Bedeutung
Reading is how we learn things.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Ukraine, the 'Day of Knowledge' (День знань) is celebrated on September 1st. This proverb is the unofficial slogan of the day, appearing on banners and in speeches across the country. During the Soviet period, this phrase was part of a massive literacy campaign. It remains in the lexicon of older generations as a symbol of the 'most reading nation in the world' mythos. Despite the war and digitalization, Ukrainians have a massive 'Book Arsenal' festival. This proverb is often used ironically or sincerely to promote Ukrainian-language publishing as a form of cultural defense. The metaphor of 'source' (джерело) often connects to the biblical 'living water,' reflecting the early history of books being primarily religious texts in Kievan Rus'.
Use the Dash
Always write the dash (—) in this phrase. It's not just punctuation; it's the grammar that makes the proverb work.
School Context
If you want to impress a Ukrainian teacher, use this phrase when discussing why you like a certain subject.
Bedeutung
Reading is how we learn things.
Use the Dash
Always write the dash (—) in this phrase. It's not just punctuation; it's the grammar that makes the proverb work.
School Context
If you want to impress a Ukrainian teacher, use this phrase when discussing why you like a certain subject.
Don't pluralize 'джерело'
Even if you are talking about many books, we usually say 'Книга — джерело знань' as a singular abstract concept.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the proverb with the correct word.
Книга — ________ знань.
The word 'джерело' (source/spring) is the standard part of this proverb.
Which case is the word 'знань' in?
Книга — джерело знань.
'Джерело чого?' (Source of what?) requires the Genitive case.
Choose the best response for the mother.
Дитина: 'Я не хочу читати!' Мама: 'Але ж синку, пам'ятай: ________.'
This is the classic motivational response used by parents.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate location.
Where would you most likely see 'Книга — джерело знань' written on a wall?
Libraries are the primary cultural home for this proverb.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenКнига — ________ знань.
The word 'джерело' (source/spring) is the standard part of this proverb.
Книга — джерело знань.
'Джерело чого?' (Source of what?) requires the Genitive case.
Дитина: 'Я не хочу читати!' Мама: 'Але ж синку, пам'ятай: ________.'
This is the classic motivational response used by parents.
Where would you most likely see 'Книга — джерело знань' written on a wall?
Libraries are the primary cultural home for this proverb.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIn Ukrainian, when you say 'A is B' and both are nouns, the verb 'is' (є) is replaced by a dash.
Yes, 'Книжка' is more common in daily speech, but 'Книга' sounds more grand and traditional for the proverb.
Yes, it's still the most common proverb about education in Ukraine.
It literally means a water spring, which makes the metaphor more poetic.
It's like the 'j' in 'juice'. Don't pronounce 'd' and 'zh' separately.
In this proverb, it's 'знань' (genitive plural). 'Знання' is the nominative singular.
Technically yes, but the proverb usually evokes the image of a physical paper book.
People sometimes say 'Інтернет — океан інформації', but it's not as established as the book proverb.
Yes, it's neutral-to-formal. You wouldn't use it as slang.
'Books are a fountain of knowledge' is the closest literal and metaphorical match.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Знання — це сила
similarKnowledge is power.
Вік живи — вік учись
similarLive for a century, learn for a century.
Хто багато читає, той багато знає
builds onHe who reads much, knows much.
Книга вчить, як на світі жить
similarA book teaches how to live in the world.
