A
Ab’ apia bolla balluja, mbenni je ganenan ston golon du. He who jumps over many posts gets one up his arse.
Abo ’grusen, fisa je ba’ sto yaurtin. He who’s been burnt blows even on yogurt.
Abo ’n andrebede, o gosmos ullos en dhigos du. He who has no shame owns the whole world.
Abo ’n boxo du horu, bolla drauthkia xeri. He who’s not at the dance knows many songs.
Abo ’n eharin do bornon, me ullin din imeran. He who’s unhappy in the morning is unhappy all day.
Abo ’n fortonni bo ’sso su, dana du na fortosi. If someone isn’t robbing your house, help him rob.
Abo ’n grada din ghlossan du, mide don golon du grada. He who can’t contain his tongue can’t contain his arse.
Abo ’n gronnede du ghoniu, bara ghonias jimade. He who doesn’t heed his parent sleeps in the corner.
Abo ’n ien vuna je gastri, ien don furnon j’ ebothammastin. He who hasn’t seen mountains and castles is amazed by the sight of an oven.
Abo ’n imbori na dheri don gharon, dherni do saman. He who can’t beat the donkey beats the saddle.
Abo ’n theli na bai ston milon, bende ’meres goshhinizi. He who won’t go to the mill sieves for five days.
Abo ’n theli na bai ston milon, bende ’meres shezi. He who won’t go to the mill shits for five days.
Abo ’n theli sfirkes, en bai ston gomodhromon. He who dislikes hammering doesn’t go to the blacksmith.
Abo ’n thori bu barpada, ston lakon enna pesi. He who doesn’t look where he’s going will fall into the well.
Abo ’shi je borefkede, bote du en bandrefkede. He who has it easy never marries.
Abo ’shi jeron je yirefki jeron, don belan dis kelles du yirefki. He who has time and looks for time is looking to do his head in.
Abo ’shi muyan, muyazede. He who has a fly brushes it away.
Abo ’shi nun as gadalavi. He who has a brain let him understand.
Abo ’shi yidon eshi oshhion, j’ abo ’shi oshhion jimade. He who has a neighbour has shade, and he who has shade sleeps.
Abu binni grasin vereshe, methkia thkio fores. He who drinks wine on debt gets drunk twice.
Abu boni, bai ston yadron, j’ abu dhipsa, stin vrisin. He who’s in pain goes to the doctor, and he who’s thirsty to the well.
Abu dria do melin, ghlifi da dhahtila du. He who gathers honey licks his fingers.
Abu fachisi st’ anovlin, thori je do gadovlin. He who bangs into the lintel also sees the doorstep.
Abu fai, fai. Whoever can consume, consumes.
Abu fkalli don lukon du allu, pefti o idhios mesa. He who digs a grave for another falls in it himself.
Abu hanni sta lefta, gertizi stin aghabin. He who loses in money wins in love.
Abu hasi baliosakon, jinurkon don yirefki. He who loses an old coat seeks one that’s new.
Abu libade du gatu do psumin, dron da ruha du i bondiji. He who denies the cat bread has his clothes eaten by mice.
Abu libi, libi j’ i mira du. Go absent and your luck goes absent too.
Abu negadonnede me da bidera, dron don i ornithes. He who mixes with bran gets eaten by the hens.
Abu siffona ston sporon, en malloni sto therisin. He who agrees to the seed doesn’t argue at the harvest.
Abu sothkiazi dranda-thkio je xothkiazi dranda, en nigojiris banda. Abu xothkiazi dranda-thkio je sothkiazi dranda, stin filajin don bernun j’ en du dhiun amanda. He who earns thirty-two and spends thirty is ever a good housekeeper. He who spends thirty-two and earns thirty is put in jail and given no mercy.
Abu theli da bolla, hanni je da llia. He who wants a lot loses what little he has.
Afkon afkon tsakizi. An egg cracks an egg.
Aghaba me san s’ aghabo, thele me san se thelo, yadi enna ’rti enas jeros na thes je na men thelo. Love me as I love you, want me as I want you, for there will come a time when you will want and I will not.
Aghathos jeros, gucha hlora. Good weather, fresh beans.
Ague bolla je bistefke llia. Hear much and believe little.
Alla en d’ ammathkia du lau j’ alla du gukufkiau, je alla en du alubu bu gamni bau-bau. The eyes of a hare are different from those of an owl, and from those of a fox that goes bow-wow.
Ali don dhernun egadon j’ ali don dhern’ o nus du. Woe betide the one thrashed by a hundred and woe betide the one thrashed by his mind.
Allaxen o Manolios j’ evalen da ruha du alios. Manolios has changed and has put his clothes on differently.
Alli binnun j’ alli methkiun. Some drink while others get drunk.
Alli gamnun da me don gobon dus, alli me don drobon dus. Some make it through their labour, others through their manner.
Alli me don gobon j’ alli me don drobon. Some succeed with effort, others with manners.
Alli spernun je therizun, alli dron je magarizun. Some sow and reap, others eat and bless.
Alli spernun je therizun, alli dron je vortonizun. Some sow and reap, others eat and cavort.
Allin mas edhixan j’ allin mas embixan. They showed us one and stuffed us with another.
Allon mas edhixan j’ allon mas embixan. They showed us one thing and stuffed us with another.
Allu don droi j’ allu gnithede. He itches in one place and scratches another.
Allu lalun i bedini j’ allu yennun i godes. Cocks crow in one place and hens lay in another.
Aman dhipsa i avli su men shononnis do neron se xenes avlaes. When your garden’s dry don’t pour water in other gardens.
Aman dhis din golosirmathkian men yirepsis din gufin. When you see its trail don’t seek the snake.
Aman dhis je drosin bu do malin su, fae j’ esu na su mini. If you see them taking from your fortune, you take too so you get to keep some.
Aman eghamithin i gojagari embin esso j’ eromanisen. Once the old woman got fucked she went indoors and bolted the door.
Aman en bai do vunon is don Moameth, bai o Moameth is do vunon. If the mountain won’t go to Mohammed, Mohammed goes to the mountain.
Aman su lalo, gadi xero. If I tell you it means I know something.
Ame mavroierefke, gatse je mairefke: gucha je gologuthkia, na fan da gobelluthkia. For blackness go and look, then settle down to cook: broad beans with marrow mixed, so you can feed the kids.
Anemon stin vragan su (j’ aeran sta bania su). Wind in your breeches (and air in your sails).
An exera din bedran bu ’dun na gutsufliso, eboiriza din. If I knew the stone I’d trip on, I’d avoid it.
An gami o Martis thkio nera j’ o Abrilis allon enan, hara se jindon yeorkon bo ’shi bolla sparmena. If March rains twice and April once more, joy to the farmer who’s done a lot of seeding.
An ishen i stede mu archithkia enna dis efonaza bapu. If my grandma had balls I’d call her grandad.
An men glapsi o mitsis, i mana en du dhia na fai. If the child doesn’t cry, the mother won’t feed it.
An men lathkiasis don drohon en yirizi. If you don’t oil the wheel it won’t turn.
Anayos’ don golion na su fkali d’ ammadin su. Nurture the jackdaw and it takes out your eye.
Andan epsorkasen o yidos su j’ esu vodanin yirefke. When your neighbour’s got the itches you too must seek the remedy.
Andran theli, dora don theli. She wants a husband and she wants him now.
Angurka dis righanis. They’re cucumbers of a marjoram.
Aparon me din vaglan. A horse with a sheep’s tail.
As yelasumen ya na men skasumen. Let’s laugh so as not to burst.
Askobos o nus, dhiblos o gobos. An aimless mind means twice the work.
Athkiaseros babas thafki je dus zondanus. A priest with time on his hands buries even the living.
Athrobos agrammados, xilon abelejidon. A man uneducated is wood uncarved.
Avulos nus gamni din dihin yerimin. A thoughtless mind causes bad fortune.
Axios je galorizigos. Capable and lucky.

B
Babucha bu don dobon su j’ as en gommathkiasmena. Better shoes from home even if they’re tattered.
Ban medron ariston. In everything moderation is best.
Bara bote gallion arka. Better late than never.
Bara gagon yidon gallion gagon hronon. Rather than a bad neighbour better a bad year.
Bara n’ aguo inda lali, gallitera na glanni i ghaura du Marashli. Rather than hear what he says, better that Marashlis’s donkey fart.
Bara na gleo ’yo gallitera esu. Rather you cry than I. (Said by a parent to a child crying from being punished.)
Be-be, enna bi j’ o golos du. Talk-talk, even his arse is going to talk.
Be mu bgia en i sindrofkia su na su bo din athrobgian su. Tell me what company you keep and I’ll tell you what kind of man you are.
Bende furni, efta gommathkia. Five ovens for (only) seven pieces.
Bepse don bellon je lamne dabison du. Send a fool and chase after him.
Bera vreshi, stin Garamanian shonizi. Over there it’s raining, in Karamania it’s snowing.
Berasmena xehasmena. What’s past is forgotten.
Beze du gharu liran na horefki vira-vira. Play the lire for the donkey to dance with vigour.
Bge na bgiumen j’ o Theos na da bgerosi. Let’s drink and God will pay.
Biamen belli j’ irtamen arkobelli. We went as fools and came back as arch-fools.
Bienne sigha na ftasis ghliora. Go slowly to arrive quickly.
Binne grasin na ’shis zoin. Drink wine for vigour.
Bollin Giri’ eleison varkede j’ o babas. Even the priest tires of too much Lord have mercy.
Brosoba bu en thorkunde ghliora lismoniunde. Faces that aren’t seen are soon forgotten.
Bu bellon je bu moron na mathis din alithkian. Learn the truth from a fool or a child.
Bu don sianon bodamon na fuase. It’s the calm river you should fear.
Bu jame bu apiisen i eya enn’ apiisi je do rifin. Where the goat leaps the kid will follow.
Bu na bao je na ’rto? Boji gremmon, bodha lakon. Where do I come and go? That side a precipice, this side a pit.
Bu na mini alidos sto homan o yos du thkiu su du Baba-Yanni; yadi jinos na se baro idan i edia, j’ ospu zho enna ’ho etsi bedhian. May the son of your uncle Father Yannis remain un-decomposed; for he was the cause of my marrying you, and as long as I live I will have that torment.
Bu ulles des baranjelies eberne je bu din dhigin su men ifkennis. Take all advice but follow your own.

D
Da bashi mu en da galli mu. My plumpness is my beauty.
Da bolla loya en ftosha. Verbosity is poverty.
Da loya dus bollus gamnun don athrobon bellon. The talk of many drives a man mad.
Da magria eyinigan gonda. The far have become near.
Da nera en athoa. Rain is innocent.
Dasso d’ ambelia mu n’ armaso da bethkia mu. I pledge my vineyards to marry off my children.
Dasso dis gatas mu j’ i gata dassi da gatuthkia dis. I command my cat and she commands her kittens.
Dhakanni do ’nan du je bonun don ulla. He bites one (of his fingers) and they all hurt.
Dhame se thelo, gaura, na drapias da garvuna. Here’s where I want you, crab, jumping on the coals.
Dhaskale bo ’dhidhaskes je nomon en egrades. Teacher, you instructed but failed to obey.
Dhe manan je bare gorin. Look at the mother before marrying the daughter.
Dhendron bu lia men do fuase j’ en ispazi. Don’t fear for the tree that leans for it won’t break.
Dherni din niffin ya na fuade i bethhera. He beats the bride to frighten the mother-in-law.
Dhigon mu ghaurin j’ obu thelo dhinno do. It’s my donkey and I can tie it where I please.
Dhise don gharon jame bu theli o afendis du. Tie the donkey where its master wants.
Dhise don gharon su j’ istera. Tie your donkey (first) and (worry about other things) later.
Dhos’ du bellu luganigon je na su lali en zavon. Give the fool a sausage and he tells you it’s bent.
Dhos’ du manjiba psumin na fai j’ en halalin du. Give the baker bread to eat for he deserves it.
Dhos’ mu, jira, don andran su j’ esu ame ’irefke allon. Give me your husband, madam, and you go seek another.
Din gufin an men din biraxis en se dhakanni. Don’t bother the snake and it won’t bite you.
Dis nihtas i dhulia ien din imeran j’ eyelasen. Work done at night saw daylight and laughed.
Do angathhin fkalli driandafillon. The thorn gives forth a rose.
Do bathiman en mathiman. To experience is to learn.
Do galon horkon golauzin en theli. A good village needs no guide.
Do gathe moron ferni din dihin du. Each child brings its own fortune.
Do lambron jame bu pefti gruzi. Fire burns where it strikes.
Do mallin en bellon. Hair’s a crazy thing.
Do moron berni bu dhegaefta bandes. A child inherits features from seventeen sources.
Do ’nan sherin nifki d’ allon je da thkio do brosobon. One hand washes the other and the two wash the face.
Do psarin vromi bu din kellen. A fish rots from the head.
Do shhinin du horkadi dhiblon ftanni je monon en iftanni. The peasant’s rope reaches when double but not when single.
Do yelion dis Baraskevis en do glaman du Savadu. Friday’s mirth is Saturday’s grief.
Do yeman neron en yinede. Blood does not become water.
Do yinadin fkalli ammadin. Spite takes your eye out.
Don gaton je don shhillon obos dus mathis eshis dus. How you train a cat and dog is how you have them.
Don psilon je don mutadon o Theos imbrumuta don. He who is high and proud is toppled by God.
Don thimon dis nihtas jimis’ don os do broin. Lay to rest the anger of the night till the morning.
Dora bo ’mathamen don gharon mas na men droi, epsofisen. Now that we’ve taught our donkey not to eat, it’s died.
Do psarin j’ i yenega thelun dhahtilon. With fish and a woman you need to use fingers.
Drifese ba’ stin verkan du vosku. You’re rubbing yourself against the shepherd’s staff (in search of a beating).
Droondas erkede i orexi. With eating comes appetite.
Du dihu du baliodihu da ruha en o brebos du. For the bad old wall, covering is what it needs.
Du fronimu do bedhin brin binasi mairefki. The child of the wise cooks before it hungers.
Du glefti dhos’ du do glidhin. Give the thief the key.
Du gumarchi do bgiadon efta fores en ofcheron je monon mian foran yemadon. A gambler’s plate is empty seven times and full only once.
Du yalliu odi du dhixis enna su dhixi. The mirror will show you whatever you show it.
Dudon balion j’ esu jinurkos. May this be old and you young.

E
Ebar’ don is don ghamon na su bi du hronu. Take him to the wedding and he’ll say see you next year.
Ebathamen san da bethkia du lau. We’ve become (dispersed) like a wolf’s litter.
Ebathamen san ebathen o Haji-Markos bersi (bu du ’lipsan da garvuna j’ en ishen na dhulepsi). We’ve come unstuck as Haji-Markos did last year (when he ran out of coal and couldn’t work).
Ebiamen na bumen j’ iban mas. We went to tell and got told.
Ebian je d’ afka, ebien je do galathin. The eggs went and so did the basket.
Ebien ya mallin j’ efkin guremmenos. He went for hair and came out shorn.
Ebiran mas is do neron j’ eferan mas abodus. They took us to water and brought us back thirsty.
Ebniigamen s’ enan bodirin neron. We’ve drowned in a glass of water.
Edaxan mas furnus boxamathkia. They promised us oven-loads of breadsticks.
Edhogan du horkadi shhinin j’ efkin me des boines ba’ stin garkolan. They gave the peasant rope and he got on the bed with his boots.
Edhogan du horkadi tharos j’ embin esso me des tsangaroboines. They encouraged the peasant and he came inside with his hobnailed boots.
Edhogasin mu afkon je zidusin din ornithan. They gave me an egg and they’re asking for the hen.
Efaamen don vun j’ eminen do nurin. We’ve eaten the ox and only the tail remains.
Efaen do psumin du j’ ibgen do neron du. He’s eaten his bread and drunk his water (ie all he’s ever going to eat and drink, having passed away).
Efkalen do shhinin je do ballujin. He’s pulled out both the rope and the post.
Efkalen mas asson je drandanan. He’s pulled out an ace and thirty-one (the highest hand in the Cypriot form of pontoon).
Efkalen onoman o theristis j’ epesen j’ ejimadun. The reaper earned a reputation and fell asleep.
Efkiges is don horon enna horepsis. Having come to the dance you will dance.
Egamamen mian driban mes’ sto neron. We’ve made a hole in the water.
Egamen da shonin je ghastrin. He’s made it all clean and shiny (as if).
Egamen don psillon gamilon. He made a camel out of the flea.
Egamen j’ i muya golon j’ eshesen ullu du gosmu. The fly grew an arse too and shat on the whole world.
Egatsen san din alusivan. He settled down like soft water.
Ejilisen do stupoman j’ ivren din mairissan. The lid rolled and found the cook.
Ejilisen o denjeris j’ ivren do gapajin. The pot rolled and found its lid.
Ela, bapu, na su dhixo d’ ambelia su. Come, grandad, let me show you your vineyards.
Elimbisen i rka sta siga j’ enna fai je da sigofilla. The old woman has taken a fancy to the figs and is about to eat the fig-leaves.
En angurka dis righanis. That’s cucumbers from a marjoram.
En dis babathkias da xila. It’s the priest’s wife’s wood. (This alludes to an anecdote about a priest’s wife who stopped giving away chopped wood when forced to chop it herself. Said of someone who only realises the value of effort when it falls on them.)
En mathimena da vuna bu da shonia. Mountains are used to snow.
En mitsis amma ’n rotsis. He’s small but he’s a rock.
En shhilli je gati. They’re cats and dogs.
Enan hronon j’ enan minan, enan guvaruin niman. After a year and a month, all there is to show is a small ball of wool.
Enan shelionin en ferni din annixin. One swallow doesn’t bring the spring.
Enas babas en lidurka se thkio eglishes. One priest can’t say mass in two churches.
Enj’ en banda Baska. It’s not Easter every day.
Enj’ enna da baris mida su. You can’t take it with you (when you die).
Enj’ enna zhumen me da vuna. We won’t live as long as the mountains.
Enna mas stihisi o gugos aidhonin. The cuckoo will cost us a nightingale.
Enna valis nun du bellu? Are you going to put sense into a fool?
Ennen da rasa bu gamnun don baban, en o babas da rasa. It’s not the robes that make the priest but the priest the robes.
Enomizen bos ebgiannen da bullia me do stoman du. He thought he could catch birds with his mouth.
Epesen do melin mes’ sto zaharin. The honey fell into the sugar.
Epesen i muya mes’ sto ghalan. The fly fell into the milk.
Epsisen mu do psarin sta shili. He cooked the fish on my lips.
Eshi bo ’husin je hannun j’ eshi bo ’n ehun je gamnun. There are those who have it and lose it and those who have nothing and make it.
Esinaferes don xenon fer’ je din tsaeran du. If you mention a guest pull up his chair.
Etsi kellen, etsi xhurafin. That sort of head needs that sort of razor.
Evalan don alubon na ghlebi des ornithes. They got the fox to mind the hens.
Evalen mu da thkio mu bothkia s’ enan babutsin. He put both my feet in one shoe.
Exabolisamen da theri mas je xigannaurizumen. We’ve abandoned our harvest to pick out hemp seeds.
Eyinin babas je dadas. He’s become both father and godfather.
Eyinin do hanin du Panjaru dhamesa. It’s become like Panjaros’s inn in here.
Eyirefka se ston uranon j’ ivra se stin yin. I was seeking you in heaven and found you on earth.
Eyirisen o drohos. The wheel has turned. (The tables have been turned.)
Eyo ehtisa se, furne mu, j’ eyo ’nna se halaso. It is I who built you, my oven, and it is I who’ll knock you down.
Eyo lalo du shhillu mu j’ o shhillos du nuru du. I tell my dog and the dog tells its tail.
Eyo straonno je bulo, j’ esu amblebe je voraze. I’ll blind them to sell, and you look closely to buy.

F
Faka je dis brokas, faka je du galliju. Hit the nail and you hit the horseshoe.
Fakun du baba me da brossora. They hit the priest with the votive bread.
Fkenni bubano san do lain. He rises to the top like oil.
Fonazi o gleftis na foithi o nigojiris. The thief shouts to frighten the householder.
Ftei o mavros, droi des o mavros; ftei o afendis, droi des o mavros. When the slave is to blame the slave gets beaten; when the master is to blame the slave gets beaten.
Ftesin du da ruha du. He finds fault with his clothes.
Fuade na shesi men binasi. He’s afraid to shit lest he goes hungry.
Fuade o vremenos bu da nera? Does he who is wet fear the rain?

G
Gada bu su gamnusin gamne je gajan men gradas. Do as they do to you and hold no malice.
Gada don dhaskalon bu bais etsi grammada enna mathis. According to the teacher you go to is the education you’ll get.
Gada gormin manijin. Sleeve according to body size.
Gaduriman horis bortin en ghamos horis fkiolin. A piss without a fart is a wedding without a violin.
Gagos shhillos gagon psofon eshi. A bad dog has a bad death.
Gallion bedra ston nomon bara bedra ston golon. Better a stone on the shoulder than a stone up the arse.
Gallion bende sto sherin bara dhega je garterin. Better to have five in the hand than to wait for ten.
Gallion na fki d’ ammadin mu bara d’ onoman mu. I’d rather lose my eye than my good name.
Galos, galos o shiros mas j’ exevin halazharis. We kept saying our pig was good and it turned out bad.
Game do galon je rix’ do ston yalon. Do a good deed and cast it to sea.
Garkian gatharin j’ obu thelis bada. With a pure heart you can go where you please.
Gatharos uranos astrabes en fuade. A clear sky fears no lightning.
Gathe braman ston jeron du j’ o golios don Auston. Everything in its season and the crow in August.
Gathe embodhion ya galon. Every obstacle is for the good.
Gathe garagaxa me da garagaxuthkia dis. Each magpie with its magpie chicks.
Gathe garithkias garidhin. A walnut from every walnut-tree.
Gathe xilon don gabnon du xeri. Each type of wood knows its own smoke.
Gathenas don bonon du j’ o pushtis don golon du. Everyone has his pain and the queer has his arse. (Everyone has his cross to bear/his own complaint.)
Glanni me allus golus. He farts with others’ arses.
Ghlebu na se ghlebi j’ o Theos. Take care so that God takes care of you.
Ghlossan lliin je zoin ghlijan. Talk little for a sweet life.
Golos bu glanni yadron en fuade. An arse that farts fears no doctor.
Gondos psalmos, alliluia. A short psalm, hallelujah.
Goronos goronu fkalli ’mmadin? Does a raven take out a raven’s eye?
Guchin, guchin yemonni do sachin. Bean by bean the bag fills.
Gutsa, strava, enna bamen. Lame and blind, we will go.

H
Hanni i mana do bedhin je do bedhin din manan. The mother loses her child and the child its mother.
Horefke, jira Maru, ma eshe j’ ennian du moru. Dance, Mrs Maru, but keep an eye on the child.

I
I abandisi du bellu en i siobi. The response to a fool is silence.
I aghabi en ba’ sta skada j’ ali don bu na pesi. Love is on shit and woe betide whoever falls in it.
I aghabi je da vuna darassi. Love moves even the mountains.
I alithkia je do lain banda fkennun bubano. Truth and oil always rise above.
I aroskia mbenni me do sachin je fkenni me din drihan. Sickness comes in a bag and leaves with a hair.
I balii enistefkan j’ elalusan da. The ancients fasted to say these things.
I bedra i belejidi banda eshi don dobon dis. A well-carved stone always has its place.
I bolli dhulia droi don afendin. Too much work wears out the master.
I bolli galosini gadanda ghaurosinin. Too much kindness leads to asininity.
I dimi dimin en eshi je hara ston bu din eshi. Honour is priceless and joy to him who has it.
I dishi ehusin afkia j’ i frami ammathkia. Walls have ears and fences eyes.
I gali ’mera fenede bu do broin. A fine day is apparent in the morning.
I gali sinennoisi gamni galus filus. A good understanding makes good friends.
I gathariodis en misi arkonja. Cleanliness is half of wealth.
I ghlossa gokala en eshi amma gokala tsakizi. A tongue has no bones but bones it brakes.
I ghlossa lathhannosa lali din alithkian. A slipped tongue speaks the truth.
I ghria goda eshi do zumin. The old chicken’s got the stock.
I guza bai boles fores ston lakon amma gabode ’nna spasi. A pot may go to the well many times but one day it will break.
I mana en manna. A mother is manna.
I niffi andan yennithin dis bethheras imiazi. As soon as she’s born the bride looks like the mother-in-law.
I niffi stolizede j’ o ghambros habarin en eshi. The bride’s getting ready but the groom has no idea (he’s getting married).
Iban du belle j’ ebellanen delia. They called him mad and he went mad completely.
Idhia ratsa, idhia fatsa. Same race, same face.
Ies thkio je bernun gala, exere en bu don enan. If you see a couple getting on well, you know it’s down to one of them.
Imastin nistiji je llieri. We’re hungry and lean.
Ind’ afigen o blastis mu j’ inda na bari o haros? What has my creator left and what is there for death to take?
Ind’ anemos efisisen j’ eferen se dhagado? What wind has blown to bring you here?
Irten i thilia ston gombon. The slit has come to the button.
Ishonni o nuros du shiru? Can a pig’s tail be straightened?
Ivres don ayon su n’ apsis do jerin su. When you find your saint light your candle.
Ivres fain fae, ivres dhulian fie. When you see food eat, when you see work flee.
Ivres fain fae, ivres xilon fie. When you see food eat, when you see a beating flee.
Ivres sigon sigos’ do brin do sigosun alli. If you find a fig take it before others take it.

J
Jame bo ’shi bollus bedinus arki na ximerosi. Where there are many cocks the dawn comes late.
Jame bu aguis siga bolla eberne galathin mitsin. Where you hear of many figs take a small basket.
Ji bu vreshi fenede, ji bu shonizi asprizi. Where it rains it shows, where it snows it whitens.
Jilia hortasmeni, villa gavlomeni. Full stomach, hard cock.
Jini esso dus j’ emis esso mas. They belong in their home and we belong in ours.
Jinon bu mbenni j’ en lali me ya su me galo’ ston, sto banairin ebar’ don j’ osa su dhogun dhos’ don; je jinon bu don sheredas j’ en su boloade, sto banairin haris’ don an dhis bos en buliede. The one who enters without saying hello or good day, take him to the fair and sell him for whatever you can get; and as for the one who when greeted doesn’t reply, give him away at the fair if you see he isn’t selling.
Jinos bo ’shi da yenia eshi je din ennian. He who has the whiskers also has the cares.
Jinurkon ise goshhinon je bu na se gremmaso? You’re a new sieve and where shall I hang you?

L
Lale mu na su lalo na bernumen don jeron. You tell me, I’ll tell you and so we’ll pass the time.
Lamne broin is din dhulian j’ anoras is do spidin. Go early to work and be home in good time.
Llia je gala. Few and good.
Llia loya je gala. Few and good words.
Loya je neron na da bari o bodamos. Words and water, may the river take them.

M
Magria j’ aghabimeni. Far apart to be friends.
Mathe dehnin je gremmas’ din sto ballujin. Learn a trade and hang it on a post.
Me din millan mu dianizi do flanjin mu. He fries my liver in my own fat.
Me don nun du gamni bairamin. He’s having a festival in his head.
Me don thkiaolon na dho, me don stavron mu na valo. I wish neither to see the devil nor to make the sign of the cross.
Me dus bollus o haros en ghlijis. With company even death is sweet.
Me singenin su, fae, bge, j’ alishi-verishin men gamis. With a relative, eat, drink, but never do business.
Me xenon golon glanno j’ eyo. With another’s arse I can fart too.
Mes’ sto xilon do xeron bai je do hloron. Among dry wood the fresh shoot also burns.
Men agahabade din yin yadi dudi enna mas fai. Don't covet earth for it's earth that will consume us.
Men varifortonnis don gharon don galon. Don’t overburden the good donkey.
Men yirefkis psillus st’ asheron. Don’t look for fleas in the hay.
Mia bathkia du yeru axizi shilies du bethkiu. One step by an elder is worth a thousand by a child.
Mialon garavin, miali furtuna. Big boat, big storm.
Mialon vukon vale, mialon loon men bis. Take a big bite but refrain from big talk.
Mian du glefti, thkio du glefti, dris je din gajin du ’meran. The thief succeeds once, the thief succeeds twice, the third time is his comeuppance day.
Mian yenegan hrosti su din o Theos. One woman is owed to you by God.
Mitsin ghaurin fumize, mialon gavalliga. Extol a small donkey, ride a big one.
Mitsin ghaurin nobon fenede. A small donkey looks new.
Monon do ganonin ganonizi. Only the cannon can sort it out.
Monon o yos du Vogolu eshi vuthkia mavra? Does only Vogolos’s son have black oxen?

N
Na gatharizo eyo gucha ya na drois esu? Why should I peel broad beans for you to eat?
Na men suzis da bothkia su brin na gavallijepsis. Don’t shake your legs before you’ve mounted.
Na thorumastin na men xehnumastin. We must see each other lest we forget each other.
Nistiji arkua en horefki. A hungry bear doesn’t dance.

O
O alubos ehonnedun j’ o nuros du efenedun. The fox was hiding but its tail could be seen.
O alubos en eftannen do lartin j’ athhimithin od’ en saragosti. The fox couldn’t reach the fat and so remembered it was Lent.
O alubos ston ibnon du ethoren bedinarka. The fox saw chickens in its sleep.
O athrobos me do ghomarin j’ i yenega me do gudalin xindila don. A man with a load gets used up by a woman with a spoon.
O bathos en o yadros. The sufferer is the doctor.
O bellos an men eshi nun eshi bothkia. A fool may have no sense but he has legs.
O bellos bu din bortan. The fool and the door. (This alludes to an anecdote about a fool who, when told to get (ie shut) the door, pulled it off its hinges. Said of someone taking instructions too literally.)
O bellos ebojimithin j’ ethoren bellon oroman. The fool fell asleep and dreamt a foolish dream.
O bellos esiren din bedran mes’ ston lakon j’ ebian shilii nusimi na din ifkalun. The fool threw a rock in the well and a thousand clever men went to pull it out.
O bellos me ria me vrazi, me bostegede me spazi. The fool feels neither cold or heat, nor does he tire or break.
O bubuxhos medra do gokaluin brin na do fai. The hoopoe measures the bone before eating it.
O delefteos ya galorizigos eni, ya gagorizigos. The last in line is either lucky or unlucky.
O enas lali du allu, eyo ime o galliteros. One says to the other, I’m the best.
O filos mu stin libin mu j’ o skundros stin haran mu. Let me be with my friend in grief and my enemy in joy.
O fronimos eyinin du bellu ghaurin. The wise man became the fool’s donkey.
O gagos hronos bai j’ o gagos yidos en bai. A bad year goes but a bad neighbour doesn’t.
O galos gabedanios stin furtunan fenede. The good captain shows himself in a storm.
O gathe bellos me don nun du. Each fool has his own mind.
O gatos j’ an eyerasen da nisha bu ishen eshi. A cat may age but the claws it had it has.
O gharos iben du bedinu jefala. The donkey called the cockerel bighead.
O gharos mas da ’feren, o gharos mas da ’faen. The donkey brought them to us and the donkey ate them.
O gharos o ogniaris en je varighomarkaris. A lazy donkey is an over-laden donkey.
O golos an men grusi dobon en allassi. An arse won’t shift unless it gets burnt.
O golos dis budanas je da bothkia du bellu bostashan en ehun. A whore’s arse and a fool’s legs never tire.
O golos o anivragodos ien do vrajin j’ eshestin. The bare arse saw the underpants and shat itself.
O gosmos ullos hannede je do butin htenizede. The whole world’s ending and the fanny’s combing itself.
O haros bai j’ erkede ma ’yo bembo don biso. Na bandrepso d’ angonia mu je na don galosoriso. Death keeps coming round but I send him back. I’ll marry off my grandchildren and then I’ll welcome him.
O gathenas don bonon du. Everyone has his pain. (Everyone has his cross to bear.)
O hortados du nistigu en du bistefki. One who’s full doesn’t believe one who’s hungry.
O magris droi da siga j’ o gondos da sigofilla. He who’s tall eats the figs, he who’s short the fig-leaves.
O nus me da hronia gadevenni. Sense comes with age.
O pseftis j’ o gleftis don brodon hronon sherunde. The liar and the thief rejoice in the first year only.
O shhillos jame bu droi lassi. A dog barks where it eats.
O skobos ayazi da mesa. The end sanctifies the means.
O Theos aghaba don gleftin alla aghaba je don nigojirin. God loves the thief but He also loves the householder.
O Theos aman theli na hasi don limburan dhia du ftera je beda. When God wants to get rid of an ant He gives it wings to fly.
O Theos an aguen du gatsigoronu idan na psofa ghaurka gathimera. If God listened to the crow He would cause donkeys to die every day.
O Theos jinon bu aghaba bedhefki don. God torments those He loves.
O Theos jinon bu aghaba theli don gonda du. God wants those He loves close to Him.
O thkiaolos en ishen dhulian j’ eghamusen da gobeluthkia du. The devil had no work so fucked his children.
Obgios angrizede meronni. Whoever gets upset calms down.
Obos estroses enna jimithis. The way you made your bed is the way you’ll sleep.
Obu bai i glannarkia, don golon dis grada don. Wherever the fart goes, it carries its arse.
Obu eshi dhendron eshi noshhon. Where there’s a tree there’s shade.
Obu m’ evris j’ obu s’ evro, din Baraskevin stin Horan. Wherever you find me, wherever I find you, Friday we’ll meet in Nicosia.
Obu yi je dafos. Any ground will do for a grave.
Odi erti du baba as erti je dis babathkias. Whatever befalls the priest let it befall the priest’s wife.
Odi erti du baba as erti je du hoja. Whatever befalls the priest let it befall the imam.
Osa ferni i ora o hronos en da ferni. An hour can bring what a year can’t.
Odi horefko beze mu. Whatever I dance play for me.
Odi je na gamis i oka en dedragosha. Whatever you do the oka (Ottoman unit of weight) is four hundred (dirhems).
Odi vrexi as gadevasi. Whatever rains let it fall.
Ombros gremmos je biso remman. Precipice ahead and current behind.
Osos en bubano bu din yin dosos en je bugado. However much is above ground is also below.
Ospu na ’vrumen din fonin exiasamen do drauin. By the time we found our voice we forgot the song.

P
Peftun da boxamathkia ji bo ’n ehun dhongia. Breadsticks fall to those without teeth.
Psumia je ruha men blissis. Don’t fuss about bread and clothes.
Psumin na famen en ehumen je rebanin yirefkumen. We have no bread to eat yet we seek a radish.

R
Rafke je xiborafke, dhulia na men su lifki. Stitch and unstitch so you don’t run out of work.
Rochan horku men dhosis, rochan horku na men fais. Don’t throw a stone at the village so that the village won’t throw a stone at you.
Rodondas bais is din Bafon. By asking you can get to Paphos.
Romanize din bortan su na men ifkalis don yidon su gleftin. Bolt your door so as not to make a thief of your neighbour.
Ruha je psumin men blissis. Don’t fret about clothes or bread.

S
San na sirnis afka ba’ ston dihon. Like throwing eggs at the wall.
Shhebu na se shhebi j’ o Theos. Take care so that God takes care of you.
Shhillon lunnis, shhillon blinnis, bale shhillon vromi. Bathe a dog, wash a dog, still it stinks of dog.
Shhillos bu lassi en dhakanni. A dog that barks doesn’t bite.
Stafilin fae j’ ambelin men rodas. Eat the grapes and don’t ask about the vineyard.
Stin anerkan ofela je do halazin. In a drought even hail is useful.
Sto spidin du gremasmenu men milas ya shhinin. At the house of someone hanged don’t talk about rope.
Stu gufu din bortan oson thelis vronda. At a deaf man’s door knock all you like.

T
Theli do psumin yeron je don shhillon hortadon. He wants the bread whole and the dog fed.
Theli golajon do moron na vali nun me don jeron. A child needs encouragement so that it can grow wise with time.
Thimos du horkadi, zimia du bunju du. The peasant’s anger is his purse’s loss.
Thkio kelles s’ enan fesin en horun. Two heads can’t fit in one fez.
Thkio yelun gadi xerun, enas yela bellos eni. Two who laugh know something, one who laughs is mad.
Thore din griadhan je mirase do babloman. See the cold and share the blanket.
Thori me obos i eya do masherin. He looks at me like a goat at a knife.

V
Valle bu do ’nan je fkalle bu d’ allon. Take it in through one ear and out the other.
Vallis don nun su me don bellon? Do you pit your wits with a fool?
Vallis don nun su me do moron? Do you pit your wits with a child?
Vallis nun du bellu? Can you give a fool brains?
Vrajin en ishen i Mariori j’ o ferejes dis eliben. Mariori had no knickers and all she lacked was a veil.
Vunon me vunon en ismii. A mountain doesn’t mix with a mountain.
Vura, thkie, je ftanno se; barpada je thoro se. Run, uncle, and I’ll catch you; walk and I’ll watch you.

X
Xenos bonos ullon yelion. Another’s pain is all laughter.

Y
Ya do hatirin dis vasilijas binni j’ i ghlastra do neron. For the basil’s sake the pot also drinks water.
Ya don psillon gafki do babloman. For a flea he burns the blanket.
Ya mitsis mitsis bandrefku, ya mitsis galoirefku. Either marry very young or go young into a monastery.
Ya na se bethimusin arke na se dhusin. So that they miss you, delay before they see you.
Yenega bollobaidi don athrobon xifkalli, j’ an men ixeri ghrammada mathhenni don je psalli. A cunning woman will lead a man astray, and if he’s uneducated she’ll teach him to chant.
Yenega dimimeni en je banda benemeni. A virtuous woman is always praised.
Yidon eshis, Theon eshis. When you have a neighbour you have God.
Yorti mu ’menan, baramoni dhigi su. My name day, yours the day before.

Z
Zefkarin aderkaston, horafin sherisson. An ill-matched couple is a barren field.
Zidun mas vun je gamilon. They’re asking us for an ox and a camel.
Zidun mas vun je ghadharon. They’re asking us for an ox and a donkey.
Zoi horis filus en thanados horis martirus. Life without friends is death without mourners.

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