levantine arabic phrases

 

EXAMPLES:

 

لحّق حالك يا خي, ماما عملت كيكة الشوكولاتة كتير زاكية وبِتْشَهي

Brother, hurry…Mom made a very delicious and appetising chocolate cake!

 

الاكل بهالمطعم كتير طيب وبيشهي , رح صير اجي انا ورفقاتي لهون دايماً

The food in this restaurant is very delicious and appetising, I will definitely always come here with my friends

 

والله الجاتو شكلو كتير بيشهي… يسلمو ايديكِ يا مدام

The cake really looks so appetising…thank you so much Madam

*The expression يسلمو ايدك is commonly used to thank someone who had done something especially with their hands (eg: cooking, picking up something for you, etc)

Note:

  • The word زاكي \ زاكية (delicious) is more commonly used in Jordan and Palestine.
  • The word جاتو (cake) is more commonly used in Syria and Lebanon

 

BONUS:

فتح شهيتي X

فتحت شهيتي X

something “opened my appetite”

 

While the phrase literally means “opened my appetite”, what it actually means is that something looks appetising, irresistible or engaging enough that causes you to take an interest in it.

And this phrase is not limited to describing food.

So for example, while you can say something like…

ما كنت جوعان بس هلأ كلامك عن الاكل فتح شهيتي والله

I wasn’t hungry but all these talks [your words] about food is making me hungry

 

you also can say something like…

المباراة المشوقة بين نعومي وسيرينا فتحت شهيتي اتعلم لعب التنس

The exciting match between Naomi and Serena made me gain an interest in learning to play tennis

 

or…

الصور فتحت شهيتي عالسفر واكتساب خبرات جديدة

The pictures piqued my interest in travelling and the acquisition of new experiences

 

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That’s it, folks!

I hope you found this post beneficial and if you like it, share it 🙂

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

Lyn

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