A bidalan is a proverb that gives advice or a warning directly, without “bagai” or “seperti”. “Sediakan payung sebelum hujan” — have an umbrella ready before it rains — means be prepared before trouble comes.
What your child will learn
- Give the meaning of common bidalan
- Complete a proverb from memory
- Match a proverb to a real-life situation
Advice in a sentence
Many bidalan are about effort and care: “Sedikit-sedikit, lama-lama jadi bukit” (little by little becomes a hill), “Biar lambat asalkan selamat” (better slow than sorry), “Malu bertanya sesat jalan” (too shy to ask, lose your way).
Others are about living together: “Bersatu teguh, bercerai roboh” (united we stand), “Berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing” (share every load), “Di mana bumi dipijak, di situ langit dijunjung” (follow the customs of the place you are in).
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. Apakah maksud bidalan “Sediakan payung sebelum hujan”?
☂️- suka bermain hujan
- bersiap sedia sebelum sesuatu berlaku
- takut akan hujan
- membeli payung yang mahal
Show answer
Answer: bersiap sedia sebelum sesuatu berlaku. Bidalan itu bermaksud bersiap sedia sebelum sesuatu berlaku.
2. Apakah maksud bidalan “Malu bertanya sesat jalan”?
- orang pemalu selalu sesat
- kita akan rugi jika segan bertanya
- jangan berjalan seorang diri
- bertanya itu memalukan
Show answer
Answer: kita akan rugi jika segan bertanya. Bidalan itu bermaksud kita akan rugi jika segan bertanya.
3. Apakah maksud bidalan “Sedikit-sedikit, lama-lama jadi bukit”?
⛰️- jangan mendaki bukit
- usaha yang sedikit demi sedikit akhirnya menjadi banyak
- bukit terbentuk daripada pasir
- kerja sedikit tidak berguna
Show answer
Answer: usaha yang sedikit demi sedikit akhirnya menjadi banyak. Bidalan itu bermaksud usaha yang sedikit demi sedikit akhirnya menjadi banyak.
Tips for grown-ups
- Pick a “proverb of the week” and catch each other living it.
- Tell a short family story and ask which bidalan fits.