Dingindira
Tsumo dzeunhu.
Shona proverbs with their meaning, not just the saying. Seven hundred and sixteen tsumo, grouped by what each one is for.
Chirema ndechina mazano chinotamba chakazendama kumadziro.Everyone knows they have some flaw, in body or mind, in how they...Tenda muchero wadya zvinotenza mwoyo.One should give thanks for something's success only once they have...Nhava yebenzi haitani kusakara.Someone who does not look after their belongings properly finds they...Chivendekete anoseka chimedure.A person doing wrong often likes pointing at others' faults without...Chafamba kamwe hachiteyiwi.When someone commits an offence for the first time, they are usually...Kuzengurira izwi romukuru kuramba mhangwa.When an elder gives you a warning, accept it, because you might...Rega kubvunza nyama kuti ndeyokugocha ive muto uchiuona.It is thoughtless to ask how something happened when you can clearly...Rega kuvera nyoka negavi iyo iripo.A snake is a frightening thing, whether alive or dead, and no one...Mazvokuda kufa namaronda enyora.People do not feel sympathy for someone who brings danger or death...Ndomene haichemedzi.Harming yourself through your own fault does not upset or sadden...Munhu - munhu hazvienzani nembwa.A person, however disabled or blind, is still a person and deserves...(Chinhu) chinodyiwa chino murandu.It is Shona custom that food, such as beer, must first be formally...Chomukuru hachikumbirwi.Elders are rarely asked for things; rather, they are the ones who...Chirozva mauya ndicho chiumza mavi.A person who enjoys destroying good things is often the same one who...Imbwa yavata yatya.Someone who kneels and begs for forgiveness should be forgiven...Chitende chinorema ndechine mhodzi.A person is given respect when they have good character or something...Mukadzi womumwe ndimbuya.Another man's wife should be respected like a mother-in-law, because...Apotanechuru avanda.When a wrongdoer flees and hides, even behind someone who cannot...Kurebesa muromo unodya chedemo chebanga hauchiwani.An axe chopping wood makes noise that draws people to it, but a...Dai pasina nyimo makunguo aizodyei?If there were no poor people, who would the generous have to help?...Kureva chikwereti kumurombo kunema Mwari.To demand repayment of a debt from someone who has nothing is like...Aguta haaoneki.When someone has been treated well enough to feel fully satisfied...Chitsva-chitsva munamba wejenachena.Whenever a person gets something new, they think everything else has...Ane jira ndeane rukunara (rusakara) ane idzva akariwana meso atsvuka.Someone who gets something new today should not look down on someone...Usiku humwe chete hahupedzi ushe.Struggling with hardship for a short time does not change who you...Ushe ukokwa kuna vamwe.Good manners, good character, and humility earn a person the respect...Anonyumwa bere kurira ndouya akazora manda.Just as someone guilty of an offence flinches with fear when it is...Iringa nameso muchero wenhundurwa.However much someone desires something, they must not take it if it...Chinonzi rega ndechiri mumaoko chiri mumwoyo hachikandwe pasi.When someone grows up with a bad habit, such as drinking or smoking...Tendai muchero ugowisa.When someone gives you something, show your gratitude, so that in...Hapana mvura isina chura.There is no homestead or country without wrongdoers; wherever people...Akura arehwa.Whoever a person is, once grown and made a leader or head of the...Utsva hworurimi hahuna marapiro.However badly someone has wronged you, it is better to hold back...Muroyi munhu kubayiwa anochemawo.A person who habitually wrongs and angers others also feels pain...Zongororo kugonya haro asi shungu rinadzo.You might see someone being quiet, but they carry deep feelings...Rutsva runovira nokuona rumwe.Trading insults back and forth stirs up more anger; if someone...Uranda ndohwepfuma (zvipfuwo) hwomunhu hunozvirwira.A person can think for themselves, and so should not be treated like...Muromo haupi chinopa maoko.It is easy to make promises with words, but words alone do not give...Tenda nyakusvitsa mupi haalpotsera.Thank the one who delivers a gift to you as much as the one who sent...Shungu dzembwa dziri mumwoyo kuhukura ndiko kududza.Everyone carries things in their heart that trouble them, even while...Igonyodzo kudya chegadzingani.People show kindness to a stubborn or stingy person while secretly...Muromo unodavidza nomuroyi.A mouth holds no grudge against anyone; it speaks to everyone, even...Imbwa inohukura haina ngozi.A person who talks a lot tends to let out their anger right away and...Chayambuka chaoneka tsiga rakasiya mbare pagumbo.Wronging someone, even if they lack the power to retaliate...Tsvaru anodana tivhu.It is better not to wrong someone even slightly, because it can...Chinokanganwa idemo chitsiga hachikanganwe.The one who wronged someone quickly forgets their offence, but the...Samwoyochena ndiye nyamutsvirwa nemba.It is rare for a person to be liked by absolutely everyone; such a...Kutsenga muriwo hudzidzisana.For someone to treat others well or badly, it is usually because...Potsi haarwiwi tinorwira piri.Someone who errs for the first time should be forgiven, but if they...Chomungazva chinodyiwa nowabata mwana.Someone who shows love and follows proper custom when they arrive is...Chinoziva ivhu kuti mwana wembeva anorwara.No one can know what is in another person's heart except that person...Chirungurira ndechowadya maradzwa chowerinopisa isvoto.When someone has been only slightly wronged, they get moderately...Maronda asiri ako anonhuhwa.A person cannot see their own faults, only those of others.Chikomo shata divi rimwe ritambire pwere.Even a person who does bad things should also have some good...Wavengwa anhuhwa.A person who is hated by others comes to be regarded as something...Muromo itsvimbo unozvidzivirira.The mouth can defend a person against an accusation through speech...Ane benzi ndeane rake, kudzana unopururudza.When you know someone's faults, you are not offended when they act...Chisi hachiyeri musi wacharimwa.The consequences of bad behaviour are not immediate, but they will...Chidamoyo hamba yakada makwati.People have the freedom to choose what they want.Chiri mumoyo chiri muninga.What's in the heart is hidden.Gudo guru peta muswe kuti vaduku vakutye.Elders should carry themselves with dignity so as to be respected by...Kuipa kuipa zvaro bveni, asi haridyi chakafa choga.However fierce someone's reputation is, there are still lines even...Kuzeza chati kwati hunge uine katurike.When you overreact to small things, you probably have something to...Mazvokuda mavanga enyora.Self-inflicted anguish.Makadzi munaku kusaba anoroya.A woman should conduct herself well, so that she is not wrongly...Mwana asingachemi anofira mumbereko.If you don't cry out for help, no one will know, and you may perish...Takabva neko kumhunga hakuna ipwa.One should remember one's humble origins rather than growing arrogant.Nzou hairemerwi nenyanga dzayo.A person has the strength to carry their own burdens.Seka urema wafa.Do not mock others' misfortunes, because they may come upon you too.Vasikana kudada kudada zvenyu, tichaonana magaro pakuyambuka.You may reject people when things are easy, but you will need them...Aita chake ndihombarume.True manliness is shown by carrying out one's duty fully, not by...Avengwa anhuhwa.Once a person is disliked, even innocent things they do are viewed...Chako ndechako kuseva unosiya muto.Even when enjoying what belongs to you, show restraint and leave...Chekuba hachigari.Ill-gotten gains never last; what is stolen brings no lasting benefit.Chembere masikati, usiku imvana.Said of someone with two faces, appearing harmless and ordinary by...Chembere ndeyembwa yomurume, ndibaba wavanhu.Elders deserve care and respect: an old woman is cared for devotedly...Chidembo hachinzwi kunhuhwa kwacho.A person often cannot perceive their own faults the way others...China manenji hachifambisi, chinomirira kuti mavara acho aonekwe.Someone of genuine good character or quality does not rush to hide...Chinogova ruoko, muromo haugovi.Real generosity comes from action, not from mere talk or promises.Chinokanganwa idemo, asi chitsiga hachikanganwe.The one who causes harm may forget doing it, but the one who was...Chinonzi regedza ndechiri mumaoko, chiri mumoyo unofa nacho.What you hold in your hands can easily be let go, but what is held...Chomukuru anopa omene.What belongs to an elder is theirs to give out personally; no one...Dare harizondi munhu, rinozonda mhosva.Justice is directed at the wrongdoing, not at the person as an...Gudo guru peta muswe, vapwere vagokuremekedza.An elder should carry themselves with dignity and restraint so that...Gudo kuipa kuipa zvaro asi haridyi chakafa choga.Even someone with a bad reputation still has certain limits they...Hurudza inofa ichinzi inodya.A bad reputation tends to stick to a person for good, following them...Imbwa nyoro ndidzo tsengi dzematowo.Those who seem gentle and harmless on the surface can be the very...Inotanda yomunyepi, younyerere haitandi.Lying and loose talk are what drive people apart; staying quiet does...Isimba kaviri kurwa nemukadzi weasipo.There is no courage in confronting or wronging the family of someone...Kuba ngoma kuri nyore, pokuiridzira ndipo panonetsa kuvanda.Doing something wrong can be easy; it is getting away with it...Kudada kwavari mugomo kukumbira vari pasi mapfiwa.Even someone proud and elevated eventually reaches a point where...Kudya chevapfupi nekureba.Someone uses an advantage they have over others to take more than...Kufa kwemurume kubuda ura.A real man does not give up at the first setback; he keeps fighting...Kukonwa kwedare kukonwa kwamambo.When those below fail to resolve a matter, responsibility ultimately...Kukurukura hunge vapotsva.A matter that concerns someone should be discussed with them...Kupotsera dope, rimwe rinosara mumaoko.Slinging insults or dirt at others leaves some of it on you as well.Kurayira kunoda pwere mukuru ndimambo.Elders should be consulted and shown respect, not given orders the...Kurumwa nechekuchera.Bringing trouble on yourself by going after something you did not...Kuseka nhamo kunga rugare.Mocking someone else's misfortune can invite the very same...Kusekana kwaanakamba.People who share the very same flaw have no business mocking each...Kusimbirira kurapa mhopo kumusana iwe une ziso rine mbonje.Before rushing to fix someone else's smaller problem, first deal...Kutaura kudzikisira kuita makata.Someone can speak gently while their actions contradict their words...Kutenda kwakitsi kuri mumwoyo.Some show their gratitude only inwardly, without ever displaying it...Kuvhunduka chati kwata hunge une katurike.Someone with a guilty conscience tends to be startled by the...Kwadzinorohwa matumbu ndiko kwadzinomhanyira.People are often driven by their own basic needs, going wherever...Kwave kusakara kwedowo serisakadyiwa nyama.Once a person or thing has outlived its usefulness, people quickly...Machongwe maviri haakukuridze pamutanda mumwe.Two people of equal standing rarely coexist peacefully in the same...Mangachena inoparira parere nhema.Blame often lands on someone innocent simply because they were near...Manzwi induru inouraya.Being loudly and publicly accused often wounds a person more deeply...Matanda makuru mazunguniswa.Whoever or whatever holds real importance tends to attract far more...Matsotsi haagerani.There is no real trust among wrongdoers; they do not look out for...Mbavha imbatwa, mbavha-rutsoka ishamwari.Only whoever gets caught actually bears the blame; those who slip...Mboko chena yakaparira parere mhema.Blame often lands on someone innocent simply because they were near...Mbudzi yazvarira pavanhu yati nditandirwe’mbwa.Someone in a vulnerable position is right to ask those around them...Mhosva haiori.A wrongdoing never simply fades away; it eventually catches up with...Mhosva inorondwa hakuna mhosva yakaita honye.Every wrongdoing can be traced to its cause and its culprit if it is...Mhuno hainwi mvura muromo usina kunwa.Things should be done in their proper order; the lesser should not...Minwe misiyanwa.People naturally differ from one another in ability and fortune, and...Miromo yavakuru haiviri pasi.What elders say tends to come true; their words carry weight and...Moyo chena unobayisa.Being too kind and trusting can leave a person open to being taken...Mudzimu vakupa ronda vati nhunzi dzikudye.When the very source of your trouble also fails to protect you from...Mugoti unopiwa anyerere.Positions of responsibility tend to go to those who are calm and...Munhu akatsiga anozviganhura pakunwa hwahwa.Alcohol has a way of revealing someone's true nature, even in a...Munongedzo hauzvinongedzi.It is easy to be quick to criticise others' faults while overlooking...Murombo haarovi chine nguo.Someone of low standing is careful not to confront those with...Murombo munhu.Poverty does not strip a person of their worth; they deserve the...Muroyi royera kure ugowana anokuviga.A warning against wronging your own people close to home: keep their...Mutsa worutsoka kuperekedza ziso.Good intentions need to be followed through with action, not left as...Muzvimbirwi ndiye nyakurwa nesasa.Someone puffed up with pride tends to bring obstacles on themselves...Mwana washe muranda kumwe.Status held in one place does not automatically carry over anywhere...Mwana washe ndishewo, womuranda anochemberera muuranda.A person's social standing often follows directly from the family...Mwoyochena weyi bere kugarira munhu akafa.Someone can put on a show of sympathy while really just waiting to...N’ai kwadzo ndedzomucheche dzomukuru dzinoreva kudya.When a grown adult complains, there is usually a real, basic need...N’anga hadzifarirani.People in the same trade often struggle to get along, rivalry taking...Natsa kwavabva kwaunoenda husiku.Maintain good relationships with your elders and your roots, because...Ndakazvida haichemedzi.You cannot fairly complain about the consequences of a choice you...Ndezvehuru, doko dzinonyika miswe.Certain privileges belong to those with seniority or power; the...Nhamo yemombe kunyima mashanga iriyo yakarima gombo.It is real ingratitude when the one who did the hard work is the...Nhamo yomumwe hairambirwi sadza.Even while sympathising with someone else's misfortune, you should...Nyadzi dzinokunda rufu.Public humiliation can feel like a heavier burden to carry than...Nyamunatsi ndiye nyamutsigwa nebonda.Someone who does good by others tends to find support of their own...Nzanga seka dumba, dumba seka nzanga.Things that share the very same nature or flaw have no real grounds...Nzou mutupo pana vanhu paseri ava machikichori.A person's grandeur often only shows itself in company; alone, that...Pane danga pane mombe, pane hundi pagara hurudza.Wherever a group gathers, there is naturally someone among them who...Rombe pakata hana mukaka ndowavaridzi.A poor labourer may do the work, but the reward for it often goes to...Shanje dzinodya muridzi.Jealousy tends to harm the person who carries it more than the one...Tenda muchero ugowisa.Showing gratitude for what you have received tends to open the way...Tenda muchero wadya zvinogadza mwoyo.Expressing gratitude for what you have received brings a sense of...Tenda wakohwa zvemunda wezunde.A good harvest calls for gratitude in return for the blessing...Totenda dzanwa mombe dzaswera nebenzi.Even when things were left in imperfect hands, a good outcome is...Totenda maruva tadya chakata.A good season's harvest deserves to be met with gratitude.Totenda nyemba tanwira mvura.Even a simple meal is worth being genuinely thankful for.Totenda yabikwa imba yepwere.Food prepared and set aside for the children is something the family...Totenda yavira tsambakodzi yedemhe.Something that has finally come to its proper, finished state after...Umambo hutambidzwana.Positions of leadership are not held by one person forever; they...Umba hwehosi husina marevere.Someone of real seniority does not need to explain themselves; their...Usarume muromo wenzombe inopura zviyo.Do not withhold reward from someone who is doing productive work for...Ushe hauzvitongi.Leadership cannot function alone; it needs the counsel and...Ushe hukokwa, hunotokokwa kune vamwe.A position of leadership does not stay with one person forever; it...Ushe hunonyangira rema.A true leader looks after all of their people, including the weak...Ushe husiirwana.Leadership is handed down from one person to the next as part of an...Ushe idova hunoparara.Power and position do not last forever; they fade away much like...Ushe imhute hunoparara zuva rabuda.Authority can disappear as quickly as morning mist once conditions...Ushe madzoro hunoravanwa.In some traditions, leadership rotates between different families or...Ushe vuranda.True leadership is really a form of service to one's people, not...Vagere pachavo vangonyinda.Someone who stays isolated from others is left with no real power to...Vakadyara tsvina vachakohwa hundi muchamupupuri.Wrongdoing eventually catches up with the one who did it, often...Vataitururira matohwe nhasi ndivo votiseka maparapadzwa.Sometimes the very people we once helped are the ones who mock us...Waita womutorwa kuti kumwe kwakaoma kumwe kunyoro.Someone acting like they have no stake in a matter often ends up...Warara warara nemuromo wake.Trouble often comes about because of what a person themselves said...Watungamira haatori nzira.A true leader makes room for others to follow, rather than claiming...Ziso haribi chomunhu.Merely looking at or admiring what someone else has does not...Zongororo kugonya zvaro asi shungu rinadzo.Someone's quiet or passive appearance does not mean they lack...Zhundu kugara mudanga zvanzi ndava mombe.Staying long enough among a group can lead to being treated as one...
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