Deconstructing Arabic Expressions to Make Art

Nader Dagher, founder of Art 7aké, dares to show the fun behind the Arabic language and proves to us that we cannot get any cooler than speaking Arabic in our clique. The Lebanese graphic designer deconstructs everyday expressions in his posters, showing how playful and witty the language can be.

Playing on words, Art 7aké is a platform that expresses all emotions and ideas in Arabic wording and witty designs. In less than a year, his company has taken off, growing to boast over to 17,000 likes on Facebook, 2,000 followers on Twitter and almost 10,000 followers on Instagram.  All his designs are available to order on canvas, posters, t-shirts and other items on MySouk .

Here are some of our favorites.

Literal translation: My typing is hard.

Ever had a friend who is just hard to handle? This one is for all the not so easy going people out there who are just "the hard type."

Literal translation: It landed on my heart.

Used as a colloquialism for when something is overwhelming, it is as if you are saying, oh my gosh I am going to faint. If you're from the Middle East, then your mom have used this expression over a billion times.

Literal translation: Air conditioned.

Although this word is used to describe that air conditioned rooms, people often use it to say that they're feeling good.

Literal translation: Female bear and squeeze.

If a couple is always nagging or bickering with each other, this is the perfect expression for telling them to go somewhere else or stop it. Don't be that couple.

Literal translation: My head lit.

This expression is used to show extreme agitation and indicates that "I can't take it anymore," like when you've been stuck in traffic for over two hours.

Literal translation: Love is blind.

Proving once again that love is blind, maybe we should all take these shades off for once.

Literal translation: What a switch.

Used to indicate disappointment, this is how you feel when it rains on your beach day.

Literal translation: Brains are an accessory.

This is a snarky remark for someone who is not that smart.

Literal translation: Your talk is wet.

Have you ever been struck by spit missiles? Pretty Paris Poops.

Literal translation: A soap in the eye.

In the Middle East a lot of people believe in the negative energy that jealousy brings along. This expression is used when someone has jinxed a person or a situation.

Literal translation: Hair has grown on my tongue.

No, Middle Eastern people don't grow hair on their tongue, but they feel like they have when they have explained something one too many times.