In this short video, I share a real story and conversation with my grandmother, who believes that true beauty means being light-skinned, blond, and having green or blue eyes. This video, in Levantine Arabic, will introduce you to vocabulary related to skin color. It’s perfect for all levels, as the script is available with translations. I’ve also attached a page from our third book Nawartona, with some of these vocabulary.
We recommend to watch the episode here first without checking the script.
Arabic Script:
ستي بتميز كثير بين أحفادها. هي شقراء وعيونها زرق وكانت بتفضل الاحفاد يلي مثلها او بيشبهوها. انا لا شقرا ولا عيوني زرق. مرة كان هيك بدي اتقرب منها فسألتها, “يا ستي انا حلوة شيء؟” أخذت نفس عميق واطلعت فيّي وقالت لي, ‘يا ستّي الجمال مش كل شيء بالحياة انه ما اشبك شيء.’ فاذا انت كنت حنطيّة, سمراء, او سودا, وعيونك سود او بني فما لك حظ معها. بس اذا كنت بيضاء وشقرا وعيونك خضر او زرق فانت اكيد حلوة بنظرها بدي. اقلك شيء كيف ما كنتي انت اكيد حلوة.
Phonetic Script:
Sete bitmayez ktir bein el-a7fedha. Heye sha2rah w 3yonha zere2 w kenit bitfadel el-a7fed yale mithelha aw byesh-bahoha. Ana la sha2rah wala 3yone zere2. Marah ken heik bade et’arab minha fa sa2alta, ‘Ya sete ana 7ilwe shi?’ Akhadet nafas 3ami2 w tala3et fiyeh w aletle, ‘Ya sete jamel mish kil shi bil7ayet inu ma eshbek shi.’ Fa eza ente kinte 7untiyeh, samarah, aw sawdah, w 3yonek sud aw bene fa ma elek 7az ma3a. Bus eza kinte baydah, sha2rah, w 3yonek khudur aw zere2, ma ente akid 7ilweh b nazara. Bade elek kif ma kinte ente akid 7ilweh.
English Translation:
My grandmother distinguishes a lot between her grandchildren. She has blonde hair and blue eyes and used to prefer the grandchildren who looked like her. I am neither blonde nor do I have blue eyes. Once, I wanted to get closer to her, so I asked her, “Grandma, am I pretty?” She took a deep breath, looked at me, and said, “My dear, beauty is not everything in life.” It was clear that if you were tan, dark, or black with black or brown eyes, you had no luck with her. But if you were white, blonde, and had green or blue eyes, you were definitely pretty in her eyes. I want to tell you something: no matter how you look, you are definitely beautiful.
Learning a new language is an exciting journey, especially when it involves discovering interesting cultural and professional aspects tied to the language. In the Levantine region, certain careers hold a special place in daily life, often accompanied by fascinating facts that might surprise even the most dedicated language learners. In this blog, we’ll explore five unique careers that are not only essential to the fabric of Levantine society but also come with fun and intriguing facts. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced student of Levantine Arabic, these careers offer a deeper understanding of the language, culture, and the people who bring these professions to life.
Five Careers in Levantine Arabic that you must know when looking for the ‘right guy or right girl’
Khames mehan bil 3arabe lezim ta3refon lama btkun 3am tfatesh 3ala ebn el-7alel w bnt el-7alel.
خمس مهن بالعربي لازم نعرفهم لما بنكون عم نفتش على ‘ابن الحلال وبنت الحلال
1.
Uncountable Noun
Countable Noun (m/f)
Fun Fact
English
Medicine
Doctor
Did you know that a neurologist can earn more than $700,000 a year?
Phonetic
Tob
Tabeeb / Tabeebeh
Bta3erfu inu tabeeb el-a3sab momkin ywasel ma3ashu la-aktar min $700,000 bil seneh?
Arabic
طب
طبيب / طبيبة
بتعرفوا انه طبيب الاعصاب ممكن يوصّل معاشه لاكثر من 700,000 دولار بالسنة؟
2.
Uncountable Noun
Countable Noun (m/f)
Fun Fact
English
Engineering
Engineer
By the way, Russia has the highest number of Engineers in the world. They are known in Engineering.
Phonetic
Handaseh
Mhandes / Mhandeseh
3ala bekrah, Russia 3inda aqsah 3adad mhandeseen bil 3alam. Hene mash-hurin bil handaseh.
Arabic
هندسة
مهندس / مهندسة
على فكرة, روسيا عندها اقصى عدد مهندسين بالعالم هني مشهورين بالهندسة
3.
Uncountable Noun
Countable Noun (m/f)
Fun Fact
English
Art
Artist
Imagine in 1992 the artist Fairuz sued Madonna yes yes Madonna for using her song without her permission.
Phonetic
Fan
Fanen / Faneneh
Tkhayalu b seneh 1992 el-faneneh Fairuz rafa3et da3weh 3ala Madonna eh eh Madonna le2an sta3malet ghineyeta bidun ezna.
Arabic
فن
فنان / فنانة
تخايلوا بسنة 1992 الفنانه فيروز رفع دعوة على مادونا ايه ايه مادونا لان استعملت اغنيتها بدون اذنها
4.
Uncountable Noun
Countable Noun (m/f)
Fun Fact
English
Accounting
Accountant
Did you the person that invented the Bubble Gum was an accountant? His name was Water Deimer and by the way he invented it by accident.
Phonetic
Mo7asabeh
Mo7aseb / Mo7asbeh
Bta3erfu yale khtara3 el-bubble gum ken mo7aseb w esmo Walter Deimer? w 3ala fekrah ekhtara3ha bil ghalat!
Arabic
محاسبة
محاسب / محاسبة
بتعرفوا يلي اخترع البابل غم كان محاسب واسمه وولتر دايمر وعلى فكره اخترعها بالغلط
5.
Uncountable Noun
Countable Noun (m/f)
Fun Fact
English
Nursing
Nurse
They say a nurse walks more than 5 kilometers in her shift? Which is about 12 hours.
Phonetic
Tamreed
Momared / Momaredah
Al bi2ulu el-momrideah btemshe aktar min 5 kilometer bil shift taba3ha? Ya3ne b !2 se3ah.
Arabic
تمريض
ممرض وممرضة
قال بيقولوا الممرضه بتمشي اكثر من 5 كيلو متر بالشيفت تبعها? يعني ب 12 ساعة
Language learning is more than just mastering vocabulary and grammar; it’s about connecting with the culture and people who speak it. By exploring these five careers and their associated fun facts, you’ve gained insight into the daily lives of those in the Levant and how language plays a role in their professions. Whether you’re aiming to improve your conversational skills or simply enjoy the richness of Levantine Arabic, understanding these careers will deepen your appreciation for the language. Keep exploring, keep learning, and let these cultural insights inspire your journey with Levantine Arabic!
Opening a bank account in a new language can seem daunting, but with the right guidance, it can be a smooth process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to open a bank account using Levantine Arabic phrases and vocabulary.
Phonetic Script:
Badak tefta7 7seb bil bank b lebnen? Eh akid estez fik tefta7 7seb ma3na! Ma3ak passport aw el-haweyeh? Aw aya shi bi2arje esmak el-kemel w tereakh miledak? Tamem! 3omrak fo2 el-tmanta3shar sene? 3azim! Iza bitred 3abe hayda talab, badna ra2em telephonak el-shakhse, 3inwenak, jinsak, w jinsetak. W Aya no3 7sen yale 7abeb tefta7u ma3na? Badak tefta7o bil dollar aw lebnene? Ah ma3ak fresh dollars? Eh akid estez ya ahla w sahla. Bit7eb teshrab ahweh 3aseer? Bus baynetna ma binsa7 7ada hal2 yefta7 7seb, ra7 yekhtefu!
Arabic script:
بدك تفتح حساب بالبنك بلبنان? اي اكيد استاذ فيك تفتح حساب معنا! معك الباسبور او الهويه ? او اي شيء بأرجي اسمك الكامل وتاريخ ميلادك? تمام! عمرك فوق ل 18 سنه? عظيم! اذا بتريد عبي هيدا الطلب, بدنا رقم تلفونك الشخصي, عنوانك, جنسك, وجنسيتك. واي نوع حساب يلي حابب تفتحه معنا. بدك تفتحه بالدولار أو باللبناني؟ اه معك فرَش دولارز؟ هه، أكيد أستاذ يا اهلا وسهلا. بتحب تشرب قهوة عصير؟ بس بيناتنا ما بنصح حدا هلّأ يفتح حساب، رح يختفوا!
English Translation:
Do you want to open a bank account in Lebanon? Yes sure sir, you can open an account with us! Do you have a passport or ID? Or anything that indicates your full name and date of birth? Perfect! You’re above 18? Great! Please fill out this form, we need your personal phone number, your address, gender, and nationality. Which type of account would you like to open with us? Do you want to open it in Lira or dollars? Oh you have fresh dollars? Of course sir hello and welcome. Would you like to drink coffee, juice? But between us I don’t recommend anyone to open an account, they will disappear!
The table below has all the useful vocabulary that you may need to open an account in Levantine Arabic. All of these were used in the above script.
English
Phonetic
Arabic
Account
7sab
حساب
Passport
Passpor
(we pronounce it without the t)
الباسبور
ID
Haweyeh
الهويه
Full name
Esmal el-kemel
اسمك الكامل
Date of Birth
Tareak miledak
تاريخ ميلادك
Age
3omor
عمر
Form or request
Talab
طلب
Personal number
Talephon el-shakhse
تلفون الشخصي
Address
3inwen
عنوان
Gender
Jinse
جنس
Nationality
جنسيه
Make sure to have fresh dollars if you want to open a bank account in Lebanon 🙂
