Bedeutung
Adopt the habits of those around you.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The wolf is a central figure in Russian folklore, often representing a dangerous but necessary part of the natural order. This proverb reflects a history where survival often meant blending into the collective. During the Soviet period, this phrase was often used to describe the necessity of 'doublethink'—acting like a loyal party member in public while holding different views in private. Today, it's frequently used to describe the 'wild' nature of the 1990s business world and the tough corporate culture that followed. In villages, the proverb is taken more literally regarding the harshness of nature and the need to respect the 'laws of the forest'.
Use it for resignation
Use this phrase when you want to show you're not happy about adapting, but you feel you have no choice.
Don't use it for friends
Calling your friends 'wolves' can be offensive unless you are clearly joking about a specific habit.
Bedeutung
Adopt the habits of those around you.
Use it for resignation
Use this phrase when you want to show you're not happy about adapting, but you feel you have no choice.
Don't use it for friends
Calling your friends 'wolves' can be offensive unless you are clearly joking about a specific habit.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the proverb with the correct words.
С волками жить — по-_______ _______.
The standard form uses 'волчьи' (wolf-like) and 'выть' (to howl).
Which situation best fits the proverb?
Ситуация: Иван переехал в новый город, где все ездят на велосипедах, и он тоже купил велосипед.
This situation describes adapting to the habits of a new social environment.
Choose the best response.
— Почему ты начал использовать этот странный сленг? — Ну, в моей новой компании все так говорят. ...
The speaker is justifying their change in speech by the influence of their new social group.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
3 AufgabenС волками жить — по-_______ _______.
The standard form uses 'волчьи' (wolf-like) and 'выть' (to howl).
Ситуация: Иван переехал в новый город, где все ездят на велосипедах, и он тоже купил велосипед.
This situation describes adapting to the habits of a new social environment.
— Почему ты начал использовать этот странный сленг? — Ну, в моей новой компании все так говорят. ...
The speaker is justifying their change in speech by the influence of their new social group.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Häufig gestellte Fragen
2 FragenMostly yes. It implies that the environment is tough or 'predatory,' and you are forced to adapt.
Only if you are discussing how you successfully adapted to a previous difficult culture, but be careful—it might sound cynical.
Verwandte Redewendungen
В чужой монастырь со своим уставом не ходят
similarDon't bring your own rules to someone else's place.
Куда иголка, туда и нитка
builds onWhere the needle goes, the thread follows.
Человек человеку волк
similarMan is a wolf to man.
