Ağa ağa ren, zengini t’aşakis. | A lord is a lord until you are rich. | Do not disrespect those who are higher than you in the status quo; unless you have the money. |
Ağani derdik mcveşi gomočǩondinapu. | My new troubles made me forget the old ones. | You will forget the bad thing that is happening to you once there is a worse thing. |
Ağani okosalek ǩai kosups. | A new broom sweeps well. | Praises new. |
Ağani txomu ordo mondriǩun, ǩarti txomu çkar var mondriǩun. | A young Alder will bend early, an old Alder never bends. | Personality forms early, old habits never die. |
Andğaneri ndğas ugurapoba irişen didi mt’eri çkini ren. | In our day, our biggest enemy is ignorance. | Condemns ignorance. |
Ar ǩoçis na ağoden şei, mteli ǩoçepesti ağoden. | Something that happened to a man, could happen to any man. | Anything could happen to anyone. |
Ar ǩoçis var nagadasen, konadaguri em ǩoçişen mutu var iqven. | Once a man’s affairs(business) go downhill, he won’t be able to make both ends meet. | It is hard to get back on your feet once things turn sour. |
Ar masariten ğoberi var ixvenen. | You cannot make a wall/fence with one stake. | Each thing desiderates an essential infrastructure for its basic function. |
Ar nenak, “var miçkin" tişen şkvit bela muiǯǩips. | A single “I don’t know” saves you seven kinds of trouble. | Watch what you say. |
Ar oçxes jur xami var dolidven, ar oxoris jur oxorca var amiqonen. | Two knives are not to be put in a single sink, two women are not to be brought in to a single house. | Don’t involve more things/people in something than appropriate. |
Ar okotomaleş doloxe jur mamuli var skidun. | Two roosters cannot live in one coop. | You cannot have two cooks in the same kitchen. |
Ar pukirik pukiroba var ikips. | A single flower does not amount to spring. | It takes a lot for a great change to take place. |
Ar tis jur kudi var gitven. | A single head cannot put on two hats [beanies] | One person should not be overburdened by responsibilities meant for two people. |
Ar toma mutu var ren, mara vit var ničǩviden. | A single hair is nothing, but you do not pull ten at a time. | Even an insignificant misbehavior will become a big deal if you do it too much. |
Ar uşkuri meçans, eti punt’ura. | It [the tree] produced a single apple, a crummy one. | Someone did something perfunctorily and gave a subpar performance. |
Ar xes mutu var uğun, jur xes xonari uğun. | What does a single hand have? Two hands make a sound. (Two hands can clap). | Two heads are better than one. |
Ar xvala, ğurak ǩoçi rezili var ikips. | Only death would not disgrace a man. | There could be shame in action except for dying. |
Ar zenginiş oz’ğus oş fuǩaraş oz’ğu umosi ǩai ren. | It is better to feed a hundred poor instead of a single rich one. | - |
Aris tolis goǯağu mşkironeriten, majuras z’ğeriten. | One became cross-eyed out of hunger, the other out of gluttony. | Neither too little nor too much of something [such as food] is good for you. |
Arkabis ninçamines, Xopas it’işines. | They started itching in Arkabi, they shed [their fleas] in Xopa. | It may take a considerable time before something pressing is addressed or resolved. |
Artikartişa mumkyoba na ikips bereşi bereti mumkyuri iqven. | The child of someone who acts ungratefully would be an ungrateful one as well. | The pear does not fall away from the tree. |
Azlağuri oxvame, ar şiras jur noğame. | The Azlağa temple, two potential grooms for a widow. | Reports an unusual thing. |
Babaş bedua, ǩoçis načaben. | A father’s ill-wish would stick the man. | Do not receive the ill-wish of a father. |
Babaşi nena nanak var dogoguraps. | A mother does not teach the words of a father. | Predetermined parental roles (gender-biased). |
Babaşi nenapeş jin oxtimu unon. | A father's words must be challenged/obeyed. (?) | (?) |
Bedişi osteru do ixişi obaru ar ren. | Fate’s games and the wind’s blow are the same. | Nature does not act according to man’s wishes, nor does fate. |
Beğis saat’i kuğunna, mjorasti var mendoǯǩers. | If the lord has a watch, he would not look at the Sun. | Their living conditions cause people to act in certain ways. |
Bere ǩala ǩarta nena var itkven. | Not everything is to be told to children. | It is OK to keep some information from children. |
Bere nanak pağups, ǩoçi noğak. | A child is cleaned up by a mother, a man by the bazaar. | A man is meant to go experience the outside world away from their mother. |
Bere oçkvaşi, sinti mendegiqonaps. | If you send the child [to do something], they will send you right after him/her. | If you assign someone unqualified person to perform a task, you will be held responsible for them. |
Bere omgaru şeni ren, coğori olalu şeni. | A child exists to cry, a dog (exists) to bark. | Everything has a purpose/role due to the nature of their existence. |
Berek iz’iʒaps, badis burgilepe ǯǩuns. | The child is laughing, the elder’s knees are aching. | Old age takes a toll on one’s enjoyment of life |
Berek var imgaraşa mitik buz’i var çaps. | Nobody nurses the child before he/she cries. | Ask for things or you will not get them. |
Bğetis Viǯeti coxons, Fundukliti kogyodves. | Bğeti’s name is Viǯe, it has also been named Fundukli. | This refers to the many changes that took place in the traditional Laz homeland. |
Biči bere içilaşakis ren. | Once married, a boy is no more. | Marriage makes a boy into a man. |
Bina mučo na dodga, kyoşe eşo yulun. | However you build a building, its corner will turn out as such. | Do things well, if not, it will show |
Borci meçamute içoden, gza oxtimute içoden. | Debts are over by paying, roads by going. | There is a method for finishing each task. |
Bozo, nana baba şeni, biči, ti muşi şeni. | A girl for her mother and father, a boy for himself. | Daughters do things for their parents while sons do so for themselves. |
But’ǩuci ǩoçis gyaǩibinu, ǩoçikti nenas. | The bee bit (stung) a man, the man bit his tongue. | Sometimes you cannot do anything against something that harms you. |
But’ǩucik muk var čǩomu, murik učǩomu. | The worker bee did not eat for itself, the male bee just ate it. | If you don't take what is yours somebody else will. (?) |
But’ǩucişi msvas but’ǩuci eşulun. | From the bee’s wing, (another) bee emerges. | - |
Čit’a ğalis işkvidaşakis didis dişkvidi. | If you will drown in a spring, (do so) in the larger one instead of the small spring. | If you will fail, do so while trying to accomplish something great. |
Čit’a oğarğalu okro ren. | Talking less is gold. | Watch what you say. |
Čit’a t’as, mara çkimi t’as. | Let it be little, as long as it is mine. | A smaller amount of something you already have is preferable to a large amount that you do not currently own. |
Čit’a var rt’aşi didi var iqven. | When there isn’t a little, there won’t be a lot. | Everything has to start somewhere. |
Čančaxoni gzas doloxtaşi modvalu domipintu ya var tkvaginon. | Once on a muddy road, you are not to say my shoes got dirty. | If you got yourselves in a situation, do not complain about its expected side-effects. |
Čanda miğun yado, pucepes mo učandup. | Do not play music for the cows because you are throwing a wedding. | Do not act out just because you have an excuse. |
Čičit’a ğormak didi feluǩa gyont’onaps. | A tiny hole can sink a large boat. | - |
Čǩint’ite lazut’iş mkiri var iqven. | One cannot make cornflour out of fresh baby corn. | Some things that are of the same source do not function the same way. |
Čoxa var ečopaşa xayi mo izumup. | Do not measure your leg(s) before buying (your) trousers. | Match your behavior with your conditions. |
Čuburi penʒkaşen gamaxtuşi, "ma ek vort’i-i?" zop̌ons. | The chestnut would ask “was I there?” once it comes out of its shell. | People easily forget where they came from. |
Çeremes baği, Batumis yaği. | A vine in the garden, butter in Batumi. | - |
Cixa doloxeşen t’ǩvaʒun. | A castle explodes from the inside. | Seemly grand/strong things/people are destroyed from internal struggles. |
Çkimi ǩala ulurna, ǩuçxe çkimis oǯǩedi. | If you are traveling with me, follow my steps. | If you are learning from someone, do as they tell/show you. |
Çkin kianas mince vauns, vai çkini uça dğasu. | Our country has no-one to protect it, pity our black days. | Attachment to the Laz traditional homeland. |
Çkin p̌čarit, tkvan iǩitxupt; tkvan nčarit do entepek iǩitxan. | We wrote, you are reading; you shall write, (so that) they will read. | Learn and spread the knowledge. |
Çkvapes oǯǩer do mz’gaşen mo ʒxont’up. | I do not take an example after those who jumped off a cliff. | Do not do what others do. |
Çkvas ǩui uxaçkaşi, si kodololap. | If you dig a well for somebody else [to throw them in] you will fall in it. | Don’t try to undermine others |
Çkvaşi bergiten qona var ixaçken. | You can't dig your field with somebody else’s mattock. | Do things yourself. |
Çkvaşi dulyas var aǩataginon. | You are not to get involved in other’s business. | Do not get involved in matters that do not concern you. |
Coğori molaşinaşi, p̌alo dikaçaginon. | Get yourself a stick as you mention the dog. | If you are calling out [something unpleasant] be prepared to face it. |
Coğori, uguroni ǩalivişa var iqonen. | A dog cannot be brought to (its) kennel by force. | You can’t make people/animals do things they don’t want to. |
Coğorik ağani tutas ǩai na dvaǯonasenten ulalups. | A dog would bark with great enthusiasm on the new year’s eve. | - |
Coğorik baba var içinops. | The dog would not know its father. | Do not disrespect your father (like a dog would). |
Coğorik, coğorişi xorʒi var imxors. | A dog does not eat dog-meat. | - |
Çorbaşen geşkurinerik, yoğurtis şuri ubart’u. | The one afraid of the soup(’s heat) was blowing on the yogurt. | A burnt child dreads the fire. |
Coxok ǩoçik var; ǩoçik coxo omskvanaps. | Man beautifies the name, the name (alone) does not beautify the man. | A name lives up to a great man, not the other way around. |
Cuma doqvilanşi ya ti skani qvili, ya kiana komoseli. | When they shoot your brother, either kill yourself or raise hell. | If need be, avenge your brother. |
Cuma ǩala, mǯǩupisti, ǩai guilen. | In the dark, one travels well with their brother. | Praises having positive relations with one’s brothers. |
Cuma muşi şeni p̌at’i na zop̌ons ǩoçis ǩurşuni mo uşlep. | Do not spare your bullets for a man who badmouths his brother. | If need be, avenge your brother. |
Cuma şeni p̌at’i mo isimadupt do mo ikipt. | Do not think bad thoughts or do evil against your brother. | Praises having positive relations with one’s brothers. |
Cumaş tolis oǯǩet’arşi, ǩai toliten oǯǩedi. | When you look at your brother in the eye, do so with good intentions. | Praises having positive relations with one’s brothers. |
Cumoni na očǩomapis, ǯǩariti oşvapi. | You should have the one you fed salty foods drink water too. | If you got someone started in something, you should see them to its end. |
Çxomi ǩudeliten var ičopen. | A fish is not to be held by its tail. | There is a method to everything. |
Çxomi tişen xʒun. | A fish starts to rot from the head down. | Corruption starts at the top. |
Çxomiş şilya čeşidi zoğaş doloxe ren, ǩoçişiti kianas. | The sea has a thousand kinds of fish, the world has (a thousand kinds of) human. | Humans vary greatly like the many fish of the seas. |
Çxoro mtugik, ǩat'u doǩires. | Nine mice tied up the cat. | There is enough strength in numbers to tackle seemly larger problems. |
Daçxiri çkimik got’ibinapsşi, gyari çkimik mot var goz’ğaps. | If my fire warms you up, why does my food not feed you? | If you are asking, you cannot pick and choose (beggars can’t be choosers) |
Daçxiri do qoropa var impulen. | Fire and love cannot be hidden. | One cannot hide the obvious. |
Daçxiri tipis var işinaxen. | Fire cannot be kept amongst the weeds. | One cannot keep things if they are in an unsuitable environment. |
Daçxiri var renna, ǩoma solen yulun? | If there isn’t fire, where does the smoke come from? | Where there is smoke, there is fire. |
Daçxiris teşke geşubği, iri xolo dočups. | Add (the words) “I wish” to the fire, it will burn it all. (?) | Wishing is a very powerful emotion. (?) |
Dadi çkimis pimpili kuğut’uǩonna, cumadi maqvet’u. | If my aunt had a beard, she would be my uncle. | It is fruitless to speculate about counterfactual situations. |
Damtire na var uqonun viçili ya var tkvas, Batumi na var uz’iramuk kiana bz’iri ya var tkvas. | Those without a mother-in-law should not say that they are married. Those who have not seen Batumi should not say that they have seen the world. | - |
Dandara advineris tviristi qini var aqven. | If the snow’s aflame, it would not emit cold. | Even the most obvious things can change if their conditions do. |
Daz’i var ǩvatana oxoristi amulun. | If you do not cut down the thorn, it would reach your house. | If you do not take action against a negative thing, it will grow bigger and impact you also. |
Derdepes konunǯi, xelebas var. | It is the troubles that catch fire, not the merriments. | Bad news have a bigger impact than good ones/ |
Derdik, derdi gočǩondinapaps. | One trouble makes the other one forgotten | You will forget your previous troubles once there is another bad thing. |
Didi çxvindi giğunnati, ǩarta şuras mo aşur. | If you have a big nose, do not go smelling every smell. | Even if you have the skill to do something, do not jump at every opportunity. |
Didi dulyas mčipaşa oǯǩedapan. | They give the side-eye to a grand (burdensome) job. | People will avoid taking on herculean tasks. |
Didi ren Ğormotişi menceli. | God’s powers are mighty. | The importance of religion. The power of God. |
Didi tis didi ǯǩuni aqven. | A big head would have a big headache. | If something matters a lot, it will a be big deal when it has problems. |
Didilepek na giǯumenanpes quci meçit do ǩai isimadit. | Pay much heed to what your elders say. | Praises elders’ wisdom. |
Didilepeşi nosi umosi didi ren. | Elders have more wisdom. | Praises elders’ wisdom. |
Dido bereşi derdi, dido iqven. | (Having) a lot of kids brings a lot of trouble. | Discourages having too many kids. |
Dido dogačǩomuna, topuriti mǩolo mogixteps. | If you happened to eat too much of it, honey, too, would taste sour. | Don’t overdo things even if it is a seemingly good thing. |
Dido isimadina, lap̌ati var gačǩomen. | If you think too much, you cannot eat oatmeal either. | Overthinking things might keep you from going about your day. |
Dido mo goinzder, komečǩodur. | Do not grow too tall, you could snap. | Don’t overdo things even if it is a seemingly good thing. |
Dido na xvamups ǩoçişen gaşkurinas. | Beware those who pray a lot. | Excessive praying is a negative trait. |
Dido osimadu noşkeri ren. | Talking too much is coal (undesirable). | Watch what you say. |
Dimčǩuk msva muğaşi, ya daçxiris gelulaps, ya ǯǩaris. | Once the ant grows wings, it would fall either into the fire or the water. | When someone receives a boon they were not meant to have, they will not get to enjoy it for long. |
Dimčǩus eceli muxtaşǩule msva naçanen. | The ant would grow (a pair of) wings when death is at its door. | Some things only arrive when it is too late. |
Dirderi zoğas var inçviren. | One does not swim in the sea during high tide. | Some things are simply illogical. |
Diz’ğaşi, mşkironoba muperi ren, gogočǩondun. | Once you are full, you forget what it is like to be hungry. | People easily forget where they came from. |
Dobadona şeni na ğuruns, ğura var učarun. | Death is not written for those who die for their country. | Attachment to the Laz traditional homeland. |
Dobadona şeni na skiduns, "pskidur" ya atkven. | Those who live for their country may say “I am living”. | Attachment to the Laz traditional homeland. |
Dobadonas dido unon ǩitxeri ǩoçepe. | The country needs a lot of educated men. | Condemns ignorance. |
Dolokunus mo oǯǩer, doloxe ǩoçi var ren. | Do not pay much attention to the dress, there is not got a human in [wearing] it. | Clothes do not make a man. |
Eğrinderi coğori, bela muşi muk gorups. | A feral dog would seek its own trouble. | Those who look for trouble will easily find it. |
Ena mexta svas oxori ǩidaginon. | You are to set up home at your destination. | Make where ever you go into your home. |
Eni noseristi tis niǩanǩen. | Even the smartest one would be taught his/her place. | Each thing has its superior. |
Feluǩas na doloxenk zoğa xvamasen. | Those who sit in the boat (Feluka) should pray to the sea. | Your circumstances determine whom you extol. |
Ğaliş çxomi zuğas mo gorup. | Do not search for a river fish in the sea. | Do not waste time looking at things where they are not meant to be. |
Gečareli giğut’as do ǩoroʒxu mo giçkit’as. | Have the money, don’t know how to count it. | It does not matter if you are lacking in education as long as you have enough money to make up for it. |
Genik pucis uşuşi, pucis nut’axes. | When the calf peed on the cow, they punished the cow. | Older people would be held responsible for young people’s misbehavior. |
Gerçapule na var giğun ǩonari ǩuçxe mo gontxip. | [When lying in bed] Do not extend your legs further than your duvet covers. | Match your behavior with your conditions. |
Germa muǩoti jin t’asna, gza emuş jindole golulun. | The mountain’s road crosses over, no matter how high the mountain. | Any overwhelming thing can be handled if you know the method. |
Germa, umǩyapeli var iqven. | Forest could not be without coyotes. | Some big things are inseparable from their smaller components. |
Getvales oǯǩedaginon do ǩuçxe eşo gontxaginon. | Take a look at your duvet, then extend your legs out. | Match your behavior with your conditions. |
Girini do mskveri na var içinops ǩoçik, muk ren girini. | The one who cannot tell a donkey apart from a deer is himself a donkey. | - |
Girini skanis gexena, xarǩiş nʒenis mo čişur. | If you are riding a donkey, do not chase after somebody else’s horse. | Learn to make do with what you have instead of pursuing what others have. |
Girinis okro goǩidesşi, "Aya mu monǩa ren." ya tku. | Once they burdened the donkey with gold, “How heavy is this.” it said. | If they are not meant for you, you could perceive even the nicest things in a negative way. |
Girinis okroşi uzengepe duxvenes, coxo mcveşi kodoskidu. | They made golden stirrups for the donkey, (yet) its old name (donkey) remains. | The appearance of things alone does not elevate them. |
Ğocis quci uğun. | The main door has ears. | The walls have ears. |
Gori do koz’irop. Nosi varnati, gečareli keǯi qvilups. | Look for it then you will find. It is wisdom or money that takes over the world. | Words run by wisdom and/or money. |
Ğormotik na mekçu nananena ǩoçik var gogandinapas. | May man not make you forget the mother-tongue that God has given you. | Speaking one’s mother-tongue is essential to one’s being. Mother-tongues are God-given. |
Ğormotik, coğoris guri duxvenat’uǩonna, nʒaşen qvilepe domtvapt’u. | If God granted the dog's wishes, it would rain bones from the sky. | An unworthy man’s wishes do not matter |
Ğormotis muk na mekçu nenaten ğarğalaginon. | You are to speak with the tongue (language) that God has given you. | Speaking one’s mother-tongue is essential to one’s being. Mother-tongues are God-given. |
Ğormotis oxvamuten bageni var megapşen. | You cannot fill up your granary (/weed-yard) by begging God. | Praying alone does not get things done. |
Got’ǩapu korbas kayizdaginon do şuri mboli moyizdaginon. | You are to pull your belt up to your tummy and to breathe in deeply. | You will do what your circumstances require you to do. |
Goxtimuten gza var işiren. | Roads do not become abraded by walking (traveling). | Encourages travel. |
Goxveris toma var gvaxven. | Those who have been pruned [had their hair cut] will not go bald. | If you purposefully do an action, the unavoidable consequences won’t affect you as much. |
Ğura, gint’aşi var mulun. | When one wants it, death won’t come. | Nature does not act according to the man’s wishes. |
Ğura na anču, uğnoses var uçkins, ʒana, t’riǩiten nʒa mučo okaçaps. | The silly hoopee does not know it got its own share of death. How it holds on to the sky with its feet. | Those who are unaware of their fate live a joyous life. |
Ğuras mgara nomskuns. | Crying befits death. | One is welcome to cry over death. |
Ğureli şeni varna ǩai zop̌onan do varna mutu var zop̌onan. | They either say good things for the dead, or they say nothing. | Do not badmouth the dead. |
Guri dogap̌at’anunati, xamiten mo gyočǩap. | Even if your heart has gone bad, do not start [taking action] with a knife [by grabbing a knife]. | Even if you are past the point of reconciliation, do not react by taking up the most extreme actions. |
Guri mskva var giğut'aşi, muten putxaginon? | What else will you fly with, if not by the beauty of your heart? | The importance of inner beauty |
Guri qini giğut’aşi, mjorak var got’ibinaps. | If the heart is cold, the sun will not warm it. | There is nothing that can be done for a person who is cold-hearted. |
Guriş čvina čamite var ikaen. | Medicine is no remedy for heartache. | You cannot fix emotional wounds with medicine. |
Guronis Ğormotik nuşvels. | God helps those who are brave. | Be brave. |
Guronis Ğormotik nuşvels. | God helps those who dare (the brave ones). | Be brave. |
Ğviniş nostoni nunǩus giğunna, qurz’eni dorgaginon. | If you have the taste of wine on your tongue, you are to plant some grapes. | If you want something, you should what is necessary to help you achieve it. |
Gyari gint'aşi, maǩarina do luqu ar mogixteps. | Once you are craving food, pasta and kale will seem the same. | Once you are in need of something, the specifics/your preferences will not matter. |
Gyari na imxor svas, ǩuçxe mo gedumer. | You are not to step on the spot where you eat. | Urges respect and cleanliness on food-related matters. |
Gyari očǩomuti mečireli ren: var lağuni do gaşkvina, dişkvider. | Eating food is hard too: you could choke if you swallowed (your food) without chewing. | Even the most ordinary acts can be deadly/difficult if you don’t do them the proper way. |
Gyari var pʒunup yado nçalati mo imxor. | Do not end up eating hay just because you are not a picky eater. | Do not let yourself be less enjoyable conditions just because you do not want to complain. |
Gza var okaçaşakis ar sotxanişa var nilen. | You do not go anywhere before the road is set. | You cannot advance in a task before the necessary conditions are met. |
Gzaşen na uluns var dvačǩinden. | Those who are on the road [to somewhere] do not tire. | If you have an aim, you will not tire. |
İri ǩala nena var itkven. | You are not meant to say your mind next to just anyone. | Watch what you say. |
İri ondi ora muşis nomskun. | Everything is nice in its own time. | Everything has its time. |
İri ondi şignapu, ǩai var ren. | It is not good to hear every single thing. | Do not listen to every conversation. |
İri sva do ora muşis na mskvanen. | Everything is nice in its own place and time. | Everything has its time and place. |
İri xolo mčipanobaten, ǩoçi mçxvanobaten t’ǩvaʒun. | All things are destroyed (exploded) by niceties; humans by the heat. | Exposure to too much heat is detrimental to people. |
İris koren, mʒika irişi. | Everybody is a similar version of everybody else. | People are not essentially very different from one another. |
İxi do mčima var rt’aşi, raǩani monǩa mogixteps. | Without the wind and the rain, the hill (‘s atmosphere) would seem stuffy to you | The rain and wind accompany the mountainous weather nicely. |
İxik zuğa komoselaps, nositi ǩoçi. | The wind ramps the sea, wisdom (ramps) the man. | Praises having wisdom. |
İxik, mençxomes na unon steri var bars. | The wind does not blow as the way fisherman wishes. | Nature does not act according to the man’s wishes. |
İzmoces gamatxveri uxvene var iqven. | (Following) Dream interpretations are not how things get done. | You are not meant to rely on dream interpretations for guidance. |
Jur bigate artot var giçen. | Two clubs are not to be hit at once. | Do not overdo things / Everything has its time. |
Jur xe ar ti şeni ren. | Two hands are meant for a head. | One has the tools they need in order to take care of themselves. |
Ǩai gečǩalas, ǩai çodina noqups. | When you have a good start, it remains that way till the end. | When you have a good start, it remains that way till the end. |
Ǩai ǩoçişi nena gyari do ǯǩariti ren. | A good man's tongue is both food and water. | Words out a good person's mouth can open many doors. |
Ǩai mçumale coğorişen mo gaşkurinet’as. | Do not fear a good guard dog. | - |
Ǩai nena var meçaşa coğoristi dulya var gaxvenapen. | You can't even get the dog to do work without a good speech. | Your manner of speaking determines the outcome of your speech. |
Ǩai t’asna Ğormotişen, p̌at’i t’asna ǩoçişen. | If it is a good thing, it is from God, a bad thing, from men. | People think all fortunes come from God and all unfortunate things are because of other people. |
Ǩainoba doqvi do gzaş ǯale istoli. | Do a good deed and throw it out on the road. | Do good deeds without expecting nothing in return. |
Ǩainoba na oğodişen gaşkurinas. | Beware those to whom you have done a good deed. | Those you have helped in the past may turn on you in the future. |
Ǩainobapes ǩainobape monz’ini, derdepe komečǩvidi. | Add more to your good deeds, send away your troubles. | Encourages doing good and burring the hatchet about one’s troubles. |
Ǩama meviǯǩip yado şarvali mo geliǯǩup. | Do not roll your pants down just because you are pulling the boat (to the shore). | Do not act inappropriately even if you have an excuse. |
Ǩap̌ineri na qva dulya şkvit fara ikip. | The thing you do hastily, you do seven times. | Don’t rush things or you will have to do them again. |
Ǩapi, umunt’ure var iqven. | A rotten tree could not be without worms. | If something is in a certain condition, those who made it as such would not be far. |
Ǩarǩalak mteloras ǯǩari var zdips. | The town crier does not always collect water. | (?) |
Ǩarta gyaris cumu mo ǩatup. | Do not add salt to just any dish. | Everything has its appropriate place. |
Ǩarta ǩoçi ǩala ar ǩaeli nenaten var iğarğalen. | You cannot talk to everyone the same way. | You should adapt your way of speaking in accordance with whom you are talking to. |
Ǩarta ǩvinçik obğe muşişa mulun. | Each bird returns to its nest. | There is a natural order to the way things occur. |
Ǩarta ncaş tude mo pintup, doxunuş sva var gaqven. | Do not defecate under each tree, you would run out of places to sit down. | Do not act without thinking about the consequences. |
Ǩarta svas kimoloba var iqven. | You can’t put on a brave act everywhere. | Everything has its time and place, even bravery. |
Ǩat’u do coğoriti ar oxorişi renan, mara artikarti var içinopan. | The cat and the dog are of the same house, yet they do not know one another. | If two do not get along, their shared origins do not matter. |
Ǩaxi vore, ǩaxi vore, şkvit batmani yaği vore. | I am a crossbill, I have the fat worth seven containers. | (?) |
Ǩibiri nenaşi ǩila ren. | The tooth is the tongue’s lock. | Watch what you say. |
Ǩitxi do gaçkinas. | Ask, so that you will know. | If you don’t know something, ask. |
Ǩoçi doloxe čereli ren, puci galendo. | Men are mottled from the inside, cows from the outside. | You cannot tell someone’s true colors just by looking at them. |
Ǩoçi iz’ğen, toli var. | Man gets full (have enough), eyes do not. | Looking at things makes you desire them even if you do not need them. |
Ǩoçi ǩoçi şeni čami ren. | Man is the remedy for men. | Praises a social, communal lifestyle. |
Ǩoçi ǩoçiten, ğoberi mz’guciten. | A human with a human, the wall with twine. | Each thing desiderates an essential infrastructure for its basic function. |
Ǩoçi mtiniti mengaps kanças, Derdi ginonna p̌at’işi konančas, | The man truly resembles a fool. If you want trouble, may the worse (kind of troubles) find you. | - |
Ǩoçi var ʒxunaginon, ndğa mulur xvala doskidur. | Do not pick and choose men (friends), one day you would be lonely. | Don’t be too selective about your friends. |
Ǩoçis na melasen sva kuçkitas na, balişepe kodorçaps. | If the man could know where he will fall, he would lay down cushions (on that spot). | You cannot foresee accidents. |
Ǩoçis p̌at’i şuns, ǩai gočǩondun. | Man remember the bad, (and) forget the good. | Man remember the bad (things/people), (and) forget the good one(s). |
Ǩoçişi memşvele ǩoçi ren xolo. | Man’s guide is also men. | Praises a social, communal lifestyle. |
Ǩoma na yulun svas, daçxiri ren. | Where there's smoke there's fire. | If there is evidence that there is something, it is probably there/true. |
Ǩomantes eya ǩoma var aqven. | The smoke does not stick to the smoker. | A bad thing does not have an effect on the person who is spreading it. |
Ǩuçxes gedgitaşi, ǩai goǯǩedi, soti xepes var gedgita? | While standing on your own feet, take a look, make sure you are not standing on your hands. | Some things that you consider obvious may not be as such. |
Ǩulani, si giǯumer, nisa, si ogni. | [My] daughter I am telling you, [my son’s] bride, you [are meant to] hear. | Discreet warning |
Ǩuraǩiti, na inǩilen ǩeleşen guinǯǩen. | The door (handle) opens from the same side that it was closed. | There is a method to everything. / It is possible to reverse things. |
Kap̌et’i iqvaşakis, guroni iqvi. | Be gallant, instead of hard. | Be brave. |
Kiana markvali steri ren, mara var git’ağanen. | The world’s (shaped) like an egg, yet it cannot be fried. | Just because some things resemble the other, they cannot be treated the same way. |
Kiana nit’u do oncğorek okaçu. | The world was going and oncğorek (?) stopped it (held it). | (?) |
Kianas en ǩai na ǩvatups ǩama ǩalemi ren. | The sharpest dirk in the world is the pen. | The pen is mightier than the sword. |
Kianas nosi na uğun ǩoçik, dulya muşi xe muşite qvas. | Man of the earth who have the wisdom would do things by their own hand. | Do things yourself. |
Kimoli rena, oxorcaş porçakti var kşinaxups. | If you are a man, a woman’s dress cannot hide you. | Appearances do not change the way things are. |
Kotumek čǩialaps do ti muşiş xami moşimers. | The chicken is squeaking and bringing the knife for its own head. | Some bring their own demise. |
Kotumek markvali skups, mamʒudalek mʒudi. | A chicken lays eggs, a liar lies. | Things are what they are and that cannot be changed. |
Kudi mcveşi na uğuns guri ağani var aqven. | The one who has a worn hat would not have a new heart. | Those who appear to wizened in their appearance are also as such in their heart. |
Kvas ǩuçxe kogeçinati, arçkva nunǩus mo geçap, xolo dogačvasen. | If you stubbed your toe (feet) against a stone, do not hit your mouth too, you’ll hurt again. | Do not repeat similar mistakes. |
Lap̌arde oquruş gyočǩaşi mik ğurasen yado moçumer. | Once the coyotes start howling, do not wait to see who is going to die. | If things are going downhill, do not wait around to see its negative results. |
Lazepek dobadona mutepeşis qoropan. | The Lazi love their country. | Attachment to the Laz traditional homeland. |
Lazis uğun ar dobadona, muşi Lazona. | The Lazi have one country, their Lazona. | Attachment to the Laz traditional homeland. |
Lazma mčimak geçxu, kvak gexu. | The rain washed the cowpat; the stone broke it at once. | (?) |
Lazmaş doloxe na skidun mteli kiana ǩundoni ren ya uçkins. | One who lives amongst cowpats would think the whole world shitty. | One’s immediate surroundings determine how they perceive the broader scope of things. |
Let’ak na mekçasen, Ğormotik yezdasen. | What the earth (soil) gave you, God will take back. | Humans' life (and possessions) are ephemeral. |
Limxanapunas skiduna, mundesti ren, ičvaginon. | If you live in a meadow of ferns, you will get itchy for sure. | If you put yourself under certain conditions, you will have to face its consequences. |
Loqa čǩomaşi, mǩolo iskinen. | When you eat sweets, you pass bitter winds. | For each good thing, there is always a bad one too. |
Loqa nena čami ren. | Sweet-talking is (a) medicine. | Praises not being sharp-tongued. |
Loqa nenak ǯiǯila ğormaşen kagamiqonups. | A sweet tongue makes the snake come out of its hole. | Anything can be done if you know how to ask for it. |
Loqa nenaten xociti inčvalen. | Even a bull could be milked with (enough) sweet-talking. | Anything can be anything as long as people say it so. |
Loqa p̌čǩomat, loqa bğarğalat. | Let us eat sweet food and sweet-talk. | Praises not being sharp-tongued. |
Madulyek turcais kurki kamoǯǩu. | The workers made a fur out of the merchant. | Do not underestimate the influence workers have. |
Malale coğorik, ǩoçis var gyaǩibins. | A barking dog does not bite. | All bark no bite. |
Malave pucişi ğoberi var iqven. | A wall/fence would not stop a guzzling animal. | You cannot stop someone when they want something. |
Mamulik qiru qiru do dudi muşi, muşebura konuǩvatapu. | The rooster yelled and yelled and got himself beheaded. | Watch what you say/how you act. |
Mandaboliş porçak ǩoçi moğerdinaps. | Mandabol (?) clothing fools the person. | Fancy clothes are misleading (?) |
Mangana kogiktaşǩule, gza na oguraps ǩoçi dido iqven. | Once the car tips over, there would be many to show you the way | Many people would try to help you once it is no longer useful. |
Mangurite coğori ǩalivişa iqonana, var lalups. | If you bring the dog to the kennel by force, it won’t bark. | Don’t force people or things or they will not do what you ask. |
Map̌at’ǩale oxorcaşi do t’axeri ǩvanʒaşi xonari ar ren. | The sound of a rug-beating woman and a broken water jug are one (the same). | In their nature, negative things do not differ much. |
Mapak var, orak mapoba ikips. | The king does not make a kingdom, time does. | It takes time for grand establishments to come into existence. |
Markvali skani sin get’axi. | Crack your own egg. | Do things yourself. |
Markvalişen gamaxtimerik markvali skups. | One who came out of an egg would (eventually) lay an egg. | Things are what they are and they repeat what is in their nature. |
Maxva porças dolibğeni? Ǩalatis ǯǩari dolibeni? Vamskva mitis alimbeni? | Would you fill your dress(skirt) with ember? Would you pour water down a (wicker) basket? Would you recommend an ugly one (for marriage)? | Some things are simply illogical. |
Maxvenet’uşi var miçkit’u, miçkinşi var maxvenen. | When I could do it, I did not know how; when I know how, I cannot do it. | Everything has its time. |
Mčaci čit’a ren, mara guri muktinaps. | The fly is small yet it turns one’s stomach. | Do not underestimate small nuisances. |
Mčimas goǯamt’u, xorşoǩalis komoxvadu. | He/She fled the rain, got caught in a hailstorm. | Sometimes you end up within a worse situation while trying to escape the bad one. |
Mcveşi omʒkvi, ağani goşiği. | Praise the old, pick the new. | Praises new. |
Mečǩiruşi xami, skani nenas ren. | The knife that cuts is your tongue. | Watch what you say. |
Megabreşi ǩai, magzalobas oxoiǯonen. | One understands (who is) a better friend when traveling (together). | You get to know people the best when you travel with them. |
Megačaraşi nuxondaginon. | If it is in your fate, you must be patient. | If something is meant for you, you must wait for it. |
Meli gulun, gulun, eni ǩap̌ulas mekurke dyukyanis kogeliǩiden. | The fox would wander and meander, in the end, it would end up hanging in the fur shop. | Fatalism |
Memçxomeşi oxorca: şira; gečareli so z’iras? | The wife of the fisherman; a widow; how is she to find the money? | It is hard for some people to have money. |
Memleketis tis na mogat’u mkvati, ǩurbetis ǩainobaten goişinen. | When abroad, you’d remember the stone that hit your head by good means. | Living abroad makes people remember everything from their home country with nostalgia. |
Menceli mtutisti uğun, nositi iqvasen. | Wisdom is what is needed, (otherwise) the bear also has the strength. | Praises having wisdom. |
Mencelonişen menceloni, eya kaiz’iren. | The stronger one than the strong, he/she would be found. | Each thing has its superior. |
Mençxome, çxomi var iqven, anǩesis var niǩiden. | A fisherman would not become a fish, nor (would he) get caught on a fishhook. | A trickster would not fall for his/her own tricks. |
Mençxome, oncire muşis var ğurun. | A fisherman would not die in his bed. | Someone who devotes their life to something would as well die in its pursuit. |
Mençxomes, çxomişi açkinen. | The fisherman would know the fish. | Those heavily involved with something would have expertise on the matter. |
Mençxomeşi z’ikva xomun-i? | Would a fisherman’s trousers ever dry? | There is an inevitable order of things even if aspects of it are unpleasant. |
Mgerik mʒkvitura var ačopuşi, “mutxani laşaroni steri unǩap̌ut’u, emuş xorʒiti var ičǩomet’u” ya tku. | When the wolf could not catch the rabbit, it said “it was running around like a rabid, one could not eat its meat”. | Those who are incapable of achieving something would say they did not want it anyway. |
Mgeris mçxuri oncvinapes. | They let the wolf pasture the sheep. | They let the most ill-intentioned person to have power over a defenseless group. |
Mgeris mgeri aqven; mtutişi mtuti. | A worm begets a worm, a bear (begets) a bear. | Things are what they are and they repeat what is in their nature. |
Mgeris xorʒiş şura mat’asna, eya ǩoçi reni, varna ʒxovari reni yado var ʒxunups. | If the wolf smells meat, it would not care if it is a human or an animal. | Anything could happen to anyone. |
Mgvaneri, girinis elaǩiden. | A fat person would criticize the donkey. | People criticize others and not themselves. |
Mişi bedi do igbali murenna eşo iqven do eya mitis var aktiren. | Whatever fate and luck one has, that is how it will be (for them) and no-one can change it. | Fatalism |
Mja şupt’aşi, qvali gogaşinen, qvali imxort’aşi, mja var kşuns. | When drinking milk, you think of cheese. When eating cheese, you do not think of milk. | People want what they can have and not the other way around. |
Mjora gorupna, seriş gverdis gori. | If you are looking for the Sun, search (for it) at midnight. | Do not waste time looking for the obvious. |
Mjora nana çkimi, Tuta baba çkimi, Movarvale muruʒxepe, Da do cuma çkimi. | The Sun is my mother, the Moon is my father, the shining stars are my sisters and brothers. | Attachment to nature. |
Mjora var gyont’onaşa seri var iqven. | It is not night unless the Sun sets. | There is a natural order to the way things occur. |
Mǩule nenak ti işinaxups, ginz’e nenak ti oqvilapaps. | A short tongue will save your head, a long one will get you dead. | Watch what you say. |
Mǩyapus mamuli onǯopulapes. | They designated the coyote as the rooster. | Anything can be anything as long as people say it so. |
Mončvar steri badgaleri ğarğalana nena skani mitik var megisimins. | No-one would listen to you if you talk like a nesting chicken. | Your manner of speaking determines the outcome of your speech. |
Moxele muşi memnuni na var iqven oxoris buzulepe molibğen. | The house whose crafter isn’t satisfied (with its construction) would have an insect infestation. | It is bad luck to have the crafter/maker of something is unhappy with their final product. |
Mskibuk uǯǩare var mkups. | A watermill does not mill without water. | There is a method to everything. |
Mşkironeri ǩoçi dido gyari čǩomaşi, korba na aǯǩunasenşi derdi var zdips. | When a ravenous man overeats, he does not care for his stomach ache. | If people are in a state of need, they would not be bothered by the future negative consequences of their actions. |
Mt’eri megabre var iqven. | An enemy does not become a friend. | Things are what they are and that cannot be changed. |
Mt’eris mt’eroba unon do megabres megagroba. | One needs enmity for an enemy and friendship for a friend. | Different circumstances require different things. |
Mt’ineri ǩoçi mt’eri mo ikip. | Do not make a runaway man into your enemy. | Avoid runaways / Running away is not a good enough reason to consider someone your enemy. |
Mt’ǩuri ncas mutu var niçanen. | A wildling tree does not bear fruit. | If you want positive results (fruits) from something, you must do what it takes to cultivate it. |
Mtel zoğape movili, xinci var ren. | I crossed all the seas, there is not a bridge. | I have gone through a big ordeal and there was not an easy way around. |
Mteloras punçxa dobğeri mogulur, ǩarta oras čučulepe var megotxozun. | Do not always leave breadcrumbs around, the chicks are not following you each time. | Just because something happened once, you do not need to act like it will happen every other time as well. |
Mtini nena mǩolo ren. | True words are bitter | The truth hurts. |
Mʒudela ǩoçişi mtini nenati, mʒudi ren ya içkinen. | The truth coming out of a liar's mouth would be considered a lie as well. | Once a liar, always a liar. |
Mʒudela, čuvalis doloxedun do jindolenti geǩirups. | The liar would sit in a sack and tie it from the inside. | A liar would also prepare the necessary conditions to deceive you. |
Mʒudişi ǩama mo eliǯǩip. | Do not pretend to pull the boat (Kama). | Do not pretend to do your job when you are not. |
Mtugis na meşaxtasunt’u sva var uğut’u do ǩarǩalati mundis koniǩidu. | The mouse itself had a place to go, it made the calabash follow. | (?) |
Mtugiş ǯǩint’ilis şvari gamoqups. | A mouse’s feces roll in with filth. | If something is already bad, it would get much worse. |
Mtuti z’iropşi, noǩuçxonepe muşi mot gorup? | If you (already) see the bear, why would you look for its paw-prints? | You do not need further evidence for something that is already obvious. |
Mtutis kogyaz’guşǩule: "Ğormotik mo otanas." | After defecating, the bear would say: “May God not bring light upon (it).” | Those who commit shameful acts would try to hide them as well. |
Mtutis mgeri muşişen langoni uçkin. | The bear would know the wolf to be less useful than itself. | People criticize others and not themselves. |
Mtutis topuri dido muxtaşi ti muşisti nisumers. | When the bear has had too much honey, it would rub it on its head. | Don’t overdo things or you will end up wasting your resources. |
Mtviri xçe ren, coğorik gyoz’gvaps. ǩave uça ren, ağa paşak şups. | The snow is white, yet the dog defecates on it. The coffee is black, yet lords and pashas drink it. | Don’t be fooled by the appearance of things for it doesn’t change their fate |
Mtviriş mskvanobak miti var ot’ibinu. | The beauty of the snowfall warms no-one. | The appearance of things alone does not make them functional. |
Mǯǩili nenoni iqvaşakis, loqa nenoni iqvi. | Be silver-tongued, instead of sharp-tongued. | Praises not being sharp-tongued. |
Mǯǩiri do mt’i okros var noxedun. | The flea and louse do not land on gold. | Minor setbacks find you less and less in a wealthy lifestyle. |
Mǯǩupi seris tuta unon, sefili kimolis noseri oxorca unon. | A miserable (poor) husband needs a smart woman like the dark night needs the Moon. | A smart woman can save a man from being poor. |
Muezini na var ren svas txa var op̌et’elapan. | They would not let the goats bleat in a place without a muezzin. | Someone’s role cannot be replaced by an unqualified other. |
Muǩo bere, eǩo oxori. | As many houses as there are children. | As your family grows, so would your house. |
Muǩo nena giçkin eǩo ǩoçi re; mara nananena var giçkinna çkar mutu var re. | However many languages you know (speak), that many humans you are; but if you do not know (speak) your mother-tongue, you are nothing. | Speaking one’s mother-tongue is essential to one’s being. Language acquisition broadens one’s horizons. |
Mulkişi xraʒkela mo iqver, ğuraşi em kianas var gağen. | Do not become rob people of their property, you cannot take it with you to the other world once you are dead. | Humans' life (and possessions) are ephemeral. |
Muruʒxi melu yado, mo t’ǩobur, si var gegolaps, mo gaşkurinet’as. | Do not hide from the shooting stars. Fear not, they would not fall on you. | Do not get yourself worked up over things that don’t concern you. |
Muşebura naşkvineri oxoris mtutiti amulun. | Even a bear would go into a house left its own devices. | Anything could happen to not taken care of/abandoned things. |
Mxiruak: "var ebzdiya"-şa, var dvaceres, mollas yučopesşi var niǩardes. | They did not believe the thief when he/she said “I did not take it”, they did not like it when they purchased it from the mullah. | People are impossible to please. |
Na giğuns guskuri, na var giğuns inant’ri. | Make do with what you have and hope for what you have not. | Keep wishing for what you don’t have but make sure what you already have is enough for you to live on. |
Na irdi t'ibaşi re. | You are from the lake at which you grew up. | Each person is part of a smaller, more familiar place. |
Na tkuk tasu, na isimaduk ǩorobu. | The one who spoke planted (the seeds), those who listened harvested (the crops). | Those who pay heed to advice will be able to enjoy its positive results. |
Na uçkink ikips; na var uçkink diguraps. | Those who know how, do; those who don’t know how, learn. | If you don’t know something, ask. |
Namtini oras cumuti xaçkaginon. | Sometimes you will add salt too. | There may be a time when anything can be necessary. |
Nana baba bere şeni, bere ti muşi şeni. | Parents [exist] for the child, the child for his/her own sake. | Parents devote their lives to their children, children to themselves. |
Nana babaşi guri, mteloras berepe muşi ǩala ren. | Parents’ heart is always with their children. | - |
Nana do baba muşis xeiri na var uğuns ǩoçis, kianasti xeiri var aqven. | A man who has been good for nothing to his parents would be no-good for the world too. | Praises respect for parents. |
Nana muşişi tolis, maymuniti mskvaela ren. | In the eyes of its mother, the monkey is pretty too. | Mothers are biased towards the beauty of their children. |
Nana skanis qoropna, xarǩiş nanas mogeǩitxup. | If you love your mother, do not swear at another person’s mother. | - |
Nananena gondinina, ti skaniti gondineri giğun. | If you lose your mother-tongue, you lose yourself also. | Speaking one’s mother-tongue is essential to one’s being. |
Nananena skani var giçkit’aski ar xvala oxoriş nena ren. | A mother-tongue is not only the language spoken at home. | One should speak their mother-tongue outside of their house too. |
Nananena var goindinen. | The mother-tongue must not be lost. | Speaking one’s mother-tongue is essential to one’s being. |
Nčarido noşkerişen nčari. | As long as you are writing, write things (down) with (a piece of) coal. | It does not matter if you are lacking in resources as long as you have the education you need. |
Nca goxupt’aşi, dudişen gyoçǩaginon. | When pruning a tree, you start at its top. | There is a method to everything. |
Nciriş guda gyaritenti var iz’ğen. | A sleepyhead would be a glutton as well. | Sloth and gluttony go hand in hand. |
Ncumoriten daçxiri var niskirinen. | Vinegar cannot put out a fire. | There is a method to everything. |
Ndğa içoden do gza var içoden. | The day comes to an end, the roads do not. | One could travel for all of their days. |
Ndğas seri noqups. | The night follows the day. | There is a natural order to the way things occur. |
Nena putxun, mara nčara doskidun. | Spoken words fly away, written words remain. | The palest ink is stronger than the sharpest memory |
Nena var niǩiren. | A tongue cannot be tied. | If something is to be said, it will be said. |
Nena, gurişi neǩna ren. | The heart’s gates are through the tongue. | One’s language/speaking reflect what is in their heart. |
Nenaten kimoloba var ixvenen. | Chatter does not make bravery. | Talking about things does not make you brave. |
Noserik izmont’aşakis delik xincişen meǩilaps. | The crazy would quickly cross the bridge before the smart one ponders (crossing over). | Overthinking things might make you fall behind. |
Noserik: "viçila, moviçilet’a"- isimadeptu şakis sefilis noseri berepe dvardu. | The poor man's smart children grew up while the smart-man pondered “I should marry, I should not marry”. | Do not overthink marriage. |
Nosi şeni gza ar ren. | There is a single road that leads to wisdom. | Great minds think alike. |
Nosi şuǩa var ren, megit’axa, komekça. | Wisdom is not (like) a cucumber for me to break a piece off and give you some. | Wisdom is not easily acquired or passed on. |
Nosi tomas var ren, tis ren. | Wisdom is (inside) one’s head, not their hair. | Wisdom is cannot be guessed from one’s appearance. |
Nosi ǯanas var, tis ren. | Wisdom is (found) inside one’s head, not their age. | Age alone does not bring wisdom. |
Nosik, ǩurşunişen ǩai qvilups. | Wisdom kills better than bullets. | Praises having wisdom. |
Nt’roʒun yado, ncas mo yulur. | Do not climb a tree (saying) it will break down. | Do not put yourself at risk if you already know the perils involved. |
Nʒa subuka kort’uǩonna, ixik mendimert’u. | Had the sky been light in weight, the wind would have swept it away. | Some things may seem easy to tackle, it does not mean that they are. |
Nʒaş tude iri xolo Ğormotişi ren. | Everything your eye can see belongs to God. | Humans' life (and possessions) are ephemeral. |
Nʒireri ǩumiş doloxe namtini kvančalati ant’alen. | Some gravel, too, would mix into the sieved sand. | If two things are very similar, they will become intermingled. |
Nunǩu gonǯǩipt’aşakis toli gonǯǩaginon. | Instead of opening your mouth, you are to open your eye(s). | Do not talk frivolously, instead, pay attention. |
Očaru giçkit’as do noşkeriten nčari. | As long as you know how to write, write things (down)with (a piece of) coal. | It does not matter if you are lacking in resources as long as you have the education you need. |
Ocundinus çxvindi var noğun. | A nose does not keep one from kissing. | Frivolous excuses do not matter. |
Oki kort’i, aça sort’i? | Now that you have arrived, where have you been until now? | - |
Okosalek iri xolo kosups. | A broom sweeps all. | Once things are gone (swept away) they are all gone. |
Okrok, noşkeriti doxçanu. | Gold made the coal turn white. | The presence of an appealing thing would spread its desirable qualities onto its surroundings. |
Omgaroni dulya meǩogidz’unna çkvas mo iz’iʒap. | If you are up to a lamentable job, do not laugh at others. | Do not look down on others without taking a look at yourself first. |
Oncğoreş dulya arte doqvina, majuranisti dikip. | If you do a shameful act once, you will do another time. | Regrettable acts are easily repeated. |
Onçviru var giçkinşi, ǯǩaris mu gorup? | If you do not know how to swim, what are you doing in the water? | If you don't know how to do something, don’t get yourself involved with it. |
Ora muşis var meǯilaşi, şuǩati ibaden. | Unless you pick it at its time, the cucumber, too, grows sour. | Everything has its time. |
Ora muşis, ğurati ǩai ren. | In its time, even death is nice. | Everything has its time. |
Orak miti var çumers. | Time waits for no-one. | - |
Ordo mteli mutxani ǩai ren, ğuraşi meti. | The sooner of everything is better, but for death. | Everything has its time. |
Oş muruʒxik ar tutaşte var ikips, oş tutakti ar mjoraşi te var axvenen. | A hundred stars would not amount to a moonlight, a hundred moons would not amount to a Sun. | Each thing has its superior. |
Ot’ibinu şeni germa var ičven. | To warm-up, you do not burn down a forest. | Do not overdo things. |
Ot’riǩe doqvili, ǩvinçi var ren. | Kill the quail, it is not a bird. | There can be exceptions to anything. |
Ot’riǩek limxanapunas, ʒanakti ǯǩaris z’irops ğura muşi. | The quail finds its death in the fern bush, the hoopee finds it in the water. | Each thing seeks its fate according to the nature of their existence. |
Oǯudes var renşi, taros iqven-i? | If it is not on the shelf, would it be in the cupboard? | If something is missing from its place, it is unlikely to turn up in another spot. |
Oxiruten ǩoçi iqvet’uǩonna, mtugiti iqvet’u. | If stealing could make a man, the mouse would become one too. | Discourages stealing. |
Oxorcaş nositen xvala poğari şakis ilinen. | You can only go as far as the spring with a woman’s wisdom. | Women lack proper wisdom. |
Oxorcaş ǯana do kimoliş gečareli var iǩitxen. | Women’s age and men’s wealth are not to be asked. | Never ask a woman her age and a man his salary. |
Oxori gegačuna, ǩai dit’ibini. | If you happened to burn down your house, warm up well. | If you have already committed to a regrettable act, at least enjoy its benefits while it lasts. |
Oxori skani jur kyoşe ren yado, kianati jur kyoşe mo gaçkinas. | Just because your house has four corners, do not think that the world has four corners. | One’s immediate surroundings determine how they perceive the broader scope of things. |
Oxoris mamuli, gale čučuli. | [He/she is] A rooster at home, a chic outside. | He/she is brazenly at home but cravenly outside. |
Oxoris mamuli, gale daduli. | [He/she is] A rooster at home, a hen outside. | He/she is brazenly at home but cravenly outside. |
Oxoriş tosumi xoci var iqven. | A domesticated steer cannot become a bull. | A pampered boy cannot become a man. |
Oxorişi gza pucisti uçkin. | The cow too knows the way home. | Do not praise yourself over small achievements. |
Oxvames Ğormoti xvamu, meçetis Allahi, namu ren gyunaxi? | He/She begged to God in the temple, (and) to Allah in the mosque, which one is a sin? | One should not be blamed for turning to religion in their hard times, no matter which religion. |
Oxvameşi kvaten oxori mo ǩidup. | Do not build a house with the (stolen) stones from the temple. | Everything has its appropriate place. |
P̌at’i ǩat’uk, çkvaş oxoris mtugepe čopups. | A bad cat would catch the mice at another’s house. | Something that (deliberately) never benefits you might turn out to be beneficial in somebody else’s place. |
P̌at’i ǩoçişi gyari coğorikti var imxors. | Nor a dog would eat an evil person’s food. | Condemns evil. |
P̌at’i mtini ǩai mʒudişen ǩai ren. | A bad truth is better than a good lie. | An unpleasant truth is better than a pleasant lie. |
P̌at’i’inoba na qu svas ǩainoba goru, oxvames Ğormoti goru. | He/She looked for goodness where he/she did evil, he/she looked for God at the temple. | The person in question wasted time looking for things where they will not turn up. |
Pağeri steğo, oxorişi susi ren. | A house’s embellishment is its clean patio. | Praises cleanliness. |
Pat’i ambari ordo mulun. | Bad news arrive fast. | Bad news travel fast. |
Puci skanik inčvalen, xoci çkimik mot var inčvalen? | Your cow can be milked. Why can’t my bull be milked? | If one wants to, they will question the most obvious things. |
Pukirik muşi mskvanobaten, Mteli kiana omskvanaps, Berek muşi gurapaten, Dobadona oşenaps. | A flower beautifies the whole world with its beauty. A child enlivens the country with its heart. | Praises children. |
Pukiris ǩap̌ula var uğun. | A flower does not have a backside. | The way some things are different than other things. |
Qinobas purçumakti var pukiraps. | Jupiter’s sages do not bloom in winter. | Everything has its time. |
Qucik mučo na ognasen, nunǩuk eǩo var tkvasen. | The mouth is not meant to say much as the ear hears. | Watch what you say. |
Qvaliş mamxires qvali şuns. | A cheese thief would think of cheese. | People often think about things they want or things that are their job. |
Rusuli kodigurina, "Rusi vore" ya mo zop̌on. | If you learned Russian, do not say: “I am Russian”. | Speaking its language does not make you a national of a country. |
Şarvali geburelis, "irik ma moǯǩers" ya uçkin. | The one with the patched trousers would think “everyone is looking at me”. | If there is something faulty, you’d expect people to notice. |
Serenti dido t’as do yopşa mo miğut’as. | Let me have many granaries (serender), full or not. | It is better to own many possessions even if you cannot use them. |
Si dibadişi, mitxani doğuru. | When you were born, someone died. | There is a natural order to the way things occur. |
Si na gaxvenen, Ğormotis mo oxveǯap, “domixveni" yado. | Do not ask God to “just do” what you are capable of doing. | Do not pray for things that you can do yourself. |
Sinte muşoti goǩo, utole rekda. | If you are blind, why do you need the light? | If you are already incapable of doing something, do not blame your incapability on other reasons. |
Skani ǩai p̌at’i skani ren. İri şenti xolos ren. | Goodness and evil are both yours (within you). (They are) closer to you than anyone else. | Both the good and the evil one experiences are because of themselves. |
Skidalas, let’ati uğun, zuğati kuğun raǩanepeti. | Life has its earth, sea, and hills. | There many aspects of life. |
Someri nǯǩuns, so isumer. | Where are you aching, where are you putting on the ointment. | If you have a remedy/solution for something, apply it where it is germane. |
Steğos coğori var rt’uşi, ğecis olalapes. | When the dog was not present in the hall, they made the pig bark. | An unqualified person might be given the role of a qualified one if the latter is not present. |
Ťepuri jur ǩuçxoni var iqven. | A wooden tray (sini) cannot have two legs. | Each thing desiderates an essential infrastructure for its basic function. |
Ťepuri mučo dodgi, eşo dodgitun. | The wooden tray (sini) stays, however, way you put it down. | It is humans who decide on the fate/situation of things not the other way around. |
Tapala dobxedat do mağala bğarğalat. | Let us sit down low (on the floor) and talk grandly (lit. high). | Let us live humbly yet dream/claim extravagantly. |
Tapalas var yančişinu, mağala var gyanču. | The short person could not just reach (it), (and) could not bring down (the thing) the above. | If you do not have what is required to perform a task, you will fail. |
Tencere ingrimonu, ǩapaği muşi koz’iru. | The pot rolled around and found its lid. | Birds of a feather flock together. |
Tepeşuri kva var ren, mejilaşi çkva var ren. | Chalk is not stone, beyond that, it is not different. | On paper, things can appear to be the same if you want them to. |
Termonişi şkurinerik yoğurtisti şuri ubarups. | The one afraid of the termoni(’s heat) would blow on the yogurt too. | A burnt child dreads the fire. |
Ti çkimişi selameti, nena çkimiş ǩunǯulis ren. | The salvation of my head lies at the tip of my tongue. | Watch what you say. |
Ti it'işonaşakis xura iboni. | Take a bath instead of pinching (scratching) your head (scalp). | Praises cleanliness. |
Ti p̌et’ǩeleris čami uğut’uǩonna usumert’u ti muşis. | Had the bald had the remedy (for baldness), he would put it on his own head. | Do not pay heed to just anyone’s advice if they seem incapable of helping themselves. |
Tik gičǩomupsna, ǯana skanis var voǯǩer. | If your own head is eating you, I would not care for your age. | If you are destroying yourself, your age does not matter. |
Tiş didinobas nğoniş ginz’enoba, eya var aqven. | (Measuring) the reach of one’s wisdom by the size of one’s head is not to be. | Wisdom is cannot be measured by the size of one’s head. |
Tiş keyifi giğun na çkva mu ginon? | You are healthy, what else do you want? | Health comes first. |
Tişi ǯǩunik burgilişi ǯǩuni ucgins. | The headache would make [one] forget [their] knee ache. | You will forget the bad thing that is happening to you once there is a worse thing. |
Toǩi mučo ginon, nena xamanǯo geǩiraginon. | Why would one need rope, to tie up those who are blathering/acting ridiculously. | Watch what you say. |
Tolepe miğut'as do p̌at’i peris t’an. | I do not care if they (my eyes) are a bad color, as long as I have eyes. | The specific of a thing does not matter as long as you get to have it |
Tolepe skanik var z’iropsna te mot gorup? | If your eyes don’t see, why are you searching for the light? | If you are already incapable of doing something, do not blame your incapability on other reasons. |
Toli skanis na moǯons, çkvak var dolikunaps. | No-one else is to wear the one you (your eyes) picked. | If you really want something, do not let it become somebody else’s. |
Tolik mendra z’irops, nosi umosi mendra. | The eye sees far, the mind (sees) further. | Praises having wisdom. |
Topurik angi oxominaps. | Honey makes its container go dry. | - |
Topurişi loqanobas but’ǩucişi nz’i uğun. | The honey’s sweetness is the bee’s doing. | Praises the effort that was put into the making of something. |
Tronis otxo ǩuçxeti aqven, sumti. | A stool could either have four legs or three legs. | Specifics of something does not matter as long as the thing itself functions. |
Ʒana vore, ʒanu vore, ar amat’ǩomiluşi vore. | I am a hoopee, I am a schoopee, I am bite-sized. | - |
Ʒanak, gola komoktu. | The hoopee got to the uplands (gola) at once. | Those with different skills may be able to accomplish seemingly difficult tasks at once. |
Ʒanas nosi var uğun, emtumani yulun. | The hoopee lacks wisdom, it climbs up. | - |
Ʒanas vit nena uçkit’u, čopesşi, iriti gočǩondu. | The hoopee knew (spoke) ten languages, forgot all of them once it was caught. | - |
Ʒxenis gvat’ǩoyinaşi, keri maana ikips. | Once the horse breaks wind, it would blame the barley. | It is easy to find an excuse once you have done (an unpleasant) thing. |
Ʒxeniş mt’eri, ǩuçxe muşi ren. | The horse’s enemy is its own hooves. | Beware self-destruction. |
Ʒxeri gečareliten oxori var iǩiden. | A home cannot be set up with rotten money. | Set the foundation of your life with honesty. |
Tutulas, mtugişen aşkurinu do ǩat’u koǩobriǯu; mtugikti: "Aya mu menceloni ren." ya tku. | The worrywart feared the mouse and ripped the cat apart; the mouse said: “How powerful is he/she.”. | Acting out of worry may solve your problem but you might lose bigger/more important things meanwhile. |
Tutuni şupna, ebza mot var giğun? | If you smoke tobacco, why don’t you have matches on you? | You are the one responsible for equipping yourself with the necessary tools to do what you do. |
Ǯana, t’riǩiten mo okaçap. | Do not hold the year by its tail. | Let the years pass. Do not hold on to time. |
Ǯiǯila z’iraşi şka nut’axi. | Once you spot the snake, break its back. | If you are doing a task, commit to it fully. |
Ǯǩari do daçxiris var untxapan. | They do not push water or fire. | Some things aren’t meant to be fiddled with. |
Ǯǩari, onçaxuten mja iqven-i? | Would water turn into milk by shaking? | Things are what they are and that cannot be changed. |
Ǯǩari, oǯapu oǯaputen t’iba iqven, t’ibas goǯustvaşǩule ğvari iqven. | Water accumulates into a lake drop by drop. If the lake’s floodgates are open, there would be a flood. | Bit by bit, things can accumulate to much larger things. |
Ǯǩarişen gamaxtimeri çxomik daçxirişen var aşkurinen. | A fish out of water would not fear the fire. | If the worst is already done, do not fear the rest. |
Ǯǩarişi ǩvanʒa ǯǩarişi gzas t’roxun. | A water-jug would break on the way to the water. | One who lives by the sword dies by the sword |
Ubereli ǩoçi xezdimeri iqven. | A childless person would be closefisted. | Praises having children. |
Uça pucisti xçe mja uğun. | A black cow too gives white milk. | Do not judge things by their appearance. |
Ufiǩire ǩoçik mʒudi mutu dotkunati, mʒudi muşi, mʒudi ren. | If an idealess man tells a lie, his lie is a lie. | A lie counts as a lie even regardless of the excuses. |
Ugegapu mo gemogap, gegaperis mo momşalup. | Don’t make me get accustomed to those whom I am not, do not badmouth those who I am used to. | - |
Uğnose ǩoçişi, didi aqven guroba. | A foolish man’s bravery would be great. | - |
Uğnosek mčǩidi imxors, kualiti var uğun. | The fool is eating cornbread, he/she does not have wheat-bread. | Do not indulge yourself if you are lacking in basic necessities. |
Uğnosek, dičǩicis konasuşi “msora mağodu” ya açkinu. | When the fool rubbed on a nettle, he thought “I have scabies”. | Those lacking proper knowledge about something would link unrelated causes together. |
Uğnosek, ʒxenis kogexedaşi, "beği vore" ya uçkin. | Once a fool mounts a horse, he would think “I am a lord”. | Unwise people would be quick to elevate themselves in their minds even though the reality is different. |
Uğnoses nosi uğutuǩonna eni ǯoxle muşi şeni ixmart’u. | If a foolish person had wisdom, he/she would use it for themselves. | Do not pay heed to just anyone’s advice if they seem incapable of helping themselves. |
Uğnoses qini aquşi, geču oxori muşi. | Once it got cold, the fool set his house on fire. | Do not act without thinking about the consequences. |
Uğnosesti “namtini ǯori muntxanepe ren” yado dotkvapes. | They made the fool say “there are some truths”. | Anything can be anything as long as people say it so. |
Umjare pucik dido ğirins. | A cow without milk would yell a lot. | Those without a purpose / those who are failing to perform their duties may be the loudest ones. |
Uoncğoro ǩoçi, eya mşkironeri doskidun. | A shameless man, he would go hungry. | Those who commit shameful acts might struggle to make ends meet in the future. |
Utole ǩoçik: "Ar toli komiğut’uǩon" yaşi, Ğormotik sum komeçuşi, varti xvamu. | A blind man said, “if only I had an eye” when God gave him three, he did even give glory (to God). | People are ungrateful. |
Var giçkinna, ǩitxi; oǩitxu oncğoro var ren. | If you don’t know, ask; there is no shame in asking questions. | If you don’t know something, ask. |
Var giğut’aşi igbali, ikti do iburbali. | If you don't have luck, you will wander and meander. | Fatalism |
Var iguraşakis, kalamaniti var gačen. | Without learning, you cannot even put up a stake. | Praises learning. |
Varti pskup, varti p̌ǩarǩalap. | I neither lay eggs nor cackle. | One does not do things that are not in their nature. |
Vit ǩatis ar ti var aktiren do vitoş muruʒxik ar mjoraş te var mekçaps. | Ten layers cannot change a head and a hundred stars cannot give you a single (ray of) sunlight. | Some things cannot be changed or replaced. |
Xamik ar ǩoçi qvilu, nenak vit’oşi. | A knife killed one person, a tongue (killed) a hundred. | Watch what you say. |
Xamik ǩoçi qvilu, nenak vitoşi. | The knife killed a man, (a) tongue a thousand men. | Watch what you say. |
Xarǩis ǩui mo xaçkup, sin dololap. | Do not dig a grave (a well) for somebody else, you will fall (in it). | Do not plot against other people. |
Xarǩiş oxorca mo ʒadup, komoǩǯonduna, mu qvaginon. | Do not check out somebody else’s woman, what will you do if you like her. | Do not lust after things/people that you are not meant to have. |
Xek xe ibons, jurikti p̌ici. | A hand washes the other, the two of them would wash the face. | One hand washes the other and together they wash the face. |
Xek xe, jurikti p̌ici bonupan. | A hand washes the other, the two of them would wash the face. | One hand washes the other and together they wash the face. |
Xoci var rt’aşi, pucis nuǩidapan. | When the bulls are absent, they place it on the cows. | People will always find something to keep themselves occupied. |
Xolo t’as do mǩolo t’as. | Let it be, even if it is bitter. | - |
Xolos muşis ǯǩari na var ren svas oxori mo ǩidup. | Do not build your house at a place away from the water. | Living near the water is essential. |
Xomula dişkaten larde čupan. | They would burn green woods (along) with the dry ones. | The few bad apples excuse. |
"Xonʒun" yado xvala ti mo şinaxup. | Do not only hide your head saying “it is thundering”. | (?) |
Xonʒas mjoraşen aşkurinet’uǩon, nʒa var ont’reʒinapt’u. | Had the lightning been afraid of the Sun, it would not have shaken the sky (with thunder). | Someone who acts out in somebody else’s domain would also be aware of its potential consequences. |
Xorşaǩali egolaşi, Ğormotis xolo axveǯi ki, na oxveǯi, var mekçaps. | If you are caught in a hailstorm, pray to God that He does not give you what you wish for. | Even if you are in dire straits, do not hope for the worst. |
Xʒaperi piʒaris ǩarfi var ničǩaden. | You cannot pound a nail on a rotten plank | If something is broken from the start, you will not be able to fix/advance it. |
Xut ǩiti xut cuma ren. Ar teğiti var niǩvaten. | The five fingers (of a hand) are five siblings. Not even a single one can be cut off. | Some things that are of the same source are not meant to be separated. |
Xut ǩiti xut cuma, arteğiti var niǩvaten. | The five fingers (of a hand) are five siblings, not even a single one can be cut off. | Some things that are of the same source are not meant to be separated. |
Xvala otkuten, mutu var ixvenen. | Things do not get done just by speaking. | If you want something, you should what is necessary to help you achieve it. |
Zabunoba ʒxeniten mulun, putxineri igzals. | Illness arrives on a horse, departs flying. | Poor health is slow to endure, however fast to shake off. |
Zderi ǯǩariten mskibuk var mkups. | A watermill will not spin with drawn water. | Everything has a way of functioning due to the nature of their existence. |
Zenginiş kese guyinǯǩet’aşa fuǩaras şuri kyuxteps. | The poor would perish by the time the rich brings out their money bag. | Relying on the rich’s help to sustain the poor is useless. |
Zenginişi mamulikti skups, xocikti inčvals. | A rich person’s rooster can lay eggs, his bulls can be milked as well. | Anything is possible once you have the money. |
Zoğas gyari na gorups mşkironeri var doskidun. | Those who seek their sustenance in the sea would not go hungry. | The sea feeds all. |
Zoğas na işolen mčimaşen var aşkurinen. | One who got soaked in the sea would not fear the rain. | Those who have experienced a much larger thing would not fear a smaller one. |
Zoğas qoropna onçviru mot var giçkin? | If you love the sea, why don’t you know how to swim? | If you have a strong interest in something, why don’t you have the necessary skills to perform it. |
Zuğa ǩala na skiduns onçviruti açkinen. | Those who live by the beach would know how to swim as well. | People in certain conditions develop the necessary skills that they’d need |
Zuğa meǩilu, t’ibas dolişkvidu. | He/She crossed the river, drowned in the lake. | Someone did the harder part of something yet failed on the easier bit. |
Zuğap̌icis skidurna, ğalis paʒxa giğut’as. | If you live on the beach, have a cabin by the river. | Have some similar alternative to whatever you are used to. |
Zuğas na inçvirs mčimaşen var aşkurinen. | Those who swim in the sea do not fear the rain. | One who has experience handling bigger things would not avoid tackling other (smaller) matters |
