The following expressions are mostly based on the dialect of the Levant. Most of them are colloquial while some are also used in Modern Standard Arabic or Quranic Arabic. The page is still under construction so we apologize for unfinished bits and pieces.

For a more detailed version see below.

Addressing People

يا اسناذ	(yā) istāz/ustāz	Sir!	(lit.: professor!)
يا معلم	(yā) mu‘allim	“	(lit.: teacher!)
يا عمو	(yā) ‘amo	“	(lit.: his uncle) – can be used for women as well
يا خال	(ya) xāl	“
يا سيدي	(ya) sīdi	“
يا خالتو	(ya) xālto	Miss! / Madam!
يا اختي	ya ikhti	“
يا انيسه	ya anīse	“
يا دادا	ya dāda	“	(for elderly women)
يا خانم	ya xānom
يا اخوي	ya axui	Hey you! / Hey mate!
يا خي	ya xayye	“
يا خيو	ya xayyo	“
يا زلمة	ya zalame	“
يا زم	ya zamm	“	(very informal)
يا رجل	ya rajul	“
يا باشا	ya bāša	“	(esp. Egypt, used jokingly elsewhere)
يا بي	ya bē	“
يا بيك	ya bēk	“
يا حبيب	ya ḥabīb	“	(between men)
حبيبي	ḥabībi	“	“
حبيب قلبي	ḥabīb galbi	“	“
يا فندم	ya fendim	“
أبو حميد	abu ḥmēd	“	(used jokingly for any man regardless of his real name)
يا حجي	ya ḥajji	Sir! / Uncle!	said to elderly people
يا حاج	ya ḥajj (note the short a)	“	“
يا حاجة	ya ḥajja	Miss! / Madam!	“
يا شباب	ya šabāb	guys!
يا جماعة	ya jamā‘a	“

Getting to Know People

عاشت الأسامي	‘āshat il-asāmi	What a nice name!	“(Long) live the names!”
وَنِعْم	wi-ni‘m	“	Very formal
فرصة سعيدة	furṣa sa‘īda	Nice meeting you.	Resp.:  وانا أسعد/ Wa ana as‘ad
تشرفت بمعرفلك	tašarraft bi-ma‘riftak	“
تشرفنا	tašarrafna	“	Resp.: الشرف لي/ Aš-šaraf li / الله يزيدك شرف / allah yazīdak aš-šaraf / وانا اكتر/ wa ana aktar
حصل لي شرف	ḥaṣalli šaraf	“	“

 

 

 

 

Welcoming People / Saying Hello

اهلًا	ahlan	Welcome / Hello	Response: أهلا بيك/ ahlan bīk/fīk
اهلا وسهلا	ahlan wa sahlan	“	“
اهلا وسهلا	ahla wa sahla	“	“
اهلين	ahlēn	“	“
هلا	hala (hala hala)	“	“
حياك الله	ḥayyak allah	“	Response: allah yiḥayyīk
حي الله	ḥayy allah	“	“
يعطيك العافية	yi‘ṭīk il-‘āfiye	Hello / Bye	Resp.: aḷḷah ya‘fīk
مرحبا	marḥaba	Hello	Resp.: marḥabtēn
مرحبا	marḥaban	Hello	“
سلام عليكم	salām ‘aleykum	“
السلام عليكم	as-salāmu ‘aleykum	“ (formal)
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته	as-salāmu ‘aleykum wa raḥmat allah wa barakātuh	“ (very formal)
سلام	salām	“ (informal)
سلامات	salāmāt	“
قوك	gawwak	“	Resp.: gwēt
صباح الخير	ṣabāḥ al-xēr	Good Morning	Resp.: صباح النور/ ṣabāḥ an-nūr / صباح الورد/ ṣabāḥ al-ward / صباح الفل / ṣabāḥ al-ful / صباح الياسمين / ṣabāḥ al-yāsemīn / صباح الخيرات
صباحو	ṣabāḥu	Morning! (informal)
صبحاك الله بالخير	ṣabbaḥak allah bil-xēr	Good Morning	Especially in the Gulf
مساء الخير	masā al-xēr	Good Evening
مساك الله بالخير	ṣabbaḥak allah bil-xēr	“	Especially in the Gulf
تصبح على خير	tiṣbaḥ ‘ala xēr	Good Night	Resp: وانت من اهله / Wa anta min ahlo تلاقي خير  / tlā’i xēr
تصبح على الف خير	tiṣbaḥ ‘ala alf xēr	“	“

After Time of Absence:

عاش من شافك	‘āsh min shāfak	Long time no see!	(Long) live who has seen you.
زمان عنك	zamān ‘annak	“
غابت شمسك	ġābat šamsak	“	Your sun has/had disappeared!
اشتاقتلك	ištā‘tíllak	I’ve missed you.	(Used much more than in English)
شو هالغيبة	šu ha-l-ġēbe	Long time no see!	What (is up with) is this absence?
خشاف ما ينشاف	xoššāf ma yinšāf	You’re hard to get a hold of!	A bat is never seen

 

Saying Goodbye

مع السلامة	ma‘ salāme	Bye
سلامات	salāmat	“
يعطيك العافية	ya‘ṭīk il-‘āfiye	Hello /bye	Response: aḷḷah ya‘fīk
يالله	yalla	Bye
يالله بي	yalla bye	“
الله يوفقك	allah yiwaf’ak	Bye / good luck	Lit.: May God give you success!
بالتوفيق	bi-t-tōfī’	“	“
(موفق (انشالله/	mwaffa’ inšaḷlah	“	“
الله معك	allah ma‘ak	Bye (said to a person leaving)	Lit.: May God be with you
دير بالك	dīr bālak	Be careful
دير بالك ع حالك	dīr bālak a‘ ḥālak	“
بخاطرك	bi-khāṭrak	Bye
بالإذن	b-il-izn	“
بإذنك	b-iznak	“
بعد إذنك	ba‘d iznak	“
بعد الإذن منك	ba‘d al-izn minnak	“
بدك شي	beddak ši	“	Lit.: Do you want something?
في أمان الله	fi amān allah	“	Especially in the Gulf
في أمان الكريم	fi amān al-karīm	“	“
استروا ما شفتو منّا	usturu ma shiftu minna	“	Lit.: May you cover the bad you have seen in us
استر علينا	ustur ‘aleyna	“	“

Saying “Thank You” and “You’re Welcome”

شكرًا	šukran	Thank you
تسلم	tislam	“
يسلمو دياتك \ يسلمو يديك	yislamu īdēk/diyātak	“	Response:  ويديك / wa idēk.
يسلمو هاليدين	yislamu ha-l-idēn	“	“
يسلمو	yislamu	“
الف شكر	alf šukir	“	Lit.: A thousand thanks
متشكر	mitšakkir	“
ممنون	mamnūn	“
ممنونك	mamnūnak	“
اشكرك	aškurak	“
اتشكرك	atšakkarak	“
يعطيك الف عافية	ya‘ṭīk alf ‘āfiye	“	Lit.: May God give you health in abundance
الله يسعد قلبك	allah yis’ad galbak	“	Lit.: May God rejoice your heart
كلك ذوق	kullak zō‘	“
مشكور	maškūr	“	Esp. in Gulf Arabic
ما تقصر	ma t‘assir	“	Lit.: You have not fallen short (of expectations)
ما قصرت	ma ‘assart	“	“
عفوا	‘afwan	You’re welcome.
العفو	al-‘afu	“	Esp. in Gulf Arabic
اهلا وسهلا	ahlan (wa sahlan)	“
لا شكر على واجب	la šukir ‘ala wājib	No need to thank.
تستاهل	tistāhil	You’re welcome.	Lit.: You are deserving.
ما في شي محرز	ma fi ši miḥriz	“
بنردلك اياها بالأفراح	binruddillak iyyāha bi-l-afrāḥ	We shall return it (the favour).

Asking for Something / Ordering

لو سمحت	law samaḥt	Please / excuse me
من فضلك	min faḍlak	Please
اذا بتريد	iza btrīd	“
رجاء	rijā’an	“
الله يخليك	allah yixallīk	“ (intense)
أغلبك	aġalbak	Excuse me
بترجاك	bitrajjāk	I’m begging you
دخيلك	daxīlak	“
تكفى	tikfa	Please	Esp. in the Gulf
غلبتك معي	ġallabtak ma‘i	Sorry for having disturbed you.	Resp: غلبتك راحة
عذبتك معي	‘adhdhabtak ma‘i	“
ممكن…؟	mumkin…?	May I…?
فيني…؟	fīni…?	“	Especially Syrian
عادي…؟	‘ādi…?	“
آغلبك	aġalbak	Excuse me! (Getting attention)
عذبك	‘azbak	“	Especially Syrian

 

Complimenting

ماشاءلله	mašāḷḷāh	Bravo! / Wow! / How beautiful!
يا سلام	ya salām	Bravo! / Wow!
براو عليك	bravo ‘aleyk	Bravo!
حلال عليك	ḥalāl ‘aleyk	“
ما يبلى	ma yibla		(lit.: hopefully it won’t get ruined)
يا عيني عليك	ya ‘ayni ‘aleyk	Well done! / I’m impressed!
شو هالحلاوة!	šu hal-ḥalāwa	Look at this beauty!
ما احلاك	Ma aḥlāk	How beautiful you are!
ما اسكاك	ma askāk	How sweet you are!	From zāki ‘sweet, delicious’
كلك ذوق	kullak zō‘	That’s very nice of you.	(thanking in general or for a compliment)
هاد من ذوقك	hād min zō’ak	“
عيونك الحلوين	‘uyūnak il-ḥalwīn	“	Lit.: It’s your eyes that are pretty (said after something is described as pretty)
مقدم	m’addam	You can have it. / It’s all yours.	Said after someone compliments something.
على حسابك	‘ala ḥisābak	“	“
الله يسعد قلبك	allah yis‘ad galbak	Said after receiving a favour or compliment	Lit.: May God make your heart happy.

 

 

Apologizing

انا آسف	ana āsif	I’m sorry
لا تواخذني	la tiwaxizni	“
انا بعتذر	ana bi‘tazir	“
حقك علي	ḥaggak ‘alay	It’s my fault.

 

Saying “No problem” / “Ok”

ما في مشكلة	ma fi muškile / ma fi mišikle	No problem
مش مستاهلة	miš mistāhle	“
مش محرز	miš miḥriz	“	(also: It’s not worth it)
بسيطة	basīṭa	“
عادي	‘ādi	“
ولا يهمك	wala yihimmak	“
معليش	ma‘lēš	“
ما في مانع	ma fi māni‘	“
ماشي	māši	“
ما يخالف	ma yixālif	“
حصل خير	ḥaṣal xēr	“
لا تاكل هم	la takol hamm	don’t worry
ما تقلق	ta ti’la’	“
توكل ع الله	twakkal ‘allah	“	Lit.: Rely on God.
طمن	ṭammin	“
اللي فات مات	illi fāt māt	No big deal.	Lit.: What has passed has died.
مو حرزان	mu ḥarzān	It’s not worth it.
تكرم عينك	tikram ‘aynak	No problem / It’s my pleasure.	Said by the person receiving an order/request
تكرم	tikram	“
حاضر	ḥāḍir	“
من عيوني	min ‘uyūni	“
صار	ṣār	“
ابشر	ibšir	“
تأمر	ti’mor	“
أمرك	‘amrak	“
تامر امر	ti’mor amar	“
على راسي	‘ala rāsi	“	Lit.: It’s on my head (e.g. my first priority)
عيوني فداك	‘uyūni fidāk	“	Lit.: I’ll sacrifice my eyes for you.
خليها علينا	khalīha ‘aleyy/‘aleyna	Let it be on us/the house.	Never really meant this way!

 

Asking about one’s state

 

كيفك	kīfak	How are you?
كيف حالك	kīf ḥālak	“
كيف الحال	kīf il-ḥāl	“
كيف امورك	kīf umūrak	“
شو اخبارك	šu axbārak	What’s new?
كيف العائلة	kīf il-ēle	How’s the family?
كيف صحتك	kīf ṣaḥḥtak	How’s your health?
شلونك	šlōnak	How are you?	(Mostly Syria, Iraq and the Gulf)
شعلومك	š-‘ulūmak	What’s new?
كيف … معك	kīf… ma‘ak	How is… (treating you)?
كيف الدنيا معك	kīf id-dinye ma‘ak	How’s life?
شو في ما في	šu fi ma fi	What’s up?
شاكو ماكو	šaku maku	“
كل شي تمام	kull ši tamām?	“
طمني عنك	ṭamminni ‘annak	Tell me how you are.
انا منيح	ana mnīḥ	I’m good.
ماشي الحال	māši il-ḥāl	Everything is fine.
كل شي تمام	kill ši tamām	“
على فوق الريح	‘ala fō’ ir-rīḥ	Couldn’t be any better.	Lit.: On top of the wind
الحمد لله	alḥamdulillah	Everything is fine.
صافي وافي	ṣāfi wāfi	“
ولله تمام	waḷḷa tamām	“
يسرك الحال	yisurrak il-ḥāl	“	Esp. Gulf
مستور الحمد لله	mastūr alḥamdullilah	“

 

Fillers

اسمع!	isma‘	Listen, …
شوف	šūf	You see, …
المهم	il-muhimm	Anyhow, …
على كل حال	‘ala kull ḥāl	“
هلا	halla
طيب	ṭayyib	Ok
طيب؟	ṭayyib?	So what? / So?
تمام	tamām	Ok
عن جد؟	‘an jadd?	Really?
عم تحكي جد؟	‘am taḥki jadd?	“
بالله؟	baḷḷā?	“
معقول؟	ma‘’ūl?	Really? / Can that be?
مستحيل!	mustaḥīl!	impossible!
بصيرش	bisiriš!	“
تتخوت؟	titxawwat?	Are you joking?
عم تتخوت علي؟	‘am titxawwat ‘aley?	“
قول ولله	gul waḷḷah!	“
تمزح	timzaḥ!	“
مو غلط	mū ġalaṭ	Not bad. / Why not.	Lit.: No mistake.
ليش لا	lēš la	Why not.
صح	ṣaḥḥ	Right.
صح كلامك	ṣaḥḥ kalāmak	“
صح لسانك	ṣaḥḥ lisānak	“
بالضبط	b-iẓ-ẓabt	Exactly.
مضبوط	maẓbūṭ	“
اكيد	akīd	Certainly.
والله	waḷḷa(hi)	Really! / I’m not kidding
أقسم بالله العظيم	uqsim b-iḷḷāh (il-‘aẓīm)	“
وحياة الله	wa-ḥayāt aḷḷah!	“
أترى	atara	I wonder
ابصر	abṣar	“
ابصر ايش	abṣar ēš / šu	And so on.
وكذا كذا	u kaza kaza	“
خالص	xāliṣ	Completely, totally, at all	Esp. Egypt
بالمرة	b-il-marra	“
بالنوب	b-in-nōb	“	Esp. Syria

 

At the Shop & Bargaining

قديش هادا؟	‘adēš hāda?	How much is this?
هاد بكم؟	hād bi-kam?	“
قديش حقه؟	‘adēš ḥa‘‘o?	“
والله كتير!	waḷḷā ktīr!	That’s a lot!
بدك تطلع عيني؟	beddak iṭṭalli‘ ‘ayni?	Are you kidding me?!
من هون لهون	min hōn la-hōn		Way of asking for a discount.
راعيني شوي	rā’īni šwayy		“
خليها معك	xallīha ma‘ak	Keep the change!	Said e.g. to a driver
مسامح!	misāmiḥ	“	“
مبروك	mabrūk	Congrats. / Enjoy	Said by the seller after you buy something. Resp.: allah yibārik fīk
بالهنا	b-il-hana	“	Resp.: allah yihannīk
معصوضين	mu’awwiḍ	“

 

Arguing

اسكت / سكوت!	iskot! / skōt	You’re joking!
حل عني!	ḥill ‘anni!	Let go of me! / Go away!
تركني لحالي	trukni li-ḥāli	Leave me alone!
اصحاك	iṣḥak…	Don’t…!
اوعى	ū’a! (…)	Be careful! / Make sure not to…!
بكفي (بقى)	bikaffi (ba’a)	It’s enough (already)!
خلاص	xalāṣ!	Enough!

 

General

الله يسعد قلبك	allah yis‘id galbak	Thank you / Response to compliment / Bye, etc
الله يسعدك	allah yis‘idak	“
يسعدك	yis‘idak	“
الله يحفظك	aḷḷah yiḥfazak	“
الله يخليك	allah yikhallīk	“ (used to turn someone down as well)
الله يحميك	aḷḷah yiḥmīk	“
الله يبارك فيك	allah yibārik fīk	“
الله يرزقك	allah yirzi’ak	“
الله يسامحك	allah yisāmḥak	“
عافية عليك	‘āfiye ‘alēk	“
طال عمرك	ṭāl ‘umrak	a polite filler / used when addressing people	Resp.: (not necessary): الله) يطول عمرك) / yiṭawwil ‘umrak
أطال الله بقاءك	aṭāl aḷḷah baqā’ak
اللهم صل على سيدنا محمد			Resp.:بالصلاة ع النبي

 

Visiting people & Food

دستور	dastūr	May I enter?	Lit.: Permission. – Asking whether the women in the house are covered. (Very formal)
يا ساتر	ya sātir	“	Resp.: مستورة
تفضل	itfaḍḍal	Come in!	Resp.: allah yizīd faḍlak
انت مش فريب	anta miš ġarīb	Don’t be a stranger.
البيت بيتك	il-bēt bētak	Feel at home.	Lit.: The house is your house.
زارتنا البركة	zāratna il-barake	Welcome!	Lit.: A blessing has visited us.
نورت بيتنا	nawwart bētna!	“	Lit.: You enlightened our house. Resp.: An-nūr nūrak (The light is yours/coming from you.) / mnawwar b-ahlo (It’s illuminated by its own people)
صحة وعافية	ṣaḥḥa u-‘āfiye	Bon Appetit!	Resp.: ‘ala ’albak
صحة وهنا	ṣaḥḥa u-hana	“	“
صحتين	ṣaḥḥtēn	“	“
هنيا	hanniyyan	On good health!
دايمة	dāyime (inšāllah)	Thanks for the food.(said to the host after eating)	Lit.: “May it always be like this”
زاكي	zāki	Delicious
بشهي	bišahhi	“
يا بخت من زار وخفف	ya baxt min zār wa xaffaf	Thank God they have left…

Longer version:

• عاش من شافك / ‘āsh min shāfak

Meaning: “Long time no see!”

Literally: “(Long) live who has seen you.”

– Note that “min” (Fuṣḥā “man”) is usually pronounced mīn in most Shāmi dialects, but “min” in Bedu or Gulf dialects, which suggests that this expression was primarily used by Bedouins. 

• زمان عنك / zamān ‘annak

Meaning: “Long time no see!” 

• غابت شمسك / ghābat šamsak

Meaning: “Long time no see!”

Literally: “Your sun has disappeared!”

• اشتاقتلك / ištā‘tíllak

Meaning: “I’ve missed you.”

Note: This sentence is not as meaningful as it is in English. It is not only used between lovers or good friends but basically anyone can say it to anyone without much being implied.

Grammar: Note that the -l is an enclitic which is why the stress on the -i- (the penultimate syllable). You would expect it to be ištā‘tlak but for some reason it is “-illak” or “-illik”.

• شو هالغيبة / šu ha-l-ġēbe

Meaning: “Long time no see!” / “Where have you been hiding?!”

Literally: “What is this absence?”

Note: هالولد  = “this boy” but هادا الولد  = “this is the boy”

and هالبنت  = “this girl” but هاي البنت  = “this is the girl”

• خشاف ما ينشاف / khuššāf ma yinšāf

Meaning: “You’re hard to get a hold of!”

Literally: “A bat is never seen” (= “You’re like a bat, it exists but nobody ever sees it”)

• عاشت الأسامي / ‘āshat il-asāmi

Meaning: “What a nice name!” 

Literally: “(Long) live the names!”

Said in response to someone telling you their name.

* note the unusual plural of اسم ism (name) which is called “جمع الجمع” – the normal plural is أسماء

• اهلًا / ahlan / اهلا وسهلا / ahlan wa sahlan (also pronounced: ahla wa sahla)

Response: أهلا بيك / ahlan bīk

Meaning: “Welcome!”

• هلا / hala

Meaning: “Welcome!”

Note: This word obviously comes from اهلا. What happened here is that in certain (especially Iraqi, Gulf or Bedu dialects) an “a” is put above guttoral sounds like ه، ع، ح، غ , etc. So for قهوة  you would expect “gahwa” but in lots of dialects it’s “igháwa”. The same happened here alongside the removal of the hamza in the beginning and the nūn of the tanwīn just like in “marḥaba”.

• حياك الله / ḥayyak allah

Response: الله يحييك

Meaning: “Welcome!”

Literally: May God greet you!

Possible situations:

– When you meet someone

– Said to you when you leave someone’s shop

– Commonly used when a stranger says hello (usually asking for directions) 

(Very common in the Gulf states)

• طال عمرك / ṭāl ‘umrak

Response (not necessary): الله) يطول عمرك) / yiṭawwil ‘umrak

Meaning: See situation

Literally: “May your life be long.”

Situations:

– as a polite filler (can be used almost all the time)

– when addressing someone

• أطال الله بقاءك / aṭāl aḷḷah baqā’ak

Meaning:

Literally: “May God make your stay (on this word) long.”

Situation:

• يعطيك العافية / yi‘aṭīk il-‘āfiye

Response: aḷḷah yi‘fīk

Meaning: “Hello” (most common greeting) / “Bye” (very common way to say goodbye) 

Literally: “(May God) give you health”

• عافية عليك / ‘āfiye ‘alēk

Meaning:

Literally: “Health/prosperity upon you.”

• الله يوفقك / allah yiwaf’ak

Meaning: “Good luck!”

Literally.: “May God help you to success.”

Situation: Can also be used when saying goodbye or in all kinds of situations.

• بالتوفيق / bi-t-tōfī’

Meaning: “Good luck!”

Literally: “In success.”

• (موفق (انشالله / mwaffa’ inšaḷlah

Meaning: “Good luck!”

Literally: “Hopefully (you will be) successful.”

• عفوًا / ‘awfan

Meaning: “Pardon” / “You’re welcome” / “Please”

• رجاء / rijā’an

Meaning: “Please”

Literally: Implorlingly, requesting

Situation: When asking for something.

• شكرًا / šukran

Meaning: “Thank you”

• تسلم / tislam

Meaning: “Thank you”

Literally: “May you be healthy.”

Situation: Can mean “thank you” in any situation, just like شكرًا . For stronger expressions of gratitude see below.

• يسلمو يديك / yislamu idēk

Response:  ويديك / wa idēk

Meaning: “Thank you”

Literally: “Wellness to your hands.”

– Situation: Usually when something is handed to you (like food or change), but can also mean “thank you” in general like when someone gives you directions, etc.

• مشكور / maškūr

Meaning: “Thank you”

Mostly used in the Gulf

Note: fem.: مشكورة ; pl.: مشكورين

• العفو / al-‘afu

Meaning: “You’re welcome:”

Again, common in the Gulf states

• لا شكر على واجب / la šukir ‘ala wājib

Meaning: “No need to thank” 

Literally: “No need to thank for something that’s a duty.”

• الله يبارك فيك / allah yibārik fīk

Meaning: “God bless you.”

Possible situations:

– When someone does you a favour

– In response to any expression containing “مبارك”

• الله يسعد قلبك / allah yis‘id galbak / الله يسعدك / allah yis‘idak /  يسعدك / yis‘idak

Meaning: “May God make you/your heart happy.”

Possible situations:

– In response to a compliment

• الله يحفظك / aḷḷah yiḥfazak

Meaning: “May God preserve you.”

– to mean “thank you”

• الله يخليك / allah yikhallīk

Meaning: “May God protect you.”

Literally: “May God keep you.” (probably “away from trouble”?)

Situations:

– to mean “thank you”

– when turning down an offer or an invitation

– often used by people begging

– or used to stop someone talking or begging for something

• الله يحميك / aḷḷah yiḥmīk

Meaning: “May God protect you.”

Possible situations:

– when someone is facing a difficult situation

– when you find something beautiful and want it to be protected from “the evil eye” (just like ماشاء الله )

– usually used when people see a new-born baby

• الله يكون بعونك / allah yikūn bi‘ūnak

Meaning: “May God help you!”

Situation: Said to someone whom something bad happened to.

• الله يعينك / allah yi‘īnak

Meaning: Same as above

• عين الله عليك / ‘ayn aḷḷah ‘alēk

Meaning: “May God protect you!”

Literally: “May God’s eye be upon you.”

• الله يجيزك الخير / allah yijīzak il-khēr / جزاك الله خيرا / jazāka allah kheyiran

Meaning: “May God reward you with goodness.”

Goes back to the prophet who said it to his followers. 

• الله يرضى عنك / الله يرضى عليك / aḷḷah yirḍa ‘annak / ‘alēk

Meaning: “May God approve of you / be satisfied with you.”

Possible situations:

– 99% of the cases: when parents are happy with their children.

– to turn down an offer

– to make someone stop talking

– to make angry people calm down

– could also be used in the following situation: Person A is trying to guide person B towards doing the right thing, he/she would usually finish his/her (point of view / advise) with “Allah yerda alaik” to knock some sense into Person B to refrain from doing what he/she is doing.

• بنردلك اياها بالأفراح / binruddillak iyyāha bi-l-afrāḥ

Meaning: “I shall return it (the favour).”

Literally: “We shall return it at a celebration.”

Situation: As a response to someone doing you a great favour like helping at your wedding etc.

•  ما قصرت / ما تقصر / ma ta‘assir / ma ‘assart

Meaning: “I appreciate it.” 

Literally: “You’re not falling short.”

Situation: When someone offers you something and you want to decline the offer but tell the person that you appreciate it.

• دايمة / dāyime (inšāḷḷah)!

Meaning: “The food was delicious! / Thanks for the food!”

Literally: “Always (hopefully)” (= May there always be food in your house)

Situation: When you are served food at someone’s house.

• مقدم / m’addam

Meaning: “It’s all yours.”

Literally: “(It’s) offered.”

Possible Situation: When someone compliments something you own you say this in order to indicate that if he/she wants it she can have it (of course this is only said out of courtesy, never ever take it seriously!)

• كلك ذوق / kullak zō’

Meaning: “That’s very nice of you.”

Literally: You’re all good taste.

Situation: When someone helped you or made you a compliment.

 

• هاد من ذوقك / hād min zōgak

Meaning: “Your taste is what’s good.”

Literally: This (compliment) comes from your taste.

Situation: In response to a compliment. 

• عيونك الحلوين / ‘uyūnak il-ḥalwīn

Meaning: “It’s due to your pretty eyes that you perceive it (what is complimented) as pretty.”

Sitaution: In response to a compliment that includes the word “حلو” (= pretty, beautiful, nice, sweet)

Note that in ‘āmmiyya adjectives for non-human plural nouns are either of the human plural or show feminine singular agreement as in Fuṣḥā

• ما اسكاك / ma askāk (quickly pronounced: maskāk/maskāki)

Meaning: “How sweet you are!” / “That’s so sweet of you!”

 اسكى  = elative of زاكي (zāki = sweet, delicious), note that the ز  here is pronounced س  because of the neighboring voiceless ك

• يا عيني عليك / ya ‘ayni ‘alēk!

Meaning: “Well done!” / “I’m impressed!”

Literally: “My eye is on you!”

Possible Situations:

– to express joy and amazement (for example in response to nice clothes)

– in response to someone understanding the point that you’re trying to get across.

– can be used in a sarcastic manner to mock someone’s intelligence.

• يا سلام / ya salām!

Meaning: “Wow!” / “Well done!”

Literally: “O’ peace!”

Possible Situations:

– to express amazement or extreme approval of sth. (like for example upon seeing a fantastic view. You express amazement by saying “Ya salaam!”

– can be used in a sarcastic manner. Like when you come back home and see the kitchen sink full of dishes. You use the statement “Ya salaam!” to express disregard.

• ماشالله عليك / mašaḷḷah ‘alēk!

Meaning: “Well done!” / “Bravo!” / “I’m impressed.”

Situation: When somebody does or says something great or talks about what he/she has done. Can also be used with any other personal pronoun.

• برافو عليك / bravo ‘alēk!

Meaning: “Well done!” / “Bravo!” 

Situation: When somebody does or says something great or talks about what he/she has done. Can also be used with any other personal pronoun.

• يخرب (بيت) عقلك / yikhrab bēt ‘a’lak

Meaning: See situation

Literally: May your mind (the house of your mind) be destroyed.

Situation: When someone does or says something incredibly smart. Can, of course, bec used sarcastically as well.

• مسامح / msāmiḥ

Meaning: “Keep the change.”

Literally: “You are forgiven.”

Usually used when you receive change from a seller / service provider / taxi driver and you want him/her to keep the change as a tip (but not used in restaurants).

• خليها علي / khalīha ‘aley

Meaning: “Let it be on me / the house.”

• على حسابك / ‘ala ḥsābak

Meaning: “It’s all for you.”

Literally: “(It’s) on your account.”

When someone asks to borrow/use something that you own or compliments it it’s common to hear this phrase in order to indicate that what’s his is yours.

• على راسي / ‘ala rāsi

Meaning: See below (there is no one meaning that fits)

Literally: “On my head.”

Possible Situations:

– thanking someone. 

– demonstrating acceptance of someone else’s statement. 

– an alternative way to say “OK”. 

– less common: to demonstrate amazement/approval. 

– to ask someone to stop nagging you. 

• يسلم راسك / yislam rāsak

Meaning: A response to على راسي or used to express condolences/pay respects to the family members of a deceased person in a funeral/family house

Literally: “Wellness to your head” 

• يدي عراسك / īdi ‘a rāsak

Meaning:

Literally: My hand on your head.

Situation:

• بالله عليك / baḷḷah ‘alēk

Meaning: For God’s sake

Note: The b- in the beginning is one of the letters of saying an oath (alongside the “wa”, “ta”, and “la”

• من عيوني / min ‘uyūni

Meaning: “At your service.” / “It would be my pleasure.”

Literally: “From my eyes” = I will handle it (a favour) with the utmost importance”

Note: The eyes symbolize one of the most important parts of a human being in Arabic culture. 

Situation: When someone asks you to do something.

• لَبَّيكَ / labbayka

Meaning:

Situation:

• حاضر / ḥāḍir

Meaning: “At your service” / “It would be my pleasure.”

Literally: “I’m ready.”

Situation: When someone asks you to do something.

Note: The masculine form is even used for females.

• تكرم عينك / tikram ‘aynik

Meaning: “At your service.” 

Literally:

Situation: Said usually by shop keepers or service providers

• صار / ṣār

Meaning: “Consider it done.” / “No problem.”

Literally: It has happened.

• ابشر / ibshir

Meaning: “Consider this done.” / “At your service.”

Literally: Rejoice!

Situation: When someone asks you to do something.

• عيوني فداك / ‘uyūni fidāk

Meaning: 

Literally: I sacrify my eyes for you.

• امرك / amrak

Meaning: As you wish.

Literally: “Your order” (probably from تحت امرك = “at your service”)

• أغلبك / aġalbak

Meaning: “Excuse me!” (to get attention)

Literally: “May I trouble you?” / “I shall trouble you.”

Situation: When wanting to get attention.

• تامر امر / ti’mor amar

Meaning: “Just say a word.” / “At your service.”

Literally: “Give me an order.”

• غلبتك معي / ġallabtak ma‘i

Meaning: “Sorry for having bothered you.”

Literally: “I have bothered you with me.”

Situation: When someone did something for you for example in a hotel when you asked someone to bring you something, etc. 

• غلبتك راحة / ghalbtak rāḥa

Meaning: “Your bothering is a pleasure.” 

Said in response to the statement above. 

• عذبك / ‘adhbak

Meaning: “May I disturb you?”

Literally: “May I disturb you.” / “I shall disturb you.”

Note: The full Fuṣḥā form is “أعذّبك” (a‘adhdhibuka) but firstly Syrians/Lebanese people drop the first a/i in the first person singular if a vowel follows the following consonant, secondly the i is dropped because it is in an open syllable (see above).

• توكل الله / tawakkal aḷḷah

Meaning: “Trust in God” (that it’s gonna be fine)

Situation: When you want to reassure someone that you will do something or something will happen.

• مش مستاهلة / mish mistāhle

Meaning: “No problem.”

Literally: “It’s not deserving” (implied: “of saying sorry” or something like that)

• ولا يهمك / wala yihimmak

Meaning: “No problem.”

Literally: “It shouldn’t be important to you / bother you.”

• مش محرز / miš miḥriz

Meaning: No problem

• معليش / ma‘lēš

Meaning: “No biggie” / “It’s okay” / see below

Situations:

– when someone disappoints you

– when you ask for something

– when you want to ask a private question

from “ما عليك شيء”

• ما يخالف / ma yikhālif

Meaning: “It’s okay.” / “It’s no problem.”

• حصل خير / ḥaṣal khēr

Meaning: “It’s okay” / “It’s gonna be okay”

Literally: May something good happen (?)

Situation: When someone did something bad and you want to tell them that it wasn’t a big deal. 

• الي فات مات / illi fāt māt

Meaning: “It’s alright” / “Let’s forget about it.”

Literally: “What has gone has died.”

Situation: When you want to tell someone that you’re no longer holding a grudge.

• ما في مانع / mā fi māni‘

Meaning: “No problem”

Literally: “There is no obstacle.”

• ماشي / māši

Meaning: “Ok” / “Sure”

Literally: “(It is) walking.”

• عدم المؤاخذة / ‘adam il-muākhidha/muwākhiza

Meaning: “If you don’t mind me asking/saying this”

Literally: “Without taking offense / blaming”

Asking about one’s state

• كيفك؟ / kīfak?

Meaning: “How are you?”

• شلونك / šlōnak?

Meaning: “How are you?”

Mostly used in Syria, Iraq and the Gulf. From شو لونك  (= what is your colour?)

• كيف أمورك / kīf umūrak?

Meaning: “How are things?”

• شو أخبارك / šu akhbārak?

Meaning: “What’s new?”

• شو في ما في / šu fī ma fī?

Meaning: “What’s up?

Literally: “What’s there, isn’t there?”

• كيف … معاك / kīf … ma‘āk?

Meaning: “How is x?” 

Like: “كيف الدنيا معاك” (Lit.: “How’s the world with you?” meaning “How are things?”)

• ش علومك / š ‘ulūmak? / wiš ‘ulūmak?

Meaning: “How are things?”

Literally: “What are your news?

Used especially in the Gulf.

• كيف العايلة / kīf il-‘ēle?

Meaning: “How’s the family?”

• طمني عنك / ṭammini ‘annak

Meaning: “Tell me, how are things?”

• كل شي تمام / kill šī tamām?

Meaning: “Everything alright?”

• ماشي الحال / māši il-ḥāl

Meaning: “Everything is alright.”

• انا منيح / (ana) mnīḥ

Meaning: “I’m fine.”

• yisurrak il-ḥāl

Meaning: “I’m very good.”

Literally: “The (my) state will delight you.”

Especially used in the Gulf

Saying goodbye

• مع السلامة / ma‘ as-salāme

Meaning: “Goodbye.” 

Literally: “With health/safety”

• الله معاك / aḷḷah ma‘āk

Meaning: “May God be with you” / “Goodbye” / “Take care”

Situation: Said to a person leaving.

• دير بالك ع حالك / dīr bālak ‘a ḥālak

Meaning: “Take care”

• فوتك بعافية  / futak b-‘āfiya

Meaning:

Literally:

Note: Common in Egypt

• في امان الله / fi amān aḷḷah

Meaning: “Goodbye”

Literally: “In God’s protection.”

Situation: Used especially in Iraq and the Gulf

• استروا ما شفتو منّا / usturu ma shiftu minna

Meaning (literally): “May you cover the (bad) things you have seen in us/me.

Situation: Usually when you say goodbye to someone.

• استر علينا / ustur ‘aleyna

Meaning: see above

• بعيد الشر عنك / ba‘īd iš-šarr ‘annak

Meaning: “May evil be far away from you.”

Situation:

• بخاطرك / Bi-khāṭrak

Meaning: Bye

Literally:

Situation: Common way of saying goodbye.

• بعد اذنك / بالاذن / بالاذن منك / b-il-izn (minnak) / ba’d iznak

Meaning: See situation

Literally: “With your permission” / “If you’ll excuse me.”

Situation: Said by the person leaving to be polite. Similar to Turkish “Bana müsade”.

Meeting People:

• تشرفت بمعرفتك / (i)tšarraft bi-ma‘riftak

Response: الشرف لي (iš-šaraf li – “The honor is all mine”)

Meaning: Pleasure to meet you / It was an honor meeting you.

• فرصة سعيدة / furṣa sa‘īda

Response: وانا اسعد (and I’m happier)

Meaning: Pleasure to meet you / Nice meeting you. 

Travelling

• الله يوصلك بسلامة / aḷḷah yiwaṣlak bi-salāma

Meaning: “Safe jouney”

Literally: “May God let you arrive safely.”

• الحمدلله ع سلامتك / الحمدلله ع سلامة / aḥamdulillah ‘a salāma/salāmtak

Meaning: “Safe journey”

• الله ينور طريقك / aḷḷah yinawwir ṭarī’ak

Meaning: “Safe journey” 

Literally: May God illuminate your path.

Marriage & Children

• تتهنّو

Meaning: “May you lead a happy life together.”

Literally: “May you be happy.”

Situation: A common phrase to congratulate a newly wedded couple. 

• الله يهنيه

• بالرفاء والبنين

Meaning (literally): “In well-being/prosperity and with sons.”

Situation: Used to express congratulations to either newlyweds.

• عُقبالك الأولاد / عُقبالما نشوف الأولاد / ‘ugbālak il-awlād / ‘ugbālma nšūf il-awlād

Meaning: “Hopefully there will be kids soon.” / “Hopefully we will see kids soon.”

Situation: Used to express congratulations to either newlyweds, and that you’re wishing for them to have children.

Note: From عُقبى  (= “result”, “outcome”) + لك / لما (“for when” / “for you”)

• الله يفرحك فيهم / aḷḷah yifarḥak fīhum

Meaning “May God give you happiness in them (your children)”

Situation: Used to wish happiness to the parents of the children that you’re referring to. Commonly said when someone talks about their kids or introduces them to you.

• يتربو بعزك / yitrabbu bi-‘izzak

Meaning: May they (the person’s children) be raised in your glory.

Situation: Commonly said when someone talks about their kids or introduces them to you.

• الله يخليلك اياه / aḷḷah yikhalīlak iyyāh

Meaning: “May God keep them (away from evil) for you.”

Situation: Same as above.

Note the long ī which occurs because a vowel which is part of the root before “la” (= “for”) is always long. Note also that “la” is not a separate word as in Fuṣḥā but a clitic meaning it is attached to the verb.

• الله يرزقك برهم / allah yirzaqak birrhum

Meaning: “May God bestow you with their (your children’s) obedience.”

Situation: Same as above

Said upon seeing something negative

• اسمالله / ismallah

• الله واسمالله / aḷḷah wismaḷḷah

• الله معك / aḷḷah ma‘ak

Death & Funerals

• الله يرحمه / allah yirḥamo

Meaning: “God rest his sole.”

(Said when hearing the news of somebody’s death.)

• إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون / Inna lillāhi wa inna ileyhi rāji’ūn

Meaning: See situation

Lit.: Indeed we belong to Allah , and indeed to Him we will return.

(Said when something bad happens, especially when people die.)

Terms of endearment:

• حبيبي / حبيبي / ḥabībi / ḥabībti

Meaning: “Honey”, “Darling”, “Sweetheart”

Situation: Not only used between lovers but between strangers as well! Kind of like “honey” is used in the US.

• يا حبوبي / ya ḥabūbi

Meaning: “My darling”

Diminuitive of حبيب

Situation: More intimite than حبيبي , used mainly between lovers.

• يا عمري  / ya ‘umri

Meaning: “My love”

Literally: “Oh my life” (= “you’re my life”)

Situation: Used between lovers.

• يا قلبي / ya ‘albi

Meaning: Same as above

Literally: “Oh my heart”

• يا كبدي / ya kabdi

Meaning: Same as above

Literally: “Oh my liver” (as in: “You’re as important to me as my liver is to my body”)

• يا بعد كبدي / ya ba‘d kabdi

Meaning: Same as above

Literally: “Oh thou after my liver” (as in: “You’re almost as important to me as my liver is to my body”)

• يا عيوني / ya ‘uyūni

Meaning: Same as above

Literally: “Oh my eyes” (= you’re as important to me as my eyes are)

• بحبك / biḥebbak

Meaning: “I love you”

Note: This is a form I verb (unlike in Fuṣḥā where it’s mostly form IV)

• بموت عليك / bimūt ‘alēk / fīk

Meaning: Same as above

Literally: “I die over you” (= “I would die for you” (?))

Situation: A bit more intense than بحبك

• بحبك موت / biḥebbak mōt

Meaning: Same as above

Literally: “I love you (to) death”

• بعشقك / ba‘šigak

Meaning: Same as above

Situation: More intense passionate than بحبك

• انت قلبي ودقاته / (anta) galbi wa duggāto

Meaning: “You’re my heart and its beats.”

Bargaining

• راعيني / rā‘īni

Meaning: 

Literally:

Situation:

• من هون لهون / min hōn lahōn

Meaning:

Literally:

Situation

• بدك تطلع عيني؟

Negative:

•   أَسْتَغْفَرَ اْلله

Meaning: See situations

Possible situations:

– upon hearing something bad

– to deny an accusation

– to respnod to a compliment

• اعوذ بالله / a‘ūzu b-iḷḷah

Meaning: “Heaven forbid!”

Literally: I take refuge in God.

• حاشا لله / ḥāša aḷḷah

Meaning: “God forbid!”

• انشالله عدوينك / Inšaḷḷah ‘adwīnak

Meaning: “Hopefully it will befall your enemies (not you).”

Situation:

• انشالله اللي بيكرهوك / Inšaḷḷah illi byikrahūk

Meaning: “Hopefully it will befall those who hate you.”

Situation:

• لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله / la ḥaul wala quwwa illa bi-llah

Meaning: “There is no power or strength except in God.”

Situation: When something bad happens to you or someone else.

• حسبي الله / ḥasbi aḷḷah

Meaning:

Situation: When someone does something bad to you and you either can’t or don’t want to do anything to this person.

• الله حسيبي / aḷḷah ḥasībi

Meaning:

Situation

• الله يجزيك /

Meaning: “May God shame you”

• الله يتولاك /

Meaning “Make God take you (and hold you responsible)”

• الله لا يسامحك / aḷḷah ma yisāmḥak

Meaning: “May God not forgive you”

• بينا الله / bēnna aḷḷah

Meaning: “God is between you and me (he will make the decision).”

• الله ما يسيبك / aḷḷah ma yisībak

Meaning: “May God not let you go (but hold you responsible).”

• بجيك يوم / bijīk yōm

Meaning: “The day will come (that you will be held responsible / that you will regret / that the same injustice will happen to you).”

• يا ويلك من الله / ya wēlak min aḷḷah

Meaning: “Woe unto you from God!”

• حرام عليك / ḥarām ‘alēk

Meaning: “Shame on you!”

Situation: Less strong than some of the other ones (depending on tone though).

• عيب عليك / ‘ayb ‘alēk

Meaning: “Shame on you!”

• اسود وجك

Meaning: “Shame on you!”

Literally: “May your face blacken”

• الله ياخدلي حقي منك / Aḷḷah yākhúdli ḥaggi minnak

Meaning: “Allah will serve you justice for what you have done to me.”

• الله ينتقم منك / aḷḷah yintaqim minnak

Meaning: “May God take revenge on you!”

• من شان الله / minšān aḷḷah

Meaning: “For God’s sake.”

• دخيلك / dakhīlak

Meaning: “I’m begging you.”

• اللهم طولك ياروح

Meaning: “Oh God give me patience!”

Literally: “Oh soul, may God make you patient (lit.: longer).”

• روّح / rawwiḥ

Meaning: “Go away!”

Literally: Go home!

• انصرف /

Meaning: “Piss off!”

• انقلع /

Meaning: “Piss off!”

Literally: “Be plucked out”

• اقلب وجهك

Bragging:

• خف علي

• يرحم جدك / yirḥam jaddak

Lit.: “May your grandfather rest in peace.”

Meaning: Along the lines of “Humble yourself a bit and remember that your grandfather was only a farmer!”

Situation: When someone is bragging a lot and you want to remind them of their humble decent. Obviously used in a joking way and only said between friends.