Romani proverbs

Romani is a minority language spoken by the Romani.

C

• Či perel a phabaj kathar pesko kaš maj dur.
  • English equivalent: The apple does not fall far from the tree.
  • "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. 

E

• Anda 'vresqe jakha sa dikhel anda pesqe khanc.
  • English equivalent: You see the splinter in another's eye but fail to see the beam in your own.
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 131. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

K

• Kasavi vi e śej saj sar i dej.
  • English equivalent: Like mother, like daughter.
  • "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. 179. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Kon či kerel butji, godo te na xal.
  • English equivalent: He that will not work, shall not eat.
  • "Without due effort one is not entitled to the fruits of the work."
• "Whatever you do, you've got to work for it and earn it. Whatever reward you get you've got to know that you've had your input into that success."
  • Jack Charlton Reflections on Success (1997)
  • Source for proverb and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 256. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

L

• Lel the tacho pirrow, an' it's pars kaired.
  • English equivalent: Well begun, is half done.
  • "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. 

• Lo premièr còp tomba pas l'aubre.
  • English equivalent: Little strokes fell great oaks.
  • "A difficult task, e. g. removing a person/group from a strong position, or changing established ideas cannot be done quickly. It can be achieved gradually, by small steps, a little at a time."
  • Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 252. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

N

• Numaj dileno ćiriklo xindel po kujbo.
  • English equivalent: It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest; Don't wash your dirty linen in public.
  • "Why wantonly proclaim one's own disgrace, or expose the faults or weaknesses of one's kindred or people?"
  • "It is considered contemptible to defy the rule of solidarity by revealing facts harmful to the group one belongs to."
  • Source for first meaning: Proverbs of All Nations. W. Kent & Company (late D. Bogue). 1859. p. 109. 
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 466. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

O

• O maćho o baro xàla e tikinen.
  • English equivalent: Men are like fish; the great ones devour the small.
  • "Small organizations or insignificant people tend to be swallowed up or destroyed by those that are greater and more powerful."
  • Source for meaning: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 1 July 2013. 
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 420. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

P

• Phaori si duje xulajenqe te keres buti.
  • English equivalent: Nobody can serve two masters.
  • "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. 

• Plaj plajeça ći maladōl, rrom rromesa.
  • English equivalent: A mountain never meets a mountain, but a man meets a man.
  • "There are some things/events that are impossible, like an encounter of mountains, but there is always a chance for people to meet. or Once 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. 

See also

• Indian proverbs