Signification
To know something perfectly.
Contexte culturel
In Ukrainian folklore, the hand is often seen as a symbol of fate and skill. Artisans would often say their hands 'remember' the work even if their minds are tired. Counting on fingers is the first mathematical skill taught to children in Ukraine. This makes the 'five fingers' a symbol of foundational, undeniable truth. In cities like Kyiv or Lviv, locals take great pride in knowing 'secret' courtyards and cafes. Using this idiom proves you are a 'true' local. Historically, Ukrainian peasants knew their land so well they could identify specific fields by the feel of the soil. This deep connection to the physical world is reflected in the idiom.
The 'Svoyi' Secret
Always use 'свої' regardless of who is doing the knowing. It makes you sound much more native than using 'мої' or 'твої'.
Don't Overuse
If you say you know everything 'like your five fingers,' you might sound like a know-it-all. Save it for things you truly master.
Signification
To know something perfectly.
The 'Svoyi' Secret
Always use 'свої' regardless of who is doing the knowing. It makes you sound much more native than using 'мої' or 'твої'.
Don't Overuse
If you say you know everything 'like your five fingers,' you might sound like a know-it-all. Save it for things you truly master.
Combine with 'Вже'
Add 'вже' (already) to show progress: 'Я вже знаю цей район як свої п'ять пальців!'
Teste-toi
Заповніть пропуски правильними словами.
Я живу в цьому селі все життя, тому знаю кожну вулицю як свої п'ять ___.
The idiom uses 'пальців' in the genitive plural form after the number 'п'ять'.
Виберіть правильний варіант перекладу.
I know this computer program like the back of my hand.
The standard Ukrainian idiom for 'back of my hand' is 'як свої п'ять пальців'.
У якій ситуації найкраще використати цю фразу?
Ситуація: Ви вперше приїхали в Париж і дивитесь на карту.
You cannot say you know a place 'like your five fingers' if you are there for the first time and using a map.
Доповніть діалог.
- Ти зможеш знайти дорогу в темряві? - Не хвилюйся, я знаю цей шлях ___.
This idiom fits perfectly to emphasize that you don't even need light to find your way.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesЯ живу в цьому селі все життя, тому знаю кожну вулицю як свої п'ять ___.
The idiom uses 'пальців' in the genitive plural form after the number 'п'ять'.
I know this computer program like the back of my hand.
The standard Ukrainian idiom for 'back of my hand' is 'як свої п'ять пальців'.
Ситуація: Ви вперше приїхали в Париж і дивитесь на карту.
You cannot say you know a place 'like your five fingers' if you are there for the first time and using a map.
- Ти зможеш знайти дорогу в темряві? - Не хвилюйся, я знаю цей шлях ___.
This idiom fits perfectly to emphasize that you don't even need light to find your way.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsNo, that would be strange. It implies long-term, deep familiarity.
Yes, it's a very professional way to state your expertise in a software or process.
Five fingers represent one hand, which is the basic unit of human interaction and counting.
Not really, the whole phrase is usually kept together to maintain the idiomatic meaning.
'Досконало' is more formal and literal (perfectly), while 'як свої п'ять пальців' is more colorful and idiomatic.
Expressions liées
Знати як облупленого
synonymTo know someone inside out.
Знати вздовж і впоперек
similarTo know lengthways and crossways.
Чути дзвін, та не знати, де він
contrastTo have heard a rumor but not know the facts.
Бути на 'ти' з чимось
builds onTo be on 'informal' terms with a subject.
