Jan 27, 2021 17:20
3 yrs ago
24 viewers *
Arabic term

الحظ المرابي

Arabic to English Art/Literary Other
From في حنان الحرب by Najat Abulsamad:

In this chapter, a woman is describing her friend, who lives hidden in her family's basement, because they are ashamed of her. The book is set in Syria. Much of the chapter describes what the friend does to entertain herself.
حين تتعب, تتسلى بتصفيف زينة الطاولة في زاوية القبو: بضعة أحجار من الشطرنج رماها ابن أخيها في الزبالة فانتشلتها منها: (لا يليق بجنود لعبة الأذكياء ان يدفنوا في الزبالة) تقول صديقتي, وتشرح لي كيف تدسّ بينها حجري نرد (رمز لعبتها النبيلة مع الحظ المرابي)ِ

Is the word something to do with doubt, or suspicion?

Many thanks!
Proposed translations (English)
3 usurious luck
3 +1 Loan shark

Proposed translations

16 mins
Selected

usurious luck

luck the extortioner
For starters.

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Note added at 21 mins (2021-01-27 17:42:09 GMT)
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رابى is the verb.
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks for providing the verb - that's very helpful!"
+1
1 hr

Loan shark

المرابي هو من يقرض بالفائدة. في هذا السياق، تم وصف الحظ بالمرابي، اي انه ياخذ اكثر مما يعطي، وهي صفة مذمومة. سبقها وصف اللعبة بالنبل. كنوع من التحسين اللفظي ـ الطباق ـ
Note from asker:
Yes - I understood that the idea of "loan shark" was there, but thought it inappropriate to use that phrase itself, considering the general tone of the text. Thanks to both for your input.
Peer comment(s):

agree Milena Atanasova : That's half of the whole phrase, though. Besides, ";oan shark" is a modern idiom, while here there're strong chivalrous/medieval overtones: the dice, the "noble" game.
11 hrs
yes I agree, thank you for sharing
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