Learning quotes in arabic is a wonderful way to connect with Arab culture and add a human touch to your language skills. From ancient poetry to modern wisdom, arabic quotes cover every aspect of life, from love to perseverance. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most famous arabic quotes about life, including proverbs from different regions, to help you sound like a native speaker.
Arabic Quotes and Famous Proverbs
These general arabic quotes are popular across the Arab world and offer timeless wisdom.
- ما كل ما يتمنى المرء يدركه، تجري الرياح بما لا تشتهي السفن
- Pronunciation: Ma kull ma yatamanna al-mar’u yudrikuha, tajri ar-riyahu bima la tashtahi as-sufunu.
- Meaning: Not everything a person desires can be achieved; the winds blow in a way the ships do not want.
- Lesson: This quote from the famous poet Al-Mutanabbi teaches us that life is full of unexpected challenges. Therefore, you can plan for something, but you can’t control everything.
- من طلب العلا سهر الليالي
- Pronunciation: Man talaba al-ula sahira al-layali.
- Meaning: He who seeks greatness must endure sleepless nights.
- Lesson: This is a quote about hard work. As a result, to achieve your goals, you must be dedicated and put in the effort, even if it means working late into the night.
- إن أسباب الوفاة كثيرة، ومنها وجع الحياة
- Pronunciation: Inna asbab al-wafah kathira, wa minna waj’ al-hayat.
- Meaning: The causes of death are many, among them the pain of life.
- Lesson: This is a poetic, and slightly sad, quote from Mahmoud Darwish, a famous Palestinian poet. In essence, it talks about how life itself can be a painful struggle.
- من فات قديمه تاه
- Pronunciation: Man fat qadimu tar.
- Meaning: He who abandons his old ways gets lost.
- Lesson: This proverb, therefore, emphasizes the importance of remembering your roots and holding on to your traditions.
- الوقت كالسيف إن لم تقطعه قطعك
- Pronunciation: Al-waqt ka’s-sayf in lam taqta’hu qata’ak.
- Meaning: Time is like a sword; if you don’t cut it, it will cut you.
- Lesson: This is a famous saying about the importance of using your time wisely and not wasting it.
Islamic Quotes in Arabic
Islamic quotes in Arabic often come from the Quran, the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, or famous religious scholars. Furthermore, they offer spiritual guidance and moral lessons.
- إن مع العسر يسرا
- Pronunciation: Inna ma’a al-’usri yusra.
- Meaning: Indeed, with hardship, there is ease.
- Lesson: A beautiful quote from the Quran (Surah Ash-Sharh, 94:6) that offers hope. It reminds us that no matter how difficult a situation is, relief and ease will follow.
- رحم الله امرأ عرف قدر نفسه فوقف عنده
- Pronunciation: Rahim Allahu imra’an ‘arafa qadra nafsihi fa-waqafa ‘indahu.
- Meaning: May God have mercy on a person who knows his own worth and acts accordingly.
- Lesson: This quote is about humility and self-awareness. In addition, it teaches us to understand our strengths and weaknesses and to act with respect for our own limitations.
- لا ييأس من روح الله إلا القوم الكافرون
- Pronunciation: La yay’as min ruwh Allah illa al-qawm al-kafiroon.
- Meaning: No one despairs of God’s mercy except the unbelieving people.
- Lesson: This quote from the Quran (Surah Yusuf, 12:87) reminds us never to lose hope in God.
- أحبب حبيبك هوناً ما، عسى أن يكون بغيضك يوماً ما
- Pronunciation: Ahbib habibak hawnan ma, ‘asa an yakun baghidhak yawman ma.
- Meaning: Love your dear one moderately, for he may one day be your enemy. And hate your enemy moderately, for he may one day be your friend.
- Lesson: This is a famous saying (Hadith) about moderation in all things, especially emotions. For this reason, it teaches us to be balanced in our relationships.
- كلكم راع وكلكم مسؤول عن رعيته
- Pronunciation: Kullukum ra’in wa kullukum mas’ul ‘an ra’iyyatihi.
- Meaning: All of you are shepherds, and all of you are responsible for your flock.
- Lesson: This quote (Hadith) teaches us about leadership and responsibility. It means everyone has a role in society and a duty to take care of those under their influence.
Arabic Proverbs by Region
The Arabic Proverbs you hear often depend on where you are. To illustrate, here are some examples from different regions.
Egyptian Arabic Proverbs
Egyptian Arabic Proverbs are known for their wit and humor. In fact, they often come from daily life.
- اللي ايده في المية مش زي اللي ايده في النار
- Pronunciation: Ili eido fil-mayya mish zayy ili eido fin-nar.
- Literal Meaning: The one whose hand is in the water is not like the one whose hand is in the fire.
- Meaning: This proverb means that it’s easy to give advice when you are not the one facing the problem. It is similar to the English proverb, “Easier said than done.”
- القرد في عين أمه غزال
- Pronunciation: Al-qird fi ‘ayn ummuh ghazal.
- Literal Meaning: The monkey is a gazelle in his mother’s eyes.
- Meaning: This is a charming way to say that a mother sees her child as perfect, no matter what they look like. The English equivalent is, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
- العين عليها حارس
- Pronunciation: Al-‘ain ‘alayha haris.
- Literal Meaning: The eye has a guard.
- Meaning: This means that a person’s eyes or body are protected by a guardian angel. It is said when something bad almost happens to someone, but they are saved at the last moment.
- اخد تفكيرنا
- Pronunciation: Akhad tafkirna.
- Literal Meaning: He took our thoughts.
- Meaning: This is a modern proverb used when someone says exactly what you were thinking.
- جنت على نفسها براقش
- Pronunciation: Jannat ʻalaa nafsiha baraqish.
- Literal Meaning: Baraqish brought doom upon herself.
- Meaning: This ancient proverb is used to describe someone who caused their own trouble or downfall through their own actions.
Levantine Proverbs
Levantine Proverbs are from a region that includes Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. They are often poetic and profound.
- الحكي مش متل الشوفة
- Pronunciation: Alhake mish mitl ashoufa.
- Literal Meaning: Speaking is not like seeing.
- Meaning: This means that a description can never fully capture the reality of something. It is similar to the English saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
- الدم ما بصير مي
- Pronunciation: Addam maa biseer may.
- Literal Meaning: Blood does not become water.
- Meaning: This is a famous proverb that means family ties are stronger than any other relationship. It is the exact equivalent of the English proverb, “Blood is thicker than water.”
- صديقك من يصدقك لا من يصدّقك
- Pronunciation: Sadiqak man yasduquk laa man yusaddiquk.
- Meaning: Your friend is the one who is truthful with you, not the one who just believes you.
- Lesson: This proverb, consequently, emphasizes the value of a true friend who tells you the truth, even if it is difficult to hear.
- أصبر على أمرك بكرى بتفرج
- Pronunciation: Isbar ʻalaa ʼamrak bukraa bitfrraj.
- Meaning: Be patient with your situation, tomorrow it will be revealed.
- Lesson: This is a saying about having patience and hope. It means that if you are patient during a difficult time, things will get better.
- كل إناء بما فيه ينضح
- Pronunciation: Kull inaa’ bima fihi yandhahu.
- Meaning: Every vessel leaks what is inside it.
- Lesson: This proverb means that a person’s true character and personality will always be revealed in their actions and words.
Conclusion
Studying these arabic quotes and proverbs is a powerful way to improve your language skills and learn about the culture. They offer a unique window into the wisdom and worldview of Arabic speakers. So, next time you are practicing, try to use one of these quotes in arabic to make your conversation more memorable!
To continue your journey into the richness of the Arabic language and its cultures, consider using the Kaleela app. It provides comprehensive lessons on Modern Standard Arabic and various dialects, helping you master not just the words but also the traditions behind them.