Summer is usually associated with the beach, relaxation, and the sun. It’s a time for rest and play for many. We’ve collected some summer-related idioms, sayings and expressions from different parts of the world to celebrate the start of the season.
1. A life without love is like a year without summer.
Swedish: Ett liv utan kärlek är som ett år utan sommar
It’s no secret that Sweden has long, dark, and cold winters so it makes sense that Swedes take full advantage when the summer season rolls around. It’s the most precious and beautiful time of the year in the country.
Fittingly, this phrase elevates the importance of summer to that of love. Both are vital and precious to the people of Sweden (and around the world).
2. Make the pancake in the sun.
French: Faire la crêpe au soleil
This phrase is often used at the beach and means to lie in the sun to get tanned — much like a pancake or, more accurately, a crêpe.
Crêpes are very thin pancakes that originated in western France in the 13th century and have become as much of a symbol of French cuisine as croissants and baguettes.
The French also use the word crêpe in a similar expression about summer: faire la crêpe à la plage. This phrase means “to make the crepe at the beach”. Both expressions evoke the imagery of someone tanning themselves at the beach and flipping over to bask in more sun on the other side.
3. He who lies in shade in summer will have stale bread in winter
Turkish: Yaz günü gölgede yatanın, kış günü ekmeği esmer olur.
Turkey produces some of the best and most varied bread and is sometimes nicknamed “the bread basket of the world.” In Turkey, bread is known as “Ekmek” and is eaten at every meal plus during snack time.
Bread is such an important aspect of Turkish daily life that it has also become an integral part of their language. In this particular expression, stale bread is the outcome of laziness. If one doesn’t work hard during the good times, they will be at risk for suffering when bad times come.
A similar expression in English would be “make hay while the sun shines.”
4. No year has two summers
Russian: Дважды в год лето не бывает
Like Sweden, Russia also has harsh winters so people especially appreciate the summer season and are visibly happier as the temperature rises.
It’s no surprise, then, summer is used in this expression as something precious and coveted that doesn’t come around often. When good times like the summer season come, we should take full advantage and make the best of them while they last.
5. One beautiful day doesn’t make a summer
Italian: Una bella giornata non fa estate
This Italian proverb is similar in meaning to a famous quote from Aristotle: “one swallow does not a summer make.” Aristotle thought that just because one experiences a positive event doesn’t mean that this experience will continue.
The same sentiment is expressed with this Italian phrase. While it may be nice to experience a beautiful warm day in the spring, it doesn’t necessarily mark the arrival of the summer season.
Do you have a summer-related expression or saying that you like? Email us or DM us on Instagram!
