Romani proverbs

Romani is a minority language spoken by the Romani.

C

 * Či perel a phabaj kathar pesko kaš maj dur.
 * English equivalent: The apple does not fall far from the tree.
 * "Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents."
 * Source for proverbs and meaning:

E

 * Anda 'vresqe jakha sa dikhel anda pesqe khanc.
 * English equivalent: You see the splinter in another's eye but fail to see the beam in your own.

K

 * Kasavi vi e śej saj sar i dej.
 * English equivalent: Like mother, like daughter.
 * "Daughters may look and behave like their mothers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and rarely."
 * Source for meaning and proverbs:


 * Kon či kerel butji, godo te na xal.
 * English equivalent: He that will not work, shall not eat.
 * "Without due effort one is not entitled to the fruits of the work."
 * "Whatever you do, you've got to work for it and earn it. Whatever reward you get you've got to know that you've had your input into that success."
 * Jack Charlton Reflections on Success (1997)
 * Source for proverb and meaning:

L

 * Lel the tacho pirrow, an' it's pars kaired.
 * English equivalent: Well begun, is half done.
 * "Starting properly ensures the speedy completion of a process. A – beginning is often blocked by one or more obstacles (potential barriers) the removal of which may ensure the smooth course of the process."
 * Source for meaning and proverbs:


 * Lo premièr còp tomba pas l'aubre.
 * English equivalent: Little strokes fell great oaks.
 * "A difficult task, e. g. removing a person/group from a strong position, or changing established ideas cannot be done quickly. It can be achieved gradually, by small steps, a little at a time."
 * Source for proverbs and meaning:

N

 * Numaj dileno ćiriklo xindel po kujbo.
 * English equivalent: It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest; Don't wash your dirty linen in public.
 * "Why wantonly proclaim one's own disgrace, or expose the faults or weaknesses of one's kindred or people?"
 * "It is considered contemptible to defy the rule of solidarity by revealing facts harmful to the group one belongs to."
 * Source for first meaning:
 * Source for meaning and proverbs:

O

 * O maćho o baro xàla e tikinen.
 * English equivalent: Men are like fish; the great ones devour the small.
 * "Small organizations or insignificant people tend to be swallowed up or destroyed by those that are greater and more powerful."
 * Source for meaning:
 * Source for meaning and proverbs:

P

 * Phaori si duje xulajenqe te keres buti.
 * English equivalent: Nobody can serve two masters.
 * "One cannot serve two conflicting causes simultaneously. If this is attempted neither will be served properly."
 * Source for meaning and proverbs:


 * Plaj plajeça ći maladōl, rrom rromesa.
 * English equivalent: A mountain never meets a mountain, but a man meets a man.
 * "There are some things/events that are impossible, like an encounter of mountains, but there is always a chance for people to meet. or Once can always find a possibility for revenge."
 * Source for proverbs and meaning: