뜻
Bad habits grow if not corrected early.
문화적 배경
The ox was the most valuable animal in a traditional household, representing the family's ability to work the land. Stealing one was a death blow to a family's survival. The proverb aligns with the Orthodox Christian emphasis on 'paza minții' (guarding the mind) against small sins to prevent large ones. In modern Romania, this proverb is frequently used in protests and social media to criticize 'micile șpăgi' (small bribes) that sustain a corrupt system. Romanian teachers are very strict about 'copiatul' (cheating). This proverb is often the first warning a student receives.
The Rhyme is Key
If you forget the exact words, just remember 'ou' and 'bou'. The rest of the sentence will follow naturally because of the rhyme.
Don't be too literal
If you use this when someone literally drops an egg, it won't make sense. It must involve an intentional act of dishonesty.
뜻
Bad habits grow if not corrected early.
The Rhyme is Key
If you forget the exact words, just remember 'ou' and 'bou'. The rest of the sentence will follow naturally because of the rhyme.
Don't be too literal
If you use this when someone literally drops an egg, it won't make sense. It must involve an intentional act of dishonesty.
Use for 'Red Flags'
In modern dating, you can use this to describe small lies that suggest a partner might be untrustworthy in the long run.
셀프 테스트
Complete the proverb with the correct words.
Cine fură azi un ___, mâine va fura un ___.
The proverb uses 'ou' (egg) and 'bou' (ox) to create a rhyme and show escalation.
What is the figurative meaning of this proverb?
Cine fură azi un ou, mâine va fura un bou.
The proverb is a warning about the escalation of dishonest behavior.
In which situation would you most likely hear this proverb?
A child takes a toy from a friend without asking.
This is a classic 'teaching moment' for this proverb.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Am găsit un portofel și m-am gândit să păstrez banii. B: Nu face asta! Știi ce se spune: ___.
The context of keeping found money (dishonesty) fits the 'egg and ox' proverb.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제Cine fură azi un ___, mâine va fura un ___.
The proverb uses 'ou' (egg) and 'bou' (ox) to create a rhyme and show escalation.
Cine fură azi un ou, mâine va fura un bou.
The proverb is a warning about the escalation of dishonest behavior.
A child takes a toy from a friend without asking.
This is a classic 'teaching moment' for this proverb.
A: Am găsit un portofel și m-am gândit să păstrez banii. B: Nu face asta! Știi ce se spune: ___.
The context of keeping found money (dishonesty) fits the 'egg and ox' proverb.
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Yes, it is extremely common in both parenting and political commentary.
Yes, it is often applied to lying, cheating, or any small moral compromise.
In other contexts, 'bou' can mean 'idiot', but in this proverb, it strictly means the animal (ox).
They represent the extreme ends of the value scale in a traditional farm: the smallest item vs. the most valuable asset.
It is 'neutral to formal'. It's a piece of wisdom, so it carries authority.
'He that will steal a pin will steal a better thing' is the closest moral equivalent.
Yes, the rhyme 'ou/bou' is what makes it a proverb rather than just a sentence.
No, that reverses the logic. You start small and go big, not the other way around.
Yes, similar versions exist in Bulgarian and Serbian, often using the same 'egg' imagery.
It's a schwa sound, like the 'u' in 'butter' or 'a' in 'sofa'.
관련 표현
Obiceiul e a doua natură
builds onHabit is second nature.
Minciuna are picioare scurte
similarLies have short legs (the truth comes out).
Cine se scuză, se acuză
similarHe who excuses himself, accuses himself.
Hoțul neprins e negustor cinstit
contrastAn uncaught thief is an honest merchant.
