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Proverbs & Traditional Sayings
161 entries in this part of the language, each with meanings, pronunciation and worked examples.
- Aiz-haad pickney bun a sun hot 'Aiz-haad pickney bun a sun hot' — the hard-ears (disobedient) child gets burned in the hot…
- Alligator lay egg, but him nuh fowl 'Alligator lay egg, but him nuh fowl' — the alligator lays eggs, but that does not make it…
- Anancy rope tie Anancy 'Anancy rope tie Anancy' — Anancy's own rope ties up Anancy.
- Baan bak a cow 'Baan bak a cow' — born behind a cow, that is, of humble, rural, country origins.
- Bad luck wus dan obeah 'Bad luck wus dan obeah' — bad luck is worse than obeah (witchcraft).
- Bad mind a kill dem 'Bad mind a kill dem' — envy is killing them.
- Big up yuh chest Stand tall and be proud — literally 'puff up your chest'.
- Blackbud seh fi im pickney fus 'Blackbud seh fi im pickney fus' — the blackbird says his own children come first.
- Chicken merry, hawk deh near 'Chicken merry, hawk deh near' — when you are carelessly happy and off your guard, danger…
- Chip nuh fly far from block Children take after their parents — 'a chip off the old block'.
- Cock mout kill cock 'Cock mout kill cock' — the rooster's own mouth kills the rooster.
- Cockroach nuh business inna fowl fight 'Cockroach nuh business inna fowl fight' — a cockroach has no business in a fight among…
- Cotton tree nebba so big till likkle axe cyaan cut it Nothing, however great and powerful, is beyond being brought down by small, persistent…
- Cow know which fence fi lean pon People know exactly whom they can take advantage of, and they target the weak, the soft, or…
- Cow nebba know di use a him tail till fly-time You don't appreciate the value of something (or someone) until it is gone or until you need…
- Coward man keep sound bone The one who avoids a fight keeps his bones whole — better to be a live coward than a dead…
- Craven choke puppy 'Craven choke puppy' — greed chokes the puppy.
- Cross di river before yuh cuss di alligator 'Cross di river before yuh cuss di alligator' — do not curse the alligator until you have…
- Cuss-cuss nuh bore hole inna mi skin Insults and quarrelling do no real, lasting harm — words can't wound you like a weapon, so…
- Cutlass nuh have eye A blade — and by extension violence, danger, or a fight — cannot see who it strikes, so it…
- Dawg wid bone inna him mout cyaa bark 'Dawg wid bone inna him mout cyaa bark' — a dog with a bone in its mouth cannot bark.
- Dawg wid too much yaad sleep hungry 'Dawg wid too much yaad sleep hungry' — a dog that has too many yards to feed at goes to…
- Di olda di moon, di brighta it shine 'Di olda di moon, di brighta it shine' — the older the moon, the brighter it shines.
- Doah heng yuh basket higha dan yuh can reach 'Doah heng yuh basket higha dan yuh can reach' — don't hang your basket higher than you can…
- Doah throw weh yuh stick before yuh cross di river 'Doah throw weh yuh stick before yuh cross di river' — don't throw away your walking stick…
- Dog a sweat, but long hair hide it A person may be suffering, struggling, or in turmoil inside, but their outward appearance…
- Dry-weather friend A fair-weather friend — someone who stays close while times are good and 'the weather is…
- Duppy know who fi frighten 'Duppy know who fi frighten' — a ghost knows whom to frighten.
- Dutty water can cool hot iron Even something humble, lowly, or looked-down-upon can solve a big problem or serve an…
- Dutty water can out fire 'Dutty water can out fire' — dirty water can still put out a fire.
- Empty bag cyaan stand up 'Empty bag cyaan stand up' — an empty sack cannot stand upright.
- Every day bucket go a well, one day di bottom mus drop out Keep doing the same risky or wrong thing over and over, and one day it will finally catch…
- Every hoe have him stick a bush 'Every hoe have him stick a bush' — every hoe has its handle waiting somewhere in the bush.
- Every mikkle mek a mukkle 'Every mikkle mek a mukkle' — every little bit adds up to a lot.
- Everyday bucket go a well, one day di bottom mus drop out 'Everyday bucket go a well, one day di bottom mus drop out' — the bucket goes to the well…
- Everyting cook an curry 'Everyting cook an curry' — everything is cooked and curried, that is, everything is…
- Everyweh mi tun, makka juk mi 'Everyweh mi tun, makka juk mi' — everywhere I turn, thorns prick me.
- Falla-fashion monkey A copycat — someone who blindly imitates whatever others do or wear without thinking for…
- Finger nail an flesh nuh part till death Truly close bonds — family, lifelong friends, devoted lovers — are inseparable, and to…
- Finger never seh 'look here', it seh 'look yonder' 'Finger never seh look here, it seh look yonder' — the pointing finger never says 'look…
- Fire deh a mus-mus tail, him tink a cool breeze Someone is in serious danger or trouble but is blissfully unaware, mistaking the warning…
- Fish deh a sea, dem nuh know seh water hot 'Fish deh a sea, dem nuh know seh water hot' — the fish in the sea don't know the water is…
- Fish get ketch by him own mouth You get yourself into trouble by talking too much — just as a fish is hooked through its…
- Fisherman nebba say him fish stink No one will speak badly of their own goods, work, or family — a seller always praises their…
- Fowl weh feed a yaad nuh haad fi ketch 'Fowl weh feed a yaad nuh haad fi ketch' — a fowl that is fed in the yard is not hard to…
- From mi yeye deh a mi knee 'From mi yeye deh a mi knee' — since my eyes were down at my knee, that is, since I was a…
- Goat deh sweat but long hair cover it A proverb: the goat is sweating, but its long hair hides it.
- Good fowl seh him a go a market, but him neva reach The fine, plump fowl boasts it is going to market, not knowing it is being carried there to…
- Good fren betta dan pocket money A true friend is worth more than money in your pocket.
- Hell an powder house 'Hell an powder house' — utter chaos and uproar, a violent commotion or an explosive row.
- Hog ax him mumma why him mout long; she seh, wait till yuh grow Children grow up to inherit the very traits — good or bad — of their parents and family…
- Hog say di first water him ketch, him wash Seize the first opportunity that comes, because you can't be sure another will follow.
- Hog seh di foss wata him ketch, him wash 'Hog seh di foss wata him ketch, him wash' — the hog says the first water he comes upon, he…
- Howdy an tenky bruk no square 'Howdy an tenky bruk no square' — 'howdy' (hello) and 'thank you' break no squares, that…
- Hungry belly an full belly nuh walk same pass A hungry belly and a full belly do not walk the same path.
- Hurry hurry mek bad curry 'Hurry hurry mek bad curry' — haste makes waste;
- If fish come from deep sea an seh shark deh deh, believe him 'If fish come from deep sea an seh shark deh deh, believe him' — if a fish comes up from…
- If yuh cyaa get turkey, satisfy wid John Crow 'If yuh cyaa get turkey, satisfy wid John Crow' — if you can't get turkey, be content with…
- If yuh cyaa ketch Quaco, yuh ketch him shut If you can't catch Quaco himself, catch his shirt.
- If yuh cyaan dance, yuh blame di music People blame outside things for their own failings and shortcomings — a poor workman blames…
- If yuh cyaan hear, yuh wi feel If you won't listen to advice or warning, you'll learn the lesson the hard way — through…
- If yuh hand inna devil mout, tek it out easy If your hand is in the devil's mouth, take it out gently.
- If yuh nuh mash ants, yuh nuh find him guts 'If yuh nuh mash ants, yuh nuh find him guts' — if you don't step on the ant, you won't…
- If yuh sleep wid dawg, yuh ketch him flea 'If yuh sleep wid dawg, yuh ketch him flea' — keep bad company and you will take on its…
- If yuh want good, yuh nose haffi run Anything worthwhile costs hard work and sacrifice — you cannot get 'good' (success, reward)…
- Jackass seh di worl nuh level Life is not fair or even, and the one who bears the heaviest burdens knows it best.
- John Crow tink him own pickney white 'John Crow tink him own pickney white' — the John Crow, the black vulture, thinks its own…
- Learn fi creep before yuh walk 'Learn fi creep before yuh walk' — learn to crawl before you walk.
- Likkle axe cut down big tree Small, persistent effort can overcome a great obstacle — a little axe, chopping away…
- Likkle but tallawah Small in size but strong, tough, and formidable — do not underestimate someone or something…
- Likkle canoe fi kip near shore 'Likkle canoe fi kip near shore' — a little canoe should keep near the shore.
- Long run, short ketch You may get away with wrongdoing for a long time, but you will be caught in the end — often…
- Loud up di ting To broadcast something loudly and publicly — to make a big noise about a matter, hype it…
- Maaga cow a bull mumma 'Maaga cow a bull mumma' — a lean, scrawny cow is still a bull's mother.
- Mi throw mi corn, mi nuh call nuh fowl 'Mi throw mi corn, mi nuh call nuh fowl' — I scattered my corn, but I didn't call any…
- Monkey know which tree fi climb A troublemaker or bully carefully picks who they target — going only after those who cannot…
- Mout mek fi talk People will always talk, gossip, and give their opinion — the mouth was made for talking…
- New broom sweep clean, but old broom know di corner A newcomer brings fresh energy and does a showy job, but the experienced old-timer knows…
- Nine-day wonder Something sensational that everybody talks about intensely for a short while and then…
- No cup no broke, no coffee no dash weh No harm has been done and there is no falling out — everything is fine, nothing lost.
- Nuh buy puss inna bag 'Nuh buy puss inna bag' — don't buy a cat in a bag.
- Nuh draw mi tongue 'Nuh draw mi tongue' — don't draw my tongue, that is, don't provoke me into speaking, or…
- Nuh every kin teet a laugh 'Nuh every kin teet a laugh' — not every baring of the teeth is a real laugh.
- Nuh everyting gud fi eat gud fi talk 'Nuh everyting gud fi eat gud fi talk' — not everything that is good to eat is good to talk…
- Nuh ramp wid mi 'Nuh ramp wid mi' — don't play around with me.
- Nuh trouble trouble till trouble trouble yuh 'Nuh trouble trouble till trouble trouble yuh' — don't go looking for trouble until trouble…
- Nuh wait till drum beat before yuh grine yuh axe 'Nuh wait till drum beat before yuh grine yuh axe' — don't wait until the drum beats to…
- Nuh watch nuh face Don't watch anyone's face — that is, don't be intimidated by, or show favour to, anybody.
- Ole fyah stick easy fi ketch 'Ole fyah stick easy fi ketch' — an old fire-stick catches light easily.
- One finger cyaan ketch louse You cannot get certain things done alone — some tasks need cooperation.
- One han cyaa clap 'One han cyaa clap' — one hand cannot clap.
- One one coco full basket 'One one coco full basket' — the basket is filled one coco at a time, and so, little by…
- One one dutty build dam Little by little, small contributions build up to something big — one handful of earth…
- Only di shoe know if di stocking have hole 'Only di shoe know if di stocking have hole' — only the shoe knows whether the stocking has…
- Patience man ride donkey The patient person reaches their goal, even if slowly — a man with patience will get where…
- Peacock hide him foot 'Peacock hide him foot' — the peacock hides its feet.
- Play fool fi ketch wise Pretend to be foolish or ignorant in order to outwit the clever and find out the truth.
- Play wid puppy, puppy lick yuh mout Be too familiar or playful with someone beneath you in age or standing and they will take…
- Proverb A traditional saying — the short, figurative sayings that carry Jamaican wisdom, handed…
- Puss an dog nuh have di same luck 'Puss an dog nuh have di same luck' — cat and dog do not share the same luck.
- Puss nuh business inna dawg fight 'Puss nuh business inna dawg fight' — a cat has no business in a dog fight, so stay out of…
- Quatty buy trouble 'Quatty buy trouble' — a quattie (a penny-ha'penny, the smallest old coin) is enough to buy…
- Rain a fall but dutty tough Even though help or good fortune is coming down, conditions on the ground remain hard.
- Rain neva fall a one man door 'Rain neva fall a one man door' — rain does not fall only on one man's doorstep.
- Rockstone a river bottom nuh know sun hot Those who live in comfort cannot understand the suffering of those who bear the heat of…
- Same day leaf drop, a nuh same day it rotten The day a leaf falls into the water is not the day it rots.
- Same knife stick sheep, stick goat The same fate or treatment that befalls one can befall another — no one is exempt.
- Same ting weh tick sheep, tick goat 'Same ting weh tick sheep, tick goat' — the same thorn that pricks the sheep also pricks…
- Scornful dawg nyam dutty pudding 'Scornful dawg nyam dutty pudding' — the scornful dog ends up eating the dirty pudding.
- See an blind, hear an deaf 'See an blind, hear an deaf' — see, and be blind;
- Sickness come a horseback, go weh a foot Trouble and illness arrive suddenly and swiftly, but leave slowly and painfully.
- Sleep nuh hav nuh massa 'Sleep nuh hav nuh massa' — sleep has no master.
- So cow a grow, so him nose hole a open 'So cow a grow, so him nose hole a open' — as the cow grows, so its nostrils widen.
- Sorry fi mawga dawg, mawga dawg tun roun bite yuh 'Sorry fi mawga dawg, mawga dawg tun roun bite yuh' — take pity on the scrawny dog, and the…
- Sorry fi mawga dog, mawga dog tun round bite yuh Show pity or kindness to an ungrateful person and they will turn on you.
- Stay pon cow back an cuss cow 'Stay pon cow back an cuss cow' — to sit on the cow's back and curse the cow.
- Stranger nuh know where di deep water deh 'Stranger nuh know where di deep water deh' — a stranger doesn't know where the deep water…
- Sweet to di belly Deeply satisfying and pleasing — literally 'sweet to the belly'.
- Tan far, si good You see a situation more clearly, and judge it better, from a distance than when you are…
- Teet an tongue mus meet Even the closest people — family, lovers, best friends — will sometimes clash or fall out.
- Tek baskit carry wata 'Tek baskit carry wata' — to use a basket to carry water.
- Tek kin teet cover heart bun To hide deep hurt, anger, or grief behind a smile — putting on a cheerful face ('kin…
- Tek time mash ant, yuh find him guts Patience and careful, gentle handling accomplish delicate things that force and haste…
- Tiday fi mi, tomorow fi yuh Whatever trouble, loss, or hardship falls on one person today may fall on you tomorrow —…
- Time longer than rope 'Time longer than rope' — time stretches further than any rope.
- Too much rat neva dig good hole Too many people working on one task get in each other's way and spoil it — the Jamaican…
- Too much sidung bruk breeches 'Too much sidung bruk breeches' — too much sitting down wears out your trousers.
- Tough up yuh face Steel yourself and put on a bold, unbothered face — to brace yourself and press on through…
- Trouble deh a bush, Anansi carry it come a yaad Trouble was far away and minding its own business until someone meddled and brought it home.
- Trouble nuh set like rain 'Trouble nuh set like rain' — trouble gives no warning.
- Two bull cyaan reign inna one pen Two strong leaders cannot rule the same place at once — like two bulls penned together…
- Wah gwaan bad a mawnin cyaa come good a evenin 'Wah gwaan bad a mawnin cyaa come good a evenin' — what has gone bad in the morning cannot…
- Wan-yeye man a king inna blind man country 'Wan-yeye man a king inna blind man country' — a one-eyed man is king in the country of the…
- Wanti wanti From the proverb 'wanti wanti cyaa get it, getti getti nuh want it' — those who want a…
- Wanti wanti cyaan get it, getti getti nuh want it 'Wanti wanti cyaan get it, getti getti nuh want it' — those who badly want a thing can't…
- Wanti wanti cyaan getti, getti getti nuh want it Those who badly want a thing can't get it, while those who have it don't appreciate it.
- Wata more dan flour 'Wata more dan flour' — there is more water than flour.
- Wen coco ripe, it muss buss 'Wen coco ripe, it muss buss' — when the coco is ripe, it must burst.
- Wen dawg a sleep, nuh wake him 'Wen dawg a sleep, nuh wake him' — when the dog is sleeping, don't wake it.
- Wen horse dead, cow fat 'Wen horse dead, cow fat' — when the horse dies, the cow grows fat.
- Wen water throw weh, it cyaa pick up 'Wen water throw weh, it cyaa pick up' — once water has been thrown away, it cannot be…
- Wha nuh dead, nuh dash weh Don't throw away what still has life or use left in it — and, more broadly, never say never.
- What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly What tastes sweet and pleasurable now will bring you trouble later.
- What yuh do inna dark mus come to light Whatever wrong or secret thing you do in private will eventually be exposed for all to see.
- When ashes cold, dawg sleep inna fireside 'When ashes cold, dawg sleep inna fireside' — once the fire has died and the ashes are…
- When cow tail cut off, God blow fly Providence looks after those who cannot help themselves.
- When fowl drink water, it say tanks to God Always give thanks for what you receive, however small.
- When plantain want dead, it shoot A last, striking flourish often comes just before the end.
- When puss belly full, rat batty bitter When the cat's belly is full, it suddenly finds the rat bitter and not worth catching.
- When ripe fruit ready, it mus drop Everything happens in its own time, and what is ready to end will end — you cannot force or…
- When trouble tek yuh, pickney shirt fit yuh When hardship strikes, you will accept and make do with what you would never have…
- When yuh buy beef, yuh buy bone You have to take the bad along with the good — nothing comes entirely without drawbacks.
- When yuh go a jackass house, yuh nuh talk bout ears Be tactful about people's sensitive points when you are in their company or on their turf —…
- When yuh hand inna lion mouth, yuh tek it out easy When you are in a vulnerable position or dependent on someone with power over you, act…
- Who baan fi heng cyaa drown 'Who baan fi heng cyaa drown' — he who is born to be hanged cannot drown.
- Who spit inna di sky, it fall inna dem face Whatever harm or disrespect you send out will come back on you.
- Young bud nuh know storm The young and inexperienced don't recognise danger and won't heed warnings, because they…
- Yuh cyaa plant corn an expect peas 'Yuh cyaa plant corn an expect peas' — you can't plant corn and expect peas.
- Yuh ketch cow by him horn, but man by him word 'Yuh ketch cow by him horn, but man by him word' — you catch a cow by its horns, but a man…
- Yuh play wid puppy, puppy lick yuh mout If you play with a puppy, the puppy will lick your mouth.
- Yuh want di egg but yuh nuh want di hen You want the reward but not the work, cost, or responsibility that produces it.