Izaga nezisho: Zulu proverbs and idioms with meanings

Literally: Hands wash each other.

Meaning: People get ahead by helping one another; a kindness you do today is returned to you later.

Ngikusizile namhlanje, nawe uzongisiza kusasa. Izandla ziyagezana.

Literally: A person is a person through people.

Meaning: We become fully human through our relationships with others, so we owe each other care and respect (ubuntu).

Sibasiza omakhelwane bethu ngoba umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu.

Literally: A traveller's stomach is not big; it is the size of a bird's kidney.

Meaning: Always give a visitor something to eat; a guest needs little, and one day you too will be far from home.

Mnike ukudla lo mhambi; isisu somhambi asingakanani.

Literally: The small clay pot takes after the big pot.

Meaning: Children resemble their parents in looks and in behaviour.

Uyacula kamnandi njengonina. Ukhamba lufuze imbiza.

Literally: A tree is bent while it is still green.

Meaning: Teach and shape children while they are young; it is much harder once habits have set.

Sifundisa izingane ukuhlonipha zisencane, ngoba umuthi ugotshwa usemanzi.

Literally: To give birth is to stretch yourself out.

Meaning: Having children extends your family and your life; the children you raise will one day support you.

Ugogo uthi ukuzala ukuzelula, ngoba namuhla abazukulu bakhe bayamnakekela.

Literally: Thorns take each other out.

Meaning: People help one another out of their difficulties.

Ngisize namuhla, nami ngizokusiza kusasa. Ameva ayabangulana.

Literally: The foot has no nose.

Meaning: Treat visitors well; you never know where your own feet will take you one day.

Literally: There is no homestead that does not send up smoke.

Meaning: Every family has its troubles, even if they are hidden.

Sonke sinezinkinga emakhaya. Akukho muzi ungathunqi ntuthu.

Literally: Good waxbills travel in pairs.

Meaning: Good companions stick together, and two working together achieve more than one.

Literally: A bird builds with another bird's feathers.

Meaning: We build our lives with help from other people.

Literally: No francolin ever scratched the ground for another.

Meaning: Everyone must work for their own living instead of waiting for others to provide.

Ungalindeli ukuthi abanye bakwenzele; akukho nkwali yaphandela enye.

Literally: The rock rabbit has no tail because it sent others to fetch one.

Meaning: If you want something done, do it yourself; waiting on others can leave you empty-handed.

Ungathumi abanye, hamba uyozibhalisela. Imbila yaswela umsila ngokulayezela.

Literally: Another person's thing is hyena's gravy.

Meaning: Do not depend on borrowed things; they can be taken back at any moment.

Zithengele elakho ibhayisikili; into yomuntu umhluzi wempisi.

Literally: There is no cow that comes from sleeping.

Meaning: Nothing good comes to the lazy; success takes effort.

Vuka uye esikoleni, ayikho inkomo yobuthongo.

Literally: No genet ever caught a field mouse by sleeping.

Meaning: You will gain nothing by sitting idle; you have to go out and work for it.

Literally: A strong stick grows on the cliff edge.

Meaning: Things of real value are hard to get.

Iziqu zakhe zamthathela iminyaka eminingi. Induku eqinile imila esiweni.

Literally: The baby-carrying skin is not thrown away because a child has died.

Meaning: Do not give up hope after a loss or failure; there will be another chance.

Noma ehlulekile kulo nyaka, uzozama futhi. Akulahlwa mbeleko ngakufelwa.

Literally: The bride leaves while she is still anointed.

Meaning: Leave a place or a job while people still think well of you.

Washiya iqembu lisamthanda. Umlobokazi uhamba esagcobile.

Literally: A flying termite is not caught by its head (as soon as it appears).

Meaning: Do not rush to act or judge before the whole matter has come out.

Literally: It is shaped while it is still fresh.

Meaning: Act while the time is right; do the work while conditions still allow it.

Literally: The one who refuses to be told sees by the flowing blood.

Meaning: Whoever ignores warnings learns the hard way, through painful consequences.

Ngamxwayisa ngomgwaqo oshelelayo akalalela. Isalakutshelwa sibona ngomopho.

Literally: The burning stick comes back to the one who stoked the fire.

Meaning: People who stir up trouble end up being hurt by it.

Wayesakaza amahemuhemu ngabanye, manje sekukhulunywa ngaye. Isikhuni sibuya nomkhwezeli.

Literally: A small splinter killed the elephant.

Meaning: Never underestimate something small; it can cause great harm.

Ungalidebeseli leli phutha elincane. Izwibela ladla indlovu.

Literally: The stomach contents of a bushbuck are not brought into the home.

Meaning: Do not bring trouble or harmful outsiders into your home.

Literally: Do not talk about the rhino when there is no tree nearby.

Meaning: Do not provoke danger when you have no way to escape it.

Literally: No clever person ever licked their own back.

Meaning: However clever you are, there are things you cannot do alone; cleverness has limits and everyone needs others.

Wayezenza ohlakaniphe kunabo bonke, kodwa wagcina ecela usizo. Akukho qili lazikhotha emhlane.

Literally: The beautiful fig is full of worms.

Meaning: Something that looks perfect on the outside can be rotten inside; do not judge by appearances.

Le moto ibukeka iyinhle, kodwa qaphela: ikhiwane elihle ligcwala izibungu.

Literally: The polecat does not smell its own stink.

Meaning: People seldom notice their own faults, even when others see them clearly.

Ukhononda ngomsindo wabanye kodwa naye uyamemeza. Iqaqa alizizwa ukunuka.

Literally: A tree that sheltered you is not soiled.

Meaning: Do not repay kindness with insult; be grateful to those who helped you.

Wakusiza wathola umsebenzi, manje uyamhlambalaza? Isihlahla asinyelwa.

Literally: A man's wound is not laughed at.

Meaning: Do not mock someone's misfortune; the same could happen to you.

Ungamhleki ngokuwa kwebhizinisi lakhe. Inxeba lendoda alihlekwa.

Literally: Do not hit the honeyguide with the honeycomb.

Meaning: Do not repay the person who helped you with ingratitude.

Wakusiza wathola umsebenzi; ungayishayi ingede ngoju.

Literally: The hunchback notices the one who shivers.

Meaning: People point out other people's faults while ignoring their own.

Ukhuluma ngamaphutha abanye kodwa nawe unawo. Usifumbu ubona uqhaqhazela.

Literally: Even where there is no rooster, the day still dawns.

Meaning: Nobody is indispensable; life goes on without you.

Ungacabangi ukuthi umsebenzi uzoma ngaphandle kwakho. Nalapho kungekho qhude kuyasa.

Literally: The leopard eats by means of its spots.

Meaning: People are liked and succeed because of their own good qualities and conduct.

Uthandwa yibo bonke ngenxa yokuziphatha kwakhe. Ingwe idla ngamabala.

Literally: The leopard draws in its claws.

Meaning: The truly strong or wise do not show off their power.

Uyisihlakaniphi kodwa akaziqhayisi. Isilo siyawafinyeza amazipho.

Literally: A healer does not heal himself.

Meaning: Even an expert sometimes needs help from someone else.

Literally: The way is asked of those who have gone ahead.

Meaning: Seek advice from people who have experience of what you are about to do.

Ngaphambi kokuqala ibhizinisi, buza abanolwazi. Indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili.

Literally: He was kicked in the chest by a horse.

Meaning: Said of someone who cannot keep a secret.

Ungamtsheli lutho oluyimfihlo; wakhahlelwa yihhashi esifubeni.

Literally: Respect goes two ways.

Meaning: If you want to be respected, you must show respect to others.

Uma ufuna abanye bakuhloniphe, nawe bahloniphe. Kuhlonishwana kabili.

Literally: No elephant was ever weighed down by its own trunk.

Meaning: Your own responsibilities, such as caring for your family, are never too heavy for you to carry.

Unakekela abafowabo abane kodwa akakhali. Akukho ndlovu yasindwa umboko wayo.

Literally: No rooster ever found its own spur too heavy.

Meaning: A burden that belongs to you is one you can bear.

Literally: The mongoose is at ease; the mamba has gone out.

Meaning: When the person in charge is away, others do as they please.

Uthisha uphumile, abafundi sebeyadlala. Uchakide uhlolile imamba yalukile.

Literally: The bark of the umzungulu tree binds even when dry.

Meaning: Do not dismiss a weak or poor person; they may yet be of great use.

Literally: The bull is among the calves.

Meaning: Tomorrow's leaders are among today's children, so invest in young people.

Uthishanhloko uthe kumele sifundise intsha kahle, ngoba inkunzi isematholeni.

Literally: The umthente grass pricks while it is still growing.

Meaning: A person's talents and character show early in life.

Lo mntwana useqala ukudweba kahle eneminyaka emihlanu nje. Umthente uhlaba usamila.

Literally: There is no young man (suitor) without a flaw.

Meaning: Nobody is perfect, so do not reject a person over one fault.

Ungamlahli umngane wakho ngenxa yephutha elilodwa; akukho soka elingenasici.

Literally: A beautiful dish is not eaten from for long.

Meaning: Said in sorrow when something precious is damaged or a much-loved person dies young.

Kwaba buhlungu ukushona kwakhe esemncane. Isitsha esihle asidleli.

Literally: A fine stick is cut in distant lands.

Meaning: The best things, including a good partner, are often found far from home and only after real effort.

Wathola umsebenzi omuhle kude nasekhaya. Induku enhle igawulwa ezizweni.

Literally: A cow could give birth to a person.

Meaning: Said of something that will never happen.

Uthi uzobuyisa imali ngesonto elizayo? Inkomo ingazala umuntu!

Literally: To see once is to see twice.

Meaning: One bad experience is enough to teach you; you will recognise the danger next time.

Angisamboleki imali ngoba akayibuyisanga ngokwedlule. Ukubona kanye ukubona kabili.

Literally: It licks the one that licks it.

Meaning: People help those who help them; kindness is returned to the kind.

Wamsiza ngoba naye wake wamsiza. Ikhotha eyikhothayo.

Literally: Once it is hurt, it stays afraid.

Meaning: After one bad experience a person becomes careful.

Selokhu ngalunywa yinja, ngiyazesaba izinja. Lixhoshwa kanye lesabe.

Literally: A sheep kills an elephant.

Meaning: The weak can sometimes defeat the strong; never be too sure of the outcome.

Iqembu elincane lahlula ompetha. Imvu ibulala indlovu.

Literally: Travelling gives birth to a male, and also to a female.

Meaning: Life and journeys bring both good and bad results; accept what comes.

Literally: The one who owns a milking pail does not milk onto the ground.

Meaning: An owner should not go without because they lent their things out; return what you borrow.

Ngicela ungibuyisele incwadi yami; enethunga kayisengeli phansi.

Literally: When it has eaten a bone (somewhere), it gets used to it.

Meaning: A favour granted once leads to the same request again and again.

Ngamboleka imali kanye, manje ubuya njalo. Ithi ingadla ithambo yejwayele.

Literally: They are joined at the top, but underneath they are full of holes.

Meaning: Their friendship looks close, but it is not sincere.

Babonakala bengabangane abakhulu, kodwa bahlangene phezulu kanti phansi bangamahele.

Literally: The doer forgets, but the one it was done to does not forget.

Meaning: People who hurt others forget quickly, but the hurt person remembers for a long time.

Wamthuka ngonyaka odlule, kodwa usakhumbula. Umenzi uyakhohlwa kodwa umenziwa akakhohlwa.

Literally: Loneliness killed the calf.

Meaning: Being alone for too long is harmful; people need company.

Literally: The guineafowl has dropped into the yard.

Meaning: Good luck has arrived without any effort.

Uwine umklomelo omkhulu! Intendele iwele enkundleni.

Literally: No brass bangle ever clanged on its own.

Meaning: A quarrel takes two; both sides usually share the blame.

Uthisha wabajezisa bobabili, ngoba akukho thusi lathetha lilodwa.

Literally: People do not all flow the same way; they are not water.

Meaning: People will always hold different opinions; do not expect everyone to agree.

Kulungile ukuthi singavumelani. Abantu abayi ndawonye bengemanzi.

Literally: A baby that does not cry dies in the carrying-skin.

Meaning: If you keep quiet about your problems, nobody can help you.

Tshela uthisha uma ungaqondi; ingane engakhali ifela embelekweni.

Literally: Pumpkins ripen for those who have no pots.

Meaning: Good fortune often goes to people who cannot use or appreciate it.

Literally: The hoes are matched to the farmers.

Meaning: The challenges you face are not bigger than your ability to deal with them.

Literally: A man's grave is on the road.

Meaning: No one knows where or when death will find them.

Literally: The fall of one house is the rise of another.

Meaning: One person's loss is often another person's gain.

Literally: The eye crosses a river in flood.

Meaning: Our desires reach for things that are beyond our means.

Literally: Cunning people do not trade with each other.

Meaning: People who know each other's tricks keep their distance.

Literally: There is no hillside without a grave.

Meaning: Death comes to every place and every person.

Literally: The leopard and the lion are locked together.

Meaning: Two equally strong rivals are fighting.

Literally: to strike the grass

Meaning: To run away or leave in a hurry.

Amasela ashaya utshani lapho ezwa izinja zikhonkotha.

Literally: to strike with disregard

Meaning: To ignore something or take no notice of it.

Wakushaya indiva ukwexwayiswa nguyise.

Literally: to eat mud

Meaning: To suffer great hardship or live in poverty.

Wadla udaka esemncane, kodwa namuhla uyaphumelela.

Literally: to sit on top of the weapons

Meaning: To be on high alert, ready for trouble at any moment.

Abahlali bahlala phezu kwezikhali ngenxa yobugebengu endaweni.

Literally: to put a finger in someone's eye

Meaning: To provoke someone on purpose by doing what you know they hate.

Ukumbiza ngalelo gama kufana nokumfaka umunwe esweni.

Literally: to climb on top of the house like a dog

Meaning: To show no respect for elders or for what is proper.

Le ntsha ikhwela phezu kwendlu njengenja, ayisabahloniphi abadala.

Literally: to wander about inside the stomach (of an ox)

Meaning: To be completely confused, not knowing how things will turn out.

Sasidukuza oswini singazi ukuthi siqale kuphi.

Literally: to be big in the mouth

Meaning: To talk a lot and boast, but do little.

Uthembisa okuningi kodwa wande ngomlomo nje.

Literally: to make excuses

Meaning: To pretend to do something, or give excuses instead of really doing it.

Literally: to eat the rump (of a chicken)

Meaning: To be forgetful.

Uyakhohlwa njalo, kungathi udla impundu.

Literally: to hold a dove by the tail

Meaning: To rely on something that is bound to fail.

Literally: to roll up (the meat of) a cow that has not yet been slaughtered

Meaning: To speak of something as done before it has happened.