Yoruba/Proverbs in Yoruba
< Yoruba
Yoruba proverb is a simple and insightful, traditional saying that expresses a perceived truth based on common sense or experience. Proverbs are often metaphorical and use formulaic language.
| Number | English Proverb meanings | Yoruba Proverbs meanings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Both the tortoise that taunts a hungry snake are edible meat (preys) to a hungry hunter. | Ebi npa ejo, ahun nyan, ati ahun ati ejo, eran jije ni fun olode. |
| 2 | Do not falter if you are being chased as one is getting tired so is the one chasing you | Eniti eegun nlepa ko roju , bi o ti n re eniyan beni o n re araorun |
| 3 | Passers-by are the first to bring the news that the corn is ripe | Ero ona ni royin oka to gbo |
| 4 | A protruded tooth is a problem to the mouth | Eyin to ta yo,wahala enu ni |
| 5 | When a king's palace burns down, the re-built palace is more beautiful. | Ile oba t'o jo, ewa lo busi |
| 6 | All lizards lie flat on their stomach and it is difficult to determine which has a stomach ache | Gbogbo alangba lo d'anu dele, a ko mo eyi t'inu nrun |
| 7 | Charity begins at Home | Ile la ti n ko eso re ode |
| 8 | The person that eat late, will not eat spoiled food | A pę ko to jęun, ki ję ibaję |
| 9 | There is danger at Longę's farm (Longę is a name of a Yoruba Legend), Longę himself is danger | Eewu bę loko Longę, Longę fun ara rę eewu ni |
| 10 | If a big masquerade claims it doesn't see the smaller masquerade, the small masquerade will also claim it doesn't see the big masquerade | Bi Ēēgun nla ba ni ohùn o ri gontò, gontò na a ni ohùn o ri Ēēgun nla |