Bedeutung
Humans communicate through speech to solve problems.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In the steppe, livestock are the most important assets. Comparing human behavior to livestock is a powerful teaching tool because everyone understands animal behavior intimately. Mongolian culture is historically oral. Agreements were made by 'word of mouth' rather than paper. This proverb reinforces the sanctity of the spoken word. Mongolians value 'ev' (harmony). This proverb is a primary tool for 'evlerekh' (reconciling). Even in Ulaanbaatar, this proverb is used in offices and on social media to criticize 'ghosting' or lack of transparency.
Use it to break the ice
If a meeting is awkward and silent, saying this with a smile can instantly relax the room and get people talking.
Don't be aggressive
If you say it too loudly or angrily, you are acting like the 'feet' part of the proverb. Keep your tone calm.
Bedeutung
Humans communicate through speech to solve problems.
Use it to break the ice
If a meeting is awkward and silent, saying this with a smile can instantly relax the room and get people talking.
Don't be aggressive
If you say it too loudly or angrily, you are acting like the 'feet' part of the proverb. Keep your tone calm.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the proverb with the correct case endings.
Хүн хэл______, мал хөл______.
The instrumental reflexive suffix (-ээрээ/өөрөө) is required to show 'by means of one's own'.
In which situation is it most appropriate to use this proverb?
Situation: Your friend is angry but won't tell you why.
The proverb is used to remind people that humans should communicate verbally.
Choose the best response for Speaker B.
Speaker A: Бид яаж энэ асуудлыг шийдэх вэ? Speaker B: ____________________
This response uses the proverb correctly to suggest a verbal solution.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Human vs. Animal Interaction
Aufgabensammlung
3 AufgabenХүн хэл______, мал хөл______.
The instrumental reflexive suffix (-ээрээ/өөрөө) is required to show 'by means of one's own'.
Situation: Your friend is angry but won't tell you why.
The proverb is used to remind people that humans should communicate verbally.
Speaker A: Бид яаж энэ асуудлыг шийдэх вэ? Speaker B: ____________________
This response uses the proverb correctly to suggest a verbal solution.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Häufig gestellte Fragen
3 FragenYes, it is very much alive. You'll see it in movie dialogues, pop songs, and daily text messages.
Absolutely. 'Хүн хэлээрээ шүү дээ' is a very common way to shorten it while keeping the full meaning.
In this proverb, yes. In other contexts, it can be a harsh insult meaning 'stupid' or 'idiot'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Хэлтэй бол хөлтэй
similarIf you have a tongue (can speak), you have feet (can go anywhere).
Ам алдвал барьж болохгүй
contrastIf you slip with your mouth (say the wrong thing), you can't catch it back.
Учраа олох
builds onTo find the reason/way/understanding.
