Wise Jamaican
Jamaican Proverbs - “To Di Worl”
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“When cloud shadder come, sun no set”
Filed under Jamaican LifeJul 12When cloud shadder come, sun no set
Translation: When the cloud casts a shadow, the sun has not set
Meaning: Even in dark moments, all is not lost as there is still hope for better times
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Jun 28
Anyting tan too long, serve two masta
Translation: Anything that stays too long, will serve two masters
Meaning: If you don’t make use of something you have, someone else will want it and start using it
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“Puss gawn, rat tek ‘ouse”
Filed under Animals, Jamaican LifeJun 24Puss gawn, rat tek ‘ouse
Translation: When the cat is gone, rats take up the house
Meaning: When authority or control is missing, people will exploit the situation
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Jun 14
Nuh mine how teacha crass, ‘im mus gi recess
Translation: Regardless of how angry the teacher is, he must give recess
Meaning: In every difficult situation, you will get a break eventually
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“Tiddeh fi mi, tomorra fi yu”
Filed under Jamaican LifeJun 7Tiddeh fi mi, tomorra fi yu
Translation: Today is for me, tomorrow is for you
Meaning: Everyone will face problems or achieve success in his or her own time
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May 24
Nyam nyam will full belly, but breeze no full gut
Translation: Food will fill your stomach, but a breeze can’t fill it
Meaning: Said to those who expect to be fed in idleness
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“Yu neber see pop-gun kill alligata”
Filed under Animals, Jamaican LifeMay 13Yu neber see pop-gun kill alligata
Translation: You never see a pop-gun kill an alligator
Meaning: Don’t expect a child to perform a man’s service if you send him on an errand beyond his ability
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“Cyaan bury a man an lef out ‘im foot”
Filed under Goals, Jamaican LifeMay 3Cyaan bury a man an lef out im foot
Translation: Cannot bury a man and leave out his feet
Meaning: Whatever task one is doing always make sure it is complete
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Apr 15
Dem short fe singer when dem put peacock in a choir
Translation: They are short of singers when they put a peacock in the choir
Meaning: When there is a lack of resources, sometimes you are forced make do with an inappropriate option
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“If yuh cyaan walk fas’, teck time run”
Filed under Goals, Jamaican LifeApr 12If yuh cyaan walk fas’, teck time run
Translation: If you can’t walk fast, take time and run
Meaning: If you haven’t mastered the basics of a task, don’t rush to do the harder parts
