الداعي لك بطول العمر

English translation: Wish you longevity

12:15 Mar 1, 2021
Arabic to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / Palestinian author
Arabic term or phrase: الداعي لك بطول العمر
Hello everyone,

This is from a line of dialogue in a Palestinian novel.

In the extract below, a group of kids is trying to catch a thief. They have surrounded their suspect and are trying to work out what to do with him next. It is the supposed thief who speaks first. One of the kids has the nickname أسد الغابات.

قال وقد علت ملامحه تكشيرة : ماذا تريدون منّي؟
لجأ أسد الغابات إلى الحيلة حين رأى الشرَّ واضحًا في عينيه، قال له: أنا الداعي لك بطول العمر ، أسد الغابات، أدعوك إلى المقهى لاحتساء فنجان قهوة

I know that literally طول العمر means "longevity". But to ask God to give someone a long life is surely a good thing. So perhaps, the phrase is being used sarcastically here? Or, not sarcastically, but to convince the suspect that he is safe and they don't intend to harm him?

Any ideas?

Many thanks!
Anam
A Zafar
United Kingdom
Local time: 06:18
English translation:Wish you longevity
Explanation:
أنا الداعي لك بطول العمر
I wish you longevity
May God bestow upon longevity/a long life

200 May God Bless You With Good Health And Long Life Quotes
As you grows, your strength, endurance, and wisdom grow even more. I wish you longevity and good health.
https://www.imnepal.com/may-god-bless-you-good-health-long-l...


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Note added at 15 mins (2021-03-01 12:31:12 GMT)
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May God bestow upon you longevity/a long life**
Selected response from:

Yassine El Bouknify
Morocco
Local time: 06:18
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3Wish you longevity
Yassine El Bouknify
5Compliment/ an expression of respect sarcastically meant
Z-Translations Translator
3I, praying you have a long life
Nour Almaani


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
Wish you longevity


Explanation:
أنا الداعي لك بطول العمر
I wish you longevity
May God bestow upon longevity/a long life

200 May God Bless You With Good Health And Long Life Quotes
As you grows, your strength, endurance, and wisdom grow even more. I wish you longevity and good health.
https://www.imnepal.com/may-god-bless-you-good-health-long-l...


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 15 mins (2021-03-01 12:31:12 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

May God bestow upon you longevity/a long life**

Yassine El Bouknify
Morocco
Local time: 06:18
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Milena Atanasova
1 hr
  -> thank you

agree  Saeed Najmi
2 hrs
  -> thank you

agree  Linda Al-Bairmani: I'd go for long life
2 hrs
  -> Thank you
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

22 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
I, praying you have a long life


Explanation:
I don't think that these words are meant to be sarcastic; rather the kid is trying to imitate the grown-ups and act as if he can solve this situation.
This kind of expression is usually used by adults to stress the speaker's position and confidence.

Nour Almaani
Egypt
Local time: 08:18
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 days 23 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Compliment/ an expression of respect sarcastically meant


Explanation:
Answering your question : yes it is sarcastically meant in this context.
However it is complimentary phrase more than praying for someone's long life.

" I, the one who pray for your longevity, the forest lion, invite you to the café for a cup of coffee " The kid اسد الغابات said that.

Z-Translations Translator
Local time: 17:18
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic
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