1	IDIOMS, PROVERBS AND ADAGES
2	Igbo language is rich in idioms. Idioms are like the source with which Igbo people eat expressions. Ilu bu mmanụ igbo ji eri okwu.
3	The mediocre brags in the absence of the grand masters. A small masquerade is powerful because a big masquerade is not around. Ọbere mmanwụ na-akpa ike maka na ijere anọghi nso.
4	Do not be a hypocrite. He who abhors dog meat should not elect to drink the soup. Onye si na ya anaghi ata anụ nkita, ya a hara kwana mmiri ọfe ya.
5	By the things people say are able to determine their motive. By the smell of fart you know the taste of the faeces. Eji isi arọ ama ụtọ nsii
6	Trouble is not infectious. It is contracted. The ocean never drowns a person with whose leg it does not come in contact. Oke oshimmiri anọkataghị rie onye ọbụna nke ọ na-ahụghị ahụ ụkwụ ya anya..
7	Those who routinely claim to thrive on great endeavours, often fail in minor but important tasks. The catfish swam the ocean and swam the sea, but drowned in a soup pot. Ogwuna gwuru mmiri ukwu, gwukwa mmirri nta, ma lagbuo n'ite ofe.
8	If you overlook the seemingly minor, it will in time overwhelm you. If you overlook a tiny pot, it will boil over and douse the fire. E nenie nwa ite, Ọ gbọnyụọ ọkụ.
9	Do not waste your effort over endeavours that are beyond your resources just to impress the crowd. The tortoise that gears up to besides a river that drowned an elephant; is it going to fly over this river or just jump over it? Mmiri riri enyi ka mbe hụrụ na-awa ọgọdọ; ọ ga-efe mmiri a efe ka ọ ga-awụ ya awụ?
10	The wise learns from the good examples as well as the follies of others. The advice given to a child with a mother serves as the basis for an orphan’s wisdom. Okwu agwara nwa nwere nne, ka nwa na-eweghị nne ji-mara ihe.
11	You know people’s intention by what they say You know the taste of faeces by the smell of fart. Eji isi arọ ama ụtọ nsi.
12	Children learn bad behaviour from their parents. When a goat is foraging on poison ivy, the kids watch her mouth. Nne ewu na-ata agbara, ụmụ ya a na-ele ya anya n‘ọnụ.
13	People expend resources based on a scale of preference. He who is hungry does not feed a deity. Onye na-erijughị afọ a naghị enye alụsị.
14	Something is wrong with a person that failed the obvious The grasshopper scooped away by a hornbill is hard of hearing. Ụkpana okpoko buru nti chiri ya.
15	Not everyone is willing to pay the price for becoming wealthy. If you tell a poor person what it takes to be rich, he chooses his status. Agwa ụbịam ihe eji aba ọgaranya, ọ si ka ya bụrụ ọgbenye ya bụ.
16	Mediocre flourish in the absence of intelligent and more qualified people. One eyed man is king in the land of the blind. Onye otu anya na abụ eze n'ala ndi isi.
17	Curiosity kills the cat. For a closer look; the monkey got bullet shot in it’s head. Ka ahụ na anya ka mgbọ ji atụa enwe n'isi
18	Not even the counsellor is infallible. Speaking of the priest(medicine man) that treats cholera ; did he place his butt (portal of infection) up out of reach? Dibia na-agwọ otoro, ọ debere ike ya n'elu?
19	He who has ear should hear. He who has hear should hear. Ọnye nwere nti ya nụrụ
20	The wise uses counsel wisely but the foolish abuse it. If know how to pound do it in the mortar, if you don’t know then pound on the floor. Ị mara asụ sụọ n'odo. Ị maghị asụ sụọ n'ala.
21	If you hint the wise they make use of it, but the fool will use it foolishly If you hint the wise they make use of it, but the fool will use it foolishly. A tụọrọ ọ mara, ọ mara. Ma a tụọrọ ọfeke, ọ fenye isi n’ọfia.
22	The aggressor does always not win. Chicken chasers will fall but the chicken always gets away. Ọchụ ọkụkọ nwe ada. Nwa ọkụkọ nwe nwanwa ọsọ.
23	Some things you despise will continue to be indispensable whether you like it or not. After polluting the Nwangene river, people end up drinking from it. Agbarụcha nwangene, e kuru ngene ńụa.
24	A stitch in time saves nine. When you are fast, you are more likely to avoid problem. E mee ngwa ngwa, emeghara ọdachi.
25	The wise operate within their limits. The bat recognizes that it is ugly, hence is it chooses to be nocturnal. Ụsụ ma ka ọ jọrọ wee jiri uchichi aga
26	It doesn’t matter the means, we all end up the same. The runner and the walker will end the same point. Ebe onye ọsọ ruru ka onye ije ga-eru.
27	You do not have to struggle for every thing; nature does take its due course. After growing to puberty the damsel waits for her peers. Agbọghọbia tochaa ọ chere ibe ya.
28	Do your part and leave the rest to fate or God Let us keep offering sacrifice thereby passing the blame to the gods (spirits). Ka ayi na-achụ aja ka ikpe na-ama ndi mụọ.
29	Give honour to whom it is due. A big yam tuber is beyond roasting in fire. Mbaji na akari ịhụ n’ọkụ.
30	Good conscience is a powerful weapon of war . Those that strive to have it will ultimately prevail. He that is armed with good conscience will arrive home. O ji ọfọ ga-ala
31	A man’s gifts make room for him. The Lion’s glory serves as a shield. Ebube agụ n’eche agu.
32	Through nature, God helps the helpless. For the cattle that has no tail, her god (guardian angel) wards off the flies. Ehi enweghị ọdụ chi ya na achụrụ ya ijiji.
33	Comparative advantage is for a moment. Ultimately it may not count The bird that flies from the ground and perches on an anthill is still on the ground. Nnụnụ si n‘ala bee n'ikwube ka nọkwa n'ana.
34	People are drawn to their source of satisfaction. Where a child gets his mouth oily, that's where he hangs out. Ebe nwatakịrị na-ebuta ọnụ mmanụ ka ọ na apụ ọrịrị.
35	Those who loudly demand to be heard in a friendly gathering have been bingeing on other people's booze. Those who loudly demand to be heard in a friendly gathering have been bingeing on other people's booze. "IGBO KWENỤ" bụ na mmanya onye ọzọ.
36	The arrogant will fails to give credit to whom it is due. An old woman who has a permanent live-in helper says her lineage does not grow old. Agadi nwaanyị nwere onye na-elekote ya anya sị na agbụrụ ya adghị aka nka.
37	Even the bravest of men would rather avoid unnecessary pain or stress. Orkiri the bird says it seeks death (not bothered by death) but not from a sling shot (catapult shot). Ọkịrị si na ya na-achọ ọnwụ, mana ọ bụghị nke katapọọt.
38	It pays to put all cards on the table. A deferred discourse prolongs the problem. A subject that can not be freely discussed will not have q quick closure. Okwu a na-asọ anya anaghị ebi gboo.
39	Every one strives to maintain his/her estate. Everyone blocks the breach in his own fence. Ebe onye bi ka ọ na awachi
40	Everyone is king or queen of his or her castle. When one is at home, he/she hollers. Onye nọrọ be ya, ọ na-aba
41	You do not depend on others to fix your problem. The tortoise says that the luggage belongs to him that is why he caries it on his back. Mbe si na ibu bụ nke ya, ya mere o ji kwọrọ ya na-azụ
42	Let us do the correct thing; there are those who will understand. Acknowledge the deaf; if the heavens don't hear, the earth will hear. Ka anyi kele onye nti chiri, ma elu anụghi, ala ga anụ.
43	Key figure must be present for an important function. If the vulture fails so show up at the place of sacrifice, you know that something is wrong in the land of the spirits. Achuọ aja, udele abịaghị, i mara na ihe mere bee ndi mmuọ
44	You still have to study acquired books to gain knowledge. Preparing cocoyam for planting does not mean that they are already planted. Mmecha ede abụghị ọkụkọ ya
45	Any one who is well trained in a skill will stand the test of time. A mature eagle never fades. Ugo chara acha adịghị echu echu.
46	Life’s goals are achieved by a slow and steady persistent effort. By slow and steady pace you climb a hill. Nwanyọ nwanyọ k'eji ari ugwu.
47	People loose respect when they fail to live up to what is expected of them. If a snake fails to live up to it’s attributes, children will play with it. Agwọ emeghị ihe o ji bụrụ agwọ ụmụ aka ewere ya gwurie egwu.
48	The young abuse freedom of speech because the elderly exercise restraint. When a child utters abomination, he thinks he has outspoken the elderly. Nwata kwuwa ọnụ ọ si na ya agwagbụe okenye na okwu.
49	Do not take more than what is permissible of your neighbours belonging. It is okay to help ones self with a few palm nuts, but when you go gathering with a basket, it becomes stealing. A kpara akwụ kpara akwụ, Ewere nkata jee, ọ bụrụ oshi.
50	Prudence is rewarding. There is no strength in being wasteful. Ejighi ntufu afụ ike.
51	It takes an insider unveil hidden secrets. It is the domestic rat that showed the wild rat where to find the hamper. Ọbụ ọke ụlọ gosiri ọke ọkwe ebe ngiga di.
52	Live and let live. The kite and the eagle should share the roost. Which ever that attempts to deprive the other should loose its feathers. Egbe bere ugo bere, nke si ibe ya ebena nku kwa ya.
53	Every one will bear the responsibilities of his/ her actions. Who ever fetches ant infested fire wood will the lizard as a guest (hanging out). Onye kpata nkụ arụrụ ngwere apụkwụ te ya ọrịrị.
54	Wisdom is fundamental for intelligent people. If someone has to explain a proverb to you, the dowry paid on your mother was a waste. Nwatakịrị a tụrọ ilu, ma kọwakwara ya, ego e ji wee lụo nne ya lara n'iyi
55	Figure it out your self. Use your tongue to count your teeth. Were ire gi gụọ eze gi ọnụ.
56	No man is an island. When one finger touches palm oil it contacts the mouth of every one. Otu nkpụrụ aka rụta mmanụ o zue ọha ọnụ.
57	Hard work precedes merriment. Soiled hands bring forth, oily mouth. Aka aja aja n'ebute ọnụ mmanụ mmanụ.
58	The wasteful will never get wealthy. No one gets wealthy by throwing away what which they have acquired. E jighi akpata atufuo aba ụba
59	Opportunity comes to some people that do not know how to use it. Bread fruit falls for those that do not know how to process it. Ụkwa n’adara ndi amaghị asa.
60	A labourer is worthy of his pay. The trumpeter occasionally wipes his mouth Ogbu opi na eficha ọnụ.
61	An innocent person may pay for the sins of another. The dog licks faeces, but the teeth of the goat gets rotten. Nkita rachasia nsi, eze ere ewu.
62	An unchecked problem grows to become a nuisance. If you ignore faeces it smells. Agba nsị nkịtị ọ n’esi usi.
63	An innocent person may pay for the sins of another The anus that farted is left alone but the head receives the knock.(beating). Ahapụ otele nyụrụ ahụ, avụọ isi ọkpọ
64	Every one would occasionally feel they are being treated unjustly. Udara friut said she is only one whose children get there lips squeezed. Ụdara si na ọ bụ sọsọ ya mụtara nwa ana apiwa ọnụ
65	Salutation is not love Laughter does not translate to a good relationship Ọchị abụghị ụtọ
66	Given the right opportunity, every one will likely excel. The monkey's dexterity in jumping from tree to tree is because the tree is close by. Enwe ma ka eji amagharị n'ọhịa bụ na osisi dị ya nso.
67	Experience the best teacher. An old woman is never too old to perform her favorite dance step. Agadi nwanyị anaghị akaru nka na egwu ọ mara agba.
68	Surprises make and break the brave. Surprise make and break the brave Mberede nyịrị dike, mberede ka eji ama dike
69	What ever will be will be. After flying the termite will fall to be eaten by the toad. Akụ fecha ọ dara awọ.
70	Birds of the same feather flock together. A woman that prepares soup with ogiri (fowl smelling spice) is familiar with house fly. Nwanyị na ete ofe ogiri mara ijiji anya mbịa.
71	One good turn deserves another. If the right hand scrubs the left, the left hand will in turn scrub the right Akanri kwọ aka ekpe , aka ekpe akwọ aka nri.
72	Taylor your strategy to the challenge. When the hill learns to cause waist pain the old lady learns to rest intermittently. Ugwu mụta mgbaji ukwu, Agadi nwanyị amụta agakata ezue ike.
73	A sheep that is eager to grow horn should ask the ran how its neck feels A sheep that is eager to grow horn should ask the ran how its neck feels Atụrụ na-achọ ipu mpi jee jụa ebune ka ekwo dị ya.
74	Nothing satisfies like the real thing. No one swallows phlegm to appease the pangs of hunger. Anaghị eji na agụụ na-agụ elo ụkwara.
75	Occasionally some individuals get more than a fare share of misfortune. Where as not every one has an equal share of sickness those with scrotal hernia are also getting bloated. A na-ekwu na ọrịa ezughị oke, ndị dara ibi ana etokwu afọ.
76	By their fruits you shall know them. You know a fully ripe corn cub by the looks. A na-eji anya ama ọka chara acha.
77	Understanding of wisdom and discretion comes with age not just to the swift and strong. What the elderly sees while seating may not be seen by a child though he climbs to heights. Ihe okenye nọ n'ala were hụ, nwata rigoro n’elu, ọ gaghị ahụ ya.
78	Travelling and networking affords you more learning opportunity than simply living long. The traveller has more knowledge than the gray haired. Onye nje nje ka onye isi awọ mara ihe.
79	The unimaginable will happen. The unimaginable will happen. Ebenebe ga-egbu
80	Give respect to whom it is due irrespective of size or stature. Round and round you go the pepper plant you don't climb it. okirikiri ka na gba ukwu ose. Adịghị arị ya elu.
81	Unusual actions attract un usual consequences. Those that go out to defecate at night see the ghosts’ grasshoppers. Ndi na-eje mposi abalị na-ahụ ụkpana ndị mmụọ.
82	The rot on a system is always within. The pest that consumes the egg plant is within. Ihe na ata ańara dị n’ime ańara.
83	The cash cow always belongs to some one other than ones self. One more slice, and yet another helping . All comes from the cow. Beta anụ, beta anụ bụ kwa nụ n'arụ efi.
84	People always flock around high profile hoping to get a slice of the beef. The dog said “the reason why I trail the fat bellied is because they are sure to either pass some faeces or vomit”. Nkịta sị na ihe o ji eso onye afọ ukwu bụ na ọ nyụghị anyụ, ọ gbọọ agbọọ.
85	A calamity that brings down a great man will annihilate a pauper. A calamity that brings down a great man will annihilate a pauper. Ọnwu gburu dike nweta ọfeke, ọ dọgbue ya adọgbu.
86	You can only deprive people of there right for so long. Whoever take a child’s belonging and lifts his arm high will eventually lower his arm out of tiredness. Onye ji ihe nwata wegoro aka elu, ike gwụ ya, ọ wetue aka ahụ.
87	People cast off restraint after much persevering. You can only forebear a king for so long before you speak out. How be it with a basket covering your head. A gbakata Eze nkịtị, ekpudo nkata n'isi gwa ya okwu.
88	Action and reaction are equal and opposite. When an animal runs badly, it gets a bad gun shot as well. Anụ gbaa ajọ ọsọ, agba ya ajọ egbe.
89	Those that are doomed for destruction would not heed any warning. The calamity that ultimately kills a dog would prevent it from perceiving the smell of feces. Ọnwụ n’egbu nwankịta anaghị ekweya anụ isi nsị.
90	Those that do not heed counsel are bound to have an unhappy ending. The fly that has no counsellor would end up in the grave with the corps. Ijiji enweghị onye ndụmọdụ na eso ozu aba n’ili.
91	Those that do not heed counsel are bound to have an unhappy ending. If the ear refuses to heed warning, when the head is cut off the ear goes with it. A n'agwa ntị ma ntị anụghi, egburu isi ntị esoro
92	Communal effort has a multiplier effect. When people urinate on the same spot it foams. A nyụkọ mamiri ọnụ, ọ gba ọfụfụ.
93	What ever you do, some body is watching. The chicken that walks crooked is seen by a crooked eye. Ọkụkọ n'aga wara wara, anya n'aga wara n'ahụ ya.
94	Don't casual make threats in public. Lest you be held responsible for another man’s action. The Tortoise said “if war breaks out I will trample the pregnant woman to death”. When war broke out, the people with legs crushed the pregnant woman but the Tortoise was arrested. Mbe si na agha daa ọ zọgbuọ nwanyi di ime. Agha daa ndi nwere ụkwụ azọgbuo nwanyi dị ime, ma kpụrụ mbe.
95	You can not eat your cake and have it. A child that is consuming akara (Bean cake) is consuming his money. Nwata na-ata akara na ata ego ya.
96	There is a time for every thing. Do not jump the gun. If a child tries to tie wrapper before maturity the wind will blow him away along with the wrapper. Nwata etoghị eto wara ọgọdọ, ikuku eburu ya buru ọgọdọ.
97	Each day will offer brand new opportunities. If an animal escapes the hunter today, tomorrow is yet another day to hunt. Anuụ gbala taa, echi bụ nta.
98	Those that often boast of great accomplishments often get humbled by menial tasks. The crab said “I swam in great and mighty bodies of water but got my eyes boiled off in an old lady’s pot.” Nshịkọ si na ya gwuru iyi ukwu gwukwa iyi nta, ma ite agadi nwanyị sụkpọrọ ya anya.
99	Some complex problems have simple solution. What was being looked for in the upper shelf was found in the lower shelve. Ihe ana achọ na uko elu ka ahụrụ na uko ala.
100	There is a ripe time for every thing. When the breadfruits gets to its ripe season it will fall. Ụkwa ruo ọge ya ọ daa.
101	Undesirable experiences are integral to life. The weevil in the fish is fish Nje dị na azụ bụ azụ.
102	A drunk fowl has not met a mad fox. A drunken fowl has not met a mad fox. Ọkụkọ mmanya na-egbu ezubeghị mmanwụlụ ara na-ayi.
103	If an egg cracks a kernel, the stone is put to shame. If an egg cracks a kernel, the stone is put to shame. Akwa ọkụkọ tie akị, ihere emee mkpume.