peribahasa

Peribahasa is the Malay term for proverbs or traditional sayings. They are concise, fixed expressions that convey collective wisdom, moral guidance, or social norms through figurative language. Peribahasa often draw on images from nature, daily life, or family relations to express a truth or lesson.

In Malay-speaking communities, peribahasa play a role in everyday communication, education, and literature. They encapsulate cultural values such as perseverance, prudence, respect for elders, and the importance of harmony. Because they are time-honored, they are frequently quoted to illustrate a point or to teach younger generations.

Form and transmission. Peribahasa are usually short, fixed phrases that may be accompanied by rhymes or parallel structure. They are passed down orally and can appear in spoken discourse, folk tales, songs, or written works. Regional variations exist, and some expressions travel across Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Singapore, adapting to local contexts.

Examples:

- Sedikit-sedikit lama-lama menjadi bukit. (Little by little, over time, becomes a hill.)

- Belakang parang punai, kalau diasah lama-lama akan tajam. (Even a dull tool can become sharp with persistent effort.)

- Air tenang jangan disangka tiada buaya. (Do not assume quiet waters are without danger.)

- Sediakan payung sebelum hujan. (Prepare an umbrella before the rain.)

- Bersakit-sakit dahulu, bersenang-senang kemudian. (One must endure hardship first to enjoy ease later.)

Peribahasa remain a key feature of the Malay lexicon, illustrating how language encodes shared experience and guidance across generations.