Signification
Relying only on a promise.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'Merchant's Honor' (Купеческое слово) is a historical point of pride. Even without laws, breaking a word was social suicide. During WWII, the phrase became associated with the 'Wing and a Prayer' song, symbolizing the resilience of Soviet pilots and their damaged planes. It is often used with a sense of 'black humor' to describe the state of public infrastructure or old Soviet-era technology. In the chaotic 90s, many businesses operated 'на честном слове' because the legal system was not yet developed, leading to both great trust and great betrayals.
The Silent T
In 'честном', the 'т' is never pronounced. Saying it makes you sound like a robot or a non-native speaker.
Don't use with strangers
Telling a stranger you'll do something 'на честном слове' can sound suspicious, as if you are trying to avoid a contract.
Signification
Relying only on a promise.
The Silent T
In 'честном', the 'т' is never pronounced. Saying it makes you sound like a robot or a non-native speaker.
Don't use with strangers
Telling a stranger you'll do something 'на честном слове' can sound suspicious, as if you are trying to avoid a contract.
The 'Spit' alternative
If you want to sound like a local mechanic, use 'на соплях', but never use it in front of your boss!
Pair with 'держаться'
90% of the time, when describing objects, you will use the verb 'держаться' (to hold on).
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words in the correct case.
Этот старый шкаф такой шаткий, он держится на ______ ______.
After the preposition 'на', we use the Prepositional case.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'на честном слове'?
Выберите ситуацию:
This is an informal agreement based on trust.
Complete the dialogue.
— Твоя машина еще ездит? — Да, но она уже старая, ...
This is the standard way to describe a fragile, old machine.
Match the sense to the sentence.
1. Trust agreement | 2. Fragility A. Мы договорились на честном слове. B. Мост стоит на честном слове.
Sentence A is about a deal, B is about a physical structure.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Trust vs. Physical State
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesЭтот старый шкаф такой шаткий, он держится на ______ ______.
After the preposition 'на', we use the Prepositional case.
Выберите ситуацию:
This is an informal agreement based on trust.
— Твоя машина еще ездит? — Да, но она уже старая, ...
This is the standard way to describe a fragile, old machine.
1. Trust agreement | 2. Fragility A. Мы договорились на честном слове. B. Мост стоит на честном слове.
Sentence A is about a deal, B is about a physical structure.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsUse 'на' to describe a state (The car is on an honest word). Use 'под' for the condition of an action (I gave it to him under his word).
Yes, if someone is very tired or sick, you can say 'Он держится на честном слове'.
No, it's neutral. It can be funny or slightly critical, but it's not offensive.
No, it actually implies the person is trying to be honest, but there's no other proof.
The opposite would be 'по контракту' (by contract) or 'надежно' (reliably).
In a friendly work email, yes. In a formal business proposal, no.
Adding 'honest' (честное) emphasizes the moral weight, though 'на слове' is sometimes used in 'поверить на слово'.
Yes, especially in Soviet comedies where characters often have old, broken cars.
It's possible, but the fixed idiom 'на честном слове' is much more common.
Yes, to describe fragile political agreements or failing economies.
Expressions liées
честное слово
builds onI swear! / Word of honor!
верить на слово
similarTo take someone's word for it.
на соплях
synonymHeld together by snot (very fragile).
под честное слово
similarGiven on the condition of a promise.
слово чести
synonymWord of honor.
