Bedeutung
Words can be very powerful.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The Tamada (toastmaster) uses the power of the tongue to unite guests. A good toast can 'break the bone' of enmity between rivals sitting at the same table. In the mountains, verbal agreements were often more binding than written ones. A man's word was his 'bone', and a 'broken' word was a matter of life and death. Georgians are very active on Facebook. This proverb is frequently cited in comment sections to remind people that 'cyber-bullying' has real-world consequences. Georgia's survival between the Ottoman, Persian, and Russian empires often relied on 'bone-breaking' diplomacy rather than military might.
Case Matters
Always remember the '-ს' on 'ძვალს'. Without it, the sentence is grammatically 'broken' just like the bone!
Don't be Literal
If you use this during a medical emergency, people will think you are joking at a bad time.
Bedeutung
Words can be very powerful.
Case Matters
Always remember the '-ს' on 'ძვალს'. Without it, the sentence is grammatically 'broken' just like the bone!
Don't be Literal
If you use this during a medical emergency, people will think you are joking at a bad time.
Supra Usage
If you are ever a guest at a Georgian feast, using this proverb in a toast about friendship will earn you massive respect from the locals.
The Power of Silence
Georgians also say 'Silence is gold', which is the logical conclusion of knowing that the tongue can break bones.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the proverb with the correct case ending.
ენა ____ ამტვრევს.
The word 'ძვალი' (bone) must be in the Dative case (-ს) as the direct object of the verb 'ამტვრევს'.
What is the figurative meaning of this phrase?
რას ნიშნავს 'ენა ძვალს ამტვრევს'?
The proverb uses the physical impossibility of a tongue breaking a bone to highlight the immense psychological power of words.
In which situation would you use this proverb?
Match the proverb to the situation.
The proverb is used to describe the power of persuasion or the impact of words.
Complete the dialogue.
გიორგი: 'მისმა სიტყვებმა ძალიან მატკინა.' მარიამი: 'ვიცი, ____.'
Mariam is comforting Giorgi by acknowledging that words can indeed cause deep pain.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Where to use it
Social
- • Arguments
- • Gossip
- • Advice
Professional
- • Negotiations
- • Speeches
- • Diplomacy
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenენა ____ ამტვრევს.
The word 'ძვალი' (bone) must be in the Dative case (-ს) as the direct object of the verb 'ამტვრევს'.
რას ნიშნავს 'ენა ძვალს ამტვრევს'?
The proverb uses the physical impossibility of a tongue breaking a bone to highlight the immense psychological power of words.
Match the proverb to the situation.
The proverb is used to describe the power of persuasion or the impact of words.
გიორგი: 'მისმა სიტყვებმა ძალიან მატკინა.' მარიამი: 'ვიცი, ____.'
Mariam is comforting Giorgi by acknowledging that words can indeed cause deep pain.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenYes, it is a neutral proverb. It's not rude, but it is serious.
Absolutely. It's a very common way to teach children to be kind with their words.
No, it also means 'language'. So the proverb also implies that 'language breaks the bone'.
Not really, but you can just say 'ენა ძვალს...' and people will finish it for you.
Yes, especially when discussing negotiations or the impact of a marketing campaign.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'სიტყვა ჰაერია' (Words are air) is sometimes used by people who want to dismiss the importance of what was said, though it's much less common.
Yes, 'ენამ ძვალი გატეხა' is the past tense and is also very common.
No, it is a traditional proverb, but it's used in all levels of society.
The bone represents the hardest, most permanent part of the body. Breaking it signifies a deep, structural impact.
You can use this proverb, or 'კალამი უფრო მჭრელია, ვიდრე ხმალი'.
Yes, many folk and modern songs use this imagery to describe heartbreak.
Yes! It can mean that someone's persuasive words achieved something very difficult.
In poetry, yes, but in daily speech, keep it as 'ენა ძვალს ამტვრევს'.
Yes, though often in a slightly more ironic or dramatic way.
Verwandte Redewendungen
ტკბილი ენა გველს ხვრელიდან ამოიყვანს
similarA sweet tongue can draw a snake out of its hole.
ენაზე კბილის დაჭერა
builds onTo bite one's tongue.
სიტყვა თქმული, ისარი ნასროლი
similarA word spoken is an arrow shot.
ენა ადამიანის მტერია
specialized formThe tongue is man's enemy.
