доверяй, но проверяй
doveryay, no proveryay
The English phrase "trust but verify" is translated into Russian as доверяй, но проверяй (doveryay, no proveryay).
This phrase is a common proverb used to advise caution and the importance of double-checking information or actions, even when there is a baseline of trust.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verbs 'доверяй' (trust) and 'проверяй' (verify/check), joined by the conjunction 'но' (but).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the informal imperative. To address a person formally or a group of people, use the polite imperative form доверяйте, но проверяйте.
How do you pronounce it?
doveryay, no proveryay
Did you know?
- The phrase доверяй, но проверяй became a global catchphrase in the 1980s after US President Ronald Reagan adopted it during nuclear arms treaty negotiations with the Soviet Union.
- The word но shares a distant linguistic ancestor with the English word 'now', despite the two words having drifted into completely different meanings over thousands of years.
- In Russian culture, the logic of доверяй, но проверяй is often applied to bureaucracy, where officials may trust your word but legally require stamped papers to prove it.
Examples in context
- Доверяй, но проверяй!Trust, but verify.This sentence is useful for practicing the full proverb доверяй, но проверяй.Tatoeba #886829 by Ooneykcall, translation #6546935 by dzoja
- Я доверяю, но проверяю каждый этап проекта.I trust, but I verify every stage of the project.
- Конечно, верю, но лучше проверю.Of course, I believe you, but I'd better double-check.
- Я всегда говорю: доверяй, но проверяй.Ya vsegda govoryu: doveryay, no proveryay.I always say: trust but verify.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dmitry and Maria are discussing a new contract with a client.
- Дмитрий DmitryОн сказал, что всё будет готово завтра.On skazal, chto vsyo budet gotovo zavtra.He said everything will be ready tomorrow.
- Мария MariaДмитрий, помнишь? Доверяй, но проверяй.Dmitriy, pomnish'? Doveryay, no proveryay.Dmitry, remember? Trust but verify.
- Дмитрий DmitryТы права, я перезвоню ему позже.Ty prava, ya perezvonyu yemu pozhe.You are right, I will call him back later.
- Мария MariaЭто будет лучше для нашего проекта.Eto budet luchshe dlya nashego proekta.That will be better for our project.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries но, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
