Proverb/Maxim/Saying A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. A burnt child dreads fire.

Actions speak louder than words.

(Related) Swahili Equivalent Fimbo ya mbali haiui nyoka. Mtoto akililia wembe, mpe.

Literal Translation

"A remote stick (i.e. one which is far -A1away) does not (i.e. cannot) kill a snake (near you)." "If a child cries for a razor-blade, give it to him." -A2-

Ada ya mja hunena, "The fee/present of (i.e. given by) a -A3mwungwana ni kitendo. person is to talk, (but) a gentleman is deed/action (i.e. a gentleman acts)" "A drowning person does not stop thrashing about/around." "Patience pulls (i.e. attracts) success." "If you don't seal a crack (in the wall), you will (have to) (re)build a (complete) wall." -A4-A5-A6-

A drowning man will catch Mfa maji haachi at a straw. kutapatapa. All good things come to those who wait. A stitch in time saves nine. Subira huvuta heri. Usipoziba ufa utajenga ukuta. Mpanda ovyo, hula ovyo. Kawia ufike.

As you sow, so you shall reap. Better late than never.

"He who sows haphazardly, eats (i.e. -A7reaps) haphazardly." "Delay so that you may arrive (i.e. reach your destination)." "Blood is heavier than water." -A8-A9-

Blood is thicker than water. Damu ni nzito kuliko maji. Brain is better than brawn. Charity begins at home.

Mwenye nguvu mpishe. "Give way to the strong one/person." A10Kutoa ni moyo, si utajiri. [abbreviated: Kutoa ni moyo, ...] Usichague mchumba siku ya Idi. Usitukane wakunga na uzazi ungalipo. Maji yakimwagika hayazoleki. Usitupe jongoo na mti wake. "Donating (money) is only a matter of willingness and not wealth." "Don't select a fiance/fiancee during an Eid/Id day (i.e. a festival)." "Don't insult (the) midwives as long as you are still able to give birth. " "If water has been spilt, it cannot be scooped up." "Don't throw away a centipede/millipede (together) with its stick." A11A12A13A14A15A16-

Clothes don't make the man. Don't burn the bridges behind you. Don't cry over spilt milk. Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. Do unto others, as you would have done to you.

Mkuki kwa nguruwe, "A spear is only (to be used) against kwa mwanadamu a pig; against a human being it is uchungu. [abbreviated: painful." Mkuki kwa nguruwe ...]

Empty vessels make the most noise. Garbage in, garbage out. Great haste makes great waste. Habit is second nature. Haste makes waste. In for a penny, in for a pound.

Debe tupu haliachi kuvuma. Mpanda ovyo, hula ovyo. Haraka haraka haina baraka.

"An empty "debe" (a kind of square jerry can) does not stop making noise."

A17-

"He who sows haphazardly, eats (i.e. reaps) haphazardly." A18"Haste haste has no blessing." A19A20A21A22A23A24A25-

Kawaida ni kama sheria. "A custom is like a law." Haraka haraka haina baraka. Ukitaka kula nguruwe, kula aliyenona. "Haste haste has no blessing." "If you want to eat a(n entire) pig, eat a fat one." "If water has been spilt, it cannot be scooped up."

It is no use crying over spilt Maji yakimwagika milk. hayazoleki. It takes two to tango.

Kidole kimoja hakivunji "A single finger does not (i.e. chawa. cannot) break (i.e. crush/kill) a louse." Usichokoze nyuki. Mtoto wa nyoka ni nyoka. Umoja ni nguvu, utengano ni udhaifu. [abbreviated: Umoja ni nguvu, ...] Pilipili usiyoila yakuwashiani? "Don't provoke (the) bees."

Let sleeping dogs lie. Like father like son.

"The child (i.e. offspring) of a snake, is (also) a snake (that's to say: evil is A26inherited)." "Unity is strength, disunity is weakness." A27-

Many hands make light work.

Mind your own business.

"How come that the pepper/chilli which you are not eating (but which you probably can see) is too hot for you?" "Don't select a fiance/fiancee during an Eid/Id day (i.e. a festival)."

A28-

Never judge a book by its cover. Out of sight, out of mind.

Usichague mchumba siku ya Idi. Asiyekuwepo na lake halipo.

A29-

"He who isn't around, his (share) isn't around (either). (This is to make A30sure that people don't miss events e.g. meetings unnecessarily.)" "The medicine (i.e. antidote) for/against fire is fire. " A31-

Send a thief to catch a thief. Dawa ya moto ni moto. Something is better than nothing. Embe dodo sawa sawa na kisukari.

"A dodo (a type of mango) is the same as (i.e. just as good as) a A32kisukari (a type of banana). (Don't be

too choosy!)" There is no smoke without fire. Too many cooks spoil the broth. Time and tide wait for no man. To spill the beans. Truth will out. What goes up, must come down. When the cat's away the mice will play. Where there is a will there is also a way. You are never too old to learn. Panapofuka moshi pana moto. "Where smoke is being generated, there is a fire." A33A34A35A36A37-

Wapishi wengi huharibu "(Too) Many cooks spoil the mchuzi. sauce/gravy/broth." Ngoja ngoja huumiza matumbo. "Wait wait hurts the entrails."

Kumwaga mchele mbele "To spill (scatter) rice in front of ya kuku. chickens." Njia ya mwongo ni fupi. "The path/route of a liar is short." Aliye juu, mgoje chini. Paka akionodoka panya hutawala. Penye nia pana njia. Elimu haina mwisho.

"Wait at the bottom, for the one who is up." A38"When the cat has gone away, the mice rule/govern/prevail." "Where there is a will/an intention, there is a way." "Education has no end(ing)." A39A40A41-

ADMONITION
Swahili Proverb Literal Translation Interpretation/Meaning/Moral No.

Haraka haraka haina "Haste haste has no blessing." Great haste makes great waste. baraka. Wapishi wengi huharibu mchuzi. Mtaka yote kwa pupa hukosa yote. "(Too) Many cooks spoil the sauce/gravy." "He who wants everything in one go, will forsake everything." ? Do not try to achieve too many goals at once. Don't be too greedy. If you ignore expert advice/guidance, ill might befall you. Don't be reckless. ?

-B1-B2-B3-

Asiyesikia la mkuu, "He who does not heed the huvunjika guu. chief's advice, breaks his leg/foot. " Usipoziba ufa, utajenga ukuta. Usichague mchumba siku ya Idi. Usiache mbachao kwa msala upitao. "If you don't seal a crack (in the wall), you will (have to) (re)build (an entire) wall."

-B4-

-B5-

"Do not select a fiancee/fiance During a festival everyone is well-B6during the day of Eid (a groomed, such that you cannot judge a Muslim Festival)" person's true character. Don't judge a book by its cover. "Do not abandon your own in It is difficult to regain control of what favour of ephemeral matters." you abandoned in favour of passing temptations. You should rely more on -B7-

what has been tested and tried. Don't change horses in midstream. Mkuki kwa nguruwe, kwa mwanadamu uchungu. [abbreviated: "Mkuki kwa nguruwe ..."] Bahati ya mwenzio usiilalie mlango wazi. "A spear (should only be It is easy to harm others, but very used) against a pig, for human painful if you are given a taste of your beings it is very painful." own medicine. Do unto others, as you would have done to you. -B8-

"Do not leave the (front) door Don't be reckless just because others open and go to bed just were lucky. because someone you know did the same thing but nothing happened to him." "Do not throw away a centipede/millipede together with its stick!" After completing a job, you shouldn't throw away the tools or utensils because you will certainly need them for another job. Always separate the wheat from the chaff. Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. Don't burn the bridges behind you.

-B9-

Usitupe jongoo na mti wake.

B10-

Usitukane wakunga "Don't insult the midwives as na uzazi ungalipo. long as you are still able to bear children." Majuto ni mjukuu. "Regret(ing) is a grandchild. (In other words, people regret only after something has happened to them.)"

B11B12-

Do not be reckless!

Anayefikiri amesimama, aangalie asianguke.

"He who thinks he is standing Even after taking all the necessary (stably), should be on his precautions, don't be careless. guard not to fall down."
ADVICE/MAXIMS

B13-

Samaki mkunje angali "Bend a fish while it is (still) mbichi. fresh/wet." Ukitaka kula nguruwe, kula aliyenona. Ahadi ni deni. "If you would like to eat a pig, eat a fat one." "A promise is a debt."

Children should be given guidance early in life (before it is too late). If you have to do something, then do it properly (not half-heartedly). In for a penny, in for a pound. You have to keep your promises.

-C1-C2-

-C3-

Ndugu wakigombana, ":When relatives/siblings chukua jembe quarrel, take a hoe and go to ukalime. cultivate (a farm)."

You shouldn't take sides when -C4relatives quarrel because if they reconcile you will become a scapegoat : "He/She is the one who set us at odds!" People never forget painful experiences. A burnt child dreads -C5-

Mtoto akililia wembe, "If a child cries for a razormpe! blade, give it to him."

fire. Asiyekubali kushindwa si mshindani. Mtaka cha uvunguni sharti ainame. Mgeni njoo, mwenyeji apone. "He who won't (from time to Defeat should be regarded as part time) concede defeat (in a of the game and not as a disgrace. competition) is no competitor. " You shouldn't compete too vehemently. "He who wants to fetch something from under the bed must bend over." "Guest, come over so that the host may be saved." You have to do whatever is necessary in order to achieve a goal. -C6-

-C7-

When guests have been invited, the -C8hosts normally prepare a banquet, so that the host family also benefits. ? -C9-

Dawa ya moto ni moto. Usimwamshe aliyelala, la sivyo utalala wewe. Riziki ni kujaribu. Pilipili usiyoila yakuwashiani?

"The medicine/remedy (i.e. antidote) for/against fire is fire.";

"You shouldn't wake up the one Don't unnecessarily share (crucial) who is asleep, otherwise you knowledge. will fall asleep yourself." " Sustenance is to try." If you try your best, you can earn your living.

C10C11C12-

"How come that the ? pepper/chilli which you are not eating (but which you probably can see) is too hot for you?"

Huwezi kula ng'ombe "You cannot eat a whole After a feat, you shouldn't say you mzima halafu ox/cow and then finally say you cannot manage the finishing ukasema mkia are unable to finish the tail." touches. umekushinda. Usimwage mchele mbele ya kuku. Mpende akupandaye. Aliye juu mngojee chini. Wengi wape. Fuata nyuki ule asali. Kawia ufike. "Don't spill (scatter) rice in front of chickens." Don't spill the beans.

C13-

C14C15C16-

"Love (only) the one who loves Love should be reciprocal. you.." "Wait at the bottom for the one who is at the top." "Give (everything) to the many (i.e. the majority)." ?

You should let the majority prevail. C17C18C19-

"Follow the bees in order to eat You can benefit by undertaking honey." appropriate measures. "Delay in order to arrive." It is better to be precautious and make sure that you achieve your goal even if it takes much longer. Better late than never. Let brutes have their way. Sooner

Mwenye nguvu

"Make way for the strong one

mpishe. Mgeni siku ya kwanza, siku ya pili mpe jembe akalime.

(i.e. person)." "A guest/visitor (is a guest) only on the first day. On the second day give him a hoe so that he can go to cultivate (a field)." "Lila and Fila (fictitious words/names) do not match."

or later they will come down to earth. Brain is better than brawn. After enjoying the initial period/hospitality, visitors should take on a few chores.

C20C21-

Lila na fila havitangamani.

God and evil are not compatible. You shouldn't try to mix oil with water.

WORDS OF WISDOM

Kipya kinyemi, kingawa kidonda. Dalili ya mvua ni mawingu. Akiba haiozi.

"A new (thing/item) is To start with, every novelty sounds pleasant/interesting, even if it is interesting even if in reality it isn't wound/sore." good or worth much. "The sign (i.e. precursor) of rain is clouds." "Reserves/Savings never rot/decay." Pay attention to indications for something which is going to happen. It is advisable to save money or have reserves. Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves. If you are merciful to others they will never forget you for that. ?

-D1-

-D2-D3-

Wema hauozi.

"Mercifulness does not rot/decay."

-D4-D5-D6-

Mtoto wa nyoka ni "A snake's child (i.e. offspring) nyoka. is (also) a snake."

Kutoa ni moyo, si "Giving (i.e. donating) is only a Donating has more to do with utajiri. matter of willingness and not of willingness than wealth. Charity [abbreviated: wealth." begins at home. Kutoa ni moyo, ...] Penye nia pana njia. Pole pole ndio mwendo. Mwenda pole hajikwai. "Where there is a will there is a Where there is a will there is a way. way." "Slowness is the (better) locomotion." Sometimes it is advisable to proceed slowly in order to avoid misfortune.

-D7-D8-D9-

"He who moves forward slowly Those who proceed slowly (i.e. does not trip." carefully) are unlikely to have accidents or fail. ? Patience pays.

Maji yakimwagika "If water has been spilt it hayazoleki. cannot be scooped up." Mvumilivu hula mbivu. Subira huleta heri. "The patient one (i.e. a patient person) eats (i.e. reaps) ripe (things)." "Patience brings blessing/success."

D10D11-

If you are patient you can expect to be successful some day. All good things D12-

come to those who wait. Kidole kimoja hakivunji chawa. Akili nyingi huondoa maarifa. Paka akiondoka, panya hutawala. Milima haikutani, lakini binadamu hukutana. Siku za mwizi ni arobaini. "One finger does not break (i.e. ? cannot kill/crush) a louse. " "Too much intelligence removes/displaces skills/techniques." "If the cat goes away, the mice rule." "Mountains don't meet but human beings do." "The days of a thief are forty. (A thief can stay at large for only forty days.)" Do not try to overdo things or be a smart alec. ? Do not say that you will never meet somebody. D13D14D15D16-

Sooner or later a thief will get caught. Crime doesn't pay. D17Anyone who tells lies will be exposed sooner or later. D18It is not worth being a thief because thieves get caught sooner or later. Crime doesn't pay. D19-

Njia ya mwongo ni "The path/route of a liar is fupi. short." Njia ya mwizi ni fupi. Kuuliza si ujinga. "The path/route of a thief is short." "Asking (questions) is not stupidity (i.e. if you ask questions it does not mean that you are stupid)." "Anyone who has a sister will certainly have a brother-inlaw."

If someone asks a question in order to get information then they should not D20be regarded as being stupid. Do not try to prevent the inevitable. D21-

Mwenye dada hakosi shemeji. Mwenye macho haambiwi tazama. Mchagua jembe si mkulima. Asiyefunzwa na mamae hufunzwa na ulimwengu. Mbio za sakafuni huishia ukingoni. Kibaya chajitembeza, kizuri chajiuza.

"Anyone who has eyes (i.e. You needn't tell people to be aware of who can see) is not (i.e. will not their environment. D22be) told to look (around)." "Anyone who selects a (i.e. Anyone who is too choosy (in unnecessarily insists on using a selecting the required tools), is in specific) hoe is no farmer." reality not willing to do anything. "He who is not taught (i.e. properly brought up) by his/her mother, will be taught by the world." "A dash/race on the floor ends at the edge." "A bad (thing) strolls, a good (thing) sells itself." D23-

If parents do not fulfil their obligation in properly guiding or bringing up a D24child, the child will have to learn everything the hard way. A flash in the pan. You needn't publicise good products or services. An ungrateful person will reciprocate by doing something bad. D25D26D27-

Shukrani ya punda "The gratitude of a donkey is ni mateke. kicks."

Damu ni nzito kuliko maji. Mtoto kwa mzazi hakui. Haba na haba hujaza kibaba. Ndege mjanja hunaswa na tundu bovu. Kikulacho ki nguoni mwako. Lisemwalo lipo na kama halipo laja.

"Blood is heavier than water." "For a parent, his/her child never matures." "A little and a little fill the measure." "A clever bird gets caught in a defective hole (i.e. nest/trap)." "Whatever is preying on you (e.g. a louse), is nested inside your clothing." "Whatever is being mentioned does exist and if it doesn't then it will happen or come into being soon." "Wherever smoke is being emitted, there is a fire."

? Overparenting means that children cannot become adults (i.e. cannot learn to fend for themselves). Unceasing little quantities can eventually create a massive quantity. Anyone who always tries to show others that he/she is very cunning can be tricked very easily. The people who undermine you, are amongst your friends. People wouldn't talk about something which does not exist.

D28D29D30D31D32D33-

Panapofuka moshi pana moto. Kukopa harusi, kulipa matanga. Asiyekuwepo na lake halipo. Hakuna siri ya watu wawili. Hasira, hasara. Ulimi hauna mfupa. Mti hauendi ila kwa nyenzo. Kawaida ni kama sheria. Sikio halilali na njaa. Baada ya dhiki faraja. Kuishi kwingi,

There is no smoke without fire.

D34-

"Borrowing (money) is (like) a Everybody enjoys borrowing money, wedding, paying back is (like) a but repaying is always very agonizing. D35mourning period." "He who isn't around, his (share) isn't around either." "There is no secret for two people." "Rage/Fury (causes) loss/damage." "A tongue has no bone (i.e. support/guideline)" You needn't consider/accommodate anyone who (deliberately) failed to turn up. Out of sight, out of mind. A secret can only be kept by one person. D36D37-

Being uncontrollably furious can lead to serious consequences . D38You should forgive people who accidentally or unintentionally mention something offensive. D39D40D41D42-

"A tree (i.e. log) does not move Do whatever is necessary in order to without (being moved by) a achieve something. lever. " "A norm/habit is like a law." "An ear never goes to bed (while) hungry." "After suffering/distress (comes) relief/solace. " "Living for a long time, Norms/Habits are just as binding as laws. Habit is second nature. There is always something you will hear (about) (news, rumours, ...)

After having suffered a lot, you might experience relief. D43Old people have experienced a lot. -

kuona mengi. Ukiona vyaelea, vimeundwa.

(means) seeing a lot." "If you see them (i.e. certain things) floating, (know that) they were made/designed (otherwsie they would sink)." "An empty hand is not (i.e. cannot be) licked." Things don't function without having been carefully designed and manufactured. If you don't have anything to offer, you won't have any friends.

D44D45-

Mkono mtupu haulambwi. Ng'ombe wa masikini hazai. Mfa maji haachi kutapatapa. Akili ni mali. Mtoto umleavyo ndivyo akuavyo. Aisifuye mvua imemnyea.

D46D47D48D49D50D51D52-

"The cow of a poor person does The poor always remain poor. not give birth (to offspring)." "He who is drowning does not stop thrashing about." "Intelligence is an asset." ? If you are intelligent you can achieve a lot.

"A chlid grows up (exactly) the You should pay attention to the way way you bring him/her up." you bring a child up. "Anyone who praises the rain, it If you praise somehting, then you has rained on him." know why you are doing it.

Kuku mgeni hakosi "A new hen always has a string There is always something which kamba mguuni. on one leg (because it is not betrays inexperienced people. familiar with its new environment)." Macho hayana pazia. "Eyes have no curtains." Don't expect people not to see what they want to see. If you keep telling people to wait (unnecessarily) they won't like it. People tend to adapt to their circumstances.

D53D54D55-

Ngoja ngoja "(The statement) - wait wait huumiza matumbo. damages the bowels." Bendera hufuata upepo. Embe dodo sawa sawa na kisukari. "A flag follows (i.e. flutters according to) the wind." "- Dodo - (a type of mango) is just as good as - kisukari - (a type of banana)."

Even if you get much less than, or something completely different from, D56what you expected you should still be grateful, because something is better than nothing. Often there is a sign of good things to come. D57You reap what you sowed. Garbage in, garbage out. Struggling blindly can be very counter-productive. A confrontation between big shots D58D59-

Siku njema huonekana asubuhi.

"A good day is visible (i.e. evident) in the morning. "

Mpanda ovyo hula "Anyone who plants/sows ovyo. haphazardly, eats (i.e. reaps) haphazardly."; Hasira ya mkizi ni furaha ya mvuvi. Tembo "The rage (i.e. wriggling) of a cuttle-fish is joy for the fisherman." "When elephants quarrel (i.e.

wakigombana, nyasi ndizo huumia. Mungu si Athumani. Dua la kuku halimpati mwewe. Elimu haina mwisho. Akufukuzaye hakwambii toka. Meno ya mbwa hayaumani. Ada ya mja hunena, mwungwana ni kitendo. Bandu bandu humaliza gogo.

fight each other) it is the grass which suffers." "God is not (Mr) Athumani." "A hen's prayer does affect a hawk/falcon (which swoops down to grab chicks)." "Education has no end."

affects the common man much more than those involved. God is much greater (more powerful) than man. It is no use to swear at the mighty.

D60-

D61D62D63D64-

You should never say: "Now I've learned enough." There is always room for new skills. There are indirect signs which indicate that you are unwelcome.

"Anyone who chucks (i.e. is trying to chuck) you out, does not tell you to go away/out." "The teeth of a dog do not bite each other."

There is always harmony among those who/which belong together. D65D66-

"The rite of a human being is to A person's deeds are far more say something, (but) a important than just empty talk. gentleman is action (i.e. he acts Actions speak louder than words. instead of just talking)." "An incessant bandu (wooden splinter or the noise of a log being hacked) finishes the log (i.e. finally there will be nothing left)." "A remote stick doesn't kill a snake." If you would like to maintain or preserve something don't take away small quantities at a time because eventually there will be nothing left. You can only effect something by being on location or using the means available. That is to say, "remote control" is not very effective. There are certain people who use coded language for communication.

D67-

Fimbo ya mbali haiui nyoka.

D68-

Waarabu wa Pemba huelewana kwa vilemba.

"The Arabs from Pemba (the northern island of Zanzibar) communicate by means of turbans. "

D69-

Bahati mbaya haiji "Bad luck (i.e. misfortune) does Quite often people are afflicted by peke yake. not come alone." more than just one misfortune. Kulea mimba si kazi, kazi ni kulea mwana. Avumaye baharini ni papa, lakini kumbe wengine wapo. "Looking after a pregnancy is not work (i.e. difficult), it is work (i.e. much more difficult) to bring up a child." "The one who roars in the ocean is a shark, but there are also some others (i.e. other types of fish)."

D70-

It is much more difficult to bring up a child than to bear a pregnancy. D71-

Celebrities are not the only human beings.

D72-

Debe tupu haliachi "An empty "debe" (a kind of

Empty vessels make the most noise.

kuvuma. Mpanda ngazi hushuka. Zimwi likujualo halikuli likakwisha.

square jerry can) does not stop roaring (i.e. making noise)." "He who ascends a ladder/staircase (eventually) descends." Success needn't last long. There are certain conditions which cannot be maintained.

D73D74-

"A ghost which knows you Someone who exploits you will make does not eat you until it finishes sure that you don't collapse D75you." completely because otherwise there won't be anybody whom he can exploit.
KISWAHILI RIDDLES

Swahili Riddle

Literal Translation

Answer No.

Kila niendako yuko nami. Nyumba yangu haina madirisha wala milango. Naisikia, lakini siioni. Mlima wangu una msitu kileleni tu.

"He/It is with me wherever I go." "My house/dwelling has neither windows nor doors." "I (can) hear it but I don't (i.e. can't) see it." "My mountain has a forest only at the peak/summit."

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

-E1-E2-E3-E4-E5-E6-E7-E8-E9E10E11E12E13E14E15-

Taa yangu inaangaza dunia "My lamp illuminates the entire world/earth." nzima. Huku ng'o na kule ng'o. Askari wangu wamevaa nguo nyeusi. Namsikia saa zote lakini simwoni. Haionekani na haishikiki. Huwafanya watu wote walie. Kipo lakini hukioni. Kuku wangu ametagia kwenye miba. Kiwanja kizuri lakini ndege hazitui hapo. Mzungu amejishika kiunoni. Huku mlima na kule mlima, katikati bonde. "Here (you see) nothing and over there (you see) nothing." "My soldiers are wearing black clothes." "I hear him (i.e. it) all the time but I don't see him (i.e. it)." "It is invisible and untouchable (i.e. intangible)." "It makes all the people (i.e. everybody) cry." "It is around but you don't see it." "My hen has laid an egg on thorns." "The (air)field is nice but no aircraft land on it." "A European, whose hand is on his waist." "On this side (there is) a mountain and on the other side (there is) a mountain (too), in the middle (there is) a valley."

Ninapompiga mwanangu, watu hucheza. Nyumba yangu haina taa. Ukiingia ndani yake, hutoki.

"When I beat/hit my child, the people dance/play." "My house/dwelling has no lights (inside)." "If you enter it, you don't (i.e. cannot) get out."

? ? ? ?

E16E17E18E19-

Anakuangalia saa zote bila "He/It looks (i.e. stares) at you all the time without kufumba macho. closing his/its eyes."