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Different cultures have different idioms and proverbs to express their ideas and opinions, and some phrases (or a variation of them) are used across various cultures. Afghans use proverbs, idioms and poetry on a daily basis as part of their everyday conversations, which highlights their rich culture.
As my native language is Dari (one of Afghanistan’s official languages), I have looked at a few idioms and proverbs and their equivalents in English.
Interestingly, there are some idioms that use the same wording, mean the same thing, and are used in similar circumstances. Although these two cultures are so different, you can still find similarities between them.
English idiom: “The pot calling the kettle black”
Dari equivalent: “dig ba dig megoyad royat siah”
Literal translation: “pot to pot says your face is black”
English idiom: “Better late than never”
Dari equivalent: “der rasidan behtar az narasidan ast”
Literal translation: “late arriving better than not arriving”
English idiom: “The wolf in sheep’s clothing”
Dari equivalent: “gurgi dar lebas mesh”
Literal translation: “wolf in cloth ewe”
English idiom: “Laughter is the salt of life”
Dari equivalent: “khanda namak zindagist”
Literal translation: “Laughter is the salt of life”
English idiom: “The walls have ears”
Dari equivalent: “Deywaar moosh darad, moosh gosh darad”
Literal translation: “The wall has a mouse, the mouse has ears”
In Dari we also have idioms that are widely used but there aren’t any equivalents in English:
Dari idiom: “Barg-e sabz tohfa-ye darweysh”
Literal translation: “a green leaf is a poor man’s gift”
English meaning: Said humbly when giving a small gift to someone to show you care, although it has little monetary value
Dari idiom: “Doshman-e daanaa beh-tar az dost-e naadaan”
Literal translation: “a wise enemy is better than a foolish friend”
English meaning: “a wise enemy is better than a foolish friend”
Dari idiom: “Har chi begandad namaksh mezana, wai ba hale ke begandad namak”
Literal translation: “when something is rotten they put salt on it, but what if the salt itself is rotten”
English meaning: used in situations when the person in charge is fraudulent
Dari idiom: “Khoda ke medehad namegoyad bache ki asti”
Literal translation: “when God blesses, he doesn’t ask whose son are you”
English meaning: God bestows blessings without a person’s rank or status
Finally, there are idioms and proverbs widely spoken in both languages, but the wording differs, although it conveys the same meaning:
Dari idiom: “Ajala kaar shaitan ast”
Literal translation: “haste is the work of devil”
English equivalent: “haste makes waste”
Dari idiom: “Doh tarbuz ba yek dast gerefta na-mey-shawad”
Literal translation: “you can’t hold two watermelons in one hand”
English equivalent: “don’t bite off more than you can chew”
Dari idiom: “Qatra qatra darya mesha”
Literal translation: “drop by drop river becomes”
English equivalent: “from little acorns mighty oak trees grow”
Dari idiom: “Eisa be den khod, musa ba den khod”
Literal translation: “Jesus to his religion, and Moses to his”
English equivalent: “each to his own”
