Significado
To commit to memory.
Contexto cultural
The phrase reflects the oral tradition of passing down 'rules for life' (житейская мудрость). It's often used by the older generation to emphasize that some mistakes shouldn't be made twice. This idiom appears frequently in classic Soviet comedies, often used by authority figures (policemen, teachers, strict parents) to create a comedic effect of over-seriousness. On social media, the phrase is sometimes used ironically or in 'Life Hack' lists (e.g., '5 things every freelancer should зарубить на носу'). The idiom is a living reminder of a time when 'writing' was a physical act of carving on wood, showing how deeply history is embedded in the Russian language.
Use it for emphasis
Use this when you want to sound like you've learned a very important lesson. It adds a lot of character to your Russian.
Watch your tone
Be careful! If you say this to a stranger, it can sound like you are scolding them.
Significado
To commit to memory.
Use it for emphasis
Use this when you want to sound like you've learned a very important lesson. It adds a lot of character to your Russian.
Watch your tone
Be careful! If you say this to a stranger, it can sound like you are scolding them.
The 'U' ending
Remember the ending 'на носУ'. If you say 'на носЕ', Russians will still understand you, but the idiomatic magic will be lost.
The 'Nos' Secret
Impress Russians by telling them you know the 'nose' was actually a wooden tablet. It's a fact many natives don't even know!
Teste-se
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Заруби ______ на ______: всегда проверяй почту!
The idiom requires the dative reflexive 'себе' and the fixed locative form 'на носу'.
Which situation is most appropriate for this phrase?
When would you say 'Заруби себе на носу'?
It's an informal, authoritative warning used with family or friends.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form.
— Я опять забыл пароль! — Сколько можно? ______ себе на носу, запиши его!
The speaker is talking to one person (informal), so the singular imperative 'Заруби' is correct.
Match the phrase to its meaning.
Match 'Зарубить себе на носу' with its closest synonym.
The idiom means to remember something forever.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Memory Idioms Comparison
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosЗаруби ______ на ______: всегда проверяй почту!
The idiom requires the dative reflexive 'себе' and the fixed locative form 'на носу'.
When would you say 'Заруби себе на носу'?
It's an informal, authoritative warning used with family or friends.
— Я опять забыл пароль! — Сколько можно? ______ себе на носу, запиши его!
The speaker is talking to one person (informal), so the singular imperative 'Заруби' is correct.
Match 'Зарубить себе на носу' with its closest synonym.
The idiom means to remember something forever.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt can be. It's 'stern.' Use it with people you are close to, or when you are genuinely giving a serious warning.
Generally, no. It's too informal and colorful for standard business correspondence.
It comes from the word 'носить' (to carry). People carried wooden tags called 'noses' to record debts.
Yes: 'Зарубите себе на носу' when speaking to a group.
No, idioms are fixed. You must use 'nose.'
Yes, though often slightly ironically or when quoting their parents.
'Запомни' is just 'remember.' 'Заруби себе на носу' is 'Remember this forever because it's a vital lesson.'
Usually, it's for warnings or mistakes, but you can use it for a 'golden rule' of success too.
Not anymore. It's purely metaphorical now.
You can say 'Я зарубил это себе на носу.'
Frases relacionadas
Вбить в голову
similarTo hammer into one's head
Намотать на ус
similarTo wind on one's mustache
Вылететь из головы
contrastTo fly out of the head
Держать в уме
builds onTo keep in mind
