Signification
Pain diminishes as time passes.
Contexte culturel
The phrase reflects the Russian value of 'терпение' (patience). Russians often believe that enduring hardship is a part of life, and time is the natural way these hardships are resolved. In Soviet cinema, this phrase was often used to show the resilience of characters after the war or personal tragedies, reinforcing a collective sense of moving forward. Younger Russians might use the phrase ironically or with a grain of salt, often adding that one needs therapy or self-work in addition to time. Classic authors like Turgenev used the concept of time's healing power to resolve long, dramatic plotlines involving unrequited love.
Use it for empathy
If you don't know what to say to a grieving friend, this is a safe and culturally appropriate 'filler' that shows you care.
Don't be too cold
If said with a flat tone, it can sound like you are telling the person to 'just get over it.' Use a soft, sympathetic voice.
Signification
Pain diminishes as time passes.
Use it for empathy
If you don't know what to say to a grieving friend, this is a safe and culturally appropriate 'filler' that shows you care.
Don't be too cold
If said with a flat tone, it can sound like you are telling the person to 'just get over it.' Use a soft, sympathetic voice.
Combine with 'говорят'
Adding 'Говорят, что...' (They say that...) makes the advice sound less like your own opinion and more like universal wisdom, which is often more comforting.
The 'Soul' connection
In Russian, we often say 'Время лечит душу' (Time heals the soul). Adding 'душу' makes it sound much more profound and Russian.
Teste-toi
Complete the proverb with the correct form of the verb.
Говорят, что _________ лечит.
The subject must be in the Nominative case: 'время'.
In which situation is it MOST appropriate to say 'Время лечит'?
Выберите правильную ситуацию:
The phrase is used for emotional healing, like after a breakup.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
— Я так скучаю по своей старой собаке. Прошёл месяц, а мне всё ещё грустно. — Понимаю тебя. ________________.
'Время лечит' is the only phrase here that offers consolation for grief.
Match the phrase variation to its meaning.
1. Время лечит. 2. Время — лучший лекарь. 3. Время всё расставит по местам.
These are common variations with slightly different nuances.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesГоворят, что _________ лечит.
The subject must be in the Nominative case: 'время'.
Выберите правильную ситуацию:
The phrase is used for emotional healing, like after a breakup.
— Я так скучаю по своей старой собаке. Прошёл месяц, а мне всё ещё грустно. — Понимаю тебя. ________________.
'Время лечит' is the only phrase here that offers consolation for grief.
1. Время лечит. 2. Время — лучший лекарь. 3. Время всё расставит по местам.
These are common variations with slightly different nuances.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, that would sound very strange. For physical injuries, use 'заживать' (to heal/close up) or 'выздоравливать' (to get better).
It is 'лечит' (singular). 'Время' is a singular neuter noun.
It is a proverb, so it is a bit of a cliché, but in moments of deep grief, clichés are often the most comforting thing to hear.
You say 'Время не лечит'. Many people say this when they feel their pain is permanent.
'Лечит' is the process (treating), while 'вылечит' is the result (will cure). The proverb uses the process form.
Only if you have a very close relationship with the person and they are going through a personal crisis. Otherwise, it's too personal.
Not exactly a slang version, but 'Пройдёт' (It will pass) is a more casual way to say the same thing.
It's just one of the few nouns ending in -мя (like имя, пламя) which are all neuter in Russian.
No, it is a secular proverb, though it aligns with many religious views on patience.
Yes, this is a very common and slightly more poetic expansion of the phrase.
Expressions liées
Время — лучший лекарь
synonymTime is the best healer.
Утро вечера мудренее
similarThe morning is wiser than the evening.
Всё проходит, и это пройдёт
similarEverything passes, and this too shall pass.
Время — деньги
contrastTime is money.
