Someone can't overbreathe just before death, others are learning by heart even during the exam.
(There is a Russian proverb 'One can't breath enough /overbreathe just before death'. It means that It makes no sense try to do anything just before important event therefore just participate in it, because time for preparing is gone. For example, there is an exam, and students are standing before a classroom. Professor come out of the class and says 'who is next? Maybe, you?'. Student says: ' Oh, I still should repeat something'. Then professor can answer 'you can't breathe enough just before death. Come in'.
Usually this proverb is used according to study or work situations)
Одни перед смертью надышаться не могут, другие даже во время экзамена зубрят
User translations (2)
- 1.
Some people cram like crazy right before an exam like someone who can't take large enough gulps of air before dying, while others are still cramming even as they're sitting down for the exam.
Translator's comment
A little wordy, but I think it says it.
translation added by ⁌ ULY ⁍Gold ru-en2 - 2.
Some people can't make up for the time lost, whereas others keep cramming even during the exam/test.
translation added by Талгат МырзахановGold ru-en1
Discussion (4)
Got it! Thank you 😊
Talgat, the components of your translation are correct in and of themselves, but as a whole, they don't really say anything. Someone reading your translation with no attachment to this post would have no idea what it meant because there's just no self-contained message to speak of. It wasn't an easy thing to translate, which is why I had to make mine so wordy. Good try though! 🎖
Екатерина права, я именно это имела в виду: At the last moment, you can't manage to do what you had to do beforehand. В оригинале поговорка звучит: (Не наелся - не налижешься,) перед смертью не надышишься. (первую часть мало кто знает сейчас). Интересно, что у неё есть и смысл ближе к буквальному: You can never have enough pleasure (from anything).Например: А: Хорошо сидим! А ты куда? Ну побудь с нами ещё немного. Б: Пойду я, пять минут у меня всего в запасе. Перед смертью всё равно не надышишься.