Bedeutung
Be careful, someone might be listening.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is deeply linked to the 'Kitchen Culture' of the Soviet era, where private life was strictly separated from public life. Often associated with the Louvre and the 'listening tubes' of Catherine de' Medici. The Japanese version adds 'eyes in the shoji,' reflecting the traditional architecture of thin paper walls. In the 21st century, the phrase is used globally to refer to the 'always-on' microphones in smart devices.
Use it for Gossip
This is the perfect phrase to use when you want to gossip but want to sound like you're being careful.
Don't over-use
If you use it too much, you might sound paranoid or like you have too many secrets.
Bedeutung
Be careful, someone might be listening.
Use it for Gossip
This is the perfect phrase to use when you want to gossip but want to sound like you're being careful.
Don't over-use
If you use it too much, you might sound paranoid or like you have too many secrets.
The 'Kitchen' Vibe
Remember that for older Russians, this phrase carries a memory of a time when privacy was a luxury.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the proverb with the correct word in the correct case.
Тише! У ____ есть уши.
The preposition 'У' requires the Genitive case. 'Стен' is the Genitive plural of 'стена'.
In which situation would you most likely say 'У стен есть уши'?
Select the best scenario:
The phrase is a warning about being overheard in a place where privacy is not guaranteed.
Which of these is the standard Russian proverb?
Choose the correct form:
This is the fixed, canonical form of the proverb.
Complete the dialogue.
А: Ты знаешь, почему уволили Бориса? Б: Тсс! Не здесь. ____.
Person B wants to stop the conversation because it's a secret and they might be overheard.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Types of 'Ears'
Physical
- • Thin walls
- • Open doors
- • Vents
Digital
- • Smartphones
- • Smart speakers
- • Microphones
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenТише! У ____ есть уши.
The preposition 'У' requires the Genitive case. 'Стен' is the Genitive plural of 'стена'.
Select the best scenario:
The phrase is a warning about being overheard in a place where privacy is not guaranteed.
Choose the correct form:
This is the fixed, canonical form of the proverb.
А: Ты знаешь, почему уволили Бориса? Б: Тсс! Не здесь. ____.
Person B wants to stop the conversation because it's a secret and they might be overheard.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, but often ironically or when talking about technology and social media privacy.
It's less common in Russian than in Japanese or English, but people will understand you. However, 'уши' is the standard.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss as a friendly warning, or with your friends.
In proverbs, the verb 'есть' is often kept to preserve the rhythm and emphasize the warning.
Yes, the meaning is 100% identical.
Yes, it's very common to use it with a 🤫 emoji.
No, it's actually more polite than saying 'Замолчи!' (Shut up!) because it blames the 'walls' rather than the person.
The plural is 'уши'. It is an irregular plural that learners should memorize.
Probably not, unless you are joking about the office environment. It's a bit too casual for a formal interview.
Sometimes people just say 'У стен уши', but 'есть' is more traditional.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Держать язык за зубами
similarTo keep one's tongue behind one's teeth (to keep a secret).
Болтун — находка для шпиона
similarA chatterbox is a find for a spy.
Слово — серебро, молчание — золото
similarSpeech is silver, silence is gold.
Не для чужих ушей
relatedNot for others' ears.
