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Mgaagaa na upwa hali wali mkavu

Meaning: Effort and initiative are always rewarded.

Language: Swahili

Literally: One who roams the shore won't eat dry rice

Category: Food & Drink

Origin: A coastal Swahili proverb: those who comb the beach for fish never eat their rice plain.

More idioms — Food & Drink

  • Être soupe au lait — To be quick-tempered and flare up easily.
  • Avoir la pêche — To be full of energy and on top form.
  • Faire chou blanc — To draw a complete blank; to fail.
  • Ramener sa fraise — To butt in or show off uninvited.
  • To bite off more than you can chew — To take on more than you can handle.
  • To take with a pinch of salt — To regard a claim with healthy scepticism.

More Swahili idioms

  • Pole pole ndio mwendo — Slow and steady gets you there.
  • Mvumilivu hula mbivu — Patience is rewarded.
  • Haraka haraka haina baraka — Haste makes waste.
  • Mtaka cha mvunguni sharti ainame — You must work and humble yourself for what you want.
  • Penye nia pana njia — Determination always finds a path.
  • Kidole kimoja hakivunji chawa — You cannot do everything alone.

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