From Wikitravel

The Lebanese dialect of Arabic is similar to that spoken in Syria, Jordan and Palestine, somewhat different to that spoken in Egypt, and very different to other forms of Arabic. As with all dialects of Arabic, the dialect is a spoken language only; the written language always conforms to standard Arabic. (This guide will use the word "Lebanese" to refer to "the Lebanese dialect of Arabic".)

Arabic is significantly different to English: different forms are used when addressing males, females and groups; plurals and verb conjugations are highly irregular and difficult to figure out from their roots; and the pronunciation includes some very difficult sounds. Lebanese, luckily, is a much-simplified from standard Arabic, and should not be overly difficult for the traveller.

[edit] Pronunciation guide

Lebanese Dialect Audio CDs For some Arabic sounds, there is no easy transliteration (and no single agreed transliteration). The pronunciation guide shown below is case sensitive; for example, 'th' is a different sound to 'Th' and 'TH'. Note that there is no such things as a diphthong in Arabic; instead, some consonants map to English diphthongs.

[edit] Vowels

a 

like 'a' in "apple"

i 

like 'ee' in "cheese"

u 

like 'oo' in "too"

o 

like 'o' in "dore"

e 

like 'e' in "bed"

é 

like 'ai' in "claire"

[edit] Easy Consonants

b 

like 'b' in "bed"

t 

like 't' in "top"

j 

like 's' in "pleasure"

kh 

like 'ch' in Scottish "loch" (or German "nach")

d 

like 'd' in "mad"

r 

like 'r' in "row"

z 

like 'z' in "haze"

s 

like 's' in "sing"

sh 

like 'sh' in "sheep"

f 

like 'f' in "fun"

k 

like 'k' in "kitten"

l 

like 'l' in "love"

m 

like 'm' in "mother"

n 

like 'n' in "nice"

h 

like 'h' in "help"

w 

like 'w' in "weight"

y 

like 'y' in "yes"

[edit] Difficult Consonants

The following 3 consonants are pronounced by rounding the mouth as you say them. You can get an approximate effect by accentuating them in the following pronunciations.

S 

like 's' in "sorry"

D 

like 'd' in "dot"

T 

like 't' in "taught"

The following consonant is almost never pronounced in lebanese dialect, but replaced with a glottal stop.

q 

in regular arabic : like 'c' in "call" (with the back of the throat)

The following 2 consonants are pronounced from the back of the throat. Once again, accentuate the following pronunciations.

H 

like 'h' in "hot"

gh 

like Scottish ch as in 'Loch'

The following letter (called the "ayn", which we will represent by an apostrophe), is very difficult to say. In English, the only time you will use the throat muscles used to say this letter is when you are throwing up; if that's how it feels, you're probably doing it right.

' or 3 

like the sound represented by "aargh"

[edit] Phrase list

Some commonly understood Lebanese phrases use either French or English words; these have been shown in quotes below to avoid confusion.

[edit] Basics (Kalimét Asasiéh)

Hello. 

marHaba

Welcome! 

ahla w' sahla

How are you? 

kifak (to male), kifik (to female)

Fine, thank you. 

el hamdillah (literally: "thanks to God")

Thank you. 

Shukran

(I'm) fine. 

(ana) b'khéir - (Ana) Mniih (Male) - (Ana) Mniiha (Female)

Well (health) 

b'khéir

Good 

mnih(m) mniha(f)

Excellent 

memtéz

And you? 

w' enta

Blessed 

el hamdellah

What is your name? 

shou esmak? (m), shou esmik? (f)

My name is ______ . 

esmé ______ .

Nice to meet you. 

Tsharrafna

How old are you? 

qedde 3omrak?

Please. 

min faDlak (to male), min faDlik (to female)

Thank you. 

shoukran(arabic) yislamo(arabic) merci(french)

You're welcome 

tekram (male) tekramé (female)

Welcome (welcoming someone). 

ahla w sahla

If God wills (or used as 'hopefully') 

inshAllah

God has willed it 

mashAllah

Really? 

Walla or 'anjad

Yes. 

eh

No. 

la

Maybe 

momkin or yemkin

Excuse me. (getting attention) 

'afwan (egyptian)

Excuse me. (begging pardon) 

"pardon" (French is used here)

I'm sorry. 

"sorry" (English is used here)

Goodbye (Go with peace) 

(formal) Ma'el salémé

Goodbye (informal) 

"bye" (English is used here)

I can't speak Arabic [well]. 

ma baHké 'arabé [mniH]

Do you speak English? 

btaHké englizé?

Is there someone here who speaks English? 

Hada menkom byeHké englizé?

Help! 

se'duné

Okay 

tayib

Look out! 

ou'a

For sure/Of course! 

akeed!

Good morning. 

SabaH el khéir - bonjour

Good evening. 

masa el khéir - "bonsoir" (french)

Good night. 

"bonne nuit" (french) - tesbaH 3ala khéir (litterally "wake up well")

I don't know. 

ma ba'rif

Where is the toilet (bathroom)? 

wain el "toilette?" (French is used here)

Where is the restroom (in a restaurant)? 

wain el hemmém?

I 

ana

You 

Inta(m), Inté(f)

I understand 

ana befham

I do not understand 

ma befham

Sweetheart 

Habibé(m) Habibté (f)

You're the prettiest possible 

Inté(a) ajmal min al kill

Where are you from? 

min wéin inta?

[edit] Problems

Leave me alone. 

Hel 'anné or Triknéh

Don't touch me! 

ma t'deq fiyyé

I'll call the police. 

raH deq l'el darak

Police! 

"Police!" (French)

Stop! Thief! 

waqif Sirra'

I need your help. 

badde musea'adé

It's an emergency. 

Halé tarqa

I'm lost. 

de'et

I lost my bag. 

dayya'et jezdene

I lost my wallet. 

dayya'et el "portefeuille" taba'e (french)

I'm sick. 

marid or sakhen

I've been injured. 

mensab

I need a doctor. 

badde Hakim

Can I use your phone? 

fiyyé esta'mel telephonak?

[edit] Numbers (Arkam)

1 

wahad

2 

tnéin

3 

tlété

4 

arb'a

5 

khamsé

6 

sitté

7 

sab'a

8 

tmané

9 

tis'a

10 

'ashra

11 

Hda'sh

12 

tna'sh

13 

tleta'sh

14 

arabata'sh

15 

khamesta'sh

16 

sitta'sh

17 

sabata'sh

18 

tmenta'sh

19 

tesa'ta'sh

20 

'eshrin

21 

waHad w 'echrin

22 

tnéina w 'echrin

23 

tléta w 'echrin

30 

tlétin

40 

arb'in

50 

khamsin

60 

settin

70 

sab'in

80 

tmenin

90 

tes'in

100 

miyé

200 

mitén

300 

tlet miyé

1000 

alf

2000 

alféin

1,000,000 

malyun

1,000,000,000 

milyar

1,000,000,000,000 

alf milyar

number _____ (train, bus, etc.) 

(tren, bas) numra _____

half 

nos

less 

aqal

more 

ba'd

[edit] Time

now 

hala'

later 

baadén

before 

'abel

morning 

sobeH

afternoon 

ba'd el doher

evening 

masa, 'ashié

night/nights 

leil, leilé

[edit] Clock time (Wakit)

What hour is it? 

eddé el sé3a

one o'clock AM 

sé3a weHdé a bokra

two o'clock AM 

sé3a tentén a bokra

noon 

se'a tna'sh

one o'clock PM 

se'a weHdé ba'd el doher

two o'clock PM 

se'a tentén ba'd el doher

midnight 

noss léil

[edit] Duration

Rules for durations are peculiar: singular is used for one but for 11 or more as well, "double" is used for 2, and plural is used from 3 to 10

_____ minute(s) 

daqiqa (one minute), daqiqten (2 min), _____ dqayeq (____ min for 3 to 10))/ ____ daqiqa (____ min for 11 and above)

_____ hour(s) 

se'a (one hour), se'ten (2 hrs), _____ se'a (____ hrs for 3 to 10))/ ____ se'a(____ hrs for 11 and above)

_____ day(s) 

nhar (one day), nharén (2 days), _____ tiyyem (____ days for 3 to 10))/ ____ yom (____ days for 11 and above)

_____ week(s) 

jem'a (one week), jema'ten (2 weeks), _____ jmé' (____ weeks for 3 to 10))/ ____ jem'a (____ weeks for 11 and above)

_____ month(s) 

shaher(one month), shahren(2 months), _____ tesh-hor(____ months for 3 to 10))/ ____ shaher (____ months for 11 and above)

_____ year(s) 

sené (one yr), sentéin(2 yrs), _____ snin (____ yrs for 3 to 10))/ ____ sené (____ yrs for 11 and above)

[edit] Days

today 

el yom

yesterday 

mberiH

tomorrow 

bokra

this week 

hel jem'a

last week 

jem'it el madyé

next week 

jem'at el jéy

Sunday 

aHad

Monday 

tanén

Tuesday 

taléta

Wednesday 

erba'a

Thursday 

khamis

Friday 

jem'a

Saturday 

sabet

[edit] Months

January 

kanun el téné

February 

shbat

March 

adar

April 

nisén

May 

ayyar

June 

Hzeiran

July 

tammuz

August 

ab

September 

aylul

October 

techrin el awwal

November 

techrin el téné

December 

kanun el awwal

[edit] Writing time and date (Ktaba wakit wa toarik)

Give some examples how to write clock times and dates if it differs from English.

[edit] Colors

black 

aswad (m) sawda (f)

white 

abyad(m) bayda (f)

gray 

rmédé

red 

aHmar

blue 

azraq

yellow 

aSfar

green 

akhDar

orange 

"orange" (french)

purple 

"mauve" (french)

brown 

benné

[edit] Transportation (Safar)

[edit] Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____? 

b'eddésh el tiket a (...)

One ticket to _____, please. 

tiket wehdé,______ emelé ma'ruf(...)

Where does this train/bus go? 

la Wéin bi rouh el train/buss? (...)

Where is the train/bus to _____? 

weino el train/duss? (...)

Does this train/bus stop in _____? 

hal el train bi waqif bi_____? (...)

When does the train/bus for _____ leave? 

Aymata el train/el bussla _____ b'yemshé? (...)

When will this train/bus arrive in _____? 

Aymata raH yousal el train_____? (...)

Where are you going? 

la wein inta rayeh?

[edit] Directions

How do I get to _____ ? 

keef bousal ala _____ ? (...)

...the train station? 

...mahatet el train? (...)

...the bus station? 

...mahatet el bus? (...)

...the airport? 

...el matar? (...)

...downtown? 

...downtown(English used)? (...)

...the youth hostel? 

...the youth hostel? (...)

...the _____ hotel? 

...el _____ hotel? (...)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? 

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? (safar amrikiyye)

Where are there a lot of... 

wein fi ktir... (...)

...hotels? 

...hotel? (hotel/fundoq)

...restaurants? 

...mataa'm? (...)

...bars? 

...bars? (...)

...sites to see? 

...mahallét tan' shouf? (...)

Can you show me on the map? 

feek 'tfarjiné ala el khrita (...)

Where is the airport? 

wein el matar?

street 

tareek (...)

Turn left. 

khod shmel (...)

Turn right. 

khod yameen (...)

left 

shmel (...)

right 

yameen (...)

straight ahead 

deghré eddém (...)

towards the _____ 

sob el _____ (...)

past the _____ 

ba'd el '_____ (...)

before the _____ 

abel el '_____ (...)

Watch for the _____. 

entebeh l'el _____. (...)

intersection 

taqato' (...)

north 

shmél

south 

jnoub

east 

shareq

west 

ghareb

uphill 

foq (...)

downhill 

tahet (...)

Car rental agency 

Shirkit ta'jir siarat

passport 

jawéz safar

[edit] Taxi

Taxi! 

"Taxi!" (english)

Take me to _____, please. 

khedne 'ala ____, "please" (english)

How much does it cost to get to _____? 

adde el towsile 3a ____?

Take me there, please. 

khedne la honik, "please" (english)

[edit] Lodging

Do you have any rooms available? 

fi owad fadiyeh? (...)

How much is a room for one person/two people? 

addé el oda la shakhs/la shaksein? (...)

Does the room come with... 

b'tejé el oda ma'... (...)

...bedsheets? 

...couvrelits? (...)

...a bathroom? 

...hemmém (...)

...a telephone? 

... telephon? (...)

...a TV? 

... Television? (...)

May I see the room first? 

finé shouf el oda b'el awal? (...)

Do you have anything quieter? 

fi indkon shi arwaq? (...)

...bigger? 

akbar

...cleaner? 

...andaf? (...)

...cheaper? 

...arkhas? (...)

OK, I'll take it. 

OK, lah ékheda. (...)

I will stay for _____ night(s). 

lah ebqa_____ layélé. (...)

Can you suggest another hotel? 

b'tonsah bi hotel téné? (...)

Do you have a safe? 

endkon khazné? (...)

What time is breakfast/supper? 

ayya se'a el terwi'a/el 'asha? (...)

Please clean my room. 

please naddiflé el oda. (...)

Can you wake me at _____? | fiké t'wa'iné al_____? (...)

I want to check out. 

baddi a'mol check out. (...)

[edit] Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? 

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? (...)

Do you accept British pounds? 

Do you accept British pounds? (...)

Do you accept credit cards? 

Do you accept credit cards? (...)

Can you change money for me? 

Can you change money for me? (...)

Where can I get money changed? 

Where can I get money changed? (...)

Can you change a traveler's check for me? 

Can you change a traveler's check for me? (...)

Where can I get a traveler's check changed? 

Where can I get a traveler's check changed? (...)

What is the exchange rate? 

What is the exchange rate? (...)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? 

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? (...)

[edit] Eating

A table for one person/two people, please. 

A table for one person/two people, please. (...)

Can I look at the menu, please? 

Can I look at the menu, please? (...)

Can I look in the kitchen? 

Can I look in the kitchen? (...)

Is there a house specialty? 

Is there a house specialty? (...)

Is there a local specialty? 

Is there a local specialty? (...)

I'm a vegetarian. 

I'm a vegetarian. (...)

I don't eat pork. 

ma bekol khanzeer

I don't eat beef. 

I don't eat beef. (...)

I only eat kosher food. 

bakol akl kosher we-bas (Halal)

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) 

Can you make it "lite", please? (...)

fixed-price meal 

fixed-price meal (...)

à la carte 

à la carte (...)

breakfast 

terwiqa

lunch 

ghada

tea (meal) 

shay

supper 

supper (...)

I want _____. 

badde

I want a dish containing _____. 

I want a dish containing _____. (...)

chicken 

djéj

meat 

lahmé(...)

fish 

samak (...)

ham 

ham (...)

sausage 

sausage (...)

cheese 

jebné

eggs 

béid (...)

salad 

salata

(fresh) vegetables 

(fresh) vegetables (...)

(fresh) fruit 

(fresh) fruit (...)

bread 

khebez

toast 

toast (...)

noodles 

noodles (...)

rice 

riz

beans 

foul

May I have a glass of _____? 

May I have a glass of _____? (...)

May I have a cup of _____? 

May I have a cup of _____? (...)

May I have a bottle of _____? 

May I have a bottle of _____? (...)

coffee 

aHwe

tea (drink) 

shay

juice 

asseer

(bubbly) water 

water(...)

water 

mai

beer 

beera

red/white wine 

red/white wine (...)

May I have some _____? 

May I have some _____? (...)

salt 

milH

black pepper 

filful aswad

butter 

butter (...)

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

law sama7t

I'm finished. 

I'm finished. (...)

It was delicious. 

kenet teibé

Please clear the plates. 

Please clear the plates. (...)

The check, please. 

The check, please. (...)

[edit] Bars

Do you serve alcohol? 

'andak mashroob

Is there table service? 

Is there table service? (...)

A beer/two beers, please. 

waHde bira/tintin bira,iza btrid

A glass of red/white wine, please. 

A glass of red/white wine, please. (...)

A pint, please. 

A pint, please. (...)

A bottle, please. 

A bottle, please. (...)

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. 

_____ and _____, please. (...)

whiskey 

whiskey

vodka 

vodka (...)

rum 

rum (...)

water 

mai / ma'

club soda 

club soda (...)

tonic water 

tonic water (...)

orange juice 

asseer burdaan

Coke (soda) 

cola

Do you have any bar snacks? 

Do you have any bar snacks? (...)

One more, please. 

waHad teni min faDlak

Another round, please. 

Another round, please. (...)

When is closing time? 

When is closing time? (...)

[edit] Shopping

Do you have this in my size? 

Do you have this in my size? (fi iyesse...)

How much is this? 

bi addeh hai? (...)

That's too expensive. 

haida ghalee kteer. (...)

Would you take _____? 

Would you take _____? (btekhdo ...)

expensive 

ghalee (...)

cheap 

rakhees (...)

I can't afford it. 

I can't afford it. (mafineh 2i2bala)

I don't want it. 

Ma baddi. (...)

You're cheating me. 

You're cheating me. (3ambitghesh)

I'm not interested. 

I'm not interested. (manne mehtam)

OK, I'll take it. 

OK, I'll take it. (tayeb 7a 2aekhida)

Can I have a bag? 

Can I have a bag? (byitla3leh shanta)

Do you ship (overseas)? 

Do you ship (overseas)? (.indkon shahn doualy..)

I need... 

baddi

...toothpaste. 

...toothpaste. (m3ajoun snen...)

...a toothbrush. 

...a toothbrush. (fersheyet snen...)

...tampons. 

...tampons. (it is recommended to say the brand ...)

...soap. 

saboon

...shampoo. 

shampoo

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) 

...pain reliever. (dawa lal waj3a...)

...cold medicine. 

...cold medicine. (dawa lal rasheh...)

...stomach medicine. 

...stomach medicine. (dawa lal me3de...)

...a razor. 

...a razor. (shafret hle'a...)

...an umbrella. 

shamsiyye

...sunblock lotion. 

...sunblock lotion. (creme lal shams...)

...a postcard. 

...a postcard. (bitta'a baridiye...)

...postage stamps. 

...postage stamps. (tawabe3 barid...)

...batteries. 

...batteries. (bittariyet...)

...writing paper. 

...writing paper. (wara' mketib...)

...a pen. 

qalam

...English-language books. 

...kitab ingelizi. (...)

...English-language magazines. 

...English-language magazines. (majalle inglizie ...)

...an English-language newspaper. 

...jareeda ingelizia. (...)

...an English-English dictionary. 

...an English-English dictionary. (amous inglizi...)

[edit] Driving

I want to rent a car. 

I want to rent a car. (...)

Can I get insurance? 

Can I get insurance? (...)

stop (on a street sign) 

Qaf

one way 

one way (...)

yield 

yield (...)

no parking 

no parking (...)

speed limit 

speed limit (...)

gas (petrol) station 

gas station (...)

petrol 

benzene

diesel 

mezud

[edit] Authority

I haven't done anything wrong. 

I haven't done anything wrong. (ma 3amalt shi ghalat...)

It was a misunderstanding. 

It was a misunderstanding. (sou' tafehum...)

Where are you taking me? 

Where are you taking me? (wayn ekhdini...)

Am I under arrest? 

Am I under arrest? (ana maou'ouf?...)

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. 

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (ana mouaten amerkeni/australi/britani/canadi/...)

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. 

I need to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. (baddi ehki m3a l'safara/l'onsliye l amerkenie/l australie/l britanie/l canadie/...)

I want to talk to a lawyer. 

I want to talk to a lawyer. (baddi ottosil bi mohami ...)

Can I just pay a fine now? 

Can I just pay a fine now? (fiye idf3a gharameh/zabet...)

[edit] Asking about language

How do you say _____ ? 

How do you say _____ ? ('Kif bit 'ool )

What is this/that called? 

What is this/that called? (Shu ismo hayda/Hayda Shu?)