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.
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
Literary Devices
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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