Parallel Lines in Proverbs
Two halves, one shape.
How It Works
Many proverbs have two matching halves.
| Proverb | Repeated |
|---|---|
| Egbe bere, ugo bere. | the verb bere |
| Onye kwe, chi ya ekwe. | the verb kwe |
The repeated verb gives rhythm and makes the saying easy to remember. This is a habit of many proverbs, not a rule. Try saying the first half and guessing the second half. If you can, you have learned the shape.
Examples (4)
- Egbe bere, ugo bere.
Let the kite perch, let the eagle perch.
Bere repeats.
- egbe bere
let the kite perch
One half.
- ugo bere
let the eagle perch
The other half.
- Onye kwe, chi ya ekwe.
When a person says yes, his or her chi says yes too.
Kwe repeats.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The repeated shape is seen in two proverbs, so they come first.
- Proverb: Egbe bere, ugo bere
Know Egbe bere, ugo bere, because it shows a shape repeated twice with different words: egbe bere, ugo bere “let the kite perch, let the eagle perch”.
Level 6 - Proverb: Onye kwe, chi ya ekwe
Know Onye kwe, chi ya ekwe, because it repeats the verb in the same way: kwe and ekwe “say yes”.
Level 6
Related Patterns
Practice Parallel Lines in Proverbs in Bubblegum
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