Urdu to English Proverbs

Proverbs: 1) A not to the wise and arod to the otherwise. Latoon k bhoot baton say nai mantay. (Urdu meaning) 2) A sinful man going to the bath in the Ganges. 100 chohay kah kar billi hajj ko chali. (Urdu meaning) 3) A bad penny always comes back. Khota sika kisi ko kabool nai. (Urdu meaning) 4) Business is business. Soda phir soda hai. (Urdu meaning) 5) Distance lends charm to the view. Dour k dhol suhanay. (Urdu meaning) 6) A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. No naqad na tera udhar/jitni chadar utnay pawo phelo. (Urdu meaning) 7) All the roads read to Rome. Jithay di khooti uthay aan koloti/ponchi waha par khak jaha ka khamer ta. (Urdu meaning) 8) Beggars can’t be choosers. Mangany walay ko intikhab ka haq nai. (Urdu meaning) 9) Better an egg today than a hen tomorrow.

Aaj ka saag kal k murgh say acha hai. (Urdu meaning) 10) Better low than be broken. Jook jana tootnay say bheter hai. (Urdu meaning) 11) A blood will have blood. Khoon ka badla khoon. (Urdu meaning) 12) Borrowed garments never fit well. Parai charpai rass nai atti. (Urdu meaning) 13) Do well and have well. Kar bala so ho bala. (Urdu meaning) 14) Dry bread at home id better than roast meat abroad. Ghar ki roki soki pardes k murgh say bheter hai. (Urdu meaning) 15) Forbidden fruits are sweet. Chori ke cheez badi mazydar hoti hai. (Urdu meaning) 16) When the old cock crows the young cocks follow. Badoo ki adatain choto ko padti hai. (Urdu meaning) 17) Is takes two a make a quarrel. Tali dono hatoon say bajti hai. (Urdu meaning) 18) The murder will be out. Qatal chup nai sakta. (Urdu meaning)

19) To build castles in the air. Khayali pulao pakana. (Urdu meaning) 20) Money makes the mare go. Daam banaye kaam/paisay say har kam hota hai. (Urdu meaning) 21) A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend. Bewaqoof dost say aqalmand dushman acha hai. (Urdu meaning) 22) The tree is known by its fruit. Darakht apnay phall say pechana jata hai. (Urdu meaning) 23) It’s hard to live in Rome and fight with the pope. Dariya mai rehna or magar mach say dushmni. (Urdu meaning) 24) It’s easier to build a new home than to patch an old one. Itnay ka yeh hai nai jitnay es par muramat k liye darkar hai. (Urdu meaning) 25) Between two stools you fall to the ground. Do gharoo ka mehman bhooka. (Urdu meaning) 26) A rolling stone gathers no moss. Dobhi ka kutta na ghar ka na ghat ka. (Urdu meaning) 27) Even walls have ears. Dewaroon k bhe kaan hotay hai. (Urdu meaning)

28) Look before you leap. Khoodnay say phelay dheko. (Urdu meaning) 29) If I lose my honour I lose myself. Deen say gaya duniya say gaya. (Urdu meaning) 30) A drowning man catches at a straw. Doobtay ko tinkay ka sahara. (Urdu meaning) 31) Much cry, little wool. Raat bhar rotay rahay marra koi nai. (Urdu meaning) 32) A sweet tongue is a good weapon. Zuban sheeren mulk ghreen. (Urdu meaning) 33) Half a loaf is better than none. Puri na sahi adhi sahi. (Urdu meaning) 34) Hard work always pays. Mehnat he sub say badi dolat hai. (Urdu meaning) 35) Idleness is the root cause of all ills. Susti sub bemariyo ki jar hai. (Urdu meaning) 36) As you sow, so shall you reap. Jaisi karni waisi bharni. (Urdu meaning) 37)

An open door will tempt even a saint. Sharab muft ki ho to qazi ko b halal. (Urdu meaning) 38) First come, first served. Phelay aye phelay paiye. (Urdu meaning) 39) If you play with a fool at home. Mou lagaya sir chada. Free kia kar dia sir pay he chad gaya. (Urdu meaning) 40) Death defiles the doctor. Mot ka koi ilaj nai. (Urdu meaning) 41) Death keeps no calendar. Mot ka koi aitabar nai/mot ka koi fix waqat nai. (Urdu meaning) 42) The cheaper buyer gets bad meat. Sasta rohay bar bar menga roye ek bar. (Urdu meaning) 43) Fair exchange is no robbery. Jab miain biwi razi tu kia karay ga qazi. (Urdu meaning) 44) Beauty needs no ornament. Husan aarish ka motaj nai. (Urdu meaning) 45) What the eye sees not. Na rahay ga bans na bajay gi bansuri. (Urdu meaning) 46) The heart rues not.

Na kutta dekay na kutta bhonkay. (Urdu meaning) 47) Cast one’s bread upon the waters. Neki kar dariya mai dhal. (Urdu meaning) 48) A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Neem hakeem khatra e jaan. (Urdu meaning) 49) Virtue survives the great. Neki karnay k bad zinda rehti hai. (Urdu meaning) 50) Nothing venture nothing have. Agar admi karna chahay tu sub kuch kar sakta hai. (Urdu meaning) 51) Honey is not for the ass’ mouth. Bandar si shakal or khawab shezadi say shadi karnay k. (Urdu meaning) 52) She is a matcher. Wo rishatay karwanay wali hai. (Urdu meaning) 53) A guilty conscience needs no accuser. Choor ki dhari mai tinka. (Urdu meaning) 54) Make hay while the sun shines. Chaltay pani mai hath dhoo lo. (Urdu meaning) 55) An idle brain is a devil’s workshop.

Bekar dimag shaitan ka ghar. (Urdu meaning) 56) Something is better than nothing. Bhagtay chor ki langoti he sahi. (Urdu meaning) 57) Errors and omissions exempted. Bhol chok lain dain. (Urdu meaning) 58) Casting pearls before swine. Bains k agay bheen bajan. (Urdu meaning) 59) Prevention is better than cure. Pheriz ilaj say bheter hai. (Urdu meaning) 60) Lost reputation is seldom regained. Gai izat wapis nai aati. (Urdu meaning) 61) If you are good, there’s nothing wrong with the world. Aap bhalay jaag bhala. (Urdu meaning) 62) Honesty is the best policy. Imandari sab say achi bat hai. (Urdu meaning) 63) Handsome is that handsome does. Khoobsurat wo jo khoobsurat kam kary. (Urdu meaning) 64) Self-done is well done. Aap kaj maha kaj. (Urdu meaning)

65) Take what comes your way, purse not that goes the other way. Jo ata hai usay choriye mat or jo jata hai usay rokiye mat. (Urdu meaning) 66) Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today. Aaj ka kam kal par mat choro. (Urdu meaning) 67) Take care of the parents and tomorrow will take care of itself. Aaj ki aaj k sat or kal ki kal k sat. (Urdu meaning) 68) The dead are forgotten soon. Aaj maray kal dosra din. (Urdu meaning) 69) A man is known by the company he keeps. Insan apni sobat say phechana jata hai. (Urdu meaning) 70) It’s no use crying over spilt milk. Ab pachtaiye kia howay jab chidiya chuk gai kait. (Urdu meaning) 71) Truth is even green. Sanch ko aanch nai/such ka bol bala. (Urdu meaning) 72) Truth is bitter. Such karwa lagta hai. (Urdu meaning) 73) I ask for a fork and you bring a rake. Mai mangta kuch or hon tum latay kuch or ho. (Urdu meaning)

74) It is never too late to mend. Subha ka bhoola agar sham ko ghar aye tu usay bhoola nai khetay. (Urdu meaning) 75) A friend is need is a friend indeed. Dost wohi jo musibat mai kam aye. (Urdu meaning) 76) Nothing is stable in the world. Duniya fani hai. (Urdu meaning) 77) One might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb. Ek qatal ki saza b pansi or 100 qatal ki b pansi hai. (Urdu meaning) 78) A word spoken is like an arrow let fly. Bat kahi purani howi. (Urdu meaning) 79) Great braggers little doers. Kaam kum batain ziyada. (Urdu meaning) 80) A bad name is worse than a bad deed. Bad acha badnam bura. (Urdu meaning) 81) Better alone than in a bad company. Buri sobat say insan akela he bheter hai. (Urdu meaning) 82) Pride hath a fall. Gharoor ka sir necha. (Urdu meaning) 83)

A wolf is sheep’s clothing. Bhagal mai chakoo mou mai allah allah. (Urdu meaning) 84) A pitcher than goes to the wall must break at last. Chor akhir kab tak chupay ga. (Urdu meaning) 85) A closed mouth catches on fly. Bin rohay maa b dhood nai deti. (Urdu meaning) 86) It is good sometimes to hold the candle to the devil. Zarorat k waqat gaday ko b bap banana padta hai. (Urdu meaning) 87) Little drops are heavy. Katray katray say dariya banta hai. (Urdu meaning) 88) Too much familiarity breads contempt’ OR .A constant guest is never welcome. Kadar ko deta hia roz roz ka ana jana. (Urdu meaning) 89) To owe is woe. Qarz buri bala hai. (Urdu meaning) 90) Practice makes a man perfect. Kam ko kam sikata hai. (Urdu meaning) 91) Small in work, great in dispute Kartoot koi nai or larnay ko tayar rehtay ho. (Urdu meaning) 92) Evil pursuits bring evil repute.

Koyalay ki dalali mai mou kala. (Urdu meaning) 93) If you can’t bite then never show your teeth. Agar tum kuch kar nai saktya to badi batain b na karo. (Urdu meaning) 94) A mountain in labour and a mouse be result. Khoda pahar nikla chooha. (Urdu meaning) 95) Fine words butter no parsnips. Ghur khenay say mou mehta nai ho jata. (Urdu meaning) 96) To swallow a camel and to strain at a goat. Masjid mai bhetna lakinn namaz say pehraiz. (Urdu meaning) 97) Crooked by nature is never made straight by education. Latoon kay bhoot baton say nai mantay. (Urdu meaning) 98) The butcher looked for his knife when he had it in his mouth. Bacha bhagal mai dandora sher mai. (Urdu meaning) 99) An uninvited guest is seldom welcome. Man na man mai tera mehman. (Urdu meaning) 100) The more the sweat the more the reward. Jitna ghur dalo gay uthna metha ho ga. (Urdu meaning) 101)

The more the sweat the more the reward.

Jitna ghur dalo gay uthna metha ho ga. (Urdu meaning) 102) As many mouths so many opinions. Jitnay mou utni batain. (Urdu meaning) 103) Who has God has all. Khuda jisay mil jaye usay kisi cheez ki zarorat nai. (Urdu meaning) 104) Catch the flying shadow and lose the substance. Sari hasil karnay k chakar mai insan adhi B kho deta hai. (Urdu meaning) 105) Out of the frying pan into the fire. Asman say gira kajoor mai atka. (Urdu meaning) 106) Money for money and interest besides. Aam k aam ghutliyo k dham. (Urdu meaning) 107) It’s useless to lock the stable door after the horse is stolen. Ghora chori honay k bad darwaza band karna fazool hai. / Aag lagnay par konwa khodna bekar hai. / ab pachtaye kia howay jab chiriya chuk gai kait. (Urdu meaning) 108) I would have the fruits not the basket. Aam kanay say matlab ya phair ginnay say. (Urdu meaning) 109) Blood is thicker than water. Apna apna ghair ghair. (Urdu meaning) 110) Everyone praises his children.

Apni olad ko koi jhootan nai kheta. (Urdu meaning) 111) Say a good word for the others. Doosron kay liye alfaz khair k nikalo. (Urdu meaning) 112) All is fair in love and war. Mohabat or jung mai sub jahiz hai. (Urdu meaning) 113) He is an apple of my eyes. Wo meri ankh ka tara hai. (Urdu meaning) 114) Put the saddle on the right horse. Jis ka kasoor hai usay pakro. (Urdu meaning) 115) Ill news flies space. Buri khabar jaldi phelti hai. (Urdu meaning) 116) Necessity is the mother of invention. Zarorat aijad ki maa hai. (Urdu meaning) 117) All that glitters is not gold. Har chamakti cheez sona nai hoti. / hati k dant khanay k or dihkanay k or. (Urdu meaning) 118) A nod to the wise and a rod to the otherwise. Aqalmand ko ishara or bewaqoof ko phitkara. (Urdu meaning) 119) Love and red nose can’t be hid.

Ishq or mushq chupaye nai chupta. (Urdu meaning) 120) Knowledge is power. Ilam bari dolat hai. (Urdu meaning) 121) If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Agar paisay daraktoon par ugtay tu koi b ghareeb na hota. (Urdu meaning) 122) A blind man’s wife needs no paints. Naye kapray badal kar jao kaha or bal banao kis k lie. (Urdu meaning) 123) A blind man is no judge of colours. Andha kia janay basant ki bahar. (Urdu meaning) 124) Grapes are sour. Angoor khatay hai. (Urdu meaning) 125) Physician heals thyself. Dosron ko nasiyat or kud miya faziyat. (Urdu meaning) 126) Let’s see which way the wind blows. Aao haalat ka intazar karain. (Urdu meaning) 127) An empty vessel makes much noise. Khali bartan ziyada bolta hai. (Urdu meaning) 128) Silence is gold. Saray chup sook he sook. (Urdu meaning)

129) A black sheep spoils the whole flock. Ek machli saray talab ko gandi karti hai. (Urdu meaning) 130) Two of a trade seldom agrees. Do shair ek jungle mai nai reh saktay. (Urdu meaning) 131) It takes two to make a row. Tali ek hat say nai bajti. (Urdu meaning) 132) Queen is dead. Totha mena ki kahani tu purani ho gai. (Urdu meaning) 133) The boot is on the other leg. Yeh bat haqeeqat k khilaf hai. (Urdu meaning) 134) God’s mill grinds slow but sure. Khuda k ghar dair hai par andeer nai. (Urdu meaning) 135) Every dog is loin at home. Apnay mohalay mai tu kutta b shair hota hai. (Urdu meaning) 136) Happy in the wooing that’s not long a doing. Jhat mangni phat biha. (Urdu meaning) 137) I have other fish to fry. Mujay or b bohat saray kam karnay hai. (Urdu meaning)

138) I stout you stout, who’ll bear the ashes out. Mai rani tu rani kon bharay ga pani. (Urdu meaning) 139) In at one ear and out at the other. Ek kan say suno or dosray say nikal do. (Urdu meaning) 140) Everyone knows his business well. Jis ka kam usi ko sannjay. (Urdu meaning) 141) Think before you speak. Phelay tolo phir bolo. (Urdu meaning) 142) First deserve then desire. Phelay kuch kar k dikao phir shadi karna. (Urdu meaning) 143) Health is wealth. Tandrusti hazaar nemat hai. (Urdu meaning) 144) Brevity is the soul of wit. Kam bolo lakin bay dharak bolo. (Urdu meaning) 145) While there’s life there’s hope. Jab tak sans tab tak aas. (Urdu meaning) 146) Might is right. Jis ki lathi us ki bains. (Urdu meaning)

147) Barking dogs seldom bite. Jo garajtay hai wo barastay nai. (Urdu meaning) 148) Nothing comes out of a sack but what is put into it. Jitni mehnat ki thi utna he sila milay ga. (Urdu meaning) 149) No rose without thorns. Jahan phool wahan kantay. (Urdu meaning) 150) In for a penny, in for a pound. Jahan lak kharch kiye waha sawa lak sahi. (Urdu meaning) 151) While in Rome do as Romans do. Jaisa dais waisa bais. (Urdu meaning) 152) Like dog, like stick. Jaisa mou waisi cheez. (Urdu meaning) 153) Like father like son. Jaisa bap waisa baita. (Urdu meaning) 154) Beauty is but short-lived. Char din ki chandni phir anderi raat. (Urdu meaning) 155) Small wit great boast. Chota mou bari bat. (Urdu meaning) 156)

Habits take long to depart. Rassi jal gai lakin bhall nai gai. (Urdu meaning) 157) A wolf may lose its teeth but not its habit. Chor chori say jaye lakin hera pheri say na jaye. (Urdu meaning) 158) Every cock firths best on his own dunghill. Apni gali mai kutta b shiar hota hai. (Urdu meaning) 159) Sweep before your own door. Phelay apnay garyeban mai jank kar deako. (Urdu meaning) 160) He blows his own trumpet. Wo apnay mou mian mithoo banta hai. (Urdu meaning) 161) Unity is strength. Ithad mai barkat hai. (Urdu meaning) 162) Tit for tat. Adlay ka badla. (Urdu meaning) 163) In every country the sun rises in the morning. Har jaga ek he khuda hai. (Urdu meaning) 164) In for a penny, in for a pound. Koohay mai chalang laga di to phir mout say kia darna. (Urdu meaning) 165) Long looked for comes at last.

Sabar ka phal metha hota hai. (Urdu meaning) 166) Nothing succeeds like success. Chalti ka nam gari. (Urdu meaning) 167) No gains no pains. Sewa binn mewa nai. / Mehnat k bagiar kuch nai milta. (Urdu meaning) 168) Once bitten twice shy. Dhood ka jala chach b phoonk phoonk kar peta hai. (Urdu meaning) 169) Look at the end. Anjam par nazar rakho. (Urdu meaning) 170) Society moulds a man. Kharbozay ko daik kar kharboza rung pakarta hai. (Urdu meaning) 171) You lead a gog’s life. Tum karay tang martay ho bhetay makka. (Urdu meaning) 172) Danger past. God forgotten. Khuda musibat mai yad ata hai. (Urdu meaning) 173) The nearer the church. The farther from god. Charag talay andhera. (Urdu meaning) 174) There are two sides to everything.

Har bat k do pheloo hotay hai. (Urdu meaning) 175) Where bees are, there’s honey. Jis ghar mai bhri ho wahan phatar to atay hai. (Urdu meaning) 176) First come, first served. Phelay aaheye phelay paheyah. (Urdu meaning) ..