In the modern world, the rhythm of life often forces us to work without rest, giving our all. At such moments, we use expressions that vividly convey the feeling of fatigue and overwork. One of the most famous is the Russian expression “Rabotat kak loshad”. But is there an exact Ukrainian equivalent? How to translate this phraseologism so that it sounds natural and retains its meaning? Let's figure it out together with WomanEL.
ContentOrigin of the expressionLiteral translation Ukrainian equivalentsIdioms and folk wisdom
Origin of the expression
Horses have long been a symbol of endurance and tireless work. In agriculture, they were used for heavy work – plowing, transporting goods, participating in military campaigns. Therefore, the comparison of a person who works hard with a horse has acquired folklore significance and has become entrenched in the language as a stable expression.
Literal translation
If we translate the expression “Work like a horse” literally, we get “Work like a horse”. This conveys the general idea, but sounds somewhat unnatural, since in the Ukrainian language horses are associated not so much with labor as with freedom, grace, and strength.
Ukrainian equivalents
To convey this expression more naturally, you can use other phrases that reflect the same idea of hard and exhausting work:
• “Bend your back” – emphasizes physical exertion.
• “Pull the plow” – emphasizes constant exhausting work.
• “Plow, “like an ox” – close to the original, but instead of a horse, an ox is used, which in Ukrainian culture is more associated with hard work.
• “Haruvati” is a colloquial variant that means to work without rest.
Idioms and folk wisdom
For a more figurative conveyance of meaning, you can use Ukrainian proverbs and sayings: • “Works like an ox in a yoke” • “Works like an ant” • “Bends his back, and only dreams of rest” These options not only convey the meaning, but also add emotional depth to the expression. So, if you need to convey a neutral meaning, it is better to say “work without rest” or “plow like an ox”. For colloquial speech, “to plow” is suitable, and for a literary text, “to bend your back”. The main thing is to preserve the emotional load, because it is this that makes phraseological units so expressive. Also, learn about the origin of the Russian phrase “Dog nonsense” and how to say it in Ukrainian.
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