Malay, Chinese and English Proverbs That Share The Same Meanings

The Malays, Chinese and British differ greatly not only in their physical appearances but also cultures, religions, languages, and values. However coincidentally, they have some proverbs, idioms or sayings that contains the same or nearly the same meanings. This shows that they share some common values.Translating those sayings in other languages is a tedious task since the 3 races have very different histories, customs and environments.

Some of the examples

Kalau bertepuk sebelah tangan tidak akan berbunyi.
孤掌难鸣
It takes two to tango.

Berfikir sebelum berkata, berunding sebelum dibuat.
三思而后行.
Look before you leap.

Batu yang selalu bergolek dalam sungai itu tiada dihinggapi lumut。
滚石不生苔，转业不聚财
A rolling stone gathers no moss.

Berpahit-pahit dahulu supaya manis kemudian.
先苦后甜
He that will have egg must endure the cackle of hen.

Biar lambat asalkan selamat.
宁求稳，不后悔。
Better be safe than sorry.

Masuk kandang kambing mengembek, masuk kandang kerbau menguak。
入乡随俗
When in Rome, do as the Roman do,

Payah-payah dilamun ombak, tercapai juga tanah tepi
苦尽甘来
Every cloud has a silver lining.

Bagaimana acuan begitulah kuihnya
虎父无犬子
Like father like son.

Bumi mana tak ditimpa hujan
人非圣贤
To err is human.

Cakap sejengkal dibawa sehasta
To make a mountain out of a mole hill.

小题大作

Nasi sudah menjadi bubur.
米已成炊
Don't cry over spilled milk.

Di mana ada kemahuan, di situ ada jalan.
有志者事竟成
Where there is a will, there is a way.

Hutang darah dibayar darah, hutang nyawa, nyawa padahnya.
血债血还
Blood demands blood.

Jiwa bergantung di hujung rambut
一发千钧
To hang by a thread.

Air yang tenang jangan disangka tiada buaya
人不可貌相
Still water runs deep

Jangan difikir air pasang sahaja.
好景不长在
All good things must come to an end.

Diberi betis nak paha.
得寸进尺
Give (someone) an inch and they will take a mile.