ما بحط بذمتي

Transliteration:

ma baHut bidimtii

Alternatives:

ما بدي حط بذمتي

ma biddi/baddi Huut bi dimti

Meaning:

I ain’t taking responsibility for what I about to say

I’m not accountable for what I about to say

Erm, what?

Explanation & Examples:

Okay, so this expression has a religious undertone to it. On the day of judgment, everyone will be held accountable for his or her words and actions.

So this expression is said when people are not completely sure of the validity of what they are about to say.

And just in case, what they are about to say is completely false, they hope that they won’t be held accountable or be penalised for it on the day of judgment.

The word, ذمة, probably has no English equivalent but it is related to all things consciousness, moral integrity, ethics, etc.

So how is this expression used in spoken contexts?

Often, it is ironically said when gossiping about others.

It’s like “I know I’m going to say something unkind or questionable so I’ll say ma baHut bi dimti first just to prove I’m not a bad person”.

Here are some examples:

ما بحط بذمتي بس والله هالزلمة مو منيح. ديرو بالكم (بالكن) منو

ma baHut bidimtii bas wallah hal zalameh muu mniiH. diiru balkom (balkun) meno

I don’t mean anything by this (i.e please don’t hold this against me, God!) but I swear that man is not a good man. You guys better be careful of him.

OR

ما بحطا (بحطها) بذمتي بس روان يلي كسرتلك الموبايل, ما وقع لحالو :A

ma bahutaa (bahut-ha) bidimtii bas Rawan illi kasratlak el mobile. ma w2e3 lahaalo

I don’t mean anything by this but Rawan was the one who broke your mobile phone. It didn’t fell on its own.

!انت شو عم تحكي؟ متاكد؟ :B

enta shu 3am taHki? mit2aked?

What are you talking about?! Are you sure?!

ما بعرف انا, بس هيك حسيت :A

ma ba3ref ana. bas heik haseit

I don’t know, but this is what I feel.

The expression can also be used as a way as to not get involved in the matter (i.e to not be part of the “sin”) if you’re not the one spreading the news.

سمعت انو ماريا ما اجت عالبيت من تلات ايام والناس عم تقول انو بجوز هربت مع صاحبها لتعيش معو

sme3et eno Maria ma ejat 3al bayt men talat eyam uu el nas 3am t2ul eno bjuuz harbat ma3 saaHebha

I heard that Maria has not returned home for the last three days. People said she probably ran away to live with her boyfriend.

والله ما بعرف وما بحط بذمتي :B

wallah ma ba3ref uu maa bahut bidimtii

I swear, I don’t know anything about it and I don’t want to get involved (i.e I don’t want to be part of the sin of backbiting)

~~~

Note: There are some who refrain from using this expression because, hey, if it ain’t completely true, best not to mention it.

That’s it, folks. Check back next Friday for another ALEF post, or better still, subscribe below to be notified of new posts!

PSS: Like this post? Do me a favour and share it!

The post ALEF #01: Ma BaHut Bidimtii appeared first on theLevanTongue.

So I came across a Youtube channel called “The Adventures of Sitt Najeh” which acts as another resource for me to practice listening to Lebanese Arabic and to pick up new words.

The series is about a Lebanese middle age woman who moved to Canada from Lebanon, and each video pokes fun at the differences in the living conditions and culture between both countries. I like the channel as each video is short (most are under 5 minutes) and some of them have English subtitles.

In this post, I will introduce you to one of the videos titled “كلها منافع ” which means “Everything about it has benefits”. And, the “it” refers to a traffic jam.

So without further ado, let’s dive in to see how do traffic jams contain any benefits – from the perspective of Sitt Najeh, of course!

!معقول هيدي العجقة؟

This traffic jam is unbelievable

آه هيدي العجقة قال

Yeah they call this a traffic jam

  عنجد يلي نحنا هون, كيف منفهم الأشياء بهالبلد هيك بطريقة غريبة عجيبة

It’s really weird how we understand things in this country

ما بعرف ليش هيك منضل نحب منخلق مشاكل لحالنا

I don’t know why we like to create problems for ourselves

ما بيعرفو انو العجقة كلها منافع؟

Don’t they know that a traffic jam is full of benefits

مثلا انا اليوم عندي موعد لعند الحكيم على الساعة خمسة بعد الضهر

For example, I have a doctor appointment at 5 pm

قلت انا هيك بضهر بكير ع ساعة سبعة

I said to myself, I can leave early at 7 am

وبجيب كل أغراضي معي وبحضَر طبختي هوني وهيك

and bring all my things with me and prepare my cooking here

 يعني بتسلى بين هالناس لانو هون

and have fun with these people…because here (in Lebanon)

كيف ما طلعت في ناس حواليك ببتسملن وببتسمولك يعني

however you look at people around you, you can smile to them and they will smile back

ايه لو كان متل كندا, اعود بلله, ما حدا بيتطلع بحدا هونيك

if it’s Canada, nobody ever looks at each other here

ابدا ابدا ما حدا بيتطلع بحدا

not at all, nobody will ever look at anyone

وبعدين ساعة في سير هونيك وساعة يلي ما بكون في سير

then, sometimes there’s traffic and other times when there’s no traffic

هيك بيشرد تفكيرنا دغري انو ممكن يكون في شي مشكل

we’ll immediately think that perhaps there’s some kind of problem

في شي اشتباك مسلح بشي منطقة

like an armed clash in some area

اني كرمال هيك ماعجبتني كندا, ابدا ابدا, ما عجبتني

this is why I don’t like Canada at all. Canada doesn’t appeal to me

شو هيدا انا اليوم عاملة لوبيا زيت وتبولة. في احسن من هيك؟

What’s this…today, I’m cooking green beans in oil and Tabouleh, there’s nothing better than this

ولي على قامتي انشالله انسيت جيب ابن اختي معي

Shucks/Darn it!, I forgot to bring my nephew with me

وكنت على قليلة اقعدو ورا وخلص كل دروسه

at the very least, I could have gotten him to sit behind and finish all his studies

كنت اني سمعتله, نغدينا سوا وتسلينا

 I could have recited to him, have lunch together, and have fun

العجقة جدا هيك منيحة لراحة الموظفين, يمكن معقول نحنا مش منتبهين على هالشغلة

a traffic jam is really good for the well-being of employees. it’s unbelievable that we are not attentive/aware of this

يمكن هيدا تخطيط جديد, ايه تخطيط جديد من قبل الدولة, نحنا كيف هيك ما انتبهنا

maybe this is a new plan. Yes, a new plan by the government. How could we not have noticed it?

*من قبل = by

يعني مثلا هلأ الموظفين بيقضوا تلات اربعة ساعات بالعجقة بالكنديتون

for example, employees spend three, four hours in the traffic jam and in the air condition

بعدين انو بس يوصل على المكتب, بكون ما محرزة, يعني ما محرزة الدوام

and when they reach the office, it’s no longer worth it. There’s no point in working

بيقضوا شي ساعتين تلاتة, بيرجع بكير ع بيته, عايلته

they spend two, three hours and then return home early to their families

ايه لو كان متل كندا, يا حرام, من الفجر للنجر

If it’s Canada, poor thing, (people work) from dawn till dusk

الله وكيلكن, من الفجر للنجر

I swear, I’m not lying to all of you, from dawn till dusk

يعني العمور بيخلص والشغل ما بيخلص

life ends but the work doesn’t end

ايه يعني كرمال هيك ما عجبتي كندا, ابدا ابدا ما عجبتني

that is why I don’t like Canada. Canada doesn’t appeal to me

ايه والله ما عجبتني

I swear, I don’t like Canada

Notes

• Traffic jam

In Lebanese and Syrian Arabic, traffic jam is referred to as 3aj2a – عجقة while in Jordanian Arabic, it is referred to as azmeh –  ازمة (the MSA word for ‘crisis’).

• Doctor

Nowadays, most Arabs generally refer to a doctor as “doktor دكتور”. But there are still some who use the word Hakeem -حكيم to refer to a doctor or a physician.

• It’s worth it. Or not.

محرز \ محرزة

Worth it

For example,

تكميل دراستك شي محرز وخاصة اذا بساعدك تلاقي شغل احسن

It is worth it to continue your studies especially if it helps you to find a better job

Similarly, negate it using words such as “مو \ مش” and you’ll get the opposite meaning – it’s ain’t worth it/ it’s worthless.

For example,

مو محرزة تشتري بضاعة مزيفة لانو ما بتضل كتير

It is not worth to buy fake goods because they do not last long.

• It amazes me and appeals to me. Thus I like it very much.

What am I talking about here? I’m referring to the Verb Form I (one of the 101 most used verbs) that means something or someone amazes/appeals to someone.

عجب – بيعجب

For example, you can use the verb if you want to say “This lesson is amazing! I like it a lot!”.

هادا الدرس بيعجبني كتير

Similarly, if you want the opposite meaning – it does not appeal to me and thus I do not like it – simply add ما before the verb. Also, pick the right verb tense (past tense or present tense) according to your sentence.

For example, when I say هاد الشي ما عجبني [hadel shii maa 3ajabni], it means that this thing did not appeal to me nor did it amaze me. In short, I did not like this thing (whatever it is).

• Lebanese Verb I -To Leave/ To go out

ضهر – بيضهر

dha-har , bed-har

• Yaa Haraaam *shakes head*

يا حرااام

Ya Haraaam is a phrase that is said to generally convey feelings of sympathy, pity and sadness. And depending on contexts, it may also convey a tone of disapproval.

Saw animals being beaten up by their owners in Petra? Yaa Haraaam

Knew a talented and well-mannered child who died young? Yaa Haraam

In the featured video, the phrase is said by Sitt Najeh to convey sympathy and a slight disapproval for employees who work extremely long hours.

muttering “Ya Haraam” under breath

Take note that the phrase can sometimes be used sarcastically in order to mock and scoff.

For example,

يا حرام مفكرة حالها حلوة وهي لأ

It’s sad to see that she thinks she’s pretty but in actual fact, she’s not

يا حرام شو هبلة مصدقتو انو بيحبها وهو عم يضحك عليها

It’s such a pity that she’s an idiot for believing that he likes her when he’s only fooling around (lit: laughing at her)

• Woe Is Me/Shucks!

ولي على قامتي

wali 3ala 2aamtii

The phrase is often said to feel sorry for oneself and to moan about one’s misfortune.

It is said in the same way as to how English speakers would say “Shucks” or “Darn it”.

For example, I was watching a Syrian show called “Ghadan Naltaqi” and the girl said this phrase repeatedly in a state of panic. That’s because she was hanging out with her boyfriend when she saw her uncle in the distance and realised that he has caught her with her boyfriend.

• I swear to God, I ain’t lying. Trust me

الله وكيلك

Allah wakiilak

A ‘wakeel’ (وكيل) refers to someone that has been appointed to represent the appointer and to carry out a service on the appointer’s behalf.

However when someone says “الله وكيلك”, he or she is more or less saying that “I’m saying this in front of you and in front of God” And since God is all knowing, he or she is also saying “trust me, God knows I’m speaking the truth. There’s no way I would dare lie about what I’m telling you.” This phrase is similar to ‘الله شاهد’ – God’s my witness.

To put it simply, the phrase means ‘I swear, I’m not lying’.

In the video, Sitt Najeh says the phrase to emphasise the fact that employees in Canada do indeed work long hours (from dawn till dusk). Furthermore, she says ‘ الله وكيلكن’ as she is referring to the viewers as a whole.

~~~

So does this post appeal to you? I hope it does Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below and if you have any specific topic that you want me to blog about, let me know too!

PS. Remember to subscribe if you haven’t. And if you have, spread the word about theLevanTongue to all your friends learning Levantine Arabic

The post Learn why traffic jams are beneficial for Arabs in Lebanese Arabic appeared first on theLevanTongue.

Or are you already aware that practically nobody speaks MSA in their daily lives and desperately hope to avoid being caught in the above-mentioned situation?

Ever wish for a book that you can invest in and refer to it constantly as a guide?

But have yet to find a suitable book?

Luckily for all of us Levantine Arabic learners, that book does exist!

And that book is…..

The 101 Most Used Verbs In Spoken Arabic: Jordan & Palestine (Third Edition)

by Fridrik E.Tiedemann Jr.

My battered and well-used book

I’ve purchased it at the University Bookshop in Amman back in 2015 for 25JD. I have used it for both self-study and classroom-study.

If you’re learning the Spoken Levantine Arabic (amiyya), then I would highly recommend this book. It has truly been a great investment for me. Even after having studied all of the given verbs, I still found myself referring to it from time to time because of all the other bonuses in it.

Is the book suitable for you?

I would say that the book suits best for intermediate learners or those who can afford a teacher (or a dedicated Arab friend) to sit with you and study the book together. That being said, I would still recommend beginners to get it. And I’ll tell you why.

• The Verb Inflection Chart

The book provides pages and pages of the verb inflection chart for all 10 verb forms. And this is already a huge advantage for beginners as the chart helps you to get the pronunciation right from Day 1. The chart guides you on the inflection according to the verb forms.

In this way, each time you learn a new verb (and if you’re able to recognise its verb form) you would also know it’s inflection.  For a beginner, this chart is extremely useful.

The conjugation table for the verb to lift/raise something (Verb Form I)

As you can see, the chart lists out all the inflection of the verb for all pronouns in both the present and past tense. In the last row, the changes in inflection are also provided when a pronoun is attached to the verb.

This means you’re pretty much covered when it comes to verbs. Learning the verbs, their inflections and conjugation all come in one package. You can’t do one without the other two.

And that’s why the chart comes in handy especially when you’re at the beginning of your Arabic learning journey.

• 101 Most Used Verbs in Spoken Arabic

Ok, this is pretty obvious.

This book helps you to focus on only THE MOST USED verbs. In that sense, it’s actually making life easy for you.

The given verbs are constantly used in typical daily conversations. Forget all the other verbs in the meantime (those are for when you have gotten a good grasp of the basics)

And what’s even better is that the book teaches you how to re-use one verb to come up with many different meanings!

As you can see from the picture, you can easily use the verb سكّر alone to express yourself in a multitude of ways – from hanging up the phone to slamming the door in someone’s face.

See what I mean? Imagine learning all of the 101 verbs!

**Although the book focuses on Spoken Arabic in Jordan and Palestine, that doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to speak to Lebanese or Syrians. All of the given verbs can also be found in both Syrian and Lebanese Arabic. I would say that the main difference between the countries’ spoken Arabic lies in the inflection of the verbs.

More Reasons As To Why The Book Is Top Notch

• Chunking method

Language experts have often quoted the chunking method when it comes to remembering foreign vocabulary and speeding up the language learning process. And this book allows you to learn Levantine Arabic via the chunking method by showing you how each verb is used in short phrases to carry a different meaning.

In short, the chunking method refers to the technique of learning a language in chunks (i.e phrases or short sentences.) If you learn in this manner, you can easily express yourself in more ways simply by replacing words from phrases you’ve learned.

You can read an article by Mezzoguild here to see how the writer utilises the chunking method with Egyptian Arabic. If you’re interested in knowing more about the method, check out this article by FluentU here

• Sentence examples

The various sentence examples provided for all 101 verbs do help me in gaining a greater understanding on how to correctly use those verbs. I’m also able to expand my vocabulary from the sentence examples. When I learn in this manner, I found that I’m able to retain the new vocabulary in my memory for a much longer period. Learning a word on its own without any sentence to provide contexts is always a big no-no in language learning!

• More than just 101 verbs

There’s a list of additional verbs of the same verb form below every conjugation table.

This means that you’re actually getting much more than what the book promises! Once you have gotten a good grasp of the 101 verbs, it is definitely useful to look through the additional verbs because they are also used in everyday conversations.

Additional verbs of the same form listed below the table

How To Use It

Without a doubt, the best way to tackle this book is by going through it with a teacher. I did exactly this for some of the verbs when I was studying Arabic in Amman.

However, with a teacher or not, the book already serves as a great tool to form sentences and questions in everyday Arabic style.

The author also posted a YouTube video on how to use the book (see below). Also do check out the other videos posted on the same channel- I found them to be very informative.

Conclusion

Simply put, the book is off the charts. Did I mention that it also comes with a CD to aid in the pronunciation? The only section of the book which I didn’t really utilise is the vocabulary list at the end – simply because words rarely last long in my head if I learn them from a list.

It’s a really comprehensive book and I’m glad that I own one! I’m also appreciative of the fact that the book is written in Arabic letters instead of being in a transliterated format.

***

So that’s MY review on The 101 Most Used Verbs In Spoken Arabic: Jordan & Palestine (Third Edition) 

Have you used the book before? Are you planning to get one? I would love to know your thoughts in the comments below.

The book should be available either via Amazon or Jamalon.

P.S.S I have also heard great reviews of other resources for Levantine Arabic such as the ones listed below. Feel free to check them out too!

• Shou Fi Ma Fi by Rajaa Chouairi
• Colloquial Palestinian Arabic: An Introduction To The Spoken Dialect by Nasser M Isleem
• Pimsleur Eastern Arabic (audio-based)

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

Lyn

The post The One Book That You Must Have If You’re Learning Levantine Arabic appeared first on theLevanTongue.

The idea of marriage has always been an important part of Arab culture and the young adults above the age of 20 are constantly under pressure to get married.

So how do Arabs ask the question in Arabic? The answer is not a straight word for word translation of the English counterpart.

Below are 2 variations of the million dollars question:

امتى بدنا نفرح فيك\ فيكي؟

emta bedna nefraH feek/feeki

امتى رح نفرح فيك\ فيكي؟

emta raH nefraH feek/feeki

Both of them can be translated to “When can we be happy for you?” And it’s also possible to replace  “امتى” to “متى” (mata) or “ايمت” (eemat) or any variations of the word “when” that you know in colloquial Arabic.

& of course, there are additional phrases that one can add on to the main question.  Y’know, just to add some excitement and create some drama. 

ونشوفك احلى عريس\عروس

uu nshufak ahla 3ariis/3aruss

and so that we can see you off as the most handsome groom/most beautiful bride

بدي اشوف اولادك قبل ما اموت

I want to be able to see your children before I die

Chill habibti, chill..

Now let’s look at some of the possible replies…

Polite Replies:

ان شاء الله عن قريب

inshallah 3an 2ariib

God willing, soon

الله كريم

Allah Kareem

God is generous (i.e hopefully the time will come)

Plausible Excuses:

لسا بكير\بدري

lissa bakiir/badri

it’s still early (for me to get married)

بس نفرح فيك اول انا لسا بكير

bas nifraH feek awal, ana lissa bakiir

we’ll rejoice in you first, it’s still early for me (i’ll get married after you)

ما اجى نصيبي

ma ejaa naSeebi

it’s all down to fate, no luck so far

Who doesn’t love sarcastic replies

If you’re feeling bold and free-spirited (Think: Ana Hor “انا حر” with the index finger to the temple), there are some sarcastic replies that you can use:

عم بستنى عريس الغفلة

3am bastanaa 3ariis elghaflah

I’m waiting for 3ariis elghaflah

“عريس الغفلة” is the opposite of “Mr Right” or “the man of my dream.” The phrase is used to describe the man that don’t match up to the image of your ideal husband but someone you’ll have to settle for in order to get married before age catches up on you (and before society brands you a spinster – even at the age of 25!)

والله انا كل يوم فرحان\ فرحانة بحالي شوفوا ايمتى فاضيين وتعالوا افرحوا معي

Wallah ana kul youm farHan/ farHaneh biHali, shufuu eemta faDiyiin uu ta3allu efraHuu ma3ii

I swear I’m happy by myself everyday. Why don’t you guys see when you all are free to come along and rejoice with me

والله انا كل يوم فرحان\ فرحانة بحالي شوفوا اليوم المناسب وتعالوا لنفرح سوا

Wallah ana kul youm farHan/ farHaneh biHali, shufuu elyoum elmunaaseb uu ta3allu la nefraH sawaa

I swear I’m happy by myself everyday, why don’t you all set a suitable day and come, we shall rejoice together

What say you?!

Are you next in line?

Also, not forgetting the younger sibling whose elder sister/brother just got hitched – all you want is to have fun at the wedding but instead you got to be mentally prepared for the “well wishes” from your aunts/uncles/distant relatives whom you’ve never met in your life-

عقبالك ما نفرح فيك وتصيرعريس

3uqbalak ma nifraH feek uu tSiir 3ariis

عقبالك ما نفرح فيكي وتصيري عروس

3uqbalik ma nifraH feeki uu tSiiri 3aruus

we wish that your turn will come for us to rejoice in you and for you to be a groom/bride

Mabrook!

& then the right person comes along and you got married. You finally thought that you can have peace of mind…but you thought wrong.

Sadly, the questioning (or should I say interrogation) does not end after marriage. The next million-dollar question that you’ll be asked often is….”When will you have children?!”

متى رح تجيبي اولاد؟

mata raH tjeebii uwlaad?

habibti!!!

At this stage…

Let me know what you think in the comments below and I’ll see ya in the next post. Until then, take care & YALLA, go get yourself married already!!

Image Source

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

Lyn

The post How to be an Inquisitive Arab #2 -“When are you getting married?” appeared first on theLevanTongue.

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!)

***

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

Lyn

The post How do Arabs end an argument (or turn a deaf ear to replies) appeared first on theLevanTongue.

Recently I’ve learned a few Syrian expressions with regards to expressing doubts which are pretty funny so I figured I might as well write a post on them.

But before I do that, let me throw out some simple phrases that I’ve known previously.

عنجد؟

3an jad?

(seriously/really?)

من وين لوين؟

men wain la wain?

(literal meaning: from where to where?)

من هون لهون؟

men hon la hon?

(literal meaning: from here to here?)

While the first word is more often used to express surprise, the other two phrases are used to express doubt to what the other person is saying.

All of these could be said when you suspect that the person is not telling the whole truth or is hiding something from you. Don’t forget to raise your eyebrows when you say these!

For example, your friend does not seem like her usual self and you could sense that something is amiss. So you ask her how she is and she responds “انا منيحة” which means “I’m good/I’m fine”.

In this situation, you can simply express doubt that everything is okay by asking her “من وين لوين منيحة؟”

*Bonus cheeky reply to someone who asks you “من هون لهون؟“

—>”لا حبيبي من هون لهناك\ لهنيك”

la habibi, men hon la hunaak/ la huniik

(literal meaning: no darling, from here to there)

هناك (Jordanian/Palestinian)

هنيك (Syrian)

Here, I’m going to add a Jordanian/Palestinian expression.

Note: it is said not to express doubt but to exclaim loudly to the person that you have caught him/her lying!

اطلع من بين الخبيزة

iTla3 men bain el-khubayzah

(Get out from the khubayzah!!)

I think الخبيزة is a type of plant that looks like this:

Image Source 

So you can imagine the person who is lying is hiding among these plants and you want to let him/her know that you’ve discovered the lie…so you tell him/her to stop hiding and get out from there! “اطلع من بين الخبيزة” Haha, make sense?

Ok so now let me jump straight to the new expressions which I’ve learned from my Syrian friends but I’m sure they exist in the other Levantine dialects too.

The first is…

الحاق الكذاب لورا الباب

(elHaq elkazaab la wara elbab)

This phrase is said sarcastically to give someone the benefit of a doubt although you know, deep down, the person is not going to keep to his/her words or promises.

Example 1: said to a friend who failed to keep to previous promises but now promises to pay you back the money next week…

امتى رح تعطيني ال١٠٠$ تبعي؟ :A

When will you give back my $100?

 الاسبوع الجاي :B

Next week

 تمام رح نشوف, الحاق الكذاب لورا الباب :A

Alright, we’ll see…elhaq elkadaab la wara elbab

Example 2: said to a friend who promises to be on time but is always late…

 رح تكون جاهزة بكرا ع الساعة ١؟ :A

Will you be ready tomorrow at 1?

 اي اكيد :B

Yes, of course.

رح نشوف, الحاق الكذاب لورا الباب :A

We’ll see…elhaq elkadaab la wara elbab

& the second expression is…

شفناك فوق وشفناك تحت

(shufnak fawq u shufnak taHt)

It literally means that we saw you up and down/above and under — which easily gives off the meaning “I know you well, I can easily see right through you and your bullsh*t”

So say it to anyone (close friends, hopefully) when you feel like screaming “Do you really think I’m going to believe that?!!”

Oooh, you liar…

OK moving on…this last expression is specifically used if you still do not believe the person even after he or she has sworn.

انت اللي كسرت المزهرية مو؟ :A

You broke the vase, didn’t you?!

  لأ والله مو انا :B

No, wallah (I swear) it’s not me

  قالوا للحرامي احليف قال اجاني الفرج :A

(2allu lil Haraami Hleft 2al ejaani elfaraj)

In other words…

والله؟!؟

***

That’s it! Take care and I’ll see ya in the hosh,

Lyn

The post How do Arabs express their doubts?! appeared first on theLevanTongue.