HomeProverbs

Kurdish Proverbs

The wit and wisdom of Kurdish sayings — each proverb with its translation and meaning.

Agir berda kayê, xwe da ber bayê
He set the straw on fire and then stood in the wind's path.
Agir xweşe lêari jê çêdibe.
Fire is good, if only it did not leave ashes behind.
Aqlê sivik, barê giran e
A light mind carries a heavy burden.
Aşê dîna bi xwe digere
A madman's mill turns by itself.
Av bi bêjîngê nayê civandin
You cannot gather water with a sieve.
Ava da ser serî; çi bihistek çi çar tilî
Once the water is over your head, it makes no difference whether it is a span or four fingers deeper.
Ba ji tehtê çi dibe?
What can the wind take from a rock?
Ban qul be binban şil e
If the roof has holes, the floor beneath will be wet.
Bar neyê ber kerê, wê ker were ber bar
If the load does not come to the donkey, the donkey goes to the load.
Baran disekine ga bi cil dike.
He covers the ox with a blanket after the rain has stopped.