Lebanese Arabic, known locally as Lebanese (لبناني), is a dialect of Levantine Arabic spoken primarily in Lebanon. It is part of the broader family of Levantine Arabic dialects, which are used in the Eastern Mediterranean region, including Syria, Jordan, and Palestine.
Key Features
1. Greetings and Basics
Common Greetings:
- Hello – Marhaba (مرحبا)
- Good morning – Sabah el-kheir (صباح الخير)
- Good evening – Masa’ el-kheir (مساء الخير)
- Good night – Tisbh’ ala kheir (تصبح على خير)
- Goodbye – Ma’a el-salama (مع السلامة)
- See you later – Nshufak ba’adain (نشوفك بعدين)
Basic Phrases:
- How are you? – Kifak? (كيفك؟) [to a male] / Kifik? (كيفكِ؟) [to a female]
- I’m fine, thank you – Mnih, shukran (منيح، شكراً) [male] / Mnihe, shukran (منيحة، شكراً) [female]
- Please – Min fadlak (من فضلك) [to a male] / Min fadlik (من فضلكِ) [to a female]
- Thank you – Shukran (شكراً)
- You’re welcome – Afwan (عفواً)
- Yes – Naam (نعم)
- No – La’a (لأ)
- Excuse me / Sorry – Afwan (عفواً) / Asif (آسف) [male] / Asfa (آسفة) [female]
2. Introductions
- What is your name? – Sho ismak? (شو اسمك؟) [male] / Sho ismik? (شو اسمكِ؟) [female]
- My name is... – Ismi... (اسمي...)
- Where are you from? – Min wein enta? (من وين إنت؟) [male] / Min wein enti? (من وين إنتي؟) [female]
- I’m from... – Ana min... (أنا من...)
- Nice to meet you – Tasharrafna (تشرفت)
