Willemstad in words: 17 Papiamentu proverbs and their urban context

Proverbs are well-known sayings, phrases, and expressions that communicate practical life wisdom. In Curacao, this kind of knowledge has long been passed on by word of mouth, from generation to generation and reshaped over time. Their value isn’t only in their meaning, but in what they illustrate about everyday culture: how people judge effort, trust, reputation, and consequences, often with sharp humor and a practical point. Many Papiamentu proverbs draw directly from everyday city life, turning familiar scenes into quick, usable insights. 

In celebration of International Mother Language Day on February 21, we share below 17 proverbs in Papiamentu that are shaped by the urban environment of Willemstad [1]. 

1. Sabí di Punda.

(Literal translation: Wise of Punda)

“Sabí di Punda” is an old expression tied to Punda’s historic role as the main center of government and commerce in the former Dutch Antilles as a place where many merchants were based and where “everything happened.” Because Punda was seen as the place to be, simply having been there could give someone instant credibility, as if it automatically made someone knowledgeable. Over time, the phrase became ironic: it’s used for people who act like they know everything, often repeating hearsay, just because they’ve been to Punda or want to sound experienced. 

2. Kabes di boto.

(Literal translation: Head/front of the boat)

You use this expression when asking someone to give you a (car) ride. Before there was the pontoon bridge (Emmabrug), you had to pay a boat to cross between Punda and Otrobanda. Someone without money could sit on the front/top of the boat for free, but it was uncomfortable and risky, because if a wave hits the boat, you’d get soaked. That’s where the expression came from: “Dunami un kabes di boto” (“Give me a head of the boat”), meaning “give me a free ride”.

3. Bin Punda. 

(Literal translation: Come/get to Punda)

Remember to pay what you owe and/or promised.

4. Otrobanda no por bira Punda. 

(Literal translation: Otrobanda cannot become Punda)

Some things are simply impossible. What happened, happened; there’s nothing more to do.

5. Ora kabritu yega Punda, holó di chubatu ta mata. 

(Literal translation: When the goat arrives in Punda, the smell of the billy goat kills)

When someone who never had anything suddenly gets a position or becomes rich, they become arrogant. 

6. Bai hasi grandi na Marichi.

(Literal translation: Go act big at Marichi)

In the past, the area of Marichi served as the collection point for human waste from households in the city center. “Bai hasi grandi na Marichi” is therefore interpreted as “go take your big attitude somewhere it belongs / elsewhere”. 

7. Pa baka para bira bis’é ta mihó e bai plenchi / marshe.

(Literal translation: For the cow to stand there turning, tell it that it is better to go to the square/market)

Don’t end up becoming the “puppet” of someone younger than you; you'd better throw yourself into the well/ditch. You say this proverb to tell someone it’s better that they walk away than stay and go along with it.

8. Sunú a bisti / pañanan salao salao.

(Literal translation: Naked (person) got dressed / clothes are salty salty)

In 1977, the ship ‘Superior Producer’ sank near the coast of Willemstad, and a lot of clothes were floating around. Many people took these clothes out of the water. They called it “paña salao” (“salted clothes,” clothes full of salt). And from there the expression appeared: “sunú a bisti” (“The naked got dressed / The naked put on clothes”). It became popular later, after it was used as the title of the song: “Sunú a bisti” by the artist Macario Prudencia.

9. Karga di tur kunuku ta yega Punda.

(Literal translation: Load of every kunuku arrives in Punda)

If you save regularly, over time, it can accumulate and lead to assets and security. 

10. Grita manera shishi den hanch’i Punda. 

(Literal translation: Shout like a fishwife / loud woman in the alley of Punda)

To shout loudly/harshly; very loud and shrill.

11. Buriku ku bai Punda konosé mas buèlta. 

(Literal translation: Donkey that goes to Punda knows more turns)

A person who travels, leaves their home, or experiences new things becomes wiser, more experienced, and knows more about life than someone who always stays in the same place. 

12. Ora yega Punda, ta wak kon ta yega Otrobanda.

(Literal translation: When you arrive in Punda, you will see how to get to Otrobanda)

A plan doesn’t help much if you don’t adapt your actions to the situation as it unfolds. In the end, you’ll try to reach the goal one way or another.

13. Mientras bo no a drenta haf, bo no por bisa bo a skapa.

(Literal translation: While you have not entered the harbor, you cannot say you escaped)

Don’t become happy/satisfied too quickly; you never know what can happen.

14. Loko no por tei, anto sabíi paga ponchi p’e bai Punda. 

(Literal translation: Crazy (person) cannot go there, so the wise pays ponchi (boat) for him to go to Punda

It’s not worth putting yourself through trouble just so someone else benefits.

15. Barku bieu hala tur riba Rif. 

(Literal translation: Pull all the old ships up onto the Rif)

You have to discard old things, meaning, clear out the old junk; let go of outdated things.

16. No kibra fòrti, traha batrei. 

(Literal translation: Don’t break fort, build fortification)

Don’t tear down a fort to build a fortification; it amounts to the same thing. Thus, don’t destroy something solid to replace it with basically the same thing.

17. Pietermaai t’asina bon, kòrda mi Punda. 

(Literal translation: Pietermaai is that good, imagine my Punda)

If Pietermaai is already that good, imagine what it must be like in my Punda. Often used as a comparison/boast: “If that’s good, mine is even better.”

[1] This selection was compiled from diverse online sources, including https://www.sambumbu.com. Spellings, phrasings, and meanings may vary across sources and usage.