HomeProverbs

Kurdish Proverbs

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

Feqîr çûn xwe daliqînin dîtin ku dewlemend li ba dibin
The poor went to hang themselves and found the rich already swinging from the rope.
Galgala ket nav dev û dirana, wê bigere li bajar û şaristana
A word that slips between the mouth and teeth travels through cities and lands.
Giha dibin kevirde namine.
No grass grows beneath a stone.
Gihayê hewşê tehl e
The grass in one's own courtyard is bitter.
Go keç birin ha deşta mûşe ha pişta dergûşe.
Once the girl has left the nest, what difference if she's by the cradle or far away in Muş?
Golikek, navê naxirekê pîs dike
One calf can disgrace an entire herd.
Gotin: Bavê te siwara wi kuşt an peyan?", "Goti: Pişti ku kuştin, çi siyar û çi peya".
“Did horsemen or footmen kill your father?” “Once you are dead,” he said, “horseman or footman, what is the difference?”
Gotin zirar e, kirin kar e
Talking is loss; doing is profit.
Gotina rast bi mirov ne xweş tê
The truth is not always pleasant to hear.
Gotinên pêşîya, wek neqşê keviran e
Proverbs are like carvings in stone.