Salawikain: Tagalog Proverbs

The Tagalog word for “proverb” is salawikain. Here are a few examples of Filipino proverbs with English and/or Spanish translations!

Nagpapakain ma’t masama sa loob, ang pinakakain hindi nabubusog.
Si el que invita esta pesaroso, el invitado no se queda satisfecho.

Tagalog proverb: Ang tunay na pag-anyaya, dinadamayan ng hila.
Spanish translation: Quien de veras invita, obliga y arrastra al invitado.
English translation: A sincere invitation is augmented by a pull.

Tagalog proverb: Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.
English translation: God helps those who help themselves.

Tagalog proverb: Bago mo sabihin at gawin, makapitong iisipin.
English translation: Before you say and do, think about it seven times.

Tagalog proverb: Kung di ukol, di bubukol.
English translation: If it isn’t related to the matter at hand, it’s irrelevant.

Tagalog proverb: Kung walang tiyaga, walang nilaga.
English translation: Without perseverance, there is no reward.

Tagalog proverb: Habang maikli ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot.
English translation: When the blanket is short, learn to curl up under it.

Tagalog proverb: Kapag apaw na ang takalan, kailangan kalusan.
English translation: When the pot runs over, you need to level the water off.

Tagalog proverb: Kung may isinuksok, may madudukot.
English translation: If you stash away something, you’ll have something to take out.

7 thoughts on “Salawikain: Tagalog Proverbs”

    1. Mali! Kung walang mahirap walang gagawa ng physical na trabaho. bilyonaryo ka, Gagawin mo ba ang trabaho ng mga gumagawa ng bahay, kalsada, maglilinis ng imburnal,etc.? Hindi. Ang balance na cycle eh Ang mayaman gagamitin niya ang kanyang yaman para bigyan ng trabaho ang mahirap at gagawin ng mahirap ang pinapatrabaho sakanya ng mayaman.

      Para maging mayaman ka dapat ikaw ay maging “Anesthesiologist”. Kung lahat ng tao hindi lang ang mahirap ang naging anesthesiologist, sino ang magdradrive ng taxi, jeep? Sino ang gagawa ng mga skycrapers at iba pang buildings?, Sino ang magsasaka at mangigisda?

      Kaya may cycle yan.

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