Learn Levantine Arabic Phrases: Anyway, by the way, speaking of which…

 

 

…على كل حال

 

This phrase can be described as the English equivalent of “In any case…” where it is used to describe something regardless of what happens or has happened.

Here are some examples:

 

بلكي منشوف بعض بكرة أو يوم الجمعة. على كل حال بخبرك شو بصير معي

Perhaps we’ll see each other tomorrow or on Friday. In any case, I’ll let you know my decision.

 

الحفلة بتخلص الساعة وحدة بالليل وتقدر تركب آخر باص للبيت. على كل حال بتحسن تاخد تاكسي إذا ما في باصات

The party ends at one in the morning [lit: night]  and you can catch the last bus home. In any case, it’s better to take a taxi if there are no buses left.

 

والله صرلي أسبوع مرضان ومو قدران أتحرك بس الحمد لله على كل حال

Man I swear it’s been a week since I’m ill and not able to move but in any case, all praise be to God

 

…على فكرة

 

This phrase can be used to change the subject, resume a subject after interruption or to support an idea just mentioned. Pretty much just like how you would say “by the way” or “anyway” in English.

Here are some examples:

 

على فكرة, مبارح شفت الفيلم الّي حكيتلي عنه بس ما كتير حبيته

By the way, yesterday I’ve seen the film  that you told me about but I didn’t really like it

 

على فكرة بكرة عيد ميلاد ديانا. جبتلها شي؟

By the way, tomorrow is Diana’s birthday. Did you get her something?

 

على فكرة, رح نطلع الجمعة الجاية ناكل بالمطعم, تروح معنا؟

By the way, we’re going to go out and eat at the restaurant on the coming Friday. Do you want to go with us?

 

…على سيرة

 

This phrase is used when someone mentions a topic that reminded you of something else but which is related to the topic.

I would say it’s similar to how English speakers say “speaking of…”.

 

For example, a friend brought up the topic of engagement, I can say something like…

وعلى سيرة الخطبة, عرفتي إنه احمد خطب؟

Speaking of engagements, did you (f.)  know that Ahmad got engaged?

 

 

For example, if my friend brought up the topic of restaurants, I say something like…

على سيرة المطاعم شو احسن واطيب مطعم بتِنْصَحيني فيه؟

Speaking of restaurants, which is the best and the most delicious restaurant that you (f.) would recommend to me?

 

 

BONUS: Levantine Arabic Expression

 

Speaking of the word سيرة (see what I did there? 😏), there is a common expression used in Levantine Arabic that uses the same word.

And it is…

…جاب – بيجيب) سيرة عن)

Literal Meaning: To bring a biography about (someone/something)

Meaning: To talk about someone or to bring up a topic

**The Arabic Student website has a post on this expression. You can check it out here.

 

Here are some examples of how the expression is commonly used:

ما تجيب سيرة هاد الزلمة بنوب, مفهوم؟

Don’t bring up the topic of that guy ever, understand (is it understood)?

**بنوب is a Syrian word that means ‘at all”. You can replace the word with بالمرة for Jordanian/Palestinian Arabic.

 

وبعدين ليش جبت سيرة لينا؟ مو قلتلك انفصلنا انا وياها من زمان؟

Then again, why do you have to talk about Lina (why did you bring her name up)? Didn’t I tell you that we broke up a long time ago?

~~~

 

That’s it, folks!

I hope you find this post useful and if you do, hit the share buttons and spread the knowledge.

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

Lyn