Slang

1. هيا نمشيو

   hayya nemshiw

   Come on, let us go

   Usage

   To get a friend or companion moving.

   Grammar Note

   "Hayya" is followed by the "we" present form; a dictionary example reads "let us go home". A sentence assembled from attested words.

2. خلاص

   khlāṣ

   That is it, enough

   Usage

   For stopping a refill or closing a haggle. A sharp tone makes it curt.

   Grammar Note

   On its own it means "that is it, enough". A sentence assembled from attested words.

3. كل شي باهي

   kol shī bāhi

   All is well

   Usage

   Answers "how is it going" or tells someone nothing is wrong.

   Grammar Note

   "Shī" (thing) with "kol" (all) is followed by an adjective. A sentence assembled from attested words.

4. أيا باهي

   ayya bāhi

   Alright then

   Usage

   A word that moves things on; "ayya" is a common "come on, then".

   Grammar Note

   "Ayya" is a word of urging. A sentence assembled from attested words.

5. طبعا

   ṭabʿa

   Of course

   Usage

   A warm yes to a request. Fine with anyone.

   Grammar Note

   A dictionary example reads "of course I went to work yesterday". A sentence assembled from attested words.

6. عادي

   ʿādi

   It is normal, no big deal

   Usage

   Waves off a small apology or slip.

   Grammar Note

   On its own it means "normal, fine". A sentence assembled from attested words.

7. ما تقلقش روحك

   mā tqalleq-sh rūḥek

   Do not worry

   Usage

   Reassures the other person; the same for a man or a woman.

   Grammar Note

   A negative command uses "mā…-sh"; a dictionary example contains this phrase. A sentence assembled from attested words.

8. خويا

   khūya

   Bro

   Usage

   A friendly address between men or to a shopkeeper; literally "my brother". Not for women.

   Grammar Note

   "Khū" (brother) plus "-ya", "my". A sentence assembled from attested words.

9. يا صاحبي

   yā ṣāḥbi

   Hey, my friend

   Usage

   Between male friends of similar age. Not for an elder or a woman.

   Grammar Note

   "Yā" calls out to someone; "ṣāḥeb" (friend) plus "-i", "my". A sentence assembled from attested words.

10. شنوا أحوالك؟

    shnuwwa aḥwālek?

    How are things?

    Usage

    A greeting for friends and acquaintances; with a stranger "lābās?" is safer.

    Grammar Note

    "Aḥwāl" is "state, circumstances" and "-ek" is "your"; a dictionary example has "how are things, well?". A sentence assembled from attested words.

11. شنوا الأخبار؟

    shnuwwa l-akhbār?

    What is the news?

    Usage

    A casual greeting among friends.

    Grammar Note

    "Akhbār" is "news" and doubles as a greeting. A sentence assembled from attested words.

12. أنا متفرهد

    ana mtfarhed

    I am having a good time

    Usage

    Colloquial for enjoying your stay or outing. A woman adds "-a".

    Grammar Note

    An adjective; a woman adds the feminine ending "-a". A sentence assembled from attested words.

13. ميا بالميا

    mīya b-l-mīya

    One hundred percent

    Usage

    Strong agreement or certainty.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example reads "the story is one hundred percent true". A sentence assembled from attested words.

14. دبة دبة

    dobba dobba

    Slowly, slowly

    Usage

    To ask a driver to slow down or to calm someone who is rushing.

    Grammar Note

    The word is doubled to mean "step by step". A sentence assembled from attested words.

15. يعطيك الصحة

    yʿaṭṭīk ṣ-ṣaḥḥa

    Thanks, may you keep your health

    Usage

    Thanks to a cook or to someone who helped; the same for a man or a woman.

    Grammar Note

    The short form of "may God give you health". A sentence assembled from attested words.

16. أيا صحا ليكم

    ayya ṣaḥḥa līkum

    Enjoy your meal

    Usage

    Said to people who are eating; the plural "you" form.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example answers "are you eating leblabi?" with this phrase. A sentence assembled from attested words.

17. شاهية طيبة

    shāhya ṭayyba

    Bon appétit

    Usage

    Said to someone about to eat.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example reads "I wish you a good appetite". A sentence assembled from attested words.

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