Bosnian proverbs

Proverbs from all Bosnian speaking parts of the world.

B

 * Latin: Bolje vrabac u ruci, nego golub na grani. - Cyrillic: Боље врабац у руци, него голуб на грани.
 * Translation: A sparrow in the hand is better than a pigeon on the branch.
 * English equivalent: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
 * Meaning: "Something you have for certain now is of more value than something better you may get, especially if you risk losing what you have in order to get it."
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent:

G

 * Latin: Gvožđe se kuje dok je vruće. - Cyrillic: Гвожђе се кује док је вруће.
 * Translation: Iron is worked when it's still hot.
 * English equivalent: Strike while the iron is hot.


 * Latin: Gdje ti mnogo obećavaju, malu torbu ponesi. - Cyrillic: Гдjе ти много обећавају, малу торбу понеси.
 * Translation: Where people are promising much to you, bring a small bag.
 * English equivalent: He says the moon is made of cheese.

I

 * Latin: Iver ne pada daleko od klade. - Cyrillic: Ивер не пада далеко од кладе.
 * Translation: A splinter doesn't land far from the trunk.
 * English equivalent: An apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
 * Meaning: "Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents."
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent:
 * Source:

N

 * Nema vatre bez dima.
 * Translation: There is no fire without smoke.
 * Meaning: Everything happens for a reason.
 * Second meaning: There is some truth to all rumours.


 * Latin: Nije zlato sve što sija. - Cyrillic: Није злато све што сија.
 * Translation: Not all shiny things are golden.
 * English equivalent: All that glitters is not gold.
 * Meaning: An attractive appearance may be deceptive. It may cover or hide a much less favourable content.
 * Source for meaning:

P

 * Latin: Pas koji laje ne ujeda. - Cyrillic: Пас који лаје не уједа.
 * Translation: The dog that barks doesn't bite.
 * Meaning: Someone who threatens too much does this to frighten his enemies but in fact doesn't have enough courage to do anything about it.
 * English equivalent: Barking dogs seldom bite.


 * Прво скочи па реци хоп.
 * Transliteration: Prvo skoči pa reci hop.
 * Translation: First leap, and then say "hop"!
 * English equivalent: Walk the walk, then talk the talk.

T

 * Latin: Tko drugome jamu kopa sam u nju pada. - Cyrillic: Тко другоме јаму копа сам у њу пада.
 * Translation: Who digs a trap for others ends up in it himself.


 * Latin: Tko rano rani, dvije sreće grabi. - Cyrilic: Тко рано рани, двиjе среће граби.
 * Translation: One who gets up early is doubly lucky.
 * English equivalent: Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
 * Meaning: "A lifestyle that involves neither staying up late nor sleeping late is good for body and mind and leads to financial success."
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent:


 * Тко с ђаволом тикве сади, о главу му се обију.
 * Transliteration Tko s vragom tikve sadi, o glavu mu se obiju.
 * Translation: If one sows pumpkins with the devil, they will bash onto one's head.
 * English equivalent: He who sups with the devil must use a long spoon.

V

 * Latin: Vrana vrani oči ne vadi. - Cyrillic: Врана врани очи не вади.
 * Translation: A crow doesn't pick out another crow's eyes. (A thief does not steal from another thief)
 * English equivalent: Hawks will not pick out Hawk's eyes; (There is) honor among thieves.
 * Source:

U

 * Уздај се усе и у своје кљусе!
 * Transliteration: Uzdaj se u se i u svoje kljuse!
 * Translation: Trust yourself and your horse!

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