كَأَنَّas though اِمرِأًa man لَمnot يَلقَhad experienced عَيشاًa life بِنِعمَةٍin comfort
كَأَنَّ اِمرِأً لَم يَلقَ عَيشاً بِنِعمَةٍ
إِذاwhen نَزَلَتbefalls بِالمَرءِthe man قاصِمَةُa breaker of الظَهرِthe back
إِذا نَزَلَت بِالمَرءِ قاصِمَةُ الظَهرِ
As though a man had never known a life of comfort,
As though a man had never known a life of ease
When a back-breaking calamity befalls him.
When crushing misfortune comes down upon him