mxronga/yoruba-proverbs-parallel-corpora · Datasets at Hugging Face

yoruba stringlengths 10 249	english stringlengths 1 405
A di gàárì sílẹ̀ ewúrẹ́ ńyọjú; ẹrù ìran rẹ̀ ni?	We prepare the saddle, and the goat presents itself; is it a burden for the lineage of goats?
A fi ọ́ jọba ò ńṣàwúre o fẹ́ jẹ Ọlọ́run ni?	You have been crowned a king, and yet you make good-luck charms; would you be crowned God?
A fijó gba Awà; a fìjà gba Awà; bí a ò bá jó, bí a ò bá jà, bí a bá ti gba Awà, kò tán bí?	By dancing we take possession of Awà; through fighting we take possession of Awà; if we neither dance nor fight, but take possession of Awà anyway, is the result not the same?
A gbé gàárì ọmọ ewurẹ ńrojú; kì í ṣe ẹrù àgùntàn.	We lift a saddle and the goat (kin) scowls; it is no burden for a sheep.
A kì í bá ọba pàlà kí ọkọ́ ọba má ṣàn-ánni lẹ́sẹ̀.	One does not share a farm boundary with a king without getting one's feet gashed by the king's hoe.
A kì í bínú ààtàn ká dalẹ̀ sígbẹ̀ẹ́.	One does not get angry with the rubbish dump and discard one's rubbish into the bush.
A kì í bínú orí ká fi fìlà dé ìbàdí.	One does not get angry with one's head and therefore use one's cap to cover one's buttocks.
A kì í bẹ̀rù ikú bẹ̀rù àrùn ká ní kí ọmọ ó kú sinni.	One does not so fear death and disease that one asks that one's child die before one.
A kì í bọ òrìṣà lójú ọ̀fọ́n-ọ̀n; bó bá dalẹ́ a máa tú pẹpẹ.	One does not sacrifice to a god in the presence of a house rat; otherwise, when night falls it invades the rafter shelves.
A kì í dàgbà má làáyà; ibi ayé bá báni là ńjẹ ẹ́.	One does not become an adult and yet lack courage; one lives life as it finds one.
A kì í dá ọwọ́ lé ohun tí a ò lè gbé.	One does not lay one's hands on a load one cannot lift.
A kì í dájọ́ orò ká yẹ̀ ẹ́.	One does not set the day for an orò rite and then ignore it.
A kì í dákẹ́ ká ṣìwí; a kì í wò sùn-ùn ká dáràn.	One does not keep quiet and yet misspeak; one does not silently contemplate the world and yet get into trouble.
A kì í dé Màrọ́kọ́ sin ẹlẹ́jọ́.	One does not arrive at Màrọ́kọ́ ahead of the litigant.
A kì í fi gbèsè sọ́rùn ṣọ̀ṣọ́.	One does not carry debt around one's neck and live like a dandy.
A kì í fi ìka ro etí, ká fi ro imú, ká wá tún fi ta ehín.	One does not use one's finger to clean one's ear passages, use it to pick one's nose, and then use it to pick one's teeth.
A kì í fi orí wé oríi Mokúṣiré; bí Mokú kú láàárọ̀ a jí lálẹ́.	One does not liken one's fortune to Mokúṣiré's; if Mokú dies in the morning. he resurrects at night.
A kì í fi pàtàkì bẹ́ èlùbọ́; ẹní bá níṣu ló ḿbẹ́ ẹ.	One does not come by yam-flour because of one's importance; only people who have yams can make yam flour.
A kì í fini joyè àwòdì ká má lè gbádìẹ.	One cannot be given the title “eagle” and yet be incapable of snatching chickens.
A kì í gbé sàráà kọjá-a mọ́ṣáláṣí.	One does not carry alms beyond the mosque.
A kì í gbọ́ “Lù ú” lẹ́nu àgbà.	One never hears “Beat him/her up” in the mouth of an elder.
A kì í gbọ́n ju ẹni tí a máa dÍfá fún.	One cannot be wiser than the person for whom one will consult the Ifá oracle.
A kì í gbọ́n tó “Èmi-lóni-í.”	One cannot be as wise as “I-am-the-owner.”
A kì í gbọ́n tó ẹni tí ńtannijẹ.	One is never as wise as the person deceiving one.
A kì í gbọ́n tó Báyìí-ni-ngó-ṣe-ǹkan-àn-mi.	One cannot be as wise as “Thus-will-I-do-my-thing.”
A kì í jayé ọba ká ṣu sára.	One does not so luxuriate in one's majesty that one shits on oneself.
A kì í jẹ oyè ẹnu ọ̀nà kalẹ́.	One does not bear the title of gatekeeper even until night time.
A kì í kó èlé ṣẹ̀ṣọ́.	One does not live fashionably on borrowed money.
A kì í kórira ọ̀fọ́n-ọ̀n ká finá bọ ahéré.	One does not so hate the bush rat that one sets one's farm hut alight.
A kì í kọ́ àgbàlagbà pé bó bá rún kó rún.	One does not teach an elder that what has been crushed should remain crushed.
A kì í kọ ẹlẹ́ṣin ká tún lọ fẹ́ ẹlẹ́sẹ̀.	One does not divorce a horse rider and go marry a pedestrian.
A kì í lé èkúté ilé ẹni ká fọwọ́ ṣẹ́.	One does not shoosh the mouse in one's house and break one's hand.
A kì í mọ́ egbò fúnra ẹni ká sunkún.	One does not treat one's own sore and yet cry from the pain.
A kì í mọ ìyá Òjó ju Òjó lọ.	One does not presume to know Òjó's mother better than Òjó himself does.
A kì í mọ ọ̀nà ọgbà ju ọlọ́gbà lọ; ẹní múni wá là ńtẹ̀lé.	One does not presume to know the way to or around a garden better than the owner of the garden; one always follows the person who brought one.
A kì í mọ̀-ọ́ rò bí ẹlẹ́jọ́.	One never knows how to present it like the owner of the case.
A kì í mú oko lọ́nà ká ṣèmẹ́lẹ́; tajá tẹran ní ḿbúni.	One does not farm a plot by the road and neglect its care; every dog and goat would ridicule one.
A kì í ní agbára kékeré ṣe èkejì.	One does not offer to second a combatant in spite of one's negligible strength.
A kì í ní ọ̀kánjúwà ká mọ̀; ará ilé ẹni ní ńsọ fúnni.	One does not know that one has covetousness; it is one's kin who so inform one.
A kì í pe ìyàwó kó kan alárẹnà.	One does not summon the wife and so involve the go-between.
A kì í peni lákọ ẹran ká ṣorí bòró.	One does not enjoy the designation “He Goat” and yet sport a smooth (horn-less) head.
A kì í pẹ̀lú ọ̀bọ jáko.	One does not join a monkey in roaming the bush.
A kì í ṣíwájú ẹlẹ́èẹ́dẹ́.	One does not conclude for the person who says “Ẹ̀ẹ́dẹ́ . . .”
A kì í yàgò fún “Mo gun ẹṣin rí o!”	One does not get out of the way for “I used to ride a horse!”
A kì í yàgò fún ẹlẹ́ṣin àná.	One does not get out of the way for a person who rode a horse yesterday.
A léṣu sílẹ̀ páńdọ̀rọ̀-ọ́ já lù ú; èlé mbénì?	We group yams in lots and the fruit of the sausage tree drops among them; does it count as complement to a lot, or as gratuity?
À ḿbáni mú adìẹ à ńforúnkún bó; bọ́wọ́ bá ba òkókó, a ò ní fún aládìẹ?	One helps to catch a chicken and scrapes one's knees; having laid one's hands on the chick will one not hand it over to the owner?
À ḿbẹ̀rù alájá, ajá ṣebí òun là ḿbẹ̀rù.	One shows deference to the dog's owner, and the dog thinks the deference is to it.
À ńgé e lọ́wọ́, ó ḿbọ òrùka.	His hand is being severed, yet he is slipping on a ring.
A ní ká wá ẹni tó lẹ́hìn ká fọmọ fún, abuké ní òun rèé; ti gànnàkù ẹ̀hìn-in rẹ̀ là ńwí?	One seeks a person with a prominent back as suitor for one's daughter, and the humpback presents himself; who spoke of protruding back?
A ní Tanlúkú ò mọ̀-ọ́ jó, Tàǹlukú wá gbè é lẹ́sẹ̀.	People say that Tanlúkú is a poor dancer, and Tanlùkù comes to his aid.
À ńjá ìbàǹtẹ́ ẹ̀ lẹ́hìn, ó ńjá tará iwájú.	His loincloth is being stripped from behind, yet he is stripping those of the people ahead of him.
À ńsọ̀rọ̀ olè, aboyún ńdáhùń; odiidi èèyàn ló gbé pamọ́.	We speak of stealing and a pregnant woman intervenes; she herself is concealing a whole person.
À ńsunkún Awúgbó, Awúgbó ò sunkún ara-a ẹ̀.	We lament Awúgbó's plight; Awúgbó does not lament his own plight.
À ńwá ẹni tí a ó fọmọ fún, olòṣì ńyọjú.	We seek a person to give a child to (in marriage) and a worthless person presents himself.
À ńwọ́nà àti fi aṣiwèrè sílẹ̀, ó ní bí a bá dé òkè odò ká dúró de òun.	People are scheming to shake an imbecile from their company, and he asks that they wait for him on reaching the bank of the river.
A ò lóbìnrin à ńdá oóyọ́ sí; bí a bá dá oóyọ́ sí ewúrẹ́ ni yó jẹ ẹ́.	Without having a wife a person spares oóyọ́
A ò mọ ohun tí eléwé-e gbégbé ńtà kó tó sọ pé ọjà ò tà.	One does not know what the seller of gbégbé leaves was selling before she started complaining about the slow market.
A ò mọ ohun tí Dárò-ó ní kó tó wí pé olè-é kó òun.	One does not know what Dárò owned before he claimed to have been robbed.
A pè ọ́ lọ́mọ erín-màgbọn ò ńyọ̀; ìwọ pàápàá ló mì í?	You are described as the child of the elephant that swallows coconuts, and you rejoice; are you the one who swallows coconuts?
A rí èyí rí ni tonílé; a ò rí èyí rí ni tàlejò; bónílé bá ní ká jẹ ẹ́ tán, àlejò a ní ká jẹ ẹ́ kù.	“Its likes have been seen before,” is what the host says; “No one has ever seen its likes before,” is what the guest says; if the host says that we should empty the plate, the guest should argue for leaving a little.
A rígi lóko ká tó fi ọ̀mọ̀ gbẹ́ ìlù.	We saw other trees in the bush before we settled on ọ̀mọ̀
A sìnkú tán, alugbá ò lọ́ ó fẹ́ ṣúpó ni?	The funeral is over, but the calabash beater does not take his leave; does he want to inherit a wife?
Àbá ni ikán ńdá; ikán ò lè mu òkúta.	The termite is only striving; it can never eat a rock.
A-báni-gbé kì í yáná; a-bọ̀rìṣà kì í sun òtútù; ẹyin gẹ́gẹ́ kì í gbé àwùjọ́; ilé kannáà ni wọ́n kọ́ fún àwọn mẹ́tẹ̀ẹ̀ta.	A guest does not warm himself by the fire; a priest or priestess does not sleep in the cold; a delicate egg does not live in a crowd; the same house was built for all three.
A-bánijẹun-bí-aláìmọra, ó bu òkèlè bí ẹ̀gbọ́n ìyá ẹ̀.	He-who-eats-with-one-without-self-restraint; he breaks off morsels like his mother's senior.
A-bèèrè kì í ṣìnà.	He who asks the way does not lose his way.
À-bí-ì-kọ́; à-kọ́-ì-gbà; òde ló ti ńkọ́gbọ́n wálé.	A-child-that-was-never-taught-how-to-behave; a-child-that-was-taught-but-that-refused-to-heed-instruction; it is from outside the home that he will learn wisdom.
A-binú-fùfù ní ńwá oúnjẹ fún a-binú-wẹ́rẹ́-wẹ́rẹ́.	A volatile-tempered person secures food for a mild-tempered person.
Aboyún kì í jó bẹ̀m̀bẹ́; a-bodò-ikùn-kẹ̀rẹ̀bẹ̀tẹ̀.	A pregnant woman does not dance to bẹ̀m̀bẹ́ music; pendulous-stomached woman.
Àbọ̀ ejò kì í gbé isà.	Half a snake does not live in a burrow.
Abùlàǹgà kì í ṣasán; bíyàá ò lọ́rọ̀, baba a lówó lọ́wọ́.	The arrogant person is not arrogant for nothing; if his mother is not wealthy, his father must be rich.
Abùléra ọ̀fọ́n-ọ̀n; ó ní ọjọ́ tí ológbò-ó ti bí òun ò ìtí-ì dá a ní báríkà.	Mouse-that-does-not-know-its-place; it says that since the day the cat delivered (a baby) it has not gone to offer congratulations.
Àbúrò kì í pa ẹ̀gbọ́n nítàn.	The younger person does not give the older person history lectures.
Àbúrò rẹ ńdáṣọ fún ọ, o ní o ò lo elékuru; ta ní ńlo alákàrà?	Your junior brother (or sister) buys clothing for you, and you say you will not wear anything with bean-grits patterns; who has the right to opt for clothing with a bean-fritter patterns?
A-dá-má-lè-ṣe àdàbà tí ńdún bẹ̀m̀bẹ̀.	Start-something-it-cannot-finish dove that makes bombastic noises.
Adìẹ funfun ò mọ ara ẹ̀ lágbà.	The white chicken does not recognize itself as an elder.
Adìẹ ò bí yọyọ kú yọ̀.	A chicken does not give birth to a multitude of chicks and die of the exertion.
Adìẹ́ tó ṣu tí kò tọ̀, ara-a rẹ̀ ló kù sí.;	The chicken that shits and does not piss retains the rest in its body.
A-dìtan-mọ́ èsúó; ó ní èkùlù ló bí ìyá òun.	The red-flanked duiker, desperate to claim relationship, says that its mother was born of a crested duiker.
Adígbọ́nránkú ńfikú ṣeré.	Death-feigning-beetle flirts with death.
Adẹ́tẹ̀ẹ́ ní òun ò lè fún wàrà, ṣùgbọ́n òún lè yí i dànù.	The leper says he may not be able to squeeze out milk, but he can spill it.
Adẹ́tẹ̀-ẹ́ rí wèrè, ó kán lùgbẹ́.	The leper sees a mad person and dashes into the bush.
Adẹ́tẹ̀-ẹ́ sọ̀rọ̀ méjì, ọ́ fìkan purọ́; ó ní nígbàtí òún lu ọmọ òun lábàrá, òún já a léèékánná pàtì.	The leper said two things, one of them being a lie; he said after he had struck his child with his palm, he also pinched him severely with his nails.
Adití ò gbọ́, “Yàgò!”	The deaf does not hear,“Make way!”
À-fà-tiiri ni tìyàwó; bí a bá fà á tí kò tiiri, ó ní ohun tó ńṣe é.	Resisting-while-being-pulled is the proper behavior for a bride; if she is pulled and she does not resist, something is the matter with her.
Àfi ohun tí a kì í tà lọ́jà lẹrú kì í jẹ.	The only thing a slave cannot eat is something not available in the market.
Afínjúu Ààré; ó fi àkísà dí orùbà; ó ńwá ẹniire-é bá sú epo.	Fashionable woman of Ààre, she cocks her oil jar with a rag, and she expects good people to buy oil from her.
Afínjú ní ńjẹ iwọ; ọ̀mọ̀ràn ní ńjẹ obì; màrí-màjẹ ní ńjẹ awùsá.	It is a finicky person that eats iwọ;
Afínjú-u póńpólà, ogé kun osùn láìwẹ.	Unusual-fashionable-person, the preener anoints herself with camwood without taking a bath.
Afínjú wọ ọjà ó rìn gbẹndẹ́kẹ ọ̀bún wọ ọjà ó rìn ṣùẹ̀ṣùẹ̀; ọ̀bùn ní ó ru ẹrù afínjú relé.	The fashionable person enters the market and walks in a leisurely manner; the filthy person enters the market and walks in a sluggish manner; it is the filthy person that will carry the fashionable person's load to the house for him or her.
Àfòpiná tó fẹ́ paná-a súyà: ẹrán pọ̀ sí i.	The moth (that) tries to put out the barbecue fire: the meat becomes more plentiful.
Àfòpiná tó ní òun ó pa fìtílà, ara ẹ̀ ni yó pa.	The moth that attempts to kill (put out) the oil lamp will kill itself.
Afọ́jú tó dijú, tó ní òún sùn, ìgbàtí kò sùn ta ló rí?	The blind person who shuts his eyes and says he is asleep, when he was not asleep whom did he see?
A-fọ́nú-fọ́ra ní ńfi òṣì jó bàtá.	It is a person who is both incapable of thought and shameless that dances to bàtá music while in poverty.
Àgó tó gbó ṣáṣá, ẹ̀bìtí pa á, áḿbọ̀sì olóósè a-bara-kùọ̀kùọ̀.	The nimble, sprightly rat fell victim to the trap, how much more the sluggish, sickly mouse.
Àgùnbánirọ̀ ní ńfojúdini.	It is the person taller than another who shows no respect for the other.
Àgbà ajá kì í bàwọ̀jẹ́.	A grown dog does not deface its skin.
Àgbà ìmàle kì í káṣọ kọ́rùn.	A muslim elder does not throw a sheet over his shoulder for clothing.
Àgbà kán ṣe bẹ́ẹ̀ lÓgùn; Yemaja ló gbé e lọ.	An elderly person tried it “something” in the river Ògùn; the river goddess carried him away.

A di gàárì sílẹ̀ ewúrẹ́ ńyọjú; ẹrù ìran rẹ̀ ni?

We prepare the saddle, and the goat presents itself; is it a burden for the lineage of goats?

A fi ọ́ jọba ò ńṣàwúre o fẹ́ jẹ Ọlọ́run ni?

You have been crowned a king, and yet you make good-luck charms; would you be crowned God?

A fijó gba Awà; a fìjà gba Awà; bí a ò bá jó, bí a ò bá jà, bí a bá ti gba Awà, kò tán bí?

By dancing we take possession of Awà; through fighting we take possession of Awà; if we neither dance nor fight, but take possession of Awà anyway, is the result not the same?

A gbé gàárì ọmọ ewurẹ ńrojú; kì í ṣe ẹrù àgùntàn.

We lift a saddle and the goat (kin) scowls; it is no burden for a sheep.

A kì í bá ọba pàlà kí ọkọ́ ọba má ṣàn-ánni lẹ́sẹ̀.

One does not share a farm boundary with a king without getting one's feet gashed by the king's hoe.

A kì í bínú ààtàn ká dalẹ̀ sígbẹ̀ẹ́.

One does not get angry with the rubbish dump and discard one's rubbish into the bush.

A kì í bínú orí ká fi fìlà dé ìbàdí.

One does not get angry with one's head and therefore use one's cap to cover one's buttocks.

A kì í bẹ̀rù ikú bẹ̀rù àrùn ká ní kí ọmọ ó kú sinni.

One does not so fear death and disease that one asks that one's child die before one.

A kì í bọ òrìṣà lójú ọ̀fọ́n-ọ̀n; bó bá dalẹ́ a máa tú pẹpẹ.

One does not sacrifice to a god in the presence of a house rat; otherwise, when night falls it invades the rafter shelves.

A kì í dàgbà má làáyà; ibi ayé bá báni là ńjẹ ẹ́.

One does not become an adult and yet lack courage; one lives life as it finds one.

A kì í dá ọwọ́ lé ohun tí a ò lè gbé.

One does not lay one's hands on a load one cannot lift.

A kì í dájọ́ orò ká yẹ̀ ẹ́.

One does not set the day for an orò rite and then ignore it.

A kì í dákẹ́ ká ṣìwí; a kì í wò sùn-ùn ká dáràn.

One does not keep quiet and yet misspeak; one does not silently contemplate the world and yet get into trouble.

A kì í dé Màrọ́kọ́ sin ẹlẹ́jọ́.

One does not arrive at Màrọ́kọ́ ahead of the litigant.

A kì í fi gbèsè sọ́rùn ṣọ̀ṣọ́.

One does not carry debt around one's neck and live like a dandy.

A kì í fi ìka ro etí, ká fi ro imú, ká wá tún fi ta ehín.

One does not use one's finger to clean one's ear passages, use it to pick one's nose, and then use it to pick one's teeth.

A kì í fi orí wé oríi Mokúṣiré; bí Mokú kú láàárọ̀ a jí lálẹ́.

One does not liken one's fortune to Mokúṣiré's; if Mokú dies in the morning. he resurrects at night.

A kì í fi pàtàkì bẹ́ èlùbọ́; ẹní bá níṣu ló ḿbẹ́ ẹ.

One does not come by yam-flour because of one's importance; only people who have yams can make yam flour.

A kì í fini joyè àwòdì ká má lè gbádìẹ.

One cannot be given the title “eagle” and yet be incapable of snatching chickens.

A kì í gbé sàráà kọjá-a mọ́ṣáláṣí.

One does not carry alms beyond the mosque.

A kì í gbọ́ “Lù ú” lẹ́nu àgbà.

One never hears “Beat him/her up” in the mouth of an elder.

A kì í gbọ́n ju ẹni tí a máa dÍfá fún.

One cannot be wiser than the person for whom one will consult the Ifá oracle.

A kì í gbọ́n tó “Èmi-lóni-í.”

One cannot be as wise as “I-am-the-owner.”

A kì í gbọ́n tó ẹni tí ńtannijẹ.

One is never as wise as the person deceiving one.

A kì í gbọ́n tó Báyìí-ni-ngó-ṣe-ǹkan-àn-mi.

One cannot be as wise as “Thus-will-I-do-my-thing.”

A kì í jayé ọba ká ṣu sára.

One does not so luxuriate in one's majesty that one shits on oneself.

A kì í jẹ oyè ẹnu ọ̀nà kalẹ́.

One does not bear the title of gatekeeper even until night time.

A kì í kó èlé ṣẹ̀ṣọ́.

One does not live fashionably on borrowed money.

A kì í kórira ọ̀fọ́n-ọ̀n ká finá bọ ahéré.

One does not so hate the bush rat that one sets one's farm hut alight.

A kì í kọ́ àgbàlagbà pé bó bá rún kó rún.

One does not teach an elder that what has been crushed should remain crushed.

A kì í kọ ẹlẹ́ṣin ká tún lọ fẹ́ ẹlẹ́sẹ̀.

One does not divorce a horse rider and go marry a pedestrian.

A kì í lé èkúté ilé ẹni ká fọwọ́ ṣẹ́.

One does not shoosh the mouse in one's house and break one's hand.

A kì í mọ́ egbò fúnra ẹni ká sunkún.

One does not treat one's own sore and yet cry from the pain.

A kì í mọ ìyá Òjó ju Òjó lọ.

One does not presume to know Òjó's mother better than Òjó himself does.

A kì í mọ ọ̀nà ọgbà ju ọlọ́gbà lọ; ẹní múni wá là ńtẹ̀lé.

One does not presume to know the way to or around a garden better than the owner of the garden; one always follows the person who brought one.

A kì í mọ̀-ọ́ rò bí ẹlẹ́jọ́.

One never knows how to present it like the owner of the case.

A kì í mú oko lọ́nà ká ṣèmẹ́lẹ́; tajá tẹran ní ḿbúni.

One does not farm a plot by the road and neglect its care; every dog and goat would ridicule one.

A kì í ní agbára kékeré ṣe èkejì.

One does not offer to second a combatant in spite of one's negligible strength.

A kì í ní ọ̀kánjúwà ká mọ̀; ará ilé ẹni ní ńsọ fúnni.

One does not know that one has covetousness; it is one's kin who so inform one.

A kì í pe ìyàwó kó kan alárẹnà.

One does not summon the wife and so involve the go-between.

A kì í peni lákọ ẹran ká ṣorí bòró.

One does not enjoy the designation “He Goat” and yet sport a smooth (horn-less) head.

A kì í pẹ̀lú ọ̀bọ jáko.

One does not join a monkey in roaming the bush.

A kì í ṣíwájú ẹlẹ́èẹ́dẹ́.

One does not conclude for the person who says “Ẹ̀ẹ́dẹ́ . . .”

A kì í yàgò fún “Mo gun ẹṣin rí o!”

One does not get out of the way for “I used to ride a horse!”

A kì í yàgò fún ẹlẹ́ṣin àná.

One does not get out of the way for a person who rode a horse yesterday.

A léṣu sílẹ̀ páńdọ̀rọ̀-ọ́ já lù ú; èlé mbénì?

We group yams in lots and the fruit of the sausage tree drops among them; does it count as complement to a lot, or as gratuity?

À ḿbáni mú adìẹ à ńforúnkún bó; bọ́wọ́ bá ba òkókó, a ò ní fún aládìẹ?

One helps to catch a chicken and scrapes one's knees; having laid one's hands on the chick will one not hand it over to the owner?

À ḿbẹ̀rù alájá, ajá ṣebí òun là ḿbẹ̀rù.

One shows deference to the dog's owner, and the dog thinks the deference is to it.

À ńgé e lọ́wọ́, ó ḿbọ òrùka.

His hand is being severed, yet he is slipping on a ring.

A ní ká wá ẹni tó lẹ́hìn ká fọmọ fún, abuké ní òun rèé; ti gànnàkù ẹ̀hìn-in rẹ̀ là ńwí?

One seeks a person with a prominent back as suitor for one's daughter, and the humpback presents himself; who spoke of protruding back?

A ní Tanlúkú ò mọ̀-ọ́ jó, Tàǹlukú wá gbè é lẹ́sẹ̀.

People say that Tanlúkú is a poor dancer, and Tanlùkù comes to his aid.

À ńjá ìbàǹtẹ́ ẹ̀ lẹ́hìn, ó ńjá tará iwájú.

His loincloth is being stripped from behind, yet he is stripping those of the people ahead of him.

À ńsọ̀rọ̀ olè, aboyún ńdáhùń; odiidi èèyàn ló gbé pamọ́.

We speak of stealing and a pregnant woman intervenes; she herself is concealing a whole person.

À ńsunkún Awúgbó, Awúgbó ò sunkún ara-a ẹ̀.

We lament Awúgbó's plight; Awúgbó does not lament his own plight.

À ńwá ẹni tí a ó fọmọ fún, olòṣì ńyọjú.

We seek a person to give a child to (in marriage) and a worthless person presents himself.

À ńwọ́nà àti fi aṣiwèrè sílẹ̀, ó ní bí a bá dé òkè odò ká dúró de òun.

People are scheming to shake an imbecile from their company, and he asks that they wait for him on reaching the bank of the river.

A ò lóbìnrin à ńdá oóyọ́ sí; bí a bá dá oóyọ́ sí ewúrẹ́ ni yó jẹ ẹ́.

Without having a wife a person spares oóyọ́

A ò mọ ohun tí eléwé-e gbégbé ńtà kó tó sọ pé ọjà ò tà.

One does not know what the seller of gbégbé leaves was selling before she started complaining about the slow market.

A ò mọ ohun tí Dárò-ó ní kó tó wí pé olè-é kó òun.

One does not know what Dárò owned before he claimed to have been robbed.

A pè ọ́ lọ́mọ erín-màgbọn ò ńyọ̀; ìwọ pàápàá ló mì í?

You are described as the child of the elephant that swallows coconuts, and you rejoice; are you the one who swallows coconuts?

A rí èyí rí ni tonílé; a ò rí èyí rí ni tàlejò; bónílé bá ní ká jẹ ẹ́ tán, àlejò a ní ká jẹ ẹ́ kù.

“Its likes have been seen before,” is what the host says; “No one has ever seen its likes before,” is what the guest says; if the host says that we should empty the plate, the guest should argue for leaving a little.

A rígi lóko ká tó fi ọ̀mọ̀ gbẹ́ ìlù.

We saw other trees in the bush before we settled on ọ̀mọ̀

A sìnkú tán, alugbá ò lọ́ ó fẹ́ ṣúpó ni?

The funeral is over, but the calabash beater does not take his leave; does he want to inherit a wife?

Àbá ni ikán ńdá; ikán ò lè mu òkúta.

The termite is only striving; it can never eat a rock.

A-báni-gbé kì í yáná; a-bọ̀rìṣà kì í sun òtútù; ẹyin gẹ́gẹ́ kì í gbé àwùjọ́; ilé kannáà ni wọ́n kọ́ fún àwọn mẹ́tẹ̀ẹ̀ta.

A guest does not warm himself by the fire; a priest or priestess does not sleep in the cold; a delicate egg does not live in a crowd; the same house was built for all three.

A-bánijẹun-bí-aláìmọra, ó bu òkèlè bí ẹ̀gbọ́n ìyá ẹ̀.

He-who-eats-with-one-without-self-restraint; he breaks off morsels like his mother's senior.

A-bèèrè kì í ṣìnà.

He who asks the way does not lose his way.

À-bí-ì-kọ́; à-kọ́-ì-gbà; òde ló ti ńkọ́gbọ́n wálé.

A-child-that-was-never-taught-how-to-behave; a-child-that-was-taught-but-that-refused-to-heed-instruction; it is from outside the home that he will learn wisdom.

A-binú-fùfù ní ńwá oúnjẹ fún a-binú-wẹ́rẹ́-wẹ́rẹ́.

A volatile-tempered person secures food for a mild-tempered person.

Aboyún kì í jó bẹ̀m̀bẹ́; a-bodò-ikùn-kẹ̀rẹ̀bẹ̀tẹ̀.

A pregnant woman does not dance to bẹ̀m̀bẹ́ music; pendulous-stomached woman.

Àbọ̀ ejò kì í gbé isà.

Half a snake does not live in a burrow.

Abùlàǹgà kì í ṣasán; bíyàá ò lọ́rọ̀, baba a lówó lọ́wọ́.

The arrogant person is not arrogant for nothing; if his mother is not wealthy, his father must be rich.

Abùléra ọ̀fọ́n-ọ̀n; ó ní ọjọ́ tí ológbò-ó ti bí òun ò ìtí-ì dá a ní báríkà.

Mouse-that-does-not-know-its-place; it says that since the day the cat delivered (a baby) it has not gone to offer congratulations.

Àbúrò kì í pa ẹ̀gbọ́n nítàn.

The younger person does not give the older person history lectures.

Àbúrò rẹ ńdáṣọ fún ọ, o ní o ò lo elékuru; ta ní ńlo alákàrà?

Your junior brother (or sister) buys clothing for you, and you say you will not wear anything with bean-grits patterns; who has the right to opt for clothing with a bean-fritter patterns?

A-dá-má-lè-ṣe àdàbà tí ńdún bẹ̀m̀bẹ̀.

Start-something-it-cannot-finish dove that makes bombastic noises.

Adìẹ funfun ò mọ ara ẹ̀ lágbà.

The white chicken does not recognize itself as an elder.

Adìẹ ò bí yọyọ kú yọ̀.

A chicken does not give birth to a multitude of chicks and die of the exertion.

Adìẹ́ tó ṣu tí kò tọ̀, ara-a rẹ̀ ló kù sí.;

The chicken that shits and does not piss retains the rest in its body.

A-dìtan-mọ́ èsúó; ó ní èkùlù ló bí ìyá òun.

The red-flanked duiker, desperate to claim relationship, says that its mother was born of a crested duiker.

Adígbọ́nránkú ńfikú ṣeré.

Death-feigning-beetle flirts with death.

Adẹ́tẹ̀ẹ́ ní òun ò lè fún wàrà, ṣùgbọ́n òún lè yí i dànù.

The leper says he may not be able to squeeze out milk, but he can spill it.

Adẹ́tẹ̀-ẹ́ rí wèrè, ó kán lùgbẹ́.

The leper sees a mad person and dashes into the bush.

Adẹ́tẹ̀-ẹ́ sọ̀rọ̀ méjì, ọ́ fìkan purọ́; ó ní nígbàtí òún lu ọmọ òun lábàrá, òún já a léèékánná pàtì.

The leper said two things, one of them being a lie; he said after he had struck his child with his palm, he also pinched him severely with his nails.

Adití ò gbọ́, “Yàgò!”

The deaf does not hear,“Make way!”

À-fà-tiiri ni tìyàwó; bí a bá fà á tí kò tiiri, ó ní ohun tó ńṣe é.

Resisting-while-being-pulled is the proper behavior for a bride; if she is pulled and she does not resist, something is the matter with her.

Àfi ohun tí a kì í tà lọ́jà lẹrú kì í jẹ.

The only thing a slave cannot eat is something not available in the market.

Afínjúu Ààré; ó fi àkísà dí orùbà; ó ńwá ẹniire-é bá sú epo.

Fashionable woman of Ààre, she cocks her oil jar with a rag, and she expects good people to buy oil from her.

Afínjú ní ńjẹ iwọ; ọ̀mọ̀ràn ní ńjẹ obì; màrí-màjẹ ní ńjẹ awùsá.

It is a finicky person that eats iwọ;

Afínjú-u póńpólà, ogé kun osùn láìwẹ.

Unusual-fashionable-person, the preener anoints herself with camwood without taking a bath.

Afínjú wọ ọjà ó rìn gbẹndẹ́kẹ ọ̀bún wọ ọjà ó rìn ṣùẹ̀ṣùẹ̀; ọ̀bùn ní ó ru ẹrù afínjú relé.

The fashionable person enters the market and walks in a leisurely manner; the filthy person enters the market and walks in a sluggish manner; it is the filthy person that will carry the fashionable person's load to the house for him or her.

Àfòpiná tó fẹ́ paná-a súyà: ẹrán pọ̀ sí i.

The moth (that) tries to put out the barbecue fire: the meat becomes more plentiful.

Àfòpiná tó ní òun ó pa fìtílà, ara ẹ̀ ni yó pa.

The moth that attempts to kill (put out) the oil lamp will kill itself.

Afọ́jú tó dijú, tó ní òún sùn, ìgbàtí kò sùn ta ló rí?

The blind person who shuts his eyes and says he is asleep, when he was not asleep whom did he see?

A-fọ́nú-fọ́ra ní ńfi òṣì jó bàtá.

It is a person who is both incapable of thought and shameless that dances to bàtá music while in poverty.

Àgó tó gbó ṣáṣá, ẹ̀bìtí pa á, áḿbọ̀sì olóósè a-bara-kùọ̀kùọ̀.

The nimble, sprightly rat fell victim to the trap, how much more the sluggish, sickly mouse.

Àgùnbánirọ̀ ní ńfojúdini.

It is the person taller than another who shows no respect for the other.

Àgbà ajá kì í bàwọ̀jẹ́.

A grown dog does not deface its skin.

Àgbà ìmàle kì í káṣọ kọ́rùn.

A muslim elder does not throw a sheet over his shoulder for clothing.

Àgbà kán ṣe bẹ́ẹ̀ lÓgùn; Yemaja ló gbé e lọ.

An elderly person tried it “something” in the river Ògùn; the river goddess carried him away.