Significado
Too much talking gets nothing done.
Contexto cultural
In traditional villages, 'vorba lungă' was associated with the 'trântor' (drone/lazy person) who avoided the hard work of the field. The proverb is frequently used in IT and business sectors to push for 'Agile' methodologies and shorter meetings. Classic authors like Ion Creangă often used proverbs to give their characters a 'voice of the people' and earthy wisdom. This proverb is part of a wider Balkan cultural trend that values tangible results over abstract intellectualizing.
Use it to end a call
If you want to politely end a long phone call, say: 'Hai că te las, că vorba lungă, sărăcia omului. Spor la treabă!'
Don't use it with your boss
Unless your boss is very informal, this can sound like you are calling them lazy or poor.
Significado
Too much talking gets nothing done.
Use it to end a call
If you want to politely end a long phone call, say: 'Hai că te las, că vorba lungă, sărăcia omului. Spor la treabă!'
Don't use it with your boss
Unless your boss is very informal, this can sound like you are calling them lazy or poor.
The 'Poverty' isn't always literal
In modern times, 'sărăcia' can mean a poverty of time, energy, or results, not just money.
Teste-se
Complete the proverb with the correct words.
Vorba ____, ____ omului.
The standard form is 'Vorba lungă, sărăcia omului'.
In which situation is this proverb MOST appropriate?
A friend has been talking for an hour about a business plan but hasn't written a single word.
The proverb is used to encourage action over talk.
Which word is in the Genitive case in this proverb?
Vorba lungă, sărăcia omului.
'Omului' is the genitive form of 'om' (man).
Complete the dialogue.
Șef: 'Ședința aceasta durează de prea mult timp.' Angajat: 'Aveți dreptate, ____.'
The employee agrees that the long talk is unproductive.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosVorba ____, ____ omului.
The standard form is 'Vorba lungă, sărăcia omului'.
A friend has been talking for an hour about a business plan but hasn't written a single word.
The proverb is used to encourage action over talk.
Vorba lungă, sărăcia omului.
'Omului' is the genitive form of 'om' (man).
Șef: 'Ședința aceasta durează de prea mult timp.' Angajat: 'Aveți dreptate, ____.'
The employee agrees that the long talk is unproductive.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
4 perguntasYes, though often ironically or in professional settings to complain about bureaucracy.
No, the proverb is fixed as 'omului' (of the human/man). Changing it makes it sound like a new, non-standard joke.
'Vorba dulce mult aduce' (Sweet talk brings much) is a good contrast, focusing on the power of kind words.
Not usually, but it is a critique. Use it with people you know well.
Frases relacionadas
Câinele care latră nu mușcă
similarThe dog that barks doesn't bite.
Fapte, nu vorbe
synonymDeeds, not words.
A tăia frunze la câini
builds onTo waste time on useless things.
Tăcerea e de aur
similarSilence is golden.
