Signification
Don't judge by appearances.
Contexte culturel
In traditional Latvian culture, the 'vīrs' (man) was expected to be a 'saimnieks' (master/owner). His worth was proven by his fields and his word, not his Sunday clothes. Across the Baltics, there is a shared skepticism toward flashy displays of wealth. Humility is often seen as a sign of true strength. In the Riga tech hub, this proverb is often used to describe the 'startup look' where expertise is decoupled from formal attire. The proverb is a staple in Latvian 'pasakas' (fairytales), where the hero often appears in disguise as a beggar or a simpleton.
Use it for anyone
Even though it says 'vīru' (man), you can use it when talking about women, children, or even companies!
Don't change the words
Proverbs are 'frozen.' If you say 'Neskati sievu no cepures,' it sounds like a joke, not a proverb.
Signification
Don't judge by appearances.
Use it for anyone
Even though it says 'vīru' (man), you can use it when talking about women, children, or even companies!
Don't change the words
Proverbs are 'frozen.' If you say 'Neskati sievu no cepures,' it sounds like a joke, not a proverb.
The 'No' Rule
Remember that 'no' here means 'by' or 'from'. It's a specific idiomatic use of the preposition.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb.
Neskati ____ no ____.
The proverb uses the accusative 'vīru' and the genitive 'cepures'.
Which situation best fits the proverb 'Neskati vīru no cepures'?
Situation: You meet a famous professor who is wearing an old, stained t-shirt.
The proverb teaches us to value knowledge over clothing.
Match the Latvian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the pairs:
These are the closest idiomatic equivalents.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the proverb.
A: 'Kāpēc tu neuzticies tam jaunajam puisim?' B: 'Viņš izskatās pārāk neformāls.' A: 'Bet ____!'
This is the standard form used to counter a judgment based on appearance.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesNeskati ____ no ____.
The proverb uses the accusative 'vīru' and the genitive 'cepures'.
Situation: You meet a famous professor who is wearing an old, stained t-shirt.
The proverb teaches us to value knowledge over clothing.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the closest idiomatic equivalents.
A: 'Kāpēc tu neuzticies tam jaunajam puisim?' B: 'Viņš izskatās pārāk neformāls.' A: 'Bet ____!'
This is the standard form used to counter a judgment based on appearance.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, very much so! It's one of the top 5 most recognized proverbs in Latvia.
Yes, but usually as a closing thought or a piece of advice. It's quite informal but respectful.
It's an archaic form that has been preserved. 'No' implies the judgment is coming *from* the hat.
No, it applies to any external trait—car, house, social media followers, or even a person's accent.
No, the traditional form uses 'vīru,' but it is understood to mean 'person.'
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'Drēbes padara cilvēku' (Clothes make the person) is sometimes used ironically.
Start with a 'ts' sound, like in 'cats.' TSE-pu-res.
No, it's usually seen as wise advice. However, don't say it *to* the person you are judging!
It's an older verb for 'to look' or 'to behold.' In modern Latvian, we usually use 'skatīties.'
It's from folk wisdom, but many Latvian poets have used it in their works.
Expressions liées
Vīrs un vārds
similarA man and his word.
Izskats var būt mānīgs
synonymAppearances can be deceiving.
Suns, kas rej, nekož
similarA barking dog doesn't bite.
Pēc darba vīru pazīst
builds onA man is known by his work.
