Language through Literature

Chameleon


А ежели я вру, так пущай мировой рассудит.

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And if I’m lying, then let the justice of the peace decide it.

Where it stands

Не видал, так, стало быть, зачем врать? You didn’t see it, so what do you want to lie for?

Их благородие умный господин и понимают, ежели кто врёт, а кто по совести, как перед богом… Their Honour is a clever gentleman and they understand who is lying and who speaks by his conscience, as before God…

У него в законе сказано… It is laid down in his law…

Нынче все равны… Nowadays everyone is equal…

The words in this sentence

а
and, but (conjunction)
е́жели
if (archaic/colloquial for если)
я
I
вру
I'm lying (1sg of врать) — врать
так
so, thus
пуща́й
let him, may he (dial. for пусть)
мирово́й
justice of the peace, magistrate (nom sg, arch.)
рассу́дит
will judge, will settle it (3sg) — рассудить

А. П. Чехов, «Хамелеон», 1884 · sentence 32 of 53

This is one sentence of «Хамелеон» — 53 sentences long, and the whole story reads like this: every word glossed where it stands, the English out of your eyeline until you ask for it. Free, no account.

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