Haitian proverbs
From Wikiquote
Proverbs from all Haitian speaking parts of the world.
Contents |
B [edit]
- "Bay piti pa chich."
- Translation: To give little is not [being] cheap.
- Smith (2001). When the Hands Are Many: Community Organization and Social Change in Rural Haiti. Cornell University Press. p. 74.
- "Byen prè pa lakay."
- Translation: Very close is not home yet.
- English equivalent: A miss by an inch is a miss by a mile.
- Toussaint (2005). Haiti, a Different Image. AuthorHouse. p. 23.
D [edit]
- "Dèyè mon gen mon."
- Translation: Behind the mountain, there are mountains.
- Meaning: There is more to a person than you see.
- English equivalent: More than meets the eye. (idiom)
- García, Fishman (2002). The Multilingual Apple: Languages in New York City. Mouton De Gruyter.
L [edit]
- "Lafimen pa janm leve san dife."
- Translation: Smoke never rises without fire.
- Meaning: Everything happens for a reason.
- Other meaning: A rumour contains some truth.
- Silva, Spear (2004). A quoi rêve Haïti?. Éditions L'Harmattan. p. 140.
M [edit]
- "Men anpil, chay pa lou."
- Translation: Many hands [make] the load lighter.
- English equivalent: Many hands make light work.
- Averill (1997). A Day for the Hunter, a Day for the Prey: Popular Music and Power in Haiti. University of Chicago Press.
- "Men anpil, chay pa lou."
- Translation: Many hands make a load lighter.
- English equivalent: Many hands make light work.
- Smith (2001). When the Hands Are Many: Community Organization and Social Change in Rural Haiti. Cornell University Press. p. 170.
- "Merite pa mande."
- Translation: Deserve, do not ask.
- English equivalent: First deserve, then desire.
- Heurtelou, Vilsaint (2004). Guide to Learning Haitian Creole. Educa Vision. p. 189.
P [edit]
- "Piti piti zwazo fè nich."
- Translation: Little by little the bird makes his nest.
- Meaning: Many incremental changes will eventually make a significant difference.
- English equivalent: Many a mickle makes a muckle.
- Das (1994). Sociology In Latin America. MD Publications. p. 81.
Z [edit]
- "Zafè kabrit pa zafè mouton."
- Translation: The goat's business is not the sheep's business.
- Maximin (2008). Dynamiques interculturelles dans l'aire caribéenne. Karthala. p. 213.
- Meaning: Focus on how you do your own work instead of interfering with other's work.