Yoruba proverbs and idioms
Yoruba culture is so rich! It has different answers to important questions and wise words. Some Yoruba proverbs and idioms should be found on every social media page of Nigerians as they shows real wisdom.
Yoruba proverbs and meaning
- Ile oba t'o jo, ewa lo busi
It is translated as: When a king's palace burns down, the re-built palace is more beautiful.
It means Necessity is mother of invention, creativity is often achieved after overcoming many difficulties.
- Gbogbo alangba lo d'anu dele, a ko mo eyi t'inu nrun
It is translated as: All lizards lie flat on their stomach and it is difficult to determine which has a stomach ache
It means Everyone looks the same on the outside but everyone has problems that are invisible to outsiders.
- Ile la ti n ko eso re ode
It is translated as: Charity begins at Home
It means A man cannot give what he does not have good or bad behavior is a reflection of one’s background.
- A pę ko to jęun, ki ję ibaję
It is translated as: The person that eat late, will not eat spoiled food
It means It is more profitable to exercise patience while seeking a durable solution, in difficult situations than to hastily accept an ill-conceived/prepared solution.
- Eewu bę loko Longę, Longę fun ara rę eewu ni
It is translated as: There is danger at Longę's farm (Longę is a name of a Yoruba Legend), Longę himself is danger
It means You should be extremely careful of situations that have a past history of danger
- Bi Ēēgun nla ba ni ohùn o ri gontò, gontò na a ni ohùn o ri Ēēgun nla
It is translated as: If a big masquerade claims it doesn't see the smaller masquerade, the small masquerade will also claim it doesn't see the big masquerade.
READ ALSO: Ethnic groups in Nigeria and their mode of dressing
It means If an important man does not respect those less important than himself, less important men will in turn refuse to give him his due.
- Kò sí ęni tí ó ma gùn ęşin tí kò ní ju ìpàkó. Bí kò fę ju ìpàkó, ęşin tí ó ngùn á ję kojū.
It is translated as: No one rides a horse without moving his head, voluntarily or involuntarily.
It means Your status in life dictates your attitude towards your peers
- Bí abá so òkò sójà ará ilé eni ní bá;
It is translated as: He who throws a stone in the market will hit his relative
It means Be careful what you do unto others it may return towards you or someone close to you
- Agba ki wa loja, ki ori omo titun o wo.
It means Behave in a mature manner to avoid bad reputation.
- Adìẹ funfun kò mọ ara rẹ̀lágbà
It is translated as: The white chicken does not realize its age
It means Respect yourself
- Ọbẹ̀ kìí gbé inú àgbà mì
It is translated as: The soup does not move round in an elder’s belly
It means You should be able to keep secrets
- À ń pe gbẹ́nàgbẹ́nà ẹyẹ àkókó ń yọjú
It is translated as: A sculptor is summoned and the woodpecker shows up
It means Never think too highly of yourself
- Díẹ̀ díẹ̀ nimú ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ẹ́ fi ń wọgbà
It is translated as: Little by little is how the pig’s nose enters the yard
READ ALSO: Name of God in Idoma language
It means Attend to a small problem before it becomes uncontrollable
- Iy’o wu mi e wue, oun e, ni mu omo iya meji jeun ototo.
It is translated as: Differences in likes and dislikes make two brothers eat separately
It means Every human being has special characteristics that make him unique.
- Aja e e gbagbe l’oiye owuo.
It is translated as: A dog does not forget its morning benefactor.
It means It is good to show appreciation for any good deed done to one.
- Oju ole ni agbado un gbo
- It is translated as: Corn matures in the presence of a lazy man.
It means If a man does not work, he must not eat.
- Igbe ra ga ni si waju ipa run.
It is translated as: It is lifting oneself up that goes before destruction.
It means Pride goes before a fall.
- Ko omo re ki o le fun o ni isimi.
It is translated as: Teach your child to give you rest
It means Train your child so that he can give you peace of mind.
- Din ara re ninu awo ti o le gba e.
It is translated as: Fry yourself in a pot that will conveniently contain you.
It means Cut your coat according to your size.
These Nigerian Yoruba proverbs about life will add some clever ideas to your social media page, so be sure to use some and share with friends.
READ ALSO: Traditional rulers and their roles in Nigeria
Source: steemit.com
Source: Legit.ng
