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