Filipino Proverbs

A

* Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo.
o Literally: What is the grass for if the horse is already dead.

* Ako ang nagtanim, ang nagbayo at nagsaing, saka nang maluto’y iba ang kumain.
o Meaning: you work for it but others benefited from it.

* Aanhin pa ang kagandahan kung, ang utak ay walang laman.
o Literally: What is beauty if brain is empty.

* Aanhin pa ang palasyo, kung ang nakatira ay KWAGO; mabuti pa ang isang kubo, kung ang nakatira ay TAO.

* Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makakarating sa patutunguhan.
o Literally: One who never looks back from his beginning will never get to his destination.
o Meaning: You should always remember where you came from to be able to reach your goals.

* Ang iyong hiniram, isauli o palitan. Upang sa susunod, hindi ka makadalaan.
o Literally: Whatever you borrowed, return or replace it, so next time they will still lend.

* Ang maling ginagawa ng matatanda, tama sa mata ng bata.
o Meaning: Children will always imitate or do what they see from adults whether it is right or wrong.

H

* Habang maikli ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot.
o Literally: While the blanket is short, learn to curl for you to fit in it.
o Meaning: Refers to situations when resources are scarce, one should learn to be thrift and adapt.

* Huli man daw at magaling, naihahabol din.
o Meaning: It is never too late to offer anything that is good.

* Habang may buhay, may pag-asa.
o Meaning: As long as there is still life, there still lies hope.

* Huwag magbilang ng manok hangga’t hindi napipisa ang itlog.
o Literally: Don't count the chicken until the eggs hatch.

K

* Kapag may usok, may apoy.
o Compare: When there's smoke, there's fire

* Kung hindi ukol, hindi bubukol.
o Meaning: If it is not for there, it will never be.

* Kung ano ang itinanim, iyon din ang aanihin.
o Literally: What you sow is what you reap.

L

* Lahat ng gubat ay may ahas.
o Literally: Every jungle has a snake
o Meaning: There will always be a traitor anywhere.

* Ang lumalakad nang mabagal, kung matinik ay mababaw.
Ang lumalakad nang matulin, kung matinik ay malalim.
o Meaning: Don't rush things to get better results.

M

* Madali maging tao, mahirap magpakatao.
o Compare: It is easy to be human. It is hard to be humane.

* Mas madaling kumuha ng bunga sa mismong sanga.
o Literally: It is easier to pick a fruit if you go through the branches

* Mas maingay ang latang walang laman.
o Literally: Noisy is the can that contains nothing.

* Matalino man daw ang matsing, napaglalalangan din.
o Literary: An intelligent monkey can still be outsmarted.

* Matibay ang walis, pagkat nabibigkis.
o Literally: A broom is sturdy because its strands are tightly bound.

* May tenga ang lupa, May pakpak ang balita.
o Literally: The earth has ears, news (gossip) has wings.
o Meaning: Gossips spreads easily for everybody has ears to listen.

* Marami ka pang bigas na kakainin.
o Literally: You still have to eat more rice.
o Meaning: You still have to learn more to outlast the opponent.

N

* Ang taong nagigipit, kahit sa patalim ay kumakapit.
o Literally: Man in need, will hold blades.
o Meaning: If you are deprived and needy, you will do anything even if it will cost a life.

* Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.
o Compare: Mercy resides in God; deeds are in men.

* Naghangad ng kagitna, isang salup ang nawala.
o meaning;if youre a playing safe person, then you'd sooner or later end up with nothing.

P

* Pagkahaba-haba man daw ng prusisyon, sa simbahan din ang tuloy.
o Literally: No matter how long the procession, it still ends up in church.

* Pag-ibig, Pag-asa, at Pananampalataya sa Diyos, tatlong katangiang dapat nating kamtan, nang sa buhay sa mundo, tayo ay magtagumpay.
o Meaning: We should always keep in mind that Love, Hope, and Faith in God,will bring us success in life.
+ These are the Three P's of Life.

* Pag may isinuksok, may maidudukot.
o Meaning: If you have something saved in the past, you will have something to help you in dire need.

* Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na ako.
o I have returned from where you are going.or the saying "been there,done that"

* Ang punong mabunga ay madalas binabato.
o Literally: A tree that bears fruit is often hurled at.
o Meaning: People who succeed are the subject of jealousy and envy.

* Puro kahol, walang kagat
o Literally: All bark no bite
o Compare: All talk, no actions

S

* Sa Taong may hiya, salita'y panunumpa.
o Literally: To a person who has true humility, words are vows.
o Meaning: One must always be true to their word and keep their promises.

*
o A friend in need is a friend indeed.

*
o No undertaking is difficult if pursued with perseverance.

T

* Tikatik man kung panay ang ulan, malalim mang ilog ay mapapaapaw.
o Literally: Continues little rain drops, deep river could overflow.

W

* Walang mapait Na tutong sa taong nagugutom.
o Literally: There is no bitter burnt rice in a hungry person.

* Walang matigas na tinapay sa mainit na kape.
o Literally: No bread is too hard for warm coffee.

* Walang matimtimang birhen sa matiyagang manalangin.
o Meaning: You will get the girl that you love if you persevere in courting her.

* Walang ligaya sa lupa na di dinilig ng luha.
o Literally: There is no earthly bliss not watered by tears.

* Walang humawak ng lutuan na hindi naulingan.