Afrofa Proverbs Archive
Wisdom that endures.
Centuries of wisdom, carried through language and shared for every generation.
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Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one person can embrace it.
Browse the full archive — 600+ proverbs (A–Z)
A 145
- A “di mali o” yi zooi tiŋ’ni, a bɛ duri ti wɔɣinli.If your “it suits him/her” (enemies) are many in your town, you don't climb a tall tree.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- A ba mo͕ la ka naa ba zoro.To say that a chief does not run, is to say that things have not come to the crisis stage yet.Dagaare · Leadership
- A baa yi zɔra, a bi mal' o kariti wɔbiri.Even if your dog runs fast, you do not use it to chase elephants.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- A baal guuro la mang bang baala voorung.It is the attendant of the patient who hears the breathing of the patient.Dagaare · Love
- A daazali na bi kana ka tim nyuri bara.Your fated time has not yet come, and so the medicine is proud.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Spirituality
- A dug zipuo zie la ka a buulong mang tu kyɛ kyir.The porridge usually spills where the pot is broken.Dagaare · Character
- A fo bondi n͕naa la maŋ noma a gaa bondirii zaa.Your favourite dish is usually the tastiest.Dagaare · Wisdom
- A kpee ba teeŋa yi taai buɣim, a mahigirila a ba dini kom.If your friend's father's beard catches fire, you wet your own father's beard with water.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- A tengan z͕͕re zung la ka kuri manŋ gu o meŋɛ.For fear of land disputes, the tortoise is usually armed.Dagaare · Wisdom
- A tim yi chihiri “ŋuni n-lee m-bala”, a bɛ zaandi/kpɛri zimsim ni.If your magical power/charm/talisman taboos “Who is that?”, you don't enter a dark place/spot.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Character
- A vuu paa taɛ a din͕ri.The fire has now reached the node of the straw.Dagaare · Wisdom
- A yɛla yi mali, a chomda n-kani.If your problems are solved, it is because your false accuser/enemy is not there.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- A yi bi zo m-barigi a bi niŋdi asahi.If you have not yet escaped the one chasing you, you do not treat it as a joke.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- A yi niŋ Suɣulo ka bi di nyɔri, a bi niŋmi paai.If you don't benefit from patience, then you weren't patient enough.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Perseverance
- A yi ti nya bua baɣili daa ni, yɛla baɣili m-be yiŋa.If you see a pregnant goat at the market, there is a pregnant trouble waiting at home.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- A yiŋa yi ka bara nira, a bi chɛn' asibiti.If there is no sick person in your house, you do not go to the hospital.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Abaa a yɛde bɔ Takyi no, yɛde bɛbɔ Baa.The stick that is used to hit Takyi is also used to hit Baa.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Abaa bem ayeo.You can earn your vindication.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Abɛ bi rebewu a na ɛsɔ.It is when some palm trees are about to die that they give the best wine.Twi (Akan) · Perseverance
- Abiii wo ni ahe nu.One does not ask for honey and then accept water instead.Ga (Gã) · Perseverance
- Abo mekpe na wu ata o.The arm is not bigger than the thigh.Ewe (Eʋe) · Identity
- Aboa a ɔnni dua no, Nyame na ɔpra ne ho.For the animal that does not have a tail, it is God who sweeps his body.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Aboa bi bɛka wo a, ɔfiri wo ntoma mu.If an animal will bite you, it is from your cloth.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Abofuo de asɛmtenten na ɛnam.Anger brings with it a long tale.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Abofuo nti na ɔhemmaa fua papa.Because of anger, the Queen Mother holds a fan.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Abofuo yɛ ɔbrammiri.Anger turns a person into a strong man.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Aboloo kuku hi fe kwraa.A slice of bread is better than nothing at all.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Abosom na ekyere akomfo ntwaho.It is the deities themselves who show the priests how to turn (in the ritual dance).Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Abɔfra bɔ nwa na ɔmmɔ akyekyedeɛ.A child breaks a snail, not a tortoise.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Abɔfra hunu ne nsa hohoro a ɔne mpanyinfoɔ didi.When a child learns how to wash his hands, he eats with adults.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Abɔsobaa na ɛma ogya pae.The continual hitting of the wedge with a mallet eventually causes the wood to split.Twi (Akan) · Perseverance
- Abui ni he ed l shaa kpaa.A hot needle scorches thread.Ga (Gã) · Perseverance
- Adaa dani akpa.One must be mature before one cackles.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Adaata so ha, mo le eme.Although the grass looks even, there are paths running through it.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Adaka bini bur' saa, kpalaŋ' bini di mal' karimbaani.The things in the box are being beaten by the rain, so the things in the sack should not be proud.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Adam asamankama mli ni afam asamankama.One does not stand in a patch of thistles to pull out thistle.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Adamoo ekome no akaneo enyo.You depend on one to count two.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Adeɖitsa kple lãɖitsa ye do na go.A very experienced hunter will surely meet a very experienced wild animal one day.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Adu le aka homo ko ya ni baaba wosaa ko, no hewo ni kaji eye nii la eka eko too ekpaii amli.The monkey, knowing famine will come one day, keeps some food in its cheek while eating.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Adu Takyi Bɔtonkuruwa: ɔkɔtɔ didi a, na ɛyɛ aponkyerɛne ya.The hero Adu Takyi Bɔtonkuruwa says: "If the crab eats, the frog is jealous."Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Adua mi o lana.The prayer knows the one to whom it belongs.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Spirituality
- Adwen yedwen no baanu.Thinking is done in pairs.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Aɖata sɔ hã, m͕ le eme.Although the grass looks even, there are paths in between.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Aekoo hi fe Saa faa.To be greeted "Well done" is more honourable than to be asked "How was your day of rest?"Ga (Gã) · Perseverance
- Afe eve me gbo, gbodome wotsina.A goat that belongs to two homes is left tied up outside, unattended.Ewe (Eʋe) · Identity
- Afi kaa: Mo ni gbe mi edooo mi aka mo ni famo mitsaji.The partridge says: I am less pained by the one who kills me than by the one who plucks my feathers.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Afia de kpɔrkpɔr nyo wu yame kpɔrkpɔr.Looking at somewhere is better than looking into the air.Ewe (Eʋe) · Perseverance
- Afo tude memu na De o.A single kick of the foot cannot fell a palm tree.Ewe (Eʋe) · Perseverance
- Afɔ me yina nugbe eye agogotsi naaƒe o.The foot does not go on a mission and leave the thigh at home.Ewe (Eʋe) · Leadership
- Afɔ mevɔ na le adiba vivi tsi te o.Footprints never get finished (worn away) under a sweet pawpaw tree.Ewe (Eʋe) · Love
- Afɔkpa dotɔ mesia nudza o.Anyone who wears shoes is never weary of thorns.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Aƒ0e evemegbɔ̃, gbodome wotsina.A goat that belongs to two homes is always left outside, unattended to.Ewe (Eʋe) · Leadership
- Agaga lolo me ƒle na agaga eve ƒe nu o.One big cowry cannot be used to pay for two cowries.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Agalã be ne yele axa dzi zôm hã menye mô yebu o.The crab says that when you see it walking clumsily, it does not mean that it has lost its way.Ewe (Eʋe) · Character
- Agbate kɔla mafa kɔ fe avi o.A person whose work is to carry loads on the head does not complain of neck pain.Ewe (Eʋe) · Character
- Agbavito meduna anyanya o.A trader with only a few goods to sell cannot live a flamboyant life.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Agbe nyañe (ḏôe) metia agbetô o.The man with a miserable life is never tired of it.Ewe (Eʋe) · Perseverance
- Agbeee shwuo ni aja eloo gbi kome.You cannot kill an elephant and share out its meat all in one day.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Agbeee tsina atooo ho.One does not slaughter a cow in anticipation of a birth.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Agbonyila medɔa akɔlçe o.The keeper of a ram does not take a nap.Ewe (Eʋe) · Perseverance
- Agbooo ayeee.The dead do not eat.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Agohia sene hia pa.Having no one to play with is worse than poverty.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Agorɔ bɛsɔ a, efiri anɔpa.If the celebration will be entertaining, it starts from the morning.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Agya bi wu a, agya bi te ase.When one father dies, another father lives.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Ahaaa mo yoo ni ake la saa hu afata he.No one gives a man a wife in marriage and provides the marriage bed as well.Ga (Gã) · Perseverance
- Aheadi ye no ke awiri.A canoe is paddled although the outboard motor is present.Ga (Gã) · Leadership
- Ahunu-bi-pɛn nti na aserewa regyegye ne ba agorɔ a na wayi n'ani ato nkyɛn.It is because of "I have seen this before" that the aserewa bird looks away while entertaining its young.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Ahwenepa nkasa.Quality beads do not rattle.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Ajato tsofa tsaaa kanto.The cure for yaws will never cure rickets.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Ajo, ajo la, esaa ba sane."Peace, peace" brings no trouble in its wake.Ga (Gã) · Love
- Ak shajo emaaa Boo.The baobab is not used for scaffolding.Ga (Gã) · Leadership
- Ako be ne medi vu o ha, kpo yefe bleme da.The parrot says: even if I am not bleeding, at least look at my red tail feathers.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Akoa mmu ne wura bɛ.A servant must not speak proverbially to his master.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Akoko nan tia ba na enkum ba.The hen treads on her chick, but does not kill it.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Akomfo aduasa hwe oyarefo a, wodi atoro.When thirty priests are looking after one sick person, (some of them) are lying.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Akowule bɛkye ye bɛ bo anwo.The gnat is inseparable from mankind.Nzema · Wisdom
- Akɔkono de bɛtɛbɛtɛ na ɛwe abɛ.Though the grub is a soft creature, it can destroy the oil palm tree.Twi (Akan) · Perseverance
- Akɔkɔnini boro nsa a, na ne werɛ afiri ɔsansa.When the cockerel gets intoxicated, it forgets the falcon.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Akɔsea mɔɔ doale ɔ nli la lile abɛbɛ ɛzɔlɛ.The chick that follows its mother feeds on the thighs of a grasshopper.Nzema · Wisdom
- Akpa medzia vi wodia adehe oo.A tilapia does not produce offspring that resemble a catfish.Ewe (Eʋe) · Identity
- Akpakpavi medoa akɔlɔ̃e o.A nestling dove should not doze.Ewe (Eʋe) · Perseverance
- Akpakpaxe mekpɔ zi o w͕be yeadu fia.The duck does not even have a throne, yet it wants to be king.Ewe (Eʋe) · Character
- Akro madio kpoo.Say it plainly, or candour.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Akroma k no f no ni Nym fe l hi naakpa.The hawk says all of God's handiworks are good.Ga (Gã) · Spirituality
- Alagba t gbe loofl.An unintended strike can kill a bird.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Alaha wɔhu bi duri zoli.A cheap horse cannot climb a hill.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Aleɛ mɔɔ ɛkɛli bie la ɛwude-wuda ɔ bo.If you mean to share in eating the food, you must help rekindle the fire.Nzema · Leadership
- Alibarika n-nyɛ daa nyaɣisim.Bargaining brings happiness to the market.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wealth
- Alibarika tutuɣu ni leei tia.A shrub that is blessed will grow up and become a tree.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Spirituality
- Alizanda soli bili mɔri, wuntizɔriba n-kani.If the path to heaven is overgrown with grass, it means there are no righteous people left.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Spirituality
- Am yaa y boka gbp.The net is not cast only in the eastward direction.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Ame mama metua xo na ame wobiaa nyateƒea ame dada o.One does not challenge and seek the truth behind the sayings of grandparents from one's parents.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Ame manɔsitɔ, Mawue nyaa tagbatsutsu nɔ.God is the one who drives away houseflies for a disabled person.Ewe (Eʋe) · Spirituality
- Ame ŋtɔ ƒe aba vuvu me di na nya na ame o.No one can be in trouble on his own worn-out bed.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Amedzro nkugaa, menyá xɔdome mɔ o.A stranger with big eyes cannot know the secret paths of the community.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Amenɔvi menɔa yokuti dzi woɖua gbogboa o.Your own brother cannot be on the fruit tree while you eat the green fruits.Ewe (Eʋe) · Love
- Ametsitsi ƒe bomee kpe nɔna wozia ne le edzi lena.It is in the farm of the elderly that we find the stone to crack the kernel.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Anabi chilitɔŋ, bɛn ka laamba m-banda.The prophet's eye powder is applied to the eyes of those who don't have parents.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Spirituality
- Ang ba nyɛ badare ang gyɔng wɔɔ?Who can't see a spider on an elephant?Dagaare · Character
- Ang beɛha koɔng puo gbɛɛ?Who retraces footprints in water?Dagaare · Wisdom
- Ani baako nnhwɛ ɔkrawa nnhwɛ asibe.One eye cannot watch the grey-haired monkey and the striped monkey at the same time.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Ani bere a, ɛnnso gya, na yɛde nsuo adum no.If the eye gets reddened, it does not catch fire, so we put it out with water.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Ani nya a na ɛhwene nso anya.When the eye is in trouble, the nose is also affected.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Animguase mfata Okanni ba.Disgrace does not befit the child of an Akan.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Animu nnyɛ ahina, na wɔapunu mu.The human face is not a water pot which can be perfumed by smoking it.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Aniwa nnnim awerɛhoɔ.The eyes do not know times of sorrow.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Ankwa sheee gbeyei.There is no fear in truth.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Anloma ɛva ɛya baka nwo.Birds in the bush must not be angry at the tree.Nzema · Love
- Ano brɛbrɛ ma abaa tɔ.Soft-spoken words can make the raised whip lie down.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Anomaa antu a, ɔbua da.If a bird does not fly, it goes to bed hungry.Twi (Akan) · Perseverance
- Anuuu nu atooo Aharabata.One does not drink water in anticipation of the Harmattan drought.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Anyi me aye a, nsee me din.If you will not praise me, do not spoil my name.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Anzinfa daŋ duu ku kari salima.Silver entered the room first, but it will not drive out gold.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Aŋ ba nyɛ bandaa ne pii naŋ kpeɛrɛ bog.Who cannot see a lizard caught by an arrow, trying to enter its burrow?Dagaare · Love
- Aŋ baŋ nɔ soglaa gyɛli.Who can tell which egg will hatch a black chick?Dagaare · Wisdom
- Aŋ daŋ de kuurii za ne taŋa?Who throws a stone at a mountain?Dagaare · Wisdom
- Aroo aroo ni ha kos ba je ma.By means of the mummy truck, a town thrives.Ga (Gã) · Leadership
- Asaawa se: Ode nka anomu.Sweetness does not stay in the mouth forever.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Asaman nni hwee a, ewo nhyehye-wo-akyi.If the spirit world possesses nothing else, it at least has the power of its name / reputation.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Asase terew, na Onyame ne panyin.Of all the wide earth, the Supreme Being is the elder.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Asase ye duru.The earth has weight.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Asem a Onyame adi asie no, oteasefo nnan no.The fate (lit. "words") that the Supreme Being has beforehand ordained, a living human being does not alter.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Asetena pa ye awerefire.Good living is forgetfulness.Twi (Akan) · Wealth
- Asɛlɛ ngyenle ɛnde aleɛ.Salt you have begged for will never be enough to sweeten the pot.Nzema · Identity
- Asɛm a ɛwɔ anisoɔ na yɛde kɔ daeɛ mu.A problem that is on the mind is what we dream of.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Ashaara yi doli Dagbambia o ʒirila yalim chani Daboya ni o ti kɔhi.When misfortune follows a Dagomba, he carries salt to Daboya to sell there.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Ashili zuɣu ka kiŋkaŋa pumdi yuŋ.It is because of its secret that the wild fig tree blossoms at night.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Ashinao tseee y onukpai ahi ni elaaje.A string of beads does not get lost when it falls before the elders.Ga (Gã) · Leadership
- Asi deka melea todzo o.One hand cannot catch a buffalo.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Asi tu nyede metua agôḏô o.The hand can pull out the tender branch of a date-palm, but not the tender branch of a fanpalm.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Asiba guŋgɔŋ n-chani katiŋa.It is the morning drum that carries far.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Perseverance
- Asiba nari narila zaawuni.What is to be prepared in the morning is prepared the evening before.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Aspatre k el shi el fe gb.The sandal says it is wide, but not wider than the road.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Asraafoi f b shi ta ts f y.Incompetent soldiers do not exist, but an incompetent captain does.Ga (Gã) · Leadership
- Ati ɖeka me wɔna ave o.A single tree cannot make a forest.Ewe (Eʋe) · Leadership
- Atie nɔa agbe hafi ka vuna ḏe eñu.It is a living tree that has vines around it.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Atoo hu k ebasa.The little bird Atoo also has its range of flight.Ga (Gã) · Identity
- Atswã hi f m mli ni atsa.A scar is better than a sore.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Atwee mmienu boro Oyuo.Two Maxwell duikers defeat one black duiker.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Avi metsoa agbleta wodzɔa dzi o.You do not rejoice when you see people arrive from the farm weeping.Ewe (Eʋe) · Character
- Avu dufu medua ga o.A dog that chews bones does not chew metal.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Avu ɖunaa vutɔ.A dog can bite its owner.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Avu lé nu meléa dzata o.A dog can catch some animals but cannot catch a lion.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Ayɔnkogoro nti na ɔkɔtɔ annya tiri.It is because of friend-play that the crab does not have a head.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Aʒi bi kaɣindi nira ni o tuma.Going on pilgrimage to Mecca does not stop a person from doing the deeds they did before.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
B 38
- Ba ba kyiire bi-kyɛnaa poɔ/no͕re.Let the grown-up child speak for themselves.Dagaare · Character
- Ba ba wullo bibile wɔɔ.No one needs to point to an elephant to a child.Dagaare · Wisdom
- Ba-piire ba e ba-daara.Being the first to select the puppy does not make you the eventual owner.Dagaare · Wisdom
- Baa daana zu ka ba maŋ kaa kyɛ bare baa.A dog is forgiven because of his owner.Dagaare · Love
- Baa taa la o laa ka mwaaŋa meŋ taa o laa.The dog has his eating bowl; the monkey has his too.Dagaare · Identity
- Baaloŋ sere yi kye kaŋ pɛnne.Illness, please leave me alone.Dagaare · Perseverance
- Baanu so a, emmia.When two carry, it does not hurt.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Baar ayi sɔŋaa ba bora.A rabbit pursued by two dogs can hardly escape.Dagaare · Leadership
- Babi gboo fa.A young crocodile does not die in the river.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Baḍa medoa kale ha ḍa o.A cripple does not start a war song.Ewe (Eʋe) · Courage
- Baɣa tooi buɣira, bɔ n-ku baɣa bia?The diviner can reveal the cause of others' troubles, but what killed his own child?Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Baɣa yi buɣi a, a buɣirila a toli.If a diviner divines for you, divine also for yourself.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Baɣabaɣa laɣim kɔbiga ku ŋmani paaŋa.A hundred sand-ants gathered together cannot equal one cricket.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Bai eny hooo tkplo kome shishi.Two crocodiles cannot fit in one cave.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Baloo adodo fee ni ekaye gbee toi.Bit by bit and gently, the housefly ate the dog's ear.Ga (Gã) · Perseverance
- Baŋdi waayo ku baŋ nu’ kpibili.Even if you are an expert in understanding everything, you can't know what is inside a closed hand.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Baŋkaŋ yihiri bɔ naɣilaa lan’ni?What can a tick remove from the bull's testicle?Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wealth
- Benee a wiri nang gɛrɛ be ka bong meng gɛrɛ.Wherever the horse is going, there the donkey will be.Dagaare · Wisdom
- Benkum dware nifa na nifa nso dware benkum.The left hand washes the right hand, and the right hand also washes the left.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Bɛ nee akɔlɛ la a bɛmbiza alehyenlɛ.Whoever sleeps with the cock need not ask others when day breaks.Nzema · Wisdom
- Bɛ nye ɛndɛla bɛ nzo.The eye is not bigger than the ear.Nzema · Wisdom
- Bɛ-bɛlɛbɛla kakula na bɛ-aha ye elue.A child is convinced before their food could be tasted.Nzema · Wisdom
- Bɛfa bɛ gyakɛ akunlu a bɛsɛlɛ dabelɛ a.An accommodation is sought for with the sole (of the foot).Nzema · Wealth
- Bɛna n-kanilana sola ŋuna n-kanilana."They are coming" is better than "He is coming."Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Leadership
- Bɛnea baka bo na bɛahɔ ɔ bo ayɛne.The bottom of the tree is first checked before firewood is fetched from under it.Nzema · Wisdom
- Bɛtoa boboduma nyɛleɛ a anrɛɛ bɛku ye a bɛyela ye nwoma.If you dwell on the tiger's nature, you would burn its skin to ashes when you kill it.Nzema · Love
- Bi nka bi.Let no one bite another.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Bibile tonzagra ba dire boŋ kââ.A child who refuses to run errands will never share in the booty.Dagaare · Character
- Bindirigu nyaɣisil' alaafeelana nol' ni.Food is sweet in the mouth of a healthy person.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Biribi ankɔka papa a, anka papa annye kyerɛdɛ.If something had not touched the palm frond, it would not have made a sound.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Blema kpaa no atsaa.You pattern your rope according to the ancient twist.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Bni om osaa ohaa l nakai ak bo baa m n.The way one lays his bed is how he would be laid on it.Ga (Gã) · Wealth
- Boa me na me mmoa wo.Help me and let me help you.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Boafo ye na.Helpers are rare.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Boane bazi a ɔkɔ ɔ nzi.The sheep retreats before it goes forward to butt.Nzema · Wisdom
- Boane toa su-su a anrɛɛ ɔnli aleɛ.While feeding, the sheep becomes adamant.Nzema · Perseverance
- Borɔferɛ a ɛyɛ dɛ na abaa da aseɛ.It is the pawpaw that is sweet that has a stick placed under it.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Buŋ bɛ kumdi o kpee tiŋ’ ni.A donkey does not bray in its neighbour's territory.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Leadership
C 1
D 29
- Daantalisi anahi bi duhiri nam.Four supporting poles do not raise a chieftaincy.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Leadership
- Dadi metsana lã fufui si o.The cat does not go into the meat trade.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Dakoli ku sooŋa ku dooi bim.A bachelor hunter killed a rabbit, but he won't get its broth.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Dam iѕ duu, yɛlli mii beni.There is pito in the room, there is also trouble inside.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- De tsitsime aha nona.It is the older palm trees that yield the most wine.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Deɛ n'akyi apaeɛ no nyɛ ɔno ara na ɔpam.Somebody with a ruptured back cannot stitch it themselves.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Deɛ ɔretwa ɛsa no nnim sɛ n'akyi akyea.The one who is cutting a path does not know that his back is crooked.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Deɛ ɔwɔ aka no pɛn no suro sonsono.The one who has been bitten by a snake before is afraid of a worm.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Detsi vivi ye hea zikpui.Tasty soup (meal) draws seats (people) to itself.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wealth
- Devi gba aborborgo megba klogo o.A child that cracks a snail's shell cannot crack the shell of a tortoise.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Devi ka akplẽ gã mekaa nya gã o.A child cuts big mussels but does not cut big matters.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Devi masetonu aŋ͕kae kua to nɛ.A child who does not listen to advice, the thorn bush grabs his ears.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Devi si nya asikoklo nyuie lae duanu kple ametsitsiwo.The child who knows how to wash their hands well eats with the elders.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Din chani yuŋ ka kari a yaanim ŋɔ, ka a dii che ka biɛɣu neei.Walking in daylight is better than relying on ancestral protection while walking at night.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Din nam kamli, dina n-nam kamtoo.What has created the ordinary garden egg has also created the bitter one.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Character
- Din tuli zuɣu ka Naawuni nam kparima ayi.Because of hotness, God created two cheeks.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Spirituality
- Du aɖewoƒegbagba ye nye du aɖewoƒe tutu.The downfall of some nations enables the rise of other nations.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Du desiade kple efe koklo koko.Every town has its own way of cutting up a chicken.Ewe (Eʋe) · Identity
- Du ɖesiaɖe kple eƒe koklo koko.Every town has its own way of dressing a chicken.Ewe (Eʋe) · Identity
- Du menyo mesoa afe o.However good a foreign place is, it cannot equal home.Ewe (Eʋe) · Identity
- Dua a ɛbɛbere ama yɛate bi adi no, yɛnsɔsɔ ogya ngu ase.The tree which will bear fruit for us to pick and eat, we do not light a fire underneath it.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Dua a ɛnya wo a ɛbɛwɔ w'ani no, yɛtu ase; yɛnsensene ano.One does not sharpen the stick that would like to pierce his eye; instead, one uproots it.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Dua ḏe me gbede úuyôvi wòzuna le du bubu me.The blacksmith in one village becomes a blacksmith's apprentice in another.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Dua kontonkyitonkyi na ɛma yɛhunu ɔdwomfoɔ.It is the severely crooked wood that reveals the true sculptor.Twi (Akan) · Perseverance
- Dua korɔ gye mframa a ɛbu.If one tree stands in the path of the wind, it falls.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Dua korɔ ntumi nyɛ kwaeɛ.One tree cannot make a forest.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Dwantire se: Me tiri mu faa; okwasea bobonya menni fo nti na mabo hyire.The head of the ram says: my conscience is clear; the righteous fool who has never tasted guilt need not be dressed in black, hence I am always in white.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Dzi pe dodo menye dzi pe dzadza o.A cloud formation does not guarantee the falling of rain.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Dzigbodi wotso kona anyidi kpoa efe dokaviwo.It is with patience that one dissects a bee to see its insides.Ewe (Eʋe) · Perseverance
E 21
- Efie biara mmaninsɛm wɔ mu.In every household, there are those who cause trouble.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Ejur ju abku he ni abku hu ju ejur he.The right hand bathes the left, and the left also bathes the right.Ga (Gã) · Leadership
- Enam ji efeem.Achievements come through work, not luck.Ga (Gã) · Wealth
- Ese ne tekrema omo ko aduane ho, enso eko yefunu baako mu.The teeth and tongue fight to get food into the same stomach.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Esono onipa biara ne ne nkrabea.Everybody has their own distinct destiny.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Etire ne etire nka a, na ɛnkyɛrɛ sɛ abɔntesofɔɔ mmɛfa nkɔdi.If the heads (of a family) are enemies with each other, it does not mean a stranger should come and take what belongs to them.Twi (Akan) · Identity
- Etire nni safoa na yɛabue mu ahwɛ deɛ ɛwɔ mu.The human head cannot be entered into by means of lock and key and its contents examined.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Eto tso egbe eno.He cut a tree and fell over it himself.Ga (Gã) · Character
- Etua wo yɔnko ho a, ɛtua dua mu.If it is in the body of your neighbour, it is in a tree.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Ɛ sa anzi kɛyɛ wɔ fɛ a ɔnrɛyɛ kɛ ɛ sa akunlu.The back of your palm can never be as sweet as the inside of your palm.Nzema · Identity
- Ɛbɔ wɔ anyile ne a, yɛɛ bɛsoa wɔ a.You are helped with your load when you have your headgear on your head.Nzema · Perseverance
- Ɛde ɛleka ko a ɛde wɔ debie zo.If you sit in one place, you sit on something precious.Nzema · Perseverance
- Ɛdɔm ani sa odedeni.The masses are always critical of a popular person.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Ɛfa nrɛzenra nwo ɛya a ɛkondɔ wɔ hanlɛ.If you become angry at the housefly, you end up irritating your own sore.Nzema · Perseverance
- Ɛfa sane nwo ɛya a wɔ sua nu bɔ.If you get angry at the broom, your room stinks.Nzema · Wisdom
- Ɛkyekye a yɛɛ bɛsoa wɔ a.Tie your load well, and people will readily help you carry it.Nzema · Perseverance
- Ɛnsono aburoo na ɛsono dɔkono.There is no difference between maize and kenkey.Twi (Akan) · Identity
- Ɛsalɛ mɔɔ ɛnyɛ gyima la ɛnli aleɛ.The hand that does not work does not eat.Nzema · Perseverance
- Ɛsisi kɛdɛba (ananze) a ɛsisi ɛ nwo.If you set out to trick the spider, you cheat only yourself.Nzema · Wisdom
- Ɛwɔlɛ ayile bɛte ye ndɛ.Medicine for a snakebite must be sought in haste.Nzema · Wisdom
- Ɛzonle tia ɛhane zo a ɔnvuandi.When an elephant steps into a trap, it suffers no harm.Nzema · Wisdom
F 9
- Fawohodie ne obre na enam.Freedom walks with suffering.Twi (Akan) · Courage
- Fetriti mekɔna wua agbletɔ o.The okro plant cannot be taller than the farmer.Ewe (Eʋe) · Leadership
- Fɛrɛɛ ne wuo, fanyinam wuo.Shame and death: death is preferable.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Fɛrɛɛ nti na Agya Ananse de ɔtwe kyɛ hyɛ srɛ adɔ.Because of shame, Father Spider wears an antelope-skin hat to beg for help weeding his farm.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Fio fio ni add k ye gbee toi.The fly consumed the dog's ear in bits.Ga (Gã) · Perseverance
- Fo na baŋ gaŋ la neŋkpoŋ daŋkpal kyɛ fo kon baŋ gaŋ o noɔre.You may walk over an elderly man's walking stick but you cannot ignore the worth of his advice.Dagaare · Wisdom
- Fu kple dzidzɔ la nɔvi wo wonye.Suffering and happiness are siblings.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Funtum-kɔkɔnini repɛ daberɛ nti na ɔkɔfaa ɔsebɔ adamfoɔ.It is the pursuit of accommodation that caused the sandworm to befriend the leopard.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Funtumfunafu ne dɛnkyɛmfunafu, wɔn afuru bɔ mu nanso woredidi a na wɔreko.Funtumfunafu and denkyemfunafu (two conjoined crocodiles) share one stomach, yet they fight while eating.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
G 12
- Gaɣili deei mia, baŋmi nyaɣibu.The gourd has a rope tied round it; you have to know how to hang it on your shoulder.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Leadership
- Gbbil gbi pt eml loo he.The hunter is famous by his game.Ga (Gã) · Identity
- Gbee kõ gbee ejeee la.There is no blood drawn in a dog fight.Ga (Gã) · Love
- Gbomo etaa lo yaka.A man is not lean without cause.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Gbomo fo hi fe shia folo.A poor sort of person is still better than an empty house.Ga (Gã) · Love
- Gbɔ̃ be lidolae wo xɔrna na.The goat says that one who shouts is the one that gets help.Ewe (Eʋe) · Perseverance
- Gbɔ̃ tokpo mefia nya vi o.A goat with cut ears cannot counsel her children.Ewe (Eʋe) · Leadership
- Gbtsui ashibants ma shi dani kanya ba.The anthill existed before the beryl tree.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Ge metua xo na Adaba o.The beard cannot recount old adages to the eyebrow.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Gutulu ku sooŋa, n-tam wɔb’kura yɛla.An ungrateful man killed a hare and forgot about the elephant hunter.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Character
- Gye Nyame.Except God.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Gyima ɛsesebɛ ɛyɛlɛ ɛngu bɛ.A difficult task does not kill a person.Nzema · Perseverance
H 3
- Hewaomo hewo atoo waonaa.It is because of a future need to scratch that one grows fingernails.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Hu m'ani so ma me nti na atwe mmienu nam.It is because of "blow the dust off my eyes" that two antelopes walk together.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Hwimhwim adeɛ kɔ srɔsrɔ.What comes easily goes easily.Twi (Akan) · Wealth
I 2
J 4
- Jɛrigu baa kariti wɔbigu ashee o kum dali m-bala.The fool's dog chases an elephant, not knowing it is the very day of its death.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Jɛrigu ka yɛm shɛri dɔɣim, ama o lee mali yɛm ŋmari dɔɣim.The fool has no sense to unite a family, but he has sense to destroy a family.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Character
- Jɛrigu yɛliya ni mana chaaya ashee di na wandimi.The fool says the okra has stopped fruiting, while it is still bearing.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Juɣu kpuɣi baa kɔbili, n-ŋmaliɣi sɔŋ baa dooshee.The vulture takes a bone from a dog, and later returns it to where the dog lies.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Leadership
K 47
- K akoo na eye l eko kpaa owa naa.When the parrot feeds, the toucan is not left out.Ga (Gã) · Leadership
- Ka anaŋ wa waa soŋ a ko nenkpɔŋ o maŋ yel ka o kpureɛ t͕ba.When all is well with the adult, he will announce that he has some tobacco in his mouth.Dagaare · Character
- Ka Nyo mo tere bo jatsu la, ehaa bo tako.When God gives you a load, He also gives you a soft pad to carry it.Ga (Gã) · Spirituality
- Ka onyia shuo saa la owuuu bo.If you follow in the trail of an elephant, you do not get smeared with the dew.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Kaɣ’shia mali waayo ku ŋmani piliŋ.No matter how sharp a split guinea stalk is, it can't be as sharp as a razor.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Character
- Kaji mo ko fee bo ekpakpa la, atsooo duna kadaaa la shi.When someone has done you a good turn, you do not turn your back on them to show your thanks.Ga (Gã) · Love
- Kaji nu na la, etsoo enaamohe.When it rains, the rainwater itself reveals the safe spots.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Kaji oye oyai la, oyeo yala naabu.If you rush, you come to eat the tail-end of the yam.Ga (Gã) · Perseverance
- Kakraka feo gbelenii si egboo.The cockroach seems to die, but it does not die.Ga (Gã) · Courage
- Kakula bɔ ɛnlonkoɛ na ɔ-m-bɔ ɛnwɔnra.A child breaks the shell of a snail, but does not break the shell of a tortoise.Nzema · Wisdom
- Kakula ɛ-n-du-du anloma nwo ndɛkɛ ngɔ-ngile kpanyinli.A child does not pluck the feathers of a bird completely and ask an adult to name it.Nzema · Character
- Kakula kpalɛ di dikyɛne dahuu.A good child is always rewarded.Nzema · Character
- Kakula kpalɛ kenle bie ba-hɔ abolokyi.A good child will travel abroad in future.Nzema · Character
- Kakula lɛ epinli a ɔ nee kpanyinli ɛdeɛ ɛ-n-zɛ.Even if a child has a sexual organ, it is not as big as that of an adult.Nzema · Identity
- Kakula mɔɔ anzo yɛ se la wu anzosesebɛ ewule.A stubborn child dies from their stubbornness.Nzema · Character
- Kakula mɔɔ sua ɛhane bolɛ zo la ze leka mɔɔ ɔ-bɔ ye takola a.A child who intends to set a trap at a rocky area knows where to fix the sticks.Nzema · Perseverance
- Kakula nwu ɔ sa anwo nrinzi a ɔ nee mgbanyinli di aleɛ.If a child is able to wash their hands clean, they dine with elders.Nzema · Wisdom
- Kakula nwu sɛnzɛkɛ nye a ɔ-se baka ɔ.If a child sees the eye of a lobster, they think it is just a stick.Nzema · Wisdom
- Kakula tu bɛsea na ɔ-n-du bɛntenle.A child uproots a young palm tree, but does not uproot a mature palm tree.Nzema · Wisdom
- Kakula yɛ mɔɔ bɛ-n-yɛ a ɔ-nwu mɔɔ bɛ-n-nwu ye.If a child does what is not supposed to be done, they suffer for it.Nzema · Character
- Kakula ze nriandi na ɔ-n-ze fea.A child can run but cannot hide.Nzema · Wisdom
- Kasabodin nti na kɔkɔsakyi yam tuiɛ.Owing to constant slander, the vulture has constant diarrhea.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Ke ohe waa okee: tako ehii.If thou art weak, thou sayest the pad is not good.Ga (Gã) · Character
- Kekebetele di adwinli a bonze ɛngyia dadeɛ nwo.When the lizard works as a blacksmith, the crocodile should never lack metal.Nzema · Love
- Kila kakula di-di nwoma nloa.A little mouse feeds around a dried skin of an animal.Nzema · Wisdom
- Klo kpodzi medea dzi o.The tortoise can look up but cannot climb up.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Ko͕ la kpeɛŋ ɛbaa nyia.A crocodile's nose is not older than the water in the pond.Dagaare · Wisdom
- Ko’kura lɔŋ baɣa ni saa.The frog always found in mud doesn't worry about the rain.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Courage
- Koklo be dzianidziani tae ye bobona hafi doa xo.The chicken says it is out of humility that it bows its head before entering its coop.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Koklo fe nya medzona le awakowo dome o.The chicken is never found innocent in the court of the hawks.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Koklo no peteewo dome mesiaa veve o.A chicken that lives among vultures will soon begin to smell like one.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Koklotsu eve wo le adzre wɔm, gake wo le wonɔɛwoƒeŋku kpɔm.Two cocks are quarrelling, but they are still mindful of each other's eyes.Ewe (Eʋe) · Love
- Kokloxo mekpea nu na koklo o.The hen is never ashamed of its coop.Ewe (Eʋe) · Identity
- Kokloxɔvuvu mekpea nu na koklo o.A fowl is not ashamed of its dilapidated pen.Ewe (Eʋe) · Identity
- Kokotile de aze a nangonloma ɛnzoa kyɛlɛ.When the thumb is alive, the knee does not wear the hut.Nzema · Leadership
- Kpani tui hungma se bwomi blema munyu.The beard does not tell the eyebrow ancient stories.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Kpanyinli de aze a ɔ nye nwu moa tɛla kakula mɔɔ de anwuma la.A seated adult can still see further than a child who climbs up high.Nzema · Wisdom
- Kpo menɔa nyi wotsɔa asi gbɔlɔ wua da o.When you have a club, you don't kill a snake with your bare hands.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Kpɔ si le ame si pe dae wɔpɔna.The kind of stick in a person's possession determines the type of snake he can kill with it.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Ktso kome kpee ky ahum naa l eku.If a lone tree braves the storm, it breaks.Ga (Gã) · Leadership
- Kum gariya ka alali ku gari.Hunger will pass, but the shame of failing to control oneself will not pass.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Kusu ɛnle ɛkɛ a kila dwe.The mouse misbehaves when the cat is away.Nzema · Leadership
- Kuviatɔ meñlɔa mɔ to o.A lazy man does not make a farm close to the footpath.Ewe (Eʋe) · Character
- Kwan tia yɛ musuo.Shortcuts are evil.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Kwasafo so Awurade a baako nnuru afu.When many people carry the Lord (a heavy ceremonial load), one person does not develop a hunchback.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Kwaterekwa se ɔbɛma wo ntoma a, tie ne din.If a naked man promises you a cloth, listen to his name.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Kyemfere se odaa ho akye, na onipa a onwenee no nso nye den?The potsherd claims it is old; what about the potter who moulded it?Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
L 2
M 20
- "Mehunuiɛ a anka," na aseɛ awie."Had I known," is always too late.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Mawue wɔ asi gake asibidewo katã mesɔ o.God made the hands, but the fingers are not equal.Ewe (Eʋe) · Spirituality
- Me a meda ayanyaso mihu Onyankopon, na wo a wobutuw ho!I, who lie on my back looking upwards, do not see the Supreme Being, so what do you expect, sprawling there on your belly!Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Menli dɔɔnwo debie ɛnle sonla ko deɛ.What belongs to many is no single person's own.Nzema · Identity
- Menye hawoyina woyina o.Do not go somewhere simply because others are going.Ewe (Eʋe) · Identity
- Menye vovo na ku tae wogbea alo dodo o.It is not for fear of death that one stops sleeping.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Mgbovonle ɛdanlɛ ku a ɔnnwu ye.A lazy person does not notice that their own clothes are dirty.Nzema · Wisdom
- Mi-ka-shini zo nyɛla baŋ-ku-yɛli-shɛli."Know-and-be-quiet" is the friend of "know-and-not-say-anything."Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Mlikpamo dsi nii dsikule alomte ye eko.If stretching (repose) were wealth, the cat would be rich.Ga (Gã) · Wealth
- Mmeranteɛ mienu te nsuo ho a, ɛbɔ.If two young men sit beside the water pot, it breaks.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Mo enyee mo yaka.Nobody hates anybody without cause.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Mo hie-wiemo ke tsomo le, edsee mo dsemo.To warn a man is not to scold him.Ga (Gã) · Character
- Mo ka mo woo no ni eyaa wai.When two people lift something together, it goes up.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Mo ko enuuu tsofa ehaaa helatsa.No one drinks medicine on behalf of a sick person.Ga (Gã) · Identity
- Moko efee kolo sii enyo.Nobody is twice a fool.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Moko hie gboo sii enyo.Nobody is twice ashamed.Ga (Gã) · Character
- Moko yee yele na ye su mli.Nobody buys yams in the ground.Ga (Gã) · Wealth
- Mokoke sisa gbaa ta.Nobody wars with ghosts.Ga (Gã) · Spirituality
- Mokome efee man.One makes not a people (or town).Ga (Gã) · Leadership
- Mɔɔ kɔ azule la anwo ɛmbɔ.The one who goes to fetch the water does not go about smelling.Nzema · Perseverance
N 54
- N daw͕ro po͕ la ka fo meɛrɛ fo diɛ.You are building your house in my courtyard.Dagaare · Character
- Naawuni chɛl’ alibarika shɛriga ka gal suma kpɛ m-paɣi Wuni.May God spare the blessed needle so that beautiful threads can go into it and praise God.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Leadership
- Naawuni dabili ku baŋ nini naɣila o tuma ni.A good person is not known by looks; you recognise them only through their deeds.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Character
- Naawuni ni zoogi so, sal’ niŋsim ku tooi filimo.The one who has been nurtured by God to progress, a human cannot cause to retrogress.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Spirituality
- Ne anyigba dze dzo la, afo nuto la nya.If the ground is hot, it is the foot itself that knows.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Ne atiaɖe le nya dim ɣesiaɣi le fíáwoŋuti la, mumu ye le dzrom.A tree which is always provoking axes is asking to be cut down.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Ne da du ame kpola la, wovona na vokli.One who has been bitten by a snake becomes afraid even of an earthworm.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Ne lo lolo hã la azi me vi koe wo nye.No matter how big a crocodile is, it is still hatched from an egg.Ewe (Eʋe) · Character
- Ne lɔlɔsakɔ la menya tuna o.When love knots up, it is difficult to unfasten.Ewe (Eʋe) · Love
- Ne ŋkugbagbatɔaɖe be ye le ekpe da ge la, eƒeafɔ le ekpe la dzixoxo.When a blind man says he will throw a stone, his foot is surely already on a stone.Ewe (Eʋe) · Perseverance
- Ne tekpoḏoe mekpô eḏokui fe geme o la meḏoa ñku o.Tekpoɖoe, a small roundish yam, always assesses its sprouting ability before it does so.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Nea adeɛ atɔ n'ani no, nyɛ n'ankasa na ɔyi.When something falls into someone's eye, he does not remove it by himself.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Nea ope se obedi hene daakye no firi asee sua som ansa.He who wants to be a king in the future begins by learning how to serve.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Neɛ naŋ ba taa laanfiɛ la maŋ baŋ tee teɛteɛ.The one who is chronically ill usually knows a great variety of medicines.Dagaare · Wisdom
- Nenkpoŋ naŋgbaŋa ba kɔnna kââ.The bone of the elderly never lacks marrow.Dagaare · Wisdom
- Nenkpoŋ noɔre nyuuroŋ kyɛ o yɛlɛ ba nyuuro.The mouth of the elderly may smell bad but their words may not.Dagaare · Wisdom
- Neŋyeni ba tuolo wɔɔ koɔ.One person cannot force an elephant to drink water.Dagaare · Leadership
- Ngyigyilira lɛ ɔ nwo zo atwɛ.There is an arrow fit to pierce even the ant.Nzema · Wisdom
- Nibi yeni ba sugro saaloŋ zeɛre.It is impossible to fetch okro soup with a single finger.Dagaare · Leadership
- Niiatse foo dsoi fe, si efoko yafodso da.A rich man composes every dance, but he has never composed a dance of weeping.Ga (Gã) · Wealth
- Nimiri ba kono ka noɔre taŋ na.The nose cannot laugh while the eye cries.Dagaare · Love
- Niŋsim n-gari nangbanpibili.Doing is better than the fast speaking lips.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Character
- Nira yi niŋ kuɣa gari o kaŋubira puuni, o jira n-yɛn baɣi.If you put stones in with the millet you are chewing, it is your own jaws that will tire.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Nkwan pa na ɛtwe adwa.Good soups draw seats together.Twi (Akan) · Wealth
- Nnipa kyiri aponkyerɛne nso wɔnom ne ho nsuo.People dislike the frog but drink the water it is in.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Nnipa nyinaa ye Onyame mma, obi nye asase ba.All human beings are the children of the Supreme Being; no one is a child of the earth.Twi (Akan) · Identity
- Nnua a ɛbɛn na ɛtwie.Trees that touch each other also rub against each other.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Nsa ko na nsa aba.The hand goes, the hand comes back.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Nsamampow mu soduru, wo na wu a, wo abusua asa.Bent stick in the spirit-grove: when your mother dies, that is the end of your family (as you knew it).Twi (Akan) · Identity
- Nsateaa baako nkura adesoa.A finger is never enough to lift a load.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Nsateaa nyinaa nnyɛ pɛ.All fingers are not the same.Twi (Akan) · Identity
- Nsuo a ɛdɔ wo na ɛkɔ w'ahina mu.It is the water that loves you that enters your pot.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Ntwamma nsae a, wofase nni ade.When (one's) mother's children are not finished (all deceased), one's nephew does not inherit.Twi (Akan) · Identity
- Nu si no ame gbo la medzea ame nu o.What is always beside you is never fully appreciated.Ewe (Eʋe) · Love
- Nubil yini ku pii kuɣili.One finger can't pick up a stone.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Leadership
- NuƔeɖutɔ me nyana be dɔ to o.The beggar does not know whether famine has broken out or not.Ewe (Eʋe) · Perseverance
- Nukoe wu ame wotsɔ fiayi sẽ ati.Circumstances compel one to cut a tree with a royal sword.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Nunyala medzea anyi le ko deka dzi zi eve o.A wise person does not fall on the same hill twice.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Nunyanya kolikoli, de woxloa nu mugamuga.One who parades too much knowledge often gives poor advice.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Nwansena nni hwee koraa, ɔposa ne nsam.Even if the housefly does not have anything, it still rubs its hands together.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Nyame nti, menwe wura.Because of God, I will not feed on leaves (like an animal).Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Nyame nwu na mawu.God will not die for me to die.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Nyame ye ohene.God is King.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Nyamenle a kposa akɔlɛ aleɛ a.It is God who chews food for the chicken.Nzema · Spirituality
- Nyamenle boa mɔɔ boa ɔ nwo la.God helps the one who first helps himself.Nzema · Spirituality
- Nyansa bon mu ne mate masie.The hole of wisdom is "I have heard and kept it."Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Nyansapɔ wɔsane no badwemma.Wise knots are loosened by wise men.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Nye be tsofa.Hate has no medicine.Ga (Gã) · Character
- Nyɛ kyɛ zagre poɔ ba welɛ.Refusing to eat means one is not really hungry.Dagaare · Wisdom
- Nyɛ nɔgyɛle naŋ nyaa gaŋ nɔlee.How can the egg be wiser than the chick?Dagaare · Wisdom
- Nyiraa yeli ka sonzɛle la kpeɛo.The ant says, lifting a burden together is a mark of strength.Dagaare · Leadership
- Nyomotse naa mlifu.A debtor does not get angry.Ga (Gã) · Character
- Ŋun karit’a yi bɛ zani, a gba bɛ zanda.If the person running after you does not stop, you also don't stop.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Courage
- Ŋutikuku tae wotoa fe ɖo.One grows fingernails purposely for scratching an itchy body.Ewe (Eʋe) · Love
O 65
- "Ɔni me da bi a, ɔnni me bio," yɛ ya."He knew me once, but he does not know me anymore," is bitter.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Obaa ko aware pa a na yede no to kete pa so.It is when a woman enters a good marriage that she is put on a good bed.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Obi abawuo tuatua obi aso.The death of someone's child annoys another.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Obi akɔnnɔdeɛ ne odompo nsono.Someone's delicacy is the intestines of an odompo.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Obi fom kum a, yɛnfom nnwa.If someone kills by mistake, we do not dissect by mistake.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Obi mfa ntwaho nsisi okomfo.No one deceives a priest by dancing.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Obi ni ayie ase na obi su ne ni.At someone else's mother's funeral, you weep for your own mother.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Obi nkyere akodaa Onyame.No one shows a child the sky (Onyame).Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Obi nkyere okomfo ba akom.No one shows the child of a priest how to dance (the ritual dance).Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Obi nkyere otomfo ba atono; onim atono a, Onyame na okyerее no.No one instructs the son of a smith how to forge; if he knows how to forge, it is the Supreme Being who taught him.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Obi nnim a, obi kyerɛ.If someone does not know, someone teaches.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Obi nnim ɔberempɔn ahyɛaseɛ.Nobody knows the beginning of a great man.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Obi nnni ɔsono akyi mmoro hasuo.No one follows the elephant and gets wet by the morning dew.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Obi nnom aduro mma yarefoɔ.Somebody else does not drink medicine for a sick person.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Obi nsere hia.No one laughs at want.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Obosom a onni yuan da, ohuguan ani mu a, ose, "Eye srade."The deity that has never had a sheep offered to it, when it sees even the mucus in the corner of a sheep's eye, says, "It is fat!"Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Obosom a oye nnam na odi ahoade.The deity that is sharp (skilled at prediction) is the one that has offerings vowed to it.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Obosomfo ka ne nkonim, na onka ne nkogu.The priest tells of his victories but not of his defeats.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Odo nnyew fie kwan.Love never loses its way home.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Odomankoma bo owu ma owu kum no.The Creator created death (only) for death to kill Him.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Ohene aniwa twa ne ho hyia.The king's eyes surround him.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Ohenyelo ke: otaoo egbo.Thine enemy saith, "Thou wishest my death."Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Ohia da na ɛma wohunu nnipa.It is the period of poverty that makes you see people.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Ohia ma adwenedwene.Poverty causes worrying and planning.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Ohia ma awiɛmfoɔ nyansa yera.Poverty makes the humble person lose his or her wisdom.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Ohia na Ɛma obi tua n'akɔnnɔdeɛ.It is poverty that makes someone abstain from their favourite delicacy.Twi (Akan) · Perseverance
- Ohia na ɛma ohiani tɔn ne nyansa ma osikani.It is poverty that makes the poor person sell his or her wisdom to the rich.Twi (Akan) · Wealth
- Ohia na ɛma ɔdehyeɛ dane akoa.It is poverty that makes the royal become a servant.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Ohia nam yɛ nwono.The meat of poverty is bitter.Twi (Akan) · Wealth
- Ohia nhyɛ da.Poverty does not appoint its day of visitation.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Ohia panin nyɛ panin pa.An impoverished elder is not a real elder.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Ohia yɛ adammɔ.Poverty is madness.Twi (Akan) · Wealth
- Ohiafo kpeee ta.The poor do not chew stones.Ga (Gã) · Spirituality
- Ohiani bɛnya ne ho no na bata kwan asi.By the time the poor person becomes wealthy, the road for monetary ventures will have been blocked.Twi (Akan) · Wealth
- Ohiani mfa abofu.A poor person does not become angry.Twi (Akan) · Perseverance
- Ohiani mpo daberɛ.A poor person does not refuse a sleeping place.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Ohiani nni asɛm nni bem.A poor person is never innocent in a case.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Oia gbii fa fe to gbii.The days of poverty are more than the days of superfluity.Ga (Gã) · Wealth
- Onipa nsu kwa.A person does not weep for no reason.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Onukpa leee no ko la ele wodoi woo.Even if an old person knows nothing else, he knows how to slumber.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Onyame ma wo yare a, oma wo aduru.If the Supreme Being gives you sickness, He also gives you medicine.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Onyame na owo basin fufu ma no.It is the Supreme Being who pounds the fufu for the one without arms.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Onyame nkrabea nni kwatibea.The destiny the Supreme Being has assigned to you cannot be avoided.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Onyankopon amma asomfona katakyi hwee a, omaa no ahodannan.If the Supreme Being gave the swallow nothing else, He gave it swiftness in turning.Twi (Akan) · Identity
- Onyankopon hye wo nsa kora ma na oteasefo ka gu a, ohyia wo so bio.When the Supreme Being fills your gourd cup full of wine and a human being pours it away, He will fill it up again for you.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Onyankopon mpe asemmone, nti na okye din mmiako-mmiako.Because the Supreme Being did not wish confusion / bad words, He gave a name to each thing, one by one.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Onyankopon nkum wo na odasani (oteasefo) kum wo a, wunwu.If the Supreme Being does not kill you but a human being kills you, you do not die.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Osaman ntwen oteasefo ansa na wadidi.A ghost does not wait for the living to begin eating before it starts to partake.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Osaman pa hyira ne ba.A good spirit (ghost) blesses / looks after its own child.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Osansa se, "Adee a Onyame aye nyinaa ye."The hawk (poised aloft) says, "All things that the Supreme Being made are good/beautiful."Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Oteasefo na oma osaman kon do oto.It is the living person who makes the spirit of the dead long for mashed yam.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Owo foro adobe.The snake climbs the raffia palm.Twi (Akan) · Perseverance
- Owuo atwedeɛ, baakofoɔ mforo.Death's ladder is not climbed by one person alone.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Ɔbaakofɔɔ nsa ntumi nkata Onyame ani.The individual's hands cannot cover the sky.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Ɔbaakofɔɔ werɛ aduro a, ɛgu fam.If one person goes to collect medicine, it falls to the ground.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Ɔbanyansafoɔ yɛbu no bɛ, yɛnka no asɛm.The wise is spoken to in proverbs, not plain language.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Ɔdɛnkyɛm da nsuo mu nanso ɔhome mframa.The crocodile lives in water, yet it breathes air.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Ɔdɔ de bɔne kyɛ.Love forgives shortcomings.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Ɔdɔ mu nni nkekaawa.Love is pure.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Ɔkɔtɔ nwo anomaa.A crab does not give birth to a bird.Twi (Akan) · Identity
- Ɔkra se: awerɛkyekyerɛ nti na ɔde ne ho twitwiri nnipa ho.The cat says: it is for consolation that it rubs itself against a person.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Ɔman mu yɛ dɛ a, ɛne wo fie.If there is something good in the state, it is because your house is in order.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Ɔpanin fɛre ne ban a ɔnsuro no.An elder respects his child but does not fear him.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Ɔpanin su a, ɔsu ne tirim.If an elder cries, he cries in his head.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Ɔtanhunu yɛ ya.Hatred without cause is bitter.Twi (Akan) · Character
P 6
- Pakurugu duɣ’bila, viɛhima ka mira.A witch's small cooking pot -- be careful when putting your hand in to clear the last bit of soup with your finger for licking.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Panin due mate, mante.The elderly does not consider hearsay.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Piɛm yi sa valiga ni, di so ni di be tɔha nuu ni.If an arrow is stuck in the body of an antelope, it is better than being left in the hand of a hunter.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Character
- Pololi yi ʿi shɛli kam ama o mi lɔŋ gballi.Even if the toad doesn't know anything at all, at least it knows the grave of the frog.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Prayɛ, sɛ woyi baako a na ebu; wokabom a emmu.When you remove one broomstick it breaks, but when they are together they do not break.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Puu suɣuli yi ŋmɛlim ka bɔ, di ku ŋmani kambɔŋa.No matter how big a hut in the farm becomes, it will not be as big as a granary.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
S 35
- Saa avile te mgbanyima nyunlu a bie ɛmminli.When the beads get torn in the presence of adults, none gets missing.Nzema · Wisdom
- Saa bu nɔŋa ku suui tom.The rain beats the scorpion, but it will not wash away its bitterness.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Identity
- Saa wɔanvɛ a ɛnli.If you do not strive, you do not eat.Nzema · Perseverance
- Sabala le nogoo ha, mo le eme.The onion is round, but there are still paths through it.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Safui sesèe ʔua ga ʔɔ.It is a strong key that opens a door of riches.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wealth
- Sankora ba yɔɔra dɔzuni.An old debt is not payable with a tree.Dagaare · Character
- Sataŋ kuɣili baɣa ni nɔŋ’kpani.The stone anvil doesn't care about the scorpion's spear.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Spirituality
- Se kɔtere bɔ tɔfa ma wo a, nka sɛ ɛsua.If a lizard squeezes mashed yam to give you, don't say it is not enough, because that is all its hand can press.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi.If you forget and go back for it, it is not taboo.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Seanteɛ, ɛne ɔnwam atikɔ pɔ.Because the great hornbill did not listen to advice, he developed a lump on his head.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Sɛ ɛhia buroni a, ɔsan ɛpo.If the white man becomes poor, he crosses the ocean.Twi (Akan) · Wealth
- Sɛ ɛhia wo a, ɛnwu.If you are poor, do not die.Twi (Akan) · Courage
- Sɛ ɛhia wo a, woka asɛmpa mpo a, ɔmanfoɔ bu no nsɛnhunu.When you are poor, even when you say sensible things, it is regarded as nonsense by the people.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Sɛ ohia soma wo a, ɛbɛyɛ dɛn na worenkɔ?When poverty sends you on an errand, how can you refuse?Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Sɛ ohiani bu ɛbɛ a, yɛmfa.If a poor person quotes a proverb, it has no value.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Sɛ ohiani fura kente a, yɛse ɔfura kyɛnkyɛn.If a poor person wears kente cloth, people say he is wearing an inferior cloth.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Sɛ ohiani ne sikani goro a, ɛnsɔ.If a wealthy person befriends the poor, the friendship does not last.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Sɛ ohiani nim nyansa a, ɛka ne tirim.If a poor person is wise, the wisdom stays in his or her own head.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Sɛ ohiani nya adeɛ a, ɔman bɔ.If a poor person becomes rich, the state is ruined.Twi (Akan) · Wealth
- Sɛ ɔsono bɛtutu nnua nyinaa a, ɛnnyɛ abɛ.Even if the elephant can uproot all trees, it cannot uproot the palm tree.Twi (Akan) · Courage
- Sɛ wo ni di hia a, wonnyae nkɔfa obi nyɛ na.If your mother is poor, you do not put her aside and take somebody else as your mother.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Sɛ woanntia ɔwɔ ti, ɔnnka wo.The snake stings when it is trampled upon.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Sika frɛ bogya.Money attracts relatives (literally, money invites blood).Twi (Akan) · Wealth
- Sika na ɛma ɔfɔdifoɔ di bem.It is money that makes a guilty person innocent.Twi (Akan) · Wealth
- Sika ne barima.Money is the man.Twi (Akan) · Wealth
- Sika ne ɔhene.Money is king.Twi (Akan) · Wealth
- Sika wɔ tumi.Money has power.Twi (Akan) · Wealth
- Sika yɛ ɔmama.Money is a dignitary.Twi (Akan) · Wealth
- Somuaa bi zori ka chari o ba tiŋa.A loyal citizen does not abandon his fatherland.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Character
- Soro moko yitson, soro moko yitson.Different is one man's head, different is another's.Ga (Gã) · Identity
- Suɣulo mali nyɔri, suli n ka shɛli.Patience comes with benefits, while impatience comes with nothing.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Perseverance
- Suɣulo yi beni chinchini ni kpe gaɣali ni.It's with patience that you can put a cloth into a gallon.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Perseverance
- Suɣulo zuɣu ka dakoli nya paɣa, ka paɣ’lan nya bia.It's only with patience that a bachelor gets a wife and a woman gives birth.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Perseverance
- Suɣulolan n diri o ba yuli.Only the one with patience inherits his father's name.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Perseverance
- Suuri soba ba nyeɛrɛ bini sobiri zu.A bad-tempered person must not defecate by the road.Dagaare · Character
T 20
- T͕ soba ba baŋ ka bennɛ tegɛɛ.The greedy person does not know that a selfish person is satisfied.Dagaare · Character
- Ta menɔa anyi klo ɖ͕a kuku o.In the presence of the head, the knees do not wear a hat.Ewe (Eʋe) · Leadership
- Tahima zuɣu ka juɣu doli gbuɣinli.The vulture follows the lion because of hope of getting something (carcass).Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Takahi bi naara naɣla achiama.Troubles do not end until Judgement Day.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Perseverance
- Tambiɛɣu din tabili kuɣili ni saɣim lɛri.A white ant hill that is built on a stone spoils an axe.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Ti korɔ nkɔ agyina.One head does not hold council.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Tibiri' waayo ku tibi azali.However skilled the healer, he cannot cure what is fated.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Spirituality
- Toa na ɛpɛ na ahoma san ne kɔn mu.It is the wish of the gourd that a rope hangs around its neck.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Tootoote tootoote, yɛrenom nsa na yɛrefa adwen.Little by little, little by little, as we drink we make plans.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Tovi be za do, gake novi be za me do o.Your step-sibling says it has grown late; your own sibling says it is not yet late.Ewe (Eʋe) · Love
- Toya kum gari Alidu.The sound of several mortars pounding confused Alidu.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Tɔgbewo ƒe gbe nue wosia gbe ɖo.We plough the ground as laid down by the ancestors.Ewe (Eʋe) · Identity
- Tɔmedela ye gba na ze.Only the one who kindly agrees to fetch water may unwillingly break the pot.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Tsatsala kpɔa nu wu dzidela.A person who roams sees more than he who climbs up a tall tree.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Tsi fo dze, ami le nu kom.Rain has beaten the salt, and the oil is laughing.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Tsi melee adeýenô wonyana o.It is difficult to tell whether a swimmer is drowning or not.Ewe (Eʋe) · Character
- Tsina wolo see tsina.A cow herd does not fear a cow.Ga (Gã) · Courage
- Tsitsiawo kple ɖeviawo siaae sɔa ta wɔa nu.The aged and the young perform a task together.Ewe (Eʋe) · Leadership
- Tso ni te la mli le, ena nala.A stick that goes into fire will begin to burn.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Twea ayile bɛngua ye sonla ko.One person cannot put the medication into the nostril of a dog.Nzema · Wisdom
U 1
V 8
- Vi biaa nya taa medzɔa lã o.A child who questions everything never becomes a fool.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Vi dzro nu medzroa golo ḏe azi o.A beggar can beg for certain things but cannot beg for an ostrich's egg.Ewe (Eʋe) · Character
- Vi ɖitɔa, mewɔa tɔa nugbe o.A child who resembles the father does not behave like the father.Ewe (Eʋe) · Identity
- Vi nyanu nyea dzidzɔ na dzilawo.A wise child is the pride of the parents.Ewe (Eʋe) · Love
- Vi vɔ nyo wu kotsitsi.A difficult child is better than barrenness.Ewe (Eʋe) · Love
- Vi wɔnuteƒee nyia dzila ƒe dome.A worthy child inherits the parents.Ewe (Eʋe) · Identity
- Vie nye fetsu na dzilawo.A child is the parents' fingernail.Ewe (Eʋe) · Love
- Viho nyo wu gaho.The wealth of a child is better than the wealth of money.Ewe (Eʋe) · Love
W 29
- W'ani nnye a, na wose: "Merekɔ Dawu asanom."If you are unhappy, you say: "I am going to Dawu to drink."Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- W'ani tra w'anintɔn a, woyera.If you look beyond your eyebrows, you get lost.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Wahu nyirивɔɣu m-bala.This is the anus of a horse.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Character
- Wamma wo yɔnko anntwa anko a, wɔnntwa nnuru.If you don't let your friend cross and reach his destination, you will also not cross and reach yours.Twi (Akan) · Love
- Weku tam ffi ewo kushai.The family is like a bouquet; it comes in bunches.Ga (Gã) · Love
- Wo koko yɛ duru a, wonnwura ogya mu.Even if you are brave, you cannot enter a fire.Twi (Akan) · Courage
- Wo nsa akyi bɛyɛ wo dɛ a, ɛnte sɛ wo nsa yam.If the back of your hand will be sweet to you, it is not as sweet as the palm of your hand.Twi (Akan) · Identity
- Wo nsa da mu a, wonni nnya wo.When your hands are inside the dish, people don't eat everything and leave you nothing.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Wode suro di adonna a, yɛde wo sekan dwa apetebie.If you fear to show displeasure, they use your own knife to skin a striped squirrel.Twi (Akan) · Courage
- Woforo dua pa a na yɛpia wo.It is when you climb a good tree that we push you.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Wohu sɛ wo yɔnko abɔdwesɛ rehye a, na wasa nsuo asi wo deɛ ho.If you see your neighbour's beard burning, fetch water for yours.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Wometsoa anyidzefe kowoa anyimlofe o.One does not make the place where they fell into the place where they lie down for good.Ewe (Eʋe) · Perseverance
- Wometsɔa deku eve dea alɔgo ḏeka me o.You cannot crack two palmnuts in the mouth at the same time.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Wonu no kolo le na, si nine enaa eke-fa.Soup is sweet to an animal, but the animal has no hand to take it up with.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Woo te kpaaa mo.The honey bottle is never tasteless.Ga (Gã) · Wealth
- Wope oka asem akyere Onyankopon a, ka kyere mframa.If you wish to tell anything to the Supreme Being, tell it to the winds.Twi (Akan) · Spirituality
- Worewe ɔfɔɔ nsa a na worehwɛ wo deɛ.When chewing the monkey's fingers, you also consider your own hand.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Wotena dufɔkyeɛ so di borɔfrɛ a, wo to fɔ, w'ano nso fɔ.If you sit on rotten wood to eat pawpaw, your bottom gets wet and your mouth also gets wet.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Wotiatia obi adeɛ so hwehwɛ wo deɛ a, wonhunu.When you walk on somebody's item to look for yours, you cannot find it.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Woto adubɔne a, ebi ka w'ano.When you throw poison, some touches your mouth.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Wotwa wo tɛkrɛma we a na wonwee nam biara.When you cut your tongue and chew it, you have not chewed any proper meat.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Woye "me-nko-medi" a, wunya osaman nhu.If you are an "eat-by-myself" person, you will often see a spirit.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Wɔammaa ɛ gɔnwo ampɛ ngɔnla a, ɛmpɛ bulu.If you prevent your friend from scoring nine, you would not score ten either.Nzema · Love
- Wɔanzoa enrinli bile zo a ɛsoa egyɛne zo.If you do not carry your load on black hair, you will carry it on grey hair.Nzema · Perseverance
- Wɔbigu baɣa ni gbani.The elephant does not concern itself with skin diseases.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Leadership
- Wɔnam baanu sum fidie a wɔnam baanu na ɛhwɛ.When two people or parties set a trap, it should be visited by both persons.Twi (Akan) · Character
- Wɔɔ ba uuno simie poɔ.An elephant is too big to hide among Bambara bean plants.Dagaare · Character
- Wɔri yino tii bɛ baŋda.A single horse race is deceptive/unknown.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Wua ŋun gɔri kukɔɣu ni gbaŋ ni vili mola.The skin of the monitor lizard that roams on fallow land will be used to wrap the shaft of arrows.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
X 1
Y 10
- Yelwonaa gammiri ba teɛre seɛ.Your challenge cannot be tied around your waist.Dagaare · Perseverance
- Yensiane kokuromotie ho mmo po.We do not bypass the thumb to tie a knot.Twi (Akan) · Leadership
- Yɛbɛwu nti yɛnna?We will die, but does that mean we should not sleep?Twi (Akan) · Courage
- Yɛsoma onyansafoɔ, ɛnyɛ anamɔntenten.We send a wise person, not one with long legs.Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Yɛtu wo fo na wanntie a, woko Anteade.If you do not heed advice, you go to Anteade (the town for those who do not heed advice).Twi (Akan) · Wisdom
- Yɛwo wo to esie so a, wonkyɛ tenten yɛ.If you are born unto a mound, it does not take you long to grow tall.Twi (Akan) · Wealth
- Yitso kome eyaaa ajina.One head does not sit in council.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
- Yiya yi baa kpirila kum.A mad dog dies with hunger.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Character
- Yoofyoo le noni ebii baa ye.It is the nursing mother who knows what her children will eat.Ga (Gã) · Love
- Yyi k mi di shi mi.The velvet tamarind says it is black, yet sweet.Ga (Gã) · Wisdom
Z 8
- Za me do hafi woado voe ahakpalawo o.It is not yet dark, so do not blame the palm-wine tappers.Ewe (Eʋe) · Perseverance
- Ze mabimabi meyia tɔ gbo to.A half-baked pot is not taken to the pond.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Zegoyibɔ me ye akatsaɣi la do go tso.The white porridge comes out of the black pot.Ewe (Eʋe) · Wisdom
- Ziena a teɛ nang g͕ng gaa be ka a teɛ na le gaa.Where the branches of a tree bend towards, it is in that direction that the tree falls eventually.Dagaare · Character
- Zigā menye fia o.The possessor of a big stool is not necessarily a king.Ewe (Eʋe) · Leadership
- Zolɔɣu ŋun bori yom, ŋun ka binkpaɣili marigira.The fly that's in a hurry is the one the toilet falls upon.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Perseverance
- Zuɣu mɔɣulana pala zuɣu biɛɣulana.The person with an oblong head is not an unlucky or bad person.Dagbani (Dagbanli) · Wisdom
- Zuri ayi seɛ la zu yeni.Two heads are better than one.Dagaare · Leadership
