Do you know what the proverb “Likkle pig ave big ayse” means? Learn its meaning in our Jamaican Proverbs on “Children.” 

Likkle pig ave big ayse.
TRANSLATION: Little pigs have big ears.
MEANINGS AND EXPLANATIONS: Don’t talk about adult topics in front of children.

Haad ayse pickney nyam rackstone.
TRANSLATION: Hard ears children eat rockstones.
MEANINGS AND EXPLANATIONS: Children that don’t listen to the wisdom of others must learn lessons the hard way.

Haad ayse pickney guh to market two time.
TRANSLATION: Hard ears children go to the market two times.
MEANINGS AND EXPLANATIONS: Children that don’t complete tasks correctly the first time will have to do the job over.

Chatty chatty pickney pay im pupa debt.
TRANSLATION: Talkative children pay their father’s debt
MEANINGS AND EXPLANATIONS: Children that can’t learn when to talk and when to be quiet will experience consequences.

Ben di tree wen it young, wen it old, it wi bruk.
TRANSLATION: Bend the tree when it is young, when it gets old it will break.
MEANINGS AND EXPLANATIONS: Teach children what they need to know when they’re young so they mature into respectful and productive adults.

Man grow wait pon man.
TRANSLATION: A boy will grow up to become a man.
MEANINGS AND EXPLANATIONS: Treat children the same way you want them to behave as adults.

Ef yuh nuh mash ants, yuh nuh fine im guts
TRANSLATION: If you do not smash an ant, it is impossible for you to find its guts.
MEANINGS AND EXPLANATIONS: You can only truly know someone when you have a relationship with them; otherwise all you have is a superficial impression.

Wha di goat duh, di kid fallah
TRANSLATION: What the goat does, the kid follows.
MEANINGS AND EXPLANATIONS: Children learn how to behave and act through the examples set by the adults around them.