سبل الشيطان

English translation: The Devil's path/ways/methods

11:13 Feb 17, 2021
Arabic to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
Arabic term or phrase: سبل الشيطان
In this scene, the narrator is remembering a friend who was killed because she had a child out of wedlock.

I'm not sure what the phrase means though - the ____ of the devil.

Here's the sentence:

كانت لي صاحبة حلوة٬ برأسها سبل الشيطان٬ ويوم حملت٬ في سفح الجبل القريب٬ رأيتهم يدفنونها....
Saliha18
Local time: 07:22
English translation:The Devil's path/ways/methods
Explanation:
In contrast to following the right path. This refers to someone who does that which is religiously considered immoral.
Selected response from:

Tom Leijnse
Netherlands
Local time: 08:22
Grading comment
Many thanks for this. I agree with Milena's addition as well, of the devil's ways.
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3The Devil's path/ways/methods
Tom Leijnse
5pathways
Nancy Eweiss
4 +1dissolute/promiscuous
Saeed Najmi
4The ways of the devil
Angie Halloum
4but with her mind possessed by the devil
Pierrick Jaouen, CFA


Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
The Devil's path/ways/methods


Explanation:
In contrast to following the right path. This refers to someone who does that which is religiously considered immoral.

Tom Leijnse
Netherlands
Local time: 08:22
Native speaker of: Native in DutchDutch, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 7
Grading comment
Many thanks for this. I agree with Milena's addition as well, of the devil's ways.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks very much for this! I'm just trying to make it fit with the 'on her head' part.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Nancy Eweiss
2 mins

agree  Morano El-Kholy
4 hrs

agree  Milena Atanasova: Devil's ways
7 hrs

agree  Mai975
23 hrs

disagree  Pierrick Jaouen, CFA: literal translation is misleading
1 day 3 hrs
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16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
pathways


Explanation:
the word سبل is the plural of سبيل which means "way" or "pathway"

Nancy Eweiss
Egypt
Local time: 08:22
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
dissolute/promiscuous


Explanation:
Appropriate for this context:

lacking restraint especially : marked by indulgence in things (such as drink or promiscuous sex)
As a result she got pregnant.



    Reference: http://https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissolute
    Reference: http://https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promiscuou...
Saeed Najmi
Morocco
Local time: 07:22
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 146
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you for giving the meaning in this specific context, it was very helpful.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Pierrick Jaouen, CFA: Direct literal translation would be incpmprehensible..
1 day 2 hrs
  -> Thanks Pierrick
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1 day 2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
The ways of the devil


Explanation:
Because it's poetic, I'd say the ways of the devil instead of the devil's ways. Good luck.

Angie Halloum
United Arab Emirates
Local time: 10:22
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic
PRO pts in category: 31
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1 day 4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
but with her mind possessed by the devil


Explanation:
.

Pierrick Jaouen, CFA
France
Local time: 08:22
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Milena Atanasova: But that's stronger than the original and you're giving more agency to the devil. The wicked ways are the agent here, their presence in the woman's head is the topic.
2 hrs
  -> I agree it is a bit strong..
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