Often in conversations we hear interesting phrases that make us smile, but at the same time carry a deep meaning. One of these is the Russian expression “They hang noodles on their ears.” It is associated with deception, naivety of the listener, or an attempt to embellish the truth. WomanEL tells how to translate this figurative expression into Ukrainian.
ContentLiteral translationUkrainian equivalentsCultural adaptation
Literal translation
One of the simplest options is “to hang noodles on your ears.” Such a literal translation retains the general meaning and familiar humorous subtext. However, the Ukrainian language is rich in its own original phraseologisms that better convey this idea.
Hanging noodles on the ears: how to convey figurative meaning in Ukrainian words. Source: pinterest.com
Ukrainian equivalents
A great equivalent is the expression «to close your eyes». This is a well-known comparison from folk art, describing attempts to mislead someone by hiding the true state of affairs.
Another option is “to feed with fables.” This expression sounds somewhat ironic and emphasizes the frivolity or exaggeration in the story.
For a more folk-like sound, you can use the phrase “to let in the fog”. It gives the feeling of an attempt to create uncertainty or distract attention from the truth.
Cultural adaptation
If you want to preserve the original humorous style, you can say:
• “Hang dumplings on your ears” — this humorous option sounds much closer to Ukrainian life.
• “Lead by the nose” — an interesting expression that speaks of deception or manipulation.
• “Lie at every step” — a common way to describe exaggeration or deception.
Each language culture has its own nuances that convey meaning more deeply. Using correctly selected phraseological units not only preserves meaning, but also makes language more expressive.
Previously, we talked about how to find an appropriate translation of the Russian phrase “Не в своей тарелке” into Ukrainian.
