Tim's and Lara Beth's Kenya Page

Culture: Sayings

Swahili, like any language, has its share of sayings. Many of them have English equivalents, although it is difficult to tell what some of them are through direct translation. The following table lists some sayings in Swahili, followed by the direct translation (more or less) and the parallel English saying (if one exists).

Saying	Translation	English equivalent
Chovya-chovya! yamaliza buyu la asali.	Constant dipping will empty a gourd of honey.	Little strokes fell great oaks.
Chombo cha kuzama hakina usukani.	A sinking vessel needs no navigation.	It's no use crying over spilt milk.
Biashara haigombi.	Trade does not quarrel.	The customer is always right.
Mwenye kelele hana neno.	A noisy person is harmless.	His bark is worse than his bite.
Mwenye kuumwa na nyoka akiona jani hustuka.	He who has been bitten by a snake, starts at a blade of grass.	Once bitten twice shy.
Nahodha wengi, chombo huenda mrama.	Too many captains and the ship rolls.	Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Ngozi ivute ili maji.	Stretch hide while it is still green.	Strike while the iron is hot.
Haraka haraka haina baraka.	Hurry, hurry, has no blessing.	Haste makes waste.
Mwamini Mungu si mtovu.	He who trusts in God lacks nothing.
Usipoziba ufa utajenga ukuta.	If you do not fill up a crack, you will have to build a wall.	A stitch in time saves nine.
Usisahau ubaharia kwa sababu ya unahodha.	Do not forget what is was like as a sailor just because you are a captain.	Don't forget where you came from.
Uzuri wa mkakasi, ndani kipande cha mti.	An ornate casket may be beautiful, but underneath it is only a piece of wood.	Beauty is only skin-deep.
Ya kale hayapo.	The ancient (things) are with us no longer.	Let bygones be bygones.
Yote yang'aayo usidhani ni dahahabu.	All that glitters, do not think it is gold.	All that glitters is not gold.
Baada ya dhiki, faraja.	After hardship (comes) relief.	Every cloud has a silver lining.
Ada ya mja hunena, "Mwungwana ni kitendo."	Public opinion maintains, "A gentleman is judged by his actions."	Handsome is as handsome does.
Akili nyingi huonda maarifa.	Great wit drives away wisdom.	Too clever by half.
Asiyekuwapo machoni, na moyoni hayupo.	He who is not in sight is not in the heart	Out of sight, out of mind.
Avuaye nguo huchutama.	He who is naked squats low.	?????
Maji yakijaa, hupwa; mpanda ngazi hushuka.	When the tide is high, it ebbs; he who climbs a ladder comes down again.	What goes up, must come down.
Maji ukiyavulia nguo huna budi kuyaoga.	If you take off your clothes for water you must bathe.	You have made your bed, and now you must sleep in it.
Ukenda kwa wenye chongo, vunja lako jicho.	When you go among one-eyed people, put out your own eye.	When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Ulivyoligema utalinywa.	As you tapped it (palm-wine), you will (have to) drink.	As you sow, so shall you reap.
Uso wa samaki hausikii viungo.	The face of a fish does not react to the pickle (it is unchanged by cooking).	It's like talking to a post.
Wawili si mmoja.	Two are not one.	Two heads are better than one.
Adui mpende.	Love your enemy.
Akiba haiozi.	A reserve will not decay.	Put something aside for a rainy day.
Kamba hukatikia pembamba.	A rope parts where it is thinnist. (Always used to mean that blame always falls on the unlucky.)	A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Maneno makali hayavunji mfupa.	Strong words do not break bones.	Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
Mchakacho ujao, haulengwi na jiwe.	You don't throw stones at an approaching crackling noise (in the bush).	Don't cross your bridges until you come to them.
Natuone ndipo twambe, kusikia si kuona.	Let us see, then tell.	Seeing is believing.

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