Significado
You must give something to get something.
Contexto cultural
Russians often use this phrase to express a 'grin and bear it' attitude. It's a way of accepting hardship as a natural part of life's balance. During the Soviet era, the idea of 'free' goods was often a myth. This phrase reinforced the reality that everything had a hidden cost, whether in time or freedom. The concept of 'reckoning' (расплата) is strong in Russian culture, suggesting that one's sins or shortcuts will eventually be balanced by suffering. In modern Russia, this phrase is frequently used to discuss the hidden costs of technology and 'free' internet services.
Use it for Hangovers
This is the most common 'real world' use for beginners. If someone looks rough after a party, say this with a smile.
Don't be too mean
If you say this when someone is in real trouble, it can sound like you're happy they are suffering. Use it for 'fair' consequences only.
Significado
You must give something to get something.
Use it for Hangovers
This is the most common 'real world' use for beginners. If someone looks rough after a party, say this with a smile.
Don't be too mean
If you say this when someone is in real trouble, it can sound like you're happy they are suffering. Use it for 'fair' consequences only.
The 'Avos' Balance
Russians love to hope for luck (avos), but this phrase is the reality check that balances that hope.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing word in the phrase.
За всё ___ платить.
The standard form of the idiom uses 'надо' (necessary).
Which preposition is used with this phrase?
___ всё надо платить.
In Russian, you pay 'за' (for) something.
Match the situation to the meaning of 'За всё надо платить'.
Situation: You got a promotion but now you work on weekends.
The 'payment' here is your free time on weekends.
Complete the dialogue.
- Я вчера съел три пачки чипсов, и теперь мне плохо. - Ну, что я могу сказать? ...
This is the natural way to comment on someone's self-inflicted discomfort.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosЗа всё ___ платить.
The standard form of the idiom uses 'надо' (necessary).
___ всё надо платить.
In Russian, you pay 'за' (for) something.
Situation: You got a promotion but now you work on weekends.
The 'payment' here is your free time on weekends.
- Я вчера съел три пачки чипсов, и теперь мне плохо. - Ну, что я могу сказать? ...
This is the natural way to comment on someone's self-inflicted discomfort.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, it's rarely about money. It's usually about time, health, effort, or moral consequences.
Yes, 'За всё нужно платить' is also correct, but 'надо' is more common in the idiomatic form.
It can be risky. It implies that their success has a cost, which might be a sensitive topic. Better to use it with peers.
You say 'За всё надо было платить'.
Not at all. It is used daily in modern Russian, from TV shows to casual chats.
You can use 'За всё надо платить' or the more specific 'Скупой платит дважды'.
Not really. The phrase is inherently about the 'cost' or 'debt' of life.
You *could*, but it would sound like a joke or a very dramatic statement about the high prices.
It takes the Accusative case ('всё').
Yes, it's the Russian cultural equivalent of the concept of karma.
Frases relacionadas
Бесплатный сыр бывает только в мышеловке
similarFree cheese is only in a mousetrap.
Любишь кататься — люби и саночки возить
similarIf you love to sled, you must love to pull the sled.
Скупой платит дважды
specialized formA stingy person pays twice.
Даром только птички поют
informalOnly birds sing for free.
