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Lebanese Arabic phrasebook

Contents [hide]
[+]Pronunciation guide
[+]Phrase list
The Lebanese dialect of Arabic is similar to that spoken in Syria, Jordan and the Palestinian Territories,
somewhat different to that spoken in Egypt, and very different to other forms of Arabic. As with all
dialects of Arabic, the dialect is a spoken language only; the written language always conforms to
standard Arabic.
Arabic is significantly different from English: different forms are used when addressing males,
females and groups; plurals and verb conjugations are highly irregular and difficult to figure out from
their roots; and the pronunciation includes some very difficult sounds. Lebanese, luckily, is a much-
simplified from standard Arabic, and should not be overly difficult for the traveler.
Learning some basic Lebanese Arabic dialect expressions could always come in handy; however,
knowing either French or English should be enough for a tourist visiting Lebanon, since many
Lebanese people (especially the youth, particularly in Beirut) are trilingual.

[edit]Pronunciation guide

For some Arabic sounds, there is no easy transliteration (and no single agreed transliteration). The
pronunciation guide shown below is case sensitive; for example, 'th' is a different sound to 'Th' and
'TH'. Note that there is no such things as a diphthong in Arabic; instead, some consonants map to
English diphthongs.
[edit]Vowels
a
like 'a' in "apple"
i
like 'ee' in "cheese"
u
like 'oo' in "too"
o
like 'o' in "dore"
e
like 'e' in "bed"

like 'ai' in "claire"
[edit]Easy Consonants
b
like 'b' in "bed"
t
like 't' in "top"
j
like 's' in "pleasure"
kh
like 'ch' in Scottish "loch" (or German "nach")
d
like 'd' in "mad"
r
like 'r' in "row"
z
like 'z' in "haze"
s
like 's' in "sing"
sh
like 'sh' in "sheep"
f
like 'f' in "fun"
k
like 'k' in "kitten"
l
like 'l' in "love"
m
like 'm' in "mother"
n
like 'n' in "nice"
h
like 'h' in "help"
w
like 'w' in "weight"
y
like 'y' in "yes"
[edit]Difficult Consonants
The following 3 consonants are pronounced by rounding the mouth as you say them. You can get an
approximate effect by accentuating them in the following pronunciations.
S
like 's' in "sorry"
D
like 'd' in "dot"
T
like 't' in "taught"
The following consonant is almost never pronounced in the Lebanese Arabic dialect but replaced
with a glottal stop, which can also be represented by an apostrophe.
q
in regular arabic : like 'c' in "call" (with the back of the throat)
gh
like a French or German letter "r"
The following consonant (called "ha", which will be represented by the number 7), is similar to
English "h" but stronger. It is pronounced deep in the throat, like the sound you make when
breathing on a pair of glasses to clean them.
7
a little like a mixture of "h" and "kh"
2
a glottal stop (IPA: ), or the constriction of the throat as between the syllables uh-oh, but in Arabic
this is often found in strange places such as the beginning of a word. Known in Arabic as hamza
The following consonant (called "ayn", which we will be represented by the number 3), is very
difficult to say. In English, the only time you will use the throat muscles used to say this letter is when
you are throwing up; if that's how it feels, you're probably doing it right.
3
like the sound represented by "aargh"
[edit]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.
[edit]Basics (Kalimt Asesiy)
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 ent (female)
Blessed
l 7amdella
What is your name?
shoo esmak? (m), shoo esmik? (f)
My name is ______ .
esm ______ .
Nice to meet you.
Tsharrafna
How old are you?
add 3omrak? (m) add 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) tekram (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 salm
Goodbye (informal)
"bye" (English is used here)
I don't speak Arabic [well].
ma be7k 3arab [mni7]
Do you speak English?
bte7k englize? or you can just say it in english
Is there someone here who speaks English?
fi 7adan hon bye7ke inglize?
Help me!
se3doon
Okay
tayib/okay/meshe
Look out!
oo3a or ntebih (male) ntebh (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) teSba7 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 7emmm?
I
ana
You
enta(m), ent(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
7abib(m) 7abibt(f) 7abib is commonly used for females also
You're the prettiest of them all
enta ajmal men l kell (male) ent ajmal men l kell (female)
I love you
ana b7ebak(m) ana b7ebik(f)
Where are you from?
men wen enta? (male) men wen ent (female)
[edit]Problems
Leave me alone.(addressing a male)
7el 3ann (aggressive) or Trekn
Stop it
KhalaS!
Don't touch me!(addressing a male)
ma tde2 fiyy
I'll call the police.
ra7 de2 lal darak
Police!
Bolice!
Stop! (addressing a male)
wa22if!
I need help.
badd moos3ad
It's an emergency.
7al 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 jezdn/shant
I lost my wallet.
Dayya3et ma7fazteh
I'm sick. (male)
mariD or sakhin
I've been injured.
mensab
I want a doctor.
badd 7akim
Can I use your phone?
fiyy esta3mil telephonak?(male) fiyy esta3mil telephonik? (female)
[edit]Numbers (Ar2am)
1
wa7ad
2
tnn
3
tlt
4
arb3a
5
khams
6
sett
7
sab3a
8
tmn
9
tes3a
10
3ashra
11
7da3sh
12
tna3sh
13
tlatta3sh
14
arba3ta3sh
15
khamesta3sh
16
setta3sh
17
sabeta3sh
18
tmanta3sh
19
tese3ta3sh
20
3eshrin
21
wa7da w 3eshreen
22
tnn w 3eshreen
23
tlta w 3eshreen
30
tlteen
40
arb3een
50
khamseen
60
setteen
70
sab3een
80
tmneen
90
tes3een
100
miyy
200
mitn
300
tlet miyy
1000
alf
2000
alfn
1,000,000
malyon
1,000,000,000
melyar
1,000,000,000,000
alf melyar
number _____ (train, bus, etc.)
nomra _____ (train, bus)
half
noSS
less
a2all
more
ba3ed, 2aktar
[edit]Time
now
halla2
later
ba3dn
before
abel
morning
Sobo7
afternoon
ba3d l Dohor
evening
masa, 3ashiy
night/nights
layl/layl
[edit]Clock time (Wa2et)
What time is it?
add l s3a
one o'clock AM
s3a we7d l Sobo7 (or you can say 3abukra instead of Sobo7)
two o'clock AM
s3a tentn Sobo7 / 3abukra
noon
se3a tna3sh l Dohor
one o'clock PM
se3a we7d ba3d l Dohor
two o'clock PM
se3a tentn ba3d l Dohor
midnight
noSS lil
[edit]Duration
Rules for durations are peculiar: singular is used for one but for 11 or more as well, "double" is used
for 2, and plural is used from 3 to 10
_____ minute(s)
d2i2a (one minute), d2i2ten (2 min), _____ d2eyi2 (____ min for 3 to 10) ____ di2a (____ min for 11
and above)
_____ hour(s)
se3a (one hour), se3ten (2 hrs), _____ se3at (____ hrs for 3 to 10) ____ se3a(____ hrs for 11 and
above)
_____ day(s)
nhar (one day), nharn (2 days), _____ tiyyem (____ days for 3 to 10) ____ yom (____ days for 11
and above)
_____ week(s)
jem3a (one week), jeme3ten (2 weeks), _____ jm3 (____ weeks for 3 to 10) ____ jem3a (____
weeks for 11 and above)
_____ month(s)
shaher(one month), shahren(2 months), _____ tesh-hor(____ months for 3 to 10) ____ shaher (____
months for 11 and above)
_____ year(s)
sen (one yr), sentin(2 yrs), _____ snin (____ yrs for 3 to 10) ____ sen (____ yrs for 11 and above)
[edit]Days
today
lyom
yesterday
mberi7
tomorrow
bookra
this week
hal jem3a
last week
jem3it l maDy
next week
jem3it l jy
Sunday
a7ad
Monday
tann
Tuesday
talta
Wednesday
ereba3a
Thursday
khamis
Friday
jem3a
Saturday
sabet
[edit]Months
January
knoon l tn
February
shbaT
March
adar
April
nisn
May
ayyar
June
7zeiran
July
tammooz
August
ab
September
aylool
October
teshrin l awwal
November
teshrin l tn
December
knoon l awwal
[edit]Writing time and date (Ktaba wakit wa toarik)
Give some examples how to write clock times and dates if it differs from English.
[edit]Colors
black
aswad (masculine) sawda (feminine)
white
abyaD(masculine) bayDa (feminine)
gray
rmd (masculine) rmediyy (feminine)
red
a7mar (masculine) 7amra (feminine)
blue
azra2 (masculine) zar2a (feminine)
yellow
aSfar (masculine) Safra (feminine)
green
akhDar (masculine) khaDra (feminine)
orange
berd2ane
purple
leilak
brown
benn (masculine) benniyy (feminine)
[edit]Transportation (Safar)
[edit]Bus and train
How much is a ticket to _____?
b2addsh l tiket la ...
One ticket to _____, please.
tiket we7d la______, za bet reed ...
Where does this train/bus go?
la wen bi rou7 hal tren/bus? ...
Where is the train/bus to _____?
wayno l tren/bus? ...
Does this train/bus stop in _____?
biwa22if l tren/bus bi_____ shi?
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?
Emteen l tren/bus la ______ bymsh ....?
When will this train/bus arrive?
Emteen byoowSal hal tren/bus?
Where are you going?
la wen rayi7 (enta)? (male) la wen ray7a (ent)? (female)
[edit]Directions
How do I get to _____ ?
keef booSal 3ala _____ ?
...the train station?
...m7aTet l train?
...the bus station?
...m7aTet l bus?
...the airport?
...l maTar?
...downtown?
...downtown(English used)?
...the youth hostel?
...the youth hostel? (...)
...the _____ hotel?
...l _____ hotel?
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British embassy?
safara amerkiyy/canadiyy/australiyy/britaniyy
Where are there a lot of...
wen fi ktir...
...hotels?
...hotels?
...restaurants?
...maTa3im?
...bars?
...pubs? ("bar" refers to a less innocent type of place)
...places to see?
...ma7allt ta shoufa?
...tourist attractions?
...ma7allt siy7iyy?
Can you show me on the map?
feek tfarjin 3al khariTa
Where is the airport?
wen l maTar?
street
Taree2 or shri3
Turn left.
khod shml
Turn right.
khod yameen
left
shml
right
yameen
straight ahead/infront
deghr/eddm
towards the _____
Sob l _____
past the _____
ba3d l _____
before the _____
abel l _____
Watch out for the _____.
ntebih (male) ntebh (female) la l _____.
intersection
ta2aToo3
north
shml
south
jnoub
east
share2
west
ghareb
up
fo2
down
ta7et
Car rental agency
Sherkit te2jir siyarat
passport
jawz safar (passport with a silent "t" as pronounced in french is also widely used)
[edit]Taxi
Taxi!
"Taxi!" (english)
Shared taxi
Service (french pronunciation)
Take me to _____, please.
khedne 3ala ____, 3mol ma3rouf
How much does it cost to get to _____?
adde l towSile 3a ____?
Take me there, please.
khedne la honik, 3mol ma3rouf
[edit]Lodging
Do you have any rooms available?
fi oowad faDy?
How much is a room for one person/two people?
add l ooda la shakhs/la shaksein?
Does the room come with...
btej l ooda ma3...
...bedsheets?
...couvre-lits?
...a bathroom?
...7emmm
...a telephone?
... telephone?
...a TV?
... Television?
May I see the room first?
fin shoof l ooda bel awal?
Do you have anything quieter?
fi 3endkoon shi arwa2?
...bigger?
akbar
...cleaner?
...anDaf?
...cheaper?
...arkhas?
OK, I'll take it.
OK, ra7 kheda
I will stay for _____ night(s).
ra7 eb2a_____ layl.
Can you suggest another hotel?
btonSa7ne bi hotel tn?
Do you have a safe?
3endkoon khazn?
What time is breakfast/supper?
ayya se3a l terwi2a/l 3asha?
Please clean my room.
please naDDefl l ooda.
Can you wake me at _____?
fik (male) fik (female) twa3in 3al_____?
I want to check out.
badd a3mol check out.
[edit]Money
Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?
bte2balo bi american/australian/canadian dollars?
Do you accept British pounds?
bte2balo bel pound l britane?
Do you accept credit cards?
bte2balo credit card?
Can you change money for me?
fik tsarrefle masare?
Where can I get money changed?
wen fine sarrif masare?
Can you change a traveler's check for me?
fik tSarrefle traveler's check?
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?
wen fine Sarrif traveler's check?
What is the exchange rate?
What is the exchange rate? (...)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?
wen fi ATM?
[edit]Eating
A table for one person/two people, please.
Tawl la shakheS/shakhSen please
Can I look at the menu, please?
fin shoof l menu please?'
Can I look in the kitchen?
fine shoof el maTbakh?
Is there a house specialty?
Is there a house specialty? (...)
Is there a local specialty?
Is there a local specialty? (...)
I'm a vegetarian.
ana nabt (male) ana nabtiyy (female)
I don't eat pork.
ma bekool khanzeer
I don't eat beef.
ma bekool la7em ba2er
I only eat kosher food.
bekool akel kosher w bas (Halal)
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)
fik ta3mela "lite" please? zet/zebde/dism alil
fixed-price meal
fixed-price meal (...)
la carte
la carte (...)
breakfast
terwi2a
lunch
ghada
tea
shay
brunch
3asrouniyy
supper
3asha
I want _____.
badd
I want a dish containing _____.
badd sa7en fiyo ....
chicken
djj
meat
la7m
fish
samak
ham
jambon
sausage
m2ni2
cheese
jebn
eggs
bayD
salad
salaTa
(fresh) vegetables
khoDra (Taza)
(fresh) fruit
fweke (Taza)
bread
khebez
toast
toast
noodles
sh3ayriye
rice
rez
beans
faSolya
May I have a glass of _____?
3mol ma3rouf/iza bit reed badd kebbeyit ...
May I have a cup of _____?
3mol ma3rouf/iza bit reed badd fenjen ...
May I have a bottle of _____?
3mol ma3rouf/iza bit reed badd anninit ...
coffee
ahwe
tea (drink)
shay
juice
3aSeer
(carbonated) water
muy (ghaziyy)
water
muy
beer
beera
red/white wine
nbeed a7mar/abyaD
May I take some _____?
please fin ekhood ...
salt
mele7
black pepper
bhar aswad
butter
zebd
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)
3afwan
I'm finished.
khallaSet
It was delicious.
kenit Tayb
Please clear the plates.
3mol ma3rouf, sheel el s7oun.
The check, please.
l 7seb iza bit reed
[edit]Bars
Do you serve alcohol?
3endak alcohol?
Is there table service?
fi khedmit Tawlet?
A beer/two beers, please.
we7d bira/tnen bira,iza btrid
A glass of red/white wine, please.
Kes nbeed a7mar/abyad please
A pint, please.
A pint, please. (...)
A bottle, please.
annin please
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.
_____ and _____, please. (...)
whiskey
whiskey
vodka
vodka
rum
rum
water
may
club soda
club soda
tonic water
tonic water (...)
orange juice
3aSir laymoon
Coke (soda)
coke
Do you have any bar snacks?
3endkoon bar snacks?
One more, please.
wa7ad tn please
Another round, please.
round tny please
When is closing time?
ayya se3a betsakro?
[edit]Shopping
Do you have this in my size?
fi menna 3a 2yes?
How much is this?
bi add hay?
That's too expensive.
hayda kteer ghal
Would you take _____?
btekhdo ....
expensive
ghal (masculine) ghaly (feminine)
cheap
rkheeS (masculine) rkheeSa (feminine)
I can't afford it.
ma ma3e 7a22a
I don't want it.
Ma badd yha
You're cheating me.
3am testelemn (addressing a male) 3am testelmin (female)
I'm not interested.
mann mehtamm (male) mann mehtamm (female)
OK, I'll take it.
Tayeb ra7 2ekheda
Can I have a bag?
fin ekhood kees?
Do you ship (overseas)?
btesh7ano douwal?
I need...
3ayiz (male) 3ayz (female)
...toothpaste.
m3ajoon snen
...a toothbrush.
fersheyit snen
...tampons.
...tampons. (it is recommended to say the brand...)
...soap.
Saboon
...shampoo.
shampoo
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)
dawa lal waj3a.
...cold medicine.
dawa lal rashe7
...stomach medicine.
dawa lal me3d
...a razor.
shafrit 7le2a
...an umbrella.
shamsiyy
...sunblock lotion.
creme lal shames
...a postcard.
biTa2a baridiyy
...postage stamps.
Tawabi3 barid
...batteries.
battariyyt
...writing paper.
wara2 mketib
...a pen.
alam
...English-language books.
kutob bil engleezeh
...English-language magazines.
majallt bil engleezeh
...an English-language newspaper.
jareed bil engleezeh
...an English-English dictionary.
amoos engleezeh
[edit]Driving
I want to rent a car.
badd esta2jir siyyara
Can I get insurance?
fin ekhood assurance (french pronunciation)?
stop (on a street sign)
w2af
one way
sens unique (french)
yield
yield (...)
no parking
mamnoo3 l woo2oof
speed limit
sir3a al koswa (classical arabic)
gas (petrol) station
m7aTTit benzeen
petrol
benzeen
diesel
mzoot
[edit]Authority
I haven't done anything wrong.
ma 3melet shi ghalaT
It was a misunderstanding.
ken sou2 tafhoom
Where are you taking me?
wen khdinn
Am I under arrest?
ana maw2oof? (male) ana maw2oof (female)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.
ana moowaTin (male) moowaTn (female) amerken/austral/briTan/canad
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.
badd e7k ma3 l safara/l2onSliye l amerkiyy/l australiyy/l britaniyy/l canadiyy/...)
I want to talk to a lawyer.
badd e7k moo7am
Can I just pay a fine now?
fiyy bass edfa3 gharam/zabet halla2?
[edit]Asking about language
How do you say _____ ?
Keef be oulo ...?
What is this/that called?
Shoo hayda?/shoo esmo hayda?
This is a usable phrasebook. It explains pronunciation and the bare essentials of travel
communication. An adventurous person could use it to get by, but please plunge forward and help it
grow!

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