Kuwaiti proverb and saying
As a Kuwaiti living abroad, I often feel the urge to use some of the Kuwaiti sayings and proverbs I grew up hearing. Sometimes, I want to use them as a way to reference to refer to the culture I grew up in back home. Today, I will be translating some of the proverbs and sayings I grew up hearing. I am not sure if they are strictly Kuwaiti, but as a Kuwaiti born and raised in Kuwait, to me, they are as Kuwaiti as they can be.
حلات الثوب رقعته منه وفيه
This saying is commonly used when someone considers marrying outside of their culture or when the topic of marrying someone who is not Kuwaiti comes up.
Literal translation: The beauty of the garment lies in its patches being part of it.
Pronunciation: Halaat al-thawb raqitah minah w fee'uh.
من حبك طقك
This is a toxic proverb often used in Kuwait to justify — even as a joke at times — parents hitting their children. The saying suggests that parents who hit their children do so not out of anger, but out of love, wanting to punish them in order to help them become better people.
Literal translation: He who loves you will hit you.
Pronunciation: Min habak, taqik.
الصاحب ساحب
This saying emphasizes that the people we surround ourselves with determine the kind of person we become. If we are surrounded by good friends, we will likely become good people. If we associate with bad friends or people who act poorly, we may end up behaving similarly. In other words, friends have the power to influence us.
Literal translation: A friend is a puller.
Pronunciation: Al-saahib saahib.
مد لحافك على قد ريولك
This saying advises that we to aim for goals that are within their reach. In short, it means "Don’t aim too high." It suggests that one should set goals based on their current circumstances, similar to how one should stretch their blanket only as far as their legs can reach.
For example, if a student is performing poorly in school and is asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" and responds, "I want to be a doctor," they may be told to "stretch your blanket to the length of your legs."
Literal translation: Stretch your blanket to the length of your legs.
Pronunciation: Midd lihafak 'ala qadd riyulik.
يا غريب كن أديب
Although this saying is more widely used in the Arab world than specifically in Kuwait, I often hear it when traveling abroad. It is a reminder that, as a foreigner, you represent your country in a different place. Therefore, it advises you to be polite and respectful because you are a guest in that land.
Literal translation: Hey stranger, be polite.
Pronunciation: Ya ghareeb kun adeeb.
These are just a few of the many sayings and proverbs we have in Kuwait. I hope this gives you a glimpse into our culture and language, offering some insight into the values and wisdom we hold dear. Somehow it ended up being many negative sayings but that is not always the case. It was a coincidence only so look forward to more Kuwaiti sayings next!