Lebanese expressions make absolutely no sense when directly translated into English!
Rou7 ballit el ba7er
Literal translation: go tile the sea.
Meaning: get lost!
El ered bi 3ein emmo ghazel
Literal translation: the monkey is a deer in his mother’s eyes.
Meaning: mothers consider their children perfect even if they’re not.
Dammak/dammik t2il
Literal translation: your blood is heavy.
Meaning: you are annoying.
Ade l wled chana2 7alo
Literal translation: the kids’ judge hung himself.
Meaning: usually said when people are trying to figure out why children are fighting. In other words, it’s hard to understand why children fight.
Ma tsib/tsibe bel 3en
Literal translation: don’t hit it in the eye.
Meaning: don’t jinx it.
Ma ta3te/ta3tiya wej
Literal translation: don’t give him/her a face.
Meaning: don’t give him/her too much attention
El 3ein basira wel id asira
Literal translation: the eye can see but the hand is short.
Meaning: sometimes we have a vision but we do not have the capacity to achieve our goal.
3ala rase
Literal translation: on my head.
Meaning: I would do anything for you.
Tanjra w le2it ghataha
Literal translation: a pot found its cover.
Meaning: said of two people who click.
Ensa l bansa
Literal translation: forget the pliers.
Meaning: forget about it.
Lsenak/lsenik tawil
Literal translation: your tongue is long.
Meaning: said of someone who gossips a lot.
3ayesh/3ayshe bel khasse
Literal translation: he/she is living in a lettuce.
Meaning: said of someone who has no idea what’s going on.
3aynak/3aynik day2a
Literal translation: your eye is tight.
Meaning: said of someone who won’t share things with other people.
Atal l atil w meshe bi jnezto
Literal translation: he/she killed the victim and walked in his/her funeral.
Meaning: said of a person who causes the damage then acts innocent.
Fi baynetna khebez w mele7
Literal translation: there’s bread and salt between us.
Meaning: said of two people that are close to each other.
Hamil/hamle el sellom bel 3ared
Literal translation: he/she is carrying the ladder horizontally.
Meaning: he/she is complicating thing.
Fet/fetit bel het
Literal translation: he/she hit the wall.
Meaning: said of someone who is in serious trouble.
Baselto/Baselta ma7rou2a
Literal translation: his/her onion is burnt.
Meaning: he/she is impatient.
Men temmak/temmik la beb el sama
Literal translation: from your mouth to the sky’s door.
Meaning: I hope your wish will come true.
El tekrar bi 3allim l hmar
Literal translation: repetition teaches a donkey.
Meaning: practice makes perfect.
