Standard Arabic proverbs: Concept and Features

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assosiate Professor of Arabic Language and Literature in University of Qom, Qom, Iran

2 Assistant Professor of Arabic Language and Literature in Velayat University of Iranshahr. Iranshahr. Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran

10.22091/npa.2025.13611.1040

Abstract

Proverbs, as one of the key and attractive components of folk literature in the Arabic language, play a significant role in transmitting the experiences and wisdom of past generations. This article examines the concept and features of proverbs in Standard Arabic and analyzes their cultural and social background. Given the importance of these sentences in everyday communication, the need for research in this field is felt due to the neglect of cultural and linguistic treasures. Therefore, this research aims to point out the specific features of proverbs and examine their various dimensions in the Arabic language. Using a descriptive-analytical method, this research collects and analyzes data from reliable sources and helps to clarify some hidden aspects in proverbs. The results of this research are dedicated to explaining cultural influences and their impact on social behavior and moral norms in Arabic language and literature. Among other things, it is clear that proverbs function as effective tools in transmitting social values and can provide valuable moral guidance to future generations. The findings show that proverbs not only promote moral virtues, but also have the ability to remain in the minds of individuals by using simple and melodious language. Also, the conceptualizations contained in these sentences can easily be applied in different situations of life and are therefore considered a valuable tool for critical thinking and educating the younger generation. Finally, this research states that the ability of proverbs to describe human conditions in a beautiful and concise way makes these sentences remain continuous and influential as cultural and historical symbols in Standard Arabic language. The fundamental values of these sentences, including their instructiveness, educational function, and lack of change, indicate the cultural depth of Arabic proverbs and invite us to learn more about them.

Keywords

Article Title [العربیة]

الأمثال العربیة الفصیحة: المفهوم والخصائص

Abstract [العربیة]

تعتبر الأمثال من العناصر الأساسیة والجذابة فی الأدب الشعبی العربی، حیث تلعب دورًا بالغ الأهمیة فی نقل تجارب وحکم الأجیال السابقة. یتناول هذا المقال تحلیل مفهوم الأمثال وخصائصها فی اللغة العربیة، مع دراسة الجوانب الأدبیة والثقافیة والاجتماعیة المرتبطة بها. فی ظل الأهمیة البالغة لهذه العبارات فی السیاقات التواصلیة الیومیة، یبرز الحاجة إلى البحث فی هذا المجال بسبب الإغفال عن الکنوز الثقافیة واللغویة التی تحتویها. فیسعى هذا البحث إلى استعراض الخصائص الممیزة للأمثال واستکشاف أبعادها المتعددة فی اللغة العربیة.اعتمد هذا البحث على المنهج الوصفی-التحلیلی، حیث تم جمع البیانات من مصادر موثوقة وتحلیلها بهدف تسلیط الضوء على بعض الجوانب الخفیة فی الأمثال. تشیر النتائج المستخلصة من هذه الدراسة إلى أن الأمثال العربیة غالبًا ما تتسم بالاختصار والوضوح، وتتمیز بالثقل المعنوی والجمالیة، کما تتمتع بقوة تأثیر وقدرة على جذب الانتباه، مما یجعلها أدوات فعالة تُستخدم کإرشادات فی مواقف متنوعة. تؤدی الأمثال العربیة دورًا حاسمًا فی نقل القیم الاجتماعیة، حیث یمکن أن تقدم توجیهات أخلاقیة قیمة للأجیال القادمة. وتظهر النتائج أن هذه الأمثال لا تروج فقط للفضائل الأخلاقیة، بل تمتاز أیضًا بقدرتها على البقاء فی الذاکرة، بفضل استخدام لغة بسیطة وموسیقیة یسهل تذکرها. إضافةً إلى ذلک، فإن التصورات المعبر عنها فی هذه الأمثال یمکن أن تکون أدوات عملیة فی مختلف مواقف الحیاة، مما یجعلها وسیلة قیمة لتحفیز التفکیر النقدی وتربیة الشباب.فی الختام، یبرز هذا البحث قدرة الأمثال على تجسید الظروف الإنسانیة بشکل جمیل وموجز، مما یجعلها رموزًا ثقافیة وتاریخیة مؤثرة ومستدامة فی اللغة العربیة.

Keywords [العربیة]

  • الأمثال العربیة
  • اللغة والأدب الشعبی
  • الحکمة
  • النصیحة والإرشاد
  • الإیجاز
  • الجاذبیة

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History

  • Receive Date: 27 July 2025
  • Revise Date: 30 August 2025
  • Accept Date: 31 August 2025
  • First Publish Date: 31 August 2025
  • Publish Date: 11 September 2025

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