Singapore Proverbs (32)

Traditional proverbs of Singapore in Khmer and English — each with its meaning and source.

Bagai aur dengan tebing.

“Like bamboo and its riverbank.”

Two parties who support and protect each other in a relationship of mutual benefit.

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Bagai pinang dibelah dua.

“Like an areca nut split into two.”

Two people or things that are strikingly similar or perfectly matched, such as a devoted couple.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Air tenang jangan disangka tiada buaya.

“Calm water, do not assume there is no crocodile.”

A quiet or humble appearance may conceal hidden depth, danger, or strength.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Ada gula, ada semut.

“Where there is sugar, there are ants.”

People are naturally drawn to wherever there is profit or opportunity.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Sedikit-sedikit, lama-lama jadi bukit.

“Little by little, over time it becomes a hill.”

Small, consistent efforts accumulate into something significant.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Bagai katak di bawah tempurung.

“Like a frog under a coconut shell.”

A person with a narrow, limited view of the world, unaware of what lies beyond their small experience.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing.

“Heavy loads carried together, light loads carried together.”

Sharing both hardship and ease together as a community or partnership.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Malu bertanya, sesat jalan.

“Too ashamed to ask, you lose your way.”

Refusing to ask for guidance out of embarrassment leads to mistakes.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Tak kenal maka tak cinta.

“Not knowing means not loving.”

Understanding or familiarity is necessary before genuine affection or appreciation can grow.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Bagai mencurah air ke daun keladi.

“Like pouring water onto a taro leaf.”

Advice or effort that has no effect on someone, since water simply rolls off a taro leaf.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah juga.

“However skilfully the squirrel leaps, eventually it falls to the ground.”

Even the most skilled or cunning person eventually makes a mistake.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Melentur buluh biarlah dari rebungnya.

“Bend the bamboo while it is still a shoot.”

Character and habits should be shaped while a person is still young.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Ke bukit sama didaki, ke lurah sama dituruni.

“Climb the hill together, descend the valley together.”

Facing both hardship and success together as one unit.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Air dicincang tidak akan putus.

“Water that is chopped will never be severed.”

Family bonds cannot truly be broken, however deep a quarrel runs.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Kalau tidak dipecahkan ruyung, manakan dapat sagunya.

“If the palm trunk is not split open, how can its sago be obtained.”

Reward comes only after effort and hardship; there is no gain without pain.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Bagai anjing dengan kucing.

“Like a dog and a cat.”

Two parties who are constantly quarrelling and cannot get along.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Hendak seribu daya, tak hendak seribu dalih.

“Willing, and a thousand ways appear; unwilling, and a thousand excuses appear.”

A determined person finds ways to succeed, while a reluctant one only finds reasons to avoid trying.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

Bulat air kerana pembetung, bulat manusia kerana muafakat.

“Water is made round by its channel, people are united through consensus.”

Agreement and consultation are what bind a community together.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malay proverb (peribahasa Melayu), shared heritage of Singapore's Malay community and the wider Malay-speaking region, public-domain oral tradition

吃得苦中苦，方为人上人

“Only by enduring the hardest hardship can a person rise above others.”

True success is earned only through the willingness to endure great difficulty.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Chinese proverb, widely used in Singapore's Chinese community, public-domain oral tradition shared with the broader Chinese-speaking world

一分耕耘，一分收获

“Every unit of effort put in yields a corresponding unit of reward.”

Reward is proportional to the effort a person invests; there are no shortcuts.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Chinese proverb, widely used in Singapore's Chinese community, public-domain oral tradition shared with the broader Chinese-speaking world

少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲

“Those who fail to work hard in their youth will grieve uselessly in old age.”

Wasted youth leads to regret later in life, so effort should not be delayed.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Chinese proverb, widely used in Singapore's Chinese community, public-domain oral tradition shared with the broader Chinese-speaking world

家和万事兴

“When a family lives in harmony, everything it undertakes will flourish.”

Household unity and peace are the foundation for prosperity in every other area of life.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Chinese proverb, widely used in Singapore's Chinese community, public-domain oral tradition shared with the broader Chinese-speaking world

有志者事竟成

“A person with strong determination will eventually accomplish their goal.”

Firm resolve, sustained over time, ultimately leads to success.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Chinese proverb, widely used in Singapore's Chinese community, public-domain oral tradition shared with the broader Chinese-speaking world

远亲不如近邻

“A relative who lives far away is less helpful in daily life than a neighbour close at hand.”

Everyday support often comes from nearby community rather than distant family ties.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Chinese proverb, widely used in Singapore's Chinese community, public-domain oral tradition shared with the broader Chinese-speaking world

滴水之恩，涌泉相报

“A drop of kindness received should be repaid as a gushing spring.”

Even a small kindness deserves to be remembered and repaid many times over.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Chinese proverb, widely used in Singapore's Chinese community, public-domain oral tradition shared with the broader Chinese-speaking world

病从口入，祸从口出

“Illness enters through careless eating, and trouble exits through careless speech.”

Both what one eats and what one says should be handled with care and restraint.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Traditional Chinese proverb, widely used in Singapore's Chinese community, public-domain oral tradition shared with the broader Chinese-speaking world

“Better kiasu than kiasi.”

It is wiser to be overly cautious about missing out (kiasu) than to be so afraid of failure (kiasi) that one never tries at all.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Singlish colloquial expression, contemporary Singapore vernacular, public-domain popular usage documented in Singlish dictionaries such as the Coxford Singlish Dictionary

“Don't play play.”

A warning to take a matter, person, or situation seriously rather than treat it carelessly.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Singlish colloquial expression, contemporary Singapore vernacular, public-domain popular usage documented in Singlish dictionaries such as the Coxford Singlish Dictionary

“Die die must try.”

No matter how difficult or risky something is, one must make the attempt.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Singlish colloquial expression, contemporary Singapore vernacular, public-domain popular usage documented in Singlish dictionaries such as the Coxford Singlish Dictionary

“No money no talk.”

Without money on the table, there is nothing meaningful to discuss or negotiate.

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Singlish colloquial expression, contemporary Singapore vernacular, public-domain popular usage documented in Singlish dictionaries such as the Coxford Singlish Dictionary

“Blur like sotong.”

Describes someone who is confused, clueless, or unaware of what is happening (sotong is Malay for squid).

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Singlish colloquial expression, contemporary Singapore vernacular, public-domain popular usage documented in Singlish dictionaries such as the Coxford Singlish Dictionary

“Catch no ball.”

To completely fail to understand what is being said or explained, from the Hokkien phrase "liak bo kiu".

Traditional Singapore Wisdom

Source: Singlish colloquial expression, contemporary Singapore vernacular, public-domain popular usage documented in Singlish dictionaries such as the Coxford Singlish Dictionary