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Archive for August, 2010

Common Lebanese Terms and Phrases

August 27th, 2010

This a list of the most common Lebanese words and phrases.

The Lebanese Language Institute has an extended list of Phrases that will be published later, categorized form by situations and places.

EnglishLebanese [Generic/Masculine]Lebanese [Feminine]
Hi, HelloMarḣaba 
How are you doing?Kiifak?Kiifik?
I am fine?MniiḣMniiḣa
Certainly/sure!Akiid! 
Are you sure?Akiid?Akiide?
This isHaydaHayde
YesE 
NoLa’ 
Good moorning The most used phrased is the French’s Bon Jour, pronounced Bon Jur.Nharkon saxiid is a Lebanese phrase that is used too.  
Good eveningThe most used phrased is the French’s Bon soir, pronounced Bon swar.Masa l ḱer is also used.  
Thanks/ Thank you  French’s Merci is the most used, pronounced mersii.English’s Thanks is the second most used.Yislamo is a Lebanese term that is also used.Arabic’s Cukran is understood but not widely used.    
You’re welcome    If French is used for thanks, the reply will be Derien, pronounced Deryan.If English is used for thanks, the reply will be Welcome.If Lebanese is used for thanks, the reply will be Ahlen or:Tikram. If Arabic was used for thanks, you can reply in Lebanese or use xafwan! 
 
 Tikrame
 
 
What is your name?Cu ismak?Cu ismik?
My name is ….Isme … 
Pleased/ honored to meet youTcirrafna/ tcarrafna 
I love youAna bḣibbak/ BḣibbakAna bḣibbik/ bḣibbik
LebanonLibnen 
Do you speak Lebanese?Btiḣke Libnene? 
I speak a littleBiḣke cway 
I speak good LebaneseBiḣke Libnene mniiḣ 
I don’t speak LebaneseMa biḣke Libnene 
MaybeYimkin 
SorryPardon [French] pronounced Pardon 
ByeBye [English] 
GoodMniiḣ 
Very goodKtiir mniiḣ 
OKOK 
NowHalla` 
SoonBsirxa 
LaterBaxden 
WawYay 
OhYii 
HereHon 
What time is it?Adde ssexa? 
 I like/ I love(Ana) bḣib 
I like to sleepBḣib nem 
Let’s go/ come on yalla 
do you have water?Xindak may?Xindik may?
I want to eatBadde ekol 
A littleCway 
Slowly/ little by littleCway cway 
That’s too muchhayda ktiir 
Laterbaxid cway 
There is/ there areFii 
Is there/Are there?Fii? 
Is there a restuarant here?Fii maṫxam hon? 
Is there a restroom here?Fii ḣimmem hon? 
Can you?Fiik?Fiike?
Can you come?Fiik tije?Fiike tije?
Can I bring my friend?Fiiyye jiib rfii`e?Fiiyye jiib rfii`te?
No one is hereMa fii ḣada hon. 
No one cameMa ija ḣada 
Can I try it on?Fiyye jarrbo?Fiyye jarriba?
Can I help you?Fiyye sexdak?Fiyye sexdik?
Can you help me?Fiik tsexidne?Fiike tsexdiine?
Do you want to eat?Baddak tekol?Baddik tekle?
I don’t have timeMa xinde wa`it 
I am in a hurryMistaxjil Mistaxjle
I am not hungryManne Juxan Manne Juxane
I am hungryAna JuxanAna Juxane
Are you hungry?Juxan?Juxane?
Are you sleepy?Nixsen?Nixsene?
Do you want coffee?Baddak ahwe?Baddik ahwe?
Yes PleaseE Please 
No, thanksNo, mersii 
Do you want more?Baddak baxid?/ baxid baddak?Baddik baxid?/ Baxid baddik?
That’s enoughBiikaffe 

Phrases

Arḋi (My land) A poem by Maroun Kassab

August 10th, 2010

Copyright Maroun Ghassan Kassab 2009

Arḋi traaba
Abyaḋ
Kilsi
Acjaara
Zaytun w jawz
Xṡafiira
Blebil bi tġanni
La ṡṡobḣ
W la wre` llawz
Arḋi wruda
Btiḱjal
Tiḣki
Juri
Laylak w yasmiin
Bnafsaj mitlo
Mitl ṫṫofli
L xomra arbax
Ḱams sniin

Reading Material

Compatibility with Chrome

August 10th, 2010

If you are using Chrome, don’t forget to change the SANS SERIF font to Tahoma for best viewing of the Lebanese letters:

Go to your wrench, and click options>>under the hood

In web content, click on change font and  language settings and change sans serif to tahoma.

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