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.
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 🙂
To speak about habits in Levantine Arabic, you need to know how to use the present tense, as habits are typically expressed using present tense verbs. In Levantine Book 3, “Nawartuna” we talk a lot about habits! Here are some key points, phrases, and examples to help you talk about habits in Levantine Arabic:
If you are looking for the script I used in the video. Keep scrolling to the end of the page.
Key Phrases
I usually… – عادةً (ʿādatan)
I always… – دائماً (dāʾiman)
I often… – غالباً (ghāliban)
I sometimes… – أحياناً (aḥyānan)
I never… – أبداً (ʾabadan)
Common Verbs
To wake up – فيق (fīʾ) / صحى (ṣḥā)
To go – راح (rāḥ)
To eat – أكل (akal)
To drink – شرب (shirib)
To work – اشتغل (ishtighal)
To study – درس (daras)
To sleep – نام (nām)
To exercise – تمرّن (tamarran)
Examples of Sentences Describing Habits
Using the Present Tense
I usually wake up early.
عادةً بفِيق بكّير.
ʿādatan bifīʾ bakkīr.
I always drink coffee in the morning.
دائماً بشرب قهوة الصبح.
dāʾiman bishrab ʾahwe ṣṣubḥ.
I often go to the gym.
غالباً بروح عالجيم.
ghāliban brūḥ ʿal-gym.
I sometimes read before sleeping.
أحياناً بقرأ قبل ما نام.
aḥyānan bʾra ʾabl ma nām.
I never eat late at night.
أبداً ما بأكل متأخّر.
ʾabadan mā bʾkol mitaʾkher.
More Complex Sentences
Every day, I go to work at 8 in the morning.
كل يوم، بروح عالشغل الساعة ٨ الصبح.
kil yōm, brūḥ ʿa-sh-shughl is-sāʿa tmēne ṣ-ṣubḥ.
On weekends, I usually visit my family.
بعطلة الأسبوع، عادةً بزور عيلتي.
bi-ʿuṭlit il-usbūʿ, ʿādatan bzūr ʿēlti.
In the evening, I like to watch TV.
بالمساء، بحب اتفرج عالتلفزيون.
bil-masāʾ, bḥibb itfarraj ʿa-t-telefizyōn.
Structuring Sentences About Habits
When talking about habits, you can structure your sentences using time expressions (usually, always, often, sometimes, never) along with the present tense of the verb.
By combining these elements, you can effectively talk about your habits in Levantine Arabic. Practice with different verbs and time expressions to become more comfortable expressing your daily routines and habits.
Now let’s take a look at the exact script I used in the video:
Arabic Script:
تعوا نحكي عن العادات. كلنا عنّا عادات مثلا في ناس بتحب تلعب بشعرها. تاكل ضفيرها او تسرسر. مثلا انا عندي كذا عادة سيئة بلقمش كثير لما بكون عم بشتغل من البيت. واذا كان عندي اجتماع كثير مهم بتوتّر. ولما اتوتر بهز كثير بإجري. ومن قبل كنت انفعل واتسرّع بس هلأ شو ما بيصير قدامي بطنش لانه بالعربي بنقول “طنّش تنتعش”. واذا عبالكم تتعلموا كيف تحكوا عن العادات فلازم تتسجلوا ب our Conversation Classes.
Phonetic Script:
Ta3o ne7ke 3an el-3adet. Kilna 3ina 3adet masalan fi nes bit7eb til3ab b sha3rah. Tekul dafearah aw tsarser. Masalan ana 3inde 3adeh say2ah, bla2mesh ktir lama kun 3am bshteghel min el-bet. W iza ken 3inde ejtime3 ktir mohem bitwatar. W lama etwatar bhez ktir b ejre’. W min abel kent enfe3el w etsara3 bus hal2 shu ma biser edeme btanesh la2eno bil 3arabe min ol, ‘tanesh tanta3esh’. W iza 3abelkon kif te7ku 3an el-3adet fa tezim tsajlu b our Conversation Classes.
English Translation:
Come let’s talk about habits. We all have habits. For example. some people love to play with their hair, to bite their nails or to gossip. For example I have a lot of bad habits. I eat a lot of snacks when I work from home. And if I have a very important meeting, I get nervous, and when I get nervous, I shake my leg a lot. Before, I used to overreact quickly. But now, whatever happens in front of me I ignore. Because in Arabic we say, “tannish tanta3esh”. If you want to learn how to talk about habits, you need to register in our Conversation Classes.
Grocery shopping is a fundamental aspect of daily life, as a routine that brings both necessity and a touch of joy. It’s an activity that goes beyond merely purchasing food because, it’s an experience that connects us to our culture, our preferences, and the people we care about. Whether it’s selecting the freshest produce, finding the best deals, or bringing home favorite treats, grocery shopping is an act of care and consideration. In the context of language learning, this everyday task offers a rich opportunity to practice and acquire new vocabulary, making it a practical and engaging way to enhance our communication skills. By immersing ourselves in the language used during grocery shopping, we not only become more adept at navigating markets and stores but also deepen our connection to the cultural nuances that come with it. This introduction sets the stage for exploring the vocabulary and phrases associated with grocery shopping, particularly in Levantine Arabic, through a warm and relatable narrative.
In this heartwarming scene, we witness a loving exchange between two partners as they come together after a trip to the supermarket. The dialogue is a beautiful blend of Arabic and English, capturing the affection and everyday simplicity of their relationship. From expressing gratitude for the small errands to enjoying the freshness of the groceries, this interaction showcases the tender moments that make up their daily life.
The Video Script:
Man:
Allo hayete jebtelek kel chi talabti, men el supermaket․
Hello, my darling! I brought you everything you asked for from the supermarket.
ألوا حياتي! جبتلك كل شيئ طلبتيه من السوبرماركت.
Man:
Haydol kil el ghrad li badik yehoun․
These are all the items that you wanted.
هيدول كل الغراض لي بدك يهون.
Woman:
Shukran hayete 3am ta3abtak ma3e
Thank you, my love. I truly appreciate what you have done for me.
شكرا حياتي، عم تعبتك معي.
Man:
Habibe, ta3e choufe hal tifeha chakla bitchahe
My love, come and see this apple; it looks so appetizing.
حبيبي، تعي شوفي هالتفاحة شكلها بشهي.
Haydol kil el ghrad li badik yehoun․
Man:
W rihit hal banadoura kteer taybe
And the smell of this tomato is so delicious.
وريحت البدورة كتير طيبة.
Woman:
El khibez taza. Rah a3mol 3asir el laymoun.
The bread is fresh. I will make some lemon juice.
الخبز طازة. رح اعمل عصير الليمون
Woman:
Ma bitzakar talabet minak hamoud
I don’t recall asking you for lemon.
ما بتذكر طلبت منك حامض.
Man:
Mbala! Layke! Katabta 3al Whatsapp
Yes! Look! I wrote it on WhatsApp.
مبلا! ليكي! كتبتها عالواتساب.
Woman:
Tayeb yalla ta nhot el khodra w el fweke bil borad
Okay, then let’s put the vegetables and the fruits in the fridge.
طيب، يلا تنحط الخضرا والفواكي بالبراد
Grocery shopping is a routine activity that offers an excellent opportunity to learn and practice Levantine Arabic vocabulary. In this section, we explore various items commonly bought from the supermarket and their corresponding terms in Levantine Arabic, framed within the context of a heartwarming interaction between two partners.
The scene begins with one partner returning home with groceries. They greet each other warmly, using affectionate terms such as “my darling” (حياتي, hayete) and “my love” (حبيبي, habibi). This affectionate language sets the tone for the entire interaction, highlighting the care and thoughtfulness behind the simple act of grocery shopping.
Supermarket and Items:
The partner who did the shopping mentions bringing everything requested from the supermarket (السوبرماركت, al-supermarket) and shows all the items (غراض, ghrad) that were bought. This introduces the key terms for “supermarket” and “items.”
Fruits and Vegetables:
As they go through the groceries, specific items are highlighted. The apple (تفاحة, tifeha) is noted for looking appetizing (بشهي, bishahe), and the tomato (بدورة, banadoura) is described as having a delicious smell (ريحة, riha) that is very appealing (طيبة, taybe). These descriptions help in associating the vocabulary with sensory experiences.
Fresh Bread and Lemon Juice:
The freshness of the bread (خبز, khibez) is emphasized, described as fresh (طازة, taza). Additionally, there is a plan to make lemon juice (عصير الليمون, 3asir el laymoun), introducing the word for “lemon” (حامض, hamoud).
Thankfulness and Appreciation:
Gratitude is expressed with “thank you” (شكرا, shukran), along with an acknowledgment of the effort made, which deepens the emotional connection in the dialogue. This interaction shows how everyday tasks can be filled with appreciation and love.
Communication and Clarification:
The dialogue includes a moment of clarification where one partner doesn’t recall asking for lemons, leading to checking a message on WhatsApp (الوتساب, al-WhatsApp). This everyday situation is a practical way to learn and use the vocabulary in a real-life context.
Putting Away Groceries:
Finally, the partners decide to put the vegetables (الخضرا, el khodra) and fruits (الفواكي, el fweke) in the fridge (البراد, el borad). This practical action helps reinforce the terms for common household items.
In summary, this scene is not just about grocery shopping but an opportunity to learn and practice Levantine Arabic vocabulary in a meaningful and emotionally rich context. In addition to the loving interaction between the partners adds warmth and depth, making the learning process engaging and memorable.
