Qatari sayings you would have never heard

Qatari sayings you would have never heard

kadija latibu
By kadija latibu

Every language and every culture has its own sayings and proverbs. These proverbs help in a great way to understand about the culture and tradition of a country.

While we would know sayings from a string of languages, being in Qatar, very few of us would know the proverbs and sayings that the Qataris tend to use in their day to day life.

Here’s a list of them translated as best as we could into English-

1-The long Thobe will tire you. 

Similar to the English saying “Don’t bite more than what you could chew”, this Qatari proverb means carry only what you could.

2-All who are running on their father’s footsteps, are anyway running. 

The meaning of this saying is the son will always do what the father does.

3-You’re sunset and I’m sunrise.

When a person says this to another it means, that he isn’t in agreement with the other.

4-Hit the dog and the cheetah will learn.

The meaning of this saying is, if the small children are disciplined the bigger ones will invariably learn.

5-Braver than Antara.

Antara is a very brave and a popular figure of the Pre-Islamic Era who is similar to Hercules in Greek Myths. When a person comments on another being braver than Antara, it means that he’s very impressed with the other’s bravery.

6-I’m your cane that doesn’t fail you.

This is generally told to mean loyalty and trust of a friend who is always there for another.

7-One who doesn’t know the falcon, will cook it.

This refers to a person who owns something that he doesn’t know to use.

8-One day is ‘for’ you and another ‘against’ you.

This means that a person won’t be lucky every day. He’ll face good tidings one day and he might face bad tidings on another.

9-A promise lasts an era

This saying indicates that a promise when made, should be kept forever.

10-Actions are based on intentions.

Derived from an Islamic hadeeth, it refers that every action comes from an intention. 

Do you have any more Qatari sayings to add to our list? If so, comment below.

(Cover pic source:bq-magazine.com)

 

By Englishforyou• 1 Nov 2015 12:49
Rating: 3/5
Englishforyou

@redfranks

15.a. Make sure you get your exit permit first and managers approval before you shoot off to the airport

By Englishforyou• 1 Nov 2015 12:49
Rating: 4/5
Englishforyou

@redfranks

15.a. Make sure you get your exit permit first and managers approval before you shoot of to the airport

By Englishforyou• 1 Nov 2015 12:47
Rating: 4/5
Englishforyou

@redfranks

15.a. Make sure you get your exit permit first and managers approval before you shoot of to the airport

By redfranks• 1 Nov 2015 07:14
redfranks

15. If you don't like it here you know the way to the airport.

By Gasoline• 1 Nov 2015 07:11
Rating: 3/5
Gasoline

14. The most important thing in life is not knowing everything, it's having the phone number of somebody who does!

By britexpat• 1 Nov 2015 07:10
britexpat

Englishforyou: Are we talking Karak or the good old Earl Grey here ?

By AkbarAli3003• 1 Nov 2015 01:25
AkbarAli3003

All have something to say

By Englishforyou• 31 Oct 2015 13:44
Rating: 4/5
Englishforyou

Number 13 When in doubt, a cup of chai will sort it out

By Kevin Apelo• 31 Oct 2015 08:29
Rating: 4/5
Kevin Apelo

@gasoline, your number 11 is crazy accurate.

By britexpat• 30 Oct 2015 19:36
britexpat

Rizks' favourite: If your father is a poor man, it is your fate. But, if your father-in-law is a poor man, then it's your stupidity.

By Gasoline• 30 Oct 2015 14:34
Gasoline

Typo shorter not show.

By Gasoline• 30 Oct 2015 14:32
Rating: 4/5
Gasoline

Number 11 the Land Cruiser always has right of way.

Number 12 the show to the number plate the more you should get out the way.

By britexpat• 30 Oct 2015 09:45
britexpat

My Cuban Shotputter always said - Se le subió el santo when we were together :O(

By aliskadi• 29 Oct 2015 19:14
aliskadi

I wish they would have written it in Arabic, so that I could translate it myself. I believe some of the meaning got lost in translation.

By britexpat• 29 Oct 2015 18:07
Rating: 5/5
britexpat

10 is best

By mohdata• 29 Oct 2015 17:41
Rating: 4/5
mohdata

I like 1 and 7..

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