Bedeutung
Value long-term relationships.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Friendship in Russia is often seen as a 'sacred' bond that involves significant mutual aid. It is not uncommon for friends to help each other move, lend large sums of money, or provide emotional support at any hour. During the Soviet period, trust was a rare commodity. People only spoke freely with 'old friends' in their kitchens. This 'kitchen culture' solidified the proverb's importance. Despite the rise of Tinder and LinkedIn, the proverb is frequently used as a hashtag (#старыйдруглучшеновыхдвух) to signal authenticity in an era of 'fake' followers. Russian business is highly relational. Many successful companies are founded by groups of university friends because they trust the 'old friend' more than a professional manager.
The 'Genitive' Trick
If you forget the ending for 'двух', just remember it rhymes with 'друг' (sort of). Drug / Dvukh.
Don't be rude
Never say this to a new friend's face unless you are clearly joking. It can sound like you don't value them.
Bedeutung
Value long-term relationships.
The 'Genitive' Trick
If you forget the ending for 'двух', just remember it rhymes with 'друг' (sort of). Drug / Dvukh.
Don't be rude
Never say this to a new friend's face unless you are clearly joking. It can sound like you don't value them.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the proverb with the correct case ending.
Старый друг лучше новых ____.
The Genitive case of 'два' is 'двух', which is required after the comparative 'лучше' when 'чем' is omitted.
In which situation is this proverb MOST appropriate?
You are at a 20-year high school reunion talking to your best friend.
The proverb is a classic way to celebrate long-term bonds during reunions.
Choose the best response.
— Почему ты не хочешь пойти на вечеринку с новыми соседями? — Потому что я обещал встретиться с другом детства. Знаешь поговорку?
Option A is the only one that deals with the value of old friends.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Old vs. New Friends
Aufgabensammlung
3 AufgabenСтарый друг лучше новых ____.
The Genitive case of 'два' is 'двух', which is required after the comparative 'лучше' when 'чем' is omitted.
You are at a 20-year high school reunion talking to your best friend.
The proverb is a classic way to celebrate long-term bonds during reunions.
— Почему ты не хочешь пойти на вечеринку с новыми соседями? — Потому что я обещал встретиться с другом детства. Знаешь поговорку?
Option A is the only one that deals with the value of old friends.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Häufig gestellte Fragen
2 FragenYes, but it's less common. It's usually for platonic friends. For partners, people usually use more romantic expressions.
It's just for the rhyme and rhythm. 'Two' represents the idea that even multiple new friends can't replace one old one.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Друг познается в беде
similarA friend is known in trouble.
Не имей сто рублей, а имей сто друзей
builds onDon't have a hundred rubles, have a hundred friends.
Старый конь борозды не испортит
similarAn old horse won't spoil the furrow.
