ku vulavulela ndlwini

ku susa vuloyi

ku hahisa

ku ba xa magezi

Ti dya ti ya magoveni

Nghozi a yi le mugodini ntsena

Xirhami xi vuyisa na n'wana evukatini

Literal: Chillness causes a daughter to come back to her parents' house from her husband's house.

Figurative: It is very cold.

Mhuti yi biwa ya ha ri na mahika

Literal: An antelope is hit while it sighs.

Figurative: Act swiftly.

Xihlovo xa le mahlweni madlayisa torha

Literal: The well in the distance will make you suffer from thirst.

Figurative: You never know what the future holds.

U nga sahi nsinya hi vuxika, u ta tshwa hi mumu hi malanga

Literal: Do not cut the tree in winter, you will burn by sun in summer.

Figurative: Do not mess up things when you do not need them, you will suffer when you need them.

Xihlovo a xi dungiwi loko u heta ku nwa mati

Literal: Do not stir the well after drinking from it.

Figurative: Do not mess up things after using them, you might need them tomorrow.

Tinhlanga ta le ndzhaku ti tiviwa hi mutlhaveri wa tona

Literal: The tattooing marks made on the back are known by the tattooer (not by the tattooed).

Figurative: You do not know what may happen when you have turned your back.

U nga hlawuli nkuku wa mhangele

Literal: One must not choose the male of the guinea-fowl (similar to "Don't count your chickens before they are hatched").

Figurative: This proverb is said to a young husband who might be tempted to prepare something for their babies before their birth, since you do not know if the baby is a male or female.

Ku banana hi rhanga ro hisa

Literal: To hit each other with a hot 'pumpkin'

Figurative: To accuse each other.

Ku banana hi rhambu ra mfenhe

Literal: To hit each other with a baboon's bone.

Figurative: To exchange gifts with relatives only or to only help your immediate family.

Ku ba ndlopfu hi xibakele

Literal: To punch an elephant.

Figurative: To make a very slight impression or an insignificant act.

Loko u tsundzuka mhelembe khandziya murhi/nsinya

Literal: When a rhino occurs to you, climb a tree.

Figurative: When you foresee danger, act instantly.

Mutlhontlhi wa tinyarhi ti vuya hi yena

Literal: He who pokes buffaloes invites them onto him.

Figurative: He who provokes other people, will face the consequences.

Ximita ntsengele xi tshemba nkolo

Literal: He who swallows a large stone has confidence in the size of his throat

Figurative: When you start something you must have power (courage) to complete it.

N'wana u tseme mubya

Figurative: A disobedient child.