Jan 16, 2009 07:15
15 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Arabic term
Polyglot
Native in: Turkish 
Works in: English to Turkish, Turkish to English, German to Turkish, and 7 more.
Illi kallaf ma mat
Arabic to English
Art/Literary
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
İdiom/expression
This expression is given in an English text and explained as "he who produces does not die".
I'd like to get a more detailed explanation about the meaning from Arabic-speaking colleagues.
Thanks in advance for your help..
I'd like to get a more detailed explanation about the meaning from Arabic-speaking colleagues.
Thanks in advance for your help..
Proposed translations
(English)
| 5 +3 | Literally: He who leaves a legacy lives on |
Fuad Yahya
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| 3 +4 | He who reproduces does not die |
Bubo Coroman (X)
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| 4 +1 | Like father like son |
Mohamed Ghazal
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Proposed translations
+3
50 mins
Selected
Literally: He who leaves a legacy lives on
The verb KHALLAF means neither "produce" nor "reproduce." It simply means "to leave something behind" (KHALF means "behind"). What one leaves behind is called a legacy. A legacy could be progeny, a body of work, or anything else.
In this particular saying, however, the verb KHALLAF is most commonly understood in the sense of begetting offspring. In other words, the saying is mostly used in praise of siring descendants, so "reproduce" is pretty accurate here.
In this particular saying, however, the verb KHALLAF is most commonly understood in the sense of begetting offspring. In other words, the saying is mostly used in praise of siring descendants, so "reproduce" is pretty accurate here.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Ghada Samir
6 mins
|
| agree |
Bubo Coroman (X)
: yes, I think it shows the extent to which Egyptians (and other Arabs) adore their children
1 hr
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| agree |
zkt
4 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you."
+1
1 hr
Mohamed Ghazal
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
Native in Arabic
Specializes in field
United Arab Emirates
It's not just a job...
Native in: Arabic (Variant: Egyptian)
Works in: English to Arabic, Arabic to English
Related KudoZ points
:
12
Like father like son
A chip off the old block
It is said to indicate that a son carries on his father legacy/walk in his footsteps
It is said to indicate that a son carries on his father legacy/walk in his footsteps
+4
17 mins
He who reproduces does not die
I found it here with REproduces instead of produces... the meaning I imagine is something like, one lives on through one's progeny
Top 5 Arabic sayings
1) Illi kallaf ma mat.
(He who reproduces does not die)
2)Al jar gabl ad-dar.
(Choose the neighbour before the house)
3) Al jamal ma yishuf sanamu.
(The camel cannot see its own hump)
4) Gar'a bititbaha bish'ar bint ukhtaha.
(A bald woman brags about her niece's hair)
5) Idha iltagat al 'aynan istaha al lisan.
(When eyes meet, the tongue becomes shy)
http://rogerstevens.blogspot.com/2005/04/top-five-fun.html
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Note added at 1 hr (2009-01-16 09:11:39 GMT)
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Here is an analysis of the words:
Illi - who ("he" is understood, therefore: "He who")
khallaf - reproduces (but see Fuad's excellent answer)
ma - does not
mat - die
The language is colloquial Egyptian (perhaps used in other countries too) and I believe the origin of the saying is that the Egyptians adore their children to a very great extent.
Top 5 Arabic sayings
1) Illi kallaf ma mat.
(He who reproduces does not die)
2)Al jar gabl ad-dar.
(Choose the neighbour before the house)
3) Al jamal ma yishuf sanamu.
(The camel cannot see its own hump)
4) Gar'a bititbaha bish'ar bint ukhtaha.
(A bald woman brags about her niece's hair)
5) Idha iltagat al 'aynan istaha al lisan.
(When eyes meet, the tongue becomes shy)
http://rogerstevens.blogspot.com/2005/04/top-five-fun.html
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2009-01-16 09:11:39 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Here is an analysis of the words:
Illi - who ("he" is understood, therefore: "He who")
khallaf - reproduces (but see Fuad's excellent answer)
ma - does not
mat - die
The language is colloquial Egyptian (perhaps used in other countries too) and I believe the origin of the saying is that the Egyptians adore their children to a very great extent.
Note from asker:
| Thank you very much, you've really been most helpful. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Fuad Yahya
: "And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defence, Save breed to brave him when he takes thee hence."
20 mins
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Thanks Fuad, enjoy your day! :-) Deborah
|
|
| agree |
Ghada Samir
39 mins
|
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thanks, have a good day! :-) Deborah
|
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| agree |
Nadia Ayoub
: that's exactly what's meant :)
2 hrs
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many thanks Nadia, have a good day! :-) Deborah
|
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| agree |
Sajjad Hamadani
18 hrs
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many thanks, enjoy your weekend! :-) Deborah
|
Discussion
What you said changes the whole meaning! "Produce" is of course so different from "reproduces"! I thought this was about leaving a work behind, but now I see that it's about leaving an heir.
Thank you very much..