Källa: http://almashriq.hiof.no/egypt/800/808/proverbs/egyptian_proverbs.txt
| Hidden meaning: Someone who does unwillingly what he is supposed to do as a matter of course will never do it well Applicability: criticizing someone who has to be forced to do what he’s supposed to do. | Literal translation: If you have to drag a dog to the hunt, neither he nor his hunting is any good. | الكلب اللي بدك تجرّه عالصيد لا فيه ولا في صيده <El kalb elle beddak tegorroh 3al-said, la feeh wa la f’saidoh> |
| Hidden meaning: A skilful worker can do good work even with inadequate tools Applicability: Criticizing lazy/incompetent workers who blame their tools for the poor job they do. | Translation: The skilful spinster spins with the leg of a donkey | <El Ghazzala el shatra teghzel be regl humar> |
| Hidden meaning: Criticizing those who act in a manner opposite to what had been expected. Applicability: When someone behaves in such a way as to provoke a negative reaction where a positive one had been expected. |
Translation: We invited the bald man to keep us company; he uncovered his baldness and scared us. | جابنا الأقرع ليونّسنا كشف قرعته و خوّفنا<Gebna el-aqra3 la’y wannesna, kachaf qar3etoh w’khawwafna> |
| Hidden meaning: Do your actions where it should be done.Applicability: Criticizing those who do the correct things to the incorrect
people. |
Literal translation: You who is building in someone else`s property, you who is raising someone else’s kids. |
يا باني في غير ملكك يا مربّي في غير ولدك |
| Hidden meaning: Sad people will always be sad.Applicability: Complain about being sad. | Literal translation: When the sad woman started to be happy, she could not find a place for her. | جت الحزينه تفرح ما لقتلهاش مطرح<Gat elhazina tefrah ma lketlahash matrah> |
| Hidden meaning: Do not continue trating your kids as children. Applicability: When someone treats his mature son as a kid. |
Literal translation: When your son grows up, treat him as a brother. | <In keber ebnak khaweeh> ان كبر ابنك خويه |
| Hidden meaning: Some people get things while they are not qualified for them.Applicability: When someone get something that s/he cann’t use. | Literal translation: The earings are given to those without ears. | <Yedi elhalak leli bela wedan>يدي الحلق للي بلا ودان |
| Hidden meaning: Do not listen to people telling you about others insulting you. Applicability: When someone tells another how he was insulted by a third one. |
Literal translation: That who insulted you is that who told you about the insult. | ما شطمك الّا من بلغك <Ma shatamak ela man balaghak> |
| Hidden meaning: Looks are deceivingApplicability: To express disappointment when something big is expected but never materializes. | Literal translation: The camel went through labor only to give birth to a mouse | تمخض الجمل و ولد فأرا<tammakhada al gamalu wa walada fa’aran> |
| Meaning: He is no good, and by hanging around the wrong company, he got worse. Usage: To criticize the follower of a charlatan. | Literal translation: Like the dog of the tobacco salesman, one-eyed, and a nicotine addict. | زي كلب الخشاشني أعور و كييف<Zay kalb el-khashashni, a3war we kayyeef> |
| Meaning: They are trying to get more than they can. Usage: To criticize those who insist on getting what is not available for giving. |
Literal translation: We tell them it is a bull, they say milk it | نقللهم ثور يقولوا احلبوه<No’ollohom Tor, ye’oolo iHlibooh> |
| Meaning: To the biased eye, the ugliest can look beautiful. Usage: To criticize people with clearly biased opinions. |
Literal translation: A beetle saw her children on the wall, she said they look like a string of pearls | خونفيشة شافت ولادها عالحيط قالت ده عقد مسلسل<khonfesa shafet weladha
3al Hait ‘alet da 3okD mesalsel> |
| Meaning: To the biased eye, the ugliest can look beautiful. Usage: To criticize people with clearly biased opinions. | Literal translation: The mother of a monkey sees him as beautiful and graceful as a deer | القرد في عين أمه غزال<El-’erd fi 3ein ‘ommoh ghazal> |
| Hidden meaning : Make up (cosmetics) can make the ugly quite pretty.Applicability: Don’t be fooled by appearances.. | Literal translation: Dress-up the beatle, it becomes the Lady of the Ladies | لبّس الخونفسة تبقى ستّ النساء<labbes el khonfesa teb’a sett el nesa> |
| Applicability: Said to a girl who wants to marry anyone for only being wealthy.Hidden meaning: Don’t get attracted by money. | Literal translation: If you ”marry” a monkey for his wealth, the money goes and the monkey remains as is .. | يا واخدة القرد على كتر ماله، يروح المال و يفضل القرد على حاله<ya wakhda el erd 3ala kotr maaloh, yerooH el maal we yefDal el erd 3ala Haloh> |
| Hidden meaning: Habits stick to the person all his lifeApplicability: Criticizing somebody for his bad habits | Literal translation: The trumpet player dies, and his finger is still playing | يموت الزمّار و صباعه بيلعب <yemoot el zammar we soba3oh beyel3ab> |
| Applicability: Criticizing somebody for his bad habits Hidden meaning: Habits stick to the person all his life | Literal translation: The {belly} dancer dies, and her waist is still moving | تموت الرقاصة و وسطها بيلعب <temoot el raqqasa we westaha beyel3ab> |
| Hidden meaning:If you seek help from someone, he might indeed be in need of help..Applicability: Ironic remark, if you seek someone’s help about somethng he does not know.. | Literal translation: I came to you to help me, but I found that YOU need help. | جيتلك يا عبد المعين تعينني، لقيتك ياعبد المعين عاوز تنعان <geet lak ya 3abd el mo3een te3enni, laqeetak ya 3abd el mo3een 3awez ten3aan> |
| Hidden meaning: A feminist proverb that makes the analogy of trusting men towater being kept in a sieve
Applicability: To wives betrayed or cheated by their husbands (mainly) |
Literal translation: Trusting men is trusting the water in a sieve | يا مآمن الرجال يا مآمن الميّة في الغربال <ya me’amen el regaal ya me’amen el mayya fel ghorbal> |
| Hidden meaning: One will inevitably meet one’s destinyApplicability: Obvious | Literal translation: What’s written on the forehead (i.e., one’s destiny) is to be seen by the eye | المكتوب عالجبين تشوفه العين <el maktoob 3al gebeen teshoofoh el 3ein> |
| Hidden meaning: Accusations that don’t stand still hurtApplicability: To comment on damage caused by a scandal (for example). | Literal translation: The bullet that doesn’t hit makes a noise | الرصاصة اللي ماتصيبش تدوش<el roSasah elli matSebshi tedwesh> |
| Hidden meaning: One better take care of his/her own business Applicability: To emphasize one’s responsibilities. |
Literal translation: Goha (a Comic Arabic Character) has a right in his bull’s meat. | جوحا أولى بلحم ثوره <GoHa ‘awla belaHm toroh> |
| Hidden meaning: Mind your own business
Applicability: To advise somebody you gets involved in a dispute when he/she shouldn’t. |
Literal translation: Oh you getting in between the onion and its peel, you want get anything other than its bad smell. | يا داخل بين البصلة و قشرتها ماينوبك الّا صنتها<ya dakhel bein el-baSala we ‘eshret-ha may noubak ‘ella Sannet-ha> |
| Hidden meaning: Incessant meaningless complaints do eventually work!Applicability: Advice to avoid listening to somebody who keeps on pushing a foolish argument. | Literal translation: Humming in one’s ear is more (effective) than magic | الزنّ على الودان أمرّ من السحر<Elzann 3ala elwedaan amarr min el-seHr> |
| Hidden meaning: Ugliness can’t be hiddenApplicability: Commenting on somebody who is over dressed/made-up, … etc. | Literal translation: What can a beautician do for a stern face?! | إيش تعمل المشطة في الوش العكر <’eash te3mel el-mashTa fi el-wish el-3eker> |
| Hidden meaning: Don’t be fooled by appearancesApplicability: To criticize trouble makers who do so in hiding | Literal translation: As small as a button but a big trouble maker | قد الزر و تعب السرّ <’ad el-zer we ta3eb el-ser> |
| Hidden meaning: Some people are doomed to be unhappyApplicability: When hopes/expectations are not realized. | Literal translation: A sad woman has no chance for happiness even if she triesto be so. | جت الحزينة تفرح مالقيت لهاش مطرح<gat el-Hazina tefraH ma le’tlahash maTraH> |
| Hidden meaning: Sometimes one has to be careful with abusers, otherwise they will take advantage of you..Applicability: When somebody doesn’t stop at the limits set for him/her | Literal translation: We let him in, he brought his donkey along. | سكتناله دخل بحماره<seketna luh daKHal be Humaru> |
| Literal translation: A cook tastes his own cooking, even if it’s poison. | Hidden meaning: One gets the results of one’s own actions Applicability: To comment on somebody who suffers from his/her wrong acts |
طباخ السم دواءه<TabbaKH el-sim dawa’uh> |
| Hidden meaning: NoneApplicability: Praising somebody who knows a lot. | Literal translation: The knowledgeable can taste up to 7 spoonfuls! | دوق العارف سبع مغارف <dou’ el-3aref saba3 maGHaref> |
| Hidden meaning: Don’t get into others’ own business Applicability: To advise somebody not to intervene in somebody else’s business | Literal translation: He has his own brain, he can solve his own problems. | عقله في راسه يعرف خلاصه <3aqluh fi rasuh ye3raf KHalasuh> |
| Hidden meaning: Thinking is far more important than collecting materialApplicability: Criticizing those who don’t use their minds | Literal translation: Education is what you know, not what’s in the book. | العلم في الراس مش في الكراس<el-3elm fi el-ras mesh fi el-kurras > |
| Hidden meaning: Wisdom is beautiful; foolishness is ugly!Applicability: To praise a wise man/woman | Literal translation: Having brains make a person look good. | العقل زينة <el-3a’l zeena> |
| Hidden meaning: NoneApplicability: To comment on the weird acts of friends/enemies | Literal translation: He who loves you sallows stones from you, while your enemy waits for your mistakes. | حبيبك يبلع لك الزلط و عدوك يتمنالك الغلط<Habibuk yebla3 lak el-zalaT we 3adowak yetmana lak el-GHalaT> |
| Hidden meaning: NoneApplicability: Advice given to discourage borrowing | Literal translation: Borrowing is bad, and paying back is a loss. | السلف تلف والرد خسارة<el-salaf talaf we el-rad KHosara> |
| Hidden meaning: Instead of fixing it, he messed it up even more!Applicability: When somebody, trying to fix a situation, causes more harm | Literal translation: In trying to put make-up around the eye, he blinded it. | جيه يكحلها عماها<geh yekaHalha 3amaha> |
| Hidden meaning: One’s stature doesn’t changeApplicability: To acknowledge one’s stature on the social scale | Literal translation: The eye will never be higher than the eyebrow. | العين ماتعلاش على الحاجب<el-3ein ma te3lash 3ala el-Hageb> |
| Hidden meaning: The will is present but the actions are missingApplicability: When under life’s pressures one cannot do the obvious! | Literal translation: The eye can see but the hand is too short. | العين بصيرة والايد قصيرة<el-3ein baseerah we el-eid ‘aseerah> |
| Hidden meaning: The far-away friend is loved moreApplicability: Comment on somebody’s love for a far-away friend | Literal translation: Go far, you’ll be loved more. | ابعد حبة تزيد محبة <eb3ed Habba tezeid maHabba> |
| Hidden meaning: NoneApplicability: To criticize people whose claim to know it all when they are
missing the basics. |
Literal translation: A blind pulling a cripple. | اعمى و بيجر مكسح <’a3ma we beygur mekasaH> |
| Hidden meaning: One’s prestige is among people who know him/her Applicability: To comment on people degraded by somebody who doesn’t know them | Literal translation: Whoever leaves his home, loses his prestige. | من خرج من داره اتقلّ مقداره<men KHarag men daruh et’al me’daruh> |
| Hidden meaning: Some people get what they can’t useApplicability: To comment on somebody getting what they can’t use | Literal translation: Gives earrings to someone with no ears, and pistachio to someone with no teeth. | يدي الحلق لللي بلا ودان والفستق لللي بلا سنان <yeddi el-Hala’ lelli bela wedan we el-fustu’ lelli bela sinan> |
| Literal translation: Lies have no legs. | Hidden meaning: Lies will be discoveredApplicability: To comment on the fate of a lier | الكذب مالوش رجلين < el-kezb ma loosh reglein > |
| Hidden meaning:Applicability: Expression of disappointment at an unexpectedly weak response! | Literal translation: After fasting for so long, he feasts on an onion. | يصوم يصوم و يفطر على بصلة<yesoom, yesoom, we yefTer 3ala basala> |
| Hidden meaning: Luck cannot be soughtApplicability: Comment on somebody’s continued efforts to break his/her lack of lack! | Literal translation: The unlucky will stay unlucky, even if they hang a lantern on his head. | المنحوس منحوس ولو على راسه فانوس <el-manHoos manHoos walaow 3ala’u 3ala rasuh fanoos> |
| Hidden meaning: A daughter will grow to be very similar to her momApplicability: Comment on the physical or character resemblance of mother and
daughter. |
Literal translation: Place the pot upside down, and the girl will take after her mother. | اكفي الادره/القدرة على فمها تطلع البنت لأمها<ekfi el-edrah 3ala fummaha, teTla3 el-bent le `umaha> |
| Hidden meaning: Men are not to be trustedApplicability: Advice to women whose husbands might be cheating on them! | Literal translation: Trusting men is like trusting that a strainer can keep water. | <ya me’amna lel-regal ya me’amna lel-mayiah fi el-GHurbal> |
| Hidden meaning: Keep an eye on your spouse!Applicability: Advice to men (women) to be possessive of his (her) spouse! | Literal translation: Cut your bird’s feather, so that it doesn’t leave you for someone else. | قصي ريش طيرك لا يلوف لغيرك<’ussi reish Teirek la yeloof be GHeirek> |
| Hidden meaning: You never know when savings might be neededApplicability: Every penny counts! | Literal translation: A white piaster will be of benefit on a black day. | القرش الأبيض ينفع في اليوم الإسود <el-’ersh el-abyad yenfa@ fi el-youm el-eswed> |
| Hidden meaning: Lika barn leka bästApplicability: Same as english saying ”birds of feather flock together” | Literal translation: Birds of all kinds will land according to/together with their own kind | الطيور على اشكالها تقع<al-Toyoor 3ala ashkaleha taka3> |
| Hidden meaning: When ideas fail, words (and loud voice) come in very handy.Applicability: Same as english saying ”the squeeky wheel gets the oil” | Literal translation: Raise your voice otherwise their arguments will beat you! | خذوهم بالصوت لا يغلبوكم <KHudoohum bel-soT la yeGHlebookum> |
| Hidden meaning: You can’t have to leaders for a groupApplicability: Same as english saying ”too many cooks spoil the soup” | Literal translation: A boat with two captains will sink | المركب اللي فيها رييسين تغرق <el-markeb elli feeha rayysein teGHra’> |
| Hidden meaning: Don’t brag about your blessings otherwise you’ll lose themApplicability: Same as english saying ”a cake watched never rise” | Literal translation: Protect the flame of your candle and it will light more! | داري على شمعك تقيد<dari 3ala sham@tak te’eid> |
| Hidden meaning: Don’t give up what you have for what is promisedApplicability: Obvious! | Literal translation: A bird in hand is better than ten on a tree | عصفور في اليد احسن من عشرة على الشجرة <3asfoor fi el-yad aHsan men 3asharah 3ala el-shagara> |
| Hidden meaning: What you do to others will be done to youApplicability: Everyone is vulnerable | Literal translation: If you live in a glass house, don’t throw stones |
اللي بيته من إزاز مايحدفش الناس بالطوب <elli beitoh min ‘ezaz, ma yeHadefsh el-nass bel Toob> |
| Hidden meaning: Kids inherit their parents statureApplicability: Words of praise for a promising kid (same as english ”a chip of
the old block”) |
Literal translation: This baby from this lion | هذا الشبل من ذاك الأسد <haza al-shebl men zaka al-asad> |
| Hidden meaning: Like father like son (in a good sense) Applicability: When a son is as gifted as his father in a certain aspect | Literal translation: The goose’s (maybe swan’s) son is a good swimmer | ابن الوز عوام <Ebn el wezz 3awwam> |
| Literal translation: out of sight, out of mind Hidden meaning: Distance makes one forget old friendships/relationships Applicability: Obvious |
بعيد عن العين، بعيد عن القلب <be3eid 3an el-3ein, be3eid 3an el-’alb> |
|
| Hidden meaning: When authority leaves chaos reigns Applicability: Obvious | Literal translation: if the cat is away, the mice will play | إن غاب القط العب يا فار<in GHab el-’ut, el3ab ya far> |
| Hidden meaning: The expert does not apply his expertise to himself/herself Applicability: When people neglect what they can do best in their home, family, personal life, but do it only professionally | Literal translation: The carpenter’s door is loose | باب النجار مخلّع <bab el-naggar mekhala3> |
| Hidden meaning: It is not shameful for parents to talk about their daughtersand offer them as brides to trustworthy people Applicability: It is customary for men to propose, so this is a saying advocating that marriage (betrothal) proposals could come from either party. Readily applied when parents find a good match for their daughter. |
Literal translation: Don’t play matchmaker for your son but rather for your daughter | اخطب لبنتك و ماتخطبش لإبنك<ekhTob le bentak wa matekhTobsh le ebnak> |
| Hidden meaning: Criticism of someone who’s impossible to please Applicability: Comments on someone who’s ”blase” or who puts down everything or everyone. |
Literally: Wonders don’t please him, nor does fasting in the month of Ragab | مايعجبوش العجب ولا الصيام في رجب<ma ye3geboosh el 3agab, wala’l siyaam fi ragab> |
| Hidden meaning: Don’t dig for trouble; face your problems Applicability: An advice to prevent potential problems when someone ishesitating to solve a problem for good. |
Literal translation: Block the door where the wind comes from, and relax | الباب اللي يجي منه الريح، سدّه واستريح<El bab elli yigi menno el reeH, seddo westareeH> |
| Hidden meaning: The impact of bad experiences makes one weary.Applicability: When someone get very suspicious because of a bad experience. | Literal translation: This who burn his/her tounge when eating soup, will blow in the yogurt. | اللي يتلسّع من الشربا ينفخ في الزبادي<Elli yetlesse3 men el shorba yenfokh felzabadi> |
| Hidden meaning: You get what is yoursApplicability: When someone is working so hard for money. | Literal translation : Run as a beast, you will not get except your share. | اجري جري الوحوش، غير رزقك لن تحوش<Egri garey elwehoosh, gher rezkak lan tehoosh> |
| Hidden meaning: Trivial people can get a lot of attention. Applicability: When a lot of fuss is made about a not so worthy person. |
Literal translation: The funeral is hot while the dead is a dog. | الجنازة حارّة والميّت كلب <Elganaze hara we elmaiet kalb> |












Azerbajdzjan blev självständigt 1991 efter Sovjetunionens upplösning och började genast att tala om sin identitet. Landet prövades av ett krig med Armenien där man förlorade en femtedel av sitt territorium och tvingades ta hand om en miljon flyktingar. Vilka är vi egentligen? Varifrån kommer vi? Athurapatekan – en provins i det gamla persien, känt för sina många eldstempel, där man vördade elden som en manifestation av Ormuzd, den gode guden, som tillbads av Zoroastrierna. Eller var det kanske de många brinnande oljekällorna som gav landet dess namn ”eldarnas land”? Meningarna går isär, både om detta och om var Azerbajdzjans hjärtland är beläget. Azerbajdzjanerna är idag ett turkisktalande folk. Så har det varit i 1000 år säger perserna. En del azerer håller med, andra blir aldeles ursinniga och häpnar över persernas fräckhet. ”Vi har alltid varit turkar”. Som om inte detta vore nog är Azerbjdzjan ett delat land, och större delen av dess befolkning och dess yta hör till Iran. Iran är ett land som är djupt förenat med Azerbajdzjan. Med en befolkning på upp till 30% azerispråkiga, och för ett par generationer sedan ännu mer. Med månghundraåriga azeriturkiska dynastier på härskartronen, och med en nuvarande högste ledare Ayatollah Khamenei som är etnisk azerbajdzjanier, kan Iran inte bortse från det faktum att man har en delvis azerbajdzjansk identitet. Det var under början av 1800-talet som Ryssland lade beslag på den norra delen av de turkiskspråkiga västliga delarna av Persien. Gränsen kom att utgöras av Arazfloden.