Egyptian joke

(1)

waHda waHda 

ez-zoog:           maalik? za3laana leyh?

ez-zooga:         aSl kaan feeh waaHid bi3akisni

ez-zoog:           wi it’kharti leyh?

ez-zooga:         aSlu kaan maashi waHda waHda

(tip: the word ‘aSl’ can be used instead of ‘3ashaan’ to mean ‘because’.)

Husband:         What’s wrong? Why are you upset?

Wife:               Because there was a man courting* me.

Husband:         And why are you late?

Wife:               Because he was walking very slowly.

Cultural note: In Egypt, some men in the street may call out endearments to a woman in the hope of striking up a conversation. This is referred to as ‘courting.’ Egyptian women will usually ignore it and walk away.

by Randa A.Tawwab

Egyptian proverb

 (1)

المكتوب على الجبين لا زم تشوفه العين

“el maktub 3ala el-gibeen laazim tishufu el-3eyn”

Literal meaning: What is written on the forehead must be seen by the eye.

Concealed meaning: ‘what is written on the forehead’ refers to Fate; you can’t change your fate, you must accept it.

An English equivalent is “what is written is written”


by Randa A.Tawwab