Spending all this time in Canada, far away from our Egyptian friends, has led us to yearn for the Arabic language. I have often caught myself saying the odd Arabic word or phrase in the flow of English conversation. And more often than not it is the fun Egyptian Arabic expressions that come to mind. The following list is a small selection of our favourite Egyptian Arabic idioms:
في المشمش (fil-mishmish)
Literally: In Apricot Season Meaning: "It'll never happen!"
We'll begin with one of the most common and colourful idioms of all. The apricot season in Egypt is famously short. This means Egyptians have a small window to exploit the delicious seasonal offering. With this brevity in mind, Egyptians coined the fun phrase to refer to the unlikely and impossible. The English equivalent to this expression is "when pigs fly," though it is hard to see that catching on in mostly-Muslim Egypt!
زي القطة المغمضة (zayy il-'oTTa l-miġammaDa)
I love to joke with Egyptians, who are famous for their good sense of humour. However sometimes they will laugh back at my quips that I am very naughty. I most often reply to such an assertion with the above phrase. "I'm as innocent as a blindfolded kitten!" I say. I just love the imagery!
كوسا (koosa)
Literally: Zucchini Meaning: Special Connections (business)
In the days of yore, Egyptian farmers would bring their harvest to the town market, often forming a line to get in. Of all the fruits and vegetables, it is said that zucchini was the first to spoil under the hot sun. Because of this, whatever farmers had zucchini merely had to state that they had 'koosa', and poof, they'd be at the front of the line. Today 'koosa' refers to special connections in business, politics or otherwise. Most Egyptians lament that 'koosa' is all too necessary to get by in Egypt's corrupt bureaucracies.
In the days of yore, Egyptian farmers would bring their harvest to the town market, often forming a line to get in. Of all the fruits and vegetables, it is said that zucchini was the first to spoil under the hot sun. Because of this, whatever farmers had zucchini merely had to state that they had 'koosa', and poof, they'd be at the front of the line. Today 'koosa' refers to special connections in business, politics or otherwise. Most Egyptians lament that 'koosa' is all too necessary to get by in Egypt's corrupt bureaucracies.
خلى رقبته زي السمسمة (xalla ra'abtu zayy is-simsima)
Literally: To make one's neck feel like a sesame seed Meaning: To humiliate someone
Egyptians can be very direct in their choice of words, non-nonchalantly pointing out a bad hair day, a slight weight gain, or a mispronounced word. I often reply to any fun slight with a quick smirk of the above phrase. No one wants to have their neck feel like a sesame seed!
Egyptians can be very direct in their choice of words, non-nonchalantly pointing out a bad hair day, a slight weight gain, or a mispronounced word. I often reply to any fun slight with a quick smirk of the above phrase. No one wants to have their neck feel like a sesame seed!
دمّه خفيف (dammu xafiif)
Literally: Someone has light blood Meaning: Someone is good-humoured/easygoing
This is a wonderful idiom that is so relevant to the Egyptian context, where people's blood is as light as feathers! Anyone who has lived in Egypt knows that the average Egyptian loves to joke, socialize and have fun. (Contrast that with the famously heavy blood of Gulf Arabs.) A most delightful Egyptian quality!
زي القطة تاكل وتنكر (zayy il-'uTTa taakul wa tinkir)
زي القطة تاكل وتنكر (zayy il-'uTTa taakul wa tinkir)
Literally: Like the cat who eats and denies it Meaning: To be ungrateful
I love this idiom for the imagery alone (I am an animal lover). It is usually used against perceived slights or lack of gratitude, and always brings about a few laughs.
I love this idiom for the imagery alone (I am an animal lover). It is usually used against perceived slights or lack of gratitude, and always brings about a few laughs.
كرش (kirsh)
Literally: Paunch Meaning: Potbelly
The Egyptian diet is heavy on fats (ghee and oil especially). A dish is often not complete until it is saturated in clarified butter. Less prevalent for busy adults is physical exercise. Thus the development of a potbelly can be a natural part of adulthood. And while "potbelly" might sound a bit negative, there is a nice warmth to the word "kirsh"!
ودن من طين وودن من عجين (widne min Tiin wa-widne min 3agiin)
Literally: One ear full of mud, one ear full of dough Meaning: Someone who doesn't listen
More great imagery, this time to refer to people who are difficult to communicate with. With tens of millions of people crowded along the banks of the Nile, mud and bread (and therefore dough) are two of life's constants in Egypt. No doubt this is a popular expression for parents with teenagers.
More great imagery, this time to refer to people who are difficult to communicate with. With tens of millions of people crowded along the banks of the Nile, mud and bread (and therefore dough) are two of life's constants in Egypt. No doubt this is a popular expression for parents with teenagers.
أدّن - يدّن في مالطا (addan - yiddan fi malTa)
Literally: To do the Muslim Call to Prayer in Malta Meaning: A hopeless or futile effort to do something
The Arabs captured the Mediterranean island of Malta from the Byzantine Empire in 870 AD. A couple centuries of Arab rule followed, however, the Muslim Arabs were never able to make religious inroads in the staunchly Catholic society. The stubborn faithfulness of Malta's inhabitants remains in the Arab consciousness to this day, and the above phrase is used in a way that is similar to the English idiom "Talking to a Brick Wall."
So there you have it, a selection of our favourite Arabic idioms! Obviously language and culture are deeply intertwined, and the images painted by choice of word can provide a fascinating window into society. Whenever we use them in Beni Suef it it immediately increases our credibility as 'real Egyptians'.
So have you memorized them all yet? No?! What am I, doing the call to prayer in Malta or something?
Literally: To do the Muslim Call to Prayer in Malta Meaning: A hopeless or futile effort to do something
The Arabs captured the Mediterranean island of Malta from the Byzantine Empire in 870 AD. A couple centuries of Arab rule followed, however, the Muslim Arabs were never able to make religious inroads in the staunchly Catholic society. The stubborn faithfulness of Malta's inhabitants remains in the Arab consciousness to this day, and the above phrase is used in a way that is similar to the English idiom "Talking to a Brick Wall."
So there you have it, a selection of our favourite Arabic idioms! Obviously language and culture are deeply intertwined, and the images painted by choice of word can provide a fascinating window into society. Whenever we use them in Beni Suef it it immediately increases our credibility as 'real Egyptians'.
So have you memorized them all yet? No?! What am I, doing the call to prayer in Malta or something?
