Lebanese people often speak in code.
“Serna waslin”
Translation: “We’re almost there.”
Meaning: “We’re not even close.”
“Rayhin na3moul zyara chi se3a”
Translation: “The visit will last an hour.”
Meaning: Visits in Lebanon last from three hours to a whole day. You’re drinking coffee and next thing you know you’re having dinner.
“Lbeso 3ade”
Translation: “Dress casual.”
Meaning: Always be extra.
“Wosil l salem”
Translation: I’ll tell them you said hi.
Meaning: Nope, you’ll forget about it in one nanosecond.
“Ntebho 3a chou 3am teklo w techrabo”
Translation: Be careful what you eat and drink.
Meaning: Parents tell this to their kids before going to a party. It simply means..
They’re right. Be careful folks.
“3tine l chou esmo”
Translation: “Pass me the thingy.”
Meaning: Nobody knows what the thingy is.
“Seret jehiz/jehze”
Translation: “I’m ready.”
Meaning: We’re never ready.
“Hatto l rakwe”
Translation: “Prepare the coffee pot.”
Meaning: Make coffee because we’re coming over for a visit. People usually say that when visiting on short notice.
“Bchouf”
Translation: “I’ll see.”
Meaning: Forget about it.
“Extra toum”
Translation: “Extra garlic sauce.”
Meaning: I want to see my sandwich drowning in garlic.
“Fachekhten w btousal(e)”
Translation: “It’s two steps away.”
Meaning: Sometimes it takes you hours to get there. We need to start using the metric system.
“Eh akid men zabbeta chi nhar”
Translation: “Sure, we’ll go out sometime.”
Meaning: LOL it’s never going to happen.
“Mkhaffaf/mkhaffefe akel”
Translation: I’m on a diet.
Meaning: It either means that the person is really on a diet or he/she is politely rejecting to eat something they hate.
