Siperia opettaa

Finnish

Etymology

Literally Siperia (“Siberia”) + opettaa (“teaches”). A reference to the period (1809 to 1917) when Finland was part of Russia. At that time the criminals, and towards the end of the period also dissidents, were often sentenced to forced labour camps or exile in Siberia.

Proverb

Siperia opettaa

  1. to learn the hard way
  2. once bitten, twice shy (one is cautious in the future if one has been hurt in the past)
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