Signification
Criticizing someone for their background.
Contexte culturel
Hunting was historically a vital source of food and a mark of status. A dog that couldn't hunt was a liability, but a dog that couldn't even guard the house was a joke. Georgians value 'knowing your roots.' Trying to act like someone you're not is often met with this proverb to bring you back to earth. The use of the '-o' suffix shows how much Georgians rely on 'what people say.' It gives the speaker the backing of the entire community. Georgian is rich in animal-based proverbs (wolves, bears, donkeys). The dog is usually seen as loyal but can be mocked if it fails its nature.
The Power of '-o'
Always add the '-o' when saying this. It makes you sound like a native who knows their folklore.
Don't be too mean
This is a strong critique. Use it only with friends or when you really want to make a point about someone's incompetence.
Signification
Criticizing someone for their background.
The Power of '-o'
Always add the '-o' when saying this. It makes you sound like a native who knows their folklore.
Don't be too mean
This is a strong critique. Use it only with friends or when you really want to make a point about someone's incompetence.
Shorten it
Just saying 'ძაღლი შინ არ ვარგოდაო...' and trailing off is very effective and dramatic.
Context is King
In Georgia, family reputation is everything. This proverb attacks that reputation directly.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words from the proverb.
ძაღლი ___ არ ვარგოდაო, _________ გარბოდაო.
The traditional words are 'შინ' (at home) and 'სანადიროდ' (for hunting).
In which situation would you use this proverb?
A person who is a bad student but claims they will become a world-famous scientist.
The proverb mocks the gap between basic failure and high ambition.
Complete the dialogue with the correct proverb form.
A: 'გიორგიმ თქვა, რომ ხვალ დიდ კონცერტს მართავს, არადა სიმღერა არ იცის.' B: 'ჰო, მართალი ხარ, ______.'
The dog proverb is the perfect fit for someone who can't sing but wants to hold a concert.
Match the meaning to the proverb part.
Match 'შინ არ ვარგოდა' and 'სანადიროდ გარბოდა' to their figurative meanings.
The first part is the failure; the second is the unearned ambition.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to Use This Proverb
Social Media
- • Fake lifestyles
- • Unearned fame
Politics
- • Empty promises
- • Local failures
Work
- • Bad skills
- • Big titles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesძაღლი ___ არ ვარგოდაო, _________ გარბოდაო.
The traditional words are 'შინ' (at home) and 'სანადიროდ' (for hunting).
A person who is a bad student but claims they will become a world-famous scientist.
The proverb mocks the gap between basic failure and high ambition.
A: 'გიორგიმ თქვა, რომ ხვალ დიდ კონცერტს მართავს, არადა სიმღერა არ იცის.' B: 'ჰო, მართალი ხარ, ______.'
The dog proverb is the perfect fit for someone who can't sing but wants to hold a concert.
Match 'შინ არ ვარგოდა' and 'სანადიროდ გარბოდა' to their figurative meanings.
The first part is the failure; the second is the unearned ambition.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it can be used for anyone, regardless of gender, who shows pretension.
You can, but it won't be the proverb anymore. It will just be a sentence about a dog.
It's sarcastic and critical. It's not a swear word, but it's definitely an insult to someone's character.
It comes from 'varga' (to be useful/fit). 'Vargoda' means 'it was useful' or 'it was fitting'.
Yes, it's very common in Tbilisi, especially when talking about celebrities or politicians.
Not really. Georgian proverbs tend to be quite sharp and cautionary.
Yes! If you are trying something new and failing, you can say it about yourself to show humility.
It means 'for hunting' or 'to the hunting grounds'.
The imperfect ('vargoda') implies that the dog's uselessness was a permanent state, not a one-time thing.
Yes, many Georgian writers use it to describe 'small' characters with 'big' dreams.
Expressions liées
გარეთ მხედარი, შინ მზედარი
similarA hero outside, a lazybones at home.
კატა ვერ მისწვდა ძეხვსაო, პარასკევიაო
similarThe cat couldn't reach the sausage and said 'it's Friday' (a fasting day).
შინაური მღვდელი შენდობას არ იძლევა
contrastA local priest's blessing isn't valued.
თავმოწონება ნახევარი ჭირია
builds onShowing off is half the trouble.
