وإذا أشار محدنا فكأنه قرد يقهقه أو عجوزُ تَلْطِم
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.
| Word | Easy Meaning | Translation | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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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