Wise Jamaican
Jamaican Proverbs - “To Di Worl”
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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
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“How wata waak go eena pumpkin gut”
Filed under Food, Jamaican LifeOct 5How wata waak go eena pumpkin gut
Translation: How water gets inside a pumpkin
Meaning: Some procedures are difficult to figure out
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“Scawnful dawg nyam dutty pudd’n”
Filed under Animals, Jamaican LifeSep 28Scawnful dawg nyam dutty pudd’n
Translation: A scornful dog eats dirty pudding
Meaning: Always look at yourself before criticising others
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Sep 7
Empty bag cyaan stan’ up, full bag cyaan bend
Translation: An empty bag cannot stand up, a full bag cannot bend
Meaning: A hungry man can’t work, one over fed need not work
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“Wha yeye nuh si, heart nuh leap”
Filed under Jamaican LifeJun 29Wha yeye nuh si, heart nuh leap
Translation: What your eyes do not see will not give you a heart attack
Meaning: Things you don’t know won’t affect you
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“No tek ugly mek laugh”
Filed under Jamaican LifeJun 8No tek ugly mek laugh
Translation: Don’t take something ugly and laugh at it
Meaning: Don’t laugh at others’ misfortunes, you may be ‘ugly’ yourself one day
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“Puss an daag nuh ave de same luck”
Filed under Animals, Jamaican LifeApr 20Puss an daag nuh ave de same luck
Translation: Cats and dogs do not have the same luck
Meaning: Favouritism will influence the outcome of some situations
