Yorùbá and Igbo proverbs

Read Nigerian proverbs with their literal English translations and meanings.

Yorùbá proverbs

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  1. 921

    Ibi àgbà bá dúró sí lọmọdé ńba
    Literal translation
    It's where an elder is that a youngster grows up to meet with him
    Meaning
    Youths of today, are elders of tommorrow
  2. 922

    Ibi gbogbo là ńdá iná alẹ́, ọbẹ̀ ló kàn dùn ju ara wọn lọ.
    Literal translation
    Supper is prepared in every home; some stews are simply tastier than others.
    Meaning
    We are all blessed, albeit in different ways and to different extents; keep hope alive and remain grateful
  3. 923

    Ibi gbogbo là ńdá'ná alẹ́; ọbẹ̀ ló kàn dùn ju'ra wọn lọ.
    Literal translation
    Supper is prepared in every home; some stews are simply tastier than others.
    Meaning
    We are all endowed and blessed, albeit in different ways.
  4. 924

    Ibi gbogbo nií rọ àdàbà lọ́rùn.
    Literal translation
    Everywhere suits the dove just fine.
    Meaning
    Ability to cope with different situations
  5. 925

    Ibi gbogbo nilẹ̀ ọ̀wọ̀.
    Literal translation
    Courteous and civil behaviour applies everwhere.
    Meaning
    Be courteous, always and everywhere
  6. 926

    Ibi kan ṣoṣo kọ́ la ti ńrí ọ̀run.
    Literal translation
    The sky is not seen from only one single spot.
    Meaning
    Alternative approaches exist; there are many ways to achieve a goal: don't be fixated on one.
  7. 927

    Ìbí ò jù'bí, bí a ti bí ẹrú la bí ọmọ.
    Literal translation
    One birth is not superior to another, as a slave is born so is a free-born.
    Meaning
    Fairness is crucial
  8. 928

    Ibi pẹlẹbẹ la ti ńmú ọ̀ọ̀lẹ̀ jẹ
    Literal translation
    Bean meals are first eaten from the flattened edges
    Meaning
    Address simple issues first, before the complex ones
  9. 929

    Ibi tí à ńlọ là ńwò a kìí wo ibi tí a ti ṣubú
    Literal translation
    Focus on where you are going, not where you'd fallen.
    Meaning
    Be forward-looking; let go of the past
  10. 930

    Ibi tí à ńlọ là ńwò, a kì í wo ibi táa ti ṣubú.
    Literal translation
    Focus on where you are going, not where you had fallen.
    Meaning
    Be focused; be forward-looking; let go of past failures and hurts: keep your eyes on the goals
  11. 931

    Ibi tí à ńlọ là ńwò, a kì í wo ibi tí a ti ṣubú
    Literal translation
    We ought to focus on where we are going, not where we'd fallen.
    Meaning
    Focus; be forward-looking.
  12. 932

    Ibi tí à ńlọ là ńwò, a kì í wo ibi tí a ti ṣubú.
    Literal translation
    Focus on where you are going, not where you had fallen.
    Meaning
    Be focused; be forward-looking; let go of past failures and hurts: keep your eyes on the goals
  13. 933

    Ibi tí à ńlọ là ńwò, a kìí wo ibi táa ti ṣubú
    Literal translation
    We need to focus on where we are going, not where we'd fallen.
    Meaning
    Be focused; be forward-looking
  14. 934

    Ibi tí à ńlọ là ńwò, a kìí wo ibi tí a ti ṣubú
    Literal translation
    We should focus on where we are going, not where we had fallen.
    Meaning
    Focus; let go of the past
  15. 935

    Ibi tí à ńlọ là ńwò, a kìí wo ibi tí a ti ṣubú.
    Literal translation
    We should be focused on where we are going, not where we have fallen.
    Meaning
    Let go of the past
  16. 936

    Ibi tí a ńlọ ò jìnnà, ibi tí a ńyà sí ló pọ̀
    Literal translation
    The destination isn't far, it's the stop-overs that are many.
    Meaning
    Delay does not connote denial
  17. 937

    Ibi tí a ti ńwo olókùnrùn la ti ńwo ara ẹni.
    Literal translation
    One attends to oneself as one attends to a sick person.
    Meaning
    Self examination crucial
  18. 938

    Ibi tí ìfẹ́ ẹni bá so sí, ibẹ̀ náà la ńdìrọ̀ mọ́
    Literal translation
    Wherever one's love bears fruits is where one resigns oneself.
    Meaning
    Happy Valentine Day to all
  19. 939

    Ibi tí ojú bá rí mọ, òun lòpin ìrìn àjò.
    Literal translation
    However far one sees, marks the end of a journey.
    Meaning
    Think big and see far; the depth of vision determines destination; it's virtually impossible to scale a height one cannot see
  20. 940

    Ibi tí ojú rí mọ, òun lòpin ìrìn àjò
    Literal translation
    It's how far the eyes see that marks the end of a journey.
    Meaning
    Depth of vision determines destination