In colloquial Egyptian, there's a word with no proper translation in neither Arabic nor English... but locals know it all very well.
This magic word is Fahlawa, which simply means a way of living that can both get us in and out of trouble.
It's about being smart, sharp, clever, and having the ability to make the most out of any situation. In a nut-shell, it's a kind of brilliance that's never taught at schools but instead is grasped by mere experience.
Here are seven proverbs that explain what Fahlawa is really about.
1. "El shatra teghzel beregl hmar"
Literal translation: The clever girl can weave and sew with a donkey’s leg.
Real meaning: Even with a lack of resources, people should try their best to do their job; even when they know the end result might not be perfect.
2. "E7na elly kharamna el ta3rifa"
Literal translation: We're the ones who pierced a hole in the nickel.
Real meaning: We're creative and we think outside the box.
3. "El 7adeed boli we e7na lam bolina"
Literal translation: Steel can rust over time, but we don't.
Real meaning: We are stronger than steel.
4. "E7na elly dahanna el hawa duco"
Literal translation: We're the ones who painted air with duco - the paint used for cars.
Real meaning: When someone can convince you with irrational ideas.
5. "E7na elly 3abena el hawa fi azayez"
Literal translation: We're the ones who managed to bottle air.
Real meaning: Just like the previous proverb, this one also denotes the ability of selling nothing for something.
6. "Bafhamha we heya tayra"
Literal translation: I understand the idea while it's still flying.
Real meaning: I'm smart enough to withstand your flight of ideas... and sometimes, I understand what you intend on saying before you even start talking.
7. "Me3detna tehdem el zalat"
Literal translation: Our stomach can digest rocks.
Real meaning: We can handle any kind of food we are given. Oh, and big servings are totally fine with us too.