Arabic Sayings
كلب صديق و لا صديق كلب If its one thing I love about the Arabic language, its that it possesses the power of expression. It may seem difficult, complicated and really hard to grasp, but in fact the Arabic language has a beauty that English, for example, cannot exert.
When in engaging in a dialogue, throwing in one of these typical expressions spices up the context as it adds humour, meaning, and relevance. And not only are these expressions carefully created, but they rhyme too!
These sayings, or الأمثل العربية, are part of our Lebanese identity. And the best part? These sayings cannot be translated to English. Foreigners will only think us Arabs are weird for wanting the “ass of our kid to burry us” (to2borno tizo).
I personally like the sarcastic ones, that aren’t blunt with the meaning and rather need some witty explanation (such as the first few ones).
English translation: he likes the molasses off of the tahini. (meaning he’s a greedy one, he even wants to lick the molasses that has become homogenous with the tahini)
English translation: he cant tell the difference between his ass and the walls of the pool. (both his ass and the walls of the pool are soft and this saying is used when you cannot tell the difference between two things)
English translation: we taught them how to beg and now they have raced us to the doors.
English translation: The mother gathers
English translation: oh bald head, we are confused where to kiss you from (this expression is used when someone is facing a dilemma)
English translation: distance is dry; closeness is loyalty
English translation: one hand cannot clap on its own
English translation: water and fire at home instead of a mother-in-law
English translation: the departure is in our control, but the return isn’t
English translation: who’s house is made of glass should not throw things at people (metaphorical meaning)
English translation: a dog who is a friend rather than a friend who is a dog
See more here: http://al-hakawati.net/arabic/Culture_Traditions/wise3.asp