🌟 Cypriot Wisdom
Discover the beautiful expressions, proverbs, and idioms that have been passed down through generations in the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities
"Başın sağ olsun"
May your head be healthy
A heartfelt expression of sympathy and support during difficult times, showing genuine care for someone's wellbeing.
"Gözüne kestane!"
Chestnuts to your eyes!
An enthusiastic expression of amazement or admiration, similar to saying "Wow!" or "How amazing!" in English.
"İşin rast gelsin"
May your work go smoothly
A polite and encouraging greeting used when encountering someone at work, wishing them success and ease in their tasks.
"Acele işe şeytan karışır"
The devil interferes with hasty work
A warning that rushing through tasks often leads to mistakes and poor outcomes. Similar to "Haste makes waste."
"Dost başa, düşman ayağa bakar"
A friend looks at the head, an enemy at the feet
True friends value your character and intellect, while enemies focus on superficial judgments and material possessions.
"Sabır acıdır, meyvesi tatlıdır"
Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet
Enduring hardships and waiting patiently may be difficult, but it ultimately leads to better and more rewarding outcomes.
"Evlat acısı yer yarıcı"
A child's pain splits the earth
The profound pain that parents feel when their children suffer is so intense it could split the very ground beneath them.
"Komşu komşunun külüne muhtaç"
A neighbor needs their neighbor's ashes
Emphasizes the vital importance of maintaining good relationships with neighbors and the mutual support community provides.
"Η θάλασσα θέλει ναύτη"
The sea wants a sailor
Every task requires someone with the proper skills and experience. You need the right person for the right job.
"Όπου βρίσκει ο αγέρας ψαλίδα"
Where the wind finds a gap
Refers to seizing any opportunity that presents itself, being resourceful and taking advantage of favorable circumstances.
"Εμπήκεν το νερό στ' αυλάτζιν"
The water has entered the furrow
A task or situation has finally been settled, and things are on the right track. Everything is flowing smoothly now.
"Η αλεπού στον ύπνον της εθώρεν πετεινάρκα"
The fox was seeing birds in its sleep
Describes someone who desires something impossible or unattainable. Like dreaming of unrealistic goals.
"Το μέλι φαίνεται στα χείλη"
Honey shows on the lips
Quality and goodness are always evident and cannot be hidden. True value reveals itself naturally and speaks for itself.
"Η γλώσσα κόκκαλα δεν έχει, μα κόκκαλα τσακίζει"
The tongue has no bones, but it breaks bones
Words can be more powerful and destructive than physical force. Speech has the power to heal or harm more than actions.
"Όπως έσπειρες εν να θερίσεις"
You reap what you sow
Your actions have consequences. What you put into life is what you'll get back from it.
"Ο νούρος του σσιύλλου εν ισιώννει"
The tail of a dog does not straighten
Someone with negative traits or bad habits will not change. People's fundamental nature remains the same.
"Του πελλού η απάντηση εν η σιωπή"
The answer to a fool is silence
A fool does not deserve an answer in words, only silence. Sometimes the best response is no response at all.
"Κόφκει κκελλέν"
It cuts heads
Said when something is very expensive. The price is so high it's shocking, like getting your head cut off.
"Είδεν τον χάρον τίτσιρον"
He/She saw the grim reaper naked
Said when someone was very scared. They were so frightened they felt like they saw death itself.
"Πού σου νεύκω, πού πάεις"
Where am I signalling, and where are you going
Used when someone says something irrelevant or wrong. Like when you're not on the same wavelength at all.
"Επήες να πεις τζι' είπες"
You went to say something and you said it
Said when someone says something silly, irrelevant, or clearly wrong. A sarcastic way to point out a nonsensical statement.
"Τον τζιαιρόν των χρυσομήλων σαν επήαιννα στον μύλον"
In the season of apricots, when I used to go to the mill
Used when someone describes an old event as if it is happening now. Like telling old stories with present-day enthusiasm.
"Ακόμα εν έκατσεν πά' στον γάρον τζιαι σούζει τα πόθκια του"
He hasn't sat on the donkey yet, and he's already shaking his legs
Describes someone rushing things before the right time or before being ready. Acting prematurely.
"Ακόμα εν τον είδαμεν τζιαι Γιαννάκην τον εφκάλαμεν"
We haven't seen him yet, and we named him Johnny
Expresses acting prematurely, assuming or doing something before the right moment. Making decisions too early.
"Από 'ν αππέξω του χορού, ξέρει πολλά τραούθκια"
The one absent from the dance knows many songs
When you speak on a topic you know little about, yet act as if you are an expert. Being a know-it-all from the sidelines.
"Θέλει τζιαι την πίτταν σωστήν τζιαι τον σσιύλλον χορτάτον"
He/She wants the whole pie and the dog fed
Describes someone who wants everything they desire, without compromise. Like wanting to have your cake and eat it too.
"Εγίνασιν κώλος τζιαι βρατζίν"
They became ass and underwear
For people who are always together; inseparable. So close they're like clothing that's stuck together.
"Πέρα βρέσιει, στην Καραμανιά σιονίζει"
It rains beyond and snows in Karamania
Said to someone ignorant or indifferent, when their perception clashes with reality. They're completely out of touch.
"Καμήλα κλάννει στο Πεντάκωμον"
A camel farts in Pentakomo
Has the same meaning as the previous idiom. Used to describe someone completely disconnected from reality.
