Serbs are well known for their remarkable wit and the ability to express life’s biggest truths in just a few sharp words. The timeless proverbs have been passed down for ages— understood by both young and old, spoken by grandparents, parents, teachers, friends, and partners alike.
Proverbs are an integral part of Serbian tradition and culture — a form of heritage passed on from one generation to the next. So, if you want to truly grasp the meaning of these expressions like a true local, stick with us until the end.
Here are 20 of the most common Serbian proverbs and what they mean:
1. “Ko rano rani, dve sreće grabi.”
Literal translation: He who gets up early grabs two fortunes.
This one’s a classic from every Serb’s childhood. Parents and teachers often use it to teach kids the value of hard work and starting the day early. The idea is simple: an early bird has more time to accomplish tasks and is more likely to succeed.
The closest English equivalent would be The early bird gets the worm.
2. “Ko se zadnji smeje, najslađe se smeje.”
Literal translation: He who laughs last, laughs best.
This saying is one about patience and timing, and a reminder not to jump to conclusions — time will reveal the truth. In recent years, it’s also been used with a slightly ironic twist, suggesting revenge or a turnaround in one’s favor. But at its core, it promotes patience, so we’ll stick to it.
3. “Bolje išta nego ništa.”
Literal translation: Better something than nothing.
This proverb teaches appreciation — even a little is better than having nothing at all. There’s a related saying, “Bolje vrabac u ruci, nego golub na grani” (Better a sparrow in the hand than a pigeon on a branch), which carries a similar message about being grateful for what we have instead of chasing wild geese.
4. “Tiha voda breg roni.”
Literal translation: Still waters run deep.
This is a common metaphor for perseverance. Quiet strength, consistency, and dedication can overcome even the toughest challenges. Still water holds a figurative meaning for someone who does not seem steadfast enough to overcome difficulties, but whose persistence proves to be so relentless that it can break a mountain – just like a gentle stream that can slowly carve through the stone.
5. “Gde ima dima, ima i vatre.”
Literal translation: Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
This one suggests that every rumor stems from truth. Therefore, the sense behind it is that no rumor can just happen without something to have caused it. It’s commonly used in the context of relationships or friendships — the idea being that something must have sparked the gossip.
6. “Pametniji popušta.”
Literal translation: The smarter one backs down.
This one’s a shrewd phrase that every Serbian child hears growing up. It teaches that it’s wiser to avoid conflict than to insist on being right. It is used when we want to tell someone that something is not worth arguing about, and by using the adjective in the comparative – smarter, we give credit to the one who prevents the escalation of the conflict.
7. “Ko drugome jamu kopa, sam u nju upada.”
Literal translation: He who digs a hole for someone else, falls into it himself.
This is about karma. It is said to all those who try to disturb someone’s peace by scheming, in the sense that everything they did to others will come back to them and that, metaphorically, they will fall into the hole they’d dug for the other.
8. “Bez muke nema nauke.”
Literal translation: No pain, no knowledge.
A rhyming proverb kids hear from their first days in school. It emphasizes that learning takes effort and discipline. Though the saying sounds like a line from a song, it contains a deeper meaning that learning is hard and that nothing can be gained without dedication and effort.
9. “Čega se pametan stidi, time se lud ponosi.”
Literal translation: What the wise are ashamed of, the fool brags about.
This saying highlights the value of humility and self-awareness. It suggests that only a fool would be proud of shameful actions, while wise people know better.
10. “Ko nema u glavi, ima u nogama.”
Literal translation: He who doesn’t use his head, uses his legs.
In other words, if you don’t think ahead or use logic, you’ll end up doing extra work. This one encourages planning and smart thinking to avoid unnecessary effort.
11. “U laži su kratke noge.”
Literal translation: Lies have short legs.
A funny saying that conveys the picture that lies don’t get far — the truth always comes out. This one’s often told to children, with the image of “short legs” meaning that a lie can’t run or last long.
12. “Nije zlato sve što sija.”
Literal translation: Not all that glitters is gold.
This well-known proverb warns against judging by appearances. Just because something appears gold and good on the outside doesn’t mean it has real value.
13. “Sit gladnom ne veruje.”
Literal translation: The full one doesn’t believe the hungry one.
It means that those who haven’t experienced hardship often can’t understand those who have. This proverb is frequently used to express a lack of empathy or understanding from people in comfortable situations toward those in need. Just as someone who is well-fed can’t truly relate to hunger, people who haven’t faced certain struggles may dismiss the pain or needs of others.
14. “Bolje sprečiti nego lečiti.”
Literal translation: Better to prevent than to cure.
This one promotes foresight. It’s better to act early and avoid trouble than to deal with the consequences later.
15. “Pas koji laje ne ujeda.”
Literal translation: A barking dog never bites.
This is an interesting saying that says a lot about the temperament of the Serbian people. Namely, it refers to people who make a lot of noise and threats but don’t take action. It is equated with dogs that, although they bark a lot and make noise, are ultimately completely harmless.
16. “Daj čoveku vlast, pa ćeš videti ko je.”
Literal translation: Give a man power, and you’ll see him for what he really is.
Power reveals true character. The idea is that a person’s real nature comes out only when they’re in a position of authority — whether it’s political, professional, or personal.
17. “Nema hleba bez motike.”
Literal translation: There’s no bread without the hoe.
A nod to Serbia’s agrarian roots, this proverb means that nothing comes without hard work. You have to put in the effort to earn your daily bread.
18. “S kim si, takav si.”
Literal translation: You are who you spend time with.
The people around us shape us. This saying encourages choosing your company wisely — if you spend time with good, successful people, you’ll likely become like them.
19. “U dobru se ne ponesi, u zlu se ne ponizi.”
Literal translation: Don’t become arrogant in good times, nor lose your dignity in bad.
This one’s a bit more nuanced, both linguistically and semantically. It’s about emotional balance — stay humble when life is good, and maintain your self-respect when it’s not. A truly dignified person doesn’t let success go to their head or hardship bring them down.
20. “Odelo ne čini čoveka.”
Literal translation: The suit does not make a man.
This proverb means that it doesn’t matter what someone is wearing or how they appear on the outside — what truly matters is who they are and what kind of person they are on the inside. The message is that we should value true qualities, not outward appearance or anything material that can be bought with money.
Enjoy the richness of the Serbian language. Dare to try using one of these proverbs in conversation, and discuss the diversity of Serbian and other languages with your friends — we promise you’ll have a great time!
Want to sound like a native Serbian speaker or just understand the Serbian mindset a little better? These proverbs are a great place to start. Behind each one lies centuries of wisdom — and a glimpse into the soul of the Serbian people.