Meaning
Finish your tasks as soon as possible.
Cultural Background
In Romanian schools, this proverb is often written on posters in classrooms to encourage students to be diligent. Peasants used this to refer to the 'clacă' (communal work), where finishing tasks quickly was a matter of community pride. It is often used ironically by employees when they are overwhelmed with tasks by their managers. There is a spiritual dimension: one should not delay repentance or good deeds, as 'tomorrow' belongs to God.
Shorten it!
In casual conversation, just say 'Nu lăsa pe mâine...' and nod. People will understand you perfectly.
Don't be a robot
Using this too often can make you sound like a strict teacher. Use it sparingly with friends.
Meaning
Finish your tasks as soon as possible.
Shorten it!
In casual conversation, just say 'Nu lăsa pe mâine...' and nod. People will understand you perfectly.
Don't be a robot
Using this too often can make you sound like a strict teacher. Use it sparingly with friends.
The 'Gospodar' vibe
Using this phrase shows you value the Romanian ideal of being a hard-working, organized person.
Test Yourself
Complete the proverb with the correct words.
Nu lăsa pe ______ ce poți face ______.
The proverb contrasts 'mâine' (tomorrow) with 'azi' (today).
Which verb form is correct in this proverb?
Nu lăsa pe mâine ce ______ face azi.
The proverb is usually addressed to 'tu' (you), so 'poți' is correct.
In which situation would you use this proverb?
Your friend is tired and wants to finish his project on Monday instead of Friday.
The proverb is specifically used to combat procrastination.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vrei să mergem la film? B: Nu pot, trebuie să învăț. A: Lasă pe mâine! B: Nu, mama spune mereu: ______.
The context of delaying study fits this proverb perfectly.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Today vs. Tomorrow
Practice Bank
4 exercisesNu lăsa pe ______ ce poți face ______.
The proverb contrasts 'mâine' (tomorrow) with 'azi' (today).
Nu lăsa pe mâine ce ______ face azi.
The proverb is usually addressed to 'tu' (you), so 'poți' is correct.
Your friend is tired and wants to finish his project on Monday instead of Friday.
The proverb is specifically used to combat procrastination.
A: Vrei să mergem la film? B: Nu pot, trebuie să învăț. A: Lasă pe mâine! B: Nu, mama spune mereu: ______.
The context of delaying study fits this proverb perfectly.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot at all! While it's an old proverb, it's used daily in modern offices and homes.
Yes, but usually to describe your own work ethic, e.g., 'Eu nu las pe mâine ce pot face azi.'
There isn't a direct opposite proverb, but the concept of 'lene' (laziness) is what it fights against.
In Romanian, 'pe' is the standard preposition for 'scheduled for' a certain time.
Yes: 'Nu lăsa pe mâine ce poți face poimâine' (Don't leave for tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow).
Children usually hear it from adults, but they might use it jokingly with each other.
'Lăsa' is for one person (informal), 'lăsați' is for multiple people or formal address.
Absolutely, that is one of its most common uses!
The standard version doesn't rhyme, but it has a very rhythmic 4-4 beat.
Yes, it appears in many folk tales and classic stories to describe hard-working characters.
Related Phrases
Cine se scoală de dimineață, departe ajunge
similarThe early bird catches the worm.
Să batem fierul cât e cald
similarStrike while the iron is hot.
Graba strică treaba
contrastHaste makes waste.
Mâine e o nouă zi
contrastTomorrow is another day.
