Curious about the common Tagalog proverbs that Filipinos used as their “words of wisdom”? As with many other countries, proverbs passed down by our ancestors are deemed natural treasures, for they reflect a deep meaning that is usually about life, love, and passion.
Let’s find out more about the Tagalog language and proverbs in the context of Filipino society in today’s blog post!
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25+ Common Tagalog Proverbs And Their Meanings
Now, it’s time to explore Filipino wisdom with these Tagalog proverbs. They’re short sayings but full of deep meanings, showing how Filipino people see life and the world.
Below is a collection of common Filipino proverbs with literal translations and meanings.
| English | Tagalog | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| What comes from bubbles will disappear in bubbles. | Ang kita sa bula, sa bula rin mawawala. | This means that whatever you get easily will also disappear quickly. |
| A rolling stone gathers no moss. | Batong pagulong-gulong, di kakapitan ng lumot. | This means that a person who is not satisfied/committed to one place/thing cannot accumulate something. |
| If someone throws stones at you, throw back some bread. | Kung pukulin ka ng bato, tinapay ang iganti mo. | Pick what is good; throw what is bad. |
| If a stone from heaven hits you, don’t be angry. | Do not be offended by people’s criticisms because sometimes they are not directly given to you. | Do not be offended by people’s criticisms, because sometimes it is not directly given to you. |
| A person who does not remember where he came from will never reach his destination. | Always be humble and down to earth. You should be grateful to those people who help you and are there for you, no matter what and where you are today. | Always be humble and down to earth. You should be grateful to those people who help you and are there for you on what and where you are today. |
| Health is wealth. | Ang kalusugan ay kayamanan. | Being healthy is one of the most valuable treasures that a person has. So you should keep and protect your body to become healthy. |
| Life is like a wheel: Sometimes you’re up, and sometimes you’re down. | Ang buhay ay parang gulong: Minsang nasa ibabaw ka, minsang nasa ilalim ka. | In life, you will encounter good days and bad days. |
| He who does not love his mother tongue is worse than a smelly fish. | Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika, ay mahigit pa sa malansang isda. | This famous Tagalog saying came from the national hero of the Philippines, Dr. Jose Rizal. This means that you should value and give honor to your native language. |
| You cannot pull hair from the bald. | Wala kang masasabunot na buhok sa kalbo. | This simply means that you cannot give what you do not have. |
| Even a log soaked in water will burn if it is placed near a fire. | Kahoy mang babad sa tubig, kapag nadarang sa apoy sapilitang magdirikit | This Filipino proverb means any person can achieve anything when he/she is in the right condition. |
| Better late than never. | Huli man daw at magaling, naihahabol din. | Filipino culture has this ‘Filipino time,’ wherein Filipinos are sometimes late for an important event. This Filipino proverb explains the Filipino characteristic of being ‘tardy.’ |
| A sleeping shrimp is carried away by the current. | Ang tulog na hipon, tinatangay ng agos. | This Filipino proverb is the same as ‘Huli man daw at magaling, naihahabol din,’ but you should avoid being lazy instead of being tardy. |
| You can truly rely on an honest friend. | Ang matapat na kaibigan, tunay na maaasahan. | This means that a true friend is there not only in good times but also in bad times. |
| Anything heavy can be light if all works together. | Pulutin ang mabuti, ang masama ay iwaksi. | This Filipino proverb has the same meaning in literal translation. In short, imitate and duplicate what is good. |
| Nobody who spits upward does not spit on his face. | Walang lumura sa langit na di sa kanyang mukha nagbalik. | This Tagalog proverb suits an individual who likes to disrespect others. A person who disrespects others also disrespects himself/herself. |
| Too much talk but lacks action. | Maraming salita, kulang sa gawa. | This simply means you should practice what you preach. |
| No clay pot has a matching lid. | Walang palayok na walang kasukat na taklob. | This Tagalog proverb means that everybody has a perfect fit in a relationship that can match their personalities. |
| While there is life, there is hope. | Habang may buhay, may pag-asa. | In short, every day is a new beginning and a new hope to become a better person. |
| This means you should be wise in making decisions because sometimes you may lose important things in your life. | Ang mabigat ay gumagaan, kung pinagtutulungan | This term suits the Filipino trait called ‘Bayanihan‘ because Filipinos are known for being hospitable and generous. |
| In every forest, there is a snake. | Lahat ng gubat ay may ahas. | Simply put, do not trust anyone wherever you go. |
| Wanted the half, but the whole lost. | Naghangad ng kagitna, isang salop ang nawala. | This means that you should be wise in making decisions because sometimes you may lose important things in your life. |
| No crime is left unpunished. | Walang salang hindi pinagbabayaran. | In short, the crime that a person commits will be repaid later. |
| The pain of the little finger is pain for the whole body. | Ang sakit ng kalingkigan, sakit ng buong katawan. | This Tagalog proverb simply means that the world is connected. For instance, a little problem can affect and turn into a big problem. |
| A quiet person hides his anger. | This means that some quiet individuals may hide their feelings (nasa loob ang kulo). So we better watch out for what we are saying or doing in front of them because it is scarier to see them angry than noisy people. | This means that some quiet individuals may hide their feelings. So we better watch out for what we are saying or doing in front of them because it is scarier to see them angry than noisy people. |
| A desperate person will cling to a knife. | Ang taong nagigipit, sa patalim kumakapit. | This Filipino proverb is the version of the Western proverb ‘Desperate times call for desperate measures.’ |
| Be like a rice stalk; the more grains it bears, the lower it bows. | Ang palay ay parisan, habang nagkakalaman ay lalong nagpugpugay. | In short, you must be down to earth and humble if you achieve something. |
| What the tree is, so is its fruit. | Kung ano ang puno, siya rin ang bunga. | This means that a child’s characteristics reflect and are influenced by their parents. |
| Joke with a drunk person, but not with someone who has just woken up. | Biruin mo ang lasing wag lang ang bagong gising. | This common Tagalog proverb highlights the idea that people who have just woken up can be more irritable or sensitive than usual. |
So, do you want to learn more about Tagalog? Download the Ling app on the Play Store and the App Store now!
How Do You Say Proverb In Tagalog?
If you’re learning Tagalog, you should know that Filipino proverbs are commonly called ‘salawikain,’ and the Filipino biblical reference is kawikaan . It is also called ‘kasabihan’ or ‘Filipino sayings.’ Overall, Filipino proverbs are often used as expressions in different parts of the country and everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tagalog Proverbs
What Is A Famous Filipino Proverb?
One example of a famous Filipino proverb is ‘Pag may tiyaga, may nilaga’ (if there is perseverance, there is stew), which means you need to persevere to have something to eat. This saying reflects the Filipino’s way of life and characteristics: being hardworking.
What Is The Purpose Of Filipino Proverbs?
Tagalog proverbs (most commonly known as Filipino proverbs) represent the values of the Philippines. They are passed down from generation to generation. That’s why some of the characteristics and ways of thinking back in the past are still very much present now.
What Are Some Filipino Sayings During The Pre-colonial Era?
The precolonial era of the Philippines also holds important Filipino sayings. A famous precolonial era proverb goes like “Ang palay ay hindi sa ibabaw ng bato namumunga.” In English, the meaning of this sentence is that doing hard work with the right conditions will lead to success.
Tagalog Proverbs And Sayings On The Lives Of Filipinos
The old Filipino proverbs have influenced and inspired each Filipino to strive and live a better life. Aside from giving guidance and wisdom in doing their actions, those proverbs originating from different parts of the country also carried their Filipino culture and tradition. That culture has various opinions about must-have characteristics, wisdom, and other life lessons on what it takes to be successful in life. In short, Filipino proverbs serve as motivation and encouragement to Filipinos.
Moreover, some Filipino proverbs used in the national language are somewhat poetic Tagalog terms because they use expressions like euphoria. This is the reason why Filipino proverbs express Filipino values and traditions.
Learn More About Tagalog With Ling App
There’s more in Tagalog than understanding some Filipino proverbs mentioned above. If you want to keep in touch with the latest sayings, GenZ Tagalog slang may confuse you at first. But, you can explore the Tagalog language more using the Ling app.
The Ling app is an easy-to-use language learning application that can help you in your language proficiency and acquisition. You can learn your second language by playing interactive games like fun quizzes and flashcards to improve your vocabulary and speaking skills. It has 60+ different national languages and minority languages to choose from.
You can also read educational and informative blog posts related to your target language and reviews of popular language learning applications.
