When a person is very tired or exhausted after hard work or events, the phrase “without hind legs” is often used in colloquial Russian. How to correctly translate this expression into Ukrainian to preserve its meaning and emotional coloring – tells WomanEL.
Content Literal translation and its featuresClosest equivalents in UkrainianPhraseological equivalentsCultural adaptation of the expression
Literal translation and its features
If we translate word for word, we get the option “without hind legs.” However, in this form, the expression loses its naturalness for the Ukrainian language, because it sounds unusual and does not convey the exact meaning.
The closest equivalents in Ukrainian
To convey the meaning of a statement, you can use a few apt phrases:
- “Falling off my feet” – describes a state of extreme fatigue, when a person literally cannot stand anymore.
- “Like a squeezed lemon” – well conveys the idea of exhaustion after a busy day.
- “Without strength” is the shortest and most universal option.
Phraseological equivalents
The Ukrainian language is rich in folk sayings that perfectly convey the meaning of such situations:
- “I'm falling off my feet” is a very similar version in meaning, as it refers to extreme fatigue.
- “Exhausted like a horse at a fair” is a slightly humorous option that emphasizes hard work or a stressful day.
- “To sleep soundly” – this expression means a sleep so deep that it is practically impossible to wake a person.
- “Sleeping like a bear in a den” is a vivid expression that alludes to a bear's winter hibernation — a long, peaceful, and deep sleep.
Cultural adaptation of expression
If we are talking about a person who has fallen asleep from exhaustion, the option “I sleep like a dead man” is a good choice. You can also hear in the vernacular:
- “Disconnected like a phone without charging” is a modern humorous equivalent.
- “I sleep without hind legs” – Ukrainians also sometimes use this phrase, but it is less common.
The Ukrainian language has many figurative expressions that will help convey even the most subtle emotional nuances. The main thing is to use them appropriately. The choice depends on the context and style of speech, but the most commonly used options are “I fall off my feet”, “I fall off my feet” or “I sleep like a dead man”.
Also find out the meaning of the phrase “The cat cried” in Russian and its Ukrainian equivalent.