How do Arabs blame others? الحق على مين؟؟

Ahla w Sahla to my first ever blog post y’all 🙂 This blog is dedicated to my musings on Levantine Arabic and hopefully it will be useful for all Levantine Arabic students.

So recently, I have been watching a couple of Syrian drama series and I’m reminded of a common pattern of speech that can be heard generally on any Levantine shows when it comes to putting the blame on someone.

This phrase is:

الحق مو عليك, الحق عليي اصلا

ilhaq mu 3laik, ilhaq 3layyi aSlan

So the phrase can be roughly translated to “The fault is not upon you, the fault is upon me in the first place” and thus it means that “I’m the one to blame!”

And to me, that’s pretty amusing because if you watch the context in which the phrase is being said, rarely has the phrase actually conveyed the literal meaning.

Basically what’s happening is that, the phrase is used TO BLAME someone in spite of the noble gesture of picking up the blame upon oneself. There are both elements of exaggeration as well as exasperation packed in that one surely useful phrase.

So when you heard ’em say “الحق مو عليك, الحق عليي” be warned that they actually mean this…

Having learned the language for quite some time now and lived in Jordan for a year, I know (and we ALL know) that daily Arabic conversations are often peppered with compliments mixed with a certain level of exaggeration. The kind of talk that I was initally uncomfortable with but have now embraced it and put on a faint smile everytime I hear it. HAHA

Ok enough of the ramblings…let me just throw in some common phrases that are often said to GENUINELY blame someone and say “It’s your fault!”

انت السبب enta is-sbab

كله منك kulo/kelo minak

كل شي بسببك kul/kil shi bsebabak

But nothing compares to blaming someone and putting the blame on yourself all within the same breath…

Let me finish this post by providing scenarios where the phrase can be used. I would imagine the phrase being spoken with an almost resigned look on the face in an attempt to suppress the exasperation within.

Scenario #1:

When you are casually hanging out with your BFF in a café or at her house and then suddenly both of you got into an argument.

So your BFF got so mad and she decides to leave. And before she slams the door in your face, this is what she will say to you:

تعرفي شي؟ الحق مو عليكي, الحق عليي اصلا جيت هون اسليكي

ta3rafii shii? ilhaq mu 3laiki, ilhaq 3laiyyi aSlan jeet hon asalikii

(You know what? It’s not your fault. The fault is mine for coming here in the first place and keeping you company)

Scenario #2

When your friend starts a discussion and asks for your opinion only to get upset with you in the end…. So you’ll say something like this to express the ridiculousness of the situation-

الحق علي انا رديت عليك من البداية

ilhaq 3laii ana radaet 3laik min el-bidaayeh

(The fault is mine for bothering to respond to you in the beginning)

Scenario #3

When a relationship turns sour and you complain about the guy to your best friend…

مو الحق عليه الحق عليي اللي اتعرفت على شخص متلو.الحق عليي اللي حبيته وصدقته

mu ilhaq 3alaey, ilhaq 3alaiyyi elli t3arefet 3ala shakhs metlo. ilhaq 3alaiyyi elli habaeto u Sadaqto

(It’s not his fault. It’s my fault for getting to know a person like him. The blame is on me for liking him and believing him)

OK well maybe, in this case, she’s really blaming herself…

Scenario #4:

When you got home and you don’t feel like eating…but your mom has cooked up a feast. And that’s when you hear your mom says to you…

ليش ما بدك تاكل؟ كل هاد ومش عجبك؟ الحق عليي اللي طبخت

Leish maa bidak takol? kol had uu mesh 3ajabak? ilhaq 3alaiyii elli Thabakhet

(Why are you not eating? All of these food and you don’t like them? It’s my fault for even bothering to cook.)

That’s it, folks!

Let me know what you think and drop me a comment below.

Take care & I’ll see you around in the hosh,

Lyn