One han cyaa clap

proverb one HAN cyaa CLAP wan han kjaː klap

Also spelled one hand can't clap, one hand cyaah clap, One han cyaan clap

'One han cyaa clap' — one hand cannot clap. Some things simply cannot be done alone: cooperation is needed, and no achievement comes from a single pair of hands with no help. In its other, equally common sense, it holds that a quarrel or a wrong takes two — no dispute goes on with only one side involved, so both parties share in a falling-out. Whether about teamwork or about blame, the proverb turns the plain fact that clapping needs two hands into everyday wisdom.

  • Wi need fi work together pon dis; one han cyaa clap.

    We need to work together on this; it can't be done alone.

  • Nuh blame only she fi di fight — one han cyaa clap.

    Don't blame only her for the fight — it takes two to quarrel.

  • Di community strong wen wi join up; one han cyaa clap.

    The community is strong when we join together; one hand can't clap.

  • Dem both did inna di argument — one han cyaan clap.

    They were both in the argument — it takes two to quarrel.

  • Wi need everybody fi mek dis work; one han cyaan clap.

    We need everyone to make this work; one hand can't clap.

A plain image: it takes two hands meeting to make a clap — one alone makes no sound — a figure for the need of cooperation, and for shared responsibility in a quarrel.

Used both to urge cooperation and to point out that a dispute involves both sides.