Signification
Time is very valuable.
Contexte culturel
In nomadic life, time is tied to the 'Twelve Animal Cycle' and the sun's position. 'Golden time' refers to the brief windows of perfect weather for migration. In Ulaanbaatar, traffic is a major issue. People use 'Цаг бол алт' to express frustration with how much time is wasted in gridlock. Teachers heavily use this phrase to discourage 'shpargalka' (cheating) and encourage genuine study time. While 'Time is money' is used in banks, 'Time is gold' is used in leadership and motivational seminars to inspire workers.
Use it to end a meeting
If a meeting is dragging on, saying 'За, цаг бол алт, ажилдаа орцгооё' (Well, time is gold, let's get to work) is a polite way to end it.
Don't overdo it
If you say this too often, you might sound like a bossy manager or a strict teacher.
Signification
Time is very valuable.
Use it to end a meeting
If a meeting is dragging on, saying 'За, цаг бол алт, ажилдаа орцгооё' (Well, time is gold, let's get to work) is a polite way to end it.
Don't overdo it
If you say this too often, you might sound like a bossy manager or a strict teacher.
The 'Gold' vs 'Money' distinction
Using 'gold' makes you sound more traditionally wise; using 'money' makes you sound more business-oriented.
Teste-toi
Complete the proverb.
Цаг бол ____.
The standard proverb is 'Цаг бол алт' (Time is gold).
In which situation is it most appropriate to say 'Цаг бол алт'?
Choose the best context:
The phrase is used to emphasize the value of time and the need to be punctual or efficient.
Fill in the missing line in the dialogue.
A: Би маргааш ажлаа хийж болох уу? B: Үгүй ээ, одоо хий. ________.
B is encouraging A to work now rather than procrastinate, making the proverb perfect here.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesЦаг бол ____.
The standard proverb is 'Цаг бол алт' (Time is gold).
Choose the best context:
The phrase is used to emphasize the value of time and the need to be punctual or efficient.
A: Би маргааш ажлаа хийж болох уу? B: Үгүй ээ, одоо хий. ________.
B is encouraging A to work now rather than procrastinate, making the proverb perfect here.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot at all! It's used among friends to jokingly tell someone to hurry up.
Yes, it's understood, but it sounds like a translation from English. 'Цаг бол алт' is more natural.
It marks 'Цаг' as the topic and links it to 'алт'. It's the standard way to say 'A is B'.
Yes, similar versions exist in Kazakh and Kyrgyz, often also using 'gold'.
You would say 'Цаг алт байсан', but this is rarely used as a proverb.
Not a direct one, but people might just shout 'Цаг!' (Time!) to mean the same thing.
Only if you are saying 'The time I spend with you is gold.' Otherwise, it's a bit too business-like.
Yes, but metaphorically it means anything of the highest value.
It can be. It's better to let elders say it to you. Saying it to them might imply they are wasting time.
There isn't a single proverb, but 'Цаг их байна' (There is plenty of time) is the functional opposite.
Expressions liées
Цаг хугацаа хэнийг ч хүлээхгүй
similarTime waits for no one.
Алтан агшин
specialized formGolden moment.
Цаг нөхцөөх
contrastTo kill time / To pass time aimlessly.
Цаг баримтлах
builds onTo be punctual.
