" ديل الكلب عمره ماينعدل ولو علقوا عليه قالب"
Alternatives:
ديل الكلب ما ينعدل
literal translation: "the tail of the dog never get straight even if you set a mold for it""one never changes"
Alternatives:
ديل الكلب ما ينعدل
literal translation: "the tail of the dog never get straight even if you set a mold for it""one never changes"
"ابن الوز عوام"
literal translation: "A goose’s child is an excellent diver""Like father, like son"
literal translation: "A goose’s child is an excellent diver""Like father, like son"
" القرد فى عين امه غزال"literal translation: "A monkey is a gazelle in its mother’s eyes."
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"
" الغايب حجته معاه"
literal translation: "An absent person has his excuse."
"Don't blame someone for not being here until you hear him/her out."
literal translation: "An absent person has his excuse."
"Don't blame someone for not being here until you hear him/her out."
" السلف تلف و الرد خسارة"
Alternatives:
السلف تلف
literal translation: "borrowing is bad, and returning money is a loss"
"Don't lend or loan money"
"Time never gets tired of Running"
-Amad (The great Egyptian poet
Bathe her and then look at her.
Meaning: Look at a girl without makeup and hairdo to see if she’s really pretty.
"اصبر على الجار السو يايرحل يا تجيله مصيبه تاخده"
Be patient with a bad neighbor. Maybe he’ll leave or a disaster will take him out.
Meaning: Take your time before getting into fights you can avoid.
داري علي شمعتك تقيد Cover your candle, it will light more.
Meaning: Be cautious! Don’t brag about what you have.
لبس البوصه تبقي عروسه Dress up a stick and it’ll be a beautiful wife.
Meaning: Don't be fooled by women’s appearances; look deeper.
ماقدرش علي الحمار اتشطر علي البردعه He who couldn't overcome the donkey took on the saddle.
Meaning: Said of people who don’t face their match and pick on the weak instead.
اللي بيته من الأزاز مايحدفش الناس بالطوب He whose house is made out of glass, shouldn’t throw stones at people.
Meaning: Think of the repercussions before taking actions; you may be more liable to get harmed.
لو حبيبك عسل ماتلحسوش كله If your friend is (like) honey, don't lick it all.
Meaning: Don’t abuse people’s generosity towards you.
ياواخد القرد علي ماله يروح المال و يفضل القرد علي حاله If you marry a monkey for his wealth, the money goes and the monkey remains as is.
Meaning: Don’t get married to people for their money; it won’t bring you happiness.
العلم في الراس مش في الكراس Knowledge is in the head, not the copybook.
Meaning: Thinking is more important than just getting knowledge from books.
يا خبر بفلوس بكره يبقى ببلاش News that’s for money today will be for free tomorrow.
Meaning: Obvious
مد لحافك علي قد رجليك Stretch your legs as far as your quilt goes.
Meaning: Don’t do what’s beyond your capabilities. Don’t buy what you cannot afford.
This cub is from that lion.
Meaning: Like father, like son.
اللي اختشو ماتو Those who had some shame are dead.
Meaning: People don’t have boundaries anymore.
What comes easily is lost easily. Meaning: Obvious
اسمع كلامك اصدقك اشوف امورك استعجب When I hear you, I believe you. When I see what you do, I’m surprised. Meaning: You speak reason yet you do weird stuff that contradicts it.
When the Angels arrive, the devils leave. Meaning: Said when people leave upon others’ arrival.
اللي يجوز امي اقوله يا عمي The man who marries my mother, I call him uncle. Meaning: If you can't beat them, join them.
ادعي علي ابني و اكره اللى يقول آمين I curse my son and I hate who says amen. Meaning: That parents may be tough to their children but that they love them.
قدم السبت تلقى الحد Give saturday, you will find sunday Meaning: That when you have a good history of doing good things, it will come back to you. Kind of What goes around comes around.
People died and came back to life preparing for Yehia's Wedding. Meaning: Often said when people spend a great deal of time preparing for a normal or usual event.
Give me a fish, i have the day's food. Teach me how to fish and i will have everyday's food. Meaning: Instead of giving me things for granted, teach me a useful skill.
The man a bald woman got will be easily seduced by a woman with beautiful hair. Meaning: What an incompetent person can achieve can be easily achieved by a more competent one.
يا مآمنة للرجال يا مآمنة للمية فى الغربال O! sister, you believe in a man's honesty; it's like you are believing in water in a sieve. Meaning : Women cannot trust anyone.
يقتل القتيل و يمشى فى جنازته He kills the victim and walks in his funeral. Meaning : Used to describe a person who is very deceitful yet openly claims innocence.
الكدب مالوش رجلين Lying has no legs. "Truth will Out"--> " الكدب مالوش رجلين" Meaning : Eventually a liar will be exposed.
<'Elle 3ala rasoh batha ye-hasses 3aleha>
Literal translation: A person with a wound on his head keeps touching it.. Hidden meaning: A person is likely to point to his/her own weaknesses.. Applicability: When somebody's acts expose what he/she is trying to hide.
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<3ala kad lehafak med regleak>
Literal translation: Stretch your legs as far as your quilt (blanket) goes.. Hidden meaning: Do not do what you cannot afford.. Applicability: When extravagancy is unaffordable.
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<'Elle fat kadimoh tah>
Literal translation: Lost is the person who forgets his/her past. Hidden meaning: Remember what you were before bragging about what you became.. Applicability: Criticizing those who want to be disassociated from their roots.
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Literal translation: The unlucky finds bones in his/her "fatta" (kind of food) Hidden meaning: A person with a little luck can expect anything happeing to
him. Unluckiness sticks!
Applicability: Complain about one's unluckiness
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: The unlucky finds bones in his/her tripe dinner! Hidden meaning: A person with a little luck can expect anything happeing to
him. Unluckiness sticks!
Applicability: Complain about one's unluckiness
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<'En kan habibak 3asal ma-telhasoush kolloh>
Literal translation: If your friend is like honey, then don't lick all of it! Hidden meaning: Do not take advantage of the sweetness of a dear friend! Applicability: Criticizing a person who abuses the generosity of a friend.
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Literal transalation: They couldn't beat the donkey so they beat the saddle! Hidden meaning: Be fair. Blame the source of the problem. Applicability: Inability to see the real problem and the real evil.
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Literal translation: They found no wrong with roses, so they said it is red! Hidden meaning: People will disagree with you no matter how perfect you are. Applicability: When people criticize just for the sake of criticizing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: If you have to drag a dog to the hunt, neither he nor
his hunting is any good.
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.
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Translation: The skilful spinster spins with the leg of a donkey 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: We invited the bald man to keep us company; he uncovered his
baldness and scared us.
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: You who is building in someone else`s property, you who
is raising someone else's kids.
Hidden meaning: Do your actions where it should be done. Applicability: Criticizing those who do the correct things to the incorrect
people.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: When the sad woman started to be happy, she could not
find a place for her.
Hidden meaning: Sad people will always be sad. Applicability: Complain about being sad.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: When your son grows up, treat him as a brother. Hidden meaning: Do not continue trating your kids as children. Applicability: When someone treats his mature son as a kid.
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Literal translation: The earings are given to those without ears. 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: That who insulted you is that who told you about the
insult.
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.
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Literal translation: The camel went through labor only to give birth to a mouse Hidden meaning: Looks are deceiving Applicability: To express disappointment when something big is expected but
never materializes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: Like the dog of the tobacco salesman, one-eyed, and a
nicotine addict.
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: We tell them it is a bull, they say milk it Meaning: They are trying to get more than they can. Usage: To criticize those who insist on getting what is not available for
giving.
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Literal translation: Dress-up the beatle, it becomes the Lady of the Ladies Hidden meaning : Make up (cosmetics) can make the ugly quite pretty. Applicability: Don't be fooled by appearances..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: If you "marry" a monkey for his wealth, the money goes and
the monkey remains as is ..
Hidden meaning: Don't get attracted by money. Applicability: Said to a girl who wants to marry anyone for only being wealthy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: The trumpet player dies, and his finger is still playing Hidden meaning: Habits stick to the person all his life Applicability: Criticizing somebody for his bad habits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: The {belly} dancer dies, and her waist is still moving Hidden meaning: Habits stick to the person all his life Applicability: Criticizing somebody for his bad habits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: I came to you to help me, but I found that YOU need help. 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: Trusting men is trusting the water in a sieve Hidden meaning: A feminist proverb that makes the analogy of trusting men to
water being kept in a sieve
Applicability: To wives betrayed or cheated by their husbands (mainly)
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Literal translation: What's written on the forehead (i.e., one's destiny) is
to be seen by the eye
Hidden meaning: One will inevitably meet one's destiny Applicability: Obvious
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: The bullet that doesn't hit makes a noise Hidden meaning: Accusations that don't stand still hurt Applicability: To comment on damage caused by a scandal (for example).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hidden meaning: One better take care of his/her own business Applicability: To emphasize one's responsibilities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: Oh you getting in between the onion and its peel, you
want get anything other than its bad smell.
Hidden meaning: Mind your own business Applicability: To advise somebody you gets involved in a dispute when he/she
shouldn't.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: Humming in one's ear is more effective) than magic Hidden meaning: Incessant meaningless complaints do eventually work! Applicability: Advice to avoid listening to somebody who keeps on
pushing a foolish argument
Alternatives:
السلف تلف
literal translation: "borrowing is bad, and returning money is a loss"
"Don't lend or loan money"
"Time never gets tired of Running"
-Amad (The great Egyptian poet
Bathe her and then look at her.
Meaning: Look at a girl without makeup and hairdo to see if she’s really pretty.
"اصبر على الجار السو يايرحل يا تجيله مصيبه تاخده"
Be patient with a bad neighbor. Maybe he’ll leave or a disaster will take him out.
Meaning: Take your time before getting into fights you can avoid.
داري علي شمعتك تقيد Cover your candle, it will light more.
Meaning: Be cautious! Don’t brag about what you have.
لبس البوصه تبقي عروسه Dress up a stick and it’ll be a beautiful wife.
Meaning: Don't be fooled by women’s appearances; look deeper.
ماقدرش علي الحمار اتشطر علي البردعه He who couldn't overcome the donkey took on the saddle.
Meaning: Said of people who don’t face their match and pick on the weak instead.
اللي بيته من الأزاز مايحدفش الناس بالطوب He whose house is made out of glass, shouldn’t throw stones at people.
Meaning: Think of the repercussions before taking actions; you may be more liable to get harmed.
لو حبيبك عسل ماتلحسوش كله If your friend is (like) honey, don't lick it all.
Meaning: Don’t abuse people’s generosity towards you.
ياواخد القرد علي ماله يروح المال و يفضل القرد علي حاله If you marry a monkey for his wealth, the money goes and the monkey remains as is.
Meaning: Don’t get married to people for their money; it won’t bring you happiness.
العلم في الراس مش في الكراس Knowledge is in the head, not the copybook.
Meaning: Thinking is more important than just getting knowledge from books.
يا خبر بفلوس بكره يبقى ببلاش News that’s for money today will be for free tomorrow.
Meaning: Obvious
مد لحافك علي قد رجليك Stretch your legs as far as your quilt goes.
Meaning: Don’t do what’s beyond your capabilities. Don’t buy what you cannot afford.
This cub is from that lion.
Meaning: Like father, like son.
اللي اختشو ماتو Those who had some shame are dead.
Meaning: People don’t have boundaries anymore.
What comes easily is lost easily. Meaning: Obvious
اسمع كلامك اصدقك اشوف امورك استعجب When I hear you, I believe you. When I see what you do, I’m surprised. Meaning: You speak reason yet you do weird stuff that contradicts it.
When the Angels arrive, the devils leave. Meaning: Said when people leave upon others’ arrival.
اللي يجوز امي اقوله يا عمي The man who marries my mother, I call him uncle. Meaning: If you can't beat them, join them.
ادعي علي ابني و اكره اللى يقول آمين I curse my son and I hate who says amen. Meaning: That parents may be tough to their children but that they love them.
قدم السبت تلقى الحد Give saturday, you will find sunday Meaning: That when you have a good history of doing good things, it will come back to you. Kind of What goes around comes around.
People died and came back to life preparing for Yehia's Wedding. Meaning: Often said when people spend a great deal of time preparing for a normal or usual event.
Give me a fish, i have the day's food. Teach me how to fish and i will have everyday's food. Meaning: Instead of giving me things for granted, teach me a useful skill.
The man a bald woman got will be easily seduced by a woman with beautiful hair. Meaning: What an incompetent person can achieve can be easily achieved by a more competent one.
يا مآمنة للرجال يا مآمنة للمية فى الغربال O! sister, you believe in a man's honesty; it's like you are believing in water in a sieve. Meaning : Women cannot trust anyone.
يقتل القتيل و يمشى فى جنازته He kills the victim and walks in his funeral. Meaning : Used to describe a person who is very deceitful yet openly claims innocence.
الكدب مالوش رجلين Lying has no legs. "Truth will Out"--> " الكدب مالوش رجلين" Meaning : Eventually a liar will be exposed.
<'Elle 3ala rasoh batha ye-hasses 3aleha>
Literal translation: A person with a wound on his head keeps touching it.. Hidden meaning: A person is likely to point to his/her own weaknesses.. Applicability: When somebody's acts expose what he/she is trying to hide.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<3ala kad lehafak med regleak>
Literal translation: Stretch your legs as far as your quilt (blanket) goes.. Hidden meaning: Do not do what you cannot afford.. Applicability: When extravagancy is unaffordable.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<'Elle fat kadimoh tah>
Literal translation: Lost is the person who forgets his/her past. Hidden meaning: Remember what you were before bragging about what you became.. Applicability: Criticizing those who want to be disassociated from their roots.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: The unlucky finds bones in his/her "fatta" (kind of food) Hidden meaning: A person with a little luck can expect anything happeing to
him. Unluckiness sticks!
Applicability: Complain about one's unluckiness
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: The unlucky finds bones in his/her tripe dinner! Hidden meaning: A person with a little luck can expect anything happeing to
him. Unluckiness sticks!
Applicability: Complain about one's unluckiness
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<'En kan habibak 3asal ma-telhasoush kolloh>
Literal translation: If your friend is like honey, then don't lick all of it! Hidden meaning: Do not take advantage of the sweetness of a dear friend! Applicability: Criticizing a person who abuses the generosity of a friend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal transalation: They couldn't beat the donkey so they beat the saddle! Hidden meaning: Be fair. Blame the source of the problem. Applicability: Inability to see the real problem and the real evil.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: They found no wrong with roses, so they said it is red! Hidden meaning: People will disagree with you no matter how perfect you are. Applicability: When people criticize just for the sake of criticizing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: If you have to drag a dog to the hunt, neither he nor
his hunting is any good.
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Translation: The skilful spinster spins with the leg of a donkey 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: We invited the bald man to keep us company; he uncovered his
baldness and scared us.
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: You who is building in someone else`s property, you who
is raising someone else's kids.
Hidden meaning: Do your actions where it should be done. Applicability: Criticizing those who do the correct things to the incorrect
people.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: When the sad woman started to be happy, she could not
find a place for her.
Hidden meaning: Sad people will always be sad. Applicability: Complain about being sad.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: When your son grows up, treat him as a brother. Hidden meaning: Do not continue trating your kids as children. Applicability: When someone treats his mature son as a kid.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: The earings are given to those without ears. Hidden meaning: Some people get things while they are not qualified for them. Applicability: When someone get something that s/he cann't use.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
insult.
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: The camel went through labor only to give birth to a mouse Hidden meaning: Looks are deceiving Applicability: To express disappointment when something big is expected but
never materializes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: Like the dog of the tobacco salesman, one-eyed, and a
nicotine addict.
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: We tell them it is a bull, they say milk it 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: Dress-up the beatle, it becomes the Lady of the Ladies Hidden meaning : Make up (cosmetics) can make the ugly quite pretty. Applicability: Don't be fooled by appearances..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: If you "marry" a monkey for his wealth, the money goes and
the monkey remains as is ..
Hidden meaning: Don't get attracted by money. Applicability: Said to a girl who wants to marry anyone for only being wealthy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: The trumpet player dies, and his finger is still playing Hidden meaning: Habits stick to the person all his life Applicability: Criticizing somebody for his bad habits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: The {belly} dancer dies, and her waist is still moving Hidden meaning: Habits stick to the person all his life Applicability: Criticizing somebody for his bad habits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: I came to you to help me, but I found that YOU need help. 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: Trusting men is trusting the water in a sieve Hidden meaning: A feminist proverb that makes the analogy of trusting men to
water being kept in a sieve
Applicability: To wives betrayed or cheated by their husbands (mainly)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: What's written on the forehead (i.e., one's destiny) is
to be seen by the eye
Hidden meaning: One will inevitably meet one's destiny Applicability: Obvious
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: The bullet that doesn't hit makes a noise Hidden meaning: Accusations that don't stand still hurt Applicability: To comment on damage caused by a scandal (for example).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: Oh you getting in between the onion and its peel, you
want get anything other than its bad smell.
Hidden meaning: Mind your own business Applicability: To advise somebody you gets involved in a dispute when he/she
shouldn't.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: Humming in one's ear is more effective) than magic Hidden meaning: Incessant meaningless complaints do eventually work! Applicability: Advice to avoid listening to somebody who keeps on
pushing a foolish argument
Extracted from wikiquote
To be resumed
