Common UAE Proverbs & Idioms

1. "اللي ما يعرف الطيب يعرفه الزمن": Alli ma yarif al-tayyib, yarifuh al-zaman.

Meaning: Time reveals a person’s true character.

2. "البيت اللي ما فيه كلام فيه بركة": Al-bayt alli ma fih kalam fih barakah.

Meaning: A quiet house without gossip is blessed.

3. "الكرم من الرجال": Al-karam min al-rijal.

Meaning: Generosity defines real men.

4. "من يزرع الريح يحصد العاصفة": Man yazra‘ al-reeh yahsud al-‘asifah.

Meaning: You reap what you sow.

5. "الصبر مفتاح الفرج": Al-sabr miftah al-faraj.

Meaning: Patience is the key to relief.

6. "العجلة من الشيطان": Al-‘ajalah min al-shaytan.

Meaning: Haste comes from the devil.

7. "يد واحدة ما تصفق": Yad wahida ma tasfiq.

Meaning: One hand cannot clap (teamwork matters).

8. "الصديق وقت الضيق": Al-sadeeq waqt al-deeq.

Meaning: A true friend is there in hard times.