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Arabic · Arabic scriptProverb: Verified

«لَا فَرَحْ وَلَا زَفَّهْ وِإِيهْ دِي الْخِفَّهْ»

Meanings

Each meaning is reviewed on its own.

Meaning: Verified
English translation

There's no wedding and no bridal procession, so what's all this charm and polish for?

Literal wording

No wedding and no bridal procession, so what is this lightness?

Meaning and lesson

The saying questions someone who has dressed up or made themselves especially attractive when nothing calls for it. A wedding and the festive procession escorting a bride stand for the obvious occasions that would justify such care, and both are said to be missing.

The underlying point is that effort spent on looks normally signals a reason. Here khiffa means a polished, charming appearance, not flighty character. Without an occasion, people notice and wonder what is behind it, so the tone mixes curiosity with ribbing.

When it is used

Use it as a playful jab when someone shows up unusually groomed or dressed up with no event in sight. It suits people close enough to tease; depending on speaker and listener it can sound affectionate or pointed, even mocking, and often invites an explanation.

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