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Hausa Proverbs And Sayings
(Karin Magana)
Proverbs in the Hausa language is rich and plentiful in proverbial and distinction/definition expressions
known as Karin Magana.
Proverbs play a big role in Hausa speech. As in every other language, the introduction of a proverb at the right moment can be
much more effective in making a point than giving long explanation.
As in English language, the speaker will often refer to a proverb to make his or her point, rather than saying the whole proverb,
depending upon the listener to know what he is referring to.
Hausa Proverbs and their Meanings
| Proverbs | Karin Magana |
| A word is enough for the wise | Da wasa ake fadawa wawa magana |
| An expert driver can also last long | Zaman duniya iyawa ne |
| Blood is thicker than water | Dan'uwa rabin jiki |
| Set a theif to catch a theif | Mugu yasan makwantar mugu |
| It is impossible to race more than your speed | Ba a hada gudu da susar katara |
| Whatever goes up must come down | Komai nisan jifa kasa zai fado |
| Like father like son | Barewa tayi gudu danta yayi rarrafe |
| Silent is the best answer to a fool | Sai an kula kashi yake doyi (wari) |
| All work and no play makes jack a dull boy | Rai dangin goro hutu yake so |
Proverbs encourage proper conduct
| Having two homes provides protection against an outbreak of fire. (therefore, don't put all your eggs in one basket) | Gida biyu maganin gobara |
| If one refuses another, one refuses oneself. | Hana wani, hana kai |
| Leave the chicken in its feathers. (therefore, Lets sleeping dogs lie.) | A bar kaza cikin gashinta |
| If one does no wrong, there is no regret. | Babu laifi, babu tunani |
| Rather than dancing a bad dance; one would be better advised to refuse to leave his place. (therefore, Leave well enough alone or Don't attempt what you're incapable of performing.) | Da mugunyar rawa gwamma kin tashi |
| If I had only known is like the back of one's head. (therefore, No use crying over spilt milk, what's done is done and cannot be undone or You have to live with it.) | Da na sani kyeya ce |
| Loads prepared for an early morning start, in the previous evening they are tired together. (therefore, Forewarned is forearmed.) | Kayan sammako, da maraice a kan daure shi |
| Whatever you do, look after your own needs. (therefore, Depend onyourself, don't sponge off others.) | Kome ka yi,ka nemi abin kanka |
| Greed is the key path to trouble. | Kwadayi mabudin wahala |
| Dig a pit of evil shallow. (therefore, Be careful not to be caught in your own trap.) | Ramin mugunta a gina shi gajere |
| Breaking wind won't bring a dormant fire to flame. (therefore, Don't depend on someone/something that can't do the job.) | Tusa ba ta hura wuta |
Proverbs encourage activity
| God says, Get up, and then let me help you. (therefore, God helps those who help themselves.) | Alla ya ce, Tashi in taimaka ka |
| The value of good sense is in making use of it. | Amfanin hankali aiki da shi |
| Keeping one's excrement in one's stomach doesn't keep one from hunger. (therefore, Speak out when the time comes... remaining silent won't solve the problem.) | Barin kashi a ciki ba ya maganin yunwa |
| By means of drizzles a river fills up. (therefore, Persistence pays off.) | Da yayafi kogi kan cika |
| A preventative is better than a medicine. (therefore, An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of remedy.) | Rigakafi ya fi magani |
| Good relationship depend upon feet. (therefore, The maintenance of good relationship between people requires frequent visiting.) | Zumunta a kafa ta ke |
Proverbs encourage patience
| Patient is the world's medicine. | Hakuri maganin duniya |
| A patient person is a wealthy person | Mahukurci mawadaci |
| A patient person will cook a stone and drink its broth. (therefore, Patience is a virtue.) | Mai hakuri ya kan dafa dutse ya sha romonsa |
| Travelling slowly doesn't keep one from arriving, says the tortoise. (therefore, Slow but sure.) | Sannu ba ta hana zuwa, in ji kunkuru |
| Today and tomorrow - little by little you will be able. (therefore, Little by little one can accomplish a thing.) | Yau da gobe ka iya |
| Doing a thing little by little this made it possible for the needle to dig a well. (therefore, Perseverance wins out.) | Yau da shi ya sa allura ginin rijiya |
| Coming with some money is better than coming in good time. (therefore, It is better to arrive late with even a small gift than to arrieve early with nothing. ) | Zuwa da wuri ya fi zuwa da wuri |
Essential Words and Phrases for Absolute Beginners!
Charles H. Kraft &
A.H.M. Kirk-Greene's
Teach Yourself Hausa - A Complete Course For Beginners