Signification
to feel sad or disappointed
Contexte culturel
The image of the 'superfluous man' (лишний человек) in 19th-century novels often involves them 'hanging their head' as they contemplate their lack of purpose in society. Parents often use 'Не вешай нос!' (Don't hang your nose) with children, which is a gentler, more playful version of 'повесить голову'. Russian sports commentators frequently use this phrase when the national team is losing, often criticizing the players for 'hanging their heads' too early. In Russian fairy tales (skazki), the hero often 'hangs his head' when faced with an impossible task from the Tsar, usually right before a magical helper appears.
The Power of 'Не'
90% of your usage of this phrase will likely be 'Не вешай голову!' It's the most useful version to memorize first.
No Pronouns!
Never say 'мою голову' or 'твою голову'. It sounds like you are talking about a decapitated head.
Signification
to feel sad or disappointed
The Power of 'Не'
90% of your usage of this phrase will likely be 'Не вешай голову!' It's the most useful version to memorize first.
No Pronouns!
Never say 'мою голову' or 'твою голову'. It sounds like you are talking about a decapitated head.
Body Language
Russians are very observant of body language. If you look down, someone WILL ask you why you 'hung your head'.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Когда он узнал, что не получил работу, он сразу ______ голову.
We use the past perfective 'повесил' because it describes a completed action in the past (the moment he became sad).
Which is the most natural way to encourage a friend?
Твой друг расстроен. Что ты ему скажешь?
The negative imperative 'не вешай' is the standard way to offer encouragement.
Match the situation to the sentence.
Situation: A football team just lost the final match.
'Повесили голову' means they are sad. 'Сложили голову' means they died. 'Вымыли голову' means they washed their hair.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesКогда он узнал, что не получил работу, он сразу ______ голову.
We use the past perfective 'повесил' because it describes a completed action in the past (the moment he became sad).
Твой друг расстроен. Что ты ему скажешь?
The negative imperative 'не вешай' is the standard way to offer encouragement.
Situation: A football team just lost the final match.
'Повесили голову' means they are sad. 'Сложили голову' means they died. 'Вымыли голову' means they washed their hair.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, if a project failed and you want to encourage your team, 'Коллеги, не вешайте голову' is perfectly appropriate.
No, it's usually about a temporary reaction to a specific event, not a long-term clinical condition.
'Нос' is more informal and often used with children or for minor disappointments.
Yes: 'Я совсем повесил голову после этой новости.'
Not directly, but 'выше голову!' (head higher!) is the direct antonym used for encouragement.
Sometimes, but in Russian, it's 80% sadness/disappointment and only 20% shame. For shame, 'сгорать от стыда' is better.
Я вешаю, ты вешаешь, он вешает, мы вешаем, вы вешаете, они вешают.
Я повешу, ты повесишь, он повесит, мы повесим, вы повесите, они повесят.
No, that sounds like your head committed suicide. Always use the active verb with the person as the subject.
Not at all. It's used daily in modern Russian speech, movies, and social media.
Expressions liées
повесить нос
similarTo be discouraged (informal)
опустить руки
builds onTo give up
прийти в уныние
synonymTo fall into despondency
пасть духом
synonymTo lose heart/spirit
впасть в депрессию
specialized formTo fall into depression
