Signification
Quiet people can be powerful.
Contexte culturel
Czechs value 'skromnost' (modesty). Bragging is culturally discouraged, making this proverb a very common way to praise someone without making them feel uncomfortable. The phrase is identical in Slovak ('Tichá voda brehy melie') and carries the exact same cultural weight, reflecting the shared history and linguistic proximity. In many Slavic cultures, water is seen as a living entity. The 'quiet' water is often associated with water spirits (vodník) who are quiet but can pull you under—adding a layer of folklore danger to the phrase. In Czech social media, this phrase is often used in memes about introverts who 'slay' or succeed unexpectedly, showing how traditional proverbs adapt to digital life.
Shorten it for impact
In casual chat, just say 'Tichá voda...' and nod. It sounds very native.
Don't say 'tichá řeka'
Even though rivers have banks, 'tichá řeka' is not an idiom. Stick to 'voda'.
Signification
Quiet people can be powerful.
Shorten it for impact
In casual chat, just say 'Tichá voda...' and nod. It sounds very native.
Don't say 'tichá řeka'
Even though rivers have banks, 'tichá řeka' is not an idiom. Stick to 'voda'.
Use it for 'Dark Horses'
This is the perfect translation for the English concept of a 'dark horse' in a competition.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing verb in its correct form.
Tichá voda břehy _______.
The correct third-person singular form of 'mlít' is 'mele'.
Which situation best fits the proverb?
Kdy použijeme 'Tichá voda břehy mele'?
The proverb describes quiet people with hidden depth or power.
Match the Czech words to their English literal meanings.
Match the components:
These are the literal translations of the proverb's parts.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: 'Petr nikdy nic neříkal, ale teď vyhrál milion v loterii!' B: 'No jo, _______.'
This fits the surprise at a quiet person's success.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesTichá voda břehy _______.
The correct third-person singular form of 'mlít' is 'mele'.
Kdy použijeme 'Tichá voda břehy mele'?
The proverb describes quiet people with hidden depth or power.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the literal translations of the proverb's parts.
A: 'Petr nikdy nic neříkal, ale teď vyhrál milion v loterii!' B: 'No jo, _______.'
This fits the surprise at a quiet person's success.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsIt can be both! It's a compliment for hidden talent, but a warning for hidden danger.
Yes, 'voda' is feminine, but the proverb applies to all genders without changing.
It means 'grinds', like a mill grinding grain into flour.
Yes, it's a classic that hasn't gone out of style, though it sounds a bit 'wise'.
This is the exact equivalent: 'Tichá voda břehy mele'.
Expressions liées
Nezdá se
similarHe/she doesn't seem like it.
Tajnůstkář
similarA secretive person.
Kdo mlčí, souhlasí
contrastSilence means consent.
Mluvit stříbro, mlčet zlato
builds onSpeaking is silver, silence is gold.
