This
collection of Arabic proverbs (most of them used in Egypt
in various contexts) is based on proverts taken from the book "Unload Your Own Donkey ”, compiled by Primrose Arander and Ashkhain
Skipwith, and published by Stacey International-London (2002,
ISBN 1900988364). We have modified a few to be more true to the way they are actually said in Egypt.
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| إِذَا كَان فِيه خِير مَا كَانْش رَمَاه الطِّير |
| iza kaan fiih xiir ma kaans> ramaah iT-Teer |
| “There’s no mileage in it” (literally-If there were any good in it the bird would not have dropped it) |
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| زَي السَّمْن وَ العَسَل |
| zay is-samn w-il-3asal |
| “Love and marriage go together like horse and carriage” from OUR TOWN (literally-Like butter and honey). Used to refer to any two things that "go together" well. |
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| ذَاب ذُبْة المَلْح |
| daab dobit il-malH |
| “ Melted into thin air” ( literally-dissolved like salt) |
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| بِيِطْلَع الضَّو بِدُون صِيَاح الدِّيك |
| biyiTla3 iD-Daww biduun SiyaaH id-diik |
| “Time waits for no man” (literally-Dawn breaks without the crowing of the cock) |
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| إِيشْ مَا طَبَخِت الرَّعْنَة بِيَاكْلُهْ جُوزْهَاالأَعْمَى |
| Iysh ma Tabaxat ir-ra3na biyakul goozha il-a9ma |
| “She gets away with murder” (literally-Whatever the crazy wife cooks her blind husband will eat) |
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| لإِبْرِيق المَلْيَان مَا يِلَقْلَقْش |
| il-ibrii' il-malyaan ma yila'la's> |
| “Steady as a rock” a steady person ( literally-Water does not slosh in a full water jug) |
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| فَسَّل وِ إِحْنَا نِلْبِس |
| fassal w-iHna nilbis |
| “The ball is in your court” ( literally-you cut and we will wear) |
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| إِلِّى بِيِخْلِط حَالُه مَعَ الَّنِخَّالَة بِتَاكْلُه الدَّجَاج |
| illi bi-yixliT Haalu ma3a in-nixaala bi-taklu id-dagaag |
| “A man is judged by the company he keeps” (literally-He who mixes himself with chicken feed will be eaten by the chickens) |
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| مَنْ حَلْ حِزَامُه بَات |
| man halla hizaamu baat |
| “Actions speak louder than words” (literally-He who unties his belt will stay the night) |
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