Goan Proverbs & Sayings

Proverb

Soth sanglear, duk lagta

Literal translation:

When truth is told, we feel sad.

Goan Proverbs & Sayings

Proverb

Kam zalem, voiz melo,

Lit. translation

Work done, doctor died.

Application:

To be ungrateful to some who does one a favour, or helps during a problem or hardship.

Goan Proverbs & Sayings

Konkani Proverb

Tuji saulli tuji patt kednach sodinam.

Literal Translation

Your shadow never leaves you.

Application

This saying is implied when one one wants to express a situation where one cannot escape from the actual truth or harsh realilty.

Goan Proverbs & Sayings

Proverb:

Bithorlo bedi, bhailo chor.

Lit. translation:

Informer from the inside, thief from the outside.

Application:

This proverb describes an insider (a person in a group) who abets with an outsider in committing a crime or robbery, or leaks out secrets.

Goan Proverbs & Sayings

Proverb:

Rup anjeachem, kortub devcharachem.

Lit. translation:

Image of an angel, deeds of a devil.

Application:

This proverb describes a hypocrite or a pretender very well. Someone with a smiling countenance, but with evil intentions.

Goan Proverbs & Sayings

Goan Proverbs & Sayings

'Voilem paan khuim khailea paanank hansta'

Literal trans: The top leaf, it seems, is laughing at the down leaf.'

Meaning, relevance and application: This has a very good meaning in the real world, and in the real sense. The top leaf of a tree or plant is young and upright. The lower leaf on the same tree is older and appear slumped. If the top leaf starts laughing at the disposition of the lower leaf today, little does it realize that it will meet with the same fate when its own turn comes as the tree grows in height and when age begins to take its toll, as the top leaf will one day become a down leaf itself. Also both the top leaf and the down leaf need the tree to survive. If the tree dies, the leaves will die. The same thing can be applied to the pride and disposition of humans in treating their subordinates or the less fortunate. 

Goan Proverbs & Sayings

Aiz maka, faleam tuka.

Common captioned lettering over the entrances of the cemetery chapels in Goa.

Lit. Trans.: Today for me, tomorrow for you.

Meaning: Should death be for me today, then it could be for you tomorrow. We are all mortal human beings. We cannot escape death.

Goan Proverbs & Sayings

Vaddlelem nakam, sandlelem zaem.

Lit. Trans.: Sometimes we don't eat what is served fresh, but on the contrary we settle for the stale or left-over food.

Meaning: Never satisfied with what we have.