Five Nepali proverbs (उखान टुक्का) and what they really mean

Nepali folk proverbs are called उखान टुक्का (ukhan tukka): the short sayings you hear from grandparents. Here are five, with what they say word for word and what they mean.

1. एउटा हाते ताली बज्दैन

Euta haate taali bajdaina. Word for word: one hand alone can't clap.

It means it takes cooperation.

2. बाघले सिनो खाँदैन

Baaghle sino khaandaina. Word for word: a tiger doesn't eat carrion.

It means the honourable don't stoop low.

3. घर को बाघ, बन को स्याल

Ghar ko baagh, ban ko syaal. Word for word: a tiger at home, a jackal in the forest.

It is said about someone who is bold among family and timid everywhere else.

4. चोरको मन बाटोतिर

Chor ko man baatotira. Word for word: a thief's mind is always on the road.

It means guilt gives itself away.

5. सबै कुरा एकै फेर पाइँदैन, तारा देखिन पनि घाम डुब्नु पर्छ

Sabai kura ekai pher paaidaina, taara dekhina pani ghaam dubnu parchha. Word for word: you can't get everything at once; even to see the stars, the sun has to set.

It means you can't have it all at once.

Read about Dashain with family abroad, another part of life carried between countries.

Why do we put these Nepali proverbs on the wall?

These five are part of our Voices of Home collection: the proverbs your grandmother used and the lines your generation writes. Each print carries the proverb large in Devanagari with a short line in English underneath, so a guest can read it and a child who grew up abroad can learn it.

One hand alone can't clap · A tiger doesn't eat carrion · A tiger at home, a jackal in the forest · The whole collection

Which one did your family use most?

The wording and English meanings here are the ones used on our Voices of Home prints.