзэжынщ», – жиIащ бажэм.
Дол и къуэрдэ йодыгъуэж (Къуэрдэ – тыкуэн хьэпшып цIыкIу-
фэкIу).
Дунейр зыгъэнэхур зы дыгъэщ: One sun lights the whole world.
Дыгъэ лъакъуэ къыпхуэубыдын?
Дыгъэр зытемыпсэр щыIэжкъым: The sun shines for all.
Дыгъу цIыкIукIэ къемыжьэ дыгъушхуэ хъуркъым: Every thief
starts small.
ДыгъужьитI зы гъуэ изагъэркъым: Two wolves cannot live in the
same lair.
ДыгъужьитI я щIыб зэхуагъазэркъым.
Дыгъужьым и дзэр шымэ, псафэ макIуэ.
Дыгъужьым ишхыр и фэкIэ епшыныж.
Дыгъужьым ишхари имышхари тохуэ.
Дыгъужьым лы игъуэтмэ, псы игъуэтыркъым.
Дыгъужьым мэл щихькIэ, зыфIихьым хуеплъэкIыжыркъым.
Дыгъужьым мэл щихькIэ, и нэпкъыжьэ еплъыркъым.
Дыгъужьыр жьы хъумэ, хьэм и джэгуалъэщ: When the wolf
becomes old, it becomes the dog’s plaything.
Дыгъужьыр зэдзакъэр и Iыхьэщ.
Дыгъужьыр зыщызеуалэм мэлым зыщагъэпсэхуркъым.
Дыгъужьыр къепхуэкIыурэ мэл кIапэр пеуд.

112
Дыгъум пабжьэр и дэIэпыкъуэгъущ: The thicket is the thief’s
abettor (providing cover).
Дыгъум щIыгъур и дыгъуэгъущ: The thief’s companion is a fellow
thief.
Дыгъуэри дыгъужьри къаущэкIу: Thieves and wolves track (their
prey) while hunting.
Дыгъурыгъуур мэжэщIалIэмэ, и шырыр ешхыж: If the eagle-owl
becomes hungry, it eats its young.
Дыдыр къэпым ибгъэпщкIуэнкъым (Didir qepim
yibghepschk’wenqim): (You cannot hide an awl in a paper bag)
Murder will out.
Дыщэр дыщэпс хуэныкъуэкъым.
Дыщэр къэзыгъуэт кIэншыгъулъэ иредзэ.
Дыщэр куэншыбым хэлъкIи улъийркъым: Gold won’t rust even
in manure.
Дыщэр къыщыщIахми щылъапIэщ: Where gold is extracted is a
valuable place.
Дыщэр уэсу къесмэ, уасэ иIэнтэкъым: If it falls like snow, gold
won’t have any value.

Джалэу и Iупэ зэгуэудами ярейщ.

Джалэрей и натIэ быдэ мэхъу: The forehead of the person who keeps
falling becomes strong.
Джатэ жаным иуIар мэхъужри, псалъэ жагъуэм иуIар
хъужыркъым: 1. The tongue is sharper than the sword; 2. The
tongue is not steel, yet it cuts; 3. Many words cut (or hurt) more
than swords.
Джэгу пэтрэ иращI.
Джэгум хэту зэшам нэхъей.
Джэгум хэту «Си гъуэншэджыр къызэтыж» жызыIам нэхъей.
Джэд жыпIэмэ, сыджэдыкIэщ.
Джэд лъакъуэрэ хьэ лъакъуэрэ зыубыда щыIэкъым: There is no
catching a hen or a dog by the legs.
Джэд мыкIэцI пшэрщ: The barren hen is fat.
Джэд пшэр къэбубыдынумэ, адакъэм бгъурысым епхъуэ.
Джэдгын зи жагъуэ и пащIэ щIыIущ: That which one least
anticipates soonest comes to pass.
Джэдгын зи жагъуэм и пащIэ щIыIу къытокIэ: That which one
least anticipates soonest comes to pass.
Джэджьейм джэдыр егъэсэж: It’s like teaching your grandma how to
suck eggs.
Джэдрэ пэт щыфIагъэжкIэ мэлъэпIастхъэ.

113
Джэду гъунэгъурыпщщ (Зи унэ гъунэгъуу нэгъуэщI щIыпIэ жэщ
щыIэм ауаныщIу хужаIэ): Said sarcastically of someone who
spends the night at another place while his home is near.
Джэдум и щхьэр зэрыкIым ипкъри йокI: What the cat can pass
through with its head, it can also pass through with its body.
Джэдур лым лъэмыIэсмэ «мэ щоу» жеIэ: If the cat doesn’t get to
the meat, it says “This meat smells.”
Джэдур дзыгъуэкIэ лIыхъужьщ: The cat is a hero in the eyes of the
mouse.
ДжэдыкIэ къэзыдыгъум джэди къидыгъунщ: He who steals an
egg would steal a hen.
ДжэдыкIэ пэтрэ фэ тIуащIэ иIэщ: Even the egg has doubhle skin.
ДжэдылIэм зыдахьа бабыщ (ДжэдылIэ=chicken pestilence;
бабыщ=duck).
Джэдым фэнд кIэрыщIащ (Jedim fend ch’erisch’asch;
фэнд=wineskin, water-skin): (He hanged up a wineskin on the
chicken) Said of a glutton. [Зэрышхэрейм щхьэкIэ жаIэ]
Джэдыр псы щефэкIэ уафэм доплъей: When the hen drinks water, it
looks up to the sky.
Джэдыр щыкъакъэм щокIэцI: The hen lays eggs when it cackles.
Джыдащхьэр кIуэдмэ, джыдэкIыр ягъэсыж: If the axe-head gets
lost, the helve is burnt.
Джыдэр кIуэдмэ, и кIыр дыщэщ: If the axe is lost, the helve turns
golden.

Дзасэм тхъу пызагъэрэ? (Dzasem tx’w pizaghere?): Do they spit

butter on skewers?
Дзасэри мылыцIу, лыри мыцIынэу.
ДзэкIэ мащIэу, хьэщIэкIэ куэду (Dzech’e masch’ew, hesch’ech’e
kwedu): Little victuals and many guests.
Дзэр къэсащ, псыр къиуащ.
Дзэр узыншэху, шхалъэм зегъэпсэху (Dzer wizinshexw, shxalhem
zeighepsexw).
Дзэр уришхэн къудейкъым, дахагъэми щыщщ: Teeth are not just
for eating, for they are also symbols of beauty.
Дзыгъуэ нэпсейр шэм етхьэлэ (Dzighwe nepseyr shem yethele): The
greedy mouse drowned in the milk.
Дзыгъуэ цIыкIурэ пэт Iэтэшхуэм ипIытIыркъым.
Дзыгъуэм и цыр кIыр хъумэ, щIыIэлIэх мэхъу (ЩыкIыгъуафIэм
ираIуэкI).
Дзыгъуэнэф пэт къуалэбзум хабжэ.
Дзыгъуэр гъуэм имыхуэмэ, фэлъыркъэб зыкIэрещIэ.
Дзыхь зыхуумыщI щыкъур мэкъутэ.

114
Е вындыжь хэшэнщ, е жьуджалэ хэшэнщ.
Е зыхэлъыр хьэгъуэлIыгъуэм мэятэ.
Е махъшэ лIэнщ, е махъшахъуэ лIэнщ.
ЕгъэджакIуэр бзагуэщ, еджакIуэр дэгущ.
Езэшыр пшынэ йоуэ.
Ем «сынокIуэ» жиIэркъым: Evil never says, ‘I am leaving’.
ЕмыкIур IупщIэ-IупщIэу зэхэлъщи къэлътмакъкIэ зыпщIэхэлъым
зищIэжыркъым.
Емынэм емынэ къелъху (Yeminem yemine qeilhxw): (Pestilence
breeds the plague) 1. Evil begets evil; 2. One woe doth tread upon
another’s heels.
Емынэм къелар хъумбылейм ихьыжащ (ехьыж) (Yeminem qeilar
x’wmbileym yihizhasch [yehizh]): There are two interpretations of
this saying. The first is: ‘He who survived the plague was claimed
by the hop.’ To perish of a trifle [Hop is the plant Humulus
lupulus]. The other account is that during the Kabardian-Russian
War, Tsitsianov, the Russian Supreme Commander of the
Caucasus Army, resolved to restore the system of law of 1793. In
1804, he sent an expedition under General Glazenap to achieve his
aim. A bloody battle took place in May near the Khumbilay River.
This incident has been preserved in national folklore in the saying
‘He who survived the pestilence found perdition in Khumbilay’.
ЕсыкIэ умыщIэмэ, IупщIа псыми уитхьэлэжынщ: If you cannot
swim, you will drown even in clear water.
Ехмэ, Iэпэ залэщ, къелыжмэ, ныбжьырей хъуэнщ.
Ешхэ-ефэ нэхърэ джэгу (Yeshxe-yefe nex’re jegw): Better a dance
party than a feast.

ЖамыIа щыIэкъым, ямыщIа мыхъумэ.

Жанхъуэтхьэблэ къафэу къытрегъэзэж.
ЖармыкIэм къыщыхъуар жармыкIэм щызэхэкIыжынщ.
ЖаIар жыпIэжмэ, бзэгузехьэ уохъу (ЖаIар щыжаIэжым деж
ауаныщIу дыщIагъу).
ЖаIэ пэтми, хъыджэбз къелъху: In at one ear and out at the other.
Жэм гъэшыджэ буурейщ.
Жэм гъэшыфIэр нанэфI хуэдэщ.
ЖыхапхъэщIэр фIыуэ мэпхъанкIэ.
Жейм и щIыхуэ къыптринэркъым.
Жыг ку гъуанэри унэ мэхъу.
Жыгым и пщIащэр и фащэщ.
Жыгым пщIащэ пымытмэ, зы къурэщ.
Жыгыр здещIэмкIэ мауэ.

115
Жыжьэм тIэу сыщылIи, благъэм зэ сыщымылIэкIэ.
Жылэм дэлъмэ, уиIэщ.
ЖысIэр щIэ, сщIэм уемыплъ.
ЖыIэрыпцI щыIэкъым.

Жьабэ нэхърэ шабэ нэхъ шэрыуэщ,

шабэ нэхърэ жьабэ нэхъ губзыгъэщ.
Жьагъэм хуэдэу (ятащ): (Given) like a lamb to the slaughter (of
forcibly married girl).
Жьэм къыжьэдэкIа псалъэри фочым къикIа шэри зэхуэдэщ.
Жьэр зэщIэкIмэ, ныбэр мэкIий.
Жьы зыхэмыт щIыIэр щIыIэкъым, псчэ зыхэмыт узыр узкъым.
Жьы уимыIэмэ, щIэи уиIэкъым (Узэрылэжьэн щыгъыныжь
уимыIэмэ, щыгъыныщIэри куэдрэ уиIэнукъым, жыхуиIэщ).
Жьым и мыгъуэщ, щIэм и гъуэджэщ (ТIуми я чэзукъым,
жыхуиIэщ).
Жьындури гугъат тхьэрыкъуэ къришыну.

Захуэ жыIэныр нэ ищIыным хуэдэщ: 1. Home truths are hard to

swallow; 2. Truth hurts.
Зэ еуэр мэуэхъури
тIэу еуэр мэуапэ.
Зэ лъэпэрапэр щэ мэлъэпэрапэ: He who trips once trips a hundred
times..
ЗэгъунэгъуитI я жэм шыкIэ зэхуэдэкъым.
ЗэгъунэгъуитI я мэл бжыкIэ зыкъым.
ЗэдауитI яз нэхъ захуэщ.
ЗэдэмыпсэуитI зэнтIэIуркъым.
Зэз зи бзэгу телъым IэфI щымыIэж къыфIощI: He who has bile on his
tongue thinks that there is no more sweetness in life.
ЗэкIуэлIитIыр зэщIасэщ.
ЗэкIуэцIыпхауэ щылъ дыгъужьыр тхьэкIумэкIыхьым йощэ
(Iэрыубыд ящIа пэтрэ итIаникI зэраныгъэ ищIэну пылъщ,
жыхуиIэщ. Although he's under lock and key, he is still up to no
good). The tethered wolf is hunting the hare.
Зэрызыхь IыхьэфIэщ.
Зэса сэгъейщ: 1. Old (Bad) habits die hard; 2. Habit is second nature.
Зэхэзылъхьэм зэхихыжынщ.
Зей кIуэдым и анэ и дыгъущ.
Зи бзэ текIуэда куэд кхъэм щIэлъщ.
Зи бзэ хуимытыжыр и бзэ токIуэдэж.
Зи былым кIуэдам гуэныхьищэ къехь.
Зи гур мыфIым и щхьэр фIейщ.

116
Зи дзэ зэмыузарэ зи быдз зэмыузарэ уз ягъэунэхуакъым.
Зи лIэгъуэ къэсам и мыхьэл къещтэ.
Зи мылъку зыфIэкIуэдам хуэгуIи,
зи акъыл зыфIэкIуэдар гъеиж.
Зи нэ имысым хьэсэ еутэ.
Зи цIэ ираIуэ бжэщхьэIу тесщ: Speak of the devil (, and he will
appear).
Зи щхьэ зыфIэмыдэхэж щыIэкъым.
Зи щхьэ зыхуэмылъэфым пхъэлъэф зыкIэрещIэ.
Зи щхьэ зыхуэмыIыгъыжым щхьэ Iыгъын къещтэ.
Зи щхьэ щымытым и шыд хьэм ешх.
Зи Iуэху мыхъунум фэндибгъу кIэрыщIащ.
Зибзеихьу и Iэшхылъэ итIысхьэжа? (Зыми хуэмыныкъуэжын, зыри
къыщымыщIыжын и гугъэ? – жыхуиIэщ).
Зил мыузым игу узыркъым.
Зумыхьэри уимыIэри зыщ.
Зыгъуэтыр мэгуфIэри, зыфIэкIуэдыр магъ.
Зы дагъуэ гуэр зимыIэ цIыху щыIэкъым: (Everybody has a defect) 1.
No garden without its weeds; 2. There are lees to every wine; 3.
Every white hath its black, and every sweet its sour; 4. Every bean
has its black (US); 5. No rose without a thorn; 6. Nothing is
perfect.
Зы дэкIэ уигу сыкъэкIи, а зыри кунэфу къыщIыкI.
Зызогъэхьри яшэм сыхон, зызогъашэри яхьым сыхон.
Зы махуэм бэзэрщ, зы махуэм къэзэрщ.
Зы нэрэ зы щхьэрэ зэхурокъу.
ЗыжраIэ нэхърэ зраIуэкI.
Зызыгъэгусэ и Iыхьэ ныбэ уз хуэхущхъуэщ.
Зылъэгъуа щыIэмэ, зэхэзыха умылъыхъуэ.
Зым ейкIэ зыр щIэскъым.
Зым и зэран щэм йокI.
Зым и мыуасэ хьэм ишхыркъым.
Зымылъэгъуа хашэ хъуркъым.
ЗыптхьэщIмэ, нэху мэщ, уущмэ, гъуэгум хощI.
Зыри зымыщIэр зэи щыуэркъым.
Зыщэм и напэр къэзыщэхум и уасэщ.
ЗыщIэм жиIэркъым, жызыIэм ищIэркъым.
ЗыщIэн зымыгъуэтым и унэр къречри иресэж: 1. An idle brain is the
devil's workshop; 2. By doing nothing we learn to do ill; 3.
Idleness is the mother of all evil.
ЗыщIэн зымыщIэжым и унэ иречри иресэж: 1. An idle brain is the
devil's workshop; 2. By doing nothing we learn to do ill; 3.
Idleness is the mother of all evil.

117
ЗыщIэр мажэ, зымыщIэр мэжей.
ЗыIэщIэкIым хощIри, зыIэщIыхьэм хохъуэ.

И адэ къыщIыкIыжи и ней къысщыхуэ.

И гум зимыгъэнщIурэ и ныбэм зигъэнщIащ.
И гур пхъэ щхьэкIэ, и лъэр пхъэм дэнащ.
ИлъэскIэ щысар пIастэпсым пэплъэжакъым.
И насып бжыхьым ирапхакъым.
И насыпыр къитIэтIащ, и пIастэпсыр хэтIэтIащ.
И шы пхэщI ирибзэри еIэзэу увыжащ (Iуэхур зэIигъэхьри епэщэщу
увыжащ, жыхуиIэщ).
Ив лIэри и дзей хэкIыжащ (Я Iуэху зэхэлъыжкъым, жыхуиIэщ).
Из зышхынум ныкъуэ шхыкIэ ищIэркъым (Yiz zishxinum niqwe
shxich’e yisch’erqim): He who will eat his fill does not know how
to eat the half of it.
ИкIи уимыкI, икIи уимыс, уисуи сыкъыумыгъэсыж: Damned if
you do and damned if you don’t.
ИмыIэфI щыгугъым и выфIитI фIокIуэд.
Ин дыдэхэми надэ къахокI.
ИнагъкIэ фыхуеймэ, махъшэм феупщI, жьакIэкIэ фыхуеймэ, ажэм
феупщI.
Ирауд бэнэнкIэ зигъэнщIыркъым.
Иримыкъур иризыгъэкъур лэпсщ.
«Истамбыл губгъуафэ изоплъ» жызыIам нэхъей (Said of fortune-
teller through coffee dregs).
Истамбыл къикIам дызэригъэтIэхъужыркъым (ДызэIэбэкIмэ, ахъшэ
яттыну ди жып диIэбэ яфIощI, жыхуиIэщ. Уэкъуо и псалъэу
жаIэ).
Иужьрей Iуэху бзу кIагуэщ (Iуэхур умыгъэтIылъ, жыхуиIэщ).

Куэсэ хьэсэгъу умыщI (ЦIыху бзаджэ пэшэгъу умыщI, жыхуиIэщ.

Куэсэ = sparsely-bearded man = folkloric sign of an unkind man).
Куэдыр пхурикъуркъым, мащIэр къыбдохуэж.
Куэпкъ зылъысми ешх, шхужь зылъысми ешх.

КIэкъинэр IэфIщ (Ch’eqiyne(r) ’ef’sch): (The dregs are the sweetest)

The nearer the bone, the sweeter the flesh.
КIэпхъми содэ, дзыгъуэ къиубыдмэ.
КIэпIейкIэм щIэгупсысурэ сомыр хилъхьащ: Take care of your
pennies and your pounds will take care of themselves.
КIытэр кIымэ, фадэр хахуэщ.
КIыщ пщы унэщ.
КIыщыбжэрэ псыунэбжэрэ зэIухащ.

118
КIуэдар дэгъуэ мэхъу.
КIуэм и баш лIэм и шэнт.
КIуэм и гъуэгу хощI.
КIуэм ущIохьэри шхэм ущIыхьэркъым.

Къазыхъум зыхуресэ хьэмаскIэм: Brave before a lamb, but a lamb

before the brave.
Къанжэр и бзэ токIуадэ.
Къапхъэнми имыгъапцIэ иубыдыркъым.

КъэзыгъэкIри зышхыжри уэрщ (Qezighech'riy zishxizhriy wersch):

(What you sow is what you eat) You reap what you sow.
Къэзыдыгъур зы гуэныхьщи зыфIадыгъур гуэныхьищэщ.
Къэзыхь зышхыж бей мэхъу (Qezih zishxizh bey mex'w) (Лажьэу
шхэжыр фIыуэ мэпсэу, жыхуиIэщ): He who eats from what he
earns becomes wealthy.
Къалэн зыщыпщIыжыр къалэн пхуохъу.
КъэмыкIа пабжьэм къэмылъхуа тхьэкIумэкIыхьыр хэсщ
(къыщиукIащ) (qemich’a pabzchem qemilhxwa thek’wmech’ihir
xessch): The unborn hare hides (or was shot) in the ungrown bush
(said of a barefaced lie).
Къэмыфэфым пшынауэм трелъхьэ: A bad dancer blames the
accordionist.
Къэхъуа щыIэкъым – щIалэр яукIри витIыр яхуащ
(Гузэвэгъуэшхуэ, гуIэгъуэ зэуэлIауэ зыфIэмыIуэхум ауаныщIу
хужаIэ мы ищхьэмкIэ къэкIуа псалъафитIри. Said of a person
who is unconcerned in face of calamities): It’s no big deal – they
killed the young boy and drove off with the two bulls.
Къемэтмахуэр зэхудипIалъэщ: Doomsday shall be our date.
Къоджэм уигъэжейркъым.
КъозыIуэкIым къыбжеIэ, къыбжезыIэпэр къыптогъэ.
Кърум мывэ жьэдэлъу нэху егъэщ.
Къырыми данэ илъщ (УимыIэмэ, сыт и мыхьэнэ, жыхуиIэщ. If you
don’t have it, what does it matter): (The Crimea is full of silk) 1.
There's many a slip (’twixt cup and lip); 2. Between (the) cup and
(the) lip a morsel may slip).
КъысхуэзыщIэ и псэ.
Къыхэдзэ закъуэ – ежьуун бгъуэтынщ: One line of singing – you
shall find someone to sing its refrain .

119
Къуажэ зиIэ нэф нэхърэ гухъу зыщIыф Iэшэ: The armless who can
pound a mortar is much better than a blind man that owns a whole
village.
КъуэщIий мафIэми шэ къегъэпщт: Even a fire of splinters causes
the milk to boil.
Къуийм и пыIэ щыгъупщэркъым: He who has the mange forgets
not his cap.
Къуийм и пыIэр щхьэрыхумэ, укIытэжыркъым: If the cap of the
mangy person falls off, he is not ashamed any more.
Къуийм и щхьэ хуэзыхущIыр и бийщ.
Къуийм и щIыIу гуэрэф: (Not only scabby, but also has boils) 1. (To
jump, or leap) Out of the frying-pan into the fire; 2. To fall out of
the pan into the fire; 3. From smoke into smother; 4. It never rains
but it pours; 5. From bad to worse; 6. To go from clover to rye-
grass; 7. Misfortunes never come alone (or singly); 4. One woe
doth tread upon another's heels.
Къундэпсо гуащIэм кхъуэщыныр зэрегъэкIуэкI.
Къупщхьэр псэумэ, лы къытокIэж.
Къущхьэмышхейм къуэрагъ и хущхъуэщ (Къущхьэмышхей=medlar;
къуэрагъ=pole; хущхъуэ=medicine).
Кхъахэ хъуари кхъэм ехъуапсэркъым.
Кхъэм зыщызыгъэпщкIури кхъэм йокIуэлIэж.
Кхъэм яхь къахьыжыркъым.
Кхъуэ нэфми мышхумпIэ къыIуохуэ.
Кхъуэм и кIэр пиупщIри мэзым щIиутIыпщхьэжащ.
Кхъуэм илъ хьэм къытенэркъым.
Кхъуэм хуэмышх хьэм иригъэшхыркъым.
Кхъуэныжь гъуэгыурэ кхъуэбанэр ешх.
Кхъуэныжь уэлбанэхэлъхуэщ (Щимычэзум Iуэху къыдэзылъэфым
хужаIэ).
Кхъузанэ гуплIэ-гупхэ ищIрэ?

Лажьейм узей къыхокI (Гукъеуэшхуэм узей къыхокI, жыхуиIэщ).

Лажьейм уфIокIуэри, узейм уфIэкIуэркъым.
Лэжьыгъэу щыIэр зы нэдым ихуэркъым,
щIэныгъэу щыIэр зы цIыхум ищIэркъым.
Лей зыщIэм къыхуэгъуркъым: Murder will out.
Лы къыIэрымыхьам дыгъужьым и дзэр егъэш (КъыпIэрымыхьэм
уегъэгузавэ, жыхуиIэщ).
Лыр ишхри къупщхьэ тенащ.
Лыр къуалэми ягъуэт, ямыгъуэтыжыр лэпсщ.
Лыр хьэхущ.

120
Лъабэ Iубэ ухуехь.
Лъакъуэ къуаншэ вакъэ хуэщщ (Вакъэ куэдрэ къещэху,
жыхуиIэщ. Many shoes are bought for it): A crooked foot is lucky
with shoes.
Лъэгуажьэпэм нэмыс хьэдрыхэ ноIус (Хьэдрыхэ=the world beyond
the grave. Псалъэ Iей умыутIыпщ, жыхуиIэщ): Do not unleash
bad words.
Лъэсыр шум щIонакIэ (Лъэс=pedestrian; шу=rider): The man on
foot is poking fun at the rider.

ЛIар фIы мэхъуж: The dead becomes good in the eye of people.
ЛIэм зыгъэлIэн ешх.
ЛIым Iэщэ зыхуиIыгъыр зы дакъикъэщ.
ЛIыфI шыфI хуэщщ: The good man shall get the good horse.
ЛIыущхьэкIуэр щхьэкIуэ мыдэщ: The offensive person minds being
offended.

МазэщIэр куэдрэ блэркъым.

Мастэ гуапэщи
мастэ гуауэщ.
МафIэ здэщымыIэр тахътэкъым (МафIэ здэщымыIэм тхъэгъуэ
щыIэкъым, жыхуиIэщ. There is no joy where there is no fire).
МафIэм къыхэхури псывэм хэхуащ: 1. It never rains but it pours; 2.
An evil chance seldom comes alone; 3. He fell out of the pan into
the fire; 4. One woe doth tread upon another's heels.
МафIэм псыр къегъавэ, псывэм мафIэр егъэункIыфI: Fire boils
the water, while boiled water extinguishes the fire.
МафIэм IэщIэкIар псывэм хоупIэ: 1. It never rains but it pours; 2.
An evil chance seldom comes alone; 3. He fell out of the pan into
the fire; 4. One woe doth tread upon another's heels.
МафIэншэри гъавэншэри зэлъытащ: Lacking a fire and not having
crops are considered the same.
МафIэрэ гуфIэгъуэрэ: Fire is joy.
МафIэсрэ псыдзэрэ: A conflagration is like a deluge.
Махуэ къэси щыблэ уэркъым: Lightning does not strike every day.
Махуэ псом зэрагъэпцIар чыцI ажэм икъутэжащ.
Махуэкум сыджауэ мэремым къызэхуэсарэт.
Махуэм махуэ къелъху (ПIалъэм пIалъэ къыхокI, жыхуиIэщ).
МахуэфIрэ лIэкIафIэрэ.
МацIэм хэуэри пкIауэ закъуэр иукIащ.
МащIэр гуапэщ,
гуапэр псапэщ.

121
МэжэщIалIэм дыгъужьыр мэзым къыщIеху: Hunger drives the
wolf out of the forest.
МэжэщIалIэм къэрабгъэри лIыхъужь ещI: Hunger makes a hero
out of a coward.
МэжэщIалIэм щIалэри егъэжь.
Мэз пхъэншэ хъурэ?: Could a forest be without timber?
Мэзджэдур и пащIэкIэ яцIыху.
Мэзым нэсыжа бланэр еукI.
Мэкъу хьэвэ мастэ хэкIуадэщ.
Мэл зиIэр лэгъупэжьщ,
пхъужь зиIэр унафэщIщ.
Мэл зыхэвэ нэхърэ бжэн зыхэпкIэ.
Мэлищэм зы мэл щыщIэмэ, мэл щэ ныкъуэщ.
Мэлым и кIапэ и хьэлъэкъым.
Мэлым и кIапэр щыдэуейм, бжэныр дыхьэшхащ.
Мэлыхъуэ лъакъуэубыд и щхьэусыгъуэщ.
Мэлыхъуэм я зэхэкIыжыгъуэм кхъуей шыпс зэраутхыж.
Мэлыхъуэр шхын щхьэкIэ лIати, «и гуфIакIэм щэ дэз хъунщ»,
жаIэрт.
Мэхъуэщей лIыфIым уеуэмэ, зеущэху (Мэхъуэщ – адыгэм ящыщ зы
лъэпкъыу щытащ).
Мывэ дзыкIэ зымыщIэм и щхьэм къохуэж: He who doesn't know
how to throw a stone will get it right on the head.
Мывэ къуршым мэш трасэркъым: They don't grow millet on stony
heights.
Мывэ сыныр мэкIуэдыж, мыкIуэдыжыр уэрэдщ: A stone statue
eventually disappears, but a song remains forever.
Мывэ куэдрэ щылъмэ, жыглыц къытокIэ: If a stone stands for
long, it will grow moss.
Мыгъуэр зи мыгъуэр пхъэрыпэщ.
МыкIуэдыну зы мылъку, мылIэжыну зы цIэ.
«Мыпхуэдэу щхьэ цIыкIу укъэна, дзыгъуэ?» – щыжаIэм,
«джэдум сыщышынэурэ» жиIащ.
Мысэр малъэри хейм и лъакъуэр щIеуд.
Мыублэ мыхъумэ, мыух щыIэкъым: Everything must have an end.
Мыхъумэ, Iэхъуэр и шэсщ.
Мыщэ шхэри зы дэ къелщ.
Мыщэм зыщихъумэурэ мащэм ихуащ: He who guarded himself
against the bear fell in the hole.
Мыщэм ишхар дыгъужьым трелъхьэ.
Мыщэм лыкIэ зигъэнщIмэ, къофэ.
Мыщэм лыр имыгъэфу ишхыркъым.
Мыщэм пщIащэ техуэмэ мэгубжь, жыг техуэмэ зеущэху.

122
Мыщэм фIыуэ илъагъур ешхыж.
Мыщэр игу къыщихьэм щотIыс.

НабдзэхэкIэр гухэмыкIыжщ.
Назэми нэф нэхърэ нэхъыфIщ.
Назэр нэфкъым, щхьэзэр делэкъым.
«Нал Iунэр бэн Iунэ зыщIыж тхьэр щыIэщ», – жиIащ гъукIэм и
фызым.
Напэм техуэр жьэм жеIэф.
Нахуэ жыIэнрэ нэ ищIынрэ (зэхуэдэщ): 1. Home truths are hard to
swallow; 2. Truth hurts.
Нахуэу зыщамыщэм щэхуу сату щащI.
Нэ илъагъу нэ ещIэж.
Нэгум щIэлъыр лъэгум кIуащ.
Нэгум щIэхур гум йохуж.
Нэгъабэ къызэуащ, жери мы гъэм магъ.
Нэд мыкъу уврэ, нэд къуа зигъэщхърэ?
Нэм нэ хъумэ иIэщ.
Нэм щIэлъыр Iугъуэм къыщIеху, гум илъыр фадэм къреху.
Нэпкъым тетыр кхъуафэ хукIэкIэ Iэзэщ.
Нэпсыншэ хьэдагъэ.
Нэр зейм жейм трех.
Нэр псэм и хъумакIуэщ.
Нэфрэ дэгурэ зопсалъэ: All at sixes and sevens.
Нэфым и нэм хихар и гум хелъхьэж.
Нэфыр тхьэкIумафIэщ.
НитIрэ пэт, зэфыгъуэгъущ.
НитIыр зэхуэдэмэ, жыжьаплъэщ.
НитIыр зэхуэмыдэмэ, мэплъэщхъу.
Ныбэ Iейм шхын и пщIыхьщ (Nibe ’eym shxin yi psch’ihsch): A
bad paunch hankers for (literally: dreams of) food.
Ныбэм и лажьэр IуэтэжыгъуафIэщ.
Ныбэм измэ, щIакхъуэр цIынэщ.
Ныбэм илъмэ, псынщIэщи, имылъмэ, уэндэгъущ.
Ныбэм имылъмэ, лъэр щIэкIыркъым.
Ныбэм имылъмэ, нэр плъэркъым.
Ныбэм имылъмэ, щIыр плъапIэщ.
Ныбэм уахихьэнщ, фэм уакъыхихыжынщ.
Ныбэр къэблагъэмэ, благъэр пщегъэгъупщэ.
Ныбэр нэщIмэ, лъакъуэр щIэкIыркъым.
Ныкъуэлъахъэр шыгъэкIуэрщ.

Пабжьэм хэсыр лыгъэм къыхехури, гум илъыр фадэм къреху.

123
ПащIэр инми, жьакIэр щIиуфэркъым.
Пэжым нэр ирещI: 1. Home truths are hard to swallow; 2. Truth hurts.
Пэжыр хущхъуэщ, пцIыр щхъухьщ.
Пкъым пыт лыр мэуз.
Пкъымрэ псэмрэ зэIэпыкIыгъуейщ.
ПкIауэм и кIуэдыжыгъуэ къэсмэ, бжьэхъун тхьэмпэр тIысыпIэ ещI.
Псалъэ гуапэ гугъэдахэщ: Soft fire makes sweet malt.
Псалъэ дахэм гуауэр пщегъэгъупщэ.
Псалъэ лейм баш лей даIэтыркъым.
Псалъэм и пэр умыщIэу и кIэр пщIэркъым.
Псалъэм пщIэ щIатыркъым.
Псалъэр бгъэувмэ выщи, бгъэтIысмэ цIэщ.
Псатхьэр къехмэ, бгыкъум зегъэш.
Псэ зыпыт къупщхьэм лы къытокIэж.
Псэ зыпыту мышынэ щыIэкъым.
Псэжьыр лъхуэри емынэжь къилъхуащ.
Псэм лъыхъур щхьэм и къурмэныпхъэщ.
Псэм хуабэ и щIасэщ.
Псэр IэфIщ.
Псэрэ пэт хьэхущ.
Псэур мэгугъэри, лIар гугъэжыркъым.
Псэущхьэ губзыгъэ зыгъэлIэн ишхыркъым.
Псы мыгъавэ бдзэжьей хэсщ.
Псы Iуфэм Iусым псы икIыпIэр ещIэ.
Псы Iуфэм Iусыр есыкIэкIэ Iэзэщ.
Псы Iуфэм Iут дзэлыр мэхъуапсэ.
Псы джэд псым итхьэлэркъым, мэлыхъуэхьэ дыгъужьым
ихьыркъым.
Псыжь укIуэмэ, пщыз пхокI (Псыжь = Kuban).
Псым итхьэлэм блэм зрешэкI: A drowning man clutches at straws.
Псым ихьыр и щхьэцым йопхъуэ: (A drowning man clutches at his
own hair) A drowning man clutches at straws.
Псым ихьыр хьэцыбанейм йопхъуэ: (A drowning man clutches at a
thorn) A drowning man clutches at straws.
Псым къыхадза бдзэжьейуэ ныджэм къытенащ.
Псым хэлъ пхъэр мэфри, фэм дэлъ гур мэбампIэ.
Псыр зэрыжэр и псылэщ.
Псыр псэм и зы ныкъуэщ.
Псыр псэхэлъхьэжщ.
Псыхъуэр жылэ тIысыпIэщ.
Псышэд здэщыIэм хьэндыркъуакъуэ (хьэндыркъуакъуи)
щыIэщ: Where there is a bog, there is a frog.
Пхуэмыфащэ хьэлъэщ.

124
Пхъэ дакъэжь псым итхьэлэрэ,
мэлыхъуэхьэ кIуэдрэ?
Пхъэ мысрэ псы мывэрэ щыIэкъым.
ПхъэщкIум кIапсэшхуэр и телъхьэщ.
ПхъэIэщэм вы щIэмыщIамэ, пхъэ дакъэщ.
ПцIы бупсынумэ, лIам телъхьэ: (If you want to lie, lay it on the
dead) Stone dead hath no fellow.
ПцIы зыупсыр щхьэщытхъущ, зызыгъатхъэр джэгуакIуэщ.
ПцIым и лъакъуэр кIэщIщ (щIэткъым): Lies have short legs.
ПцIым лъакъуэ щIэткъым: Lies have short legs.
ПцIымрэ пэжымрэ я зэхуакур пIалъэщ: Time is the best judge of
truth and falsehood.
ПцIым фIым хуишэркъым: Lies lead to no good.
ПцIыр зэбгъэпцIми зэрыпцIыр къыщIокIыж.
ПцIыупс пцIыупс едаIуэркъым (едэIуэжыркъым): A liar is deaf
to another.
ПцIыупсым и пэж закъуэр хьэм фIешх: (The liar's only truth was
swallowed by the dog) 1. Once a liar, always a liar; 2. A liar is not
believed when he speaks the truth.
ПцIыупсым и пэж закъуэр хьэм Iэпеч.
ПцIыупсыр я фIэщ мыхъуурэ, и унэр мафIэм исащ.
ПцIы IэфI нэхърэ пэж дыдж: Better bitter truths than sweet lies.
Пшэ темылъу уэшх щыIэкъым: There is no rain without clouds.
Пшэм уефийкIэ къэувыIэн, вым уегийкIэ гурыIуэн?: If you
whistle to a crowd does it stop; if you rebuke an ox does it
understand?
Пщащэ гъум теубгъуэн и щIасэщ: A thick-set lass loves to cover up.
Пщэдджыжь хьэщIэ гъэхьэщIэгъуафIэщ (Pschedjizch hesch’e
ghehesch’eghwaf’esch): A morning guest is easy to host.
ПыIэ зыщхьэрыгъ псори лIыкъым: Not all those who put hats on
are men.
ПыIэ Iей нэIу Iейщ.
«ПIащIэр сэ къызихьэлIащэрэт» жиIащ фадэм.

Сабий мафIэ щилъагъукIэ, «си анэ и дыным хэлъащэрэт» жеIэ.

Сабийр мыгъмэ, быдз иратыркъым: 1. If the babe doesn't cry, they
don't suckle him; 2. Shout, if you want to be heard.
«Сэ бзаджэ къэзылъхуи, уэ делэ къыулъху», – жиIащ.
Сэ гъущэрылърэ
фыз игъэплъа лIырэ.
Сэ сашэн хъумэ, дарийр мэкIуэд.

125
Си анэ къыщамышэм си анэшым срашыбзыхъуэт, жызыIам нэхъей
(КъэхъункIэ мыхъуну Iуэху къехъулIауэ зыIуатэм ауаныщIу
жраIэ).
Сигу илъыр къащIи, си IэмыщIэ илъыр уэстынщ.
Си гъунэгъур мэдыхьэшхри сэри содыхьэшх (Iуэхум
хэзымыщIыкIыу нэгъуэщIым зыдезыгъэкIум хужаIэ. Said of
somebody who without understanding goes along with something):
My neighbour is laughing and so am I.
Си цIэр игъэIуурэ, и Iур егъашхэ.
Сохъустэмыхъу IэнэухъуэнщIщ (Сохъустэ=student, pupil).
Сыдоубжьытхейри си набдзэм хохуэ, соубжьытхэхри си
жьакIэм хохуэ: If I spit up I hit my eyebrow, if I spit down I hit
my beard.
«Сылъатэмэ, сыфочыпэкIуэдщ, сыхэсмэ, сыхьэпщIо Iусщ»
жиIащ ныбгъуэм (ХьэпщIо, хьэпщIэу=hound): 1. "If I fly, they
will shoot me; if I stay, the hounds will devour me", said the quail;
2. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
Сымаджэрэ сабийрэ, жыхуаIэращ.
Сыщымыгъуэми дарий гъуэжь джанэ.

Таурыхъ щIэупщIэм таурыхъ ещIэ.

Тэм тэ и цIэщи, щэм щэ и цIэщ: (A gift is for free, but selling is
another business) Keep friendship and money apart.
ТеIукI текIыжыркъым: What has been trumpeted far and wide
cannot be wished away.
Тутынафэ псори «зэшщ».
Тхьэгъэлэдж гуэнырыхьэ-гуэнырыкIщ (Тхьэгъэлэдж – мыбдежым
къикIыр гъавэщ).
ТхьэкIумэм зэхих нэхърэ нэм илъагъу: What the eye sees is better
than what the ear hears.
Тхьэусыхалэ ажал тоIукI.
Тыншыгъуэр шэчыгъуейщ: Comfort is difficult to bear.

ТIыкIу щхьэкIэ тIэкIурамэщ.

Уанэ телъхьэ фIыщIэ пылъкъым.

Уанэм лIы имысмэ, пхъэ тыкъырщ.
Уафэ гъуэгъуэрейр уэшхыншэщи, фыз дыхьэшхрейр лIыгъапцIэщ.
Уахыхьэныр Iуэхукъым, уакъызэрыхэкIыжын пщIэмэ.
Уэ бгъалIэри лIэркъым, уэ бгъатхъэри тхъэркъым.
Уэ блэ къоуамэ, сэ бэдж къызэуащ (Уэ къыпщыщIам нэхърэ
нэхъыкIэж сэ къысщыщIащ, жыхуиIэщ. What happened to me

126
 is much worse than what happened to you): If you were bitten by a
snake, I was stung by a spider
Уэ нэхъ лIыфI щымыIэмэ, си пыIэ пхуэгъэтIысащ.
Уэдыр Iушэщи, пшэрыр дахэщ.
Уэлбанэшрэ хъыджэбз гушыIэрэ.
Уэнум баш егъуэт: He who wants to strike will find a stick.
Уэр щхьэкIэ щтапIэ сихьэжынкъым.
Уэрэдусрэ сурэтыщIрэ зэхуэдэщ.
Уэрэдым и щIопщыр ежьущ.
Уэрэдым псалъэ хадзыркъым.
Уэс щесам лъэужь щыIэщ: Where there is snow there are footprints.
Уэсэпс тхьэгъур гугъэхуабэщ.
УэсхэкI нэфщ.
Уэсым хэсыр къанэри хьэжыгъэм хэсыр лIащ.
«Ууейм къихи сысейм къилъхьэ» жызыIам нэхъей.
УэфIрэ лIыфIрэ хэт дэзэшын?
Уэщыщхьэм уэщыкIыр кIэлъидзыжащ.
Удэлъейми уоIуэ, укъелъыхми уоIуэ.
Удын зэхэдзэ нэхърэ Iыхьэ зэхэдзэ.
Удыр и щхъухь ехьыж.
Уджым сыхэплъафэ щхьэкIэ, сыкъеплъэфэкIын?
Удз цIынэр выфэм пхыкIыркъым (Къэуат хъуркъым, жыхуиIэщ).
Удзыр къыщыкIым щахъу.
УдзыщIэм нэсмэ, шыжь бэгур къохъуж.
Уз бзаджащIэщ.
УзэлъэIу нэхърэ къолъэIу.
УзэлъэIур щIагъуэ мэхъу.
Узэмыджа гуемыIущи узэуIу гъунэгъущ.
УзэрымыгуIам папщIэ сыгуфIащ, узэрымыгуфIам щхьэкIи сыгуIащ.
Узэсэ сэгъейщ: 1. Old (bad) habits die hard; 2. Habit is second nature.
Узэфыгъуэ къыптокIуэ.
Узэшмэ, мафIэ, ушынэмэ, гъусэ.
Узейм лажьей къыхокI (Узейм – уз Iейм).
Узижагъуэм и нэм бжэгъуу ущIоуэ.
Узижагъуэм уегъэдыхьэшх, узищIасэм уегъагъ.
Узижагъуэм уеуб, узищIасэр къыпщотхъу.
Узижагъуэм уфIэгъумщ.
УзимылIым лIы ущыхъуркъым.
УзищIасэм и псэ ухуехь.
УзыгъалIэ псори емынэщ.
Узыгъэгугъэрэ уи дауэгъурэ.
Узыгъэжьым жьыгъэ Iыхьэ къыуитыжыркъым.
Узылъыхъуэр лъапIэ мэхъу.

127
Узыр уэщынэкIэ къокIуэ, мастэнэкIэ мэкIуэж: Misfortune comes on
horseback and leaves on foot.
Узыншагъэрэ сымаджагъэрэ зэпыщIащ.
Узытхьэлэ псори Урыхущ (Урыху = Urukh, river in Kabarda).
Узыфэ мыхъужмэ, ажал и хущхъуэщ.
УзыфI щыIэкъым.
Узыхуэмыдэн уи уэрэд еус.
Узыхьыну псым мывэ къыхэщу уолъагъу.
Узыщымыхъум щхъуэ къуэлъщ.
УзыщIэнакIэ къыппокIуэкIыж.
Уи адэ и ней, уи анэ и нэфI.
Уи бын фIыуэ зылъагъум уи щхь(э)и фIыуэ елъагъу.
Уи вакъэр зэвмэ, дуней псор зэв къыпщещI.
Уи гъуэгур бзэпсрэ уи псыр чэнжмэ, уехъулIащ.
Уигъуэмэ гъусэ бгъуэтынщ.
Уи лэгъу зыхэмыт дзэм уахозэшыхь.
Уи лъахъэр зыдыгъум уишри идыгъунщ.
УимыкI, уимыс, уисуи, къыдумыгъэхьэж: Damned if you do and
damned if you don’t.
Уи насып зыхэмылъым дагъуэ къыхуогъуэт.
Уи нэми укъыщигъапцIэ къохъу: Sometimes your eyes might
deceive you.
Уи пшынэуэкIэм сыкъыдофэ: I dance in time to your tune.
Уи хьэ фIэпщ и цIэщ: Your dog’s name is what you call him.
Уи шэр мыгъуэкIэ ушх, си пIастэр къыхэзгъэшхыкIыж.
Уи шхын зыхэлъыр уиIу илъ хуэдэщ.
Уи щхьэ зи жагъуэм уи цIэ фIэIейщ.
Уи щхьэ зыфIэмыIейм уи лъакъуи фIэIейкъым.
Уи щхьэм нэхърэ уи гугъэр сиIащэрэт.
Уигу къызэбгъэмэ, уи жэмыбгъэр къэзышх (СлъэкIыр пхуэсщIащ,
уигу къыщIызэбгъэн щыIэкъым, жыхуиIэщ).
Уизыудыр Iуэхут, къыптелъадэр мыхъумэ.
УиIэ псори сиIэ нэхърэ узыщыгугъыр сиIащэрэт!
УлъэIуэнри уIуеинри зэхуэдэщ: To beg and to bleat are one and the
same.
УмэжалIэмэ, сытри IэфIщ: Hunger is the best appetizer.
Умыгъэхъей нэхъей хъунщ.
УмылъэIуауэ узэтэнур пщIэнукъым.
УмылIэмэ зылI, улIэмэ зы мащэ.
Унэм исыр хасэурэ губгъуэм исыр къосыж.
Унэрыхьэм уи Iыхьэ пIех.
Унэхъугъуэм дзыгъуэри мэятэ.
Унэхъунум гуоуж макъ и тхьэкIумэ иIуэркъым.

128
УмылIэмэ, джэду хьэжы плъагъунщ.
УпщIэ и анэ фIэрафIэщ.
Уримыпсэлъэфмэ, уи жьэм пIастэ иришх.
Ухагъэзыхьмэ, укъагъэфэнщ.
Ушынэмэ, си кIэ къуагъ къыкъуэтIысхьэ.
Ушынэмэ, си пыIэ щхьэрытIагъэ.
УщымытIыс ущыгушыIэркъым.

Фадафэ чэфыжьыпкъэщ.
Фадэ зэхэдзэрэ удын зэхэдзэрэ.
Фалъэм имыт (къ)икIутрэ?: Can you pour from the vessel something
that is not there in the first place?
Фэ мыгъ–мыуцIынрэ фэ цIынэ зэIымыкIри щыIэкъым.
Фэ пщIынумэ, лы зытелъхьэ.
Фэдэн кIапэ шу егъэшэсыж.
Фэлъыркъэб псым щIилъафэрэ? (Фэлъыркъэб=gourd used as a vessel
when dried and hollowed out).
ФэрэкIым «Уи фэр схьын, хьэмэрэ уи нэр схьын?» жи
(ФэрэкI=smallpox).
Фо нэхърэ жей нэхъ IэфIщ: Sleep is sweeter than honey.
Фом тхъу хэплъхьэкIэ зэIигъэхьэркъым.
Фор зэкIэщIэж нэхърэ банэр зэфIренэ.
Фоч нэщI лIитIгъэшынэщ.
Фочым зигъазэмэ, блыпкъауэщ.
Фочыр уамэ, хьэтыр щыIэжкъым.
Фыгъуэ-ижэр зыщыкуэдым дауэгъу куэд щызэблокI.
Фыз гъуэгу мыгъуэ ежьэркъым.

ФIым фIыщIэ пылъщ.

ФIыр зымыщIэм фIыщIэр зыуи къыщыхъуркъым.
ФIыуэ плъагъу щIыпIэм укIуэныр жыжьэкъым.
ФIыцIэ цIэрыIуэщ.
ФIыщIэ жыг пхухасэнут?

ХакIуэ бзаджэ и анэ хуэлъэщ.

ХакIуэ мыхъу алащэщ.
ХакIуэ мыхъу дзэкъалэщ.
ХакIуэ мыхъу хъуэкIуэным дехьэх.
Хамэ ахъшэ зепхьэмэ, уи жыпыр гъуанэщ.
Хамэ дагъуэр лъагъугъуафIэщ.
Хамэш тесым и пхэ щIиудыркъым.
Хэди бжэныр къыхэх, мэлыр къыхэпхми уэстыххэнукъым.
Хэзгъэхъуэнщ, щыжысIэм, хэзгъэщIащ,

129
зыстхьэщIынщ, щыжысIэм, зысцIэлащ.
«Хэт и щхьэр нэхъ дахэ?» щыжаIэм, шылъэгум и щхьэр
къригъэжьащ (Шылъэгу=tortoise).
Хэтхэ я унэ къанжэ тес? (ЩIагъыбзэщ: Хэтхэ япхъу упылъ е хэтхэ
я къуэ къыппылъ, жыхуиIэщ): (Allegory) Whose daughter are
you attached to, or whose son is attached to you?
Хеирыбгэм и къэрэш езым хуегъэзэжыр.
Хым хэкIуадэр кхъэхалъхьэншэщ.

Хуарэ дзэкугъуанэ сыбгъэшэсамэ, сегъэпсыхыж (КъысхуэпщIамэ

къысхуумыщIэж, абы щхьэкIэ сыноубзэнукъым, жыхуиIэщ).
ХугукIэ лъэнкIапIэщ.
Хуейм зыхуей игъуэтмэ, бажэ хуэдэ мэущ.
Хущхъуэ зэхэдзэр сымаджэм и щхъухьщ.
Хущхьэ къуэпс зэтащ.
ХущIэмыхьэ пIащIэрыпсалъэщ.

Хьэ бзаджэ тIысыпIэншэщ.

Хьэ мыукIытэ къупщхьэ йогъу: The impudent dog gnaws the bone.
ХьэгъуэлIыгъуэ махуищ гухэхъуэщ: The three days of the wedding
festivities are joyful.
Хьэдэр зейр кхъаблэпэщ.
Хьэжьыр зэбуштми зумыуштми йобэн.
Хьэлывэр япкIыху щысри, ягъэжьэху пэплъэжакъым.
ХьэлIамэ ващэрэ? (ХьэлIамэ=boiled flat cake made from maize flour).
ХьэлIамэм ибгъукIэ йодзакъэ: (He bites the flat maize cake from the
side) He is practical, he knows what’s what.
ХьэлIамэм и кум йодзакъэ: (He bites the flat maize cake from the
middle) He is awkward, clumsy, unpractical.
Хьэм благъэр мэкIэ къещIэ: The dog knows the relative by smell.
Хьэм дыгъужь имылъагъуху щIакъуэщ.
Хьэм ебгъэшх текIуадэркъым.
Хьэм ептыр и Iыхьэщ: The share of the dog is what you give it.
Хьэм и бзэгу хущхъуэщи, джэдум и бзэгу щхъухьщ: The tongue of
the dog is medicine; the tongue of the cat is poison.
Хьэм и губжь кхъуэм щехьэ: When the dog is angry he takes it out
on the swine.
Хьэм и гъэрищ, шым и гъэрибл, лIым и гъэ щэщI (Щыми ар я
зэманыгъуэфIщ, жыхуиIэщ): The dog's third year, the horse's
seventh year, and man's thirtieth year (are the best years of their
lives).
Хьэм и щхьэр узмэ, удз ешх,
блэм и щхьэр узмэ, гъуэгум тогъуалъхьэ.

130
Хьэм къупщхьэкIэ уеуэкIэ гъыркъым: If you hit a dog with a bone
it won't cry.
Хьэм нэщI щхьэIуо щоуэ: 1. To be engaged in a futile action; 2. To
waste one’s fire; 3. Sisyphean toil.
Хьэм «Сыпсэумэ, гъэмахуэм унэ сщIынщ» жеIэ.
Хьэм уеуэмэ, нэхъей мэхъу: If you hit a dog it becomes worse.
Хьэм ущышынэмэ, уи нэкIэ укъещIэ.
ХьэмаскIэр хьэ зэщIэгъавэщ (ХьэмаскIэ=small breed of dogs).
Хьэнэфийхэр зэфыегъущ (Зэныбжьэгъухэр зэкIуэгъужэгъущ,
жыхуиIэщ): Friends visit each other frequently.
Хьэндыркъуакъуэр псыдзэм щрихьэжьам «Абыи си Iуэху щыIэщ»
жиIащ (Хьэндыркъуакъуэ=frog; псыдзэ=flood; ехьэжьэн=to
take, carry away).
Хьэр банэурэ мэлIэж: A dog dies barking.
Хьэр гугъу ехьынумэ, чэруаным ядокIуэ.
Хьэр делэ хъумэ, зейми йодзэкъэж: If a dog goes mad it bites its
owners.
Хьэр зыукIым ирехыж.
Хьэр зыпIынуми ехь, зымыпIынуми ехь.
Хьэр зыщагъашхэм щобанэ: The dog barks where he is fed.
Хьэр зыщыгуфIыкIыр и ныбэщ.
Хьэр и бзэгукIэ зоIэзэж: The dog heals itself with its tongue.
Хьэр и гъуэлъыпIэ икIмэ, дыгъужьым ехь.
Хьэр мэжалIэмэ, дыгъужь къугъыкIэ ещI.
Хьэр улэуэнумэ, мэкъушэм ядокIуэ.
Хьэр хьэлывэм щогугъ, делэр гугъэурэ мэлIэж.
Хьэр шынэмэ, и кIэр и бэкъум декъузэ, джэдур шынэмэ, и кIэр еIэт.
Хьэрэмым хьэрэм къешэ: Evil leads to evil.
Хьэрэмыр нэбгъузкIэ маплъэ.
Хьэтыкъуейм тегъэзэж я жагъуэщ (Хьэтыкъуей – адыгэм я щыщ зы
лъэпкъщ).
Хьэщэхурыпхъуэм узэригъэпхъуэкIыркъым.
Хьэфизым жэщри махуэри и зэхуэдэщ: For a blindman day and
night are the same.
Хьэфизым и гур и гъуазэщ: A blindman's heart is his beacon.
Хьэфизым мазэр хуэнэхукъым, фыз мылъхъуэ и сабий
гъыркъым: The moon does not shine for the blind; the child of
the barren woman does not cry.
ХьэщIэр зейр гуауэжырыхьщ (Hesch’er zeyr gwawezhirihsch).
ХьэщIэщыжь нэщIыр уэтэрщ (Hesch’eschizch nesch’ir wetersch):
An unused old guest-house is like winter quarters for cattle.

131
ХьэIус ефэгъуэм пашэщ, хьэ елъэрышэгъуэм кIашэщ: When it’s
time to drink the pottage he is first; when it’s time for the dogs to
go in single file he is last.
ХьэIуцыдз псори зэщхьу мэкъугъ: All the wolves in a pack howl in
the same manner.
Хьилагъэ зыхэмылъым «лIыгъэ схэлъщ» жремыIэ.
Хьилэр акъылым щыщщ.
Хьилэр псалъэри лIыгъэм и лъэр щIиудащ.

ХъыбарыфIри хъыбарщ, хъыбар Iейри хъыбарщ.

Хъыджэбз щIалэ делэгъуафIэщ.

Хъуапсэ и псэ кIуэдыркъым (Умыфыгъуэмэ, ухъуэпсэну

емыкIукъым, жыхуиIэщ: It is not improper to desire something
as long as you don’t envy.
Хъуэжэ и бэщмакъыу зыкърегъанэ (Бэщмакъ=shoes; boots).
Хъумэ, зыфI, мыхъумэ, фIитI: If it happens, that’s good; if it doesn’t,
that’s even better.
ХъунщIэнрэ къуентхъынрэ зыщ: Robbing and looting are the same.

ЦIэр елъэри, бжьыдзэр къинащ: The louse jumped and the flea
stayed put.
ЦIу псори дыщэкъым: All is not gold that glitters.
ЦIыв гузавэ дэуэщ (ЦIыв=beetle).
ЦIыкIу щхьэкIэ, лъабжьэщ: Small though it may seem, it is well-
founded.
ЦIыху зэрыкI вы укIа йохуэ (Зи гугъу ищIыр ныбэщ).
ЦIыхубзыр илъэс щэщI хъумэ, цIыхухъу пэлъытэщ.
ЦIыхугъэ зиIэм жагъуэгъуи иIэщ.
ЦIыхуми хьэщхьэрыIуэ къахокI.
ЦIыхуфI и тIысыпIэ хьэзырщ.

Чэф хъуа нэужь зи адэшхуэр зыгъеижам нэхъей.

ЧыцI ажэм зигъэгусэри шхалъэм дэпкIащ (Гупым яхэмызагъэу
зызыгъэгусэм ауаныщIу хужаIэ).

Шэ зиIэми ешх, шху зиIэми ешх.

Шэджэналъэ къидзыххэнумэ къезгъэдзынщ (КъищIэххэнуIамэ
къезгъэщIэнщ, жыхуиIэщ).
Шэм, сынокIуэ, жиIэркъым.
Шэрэ блэрэ зэблэкIыркъым (Фочышэр блэм темыхуэу
блэкIыркъым, жыхуиIэщ).
Шэс псори шукъым: Not all those on horseback are horsemen.

132
Шу гупыр зэдилъмэ, щхьэж игу илъ ещIэж.
Шу махуэ Iумахуэщ (Iумахуэ=silver-tongued).
Шууи укъэмыкIуэ,
лъэсуи укъэмыкIуэ,
къакIуи сыкъэлъагъу (ЗыкIэлъызымыгъэкIуэным и
щхьэусыгъуэщ): Come and see me, but do not come on
horseback and do not come on foot.
«Шхэмэ, и нэзэрыхъэ мэхъей» жери щыхьащ (Нэзэрыхъэ=eye-
socket; щыхьэн=to cavil; to fall out with somebody. Хьэкъ
имыIэу щыхьащ, жыхуиIэщ): He cavilled for no good reason.
ШхэныIэ кIыхьщ (Shxeni’e ch’ihsch): The hand that takes the food at
the table is long.
Шхуэлым шэр щыфIэIуркъым, ныбэм сабийр щезэшыркъым.
ШхуэмылакIэр зыхуэмыIыгъым шкIэр еубыд
(ШхуэмылакIэ=bridle rein for horse. ХуэмыщIэнум зыкIэрещIэ,
зрепщыт, жыхуиIэщ): Said of someone who perseveres in doing
something that he is not good at.
ШхупцIатэхьэ кIуэуэ зи шынакъ зыгъэпщкIужам нэхъей
(ШхупцIатэ=ferment for milk; шынакъ=bowl).
Шы дэгъуэм уанэ дэгъуэ хуэфащэщ: A good horse deserves a good
saddle.
Шы зимыIэм уанэ къещэху: He who doesn’t have a horse buys a
saddle.
Шы зимыIэр къамышыкIэ базщ (Базщ – ерыщщ).
Шы зиIэр къанэри, уанэ зиIэр кIуащ: The man with the horse
stayed and the man with the saddle went.
Шы зыгъуэт нэху тещхьэркъым.
Шы лIэнум мэкъу пхыр зыдехь.
Шы пщIэнтIэх лIыущхьэкIущ.
Шы сакъ хьэ къедзакъэркъым: A careful horse is not bitten by dogs.
Шы тесыкIэ зымыщIэм уанэр екъутэ: He who doesn't know how to
ride a horse breaks the saddle.
Шы уэдыжь зэдзэIуалэщ.
Шы хьэху уэсэпс трагъахэркъым.
ШыгъупIастэм хьэтыр иIэщ.
Шыд и псыефапIэ егъэутхъуэж: The jackass muddies the water he
drinks from.
Шыд шыгъу ишхрэ?: Does the jackass eat salt?
Шыдым и хьэлъэ ирикъумэ, мэкIуэр.
Шыдрэ пэт илъэсым зэ мэфтрей.
Шыдыр фызышэм щраджэмэ, «Пхъэ къэхьын хуей хъунщ»,
жиIащ: When the jack-ass was invited to the wedding, it said,
“Probably they want to bring in wood.”

133
Шылъэгур зэбгъэдзэкIми букIми и зэхуэдэщ: Turning a tortoise
(upside down) and killing it are the same.
Шым дамэ тету зылъагъур блэращи, блэм лъакъуэ щIэту зылъагъур
шыращ.
Шым ехуэхым ныбэпхым трелъхьэ.
Шым зыщигъэукIурийм иц къыщонэ.
Шым и лъакъуэ и бийщ (И лъакъуэ псынщIэхэм я ягъэкIэ цIыхур
шым мэшэс, жыхуиIэщ).
Шынэ зиIэм укIытэ иIэщ.
Шынэм макъ егъэIу.
Шынэр и унэ мэкIуэж.
Шыр тесым егъэдахэ.
Шыр пщIантIэмэ, уанэр екIужыркъым.
ШыфI зиIэм дамэ тетщ: He who has a good horse has wings on.
ШыфIыр езэшмэ, пырхъалэщ: When a horse gets tired, it snorts a
lot.
ШыфIыр ныбжьэгъуфIым хуэдэщ: A good horse is like a good
friend.
ШыфIрэ гуфIрэ зэхуэщкъым: A good waggon may not be drawn by
a good horse and a good horse may not be tethered to a good
waggon.
ШыфIрэ выфIрэ псыбафэкъым: A good horse and a good ox are
sparing in their consumption of water.

ЩауэщIэм и щIакIуэри и кIуэкIэри дахэщ: The (felt) cloak and

gait of a new bridegroom are beautiful.
Щэ зыгъэдэIуэфыр щэ я уасэщ: He who is able to make a hundred
listen to him is worth a hundred.
Щэ уэстын, щэ я уасэу зы уэстын?: Do I give you a hundred or one
that is worth a hundred?
Щэлъахъэ гугъэпсэхущ (Щэлъахъэ=hobble, horse-lock).
Щэм яубыр щэм я уасэщ.
Щэху гуэр зимыIэ щыIэкъым: 1. Everyone has secrets; 2.
Everybody has something to hide.
Щэху нэху и жагъуэщ.
Щихури лъагэ дыдэу докIей, къыпыкIэIакъым мыхъумэ.
ЩумыщIэжым деж пэж жыIэ.
Щхъухьышхуэри щхъухьщи, щхъухь цIыкIури щхъухьщ.
Щхьэ бжыгъэ ныбэ нэщI (Мыхьэнэншэщ, жыхуиIэщ).
ЩхьэкIуэм щIакIуэ уегъэщI (ЩхьэкIуэ=offence; щIакIуэ=felt cloak).
ЩхьэлыкIыр зыхьри мэгурым, щхьэл мывэр зыхьри мэгурым.
Щхьэм блэр и Iэжьэгъущ (Iэжьэгъу=mediator, peace-maker).
Щхьэмыуз пIэщхьагъ тезагъэрэ?

134
Щхьэщытхъурэ къэрабгъэрэ зэблагъэщ: A vainglorious fellow and
a coward are relatives.
Щыблэ зэуэм и гъунэгъу доуIэбжь.
Щыблэр зыгъауэм и Iэдэ-уадэщ, щхъухьыр зезыхьэм и IэщIагъэщ.
Щыкъу нэщIым хьэри джэдури йонэцI.
Щымыгъуэт щыутэх.
Щымыуэну акъыл, щымыщIэну былым.
ЩымыIэм жэр щIыхьэркъым.
Щысу ямылъэгъуар тэджри псчэуIуащ.
Щытхъу мащIэр убым пащIащ.
Щытхъу нэхърэ тхъэгъуэ.
Щытым еплъи щылъыр гъей.
Щыхьэр цIыхуншэ хъуркъым (Щыхьэр=town, city): A town cannot
be without dwellers.

ЩIакIуэ ныкъуэщIыр щыгъынкъым (Щыгъын=clothes;

garments): A half-finished (felt) cloak cannot be worn.
ЩIакIуэ щIагъым лIы къыщIокI (еплъ аргуэру гуэбэнэч и щIагъ
лIы къыщIокI): 1. A little body often harbours a great soul; 2.
Little bodies may have great souls.
ЩIакIуэр губгъуэ унэщ (sch’ak’wer gwbghwe winesch): (The great
coat is a field house) A sleeveless felt cloak, sch’ak’we, or burka
in Turkic, which hanged from the shoulders and covered the whole
body, was an indispensable part of the Circassian costume. It
afforded warmth in winter by keeping the rain out and insulating
the body from the chill. It also protected the wearer from the
burning sun. It doubled as a blanket or a personal tent. A small
group of men on the road could find shelter by hanging their great
coats on three stakes dug into the ground, constructing a rather
cozy tepee. During clement weather, the cumbersome coat was
rolled up and tied to the croup.
ЩIакхъуэм къудейщ хужумыIэ.
ЩIалэ гъакIуи кIэлъыкIуэж: Send the child and go after him.
ЩIэныгъэрэ IэщIагъэрэ зэкъуэшщ: Knowledge and know-how are
brothers.
ЩIопщыкъурэ пэт жьы еубыд.
ЩIы фIыцIэм щIэмыхьэжын щыIэкъым: Earth to earth, dust to
dust, ashes to ashes.
ЩIыбырыхь нэхърэ ныбэ хьэлъэ.
ЩIылъэныкъуэшх мэзытхьэ и жагъуэщ.
ЩIым и IэфIрэ IэфIым и дагъэрэ.
ЩIым щIэс хьэмбылуми ишхын егъуэт: Even the earthworm finds
something to eat.

135
ЩIымахуэм къэрэкъурэ гъагъэрэ?: Do dry tall weeds blossom in
winter?
ЩIыпIищ нэщIу ялъытэ: псы зыдэмыт псыхъуэ, къэкIыгъэ
зэрымыт губгъуэ, лIы зыщхьэщымыт фыз: Three places are
considered empty: a waterless river-valley, a barren field and a
woman without a husband.
ЩIыхуэр къэщтэгъуафIэ щхьэкIэ тыжыгъуейщ: A loan is easy to
get but difficult to pay back; it is easier to get a loan than to pay it
back.

Я нэхъыкIэм гухъу накIэр щIеуд (Зи Iуэху зымыщIэжыф яхэткъым,

жыхуиIэщ).
Яжьэм фIамыщI и тесэнщ.
Ямыубри бэным дэлъри зэхуэдэщ.
ЯмыгъэIу зэхахыркъым.
Ямыгъуэт ятыжыркъым.
Ямылъэгъуа бланэ яукIыркъым, зэхамыха псалъэ яIуатэркъым.
Япэ нэсым шылъэIуфэ иребзэ (Япэ нэсым и Iуэху докI, жыхуиIэщ).
Япэ узрихьэлIэр шхыныфIщ (Yape wizriyhel’er shxinif’sch): 1.
What you come across first is good food; 2. Hunger is the best
spice.
Япэрыхь IыхьэфIщ.
ЯукIыну яшэми, хьэм дзэкъэн хинэркъым (Yawk'inu yashemiy,
hem dzeqen xiynerqim): Even when taking him to his death, the
dog keeps biting.
Ямэмыхьэ хабзэншэщ.
Яхьыр зыхьын мэлъыхъуэ.

Iэжьэгъу удыныхьщ.
Iэжьэгъур яукIри, зэрыукIитIыр зэбгъэдэкIыжащ.
Iэзэ къашэри вынэ ирищIщ.
Iэзэ мыхъу псэхэхщи, молэ мыхъу гуихщ: A bad healer is like the
Angel of Death, a bad mullah terrifies the soul.
Iэм илъ нэхърэ Iум илъ: What's in the mouth is better than what's in
the hand.
Iэм имыщтэ кIуэдыркъым: What is not in the hand cannot be lost.
Iэмалрэ хьилэрэ акъылщ: The mind is the seat of cunning and
innovation.
IэнэкIэ IэфIщ.
Iэнэм и пэри и кIэри хъуэхъущ (’enem yi periy yi ch’eriy
x’wex’wsch): (A toast starts and ends a “table”) A feast could only
start with a toast by the eldest participant, then by the guests, and

136
 the affair could last throughout the session, which at times lasted
for hours on end.
Iэнэр щытыху, гъащIэм хабжэркъым.
Iэрымылъхьэм щIэнэцIурэ и нэцIакIэр щIэгъуащ: His eye’s
yellow excretion pitied his hankering for what he doesn’t have?
Iэпхъуамбэхэр зэхуэмыдэ щхьэкIэ зэдошэрыуэ: Though they are
different, the fingers work well together.
Iэхъуэ и баш чэнджэщэгъущ: The stick of the herdsman is his
counselor.
Iэщэ дэгъуэр гъусэфIщ ('Esche deghwer ghwsef'sch): A good weapon
is a worthy companion.

IуэрыIуатэр хабзэжьщ.
Iуэху зэхэмыбз щхьэгъэузщ.
Iуэху зи куэд шыгъэджэгу ещI.
Iуэху убла зимыIэм Iуэху щIа иIэкъым: You must start before you
can finish.
Iуэхур зэрыпщIщ.
Iуэхур зейм и щхьэджащIэ мэсыс.
Iугъуэм сыхэкIащ жыпIэу мафIэ зыхыумыдзэ: When out of the
frying-pan, don’t hurl yourself into the fire.
Iугъуэ щагъэум цIыху щопсэу: Where smoke issues, there are
people.
Iупэм напэр и хашэщ (’Wpem naper yi xashesch): The face is the
betrayer of the lips.

137
 Other Sayings

(КъинэмыщI псалъафэхэр)
(The entries are in Latin orthography and are arranged in alphabetical
order)

Abi dische zhig xiysen wiy gwghemiy, wiqopts’e (Абы дыщэ жыг
хисэн уи гугъэми, укъопцIэ): He will never set the Thames on
fire.
Abi ghwniy neziy yi’eqim (Абы гъуни нэзи иIэкъым): There is no
bottom to it.
Abi lhandere psi ’ejiy yezhexasch (Абы лъандэрэ псы Iэджи
ежэхащ): 1. A lot of water has flown under the bridge since then;
2. There has been many a peck of salt eaten since. [see псы куэд
ежэхащ абы лъандэрэ]
Abi vindipe yi’ighsch: (He has a raven’s beak) 1. He is always attended
by good luck; 2. Providence always smiles upon him; 3. All is
grist that comes to his mill; 4. All water runs to his mill. [see
vindipe yi’ighsch]
Abi yi bzegwr zdinemis schi’eqim: One’s tongue is too long for one’s
teeth.
Abi yi kwts’izchir yilhsch: There is life in the old dog yet.
Abi yi nat’em teitxasch ar (Абы и натIэм тетхащ ар): It’s written all
over his face.
Abi yi psalhiyt’ zeteixwerqim (Абы и псалъитI зэтехуэркъым): (As)
Changeable as the moon. [see next entry]
Abi zem zhiy’ar zem zhiy’ezhirqim (Абы зэм жиIар зэм
жиIэжыркъым): (As) Changeable as the moon. [see preceding
item]
Anech’e qwasch’em qwesu mepsew (АнэкIэ къуащIэм къуэсу
мэпсэу): He lives under his mother’s skirt.
Ar f’eq’iu deilesch (Ар фIэкхъыу делэщ): He’s so dumb you can sell
him the Brooklyne Bridge; he’s an utter fool.
Arqench’e zchi qewbidin (АркъэнкIэ жьы къэубыдын): (To catch the
wind with a lasso) 1. To draw water in a sieve; 2. To beat the air;
3. To mill the wind; 4. To fish in the air; 5. To plough the air; 6.
To plough the sand(s); 7. To sow the sand; 8. To seek a hare in
hen’s nest; 9. To milk a he-goat into a sieve; 10. Whistle jigs to a
milestone; 11. To milk the bull; 12. To carry (or send) owls to
Athens; 13. A cold coal to blow at; 14. To hold a candle to the sun;

138
 15. To thrash over old straw; 16. To catch the wind in a net. [see
mezim px’e shen, and q’wzanech’e psi qehin]
Ar we shimighasech’iy qizzchedeptx’ifinqim (Ар уэ шымыгъасэкIи
къызжьэдэптхъыфынкъым): wild horses shall not drag it from
me.
Ar yijiriy qeighegwghe (Ар иджыри къегъэгугъэ): There is life in the
old dog yet.
Ar zerich’a psim se siqiych’izhasch (Ар зэрыкIа псым сэ
сыкъикIыжащ): I wasn’t born yesterday.
Awe qizeptamiy, sixweyqim abi (Ауэ къызэптами, сыхуейкъым
абы): I would not have (or take) it even as a gift.
Awe xwedesch (Ауэ хуэдэщ): (As) Cheap as dirt.
Azheghafem xwedew zisch’in: To bear the cap and bells.
Azheghafe pi’e: Cap and bells.

Badzere vire zepoqw: The fly and ox are measuring swords. [See Vire
ts’ere zepoqw]
Badze yeschew schisin: To wash an ass’s ears (or head).
Bashim ch’apiyt’ yi’esch: It cuts both ways.
Bash yiriyghelhetexa nex’ey: (As) Straight as a poker.
Bazhem xwedew bzajesch: (As) Cunning as a fox.
Bazhem yishxar mischem scheits’elh: The boot is on the wrong foot.
[see dighwzchim yishxariy yimishxariy toxwe]
Bdzanthe gheva xewiva xwede: (As if standing in boiled glue) As if
stuck in dense glue.
Beilipe qem’etin: (Not to lift the tip of the shovel) 1. To do nothing; 2.
Not to move a finger.
Beislheney pts’apts’e: (Beslanay galantine) Said of a stout and
sedentary person. [Prince Beslanay Pts’apts’e was one of the
personages in Kabardian folklore. In the first half of the 16th-
century he was potentate of Kabarda. Prince Beislhen (Beslan)
(son of Zhanx’wet), nicknamed ‘Pts’apts’e’ (‘The Obese’) on
account of his massive size, needed a sturdy cart for transport. He
is credited with modifying the structure of the peerage system and
updating the Xabze, the Circassian code of conduct].
Bghedihep’iy bghedech’ip’iy yi’eqim: (It has no approach, and neither
can you get away from it) Neither rhyme nor reason.
Bgim jedich’ech’e yewe: (He is hitting the mountain with an egg) 1.
You cannot chop wood with a penknife; 2. Like against a brick
wall; 3. To kick against the pricks.
Bgim jedich’ech’e yewen: 1. To knock (or run) one’s head against a
brick wall; 2. To kick against the pricks; 3. One can’t see through
a brick wall.

139
Bgim nat’ech’e yewe: (He is hitting the mountain with his forehead) 1.
You cannot chop wood with a penknife; 2. Like against a brick
wall; 3. He must needs go whom the devil drives; 4. To kick
against the pricks.
Bgir zegwech’riy x’wmp’ets’ej qidech’asch: The mountain has
brought forth a mouse.
Blanem xwedew zhersch: (As) Fleet as a deer.
Blinimiy thek’wme yi’esch: 1. Walls have ears; 2. Pitchers have ears.
Blinim thek’wme ya’esch: 1. Walls have ears; 2. Pitchers have ears.
Bzchihe(r) beysch: Autumn is the time of plenty.
Bzhen lhaqwe x’ibar: (The story of the goat’s foot) The same old song.
Bzhen qwiy teigwshxweghwaf’esch: (The scabby goat is defenceless)
Brave before the lamb, but a lamb before the brave. [see next
entry]
Bzhen sch’aqwe teigwshxweghwaf’esch: (The lame goat is
defenceless) Brave before the lamb, but a lamb before the brave.
[see preceding item]

Ch’epqim de’wn: 1. To get (have) the better of somebody, or

something; 2. To wipe somebody’s eye.
Chimpe qemi’etin: 1. To twiddle one’s thumbs; 2. Not to do a stitch of
work.

De dil’a newizch, widz qreimich’izh: After us the deluge.

Degw saghrew: (As) Deaf as an adder.
“Deiplhinsch” zhiy’asch hefiyzim: A blind man would be glad to see.
Dek’wm xwedew qeghepts’en: 1. To turn somebody round one’s
finger; 2. To catch with chaff. [see Shxwm xwedew qeghepts’en]
Denemiy bateshxwer yigheshinsch abi: He shall set the Thames on fire
wherever he is at.
Deniy psoriy qosizh: 1. He is everywhere; 2. There he is; 3. The scamp
has a finger in every pie.
Depim teys xwedew: 1. On hot coals; 2. On thorns; 3. Like a cat on hot
bricks.
Deriy pasch’e tteitsch: (We also have moustaches) We weren’t born
yesterday.
Dighwzchim yishxariy yimishxariy toxwe: The boot is on the wrong
foot. [see bazhem yishxar mischem scheits’elh]
Dighwzch melix’we sch’in: (To make a wolf a shepherd) 1. To set the
wolf to keep the sheep; 2. That’s like putting the cat near the
goldfish bowl; 3. To set a fox to keep one’s geese; 4. To teach the
cat the way to the kirn (Scottish).

140
Dipsewm(e), tlhaghwnsch: 1. We shall see what we shall see; 2. Time
will show; 3. Time will tell.
Diy’er yethech’izhirqim: Come and have pot-luck with us.
Diy nat’e yilhim dixwezensch: (We’ll meet what is on our forehead) 1.
What will be will be; 2. He that is born to be hanged shall never be
drowned.
Duneym yi ghwnem nes: To the world’s end.
Duneyr qwtew qizer’wbezhixw(ch’e): 1. Till (or until) the cows come
home; 2. To (or till) the crack of doom; 3. When the devil is blind;
4. Till doomsday; 5. When the Ethiopian changes his skin; 6.
When hell freezes over; 7. When pigs fly; 8. When two Sundays
come together; 9. Tomorrow come never; 10. At all hazards; 11.
On St. Tib’s eve. [see jedu lhebzchanem zhizum qipich’exw(ch’e)]
Duneyr yinsch zhip’e x’wnuqim: The world is but a little place, after
all.
Dzase gheplham f’es xwedew: (As if sitting on a hot skewer) On hot
coals.
Dzelifer t’in: To show one’s ivories.
Dzexwps ’wrghelheda xwede: (As) Dumb as an oyster.

’Embate zermitim ’ete yireyghewive: 1. He makes a mountain out of a

molehill; 2. Much ado about nothing.
’Epedewip’e yi’eqim: Like rabbits in a warren.
’Epx’walhem vi yireighet’is-he: (He is seating an ox in a thimble) He
beats the air, he mills the wind.
’Epx’wamber zchedeplhheme, ’er piyshxich’inusch: Give him an inch
and he’ll take an ell.
’Eshri’er zighevam yirireifizh: 1. You make your bed, now lie in it; 2.
Who breaks, pays; 3. As you brew, so must you drink.

Femre qwpschhemre qixwenasch: He is a shadow of his former self.

F’eq’iu deilesch: 1. (As) Silly as a goose; 2. Ass in grain; 3. Fool in
grain.
Fizim yi lhegwsch’etinu schitin: To be under petticoat government.

Ghasch’er ch’esch’sch: Life is but a span.

Gwax’wech’e wane treilhhe: (He is saddling the horse with a pitchfork)
He is negligent, or careless.
Gwdzem bash (bzheghw) dedzin (deghezhin): (To throw a stick in the
spokes) 1. To throw a spanner in the works; 2. To put grit in the
machine; 3. To throw a monkey wrench into the machinery; 4. To
throw sand in the wheels (US).

141
Gwensheriq (Gwenshiriq) wits’inam xwedesch: (Like wet shoes) 1.
To run with the hare and hunt with the hounds; 2. He is unstable.
Gweymi’w x’ibarim sch’exiu zeywibghw: 1. Bad news has wings, or
travels quickly; 2. Ill news flies fast.
Gwrischx’we sch’inir yich’aghesch: Suspiciousness is a bad
disposition.
Gwr zdeschi’em ’er lheghe’esin: To achieve (or attain, gain), one’s
end.
Gwum she qisch’ech’irqim: (A bull gives no milk) Like squeezing
blood from a stone.

Hede’wsiyt’miy xech’izhin: To mistake shadow for the substance.

Hedrixe mivexex k’wen: (To go to the world beyond to fetch a stone)
This is quite futile.
Hedrixesch’ k’wen: To go where the woodbine twineth (US, joc.]
Hedzighwaneghwem qwatsech’e xewen: To wake a sleeping dog.
He f’its’eriy—he, he xwzchriy—he: 1. That’s the horse of the same
colour; 2. (It is) Six of one and half a dozen of the other.
Hel’ame gheva wosch’e we: You know nothing.
Hel’amer yi ’ihew qenen: To be left in the basket.
He l’ech’ew l’en: To die like a dog.
Hem nesch’ schhe’wo scheiwen: 1. To waste one’s fire; 2. Sisyphean
toil; 3. To drop a bucket into an empty well; 4. To make a long
harvest about a little corn.
Her meqwm teissch: Dog in the manger.
Heyixwbzhexwesch’u schitin: (To be the one who drives away the dog
and closes the door) 1. To be at somebody’s beck and call; 2. To
run errands.

’Iher schagweshim, dureshim desin: To be left in the basket.

’Iyt’ir zeteidzawe schisin: 1. Not to do a stitch of work; 2. To twiddle
one’s thumbs; 3. Not to do a hand’s turn. [see shxiy qemi’etin]

Jane schighu qalhxwn: 1. To be born with a silver spoon in one’s

mouth; 2. To be born with a caul on one’s head; 3. To be lapped
(or wrapped) in one’s mother’s smock.
Jedich’em tsi qixexin: (To get wool from an egg) 1. To make a
mountain out of a molehill; 2. To hunt fleas.
Jedich’e shk’wmp’ yi waseqim: (Not worth a rotten egg) Not worth a
bean (or button, curse, damn, dorn).
Jed lhebzchanem qriytx’am xwedew txen: To write hand like foot.
Jedu lhebzchanem zhizum qipich’exw(ch’e): 1. Till (or until) the cows
come home; 2. To (or till) the crack of doom; 3. When the devil is

142
 blind; 4. Till doomsday; 5. When the Ethiopian changes his skin;
6. When hell freezes over; 7. When pigs fly; 8. When two Sundays
come together; 11. On St. Tib’s eve. [see duneyr qwtew
qizer’wbezhixw(ch’e)]
Jedu masche yixwasch: (The cat fell in the hole) He fell into a trap.
Jedum xwedew, pse bidesch: He has nine lives like a cat. [see next
item]
Jedum xwedew, psiybghw ’wtsch: He has nine lives like a cat. [see
preceding entry]

Lazche ziymi’em lazche teilhhen: Get (or put) the boot on the wrong
foot (or leg).
Lezchench’e washxesch(iy), shxench’e l’ix’wzchsch (dighwzchsch):
He works like a badger but eats like a wolf.

Lhaqwe semegwch’e p’em qeiwvexin: 1. To get out of (the) bed on the

wrong side; 2. To get up on the wrong side of a bed; 3. To get up
with one’s wrong foot foremost.
Lhepsch yi Hepts’ey k’wech’e sch’in: To hold a candle to the sun.
[Lhepsch is the god of the smiths in the Circassian Pantheon]
Lhepsch yi Hepts’ey k’wech’ew: 1. As wise as before; 2. As wise as
one went.
Lhepsch yi Hepts’ey k’wech’e x’wa: On the wrong side of the door.
Lhepsch yi Hepts’ey k’wech’e x’wn: 1. To come away, none the wiser;
2. To come back (or return) as wise as one went.
Lhi ’emp’e qisch’emnezhixwch’e (zewen): 1. (To fight it out) To the
bitter end; 2. To fight to a finish; Tooth and nail.

Maf’em yiriyjegwn: 1. To play with fire; 2. To sit on a barrel of gun-

powder; 3. To jest (or play) with edge-tools; 4. Monkey with a
buzz saw; 5. To dance on a volcano.
Maf’ere jatech’e: With fire and sword.
Maf’er qi’wriyxiu zhen: 1. To go (or run) like the wind; 2. To outstrip
the wind; 3. To run like a lamplighter. [see schher sch’ehawe zhen;
she ts’ivam xwedew k’wen]
Maf’e zisch’edzezhin: To build a fire under oneself.
Maf’iyt’im ya zexwakwm: 1. Between two fires; 2. Between hammer
and anvil; 3. Between the upper and nether millstone. [see sijimre
wademre ya zexwak’wm]
Masch’e yi kweda: Never a whit.
Mastepem f’esim xwedew schitin: 1. To be on the anxious bench; 2. To
be on wires. [see next item]

143
Mastepem f’es nex’ey: 1. To be on the anxious bench; 2. To be on
wires. [see preceding entry]
Mastenem (Mastepem) qizerif’acham xwedew (xwedesch): 1. Just out
of a bandbox; 2. (As) Bright as a button, or a new penny, or a new
pin; 3. (As) Neat as a bandbox; 4. (As) Neat as a new pin; 5. (As)
Neat as ninepence; 6. Spick and span.
Matesch’edzawe psewin: 1. To live (be) in clover; 2. To crack a tidy
crust.
Maxwe qes nish yawch’irqim: We don’t kill a pig every day. [see next
item]
Maxwe qes heghwel’ighweqim: We don’t kill a pig every day. [see
preceding entry]
Mel ’esafere dighwzchigwu: The iron hand in the velvet glove.
Melife ziteizghelheda dighwzch: 1. Wolf in sheep’s clothing; 2. To
hide one’s teeth. [see next item]
Melizchifere dighwzchigwu: 1. Wolf in sheep’s clothing; 2. To hide
one’s teeth. [see preceding entry]
Mezim px’e shen: (To carry wood to the forest) 1. To draw water in a
sieve; 2. To beat the air; 3. To mill the wind; 4. To fish in the air;
5. To plough the air; 6. A cold coal to blow at; 7. To hold a candle
to the sun; 8. To seek a hare in hen’s nest; 9. To milk a he-goat
into a sieve; 10. Whistle jigs to a milestone; 11. To milk the bull;
12. To carry (or send) owls to Athens; 13. To catch the wind in a
net. [see arqench’e zchi qewbidin, q’wzanech’e psi qehin (zeihen)]
Mighwape-mipschamp’e: Neither rhyme nor reason.
Milhkw schhech’e l’i dek’wen: To please one’s eyes and plague one’s
heart.
Miriy fedenqim, mortesmaqim: (Neither a leather thread nor a braid)
Neither one thing nor the other.
Mische dighwzch f’ebelatsesch: (The bear considers the wolf to be
shaggy) The pot calling (or calls) the kettle black.
Mi winem sch’ech’ x’wnuqim: Within four walls.

Nat’eri’wap’e f’ech’ip’e ziymi’esch: No flying from fate.

Nawriz pselheghwey: Dumb dog.
Nefre degwre zopsalhe: (The deaf and blind are talking to one another)
All at sixes and sevens.
Nemisir lhe’wch’e qahirqim: Honour is not got by begging.
Nemis zdeschimi’em nasip schi’eqim: Honour and good fortune go
together.
Nex’ibexwch’e nex’if’sch: The more the merrier.
Niqwets’ale-niqwethesch’: (Half-dirty, half-clean) Said of an
unfinished business. [Yich’em namighesa ’wexwm xwzha’e]

144
Pi’eschherixch’e yelhe’wn zigwerim: To go on one’s knees to
somebody.
Pil xwediyz ziysch’inu ziyghepschriy thek’wmech’ihir zegwewdasch:
(In trying to blow himself up to the size of the elephant, the hare
burst) 1. Do not put on airs; 2. Be yourself.
Psalhe sheriwexer (Псалъэ шэрыуэхэр): Winged words.
Psi kwed yezhexasch abi lhandere (Псы куэд ежэхащ абы лъандэрэ):
1. A lot of water has flown under the bridge since then; 2. There
has been many a peck of salt eaten since. [see Abi lhandere psi
’ejiy yezhexasch (абы лъандэрэ псы Iэджи ежэхащ)]
Psim daghe teixin: (To extract fat from water) 1. To beat the air; 2. To
mill the wind; 3. To fish in the air; 4. To plough the air.
Psim ghwschew qixech’izhin: 1. To come through unscathed; 2. To get
off with a whole skin; 3. To come unscathed out of the battle.
Psim tx’w treix: (He is extracting butter from water) 1. He’s beating the
air; 2. He’s milling the wind; 3. He’s fishing in the air; 4. He’s
ploughing the air.
Psim yihir hetsibaneym yopx’we: (A drowning man clutches at the
rose bush) A drowning man clutches at straws.
Psim yihir yi schhetsim yopx’we: (A drowning man pulls at his own
hair) A drowning man clutches at straws.
Psim yih petre leniste: (Though he is drowning he wants a pair of
scissors) To swear black is white.
Psim yisheriy yiriymghafu qiyshezhasch: (He took him to the river
and brought him back thirsty) 1. He outwitted him; 2. He tricked
him.
Psiqwiy mastech’e qeit’: 1. He’s digging a well with a needle; 2. Like
being up against a brick wall; 3. He’s sweeping back the ocean.
Psir q’wzanech’e zereyhe (yez): (He carries water in a sieve) He is
milling the wind, beating the air.
Psi tk’wepsiyt’sch: 1. Nothing to choose between them; 2. Not a pin to
choose between them; 3. Of the same kidney; 4. Of the same
leaven; 5. Cast in the same mould; 6. Much of a muchness.
Psi witx’wam bdzezchey scheischen: To fish in troubled waters.
Psi zdeschimi’em bdzezchey schosche: (He’s fishing where there is no
water) He is engaged in a futile undertaking.
Psomiy yateik’wam schitx’w xwefaschesch: He that runs fastest gets
the ring.
Pts’imiy pezhmiy: By hook or (by) crook.
Pudre f’iwe: Filling at the price (F at the P).
Px’ench’iyr zhilem yaxepx’en: To wash one’s dirty linen in public.
[see Wiy schexwr ts’ixwm yaxez sch’in]

145
Px’eschkwm (Px’eshkwm) ch’apseshxwer yi teylhhesch: (The whole
of the rope in addition to the wooden hoop) Lock, stock and barrel.
Px’wrilhxwr qiyheme, psather magh: When the nephew makes his
appearance, the icon weeps. [Historically, some visitors from
Kabarda used to break the icons of their hosts in Mozdok, a
settlement of Christian Kabardinian in north-east Kabarda]

Qaleschhegwezchu wizschigwgh: A bit of blue sky.

Qazix’wm zixwreyse hemas-ch’em: Brave before the lamb, but a lamb
before the brave.

Qaz psi ch’eripsch’ere?: 1. Like water off a duck’s back; 2. To get off
with a whole skin.
Qebghwetay zizipipshen: Meddle with your match.
Qeipsriy qiylhetawe yeschhsch: The living image of somebody.
Qemch’a pabzchem qemilhxwa thek’wmech’ihir xessch
(qischiywch’asch): (The unborn hare lies in the ungrown bush)
Said of a barefaced lie.
Qerabgher yi ch’em schoschtezh: The coward dreads his own shadow.
Qeirmetir (qeimetir) qesixwch’e: 1. Till doomsday; 2. To (or till) the
crack of doom; 3. When the devil is blind; 4. Till (or until) the
cows come home; 5. When the Ethiopian changes his skin.
Qezlhefriy zilhefizhriy psch’erqim: 1. Utter confusion; 2. Each in his
own way.
Qischiymiwidizhin schi’eqim: Tread on a worm and it will turn.
Qiwiysch’ar yesch’ezhin: 1. Answer (or repay, or pay back) in kind; 2.
To give somebody a pig of his own sow; 3. To serve somebody
with the same sauce. [see next entry]
Qizerowa qwpschhemch’e yewezhin: 1. Answer (or repay, or pay
back) in kind; 2. To give somebody a pig of his own sow; 3. To
serve somebody with the same sauce. [see preceding item]
Qizzhiy’aqim zhumi’ezh: Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Qo’em ye’ezh: Like for like.
Q’wem xekw yisch’erqim: The pig knows no native land.
Q’wem yi gwbzch hem scheyhe: The pig vents its anger on the dog.
Qwpschhe xwzch: 1. Blue blood; 2. High blood. [L’aqwel’esch
schilhxw]
Q’wzanech’e psi qehin (zeihen): (To fetch water in a sieve) 1. To draw
water in a sieve; 2. To beat the air; 3. To mill the wind; 4. To fish
in the air; 5. To plough the air; 6. To plough the sand(s); 7. To sow
the sand; 8. To seek a hare in hen’s nest; 9. To milk a he-goat into
a sieve; 10. Whistle jigs to a milestone; 11. To milk the bull; 12.
To carry (or send) owls to Athens; 13. A cold coal to blow at; 14.

146
 To hold a candle to the sun; 15. To thrash over old straw; 16. To
catch the wind in a net. [see arqench’e zchi qewbidin, mezim px’e
shen]

Sabiyxem baliyghim zha’em yede’wenu yaf’ef’sch: Little pitchers

have long ears.
Sch’ak’wiyt’ schighin: (To put on two cloaks) To be on both sides of
the fence.
Sch’aq’we ’ihe qwdey qizisch’ech’in qemilezchin: Not to earn salt for
one’s porridge. [ziriy qemilezchin zhixwiy’esch]
Sch’aq’we ’iher qelezchizhin: To earn one’s crust.
Sch’exiu x’wr sch’exiuiy mek’wedizh: Soon ripe, soon rotten.
Schexwu x’war naxwe qex’wasch: The lid is off of something.
Schheliqwe xivu yi per dreyghezey: He puts on airs.
Schher sch’ehawe zhen: 1. To go (or run) like the wind; 2. To outstrip
the wind; 3. To run like a lamplighter. [see she ts’ivam xwedew
k’wen; maf’er qi’wriyxiu zhen]
Schhezh yi wine bzhenlhaqwesch: (It’s) time to go home.
Schiymitim qischiyghex’wen: To lash the waves.
Schine ’erip’em xwedew ’edebsch: (As) Gentle as a lamb.
She ts’ivam xwedew k’wen: 1. To go (or run) like the wind; 2. To
outstrip the wind; 3. To run like a lamplighter. [see schher
sch’ehawe zhen; maf’er qi’wriyxiu zhen]
Shidim xwedew yerisch: (As) Obstinate as a mule.
Shighw six’wa se sitk’wnu: 1. I am not made of salt; 2. I am neither
sugar nor salt.
Shure lhesre ya zexwakwsch: 1. (As) Different as chalk from cheese; 2.
(It’s a) Far cry.
Shxiy qemi’etin: 1. Not to do a stitch of work; 2. To twiddle one’s
thumbs; 3. Not to do a hand’s turn. [see ’iyt’ir zeteidzawe schisin]
Shxwm xwedew qeghepts’en: 1. To turn somebody round one’s finger;
2. To catch with chaff. [see dekwm xwedew qeghepts’en]
Sijimre wademre ya zexwak’wm: 1. Between hammer and anvil; 2.
Between two fires; 3. Between the upper and nether millstone. [see
maf’iyt’im ya zexwakwm]
Siy pi’e pxweghet’isasch: (My cap sits in front of you) 1. I am not
afraid of you; 2. You don’t scare me at all.

Tane bgiripx sch’epxa xwedesch: A hog in armour.

Terch q’we yisich’asch: (The pig swam across the Terek River) Reply
to indiscreet question by a nosy person.
T’ew zhi’e wimisch’: 1. Keep your word; 2. Be as good as your words.

147
Thek’wmech’ihir zischimilhxwa pabzchem lighe yumidze: This is a
futile affair.
Themischch’er sit schighwiy pshinak’wesch: The poor must pay for
all.
Topch’e badze yewen: To use a steam-hammer to crack nuts.
Tsim yi k’wap’er sch’en: To know on which side one’s bread is
buttered.
Ts’ixwm ya nex’ temaq ch’ihriy qischiytx’inch’e mex’w: Enough to
make a saint swear.
Ts’ixw sch’in zigwer: To make a silk purse out of sow’s ear.

Vaghwe yi pebzhsch: (As) Numberless as the sands.

Vaqe zev yiwiven: (To stand on tight shoes) 1. To get into difficulties;
2. To find oneself in a tight corner.
Vi l’am se xezi’w: (He is stabbing the dead ox) For no reason at all.
Vim xwedew lezchen: (To work like an ox) 1. To work like a horse (or
a Trojan, or a slave, or a nigger); 2. To sweat one’s guts out.
Vim xwedew lheschsch: (As strong as an ox) (As) strong as a horse.
Vindim xwedew f’its’esch: (As) Black as a raven.
Vindipe yi’ighsch: (He has a raven’s beak) 1. He is always attended by
good luck; 2. Providence always smiles upon him; 3. All is grist
that comes to his mill; 4. All water runs to his mill. [see abi
vindipe yi’ighsch]
Vindirichu f’its’esch: (As) Black as a raven.
Vire ts’ere zepoqw: The ox and louse are measuring swords. [see
badzere vire zepoqw]
Vire zhemre xwzexeghech’irqim: (He couldn’t tell an ox from a cow)
1. He knows nothing at all; 2. Not to know B from a battledore, or
from a bull’s foot.
Vi t’isa yighetejinuqim abi: One wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Vi wane teilh nex’ey: 1. A hog in armour; 2. To suit somebody as a
saddle suits a sow.

Wafem ’epx’wambech’e yepijin: To fire into the wrong flock (US).

Wafere sch’ilhere ya zexwakwsch: 1. As like as an apple to an oyster;
2. As like as chalk and cheese; 3. Lombard street to a China
orange.
Wazere bzuwe zeteighwasch: He is a shadow of his former self.
We abi wischik’wem, se sqiych’izhirt: The ark rested on Mt. Ararat.
We ar ’edech’iy qizzchedeptx’ifinqim: Wild horses shall not drag it
from me.
Weshx blech’am sch’ak’we ch’elhischten: To lock the stable door
after the horse is stolen.

148
We uqameme, se sijatesch: (If you are a dagger, I am a sword) We
weren’t born yesterday; I wasn’t born yesterday.
We wischik’wem, se siqiych’izhirt abi: 1. Lived there some years; 2.
To have been there before.
Wiqewishme, psch’ihep’ew: (If you wake up, you find it’s a dream) To
dream of good fortune and to wake up to foul weather.
Wireidepschane gwdze we: Fifth wheel.
Wixweyme, yit’e, wixweyme, yise: 1. It’s as broad as it’s long; 2. The
difference between tweedledum and tweedledee.
Wiy bzegwr wiygheshxizhinsch: A bit of all right.
Wiy mascher wiy ’ech’e qet’izhin: 1. To dig one’s own grave; 2. To
build a fire under oneself; 3. To cook one’s goose.
Wiymich’, wiymis, wiysuiy, qidumghehezh: Damned if you do,
damned if you don’t.
Wiy qame t’ew qumix, wiy psalhe t’ew zhumi’e: (Do not draw your
dagger twice. Do not repeat your words) Be decisive.
Wiy schexwr ts’ixwm yaxez sch’in: To wash one’s dirty linen in
public. [see px’ench’iyr zhilem yaxepx’en]
Wiy schher miwizu boz yomshech’: (Don’t bind your head with calico,
if it doesn’t ache) Don’t do unnecessary things.
’Wiyt’-bziyt’u schitin: To bear (or have) two faces under one hood.
Wizerf’aghezhinu ser qewlhepx’eschin: To put one’s head into the
lion’s mouth.
Wizteyt qwdamer piwipsch’in: 1. To saw off the bough on which one
is sitting; 2. To build a fire under oneself.

X’arts xiysch’ich’irqim: Not to know B from a battledore.

X’ijebzizch qidenezhawe l’ezhin: To lead apes in hell.

Yebzim xet’is-hen: To come out at the little end of the horn.

Yeminere pet zerihem zigwer qreyne: Even cholera spares some life.
Yemja yeghejak’we x’w?: Can an ignoramus ever become a teacher?
Yem’wse tsis ne’wu schitin: To have too much of his mother’s
blessing.
Ye qamilqim ye milifqim: (Neither reed, nor after-grass) 1. Neither one
thing nor another; 2. Neither fish, nor foul.
Yer vi bzchaqwem qoch’: (Evil comes out from the horn of the ox)
Great disputes flare up from mere trifles.
Yi ade yeschh x’wzhasch: A chip of the old block. [see next entry]
Yi ade yi qwesch: A chip of the old block. [see preceding item]
Yibe beshechsch: An orphan is a hardy creature.
Yich’iy mighwapew yich’iy mipschamp’ew: 1. Neither one thing, nor
the other; 2. Betwixt and between.

149
Yi dzighwe lhine qoch’: 1. He is well-off; 2. He lives (is) in clover.
Yi ’epe-lhaper mashxe: To get an itch for something.
Yighasch’ech’e wizeramshen qafezchsch: 1. This is an utterly useless
method; 2. For no reason at all; 3. Neither here nor there.
Yil nex’re yi leps: The sauce is better than the fish.
Yin zhi’e ts’ik’w’wate: A holy terror.
Yi pts’im hepts’aschx’we yirozhe: (As) Changeable as the moon.
Yi schhefetsim zreyghesen: To give somebody the creeps.
Yi schhe zaqwe yi lhaqwiyt’u: At single hand.
Yit’ yizifinum yiz yifich’e yisch’erqim: This is a clumsy approach to
the matter.
Yi vaghwer yizhasch: (His star fell) 1. His star has faded (He is
exhausted); 2. Things are not going well for him.
Yi zansch’er yi ghwegwu: Over hedge and ditch.
Yi zche heqwt zchedelh xwedesch (nex’ey): 1. (As) Dumb as an oyster,
or a fish; 2. (As) Straight as a poker.
Yi zche qwrt zchedelh xwede: (As) Dumb as an oyster, or a fish.
Yi zche zchi zchedet xwedesch: (As) Dumb as an oyster, or a fish.

Zchelhet’aniyt’ir qi’wiyshu shxen: To play a good knife and fork.

Zche zev jiy bix’w: (Narrow mouth, wide throat) Glutton, gormandizer.
Zchi qisch’epscherqim, psi qisch’ewerqim: (A gale won’t blow, the
river won’t flood) No hurry!
Zchir denech’e qeipschemiy sch’en: To trim one’s sails to the wind.
Zchir qizdeypschemch’e zeyghaze: (He turns towards the wind)
Toady, bootlicker, lickspittle, wheedler, sychophant.
Zel’zefiz zelijanesch: One bone one flesh.
Zerimit ’etiysche yireighewive: 1. Much ado about nothing; 2. He
makes a mountain out of a molehill; 3. He lays on the colours too
thickly; 4. The devil rides on a fiddlestick; 5. A hair to make a
tether of; 6. To spread it on thick.
Zerimilh pe lhage: A penny plain and twopence coloured.
Zexwemif’ zef’e’wa: In borrowed plumes.
Zezim xwedew, dijsch: (As) Bitter as gall, or as wormwood.
Zha’e petmiy, x’ijebz qeilhxw: In at one ear and out at the other.
Zhi’eghwaf’e schhech’e, sch’eghweysch: Easier said than done.
Zhixafer schhetsich’ech’e yepx’ench’: She is sweeping the floor with
her hair. [Said of a diligent daughter-in-law. Ziy pse yemiblezhu
winaghwem ’wexw schizisch’e nisem xw zha’e]
Zibghesch’aghweme, sch’aghwer qipschisch’insch: Pride goes before,
and shame follows after.
Zi ch’apem qipachasch: 1. Nothing to choose between them; 2. Not a
pin to choose between them; 3. Of the same kidney; 4. Of the same

150
 leaven; 5. Cast in the same mould; 6. Much of a muchness; 7. (It
is) Six of one and half a dozen of the other. [see next item]
Zi ch’ape qipacha xwede: 1. Nothing to choose between them; 2. Not a
pin to choose between them; 3. Of the same kidney; 4. Of the same
leaven; 5. Cast in the same mould; 6. Much of a muchness; 7. (It
is) Six of one and half a dozen of the other. [see preceding entry]
Zigwerim qiwiysch’ar yesch’ezhin: To give somebody a dose of his
own medicine.
Zigwerim yi bzchamiym qidefen: To dance to somebody’s tune.
Zigwerim yi wered yezchuwin: To eat out of somebody’s hand.
Zigwer yi p’em yighewvezhin: To bring somebody to his bearings.
Zilhemich’ ch’iyirey: (Weak, but loud-mouthed) 1. Arrogant,
conceited, haughty; 2. Loud, garish, flashy.
Zi mastenem qipacha xwede(sch): 1. Nothing to choose between them;
2. Not a pin to choose between them; 3. Of the same kidney; 4. Of
the same leaven; 5. Cast in the same mould; 6. Much of a
muchness.
Zim ’epixwr adreym (e zim) qiyschtezhu: 1. Hand in hand; 2. Get on
like a house on fire.
Zi thek’wmemch’e yiheriy adreymch’e yich’izhasch: In at one ear
and out at the other.
Zi thevim qixasch’ich’asch: 1. Nothing to choose between them; 2. Not
a pin to choose between them; 3. Of the same kidney; 4. Of the
same leaven; 5. Cast in the same mould; 6. Much of a muchness.
Zi vim teit bzchaqwiyt’sch: (Two horns of the one ox) 1. Nothing to
choose between them; 2. Of the same kidney; 3. Of the same
leaven; 4. Cast in the same mould; 5. Much of a muchness; 6.
They make a pair.
Ziy bze ’ef’ schiner meliyt’ yasch’of: (As) Wanton as a calf with two
dams.
Ziynech’e qalhxwa: (Born of fornication) 1. Illegitimate; 2. (abusive)
Bastard.
Zi zchem zchediher zchiyschem zchedohe: A little bird told me.
Zi zhigim pis qwansch’iyt’sch: The living image of somebody.
Zi zhipx’em qraghezhich’a: 1. Nothing to choose between them; 2. Of
the same kidney; 3. Of the same leaven; 4. Cast in the same
mould; 5. Much of a muchness.
Zrat nex’re zit: It is better to give than to take.

151
 Yet More Proverbs and Sayings

Абы лъандэрэ псы Iэджи ежэхащ: A lot of water has flown under
the bridge since that time.
Адэ мыгъэIущ, анэ мыущий: impudent, insolent, ill-bred.
Адэ-мыдэ къуенакъ: Said of person who runs with the hare and hunts
with the hounds.
Ажэгъафэм хуэдэу зыщIын: to bear the cap and bells.
Ар зэрыкIа псым сэ сыкъикIыжащ: (I came out of the water in
which he sank) I wasn’t born yesterday.
Ахэр къакъэ пщIыпщIу щысщ: 1. They are having a jolly good
time; 2. They are wallowing in pleasant idleness.

Бажэр гъуэм къришынщ: (He would draw a fox from its hole) He is
sly, cunning, crafty.

Гуэншэрыкъ уцIынам хуэдэщ: (Like wet raw-hide shoes) 1. To run

with the hare and hunt with the hounds; 2. He is unstable.
Гудзэм баш дэдзын: (To throw a stick in the spokes) 1. To throw a
spanner in the works; 2. To put grit in the machine.
Гуум шэ къыщIэкIыркъым: (You can’t draw milk from a bull) Like
squeezing blood from a stone.

Ди натIэ илъым дыхуэзэнщ: (We shall come upon what is written on

our forehead) What will be will be.
Дыпсэумэ, тлъагъунщ: We shall see what we shall see.

Джэджьей зеуалэ псывэ хоупIэ: He landed in the soup, he got into a

mess.
Джэду мащэ ихуащ: He fell into a trap.
Джэдум хуэдэу, псэ быдэщ: He has nine lives like a cat.

Дзажэналъэ тIуащIэ: Very strong person.

Жьэ зэв джий быхъу: Said of a glutton, gormandizer.

Жьыр къыздепщэмкIэ зегъазэ: He’s a toady, bootlicker, lickspittle,
wheedler, sycophant.

Зэзым хуэдэу, дыджщ: Bitter as gall.

ЗылъэмыкI кIиирей: Arrogant, conceited, haughty; loud garish,
flashy.

152
Зы тхьэкIумэм йохьэри адреймкIэ йокIыж: In at one ear and out at
the other.

И кIэныр кърихуащ (къикIащ, къриудащ): He was lucky.

И махуитI зэхуэдэкъым: He is often ill.
И ныбэ нэщI и Iэ телъщ: He’s gone hungry all his life.
ИтI изыфынум из ифыкIэ ищIэркъым: Clumsy, or small scale
approach to the matter.
И хьэм тетыгъуэщ (хьэм=threshing-floor; тетыгъуэ=period of tenure
of some post): Height of one’s might.
И IутIыжщ (Yi ’Wt’izhsch’): bed of roses (literally ‘his Easter’).

Куэд зыгъэткIуа цIыхущ: 1. He’s a slick customer; 2. He’s an old

hand/stager.

КIэдахъуэ и пщалъэщ: (The hem of his gown is his container [for

measuring dry substances]) He lives by begging.
КIэн махуэ кърихуащ: Fortune smiled on him.
КIэныр къыхуихун: (in vulgar use) 1. To thrash soundly; 2. To give
(smb.) a sound thrashing; 3. To belabour (smb.).
КIэпкъым дэIун (дэдзын): 1. Tob one too many (for smb.); 2. To go
one better (than smb.).
КIэпIейкIэ нэхъуратI (нэф) бгъэдэлъкъым: 1. Not to have a sou; 2.
Not a sixpence to scratch with.
КIэпIейкIэ нэхъуратI (ныкъуэ, нэф) и уасэкъым: Not worth a
bean, or pin.
КIэпIейкIэ нэхъуратIу къэмылъытэн: Not to give a red cent.
КIэпIейкIэу къимыдзэн: Not to set at a pin’s fee.

Къаз псы кIэрыпщIэрэ: Like water off a duck’s back.

Къущхьэ мазэр къэунэхуху: 1. For a very long time; 2. We shall see

what we shall see.

Кхъуэм и губжь хьэм щехьэ: The pig vents its anger on the dog.
Кхъуэщын бадзэ ихуа хуэдэ: Like a bee in a bottle.
КхъузанэкIэ псы къэхьын (зехьэн): 1. To draw water in a sieve; 2.
To beat the air, to mill the wind; 3. A cold coal to blow at.

Лъакъуэ лъэныкъуэкIэ мащэм итщ: One foot in the grave.

ЛIы и жэщщ: Night befitting a man (dark night).

153
ЛIым я лей: The bravest of the brave, the bravest of them all; he’s a
he-man (amer.).

Мастэнэм къызэрыфIэчауэ: Spick and span, brand-new; just out of a

bandbox (of clothes).
Мэлыфэ зытезыгъэлъэда дыгъужь: Wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Мыри фэдэнкъым, мори тесмакъым: (neither a leather thread nor a
braid) Neither one thing nor the other.
Мыхьыр зрагъэхь: Scapegoat.

Нэсри къигъэзэжауэ (къэсыжауэ) лIыщ ар: He’s a he-man (amer.).

Пабжьэр зыгъэхъеяр дыгъужьищэу къыфIощI (пабжьэ=bushes,

shrubs; дыгъужь=wolf; щэ=hundred; фIэщIын: to appear, seem
[to somebody]): Said of a faint-hearted man.
Псыкъуий мастэкIэ къетI: (He is digging a well with a needle) Like
being up against a brick wall.
Псым гъущэу къыхэкIыжын: (To come dry out of the water) 1. To
come through unscathed; 2. To get off with a whole skin.
Псым ихь пэтрэ лэныстэ: To swear black is white.
Псым ишэри иримыгъафэу къишэжащ: 1. He outwitted him; 2. he
deceived him.

ТхьэкIумэкIыхьыр зыщымылъхуа пабжьэм лыгъэ иумыдз: (Do

not set fire to the bush in which the hare wasn’t born) To be
engaged in a futile affair.

Уэ укъамэмэ, сэ сыджатэщ: (If you are a dagger, then I am a sword)

We weren’t born yesterday.
Уэ ухьэлэмэ, сэ сыумэщ: (If you are a wedge, then I am a [large
wooden] hammer [for driving in wedges]) We weren’t born
yesterday.
Уи ажэ си бжыхь къыумыпх: (Do not tie your billy-goat to my
wattle-fence) Do not involve me in your affair.
Уи пшынауэкIэм сыкъыдофэ: I dance in time to your accordion
(tune).
Укъэушмэ, пщIыхьэпIэу: To dream of good fortune and to wake up
to foul weather.

Хыв уанэ телъ хуэдэ: (Like a saddled buffalo) Rara avis.

Хьэндыркъуакъуэ псэф хуэдэ: (Like a frog ready to give birth) Said

of a pot-bellied man.

154
Iэпхъуалъэм вы ирегъэтIысхьэ: (He is seating the ox in a thimble)
He is beating the air, milling the wind.

155
 English expressions in need of Circassian equivalents
A fool may ask more questions in an hour than a wise man can answer in
seven years. [Deilem zi sihetim yighewiv wipsch’em gwbzighem
yilhesiyblch’e zhewap yetin yiwxirqim]
A fool may throw a stone into a well which a hundred wise men can not
pull out. [Deilem psim xiydza miver gwbzighem qixiyxizhifirqim]
A great ship asks deep waters. [Q’whishxwem psishxwiy xweysch]
A little fire is quickly trodden out. [X’wasch’er maf’eshxwe mix’w
sch’ich’e ghewinch’if’]
All are good lasses, but whence come the bad wives? [X’ijebz psoriy
f’ime, fiz ’ey dene qiych’re?]
All is fair in love and war. [Zawemre lhaghwnighemre sit xwede
’escheriy qischibghesebep x’wnusch]
All is grist that comes to his mill. [Abi psoriy qeighesebep. Abi feyde
qizipiymix schi’eqim]
All work and no play makes jack a dull boy. [Wiy lezchigher ghekwed,
wiy jegwnir ghemasch’iy, ghasch’er ’ef’u yephech’insch]
A man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds. [Psalhe
ziybew ’wexw ziy masch’er px’eschhemischhe zipimit zhig xadem
xwedesch]
As good beg of a naked man as a miser. [Nepseym weilhe’wriy,
ziymi’em weilhe’wriy zisch]
A tattler is worse than a thief. [Qevereyr dighw nex’re nex’
shinaghwesch]
A thief passes for a gentleman when stealing has made him rich.
[Dighwr qwley x’wme, "ziywis-hen" mex’wzh]
A wise man changes his mind, a fool never will. [Gwbzighem yi muradir
yex’wezh, deilem zeyich’ yix’wezhirqim]

Better a witty fool than a foolish wit. [Zizighegwbzighew deilaghe

zeizihe nex’re deile dideriy nex’if’sch]
Better a glorious death than a shameful life. [Nape wiy’ew wil’enir
nex’if’sch, napenshew wipsewinim nex’re]
Better be envied than pitied. [Ts’ixwr zebghefighwem nex’if’sch, yagw
zisch’ebgheghw nex’re]
Better deny at once than promise long. [Zerixwumisch’enur zansch’ew
zheip-’eme nex’if’sch, helhexwlhe kwed yepture]
Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven. [Zhihenemem
wischipaschtihinir nex’if’sch, zhenetim wischipschil’in nex’re]
Between two evils ’tis not worth choosing. [Gwzeveghwer t’wasch’eme
qixepxinur psch’erqim]

156
Children and fools must not play with edged tools. [Sabiyxemre
deilexemre se zhan ya’esch’umilhhe]
Councils of war never fight. [Zawer zesch’ezighestxer yezixer zeyich’
zawerqim]

Don’t trouble trouble until trouble troubles you. [Gwzeveghwer yezir

qomijeme, ye weimije]

Elbow grease gives the best polish. [Shechinighere lezchighech’e

pxwzef’emich’in schi’eqim]
Experience keeps no school, she teaches her pupils singly. [Ghasch’em
yejap’e xexa yi’eqim, abi psoriy schhexwe-schhexwew yireighaje]

Familiarity breeds contempt. [Ts’ixwr nex’ ghwneghwu pts’ixwxwch’e,

yi helir nex’ qibosch’e]
Fire and water are good servants, but bad masters. [Maf’emre psimre
ts’ixwm yi pschil’ishxwesch, awe xwiyt psch’i x’wnuqim]
Fools grow without watering. [Deilexer psisch’eghelhade xemitu qoch’]
Fools should not have chapping sticks (Scottish). [Deilem ’emepsime
zhan ’esch’eplhhe x’wnuqim]
Forbearance is no acquittance. [Ze pshechame, abi qiych’irqim
zepimiwwe pshechin xweywe]
Fortune is easily found, but hard to be kept. [Nasipir
qeghwetighwaf’esch, awe ’ighighweysch]
Fortune is good to him who knows to make good use of her. [Nasipir
zixweschheper f’iwe qezighesebepirsch]

Give a fool rope enough, and he will hang himself. [Deiler xwiyt
psch’ime, yeziriy zeran zixwex’wzhinusch]
Good words cost nothing and are worth much. [Psalhe gwaper
zhi’eghweyqim, awe kwed weighesch’ef]

Habit cures habit. [Zi helim adreyr zixiweighane, ’esch’ib weighesch’]

Happiness takes no account of time. [Nasipif’exem zemanir yabzhirqim,
nasipif’em yi zeman blech’irqim]
He is not laughed at that laughs at himself first. [Psom yape
zischidiheshxizhim ziriy schidiheshxirqim]
He must have iron nails that (or who) scratches a bear. [Mischem
yet’ex’wm ghwsch’ ’ebzchane yi’en xweysch]
He that hides can find. [Zighepschk’wfim qeghwetizhich’iy yesch’e]
He that is disposed for mischief will never want occasion. [Ts’ixw
bzajem zeran qipxwex’wn schhewsighwe qipxwiyghwetifinusch]

157
He that once deceives is ever suspected. [Ze qezighepts’ar yet’wanem ya
f’esch x’wzhirqim]

If the mountain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the

mountain. [Qwrshir Muhemed deizh mik’weme, Muhemed
qwrshim deizh mak’we]
If you command wisely, you’ll be obeyed cheerfully. [Aqil xelhu winafe
zisch’im yaf’ef’y yoda’we]
If you dance you must pay the fiddler. [Wiqischifech’e, qefapsch’iy ptin
xweysch]
It is an equal failing to trust everybody and to trust nobody. [Psomiy dzih
xwepsch’inriy zimiy xwumisch’inriy zexwedew shinaghwesch]
It is never too late to mend. [Aqil qepschtezhinu zeyich’ ch’aseqim]

Learn to say before you sing. [Psoriy xwemuresch qizeraxwter,

qizerasch’er]
Learn wisdom by the follies of others. [Neghwesch’xem ya
schiwenighem deirs qixex]
Life is made up of little things. [Ghasch’er qwpinschipin kwedu
zexelhsch]
Little thiefs are hanged but great one’s escape. [Dighw mihenensher
schhepilhe yasch’riy dighwak’weshxwer qaghane]
Live not to eat, but eat to live. [Wiy nibem papsch’e wimipsew, awe
wipsewin papsch’e shxe]
Love and cough cannot be hid. [Lhaghwnighere ps-chere
pxwewschexwnuqim]
Love and poverty are hard to hide. [Lhaghwnighere themischch’aghere
ghepschk’wghweisch]
Love cannot be forced. [Zalimighech’e f’iwe ziqeibghelhaghwfinuqim]
Love should not be all on one side. [Lhaghwnigher lheniqwiyt’miy ya
gwm qibghedech’u schitin xweysch]

Man is to man a wolf. [Ts’ixwm ts’ixwr yi biysch]

Men may meet but mountains never. [Bgire bgire zexwemik’wemiy,
ts’ixwre ts’ixwre zexwok’we]
Money spent on the brain is never spent in vain. [Sch’enighem teik’weda
ax’sher zeyich’ psch’ensherik’wed x’wrqim]
More wit in his little finger than in your whole body. [Abi yi
’epx’wambezchach’em yi wase aqil wiy’eqim we]

No man loves his fetters, be they made of gold. [Lhex’wr sit schighwiy
helhesch, dischem qixasch’ich’awe schitmiy]
No news good news. [X’ibar schimi’enir x’ibarif’im pelhitesch]

158
No one but the wearer knows where the shoe pinches. [Vaqer zeym dene
deizh qiyqwzmiy yesch’ezh]
No one is a fool always, every one sometimes. [Deilafe zraplh zepit
schi’eqim, awe ze nex’ mix’wmiy deilafe zramiplhiy schi’eqim]
No receiver, no thief. [Qadighwar zischexw schimi’ateme, dighwiy
schi’enteqim]
Not to see the wood for the trees. [Zhigim yi qwaghch’e mezir
milhaghwn]

Oaks may fall when reeds stand the storm. [Zchim zhigeyr yiriywidu, chi
ts’ik’wr qiynench’e mex’w]
One has lived too near a wood to be frightened by owls. [Abi xwedeqim
se slheghwar]

Say (speak, or tell) the truth and shame the devil. [Pezhir zhi’en
xweysch]
Silence gives consent. [Ziriy schizhiymi’ech’e, arezisch]
Soon learnt, soon forgotten. [Wip’asch’ew zebghasch’er sch’exiu
pschoghwpschezh]
Spare the rod and spoil the child. [Chim wischis-hme, sabiyr
yoghek’wed]
Success is never blamed. [Teik’wenigher zeyr yawbirqim]

Time is money. [Zemanir ax’shesch]

Time works great changes. [Zemanim kwed zereix’wech’]
To cut one’s own fodder (US). [Wer-weru wiy schher ghepsewizhin
xweysch]
The best of friends must part. [F’i didew zerilhaghwriy yighasch’ech’e
zedepsewirqim; yighasch’ech’e zeghwsa nibzcheghw schi’eqim]
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a
fool. [Deilem gwbzighew ziqeilhitezh, gwbzighem wideilesch
zhip-’emiy yede]
The heart that once truely loves never forgets. [Lhaghwnighezch
k’wedirqim; ze f’iwe plheghwar schighwpscheghweysch]
The weakest goes to the wall. [Lherimihir, qaruwinsher daqwze]
There is a crook in the lot of everyone. [Ghewnexwp’e yimixwen,
gwzeveghwe ’wmisch’en schi’eqim]
To look a gift horse in the mouth. [Shi qiwatam yi dzem deplhezhin]

When guns speak it is too late to argue. [Zawem sch’iydza newizchch’e

wisch’edewezhin schi’eqim]
When the fox preaches, take care of your geese! [Bazher schif’eraf’em,
jedqazim wixwemibelerigh]

159
When two ride on one horse, one must sit behind. [L’iyt’ zish shesme,
zir ch’essch]
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. [Gwqidezh wiy’e zaqweme, ’emal
bghwetinusch]

160
Appendix 1
The Circassians
(also includes an account of the Kabardians)

Capsule Summary

Location: Northwest Caucasus, mainly in three constituent republics of

the Russian Federation.
Self-designation: Adiga.
Total population: 2-6 millions (about 1 million in the Caucasus).
Religion: Native religion and beliefs (99%), Orthodox Christianity
(1%). Pagan/polytheistic beliefs still prevalent.

Essay:

The Circassians, together with the kindred Abkhaz-Abaza and the

Ubykh, have formed the autochthonous population of the Northwest
(NW) Caucasus for thousands of years. The number of Circassians in the
Caucasus has gone over the 1 million mark. The majority live in the
following republics of the Russian Federation, in each of which they
have a different nominal designation: the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
(Kabardians, about 600,000, almost 60% of the population of the
Republic), the Karachai-Cherkess Republic (Cherkess, about 100,000)
and the Republic of Adigea (Adigeans, about 150,000). There are also
Circassian communities that exist outside these republics, but inside
Russia, including the Shapsugh community of almost 20,000 in the
Tuapse and Lazareyvsky regions on the Black Sea coast, and the
Christian Kabardian community in Mozdok, which numbers a few
thousands. There are also significant Adigean and Kabardian
communities in the Krasnodar and Stavropol Krais, respectively. In the
Krasnodar Krai there are about 60,000 Adigeans not contained within
the borders of Adigea. The Circassians constitute almost 0.8% of the
population of the Russian Federation.
There are Circassian diaspora communities in Turkey, Syria,
Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Libya, Iraq, Germany, the USA, and the

161
Netherlands, but their precise numbers are not known, with estimates
ranging between 1 and 5 million people. It is generally accepted that the
Circassian community in Turkey is the largest in the world, in some
estimates reaching more than four million; however, it is scattered over
the whole country, and many of its members have been assimilated.
Circassian is one of the three divisions of the NW group of
Caucasian languages, which form a unique group distinct from the other
major world language groups, the other two being Abkhaz-Abaza and
the now extinct Ubykh. Though genetically related, the three languages
are mutually unintelligible, the lexical differences between them being
quite substantial. There are two official and literary languages of
Circassian: Kabardian in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic and
Karachai-Cherkess Republic and Adigean in the Adigey Republic
(Adigea). The two languages, or more accurately dialects, are mutually
intelligible and use Cyrillic orthography. It is thought that Northeast
Caucasian, which is spoken by about 3.5 million people in Chechnya,
Ingushetia, and Daghestan, is genetically related to NW Caucasian. The
third group in the Caucasian language family is South Caucasian or
Kartvelian: Georgian, Mingrelian, Svan, Adjar, and Laz, all of which
are spoken by about 4.5 million people in the Transcaucasus and
Northeast Turkey. Some linguists dispute the existence of any genetic
link between North and South Caucasian. During the Soviet period,
Circassian was relegated to a secondary position as Russian was made
the language of instruction at schools and universities. In consequence,
Circassian had suffered tremendously by the end of Communist rule.
The challenge now is to restore the native language to pre-eminence.
There are TV and radio broadcasts in Circassian, which are also relayed
to the diaspora in the Middle East.
The Nart epic and the oral tales of the bards had formed the bulk
of Circassian literature until the early part of the 19th century. The 20th
century witnessed a quantum leap in quantity and quality of literary
output, despite being somewhat tainted by Communist ideology.

History
In the Bronze Age, the Maikop culture flourished in the valley of the
Kuban (Psizch) in the NW Caucasus, from the Taman Peninsula to
present-day Chechnya, almost five millennia ago. It was contiguous with
the Kuro-Arax culture of the kindred Chechens and Daghestanis. There
are extant monuments to the glory of this civilization, especially in
Western Circassia. Some authorities believe that the people of the
Maikop culture, together with a significant input from the Dolmen
People, who inhabited the coastal and highland regions, engendered the

162
forebears of the Adiga, or at least formed an important component of the
proto-Circassians.
The Iron Age in the NW Caucasus began in the eighth century BC.
Pre-Kuban culture is attributed to the proto-Circassian Maeots who
inhabited the NW Caucasus and the steppes north of the Black Sea.
Their civilization lasted for some 1,200 years. The Maeot State was
contemporaneous with the Greek colonies on the Eastern Black Sea
coast, which were established in the seventh and sixth centuries BC and
lasted for almost a millennium. The Greeks set up trade relations with
the Maeots. By the fifth century BC, the Sinds, a people kindred to the
Maeots, had set up the magnificent Sindika civilization, which spread
over the lower reaches of the Kuban (Psizch), the Black Sea coastal strip
between Anapa and Taman Peninsula. The Romans occupied the Eastern
Coast of the Black Sea in 64 BC. It was Strabo in 26 AD who first
mentioned the name Zyghoy for Circassians, which replaced the old
appellation Kerket.
The Goths, who established a state north of the Black Sea in the
third century AD, invaded the NW Caucasus and engaged in fierce
battles with the Circassians. The marauding Huns who had settled to the
east undid the Eastern Gothic State in 370 AD and invaded the NW
Caucasus in 374 AD. The Byzantine Empire secured a foothold in the
Western Caucasus in the fourth century AD, erecting fortresses on the
Black Sea coast and the Taman Peninsula. Thenceforward the Roman
scribes referred to the Maeots as Zikhis. Christianity was introduced
gradually among the upper classes of the Circassians, the masses
clinging to their ancient beliefs. Byzantine presence lasted until they
were replaced by the Venetians who were themselves displaced by the
Genoese in the 13th century.
By the 10th century, the Circassians had emerged as a cohesive
ethnic and linguistic entity. At the time, Circassia stretched from the
middle of the Caucasus to the Black Sea. In the hinterland lived the
Circassian nations of the Papaghis and Kasakhs. To the east of the
Kasakhs (Kassogs), modern-day Kabardians, lived the Alans, ancestors
of the Ossetes. The Circassians had kept their independence until the
13th century, when part of their country and Abkhazia were subjected by
the Georgians under Queen Tamara (1184-1213) and Christianized.
Around 1424 AD, the Circassians threw off the Georgian yoke for good.
Ghenghis Khan led his Mongol hordes across the Caucasus in the 13th
century and laid waste to the North Caucasus. Batu, grandson of
Ghenghis, established the Khanate of the Golden Horde in the North
Caucasus in 1227. The Kipchak Khanate dominated the North Caucasus
until the 15th century, when Tamerlane conquered the Caucasus and
ended Mongol rule. In the 13th to 15th centuries, the Genoese

163
constructed trading posts on the coastal regions of Circassia and
Abkhazia. During their incessant wars with the Mongols and Tatars, the
Circassians sought to forge closer relations with Russia, from whom
they perceived no threat, being relatively distant and of the same faith.
Circassian Mamluks furnished medieval Egypt with an important
element of her elite warrior caste for about six centuries and its reigning
Sultans for 135 years.

The Russian-Circassian War

After destroying the Empires of the Golden Horde at the end of the 16th
century, Russia began to push south towards the northern steppes of the
Caucasus in a process of gradual encroachments. Russia began to
meddle in the affairs of Circassia in 1736. The construction of the
Caucasian Military Line hastened the first open conflict between the
Circassians and Russians in 1771. A protracted and devastating war
extended for decades, and the Russian juggernaut had ground all
resistance by 1864.
On 1 May 1864 – later dubbed the Circassian Day of Mourning,
celebrated by all Circassian communities and even turned into a public
holiday in the Circassian republics under pressure from the Circassian
nationalists – Russia proclaimed the end of the Caucasian War.
Covertly, the Russians pursued a policy of organized and systematic
terror and thousands of people were massacred in cold blood. Those
horrific acts, together with the collusion of the Ottomans, resulted in a
mass exodus. Only 10% of the Circassians, about 200,000, remained in
their ancestral lands to face occupation and persecution first under the
Tsars and later the Communists. This is the most horrific genocide in
modern history up to World War I.
During the tsarist period, Circassia remained desolate. There was
an influx of Slav colonists, especially in the coastal regions. The
Circassians joined the North Caucasian Mountain Republic in 1917.
After victory of the Bolsheviks in the Civil War, the Circassians were
divided into four regions, which kept changing status and nominal
designations until the early 1990s. The horrors of centralization, the
purges and World War II gave way to a long period of quiet and
stagnation until the years of Glasnost and Perestroika. The demographic
situation changed dramatically in the NW Caucasus, such that nowadays
the Slavs constitute the majority in the region. However, figures from
the 2002 Russian population census show that the increase in Circassian
population, especially in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, since the
preceding census in 1989 had been colossal by any standards. For
example, the number of Kabardians in the Kabardino-Balkarian
Republic rose from 364,494 in 1989 (48.2% of total population) to

164
498,702 in 2002 (55.3% of total population), an increase of 37%. In the
same period, the Russian population in the Republic dropped almost 6%,
from 240,750 (31.9% of total population) to 226,620 (25.1% of total
population).

Current Political Situation

After the demise of the Soviet Union, Circassian nationalists became
very active demanding more autonomy and even independence. The
International Circassian Association was established in 1991 and it
included organizations from the Caucasus and the diaspora. In 1993, it
became a member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples
Organisation (UNPO), which was created in 1991 in The Hague to
represent ethnic groups around the world that are barred from joining the
United Nations for whatever reason.
The secessionist tendencies reached fever pitch during the
Georgian-Abkhaz war of 1992-93. Victory gave the nationalists
overwhelming popular support, but collusion of the local and central
authorities, together with the onset of the Chechen war in 1994,
overturned the tables. The nationalists have been on the defensive since
the mid-1990s, being hounded by the local governments. People have
been more concerned with their material well being, and nationalism has
taken a secondary place in their reckoning.
The concept of a united Circassia is however still strong in the
hearts and minds of all Circassian peoples. Some regard the re-creation
of historical Circassia as inevitable, since Russia’s colonial stance will
have to ease for it to join the world comity. Ethnic tension is evident in
all three republics: the Kabardians vs. the Balkars, the Cherkess-Abaza
vs. the Karachai, and the Adigeans vs. the militant Cossacks.
Fortunately, no serious conflicts have erupted thus far.
The Circassian diaspora, which is increasingly becoming more
politicized, could play a decisive role in the demographic and political
situations in the NW Caucasus, if the right conditions obtain. The few
hundred Kosovar Circassians, who found refuge in their ancestral lands
in 1998, caused trepidation among the local Cossacks, who had been
wary of Adigean domination.
Attempts by the administration of the president of the Russian
Federation Vladimir Putin to repeal the autonomy of the Adigey
Republic and subsume it under the administration of the Krasnodar Krai,
which started fervently in 2005, were narrowly defeated towards the end
of 2006 by the unitary opposition of Adigea’s President Hazret Sovmen
and the Circassian nationalists in the Caucasus and diaspora. The
mobilization of the nationalist forces and their solidary stance against
this issue has brought to the fore the latent demands of the nationalists

165
and brought back from the cold their erstwhile leaders, principally Yura
Schenibe (Shanibov).6 Sovmen was replaced in January 2007 by
Aslancheriy Tkhakushinov, as he was denied a second term for his
heroic stand against the Kremlin’s attempt to deal a crippling blow to the
Circassian Issue. Notwithstanding the tenuous victory of the nationalists,
this episode underlines the precarious status of the Circassian political
entities in the Caucasus and their vulnerability vis-à-vis arbitrary diktats
issuing from Moscow.
The issue of the status of Circassia and the establishment of
Greater Circassia is slowly but surely coming to the fore in current
international politics, due mainly to the game of tug-of-war between
Russia and the West regarding the formal independence of Kosovo on
one hand and the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the other.7

Circassian Society
The eastern Circassians, those living on the right-bank of the upper
reaches of the Kuban River (Psizch), are composed of the Kabardians
and Beslanay. The western Circassians are composed of many tribes:
Abzakh, Shapsugh, Temirgoi, Bzhedugh, etc. Some tribes and clans
have disappeared from the Caucasus as a result of the Russian-
Circassian war. The social structure of Circassian society was extremely
complex and was generally based on hierarchical feudalism. The main
castes were the princes, nobles, freemen, serfs, and slaves. A few
egalitarian tribes existed in the mountainous regions of Western
Circassia. The feudal system came to a tragic end in 1864 when Russia
conquered Circassia.
Traditional Circassian society was martial in nature and the
offspring of the upper-classes were required to go through a very harsh
training regime. Frugality and abstinence were cherished attributes. The
code of chivalry had respect for women and elders, hospitality and
blood-revenge as its trinity. Avoidance customs, as when man and wife
and siblings are proscribed from associating in public, were
manifestations of the severity of social relations. Women, especially of
the upper class, enjoyed a relatively high social status. The position of

6
A fascinating biography of Shanibov – and an eye-opening account of the Kabardian
intellectual elite in the last decades of the 20th century – can be found in Georgi M.
Derluguian’s Bourdieu’s Secret Admirer in the Caucasus: A World-System Biography,
Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press, 2005.
7
For more on ‘Greater Circassia’ in contemporary politics, refer to P. Goble, ‘A
Greater Circassia “More Probable than Nuclear War,” Moscow Analyst Says’, in
Window on Eurasia, 11 December 2007. Online. Available HTTP:
<http://windowoneurasia.blogspot.com/2007/12/window-on-eurasia-greater-
circassia.html> (accessed 15 February 2008).

166
Circassian women is significantly better in many respects than the
Russian average.
Traditional economy was agrarian and pastoral in nature. During
Soviet times, centralization and industrialization transformed and
modernized the economy. However, individualism and initiative were
frowned upon, and after collapse of the Soviet Union, the economic
situation in the Circassian republics took a nosedive. The two Chechen
wars and political uncertainty and tensions have aggravated the
situation.
The Circassians are nominally Sunni Muslims. There is a small
Christian community in Mozdok in North Ossetia. The two most
powerful formers of Circassian system of beliefs are the ancient
animistic-pagan religion and the code of conduct, Adige Xabze, which
also has regulated the mundane life. Religious persecution during the
Soviet period and great attachment to traditions, a characteristic of the
Circassians, have resulted in a superficial knowledge and practice of
religion. There is no tradition of religious fanaticism.

167
The Kabardians

Capsule Summary

Location: Central North Caucasus, mainly in the Kabardino-Balkarian

and Karachay-Cherkess republics of the Russian Federation.
Total population: approximately 1 million.
Religion: Eclectic amalgam of mainly pagan/polytheistic native beliefs
and practices with Muslim and, to a lesser extent, Christian influences.
Orthodox Christianity (2%).

Essay:

Ethnically, the Kabardians form one of the main tribal divisions of the
Circassians. Presently, they occupy the middle and northern regions of
the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (12,500 sq. km; about 1 million)
making 55.3% of the population (according to 2002 Russian population
census; but estimated now to make up almost 60% of the population of
the Republic), form the majority of the Cherkess population of 100,000
in the Karachai-Cherkess Republic (14,100 sq. km; about 450,000), and
are found in a few villages in Adigea and the Krasnodar and Stavropol
Krais. A significant Christian community is found in the area of the
town of Mozdok in North Ossetia. There are about 750,000 Kabardians
in the Caucasus, forming almost three-quarters of the Circassian
population and almost 0.5% of total population in Russia. There are
Kabardian diaspora communities scattered in the Middle East, especially
in Turkey, Syria, and Jordan, with a total number estimated at 300,000.
This diaspora formed mainly as a result of the Russian-Circassian War
of the 19th century.
Linguistically, Kabardian, together with the closely related
Beslanay, forms the eastern branch of Circassian. It has the status of an
official and literary language in both Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachai-
Cherkessia. Cyrillic orthography is used, although Arabic and later Latin
adaptations had been used until 1923 and 1937, respectively. Kabardian
in Kabardino-Balkaria is divided into four sub-dialects named after the
main rivers in the republic: Balhq (Malka), Bax’sen (Bakhsan), Terch
(Terek), and Shejem (Chegem). Some authorities divide the language

168
into Greater and Lesser Kabardian, the dialects spoken in Kabarda to the
west and east of the Terch (Terek), respectively. Lesser Kabardian is
also informally called Jilax’steney. Outside the nominal republic there
are two more dialects, one spoken by the Christian community in
Mozdok in North Ossetia, and Kuban Kabardian in Adigea, spoken in a
few villages. The status of Kabardian has been slowly improving since
the collapse of the Soviet Union. It is not thought that the language is
under threat of extinction.

History
The earliest recorded instance of Kabardian differentiation from the rest
of the Circassian nation was in The Book of Administration of the
Empire, written in the 10th century by Emperor Constantine VII,
Porphyrogenitus (905-959), according to which the Zikhis, or Western
Circassians, occupied the eastern Black Sea littoral and the Kasakhs
(Kassogs), modern-day Kabardians, lived in the hinterland. To the east
of the Kasakhs lived the Alans, ancestors of the Ossetes.
In the 11th century, the Russians under Mtislav took part in routing
the Khazar army in the Crimea. They then crossed the Taman Strait and
defeated the Kassogs, or Kabardians, under their legendary leader Idar.
Mtislav then subjugated the Iron, or Ossetes. He founded a small
principality, Tamtarkan, or Tmoutarkan, under the suzerainty of Russia,
with the Kabardians and Ossetes as subjects. This state lasted for a few
centuries, but with diminishing influence in Kabarda.
During this period some Circassian tribes abandoned their
mountainous abodes and resettled in the plains around the Sea of Azov,
and in the Crimea. The majority of migrants hailed from Kabarda, who
settled among the Tatars between the rivers Katch and Belbek. To this
day, the area of the upper reaches of the Belbek is called ‘Kabarda’, and
the land between the two rivers ‘Tcherkess-Tuss’, ‘Plain of the
Circassians’ in Tatar.
The Kabardians had to suffer Georgian rule until 1424. In the early
13th century, the Kabardians left their original homeland in the Kuban
region and, after wandering for some time, headed towards the Crimean
Peninsula and occupied it in 1237 AD. At the end of the 14th and
beginning of the 15th century, the Crimean Kabardians were ruled by
Abdun-Khan. They resettled in the middle of the North Caucasus
between the rivers Psif in the east and Nefil in the west. This move was
only possible after the demise of the Golden Horde, when a power
vacuum was created by the defeat of Tokhtamish.
The establishment of Little Kabarda goes back to the middle of the
16th century, when a Kabardian prince, who wanted a large principality
to rule, crossed the Terch (Terek), accompanied by his share of subjects,

169
and established a principality to the east of Kabarda proper, or Greater
Kabarda.
The Kabardians established a strong state in the 16th and 17th
centuries. They built the town of Chantchir, which became the centre of
their country. At the time, Kabarda had an area exceeding 40,000 sq km.
It extended from the Kuban (Psizch) in the west to river Sunzha in the
east, and from the plains north of Pyatigorsk and river Terch (Terek) in
the north to Georgia in the south. An earlier instance of Circassian re-
establishment in the middle plains of the Northern Caucasus was
recorded as far back as 1250 AD.
Prince Inal Teghen (Tighwen), one of the descendants of Abdun-
Khan, assumed the reins of power in Kabarda in the 15th century. He
was brave, prudent and generous. During his reign many people
submitted to his rule and chose to become part of his state. He managed
to unite the Circassians and Abkhazians into one empire, which he ruled
for a long time. In 1509, he invaded Imeretia and subsequently routed an
army of Western Georgians. It is most probable that Tzandia Inal
Daphita, desecrated in the Georgian Chronicles, was this self-same
prince. However, after his demise Kabarda was riven into several rival
principalities by his several sons. Civil war ensued in which the Kiakh
(Ch’axe=Western Circassians) were instrumental in installing Prince
Idar as sole potentate. It was during this chaotic period that Prince
Qanoqwe son of Beslan left Kabarda to establish the Beslanay tribe.
Peace and stability prevailed for long years, allowing the
Circassians to go on with their lives. As had become the usual scheme of
things, a fresh wave of invaders broke on Circassian shores. A combined
force of the Turghwt (ancestors of the Kalmyk) and Tatars of Tarki
engaged the Kabardians at the confluence of the Balhq (Malka) and
Terch (Terek). The first encounter went the way of the former party, the
Circassians retreating to the Psigwensu River (in Kabarda).8 The
Turghwt overwhelmed the entrenched Circassians, who were forced to
take refuge in the mountains. At the third meeting, the Circassian forces
were on the verge of total rout when a contingent of 2,000 warriors came
to the rescue, turning the tide of the battle. The Turghwt were driven out
and all Circassian lands were restored. The battle scene was named
‘Qereqeschqetaw’, which means ‘fleeing to the mountains’ in Tatar.9

8
Psigwensu is a right tributary of the Sherej (Cherek), which is a right tributary of the
Bax’sen (Bakhsan), which in turn is a right tributary of the Balhq (Malka), a left
tributary of the Terch (Terek).
9
The epic battle was immortalized in song, for example ‘Qereqeschqetaw Zawem yi
Wered’ (‘The Song of the Qereqeschqetaw Battle’).

170
 The feudal princes of Kabarda dominated the North Caucasus up
to the start of the 18th century. By the end of the Middle Ages, Kabarda
had become a formidable state. It spread its hegemony over the whole of
central North Caucasus, reducing the Ossetes and various Turkic
peoples, remnants of the Kipchaks, to vassalage. At times its power
extended to the shores of the Caspian. Alliances were struck with the
Shamkhals of Daghestan. These achievements would have supposed
some degree of co-ordination and co-operation between the plethora of
princes, the occasional civil strife notwithstanding. The main princely
dynasties were Yidar (Idar), Qazi, Telhusten, Zhilax’sten, Mudar, and
Zhambolet.
At its zenith, Kabarda was so dominant that all powers with vested
interests in the area, namely Moscovy and the Ottoman Port, sought to
court and bestow honours upon its princes in order to further their
interests. This culminated in the betrothal of Tsar Ivan IV (1530-1584),
nicknamed the Terrible, to Prince Temriuk Idarov’s (Yidar Teimriqwe)
daughter, Gwascheney (Gwaschene, in some sources; later baptized
Princess Maria), in 1561 AD. This marriage of alliance served to cement
the so-called ‘Union’ between Russia and Kabarda. In Soviet times, a
bronze statue of Princess Maria was erected in the centre of Nalchik to
mark the event. In this period, the Cherkasskys, Kabardian princes in the
Russian court, as an aristocratic family formed whose descendants
played a significant role in the Russian military and politics.
The date of the fictitious unification is reckoned by Russians to
have occurred in 1557. However, as will be explained later, the authority
of Temriuk over the other Kabardian princes was very tenuous and
many of these declined to ‘ratify’ the alliance, which was at best
symbolic. In 1705 (or 1708), the Tatar Khan, Qaplan-Gery, at the head
of 100,000 men, marched against the Circassians of the Five Mountains.
The Adiga, sensing the inferiority of their forces, decided to invoke ruse.
They retreated into the mountains and built stone fortifications across
the forbidding passes. Remains of these ramparts, called the ‘Walls of
the Crimea’, can still be seen in Qenzhalischhe, in the environs of
Pyatigorsk. In the absence of any resistance, the Tatars went into a
rampage. The Circassians sent deputies to offer their submission to the
Khan, who imposed stiff conditions. He demanded, among other things,
4,000 maids and boys as hostages. The Adiga pretended to accept the
terms and sent provisions, including intoxicating liquors. The Tatars
revelled in their ‘victory’. One night, while they were in deep slumber
induced by the strong drink, the Circassians rolled heavy stones on the
tents below, and fell on the Khan’s camp, massacring a great number of
his men and putting the rest to flight. The Khan lost a brother and son.
Thenceforth, the Kabardians were rid of the Tatars forever.

171
 In 1736, a war broke out between Russia and the Ottoman Empire
due to the latter’s intervention in Kabarda. In the Treaty of Belgrade of
18 September 1739, the independence of Kabarda was formally
guaranteed. The first military outpost of the Caucasian Military Line,
Mozdok (Mezdegw=Deaf[=thick, deep]-Forest), was established in
Kabarda in 1763 on the left bank of the Terch (Terek) at a distance of
250 km west of Kizliar.10 After this development, the Kabardians
entered into negotiations with the Turks. In the summer of 1771, the
Kabardian princes expressed their dissatisfaction with the policy of the
imperial administration in the Caucasus and the construction of the
military line between Mozdok and Kizliar. This hastened the first open
battle between the Kabardians and Russians, which took place near the
Balhq (Malka) River on 29 September 1771. The Russians under
General Jacoby won the day.
In 1779 Empress Catherine instructed the Governor General of
Astrakhan, Prince Potemkin, to pacify Kabarda by fair means or foul.
General Jacoby was given his marching orders. He conducted an
offensive in Kabarda, which lasted all summer. After the arrival of fresh
enforcements from Russia, the expedition succeeded in penetrating deep
into Kabardian lands. At the end of September 1779, a fierce battle was
fought in which the Kabardian force, taken unawares, was massacred.
About fifty princes and more than 350 noblemen were killed, a huge toll
by the reckoning of those days. Dubbed ‘Qeberdey Zheschteiwe’
(‘Kabardian Night Assault’), the battle marked one of the bleakest days
in Kabardian history.11 By December, the Kabardian princes were
defeated and the northern frontier of Kabarda retracted to the rivers
Balhq (Malka) and Terch (Terek).
In 1810, the Russians conducted a campaign in which many
Circassians were killed and about 200 villages burnt. The Kabardians
sent a delegation to St. Petersburg to petition for peace and to request
that the rights and privileges granted by Empress Catherine II in the
early 1790s be restored. Tsar Alexander I concurred with these demands.
Some Kabardians, today’s Cherkess, dubbed ‘Hejeret’ – immigrant or
fugitive Circassians – refused to accept Russian hegemony, and moved
west to the land between the upper Kuban (Psizch) and Zelenchuk
(Yinzhij) rivers. The war in Kabarda was localized and badly organized.
The Circassian princes failed to present a united front, the Russians
taking advantage of principal rivalries. When General Yarmolov
10
According to other accounts, Mozdok was established by the (Kabardian) Prince
Qwrghwoqwe in 1759.
11
The memory of this battle has been preserved in the song ‘Qeberdey Zheschteiwem
yi Wered’ (‘The Song of the Kabardian Night Assault’).

172
(Ermolov), military commander of the southern Tsarist forces, arrived
on the scene in 1816, Kabarda was on her knees. Four decades of open
conflict had demoralized the people and left the land in ruins. The
Kabardians suffered heavy losses. By 1818, their number had fallen
from 350,000 before the war to a mere 50,000.
In 1821, Yarmolov demanded that the Kabardians living in
mountainous areas move to the plains to facilitate their control. The
mountaineers refused to obey, causing the General to move against them
in 1822. He laid the foundations for several forts and imposed harsh
punishments on the population. The Caucasian Military Line was pushed
further into Kabardian territory and many massacres were committed
against the populace, which had been ravaged by the plague for close to
fourteen years. The intensity of conflict subsided in 1825. No serious
disturbances occurred until 1846.
Many Kabardians were forced to leave their native lands during
the exodus years 1862-64. During the tsarist years, Kabarda was
subsumed under the Stavropol Province. Cossack and Slav settlers found
a new home in the north-eastern parts of Kabarda. In September 1921,
the Kabardian Autonomous Oblast (AO) was formed, and in January
1922, the Balkar Okrug was attached to the Kabardian AO to form the
Kabardino-Balkarian AO. In December 1936, the status of Kabardino-
Balkaria was elevated to autonomous republic within the Russian SSR.
In 1991, it became a constituent republic of the Russian Federation with
no right of secession.

Present Political Situation

The Kabardian nationalists are mainly represented by the Adige Xase
(Circassian Association), which is a member of the International
Circassian Association. The nationalists’ principal demand is restoration
of historical Kabarda as a first step towards re-establishment of Greater
Circassia, with the concomitant repatriation of the diaspora. The
nationalists rode on a wave of popularity that almost managed to wash
away the old apparatchiks, but by 1996, the people had become more
concerned with the economic woes that had gripped all Russia. President
Vladimir Kokov, effective leader of the Republic from 1990 to 2005,
won the 1997 and 2002 presidential elections, putting more pressure on
the already beleaguered nationalists. The Kabardians and Balkars have
been at loggerheads since the latter were rehabilitated after their
banishment. The Cossacks also aspire to secession. There is a small
chance of open conflict, which could involve other kindred people.
In September 2005, Arsein Kanokov (Qanoqwe), a Kabardian
businessman based in Moscow and president of the Sindika Company,
replaced the ailing Kokov as president of the Kabardino-Balkarian

173
Republic (Kokov died on 29 October 2005). The new president is
considered by many to be the right person to lift the Republic out of the
myriad crises gripping it. Others have criticized him for being week.

Kabardian Society
The Kabardians are part of the wider Circassian society, having the same
traditions and customs with slight regional variations. The social
structure was more elaborate and the Xabze, the code of conduct, was
more developed. Despite feudalism, there was enough social cohesion to
allow the formation of a huge empire in the 16th and 17th centuries, and
enough clout to dominate the central northern Caucasus until the middle
of the 18th.
‘The Kabardians well exemplify the peoples of the Northern
Caucasus in their main socioeconomic indices. They are characterized
by a low level of urbanization (44.3 percent of urban population)
coupled with a high rate of urbanization (the growth of urban population
from 1979 to 1989 was 89.3 percent). The age structure of the
Kabardians shows a high proportion of young age groups (in 1989 as
many as 32.4 percent of the population) and an insignificant proportion
of people of pensionable age (9.9 percent). This is the result of a high
birth-rate, especially in the countryside (2.6 births per woman), where
the bulk of the population lives. The average age of the Kabardians is
28.5 years. The socioeconomic indices of the Kabardians (also the
Cherkess and Adigeans) suggest that they are undergoing modernization
but that they are far from its completion.’ — T. Mastyugina, L.
Perepelkin, V. Naumkin (ed.), and I. Zviagelskaia (ed.), An Ethnic
History of Russia: Pre-revolutionary Times to the Present, Greenwood
Publishing Group, 1996.
Figures from the 2002 Russian population census show that the
increase in Kabardian population, especially in the Kabardino-Balkarian
Republic, since the preceding census in 1989 had been colossal by any
standards. For example, the number of Kabardians in the Kabardino-
Balkarian Republic rose from 364,494 in 1989 (48.2% of total
population) to 498,702 in 2002 (55.3% of total population), an increase
of 37%. In the same period, the Russian population in the Republic
dropped almost 6%, from 240,750 (31.9% of total population) to
226,620 (25.1% of total population).

Kabardian Religion
The Kabardian Pantheon consisted of some three score deities that
regulated the cosmos. Pagan and animistic beliefs, some of which are
enshrined in the Nart legends, are still prevalent. Soviet propaganda and
isolation have resulted in a superficial knowledge of Islam. The

174
Kabardians of Mozdok are nominal Orthodox Christians, but they are
almost indistinguishable from their pagan/Muslim kin culturally.

The Kabardian Language

Kabardian in Kabardino-Balkaria is divided into four sub-dialects named
after the main rivers in the republic: Balhq (Malka), Bax’sen (Bakhsan),
Terch (Terek), and Shejem (Chegem). Some authorities divide the
language into Greater and Lesser Kabardian, the dialects spoken in
Kabarda to the west and east of the Terch (Terek), respectively. Lesser
Kabardian is also informally called Jilax’steney. Outside the nominal
republic there are two more dialects, one spoken by the Christian
community in Mozdok in North Ossetia, and Kuban Kabardian in
Adigea, spoken in a few villages. In the heyday of Kabarda’s dominance
in the 16th to 18th centuries, Kabardian influenced Digor, a western
dialect of Ossetian, in which Circassian loanwords are to be found in the
semantic fields of economic life, especially in agriculture and animal
husbandry.
Literary Kabardian is based on the dialect of Greater Kabarda.
There are 57 letters in standard Kabardian, 19 of which are digraphs
(e.g. хъ, пI), five trigraphs (e.g. хъу), and one tetragraph (кхъу). These
combinations are used to represent the inordinate number of consonants.

175
Appendix 2
The Circassian language
(also includes the scheme of the latinized Kabardian alphabet used in the
book)

Circassian is one of the three divisions of the Northwest group of

Caucasian languages, the other two being Abkhaz-Abaza and the now
extinct Ubykh (Pakhy). Though genetically related, the three languages
are mutually unintelligible, the lexical differences between them being
quite substantial. Some linguistic research suggests that more than 5,000
years ago all Northwest Caucasians spoke proto-West Caucasian, much
the same way as Semites conversed in proto-Semitic. However, because
of geographical separation, the original language differentiated into
three distinct entities: proto-Circassian, proto-Abkhaz, and proto-Ubykh.
According to recent research, Ubykh was originally closer to
Abkhaz, but it subsequently underwent substantial Western Circassian
influence. Some travellers thought that Ubykh was a dialect of Adiga. It
may be possible that initially proto-West Caucasian split into proto-
Circassian and proto-Abkhaz-Ubykh, which later divided into proto-
Abkhaz and proto-Ubykh. These ancient languages were further
ramified into divergent dialects.
There has been some interesting work on proto-Circassian, the
forebear of all Circassian dialects, and even a dictionary was published.
More recently some research was conducted on Proto-Abkhaz. Attempts
have also been made at reconstruction of the system of Proto-Northwest
Caucasian.

Ancient relatives
Some ambitious projects have suggested that Proto-North Caucasian
was ancestral to both Proto-Northwest Caucasian and Proto-Northeast
Caucasian, although a controversy has been surrounding this
investigation. Northeast Caucasian, which is spoken by about 3.5
million people in the Caucasus, is divided into the Nakh group of
languages, Chechen, Ingush and Bats, and the Daghestani group,
including Avar, Lezghian, Tabasaran, Dargwa and Lak. According to
Johanna Nichols, no proof of North Caucasian genetic unity has been

176
provided. Advocates of a genetic relation between Northwest and
Northeast Caucasian claim that it was the Russian linguist Nikolai F.
Trubetzkoy who first proved beyond doubt a connection between the
two groups by establishing regular phonetic correspondences.
The third group in the Caucasian language family is South
Caucasian or Kartvelian: Georgian, Mingrelian, Svan, Adjar, and Laz,
all of which are spoken by about 4.5 million people in the
Transcaucasus. Some linguists dispute the existence of any genetic link
between North and South Caucasian. Also, suggested genetic links
between the Caucasian languages and other languages and language
families (Basque, Semito-Hamitic, Burushaski, Tibetan, Paleoasiatic,
ancient languages of Asia Minor and Mesopotamia, etc) are open to
serious doubt.
In 1919, E. Forrer established that Hattic, the oldest known
language in Asia Minor, but extinct since the early second millennium
BC, was not an Indo-European language, and proposed its kinship to
ancient Abkhazian and Circassian. R. Bleichsteiner arrived at this
conclusion roughly at the same time. Both researchers were struck by
the structural similarities between Hattic and Abkhazo-Circassian,
especially the inordinate use of prefixes.

General characteristics
The phonological structure of the NW Caucasian languages is unique,
and is characterized by an extreme abundance of consonants and a
scarcity of vowels. Some of the dialects were entered in The Guinness
Book of Records on this account, before languages of greater number of
consonants were discovered.
The vowel systems of these languages are simple and stable. There
is a tendency to accumulate consonants in the same word. Declension is
reduced to a minimum. Verbal forms are very complex; gerundive and
participial forms being much used. Lexical material is analyzable into a
small number of short roots and grammatical morphemes show semantic
transparency. Abkhaz-Abaza, Circassian and Ubykh are characterised by
large consonantal inventories (coupled with minimal vowel-systems), by
mainly monosyllabic root-morphemes, and by an extreme
polypersonalism within the verbal system, whereby virtually the entire
syntactic structure of the clause is recapitulated in the verbal complex.
These features have been the subject of study by a great number of
scholars in the Soviet Union and the West.
From the perspective of a non-native speaker, Circassian presents
a number of difficulties, some of which are often insurmountable.
According to Olli Salmi, a Finnish expert on Kabardian, ‘the main
problem of understanding Kabardian verbs is the great number of

177
prefixes that can precede a verb stem, with pronominal prefixes in
different places. Usually there are up to three pronominal prefixes, but
some verbal prefixes can take pronominal prefixes as well. [These]
places have to be indicated for non-native speakers.’ It has been
suggested that for each verb in a lexical list, the infinitive and third
person singular forms should be given at the very least, yet it is
impossible for any dictionary of manageable proportions to include all
verb forms.

Language divisions
Circassian is made up of Eastern and Western language groups. All
Adigabze dialects are mutually intelligible. Face to face, an Adigean
and a Kabardian could soon learn the peculiarities of each other’s
dialect. Eastern Circassian is composed of two main dialects, Kabardian
and Beslanay. However, these dialects are so close that some linguists
consider the latter a divergent sub-dialect of the former. There has been
a suggestion that there existed in the middle of the 19th century a dialect
intermediate between Kabardian and Beslanay, which at first was
thought to be an earlier form of Kabardian proper.
Kabardian in Kabardino-Balkaria is divided into four sub-dialects
named after the main rivers in the republic: Balhq (Malka), Bax’sen
(Bakhsan), Terch (Terek), and Shejem (Chegem). Some authorities
divide the language into Greater and Lesser Kabardian, the dialects
spoken in Kabarda to the west and east of the Terch (Terek),
respectively. Lesser Kabardian is also informally called Jilax’steney.
Outside the nominal republic there are two more dialects, one spoken by
the Christian community in Mozdok in North Ossetia, and Kuban
Kabardian in Adigea, spoken in a few villages. In the heyday of
Kabarda’s dominance in the 16th to 18th centuries, Kabardian
influenced Digor, a western dialect of Ossetian, in which Circassian
loanwords are to be found in the semantic fields of economic life,
especially in agriculture and animal husbandry.
Beslanay is spoken in a few villages in the Karachai-Cherkess
Republic, and by a larger group in Turkey in many villages in the region
of Çorum in Anatolia. The language was meticulously documented and
recorded by Western scholars, like Georges Dumézil and his disciple
Catherine Paris, and by native speakers, such as Orhan Alparslan.
Western Circassian shows more marked dialect-divisions than
Kabardian, which is on the whole comparatively homogeneous. This is
a reflection of the differences in tribal and social structures between
Eastern and Western Circassians. It comprises many dialects: Temirgoi,
Abzakh, Bzhedugh, Mokhosh, Shapsugh, Agwey, Hatuqwey,
Nartkhuaj, Zhaney, Adaley and so on. Each Kiakh tribe had its own

178
dialect, and some larger ones had sub-dialects as well. However, after
the end of the Russian-Circassian War many of these dialects were lost
either through extinction of their speakers or assimilation by other
Adiga tribes in the diaspora. At present, only representatives of
Temirgoi, Bzhedugh and Shapsugh are found in significant numbers in
the Caucasus. Abzakh is only spoken in one village, Hakurina-Habla, in
the Caucasus. Nevertheless, it is still possible to salvage many of these
lost dialects and record their characteristics and peculiarities.
Each branch of Circassian is represented by one literary and
official language: Kabardian in Kabardino-Balkaria and the Karachai-
Cherkess Republic, and Adigean in the Adigey Republic. Literary
Kabardian is based on the dialect of Greater Kabarda. Literary Adigey is
an advanced form of Temirgoi, with a substantive input of words and
forms from Bzhedugh and Shapsugh. It is to be noted that modern West
Circassian is based on the dialects of those tribes that remained in
significant numbers in the Caucasus after the exodus and which have
escaped the worst. It is noteworthy that both literary languages are
based on the dialects spoken in the environs of the capitals of the
respective republics. One notable difference between Kabardian and
Adigean is that nouns in Adigean are subject to inflection, whereas they
are stable in Kabardian.
Literary languages employ modified forms of the Cyrillic
alphabet, which were introduced by the end of the 1930s. Both
Kabardian and Adigean made the switch from Latin to Cyrillic script in
1937. In each case the one additional letter is the old Cyrillic capital I,
which marks all ejectives in Adigean and some ejectives in Kabardian.
There are 57 letters in standard Kabardian, 19 of which are
digraphs (e.g. хъ, пI), five trigraphs (e.g. хъу), and one tetragraph
(кхъу). These combinations are used to represent the inordinate number
of consonants. In literary Adigean there are 50 letters of which 18 are
digraphs (e.g. жъ, жь, гъ). Cyrillic ordering is followed. However, there
is no uniform ordering of equivalent letters in the two languages, which
causes some confusion. In addition, there is often no uniform
representation of identical sounds, which fact could be rectified by
common consent between the two language communities.

Latinized Kabardian alphabet

The following are latinized representations of official and literary
Kabardian-Cherkess alphabet. Please note that the Kabardians and
Cherkess use the same official and literary language. There are only a

179
 few lexical differences. All examples are taken from Kabardian-English
Dictionary by Amjad Jaimoukha, Amman: Sanjalay Press, 1997.

Latinized English equivalent Kabardian examples Cyrillic

alphabet equivalent
A a dad, mad, bad ade: there; father; А а
dame: shoulder,
wing;
Mira?: Is it this?
B b B b balije: radish; Б б
nobe: today;
birib: pomposity
Ch ch chest, chair chin: whirligig; Ч ч
pichin: to tear off;
helech: bad, spoilt
Ch’ ch’ ch followed ch’e: tail, end; xech’in: КI кI
by glottal stop to emerge (from some
mass);
f’ech’: except
D d D d dene: where; Д д
dade: grandpa;
jed: hen
Dz dz adze dze: tooth; army; Дз дз
yedzin: to hurl;
gwedz: wheat
E e schwa; heaven eksponat: exhibit; Э э
(initial only lhepq: nation; race;
in loan breed;
words) nape: face

ei day (short and zeik'we: campaign, Е е

(never in undiphthongized) outing
initial
or final
position)
ey day (diphthongized) f’ey: dirty Ей ей
(never in
initial
position)
F f F f fe: skin; Ф ф
qefen: to dance;
nef: blind

180
 F’ f’ f followed by f’i: of good quality; ФI фI
glottal stop zef’ech’: initiative;
l’if’: good man
G g Spanish/Dutch g, gin: gunpowder; Г г
e.g. lago ghwegin: to weep;
zhig: tree
Gh gh Parisian r ghasch’e: life; Гъ гъ
ghegha: flower;
ghedirgh: clang
Ghw ghw gh + w ghwegw: way, road; Гъу гъу
mighwe: misfortune;
ghwneghw: neighbour
Gw gw Gwent gw: heart; Гу гу
gwegwen: large metal
pitcher;
degw: deaf
H h Arabic ‫ح‬ he: dog; Хь хь
pihen: to weap;
q’wh: ship
I i bin, din, sin i’i: no; Ы ы
(only initial fiz: woman;
in qamishi: whip
interjections)
iy see txilhiybl: seven books; И и
(never initial) siy: my

J j J j jegwn: to play; yejap’e: Дж дж

school;
dij: bitter
K k K k there are no native К к
words in literary
Kabardian that have
this sound; the
equivalent is ch; used
only in dialects and
loan
words, e.g.
kasse: cash-desk;
stekan: cup;
rak: cancer
Kw kw could kw: middle, centre; Ку ку
dekwn: to cram;

181
 xekw: country
K’w k’w kw with glottal stop k’wen: to go; КIу кIу
after k qek’wen: to come;
yemik’w: improper
L l L l li: meat; Л л
delen: pie;
mil: ice
L’ l’ lh followed by l’i: man; ЛI лI
glottal stop mil’en: not to die;
pschil’: slave
Lh lh Welsh ll , e.g. lhap’e: expensive; Лъ лъ
Llewellyn delhen: to stroke;
gwlh: bud
M m M m mode: there; М м
qame: dagger;
weram: street
N n N n ne: eye; Н н
dene: where;
sin: statue, monument
O o So (not opit: experiment, test; О о
(initial only diphthongized) sode: I accept;
in loan pso: unharmed, intact;
words, final lheposchhepo: barrier,
in very few hurdle
words)
P p P p pe: nose; П п
nape: face;
nip: flag
P’ p’ p followed by p’ere?: really?; p’ap’u: ПI пI
glottal stop milk (child’s word);
’erip’: domesticated,
tame
Q q Arabic ‫ق‬ qak’we: come here; Къ къ
adaqe: cock;
qiq: stammerer
Q’ q’ q + x’ q’able: grave; Кхъ кхъ
f’eq’iu: absolutely;
beq’: cow-shed
Qw qw q + w qwelen: speckled, Къу къу
spotted;
diqwaqwe: fork,
bifurcation;

182
 meqw: hay
Q’w q’w q’ + w q’we: pig, swine; Кхъу
ch’aq’wiyt’: two кхъу
cocking pieces;
ch’aq’w: gun cocking
piece
R r rat (‘rolled’) roman: novel; Р р
(initial only mereim: Friday;
in loan mir: this
words)
S s S s simaje: sick, ill; С с
k’wesen: to elope;
t’is: sit down
Sch sch alveolo-palatal sh schen: to sell; Щ щ
pschasche: girl;
wesch: axe
Sch’ sch’ sch followed by sch’ale: boy, lad; ЩI щI
glottal stop hesch’e: guest;
psch’ipsch’: sparkling
Sh sh shoot shate: soured cream; Ш ш
qeshen: fiancée;
yemizesh: indefatigable
T t T t tane: calf; Т т
satu: trade;
qat: level, layer
T’ t’ t followed by glottal t’i: ram; ТI тI
stop yat’e: mud;
wet’psit’: damp (of
weather)
Ts ts cats, bits tsi: hair; Ц ц
batse: shaggy;
lits: moss
Ts’ ts’ ts followed by ts’e: name; ЦI цI
glottal stop mats’e:
grasshopper;
k’wets’: internal
U u moon pud: cheap; У у
(never initial) qaru: strength
V v V v vi: bull; В в
gheven: to boil;
bev: abundant (of
crops)

183
 W w well wane: saddle; У у
qewat: nutritious;
psinsch’ew: quickly
’W ’w ’ + w ’w: mouth; zhi’eda’we:
obedient; Iу Iу
schi’w: top; button
X x Scottish/German ch, xade: garden; Х х
e.g. loch, ich maxe: weak;
ziqiyzix: well-dressed
X’ x’ Spanish j, e.g. jarra x’arbiz: water-melon; Хъ хъ
Arabic ‫خ‬ malhx’e: son-in-law;
tsirx’: flimsy
Xw xw x + w xw: wheat; Ху ху
qeschexwn: to buy;
delhxw: brother (of a
woman)
X’w x’w x’ + w x’wmen: to guard, Хъу хъу
protect;
Mix’wr: seal;
zchex’w: rude person
Y y yes yape: first; — —
miyin: not large;
bzchamiy: pipe; zurna
Z z Z z zi: one; З з
’eze: skilful;
mez: forest
Zch zch alveolo-palatal zh zche: mouth; Жь жь
mazche: comb;
leghwpezch: leader of
herdsmen
Zh zh genre, erasure zhem: cow; Ж ж
qwazhe: village;
lhemizh: bridge
’ ’ glottal stop ’ene: three-legged I I
table;
Q’i’e!: Please!;
We’!: Oh!

NOTE: In some cases were confusion may arise when reading sh, sch,
etc, either as one or two letters, a hyphen could be inserted in the latter
case, thus, sh vs. s-h and sch vs. s-ch. There are precedents in European

184
languages. In Catalan, for example, a period is used to distinguish
between two consecutive ls (l.l) and the combined letter ll, while in
Scotland a hyphen is sometimes found in words like ‘Ross-shire’.

Official Kabardian alphabet (B. M. Kardanov, 1957, p12)

А Э∗ Б В Г Гу Гъ Гъу Д Дж
Дз Е Ё Ж Жь З И Й К Ку
КI КIу Къ Къу Кхъ Кхъу Л Лъ ЛI М
Н О П ПI Р С Т ТI У Ф
ФI Х Ху Хь Хъ Хъу Ц ЦI Ч Ш
Щ ЩI Ы Э∗∗ Ю Я I Iу Ъ ь

Official Adigean alphabet (A. A. Hat’ene & Z. I. Ch’erashe, 1960,

pxvi)
А Б В Г Гъ Д Дж Дз Е Ё
Ж Жъ Жь З И Й К Къ КI Л
Лъ ЛI М Н О П ПI Р С Т
ТI У Ф Х Хъ Хь Ц ЦI Ч Чъ
ЧI Ш Шъ ШI Щ Ы Э Ю Я I
Ъ Ь

∗
Schwa in Circassian words.
∗∗
In loan words.

185
Appendix 3
Circassian lexicography

EASTERN CIRCASSIAN
Kabardian & Cherkess Dictionaries

Bagov (Baghi), P. M., ‘Ètimologiya nekotorikh slov [Etymology of

Some Words]’, in Scientific Transactions of the Kabardino-
Balkarian Science and Research Institute [Uchenie zapiski KBNII],
Nalchik, Philological Series, vol. 20, 1964.
Bagov (Baghi), P. M. (editor-in-chief), Adigebze Psalhalhe. Slovar
kabardino-cherkesskogo yazika [Dictionary of the Kabardino-
Cherkess Language], Moscow: Digora, 1999. [M. L. Abitov et al ;
852 pages; about 31,000 entries]
Bálint, G., Dictionarium kabardico-hungaro-latinum, Koloszvár
(Klausenburg), 1904.
Emouzov (Yemize), A. G., ‘Nekotorie anglo-kabardino-russkie
frazeologicheskie paralleli [Some English-Kabardian-Russian
Phraseological Parallels]’, in Scientific Transactions of the
Kabardino-Balkarian Science and Research Institute [Uchenie
zapiski KBNII], Nalchik, Philological Series, vol. 20, 1964.
— English-Kabardian-Russian Phraseological Dictionary, Nalchik: The
Kabardino-Balkarian Institute for Raising the Level of the
Academic Proficiency of the Spiritual Legacy of the Orient, 1992
(second edition).
Heqwn, B. Yu., Adige Qech’ighets’exer [Circassian Flora], Nalchik:
Elbrus Book Press, 1992 (second edition); first edition:
Qech’ighets’exem ya Psalhalhe [Dictionary of Circassian Flora],
Cherkessk, 1975. [First edition: about 1,000 entries; second
edition: about 1,500 entries]
Jaimoukha (Zhemix’we), A. M., Kabardian-English Dictionary,
Amman: Sanjalay Press, 1997.
Jawirjiy, H. Z. and Siqwn, H. H., Wiris-Adige Shkol Psalhalhe [School
Russian-Kabardian Dictionary], Nalchik: Nart Publishing House,
1991. Online. Available HTTP:

186
 <http://www.circassianlibrary.org/library.php?lang=en&mn=1&sb
mn=1> (accessed 2 September 2007) [320 pages. 12,000 entries]
Kardanov (Qarden), B. M., Kabardinsko-russki frazeologicheski slovar
[Kabardian-Russian Phraseological Dictionary], Nalchik, 1968.
— Frazeologiya kabardinskogo yazika [Phraseology of the Kabardian
Language], Nalchik: Elbrus Book Press, 1973.
Kardanov (Qarden), B. M. (ed.), Kabardinsko-russki slovar [Kabardian-
Russian Dictionary], Kabardino-Balkarian Science and Research
Institute, Moscow: State Press of Foreign and National
Dictionaries, 1957. Online. Available HTTP:
<http://www.circassianlibrary.org/library.php?lang=en&mn=1&sb
mn=1> (accessed 2 September 2007). [20,000 entries. Short
grammatical treatise in Russian by Kardanov at end]
Kardanov (Qarden), B. M. and Bichoev (Biysch’o), A. T. (compilers),
A. O. Shogantsukov (editor-in-chief), Russko-kabardinsko-
cherkesski slovar [Russian-Kabardian-Cherkess Dictionary],
Kabardian Science and Research Institute, Moscow: State Press of
Foreign and National Dictionaries, 1955. [1054 pages. About
30,000 entries. There is a short grammatical description of the
Kabardian-Cherkess language by Kardanov in Russian on pp 993-
1054. Reviewed by G. Deeters in Caucasian Review, no. 3, 1956,
pp 113-14]
Khuranov (X’wran), B. L., Russko-kabardinski slovar [Russian-
Kabardian Dictionary], Moscow: The Central Book Publishing
House of the Peoples of the USSR, 1927.
Lopatinsky, L. G., ‘Russko-kabardinski slovar [Russian-Kabardian
Dictionary]’, in Sbornik materialov dlya opisaniya mestnostei i
plemen Kavkaza [Collection of Materials for the Description of the
Districts and Tribes of the Caucasus], Tiflis (Tbilisi), vol. 12,
1891. [With index]
— ‘Russko-kabardinski slovar, s kratkoi grammatikoi [Russian-
Kabardian Dictionary with a Short Grammar]’, in Sbornik
materialov dlya opisaniya mestnostei i plemen Kavkaza
[Collection of Materials for the Description of the Districts and
Tribes of the Caucasus], Tiflis (Tbilisi), vol. 21, 1896.
Nartokov (Nartoqwe), M. G., Russko-kabardino-cherkesski slovar
[Russian-Kabardian-Cherkess Dictionary:], Nalchik: Kabardino-
Balkarian Book Press, 1963. [86 pages; for sixth graders]
Nogmov (Negwme), Sh. B., Kabardino-russki slovar (chernovie
materiali) [Kabardian-Russian Dictionary (draft materials)], in
Philological Transactions, vol.1, Nalchik, 1956.
Okhtov, A. D., Russko-cherkesski slovar [Russian-Cherkess Dictionary],
Stavropol, 1949.

187
Psalhexem Yamihene [Meanings of Words], Nalchik, 1941. [Kabardian-
Russian dictionary]
Russko-kabardinski terminologicheski slovar k uchebnikam dlya
srednikh shkol [Russian-Kabardian Terminological Dictionary for
Textbooks of Secondary Schools], Nalchik, 1950.
Schheschemisch’ (Shkhashemishev), Kh. Kh., Adigets’e ziy’e
Psewischhexer [Animals With Circassian Names], Nalchik: El’-Fa,
1998.
Siqwn, H. H., Inverse Dictionary of the Kabardino-Cherkess Language,
1980.
— Dictionary of Inverted Words, Amman, 1988.
Siqwn, H. H. and Tolhesten (Negwer), H., Dictionary of Kabardian
Antonyms, Amman, 1988.
Siqwn, H. H., X’wnegw, N. H. and Qwschhe, F. M., Circassian-Arabic
Dictionary, Amman, 1988. [155 pages; about 3,000 words]
Slovar kabardino-cherkesskogo yazika [Dictionary of the Kabardian-
Cherkess Language], Moscow: Digora, 1999.
Sukunov (Siqwn), Kh. Kh. and Sukunova (Siqwn), I. Kh., Kabardino-
cherkessko-russko-anglo-turetski slovar v illyustratsiyakh
[Kabardian-Cherkess-Russian-English-Turkish Illustrated
Dictionary], Nalchik: El’-Fa, 1998. [423 pages]
Tabukhov (Tabix’w), Kh. K., Shkolni russko-kabardino-cherkesski
frazeologicheski slovar [School Russian-Kabardian-Cherkess
Phraseological Dictionary], Nalchik: Elbrus Book Press, 1997.
[454 pages]
Temirova (Teimir), R. Kh., Wiris-Adige Zepsalhalhe. Russko-cherkesski
razgovornik [Russian-Circassian Phrase-Book], Cherkessk:
Karachai-Cherkess Branch of the Stavropol Book Printing House,
1990. [173 pages]
Wiris, H. Sch. and Zex’wex’w, L. H., Adigebze Orfografiycheiske
Psalhalhe [Kabardino-Cherkess Orthographical Dictionary],
Nalchik: Elbrus Book Press, 1982. [1134 pages; some 90,000
entries; shows stress pattern]
Yakovlev, N. F., Materiali dlya kabardinskogo slovarya [Materials for a
Kabardian Dictionary], Moscow, 1927. [In Russian and English;
English title ‘Materials for the Kabardey Dictionary’]
Zex’wex’w, L. H., Kabardian and Cherkess Orthographical Dictionary
for Students, Nalchik: Elbrus Book Press, 1967, 1970.
— Dictionary of the Literary Language of Ali Schojents’ik’w, Nalchik,
1975.

188
Beslanay

Paris, C., ‘Beslanay-French Dictionary’, appended to ‘Conte populaire

en dialecte besney (tcherkesse oriental) (suite)’, in Bedi Karthlisa,
Paris, 34, 1976, pp 255-309. [Includes some 900 entries]

WESTERN CIRCASSIAN
Adigean Dictionaries

Abdulsalam (Lash), A., Adighean (Western Circassian) Vocabulary,

Tokyo: Institute for the Study of Languages and Cultures of Asia
and Africa, 1984. [English-Adigean-Arabic dictionary of 1,000
entries]
Auglev, M. (ed.), Kratki russko-adigeiski slovar-spravochnik [A Short
Russian-Adigean Dictionary and Reference Book], Maikop, 1955.
Bersirov (Birsir), B., Daurov (Dawir), Kh. and Shaov (Schaw), A.,
Orfograficheski slovar adigeiskogo yazika [Orthographical
Dictionary of the Adigean Language], Maikop, 1994.
Blyagoz (Bleghwezch), Z. U. and Blyagoz (Bleghwezch), A. N.,
Russko-adigeiski razgovornik [Russian-Adigean Phrase-Book],
Maikop, 1990.
Blyagoz (Bleghwezch), Z. U. and Tkharkakho (Therqwax’we), Yu. A.,
Russko-adigeiski frazeologicheski slovar [Russian-Adigean
Phraseological Dictionary], Maikop, 1993.
Brantov (Brant’), Sh. I. et al. (compilers), Short Russian-Adigean
Dictionary for Primary Schools, Maikop, 1991 (second edition).
’Eschhemafe (Ashkhamaf), D. A., Adige Orfografiycheiske Gwshi’alh
[Adigean Orthographical Dictionary], Maikop, 1940; third edition:
Maikop, 1955.
Ghish, N. T., Psewischhats’eme Yagwshi’alh [Dictionary of Fauna],
Maikop, 1990.
Hat’ene, A. A. and Ch’erashe, Z. I., Adigabzem Yizexef Gwshi’alh
[Explanatory Dictionary of the Adigean Language], Bzem,
Literaturem, Istoriem ya Adige Nauchne-Issledovatelske Institut
[Adigean Science and Research Institute of Language, Literature
and History], Maikop: Circassian Book Press, 1960. [696 pages;
meanings of entry in both Adigean and Russian; illustrative
examples in Adigean]
Loewe, L., ‘A Dictionary of the Circassian Language: Containing all the
most necessary words for the traveller, the soldier, and the sailor:
With the exact pronunciation of each word in the English
character’, bound with The Philological Society’s Proceedings,

189
 vol. 6, 8 vo., London: G. Bell, 1854. [In two parts: English-
Circassian-Turkish and Circassian-English-Turkish]
Lyule, L. Ya., Slovar russko-cherkesski ili adigski [Russian-Circassian
Dictionary], Odessa, 1846. [With a short grammatical work]
Meretukov (Meretiqwe), K. Kh., Adigeiski toponimicheski slovar
[Adigean Toponymical Dictionary], Maikop, 1981; second edition:
Moscow, 1990; third edition: Maikop: Kachestvo, 2003. [Third
edition: 424 pages; 3,500 toponymic entries (>1,200 in the first
edition, about 2,500 in the second); includes geographic names
officially used in the Republic of Adigea, villages of the Black Sea
Shore and other Adigean settlements of the Krasnodar Region]
Meretukov (Meretiqwe), K. and Tkharkakho (Therqwax’we), Yu. (eds),
Adige orfografiycheiske gwshi’alh [Adigean Orthographical
Dictionary], Maikop, 1968.
Namitok, Yu. K., Terminologicheski slovar po biologii [Terminological
Dictionary of Biology], Krasnodar, 1934.
Paris, C., ‘Shapsugh Lexicon’, in La Princesse Kahraman: Contes
d’Anatolie en dialecte chapsough (tcherkesse occidental), Paris:
SELAF, 1974. [69 pages; in French]
— Dictionnaire du dialecte abzakh, Paris. [Dictionary of the Abzakh
dialect of Western Circassian]
Paris, C. and Batouka, N., Dictionnaire abzakh (tcherkesse occidental)
II. Phrases et textes illustratifs, L’Europe de Tradition Orale 6,
vol. 1, Publié avec le concours du Centre National de la Recherche
Scientifique (SELAF), 1987. [228 pages]
‘Russko-adigeiski slovar’ [‘Russian-Adigean Dictionary’], loose leaf in
Russian Literature: Reader for the 8th Grade of National Schools,
Maikop, 1964.
Schawiqwe, Zh. A. (ed.), Adige-Wiris Gwshi’alh [Adigean-Russian
Dictionary], Maikop, 1975. [440 pages; 16,000 entries]
Shaov (Schaw), A., Leksika i frazeologiya adigeiskogo yazika
[Vocabulary and Phraseology of the Adigean Language], Maikop,
1980.
Shaov (Schaw), A. A., Meretukov (Meretiqwe), K. Kh. and
Shkhalakhova, R. A., Russko-adigeiski slovar
lingvometodicheskikh terminov [Russian-Adigean Dictionary of
Terms of Linguistic Methods], Maikop: Adigean Republican Book
Printing House, 2002.
Shewjen, M. and Hadeghal’e, A., Wiris-Adige Gwshi’alh [Russian-
Adigean Dictionary], Maikop, 1960.
T’eschw, M. Yasin Tselikkiran, Tirkw-Adige Gwshi’alh. Turetsko-
adigeiski slovar [Turkish-Adigean Dictionary], Maikop: Adigean
Book Publishing House, 1991. [159 pages; about 12,000 entries]

190
— Adige-Tirkw Gwshi’alh. Adigeisko-turetski slovar [Adigean-Turkish
Dictionary], Maikop: Adigean Book Publishing House, 1992. [196
pages; about 13,000 entries]
Therqwax’we (Tkharkakho), Yu. A., Frazeologicheski slovar
adigeiskogo yazika [Phraseological Dictionary of the Adigean
Language], Maikop, 1980.
— Adigabzem Yisiynoniymxem Yagwshi’alh [Dictionary of Synonyms of
the Adigean Language], Maikop, 1988.
— Adige-Wiris Gwshi’alh. Adigeisko-russki slovar [Adigean-Russian
Dictionary], Maikop, 1991.
— Leksicheskaya i slovoobrazovatelnaya sinonimika v adigeiskom
yazike [Lexical and Word-forming Synonyms in the Adigean
Language], Maikop, 1992.
— Adige-Wiris Gwshi’alh. Adigeisko-russki slovar [Adigean-Russian
Dictionary], Maikop, 1994.
Wedezhdeqwe (Vodozdokov), H. (Ch.) D. (ed.), Wiris-Adige Gwshi’alh
[Russian-Adigean Dictionary], The Adigean Science and Research
Institute of Language, Literature and History, Moscow: State Press
of Foreign and National Dictionaries, 1960. [1098 pages, about
33000 words]
Zefes, A., Tariyx’ Lhepqsch’enighe Gwshi’alh [Historical and
Ethnographical [Dictionary], Maikop, 1998.

GENERAL WORKS

Černý, V. A., ‘Derivation of Circassian Wordstock’, in Asian and

African Languages, 300, pp 78-106. {Dissertationes Orientales,
34, 1974, p. 209}
Dumézil, G., ‘Quelques termes religieux des langues caucasiennes du
Nord-Ouest’, in Revue de l’Histoire des Religions, Paris, 123,
1941, pp 63-70.
Kuipers, A. H., A Dictionary of Proto-Circassian Roots, Lisse,
Netherlands: The Peter de Ridder Press, 1975.
Peacock, ‘Original Vocabularies of Five West Caucasian Languages’, in
Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, vol. 19, 1887.
Shagirov (Shaghir), A. K., Ètimologicheskiy slovar adigskikh
(cherkesskikh) yazikov, 1&2 [Etymological Dictionary of the
Circassian Languages, 1&2], Moscow: Nauka, 1977. Online.
Available HTTP:
<http://www.circassianlibrary.org/library.php?lang=en&mn=1&sb
mn=1> (accessed 2 September 2007).

191
Sjögren, A. J., ‘Rapport sur un ouvrage manuscrit intitulé: “Slovar
Russko-Cherkesskii”. St. Pétersbourg, 1848’, in Bulletin Historico-
Philologique de l’Académie des Sciences, tome 4, pp 165-76.
Slovar Russko-Cherkesskii [Russian-Circassian Dictionary], a
manuscript in St. Petersburg, Russia, 1848.
Starostin, S. A., ‘Kulturnaya leksika v obshche-severno-kavkazskom
slovarnom fonde [Cultural Lexics in the Common North Caucasian
Lexical Fond]’, in Drevnyaya Anatoliya [Ancient Anatolia], 1985,
pp 74-94.
Starostin, S. A. and Nikolaev, S. L., North Caucasian Etymological
Dictionary, Moscow, 1994.
Troubetzkoy, N. S., ‘Remarques sur quelques mots iraniens empruntés
par les langues du Caucase septentrional’, in Mémoires de la
Société de Linguistique de Paris, 22, 1922, pp 247 ff.

192
Bibliography & References

Blyagoz, Z. U., Zhemchuzhini narodnoi mudrosti [The Pearls of

National Wisdom], Maikop: Adigean Book Publishing House,
1992. Online. Available HTTP:
<http://www.circassianlibrary.org/library.php?lang=en&mn=1&sb
mn=3> (accessed 25 February 2008). [Adigean proverbs and
sayings in Adigean and Russian]
Broydo, G. I. (editor-in-chief), ‘Psatlezh [Proverbs and Sayings]’, in
Kabardinski folklor [Kabardian Folklore], Kabardino-Balkarian
Science and Research Institute of National Cultures, Moscow and
Leningrad: Akademia, 1936, pp 527-32. [Editor Yu. M. Sokolova;
introductory article, commentary and dictionary by M. E. Talpa]
Emouzov (Yemuz), A[natoli] G[uzerovich], English-Kabardian-Russian
Phrase[ological] Dictionary, Nalchik: The Kabardino-Balkarian
Institute for Raising the Level of the Academic Proficiency of the
Spiritual Legacy of the Orient, 1992. [Second edition, 366 pages]
Gebelli, K[ube] C[saban], Adyghe psetlezhxer [Circassian Proverbs and
Sayings], Csam (Damasus, Syria), 1953. [32 pages; more than 700
entries]
Ghwch’emix’w, A[bubechir] M. and Qardenghwsch’, Z[iramikw] [P.]
(compilers), Adige Psalhezchxer (yapa txilh) [Circassian Proverbs,
Vol. 1], Kabardino-Balkarian Science and Research Institute,
Nalchik: The Kabardino-Balkarian Publishing House, 1965, pp 35-
201. [Introduction by Askerbiy Shorten]
— Adige Psalhezchxer (yet'wana txilh) [Circassian Proverbs, Vol. 2],
Kabardino-Balkarian Science and Research Institute, Nalchik: The
Kabardino-Balkarian Publishing House, 1967, pp 18-245.
[Introduction by Askerbiy Shorten]
Ghwch’emix’w, A[bubechir] M. and Qardenghwsch’, Z[iramikw] P.
(compilers), Adige Psalhezchxer [Circassian Proverbs], Nalchik,
1968.
Jaimoukha, A., ‘Proverbs and Sayings’, in A. Jaimoukha, The
Circassians: A Handbook, Richmond: Curzon Press, 2000, pp
296-310. [Includes some 250 Circassian proverbs (in Latin
orthography) with English translations and equivalents]

193
Kestene, D. (ed.), Adige Gwshi’ezchxer [Circassian Proverbs and
Sayings], Maikop: Adigean Branch of the Krasnodar Book
Printing House, 1978. Online. Available HTTP:
<http://www.circassianlibrary.org/library.php?lang=en&mn=1&sb
mn=3> (accessed 15 February 2008). [Compiled by M. X’wazch
and Sh. X’wt]
K’wrashin, M[ihemed] (compiler), ‘Psalhezchxer [Proverbs]’, in Adige
Maq Gazet [Circassian Voice Newspaper], no. 43, 23 May 1918.
[41 proverbs]
Lhewisten, Y[usif] (ed.), Adige Gwshi’ezchxer [Circassian Proverbs and
Allegories], Maikop, 1941.
Pagwe, T[ambiy] (compiler), ‘Adigski poslovitsi, zagadki,
skorogovorki, primeti i poverya i koe-chto iz narodnoi meditsini
[Circassian Proverbs, Riddles, Patter, Omens and Superstitions,
and a bit of Folk Medicine]’, in Sbornik materialov dlya opisaniya
mestnostei i plemen Kavkaza (SMOMPK) [Collection of Materials
for the Description of the Districts and Tribes of the Caucasus],
Tiflis (Tbilisi), no. 26, section 2 (3), 1899, pp 1-78. [626 proverbs
translated into Russian]
Qardenghwsch’, Ziramikw P. (compiler), Adige Psalhezchxer
[Circassian Proverbs], Nalchik: Elbrus Publishing House, 1982.
[148 pages; artist: German Paschti; available, in one form or
another, on the Web]]
Shamba, O. (compiler), Proverbs and Sayings of the Caucasian
Mountain Peoples, translated by T. Rodkina, Sukhumi: Tina Ltd,
1992. [64 pages]
Shorten, A[skerbiy], Yelbeird H. and Schojents’ik’w, A[dem]
(compilers), ‘Psalhezchxemre Psalhe Sheriwexemre [Proverbs and
Pithy Sayings]’, in Qeberdey Weredxemre Psalhezchxemre
[Kabardian Songs and Proverbs], pp 132-66, Kabardian Science
and Research Institute, Nalchik: The Kabardian State Publishing
House, 1948. [998 entries]
Themoqwe, H[ebas] (compiler), ‘Psalhezchxer [Proverbs]’, in Adige
Maq Gazet [Circassian Voice Newspaper], Bakhsan, Kabarda, no.
44, 27 May 1918. [83 proverbs]
Ts’aghwe (Tsagov), N[uriy] (N. Aytechiqwe) (compiler), ‘Psalhezchxer
[Proverbs]’, in Adige Maq Gazet [Circassian Voice Newspaper],
Bakhsan, Kabarda, no. 39, 9 May 1918. [162 proverbs]
— ‘Psalhezchxer [Proverbs]’, in Adige Maq Gazet [Circassian Voice
Newspaper], Bakhsan, Kabarda, no. 40, 13 May 1918. [43
proverbs]
Yelbeird (Elberdov), F. U. (compiler), ‘Qeberdey Psalhezchxer.
Kabardinskie poslovitsi [Kabardian Proverbs]’, in Scientific

194
 Transactions of the Kabardian Science and Research Institute
[Uchenie zapiski Kabardinskogo NII], vol. 1, 1946, pp 284-97,
Nalchik: Kabgosizdat [The Kabardian State Publishing House].
[258 proverbs in both Kabardian and Russian, translated into
Russian by Adem Schojents’ik’w]
Yelbeird (Elberdov), X. U., Schojents’k’w A[dem] O. and Yakovlev, N.
F. (compilers), ‘Qeberdey Psalhezchxer. Kabardinskie poslovitsi
[Kabardian Proverbs]’, in Scientific Transactions of the Kabardian
Science and Research Institute [Uchenie zapiski Kabardinskogo
NII], vol. 2, 1947, pp 214-36, Nalchik: The Kabardian State
Publishing House. [250 proverbs in both Kabardian and Russian]

195
Other works by Amjad Jaimoukha

Books

The Circassians: A Handbook, London: RoutledgeCurzon (Taylor

& Francis); New York: Palgrave, 2001. [This book has received
world-wide acclaim and was reviewed in many prestigious journals
and periodicals, including The Times Literary Supplement (UK),
Book News, Inc. (Portland, Oregon), Bulletin of the School of
Oriental and African Studies (UK), Choice Magazine (USA),
Ethnos: A Journal of Anthropology (UK), Europe-Asia Studies
(Institute of Central and East European Studies, University of
Glasgow, Scotland), Indigenous Nations Studies Journal
(University of Kansas), Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (UK),
Middle East Studies Association Bulletin (USA), Royal Court
Research Department/Majlis El Hassan (Jordan), Slavic and East
European Journal (USA), The American Historical Review
(USA), Canadian-American Slavic Studies, Faits & Projects
Magazine (Paris). Sample pages and extracts from the book are
available on Amazon.com. For more information, refer to
http://geocities.com/jaimoukha/circhandbook.html]

The Chechens: A Handbook, New York: Routledge; London:

RoutledgeCurzon (Taylor & Francis), 2005; 2nd edition: 2008. [This
book was reviewed in a number of journals and periodicals,
including Slavic and East European Journal (USA). Sample pages
and extracts from the book are available on Amazon.com and
Google Books]

Circassian Culture and Folklore: Hospitality Traditions, Cuisine,

Festivals & Music (Kabardian, Cherkess, Adigean, Shapsugh &
Diaspora), London and New York: Bennett and Bloom, 2009.

Circassian Bibliography, Amman: Sanjalay Press, 2009. [In

English. About 2,000 entries. Language of entry is same as language
of title]

196

The Cycles of the Nart Epic of the Circassians, Amman: Sanjalay
Press, 2009. [In English]

Kabardian–English Dictionary, Amman: Sanjalay Press, 1997; 2nd

edition: 2009. [More than 22 thousand entries]

Kabardian Grammar, Amman: Sanjalay Press, 2005.

Articles

‘Jordan’, in Carl Skutsch (ed.), The Encyclopedia of the World’s
Minorities, New York: Routledge, 2005. (1st edition, 3 vols, ISBN:
157958392X)

‘The Circassians’, in Carl Skutsch (ed.), The Encyclopedia of the

World’s Minorities, New York: Routledge, 2005. (1st edition, 3 vols,
ISBN: 157958392X)

‘The Dagestanis’, in Carl Skutsch (ed.), The Encyclopedia of the

World’s Minorities, New York: Routledge, 2005. (1st edition, 3 vols,
ISBN: 157958392X)

‘The Kabardians’, in Carl Skutsch (ed.), The Encyclopedia of the

World’s Minorities, New York: Routledge, 2005. (1st edition, 3 vols,
ISBN: 157958392X)

‘The Karachai’, in Carl Skutsch (ed.), The Encyclopedia of the

World’s Minorities, New York: Routledge, 2005. (1st edition, 3 vols,
ISBN: 157958392X)

Other publications

Bibliography of Publications of the Royal Scientific Society and

Princess Sumaya University for Technology (1997-2004), Amman:
Royal Scientific Society Press, 2005. [In English. Language of entry
is same as language of title]

Scientific Integrity, Amman: Royal Scientific Society Press, 2005.

[In Arabic]

197

Proposal Writing: A Guide for Writing Convincing Funding
Proposals, Amman: Royal Scientific Society Press, 2004.

Other articles appeared in a number of local periodicals and on some

Internet sites. There have also been a number of interviews by
international and national media, such as the BBC (Arabic Service),
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (North Caucasus Service), Faits &
Projects Magazine (Paris, September 2003, pp 51-52), etc.

198