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kaik
تفريد
Jan 14, 2005 09:27
19 yrs ago
9 viewers *
Arabic term

حبر على ورق

Arabic to English Other Government / Politics
الإتفاقية كانت مجرد حبر على ورق
Proposed translations (English)
4 +3 ink on paper
5 +2 not worth the paper it 's written on
4 +1 Did not take effect
4 null and void
3 empty words

Discussion

Non-ProZ.com Jan 15, 2005:
Thanks for Sam and Alaa. This is what I wanted to hear, the existence of the expression. Thanks
Alaa Zeineldine Jan 15, 2005:
The expression seems to exist, though not common. However, from the examples I've seen it seems to refer to something that spreads swiftly.
Sam Berner Jan 15, 2005:
Ink spilled on paper gives a very similar meaning with a taste of "useless-ness". I don't know your text's context, but if it has the feel of "madya3at zaman" and engaging in useless activities, then use "ink spilled on paper" instead of "ink on paper".
Non-ProZ.com Jan 15, 2005:
ink spilled on paper Thanks everybody. I am deciding to use ink spilled on paper unless someone advices me not to. I beleive I heared this expression longtime before, but I am not sure of the right wording.

Proposed translations

+3
5 mins
Arabic term (edited): ��� ��� ���
Selected

ink on paper

Same as in Arabic.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 mins (2005-01-14 09:35:12 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

see the side bar (Real Audio) on this BBC report
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/1099095.stm


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 mins (2005-01-14 09:37:27 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

and here (in paragraph 4) http://www.larouchepub.com/other/2004/3125iraq_firsthand.htm...
and last paragraph here http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2000/482/ec2.htm
Peer comment(s):
agree Dr. Wathib Jabouri : Gives the same meaning in English
24 mins
agree AhmedAMS
31 mins
agree A Nabil Bouitieh
2 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "What do you think of the expression inl spilled on paper. Does it give the required meaning. Thanks Sam."
+1
34 mins
Arabic term (edited): ��� ��� ���

Did not take effect

مجرد حبر على ورق = لم تدخل حيز التنفيذ
Unless you need a literal translation
Peer comment(s):
agree Mazyoun
19 hrs
Something went wrong...
+2
5 hrs
Arabic term (edited): ��� ��� ���

not worth the paper it 's written on

This would be the corresponding idiom in English:

"the agreement was not worth the paper it was written on"

You can also replace exchange written with printed.



Peer comment(s):
agree Sam Berner : Actually, this is even better than "ink spilled on paper" - read my comment above. Sorry Alaa, I didn't see this until now.
17 hrs
No problem. The important thing is to give the asker the right choices.
agree ashraf999
21 hrs
Something went wrong...
8 hrs
Arabic term (edited): ��� ��� ���

empty words

just a suggestion!
Something went wrong...
20 hrs
Arabic term (edited): ��� ��� ���

null and void

AS the talk is about an agreement, I belive this is the best term to be described of, there is a need for a legal term that is sufficient to express the valiodity and pledges of the agreement.
Trnslting this Arabic term depends on the document. if , for instance, some body sent you a message offering his support or showing sympathy, but you dont trust him, what will say "it is ink on paper"
Something went wrong...
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