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Fi Matal Bi 2oul…A Beginner’s Guide To Lebanese Proverbs And Sayings (Part II)
Last week, we introduced 10 Lebanese proverbs, here are a few more! If you missed part I, you can read up by clicking here.
11. 2awladakom laysou lakom, 2awladakom 2abna2 el hayat
Literal translation: Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
We are all independent human beings. Originating from the wise Gebran Khalil Gebran, this is one that we can all, 100%, most certainly, agree with. Overprotective, overbearing, and over-curious Lebanese mothers everywhere, this one is for you. Read it again. And again. And again.
12. Law 2al zetak, ma tdanne nafsak la 7ada
Literal translation: if your worth (or oil? we can’t figure this one out!) decreases don’t ‘lower’ yourself for anybody. Meaning: as much as you’re in need, don’t ask for anything nor lower your self-worth through doing so. Our 2017 interpretation and addition is, “especially not to unethical, immoral and interest-whoring loan shark companies!”
13. Khalle el 3asal b kuaro, la teje as3aro.
Literal translation: keep honey in its place until it gets a good price. One common interpretation of this is the Lebanese version of Rapunzel – keep your girl locked up till a suitable prince comes along to rescue her. Otherwise, it’s better not to marry at all. Ah, freedom of choice and marrying for love are so overrated anyway!
14. Eza ana amira, w enta amir, meen bi sou2 el 7ameer?
Literal translation: if I’m a princess, and you’re a prince, then who will drive the donkey? In other words: modesty and humbleness. Yep, we’re all thinking it – this saying absolutely did not originate from Lebanon!
15. Ma bes temma ella emma.
Literal translation: nobody kissed her lips other her mother. Can anyone smell sexist undertones with a side dish of misogyny?
16. 3ish kteer, btesma3 kteer.
Literal translation: live a lot, hear a lot. Self-explanatory. Most probably your grandmother’s favourite saying.
17. El beb yalli byejeek menno ree7, seddo w stree7
Literal translation: close the door that brings gusts of wind and relax.
Gusts of wind being symbolic for problems, or negativity, applied to difficult people, scenarios or things. Don’t forget to triple lock that door, burn it all down, and not look back (please don’t take this literally!) Get that negativity out of your life. (Doesn’t it sound so easy?)
18. Li bi re2eb el nes, bi mout bi hammo.
Literal translation: he who monitors people, will die in his worries. Dedicated to your annoying aunt, nosey neighbour, and all your mother’s friends who have nothing better to do than watch your every move.
19. El beit yalli rabbeke, mesh ra7 yenseke
Literal translation: the house that raised you, will never forget you. Tear inducing, I know. A heart-warming old proverb commonly said to brides.
20. S3a bi jneze w ma tes3a bi jeze
Literal translation: arrange a funeral, and do not arrange a wedding.
*Subtly hints at every older person who has ever tried to hook anyone up with their son, daughter, niece, nephew, neighbour, pen pal or imaginary friend*
21. Last, but certainly not least, own very own, home-grown mathal king!
I’ll let this one speak for itself:
11. 2awladakom laysou lakom, 2awladakom 2abna2 el hayat
Literal translation: Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
We are all independent human beings. Originating from the wise Gebran Khalil Gebran, this is one that we can all, 100%, most certainly, agree with. Overprotective, overbearing, and over-curious Lebanese mothers everywhere, this one is for you. Read it again. And again. And again.
12. Law 2al zetak, ma tdanne nafsak la 7ada
Literal translation: if your worth (or oil? we can’t figure this one out!) decreases don’t ‘lower’ yourself for anybody. Meaning: as much as you’re in need, don’t ask for anything nor lower your self-worth through doing so. Our 2017 interpretation and addition is, “especially not to unethical, immoral and interest-whoring loan shark companies!”
13. Khalle el 3asal b kuaro, la teje as3aro.
Literal translation: keep honey in its place until it gets a good price. One common interpretation of this is the Lebanese version of Rapunzel – keep your girl locked up till a suitable prince comes along to rescue her. Otherwise, it’s better not to marry at all. Ah, freedom of choice and marrying for love are so overrated anyway!
14. Eza ana amira, w enta amir, meen bi sou2 el 7ameer?
Literal translation: if I’m a princess, and you’re a prince, then who will drive the donkey? In other words: modesty and humbleness. Yep, we’re all thinking it – this saying absolutely did not originate from Lebanon!
15. Ma bes temma ella emma.
Literal translation: nobody kissed her lips other her mother. Can anyone smell sexist undertones with a side dish of misogyny?
16. 3ish kteer, btesma3 kteer.
Literal translation: live a lot, hear a lot. Self-explanatory. Most probably your grandmother’s favourite saying.
17. El beb yalli byejeek menno ree7, seddo w stree7
Literal translation: close the door that brings gusts of wind and relax.
Gusts of wind being symbolic for problems, or negativity, applied to difficult people, scenarios or things. Don’t forget to triple lock that door, burn it all down, and not look back (please don’t take this literally!) Get that negativity out of your life. (Doesn’t it sound so easy?)
18. Li bi re2eb el nes, bi mout bi hammo.
Literal translation: he who monitors people, will die in his worries. Dedicated to your annoying aunt, nosey neighbour, and all your mother’s friends who have nothing better to do than watch your every move.
19. El beit yalli rabbeke, mesh ra7 yenseke
Literal translation: the house that raised you, will never forget you. Tear inducing, I know. A heart-warming old proverb commonly said to brides.
20. S3a bi jneze w ma tes3a bi jeze
Literal translation: arrange a funeral, and do not arrange a wedding.
*Subtly hints at every older person who has ever tried to hook anyone up with their son, daughter, niece, nephew, neighbour, pen pal or imaginary friend*
21. Last, but certainly not least, own very own, home-grown mathal king!
I’ll let this one speak for itself: