الحظ المرابي

English translation: usurious luck

17:20 Jan 27, 2021
Arabic to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Other
Arabic term or phrase: الحظ المرابي
From في حنان الحرب by Najat Abulsamad:

In this chapter, a woman is describing her friend, who lives hidden in her family's basement, because they are ashamed of her. The book is set in Syria. Much of the chapter describes what the friend does to entertain herself.
حين تتعب, تتسلى بتصفيف زينة الطاولة في زاوية القبو: بضعة أحجار من الشطرنج رماها ابن أخيها في الزبالة فانتشلتها منها: (لا يليق بجنود لعبة الأذكياء ان يدفنوا في الزبالة) تقول صديقتي, وتشرح لي كيف تدسّ بينها حجري نرد (رمز لعبتها النبيلة مع الحظ المرابي)ِ

Is the word something to do with doubt, or suspicion?

Many thanks!
A Zafar
United Kingdom
Local time: 14:49
English translation:usurious luck
Explanation:
luck the extortioner
For starters.

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Note added at 21 mins (2021-01-27 17:42:09 GMT)
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رابى is the verb.
Selected response from:

Milena Atanasova
Bulgaria
Local time: 16:49
Grading comment
Thanks for providing the verb - that's very helpful!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +1Loan shark
oussama bechka
3usurious luck
Milena Atanasova


  

Answers


16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
usurious luck


Explanation:
luck the extortioner
For starters.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 21 mins (2021-01-27 17:42:09 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

رابى is the verb.


Milena Atanasova
Bulgaria
Local time: 16:49
Native speaker of: Bulgarian
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks for providing the verb - that's very helpful!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Loan shark


Explanation:
المرابي هو من يقرض بالفائدة. في هذا السياق، تم وصف الحظ بالمرابي، اي انه ياخذ اكثر مما يعطي، وهي صفة مذمومة. سبقها وصف اللعبة بالنبل. كنوع من التحسين اللفظي ـ الطباق ـ



    https://www.maajim.com/dictionary/%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%8E%D9%89
oussama bechka
Algeria
Local time: 15:49
Native speaker of: Arabic
Notes to answerer
Asker: Yes - I understood that the idea of "loan shark" was there, but thought it inappropriate to use that phrase itself, considering the general tone of the text. Thanks to both for your input.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Milena Atanasova: That's half of the whole phrase, though. Besides, ";oan shark" is a modern idiom, while here there're strong chivalrous/medieval overtones: the dice, the "noble" game.
11 hrs
  -> yes I agree, thank you for sharing
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