Meaning
To eat heartily and with great relish, using one's five fingers.
Cultural Background
In these regions, 'Mansaf' is the national dish. It is almost mandatory to 'strike with the five' when eating it in a traditional setting. Using a spoon is often seen as a sign that you aren't truly 'at home' or enjoying the meal to its fullest. Eating 'Kabsa' or 'Mandi' while sitting on the floor (Majlis style) is where this idiom is most at home. It signifies equality and brotherhood among those sharing the platter. While the phrase is understood, the focus is often on the 'Couscous' Friday tradition. Here, the technique of rolling the couscous into a ball with three or five fingers is a skilled art form. Egyptians use 'Akal bil-khamsa' frequently. It’s often used humorously to describe someone who loves food so much they forget their manners, especially during holiday feasts like Eid al-Adha.
The Right Hand
Always remember that 'striking with the five' only applies to the right hand. Using the left hand to eat is a major social faux pas in the Arab world.
Humor
Use this phrase to tease a friend who is eating very quickly. It’s a friendly way to acknowledge their appetite.
Meaning
To eat heartily and with great relish, using one's five fingers.
The Right Hand
Always remember that 'striking with the five' only applies to the right hand. Using the left hand to eat is a major social faux pas in the Arab world.
Humor
Use this phrase to tease a friend who is eating very quickly. It’s a friendly way to acknowledge their appetite.
Register Check
Don't use this with your boss unless you have a very close, informal relationship. It's too casual for formal hierarchy.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
الأكل كان لذيذاً جداً، فبدأ الجميع ________ بالخمسة.
The subject is 'الجميع' (everyone), which takes a plural verb in this context. 'Yadribun' is the masculine plural present tense.
Which situation is most appropriate for 'Daraba bil-khamsa'?
You are at...
The idiom is specifically tied to traditional, communal, and informal dining.
Choose the best response to the host's invitation.
Host: 'تفضلوا يا جماعة، الأكل جاهز!' Guest: '________'
This response correctly uses the idiom to show enthusiasm for the meal.
What does the 'five' in the idiom refer to?
The number five refers to:
The idiom refers to the traditional method of eating with the five fingers of the right hand.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to Strike with the Five
Occasions
- • Weddings
- • Eids
- • Family Fridays
Dishes
- • Mansaf
- • Kabsa
- • Couscous
Practice Bank
4 exercisesالأكل كان لذيذاً جداً، فبدأ الجميع ________ بالخمسة.
The subject is 'الجميع' (everyone), which takes a plural verb in this context. 'Yadribun' is the masculine plural present tense.
You are at...
The idiom is specifically tied to traditional, communal, and informal dining.
Host: 'تفضلوا يا جماعة، الأكل جاهز!' Guest: '________'
This response correctly uses the idiom to show enthusiasm for the meal.
The number five refers to:
The idiom refers to the traditional method of eating with the five fingers of the right hand.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsUsually, no. It's seen as a compliment to the food. However, if said with a sneer, it could imply someone is being greedy.
The idiom is often used figuratively now. You can say it even if people are using spoons, as long as they are eating with great enthusiasm.
Yes, from Morocco to Iraq, though the verb might change slightly (e.g., 'Akal' instead of 'Daraba').
Not really. It implies a large, substantial meal like a feast.
ضَرَبَتْ بالخمسة (Darabat bil-khamsa).
Related Phrases
أكل الأخضر واليابس
similarTo eat everything in sight (literally: the green and the dry).
صحتين وهنا
builds onDouble health and happiness (Bon appétit).
لقمة هنية تكفي مية
similarA happy bite is enough for a hundred.
نفسه مفتوحة
similarHis appetite is open.
