Emirati proverbs quiz: meanings, questions and answers

Here are 12 questions from the “Folk proverbs” category of Uloomak, from easy to hard. Try to answer, then tap “Show the answer” to see the answer and its source.

1. Finish the proverb: “Keep your old…”Easy

   • Aand build your new
   • Band forget yesterday
   • Cyour new won't last
   • Dand travel far
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: C) your new won't last

   A call to hold on to customs and heritage.

   Source: Sharjah24 — Daftar Al Zaman (ep. 8): Emirati proverbs

2. Finish the proverb: “Carry a basket on your head rather than…”Easy

   • Atire your head
   • Bthe night cold
   • Cneed people
   • Dthe midday sun
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: C) need people

   Said of someone who relies on himself and asks no one.

   Source: Sharjah24 — Daftar Al Zaman (ep. 3): Emirati proverbs

3. Finish the proverb: “The effort is yours, and from God…”Easy

   • Athe blessing
   • Bthe reckoning
   • Cthe road
   • Dthe rain
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: A) the blessing

   Said when setting out to find work, leaving the result to God.

   Source: Sharjah24 — Daftar Al Zaman (ep. 4): Emirati proverbs

4. Finish the proverb: “Whoever seeks roses…”Easy

   • Aplants a garden
   • Bsmells perfume
   • Cpicks at night
   • Dbears the thorns
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: D) bears the thorns

   Whoever seeks something precious must work hard and be patient.

   Source: Sharjah24 — Daftar Al Zaman (ep. 4): Emirati proverbs

5. What does “A garment's beauty is a patch of its own cloth” call for?Medium

   • AKeep close to your own people in marriage and work
   • BSew clothes at home
   • CWear new clothes at Eid
   • DSave on cloth
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: A) Keep close to your own people in marriage and work

   Source: Emarat Al Youm — Folk proverbs: wisdom carved in Emirati memory

6. Finish the proverb: “Don't be fooled by how cheap it is…”Medium

   • Ayou'll sell it tomorrow
   • Byou'll buy twice as much
   • Cyou'll give it to your neighbour
   • Dyou'll throw half of it away
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: D) you'll throw half of it away

   An economic proverb: quality matters more than a low price.

   Source: Al Bayan — Folk proverbs in the UAE, a mirror of wisdom and experience

7. Of whom is “To the beat of the drum the madwoman dances” said?Medium

   • ASomeone quickly led by whims without thinking of the outcome
   • BSomeone who loves weddings
   • CSomeone who drums well
   • DSomeone afraid of loud noise
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: A) Someone quickly led by whims without thinking of the outcome

   Source: Dubai Zaman (Dubai Media) — Folk proverbs of the UAE

8. What does “The young camel isn't hurt by its mother's step” mean?Medium

   • AA baby camel needs lots of milk
   • BDon't ride a pregnant camel
   • CParents' discipline doesn't harm a child, it shapes him
   • DWalking on sand is tiring
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: C) Parents' discipline doesn't harm a child, it shapes him

   A “hiwar” is a baby camel.

   Source: Al Bayan — Folk proverbs: life's wisdom from our ancestors

9. In “I'll throw you off like the habool in winter”, what is a “habool”?Hard

   • AA rope a palm climber ties around himself
   • BA winter blanket
   • CA kind of date
   • DA fishing net
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: A) A rope a palm climber ties around himself

   It means dropping someone once you no longer need them.

   Source: Sharjah24 — Daftar Al Zaman (ep. 2): Emirati proverbs

10. What does “Whoever doesn't measure before diving gains nothing from the dive after drowning” mean?Hard

    • AWeigh things carefully before you act
    • BDiving is only for adults
    • CLearn to swim before travelling
    • DDiving is better in the morning
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: A) Weigh things carefully before you act

    Source: Al Bayan — Folk proverbs in the UAE, a mirror of wisdom and experience

11. What does “The lively revive you, the lifeless add to your grief” call for?Hard

    • AVisit the sick
    • BAvoid idle people with no drive
    • CSleep more
    • DTravel in summer
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: B) Avoid idle people with no drive

    Source: Emarat Al Youm — Folk proverbs: wisdom carved in Emirati memory

12. Of whom is “He gave him the thread and the needle” said?Hard

    • ASomeone who hands their affairs to another to do as they please
    • BA skilled tailor
    • CSomeone who gives clothes
    • DSomeone learning to sew
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: A) Someone who hands their affairs to another to do as they please

    It urges people to look after their own affairs.

    Source: Sharjah24 — Daftar Al Zaman (ep. 3): Emirati proverbs

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