man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend preisen

/man zɔl deːn taːk nɪçt foːɐ̯ deːm ˈʔaːbn̩t ˈpʁaɪ̯zn̩/◆proverb

Don't judge success too early

Man sollte den Tag nicht vor dem Abend preisen, denn man weiß nie, was noch passiert.

You shouldn't judge the day before it's over, because you never know what might happen.

◆ What It Really Means

A warning against prematurely celebrating success or making judgments before the outcome is certain.

¶ Literal Meaning

One should not praise the day before the evening.

Literal Breakdown

man sollone should+den Tagthe day+nicht vor dem Abendnot before the evening+preisenpraise

◇ Mental Image

The image of praising a day before it is over suggests that one should not judge or celebrate too early.

◈ When to Use

A colleague announces a major deal is finalized, but you remind them, 'Man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend preisen,' suggesting they should wait to celebrate until everything is confirmed.

◉ Cultural Note

This proverb is rooted in German cultural values of caution and humility, emphasizing the importance of patience and avoiding overconfidence.

formalinformal

A warning against prematurely celebrating success or making judgments before the outcome is certain.

Er hat den Vertrag unterschrieben, aber man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend preisen.

He signed the contract, but you shouldn't count your chickens before they hatch.

This proverb emphasizes patience and caution in assessing outcomes.

Synonyms

Man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend loben Vorsicht ist besser als Nachsicht

Antonyms

Voreilig urteilen Überstürzt handeln

Everything has an end, except the sausage, which has two

Pro Tip

Cultural Context

This proverb reflects German cultural values of patience and humility.

Gold Rule

Usage Rule

Use this proverb when advising someone to wait before celebrating or making judgments.

Word Origin

This proverb originates from German folklore and reflects a cultural value of humility and caution.

Usage Notes

This expression is often used to advise against overconfidence or premature conclusions.

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