14 Lebanese Words That Are Pronounced Differently Around The Country

We often make fun of our friends for saying words differently than we do without taking into account an important thing: what if you’re the one saying it wrong. There are so many words that you hear people say that make you think “hmm, could it be?” but then you shake it off and convince yourself you’re right. You sometimes end up in debates on whether this word is said this way or that and these debates usually end with the overused “yeah, maybe that’s how it’s said in your area” you know, because people in Ashrafieh speak differently than people in Tallet el Khayat.

Here are a few from a pool of words that we can’t quite figure out if it’s us, or them.

1. Barkeh vs Balkeh

This is one I hear all the time and have often mocked. “Barkeh”, translating to “maybe” is the more common version but many people say “balkeh”, often compared to people who say “Gh” instead of “R”.

2. Loubye vs Loubya

This one might seem trivial but it’s really not. It has caused debates and controversies. loubYE or loubYA, the mystery will never be solved! From a linguistic perspective, it is “loubya2” لوبياء in proper Arabic (fos-ha) so it makes sense for many people to think it’s technically loubYA in Arabic slang yet, we continue to say loubYE.

3. Sayniye vs Soniye

This is a tricky one. It’s often a misconception that only Beiruti’s speak with a thick accent and therefore only people in Beirut say soniye because it sounds heavy, but I’ve heard it from people of different backgrounds. And sayniye? It remains the winner as it originates from صينية

4. Khobez vs khebez

I sometimes involuntarily use both, so this one doesn’t depend on a specific “manta2a” or background, but sometimes they both sound weird to say. In more technical terms, there’s no hamza on the “kh”, so… khebez for the win!

5. Ma3karona vs Ma3karone

Oh boy, the number of times I’ve laughed at the word ma3karonE. The wording in Arabic is معكرونة which qualifies as “A” so why do so many people still believe it’s E?

6. Jou3an vs Jee3an

Are you JEE3an or JOU3an? This one’s a tough one. Many people typically say, the latter but if you hang out in Beirut, you might also hear the former jEE3an.

7. Balcon vs Balgon

If your dad doesn’t say “balgon”, did you really grow up around here? It’s no longer French, not Arabic and certainly not English… just a strange, strange way to say something.

8. Ref2at vs. Ref2et

Both are pretty common, but are what are more accustomed to? Going out ma3 ref2ATkon, or ref2ETkon? The difference in pronunciation depends on the area in which you grew up.

9. Bin (coffee beans) vs ban

If you’re still confused, we’re talking about “بن “ i.e. coffee, and who doesn’t love coffee! I often hear people call it ban, with a “fatha” on the B. I’m more used to saying Bin, with a “Kasra” on the B. it’s a matter of opinion, really, but the love for coffee remains the same!

10. Dora vs dara

No, not Dora the highway, we mean corn! Some people believe saying it with an O is the classy way of saying it. Some people think it’s because that’s how they’re used to saying it. What do you believe in, dora or dara?

11. Ma3la2a vs. mal3a2a

There is no logical explanation for these different pronunciations, although the proper Arabic way of saying it is ملعقة.

12. Riz vs. Rouz

Another result of the battle of the areas.

13. 7eit vs. 7ayt

Beid vs. bayd, kheit vs. khayt, the list goes on. It is thought that the use of “e” is the more Beiruti (aka. classier) pronunciation of this family of words, since the a is considered heavy. Oh well, I wouldn’t swap my “heavy” mountain accent for the world!

14. Sajjede vs sijjede

That would be a carpet.