ProverbChallengeGerman origin

Unkraut vergeht nicht

Meaning: Tough or troublesome people always survive; often said jokingly of yourself.

Literally: Weeds do not perish

Example: “Keine Sorge, ich bin schon wieder auf den Beinen. Unkraut vergeht nicht!” — Don't worry, I'm back on my feet already: ill weeds grow apace!

Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, and 2 more languages

  • English: Ill weeds grow apace.
  • French: Mauvaise herbe croît toujours (literally: Ill weeds grow apace)
  • Spanish: Mala hierba nunca muere (literally: Bad weeds never die)
  • Japanese: 憎まれっ子世にはばかる (Nikumarekko yo ni habakaru) (literally: The hated child thrives in the world)
  • Italian: La mal erba cresce presto (literally: Ill weeds grow apace)
  • Portuguese: Erva ruim, não a queima a geada (literally: Frost doesn't burn a bad weed)
  • Dutch: Onkruid vergaat niet (literally: Weeds don't perish)

Origin: Weeds outlast drought, frost and the gardener. Germans usually say it with a wink, about themselves after an illness or accident. Spanish has the same weed: mala hierba nunca muere.

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