يبيع الماء في حارة السقايين
yabi' al-ma' fi harat al-saqqa'in
Sell water in water-sellers' alley
Significado
To do something pointless or redundant, offering what is already abundant.
Contexto cultural
The idiom is most famous in Egypt, where 'Harat al-Saqqayin' was a real neighborhood in Cairo. It appears frequently in classic Egyptian cinema and music. In Lebanon and Syria, the idiom is used with the word 'Mayy' for water. It is often used to dismiss unwanted advice from younger generations. While understood, Gulf Arabs might use 'Tbi' tamr 'ala ahl al-Basra' (Selling dates to the people of Basra) as a local equivalent, as Basra is famous for dates. In Morocco and Tunisia, the concept of the 'Saqqa' is still remembered in historical tours, though the idiom is less frequent than in the Mashriq.
Use for Sarcasm
This is a high-level social tool. Use it to gently mock someone who is over-explaining things to you.
Know your 'Hara'
Don't use 'Shari'' (Street). The word 'Hara' is essential for the historical flavor of the idiom.
Significado
To do something pointless or redundant, offering what is already abundant.
Use for Sarcasm
This is a high-level social tool. Use it to gently mock someone who is over-explaining things to you.
Know your 'Hara'
Don't use 'Shari'' (Street). The word 'Hara' is essential for the historical flavor of the idiom.
The Egyptian 'Q'
If you are in Egypt, say 'Sa'ayin' (no Q sound) to sound like a local master of the idiom.
Business Context
Use this in marketing meetings to describe a bad product-market fit.
Teste-se
Choose the correct word to complete the idiom.
لا تحاول تعليمي البرمجة، فأنت تبيع الماء في حارة _______.
The idiom specifically refers to 'Saqqayin' (water carriers).
Which situation best fits the idiom?
A world-class chef is being told how to fry an egg by a teenager.
The teenager is offering basic knowledge to an expert.
Fill in the missing verb in its correct form (Present tense, 2nd person masculine).
أنت ______ الماء في حارة السقايين.
'Tabi'' is the 2nd person singular masculine form of 'to sell'.
Complete the dialogue with the idiom.
أحمد: سأعلمك كيف تستخدم هذا التطبيق. سارة: أنا التي برمجت هذا التطبيق! أنت ____.
Sarah is the expert/creator, making Ahmed's offer redundant.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Global Redundancy Idioms
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosلا تحاول تعليمي البرمجة، فأنت تبيع الماء في حارة _______.
The idiom specifically refers to 'Saqqayin' (water carriers).
A world-class chef is being told how to fry an egg by a teenager.
The teenager is offering basic knowledge to an expert.
أنت ______ الماء في حارة السقايين.
'Tabi'' is the 2nd person singular masculine form of 'to sell'.
أحمد: سأعلمك كيف تستخدم هذا التطبيق. سارة: أنا التي برمجت هذا التطبيق! أنت ____.
Sarah is the expert/creator, making Ahmed's offer redundant.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt can be slightly condescending, but usually, it's seen as witty and humorous. Use it with friends or in informal debates.
Yes, in blogs, social media, and stories. Avoid it in formal legal or academic documents.
A historical profession where men carried water from the Nile to homes before modern pipes existed.
The idiom stays the same even if you are talking to a group of people.
They understand it perfectly, though they might prefer the 'dates in Basra' version.
In Modern Standard Arabic: As-Saq-qa-yeen. In Egyptian: As-Sa'-'a-yeen.
No, the idiom is fixed with water (Ma').
No, the grammar is simple. It's B2 because of the cultural nuance and idiomatic usage.
Then you are literally 'yabi' al-ma' fi harat al-saqqayin' and you will probably go bankrupt!
Not really. It's almost always used to point out a mistake or redundancy.
Frases relacionadas
يفسر الماء بالماء
similarTo explain something using the same word (circular logic).
يبيع التمر في هجر
synonymSelling dates in Hajar (a place famous for dates).
نفخ في قربة مقطوعة
similarBlowing into a torn water-skin.
يعلم هيرودوت التاريخ
specialized formTeaching Herodotus history.
