How do Arabs end an argument (or turn a deaf ear to replies)

Ahla w Sahla fiikum to another post of #How do Arabs 😉

In this post, I’m going to list out a few phrases that are useful for ending arguments.

In general, they are to mean “My words are final” and thus any replies would not be tolerated. It is also important to note that most often it is a person of a higher authority than the other who would be saying these phrases (Eg: a mother to her children)

The first phrase is…

كلمتي ما بتصير تنتين

kilimti ma bitsiir tintain

This Jordanian/Palestinian phrase means that “my word does not get repeated twice” and thus carries the same meaning as “my words are final.” Basically, don’t you argue with me, I’m having none of it!

For example, a mother would say to her daughter:

ما في طلعة من البيت يعني ما في طلعة. كلمتي ما بتصير تنتين

ma fii Thol3a men ilbaet ya3ne ma fii Thol3a

(No going out means no going out! My words are final.)

This brings us to the second phrase that I’ve heard spoken in Syrian shows,

شكلين ما بحكي

shiklain ma beHki

This phrase can be roughly translated to “My words don’t come in two forms” and thus carries the same meaning as the previous phrase. This phrase could easily be the Syrian version of “كلمتي ما بتصير تنتين”

The Syrian version of the previous example would be:

ما في روحة يعني ما في روحة. شكلين ما بحكي

ma fii rawha ya3ni ma fii rawha. shiklain ma beHki

(no going out means no going out. my words are final)

*Bonus: To add weight to your words (i.e be more dramatic), you can hold up two fingers while saying it. 😁

Image Source

The next phrase is

كلمة ورد غطاها

klimeh uu rad ghaTaha

(a word and a reply covers it)

This phrase is said when you wish to declare your point of view and end the matter once and for all with the indication that no reply is needed.

For example,

انا حابة احكي معك كلمتين ورد غطاها

Ana Habeh aHki ma3ik kilimtain uu rad ghaTaha

(I want to have a few words with you and close the topic)

I’ve heard this sentence in a Syrian drama series called “صرخت روح” where the mother called up the girl whom is in a relationship with her son but of which she does not approve.

So in this scenario, the mother is more or less saying “I want to have a word with you and end the discussion. I don’t want to have to talk about this matter ever again.” In other words, the topic’s closed! (even before the other person has a chance to express his/herself)

The final phrase….

قولو اي واضحك عليه

2alo ehh u iDHak 3aley

(Tell him yes/OK and laugh at him after)

This phrase is slightly different from the rest in the sense that it is said when you’re tired of explaining your point and you end up saying  “اي” (Yes/Ok) to the other person just for the sake of ending the argument.

This is especially so if the other person is unable to see your point of view and the argument is going nowhere.

For example:

You are having a debate about climate change to a person named Donald but you simply can’t convince him that climate change is real. You are dumbfounded when he thinks that climate change is a hoax created by the Chinese. So you just give up the argument by saying:

قولو اي واضحك عليه

(I mean in this situation, it’s better to save one’s breath)

In addition, this phrase can also be said sarcastically to kid around with your friends who naively believe your words.

For example:

لك ممكن تعطيني الساعة رولكس تبعتك ؟ :A

lak mumkin ta3Tiini ilsaa3ah Rolex taba3tak?

(Hey can you give me your Rolex watch?)

اي اكيد :B

eyy akiid

(Yep sure)

 !واو شكرا كتييير :A

waww shokran ktiiirrr!

(Wow thanks a lot!)

قولو اي واضحك عليه :B

(i.e No way I’m gonna give you my watch, you fool!)

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Take care and I’ll see ya in the hosh,

Lyn