13 Damascene Proverbs Inspired by Food

Who said food is only for the stomach? In Damascus, every veggie, fruit, and dish has a meaning. These everyday Damascene proverbs inspired by food use zucchini, onions, and rice to say what words alone can’t. Let’s dig in!

Noon Post

Damascene Proverbs:

1. “ʿaddet kusaayeh w bawsal laʿindak”
“A bite of zucchini and I’m there.”
It means I’ll be there soon or I’ll soon finish the task at hand.

2. “tawile mitl ʿirq el-foul”
“As tall as a fava beanstalk.”
Said about a very tall girl.

3. “shu el-ʾissa khyar w faʾous?”
“What’s this, cucumber and zucchini?”
When there’s unfair favoritism.

4. “ya dakhel bein el-basla w eshrata, ma bynoubak gheir reehta”
“Get between the onion and its peel, and all you get is the smell.”
Don’t interfere in what doesn’t concern you.

5. “shu mashy ʿala bayd?”
“Are you walking on eggs?”
Said to someone who is being very slow.

6. “laʾeeni w la taʿmeeni”
“Greet me, don’t feed me.”
It means welcome me with love, and I don’t want anything from you, neither lunch nor dinner.

7. “ma hadamtu”
“I didn’t digest it.”
When you don’t like something, you say “I couldn’t digest it,” meaning you didn’t like it.

8.“btakolni laḥm w btermini ʿaẓem”
“You eat me as meat, then throw me away as bones.”
When someone uses you and then discards you.

9.“el-laḥm elkoun w el-ʿaẓem elna”
“Meat for you, bones for us.”
When one person is favored while others are left out.

10. “w shu ma byeḍḥak la-rgheef es-sekhen?”
“Who doesn’t smile at warm bread?”
About someone who never smiles.

11. “el-ʿez la-rizz w el-burghol shanaʾ ḥalu”
“Honor to rice, bulgur hanged itself.”
About social favoritism or inequality.

12. “shu baddi etzakkar mennak ya safarjal, kell ʿaḍḍa bghoṣṣa”
“What should I remember from you, quince? Every bite was bitter.”

Used for negative past experiences.

13. “foule w enʾasamet nossēn”
“A fava bean split in two.”

Two people who look or act just alike.

Damascus isn’t just a place for delicious food; it’s where food becomes a language of its own, woven into every situation, and layered with meaning that shapes our identity and everyday lives.

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