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Proverbs

Proverb: Biaanu so (dua) a, ɛnmia.
Translation: If two people carry (wood), it does not weigh them down.

Postproverbial: Biaanu so (dua) a, biaanu a na atwa.
Translation: The log carried by two people was felled by two people.

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Proverb: Baabi aburopata wɔ no, ɛhɔ na akokɔ bɔ mprɛ korɔ.
Translation: Wherever the cornshed stands, there the chicken moves around.

Postproverbial: Baabi aburopata wɔ no, yɛ sɔ gya wɔ hɔ.
Translation: Wherever the cornshed stands, fire is kindled.

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Proverb: Aboa a ɔnni dua, Nyame na ɔpra ne ho.
Translation: The animal that has no tail, it is God who brushes its body.

Postproverbial: Aboa a ɔnni dua, ɔwɔ abasa.
Translation: The animal that has no tail has muscles.

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Proverb: Anoma nini antu a, ne yire ne ne mma buada.
Translation: If a male bird does not fly/stays at one place, its wife and children starve.

Postproverbial: Anoma nini antu a, ɛboɔ bɛbo no.
Translation: A bird that stays at one place invites stones.

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Proverb: Aban bɛgu a, ɛfiri yam.
Translation: If the state is going to be destroyed, it is from the inside (the stomach).

Postproverbial: Aban bɛgu a, kokoromoti na yɛde tu no.
Translation: A government is changed through the ballot box.

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Proverb: Mmaa dodoo kunu wu a, na ɛkɔm na aku no.
Translation: When a man with numerous wives dies, it is hunger that has killed him.

Postproverbial: Mmaa dodoo kunu wu a, yɛn sae ne buo.
Translation: When a man with numerous wives dies, we don’t destroy his [tomb]stone.

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Proverb: ɔbaa ne ne kunu asɛm, obi nnim mu.
Translation: [As for] a woman and her husband’s affairs, one does not know.

Postproverbial: ɔbaa ne ne kunu asɛm, osugyani nka bi.
Translation: [As for] a woman and her husband’s affairs, bachelors do not meddle.

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Proverb: ɔpanin fɛre ne ba, na ɔnsuro no.
Translation: An elder respects his child but does not fear the child.

Postproverbial: ɔpanin fɛre ne ba, na ɔdɔ no.
Translation: An elder respects his child then s/he loves the child.

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Proverb: Yɛde akyire gya wo a, ɛnka wo nko.
Translation: If we leave you as caretaker you are not regarded as being alone.

Postproverbial: Yɛde akyire gya wo a, hwɛ ne yie.
Translation: If we leave you as caretaker, be diligent.

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Proverb: Wo yire apem a, w’asem apem.
Translation: If you have a thousand wives, you have a thousand troubles.

Postproverbial: Wo yire apem a, wo busa apem.
Translation: If you have a thousand wives, you have a thousand questions to answer.

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Proverb: Deɛ anyɛ yie, yɛmfa nka asɛm.
Translation: When something does not turn out well, we don’t use it to talk about other things.

Postproverbial: Deɛ anyɛ yie, na saa na ɛbɛ yɛ.
Translation: When something does not/has not worked out well, there is no way to salvage failure.

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Proverb: Deɛ ɔso twene kɛseɛ nni biribi a, ɔwɔ awerɛkyekyerɛ.
Translation: If he who carries the big drum has nothing else, he has condolences.

Postproverbial: Deɛ ɔso twene kɛseɛ nni biribi a, ɔwɔ akokoɔduro.
Translation: He who carries the big drum is brave.

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Proverb: Abofra yɛ deɛ yenyɛ a, ɔhunu deɛ yɛnhunu.
Translation: If a child does what is not done, then he sees what should not be seen.

Postproverbial: Abofra yɛ deɛ yenyɛ a, yɛ de aba bɔ no.
Translation: If a child does what is not done, s/he is caned.

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Proverb: ɔbaa brefoɔ kɔ aware a, ɔde ade pa ba fie.
Translation: If a hardworking woman marries, she brings good things home.

Postproverbial: ɔbaa brefoɔ kɔ aware a, onya adepa.
Translation: If a hardworking woman marries, she gets good things/finds it profitable.

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Proverb: Adasamma ani kyiri sɛbeɛ, nso obiara wɔ bi gu ne yam.
Translation: Human beings hate the sight of excreta, but everyone has it in their stomach.

Postproverbial: Adasamma ani kyiri sɛbeɛ, deɛ ɔso ntakerakye.
Translation: Human beings hate the sight of excreta, those who wear a crown of feathers.

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Proverb: Aboa bi reka wo a, ɔfire wo ntoma mu.
Translation: The animal that is biting you is hiding in your cloth.

Postproverbial: Aboa a ɔbɛ ka wo a, ɔfii ne si kyerɛ wo.
Translation: The animal that will bite you bares its teeth at you.

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Proverb: Agoro bɛ sɔ a, [ɛfire anopa].
Translation: If a play is going to turn out well, it will be obvious from the morning.

Postproverbial: Agoro bɛ sɔ a, ɛfiri anadwo.
Translation: If a play is going to turn out well, it will be obvious at night.

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Proverb: W’adaka si aburokyire a, deɛ ɛwɔ mu nyinaa wonim.
Translation: If your possessions are abroad, you know what is yours (wherever it may be).

Postproverbial: W’adaka si aburokyire a, wonsa nka da.
Translation: If your possessions are abroad, you’ve lost them.

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