Mari’gen bomatok, da’ kagat.

Mari’gen bomatok, da’ kagat.

Part of Speech: proverb; sentential expression

Literal Meaning:
“Barks much, does not bite.”

Figurative Meaning:
A person who talks, boasts, threatens, complains, or makes noise excessively but rarely follows through with action.

English Equivalents:

• All bark and no bite.
• Barking dogs seldom bite.
• Big talk, little action.

Usage:
Used to comment on someone whose words greatly exceed their actual ability, courage, authority, or accomplishment.

Morphological Notes:

• mari’gen = many; much; excessive
• bomatok = barking
  (b- + -om- + batok “bark”)
• da’ = no; not
• kagat = bite

Literal Structure:

mari’gen + bomatok + da’ + kagat
many/much + bark + not + bite

Cultural Note:

The proverb reflects a traditional Boie’nen valuation of modesty, restraint, and demonstrated competence. It is commonly applied to boastful, quarrelsome, or self-important individuals whose actions fail to match their words.

Semantic Domains:
Humans • Social Relations • Character • Language and Communication • Traditional Wisdom

Morphology:
[PROVERB]

Related Expressions:

• Mari’gen tora’wag, da’ gibo. (“Lots of loud talk, little action.”) [if attested]
• Mato’od yo gibo, da’ yo tataramon. (“The deed is true, not the talking.”) [conceptual parallel]

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