Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Friday, July 18, 2025
    961
    Instagram Facebook LinkedIn TikTok
    • Breaking News
    • Guides
    • Food & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Join the Team
    • Whatsapp
      • 961
      • 961 News
    Advertise with Us Get the App
    961
    Home»Magazine»Listicles
    @goercommunity | @itsmylebanon
    4 Mins Read

    20 Typical Lebanese Slang Expressions

    By Souad LazkaniApril 21, 2020Updated:April 21, 2020
    Facebook WhatsApp Copy Link

    Languages are fascinating. You may speak the language of a country but fail to keep up with new colloquial terms.

    The Lebanese people are masters of creating new phrases that become instant hits. They are multilingual and even use words from different languages in the same sentence; prime example, “Hi, kifak, ça va?”

    There are several words that we use today in our every day lives that we seldom stop to think about why we even use them. Behold, the Urban Dictionary, Lebanese Edition!

    #1 Asle  

    The term Asle means authentic. However, Lebanese use it to speak of a person who is dear to their heart; often a best friend.

    Samir khaye el asle, for instance, translates literally into Samir my authentic brother when it is meant to say Samir is my true friend.

    #2 Shou fi ma fi?

    Literally means “what’s there and what’s not” but it’s a Lebanese slang used to open a casual conversation, pretty much like “What’s up?”

    #3 Bsheel

    Agreeing to do something another person has suggested; to be “down” So when someone asks “Would you like to go to the football match?” and the person answers Bsheel, it means that he/she is down for it.

    #4 Khosh bosh

    The origin of this term is unknown. It doesn’t even exist in the Arabic dictionary. We use it to express what is an “easy-going” relationship, attitude, or even a buddy.

    So when you hear a Lebanese saying “She and I are Khosh bosh,” that’s saying “We’re buddies.” And when someone says about a person “he’s too khosh bosh,” that means he has a loose attitude.

    #5 Mukheef / mukheefe

    A term meaning “scary” yet commonly used in the Lebanese language to indicate someone or something that is unbelievably amazing.

    You would hear something like Wow, siyarto mukheefe! which is actually meant to say “his car is awesome!”

    #6 Salbeh

    Another word that is quite impossible to locate in the dictionary, yet widely understood in Lebanon to mean “Cool” or “super cool.”

    “Have you met the new professor?” And if the professor is really a super cool guy, you might hear a Lebanese saying, “Eh, wallah, salbeh!”

    #7 Sakkarto / bakkalto

    Often used to state an achievement we’ve just made, or something we nailed, like acing a test, or an interview.

    #8 Tabashna

    Right the opposite of the term baklato in the same context, Tabashna is meant to say “we crashed” as in we failed an exam or a venture or similar.

    #9 3ayoush / 3ayoushe

    A slang originating from “lively”, the Lebanese use it to say about something that is amazing, exciting, or about someone who is fun to be around.

    #10 Shu Mishen

    Right, it means to say exactly what the image says: “What the heck?”

    #11 3anjad?

    Because Lebanese people joke so much, they use this word to differentiate between jokes and facts, and its literal translation is: “for-real.”

    “Mom, 3anjad, you kicked Sarah out of the house?”

    #12 Lah walaw

    Seriously, there is no translation to this slang as we only know that “lah” is “no” and the walaw is not a recorded word in the language.

    And yet, we so use that expression in our verbal communication as a reaction of refusal (someone wants to pay for our meal at a restaurant) or disbelief whether towards bad news (as in: Oh no! Are you serious?).

    #13 Wlak / Wlek

    A common Lebanese expression of frustration (as in ugh and arg), with origin unknown.

    #14 Khod Hawiyti

    Literally translates into take-my-ID-card: used when someone is being too noisy or tactless or indiscreet.

    #15 Zahhit / zahte

    It literally means “go slid” and is commonly used in Lebanon to say to someone: Buzz off, or get lost.

    #16 Gallops

    Similar to zahhit, but used in a friendly and joking manner instead.

    #17 Dawbel

    It’s said to someone driving to pass in front of another car.

    #18 Kabasta / kabasto

    Generally used to say “I bashed him” and it is sometimes used to refer to exaggerate something being done to make it seem extraordinary.

    • Contributed by Mariane Kahale, a graduate of Filmmaking, Museum Studies, and Cultural Management.

    #19 MEJ

    This slang stands for Ma Ele Jalad, a Lebanese expression of laziness.

    • Contributed by Mariane Kahale, a graduate of Filmmaking, Museum Studies, and Cultural Management.

    #20 Rekbit

    A Lebanese slang used to indicate that the plan finally came together and all is set to go.

    • Contributed by Mariane Kahale, a graduate of Filmmaking, Museum Studies, and Cultural Management.
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email

    For You

    Lebanese talking-stage

    15 Things Your Lebanese Talking-Stage Will Tell You, And What It Actually Means

    Help Lebanon

    Not Sure How to Help Lebanon? Start Here!

    Lebanese

    5 Good News So Far That’ll Make You Optimistic About Lebanon

    Dating

    12 Things You Need To Know About Dating In Lebanon

    Lebanese women

    8 Things Lebanese Women Will Almost Immediately Notice About You

    Lebanese expats

    Lebanese Expats Are Sharing Stuff They Can’t Find Abroad, And I Honestly Can’t Imagine Living Without Them

    shark tank Lebanon

    Shark Tank Is Officially Coming To Lebanon – Here’s How You Can Get A Chance To Pitch Your Idea

    lebanon jounieh cyprus by ferry 961

    You’ll Soon Be Able To Travel Between Lebanon & Cyprus By Ferry

    June 8, 2025

    20 Celebrities You Probably Didn’t Know Had Lebanese Roots

    April 22, 2019
    whish pay lebanon 961

    You Can Now Use Whish Pay At Shopify Stores

    June 13, 2025

    Lebanon’s Shawarma Is Going Viral in The Philippines

    April 21, 2019
    Lebanese boutiques

    25 Boutiques In Lebanon To Find Your Dream Evening Dress This Wedding Season

    June 9, 2024

    How Mia Khalifa Became One Of The Most Outspoken Advocates For Lebanon

    August 13, 2020

    20 Typical Lebanese Slang Expressions

    April 21, 2020
    arabic words

    30 Beautiful Arabic Words You Probably Want To Learn

    April 22, 2020
    caracalla one thousand and one nights

    Caracalla Just Added More Dates For “One Thousand and One Nights” & You Def Don’t Want To Miss It!

    July 5, 2025
    961 Logo
    Facebook WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

    Popular Topics

    • Guides
    • Eat & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Lebanon News
    • Diaspora
    • Explained

    961

    • About
    • WhatsApp Channel
    • News WhatsApp Channel
    • Corrections Policy
    • Ownership & Funding

    Services

    • Advertise
    • Careers
    • App Waitlist
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    961™ | All Rights Reserved ©2025
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.