Albanian proverbs

Proverbs from all Albanian speaking parts of the world.

A

• Asnjëri nuk mund të schërbejë dy zotërinj.
  • Translation: Nobody can serve two masters.
  • English equivalent: Also, Nobody can serve two masters.
  • Meaning: One cannot serve two conflicting causes simultaneously. If this is attempted neither will be served properly.
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 283. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

C

• Çdo njeri ndërton fatin e vet.
  • Translation: Every man is the maker of his own fortune.
  • English equivalent: Every man is the smith of his own fortune.
  • Meaning: In shaping one's own fortune one should not rely on the help of others, as they are also concerned mainly about their own matters.
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 388. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

F

• Fillimi i mbarë është gjysma e punës.
  • Idiomatic translation: Well begun, is half done.
  • Meaning: Starting properly ensures the speedy completion of a process. A – beginning is often blocked by one or more obstacles (potential barriers) the removal of which may ensure the smooth course of the process.
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 228. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

K

• Kur s'ke punë luaj derën.
  • Translation: When you have nothing to do, rattle the door.
  • Meaning: If you are bored or idle, start doing some work.
  • English equivalent: Idle hands are the devil's playthings.
  • Kostallari, Gjuhësisëdhe i Letërsisë(Akademia e Shkencave e RPS tëShqipërisë) (1981). Fjalor i gjuhës sësotme shqipe. Rilindja. p. 1570. 

• Kush ka turp, vdes për bukë.
  • Translation: Who is shy dies from hunger.
  • Meaning: Bad things happens to those who are shy.
  • Instituti i Folklorit (Tirana, Sako (1961). Mbledhës tëhershëm tëfolklorit Shqiptar (1635-1912). Instituti i Folklorit, Sektori i Folklorit Letrar. 

M

• Mali me mal nuk piqen, njeriu me njeriun piqen.
  • Translation: It is the mountains that do not move to help one another; but one man surely comes to the help of another.
  • Idiomatic translation: A mountain never meets a mountain, but a man meets a man.
  • Meaning: There are some things/events that are impossible, like an encounter of mountains, but there is always a chance for people to meet. or One can always find a possibility for revenge.
  • Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 213. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Mat tri herẽ, prit njẽ herẽ.
  • Idiomatic translation: Measure thrice, cut once.
  • Meaning: One should always act only after due consideration. A hasty action may involve an improper consideration of important aspects.
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 420. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Molla nuk bie larg mollës.
  • Idiomatic translation: The apple does not fall far from the tree.
  • Meaning: Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents.
  • Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 259. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Mos hidh zjarr në kashtë.
  • Translation: You should not add oil to the fire.
  • English equivalent: Don't add fuel to the fire.
  • Meaning: One should not make a bad situation even worse by an improper remark.
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 338. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

N

• Në njërin vesh (më) hyn, në tjetrin (më) del.
  • Translation: In at one ear and out at the other.
  • English equivalent: Advice most needed are the least heeded.
  • Meaning: For various reasons a good advice or a genuine warning is often disregarded or considered of no importance.
  • Source for meaning and proverb: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 179. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

P

• Peshku i madh ha të voglin.
  • Idiomatic translation: Men are like fish; the great ones devour the small.
  • Meaning: A weak person/group/community/country can be an easy prey to an immoral, powerful one.
  • Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 420. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Punën e sotme mos e lër për nesër.
  • Translation: Don't leave today's work for tomorrow.
  • Newmark, Hubbard, Prifti (1982). Standard Albanian: A Reference Grammar for Students. Stanford University Press. p. 294. 

S

• Sa rron, aq mëson - Sa të rrosh, do të mësosh
  • Idiomatic translation: We are to learn as long as we live.
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 182. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Si i ati dhe i biri.
  • Translation: Such father, such son.
  • English equivalent: Like father, like son.
  • Meaning: Sons may look and behave like their fathers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily.
  • Source for meaning and proverb: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 137. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Si e ëma dhe a bija.
  • Translation: Jeannete is just the daughter of her mother.
  • English equivalent: Like mother, like daughter.
  • Meaning: Daughters may look and behave like their mothers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and rarely.
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 137. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.