Listomania
29 Things Lebanese People Say, And What They Really Mean
Here’s a little cheat code.
1. Inte/Inta min wein?
What it means: What’s your religion?
2. Wein sekne/sekin?
What it means: No, really. What’s your religion?
3. Shu bteshteghil/bteshteghle?
What it means: Are you rich?
4. Ah inno bil 2idara aw keef?
What it means: Can I ever use you for a wasta?
5. Tab mabsoot/a ma3on?
What it means: Do they pay well?
6. Ismallah!
What it means: You’re fat.
7. Mghayyar/a
What it means: You’re fat.
8. Jeye so7tik/so7tak
What it means: You’re fat.
9. 3am ta3mil/e diet?
What it means: You’re fat.
10. Kteer nshaghalet hal fatra
What it means: Ask me what’s going on because I got married/engaged and compulsively need to talk about it.
11. Taraket el sheghel ma kint mabsouta abadan
What it means: I got fired.
12. Taraket la ifta7 la 7ali kirmel zbouneteh
What it means: I got fired.
13. Taraket kteer weskheen el jame3a
What it means: I got fired.
14. Ana entrepreneur
What it means: I’m unemployed.
15. 3am fakkir a3mol masters
What it means: I’m unemployed.
16. Ana entrepreneur
What it means: I’m unemployed.
17. 3am bishtighil ma3 l baba
What it means: I get paid to be unemployed.
18. Do you watch Rick and Morty?
What it means: I watch Rick and Morty and I definitely want you to know.
19. Siyarte bil garage can you pick me up?
What it means: I don’t have a car.
20. Siyarte bil garage can you pick me up?
What it means: I don’t want to pay valet.
21. Can I have a cigarette?
What it means: Can I have ten cigarettes?
22. Khaleeya 3aleyna
What it means: Please ma tkhaleeya 3aleyna.
23. Ibneh el awwal b saffo
What it means: My son is a fucking idiot and I’m overcompensating.
24. Let’s sit outside, there’s a breeze
What it means: I need to be seen.
25. I don’t remember where I got [clothing/item/accessory]
What it means: Zara.
26. Tarakna abadan ma kent mabsout/a
What it means: I got viciously dumped.
27. Ken 3inna chalet b Faraya bas be3neh
What it means: I went to Faraya once on a school trip.
28. Ma badda hal2ad
What it means: I have no emotional intelligence and I am incapable of apologizing.
29. Ma fi a7la min Libnen
What it means: I can’t get a work visa.
