Wise Jamaican
Jamaican Proverbs - “To Di Worl”
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“A nuh lack a tung mek cow nuh talk”
Filed under Animals, Jamaican LifeMar 11A nuh lack a tung mek cow nuh talk
Translation: It’s not for the lack of a tongue why a cow cannot speak
Meaning: Some things should be kept as secrets
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“Crab eena barrel climb pon one aneda”
Filed under Animals, Jamaican LifeMar 4Crab eena barrel climb pon one aneda
Translation: Crabs in a barrel climb on each other
Meaning: Some people selfishly climb on the backs of others to succeed, yet prevent other people’s progress.
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“Anywey it mawga it bruk”
Filed under Jamaican Life, RelationshipsMar 1Anywey it mawga it bruk
Translation: Anywhere it’s thin, it will break
Meaning: When a situation is at its weakest point that’s when it will break. A chain is only as strong as the weakest link.
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“Tek kin teet kibba heart bun”
Filed under Jamaican LifeFeb 4Tek kin teet kibba heart bun
Translation: Take laughter to cover heart burn
Meaning: When in difficulties, a little laughter can help you to feel better about your problems
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“Donkey seh dis yah worl nuh level, hill an gully yah so, hill an gully deh so”
Filed under Animals, Jamaican LifeJan 25Donkey seh dis yah worl nuh level, hill an gully yah so, hill an gully deh so
Translation: A donkey says this world is not level, hill and gully here, hill and gully there
Meaning: Ups and downs are part of life
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Jan 14
Nuh cuss alligata long mout’ till yuh cross riber
Translation: Don’t curse alligator or call him long mouth until you cross the river
Meaning: Used as a retort by a weak person to those who take advantage of him, implying that he is still capable of taking revenge
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Dec 21
Nuh dash wey yu tick before yu dun crass riva
Translation: Do not throw away your stick before you have gone across the river
Meaning: Before making a commitment make sure that you can carry it out
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Dec 7
Rak stone a riber battam neva feel sun hat
Translation: Rock stones at the bottom of the river do not feel the heat of the sun
Meaning: People who have easy lives can’t understand other people’s problems
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“A nuh ebry kin teet a laugh”
Filed under Jamaican Life, PersonalityNov 23A nuh ebry kin teet a laugh
Translation: Not every smile is a laugh
Meaning: Some people might smile and laugh with you, but they may not be genuine
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“Mawga cow a bull mumma”
Filed under Animals, Jamaican LifeNov 16Mawga cow a bull mumma
Translation: A meagre cow is a bull’s mother
Meaning: Even if a person looks weak, he may have powerful connections
