ProverbPerseverance
German origin
German originEin Unglück kommt selten allein
Meaning: Misfortunes tend to come several at once.
Literally: A misfortune seldom comes alone
Example: “Erst ging das Auto kaputt, dann die Waschmaschine. Ein Unglück kommt selten allein.” — First the car broke down, then the washing machine: when it rains, it pours.
Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, and 5 more languages
English: Misfortunes never come alone
French: Un malheur ne vient jamais seul (literally: Misfortunes never come single)
Spanish: Las desgracias nunca vienen solas (literally: Misfortunes never come alone)
Japanese: 一難去ってまた一難 (Ichinan satte mata ichinan) (literally: One trouble leaves, and then another trouble)
Italian: Le disgrazie non vengono mai sole (literally: Misfortunes never come alone)
Portuguese: Uma desgraça nunca vem só (literally: A misfortune never comes alone)
Dutch: Een ongeluk komt zelden alleen (literally: A misfortune seldom comes alone)
Russian: Беда одна не ходит (Beda odna ne khodit) (literally: Trouble doesn't walk alone)
Polish: Nieszczęścia chodzą parami (literally: Misfortunes come in pairs)
Chinese: 祸不单行 (Huò bù dān xíng) (literally: Disasters never travel alone)
Origin: Found across Europe in almost the same words: French un malheur ne vient jamais seul, Italian le disgrazie non vengono mai sole. German is the cautious one, saying seldom where the others say never.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Pantoffelheld A man who is only bold and brave at home — a henpecked pushover who bluster turns into a…
- Schlauberger A know-it-all smartass who never misses a chance to show off their cleverness.
- Dickkopf A pig-headed, unyielding person — their skull is so thick no new idea can penetrate it.
Keep exploring