The words of Egypt

Egypt — quotes, proverbs & wisdom

Real words from the people of Egypt, each with a verified source. New quotes are added as each is fact-checked.

“The monkey in his mother's eyes is a gazelle.”

القرد في عين أمه غزال

Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“What has passed is dead.”

اللي فات مات

Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“One hand cannot clap.”

إيد واحدة ماتصفقش

Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“The hungry man dreams of the bread market.”

الجعان يحلم بسوق العيش

Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“He who has a bump on his head keeps feeling for it.”

اللي على راسه بطحة يحسس عليها

Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“The white piastre is useful on the black day.”

القرش الأبيض ينفع في اليوم الأسود

Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“He who is burned by the soup blows on the yogurt.”

اللي اتلسع من الشوربة ينفخ في الزبادي

Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Block the door that brings you a draft and rest.”

الباب اللي يجيلك منه الريح سده واستريح

Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Walk in a funeral, but do not walk in a matchmaking.”

امشي في جنازة ولا تمشي في جوازة

Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“After he grew old, they sent him to school.”

بعد ما شاب ودّوه الكُتّاب

Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition