Signification
To give permission.
Contexte culturel
The phrase 'Таможня дает добро' is one of the most quoted lines in Russian history. It comes from the movie 'White Sun of the Desert' (1970), spoken by the character Vereshchagin. The nautical origins are still respected. In naval contexts, 'добро' is still the official name for the 'D' flag in the Russian signal code. In Russian business, getting 'dobro' often implies an informal agreement that is just as strong as a signed paper. It's about trust. During the Soviet era, 'giving dobro' was a way to navigate the heavy bureaucracy. It meant you found a person who could actually say 'yes'.
Use it at work
It makes you sound professional yet natural. Use it when asking for a sign-off on a task.
Don't decline 'dobro'
Keep 'добро' in its base form. Don't say 'дать добра' or 'дать добром'.
Signification
To give permission.
Use it at work
It makes you sound professional yet natural. Use it when asking for a sign-off on a task.
Don't decline 'dobro'
Keep 'добро' in its base form. Don't say 'дать добра' or 'дать добром'.
The Movie Quote
If you say 'Таможня дает добро' with a smile, every Russian over 30 will immediately like you.
Pair with 'на'
Always remember: Дать добро + НА + Accusative. This is the most natural structure.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the idiom.
Директор посмотрел отчёт и дал ____ на публикацию.
The idiom is 'дать добро'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
How do you say 'He gave me the okay for the trip'?
We use 'на' + Accusative for the object of approval.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: You are waiting for your boss to approve your vacation.
This expresses waiting for a professional approval.
Complete the dialogue.
- Мама, можно мне купить этот телефон? - Спроси у папы. Если он ____ ____, то купим.
Future tense 'даст' is needed here.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesДиректор посмотрел отчёт и дал ____ на публикацию.
The idiom is 'дать добро'.
How do you say 'He gave me the okay for the trip'?
We use 'на' + Accusative for the object of approval.
Situation: You are waiting for your boss to approve your vacation.
This expresses waiting for a professional approval.
- Мама, можно мне купить этот телефон? - Спроси у папы. Если он ____ ____, то купим.
Future tense 'даст' is needed here.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsEtymologically yes, but in this idiom, it specifically refers to the name of the letter 'D'.
Yes, it's very common in apps like Telegram or WhatsApp. You can just text 'Даю добро!'
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss, but maybe not in a letter to the President.
You can say 'запретить' (to forbid) or 'не дать добро'. There isn't a single idiomatic opposite.
No, that doesn't exist and would sound very strange!
Russian prepositions are tricky. 'На' is used here to indicate the target or purpose of the permission.
Yes, it remains part of official naval terminology in Russia.
Yes! 'Мама дала добро на пиццу' (Mom gave the okay for pizza).
Not necessarily. It's usually verbal.
Yes, 'дал добро' (masculine), 'дала добро' (feminine), 'дали добро' (plural).
Expressions liées
Зелёный свет
synonymGreen light
Разрешить
similarTo permit
Дать отмашку
similarTo give the signal to start
Получить добро
builds onTo get the okay
Накрыться медным тазом
contrastTo fail completely
