proverb
proverb — noun
1. a short, well-known saying that states a general truth or offers practical guida
a short, well-known saying that states a general truth or offers practical guidance, typically one handed down over many generations within a culture
The teacher explained the proverb 'Don't count your chickens before they hatch' to curious students.
collocation: explain + proverb for teaching context
When Lin felt discouraged about English, her father quoted a Chinese proverb: a thousand-mile journey starts with one step.
quotation after quote + proverb + colon pattern for encouragement
My grandmother used the proverb 'A stitch in time saves nine' when chores were delayed.
While hiking, Lara recalled an African proverb: if you want to go fast, go alone; to go far, go together.
At work, Yumi's colleague reminded her of the proverb 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.'
- saying
more general than proverb; can refer to any common expression without requiring it to give advice or state a truth
- maxim
expresses a rule of conduct or principle; more formal and less likely to be tied to folk tradition
- adage
slightly formal synonym for an old, widely accepted proverb; often implies long-standing wisdom
- aphorism
a concise, clever statement of a truth; usually attributed to a specific writer or thinker rather than anonymous folk tradition
文法句型
proverb + says/goes/reminds
as the + proverb + goes/says
there is a + proverb + that-clause
用法筆記
Proverbs are typically quoted in the present tense because they express timeless truths. Common introductory patterns include 'as the proverb says/goes' and 'there is a proverb that states…'.
常見錯誤
proverb — verb
1. to describe a person, event, or thing by comparing it to a well-known saying, or
to describe a person, event, or thing by comparing it to a well-known saying, or by using the short, memorable language typical of proverbs
The storyteller proverbed the hero's bravery by comparing it to a lion's courage.
archaic transitive usage: proverb + noun phrase + by + gerund
The ancient Greeks proverbed thunderstorms by calling them the anger of Zeus in their myths.
archaic: proverb + noun + by + gerund pattern with named culture
Brother Anselm, a medieval monk, proverbed the harsh winter by comparing it to a long penance in his sermons.
Villagers proverbed the river's danger by calling it a dragon in local stories.
文法句型
proverb + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is archaic and rarely encountered outside historical literary texts. Modern speakers use 'mention proverbially' or 'describe with a proverb' instead.
2. to add or attach a proverb to a piece of writing, a speech, or a story
to add or attach a proverb to a piece of writing, a speech, or a story
The editor proverbed the manuscript by inserting a folk saying on the final page.
archaic transitive usage: proverb + noun phrase + by + gerund
The scribe proverbed the royal decree with a warning about dishonest ministers.
In Confucian academies, tutors proverbed each lesson with a short moral so young pupils could recall the rule.
The poet proverbed the final stanza with a line borrowed from village wisdom.
文法句型
proverb + noun phrase (speech or writing)
用法筆記
Archaic sense. The equivalent modern expression is 'to add a proverb to' or 'to conclude with a proverb.'