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33 Great Gujarati Quotes, Sayings & Proverbs + Meanings In English

The Gujarati people use a lot of sayings and expressions in daily life which offer advice and even sometimes have hidden meanings.

Check out these proverbs, also known as ‘kahevat’ and quotes below to gain some insight into Gujarati beliefs and ways of thinking. 

Below I’ve listed famous Gujarati quotes, inspiring Gujarati sayings and common Gujarati proverbs in both Gujarati and English. 

My personal favorite quote is number 13. I hope you can find a favorite in this list too!

Famous Gujarati Quotes & Gujarati Proverbs Written In Gujarati Language

Here’s a bunch of quotes in Gujarati and Gujarati proverbs written in the Gujarati language. I’ve also included the meanings in English.

In the Gujarati culture, little life lessons are passed on through proverbs which are known as ‘kahevat’ in the Gujarati language. 

Many cultures around the world have these which help to teach moral values.

  1. વેલો ઉઠે વીર, બળ બુદ્ધિ વધે અને સુખીયું રહે એનું શરીર – Early to bed and early to rise, makes you healthy and wise.
  1. જાગ્યા ત્યાંથી સવાર – It is never too late to start doing the right thing.
Famous Gujarati quote which reads 'it is never too late to start doing the right thing'.
  1. ચોર પકડાય, ચટું પકડાય, પણ ખોટા બોલુ ના પકડાય – You can catch a thief, you can catch a selfish person but you cannot catch a liar.
  1. નાણું મળશે પણ ટાણું નઈ મળે – Choose time over money.
  1. કડવો લીંબડો અને કડવા એના બીજ, બીજ વાવતા પણ મીઠા ના થાય – As you sow so shall you reap.
  1. સોના જેઉં સાસરું પણ પિયર જેઉં નહીં – The grooms house may be made of gold, but her parent’s home is priceless.
  1. આવે તોહ ઘર ને જાયે તોહ રસ્તો – If you come here and we get on you’ll be welcomed, but if we don’t then you can go on on your way.
  1. લાગે તો તીર નહિ તો તુક્કો – If it’s bang on the target, it was deliberate. If it didn’t it was not.
  1. ટીપે ટીપે સરોવર બંધાય , કાંકરે કાંકરે પાડ બંધાય – Rome was not built in a day.
  1. ના બોલવા માં નવ ગુણ – Silence is golden.
Famous Gujarati quote which reads 'silence is golden'.

Famous Gujarati Proverbs (Kahevat) & Gujarati Sayings With Meanings

Below I’ve listed the most popular Gujarati proverbs with meanings as well as some common Gujarati sayings.

These are written in the English script and are used often in day to day life.

  1. Lobhiya hoi tya dhutara bhukhe na mare – Where there is greed, a con man will always get his way.
  1. Bole tena bor vechaay – The one who speaks will be heard.
  1. Utavle amba na pake – Fruits don’t ripen in a hurry, one must wait.
Famous Gujarati proverb which reads 'fruits don't ripen in a hurry, one must wait'.
  1. Jhajha haath ralyamna – A helping hand is beautiful.
  1. Haaila kare – Life goes on.
  1. Shaant paani undaa hoy chhe – Still waters run deep.
  1. Na bolvama nav gun – Silence is golden.

Best Gujarati Quotes 

Below I’ve listed a range of famous and inspirational Gujarati quotes.

  1. Hisab kodino ne bakshis lakh ni – One should not mix business and personal expenses.
  1. Lage to teer nahi to tukko – If it’s bang on the target, it was deliberate. If it didn’t, it was not. 
  1. Pehlu sukh te jaate naryaa – Your own good health is real happiness.
  1. Lobhiya hoi tya dhutaara bhukhe naa mare – Thieves and robbers will thrive where there are greedy people around.
  1. Manas matra bhul ne patra – Human beings are bound to make mistakes.
  1. Gharada gaada vaale – The wisdom and experience of older people should always be respected.

Famous Gujarati Idioms & Gujarati Sayings

Below I’ve listed the most well-known Gujarati idioms and expressions with English translations. Many of these have hidden meanings.

  1. Tel leva ja

The literal meaning of this phrase is ‘go get some oil’ however the true meaning is ‘get lost’.

  1. Magaj ni kadhi na kar 

The literal meaning of this phrase is ‘don’t make curry of my brain’. The true meaning is ‘don’t bother me’.

Famous Gujarati idiom which reads 'don't make curry of my brain'.
  1. Suka bhegu lilu pan bale 

The literal meaning of this phrase is ‘when burning dry grass, you may also end up burning green grass’.

The true meaning of this phrase is ‘when eliminating bad things, you may harm good things as well’.

  1. Hathoda na maar 

The literal meaning of this phrase is ‘don’t hit hammers’ however the true meaning is ‘don’t make lame jokes’.

  1. Adhuro ghado chalkaay ghano

The literal meaning of this phrase is ‘a half filled vessel will always spill more’. The true meaning is that ‘those with little knowledge will brag and show off more’.

  1. Tu bhasis? 

The literal meaning of this phrase is ‘will you bark?’ however the true meaning is ‘will you say something?’.

  1. Tu kaachu limbu

The literal meaning of this phrase is ‘you are a raw lemon’ however the true meaning is actually ‘you are partially qualified’.

  1. Haldar naa gaanthiye gandhi naa thavaay

The literal meaning of this phrase is ‘with a piece of turmeric, one cannot be gandhi’. The true meaning is that ‘with little knowledge, one cannot be a scholar’.

  1. Tane dhoi naakhis 

The literal meaning of this phrase is ‘I will wash you’. The true meaning is actually ‘I will hit you’.

  1. Bhes bhaagole, ane chhash chhaagole 

This phrase literally means ‘the buffalo is far away and you are imagining churning buttermilk’. The true meaning of this phrase is that ‘you are expecting too much too soon’.

Check out the videos below which feature a range of famous Gujarati quotes and well-known Gujarati sayings & proverbs. These are all in the Gujarati language.

Thanks for reading this post on the best Gujarati quotes on life, famous Gujarati sayings and fascinating Gujarati proverbs with English meanings.

These Gujarati quotes in English give an interesting insight into the Gujarati beliefs and language.

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