Ramadan in Egypt is special حاجة تانية Posted by Hanan Ben Nafa on Apr 26, 2021 in Arabic Language, CoronaVirus, Culture, Film & Theater, Music, Ramadan, Religion, Vocabulary
Welcome to a new blog post 🙂 In this post, we’re going to study a lovely song by the amazing Emirati singer المطرب الإماراتي الرائع: Hussain Al-Jassmi حسين الجسمي. As is the case in each Ramadan, Hussain sings a special song as a way كطريقة لِـ to celebrate للاحتفال بـ the holy month of Ramadan
شهر رمضان الفضيل. Similar to last Ramadan, Orange (telecom company in Egypt شركة اتصالات في مصر) utilises the unique voice الصوت المميز of Hussain Al-Jassmi to promote a new offer for its clients لعملائها this Ramadan. The song is called: رمضان في مصر حاجة تانية Ramadan in Egypt is another thing “different”. I will provide the Egyptian Arabic lyrics, together with the English translation below.
So, why is Ramadan “special” حاجة تانية in Egypt?
The interesting phrase in the song is the one in the title: Haaga Tanja حاجة تانية, and it literally means> something else or another thing. In many Arabic dialects, this phrase is used to describe something that is special or unique. What is meant here is that Ramadan in Egypt has a different taste له طعم مختلف from any other place in the Muslim world. This point is one that pretty much every Arab agrees on. Egypt is known by its warm and cheerful atmosphere in most days of the year, but specially in Ramadan. During Ramadan, streets are often very busy مزدحمة جدًا and lively مليئة بالنشاط, and people stay up late الناس يسهرون, gathering in cafes المقاهي and public places الأماكن العامة.
Egypt is also known specifically for 3 things that make spending Ramadan there special:
1- Lanterns الفَوَانِيسْ: These refer a specific type of lamps (see photo above) that people hang in their houses. Also, regular lamps and lights can be seen in streets.
2- Dawn Awakener “MesaHHarAaty” المسحراتي: This refers to a man (drummer) who roams streets and calls people to wake up for Suhoor السحور by stopping in front of their houses and calling their names. This habit is pretty much gone now.
3- Tables of the most Merciful مَوَائِدْ الرَّحْمَنْ: an initiative مبادرة organised by (rich) people where food is served in streets around Iftaar time في وقت الإفطار in order to support the poor الفقراء, and passengers/ passersby عابري السبيل who won’t be able to break their fast at home.
= = = = = =
let’s move on to the song 😉
:كلمات الأغنية
The Lyrics:
رمضان في مصر حاجة تانية
Ramadan in Egypt is special
والسر في التفاصيل
And the secret is in the details
رمضان في مصر غير الدنيا
Ramadan in Egypt is different from the rest of the world
طعمه بطعم النيل
Its taste is like the Nile river
= = = = = =
في كل حتة بنتمشى
In every corner, we take a walk
فوانيس وزينة في الشارع
Lanterns and decorations on the street
صوت الأذان يدخل قلبك
The sound of the call to prayer enters your heart
ونصلي تراويح في الجامع
And we pray Taraweeh in the mosque
= = = = = =
بالليل بتحلو القعده
At night, the gathering becomes sweeter
طاولة ودومانا وكوتشينة
Backgammon, Domino and Kuchina (card game)
والله زمان1A phrase used to express how much one misses old times/days، داحنا بقالنا
Oh, it’s been a while, we have been
مدة، بعيد عن بعضينا
for a long time, away from each other
= = = = = =
رمضان في مصر حاجة تانية
Ramadan in Egypt is special
والسر في التفاصيل
And the secret is in the details
رمضان في مصر غير الدنيا
Ramadan in Egypt is different from the rest of the world
طعمه بطعم النيل
Its taste is like the Nile river
= = = = = =
في كل وش تلاقي ضحكة
In every face, you find joy
والناس بسيطة وفرحانه
And people are simple and happy
كل القلوب الخير فيها
All hearts have goodness in them
2An adjective used to describe homes where owners love to have people over, help them and do good to them. كل البيوت هنا عمرانه
And all the homes are full and lively
= = = = = =
وده كان مسافر في الغربه
And this one was travelling away/ abroad
وخد اجازته هنا معانا
And he took his vacation here with us
رمضان تملّي مقربنا
Ramadan is always bringing us together
اللمه دي كانت واحشانا
This gathering, we have been missing
= = = = = =
كان واحشنا رمضان
Ramadan was missed by us
كان واحشنا بكل تفاصيله
We missed all its details
وبقربنا لبعضنا
and our closeness to each other
في أي حتة في مصر
In every corner in Egypt
أورانج بتقرّبك
Orange brings you closer
= = = = = =
- 1A phrase used to express how much one misses old times/days
- 2An adjective used to describe homes where owners love to have people over, help them and do good to them.
![](/images/tlo-devices.png)
Build vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and more with Transparent Language Online. Available anytime, anywhere, on any device.