Phrase list

 

Some commonly understood Lebanese Arabic dialect phrases use either French or English words; these have been shown in quotes below to avoid confusion.

 

Basics (Kalimét Asesiyé)

 

Hello.

mar7aba

 

Welcome!

ahla w sahla (Lebanese people use also the French (bienvenue) or the English terms or they say just "ahlan"

 

How are you?

kifak (male), kifik (female)

 

(I'm) fine.

Mni7 (Male) - Mni7a (Female)(Lebanese people also say l 7amdella, literally: "thank God")

 

Well (health)

bikher, tamem

 

Good

mni7(m) mni7a(f)

 

Excellent

be jannin (it's excellent) or bjannin (I'm excellent)

 

And you?

w enta (male), w enté (female)

 

Blessed

l 7amdella

 

What is your name?

shoo esmak? (m), shoo esmik? (f)

 

My name is ______ .

esmé ______ .

 

Nice to meet you.

Tsharrafna

 

How old are you?

addé 3omrak? (m) addé 3omrik? (f)

 

Please.

Eza bet reed (m), eza bet reedeh (f) (literally : if you please). Also, 3mol ma3roof (m), 3mele ma3roff (f). Proper : La-w sama7et (m), la-w sama7teh (f) (literally : only if you allow it) (Lebanese people use also the English term : please)

 

Thank you.

shookran (Arabic) yeslamo (Arabic) merci (French) they also use the English expression but pronounce it "tank you, sank you, or tanx"

 

You're welcome

tekram (male) tekramé (female)

 

Welcome (welcoming someone).

ahla w sahla (it will be enough to say just "ahla")

If God wills (or used as 'hopefully')

eza alla rad

 

Really?

Walla or 3anjad

 

Yes.

eh or na3am

 

No.

la2

 

Maybe

yemkin

 

Excuse me. (getting attention)

ma twekhezne

 

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

"pardon" (French is used here)

 

I'm sorry.

"sorry" (English is used here) or Be3tezeer (I excuse myself)

 

Goodbye (Go with peace)

(formal) Ma3el salémé

 

Goodbye (informal)

"bye" (English is used here)

 

I don't speak Arabic [well].

ma be7ké 3arabé [mni7]

 

Do you speak English?

bte7ké englize? or you can just say it in english

 

Is there someone here who speaks English?

fi 7adan hon bye7ke inglize?

 

Help me!

se3dooné

 

Okay

tayib/okay/meshe

 

Look out!

oo3a or ntebih (male) ntebhé (female)

 

For sure/Of course!

akeed!

 

Good morning.

Saba7 l kher - bonjour (french)

 

Good evening.

masa l kher - bonsoir (french)

 

Good night.

"bonne nuit" (french) - tesba7 3ala kher (male) tesba7é 3ala kher (female)

 

I don't know.

ma ba3rif

 

Where is the toilet (bathroom)?

wen l "toilette?" (French is used here)

 

Where is the restroom (in a restaurant)?

wen l 7emmém?

 

I

ana

 

You

enta(m), enté(f)

 

I understand

ana befham. (Though it may be more useful to say: I understood Fhemet)

 

I do not understand

ana ma befham. (Though it may be more useful to say I did not understand : Ma fhemet)

 

Sweetheart

7abibé(m) 7abibté(f) 7abibé is commonly used for females also

 

You're the prettiest of them all

enta ajmal men l kell (male) enté ajmal men l kell (female)

 

Where are you from?

men wen enta? (male) men wen enté (female)

 

Problems

 

Leave me alone.(addressing a male)

7el 3anné (aggressive) or Trekné

 

Stop it

Khalas!

 

Don't touch me!(addressing a male)

ma tde2 fiyyé

 

I'll call the police.

ra7 de2 lal darak

 

Police!

Bolice!

 

Stop! (addressing a male)

wa22if!

 

I need help.

baddé moosé3adé

 

It's an emergency.

7alé tar2a

 

I got lost/I'm lost. (male)

do3ot/dayi3

 

I got lost/I'm lost (female)

do3ot/day3a

 

I lost my purse/bag.

dayya3et jezdéné/shanté

 

I lost my wallet.

dayya3et ma7fazteh

 

I'm sick. (male)

marid or sakhin

 

I've been injured.

mensab

 

I want a doctor.

baddé 7akim

 

Can I use your phone?

fiyyé esta3mil telephonak?(male) fiyyé esta3mil telephonik? (female)