Bedeutung
Means 'never' or 'it will happen when pigs fly', referring to an unlikely event.
Kultureller Hintergrund
This is the 'homeland' of the phrase. Egyptians are famous for their 'Nukta' (jokes) and 'Gada'ana' (toughness), and this phrase perfectly captures their quick-witted skepticism. While they have their own idioms, 'Bukra fil mishmish' is widely used and understood due to the historical influence of Egyptian media. It's often said with a slightly different accent but the same intent. In the Gulf, you might hear 'Lamma yebyad el-ghurab' (When the crow turns white), but 'Fil mishmish' is recognized by almost everyone, especially the younger generation who grew up on Egyptian TV. In Morocco or Algeria, local dialects are very different, but 'Fil mishmish' remains a 'Pan-Arab' idiom that bridges the gap between the East and West of the Arab world.
Tone is Everything
Say it with a smile and a slightly high pitch to keep it friendly. A flat tone might make you sound genuinely angry.
Avoid MSA
Do not use 'Ghadan' or 'Al-Mishmish' in a formal sentence structure. It kills the vibe of the idiom.
Bedeutung
Means 'never' or 'it will happen when pigs fly', referring to an unlikely event.
Tone is Everything
Say it with a smile and a slightly high pitch to keep it friendly. A flat tone might make you sound genuinely angry.
Avoid MSA
Do not use 'Ghadan' or 'Al-Mishmish' in a formal sentence structure. It kills the vibe of the idiom.
The 'Hand Gesture'
In Egypt, people often flick their thumb against their front teeth while saying this for extra emphasis.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best response to the following statement: 'I will finish reading this 1000-page book by tonight!'
سأنهي هذا الكتاب (1000 صفحة) الليلة!
Since finishing a 1000-page book in one night is nearly impossible, 'Bukra fil mishmish' is the perfect sarcastic response.
Complete the idiom.
بكرة في الـ_______
The idiom specifically uses 'mishmish' (apricots) because of their short season.
Match the situation to the response.
Situation: Your friend who never exercises says they will run a marathon tomorrow.
'Fil mishmish' expresses the necessary skepticism for such an unlikely claim.
Complete the dialogue between two colleagues.
أحمد: هل تعتقد أننا سنحصل على إجازة شهر؟ سامي: _________، العمل كثير جداً.
Getting a month-long vacation when there is a lot of work is impossible, making the idiom appropriate.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenسأنهي هذا الكتاب (1000 صفحة) الليلة!
Since finishing a 1000-page book in one night is nearly impossible, 'Bukra fil mishmish' is the perfect sarcastic response.
بكرة في الـ_______
The idiom specifically uses 'mishmish' (apricots) because of their short season.
Situation: Your friend who never exercises says they will run a marathon tomorrow.
'Fil mishmish' expresses the necessary skepticism for such an unlikely claim.
أحمد: هل تعتقد أننا سنحصل على إجازة شهر؟ سامي: _________، العمل كثير جداً.
Getting a month-long vacation when there is a lot of work is impossible, making the idiom appropriate.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 FragenIt depends on the relationship. With friends, it's funny. With a stranger or a superior, it's quite rude.
No, it's reserved for things that are 99% impossible or clearly fake promises.
Yes, it is one of the most common idioms in the Arab world today.
Because their season is the shortest of all fruits in the region.
Verwandte Redewendungen
لما يبيض الديك
synonymWhen the rooster lays an egg.
عشم إبليس في الجنة
similarLike Satan's hope for Heaven.
إبقى قابلني
similarCome meet me (if it happens).
نجوم السماء أقرب لك
similarThe stars in the sky are closer to you (than this happening).
