Intermediate Work & Effort Proverb

Один в поле не воин

Odin v pole ne voin

Literal translation

"One in the field is not a warrior"

English equivalent

"One person cannot accomplish a major task alone."

What does it mean?

One man is no man

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When to use

Нам нужна помощь, ведь один в поле не воин.

Example in use

Russian

We need help, since one man is no man.

Translation

Use this to emphasize the need for teamwork or support.

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Origin

Military history

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Full history & cultural context

Reflects the historical reality of Russian wars where survival and victory depended on the collective. It signifies that even a hero is powerless against the "field" (the world) without comrades.

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