el jatsa da, elemen jatmaz

/el dʒatsa da, elemen dʒatmaz/

Literal translation

even if the village lies down, Elemen will not lie down

Intended meaning

Said of someone who gets no rest or peace while everyone else can stop and sleep, because their obligations never let up.
  • Alağa mensiz, maŋa alasız tınçayıw joqdu. Jatsam, men juqlarğa bolluq tüyülme. Joqdu allay erkinligim, aŋılaymısa? El jatsa da, Elemen jatmaz dep, meni çotum alaydı."There is no rest for them without me, nor for me without them. Even if I lie down, I will not be able to sleep. I have no such freedom, do you understand? As they say, 'even if the village lies down, Elemen will not lie down' — that is how it is with me."

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