14 Things Lebanese People Say When They Need Something from You

We Lebanese people can never just come out and ask for a favor, it always sounds a little like this:

1. Wein hal ghaybe?

I haven’t spoken to you in a year…

2. Ma32oul hal awda3?

“Anw 3indi sou2al”

3. Ya allah meen badde le2e yse3edne halla2?

You can smell the desperation…and you end up offering to help.

4. Dakhlak bta3reflak shi 7ada bya3mel [insert favor that just so happens to be your job]

5. Hi! Kifak? Kifa settak Souad?

Just tell me what you want.

6. Ayamta bedna nrakib mashrou3?

then it’s followed by “Leikkehhh…badde mennik shi”

7. Khataret 3a bele lyom

8. Yii kifo bayak? Ktir shta2tlo!

You haven’t seen him since the 4th grade.

9. Ya allah betzakar iyem el madrase bas kenna ktir ref2a?

“Kenna” is past tense for a reason.

10. Shta2nelak ya 3ame

Can’t relate.

11. Habibe, baaref enno ma ktir mnehke bas ana aanjed I miss you

Merci.

12. Ma tballesh t2ool eno ana bas behkeek lamma koon 3ayez shi

…then proceeds to yehkeene bas yukon 3ayez shi.

13. Habibi enta bta3ref adde bhebbak?

Thebbak l 3afye *blocks contact*

14. Hayda ba3do ra2mak?

Yes, THAT’S how long we haven’t spoken.