The Arabic language is rich with its proverbs; some are deep and wise, yet would make no sense whatsoever if they were told to foreigners.
Translating a few sayings to English might sound fun at the time until you get the shocking final result...
Here's a list of 10 Arabic proverbs that sound like gibberish when attempting to translate them:
1. The donkey wisdom
"Al tikrar you3alem al 7imar" (التكرار يعلّم الحمار)
Literal translation: Repetition teaches the donkey.
English equivalent: Practice makes perfect.
2. Mother knows best
"El 2erd fi 3ein 2omo ghazal" (القرد في عين أمه غزال)
Literal translation: The monkey is a gazelle in its mother’s eyes.
English equivalent: Mothers always see the best in their children.
3. Bathroom etiquette?
“Doukhoul al hamam mosh zay khroujo" (دخول الحمام مش زي خروجه)
Literal translation: Going into the bathroom is not like leaving it.
English equivalent: Getting into tricky situations is easier than getting out of them.
4. Beggars gonna beg
“3allamnehon 3al sh7ade, saba2ouna 3al bweb” (علمناهم الشحاته سبقونا على البواب)
Literal translation: We taught them how to beg, they beat us to the doors.
English equivalent: When the student becomes the master.
5. Ti ti ti ti
"Ti ti ti ti, zay ma ro7ti, zay ma giti" (تیتي تیتي زي ما رحتي جیتي)
Literal translation: Ti ti ti ti, you came just as you left.
English equivalent: You wasted your time.
6. All in this together
"Bel hawa sawa" (في الهوا سوا)
Literal translation: We are in the wind together.
English equivalent: We're all in the same boat.
7. RIP morals
"Li sta7o meto" (اللي استحوا ماتوا)
Literal translation: Those who are shy are dead.
English equivalent: No morals.
8. Double faced
"Bel wejj mraya w bel 2afa sermaya" (في الوجه مراية وفي القفا صرماية)
Literal translation: Mirror in the face, a shoe in the back.
English equivalent: Double-faced.
9. Be Aladdin, my friend
"3ala 2ad bsatak, med rejlek" (على قد بساطك مد رجليك)
Literal translation: You can only lay your feet within the length of your carpet.
English equivalent: Live within your capabilities.
10. Do not pollute though
"3mol mnih w rmi bel ba7er" (اعمل منيح وارميه فى البحر)
Literal translation: Do good and throw in the sea.
English equivalent: Do good without expecting anything in return.