elip degenni bilmezge
/elip deɡenni bilmezɡe/
Literal translation
not to know what "elip" (the letter alif) is
Intended meaning
To be unable to read or write, having had no schooling in letters at all.
- Pismonu keltirib qoluma bergendile da, arı bla beri burub qarayma, ne kelsin, ömürüm elip degenni ne bolğanın bilmeyme. Ma endi ua tireldim da qaldım.They brought the letter and put it in my hand, and I turn it this way and that and stare at it — but what use is it, all my life I have never known what "elip" even is. And now here I am, stuck fast.
Sources
Show sources
- Къарачай-малкъар тилни фразеология ангылатма сёзлюгю (2017), p. 517