Notes of Video “Gossip” Make sure to watch the video at the bottom of the page!
Exploring Levantine Arabic: 5 Ways to Comment on Gossip
In the vibrant and expressive world of Levantine Arabic, gossip is an art form all its own. Whether you’re in the bustling streets of Beirut, the cozy cafes of Amman, or the vibrant souks of Damascus, the way people talk about rumors and stories adds color and life to everyday conversations. In this blog post, we will dive into five distinct ways to comment on gossip in Levantine Arabic, showcasing the rich cultural nuances and linguistic flair of the region. From playful banter to serious speculation, these expressions will give you a deeper understanding of how gossip weaves through the social fabric of the Levant.
قال و قيل: Said & Said
#1
Arabic
Phonetics
Translation (word to word)
Gossip:
مايا!! عرفتي انو جو طلق مرته.
Maya 3refte inu Joe tala2 marto?
Maya did you know that Joe divorced his wife?
Comment:
لا بلا مزح
La! Bala Maze7!
No, no stop joking
#2
Arabic
Phonetics
Translation (word to word)
Gossip:
لو بتعرفي شو صار معي اليوم
Law bta3rfe shu sar ma3e elyom!
If you know what happened to me today!
Comment:
خلصيني احكي شو
Khalsine’ e7ke shu?
Rescue me, speak what?
#3
Arabic
Phonetics
Translation (word to word)
Gossip:
حزري شو قال لي صاحب الشغل اليوم
7zare’ shu ale sa7eb el-ghoghol el-yom?
Guess what my boss told me today?
Comment:
خير ان شاء الله شو
Kheir* inshallah shu?!
Good news, good wishes, what is it?
#4
Arabic
Phonetics
Translation (word to word)
Gossip:
على فكرة لينا ما عزمتني على عرسها
3ala fekrah, Lina ma 3azametne 3ala 3ersah!
By the way, Lina did not invite me to her wedding!
Comment:
لا ما بصدق شو وقحة
Ma bsade2 shu we27a!
I can’t believe her audacity!
#5
Arabic
Phonetics
Translation (word to word)
Gossip:
عرفتي انو سارا لقت شغل جديد بالبنك
3refte inu Sarah la2et shughul bil bank?
Did you know that Sarah found a job in the bank?
Comment:
ممم اكيد واسطة
Mmm akid wasta**!
Mmm of course it is through connections!
Understanding the nuances of commenting on gossip in Levantine Arabic not only enhances one’s communication skills but also underscores the cultural intricacies of interpersonal dynamics. By exploring these various methods, individuals can choose how to best navigate the delicate balance between curiosity and discretion in their social interactions.
Kheir (خير): In Levantine Arabic, “kheir” translates to “good” or “well-being.” It is often used to convey positive wishes or to inquire about someone’s well-being. The term embodies a sense of positivity and goodwill, reflecting the cultural importance of community and mutual care.
Examples:
– “شو الأخبار؟ كل شي بخير؟” (Shu el akhbar? Kul shi b’kheir?) – “What’s the news? Is everything good?”
– “الحمد لله، أنا بخير.” (Alhamdulillah, ana b’kheir.) – “Thank God, I am well.”
– “الله يجعله خير.” (Allah yija’lo kheir.) – “May it turn out for the best.”
Wasta (واسطة): “Wasta” refers to the use of personal connections or influence to achieve something, typically within a bureaucratic or professional context. It is akin to the concept of “nepotism” or “pulling strings.” In many Levantine societies, wasta is a common way to navigate systems and can be both criticized and accepted as a part of social and professional life.
Examples:
– “حصل على الوظيفة بواسطته.” (Hassal ‘ala el wazife b’wastato.) – “He got the job through his connections.”
– “بدون واسطة، صعب تحصل على هالشغل.” (Bidoon wasta, sa’b tahsal ‘ala hal shughl.) – “Without connections, it’s hard to get this job.”
– “إذا عندك واسطة، بتقدر تخلص أمورك بسرعة.” (Iza ‘andak wasta, bt’adar t’khalis omoork b’sur’a.) – “If you have connections, you can get your things done quickly.”
Exploring the meanings of “kheir” and “wasta” in Levantine Arabic provides a window into the cultural values and social dynamics of the region. “Kheir” exemplifies the importance of well-being and positivity in interpersonal interactions, reflecting a community-oriented mindset where expressing goodwill is valued. On the other hand, “wasta” illustrates the pragmatic approach to navigating social and professional hierarchies through personal connections, highlighting the complexities of meritocracy and fairness in achieving success.
These concepts are not merely linguistic expressions but deeply rooted cultural practices that shape everyday interactions and societal norms. Understanding “kheir” and “wasta” enriches our appreciation of the Levantine Arabic-speaking world, offering insights into how language reflects and influences social behavior and values. As these dynamics continue to evolve, these terms serve as enduring markers of the intricate tapestry of Levantine culture, inviting further exploration and dialogue on the intersections of language, society, and identity.
Despite the political and economic challenges that Lebanon faces, these factors combine to create an appealing environment for many expats. Expats love Lebanon for several reasons, many of which revolve around the country’s unique combination of food, culture, lifestyle, and environment. If you are an expat and moving to Lebanon I highly recommend you add these 4 things you need to know and add into your ‘vocabulary bucket list’ 😉.
4 Things every expat moving to Lebanon should know:
Arabic
Phonetics
Translation
Notes
طفي القازان! تك الدجنكتور!
Taffe’ el azan, takk el denjaunteur!
Turn off the boiler, the breaker shut off!
In Lebanon, Due to the unreliable public electricity supply, many people rely on private generators to meet their energy needs during outages.
شو دورتو؟ راحت الكهربا!
Shu dawartu? Ra7et el-kahraba!
What did you turn on? The electricity went away!
Lebanon suffers from frequent and prolonged power outages. Many areas experience daily blackouts that can last for several hours.
بدك تنزلي على جميزي؟ تاكسي ولا سرفيس؟
Badek tinzale 3al Gemaize? Taxi wala service?
You want to go to Gemaize? Taxi or pool?
“Service” taxis operate on a shared basis. You share the ride with other passengers who are traveling in the same general direction.
عم تنبشي على شغل بلبنان؟ عندك واسطة؟
3am tnabshe’ ala shoghol b Lebnen? 3indek wasta?
Looking for work in Lebanon? Do you have connections?
If there is one useful word that you need to know in Lebanese, it’s definitely ‘wasta’. Wasta means connections or knowing people that will help you get things done. Could be anything from finding a job to expediting a passport.
No matter how challenging the economic situation might be, as an expat, you will enjoy every minute of your time in Lebanon. The country’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant social scene, stunning landscapes, and incredibly hospitable people make it a truly amazing place to live and visit.
Friendship is built on honesty, even when it’s uncomfortable. Recently, I had to muster the courage to talk to my dear friend about a sensitive issue—her smelly armpits. I approached her with kindness and care because I knew it was affecting her confidence. Sharing this truth was hard, but it strengthened our bond and allowed her to find a solution. Here’s how I navigated that tricky conversation and why it was the right thing to do.
Phonetic Script:
I know a girl who has a bad body odor. Even though her house is neat, her clothes are always clean and tidy. But I don’t know why I always smell that she has a bad armpits odor. I mean it happens with everyone- but I felt I needed to tell her because I don’t want this thing to be harming her and making people avoid her.
A new story shared by you. Let’s talk about it in Arabic.
Look what I told her “my life, I want to tell you something. But I don’t want you to be upset with me. More than once, I smelled a bad odor from your armpits and I Said I wanted to tell you because I don’t want this thing to be harming you.
There is a deodorant that I love and use, and it doesn’t make any body odor at all. If you want, I can send you the link. Also, I had a friend who had the same problem. She did botox and felt so relieved.
Arabic script:
بعرف وحده عندها ريحة جسم مع انه بيتها مرتب وتيابها دائماً نضاف ومرتبين بس ما بعرف ليش اغلب الاحيان بشم عندها ريحة باط انو بتصير مع الكل، بس حسيت لازم خبرها لأن ما بدي هيدا يكون عم يئذيها و يبعد العالم عنها.
قصة جديدة بعتولي ياها خلينا نحكي عنها بالعربي.
ليكوا شو قلت لها، حياتي بدي قلك شي بس ما بدي ياكي تزعلي مني، كذا مرة شميت عندك ريحة باط وقلت بدي قلك لان ما بدي هيدا الشي يكون عم يئذيكي.
في ديو درون ( عطر) بحبها كتير وبستعملها وما بيطلع ريحة أبداً، ازا بدك فيني إبعتلك لينك وكمان عندي كان رفيقة كان عندها ذات المشكله عملت بوتوكس وهلق ارتاحت كتير.
English Translation:
Ba3ref we7deh 3inda ri7et jesem. Ma32inu bayta mratab w tyeba dayman ndaf w mratabeen. Bus ma ba3ref lesh aghlab el-a7yen bshim 3inda ri7et bat. Inu bitser ma3 el-kil. Bus 7aset lezim khabera le2an ma bade hayda shi ykun 3am ye2ziha w yba3ed el-3alam 3ana.
Osha jdidh ba3atoleh yeha khalina ne7ke 3ana bil 3arabe.
Laiko shu eltela. 7ayete bade elik shi bus ma bade yeke tiz3ale mine. Kaza marah shamet 3indek ri7et bat w elit bade elek la2an ma bade hayda shi ykun 3am ye2zike.
Fi deodorant b7eba ktir w bista3mela w ma bitale3 ri7ah abadan. Iza badek fiye eb3atlek el-link. W kamen 3inde ken rfe2ah kan 3inda zet el-meshkleh 3imlit botox w hal2 rte7it ktir.
Notes:
Vocabulary
Masculine
Feminine
Notes (if any)
Neat
Mratab
Mratabeh
This word doesn’t only mean neat. It’s a beautiful adjective to use to describe someone proper and clean as well.
Notes of Video “Words that you can use in English or French”.
In daily conversations, many Arabic speakers often use English or French words to sound more fluent and modern. This blending of languages, called code-switching, is especially common among the younger generation and in urban areas. Here are ten examples of such words frequently used instead of their Arabic counterparts. Understanding these can help you sound more like a native speaker. Let’s explore these words and their context in everyday Arabic. Incorporating these foreign terms into your speech can enhance communication and make interactions smoother.
Phonetic Script:
3inde telmiz na7feh w moser yo7faz kil kelmeh bil 3arabe. W seret ayletlo alef marah mish kil kilmeh bil 3arabeh lezim titarjam. Khastan iza badak te7ke mitel el-natives.
Masalan:
Asenseur mish mis3ad
Escalator mish daraj kahroba2e
Computer mish 7asoub
Credit card mish bita2et e2timen
Cellulaire mish jawal
Package mish tared
Autostrade mish tare2 el-sari3
Rond point mish douwwar
Bus mish hafilah
Gateaux mish kaleb el-halwah
Arabic script:
عندي تلميذ نهفة ومصر يحفظ كل كلمة بالعربي. و صرت أيلتلو ألف مرة مش كل كلمة بالعربي لازم تترجم. خاصةً إذا بدك تحكي متل natives.
مثلاً
أسونسير مش مصعد
أسكيلتر مش درج الكهربائي.
الكمبيوتر مش الحاسوب.
الكريدت كارد مش بطاقة إئتمان.
السلولار مش جوال.
الباكيج مش الطرد.
اوتستراد مش طريق السريع.
الرنبوان مش الدوار.
الباص مش الحافلة.
و الغاتو مش قالب الحلوة.
English Translation:
I have a very funny student who tends to memorize every word in Arabic and I have told him a million times that not every word in Arabic needs to be translated, especially if you want to sound like the natives.
