Meaning
Refers to someone who is a thief or corrupt.
Cultural Background
In Egypt, 'إيده طويلة' is extremely common in movies and TV shows to describe corrupt low-level officials or street thugs. In Lebanon and Syria, the phrase is often used as a serious social warning. Being called 'long-handed' can ruin a person's reputation in a village. In the Gulf, the phrase is also used to describe high-level embezzlement, often in the context of 'wasting public funds.' In Morocco and Tunisia, while the phrase is understood, they also use 'يدو خفيفة' (his hand is light) frequently for the same meaning.
Don't use for tall people
Never use this to describe someone's physical arm length unless you want to insult them.
Gender Agreement
Remember 'Yad' is feminine. Always use 'Tawila' with a 't' sound at the end.
Meaning
Refers to someone who is a thief or corrupt.
Don't use for tall people
Never use this to describe someone's physical arm length unless you want to insult them.
Gender Agreement
Remember 'Yad' is feminine. Always use 'Tawila' with a 't' sound at the end.
Indirectness
Use this phrase to be less 'aggressive' than calling someone a 'Harami' (thief) directly.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the idiom describing a thief.
هذا الرجل يده ________.
'Yad' is a feminine noun, so it requires the feminine adjective 'Tawila'.
Fill in the missing possessive suffix for 'their hands are long' (plural).
احذر منهم، يد____ طويلة.
'Hum' is the suffix for 'their' (masculine plural).
Which situation best fits the phrase 'يده طويلة'?
أي موقف يناسب 'يده طويلة'؟
The idiom specifically refers to stealing.
Complete the dialogue.
أ: هل أترك محفظتي هنا؟ ب: لا، هذا المكان فيه ناس ________.
You wouldn't leave a wallet where people have 'long hands' (thieves).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesهذا الرجل يده ________.
'Yad' is a feminine noun, so it requires the feminine adjective 'Tawila'.
احذر منهم، يد____ طويلة.
'Hum' is the suffix for 'their' (masculine plural).
أي موقف يناسب 'يده طويلة'؟
The idiom specifically refers to stealing.
أ: هل أترك محفظتي هنا؟ ب: لا، هذا المكان فيه ناس ________.
You wouldn't leave a wallet where people have 'long hands' (thieves).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
7 questionsYes, it is a significant social insult implying the person is a thief.
Yes, just change it to 'يدها طويلة' (Yaduha tawila).
It is understood in MSA but is much more common in spoken dialects.
In very old classical poetry, yes, but never in modern conversation.
You could say 'يده نظيفة' (his hand is clean).
Yes, parents use it for children who take things without asking.
It's idiomatic/informal, but not necessarily 'low' slang. Everyone understands it.
Related Phrases
يده خفيفة
similarLight-fingered / skillful
يده واصلة
similarHe has connections
يده بيضاء
contrastHe is generous/honest
طويل الباع
similarCapable/Experienced
