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Compiled and edited by Ndzimu-unami Emmanuel Moyo. The original collection includes English renderings for some proverbs and Kalanga explanations for others. Source numbers are retained for reference.
A, 13 proverbs
B, 52 proverbs
D, 25 proverbs
F, 6 proverbs
G, 20 proverbs
H, 22 proverbs
I, 6 proverbs
K, 76 proverbs
L, 16 proverbs
M, 64 proverbs
N, 65 proverbs
P, 7 proverbs
S, 13 proverbs
T, 75 proverbs
U, 37 proverbs
W, 36 proverbs
Y, 14 proverbs
Z, 23 proverbs
75 proverbs under T. Showing 21–40.
Proverb #408
Tjalobeledzela tjalobeledzela, gudo lotatha pashongwe pakakunguluka
Literal English rendering Tough can be tough, the baboon climbs the precipitous rock
English meaning He, who is used to do hard things, gets used to and pleased in doing them
Proverb #409
Tjalobeledzela tjalobeledzela, phele yakatizha nenyanga dze mbudzi
Literal English rendering Tough can be tough, the hyena ran away with goat’s horns
English meaning He, who is used to do hard things, gets used to and pleased in doing them
Proverb #410
Tjamba tomwana unkadzi
Kalanga explanation Banotanga ngematenjana banopedza ngotolana
Proverb #411
Tjamuka ngetjembwa
Kalanga explanation Tjamuka ngetjembwa hhan eyima ubulaya muka wulu kene nukunu
Proverb #412
Tjanlidzo nlidzo ngetjenhanha nonsikana
Kalanga explanation Tjinyebe nyebe ngetjonsikana nohhuhha mumatenjana
Proverb #413
Tjati tjokotjoko tjina anya newatjibona
Kalanga explanation Unnu wabona jenamiso koga usalibona akuna
Proverb #414
Tje mbwa ndetje yina yina, ayi to gala tumba se ina tjayo
Literal English rendering That of the dog is to wonder and run around (as if hunting), for it cannot settle as if it has all sorted. Nhu usina tjitje uno bong’wa ne muka elabuka labuka, ngobe ba no hwa baka tandabala nde bana zwabo
English meaning he/she who lacks does not just settle as if all is well but actively seeks out ways to fulfill their needs
Proverb #415
Tjembwa tjayo ngetje yinayina hhayi galentuzi seyina tjayo
Kalanga explanation Mbwa ayitolindila tjabikwa, koga inonda miha yose muzi
Proverb #416
Tjenjela bazwina zila kutjahha
Kalanga explanation Usiseke batsibamisi uti zwihhema mangwana ntumbu namake
Proverb #417
Tjentili ngetjemmahha tjeNdzimu tjohha wanyala
Kalanga explanation Tjemmahha ngetjawunowila, koga tjoNdzimu tjohha wanyala
Proverb #418
Tjibendebende unoseka tjimbgwimbgwgi
Literal English rendering The one who lost a tooth laughs at the one who has no teeth
English meaning People do not see they defaults; Faults are faults, the person with one should not laugh at the one with two
Proverb #419
Tjiboko tjomfi tjopakula kamwe
Kalanga explanation Nnundu yennu wasiya bengha inopalala, amusayitjengeta zubuyanana
Proverb #420
Tjibudzana tjokumbula kanyi nosunungwa
Kalanga explanation Unnu wagalisa mumizi yabannu unowonda kayi kwabo akasungwa
Proverb #421
Tjibuya, ja ne hama, ntogwa una hangang’wa. / Tjawawana tjije ne hama, ntogwa unokangwana
Literal English rendering When you have a good thing eat it with a friend, the stranger forgets
English meaning The appreciation of a friend makes the joy of life; Sharing good things with a friend spices life
Proverb #422
Tjibwe tjilemele bapedlo bakule banotamba natjo
Kalanga explanation He unobe nemasimba nengentuzi munabakulekule bapedlo unlelu
Proverb #423
Tjibwe tjolemela bahule bapedlo betamba natjo
Kalanga explanation He unolawula bakule naye koga bapedlo banowunkulila
Proverb #424
Tjigale bupitipiti, nsi we thamo utjileye
Literal English rendering Sit on it with tricks, the day of danger escape it
English meaning During time of peace, prepare for trouble; Do not live as if there will never be trouble befalling you
Proverb #425
Tjihubanana buya ngeno ntuzintuzi kanlondo
Kalanga explanation Bulengwe ndani kanlondo butjenjebvu buyani ngeno
Proverb #426
Tjikubwidze tjikulaye mano
Kalanga explanation Diya nnu lebeleka kose ngemano
Proverb #427
Tjikulu tjina tjimwe tjikulili
Literal English rendering A big thing has also something bigger than it
English meaning A person will meet those who boast better than him/her
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