Coconut Proverbs
Many countries have their own sayings related to what is around in their country and culture. Below there are three local sayings including coconuts, their English translation and interpreted meaning.
| Dhivehi | English | Meaning |
| Kanyaa kuda kaatteh nukaaasheve | If you’re going to eat, don’t make it a small coconut | Equivalent of “Go big or go home”. If you do something, better make it count |
| Dhai huri dhuvahey kaashi keveynee | You can eat kaashi on the day (while) you have teeth | Take the opportunity / seize the moment / the opportunity won’t be there forever (you might not have your teeth forever to eat a hard coconut) |
| Miri nuve gobolhi kaaashi nuvaashe | A gobolhi should not become a kaashi without first being a miri | Don’t get carried away and skip stages. Referring to the stages a coconut goes through before ready for consumption |
| Alhi dhuhtha kaashi keun | Eating kaashi where you see ashes | Enjoy fruits of someone else’s labour with little effort |
Don’t forget to “Eat a coconut while you have teeth”.
The coconut palms of the Maldives are waiting for you.
