ProverbPerseveranceRussian origin

Пришла беда — отворяй ворота (Prishla beda — otvoryay vorota)

Meaning: Misfortunes never come alone; once trouble starts, more follows.

Literally: Trouble has come, so open the gates

Example: “Сначала сломалась машина, потом заболел ребёнок. Пришла беда — отворяй ворота.” — First the car broke down, then the child got sick: when it rains, it pours.

Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, Japanese, German, 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)
  • German: Ein Unglück kommt selten allein (literally: A misfortune seldom comes alone)
  • 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)
  • Polish: Nieszczęścia chodzą parami (literally: Misfortunes come in pairs)
  • Chinese: 祸不单行 (Huò bù dān xíng) (literally: Disasters never travel alone)

Origin: Open the gates: once one misfortune has come in, others will follow it through.

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