Idioms
Хэлц үг
Embedded Files
Idiomatic expressions are phrases that have a figurative meaning different from their literal interpretation. These are essential to speaking Mongolian fluently and sound natural.
Idiom
Translation
Meaning
Нүд нь орой дээрээ гарах
ихэд гайхах
Eyes rising above the head
very surprised
It’s like saying someone’s eyes are wide open in astonishment.
Өдрийн од шиг
маш ховор
Like the star of the day
very rare
Rare like daytime star.
(It's almost impossible to see star during the day)
Савангийн хөөс шиг
бат бөх бус амархан эвдрэх
Like soap bubbles
not durable, easily broken
Something that can easily break or vanish. (fragile)
Өрөөсөн дугуй
муу талаараа төстэй байх
The other ox cart's wheel
similar in the bad way
Like matching wheel, being identical but in a negative way.
Аавын цээж
их зан гаргах
Father’s chest
showing off
This refers to someone trying to appear important or powerful.
Бүдүүн зүрх
айх эмээхийг мэдэхгүй
A thick heart
not fearing
Refers to someone who is brave, fearless, or unafraid of challenges.
Нохойн дуу ойртох
дуусах дөхөх
The dog’s bark gets closer
approaching the end
Final stages of something similar to noise getting louder as we comes near.
Хөл гишгэх газаргүй
явахын аргагүй
No place to step
no way to go
Mostly refers to messy places.
Нэг гараараа нөгөө гараа барих
тэвчих
Holding one hand with the other
enduring
Refers to being patient using imagery.
Цээжээ хавтаслах
ном эрдэмтэй болох
Buttoning your chest
becoming knowledgeable
This refers to someone who gains knowledge by studying or learning.
Гараа угаах
үрэн таран хийх
Washing your hands
wasting everything
Wasting resources similar to how water flows while washing hands.
Давсанд явах
унтах
Going to get salt
sleeping
Refers to going to sleep or resting.
Дуун дээр
бүрэн дүүрэн зөвшөөрөх
On the tune
giving full consent
Group of people fully agreeing to something with unanimity.
Зоосны нүхээр харах
мөнгөө цэгнэх
Looking through a coin hole
being overly tight with money
Not generous, especially with money, hole refers to the size of generosity.
Зургийн хуар шиг
гоо үзэсгэлэнтэй
Like a picture’s spot
beautiful
Something that is very beautiful, like a perfect feature in a picture.
Модоо барих
ядуурч мөнгөгүй болох
Holding on to your tree
becoming poor and broke
Refers to losing everything and being left without resources.
Насны наран хэлбийх
өндөр настай болох
The sun of age setting
getting older
Refers to growing old or aging.
Орой руу ортол хэлэх
онож үнэнийг хэлэх
Going straight to the brain
telling the truth
The truth is usually rather shocking or negative. (instantly getting it)
Тэнгэрээс од шүүрэх
гэнэтийн аз
Reaching for stars from the sky
sudden luck
Refers to achieving something unexpectedly.
Ямаан омогтой
огцом түргэн зантай
With goat-like temper
quick-tempered
Refers to someone who has a quick, sharp temper and reacts impulsively.
Нар нь гарах
баярлах
The sun rises
rejoicing
Refers to a time of joy or celebration as sun carries positive notion.
Алга дарам
жижигхэн
Palm-sized
tiny
Something small like size of a palm.
Шүд зуух
тэвчих
Grinding teeth
enduring
Refers to being patient also using imagery.
Google Sites
Report abuse