Common Swahili idioms and proverbs drawn from everyday speech and folk wisdom. Front: the Swahili idiom or proverb. Back: English meaning.
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- Haraka haraka haina baraka
- Haste haste has no blessing; meaning: haste makes waste
- Mtaka cha mvunguni sharti ainame
- He who wants what is under the bed must bend down; meaning: nothing worthwhile comes without effort
- Asiyefunzwa na mamaye hufunzwa na ulimwengu
- He who is not taught by his mother will be taught by the world
- Pole pole ndio mwendo
- Slowly slowly is the way to go; meaning: slow and steady wins
- Umoja ni nguvu, utengano ni udhaifu
- Unity is strength, division is weakness
- Mvumilivu hula mbivu
- The patient one eats the ripe fruit; meaning: patience is rewarded
- Dalili ya mvua ni mawingu
- The sign of rain is clouds; meaning: warning signs precede events
- Chovya chovya humaliza asali
- Repeated dipping empties the honey; meaning: small habitual takings eventually finish everything
- Kikulacho ki nguoni mwako
- What eats you is in your own clothes; meaning: your troubles often come from close to home
- Mgaagaa na upwa hali wali mkavu
- He who roams the shore does not eat dry rice; meaning: hard work pays off
- Baada ya dhiki faraja
- After hardship comes relief
- Ukiona vyaelea, vimeundwa
- If you see things floating, know they were built to float; meaning: success requires preparation
- Msiba wa kujitakia hauna kilio
- A self-inflicted misfortune draws no sympathy
- Akiba haiozi
- Savings never rot; meaning: it is always worthwhile to save
- Fuata nyuki ule asali
- Follow the bee and eat honey; meaning: follow the one who knows to gain reward
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