Shona

Tsumo Dzechishona (proverbs) and English meanings

Aive madziva ava mazambuko. (What used to be hard is now simple. People that used to be great are now simple).
Akuruma nzeve ndewako. (Those that advise you are on your side).
Ane benzi ndeane rake, kudzana unopururudza. (When you know the bad traits of someone you will not be offended when they do bad things).
Ateya mariva murutsva haatyi kusviba magaro. (A person will do whatever needs to be done to accomplish his goals).
Chakafukidza dzimba matenga. (There are private issues that take place inside the house).
Chaitemura chava kuseva. (The once great are now empoverished).
Chikuriri chine chimwe. (What is great now will be smaller than another).
Chinobhururka chinomhara.
Chirere chigokurerawo. (Take care of the young ones that they may take care of you in your old age).
Chisi hachiyeri musi wacharimwa. (The consequences of bad behavior are not immediate, but they will come).
Chisingaperi chinoshura. (All things come to an end).
Chitsva chiri murutsoka. (You can get new experiences by moving to different locations).
Chiri mumusakasaka chinozvinzwira. (People take advice that pertains to their individual needs in group settings).
Chara chimwe hachitswanyi inda. (One person cannot do all things alone).
Charova sei chando chakwidza hamba mumuti. (Extreme situations can cause people to behave in unusual or unexpected ways).
Charovedzera charovedzera, gudo rakakwira mawere kwasviba. (When you get used to doing things you can even do them under difficult circumstances with ease).
Chembere mukadzi hazvienzani nekurara mugota. (Poor quality is betterthan nothing).
Chidamoyo hamba yakada makwati. (People have the freedom to choose what they want).
Chinono chinengwe, bere rakadya richifamba. (Do what you do with speed).
Chinoziva ivhu kuti mwana wembeva anorwara. (It’s the people close to someone that know his/her affairs).
Chiri mumoyo chiri muninga. (What’s in the heart is hidden).
Chiri pamuchena chiri pamutenure. (The poor man’s victories do not last).
Chitaurirwa hunyimwa mbare dzekumusana. (You never get the full information and appreciation from being told)

Chenga ose manhanga hapana risina mhodzi. (There’s a reward in trying all things).
Gudo guru peta muswe kuti vaduku vakutye. (The older people should be dignified for them to be respected by the younger ones).
Guyu kutsvuka kutsvuka zvaro asi mukati rine masvosve. (Some things look attractive from afar or from outside but they are not so good inside).
Igaroziva kuti mhanza yembudzi iri mumabvi. (Things are not what they seem).
Imbwa nyoro ndidzo tsengi dzamatovo. (The innocent looking people are often the guilty).
Kakara kununa hudya kamwe. (Success comes by the help of others).
Kamoto kamberevere kakapisa matanda mberi. (Small issues can become large enough to cause big problems).
Kandiro kanoenda kunobva kamwe. (Favours go to those that have given them before).
Kuipa kuipa zvaro bveni, asi haridyi chakafa choga.
Kukurukura hunge wapotswa. (You can only tell the tale when you have survived it).
Kure kwegava ndiko kusina mutsubvu. (People will do anything to get what they desire).
Kure kwemeso nzeve dzinodya. (You don’t have to be at a place to know what happened).
Kuudza mwana hupedzisira.
Kuziva ambuya huudzwa. (All you know you were taught).
Kuwanda kwakanaka, kwakaipira kupedza muto. (It’s good to have numbers but they also demand more resources).
Kuwanda huuya. (The more (people) the merrier)
Kuzeza chati kwati hunge uine katurike. (When you over react to things you probably have something to hide).
Mandikurumidze akazvara mandinonoke. (If you rush through things you may end up doing them wrong and thus take even longer than if you had taken your time).
Manga chena yakaparira parere nhema. (The good can make the bad visible).
Matakadya kare haanyaradzi mwana. (You can’t always be satisfied by yesterday’s feats).
Mbeva zhinji hadzina mashe. (Where there are many people no one takes responsibility and therefore many things can remain undone).
Mbudzi kuzvarira pavanhu kuda kutandirwa imbwa. (People do embarrassing things in front of others in order to find help).

Mazvokuda mavanga enyora. (Self inflicted anguish).
Mhembwe rudzi inozvara mwana ane kazhumu. (People produce children with traits similar to them. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree).
Mudzimu wakupa chironda wati nhunzi dzikudye. (For everything that happens, there is a reason).
Murombo haarovi chinenguwo. (The poor man hardly makes huge success).
Muroyi royera kure vekwako vagokureverera. (You shouldn’t be mean to people close to you).
Mwana wamambo muranda kumwe. (Authority/royalty only works within its territory).
Mwana kuberekwa vaviri, mugota hamuchemi kacheche. (Some things cannot be done by one person alone, like conceiving a child).
Mviromviro yemhanza mapfeka. (Big events are predicted by early signs).
Mombe yekurunzirwa ndeyekukama wakarinde nzira. (You can never use borrowed things with the freedom you would have if it was yours).
Makadzi munaku kusaba anoroya.
Mukuru mukuru hanga haigari pfunde.
Mwana asingachemi anofira mumbereko. (If you do not cry out for help you will no one will know and you may die in your distress).
Takabva neko kumhunga hakuna ipwa.
Nzenza mumvuri, asvika anovanda zuva.
Nzombe huru yakabva mukurerwa. (Great people are raised up by other people).
Nzou hairemerwi nenyanga dzayo. (A person has the strength to carry his desires/issues (as in pregnancy or dreams)).
Pfavira ngoma, husiku hurefu. (Be calm and take your time to do things).
Rinamanyanga hariputirwi mushushunje. (Nothing can be hidden forever).
Ramba kuudzwa akaonekwa nembonje pahuma. (People who forsake warnings and advice often fall into calamity).
Rega zvipore akabva mukutsva. (A burnt child dreads fire).
Regai dzive shiri, mazai haana muto. (Wait for the full maturation of events instead of prematurely harvesting or celebrating).
Rudo ibofu. (Love is blind).
Rume rimwe harikombi churu. (One person cannot do all things alone).
Seka urema wafa. (Do not make fun of other people’s misfortunes because they may come upon you too).
Simbi inorohwa ichapisa. (Hit the iron while it’s still hot).
Varume kutsva kwendebvu vanodzimurana. (Men help each other in times of trouble).

Vasikana kudada kudada zvenyu, tichaonana magaro pakuyambuka. (You may reject people when all things are well but you will need them when things get hard).
Wakurumidza kumedza, kutsenga uchada. (You have gone to things ahead before completing the things behind).
Yadeuka yadeuka mvura yemuguchu haidyorerwi. (When things have happened they cannot be undone).
Yatsika dope yanwa. (One who was present participated).
Zano ndega akasiya jira mumasese. (People who forsake warnings and advice often fall into calamity).
Zizi harina nyanga. (Things are not what they seem).
Zviuya hazviwanani. (Perfect people hardly find each other in marriage).
Zviro zviyedzwa chembere yekwaChivi yakabika mabwe ikanwa muto. (You never know what is rewarding unless you try).
Zingizi gonyera pamwe maruva enyika haaperi. (Settle down with one woman, there are many beautiful women in the world).
Zvikoni zvikoni mimba haibvi negosoro. (Some things cannot be dealt with by simplistic solutions)