5 Common Arabic Idioms You Need to Know
Common Arabic Idioms You Need To Know 🗣
Notes
1- Letter “3” stands for ع which is “A” sound from the throat.
2- Letter “7” stands for ح which is the strong “H” sound.
Welcome to our language journey as we delve into the vibrant world of Arabic idioms! The cool thing is that even an idiom consisting of 2 words could be used to express what you want or fully describe a situation.
So, in this blog post, I will present 5 Arabic idioms commonly used throughout Arab countries, explain them, and give an example of each to know how to utilize them. Let's dive in!
1. On my head / على راسي
3ala Rasi is a polite idiom said to someone who asks you for a favor, as a reply, you say “3ala Rasi” which means “Anything for you!”
Example:
“Teqdar ta7milli haada al-Sandooq al-thaqeel min fadlak?”
“3ala Rasi, 3ammi Rami!”
تِقْدر تَحملّي هذا الصندوق الثقيل من فضْلك؟
على راسي، عمّي رامي
“May you please carry this heavy box for me?”
“Ala Rasi, uncle Rami.” 🙂
2. His brain flew / عقلو طار
3aqlu Taar idiomatically means that someone became mad or lost his mind!
Example:
Ahmad 3aqlu Tarr la’anno fashal fi imti7aan kteer muhim, wil-7een ma bikallim 7ada!!
أحمد عقلو طار لأنّه فشل في امتحان كتير مهمّ، والحين ما بكلّم حدا
“Ahmad 3aqlu Taar because he failed a very important exam, and now he’s not talking to anyone!!” 😡
3. Movement is a blessing! / الحركة بركة
Al-7araka baraka can have 2 almost identical meanings:
1- There’s good in being determined to get things done, continue to have a stabilized lifestyle, and keep going strong in life.
2- Doing regular exercises, like walking, and having a healthy body is very beneficial for the person because your greatest wealth is your health!
Example:
Yalla ya Fadi, ta3aal nathHab wa natamasha 3ala al-shati’. Al-7araka baraka!
يلّا يا فادي، تعال نذْهب ونتمشّى على الشاطئ. الحركة بركة
“Come on Fadi, let’s go walk on the beach. Al-Haraka baraka!!” 🏃♂️💨
4. My leg on your leg / رِجلي على رِجْلك
Rejli 3ala rejlak is a nice idiom said to another person letting them know that wherever they go, you are going with them!
Example:
“3andi khoTaT 7ilwa lil-ri7laat haada al-3aam!”
”Rejli 3ala rejlak, i7sib 7isaabi ma3ak!”
عندي خطط حلوة للرحلات هذا العام
رجلي على رجلك، احْسِب حِسابي معك
“I have nice plans for travels this year!!”
“Rejli ‘ala rejlak, count me in!” 🏖️
5. Brought the festival / جاب العيد
Jaab il-eid is an idiom used in Saudi and Emirati dialects, jokingly, to say that someone “Messed up”
Example:
Hadaak al-dahhan Jaab il-eid, waqa3 3ala jismo daluw min al-dihaan al-abyaD.
هذاك الدهّان جاب العيد، وقع على جسمه دلُوْ من الدِهان الأبيَض
“That painter Jaab il-eid, a bucket of white paint has fallen on his body.” 🤦♂️
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