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> |
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| 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> |
