Master Levantine Arabic Phrases for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide

 

Levantine Arabic is a dialect spoken in countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and Syria. Learning this dialect can be a rewarding experience, opening up opportunities for travel, work, and cultural understanding. One of the best ways to learn Levantine Arabic is by mastering common phrases, which will not only help you communicate more effectively but also provide a solid foundation for further study. In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover 10 essential sections, with multiple sub-sections, to help you learn Levantine Arabic phrases for beginners. We'll also include a table, images, and Arabic and English translations to make the learning process as smooth as possible.

 

1. Greetings and Basic Courtesies

1.1 Greetings

• Hi: مَرْحبا (marHaba)
• Goodbye: مَع السَّلامة (ma3 as-salaameh)
• Good morning: صَباح الخير (SabaaH Al-khayr)
• Good night: تِصْبَح عَلَى خير (tiSbaH 3alaa khayr)
• Good evening: مَساء الخير (masaa' Al-khayr)

1.2 Basic Courtesies

• Please: لَو سَمَحِت (law samaHit) / مِن فَضْلَك (min faDlak)
• Thank you: شُكْرا (shukran)
• You're welcome: عَفْواً (3afwan)
• Excuse me: عَفْواً (3afwan)
• Sorry: آسِف (aasif) / آسْفة (aasfeh)

2. Introductions and Personal Information

2.1 Introductions

• My name is: إسمي (ismii)
• Nice to meet you: تْشَرَّفْنا (tsharrafnaa)
• I am from: أنا من (ana min)

2.2 Personal Information

• Age: كَم عُمْرَك (kam 3omrak) / كَم عُمْرِك (Kam 3omrik)
• Occupation: شو شُغْلَك (shou shughlak) / شو شُغْلِك (shou shughlik)
• Marital status: أنا مِتْزَوِّج (ana mitzawwij) / أنا مِتْزَوّجة (ana mitzawwja)

3. Getting to Know Someone

3.1 Asking About Someone

• How are you?: كيف حالَك؟ (kiif Haalak) / كيف حالِك؟ (Kiif Haalik)
• Where do you live?: وين ساكِن؟ (wein saakin) / وين ساكْنة (wein saakneh)
• Do you have any siblings?: عِنْدَك إخْوة؟ (3indak ikhwa) / عِنْدِك إخْوة؟ (3indik ikhwa)

3.2 Sharing Your Interests

• I like: بِحِب (biHib)
• I dislike: ما بِحِب (maa biHib)
• My hobbies are: هواياتي (hawaayati)

4. Conversational Phrases

4.1 Asking for Help or Information

• Can you help me?: مُمْكِنْ تْساعِدْني؟ (mumkin tsaa3idni) / مُمْكِنْ تْساعِديني؟ (mumkin tsaa3idiini)
• Do you speak English?: بْتِحْكي إنْجليزي؟ (btiHki injliizi)
• Can you repeat that?: بْتِقْدَر تْعيد؟ (btiqdar t3iid) / بْتِقْدَري تْعيدي؟ (btiqdari t3iidii)

4.2 Expressing Opinions and Agreement

• I think: بَظُنّ (bazonn)
• I agree: أنا مُوافِق (ana muwaafiq) / أنا مُوافْقة (ana muwaaqa)
• I don't think so: ما أَتْوَقَّع (maa atwaqqa3)

5. Common Expressions and Idioms

5.1 Everyday Expressions

• What's new?: شو في جْديد؟ (shou fi jdiid)
• No problem: مِش مُشْكِلة (mish mushkileh)
• Of course: طَبْعاً (Tab3an)

5.2 Idioms

• على كل حال (3alaa kull Hal): In any case, anyway
• على فكرة (3alaa fikra): By the way
• على سيرة (3alaa seera): Speaking of

6. Numbers, Time, and Directions

6.1 Numbers

• One: واحِد (waHid)
• Two: إثْنين (ithnein)
• Three: تْلاتة (tlaateh)

6.2 Time

• What time is it?: كَم السّاعة؟ (kam as-saa3a)
• At what time?: أيّ ساعة؟ (ayy saa3a)

6.3 Directions

• Where?: وين؟ (wein)
• Left: شْمال (shmaal)
• Right: يَمين (yameen)

7. Shopping and Dining

7.1 Shopping

• How much does this cost?: بِكَم هاد؟ (bikam haad)
• I want to buy: بِدّي أِشتري (biddi ishtari)
• Can I try this on?: مُمْكِن أجرب هاد؟ (mumkin ajarrab haad)

7.2 Dining

• Can I see the menu?: مُمْكِن أشوف القائمة؟ (mumkin ashuuf al-qaaima)
• I would like: كان نَفْسي (kaan nafsi)
• Bon appetit: صَحْتين (SaHtein)

8. Travel and Transportation

8.1 Asking for Directions

• Where is the nearest hotel?: وين أقْرَب فُندُق؟ (wein aqrab funduq)
• How can I get to the airport?: كيف بِقْدَر أوصل للمَطار؟ (kayf biqdar awSal lil-maTaar)

8.2 Transportation

• Bus: باص (baaS)
• Taxi: تاكسي (taaksi)
• Train: قِطار (qitaar)

9. Emergency and Health

9.1 Emergency

• Help!: ساعِدوني! (saa3iduuni)
• Call the police!: إتْصِل بالشُرْطة! (itSil bil-shurTa)

9.2 Health

• I'm sick: أنا مَريض (Ana mariiD) / أنا مَريضة (ana mariiDa)
• I need a doctor: بِدّي دُكتور (biddi duktoor)

10. Learning Levantine Arabic Phrases for Beginners: Tips and Resources

Here are some tips and resources to help you learn Levantine Arabic phrases as a beginner:

1. Practice speaking with native speakers, either in person or through language exchange apps.
2. Watch Arabic TV series and movies, paying attention to the phrases and expressions used by the characters.
3. Use flashcards or spaced repetition software to help you memorize the phrases.
4. Join a language study group or take a course focused on Levantine Arabic.
5. Use a phrasebook or dictionary to expand your vocabulary.

By following these tips and using the resources provided in this guide, you'll be well on your way to mastering Levantine Arabic phrases for beginners.

English	Arabic Male	Arabic Female
Hi	مَرْحبا (marHaba)	مَرْحبا (marHaba)
Goodbye	مَع السَّلامة (ma3 as-salaameh)	مَع السَّلامة (ma3 as-salaameh)
How are you?	كيف حالَك؟ (kiif Haalak)	كيف حالِك؟ (Kiif Haalik)
Thank you	شُكْرا (shukran)	شُكْرا (shukran)
I'm sorry	آسِف (aasif)	آسْفة (aasfeh)
Can you help me?	مُمْكِنْ تْساعِدْني؟ (mumkin tsaa3idni)	مُمْكِنْ تْساعِديني؟ (mumkin tsaa3idiini)

In conclusion, learning Levantine Arabic phrases as a beginner is an essential step in becoming fluent in the dialect. By studying the phrases provided in this guide, along with practicing your speaking and listening skills, you'll be well on your way to mastering Levantine Arabic. Happy learning!