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Swahili Idioms & Proverbs

59 cards · sw-KE → 🇺🇸 English

Common Swahili proverbs and idioms with their literal meaning and real-world sense.

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Haraka haraka haina baraka

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  1. 1Haraka haraka haina baraka
    Hurry, hurry has no blessing (Haste makes waste)
  2. 2Asiyefunzwa na mamaye hufunzwa na ulimwengu
    He who is not taught by his mother will be taught by the world
  3. 3Mtaka cha uvunguni sharti ainame
    He who wants what is under the bed must bend down (If you want something, you must work for it)
  4. 4Haba na haba hujaza kibaba
    Little by little fills the measure (Every little bit helps)
  5. 5Umoja ni nguvu, utengano ni udhaifu
    Unity is strength, division is weakness
  6. 6Kikulacho ki nguoni mwako
    What eats you is in your clothing (The danger is closer than you think)
  7. 7Mchagua jembe si mkulima
    He who is choosy about hoes is not a farmer (Beggars can't be choosers)
  8. 8Penye nia pana njia
    Where there is a will, there is a way
  9. 9Chombo cha mtu si cha mwenyewe
    Another person's boat is not yours (Don't count on other people's resources)
  10. 10Dau la mnyonge haliendi joshi
    The boat of a poor person doesn't go to deep water (The poor can't afford risks)
  11. 11Asiyekubali kushindwa si mshindani
    He who doesn't accept defeat is not a competitor
  12. 12Subira huvuta heri
    Patience brings fortune
  13. 13Paka akiondoka, panya hutawala
    When the cat is away, the mice will rule (When the cat's away, the mice will play)
  14. 14Mkono mtupu haulambwi
    An empty hand is not licked (You can't give what you don't have)
  15. 15Asiyesikia la mkuu huvunjika guu
    He who doesn't listen to the elder will break his leg (Experience teaches wisdom)
  16. 16Kufa kufaana
    Death equalizes all (We all die the same)
  17. 17Usiache mbachao kwa msala unaokiona
    Don't leave what you have for what you see (A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush)
  18. 18Maji yakimwagika hayazoleki
    Spilled water cannot be gathered (Don't cry over spilled milk)
  19. 19Samaki mkunje angali mbichi
    Bend the fish while it's still fresh (Train a child while young)
  20. 20Akufukuzaye hakwambii toka
    He who chases you doesn't tell you to leave (Actions speak louder than words)
  21. 21Baada ya dhiki faraja
    After hardship comes relief
  22. 22Usipoziba ufa, utajenga ukuta
    If you don't repair the crack, you'll build a wall (A stitch in time saves nine)
  23. 23Mla nawe hafi nawe
    He who eats with you doesn't die with you (Not everyone who smiles at you is your friend)
  24. 24Mnyonge hana haki
    The weak has no rights (Might makes right)
  25. 25Mcheza kwao hutuzwa
    He who plays in other people's homes gets insulted (Mind your own business)
  26. 26Asiyekuwapo na lake halipo
    He who is absent, his belongings are also absent (Out of sight, out of mind)
  27. 27Maji yakimwagika hayazoleki tena
    Once water is spilled, it cannot be collected again (What's done is done)
  28. 28Mkono mmoja hauchinji
    One hand cannot slaughter (Teamwork is important)
  29. 29Mtoto akililia wembe mpe
    If a child cries for a razor, give it to him (Let people learn from their mistakes)
  30. 30Ngoja ngoja huumiza matumbo
    Waiting and waiting hurts the stomach (Patience has limits)

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