asmaa dahab (asker) Feb 16, 2010:

Hi, Mrs. Lamis, please note that the second meaning shown in the reference, is used as a humourous expression only, as provided; while the intended meaning of the above sentence is not humourous; and in the other meanings of the same idiom, the reference is stressing on the current bad condition of the object, rather than pointing out that it was much better before. Thank you for cooperation.

Lamis Maalouf Feb 15, 2010:

Not only that I mean that the writer would have simply said, it was old but the negative meaning is further shown by the description given in the idiom that it is not only old but it used to be nice, or it had some golden days. When you describe an old woman by just saying نال منها الزمن
will it be expressive as saying هجرها جمال الماضي، شهدت أياماً أكثر إشراقاً ?
You will be taking the imagination of the Arabic reader (as the English writer intended in the given idiom) in a trip back in history :) Please check again the second meaning according to Mr. Attallah’s reference. Thank you for your reply. Best wishes. Lamis

asmaa dahab (asker) Feb 15, 2010:

Hi Mrs.Lamis, what I mean is that the sentence has a negative connotation, rather than a positive one, and here is anoyher reference :
http://www.yourdictionary.com/idioms/seen-better-days-have.

Lamis Maalouf Feb 14, 2010:

Negative meaning Hello Asmaa, I can see on this page that 6 translators already shared by answering/commenting that the meaning of this term is rather comparing the "good" old days of the place as to what it is now.

asmaa dahab (asker) Feb 14, 2010:

شكرا لكم جميعا ، و أري أنه من الأحسن استعمال تعبير يوحي بمعني سلبي ، مثل الذي تفضلت به السيدة "نادية أيوب ، و ذلك بالنظر إلي الرابط التالي

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/have seen better days

حيث أن الجملة تدل علي ان المكان أصبح بحالة سيئة نتيجة الاستهلاك .
ما رأيكم ؟