One of the best ways to truly understand a new culture is through its traditional sayings.

In Mongolia, we have two types of special phrases that carry a lot of history and meaning: proverbs (зүйр цэцэн үг, züir tsetsen üg) and blessings (ерөөл, yörööl).

These aren’t just old-fashioned words; they are little pieces of wisdom about life, nature, and community that are still used today. They show what Mongolians value, like hard work, family, and knowledge.

In this guide, I’ll share some of the most common proverbs and blessings, explain what they mean, and tell you when you might hear them.

Proverbs about wisdom and knowledge

These proverbs show how much Mongolians value learning and understanding the world.

Мэдэх нь хүч, сурах нь далай.

Medekh ni khüch, surakh ni dalai.

To know is power, to learn is an ocean.

This is one of my favorites. The first part, “to know is power,” is straightforward. Knowledge gives you strength and ability. The second part, “to learn is an ocean,” means that the process of learning is endless and vast. There is always more to discover, just like you can never see the end of the ocean.

Мянга сонсохоор нэг үзсэн нь дээр.

Myanga sonsookhoor neg üzesen ni deer.

Better to see once than to hear a thousand times.

This is the Mongolian equivalent of “seeing is believing.” It emphasizes the importance of firsthand experience. You can hear stories about a place a thousand times, but you’ll understand it much better if you go and see it for yourself just once.

Proverbs about hard work and perseverance

Life on the steppe required a lot of patience and effort. These proverbs reflect the importance of being persistent and careful in your work.

Яарвал даарна.

Yaarval daarna.

If you rush, you will get cold.

This is our version of “haste makes waste.” It has a very practical origin. If you rush out of your ger (yurt) in the middle of a Mongolian winter without dressing properly, you will freeze! The deeper meaning is that if you do things too quickly without proper preparation, you will face negative consequences. It’s a reminder to be patient and thoughtful.

Зоволгүйгээр жаргал ирэхгүй.

Zovolgüigeer jargal irekhgüi.

Without suffering, there is no happiness.

This proverb is similar to the English saying, “no pain, no gain.” It teaches that true happiness and success come only after overcoming challenges and working hard. It’s a message of resilience and encouragement to keep going even when things are difficult.

Proverbs about family and community

In Mongolia, community is everything. People have always relied on each other to survive and thrive.

Гэр бүлтэй хүн галтай, гэр бүлгүй хүн хүйтэнтэй.

Ger bültei khün galtai, ger bül-güi khün khüitentei.

A person with a family has a fire; a person without a family has the cold.

In a traditional Mongolian ger, the fire in the center is the source of warmth, food, and light. It’s the heart of the home. This proverb means that having a family gives you warmth, support, and life. Being alone is like being out in the cold.

Олны хүч оломгүй далай.

Olny khüch olomgüi dalai.

The power of many is an endless ocean.

This beautiful proverb highlights the power of teamwork and unity. A single person might not be able to achieve much, but when people work together, their combined strength is as vast and unstoppable as the ocean.

Common Mongolian blessings (Ерөөл)

A ерөөл (yörööl) is a special type of blessing or good wish. They are often spoken in a poetic way during important events like Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year), weddings, when someone starts a journey, or when visiting a family. They are a way of wishing good fortune upon others.

Here are a few simple ones you might hear.

Зам тань дардан байг.

Zam tan' dardan baig.

May your journey be smooth.

This is a common blessing given to someone who is about to travel. “Дардан” (dardan) means smooth, clear, or without obstacles. You’re wishing them a safe and easy trip.

Идээ ундаа элбэг байг.

Idee undaa elbeg baig.

May your food and drink be plentiful.

This is a classic blessing for prosperity and well-being. In a nomadic culture, having plenty of food and drink is a sign of wealth and success. You might hear this during a celebration or feast.

Нас урт, буян их байг.

Nas urt, buyan ikh baig.

May your life be long and your virtue great.

This is a respectful and heartfelt blessing often given to elders, or on someone’s birthday. “Буян” (buyan) is a Buddhist concept meaning merit, virtue, or good deeds. So, you’re wishing someone a long life filled with goodness and positive actions.

Final thoughts

Proverbs and blessings are more than just words—they’re a direct link to the heart of Mongolian culture. By learning a few, you not only expand your vocabulary but also gain a deeper appreciation for the Mongolian worldview.

Next time you’re practicing your Mongolian, try to slip one of these into a conversation. It’s a wonderful way to connect with people and show your respect for the culture.