Egypt Proverbs (10)

Traditional proverbs of Egypt in Khmer and English — each with its meaning and source.

القرد في عين أمه غزال

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

A mother sees her own child as beautiful and flawless no matter what others think.

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Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

اللي فات مات

“What has passed is dead.”

Let bygones be bygones; do not dwell on the past.

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Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

إيد واحدة ماتصفقش

“One hand cannot clap.”

Cooperation is needed; nothing meaningful is achieved alone.

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Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

الجعان يحلم بسوق العيش

“The hungry man dreams of the bread market.”

People are preoccupied with, and dream of, whatever they most lack.

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Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

اللي على راسه بطحة يحسس عليها

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

A guilty or insecure person betrays themselves by their own nervous reactions.

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Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

القرش الأبيض ينفع في اليوم الأسود

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

Save money in good times because it will help you in hard times.

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Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

اللي اتلسع من الشوربة ينفخ في الزبادي

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

Once bitten, twice shy — a bad experience makes one overly cautious afterward.

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Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

الباب اللي يجيلك منه الريح سده واستريح

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

Remove the source of your trouble and you will find peace.

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Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

امشي في جنازة ولا تمشي في جوازة

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

Avoid meddling in marriage or matchmaking, as it brings blame whatever the outcome.

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Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

بعد ما شاب ودّوه الكُتّاب

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

Criticism of doing something far too late, when the right time has long passed.

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Source: Traditional Egyptian proverb, public-domain oral tradition