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وإذا أشار محدنا فكأنه قرد يقهقه أو عجوزُ تَلْطِم by Unknown — Analysis & Translation

2 min read Arabic

Original Poem

وإذا أشار محدنا فكأنه قرد يقهقه أو عجوزُ تَلْطِم

Translation (English)

And when one of us gestures, it is as if he is a laughing monkey or an old woman slapping her face.

About the Poet

Unknown (Classical Arabic Poetry)

This line is often attributed to classical Arabic poetry, a form that has been a significant part of Arabic literature since pre-Islamic times. Classical poetry is characterized by its strict adherence to meter and rhyme.

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Historical Context

Literary Form
Classical Arabic Poetry
When Written
Classical Era
Background
This line uses simile to describe someone in a derogatory manner, likening their gestures to a laughing monkey or an old woman slapping her face, highlighting the poet's disdain.

Sources: https://www.facebook.com/groups/etamayuz/posts/2025250838285731/, https://answers.mawdoo3.com/ما-نوع-التشبيه-في-بيت-وإذا-أشار-محدثا-فكأنه-قرد-يقهقه, https://marjah.net/post/109101, https://shamela.ws/book/10021/573, https://islamport.com/l/adb/5649/86.htm

Detailed Explanation

This line of poetry uses vivid similes to convey a negative impression of a person's behavior. The poet compares the person's gestures to that of a laughing monkey and an old woman slapping her face, both of which are intended to evoke images of ridicule and unattractiveness. The use of these similes suggests that the person being described is seen as foolish or lacking dignity. This kind of imagery is typical in classical Arabic poetry, where poets often used detailed and sometimes harsh comparisons to express their views on human behavior and character.

Themes

  • Ridicule
  • Human Behavior
  • Simile

Literary Devices

  • Simile: The poem uses similes to compare a person's gestures to a laughing monkey and an old woman slapping her face.
  • Imagery: Vivid images are created to evoke a sense of ridicule and unattractiveness.

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
وإذا حينما when wa-idha
أشار لوح gestured ashara
محدنا شخص منا one of us muhaddana
فكأنه مثل as if he is fa-ka-annahu
قرد قرد monkey qird
يقهقه يضحك بصوت عالي laughing loudly yaqhaqihu
أو أم or aw
عجوز امرأة كبيرة في السن old woman ajooz
تلطم تصفع slapping taltim

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