Essential Phrases You’ll Need To Know If You Live In Lebanon

If you’re a foreigner visiting Beirut and you’re confused by some of the phrases most commonly used in the Lebanese dialect, we’ve compiled a list for you of peculiar things Lebanese people say and what they really mean.

Awwe albak/albek

Literal translation: Strengthen your heart

Meaning: I’m about to make you do something fucked up.

Shidde 7alek/7alak

Literal translation: Push yourself

Meaning: I’m insulting you, but you should get over it.

Shu warana?

Literal translation: What’s behind us (the hurry)?

Meaning: I know I said I would be ready by 8, but my plan is to make you look uptight for giving me shit about it.

Bshil

Literal translation: I’d lift

Meaning: I’d fuck it/eat it.

Yekhreb beytak

Literal translation: destroy your house

Meaning: used as a term of endearment or insult

To2obrine/yo2borne

Literal translation: bury me

Meaning: used as term of extreme love and affection

Yeslamle rassak/albak

Literal translation: I hope your head/heart is safe for me

Meaning: We both want to order from the same place.

3a 7atet 2eedak

Literal translation: right where you left it

Meaning: refers to state of stability, or a state where nothing changed

Rouh balet el baher

Literal translation: Go tile the sea

Meaning: There’s nothing you can do about it

Shamet hawwa

Literal translation: smell the air

Meaning: Smell garbage, get stuck in traffic, go back home.

Ma ta3ti/ta3teeya wejj

Literal translation: don’t give him/her face

Meaning: Pretty bad dating advice.