Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic: Jordanian Dialect 9780367420383, 9780367420390, 9780367817503
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic: Jordanian Dialect is a unique resource for intermediate and advanc
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Table of contents :
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Preface
Introduction
حرف الألف
حرف الباء
حرف التاء
حرف الثاء
حرف الجیم
حرف الحاء
حرف الخاء
حرف الدال
حرف الذال
حرف الراء
حرف الزاي
حرف السین
حرف الشین
حرف الصاد
حرف الضاد
حرف الطاء
حرف الظاء
حرف العین
حرف الغین
حرف الفاء
حرف القاف
حرف الكاف
حرف اللام
حرف المیم
حرف النون
حرف الھاء
حرف الواو
حرف الیاء
References
Online dictionaries consulted for the English equivalents
Citation preview
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic: Jordanian Dialect is a unique resource for intermediate and advanced learners of Arabic. The book contains over 2000 of the most common idioms and idiomatic expressions used in Levantine Arabic–Jordanian dialect. Each idiom is presented with a sample sentence or dialogue, which provides the authentic sociocultural context necessary to better understand how to use each idiomatic expression appropriately. Ideal for students studying Levantine/Jordanian Arabic or planning to study and/or live in Jordan or the Levant, this book provides learners with a wealth of basic vocabulary and structures that will raise their meta-linguistic awareness of Arabic in general and Jordanian Arabic in particular. Elham Alzoubi is Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic Jordanian Dialect Elham Alzoubi
First published 2020 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Routledge 52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2020 Elham Alzoubi The right of Elham Alzoubi to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalog record for this book has been requested ISBN: 978-0-367-42038-3 (hbk) ISBN: 978-0-367-42039-0 (pbk) ISBN: 978-0-367-81750-3 (ebk) Typeset in Times New Roman by Apex CoVantage, LLC
Contents
Preface | vii Introduction | ix
| 1ﺣﺮف اﻷﻟﻒ | 21ﺣﺮف اﻟﺒﺎء | 38ﺣﺮف اﻟﺘﺎء | 40ﺣﺮف اﻟﺜﺎء | 41ﺣﺮف اﻟﺠﯿﻢ | 44ﺣﺮف اﻟﺤﺎء | 51ﺣﺮف اﻟﺨﺎء | 56ﺣﺮف اﻟﺪال | 60ﺣﺮف اﻟﺬال | 61ﺣﺮف اﻟﺮاء | 67ﺣﺮف اﻟﺰاي | 72ﺣﺮف اﻟﺴﯿﻦ | 77ﺣﺮف اﻟﺸﯿﻦ | 85ﺣﺮف اﻟﺼﺎد | 89ﺣﺮف اﻟﻀﺎد | 91ﺣﺮف اﻟﻄﺎء | 96ﺣﺮف اﻟﻈﺎء | 97ﺣﺮف اﻟﻌﯿﻦ | 112ﺣﺮف اﻟﻐﯿﻦ | 115ﺣﺮف اﻟﻔﺎء | 121ﺣﺮف اﻟﻘﺎف | 129ﺣﺮف اﻟﻜﺎف | 135ﺣﺮف اﻟﻼم | 145ﺣﺮف اﻟﻤﯿﻢ
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Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
| ﺣﺮف اﻟﻨﻮن169 | ﺣﺮف اﻟﮭﺎء175 | ﺣﺮف اﻟﻮاو179 | ﺣﺮف اﻟﯿﺎء187 References | 191 Online dictionaries consulted for the English equivalents | 192
Preface
This book is a collection of the most commonly used idioms and idiomatic expressions in the Levantine Arabic–Jordanian dialect. It is a guide to communicating effectively with native speakers of the language. Idioms are a group of words that mean something different than what is literally being said, and it is very difficult to guess and predict their meaning from each word on its own. Learning these idioms will help the Arabic language students and learners to become more fluent when speaking Levantine Arabic–Jordanian dialect and it will make them sound more natural, which will help them connect with people. Knowing idioms also makes the learning process more enjoyable and appealing. Learning idioms can help the students and learners simply and elegantly express complex ideas. Normally, the learner would need an advanced level of proficiency to use idioms properly, but with the help of this book it will just take practice. Moreover, idioms increase learners’ awareness and knowledge of the Jordanian culture. Idioms are an essential part of daily conversations and verbal interactions, and they are one of the main keys to understanding the culture. Language is driven by the surrounding culture; it is the reflection of the ideas, customs and other cultural aspects of an area. Therefore, not being aware of idioms may lead to misunderstanding, misinterpretation and confusion because idioms are a form of figurative language that includes metaphor, personification, simile and proverbs. A person who has a good command of both English and Arabic and the cultural background will know the importance of learning idioms in order to identify and compare the cultural differences and similarities between the two languages. In this book, each idiom represents a cultural theme that is contextualized with an Arabic example. The Arabic example creates a scenario with a sociocultural theme where interlocutors engage in an authentic context for language use. This book has a wealth of data on idiomatic expressions in Arabic. These idioms and their translations into English and the Arabic examples that contextualize them provide a unique reference for researchers interested in doing linguistic research on idioms and the language variety of these idioms. This book makes it possible to conduct comparative analysis on Arabic–English idioms and their sociocultural roots. Nowadays, an immense number of Arabic language programs in the U.S. send their students to Jordan to study the language for at least one semester. Therefore, this book will be of great benefit to those students. It is a great learning tool that uses communicative and interactive dialogues to show how to use these idioms in context. This book is a collection of over 2,000 of the most commonly used idioms and idiomatic expressions in the Levantine Arabic–Jordanian dialect. It is an invaluable resource and reference work that can be used by learners of Arabic as a foreign language. It is helpful for developing the communicative competence of the learner, especially for students who participate in study abroad programs in Arabic countries. This book is unique in its approach to contextualizing the idiomatic expressions through authentic scenarios and dialogues, written in Arabic, representing the authentic sociocultural context for using these idiomatic expressions. The Arabic examples
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provide the learner a wealth of vital vocabulary and structures that can raise the learner’s metalinguistic awareness of Arabic. This book can be used by intermediate and advanced learners of Arabic as a foreign language who are interested in Levantine Arabic–Jordanian dialect. The learner should at least know the Arabic alphabet and introductory Arabic, Standard, or vernacular Arabic in order to be able to use this book. This book is also an excellent resource and highly beneficial to translators, diplomats, travelers and people who are interested in languages, cultures and dialects. The idioms and idiomatic expressions in this book are organized alphabetically, and they have transliterations to help learners pronounce them correctly. Most idiom books and dictionaries also traditionally list idioms in alphabetical order, which is why this method of organization. An English equivalent is provided along with an Arabic example to activate each idiom and use it in an authentic sociocultural context. The book gives each Levantine Arabic–Jordanian idiom and idiomatic expression the closest English equivalent and not just a literal or general explanation. Under each idiom, a transliteration is provided to facilitate the pronunciation of each idiom/idiomatic expression for learners. At the beginning of the book, there is a table that has Jordanian consonants in Arabic and English.
Introduction
Arabic language and its varieties The Arabic language belongs to the family of Semitic languages, which is the largest existing spoken language of this family. It is spoken in the Middle East and North Africa. The Arabic language is divided into Classical Arabic (CA), Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and Colloquial Arabic. Classical Arabic has no native speakers and may only be learned through formal education. However, the Classical Arabic language is highly regarded in Islamic society as a symbol of Arabic culture and Islamic religion. Ultimately, people are unable to employ the Classical Arabic language within their lives outside of a religious or academic setting. The prestige attached to Classical Arabic derives from the Arabs’ sentimental attachment to this language, as it symbolizes Arabic culture (Al-Wer, 1997). Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the mutually intelligible variety of Arabic in the Arab world. It is understood by all educated native speakers of Arabic no matter what dialect they speak. This variety of Arabic is mainly used in official occasions, the media and when learning the Arabic language. Colloquial Arabic refers to the varieties of the language the native Arabic speakers use in their daily communication. All native speakers speak regional varieties of Arabic and they do not use the MSA in their daily interaction and communication. Each regional variety represents a unique culture and people. The culture and people are the components that differentiate between the spoken varieties and MSA. The Arabic spoken varieties or dialects share an abundance of their vocabulary and grammatical structures with MSA, which is why the dialects are considered varieties of the same language and not different languages. Linguistic properties of Jordanian Arabic Jordanian Arabic (JA) has a number of dialects or varieties that are spoken in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. These dialects are divided into three varieties: urban, rural and Bedouin. The rural variety is essentially the variety of the Houran region in the Levant. This variety is spoken in the Jordanian Houran and is closely related to the variety in the Syrian Houran. Unlike Standard Arabic, the spoken dialects are not used in formal writing, and one can easily differentiate them from standard Arabic due to syntactic differences. Syntactic differences play a very important role in differentiating between the classical and the colloquial varieties of Arabic (Suleiman, 1985: 8). Unlike CA and MSA, JA has an inflectional system of verbs and nouns that is much reduced or totally absent. Regarding word order, JA has both subject-verb-object and verb-subject-object word orders. Moreover, Arabic language has a rich and complex inflectional morphology. Arabic language is built from roots. Its morphology contains roots, patterns, prefixes, suffixes and infixes. The grammatical structure of MSA differs from that of JA. Moreover, most of the inflectional endings in MSA are absent in JA. For example, JA nouns do not have case endings. However, in MSA there are three case endings for nouns, namely nominative, prepositional and objective.
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Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Phonological and phonetic properties of JA The Modern Standard Arabic sound system has 29 consonants, six vowels and two diphthongs. On the other hand, the Jordanian colloquial Arabic phonemic system has 32 consonants, seven vowels and two diphthongs. The most obvious feature of Arabic language is the use of emphatics,1 pharyngeal and uvulars. A brief overview of these three classes of consonants is as follows. Arab grammarians called emphatic sounds “mufaxxama”, which means to emphasize or to make thick. This term was first used by the most famous grammarian Sibawayh. However, he did not use this term to refer to the emphatic sounds [t d, d, s] but rather to describe what he called alif al-tafxim as in the word salat “prayer”. Moreover,̇̄ he called the emphatic sounds mutabaqa, which means to put a cover on something in regard to the position of the tongue when pronouncing these sounds. To produce the sounds, the tip of the tongue is lowered and the root of the tongue is retracted toward the soft palate. Emphatics also have a secondary articulation that involves a retraction of the root of the tongue. This process is known as velarization or pharyngealization. Al-Ani (1970) in his x-ray analysis shows that the tongue is dragged backwards into the upper oropharynx during the articulation of [t ̣]. Based on this observation, Bin-Muqbil (2006) was in favor of calling this process pharyngealization rather than velarization. On the other hand, pharyngeals are the type of consonants that are articulated with the root of the tongue against the pharynx.2 The pharyngeal sounds are the voiceless [h] and the voiced [‘]./‘/ has been described as a voiced pharyngeal fricative and classified as counterpart of /h/. Al-Ani (1970) found that the most common allophone of the /‘/ is actually a voiceless stop and considers it the counterpart of the laryngeal sound /’/, while leaving /h/ to pair with the laryngeal /h/. As for Arabic uvulars,3 these sounds are articulated near the uvula or in the back of the tongue. The uvulars are [kh, gh, q]. Catford (1977) describes the articulation of the Arabic sounds [kh, gh, q] as moving the rearmost portion of the tongue surface towards the posterior soft palate and the uvula. Among these sounds, the voiceless uvular stop [q] is pronounced differently in Jordanian dialects. Consider the following examples: He killed, qatala ‘’ﻗﺘﻞ, has the following variants: /qatala/ /’atal/
(MSA): he killed (urban): he killed
/gatal/ /katal/
(rural and Bedouin): he killed (rural): he killed
General observations on variation in phonology of JA This section presents general observations on the phonology of the Jordanian varieties, namely rural, urban and Bedouin dialects. This section also includes an overview of the phonemic and vowel inventories of JA. /q/: voiceless uvular stop This consonant can be found in some words in the three varieties. These words usually belong to the religion or academia, such as /qur’aˉ n/ “Quran”, and /maqaˉ l/ “article” as in a newspaper. The phoneme /q/ is usually realized as /g/ in the rural and Bedouin varieties. But it is realized as a glottal stop /’/ in the urban variety. So the phoneme /q/ has three variants: [q], [g] and [’]. The variant [g] sometimes changes into /k/ in the rural variety and into /’/ in the urban variety as in the following words:
Introduction
xi
Standard
Rural/Bedouin
Urban
Rural
Meaning
waqt
wagit
wa’it
wagit
time
qatal
gatal
’atal
katal
killed
maqt
magit
ma’it
makit
detesting
muqtadir
migtadir
mi’tadir
miktadir
wealthy
muwaqqat
mwaggat
mwa’’at
mwakkat
temporary
’iqtis ā d
igtis ā d
–
iktis ā d
economic
umm qais
umm gays
–
umm kays
a city in Jordan
qanū n
ganū n
–
kanū n
law
/k/: voiceless velar stop This consonant is the only variant in the urban variety. But it has two variants in the rural and Bedouin varieties: [k] and [tsh]. The following points pertain to the rural and Bedouin varieties. In some words, the consonant /k/ is realized as /tsh/ in the rural and Bedouin varieties. Urban Rural and Bedouin Meaning
Urban
Rural and Meaning Urban
Rural and Meaning
Bedouin
Bedouin
kalb
tshalb
dog
kammal tshammal complete kazab
tshadhab lied
dı̄ k
dı̄ tsh
rooster
ka‘ik
bakā
batshā
tsha‘itsh
cookie
‘ilik
‘ilitsh
gum
he rode
delicious
he cried
rikib
ritshib
zā kı̄
zā tshı̄
harrak harratsh
he stirred
samak
samatsh4 fish
kafkı̄ r
tshaftshı̄ r ladle
birkeh birtsheh
pool
kafan
tshafan
coffin
sakanı̄
satshanı̄
gray
how
makū d
matshū d
jealous
kitim
tshitim
a city in Jordan
kē f
tshē f
malkā maltshā
a city in Jordan hakamā hatshamā a city in
alkayyā l altshayyā l a city in Jordan
Jordan
In the case of the second person object pronouns, there is a dichotomy between the masculine and feminine pronouns. The second person masculine singular object pronoun /-ak/ and second person masculine plural object pronoun /-ko/ cannot change into /-atsh/ and /-tsho/ respectively, while the feminine counterparts can, as in: shā f-ak
shā f-atsh*
he saw you.masc.sg
shā f-ko
shā f-tsho*
he saw you.masc.pl
shā f-ik
shā f-itsh
he saw you.fem.sg
shā f-kin
shā f-tshin
he saw you.fem.pl
/j/: voiced alveo-palatal affricate Sometimes /j/ changes into /tsh/ in the rural variety and into /ʒ/ in the urban variety: Rural
Rural/Bedouin
Urban
Meaning
jarr-uh
tsharr-uh
ʒarr-uh
he dragged it
wijih
witshih
wiʒih
face
majhū l
matshhū l
maʒhū l
unknown
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/S/: voiceless alveolar fricative The voiceless alveolar fricative /s/ changes into the emphatic dental fricative /s/ in the rural dialect but not in the urban dialect, as in the following examples: Urban
Rural
Meaning
sū rah
ṣū rah
qur’anic verse
fustā n
fus tā n
dress
tā seh
tā s eh
casserole
sidir
s idir
tray
‘inbasit
‘inbas it
be happy
/dh/: voiced alveo-palatal affricate This sound changes from dh Æ d in the rural variety and into /d/ in some cases, and into /z/ in ̇̄ the urban variety: Rural
Rural/Bedouin
Urban
Meaning
hā dhā
hā dā ̇̄ hadō l ̇̄ dā g ̇̄ dakar ̇̄ baddakkar ̇̄ ̇̄
hā dā
this
hadō l
these
dā ’
he tasted
hadhō l dhā g dhakar batdhakkar
zakar
male
batzakkar
I remember
In some cases, /d / changes into /z/ in the urban variety as in the last two examples and as in ̇̄ the following ones: bū dah ̇̄ darf ̇̄
bū zah
ice cream
zarf
envelope
/d/: voiced alveolar emphatic This consonant is the only variant in the urban dialect. But it is always changed into /d / in the ̇̄ rural and Bedouin dialects, as in: Urban
Rural/Bedouin
Meaning
damı̄ r
damı̄ r ̇̄ dā ‘ ̇̄ da‘ı̄ f ̇̄ difda‘ ̇̄ dirs ̇̄ damm ̇̄ madmū n ̇̄ darı̄ r ̇̄ ‘adalah ̇̄ fiddah ̇̄ ̇̄ marı̄ d ̇̄
conscience
dā ‘ da‘ı̄ f difda‘ dirs damm madmū n darı̄ r ‘adalah fiddah marı̄ d
went astray weak frog tooth hug guaranteed blind muscle silver sick
Introduction
dihik
dihik ̇̄ daghut ̇̄ daww ̇̄ dē f ̇̄ didd ̇̄
daghut daww dē f didd
xiii
laughter pressure light guest opposite
Al-Wer (1997) points out that no variety in modern dialects has both [d] and [d] as distinct phonemes. Only classical Arabic maintains the contrast between them.̇̄ She reports that Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian varieties can be divided into urban varieties, which have the stop and/or sibilant and nonurban varieties, which have the interdental. In Jordan, the indigenous varieties like Hourani only have the interdental sound because its stop variant [d] is not in the phonemic inventory of local Jordanian. So, the variant [d] is maintained because the ̇̄ the phonemic inventory stop variant [d] is difficult to use consistently due to its absence from of the local Jordanian dialect. However, I used the letter [ ]ضto write the Jordanian words that have the letter [ ]ظas the equivalent of the Standard Arabic []ض. The reason for using the Standard variant in such Jordanian words is to make it easier to look them up in the dictionary under the root letter []ض. /th/ The plain interdental fricative The plain interdental fricative is the only variant in rural and Bedouin varieties. But it is always changed into the dental stop /t/ in the urban variety as in the following examples: Rural
Urban
Meaning
thalā thah
talā tah
three
thō b
tō b
dress
thā nı̄
tā nı̄
second
tha‘lab
ta‘lab
fox
thu‘bā n
tu‘bā n
python
The vowel inventory of JA The MSA vowel system has three short vowels /a, i, u/, three long vowels /aˉ , ī, uˉ / and two diphthongs /ay, aw/. JA has this set of long and short vowels: /i/, /ī/, /a/, /aˉ /, /u/, /uˉ /, /oˉ/, /eˉ / and two diphthongs /aw/ and /ay/. Consider the following examples: i, ī a, aˉ u, uˉ oˉ eˉ aw ay
/bint/ “girl” /katab/ “wrote” /kum/ “sleeve” /khoˉf/ “fear” /‘agleˉ n/ “two minds” /law/ “if” /’ay/ “any”
/bīr/ “well” /ktaˉ b/ “book” /zbuˉ n/ “client”
General phonological processes This section presents general phonological processes that might be helpful to learners who might know the Standard equivalent of the Jordanian words.
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Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Assimilation Assimilation is a linguistic process by which a sound becomes similar to the neighboring sound in articulation. There are two types of assimilation, namely, regressive and progressive assimilation. Regressive assimilation is made by making a sound similar to the following one, for example: al-suˉ q al-shaˉ ri‘ al-thalj al-tīn
Æ Æ Æ Æ
as-suˉ q ash-shari‘ ath-thalj at-tīn
“market” “road” “snow” “figs”
The Arabic language has 28 letters. Fourteen of them are called the moon letters and fourteen are called the sun letters.5 When the definite article (al) is prefixed to words that start with sun letters, the /l/ letter of the definite article is not pronounced because this letter is assimilated into the sun letter and a shadda, that is a geminate and emphasis sign, is written over the sun letter that follows the definite article. Therefore, the pronunciation of the letter becomes doubled. While when the definite article is prefixed to words that start with moon letters, the definite article is pronounced, and, therefore, there is no assimilation. The other type of assimilation is the progressive assimilation, which means that a sound is made similar to the preceding one. This assimilation takes place in many examples of verb pattern number eight “ifta3ala” (examples from Badawi, Carter, and Gully, 2004: 61): kataba Daghama
“to write” “to assimilate”
Æ Æ
iktataba iddaghama
(no assimilation) (progressive assimilation)
Epenthesis Epenthesis is “the insertion of a sound in the middle of the word.”6 Abu-Abbas points out that “[At] the word level, JA involves a process of epenthesis which inserts a glottal stop /’/ as the onset of an otherwise onsetless syllable, or the high short vowel /i/ is epenthesized to break up consonant clusters and produce well-formed syllables” (2003: 89). Consider the following Jordanian Arabic examples: bint jild waqt bard shahd rijl lahm hibr shi‘r dhanb qult qird
Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ
binit jilid wagit barid shahid rijil lahim hibir shi‘ir dhanib gulit girid
“girl” “skin” “time” “cold” “honey” “leg” “meat” “ink” “poetry” “guilt” “I said” “monkey”
Introduction
xv
Metathesis Linguistically speaking, metathesis is “the transposition of letters, syllables, or sounds in a word.”7 It includes a change in the position of the root consonants and the preservation of the original meaning. Consider the following Jordanian examples and notice how the normal linear order of sounds is reversed: Æ
sishwaˉ r mil‘aqah malaˉ ‘iq zoˉj zijaˉ n zawaˉ j mitrabaˉ n
Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ
shiswaˉ r mi‘lagah ma‘aˉ lig joˉz jizaˉ n jawaˉ z mirtabaˉ n
“hair dryer” “spoon” “spoons” “husband” “husbands” “marriage” “jar”
Metathesis is a consequence of a mismatch in the linear order of sounds. The sounds change their places, and the new resulting order is easier to pronounce. In metathesis, “the old form is replaced by a new one which differs in that two parts have been interchanged” (Banjar, 2003: 16). “[Metathesis] frequently occurs in all languages as a type of speech error and is a common feature of child phonology” (Spencer, 1996: 68). “Metathesis are well recognized in historical linguistics, but they can also be seen in performance errors, in such tongue-slips as aks for ask, or in the phenomenon of ‘spoonerisms’” (Crystal, 1997: 240). “Metathesis has generally been treated as a minor sound change. Sporadic and irregular examples of metathesis are often treated as if labeling it were explaining it” (Powell, 1985: 106). Unlike assimilation and simplification, metathesis is a linguistic process that is not consistent and systematic. “Rules of metathesis are rarely productive. This is why they are most likely to be discussed from the point of view of historical linguistics; and even there, their sporadic nature gives them a definitely marginal character. Synchronically, metathesis is viewed more as a performance factor responsible for spoonerisms and other erratic surface deviations” (Montreuil, 1981: 67). Below is a transliteration guide for the Jordanian Arabic idioms and idiomatic expressions transliterated in this book. Table 0.1 Transliteration Guide ’aban nā shif ’aban il-tō bi harrā th jadd halā l bakhı̄ l ’ı̄ du(h) ’akhad
ً أﺑﺎ
’
ﻧﺎﺷﻒ ِ ً أﺑﺎ
ā
اﻟﺘﻮﺑﺔ ﺣﺮّاث ﺟ ّﺪ ﺣﻼل ﺑﺨﯿﻞ إﯾﺪه أﺧﺬ
t
b
th j h kh d d
( ئ، ؤ، إ،)ھﻤﺰة( ء )أ ا ب ت ث ج ح خ د ذ
ihfad ̇̄ ib‘id ghannı̄ lu(h) mafjū ‘ ibzuq (ibziq/ibzig) mā sik halā l ‘ā lam nā s ‘aqlu(h)/ ‘aglu(h)
اﺣﻔﻆ اﺑ ِﻌﺪ ﻏﻨّﻲ ﻟﮫ ﻣﻔﺠﻮع اﺑﺰق ﻣﺎﺳﻚ ِ ﺣﻼل ﻋﺎﻟﻢ ﻧﺎس ﻋﻘﻠﮫ
d ̇̄ ‘ gh f q/g k l m n h
ظ ع غ ف ق ك ل م ن ه
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Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
’abs ar
أﺑﺼﺮ
r
ر
’akhū (h) wa-sahlan il-mō t
‘izz
ﻋ ّﺰ
z
ز
’ı̄ du(h) yit‘ashsha ‘aqlē n/‘aglē n
mā sik nā shif ’us ū l fā dyi itsha‘bat
ﻣﺎﺳﻚ ﻧﺎﺷﻒ ِ أﺻﻮل ﻓﺎﺿﯿﺔ اﺗﺸﻌﺒﻂ
s sh s d t
س ش ص ض ط
halā l mā sik ’us ū l ’aban
أﺧﻮه ًوﺳﮭﻼ اﻟﻤﻮت إﯾﺪه ﯾﺘﻌ ّﺸﻰ ﻋﻘﻠﯿﻦ ﺣﻼل ﻣﺎﺳﻚ ِ أﺻﻮل ً أﺑﺎ
ū ,
و
w, ō ı̄ ,
ي
y, ē a i u an
ﻓﺘﺤﺔ ﻛﺴﺮة ﺿ ّﻤﺔ ًﺗﻨﻮﯾﻦ ا
Notes 1 Emphatics are produced by contraction of the upper pharynx, so there is tongue root retraction to the back wall of the pharynx. 2 According to Bin-Muqbil (2006: 26) the pharynx is a “tube-like structure that extends from the posterior region of the nasal cavity to the larynx. The upper region of the pharynx above the velum is called the nasopharynx. The region extending from the velum down to the hyoid bone is the known as the oropharynx. The region from the hyoid bone and down is called the laryngopharynx”. 3 Sibawayh called these sounds must‘aliyah, which means the raising of the tongue towards the palate. 4 As pronounced by older generations. 5 The moon letters are: ي, و, ه, م, ك, ق, ف, غ, ع, خ, ح, ج, ب, ا. The sun letters are: ن, ل, ظ, ط, ض, ص, ش, س, ز, ر, ذ, د, ث, ت. The sun letters are articulated with the front part of the tongue like /l/. They are also called coronal sounds and these sounds cause assimilation of /l/ of the definite article in Arabic. 6 www.thefreedictionary.com/epenthesis. 7 http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/metathesis.
ﺣﺮف اﻷﻟﻒ
اﺑﻦ أﺻﻮل
إﯾﺪه ﻧﺎﺷﻔﺔ ← إﯾﺪه ﻣﺎﺳﻜﺔ /’īd-uh māskah/ ← /’īd-uh nāshfeh/
/ibin ’uṣūl/
Equivalent: Cheapskate/ Stingy person/ Close-fisted.
Equivalent: A man of honorable and noble origin/
Example:
Dash of good blood (of noble qualities).
.ﯾﺎ ﷲ ﺷﻮ ﺟﺎرﻧﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻋﻠﻲ ﺑﺨﯿﻞ! إﯾﺪه ﻣﺎﺳﻜﺔ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ
أﺑﺎ ً ﻋﻦ ﺟﺪ
Example:
ﺑﺤﺐ ﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪ.ﻋﻤﺮ زﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﺤﺘﺮم وﻣﻦ ﻋﯿﻠﺔ ﺳﻤﻌﺘﮭﺎ طﯿﺒﺔ .ﻛﻞ اﻟﻨﺎس وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺨﻠّﻰ ﻋﻦ ﺣﺪا! ﺑﺠﺪ اﻧﮫ اﺑﻦ أﺻﻮل
/’aban ‘an jad/
اﺑﻦ اﻟﺤﻼل
Equivalent: By heredity/ To be inherited from parents to children/ Passed along for generations, from hand
/ibin il-ḥalāl/
to hand/ A common characteristic or profession
Equivalent: A spouse/ A groom/ A decent chap.
that runs in the family and passed on through
Example:
.اﺟﺎھﺎ اﺑﻦ اﻟﺤﻼل. ﻋﺮس ﺳﻮزان اﻻﺳﺒﻮع اﻟﺠﺎي
generations. Example:
.آدم ﺷﺎب أﻣﺮﯾﻜﻲ أﺑﺎ ً ﻋﻦ ﺟﺪ .أﺑﻮ ﺳﻠﯿﻢ ﻣﺰارع أﺑﺎ ً ﻋﻦ ﺟﺪ
اﺑﻦ اﻟﺤﻼل ﻋﻨﺪ ذﻛﺮه ﺑﺒﺎن /ibin il-ḥalāl ‘ind dhikr-uh bibān/
Equivalent: Literal. Mention the good person and he
اﺑﺰق اﻟﺘﻮﺑﺔ
will appear/ Speak of the devil and he will appear. Example:
/ibzig il-tōbah/
Equivalent: Say “uncle”/ Cry for mercy, submit and repent.
ﻓﻌﻼً إﻧّﮫ. أﻧﺎ وأﻣﻞ ﻛﻨﺎ ﺑﺴﯿﺮﺗﻚ.اھﻼ وﺳﮭﻼ ﻓﯿﻜﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺻﻔﺎء .اﺑﻦ اﻟﺤﻼل ﻋﻨﺪ ذﻛﺮه ﺑﺒﺎن
Example:
اﻣﺒﺎرح اﺑﻦ ﺟﺎرﺗﻨﺎ ﺿﺮب أﺧﻮه اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ وﺣﻜﺎﻟﮫ ﻛﻠﻤﺔ ﻣﺶ . إﺟﺖ أﻣﮫ ﺣﻜﺘﻠﮫ اﺑﺰق اﻟﺘﻮﺑﺔ.ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ
اﺑﻦ اﻟﺤﺮام ﻻ ﺗﺪ ّزه ﺑﻘﻊ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮫ /ibin il-ḥarām lā tdizz-uh biga‘ la-ḥāl-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. Don’t bother to push the
اﺑﺼﺮ ← اﻧﺪاري
bad person down because they will fall down by
/’andārī /← /’abṣar/
themselves/ Give someone enough rope and they
Equivalent: Beats me/ Search me/ Your guess is as
will hang themselves.
good as mine/ I do not know or understand.
Example:
Example:
وﯾﻦ ﻣﻜﺎن اﻟﻤﻜﺘﺒﺔ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ؟:ﺳﺎرة . اﻧﺪاري! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف وﯾﻦ:ﻧﻮرا
ﺧﻠﺺ وﻻ ﺗﺰﻋﻞ ﯾﺎ ﺷﻌﺒﺎن إن ﺷﺎ ﺑﺘﻼﻗﻲ وظﯿﻔﺔ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ وظﯿﻔﺘﻚ! ﺑﻌﺮف إﻧّﮫ ﻧﺎدر اﻟﺴﺒﺐ ﺑﻔﺼﻠﻚ وإﻧﻚ ﺣﺎب .ﺗﺒﮭﺪﻟﮫ وﺗﻀﺮﺑﮫ ﺑﺲ اﻧﺴﻰ! اﺑﻦ اﻟﺤﺮام ﻻ ﺗﺪزّه ﺑﻘﻊ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮫ
اﺑﻌﺪ ﻋﻦ اﻟﺸﺮ وﻏﻨّﻲ ﻟﮫ
اﺑﻦ اﻣﺒﺎرح
/ib‘id ‘an il-sharr w-ghannī-l-uh/
/ibin imbāriḥ/
Equivalent: Literal. Stay away from evil and sing for
Equivalent: Literal. Son of yesterday/ Babe in the
evil/ Do not wake a sleeping lion/ Leave evil, it will
woods/ To be wet behind the ears/ Born yesterday.
leave you/ Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles
Example:
you/ Keep your nose clean. Example:
ﺼﺎب وﺧ ّﺮﯾﺞ ﺳﺠﻮن! اﺟﺎ ّ ﻛﺎن ﺧﺎﻟﺪ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻋﻨﺪ واﺣﺪ ﻧ .أﺧﻮه ﻧﺼﺤﮫ إﻧﮫ ﻣﺎ ﯾﻌﻤﻠﮭﺎ و ﯾﺒﻌﺪ ﻋﻦ اﻟﺸﺮ وﯾﻐﻨﯿﻠﮫ
ﺷﻔﺖ ﻛﯿﻒ ﻧﺎدر ﱠ:أﻣﯿﺮ ﻛﺬب ﻋﻠﻰ أﺑﻮه ﺑﺨﺼﻮص ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺘﮫ .اﻟﺪراﺳﯿّﺔ ﻛﺎن ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺨﺒّﻲ ﻋﻨﮫ اﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﺑﻔﻜﺮه اﺑﻦ. آه ﺷﻔﺖ:ﺳﺎﻣﻲ .اﻣﺒﺎرح وﻣﺎ رح ﯾﻔﮭﻢ وﯾﻘﺪّراﻻﺳﺒﺎب
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
أﺑﻮ اﻟﻌ ّﺮﯾﻒ
2
اﺑﻦ اﻣﮫ /’abū il-‘urrēf/
/ibin ’umm-uh/
Equivalent: A know-it-all/ Smart aleck.
Equivalent: Mama’s boy.
Example:
Example:
ﻣﺮاد :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﻛﯿﻒ أﺻﻠّﺢ ﺣﻨﻔﯿﺔ اﻟﻤﺠﻠﻰ .ﺑﺪّي أﺟﯿﺐ واﺣﺪ ﯾﺼﻠّﺤﮭﺎ. وﻟﯿﺪ :أﻧﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف! ﺑﺪك أﺳﺎﻋﺪك؟ ﻣﺮاد :ﻣﻦ وﯾﻦ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف ﺗﺼﻠّﺤﮭﺎ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ اﻟﻌ ّﺮﯾﻒ .ھﺎﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ ﻣﺶ ﺷﻐﻠﺘﻚ.
ﻋﺮﯾﻦ رﻓﻀﺖ اﻟﻌﺮﯾﺲ ﻹﻧّﮫ اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﺤﻜﻲ إﻧّﮫ اﺑﻦ أﻣﮫ وﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ إﻻ ﺗﺎ ﯾﻮﺧﺬ رأﯾﮭﺎ ﻓﯿﮫ!
اﺑﻦ ﺣﺮام /ibin ḥarām/
Equivalent: A bastard/ Illegitimate child/ It is also
أﺑﻮ ﺑﻄﻦ )ﻛﺮش( ← ﻣﻔﺠﻮع
used to insult people who are ill-mannered, rude and
/mafjū‘/ ← /’abū baṭin (karsh)/
indecent and who do bad and evil things to people to
Equivalent: A glutton/ An excessively greedy eater/
hurt them.
Potbelly/ Fat person.
Example:
Example:
ﻣﺤﻤﻮد وﻟﺪ ﻣﻔﺠﻮع .أﺑﻮ ﻛﺮش اﻛﻞ ﻛﻞ ﺻﺤﻮن اﻟﺤﻠﻮ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮫ!
أﺑﻮ زﯾﺪ ﺧﺎﻟﻚ /’abū zēd khāl-ak/
ﻋﺎدل :اﻟﻤﻮظﻒ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ ﺑﺸﺮﻛﺘﻨﺎ اﺑﻦ ﺣﺮام! ﺣﺴﻦ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ؟ ﻋﺎدل :ﻣﻨﻊ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﯾﻌﻄﻲ اﻟﻤﻮظﻔﯿﻦ ﻋﻼوات ﺟﺪﯾﺪة ﻋﺸﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺗﺨﺮب ﻣﯿﺰاﻧﯿﺔ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ!
اﺑﻦ ﺣﻼل
Equivalent: To luck out/ To strike it lucky/ To be very
/ibin ḥalāl/
lucky.
Equivalent: A decent person/ Respectable person/
Example:
Legitimate child of a good nature.
ﻋﻤﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻛﺎن ﻋﻨﺪي ﻣﻘﺎﺑﻠﺔ ﻋﻤﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻮزارة وﺷﻜﻠﻲ رح اوﺧﺬ اﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ ﻋﺎﺑﺪ :إذا ﺣﺼﻠﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺎﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ ﺑﻜﻮن أﺑﻮ زﯾﺪ ﺧﺎﻟﻚ!
أﺑﻮ ﻗﺤﻤﺔ ← ﻋﻘﻠﮫ أﻛﺒﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻋﻤﺮه /‘agl-uh ’akbar min ‘umr-uh/ ← /’abū guḥmah/
Example:
ﯾﺎﷲ ﻣﺎ أﺣﺴﻦ أﺑﻮ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ .ﻓﻌﻼً إﻧّﮫ اﺑﻦ ﺣﻼل! ﻣﺎ ّ ﺧﻼﻧﻲ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻲ ﻟﻤﺎ ﺻﺎرت ﻣﻌﻲ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ وﻋﻤﻞ ﺟﮭﺪه وﺳﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ أﺣﻠﮭﺎ.
اﺑﻦ ﻋﺎﻟﻢ وﻧﺎس
Equivalent: They were here before/ An old head on
/ibin ‘ālam w-nās/
young shoulders/ A child who thinks and talks like
Equivalent: Well-bred/ Polite or well-mannered person/
an older person who has more life experience or who
A person of a good family or origin.
acts like an adult.
Example:
Example:
أم طﻠﺤﺖ :ﻟﯿﻠﺔ اﻣﺒﺎرح واﺣﻨﺎ ﻗﺎﻋﺪﯾﻦ ﻛﺎن ﺟﻮزي ﺑﺨﺒّﺮﻧﻲ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﺑﻌﺪ ﯾﻮﻣﯿﻦ! اﺟﺎ اﺑﻨﻲ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ ﻗﺎطﻌﻨﺎ وﺣﻜﻰ ﻷﺑﻮه ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ ﯾﺎﺑﺎ أﻧﺎ رح اﻛﻮن ﻣﺴﺆول ﻋﻦ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ واھﺘﻢ ﻓﯿﮫ ﺑﻐﯿﺎﺑﻚ! اﺟﯿﻨﺎ ﻣﺘﻨﺎ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﺤﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! أم ﺳﻠﻮى :ھﮭﮭﮭﮭﮭﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﻗﺤﻤﺔ! ﻣﺶ ﻗﻠﯿﻞ! ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ أﻛﺒﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻋﻤﺮه!
أﺑﻮ ﻋﻘﻠﯿﻦ
ﺳﻠﯿﻢ ﺷﺐ ﻣﺤﺘﺮم واﺑﻦ ﻋﺎﻟﻢ وﻧﺎس.
اﺑﻦ ﻋ ّﺰ /ibin ‘izz/
Equivalent: High born/ A child of a rich family. Example:
ﺳﺎﻣﺮ ﻣﻦ ﯾﻮم ﯾﻮﻣﮫ ﻋﯿﻨﮫ ﻣﻠﯿﺎﻧﺔ ﻷﻧﮫ ﺑﺎﻷﺻﻞ اﺑﻦ ﻋﺰ!
اﺑﻦ ﻓﺮﯾﺮ /’abū ‘aglēn/
/ibin frēr/
Equivalent: Of two minds/ Double-minded/
Equivalent: Filthy rich/ A person of means.
Undecided.
Example:
Example:
ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪي اﺳﺄل ﻣﺎﺟﺪ ﻋﻦ رأﯾﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع ﻷﻧﮫ أﺑﻮ ﻋﻘﻠﯿﻦ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻮي ﺑﺮأي.
ﻋﻠﻲ :ﺑﺪّي أﺷﺘﺮي ﺳﯿﺎرة ﻣﻮدﯾﻞ ﺳﻨﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﺲ أﺗﺨﺮج ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ. أﻧﺲ :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ اﺑﻦ ﻓﺮﯾﺮ وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف؟
ﺣﺮف اﻷﻟﻒ
أﺑﻮ ﻛﻤﻮﻧﺔ ← ﻛﺤﺘﻮت ← أﺑﻮ ﻓﻠﺲ ← ﻣﺤﻠﻘﻢ ← أﺑﻮ ﻛﻨﻜﻮﻧﺔ
3
Example:
ﻛﯿﻒ ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﻧﻘﻨﻊ رﺟﻞ اﻷﻋﻤﺎل إﻧّﮫ ﯾﺪﻋﻢ ﺷﺮﻛﺘﻨﺎ؟:ﺑﻼل . ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف! اﺗﺼﺮف ﺑﻤﻌﺮﻓﺘﻚ وﻻﻗﻲ طﺮﯾﻘﺔ:أدھﻢ
← /’abū fils/ ← /kaḥtūt/ ← /’abū kammūneh/ /’abū kankūneh/ ← /mḥalgam/
اﺗﻌﺐ اﻗﺪاﻣﻚ وﻻ ﺗﺘﻌﺐ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻚ
Equivalent: Cheap Charlie/ Penny-pincher/ Miser. Example:
/it‘ib igdām-ak walā tit‘ib lsān-ak/
! ﯾﺎ ﺷﻮ ﻣﺤﻠﻘﻢ وﻛﺤﺘﻮت.ﻋﻤﻲ أﺑﻮ ﺻﻼح زﻟﻤﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺨﯿﻞ
Equivalent: Self done is well done/ Self done is soon done.
اﺗﺒﻠّﻰ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ /itballa ‘alēh/
Equivalent: To accuse someone of doing or saying things
Example:
ﺧﻠﺺ رح.ﺻﺎرﻟﻲ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ ﺑﻄﻠﺐ ﻣﻨﻚ ﺗﺠﯿﺒﻠﻲ ﻛﺎﺳﺔ ﻣﯿّﮫ .أﺟﯿﺒﮭﺎ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻲ! اﺗﻌﺐ اﻗﺪاﻣﻚ وﻻ ﺗﺘﻌﺐ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻚ
falsely and maliciously/ To fabricate lies/ False claims.
اﺗﻐﺪّى ﻓﯿﮫ ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺘﻌﺸّﻰ ﻓﯿﻚ
Example:
ﺑﻀﻞ ﯾﺘﺒﻠّﻰ ﻋﻠﻰ.ﺳﻌﯿﺪ ﺷﺨﺺ ﺳﻲء وﺑﻼ ذ ّﻣﺔ وﻻ ﺿﻤﯿﺮ .اﻟﻨﺎس وﯾﻜﺬب ﻛﺜﯿﺮ
/itghadda fīh gabul mā yit‘ashsha fīk/
Equivalent: Literal. Eat him at lunch before he eats you at dinner/ To steal a march on someone/ To beat
اﺗﺤﻤﺮن
someone to the punch. Example:
/itḥamran/
Equivalent: To act like an ape/ To make a fool of yourself/ To behave stupidly and annoyingly.
ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺣﺴﻦ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻌﻤﻞ زي ﻣﺸﺮوﻋﻲ ﺑﺲ أﻧﺎ رح .اﺗﻐﺪى ﻓﯿﮫ ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺘﻌﺸﻰ ﻓﯿﻲ
Example:
اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺟﻤﺎل اﺗﺤﻤﺮن وﺧﺒّﺮ أﺑﻮه اﻟﻤﺴﻜﯿﻦ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ .ﻓﺼﻠﺘﮫ
اﺗﻐﺪّى واﺗﻤﺪّى واﺗﻌﺸّﻰ واﺗﻤﺸّﻰ /itghadda w-tmadda w-t‘ashsha w-tmashsha/
Equivalent: Literal. Have lunch and lie down and have
اﺗﺨﯿﺐ ← اﻧﻌﺜﺮ← اﻧﻘﻠﻊ ← اﺗﺠﮭﻨﻢ
dinner and walk/ After dinner sit a while, after supper
/itjahnam/ ← /ingali‘/ ← /in‘athir/ ← /itkhayyab/
walk a mile.
Equivalent: Go to hell/ Go to the devil/ Get lost/ Go
Example:
away/ Bugger off. Example:
ﺑﺪّي اوﺧﺬﻟﻲ ﻗﯿﻠﻮﻟﺔ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﻐﺪا ﻷﻧّﮫ زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻮ اﺗﻐﺪى .واﺗﻤﺪى واﺗﻌﺸﻰ واﺗﻤﺸﻰ
.ﺧﻠﺺ روح اﻧﻌﺜﺮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪي اﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﻚ ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ
اﺗﺮﻛﻨﻲ ﺑﺤﺎﻟﻲ← ﺣﻞ ﻋﻨﻲ
اﺗﻔﻄّﻦ /itfaṭṭan/
/ḥill ‘an-nī/ ← /’utruk-nī bi-ḥāl-ī/
Equivalent: To call to mind/ To remember/
Equivalent: Leave me alone/ Get off my back.
To recall.
Example:
Example:
.ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎدر اﺗﻔﻄﻦ وﯾﻦ ﺣﻄﯿﺖ اﻟﻜﺘﺎب
ﻟﻮ.ﺧﻠﺺ ﺣﻞ ﻋﻨﻲ ﻣﺶ ﺟﺎي ﻋﺒﺎﻟﻲ اﺣﻜﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع .ﺳﻤﺤﺖ اﺗﺮﻛﻨﻲ ﺑﺤﺎﻟﻲ
اﺗﺸﻌﺒﻂ ← اﺗﻌﺮﺑﺶ
ﻖ ﺷﺮ ﻣﻦ أﺣﺴﻨﺖ إﻟﯿﮫ ّ اﺗ /itaqqi sharra man ’aḥsanta ’ilēh/
/it‘arbash/ ← /itsha‘baṭ/
Equivalent: Beware those whom you have been
Equivalent: To climb up something.
charitable to.
Example:
Example:
.ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﻮﻣﯿﻦ رﺣﻨﺎ رﺣﻠﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻜﺎن ﻓﯿﮫ ﺷﺠﺮ ﻛﺒﯿﺮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ .ﻀﯿﺘﮭﺎ اﺗﺸﻌﺒﻂ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺸﺠﺮ ّ اﻧﺒﺴﻄﺖ وﻣ
زﻣﯿﻠﺘﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺠﯿﺔ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ أﺧﺬت ﻣﻼﺣﻈﺎﺗﻲ .وﺧﻠﺘﻨﻲ اﺷﺮﺣﻠﮭﺎ ﻛﻞ اﻟﺪروس وﻧﺠﺤﺖ ﺑﻄّﻠﺖ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﻲ ! ﻓﻌﻼ اﺗﻖ ﺷﺮ ﻣﻦ أﺣﺴﻨﺖ إﻟﯿﮫ.وﺻﺎرت ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﻋﻠﻲ ﻛﻤﺎن
اﺗﺼﺮف ﺑﻤﻌﺮﻓﺘﻚ
اﺗﻜﺮﻓﺖ ﻛﺮﻓﺘﮫ
/itṣarraf bi-ma‘rift-ak/
Equivalent: To cope or manage/ To find a way to deal
/itkarfat karfateh/
with something.
Equivalent: Collapse/ Fall in a heap.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
4
Example:
اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺼﺒﺢ اﺗﻜﺮﻓﺖ ﻣﻨﯿﺮ ﻋﻦ اﻟﺪرج ﻛﺮﻓﺘﮫ ﻷﻧّﮫ ﻛﺎن ﻣﺴﺘﻌﺠﻞ.
ﺧﻠﺺ ﻋﺠﺰو اﻻطﺒﺎء ﻋﻦ ﻋﻼج أﺑﻮ ﺣﺴﺎن .ﺷﻜﻠﮭﺎ إﺟﺖ ﺳﺎﻋﺘﮫ ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ!
إﺟﺘﮫ رزﻗﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻤﺎ
اﺗﻠﺤﻠﺢ /’ijat-uh rizgah min il-samā/
/itlaḥlaḥ/
Equivalent: Literal. Money came to him from the sky/
Equivalent: Rub elbows with/ Rub shoulders with.
Pennies from heaven.
Example:
Example:
ﺻﺒﺮي:أﺑﻮ ﻋﻤﺮ رﺑﺢ ﺟﺎﺋﺰة اﻟﯿﺎﻧﺼﯿﺐ اﻟﻜﺒﺮى اﻟﯿﻮم! ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﺤﻈﻮظ وﷲ! ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ :إﺟﺘﮫ رزﻗﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻤﺎ! ﺑﺴﺘﺎھﻠﮭﺎ!
ﻛﺎن راﺋﺪ ﻣﺘﺮدد ﯾﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻊ زﻣﯿﻠﺘﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ .اﺟﯿﺖ أﻧﺎ واﻟﺸﺒﺎب ﺣﻜﯿﻨﺎﻟﮫ ﻻزم ﺗﺘﻠﺤﻠﺢ وﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ.
اﺗﻨﻘّﻰ واﺗﺤﺒّﻰ /itnagga w-itḥabba/
إﺟﺖ وﷲ ﺟﺎﺑﮭﺎ
Equivalent: Pick and choose. Example:
/’ijat w-Allah jāb-hā/
Equivalent: Crossed my mind. Example:
ﺴﮫ ﻓﮭﻤﺖ ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺮاد ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺪرس اﺟﺖ وﷲ ﺟﺎﺑﮭﺎ! ھ ّ ﻓﻨﻮن ﺑﺒﻠﺪه! ھﻮ ﺑﻔﻜﺮ ﻟﺒﻌﯿﺪ وﺑﺪّه ﯾﻄﻠﻊ ﺑﺮا اﻟﺒﻠﺪ وﯾﻜ ّﻮن ﻣﺴﺘﻘﺒﻠﮫ وﯾﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﺸﮭﻮر!
اﺷﺘﺮت أم ﻋﻼء ﺧﻤﺲ ﻗﻤﺼﺎن ﺟﺪﯾﺪة ﻻﺑﻨﮭﺎ ﻋﺸﺎن ﺗﺨﺮﺟﮫ وﺑﺲ ﺷﺎﻓﮭﻦ ﻗﺎﻟﺘﻠﮫ :ﯾﺎ ﺣﺒﯿﺒﻲ اﺗﻨﻘﻰ واﺗﺤﺒﻰ! زﻋﻠﺖ ﻓﺎﺗﻦ ﻣﻦ ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ اﺗﺠﻮز ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ وﺣﻜﺘﻠﮫ :ﺷﻮف ﯾﺎ ﻏﺴﺎن! ﯾﺎ أﻧﺎ ﯾﺎ اﻟﻌﺮوس اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة .ﯾﺎ اﺗﻨﻘّﻰ واﺗﺤﺒّﻰ!
ﯾﻜﺤﻠﮭﺎ ﻋﻤﺎھﺎ إﺟﺎ ّ
إﺟﺮ ﻛﺮﺳﻲ
/’ijā ykaḥḥil-hā ‘amā-hā/ /’ijir kursī/
Equivalent: Literal. He came to apply kohl to her eyes
Equivalent: Literal. A chair’s leg/ Fifth wheel.
but instead he blinded her/ Kept digging and messed
Example:
things up/ Shoot oneself in the foot/ To make matters
ﺑﺎع أﺑﻮ ﻣﺤﻤﻮد ﻗﻄﻌﺔ أرض ﻟﺠﺎره .ﻓﻌﺮﻓﺖ ﻣﺮﺗﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﺪﻓﺔ وزﻋﻠﺖ وﻗﺎﻟﺘﻠﮫ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ ﺧﺒﺮﺗﻨﻲ ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ھﻮ أﻧﺎ اﺟﺮ ﻛﺮﺳﻲ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ؟
إﺟﺮه واﻟﻘﺒﺮ /’ijr-uh w-il-qabur/
worse/ To make a situation worse. Example:
ﻓﺎﺗﺖ ﺷﻮﻛﺔ ﺑﺈﺟﺮ ﺳﻤﯿﺮ ﻓﻈﻞ ﯾﺤ ّﺮك ﻓﯿﮭﺎ وﺑﺪل ﻣﺎ ﯾﻄﻠﻌﮭﺎ ﻛﺴﺮھﺎ ﺑﺮﺟﻠﮫ وﻋﻤﻠﻮﻟﮫ ﻋﻤﻠﯿﺔ .ﯾﻌﻨﻲ اﺟﺎ ﯾﻜﺤﻠﮭﺎ ﻋﻤﺎھﺎ!
ﺼﻼة إﺟﺎك اﻟﻤﻮت ﯾﺎ ﺗﺎرك اﻟ ّ
Equivalent: Have one foot in the grave/ On his last
/’ijā-k il-mōt yā tārik il-ṣalāt/
leg.
Equivalent: Face the consequences/ Face the music/
Example:
To deal with the results of something you have said
اﻣﺒﺎرح أﺑﻮ ﺗﯿﺴﯿﺮ طﺒّﻖ ﺧﻤﺴﮫ وﺗﺴﻌﯿﻦ ﺳﻨﺔ .ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﻓﻲ ﺣﯿﻞ ﯾﺤﻜﻲ! ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ إﺟﺮه واﻟﻘﺒﺮ.
اﻷﺟﻮاء ﻣﺘﻮﺗﺮه ← اﻷﺟﻮاء ﻣﺸﺤﻮﻧﺔ ← اﻟﻮﺿﻊ ﻣﺶ وﻻ ﺑ ّﺪ ’/il-waḏụ ‘ mish walā budd/ ← /il-’ajwā’ mashḥūneh/ ← /il-’ajwā mitwatreh/
or done. Example:
ﻋﻠﻲ :اﺟﺎك اﻟﻤﻮت ﯾﺎ ﺗﺎرك اﻟﺼﻼة! ﺑﻜﺮة اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن اﻟﻨﮭﺎﺋﻲ وﺣﺎس إﻧّﻲ ﻣﺶ ﺟﺎھﺰ إﻟﮫ! اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ :وﻣﯿﻦ ﺣﻜﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺠ ّﮭﺰ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ وﺗﺪرس؟
إﺟﺎ وإﯾﺪه ﻓﺎﺿﯿﺔ
Equivalent: Tense situation.
/’ijā w-’īd-uh fāḏỵ eh/
Example:
Equivalent: Coming empty-handed/ Bringing no gift.
اﻣﺒﺎرح زرت ﺑﯿﺖ ﺧﺎﻟﻲ وﻟ ّﻤﺎ دﺧﻠﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ ﺣﺴﯿﺖ اﻷﺟﻮاء ﻣﺸﺤﻮﻧﺔ واﻟﻮﺿﻊ ﻣﺶ وﻻ ﺑﺪّ.
إﺟﯿﺖ وﷲ ﺟﺎﺑﻚ
Example:
اﺟﺎ ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ وإﯾﺪه ﻓﺎﺿﯿﺔ!
إﺟﺖ ﺳﺎﻋﺘﮫ ← إﺟﺎ ﯾﻮﻣﮫ /’ijīt w-Allah jāb-ak/
/’ijā yōm-uh/ ← /’ijat sā‘t-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. You came and God brought you/
Equivalent: His hour has come/ That person is about
You are a Godsend.
to die.
5
ﺣﺮف اﻷﻟﻒ
اﺧﺘﺰى
Example: /ikhtazā/
Equivalent: Got embarrassed or felt ashamed for doing something bad.
ﺻﻠﻨﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ ﻷﻧّﻲ ﻣﺘﺄﺧﺮ! إﺟﯿﺖ وﷲ ﺟﺎﺑﻚ! ﻗﻮم و ّ
أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ وﻻ إﺷﻲ /’aḥsan min walā ’ishī/
Example:
ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺻﻼح ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﻣﻊ أﺻﺤﺎﺑﮫ .ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ أﺑﻮه اﺧﺘﺰى ﺑﻌﻤﺎﯾﻠﮫ.
Equivalent: Literal. Better than nothing/ Half a loaf is better than none/ Better than a stick in the eye. Example:
اﺧﺘﻠﺲ ﻣﺼﺎري /ikhtalas maṣārī/
Equivalent: Have your fingers in the till/ Stealing money from your employer. Example:
ﺟﮭﺎد :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ آﺧﺮ اﻷﺧﺒﺎر؟ ﻋﻤﺎر :ھﮫ ﺧﺒّﺮﻧﻲ ﺷﻮ ﻓﻲ؟ ﺟﮭﺎد :اﻟﺒﻨﻚ ﻓﺼﻞ رﯾﺎض ﻣﻦ ﺷﻐﻠﮫ ﻷﻧﮫ اﺧﺘﻠﺲ ﻣﺼﺎري.
ﺣﻨﺎن :أﺟﺖ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﺘﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ وﺟﺎﺑﺘﻠﻲ ﺑﺲ ﻛﺮت ﺗﺬﻛﺎري. ﺗﻮﻗﻌﺖ ﺗﺠﯿﺒﻠﻲ ھﺪﯾﺔ! اﻷم :إﻧﺘﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺮﻓﻲ ظﺮوﻓﮭﺎ! وﻋﻜﻼً اﻟﻜﺮت اﻟﺘﺬﻛﺎري أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ وﻻ إﺷﻲ.
اﺣﻔﻆ ﻣﯿﺔ وﺟﮭﻚ /iḥfaḏ ̣ mayyit wijh-ak/
Equivalent: Save face/ Avoid humiliation or embarrassment and preserve dignity.
اﺧﺘﻠﻂ اﻟﺤﺎﺑﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻨﺎﺑﻞ
Example: /ikhtalaṭ il-ḥābil bi-al-nābil/
Equivalent: Things got chaotic. Example:
ﺣﻔﻠﺔ اﻣﺒﺎرح ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻓﻮﺿﻰ واﺧﺘﻠﻂ اﻟﺤﺎﺑﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻨﺎﺑﻞ!
ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﺗﺤﻔﻆ ﻣﯿّﺔ وﺟﮭﻚ وﻣﺎ ﺗﺮوح ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻚ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﮭﺪﻟﻚ ﻣﻦ ﯾﻮﻣﯿﻦ! أﻧﺎ ﺑﺘﻮﻗ ّﻌﮫ ﯾﺒﮭﺪﻟﻚ ﻗﺪّام اﻟﻜﻞ!
اﺣﻔﻆ ھﺎﻟﻠﻄﺶ /iḥfaḏ ̣ ha-il-laṭish/
أﺧﺬه ﺗﺤﺖ ﺟﻨﺎﺣﮫ
Equivalent: Remember this favor that I did for you. /’akhaḏ-̣ uh taḥt jnāḥ-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. Take somebody under your wing/ To help and protect someone, especially someone who is younger than you or has less experience than you. Example:
ﺳﻤﯿﺮ وﻟﺪ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ ﻷﻧﮫ ﺗﻨ ّﻜﺮ ﻟﻠﺰﻟﻤﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺗﻌﺐ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ورﺑّﺎه واﺧﺬه ﺗﺤﺖ ﺟﻨﺎﺣﮫ!
Example:
اﻣﺒﺎرح ﻟ ّﻤﺎ إﻧﺖ ﻏﺒﺖ أﻋﻄﺎﻧﺎ اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر ﻣﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎت ﻣﮭﻤﺔ ﻋﻦ اﻟﺪرس واﻷﺳﺌﻠﺔ اﻟﺪاﺧﻠﺔ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن .أﻧﺎ ﻟﺨﺼﺘﻠﻚ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻤﺤﺎﺿﺮة .ﯾﺎ اﺣﻔﻆ ھﺎﻟﻠﻄﺶ!
إﺣﻢ /’iḥim/
Equivalent: Ahem! (This exclamation is used to gain
أﺧﺬو اﺳﺮارھﻢ ﻣﻦ ﺻﻐﺎرھﻢ
)attention.
/’ukhḏū ̣ ’asrār-hum min zghār-hum/
Equivalent: Know their secrets from their young children. Example:
ﺳﻮزان :ﻋﺮﻓﺘﻲ ﺷﻮ ﻓﻲ ﻋﻨﺪ ﺑﯿﺖ أم اﺣﻤﺪ؟ ﺗﻤﺎرا :ﻻ وﷲ ﺷﻮ ﻓﻲ؟ ﺳﻮزان :أم اﺣﻤﺪ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺠ ّﻮز ﺑﻨﺘﮭﺎ اﻟﻜﺒﯿﺮة ﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﻦ ﻋﯿﻠﺔ ﻏﻨﯿﺔ! ﺗﻤﺎرا :وإﻧﺘﻲ ﻛﯿﻒ ﻋﺮﻓﺘﻲ؟ ﺳﻮزان :ﺳﺄﻟﺖ ﺑﻨﺘﮭﺎ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮه ھﺎﻟﮫ! زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻮ :أﺧﺬو اﺳﺮارھﻢ ﻣﻦ ﺻﻐﺎرھﻢ.
Example:
إﺣﻢ . . .إﺣﻢ . . .ﻧﺤﻦ ھﻨﺎ!
أﺧﺒﺎرك ﺑﺎﯾﺘﺔ /’akhbār-ak bāyteh/
Equivalent: Queen Anne is dead/ That’s old news. Example:
ﻣﻌﺎذ :أﺑﻮ ﻣﺴﻌﻮد اﺗﺠﻮز وﺣﺪة روﺳﯿﺔ. ﻧﺒﯿﻞ :أﺧﺒﺎرك ﺑﺎﯾﺘﺔ! اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﻌﺮف ھﺎﻟﻘﺼﺔ!
أﺧﺒﻂ )طﻖ( راﺳﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﯿﻂ
آﺧﺮ اﻟﻌﻨﻘﻮد ﺳﻜﺮ ﻣﻌﻘﻮد /ākhir il-‘angūd sukkar ma‘gūd/
/’ukhbuṭ (ṭugg) rās-ak b-il-ḥēṭ/
Equivalent: Benjamin of the family/ The youngest
Equivalent: Bang or knock your head against a brick
child in the family.
wall.
Example:
Example:
ﺳﻌﺎد :ھﺬا اﺑﻨﻲ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ راﺋﺪ! آﺧﺮ اﻟﻌﻨﻘﻮد ﺳ ّﻜﺮ ﻣﻌﻘﻮد! ﻣﮭﺎ :ﻣﺎ ﺷﺎءﷲ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ!
ﯾﺰن :ﺧﻠﺺ ﻻ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﻲ ﻣﺶ رح أﺳﺎﻣﺤﻚ! زﯾﺪ :ﻣﺎﺷﻲ إﻧﺖ ﺣ ّﺮ! ﺿ ّﻞ زﻋﻼن واﺧﺒﻂ راﺳﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﯿﻂ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
إذا ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺤﯿﺮه ﺧﯿﺮه
6
آﺧﺮﯾﺘﻚ ﺗﺠﻠﻄﻨﻲ /’idhā bidd-ak tḥayr-uh khayr-uh/
/ākhrīt-ak tujluṭ-nī/
Equivalent: Literal. If you want to confuse someone,
Equivalent: Literal. In the end, you’ll give me a heart
then give them choices/ Caught between two stools/
attack/ If you continue to behave in such a way, it
A toss-up.
will cause me an extreme amount of aggravation.
Example:
Example:
اﻻﺑﻦ :آﺳﻒ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻷﻧﻲ ﺗﺄﺧﺮت اﻣﺒﺎرح وﻛﻨﺖ ﻣﺴ ّﻜﺮ ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﻲ. اﻷب :وﷲ ﯾﺎ اﺑﻨﻲ آﺧﺮﯾﺘﻚ ﺗﺠﻠﻄﻨﻲ! ﻻ ﺗﻌﯿﺪھﺎ ﻣﺮة ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ.
ﺣﻨﺎن :ﻣﻤﻜﻦ ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪﯾﻨﻲ ﯾﺎ ھﺪى؟ أي ﻓﺴﺘﺎن أﻟﺒﺲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ؟ أﻣﻲ اﺷﺘﺮﺗﻠﻲ أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻓﺴﺘﺎن وﻛﻠﮭﻦ ﺣﻠﻮات! ھﺪى :إذا ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺤﯿﺮه ﺧﯿﺮه!
إﺧﺺ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ
إذا ﻋﺮف اﻟﺴﺒﺐ ﺑﻄﻞ اﻟﻌﺠﺐ
/’ikhṣṣ ‘alēk/
/’idhā ‘urifa al-sabab baṭula al-‘ajab/
Equivalent: Shame on you.
Equivalent: No wonder/ It is not a surprise.
Example:
Example:
ﺴﮫ ﻋﺮﻓﺖ ﻟﯿﺶ أﺑﻮ ﺑﺪر ﺗﺠ ّﻮز ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺮﺗﮫ وداد أم اﯾﻤﻦ :ھ ّ ﻣﻊ إﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﺮا ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ وﻣﻌﺪّﻟﺔ! أم ﺗﺎﻣﺮ :ھﮫ ﻟﯿﺶ ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ؟ أم اﯾﻤﻦ :ﻷﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺨﻠﻒ أوﻻد وھﻮ ﺑﺪه وﻟﺪ ﯾﺤﻤﻞ اﺳﻤﮫ. أم ﺗﺎﻣﺮ :اھﺎ! إذا ﻋﺮف اﻟﺴﺒﺐ ﺑﻄﻞ اﻟﻌﺠﺐ.
أﺑﻮ ﻣﺤﻤﻮد :إﺧﺺ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺆاد! ﻛﯿﻒ ﺑﺘﻌﻤﻞ ھﺎﻟﻌﻤﻠﺔ وﺑﺘﻔﺴﺪ ﻋﻦ أﺧﻮك. ﻓﺆاد :ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﻗﺼﺪي ﯾﺎ ﻋ ّﻤﻲ ﺻﺪّﻗﻨﻲ!
ﺼﺔ اﻷﺳﺪ أﺧﺬ ﺣ ّ /’akhaḏ ̣ ḥuṣṣit il-’asad/
Equivalent: The lion’s share/ To take the biggest part
إذا ﻓﺎت اﻟﻔﻮت ﻣﺎ ﯾﻨﻔﻊ اﻟﺼﻮت
of something.
/’idhā fāt il-fōt mā yinfa‘ il-ṣōt/
Equivalent: It’s no use crying over spilt milk. Example:
اﻧﻮر :ﯾﺎ رﯾﺖ ﻗﺪّﻣﺖ ﻟﻠﻮظﯿﻔﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺷﻔﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺮﯾﺪة! ﻋﺰﻣﻲ ﻗﺪّم وأﺧﺬوه! ﻣﺆھﻼﺗﻲ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺆھﻼﺗﮫ! ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻟﻮ ﻗﺪّﻣﺖ ﻛﺎﻧﻮ أﻛﯿﺪ إﺧﺘﺎروﻧﻲ! أم اﻧﻮر :إذا ﻓﺎت اﻟﻔﻮت ﻣﺎ ﯾﻨﻔﻊ اﻟﺼﻮت! ﺑﺘﻘﺪّم ﻟﻐﯿﺮھﺎ! ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﻧﺼﯿﺐ.
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻣﺮوان :ﺷﻔﺖ ﻛﯿﻒ ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ رﺑﺢ ﻣﺒﺎﻟﻎ ﻛﺒﯿﺮة ﻟ ّﻤﺎ اﺷﺘﺮى اﻷﺳﮭﻢ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ أﺑﻮ ﻣﺮاد :آه وﷲ أﺧﺬ ﺣﺼﺔ اﻷﺳﺪ!
أﺧﺬ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ /’akhaḏ ̣ ‘alēh/
Equivalent: Get used to someone/ Become familiar/ Become comfortable with someone.
إذا ﻛﺎن ﺣﺒﯿﺒﻚ ﻋﺴﻞ ﻻ ﺗﻠﺤﺴﮭﻮش ﻛﻠﮫ
Example:
/’idhā kān ḥabīb-ak ‘asal lā tilḥashūsh kull-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. If your loved one was honey,
دﺧﻞ اﺑﻨﻲ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ وﺗﻌ ّﺮف ﻋﻠﻰ وﻟﺪ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ وأﺧﺬ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺑﺴﺮﻋﺔ وﻛﺄﻧﮭﻢ ﺑﻌﺮﻓﻮ ﺑﻌﺾ ﻣﻦ ﺳﻨﯿﻦ.
do not lick it all/ Don’t take advantage of your friends if they do good things for you and are very nice to
آدﻣﻲ
you.
/ādamī/
Example:
Equivalent: This refers to Adam/ Human being/ Full of
ﻧﺎدر :ﺑﺘﻘﺪر ﯾﺎ ﻣﻨﺼﻮر ﺗﻜﺘﺐ ﻋﻨﻲ اﻟﻮاﺟﺐ ھﺎﻷﺳﺒﻮع ﻷﻧﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺸﻐﻮل .ﺷﻜﺮاً إﻧّﻚ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﮭﺎ اﻷﺳﺒﻮع اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﺎت! ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :ﯾﺎ ﻧﺎدر إذا ﻛﺎن ﺣﺒﯿﺒﻚ ﻋﺴﻞ ﻻ ﺗﻠﺤﺴﮭﻮش ﻛﻠﮫ!
إذا ﻟﻢ ﺗﺴﺘﺤﻲ ﻓﺎﺻﻨﻊ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺸﺎء
the milk of human kindness/ An amiable person. Example:
ﺣﺎﻣﺪ ﺷﺐ آدﻣﻲ وﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺤﺘﺮم .ﷲ ﯾﺨﻠﯿﮫ ﻷھﻠﮫ.
إدﯾﮫ زي ادﯾﻦ اﻟﺤﺮاث
/’idhā lam tastaḥī faṣna‘ mā tashā’/
/’id-ēh zayy ’id-ēn il-ḥarrāth/
Equivalent: If you have no shame, then do whatever
Equivalent: Literal. His hands are like the hands of
you want.
a ploughman/ To have rough hands because of hard
Example:
work.
اﺑﻦ اﻟﺠﯿﺮان ﻗﻠﯿﻞ ﺗﺮﺑﺎﯾﺔ وﻣﺶ ﻣﺆدب! ﺑﻈﻞ ﯾﺮﻣﻲ اﻟﺰﺑﺎﻟﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﻮت اﻟﺠﯿﺮان وأھﻠﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻮ ﻣﻌﮫ! ﻓﻌﻼ زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻮ”إذا ﻟﻢ ﺗﺴﺘﺤﻲ ﻓﺎﺻﻨﻊ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺸﺎء“.
Example:
إﯾﺪﯾﻚ ﺻﺎرن زي إﯾﺪﯾﻦ اﻟﺤ ّﺮاث ﻣﻦ ﻛﺜﺮ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ .رﯾّﺢ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ!
7
ﺣﺮف اﻷﻟﻒ
أذاﻧﮫ ﺑﻄﻨﻦ
إرﺿﻰ ﺑﺎﻷﻣﺮ اﻟﻮاﻗﻊ /’irḏā ̣ b-il-’amr il-wāqi‘/
/’adhān-uh biṭinnin/
Equivalent: Reconcile yourself to something/ Accept
Equivalent: One’s ears are burning.
something as.
Example:
Example:
اھﻠﻲ ﺑﺪھﻢ أدرس طﺐ ﺑﺲ أﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ ھﺎﻟﺘﺨﺼﺺ وﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ إذا ﻻزم أرﺿﻰ ﺑﺎﻷﻣﺮ اﻟﻮاﻗﻊ وأدرﺳﮫ أو أﺗﺤﺪاھﻢ وأدرس زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي؟
اﺑﺼﺮ ﻣﯿﻦ ﺟﺎﯾﺐ ﺳﯿﺮﺗﻲ! ﻷﻧّﮫ أذاﻧﻲ ﺑﻄﻨﻦ!
إذن ﻣﻦ طﯿﻦ وإذن ﻣﻦ ﻋﺠﯿﻦ /’idhin min ṭīn w-’idhin min‘ajīn/
Equivalent: Literal. An ear is made out of mud and
إرﻣﻲ اﻹﺑﺮة ﺑﺘﺴﻤﻊ رﻧّﺘﮭﺎ
the other is made out of dough/ Talking to a brick
/’irmī il-’ibreh btisma‘ rannit-hā/
wall/ Fall on deaf ears/ In one ear and out the
Equivalent: Literal. Throw a needle and you will hear
other.
its sound/ Hear a pin drop/ Very quiet.
Example:
Example:
اﻷوﻻد ﻛﻠﮭﻢ ﻧﺎﻣﻮ واﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﺻﺎر ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ھﺎدي ﺑﻌﺪ إزﻋﺎﺟﮭﻢ. إرﻣﻲ اﻹﺑﺮة ﺑﺘﺴﻤﻊ رﻧّﺘﮭﺎ!
أزﻋﺮ
ﺗﻌﺒﺖ ﻣﻦ ﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﺎ ﻧﺼﺤﺖ اﺑﻨﻲ إﻧّﮫ ﯾﺪﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ دراﺳﺘﮫ وﻟﻜﻦ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﻤﻊ اﻟﺤﻜﻲ! إذن ﻣﻦ طﯿﻦ وإذن ﻣﻦ ﻋﺠﯿﻦ!
إذﻧﻚ ﻣﻌﻚ /’az‘ar/
/’idhn-ak ma‘-ak/
Equivalent: A rotten egg/ A bad egg/ A bad apple/
Equivalent: You are excused/ This expression is a
Naughty.
إذﻧﻚ“ reply to the expression
Example:
وﻟﯿﺪ ﺷﺐ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ وأزﻋﺮ .ﺑﻈﻞ ﯾﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻟﻜﻞ أھﻞ اﻟﺤﺎرة!
أﺻﻐﺮ ﻣﻨّﻚ ﻗﻠّﻚ ﺑﻊ
” which meansﻋﻦ ”إذﻧﻚ ﻣﻌﻚ“ “excuse me”! So, the person replies Example:
اﻟﻤﻮظﻒ :ﻋﻦ إذﻧﻚ! ﻣﻤﻜﻦ أوﺧﺬ ﻣﻐﺎدرة ﺳﺎﻋﺘﯿﻦ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻋﻨﺪي ﻣﻮﻋﺪ دﻛﺘﻮر أﺳﻨﺎن؟ ﻀﻞ! إذﻧﻚ ﻣﻌﻚ. اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ :ﺗﻔ ّ
/’azghar minn-ak gall-ak ba‘‘/
Equivalent: Teaching grandmother to suck eggs.
ارﺗﺎح ﻧﻔﺴﯿّﺎ /irtāḥ nafsiyyan/
Example:
أﻣﯿﻦ :ﻟ ّﻤﺎ اﺧﺘﻠﻔﺖ ﻣﻊ أﺧﻮي اﻟﻜﺒﯿﺮ إﺟﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﻲ اﺑﻨﻲ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ وﻗﻠّﻲ إﻧّﮫ ﺗﺼﺮﻓﻲ ﻛﺎن ﻏﻠﻂ وإﻧّﻲ ﻻزم أﻋﺘﺬر ﻣﻦ أﺧﻮي ﺣﺘﻰ ﻟﻮ ﻏﻠﻂ ﺑﺤﻘﻲ! ھﺎي آﺧﺮﯾﺘﮭﺎ :أﺻﻐﺮ ﻣﻨّﻚ ﻗﻠّﻚ ﺑﻊ!
اطﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ ﻧﺎﻓﻮﺧﻲ ← ﺣﻞ ﻋﻦ ﺳﻤﺎي /ḥill ‘an samāy/ ← /iṭla‘ min nāfūkh-ī/
Equivalent: Take a load off your mind. Example:
ﺴﯿﺖ ﻣﺮوان ارﺗﺎح ﻧﻔﺴﯿﺎ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ أﺧﺬ إﺟﺎزة وﺳﺎﻓﺮ. ﺣ ّ ھﺎﻟﻤﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﻛﺎن اﻟﺸﻐﻞ اﻟﻜﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺘﻌﺒﮫ وﻣﺴﺒﺒﻠﮫ ﻗﻠﻖ.
إرﺣﻤﻨﻲ
Equivalent: Get off my back/ Leave me alone.
/’irḥam-ni/
Example:
Equivalent: Give me a break/ Have mercy on me/ Stop
ﻋﻮض :ﻻزم ﯾﺎ ﻏﺴﺎن ﺗﺮوح ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻘﺎﺑﻠﺔ وﻣﺎ ﺗﻀﯿّﻊ اﻟﻔﺮﺻﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ! ﻻزم ﺗﻼﻗﻲ ﺷﻐﻞ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ وﺗﺼﺮف ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ! ﻏﺴﺎن :اطﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ ﻧﺎﻓﻮﺧﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻋﻮض وﺣﻞ ﻋﻦ ﺳﻤﺎي! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎك ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﻲ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع.
bothering me.
اﺳﺘﻜﺘﻞ
Example:
ﯾﺎ أﺧﻲ إرﺣﻤﻨﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺳﻮاﻟﻔﻚ! ﻣﯿﻦ ﺑﺼﺪّق ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟
أرﺧﺺ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻔﺠﻞ /’arkhaṣ min il-fujil/
/istaktal/
Equivalent: Literal. Cheaper than a radish/ Cheaper
Equivalent: Dying to do something/ Very eager to do
than dates in Basra/ Dirt cheap.
something.
Example:
Example:
اﺳﺘﻜﺘﻠﺖ ﺳﻤﯿﺮة ﺗﺎ ﺗﺮوح ﻋﺎﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ! وﷲ ﻣﻨﺎ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ ﻟﯿﺶ؟
ﺼﯿﺔ ﻗﯿّﻤﺔ ﺑﺴﻌﺮ رﺧﯿﺺ ﺟﺪاً! ﻛﺎﻧﺖ اﺷﺘﺮﯾﺖ ﻣﺠﻤﻮﻋﺔ ﻗﺼ ّ أرﺧﺺ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻔﺠﻞ!
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Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
إﺳﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺴ ّﻤﻰ /’isim ‘alā musammā/
Equivalent: A fitting name/ A patronym/ It is a personal name that is suitable to its holder. Example:
Example:
ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ؟ ﻟﯿﺶ زﻋﻼن؟:ﺧﺎﻟﺪ ! زﻋﻼن ﻷﻧﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺟﺒﺖ ﻣﻌﺪّل ﻛﻮﯾﺲ:اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ . ﻣﻌﺪّﻟﻚ ﺑﺪﺧﻠﻚ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ ﻣﺶ زﯾّﻲ. اﻟﻤﮭﻢ إﻧّﻚ ﻧﺠﺤﺖ:ﺧﺎﻟﺪ .اﻧﺒﺴﻂ ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ إﺷﻲ أھﻮن ﻣﻦ إﺷﻲ
ً .وﷲ إﻧّﮫ ﺻﺎﻟﺢ ﺷﺐ طﯿﺐ وأﺧﻼﻗﮫ ﻋﺎﻟﯿﺔ .ﻓﻌﻼ اﺳﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺴ ّﻤﻰ
إﺷﺘﺮاھﺎ )ﺑﺎﻋﮭﺎ( ﺑﺮﺧﺺ اﻟﺘﺮاب
اﺻﺮف ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ اﻟﺠﯿﺐ ﯾﺎﺗﯿﻚ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻐﯿﺐ /iṣrif mā fi-al-jēb ya’tīka mā fī al-ghēb/
/’ishtarā-hā (bā‘-hā) brukhuṣ li-trāb/
Equivalent: Give and spend and God will send.
Equivalent: Cheap at twice the price/ To buy something
Example:
ﻧﻔﺴﻲ أﺷﺘﺮي أﺷﯿﺎء ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻲ! ﺑﺲ ﺧﺎﯾﻒ ﻣﺎ ﯾﻀﻞ:ﻋﻤﺎد !ﻣﻌﻲ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻵﺧﺮ اﻟﺸﮭﺮ اﻧﺒﺴﻂ ﺑﺤﯿﺎﺗﻚ. ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ ﻻ ﺗﺒﺨﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ ﺑﺈﺷﻲ:ﺟﺎﺑﺮ .واﺻﺮف ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ اﻟﺠﯿﺐ ﯾﺄﺗﯿﻚ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻐﯿﺐ
dirt cheap/ To buy something that is cheap as chips. Example:
.ﺣﺴﻦ اﺷﺘﺮى ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﮫ ﺑﺮﺧﺺ اﻟﺘﺮاب
أﺷﻜﺎل أﻟﻮان
ﺴﻮﻻﻓﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﺎر ھﺎدﯾّﺔ ّ اطﺒﺦ اﻟ
/’ashkāl ʼalwān/
Equivalent: All shapes and sizes.
/uṭbukh il-sōlāfeh ‘alā nār hādyeh/
Example:
Equivalent: Literal. Cook the story or matter on a low
ﻟ ّﻤﺎ رﺣﺖ أﺷﺘﺮي ﺗﻠﻔﻮن ﺟﺪﯾﺪ اﺗﺤﯿﺮت ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻷﻧّﮫ ﻓﻲ:ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ً ! أﺷﻜﺎل أﻟﻮان.ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﺎت ﻛﺜﯿﺮة ﻧﺎزﻟﺔ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ .ﻓﻌﻼ إﺷﻲ ﺑﺤﯿّﺮ
اﺷﻤﻌﻨﻰ
flame/ Think this over. Example:
أﻋﻄﻲ ھﺎﻟﻘﺼﺔ وﻗﺖ أطﻮل واطﺒﺦ.ﺴﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ إﺷﻲ ّ ﻻ ﺗﻘ ّﺮر ھ .ھﺎﻟﺴﻮﻻﻓﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﺎر ھﺎدﯾﺔ
/ishmi‘nā/
اطﻠﺐ ﻟﺒﻦ اﻟﻌﺼﻔﻮر
Equivalent: Why? /uṭlub laban il-‘aṣfūr/
Example:
ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻌﻄﻲ ﻓﺆاد ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻚ ﻣﻊ إﻧّﮫ رﯾﺎض طﻠﺒﮭﺎ؟ اﺷﻤﻌﻨﻰ؟
Equivalent: Literal. Ask for bird’s milk/ Ask for whatever you wish or want, and it shall be done for you.
أﺷﮭﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﺎر ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﻠﻢ /’ashhar min il-nār ‘alā il-‘alam/
Equivalent: A very famous person. Example:
ﺑﺘﻌﺮف إﻧّﮫ ھﺬا اﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺳﻠّﻤﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺳﻜﻦ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ:اﺣﻤﺪ ﺑﺤﺎرﺗﻨﺎ وإﻧّﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺸﮭﻮر وﺑﻤﺜّﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺴﻠﺴﻼت؟ . ﻣﮭﻮ أﺷﮭﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﺎر ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﻠﻢ. آه أﻛﯿﺪ ﺑﻌﺮف:طﺎرق
Example:
! اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮرة ﺧﺒّﺮﺗﻨﻲ إﻧّﻲ ﺣﺎﻣﻞ:ﻣﻨﺎر ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ ﺟﺪ؟ ﻣﺒﺮوك ﺣﺒﯿﺒﺘﻲ! اطﻠﺒﻲ ﻟﺒﻦ اﻟﻌﺼﻔﻮر:ﻋﺰام .وﺑﺠﯿﺒﮫ ﻟﻌﻨﺪك
اطﻠﺐ واﺗﻤﻨﻰ /uṭlub w-itmannā/
Equivalent: At someone’s beck and call/ The person
اﻹﺷﻲ إن زاد ﻋﻦ ﺣﺪّه ﻗﻠﺐ ﺿﺪّه
is ready to do something for someone any time he or
/il-ʼishī ’in zād ‘an ḥadd-uh galab ḏị dd-uh/
she is asked.
Equivalent: Too much of a good thing/ If you have too
Example:
! إﻧﺖ ﺑﺲ اطﻠﺐ واﺗﻤﻨﻰ.أﻧﺎ ﺗﺤﺖ أﻣﺮك
much of a good thing, something pleasant becomes unpleasant because you have too much of it.
اطﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ ھﺎﻟﺒﻮاب
Example:
ﻟ ّﻤﺎ رﺣﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ ﻛﻨﺖ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺟﻮﻋﺎﻧﺔ وﻛﺎن اﻟﺒﻮﻓﯿﮫ ﺑﺠﻨﻦ وﺟﻌﺘﻨﻲ! ﻓﻌﻼً إﻧّﮫ ّ أﻛﻠﺖ ﻟﺤﺘﻰ ﻣﻌﺪﺗﻲ.واﻷﻛﻞ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ زاﻛﻲ !اﻹﺷﻲ إن زاد ﻋﻦ ﺣﺪه ﺑﻘﻠﺐ ﺿﺪه
/iṭla‘ min ha-li-bwāb/
Equivalent: Come off it/ Don’t lie or exaggerate/ Tell me another one/ I don’t believe you/ Tell me another lie.
إﺷﻲ أھﻮن ﻣﻦ إﺷﻲ /’ishī ’ahwan min ’ishī/
Equivalent: The lesser of two evils.
Example:
أﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺣﻜﯿﺘﻠﻚ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻌﻲ اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺑﺎﻟﻠﯿﻞ؟:ﺟﻤﺎل ھﮫ ﺧﯿﺮ إن ﺷﺎ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﻣﻌﺎك؟:ﻣﺮاد
9
ﺣﺮف اﻷﻟﻒ Example:
راﯾﺔ :ﺟﻮزي ﻛﺜﯿﺮ أﻋﺼﺎﺑﮫ ﺑﺎردة! ﻋﻜﺴﻲ ﺗﻤﺎﻣﺎ!
أﻋﺼﺮ دﻣﺎﻏﻚ /’u‘ṣur dmāgh-ak/
Equivalent: Literal. Squeeze your brain/ Rack your brain.
ﺟﻤﺎل :اﻣﺒﺎرح وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺮ ّوح ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﮭﺮة ﻣﻊ اﻟﺸﺒﺎب وﺟﮫ اﻟﺼﺒﺢ ﺷﻔﺖ وﺣﺶ ﻛﺒﯿﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺎرع وﺷﻌﺮه ﻛﺜﯿﻒ وﻣﻜﺒّﺶ ووﺟﮭﮫ ﺑﺨ ّﻮف إﺟﺎ ﻟﻌﻨﺪي وﺣﺎول ﯾﻤﺴﻜﻨﻲ ﺑﺲ أﻧﺎ ھﺮﺑﺖ ﻣﻨﮫ ﺑﺴﺮﻋﺔ. ﻣﺮاد :ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ! اطﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ ھﺎﻟﺒﻮاب! ﺷﻮ ھﺬا اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﺤﻜﯿﮫ؟ اﻛﺬﺑﻠﻚ ﻛﺬﺑﺔ ﺗﺘﺼﺪق!
Example:
ﻋﺒﯿﺮ :ﺑﺘﺘﺬﻛﺮي ﯾﺎ ﻓﺮح اﺳﻢ اﻟﺒﻨﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺎﻋﺘﻨﺎ اﻟﻔﺴﺘﺎن ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﻮﻣﯿﻦ؟ ﻓﺮح :ﻻ ﻧﺴﯿﺘﮫ! ﻋﺒﯿﺮ :ﺿﺮوري ﺗﺘﺬﻛﺮي .ﯾﺎ أﻋﺼﺮي دﻣﺎﻏﻚ!
أﻋﺬر ﻣﻦ أﻧﺬر /’u‘dhira man ʼandhar/
Equivalent: Forewarned is forearmed/ This is used as a stern warning. Example:
ﺼﮫ أﻋﻄﻲ اﻟﺨﺒّﺎز ﺧﺒﺰه وﻟﻮ أﻛﻞ ﻧ ّ /’a‘ṭī il-khabbāz khubz-uh walaw akal nuṣṣ-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. Give the baker his bread even if he eats half of it/ The job should be given to a person
اﻷم :ﺷﻮف ﯾﺎ اﺑﻨﻲ ﺗﺮى أﺑﻮك ﺣﻜﺎﻟﻲ إﻧّﮫ إذا ﺣﻀﺮﺗﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺘﺨ ّﺮج ھﺎﻟﺴﻨﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ ﻓﻤﺶ راﯾﺢ ﯾﺪﻓﻌﻠﻚ رﺳﻮم اﻟﺴﻨﺔ اﻟﺠﺎﯾﺔ وﺑﺤﻜﯿﻠﻚ دﺑّﺮ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ! وھﯿﻨﻲ ﺑﺤﻜﯿﻠﻚ وﺑﻨﺒﮭﻚ وأﻋﺬر ﻣﻦ أﻧﺬر.
who knows how to complete and perform it best, even if this will cost much.
اﻹﻋﺘﺮاف ﺑﺎﻟﺬﻧﺐ ﻓﻀﯿﻠﺔ
Example:
ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﻲ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ ﺗﻌﻄّﻞ وﺣﺎوﻟﺖ أﺻﻠﺤﮫ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻲ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ زﺑﻂ! إﺟﯿﺖ أﺧﺬﺗﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺟﺎرﻧﺎ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﺎﺗﺢ ﻣﺤﻞ ﺗﺼﻠﯿﺢ وﺻﻠﺤﻠﻲ إﯾﺎه ﺑﺜﻮاﻧﻲ. ً ﺼﮫ! ﻓﻌﻼ أﻋﻄﻲ اﻟﺨﺒّﺎز ﺧﺒﺰه وﻟﻮ أﻛﻞ ﻧ ّ
أﻋﻄﺎك ﻋﻤﺮه /’a‘ṭāk ‘umr-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. He gave you his life/ Crossed the Jordan.
/al-’i‘tirāf bi-al-dhanb faḍīlah/
Equivalent: A fault confessed is half redressed/ Confession is good for the soul. Example:
ﺳﻔﯿﺎن :ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻜﺮك ﯾﺎ ﺣﻤﺪ ﻋﺸﺎن إﻧﺖ إﻋﺘﺮﻓﺖ ﻟﻠﻤﺪﯾﺮ إﻧﻚ أﻧﺖ اﻟﻤﺴﺆؤل ﻋﻦ اﻟﻐﻠﻄﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺻﺎرت ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ وإﻧّﮫ أﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ دﺧﻠﻨﻲ. ﺣﻤﺪ :ﻻ ﺗﺸﻜﺮﻧﻲ ﻷﻧﮭﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻏﻠﻄﺘﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻔﻌﻞ وأﻧﺎ ﺑﺂﻣﻦ إﻧّﮫ اﻹﻋﺘﺮاف ﺑﺎﻟﺬﻧﺐ ﻓﻀﯿﻠﺔ.
Example:
اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺼﺒﺢ أﺑﻮ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ أﻋﻄﺎك ﻋﻤﺮه! ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮫ!
إﻋﺘﺮف ﺑﻐﻠﻄﻚ /’i‘tarif bi-ghalaṭ-ak/
أﻋﻄﺎه اﻟﻀﻮ اﻷﺧﻀﺮ
Equivalent: Unburden oneself to someone/ Confess/ /’a‘ṭāh il-ḏạ ww li-khḏạ r/
Come clean about/ Get something off your chest/ Tell
Equivalent: To give the green light to someone/ To
all about/ Empty yourself.
allow someone to do something.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺣﺎﻣﺪ أﻋﻄﻰ اﻟﻀﻮ اﻷﺧﻀﺮ ﻟﻸﺳﺘﺎذ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺸ ّﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ اﺑﻨﮫ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﮭﻤﻞ ﺑﺪراﺳﺘﮫ.
ﺳﻤﯿﺮة :ﯾﺎ ﺳﻤﺮ ﻻزم ﺗﻌﺘﺮﻓﻲ ﺑﻐﻠﻄﻚ وﺗﺮﯾﺤﻲ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ؟
أﻋﺰب دھﺮ وﻻ أرﻣﻞ ﺷﮭﺮ /’a‘zab dahir walā ʼarmal shahir/
أﻋﻄﯿﻨﻲ ﺣﻆ وارﻣﯿﻨﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﺤﺮ
Equivalent: It is better to be single all your life than to
/’a‘ṭīnī ḥaḏḏ ̣ ̣ w-irmīnī b-il-baḥur/
be a widow for a month.
Equivalent: Literal. Give me good luck and throw me
Example:
in the sea/ It’s better to be lucky born than a rich man’s son/ This is used to indicate that luck is much more important than anything else in life. The life of the lucky person is much easier than the life of
أم ﻣﺤﻤﻮد :ﺷﻔﺘﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺘﺤﯿﺔ أﺑﻮ زﻛﻲ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺘﺠﻮز اﻷﺳﺒﻮع اﻟﺠﺎي .ﻣﺮﺗﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺻﺎرﻟﮭﺎ ﻣﺘﻮﻓﯿﺔ ﻏﯿﺮ ﺷﮭﺮﯾﻦ. ﻓﺘﺤﯿﺔ :ھﺬا ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﺣﺎس ﺑﺎﻟﻮﺣﺪة واﻟﻔﺮاغ ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ! وزي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻮ أﻋﺰب دھﺮ وﻻ أرﻣﻞ ﺷﮭﺮ.
others who are unlucky. Example:
ﻏﺮام :ﻣﺮﯾﻢ ﺑﻨﺖ ﻣﺤﻈﻮظﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ .ﺑﺲ ﺗﺨﺮﺟﺖ ﻟﻘﺖ ﺷﻐﻞ ﻣﺒﺎﺷﺮة واﺗﺠﻮزت ﻋﺮﯾﺲ ﻏﻨﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻟﻔّﺖ اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻢ!
أﻋﺼﺎﺑﮫ ﺑﺎردة /’a‘ṣāb-uh bārdeh/
Equivalent: Cold fish/ An extremely calm person.
10
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
. ھﺎي ﺑﻨﺖ ﻣﺤﻈﻮظﺔ ﻣﻦ ﯾﻮم ﯾﻮﻣﮭﺎ ﯾﺎ ھﻨﯿﺎﻟﮭﺎ:ﺳﮭﺎد .أﻋﻄﯿﻨﻲ ﺣﻆ وارﻣﯿﻨﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﺤﺮ
اﻋﻘﻞ ← اھﺠﻊ
Example:
ﺼﺐ ﯾﺎ ﺧﺎﻟﺪ؟ ّ ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﻌ:ﻣﮭﺪي اﻟﺴﯿﺪ ﻧﺎدر ﺿﯿّﻊ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ اﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ ﻷﻧّﮫ ﺣﻜﻰ ﻟﻠﻤﺪﯾﺮ أﺷﯿﺎء:ﺧﺎﻟﺪ ! ﺧﻠّﯿﮫ ﯾﻘﺮا ﻋﻠﻰ روﺣﮫ اﻟﺴﻼم. أﻧﺎ ﺑﻔﺮﺟﯿﮫ.ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ ﻋﻨّﻲ
/ihja‘/ ← /i‘gal/
إﻋﻤﻞ ﻣﻌﺮوف
Equivalent: Calm down. /’i‘mal ma‘rūf/
Example:
ﺧﻠﺺ.ﻻزم ﺗﻌﻘﻞ ﯾﺎ اﺷﺮف وﺗﺒﻄّﻞ ﻋﺼﺒﯿﺘﻚ اﻟﺰاﯾﺪة ھﺎي !اھﺠﻊ ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ
Equivalent: Please, do something nice/ Do me a favor. Example:
إﻋﻘﻞ وﺗﻮﻛﻞ
.إﻋﻤﻞ ﻣﻌﺮوف واﺗﺮﻛﻨﻲ ﺑﺤﺎﻟﻲ إذا ﺳﻤﺤﺖ
/i‘qil wa-tawakal/
اﻷﻗﺮﺑﻮن أوﻟﻰ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻌﺮوف
Equivalent: Look before you leap. /al-’aqrabūn ’awlā b-il-ma‘rūf/
Example:
ﺧﻠﺺ ﻗ ّﺮرت اطﻠﻊ أدرس ﺑّﺮا! درﺳﺖ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع:ﻣﺮاد .وﺣﺎس ﺣﺎﻟﻲ ﺟﺎھﺰ . إﻋﻘﻞ وﺗﻮﻛﻞ. ﻣﻤﺘﺎز ﺑﺎﻟﺘﻮﻓﯿﻖ:ﺣﺴﺎن
أﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺨﯿﻠﻚ ارﻛﺒﮫ /’a‘lā mā b-khēl-ak irkab-uh/
Equivalent: Charity begins at home. Example:
ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﻧﻮزّع زﻛﺎة اﻟﻔﻄﺮ ھﺎﻟﯿﻮﻣﯿﻦ وﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﯿﻦ:أم ﻣﮭﺪي ﻟﻤﯿﻦ ﻧﻌﻄﻲ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري؟ أﻋﻄﯿﮭﻦ ﻷوﻻد. ﯾﺎ أﺧﺘﻲ اﻷﻗﺮﺑﻮن أوﻟﻰ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻌﺮوف:أم رداد !أﺧﺘﻚ اﻷﯾﺘﺎم
Equivalent: Do your worst/ Please yourself.
أطﻮل ﻣﻦ ﯾﻮم اﻟﺠﻤﻌﺔ
Example:
ﺑﺘﻔﻜﺮﻧﻲ ﺧﺎﯾﻒ ﻣﻨّﻚ؟ إﻋﻤﻞ ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّك وأﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺨﯿﻠﻚ !ارﻛﺒﮫ
/’aṭwal min yōm il-jum‘ah/
Equivalent: Literal. Taller than the day of Friday/ Extremely tall/ This idiomatic expression is used to
إﻋﻤﻞ ﺧﯿﺮ وإرﻣﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﺤﺮ
describe a very tall person in a funny way. Example:
/’i‘mal khēr w-’irmī b-il-baḥur/
Equivalent: Literal. Do good and throw it in the sea/ Cast your bread upon the waters/ A good deed is
ﺷﻔﺖ اﻟﻄﺎﻟﺐ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ ﻣﺎ أطﻮﻟﮫ؟ أطﻮل ﻣﻦ ﯾﻮم !اﻟﺠﻤﻌﺔ
never lost.
أ ّﻛﺎل ﻧ ّﻜﺎر ← زي اﻟﻘﻂ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻞ وﺑﺘﻨﻜﺮ
Example:
ﻓ ّﮭﻤﻨﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻋﻤﺎر ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺘﻈﻞ ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪ ﻛﻞ ھﺎﻟﺒﺸﺮ ﻣﻊ إﻧﮫ:أﺣﻤﺪ ﺑﻌﻀﮭﻢ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﺘﺎھﻞ؟ . ﯾﺎﺳﯿﺪي إﻋﻤﻞ ﺧﯿﺮ وإرﻣﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﺤﺮ:ﻋﻤﺎر
/zayy il-guṭṭ b-tōkil w-btinkir/ ← /’akkāl nakkār/
Equivalent: Look a gift horse in the mouth/ To be ungracious and unappreciative to someone who gives you something or does
اﻓﺘﺢ اذاﻧﻚ ﻣﻨﯿﺢ /iftaḥ adhān-ak mnīḥ/
Equivalent: Lend someone an ear/ To keep an ear out for something/ Keep your ears open/ Listen carefully
good things for you. Example:
إﻧﺖ واﺣﺪ أ ّﻛﺎل.وﷲ إﻧﺖ ﯾﺎ ﺳﻔﯿﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺑﺒﯿّﻦ ﻣﻌﻚ اﻟﻤﻠﯿﺢ . زي اﻟﻘﻂ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻞ وﺑﺘﻨﻜﺮ.ﻧ ّﻜﺎر
and pay attention.
أﻛﺒﺮ ﻣﻨّﻚ ﺑﯿﻮم أﻋﺮف ﻣﻨّﻚ ﺑﺴﻨﺔ
Example:
!اﻓﺘﺢ اذاﻧﻚ ﻣﻨﯿﺢ واﺳﻤﻊ ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّي أﺣﻜﯿﻠﻚ
/’akbar minn-ak b-yōm ’a‘raf minn-ak b-saneh/
Equivalent: Literal. Older than you by a day is
إﻗﺮا ﻋﻠﯿﮫ اﻟﺴﻼم ← إﻗﺮا ﻋﻠﻰ روﺣﮫ اﻟﻔﺎﺗﺤﺔ
more knowledgeable than you by a year/ Older
/’igrā ‘alā rūḥ-uh il-fātḥeh/ ← /’igrā ‘alēh il-salām/
and wiser.
Equivalent: You’ll be dead meat (this is used as a way
Example:
of threatening someone and telling him or her that he or she will be ruined or doomed).
اﺳﻤﻊ ﯾﺎ داوود ﻻزم ﺗﺴﻤﻊ ﻛﻠﻤﺔ أﺑﻮك ﻷﻧّﮫ ﺑﺪّه ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺘﻚ .وزي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻮ أﻛﺒﺮ ﻣﻨﻚ ﺑﯿﻮم أﻋﺮف ﻣﻨﻚ ﺑﺴﻨﺔ
ﺣﺮف اﻷﻟﻒ
أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻘﺮد ﻣﺎ ﻣﺼﺦ ﷲ
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أﻛﻞ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻘﮭﺮ
/’akthar min il-girid mā maṣakh Allah/
/’akal ḥāl-uh min il-gahur/
Equivalent: If worse comes to the worse/ This is used
Equivalent: To beat oneself up/ To feel sad, annoyed,
for something that couldn’t get worse/ What is the
infuriated, furious, angry, etc.
worst that could happen?
Example:
اﺳﻌﺪ رﺳﺐ ﺑﺎﻣﺘﺤﺎن اﻟﺴﻮاﻗﺔ وأﻛﻞ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﻣﻦ .اﻟﻘﮭﺮ
Example:
ﺑﻨﺼﺤﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺧﺎﻟﺪ ﺗﺮوح ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻊ ﻋﺎدل ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ:ﻋﻤﺎد !ﺼﺐ ﻣﻨﻚ وﻣﻦ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﮫ ﻓﯿﮫ! ﻣﻤﻜﻦ ﯾﻌﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ وﯾﺄذﯾﻚ ّ ﻣﻌ ﻻ ﺑﺪّي أروح وﻻ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮﻓﮫ! وﺧﻠﯿﮫ ﯾﻌﻤﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪّه:ﺧﺎﻟﺪ ! أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻘﺮد ﻣﺎ ﻣﺼﺦ ﷲ.إﯾﺎه
أﻛﻞ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ اﻟﺪھﺮ وﺷﺮب /’akal ‘alēh il-dahur w-shirib/
Equivalent: Have seen better days.
أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﮭﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻘﻠﺐ
Example:
ھﺎﻟﻔﺴﺘﺎن ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻗﺪﯾﻢ وﻣﮭﺘﺮي أﻛﻞ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ اﻟﺪھﺮ .وﺷﺮب
/’akthar min il-hamm ‘alā il-galub/
Equivalent: A drug on the market/ Dime-a-dozen. Example:
ﻟﯿﺶ زﻋﻼن ﯾﺎ زﯾﺪ؟ ﻋﺸﺎن ﺣﺒﯿﺒﺘﻚ ﺗﺮﻛﺘﻚ واﺗﺠﻮزت واﺣﺪ ﺛﺎﻧﻲ؟ ﻣﺎ اﻟﺒﻨﺎت اﻟﻜﻮﯾﺴﺎت ﻣﻌﺒﯿﺎت اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ وأﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﮭﻢ .ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻘﻠﺐ
أﻛﻞ وﺟﮭﮫ /’akal wijh-uh/
Equivalent: Badger into/ Insist on/ This is used when someone requests and demands something firmly,
اﻛﺴﺮ وراه ﺟ ّﺮة
untiringly and persistently.
/iksir warāh jarrah/
Example:
Equivalent: Literal. Break a jar behind him/ To burn
اﺑﻨﻲ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ اﻛﻞ وﺟﮭﻲ وﻣﻮﺗﻨﻲ ﻗﺪ ﻣﺎ طﻠﺐ اﺷﺘﺮﯾﻠﮫ ﺗﻠﻔﻮن !ﺟﺪﯾﺪ
the bridges with someone. Example:
ﺑﺪﻧﺎ.اﻟﺤﻤﺪ إﻧﮭﻢ ﻏﯿّﺮو اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻢ ﻷﻧّﮫ ﻛﺎن ھﺎﻟﻜﻨﺎ !ﻧﻜﺴﺮ وراه ﺟ ّﺮة
أﻛﻞ وﻣﺮﻋﻰ وﻗﻠّﺔ ﺻﻨﻌﺔ /’akl w-mar‘ā w-gillit ṣan‘ah/
Equivalent: The life of Riley/ A stress-free, easy,
أﻛﻞ ﺗﺎ ﻓﻘﻊ
comfortable and thoroughly pleasant and enjoyable
/’akal tā faga‘/
way of living.
Equivalent: Literal. He ate until he exploded/ Pig out/
Example:
Gorge oneself on food/ To eat to the point of fullness.
ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﺟﺎﺑﻠﮭﺎ ﺧﺪاﻣﺔ وھﻲ ﺑﺲ.وﷲ أم ﻣﺮﻋﻲ ﻣﺮﺗﺎح ﺑﺎﻟﮭﺎ .أﻛﻞ وﻣﺮﻋﻰ وﻗﻠّﺔ ﺻﻨﻌﺔ
Example:
اﻟﯿﻮم ﻟﻘﯿﺖ أﻣﻲ طﺎﺑﺨﺔ ﻣﻨﺴﻒ! اﻷﻛﻠﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺤﺒﮭﺎ! أﻛﻠﺖ ﺗﺎ !ﻓﻘﻌﺖ
أﻛﻠﮫ ﺑﻼ ﻣﻠﺢ /’akal-uh balā miliḥ/
أﻛﻞ اﻹﺧﻀﺮ واﻟﯿﺎﺑﺲ
Equivalent: Eat someone up/ To overwhelm someone
/’akal li-khḏạ r w-il-yābis/
with loving affection/ Eat someone alive/ To criticize
Equivalent: To wipe out totally/ To be a greedy person.
or harm someone.
Example:
Example:
!أﺑﻮ ﺣﻤﺪان اﺷﺘﺮى ﻛﻞ أراﺿﻲ ھﺎﻟﺒﻠﺪ وﺑﺪّه أرﺿﻲ ﻛﻤﺎن أﻛﻞ اﻷﺧﻀﺮ واﻟﯿﺎﺑﺲ وﻣﺎ ﺧﻠّﻰ ﻟﺤﺪا ﻣﺠﺎل ﯾﻌﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ أو .ﯾﻔ ّﻜﺮ ﺑﻤﺸﺮوع
! ﻣﺎ أﺣﻠﻰ ھﺎﻟﺒﯿﺒﻲ! ﺑﺪّي اوﻛﻠﮫ ﺑﻼ ﻣﻠﺢ:أم ﻋﺎﻣﺮ ﻻ ﺗﻠﻌﺐ ﺑﺘﻠﻔﻮن أﺑﻮي ﯾﺎ ﺻﺎدق! إذا ﺑﺨﺮب ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﮫ:ﻓﺮﯾﺪ !ﺑﻮﻛﻠﻚ ﺑﻼ ﻣﻠﺢ
أﻛﻞ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤﺴﺪ
أﻛﻠﮭﺎ ﺑﻌﯿﻮﻧﮫ اﻛﻞ
/’akal ḥāl-uh min il-ḥasad/
/’akal-hā b-‘yūn-uh ʼakil/
Equivalent: Eat your heart out/ To be very envious,
Equivalent: To give the glad eye to.
green-eyed, or jealous.
Example:
Example:
ﻟﻤﺎ طﻠﻌﺘﻠﻲ اﻟﻤﻨﺤﺔ وﻣﺎ طﻠﻌﺖ ﻟﺴﻠﻤﻰ أﻛﻠﺖ ﺣﺎﻟﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤﺴﺪ .واﻟﻐﯿﺮة
ﯾﺎ رﺟﻞ زوق ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ ﺷﻮي! أﻛﻠﺖ اﻟﺒﻨﺖ:ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ .ﺑﻌﯿﻮﻧﻚ أﻛﻞ ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ؟. أي ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﺣﻠﻮة ﻛﺜﯿﺮ:ﻏﺴﺎن
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
اﻟﻜﺮة ﺑﻤﻠﻌﺒﮫ
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اﻟﺤﻖ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ /il-kurah bi-mal‘ab-uh/
/ilḥagg ḥāl-ak/
Equivalent: The ball is in your court/ It is your decision.
Equivalent: While the going is good/ Seize the opportunity.
Example:
Example:
ھﺎي اﻟﻤﻨﺼﺐ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺳﻌﯿﺘﻠﮫ ﺻﺎر ﺑﯿﻦ إﯾﺪﯾﻚ وﺻﺎرت اﻟﻜﺮة ﺑﻤﻠﻌﺒﻚ! ﻓﺮﺟﯿﻨﺎ ﺷﻮ رح ﺗﻌﻤﻞ.
ﷲ أﻋﻠﻢ
ﻣﻌﺘﺼﻢ :اﻟﺤﻖ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ وﻗﺪّم طﻠﺐ ﻟﻠﺠﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ داﻣﮭﻢ ﺑﻌﺪھﻢ ﺑﺴﺘﻘﺒﻠﻮ طﻠﺒﺎت وﻻ ﺗﻀﯿّﻊ اﻟﻔﺮﺻﺔ ﯾﺎ طﺎرق.
اﻟﻘﻰ ﻋﻦ ﻧﻔﺴﻚ ← اﻟﻘﻰ ﻋﻦ راﺳﻚ /Allahu ’a‘lam/
/ilgā ‘an rās-ak/ ← /ilgā ‘an nafs-ak/
Equivalent: Heaven knows/ God knows.
Equivalent: Face the music/ Face the consequences.
Example:
Example:
أم راﺋﺪ :ﺑﺘﻌﺮﻓﻲ ﻣﺘﻰ ﻏﺴﺎن ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺮﺟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ؟ ﻧﻮال :ﷲ اﻋﻠﻢ! ﻣﺎ ﻗﺎل ﻣﺘﻰ!
ﷲ ﺳﺘﺮ /Allah satar/
أﻣﺠﺪ :اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻋﺮف إﻧﻚ إﻧﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺳ ّﺮﺑﺖ أﺳﺌﻠﺔ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن! وإﻧّﻚ إﻧﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ أﺧﺬﺗﮭﻦ ﻣﻦ ﻣﻜﺘﺒﮫ ﺑﺲ ﺧﻠﺺ اﻟﺪوام! ﻣﺎ ﺼﺔ! ﯾﺎ إﻟﻘﻰ ﻋﻦ ﺑﻌﺮف ﻣﯿﻦ ﺧﺒّﺮه ﺑﺲ ﻣﺘﺄﻛﺪ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻘ ّ ﻧﻔﺴﻚ! ﺑﺠﻮز ﯾﻔﺼﻠﻮك ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ ﻓﺼﻞ ﺗﺄدﯾﺒﻲ! ﻋﻤﺮ :ﯾﺎ رﯾﺖ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻤﻠﺖ ھﺎﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ! و ّرطﺖ ﺣﺎﻟﻲ.
Equivalent: Save the day. Example:
أم راﻣﻲ :اﻟﯿﻮم راﻣﻲ راح ﻣﺎ ﯾﻨﺪﻋﺲ! ﷲ ﺳﺘﺮ! أم ھﺎﻧﻲ :ﺣﻤﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﻼﻣﺘﮫ.
إﻟﻚ ﻋﻠﻲ ﺿﺮﺑﺔ ﻻزم /’ilak ‘alay ḏạ rbit lāzim/
Equivalent: Why would I help you?/Why would I do this for you?/You mean nothing to me; why would I
إﻟﮫ ﺛﻢ ﯾﻮﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺤﻜﻲ
?care about you Example:
/’iluh thumm yōkil mā yiḥkī/
Equivalent: Literal. He or she has a mouth that eats but does not talk/ A woman or man of few words/ A
ﻧﺒﯿﻞ :ﻻزم ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺎزم! ﺣﺎزم :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺪّي أﺳﺎﻋﺪك؟ إﻟﻚ ﻋﻠﻲ ﺿﺮﺑﺔ ﻻزم؟
quiet and polite person. Example:
أم ﺷﻔﯿﻖ :ﺑﺪﻛﻮ ﺗﻮاﻓﻘﻮ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺧﻄﻮﺑﺔ ﻋﻤﺮﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻨﺘﻚ ﻣﻨﻰ؟ أم ﺗﻤﯿﻢ :آه ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﻧﻮاﻓﻖ .ﻋﻤﺮ ﺷﺐ ﻣﺆدب! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ إﻟﮫ ﺛﻢ ﯾﻮﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺤﻜﻲ. أم ﺷﻔﯿﻖ :آه وﷲ ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﻤﺘﺎز وﻣﻨﻰ رح ﺗﻨﺒﺴﻂ ﻣﻌﺎه.
إﻟﻲ ﺑﺬﻣﺘﮫ /’ilī b-dhimt-uh/
إﻟﻚ ﻋﻨﺪي وﺣﺪة /’ilak ‘indī waḥadeh/
Equivalent: I owe you one/ Beholden to someone/ Owing someone a favor/ Feeling a debt of gratitude. Example:
اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ :ﺷﻜﺮاً إﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺷﺮف ﻋﺸﺎن طﻠﻌﺘﻨﻲ ﻣﻦ ھﺎﻟﻤﻮﻗﻒ اﻟﻤﺤﺮج! أﻧﻘﺬﺗﻨﻲ! إﻟﻚ ﻋﻨﺪي وﺣﺪة. ﺷﺮف :وﻟﻮ إﺣﻨﺎ أﺧﻮة وداﯾﻤﺎ ً رح أﺳﺎﻋﺪك.
Equivalent: He owes me. Example:
ﻣﺤﻤﺪ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ رزق اﺳﺘﻠﻢ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮫ وﺑﺪّه ﯾﺴﺪ اﻟﺪﯾﻦ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ. ﺧﺎﻟﺪ :ﻣﻤﺘﺎز! إﻟﻲ ﺑﺬﻣﺘﮫ ﻣﯿﺘﯿﻦ دﯾﻨﺎر! ﺑﺪّي أروح أذﻛﺮه ﻓﯿﮭﻦ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺤﺴﺐ ﺣﺴﺎﺑﻲ.
اﻟﻠﻲ اﺳﺘﺤﻮ ﻣﺎﺗﻮ
إﻟﻚ ﻋﯿﻦ /’ilak ‘ēn/
?Equivalent: Don’t you dare/ How dare you Example:
أﺑﻮ ودﯾﻊ :إﻟﻚ ﻋﯿﻦ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﯾﺎ ودﯾﻊ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﮫ! ﻏﻠﻄﺘﻚ ﻛﺒﯿﺮة وﻻ ﺗﻐﺘﻔﺮ! ودﯾﻊ :ﺳﺎﻣﺤﻨﻲ ﯾﺎﺑﺎ ﻣﺎ رح أﻋﯿﺪھﺎ.
/illī istaḥū mātū/
Equivalent: Barefaced/ Unashamed/ Shameless/
إﻟﻚ وﺣﺸﺔ
Unabashed.
/’ilak waḥsheh/
Example:
Equivalent: I’ve missed you/ You’ve been missed.
ﻋﻄﺎف :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺷﻔﺖ ﺧﻄﯿﺐ ﺳﻤﺮ ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﺑﻤﻄﻌﻢ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻨﺖ ﺣﻠﻮة! ﻛﺎﻧﻮ ﻣﺒﺴﻮطﯿﻦ وﺑﻀﺤﻜﻮ وﻛﺈﻧﮭﻢ ﺑﺤﺒﻮ ﺑﻌﺾ! ﺴﮫ ﺧﺎطﺐ ﻛﯿﻒ ﺑﺜﯿﻨﺔ :ﻣﮭﻮ ﻣﻌﺮوف إﻧّﮫ ﻧﺴﻮﻧﺠﻲ! ﺑﺲ ﻣﮭﻮ ھ ّ ﺑﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻨﺎت ﻋﻠﻨﺎً؟ ﻣﺶ ﺧﺎﯾﻒ ﺣﺪا ﯾﺸﻮﻓﮫ وﯾﺨﺒّﺮ ﺳﻤﺮ؟
Example:
أم راﺿﻲ :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﻼﻣﺘﻚ ﯾﺎ أم ﻗﺼﻲ! إﻟﻚ وﺣﺸﺔ! إﺷﺘﻘﻨﺎﻟﻚ. أم ﻗﺼﻲ :وأﻧﺎ إﺷﺘﻘﺘﻠﻜﻮ ﻛﻤﺎن.
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ﺣﺮف اﻷﻟﻒ
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺒﻼش ﻛﺜّﺮ ﻣﻨّﮫ /illī bi-balāsh kaththir minn-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. If something is for free, get great amounts or quantities of it/ It’s free/ A free gift.
ﻋﻄﺎف :ھﺎﻟﺸﻜﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺨﺎف وﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﺄل وﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه ﺣﯿﺎ! اﻟﻠﻲ اﺳﺘﺤﻮ ﻣﺎﺗﻮ!
اﻟﻠﻲ اﻧﻜﺴﺮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺼﻠﺢ /illī inkasar mā bitṣallaḥ/
Example:
أم ﻓﺆاد :ﺷﻮ ھﺬا ﻛﻠﮫ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻓﺆاد؟ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺟﺎﯾﺐ ﻛﻞ ھﺎي اﻟﺒﻨﺪورة؟ أﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ طﻠﺒﺖ ھﺎﻟﻜﻤﯿﺔ! أﺑﻮ ﻓﺆاد :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻣﺮزوق وزّع ﺑﻨﺪورة ﺑﺒﻼش ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻣﺮﺗﮫ ﺧﻠّﻔﺖ وﻟﺪ وھﻮ ﻋﻨﺪه ﺗﺴﻊ ﺑﻨﺎت! ﻣﻦ ﻓﺮﺣﺘﮫ ﺑﻮزّﻋﮭﺎ ﺑﺒﻼش! أم ﻓﺆاد :إذا ھﯿﻚ ﻣﺎﺷﻲ! واﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺒﻼش ﻛﺜّﺮ ﻣﻨّﮫ.
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﺤﺒﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﺘّﺒﺎن ﺑﺘﺠﯿﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ ظﮭﺮ اﻟﺨﺎن /illī b-tiḥbal b-il-tabbān bitjīb ‘alā ḏạ hr il-khān/
Equivalent: Literal. The woman who gets pregnant
Equivalent: A broken bond or friendship may be repaired but will never be sound/ Things will never be the same after fighting, cheating, humiliation, etc. Example:
ﻋﻄﺎف :ﺳﻤﺮ ﺗﺮﻛﺖ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﮭﺎ! ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﺨﻮﻧﮭﺎ! وھﻮ ﺣﺎول ﯾﺼﻠّﺢ اﻷﻣﻮر ﺑﯿﻨﮭﻢ ﺑﺲ ﺳﻤﺮ ﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻠﺖ وﻓﺴﺨﺖ اﻟﺨﻄﻮﺑﺔ. ﺑﺜﯿﻨﺔ :ﻣﮭﻮ اﻟﻠﻲ اﻧﻜﺴﺮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺼﻠّﺢ! ﻣﮭﻤﺎ ﯾﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﺎ رح ﺗﺮﺟﻊ ﺗﺜﻖ ﻓﯿﮫ! وإذا اﻟﺜﻘﺔ راﺣﺖ ﻓﺎﻟﻌﻼﻗﺔ أﻛﯿﺪ ﻣﺼﯿﺮھﺎ اﻟﻔﺸﻞ.
اﻟﻠﻲ إﯾﺪه ﺑﺎﻟﻤﯿّﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ إﯾﺪه ﺑﺎﻟﻨﺎر
inside the barn will give birth on top of it/ What
/illī ’īd-uh b-il-mayyeh mish mithil illī ’īd-uh b-il-nār/
is done by night appears by day/ The bad thing
Equivalent: Literal. The person whose hand is in the
that happened at night secretly and was hidden by
water is not like the person whose hand is in the fire/
someone will come to light at some point and be
That’s easy for you to say because it really does not
discovered.
affect you the way it affects others/ No one can feel
Example:
your pain or suffering or understand your problems
ﻧﺠﻮى :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺷﮭﺪ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف واﺣﺪ ﻏﻨﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وإﻧﮭﻢ ﺑﺤﺒﻮ ﺑﻌﺾ وﺑﺪّه ﯾﺨﻄﺒﮭﺎ! ﺑﺲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺳﺄﻟﺘﮭﺎ أﻧﻜﺮت وﻗﺎﻟﺖ إﻧّﮫ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﺶ ﺻﺤﯿﺢ! أﻣﺎﻧﻲ :ﺑﻜﺮة ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺑﺒﯿّﻦ! اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﺤﺒﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﺘﺒّﺎن ﺑﺘﺠﯿﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ ظﮭﺮ اﻟﺨﺎن! ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ إﺷﻲ ﺑﻈﻞ ﻣﺨﺒّﻰ!
unless they were in your shoes.
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﻌﺮﻓﮫ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﺘﻌﺮف ﻋﻠﯿﮫ /illī bti‘rif-uh ’aḥsan min illī btit‘arraf ‘alēh/
Equivalent: Better the devil you know than the
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻗﺎﺳﻢ :ﻻزم أﺳﻠّﻢ اﻟﻤﺸﺮوع ﺑﻌﺪ ﯾﻮﻣﯿﻦ وھﺎﻹﺷﻲ ﺷﺒﮫ ﻣﺴﺘﺤﯿﻞ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر أﺧﻠﺼﮫ! وﻣﻤﻜﻦ أﺧﺴﺮ ﺷﻐﻠﻲ ﺑﺴﺒﺒﮫ! ﺧﻠﯿﻞ :ﺣﺎول ﺗﺨﻠّﺺ وإذا ﻣﺎ ﻗﺪرت ﺑﻜﻮن ﻗﻀﺎء وﻗﺪر! أﺑﻮ ﻗﺎﺳﻢ :وﻣﻦ وﯾﻦ أطﻌﻤﻲ ﻋﯿﻠﺘﻲ إذا ﻓﺼﻠﻮﻧﻲ! اﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﺳﮭﻞ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﻷﻧّﮫ اﻟﻠﻲ إﯾﺪه ﺑﺎﻟﻤﯿّﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ إﯾﺪه ﺑﺎﻟﻨﺎر!
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺎﻋﻚ ﺑﯿﻌﮫ
devil you don’t know/ Old friends and old wine
/illī bā‘-ak bī‘-uh/
are best.
Equivalent: Don’t cry over someone because he or
Example:
she walked out on you, just move on and forget
ﻏﺎﻟﻲ :ﻣﺶ ﻣﺮﺗﺎح ﺑﺸﻐﻠﻲ! ھﺎﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻣﻀﺎﯾﻘﻨﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺑﻔ ّﻜﺮ أﻗﺪّم طﻠﺐ ﻧﻘﻞ وأروح ﻋﻠﻰ ﻓﺮع ﺛﺎﻧﻲ! طﻼل :وﺷﻮ ﺑﻀﻤﻨﻠﻚ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻲ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ ھﺎﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ! ﺧﻠّﯿﻚ ﺑﻮظﯿﻔﺘﻚ ھﺎي أﺣﺴﻨﻠﻚ! اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﻌﺮﻓﮫ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﺘﻌ ّﺮف ﻋﻠﯿﮫ.
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺠ ّﺮب ﻣﺠ ّﺮب ﺑﻜﻮن ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﻣﺨ ّﺮب /illī bijarrib mjarrab bikūn ‘agl-uh mkharrab/
Equivalent: Fool me once, shame on you; fool me
the person/ If someone abandons/leaves you, then abandon/leave him or her. Example:
ﻋﻄﺎف :ﻻ ﺗﺰﻋﻠﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺳﻤﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﻚ وﻋﻠﻰ ﻓﺴﺦ اﻟﺨﻄﻮﺑﺔ! ھﻮ ﻣﺎ ﻗﺪّر ﻗﯿﻤﺘﻚ وﺧﺎﻧﻚ! ﺳﻤﺮ :ﻻ أﻧﺎ ﻣﺶ زﻋﻼﻧﺔ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺎﻋﻚ ﺑﯿﻌﮫ! رح أﻛ ّﻤﻞ ﺣﯿﺎﺗﻲ وﻣﺎ رح أطﻠّﻊ ﻟﻮرا!
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ
twice, shame on me.
/illī bālī bāl-ak/
Example:
Equivalent: You know “who” or “what”/ This is
ﻓﺮﯾﺪة :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ ﻓﺎطﻤﺔ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺮﺟﻊ ﻟﺠﻮزھﺎ! ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﺻﺤﯿﺢ؟ أﻣﻞ :ﺻﺤﯿﺢ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺮﺟﻌﻠﮫ رﻏﻢ ﻣﻌﺎﻣﻠﺘﮫ اﻟﺴﯿﺌﺔ إﻟﮭﺎ! آﺧﺮ ﻣ ّﺮة ﺿﺮﺑﮭﺎ وﻛﺎﻧﺖ رح ﺗﻤﻮت! ﻣﺠﻨﻮﻧﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻓﺎھﻢ ﻛﯿﻒ ﺑﺘﻔ ّﻜﺮ! ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﻌﻄﯿﮫ ﻓﺮﺻﺔ ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ! ﻓﺮﯾﺪة :ﻣﮭﻲ أﻋﻄﺘﮫ ﻣﻠﯿﻮن ﻓﺮﺻﺔ وﻣﺎ ﺗﻐﯿّﺮ! ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﻜﺲ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﻦ ﺳﻲء ﻷﺳﻮء! واﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺠ ّﺮب ﻣﺠ ّﺮب ﺑﻜﻮن ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﻣﺨ ّﺮب!
used to refer to somebody or something without mentioning a name. Example:
ﻧﻮرھﺎن :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺷﻔﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮل! ﺑﺴﻠّﻢ ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻲ. ھﺪﯾﻞ :ﺟﺪ! ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻏﺮﻓﺘﻲ ﺧﻠﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﺤﻜﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع! ﺑﺪّي ﺗﺤﻜﯿﻠﻲ ﻛﻞ اﻟﺘﻔﺎﺻﯿﻞ.
14
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺤﺸﺮ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﺑﯿﻦ اﻟﺒﺼﻠﺔ وﻗﺸﺮﺗﮭﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻄﻮﻟﮫ اﻻ رﯾﺤﺘﮭﺎ
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺸﻮف ﻣﺼﺎﯾﺐ ﻏﯿﺮه ﺑﺘﮭﻮن ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻣﺼﯿﺒﺘﮫ
/illī buḥshur ḥāl-uh bēn il-baṣalah w-gishrit-hā mā biṭūl-uh illa
/illī bishūf maṣāyib ghēr-uh bithūn ‘alēh mṣībt-uh/
rīḥit-hā/
Equivalent: Every horse thinks his own pack is
Equivalent: Literal. The person who puts himself
heaviest/ People think that their sorrows and troubles
between the onion and its peels gains nothing except
are greater than others while in reality they are not/
its bad smell/ Don’t go between the tree and the
Looking at other people’s problems, sufferings, sorrows
bark/ Don’t stick your nose in.
and troubles makes one’s own problems and sufferings
Example:
seem or feel smaller or minor in comparison.
ّ أم ﻋﺎرف:أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎرف ﺗﺪﺧﻠﺖ ﺑﯿﻦ أﺧﻮھﺎ وﻣﺮﺗﮫ ﻹﻧﮭﻢ ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﻮ وﻛﺎﻧﻮ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﺘﺮﻛﻮ ﺑﻌﺾ! وﻟ ّﻤﺎ رﺟﻌﻮ ﻟﺒﻌﺾ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺣﻠّﻮ !ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻠﮭﻢ ﺻﺎرو ﯾﻠﻮﻣﻮھﺎ وﯾﻘﻮﻟﻮ إﻧﮭﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺳﺒﺐ ﺑﻤﺸﺎﻛﻠﮭﻢ ّ وھﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺘﻀﺎﯾﻘﺔ! ﻧﺼﺤﺘﮭﺎ ﻣﺎ !ﺗﺘﺪﺧﻞ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﺳﻤﻌﺖ ﻛﻼﻣﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺤﺸﺮ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﺑﯿﻦ اﻟﺒﺼﻠﺔ وﻗﺸﺮﺗﮭﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻄﻮﻟﮫ:أﺑﻮ ﻧﺠﯿﺐ !إﻻ رﯾﺤﺘﮭﺎ
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪق ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﺎب ﺑﺴﻤﻊ اﻟﺠﻮاب
Example:
ﻛﻨﺖ ﺑﻔ ّﻜﺮ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺮض اﺑﻨﻲ ھﻮ أﺻﻌﺐ إﺷﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ:أم ﻓﺮﯾﺪ وإﻧﻲ أﻧﺎ اﻟﻮﺣﯿﺪة اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﻌﺎﻧﻲ! ﺑﺲ ﻟﻤﺎ ﻧﻤﺖ ﻣﻌﺎه ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺴﺘﺸﻔﻰ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻋﻤﻠﯿﺘﮫ اﻟﺠﺮاﺣﯿﺔ وﺷﻔﺖ اﻟﺤﺎﻻت اﻟﻤﺮﺿﯿﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ھﻨﺎك !وﻣﻌﺎﻧﺎة اﻟﻨﺎس وﺣﺎﻻت اﻟﻮﻓﺎة ﺣﻤﺪت رﺑﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺸﻮف ﻣﺼﺎﯾﺐ اﻟﻨﺎس ﺑﺘﮭﻮن ﻋﻠﯿﮫ:أم ﻋﺰﻣﻲ !ﻣﺼﯿﺒﺘﮫ
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺸﻮﻓﮫ ﺑﺪﺧﻞ ﻓﯿﮫ
/illī bidug ‘alā il-bāb bisma‘ il-jawāb/
Equivalent: Literal. The person who knocks on the
/illī bishūf-uh bidkhul fīh/
door hears the answer/ A civil question deserves a
Equivalent: Appearances can be deceiving.
civil answer/ You asked for it/ Every action is followed
Example:
by a reaction.
اﻟﯿﻮم ﺷﻔﺖ ﺣﺴﺎن ﻻﺑﺲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺒﻞ! اﺑﺼﺮ ﺷﻮ:ﻋﻤﺮ !ﻓﻲ ﻋﻨﺪه! اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺸﻮﻓﮫ ﺑﺪﺧﻞ ﻓﯿﮫ ﺑﺠﻮز ﻋﻨﺪه ﻣﻘﺎﺑﻠﺔ ﻏﺮاﻣﯿﺔ! ﻣﮭﻮ طﻮل ﻧﮭﺎره:ھﯿﺜﻢ ﻋﺎﻟﺴﻮﺷﺎل ﻣﯿﺪﯾﺎ ﯾﺘﻌ ّﺮف ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﻨﺎت! ﻣﮭﻮ ﻋﺎطﻞ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻌﻤﻞ !وﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻻ ﺷﻐﻠﺔ وﻻ ﻋﻤﻠﺔ! ﻓﺎﺿﻲ أﺷﻐﺎل
Example:
ﻟﯿﺶ ھﻨﺎء ﻋﻤﻠﺖ ﻣﻊ ﻧﮭﻰ ھﯿﻚ؟ ﺑﺴﺒﺒﮭﺎ ﺧﺴﺮت:ﻣﻨﺘﮭﻰ .ﺷﻐﻠﮭﺎ! وﻛﺎن ﻛﻼﻣﮭﺎ ﺟﺎرح ﻧﮭﻰ ﺳﺒّﺒﺖ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ ﻟﮭﻨﺎء ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﻠﮭﺎ أي:أﻣﺎﻧﻲ داﻋﻲ! ھﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪت ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ! وھﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ اﺳﺘﻔﺰّت ھﻨﺎء !وﺿﺎﯾﻘﺘﮭﺎ واﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪق ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﺎب ﺑﺴﻤﻊ اﻟﺠﻮاب
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺼﺒﺮ ﺑﻨﻮل /illī biṣbir binūl/
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺴﺎل ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻮه
Equivalent: Good things come to those who wait/ If
/illī bis’al mā bitūh/
you are patient you will get what you want.
Equivalent: To ask around about someone or something/
Example:
To try to find out information by asking a lot of different people. Example:
ﻛﻮﯾﺲ إﻧﻚ ﻋﺮﻓﺖ ﻣﻜﺎن ﺳﻜﻨﻲ! اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﻀﯿﻊ ﺑﺲ:ﻋﺎطﻒ !ﯾﯿﺠﻲ ﯾﺰورﻧﻲ! اﻟﻌﻨﻮان ﺻﻌﺐ وﻣﺶ ﺳﮭﻞ ﺗﻮﺻﻞ ﻟﻠﺒﯿﺖ ﻛﯿﻒ ﻋﺮﻓﺘﮫ ﺑﺴﮭﻮﻟﺔ؟ . اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺴﺄل ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻮه:ﻣﻌﺎذ
وأﺧﯿﺮا ﺣﺼﻠﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﮭﺎدﺗﻲ! ﺑﻌﺪ ﻛﻞ ھﺎﻟﺘﻌﺐ:ﺷﺎھﺮ !واﻟﺼﻌﻮﺑﺎت اﻟﻠﻲ واﺟﮭﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﺤﯿﺎﺗﻲ ! إﻧﺖ ﺻﺒﺮت وﺗﺤﻤﻠﺖ ﯾﺎ ﺷﺎھﺮ واﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺼﺒﺮ ﺑﻨﻮل:أﻣﯿﺮ
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻘﻠﺒﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ راس ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ /illī b-galb-uh ‘alā rās lsān-uh/
Equivalent: To wear your heart on your sleeve/ To speak your mind/ To say exactly what you are thinking
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺴﻤﻊ ﺑﺼﺪَق /illī bisma‘ biṣaddig/
Equivalent: Don’t you believe it!/ As if it’s true/ For real/ Hard to believe/ Hard to swallow.
or feeling. Example:
ﻋﻼ ﺑﻨﺖ طﯿﺒﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ واﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻘﻠﺒﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ راس:أم ﺳﺎﻣﯿﺔ !ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮭﺎ
Example:
ﻟﻮ ﺷﻔﺘﻲ اﻟﯿﻮم ﺟﻮزي ﺷﻮ ﺑﻘﻮل ﻷﻣﻲ! ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻠﮭﺎ إﻧّﮫ:ﺳﻌﺪﯾﺔ !ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻮﺧﺬﻧﻲ رﺣﻠﺔ ﺳﯿﺎﺣﯿّﺔ وﯾﺠﯿﺒﻠﻲ ذھﺐ ﺑﺲ ﯾﻼﻗﻲ ﺷﻐﻞ !ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﺷﻐﻞ ﺣﻜﻲ وﺑﺲ ! اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺴﻤﻊ ﺑﺼﺪّق:ﺳﺎﺟﺪة
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻤﺸﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﮭﻠﮫ ﺑﺼﻞ /illī bimshī ‘alā mahl-uh biṣal/
Equivalent: It takes patience and persistence to reach a goal/ One step at a time.
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ﺣﺮف اﻷﻟﻒ
ﺴﮫ ﺧﻠﺺ! اﻟﻠﻲ طﺒّﻊ طﺒّﻊ واﻟﻠﻲ رﺑّﻊ رﺑّﻊ! ﺑﺠﻮز ﻣﻌﺘﺰ :ھ ّ ﺻﺎرو ﻣﻘﺎﺑﻠﯿﻦ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻗﺪّﻣﻮ وﻋﯿّﻨﻮ ﺣﺪا ﻣﻨﮭﻢ!
اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﮫ ﺑﻄﺤﺔ ﺑﺤﺴﺲ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ ← ﻗ ّﺮاط اﻟﺤﻤﺺ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﺑﻮﺟﻌﮫ /garrāṭ il- ḥummuṣ galb-uh bōj‘-uh/ ← /illī ‘alā rās-uh baṭḥah biḥassis ‘alēhā/
Equivalent: If the cap fits, wear it/ If the shoe fits, wear it/ If a person feels that a critical remark applies
Example:
أم ﻓﺎروق :ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ رﺑﯿﻊ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻠﯿﻮﻧﯿﺮ! ھﺬا ﺷﺐ ﻋﺼﺎﻣﻲ وﺑﻨﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﺑﺤﺎﻟﮫ! أم ﻣﺤﻤﻮد :ﺑﺎﻷ ّول درس وﻛﺎن ﯾﺸﺘﻐﻞ وﻣﺎ ﺧﻠّﻰ إﺷﻲ إﻻ وﺟ ّﺮﺑﮫ وﻛ ّﻤﻞ دراﺳﺎت ﻋﻠﯿﺎ! ﻣﺎ ﺷﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ .ﻋﻤﻞ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﮭﻠﮫ. أم ﻓﺎروق :آه ﻣﺸﻰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﮭﻠﮫ واﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻤﺸﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﮭﻠﮫ ﺑﺼﻞ!
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻮﻛﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺿﺮﺳﮫ ﺑﻨﻔﻊ ﻧﻔﺴﮫ
to him or her, then it does/ “The sting of a reproach
/illī bōkil ‘alā ḏị rs-uh binfa‘ nafs-uh/
is the truth of it” (Benjamin Franklin).
Equivalent: God helps those who help themselves/
Example:
Nobody will help you or care about you if you do not
ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻓﻲ ﻧﺎس اﺳﺘﻐﻼﻟﯿﺔ! ﺑﺘﺤﺐ ﺗﺴﺘﻐﻞ ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ وﺗﺼﻞ ﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪھﺎ إﯾﺎه ﻋﻦ طﺮﯾﻘﮭﻢ! ﻣﺎھﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﻗﺼﺪك؟ ﻗﺼﺪك إﻧّﻲ اﺳﺘﻐﻼﻟﻲ! ﻋﻤﺮ :وإﻧﺖ ﻟﯿﺶ زﻋﻠﺖ؟ أﻧﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﻋﺎم! ﺑﺲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﮫ ﺑﻄﺤﺔ ﺑﺤﺴﺲ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ!
اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﺎت ﻣﺎت /illī fāt māt/
Equivalent: Let bygones be bygones/ Forget previous offenses.
help or care about yourself. Example:
أم ﺳﺎري :ﺗﻌﺎل ﯾﺎ ﺳﺎري ﺗﻐﺪى وﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ روح ادرس ﻋﺸﺎن ﺗﻨﺠﺢ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن! ﺳﺎري :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي اوﻛﻞ! ﻣﺎﻟﻲ ﻧﻔﺲ ﺑﺎﻷﻛﻞ وﻣﺶ ﺟﺎي ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ ادرس! أم ﺳﺎري :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﻋﻨﻚ! إﻧﺖ ﺣ ّﺮ! اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻮﻛﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺿﺮﺳﮫ ﺑﻨﻔﻊ ﻧﻔﺴﮫ!
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﯿﺠﻲ ﺑﺴﮭﻮﻟﺔ ﺑﺮوح ﺑﺴﮭﻮﻟﺔ /illī bījī b-suhūleh birūḥ b-suhūleh/
Example:
دﻋﺎء :ﻻ ﺗﻀﻠّﻲ زﻋﻼﻧﺔ ﻣﻨﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺳﻮﺳﻦ! اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﺎت ﻣﺎت! ﺳﻮﺳﻦ :اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﯿﮫ ﻓﯿّﻲ ﺻﻌﺐ وﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر أﺳﺎﻣﺤﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ!
اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﯿﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺨﻠﯿﮫ /illī fīh mā bi-khallīh/
Equivalent: Old habits die hard/ What is bred in the bone can’t come out of the flesh/ A leopard can’t change its spots. Example:
أم اﻟﯿﺎس :ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻓ ّﻜﺮﻧﺎ إﻧّﮫ ﺻﺎدق ﺟﻮز ﺑﻨﺘﻲ ﺗﻌﺪّل وﺻﺎر ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ وﺑﻄّﻞ ﯾﺸﺮب وﯾﻠﻌﺐ اﻟﻘﻤﺎر رﺟﻊ ﻟﻌﺎدﺗﮫ اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻤﺔ وﺑﻨﺘﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺗﻌﺒﺎﻧﺔ ﻣﻦ ھﺎﻟﻌﯿﺸﺔ وھﺎﻟﻮﺿﻊ! أم ﯾﺎﺳﺮ :اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﯿﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺨﻠﯿﮫ.
اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺸﺎورك ﺑﺎﻟﺨﻄﺮة ﻻ ﺗﮭﻨﯿﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﻼﻣﺔ /illī mā bishāwr-ak b-il-khaṭrah lā thannīh b-il-salāmeh/
Equivalent: You’ve made your bed, now lie in it/ You’ve made your choices, now face the consequences.
Equivalent: Easy come, easy go. Example:
أم ﺳﻌﺪ :ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ أﻣﺠﺪ اﺑﻦ أم أﻣﺠﺪ ﺻﺮف ﻛﻞ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري اﻟﻠﻲ ورﺛﮭﺎ ﻋﻦ أﻣﮫ وأﺑﻮه وﺑﺎع اﻷرض ﻛﻠﮭﺎ وﻣﺎ ﺿﻞ ﻣﻌﮫ وﻻ ﻗﺮش! أم ﻋﻤﺎد :ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻣﺴﺆوﻟﯿﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﺗﻌﺐ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺤﺲ ﺑﻘﯿﻤﺘﮭﺎ! واﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﯿﺠﻲ ﺑﺴﮭﻮﻟﺔ ﺑﺮوح ﺑﺴﮭﻮﻟﺔ!
اﻟﻠﻲ ﺧﻠﻘﮫ ﺧﻠﻖ ﻏﯿﺮه /illī khalag-uh khalag ghēr-uh/
Equivalent: There are plenty of fish in the sea/ There are other single people out there. Example:
ﺷﺮﯾﻒ :إﻧﺴﻰ رﻏﺪة! اﻟﺒﻨﺖ اﻧﺨﻄﺒﺖ وﺧﻠﺺ! أﻣﯿﻦ :ﺑﻌﺪﻧﻲ ﺑﺤﺒﮭﺎ! وﻣﺶ ﻗﺎدر أﻧﺴﺎھﺎ! ﻀﻠﺖ واﺣﺪ ﺛﺎﻧﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ! إﻧﺴﺎھﺎ ﺷﺮﯾﻒ :ﻣﮭﻲ ﺗﺮﻛﺘﻚ وﻓ َ واﻟﻠﻲ ﺧﻠﻘﮭﺎ ﺧﻠﻖ ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ!
اﻟﻠﻲ طﺒّﻊ طﺒّﻊ واﻟﻠﻲ رﺑّﻊ رﺑّﻊ
Example:
/illī ṭabba‘ ṭabba‘ w-illī rabba‘ rabba‘/
أﻣﯿﺮة :ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻏﻠﻄﺔ ﻋﻤﺮي إﻧّﻲ ﺗﺠ ّﻮزت ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ! ﻏﻠﻄﺔ رح أظﻞ أدﻓﻊ ﺛﻤﻨﮭﺎ طﻮل ﻋﻤﺮي! أم أﻣﯿﺮة :ﻧﺼﺤﻨﺎﻛﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻮﺧﺬﯾﮫ! اﻟﻜﻞ ﻗﺎل ﻋﻨﮫ إﻧّﮫ ﺷﺐ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ! ﺑﺲ إﻧﺘﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺳﻤﻌﺘﻲ اﻟﻜﻼم وأﺻﺮﯾﺘﻲ ﺗﺘﺠﻮزﯾﮫ! ﺗﺤ ّﻤﻠﻲ ﻧﺘﯿﺠﺔ إﺧﺘﯿﺎرك وﻗﺮارك! واﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺸﺎورك ﺑﺎﻟﺨﻄﺮة ﻻ ﺗﮭﻨﯿﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﻼﻣﺔ!
Equivalent: To lock the stable door after the horse has bolted/ To try to thwart and stop something that has already happened/ To act too late. Example:
ﺳﻤﯿﺮ :ﺗﻮﻧﻲ ﺷﻔﺖ إﻋﻼن ﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ ﺑﺲ اﻟﻤﻮﻋﺪ اﻟﻨﮭﺎﺋﻲ ﻟﻠﺘﻘﺪﯾﻢ راح! ﻛﺎﯾﻦ ﻗﺒﻞ أﺳﺒﻮﻋﯿﻦ! ﻓﻜﺮك إذا ﺑﻘﺪَم ﻟﻠﻮظﯿﻔﺔ ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻮ طﻠﺒﻲ؟
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﻦ إﯾﺪه ﷲ ﯾﺰﯾﺪه
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اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف اﻟﺼﻘﺮ ﺑﺸﻮﯾﮫ /illī min ’īd-uh Allah yzīd-uh/
/illī mā bi‘rif il-ṣagur bishwīh/
Equivalent: Bring something upon oneself/ To be the
Equivalent: Cast one’s pearls before swine/ To waste
cause of one’s own trouble/ Let someone face the
something good on someone who doesn’t care about it.
music or consequences of his or her actions/ Stew in
Example:
one’s own juice. Example:
أم ﻋﺮﯾﻔﺔ :رﺟﻌﺖ ﺑﻨﺘﻚ زﻋﻠﺖ اﻟﯿﻮم ﻋﻨّﺎ! ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﺿﺎرﺑﮭﺎ! ﺷﻮﻓﻠﻚ ﺣﻞ ﻣﻌﮫ. أﺑﻮ ﻋﺮﯾﻔﺔ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮف إﺷﻲ! ھﻲ إﺧﺘﺎرﺗﮫ وﻧﺼﺤﺘﮭﺎ إﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺘﺠﻮزه ﻹﻧّﮫ اﻟﻜﻞ ﻗﻠّﻲ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ ﺑﺲ ھﻲ ﯾﺮﺟﻌﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﺮﺟﻊ ﻣﻌﮫ! ﺧﻠّﯿﮭﺎ أﺻ ّﺮت ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! وﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﯿﺠﻲ ﺑﺪّه ّ ﺗﺪﺑّﺮ أﻣﻮرھﺎ! اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﻦ إﯾﺪه ﷲ ﯾﺰﯾﺪه.
اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﻨﮫ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻨﮫ
ﻏﺮام :وﯾﻦ رﺣﺘﻲ ﺑﺎﻹﺳﻮارة اﻟﻠﻲ ﺟﺎﺑﺘﻠﻚ إﯾﺎھﺎ ﺧﺎﻟﺘﻲ ﻋﻔﺎف ﻟﻤﺎ ﺧﻄﺒﺘﻲ؟ ﺳﮭﺎم :أھﺪﯾﺘﮭﺎ ﻟﺼﺎﺣﺒﺘﻲ ﻣﻨﻰ! ﻣﺎ ﻋﺠﺒﺘﻨﻲ وﻣﺎ ﺣﺒﯿﺘﮭﺎ! ﻏﺮام :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺘﻘﻮﻟﻲ؟ ﺑﺲ اﻹﺳﻮارة ﻏﺎﻟﯿﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺧﺎﻟﺘﻲ ﻗﺎﻟﺖ إﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﺮﺻ ّﻌﺔ ﺑﺎﻷﻟﻤﺎس! ﻛﯿﻒ ﺑﺘﮭﺪﯾﮭﺎ ﻟﺼﺎﺣﺒﺘﻚ؟ ﺳﮭﺎم :ﺟﺪ! ﻣﺎ ﻛﻨﺖ ﺑﻌﺮف! ﻏﺮام :اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف اﻟﺼﻘﺮ ﺑﺸﻮﯾﮫ!
اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮﻓﻚ ﺑﺠﮭﻠﻚ /illī mā bi‘rif-ak bijhal-ak/
/illī minn-uh ’aḥsan minn-uh/
Equivalent: To not know who’s who/ I did not know
Equivalent: Half a loaf is better than none/ Something
you/ I did not know who you are.
is better than nothing.
Example:
Example:
ﻋﻮض :إذا ﺳﻤﺤﺖ ﻣﻤﻜﻦ ﺗﻤﺸﻲ ﻣﻦ ھﻮن ﻹﻧﮫ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ ﻛﻤﺎن ﺷﻮﯾﺔ ﺑﺼﻞ! اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ :ﻋﻔﻮاً ﯾﺎ أخ ﺑﺲ أﻧﺎ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ. ﻋﻮض :ﻋﻔﻮاً ﺣﻀﺮﺗﻚ! ﻻ ﺗﻮاﺧﺬﻧﻲ! اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮﻓﻚ ﺑﺠﮭﻠﻚ!
ﻣﺮام :أﺧﻮي ﺻﺎﺑﺮ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﺑﺲ ﺑﺨﯿﻞ! اﻟﯿﻮم زارﻧﻲ وأﻋﻄﻰ اﻷوﻻد ﻛﻞ واﺣﺪ دﯾﻨﺎر ﺑﺲ وأﻋﻄﺎﻧﻲ ﻋﺸﺮ دﻧﺎﻧﯿﺮ! ﺳﮭﯿﻠﺔ :وﻻ اﻟﺒﻼش! اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﻨﮫ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻨﮫ.
اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎﺧﺬ ﻋﻘﻠﻚ ﯾﺘﮭﻨﻰ
اﻣﺸﻲ ﺑﺠﻨﺎزة وﻻ ﺗﻤﺸﻲ ﺑﺠﻮازة /imshī b-janāzeh walā timshī b-jawāzeh/
/illī mākhidh ‘agl-ak yithannā/
Equivalent: Arranging a funeral is better or easier than
Equivalent: A penny for your thoughts.
arranging a marriage/ This is used to warn someone about
Example:
interfering in marriages, matchmaking and relationships. Example:
ﺣﺴﻦ :ﻻﻗﯿﻠﻲ ﻋﺮوس ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ ﯾﺎ أم ﺻﺎﻟﺢ؟ أم ﺻﺎﻟﺢ :ﻻ دﺧﯿﻠﻚ ﻻﻗﻲ ﻏﯿﺮي .زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ اﻣﺸﻲ ﺑﺠﻨﺎزة وﻻ ﺗﻤﺸﻲ ﺑﺠﻮازة .ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ ووﺟﻊ راس.
ﻋﺎﺻﻲ :وﯾﻦ ﺳﺎرح ﯾﺎ ﻣﺮاد؟ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎﺧﺬ ﻋﻘﻠﻚ ﯾﺘﮭﻨّﻰ! ﻣﺮاد :ﻻ ﺑﺲ ﺑﻔ ّﻜﺮ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت وﺑﺎﻟﻲ ﻣﺸﻐﻮل ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ.
اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪھﻮش ﺑﻠﺰﻣﮭﻮش /illī mā ‘indhūsh bilzamhūsh/
Equivalent: There is no need for something/ If you
اﻣﺸﻲ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺘﯿﺎر
can’t afford buying or getting something, there is /imshī ma‘ il-tayyār/
really no need to have it.
Equivalent: Go with the flow.
Example:
Example:
ﯾﺎ ﺳﯿﺪي ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﻌﻄﻲ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع أھﻤﯿﺔ زﯾﺎدة ﻋﻦ اﻟﻠﺰوم. رﯾّﺢ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ واﻣﺸﻲ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺘﯿﺎر.
إن ﺧﻠﯿﺖ ﺑﻠﯿﺖ /’in khilyat bilyat/
أم ﻧﺎدر :ﺣﺎﺑّﺔ أﺷﺘﺮي طﻘﻢ ذھﺐ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﻓﯿﺶ ﻣﻌﻲ ﻣﺼﺎري وﺟﻮزي أوﺿﺎﻋﮫ اﻟﻤﺎدﯾّﺔ ﺗﻌﺒﺎﻧﺔ! أم ﺗﺮﻛﻲ :ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪھﻮش ﺑﻠﺰﻣﮭﻮش! ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﺑﺎﻟﺬھﺐ!
اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻟﮫ ﺣﻆ ﻻ ﯾﺘﻌﺐ وﻻ ﯾﺸﻘﺎ
Equivalent: You will always find good people out
/illī māl-uh ḥaḏḏ ̣ ̣ lā yit‘ab walā yishgā/
there/ There are plenty more fish in the sea/ There
Equivalent: Ill-starred/ Unlucky/ Unfortunate/
are as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it.
Doomed/ Born under a bad sign/ Ill-fated.
Example:
Example:
أﻣﻞ :ﺧﺎﯾﻔﺔ ﺗﻜﻮن اﻟﻤﻨﻄﻘﺔ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﻧﺴﺎﻓﺮﻟﮭﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﻧﺎس ﻛﻮﯾﺴﯿﻦ ﻧﺘﻌ ّﺮف ﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ! ﻋﺪﻧﺎن :ﻻ ﺗﺨﺎﻓﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺑﻨﺖ اﻟﺤﻼل .إن ﺧﻠﯿﺖ ﺑﻠﯿﺖ.
ﻟﺒﻨﻰ :ﻛﻨﺖ ﺑﺪّي ادرس ھﻨﺪﺳﺔ ﺑﺲ ﻣﻌﺪّل اﻟﻘﺒﻮل ﻟﮭﺬا اﻟﺘﺨﺼﺺ أﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻦ ﻣﻌﺪﻟﻲ ﺑﻌﻼﻣﺔ! ﺗﺨﯿّﻠﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺮح ھﺎﻟﺤﻆ! ﻣﺮح :اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎﻟﮫ ﺣﻆ ﻻ ﯾﺘﻌﺐ وﻻ ﯾﺸﻘﻰ!
ﺣﺮف اﻷﻟﻒ
إن ﺷﺎ داﯾﻤﺔ /’inshāllah dāymeh/
Equivalent: May your table or food be always bountiful and abundant/ This expression is used when people
17
Example:
أﻧﺎ ﻣﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﺑﻜﺮة وﺑﺪّي إﯾﺎك ﺗﺪﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻲ:ﻣﺤﻤﻮد .ﺗﺎ أرﺟﻊ ! أﻧﺎ ﻟﮭﺎ. وﻻ ﯾﮭﻤﻚ:ﺑﺸﯿﺮ
finish eating food at someone’s place.
أﻧﺎ واﯾّﺎك واﻟﺰﻣﻦ طﻮﯾﻞ
Example:
إن. ﯾﺴﻠﻤﻮ ﯾﺎ أم وﺻﻔﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺎﻷﻛﻞ اﻟﺰاﻛﻲ:أﺑﻮ وﺻﻔﻲ .ﺷﺎ داﯾﻤﺔ . ﺻﺤﺘﯿﻦ:أم وﺻﻔﻲ
/’anā w-’iyyāk wi-zamman ṭawīl/
Equivalent: Literal. You and I and life is long/ Get even with somebody/ To punish someone who did something bad to you/ I am not done with you yet/
إن ﻛﺒﺮ اﺑﻨﻚ ﺧﺎوﯾﮫ
It’s not over. Example:
/’in kibir ibn-ak khāwīh/
Equivalent: Befriend your son/ To behave like a friend to your son.
ﺑﻔﻜﺮ ﻋﺎدل إﻧّﮫ ﻓﻠﺖ ﺑﻌﻤﻠﺘﮫ وإﻧّﻲ رح أﺳﺎﻣﺤﮫ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ؟ ﺑﺸﻮف .أﻧﺎ وإﯾﺎه واﻟﺰﻣﻦ طﻮﯾﻞ
Example:
. اﺑﻨﻲ ﻣﺠﻨﻨﻲ وﻻ ﺑﻘﺪر أﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ ﺣﺮف:أﺑﻮ وﺳﯿﻢ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ وﺳﯿﻢ ﻻزم ﺗﺘﻔﮭﻢ اﺑﻨﻚ أﻛﺜﺮ وﺗﺘﻔﮭﻢ ﻓﺘﺮة:أﺑﻮ زھﯿﺮ . وإن ﻛﺒﺮ اﺑﻨﻚ ﺧﺎوﯾﮫ.اﻟﻤﺮاھﻘﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻤﺮ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ
إﻧﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺟﺒﺘﮫ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻚ /’inta illī jibt-uh la-ḥāl-ak/
Equivalent: Serves you right/ You had it coming to you.
إن ﻣﺎ ﻛﺒﺮت ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺼﻐﺮ /’in mā kibrat mā btizghar/
Equivalent: You can’t make an omelet without
Example:
ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧﻚ اﻧﻔﺼﻠﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ! ھﺬا ﻛﻠﮫ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ اﺳﺘﮭﺘﺎرك . إﻧﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺟﺒﺘﮫ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻚ.وﻏﯿﺎﺑﻚ اﻟﻤﺘﻜﺮر
breaking some eggs/ It is difficult to achieve
إﻧﺖ ﺑﺲ أﺷّﺮ
something important without causing any hostile or unkind effects.
/’inta bas ‘ashshir/
Example:
Equivalent: Just say the word.
! اﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﺑﯿﻦ ﺣﺴﻦ وﺿﯿﺎء ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻛﺒﺮت وﺗﻌﻘﺪت:أﺑﻮ وﻟﯿﺪ . إن ﻣﺎ ﻛﺒﺮت ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺼﻐﺮ! ﺑﺘﻨﺤﻞ إن ﺷﺎ:أﺑﻮ ﺳﺎﻣﺮ
Example:
. إﻧﺖ ﺑﺲ أﺷّﺮ.ًﻟﻤﺎ ﺗﺤﺘﺎﺟﻨﻲ ﺑﺘﻼﻗﯿﻨﻲ ﻋﻨﺪك ﻓﻮرا
اﻧﺘﺤﺮ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻌﺮف
أﻧﺎ ﺑﻌﺮﺿﻚ /’anā b‘arḏ-̣ ak/
/intaḥar bidd-uh yi‘rif/
Equivalent: Beg something of someone/ Beg of someone.
Equivalent: Die of curiosity/ To experience a strong
Example:
need to know about something.
أﻧﺎ واﻗﻊ ﺑﻮرطﺔ.أﻧﺎ ﺑﻌﺮﺿﻚ ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ھﻼل .وﻣﺤﺘﺎﺟﻚ ﺗﻮﻗّﻒ ﻣﻌﻲ
Example:
!ﻋﻤﺎد اﻧﺘﺤﺮ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻌﺮف ﺷﻮ اﻟﻤﺸﺮوع اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﻧﻌﻤﻠﮫ
اﻧﺨﺰى ← اﻧﻜﺴﺮت ﻋﯿﻨﮫ
أﻧﺎ ﺑﻮادي وھﻮ ﺑﻮادي /’anā b-wādī w-hū b-wādī/
/inkasrat ‘ēn-uh/ ← /inkhazā/
Equivalent: Literal. I am in a valley and he is in another
Equivalent: To lose face/ To be embarrassed in front of
one/ We are polar opposites in our views or opinions/
others and experience public disgrace and shame/ To
We are not on the same page/ At cross purposes.
have egg on one’s face/ To feel ill at ease.
Example:
Example:
إﻧﺖ:ﺳﻠﻤﻰ وﺟﻮزھﺎ ﻣﺨﺘﻠﻔﯿﻦ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ وﺳﻤﻌﺘﮭﺎ ﺗﺤﻜﯿﻠﮫ !ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﮭﻢ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ وﺑﺤﺲ إﻧّﮫ أﻧﺎ ﺑﻮادي وإﻧﺖ ﺑﻮادي
ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﻻزم ﯾﺴﺮق.ﺗﺤﺴﯿﻦ اﻧﺨﺰى ﺑﻌﻤﻠﺘﮫ ﻗﺪّام اﻟﻨﺎس .ﻣﺼﺎري أھﻠﮫ
اﻧﺨﻄﻒ ﻟﻮﻧﮫ
أﻧﺎ ﻟﮭﺎ /’anā lahā/
/inkhaṭaf lōn-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. I am for it/ You can rely on me/ I
Equivalent: Struck dumb/ To be shocked, perplexed,
can do it.
or terrified and unable to speak.
18
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
اﻧﻔﺮطﺖ اﻟﻤﺴﺒﺤﺔ
Example:
ﻟﻤﺎ ﺳﻠﻮى ﺷﺎﻓﺖ ﻣﻨﻰ اﻧﺨﻄﻒ ﻟﻮﻧﮭﺎ ﻷﻧﮭﺎ ھﻲ ﺳﺒﺐ ﻓﺴﺦ !ﺧﻄﻮﺑﺔ ﻣﻨﻰ
اﻧﺸﻠﯿﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺘﻌﺐ
/infarṭat il-misbaḥah/
Equivalent: Literal. The prayer beads have fallen apart/ Scatter something to the four winds/ To make a group of people become separated from each other
/inshallēt min il-ta‘ab/
and lose touch/ This expression is used when the
Equivalent: Dead on one’s feet/ Exhausted.
person who united the family members dies or leaves
Example:
(e.g., death of the mother or father) so the siblings
ﻧﻈّﻔﺖ ﻛﻞ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ اﻟﯿﻮم وطﺒﺨﺖ وﻏﺴﻠﺖ وﺣﺎﺳﺔ ﺣﺎﻟﻲ .اﻧﺸﻠﯿﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺘﻌﺐ
اﻧﻌﻤﻰ ﺿ ّﻮه /in‘amā ḏạ ww-uh/
become strangers to each other because of some issues. Example:
ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻣﺎﺗﺖ أم ﺣﺴﻨﻲ اﻧﻔﺮطﺖ اﻟﻤﺴﺒﺤﺔ وأوﻻدھﺎ ﺑﻄّﻠﻮ ﯾﺸﻮﻓﻮ ً .ﺑﻌﺾ وﻛﻞ واﺣﺪ ﻣﻨﮭﻢ ﺻﺎر ﺑﺠﮭﺔ .ﻓﻌﻼ إﻧّﮫ اﻷم ﺑﺘﻠﻢ
Equivalent: See stars/ See flashes of light as a result
اﻧﻘﻄﻊ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺨﻮف
of being hit on the head. Example:
اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺼﺒﺢ ﻛﺎن زھﯿﺮ ﻣﺴﺘﻌﺠﻞ ﻋﺸﺎن ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺮوح ﻋﻠﻰ !اﻟﺪوام ﺑﺴﺮﻋﺔ! اﺟﺎ زﺣﻠﻖ وراﺳﮫ ﺧﺒﻂ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﯿﻂ ﺑﻘﻮة !ھﺎﻟﻤﺴﻜﯿﻦ اﻧﻌﻤﻰ ﺿﻮه
اﻧﻌﻤﻰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ /in‘amā ‘alā galb-uh/
/ingaṭa‘ galb-uh min il-khōf/
Equivalent: One’s heart stands still/ To be very terrified or scared. Example:
اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺼﺒﺢ ﺷﻔﺖ طﺎﻟﺐ ﺻﻐﯿﺮ ﻣﺎﺷﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ وراﺣﺖ ﺳﯿﺎرة ﻣﺴﺮﻋﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺪﻋﺴﮫ وﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺷﻔﺖ ھﺎﻟﻤﻮﻗﻒ .اﻧﻘﻄﻊ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺨﻮف
Equivalent: Out to lunch/ Not paying attention/ Not
اﻧﻜﺘﺐ ﻛﺘﺎﺑﮫ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ
alert/ Uninformed. Example:
اﻟﯿﻮم ﻛﺎن راﺳﻲ ﻣﺪووش واﻧﻌﻤﻰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ وﻧﺴﯿﺖ ﻣﻔﺘﺎح .اﻟﺴﯿﺎرة ﺟﻮاﺗﮭﺎ وﺳﻜﺮﺗﮭﺎ
اﻧﻌﻜﺴﺖ اﻵﯾﺔ /in‘aksat il-āyeh/
Equivalent: The boot is on the other foot/ This means
/’inkatab ktāb-uh ‘alēhā/
Equivalent: To get hitched/ Tie the knot/ To get married/ This expression means to officially marry someone and have a marriage certificate. Example:
اﻟﺠﻤﻌﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﺎﺗﺖ اﻧﻜﺘﺐ ﻛﺘﺎب ﻋﻤﺎر ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﻠﻮى وﻋﻤﻠﻮ .ﺣﻔﻠﺔ ﺣﻠﻮة
that a situation is now the opposite of what it was
اﻧﻜﺴﺮ ← ﻓﻠّﺲ ← ﻗﻌﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺪﯾﺪة
before, often because a person who was in a weak position is now in a stronger position or vice versa.
/ga‘ad ‘alā il-ḥadīdeh/ ← /fallas/ ← /inkasar/
Example:
Equivalent: To go bust/ To go belly-up/ Dead broke/ Go
وﷲ ﺷﺎﯾﻔﻠﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻓﻼح إﻧّﮫ ﺟﯿﻞ ھﺎﻷﯾّﺎم ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﻣﺶ ﻣﻘﺪور أﯾّﺎم زﻣﺎن ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن اﻟﻮﻟﺪ.واﻷھﺎﻟﻲ ﺑﺪھﺎ اﻟﺴﺘﯿﺮة ﻣﻨﮭﻢ ﯾﺴﺘﺠﺮي ﯾﻄﻠّﻊ ﺑﺄﺑﻮه ﺗﻄﻠﯿﻌﺔ أ ّﻣﺎ ھﺎﻷﯾّﺎم ﺷﺎﯾﻔﻠﻚ إﻧﮭﺎ .اﻧﻌﻜﺴﺖ اﻵﯾﺔ
← اﻧﻔﺘﺤﻠﮫ ﺑﺎب اﻟﺴﻤﺎ ← ﻣﻮﻟﻮد ﺑﻠﯿﻠﺔ اﻟﻘﺪر ﺣﻈﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻤﺎ
broke/ Flat broke/ Bankrupt. Example:
ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن أﺑﻮ ﻣﻨﺼﻮر ﯾﻠﻌﺐ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﻟﻌﺐ اﻧﻜﺴﺮ وﻗﻌﺪ .ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺪﯾﺪة
اﻧﻜﺴﺮ اﻟﺸﺮ /inkasar il-sharr/
/ḥaḏḏ ̣ -̣ uh min il-samā/ ← /mawlūd b-lēlit il-gadur/ ←
Equivalent: May evil be gone/ In Jordan, when glasses
infataḥ-l-uh bāb il-samā/
smash or break for some reasons, it shows that evil
Equivalent: Fortune smiled on him/ To be born under
has left the house, which is a good sign.
a lucky star/ Very lucky and fortunate.
Example:
Example:
ﺼﻞ ّ ﺑﺸﯿﺮ ﺣﻈّﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻤﺎ وﻣﻮﻟﻮد ﺑﻠﯿﻠﺔ اﻟﻘﺪر ﻷﻧﮫ ﺣ . ﺑﺠﺪ اﻧﻔﺘﺤﻠﮫ ﺑﺎب اﻟﺴﻤﺎ.ھﺎﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ
ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻋﺒﯿﺮ ﺗﺠﻠﻲ اﻟﺠﻠﻲ ﻛﺴﺮت ﻛﺎس وﺻﺤﻦ ﻗﺰاز وﻟ ّﻤﺎ أﻣﮭﺎ ﻋﺮﻓﺖ ﻣﺎ زﻋﻠﺖ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ وﺣﻜﺘﻠﮭﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ اﻧﻜﺴﺮ .اﻟﺸﺮ
19
ﺣﺮف اﻷﻟﻒ Example:
ﺳﻔﯿﺎن :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﻌﻤﻠﻮ ﺗﻐﯿﯿﺮات إدارﯾﺔ ﻛﺒﯿﺮة ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﻋﻨﺪﻛﻮ .وھﯿﮭﻢ ﺑﻠّﺸﻮ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮظﻔﯿﻦ اﻟﻜﺒﺎر! ﻋﺎرف :ﯾﺎ ﺳﻼم! ھﺎي اﻷﻣﻮر ﻣﺘﺪھﻮرة! ﷲ ﯾﺴﺘﺮ! أول اﻟﺮﻗﺺ ﺣﻨﺠﻠﺔ.
اﻧﻮﻟﺪ وﺑﺜﻤﮫ ﻣﻌﻠﻘﺔ ﻣﻦ ذھﺐ /inwalad wi-b-thumm-uh ma‘lagah min dhahab/
Equivalent: Born with a silver spoon in his or her mouth. Example:
وﷲ ﺟﻼل ﺣﻈّﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻤﺎ! اﻧﻮﻟﺪ وﺑﺜﻤﮫ ﻣﻌﻠﻘﺔ ﻣﻦ ذھﺐ.
أ ّول ﻣﺎ ﺷﻄﺢ ﻧﻄﺢ /’awwal mā shaṭaḥ naṭaḥ/
اوﺟﻊ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ
Equivalent: Go too far/ To do more than what is
/’ōja‘ qalb-uh/
acceptable/ Exceed the limits.
Equivalent: Broken-hearted.
Example:
Example:
ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ ورث ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﻦ ﺟﺪه ﻗ ّﺮر ﯾﺒﻨﻲ ﻧﺎطﺤﺔ ﺳﺤﺎب وﯾﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﺘﺠﺎرة ﻣﻊ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه أي ﺧﺒﺮة ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ ً. زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻮ أ ّول ﻣﺎ ﺷﻄﺢ ﻧﻄﺢ.
ﻟﻤﺎ ﻏﺴﺎن اﻧﺠﺒﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻓﺴﺦ ﺧﻄﻮﺑﺘﮫ ھﺎﻹﺷﻲ أﺛّﺮ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ واوﺟﻊ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ.
اوﺿﺎﻋﮫ ﻣﺘﺪھﻮرة
أﯾّﺎم اﻟﺠﮭﻞ
/’awḏā ̣ ‘-uh middahwireh/ /’ayyām il-jahil/
Equivalent: Take a turn for the worse.
Equivalent: Your salad days/ The period when you
Example:
were young, immature and inexperienced.
ﻟ ّﻤﺎ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻓﺼﻞ ﻣﺮاد ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ أوﺿﺎﻋﮫ اﻟﻤﺎدﯾّﺔ واﻟﺼﺤﯿّﺔ ﺗﺪھﻮرت ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ.
Example:
ﺟﻤﺎﻧﺔ :ﺑﺘﺘﺬﻛﺮي ﯾﺎ ﺗﮭﺎﻧﻲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻛﻨﺎ ﻧﺮوح ﻧﺮن ﻋﻠﻰ ﺟﺮس اﻟﺠﯿﺮان وإﺣﻨﺎ ﺻﻐﺎر وﻧﻔﻞ! ﺗﮭﺎﻧﻲ :طﺒﻌﺎ ً ﺑﺘﺬ ّﻛﺮ! ھﻮ ﻓﻲ ﺣﺪا ﺑﻨﺴﻰ أﯾّﺎم اﻟﺠﮭﻞ! ﺟﻤﺎﻧﺔً : ﻓﻌﻼ أﺣﻠﻰ أﯾّﺎم!
أ ّول وآﺧﺮ ﻣ ّﺮة /’awwal w-ākhir marrah/
Equivalent: Once and for all/ Now and for the last time.
اﻷﯾّﺎم ﺑﺘﺮﻛﺾ رﻛﺎض
Example: ̣/il-’ayyām bturkuḏ ̣ rkāḏ/
Equivalent: Time flies/ Time passes so quickly.
رح أﻋﯿﺮك ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻲ اﻟﯿﻮم .ﺑﺲ ﯾﻜﻮن ﺑﻌﻠﻤﻚ إﻧّﮫ ھﺎي رح ﺗﻜﻮن ا ّول وآﺧﺮ ﻣ ّﺮة!
Example:
أم اﺣﻤﺪ :ﺑﻌﺪ ﺑﻜﺮة ﻋﺮس ﻋﺮﯾﻦ .ﯾﺎﷲ اﻣﺒﺎرح ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺻﻐﯿﺮة وﺗﻠﻌﺐ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﺎرات. أم ﺟﻮد :اﻷﯾّﺎم ﺑﺘﺮﻛﺾ رﻛﺎض ﯾﺎ أم اﺣﻤﺪ وأﻛﯿﺪ اﻷوﻻد ﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﻜﺒﺮو وﯾﻜﺒﺮوﻧﺎ ﻣﻌﺎھﻢ.
أوف /’uff/
Equivalent: Holy smoke!/ Oh!/ Wow!/ This is an expression to show surprise or exclamation. Example:
إﯾﺪ ورا وإﯾﺪ ﻗﺪام /’īd warā w-’īd giddām/
رﻋﺪ :أﻧﺎ ﻣﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﺑﻜﺮة ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺮﯾﻄﺎﻧﯿﺎ! ﺟﮭﺎد :أوف! ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ ﺧﺒﺮﺗﻨﻲ ﻗﺒﻞ؟ ﺷﻮھﺎﻟﻤﻔﺎﺟﺌﺔ؟
Equivalent: Literal. A hand behind and a hand in front/ Come away empty-handed/ To return without anything.
أ ّول ﺑﺄ ّول
Example:
/’awwal b-ʼawwal/
ﻋﺪﻧﺎن رﺟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ إﯾﺪ ورا وإﯾﺪ ﻗﺪّام .ھﺎﻟﻐﺮﺑﺔ ﻣﺎ ﻧﻔﻌﺘﮫ ﺑﺈﺷﻲ!
Equivalent: Bit by bit/ Gradually. Example:
إﯾﺪك وﻣﺎ ﺗﻌﻄﯿﻚ /’īd-ak w-mā ta‘ṭīk/
Equivalent: Literal. Your hand and what it gives to you/
ﻟﺒﻨﻰ :ﺳﻤﻌﺘﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺣﻨﺎن ﻋﻦ ﺗﻌﺪﯾﻼت ﻣﻨﮭﺞ اﻟﺪراﺳﺔ؟ ﺣﻨﺎن :ﻻ وﷲ ﺑﺲ رح أﺗﺎﺑﻌﻠﻚ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع أ ّول ﺑﺄ ّول ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻘﻲ.
For all I care/ Do whatever you want, I don’t care. Example:
ﺣﻤﺪ :إذا ﻣﺎ ﺳﺪﯾﺘﻨﻲ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﻓﻮراً ﺻﺪّق ﻻ أﺷﺘﻜﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ. ﻧﺎدر :إﯾﺪك وﻣﺎ ﺗﻌﻄﯿﻚ.
أ ّول اﻟﺮﻗﺺ ﺣﻨﺠﻠﺔ /’awwal il-raguṣ ḥanjaleh/
Equivalent: Canary in a coal mine/ Advanced caution or warning of some hazard or undesirable thing.
20
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
إﯾﺪه ﺧﻀﺮة /’īd-uh khaḏṛ ah/
Equivalent: Have a green thumb/ A talent for growing
Example:
ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ.ﺑﺪّي أﺧﻠّﻲ أﺑﻮ ﻋﻤﺎر ﯾﺘﻮاﺳﻄﻠﻲ ﻋﺸﺎن أﻻﻗﻲ ﺷﻐﻞ .إﯾﺪه طﺎﯾﻠﺔ وواﺻﻞ
plants/ A talented caretaker.
إﯾﺪﯾﮫ ﻣﺮﺑﻄﺔ
Example:
.ﺧﺎﻟﺘﻲ ﻓﺮدوس إﯾﺪھﺎ ﺧﻀﺮة وﺑﺘﺤﺐ ﺗﺰرع ورد وﻧﺒﺎﺗﺎت !ﯾﺎﷲ ﻣﺎ أﺣﻠﻰ ﺣﺪﯾﻘﺔ ﺑﯿﺘﮭﺎ
/’īdēh mrabbaṭah/
Equivalent: Someone’s hands are tied/ Someone who is not free to act the way he or she wants and is not
إﯾﺪه ﺧﻔﯿﻔﺔ
able to help or intervene. Example:
/’īd-uh khafīfeh/
Equivalent: Light-fingered/ Skillful in stealing things. Example:
. ﺷﻔﺘﻠﻲ ﻧﻈﺎرﺗﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺤﻤﻮد؟ ﺗﻮھﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻄﺎوﻟﺔ:ﻣﺴﻌﻮد ﺑﻠﻜﻲ ﺣﺪا أﺧﺬھﺎ؟. ﻻ وﷲ:ﻣﺤﻤﻮد وﷲ إﻧﻚ ﺻﺎدق! ﺗ ّﻮه ﻣﻨﯿﺮ ﻛﺎن ھﻮن وزي ﻣﺎ:ﻣﺴﻌﻮد ﺑﺘﻌﺮف ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ إﯾﺪه ﺧﻔﯿﻔﺔ وﺣﺮاﻣﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻄﺮاز اﻷ ّول! أﻧﺎ !ﺑﻔﺮﺟﯿﮫ
! ﻻزم ﺗﻘﻨﻌﻲ أﺑﻮي إﻧّﮫ ﯾﻮاﻓﻖ ﻋﻠﻰ ارﺗﺒﺎطﻲ ﺑﺤﺎﺗﻢ:ﺳﻤﺮ ﺳﺎﻣﺤﯿﻨﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺑﻨﺘﻲ ﻷﻧﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر أﺧﻠّﻲ أﺑﻮﻛﻲ:أم ﺳﻤﺮ زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺮﻓﻲ إﯾﺪﯾﮫ ﻣﺮﺑﻄﺔ وﻣﺎ ﺑﻄﻠﻊ.ﯾﺘﺮاﺟﻊ ﻋﻦ ﻗﺮاره !ﺑﺈﯾﺪﯾﮫ إﺷﻲ
إﯾﺪﯾﮫ ﻧﻈﯿﻔﺔ /’īdēh naḏị̄ feh/
Equivalent: Keep one’s hands clean/ Keep one’s nose
إﯾﺪه ﺳﺎﺑﻘﺔ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ
clean/ A person who is not involved in illegal or
/’īd-uh sābgah lsān-uh/
immoral actions/ Someone who is ethical and does
Equivalent: Beat someone up without listening or
not accept bribes.
talking to him or her and without understanding the
Example:
situation. Example:
اﻟﯿﻮم إﺟﺖ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﺟﺎرﺗﻲ وﻛﺎن وﺟﮭﮭﺎ ﻣﻮ ّرم وﻗﺎﻟﺘﻠﻲ إﻧّﮫ ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﺿﺮﺑﮭﺎ وإﻧّﮫ اﻟﺘﻔﺎھﻢ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺴﺘﺤﯿﻞ ﻷﻧﮫ إﯾﺪه ﺳﺎﺑﻘﺔ !ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ
وزﯾﺮ اﻟﺘﺠﺎرة اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ زﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﺤﺘﺮم وﻣﺴﺘﻘﯿﻢ وإﯾﺪﯾﮫ ﻧﻈﯿﻔﺔ !وﻣﺶ ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﺎﻧﻮ ﻗﺒﻠﮫ
إﯾﺪي ﺑﺰﻧﺎرك /’īd-ī b-zinnār-ak/
Equivalent: Beg something of someone/ I beg you to
إﯾﺪه طﺎﯾﻠﮫ ← واﺻﻞ /wāṣil/ ← /’īd-uh ṭāyleh/
Equivalent: A big wheel/ An important, effective or influential person.
help me. Example:
إﯾﺪي ﺑﺰﻧﺎرك! ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺘﻲ ﻛﺒﯿﺮة.دﺧﯿﻠﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ زھﯿﺮ ﺳﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ .وإﻧﺖ اﻟﻮﺣﯿﺪ اﻟﻘﺎدر ﺗﺤﻠﮭﺎ
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺒﺎء
اﻟﻨﺠﺎر ﻣﺨﻠّﻊ ﺑﺎب ّ
ﺑﺂذﯾﺶ ﻧﻤﻠﺔ /bāb il-najjār mkhalla‘/
/bi-’ādhīsh nimleh/
Equivalent: Literal. The door of the carpenter is
Equivalent: Literal. He wouldn’t hurt an ant/ He
off its hinges or broken/ The cobbler’s wife goes
wouldn’t hurt a fly.
barefoot.
Example:
Example:
اﺣﻤﺪ :اﺑﻦ ﻣﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ رﺳﺐ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت اﻟﻨﮭﺎﺋﯿﺔ! اﻟﻨﺠﺎر ﻣﺨﻠّﻊ. ﺟﻼل :أوف! ﻣﻌﻘﻮل؟ ﻓﻌﻼ ً ﺑﯿﺖ ّ
ﺑﺂﺧﺮ ﻟﺤﻈﺔ /bi-’ākhir laḥḏạ h/
أم ﺻﺒﺮي :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ أﺑﻮ رﻛﺎن ﺿﺎرب اﺑﻦ ﺟﺎره أﺑﻮ ﻣﻨﺼﻮر وﻣﺎﺧﺬﯾﻨﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺸﻔﻰ! أم وﺿﺎح :أوف! ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ ﺟﺪ؟ أﻧﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف إﻧّﮫ ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﺴﺎﻟﻢ وﺑﺂذﯾﺶ ﻧﻤﻠﺔ! اﺑﺼﺮ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﻣﻌﮫ؟
اﻟﺒﺎب ﺑﺎﻟﺒﺎب ← ﺟﯿﺮان اﻟﻌﺘﺒﺔ
Equivalent: Eleventh hour/ The very last moment.
/jīrān il-‘atabeh/ ← /il-bāb b-il-bāb/
Example:
Equivalent: Someone’s next-door neighbor.
اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺻﺤﯿﺖ ﻣﺘﺄﺧﺮة ورﺣﺖ ﺑﺴﺮﻋﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻄﺎر واﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﻟﺤﻘﺖ اﻟﻄﯿﺎرة ﺑﺂﺧﺮ ﻟﺤﻈﺔ!
ﺑﺂﺧﺮ ﻣﺎ ﻋ ّﻤﺮ ﷲ /bi-’ākhir mā ‘ammar Allah/
Example:
أم ﻣﺤﺴﻦ :ﻻزم ﻧﻌﺰم ﺟﯿﺮاﻧﺎ اﻟﺠﺪاد ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﺮس. أﺑﻮ ﻣﺤﺴﻦ :ﺑﺲ إﺣﻨﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﻌﺮﻓﮭﻢ! أم ﻣﺤﺴﻦ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ؟ ﻣﺎ إﺣﻨﺎ اﻟﺒﺎب ﺑﺎﻟﺒﺎب ﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ! ﻻزم ﻧﺘﻌ ّﺮف ﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ.
Equivalent: The far corners of the world/ A place that is too far away/ Remote location.
اﻟﺒﺎب اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﯿﺠﯿﻚ ﻣﻨﮫ اﻟﺮﯾﺢ ﺳﻜﺮه واﺳﺘﺮﯾﺢ
Example:
/il-bāb illī bijīk minn-uh il-rīḥ sakr-uh w-istarīḥ/
ﺑﯿﺖ ﻋﻤﻲ أﺑﻮ ﻓﺘﺤﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﻌﯿﺪ .ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ ﻟﯿﺶ ھﻢ ﺳﺎﻛﻨﯿﻦ ﺑﺂﺧﺮ ﻣﺎ ﻋ ّﻤﺮ ﷲ!
Equivalent: Literal. Close the door that brings you wind and relax/ Open not your door when the devil knocks/ It is better to avoid trouble.
ﺑﺎرك ﷲ ﻓﯿﻚ
Example: /bāraka Allahu fīk/
Equivalent: God bless you. Example:
أﺑﻮ اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر ﺗﺠﺎرﺗﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺻﺒﺤﻲ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺻﺒﺤﻲ :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ! ﻋﺎل اﻟﻌﺎل! اﻟﺘﺠﺎرة رﺑﺤﺖ ﻣﺒﻠﻎ ﻣﺤﺘﺮم وﺗﺒﺮﻋﺖ ﺑﻨﺼﮫ ﻟﺠﻤﻌﯿﺔ ﺧﯿﺮﯾﺔ ﺑﺘﺮﻋﻰ اﻷﯾﺘﺎم. أﺑﻮ اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ :ﻣﺎ ﺷﺎء ﷲ .ﺑﺎرك ﷲ ﻓﯿﻚ وﷲ ﯾﻘﻮﯾﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻓﻌﻞ اﻟﺨﯿﺮ.
ﺟﻤﺎل :ﺑﺮأﯾﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻧﺸﺘﻜﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻷﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ دﻟﯿﻞ ﻛﺎﻓﻲ ﺿﺪه .ﺑﮭﺎﻟﺤﺎﻟﺔ رح ﯾﻄﺮدﻧﺎ ﻣﻦ ﺷﻐﻠﻨﺎ .ﻓﺎﻷﻓﻀﻞ إﻧّﮫ ﻧﻨﺴﻰ ھﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع ﻣﻦ أﺻﻠﮫ. طﻼل :ﻣﻌﻚ ﺣﻖ! رح ﻧﺠﯿﺐ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻨﺎ اﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ! ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ :اﻟﺒﺎب اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﯿﺠﯿﻚ ﻣﻨﮫ اﻟﺮﯾﺢ ﺳﻜﺮه واﺳﺘﺮﯾﺢ.
اﻟﺒﺎب ﺑﻔ ّﻮت ﺟﻤﻞ /il-bāb bi-fawwit jamal/
Equivalent: Literal. The door allows a camel to pass
ﺑﺄﺳﻮء اﻷﺣﻮال
through/ Show someone the door/ To make it clear /bi-’aswa’ il-’aḥwāl/
that someone must leave and you don’t care about
Equivalent: If the worst comes to worst/ Worst-case
that/ Get lost.
scenario. Example:
ﻟﺆي :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﺴﺘﻌﺠﻞ وﻣﺘﻮﺗﺮ ﯾﺎ ﺳﺎﻟﻢ؟
Example:
اﻻﺑﻦ :أﻧﺎ طﺎﻟﻊ ﻣﻦ ھﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ وﻣﺶ راﺟﻌﻠﮫ! اﻷﺑﻮ :ﷲ ﻣﻌﻚ! اﻟﺒﺎب ﺑﻔ ّﻮت ﺟﻤﻞ!
22
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻣﻘﺎﺑﻠﺘﻲ ﻟﻠﻮظﯿﻔﺔ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة اﻟﯿﻮم ﺑﻌﺪ أﻗﻞ ﻣﻦ ﻧﺺ:ﺳﺎﻟﻢ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ ﺑﺲ ﺧﺎﯾﻒ ﻣﺎ أﺻﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻮﻗﺖ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ اﻷزﻣﺔ ﻷﻧّﮫ ﺑﺲ ﺑﺄﺳﻮء اﻷﺣﻮال رح أﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮭﻢ وأﺧﺒﺮھﻢ.اﻟﻤﻜﺎن ﺑﻌﯿﺪ .ﺑﻮﺿﻌﻲ وإن ﺷﺎء ﷲ ﯾﺘﻔﮭﻤﻮ
Example:
. ﺷﻮف ﯾﺎ وﻟﯿﺪ ﺑﺪّي أوﺧﺬ ﻣﻨﻚ اﻟﺴﯿﺎرة ﺑﺎﻟﻄﺒّﺔ:ﻣﺆﻧﺲ ﻣﺎ أﻧﺎ ﻗﻠﺘﻚ ﺑﺲ ﯾﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﻌﻲ ﻣﺼﺎري ﺑﺴﺪّك! ھﻲ:وﻟﯿﺪ .ي ّ اﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺨﺎوة! إﺻﺒﺮﻟﻚ ﺷﻮ
ﺑﻄﻮل ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺖ إﺟﺮﯾﮫ وﺑﺤﻂ ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﮫ
ﺑﺎﻟﺘﻤﺎم واﻟﻜﻤﺎل /b-il-tamām w-il-kamāl/
/biṭūl min tiḥit ’ijrēh w-biḥuṭ ‘alā rās-uh/
Equivalent: All told/ Totaled up/ Including all parts/
Equivalent: Literal. He grabs things from underneath
In total.
his feet and puts them on his head/ Talking out of the back of his head/ Talking rubbish and nonsense/
Example:
.رﺑﺤﺖ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ أﻟﻔﯿﻦ دﯾﻨﺎر ﺑﺎﻟﺘﻤﺎم واﻟﻜﻤﺎل
Talking out of his hat. Example:
ﺑﺎﻟﺤﺮف اﻟﻮاﺣﺪ /b-il-ḥarf il-wāḥad/
اﻣﺒﺎرح ﻣﻨﺼﻮر ﻓﻀﺤﻨﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﯿﮫ ﻗﺪّام اﻟﻨﺎس ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺰﯾﻤﺔ ﻛﺎن !ﯾﻄﻮل ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺖ إﺟﺮﯾﮫ وﯾﺤﻂ ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﮫ
Equivalent: To the letter/ Very precise.
ﺑﺎﻟﻊ رادﯾﻮ ← ﻟﻌﻤﻆ
Example:
ھﯿﻨﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺟﻤﺎﻧﺔ ﻗﻠﺘﻠﻚ اﻟﻘﺼﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﺮف اﻟﻮاﺣﺪ! ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻌﻤﻠﻲ؟
/la‘maḏ/̣ ← /bāli‘ rādyō/
Equivalent: Literal. He swallowed a radio/ An old windbag/ Talk a blue streak.
ﺑﺎﻟﺤﺮﻛﺔ ﺑﺮﻛﺔ /b-il-ḥarakah barakah/
Equivalent: Literal. Movement is a blessing/ Exercise
Example:
أوف ﺷﻮ ھﺬا.وﺟﻌﺘﯿﻠﻲ راﺳﻲ ّ اﺳﻜﺘﻲ ﯾﺎ وداد ﯾﺎ ﻟﻌﻤﻆ ﻷﻧﻚ !ﺗﻘﻮل ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺔ رادﯾﻮ
is righteous and good.
ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺠﻠﺔ اﻟﻨﺪاﻣﺔ
Example:
ﻻ ﺗﻈﻠﻲ ﻧﺎﯾﻤﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﻔﺮاش ﯾﺎ ﻣﮭﺎ ﻻزم ﺗﺘﺤﺮﻛﻲ ﻋﺸﺎن ﺗﺘﺤﺴﻦ !ﺻﺤﺘﻚ! ﺑﺎﻟﺤﺮﻛﺔ ﺑﺮﻛﺔ
/b-il-‘ajaleh il-nadāmeh/
Equivalent: Haste makes waste. Example:
ﺑﺎﻟﺮﻓﺎه واﻟﺒﻨﯿﻦ
!ﺳﻮق ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﮭﻠﻚ وﻻ ﺗﺴﺘﻌﺠﻞ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎدل ﻷﻧّﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺠﻠﺔ اﻟﻨﺪاﻣﺔ
/b-il-rafāh w-al-banīn/
ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺮﺑﻲ اﻟﻔﺼﯿﺢ
Equivalent: This expression is said to congratulate and wish the newlyweds to have a harmonious
/b-il-‘arabī il-faṣīḥ/
marriage and children.
Equivalent: Literal. In plain Arabic/ In plain English.
Example:
Example:
. ﺑﺎﻟﺮﻓﺎه واﻟﺒﻨﯿﻦ إن ﺷﺎء ﷲ.أﻟﻒ ﻣﺒﺮوك زواﺟﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻣﯿﻤﻮﻧﺔ
!ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺮﺑﻲ اﻟﻔﺼﯿﺢ أﺧﻮك ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻘﺮﺿﻚ ﻣﺼﺎري
ﺑﺎﻟﺴ ّﺮاء واﻟﻀ ّﺮاء
ﺑﺎﻟﻘﻄّﺎرة
/b-il-sarrā’ wa-al-ḏạ rrā’/
/b-il-gaṭṭārah/
Equivalent: For better, for worse/ In good times and
Equivalent: In dribs and drabs.
bad ones.
Example:
Example:
ﺷﻜﺮاً إﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ أم وﺳﯿﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ وﻗﻔﺘﻚ ﻣﻌﻲ ﺑﻤﺮﺿﺘﻲ:أﺑﻮ وﺳﯿﻢ ! ﻟﻮﻻﻛﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻛﻨﺖ ﺑﻌﺮف ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ.اﻷﺧﯿﺮة وﻟﻮ! ﻻزم داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﻧﻮﻗﻒ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ ﺑﺎﻟﺴ ّﺮاء:أم وﺳﯿﻢ .واﻟﻀ ّﺮاء
أﺑﻮ دوﻟﺖ ﺑﺒﻌﺚ ﻟﻌﯿﻠﺘﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري ﺑﺎﻟﻘﻄّﺎرة! ول ﺷﻮھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ !ﺑﺨﯿﻞ
ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺨﺘﺼﺮ اﻟﻤﻔﯿﺪ /b-il-mukhtaṣar il-mufīd/
Equivalent: In a nutshell/ Briefly/ In summary.
ﺑﺎﻟﻄﺒّﺔ ← ﺑﺎﻟﺨﺎوة /b-il-khāwah/ ← /b-il-ṭabbah/
Equivalent: By force.
Example:
ھﺎ ﯾﺎ أم ﺳﻠﯿﻤﺎن ﺷﺎورﺗﻲ ﺑﻨﺘﻚ ﺑﺨﺼﻮص اﻟﻌﺮﯾﺲ:أم ﻋﺎﺑﺪ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺟﺒﺘﻠﮭﺎ إﯾﺎه؟
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺒﺎء
ﺑﺎﻟﮭﻮا ﺳﻮا /b-il-hawā sawā/
Equivalent: Literal. We are together in the air/ In the same boat.
أم ﺳﻠﯿﻤﺎن :اﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﻣﺘﺮددة ﯾﺎ أم ﻋﺎﺑﺪ .ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺨﺘﺼﺮ اﻟﻤﻔﯿﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺴﮫ! ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﻜ ّﻤﻞ دراﺳﺘﮭﺎ. ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺘﺠﻮزھ ّ
ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺸﻤﺶ /b-il-mushmush/
Example:
ﻣﺮام :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﻛﻨﺖ ﻣﺸﻐﻮﻟﺔ وﻣﺎ درﺳﺖ ﻟﻺﻣﺘﺤﺎن! وﺷﻜﻠﻲ رح أرﺳﺐ! ھﺪﯾﻞ :وأﻧﺎ زﯾّﻚ! ﻛﻠﻨﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﮭﻮا ﺳﻮا!
ﺑﺎﻟﻮﺟﮫ ﻣﺮاﯾﺔ وﺑﺎﻟﻘﻔﺎ ﻣﺬراﯾﺔ /b-il-wijih mrāyeh w-b-il-gafā midhrāyeh/
Equivalent: Two-faced/ A person who says nice things about people when they are with them but bad things behind their back.
Equivalent: Literal. When the apricots bloom/ When pigs fly. Example:
ﺳﮭﯿﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺘﺘﻤﻨّﻲ ﯾﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﻌﻚ ﯾﺎ روان؟ روان :ﺑﺘﻤﻨﻰ أﺻﯿﺮ ﻣﻠﯿﻮﻧﯿﺮة وأﺷﺘﺮي ﻗﺼﺮ وﺳﯿﺎرات وأﺗﺠﻮز واﺣﺪ ﻣﻠﯿﻮﻧﯿﺮ! ﺳﮭﯿﺮ :ھﮭﮭﮭﮭﮭﮫ .ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺸﻤﺶ!
ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻨﺎﺳﺒﺔ /b-il-munāsabeh/
Example:
ﺣﺴﻨﻲ ﻣﻦ أﺳﻮء اﻷﺷﺨﺎص اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﺮﻓﺘﮭﻢ ﻷﻧّﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻮﺟﮫ ﻣﺮاﯾﺔ وﺑﺎﻟﻘﻔﺎ ﻣﺬراﯾﺔ!
Equivalent: By the way/ Speaking of which. Example:
ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻨﺎﺳﺒﺔ ﺷﻮ إﺷﺘﺮﯾﺘﻲ ﻷﻣﻚ ﺑﻌﯿﺪ اﻷم؟
ﺑﺄﺣﻼﻣﻚ /b-’aḥlām-ak/
ﺑﺎﻟﻤﯿﺘﺔ
Equivalent: In your dreams.
/b-il-mayteh/
Example:
Equivalent: At least.
ﻣﺼﻌﺐ :أﻧﺎ وإﻧﺖ ﻗﺪﻣﻨﺎ ﻟﻠﻮظﯿﻔﺔ ﺑﺲ أﻧﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف إﻧﮭﻢ رح ﯾﺨﺘﺎروﻧﻲ وﯾﻔﻀﻠﻮﻧﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ! ﺟﻼل :ﺑﺄﺣﻼﻣﻚ! اﺳﺘﻨﻰ وﺷﻮف ﻣﯿﻦ رح ﯾﺨﺘﺎرو!
Example:
ﺑﺎﻟﻤﯿﺘﺔ زھﯿﺮ ﺑﺪّه ﺳﻨﺔ ﺗﺎ ﯾﺘﻌﻠﻢ اﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻷﻟﻤﺎﻧﯿﺔ وﯾﻘﺪر ﯾﺒﻠّﺶ دراﺳﺘﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺎﻧﯿﺎ!
ﺑﺎﻟﻨﺎﻗﺺ ﻋﻨّﮫ
ﺑﺄي ﺛﻤﻦ /b-’ayy thaman/
/b-il-nāgiṣ ‘ann-uh/
Equivalent: At any price/ At any rate/ Whatever may
Equivalent: Stuff it/ You don’t need that thing or
happen/ At all costs.
person; you can manage without it.
Example:
Example:
راﺋﺪ :أﻧﺎ ﻣﺶ رح أﺷﺘﺮك ﻣﻌﻜﻮ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺸﺮوع! ﺑﻨﺎن :ﺑﺎﻟﻨﺎﻗﺺ ﻋﻨﻚ!
ﺑﺪّي ادرس طﺐ ﺑﺄي ﺛﻤﻦ .ﻷﻧّﮫ ھﺬا ﺣﻠﻤﻲ ﻣﻦ وأﻧﺎ ﺻﻐﯿﺮ.
ﺑﺎﻟﮫ ﻣﺮﺗﺎح
ﺑﺄي طﺮﯾﻘﺔ /b-’ayy ṭarīgah/
/bāl-uh mirtāḥ/
Equivalent: In one way or the other/ By any and all
Literal meaning: Peace of mind.
means.
Example:
Example:
ﺑﺪّي أﺷﺎرك ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺴﺎﺑﻘﺔ ﺑﺄي طﺮﯾﻘﺔ!
اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﺣﺎس إﻧّﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ ﻣﺮﺗﺎح ﻷﻧﻲ ﺧﻠّﯿﺖ ﻛﻞ أوﻻدي ﯾﻜﻤﻠﻮ دراﺳﺘﮭﻢ وﯾﺄﻣﻨﻮ ﻣﺴﺘﻘﺒﻠﮭﻢ.
ﺑﺎﻟﮭﻨﺎ واﻟﺸﻔﺎ
ﺑﺄي وﺳﯿﻠﺔ /b-’ayy wasīleh/
/b-il-hanā w-al-shifā/
Equivalent: By hook or by crook/ By all means.
Equivalent: Bon appétit/ Wishing you a good meal/
Example:
Enjoy your food.
ﻻزم أﻧﺠﺢ ﺑﺎﻣﺘﺤﺎن اﻟﺴﻮاﻗﺔ ﺑﺄي وﺳﯿﻠﺔ ﻷﻧﮫ أﺑﻮي وﻋﺪﻧﻲ ﯾﺸﺘﺮﯾﻠﻲ ﺳﯿﺎرة.
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺳﺎﻣﺮ :ﺷﻜﻞ اﻷﻛﻞ ﺑﺸ ّﮭﻲ ﯾﺎ أم ﺳﺎﻣﺮ وطﻌﻤﮫ روﻋﺔ! أم ﺳﺎﻣﺮ :ﺑﺎﻟﮭﻨﺎ واﻟﺸﻔﺎ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺳﺎﻣﺮ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
ﺑﺪر :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺷﻔﺖ ﻟﺆي ﺑﺘﺒﺼﺒﺺ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺒّﺎك اﻟﺠﯿﺮان اﻟﺠﺪاد! ﻣﺎﻟﻚ :ﻋﯿﺐ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وﷲ!
24
ﺑﺒﻌﺒﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻔﺎﺿﻲ /bi-ba‘bi‘ ‘alā il-fāḏị̄ /
Equivalent: Full of hot air/ A barking dog never bites. Example:
ﺑﺘﺒ ّﮭﺮ وﺑﺘﻔﻠﻔﻞ /bitbahhir w-bitfalfil/
Equivalent: Literal. She adds spices and peppers (to stories)/ Chinese whispers/ To exaggerate.
زھﯿﺮ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ ﺳﻮاﻟﻒ أﺑﻮ ﺻﻘﺮ؟ ﻛﺎن ﯾﮭﺪّد طﻼل أﺧﻮي ﺑﺎﻟﺴﺠﻦ! ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﻣﺎﺳﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻣﻤﺴﻚ! ﻓﻜﺮك ﺑﻌﻤﻠﮭﺎ وﺑﺴﺠﻨﮫ زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﻮل؟ ﻋﺒﺎس :ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ ﻓﻜﻚ ﻣﻨﮫ .ھﺬا داﯾﻤﺎ ﺑﺒﻌﺒﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻔﺎﺿﻲ.
Example:
ﯾﺎ ﺷﻮ أم رﺿﻮان ﺑﺘﺤﺐ ﺗﻨﻘﻞ ﺣﻜﻲ وﺷﻮ ﺑﺘﺒﺎﻟﻎ ﺑﻘﺼﺼﮭﺎ! ﻻزم ﺗﺒ ّﮭﺮ وﺗﻔﻠﻔﻞ ﻛﻞ ﻗﺼﺔ ﺑﺘﺴﻤﻌﮭﺎ!
ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﻘﻄﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮭﺎ /ba‘d il-guṭun ‘alā ‘yūn-hā/
Equivalent: Literal. Cotton is still on her eyes/ Child
ﺑﺘﺘﺠﻘّﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ
wife/ Very young wife. /btitjaggam ‘alā/
Equivalent: Stick your tongue out at someone. Example:
ﻓﻌﻼً إﻧّﮫ ھﻨﺎدي ﺑﻨﺖ ﻗﻠﯿﻠﺔ أدب! اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺻﺎرت ﺗﺘﺠﻘﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻌﻠﻤﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻒ وﻣﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻣﮭﺘﻤﺔ أو ﺳﺎﺋﻠﺔ!
ﺑﺘﺤﺠﺞ ّ
Example:
ﻧﮭﺎد :ﺻﺒﺤﯿﺔ ﺧﻄّﺒﺖ ﺑﻨﺘﮭﺎ ﻧﺠﻼء ﻟﻤﺤﺎﻣﻲ ﻣﻌﺮوف وإﻟﮫ ﺳﻤﻌﺘﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻠﺪ. ﻧﻮال :أوف ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﻘﻄﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮭﺎ! ﻟﯿﺶ ﺧﻄّﺒﻮھﺎ وھﻲ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻌﻤﺮ؟
ﺑﺒﻌﺪ ﻋﻨﮫ ﺳﻔﺮ ﺳﻨﺔ /bitḥajjaj/
/bib‘id ‘ann-uh safar saneh/
Equivalent: To make up an excuse.
Equivalent: To run a mile away from someone/ To
Example:
avoid someone.
ﺳﮭﯿﺮ :ﻣﺮام ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺮوح ﻣﻌﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﺮس وردة! ﻣﯿﺴﺎ:ﻟﯿﺶ؟ ﺳﮭﯿﺮ :ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ إﻧّﮫ ﻋﻨﺪھﺎ اﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت! ﻣﯿﺴﺎ :ﻻ ھﺎي ﺑﺲ ﺑﺘﺘﺤﺠﺞ! ﻋﻼﻗﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﻮردة ﺳﯿﺌﺔ ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺮوح.
Example:
ﻓﺘﺤﻲ :ﺷﻔﺘﻚ واﻗﻒ ﻣﻊ ﻣﺤﺴﻦ! ﺷﻠﻮن طﺎﯾﻘﮫ ﯾﺎ رﺟﻞ! أﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻄﯿﻖ أﺷﻮف وﺟﮭﮫ وﺑﺒﻌﺪ ﻋﻨﮫ ﺳﻔﺮ ﺳﻨﺔ ﻗﺪ ﻣﺎ ھﻮ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺠﻲ.
ﺑﺒﻨﻲ ﻗﺼﻮر ﺑﺎﻟﮭﻮا
ﺑﺘﺤﻘﺮص
/bibnī gṣūr b-il-hawā/ /bitḥagraṣ/
Equivalent: To build castles in the air/ To make plans
Equivalent: To have ants in one’s pants.
that will never come true.
Example:
Example:
أﻣﯿﻦ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﺑﺘﺘﺤﻘﺮص وﻗﻠﻘﺎن وﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﺗﻘﻌﺪ؟ ﻋﻠﻲ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻧﺘﯿﺠﺔ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن وﺧﺎﯾﻒ أرﺳﺐ!
ﻋ ّﻤﺎر طﻮل ﻧﮭﺎره ﯾﺨﻄﻂ وﯾﺤﻠﻢ وﯾﺒﻨﻲ ﻗﺼﻮر ﺑﺎﻟﮭﻮا!
ﺑﺒﯿﻊ ﻣﯿّﮫ ﺑﺤﺎرة اﻟﺴﻘّﺎﯾﯿﻦ
ﺑﺘﺤﻞ ﻋﻦ ﺣﺒﻞ اﻟﻤﺸﻨﻘﺔ
/bibī‘ mayyeh b-ḥārit il-saggayīn/ /bitḥil ‘an ḥabl il-mishnagah/
Equivalent: Literal. Selling water in the carriers’ water
Equivalent: Literal. Untie the neck from the noose/
neighborhood/ To carry coals to Newcastle.
Stone fox/ She is a very beautiful woman/ Very
Example:
attractive and pretty. Example:
أم ﻏﺎزي :ﻛﯿﻒ اﻟﺒﻨﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺷﻔﺘﯿﮭﺎ ﻻﺑﻨﻚ؟ ﻋﺠﺒﺘﻚ؟ أم ﻓﻮزي :طﺒﻌﺎ ً ﻋﺠﺒﺘﻨﻲ وﺧﻄﺒﻨﺎھﺎ إﻟﮫ! ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﺑﺘﺤ ّﻞ ﻋﻦ ﺣﺒﻞ اﻟﻤﺸﻨﻘﺔ.
ﺑﺘﺨﺮﺑﺶ اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ
ﻣﻌﺘﺼﻢ :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺼﺒﺢ ﺷﻔﺖ طﻼل وﻋﺮض ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﻣﺸﺮوع! ﺟﻤﯿﻞ :اﯾﻮة ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّه ﻣﻨﻚ وﺷﻮھﺎﻟﻤﺸﺮوع؟ ﻣﻌﺘﺼﻢ :ﻗﺎل ﺑﻘﻠﻲ ﺧﻠﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﺘﺸﺎرك وﻧﺼﺪّر ﺑﻀﺎﻋﺔ ﻟﻠﺼﯿﻦ! ﺟﻤﯿﻞ :ھﮭﮭﮭﮭﮭﮫ ھﺬا ﺑﺪه ﯾﺒﯿﻊ ﻣﯿّﮫ ﺑﺤﺎرة اﻟﺴﻘﺎﯾﯿﻦ.
ﺑﺘﺒﺼﺒﺺ /btikhrabbish il-dinyā/
/bitbaṣbaṣ/
Equivalent: Not the end of the world.
Equivalent: Snoop around.
25
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺒﺎء Example:
Example:
ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺻﻌﺐ اﻟﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻊ أﺑﻮ ﻧﺎدر ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺠﺒﮫ اﻟﻌﺠﺐ وﺑﻘﻀﯿﮭﺎ ﯾﺘﺸﻜﻮن!
ﺑﺘﺸﻮف وﺟﮭﻚ ﻓﯿﮫ
رزان :ﻣﺎ ﺧﻠّﺼﺖ اﻟﻮرﻗﺔ اﻟﺒﺤﺜﯿﺔ وآﺧﺮ ﻣﻮﻋﺪ ﻟﻠﺘﺴﻠﯿﻢ ﺑﻌﺪ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ؟ ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ؟ ﺑﺜﯿﻨﺔ :إﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻤﺪ ّرس واﺷﺮﺣﯿﻠﮫ وﺿﻌﻚ .ﺑﺘﺨﺮﺑﺶ اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ إذا ﻣﺪدﻟﻚ ﻣﻮﻋﺪ اﻟﺘﺴﻠﯿﻢ.
/bitshūf wijh-ak fīh/
Equivalent: As clean as a whistle/ Very clean.
ﺑﺘﺮاب اﻟﻤﺼﺎري
Example:
/bi-trāb il-maṣārī/
ﺑﯿﺖ أم ﺳﻔﯿﺎن ﺑﻠﻤﻊ واﻟﺒﻼط ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻧﻈﯿﻒ ﻟﺪرﺟﺔ إﻧﻚ ﺑﺘﺸﻮﻓﻲ وﺟﮭﻚ ﻓﯿﮫ.
Equivalent: For chicken feed/ For a very cheap price. Example:
أم ﻏﯿﺎث اﺷﺘﺮت ﻗﻄﻌﺔ أرض ﻣﻦ ﺟﺎرﺗﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﺮاب اﻟﻤﺼﺎري!
ﺑﺘﺸﻮي ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﻓﻄﯿﺮة /btishwī ‘alā galb-uh faṭīreh/
ﺑﺘﺮھﻮزﻟﮫ
Equivalent: On cloud nine/ As happy as a clam/ To
/bitrahwaz-l-uh/
feel extremely happy and excited.
Equivalent: Butter up/ Pander to someone.
Example:
Example:
ﺷﺎھﺮ ﺧﻄﺐ اﻟﺒﻨﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺤﺒﮭﺎ وﻣﻦ ﻓﺮﺣﺘﮫ ﺑﺘﺸﻮي ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﻓﻄﯿﺮة!
ﺑﺘﺸﯿﻄﻦ
أﺑﻮ ﻋﻼء ﺑﺘﺮھﻮز ﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮه ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻌﻄﯿﮫ زﯾﺎدة ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺮاﺗﺐ! ﻋﺎدﺗﮫ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺒﻄﻠﮭﺎ!
ﺑﺘﺮوي اﻟﻘﻠﺐ /bitshēṭan/
/btirwī il-galub/
Equivalent: Behaving mischievously, badly and naughtily.
Equivalent: Quench the thirst.
Example:
Example:
اﺑﻦ أﺧﻮي وﻟﺪ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺠﻲ وﺑﻈﻞ ﯾﺘﺸﯿﻄﻦ وﯾﻌﻤﻞ ﻓﯿﻨﺎ ﻣﻘﺎﻟﺐ ﻣﺰﻋﺠﺔ!
ﺑﺘﺼﺪق وإﻻ ﻟﻌﻤﺮك
ﻛﻨﺖ ﻣﯿّﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻌﻄﺶ وﺷﺮﺑﺖ ﻗﻨﯿﻨﺔ ﻣﯿّﮫ ﺑﺎردة ﺑﺘﺮوي اﻟﻘﻠﺐ!
ﺑﺘﺘﺼﺎﻏﺮ /btitzāghar/
/bitṣaddig w-illā la-‘umr-ak/
Equivalent: Mutton dressed as lamb.
Equivalent: Believe it or not.
Example:
Example:
ﻋﺪي :ﻣﺶ ﻣﺼﺪّق إﻧّﻚ ﺣﺼﻠﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻨﺤﺔ وﻣﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﺑﻌﺪ ﺷﮭﺮﯾﻦ! ﻣﻦ أﻣﯿﺖ ﺻﺮت ﺷﺎطﺮ؟ زھﯿﺮ :ﯾﺎ ﺳﯿﺪي ﺗﺼﺪّق وإﻻ ﻟﻌﻤﺮك! ﺑﻜﺮة ﺑﺘﺸﻮف.
ﺻﺎر ﻋُﻤﺮ أم ﺻﻔﻮان ﻓﻮق اﻟﺨﻤﺴﯿﻦ وﺑﻌﺪھﺎ ﺑﺘﺘﺼﺎﻏﺮ وﺑﺘﻠﺒﺲ زي ﻟﺒﺲ اﻟﻤﺮاھﻘﺎت!
ﺑﺘﺰﻋﺮن /bitza‘ran/
ﺑﺘﺼﻨّﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ
Equivalent: Up to no good. Example:
/bitṣannat ‘alēh/
Equivalent: Listen in. Example:
ﺳﺎﺋﺪ ﺑﺤﺐ ﯾﻈﻞ ﯾﺘﺼﻨّﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ أﺻﺤﺎﺑﮫ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻌﺮف أﺧﺒﺎرھﻢ وﻧﻘﺎط ﺿﻌﻔﮭﻢ .ﻣﺎ ﺑﺒﻄﻞ ھﺎﻟﻌﺎدة أﺑﺪاً.
ﻋﻨّﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻒ ﺷﺐ ﺑﻈﻞ ﯾﺘﺰﻋﺮن وﻣﺶ ﻣﺨﻠّﻲ ﺣﺪا ﻣﻦ ﺷ ّﺮه! ﷲ ﯾﺴﺘﺮﻧﺎ ﻣﻦ ﻋﻤﺎﯾﻠﮫ.
ﺑﺘﺴﺮﻣﺢ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻮارع /bitsarmaḥ b-il-shawāri‘/
ﺑﺘﺼﯿﺮ ﺑﺄﺣﺴﻦ اﻟﻌﺎﺋﻼت
Equivalent: Loitering around/ Wandering around. /bitṣīr b-’aḥsan il-‘a’ilāt/
Equivalent: Sometimes it happens/ Things happen to the best of us.
Example:
ﻋﺪﻧﺎن ﺗﺨ ّﺮج ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ وﺑﻌﺪه ﻣﺎ ﻟﻘﻰ ﺷﻐﻞ وطﻮل ﻧﮭﺎره ﯾﺘﺴﺮﻣﺢ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻮارع.
Example:
ﻟﯿﻠﻰ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻛﺎن ﻋﻨﺪي اﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﻋﺮﺑﻲ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮى اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻲ وﻛﻨﺖ ﻣﺴﺘﻌﺠﻠﺔ وﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺧﻠﺼﺖ اﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﻋﺮﻓﺖ إﻧّﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻘﺎﻋﺔ اﻟﻐﻠﻂ وإﻧّﮫ اﻻﻣﺘﺤﺎن اﻟﻠﻲ أﺧﺬﺗﮫ ﻛﺎن ﻟﻠﻤﺴﺘﻮى اﻷ ّول! ﻟﻤﯿﺲ :ﺑﺘﺼﯿﺮ ﺑﺄﺣﺴﻦ اﻟﻌﺎﺋﻼت!
ﺑﺘﺸﻜﻮن /bitshakwan/
Equivalent: Beef about something/ Like a bear with a sore head/ Complain a lot.
26
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺑﺘﻌﺪھﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻷﺻﺎﺑﻊ /bit‘id-hin ‘alā il-’aṣābi‘/
Equivalent: Count fingers on one hand.
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺟﻼل طﻮل ﻧﮭﺎره ﯾﺘﻠ ّﻌﺐ ﻟﻠﻨﺎﺋﺐ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻮظﻔﻠﮫ !أوﻻده
Example:
ﺑﺘﻠ ّﻜﻚ
!ﻛﻞ اﻟﻤ ّﺮات اﻟﻠﻲ ﺳﺎﻓﺮﻧﺎ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﻨﻌﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻷﺻﺎﺑﻊ /bitlakkak/
ﺑﺘﻌﺮف اﻟﺒﯿﺮ وﻏﻄﺎه
Equivalent: To look for or pick on something trivial or
/bti‘rif il-bīr w-ghaṭāh/
minor as an excuse to avoid doing something.
Equivalent: The ins and outs/ The details and facts
Example:
about something. Example:
ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﻧﺘﺸﺎرك ﻣﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ وﻧﻔﺘﺢ ﻣﻄﻌﻢ:أﺑﻮ أﺻﻒ ﻣﻌﺠﻨﺎت؟ ﻣﺎ إﻧﺖ ﻋﺎرف اﻟﺒﯿﺮ وﻏﻄﺎه! ﻣﻦ وﯾﻦ ﺑﺪي أﺟﯿﺐ:أﺑﻮ ﻓﺎدي اﻟﻤﺼﺎري؟
ﺑﺘﻔﺼﺤﻦ
ھﺎ ﯾﺎ أم ﻓﺘﺤﻲ ﺧﺒﺮﯾﻨﻲ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻊ ﺑﻨﺘﻚ ﻣﻨﻰ؟:أم ﺟﻮاد واﻓﻘﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﺮﯾﺲ وإﻻ ﺷﻮ؟ ﻻ وﷲ ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ ﺑﺘﺘﻠﻜﻚ وﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﺘﻄﻠﻊ ﺑﺴﻮﻻﻓﺔ:أم ﻓﺘﺤﻲ ﺟﺪﯾﺪة وﺑﺘﻄﻠﻊ ﻋﯿﻮب ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻌﺮﯾﺲ! ﻣ ّﺮة ﺑﺘﻘﻮل طﻮﯾﻞ وﻣ ّﺮة .ﻗﺼﯿﺮ! ﺣﯿّﺮﺗﻨﺎ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ
← ﺑﺘﻤﺨﻮل ← ﺑﺘﮭﺴﺘﺮ ← ﺑﺘﺠﻨﻦ ← ﺑﺘﻐ ّﻮر ﺑﺘﻄﯿّﺮ اﻟﻌﻘﻞ ← ﺑﺘﮭﺒﻞ ← ﺑﺘﻌﻘﺪ
/bitfaṣḥan/
/biṭ‘aqqid/ ← /btihbil/ ← /biṭṭayyir il-‘agul/ ← /bitghawwir/ ← /
Equivalent: Armchair critic/ Judgmental.
bitjannin/ ← /bithastir/ ← /bitmakhwil/
Example:
Equivalent: Pretty as a picture/ Drop-dead gorgeous/
ﻻزم ﯾﺎ ھﺸﺎم ﻗﺒﻠﺖ ﺑﺎﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ ﺣﺘﻰ ﻟﻮ راﺗﺒﮭﺎ ﻣﺶ:ﻋﺰﯾﺰ ھﻲ اﻟﻔﺮﺻﺔ ﺑﺘﯿﺠﻲ ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم؟.ﻛﺜﯿﺮ أﻧﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﺷﻮ. اﺳﻜﺖ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ وﻻ ﺗﺘﻔﺼﺤﻦ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ:ھﺸﺎم .ﺑﻌﻤﻞ
Very beautiful. Example:
ﯾﻮم اﻟﺠﻤﻌﺔ رﺣﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﺮس ﺗﻤﯿﻢ وﻋﺮوﺳﺘﮫ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺑﺘﻌﻘﺪ !وﺑﺘﻄﯿّﺮ اﻟﻌﻘﻞ
ﺑﺘﻤﻘّﻞ ﻓﯿﮫ
ﺑﺘﻘﺼﻘﺺ ← ﺑﻄﻘّﺲ اﺧﺒﺎر ← ﺑﺸﻤﺸﻢ اﺧﺒﺎر /bishamshim ’akhbār/ ← /biṭaggas ’akhbār/ ← /bitgaṣgaṣ/
/bitmaggal fīh/
Equivalent: Make an enquiry.
Equivalent: To scrutinize someone carefully.
Example:
Example:
ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺸﺘﺮي أرض أﺑﻮ:أﺑﻮ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ ﺣﻤﺪان وﺗﺒﻨﻲ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﻣﺪارس ﺣﻜﻮﻣﯿّﺔ ﺟﺪﯾﺪة! ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ ﺗﺮوح ﺗﺸﻤﺸﻢ أﺧﺒﺎر وﺗﺘﻘﺼﻘﺺ وﺗﺸﻮف إذا ھﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع ﺻﺤﯿﺢ؟
!ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ وﻟﺪت أم ﻣﻌﺘﺼﻢ اﺑﻨﮭﺎ وﺟﻮزھﺎ ﻣﺎﺳﻜﮫ وﺑﺘﻤﻘّﻞ ﻓﯿﮫ !ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺒﺴﻮط ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ
ﺑﺘﻤﺴﻜﻦ ﺗﺎ ﯾﺘﻤﻜﻦ /bitmaskan tā yitmakkan/
ﺑﺘﻜﺒﺮ وﺑﺘﺤﻠﻰ
Equivalent: Stoop to conquer/ To pretend to be pitiful
/btikbar wi-btiḥlā/
and submissive to get what you want and achieve
Equivalent: Literal. She gets prettier with age/ Aging
your goals.
like fine wine.
Example:
Example:
. ﺑﺪّي أﺧﻄﺐ ﺳﻤﺮ ﺑﻨﺖ أم ﺳﻠﻄﺎن ﻻﺑﻨﻲ ﺗﯿﺴﯿﺮ:أم ﺗﯿﺴﯿﺮ .ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﺣﻠﻮة وﻣﺆدﺑﺔ وﷲ ﻋﺮﻓﺘﻲ ﺗﺨﺘﺎري! ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻜﺒﺮ:أم ادرﯾﺲ !ﺑﺘﺤﻠﻰ
ظﻞ أﺑﻮ ﺷﺮﯾﻒ ﯾﺘﻠ ّﻌﺐ ﻟﻤﺮﺗﮫ ﺗﺎ أﺧﺬ ﻛﻞ أﻣﻼﻛﮭﺎ وﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ طﻠّﻘﮭﺎ! ظﻠّﮫ ﯾﺘﻤﺴﻜﻦ ﺗﺎ ﯾﺘﻤﻜﻦ! ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺑﺘﻔﻜﺮه ھﺎﻟﻤﺴﻜﯿﻨﺔ !ﺑﺤﺒﮭﺎ! طﻠﻊ ﻣﺘﺠﻮزھﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ طﻤﻊ
ﺑﺘﻤﺸﻲ اﻟﻤﯿّﮫ ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺘﮫ /btimshī il-mayyeh min tiḥt-uh/
ﺑﺘﻠﻌﺒﻠﮫ
Equivalent: Literal. Water runs under him/ Know
/bitla‘‘ab-l-uh/
nothing about what is going on/ Someone who is
Equivalent: Bow and scrape/ Lick someone’s boots/
clueless of his or her surroundings and does not
Snow job.
know what is happening behind his or her back.
27
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺒﺎء Example:
Example:
ھﻼ :ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺘﻲ ﻣﻌﻘﺪة وﻣﺎﻟﮭﺎ ﺣﻞ! ﺳﻼف :ﺑﺘﮭﻮن إن ﺷﺎء ! ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻘﻲ ﻛﻞ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ وإﻟﮭﺎ ﺣﻞ.
ﺑﺘﮭﯿﺄﻟﻚ /bithayya’-l-ak/
Equivalent: All in your head/ You are imagining
أم رﺷﺎ :ﺷﻮ ﯾﺎ أم ھﺎدي ﺳﻤﻌﺖ ﺑﻨﺘﻚ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﻤﺜﻠﺔ؟ ﯾﻌﻨﻲ إﻧﺘﻲ ﻣﻮاﻓﻘﺔ؟ أم ھﺎدي :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺘﻘﻮﻟﻲ؟ ﻣﻦ وﯾﻦ ﺳﻤﻌﺘﻲ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ أم رﺷﺎ :ھﻲ ﺧﺒّﺮت ﺑﻨﺘﻲ ﻟﻤﯿﺲ إﻧﮭﺎ ﻗﺪّﻣﺖ ﻟﻠﺘﻠﻔﺰﯾﻮن ﻋﺸﺎن ﺗﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﻤﺜﻠﺔ! ﺑﺸﻮف اﻟﻤﯿّﮫ ﺑﺘﻤﺸﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺘﻚ وإﻧﺖ ﻣﺶ دارﯾﺔ!
things. Example:
أم ﻛﺮﯾﻢ :ﺳﺎﻣﻌﺔ ﺻﻮت ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻄﺒﺦ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ! روح ﺷﻮف ﺷﻮ ھﺬا اﻟﺼﻮت. أﺑﻮ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ :ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ إﺷﻲ ھﻨﺎك! ﺑﺘﮭﯿﺄﻟﻚ!
ﺑﺘﻤﻨﻰ ﺗﻨﺸﻖ اﻻرض وﺗﺒﻠﻌﻨﻲ /batmannā tinshagg il-’arḏ ̣ w-tibla‘-nī/
Equivalent: Literal. Wish the ground would swallow you up/ To wish that you could disappear because you feel very embarrassed and ashamed.
ﺑﺘﯿﺠﻲ ﻣﻊ اﻟﮭﺒﻞ دﺑﻞ
Example: /btījī ma‘ il-hubbil dubbil/
Equivalent: Beginner’s luck. Example:
ﻀﺮ! وﻛﺎن ﺣﺴﺎم :اﻟﯿﻮم رﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ ﺑﺪون ﻣﺎ أﺣ ّ ﻋﻨّﺎ اﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﺷﻔﮭﻲ! إﺟﺎ دوري وﺳﺄﻟﻨﻲ اﻷﺳﺘﺎذ ﺳﺆال وﺟﺎوﺑﺖ وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺘﺄﻛﺪ ﻷﻧﻲ ﻣﺶ دارس! وطﻠﻊ اﻟﺠﻮاب ﺻﺢ وأﺧﺬت ﻋﻼﻣﺔ ﻛﺎﻣﻠﺔ! ﺑﺘﺼﺪّق! أﻧﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺼﺪّق ﺣﺎﻟﻲ! ﻧﺎﺟﺢ :ﺑﺼﺪّق! ﺑﺘﯿﺠﻲ ﻣﻊ اﻟﮭﺒﻞ دﺑﻞ!
أم وﺿﺎح :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ أم راﻣﺰ ﻣﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻌﻀﻚ؟ أم راﻣﺰ :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺼﺒﺢ ﻟﻘﯿﺖ زﺑﺎﻟﺔ ﻣﺮﻣﯿّﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺎب ﺑﯿﺘﻲ وﻓﻜﺮت إﻧّﮫ ﺟﺎرﺗﻲ ﻋﺒﻠﺔ رﻣﺘﮭﺎ .إﺟﯿﺖ رﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺘﮭﺎ وﺗﮭﺎوﺷﺖ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ! وﺑﻌﺪ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ إﺟﺎ اﺑﻨﻲ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ وﺣﻜﺎﻟﻲ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻘﻄﻂ ﻓﺘﺤﺖ اﻟﺰﺑﺎﻟﺔ وﺟ ّﺮﺗﮭﺎ ﺑﻜﻞ ﻣﻜﺎن! ﻛﺎن ﻣﻮﻗﻒ ﻣﺤﺮج ﺑﺎﻟﻨﺴﺒﺔ اﻟﻲ وﺗﻤﻨﯿﺖ اﻻرض ﺗﻨﺸﻖ وﺗﺒﻠﻌﻨﻲ!
ﺑﺘﻤﮭﺰى ﻋﻠﯿﮫ /bitmahzā ‘alēh/
ﺑﺠﺮة ﻗﻠﻢ
Equivalent: Laugh someone to scorn/ Ridicule someone. Example:
/b-jarrit galam/
Equivalent: With (or at) the stroke of a pen. Example:
اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ وﺑﺠﺮة ﻗﻠﻢ طﻠّﻊ ﻗﺮار ﺑﻔﺼﻞ أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻋﺸﺮﯾﻦ ﺴﻦ اﻟﻤﯿﺰاﻧﯿﺔ! ﻣﻮظﻒ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻮﻓّﺮ ﻣﺼﺎري وﯾﺤ ّ
ﺑﺠﮭﺪ ﺟﮭﯿﺪ
طﺎرق :اﻟﯿﻮم إﺟﺎ طﺎﻟﺐ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺼﻒ وﺻﺎرو اﻷوﻻد ﯾﺘﻤﮭﺰو ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﺟﻼل :ھﺎﻟﻄﻼب ﻣﺎ ﺑﺒﻄﻠﻮ ھﺎﻟﻌﺎدة!
ﺑﺘﻨﺸّﺢ /bitnashshaḥ/
/b-juhid jahīd/
Equivalent: Weep one’s heart out/ Weeping copiously.
Equivalent: Like pulling teeth/ With great effort/ With
Example:
great difficulty. Example:
اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﻧﺠﺤﺖ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﺑﺠﮭﺪ ﺟﮭﯿﺪ!
أم ﺟﻌﻔﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﺑﺘﺘﻨﺸّﺢ ﯾﺎ ﺳﻌﺪ؟ ووﺟﻌﻨﻲ! ﺳﻌﺪ :أﺧﻮي ﺟﻌﻔﺮ ﺿﺮﺑﻨﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﻲ ّ
ﺑﺘﻨﻖ ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﮫ
ﺑﺤﺎﺗﻒ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻌﺮﯾﻔﺔ
/bitnugg ‘alā rās-uh/ /biḥātif ‘alā il-ta‘rīfeh/
Equivalent: Pester someone for something/ Nagging/ To
Equivalent: Cheapskate/ Miser.
repeatedly annoy someone with requests for something.
Example:
Example:
ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ أﺗﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻊ اﺷﺮف ﺑﺎﻷﻣﻮر اﻟﻤﺎدﯾّﺔ ﻷﻧﮫ ﺑﺤﺎﺗﻒ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻌﺮﯾﻔﺔ وﺑﺨﯿﻞ!
ﺑﺤﺎل اﻟﺒﻼش
أم ﻋﺒﺪﷲ :اﺑﻨﻲ ﻋﺒﺪﷲ ﺗﺮك ﺑﯿﺘﮫ وإﺟﺎ ﯾﻘﻌﺪ ﻋﻨﺪي ﻛﻢ ﯾﻮم. أم طﺎرق :ﺧﯿﺮ إن ﺷﺎ ؟ أم ﻋﺒﺪﷲ :ﻣﺮﺗﮫ ﺑﺘﻈﻞ ﺗﻨﻖ ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﮫ وطﻠﺒﺎﺗﮭﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮة! ﺑﻄّﻞ ﯾﺘﺤ ّﻤﻠﮭﺎ.
/bḥāl il-balāsh/
Equivalent: Dirt cheap/ For a song/ Extremely cheap. Example:
اﺷﺘﺮﯾﺖ ﺳﯿﺎرة ﻣﻮدﯾﻞ ﺳﻨﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﺤﺎل اﻟﺒﻼش!
ﺑﺘﮭﻮن /bithūn/
Equivalent: Everything’s going to be okay.
28
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺑﺤﺮث اﻟﺸﺎرع ﺣﺮاﺛﺔ
Example:
!ﺴﺎن زﻟﻤﺔ ﺑﺨﯿﻞ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﺑﺤﻠﺐ اﻟﻨﻤﻠﺔ ّ أﺑﻮ ﻏ
/buḥruth il-shāri‘ ḥrātheh/
Equivalent: Comb the street.
ﺑﺤﻠ ّﻮه وﺑﻤ ّﺮه
Example:
!ﺿﯿّﻌﺖ ﻣﺤﻔﻈﺘﻲ وأﻧﺎ راﯾﺢ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺼﺒﺢ !وﺣﺮﺛﺖ اﻟﺸﺎرع ﺣﺮاﺛﺔ ﻋﺸﺎن أﻻﻗﯿﮭﺎ ﺑﺲ ﻟﻸﺳﻒ ﺑﻼ ﻓﺎﯾﺪة
/b-ḥilww-uh wi-b- murr-uh/
Equivalent: Take the rough with the smooth/ Take the bad with the good.
ﺑﺤﺮث ﻟﯿﻞ ﻧﮭﺎر /buḥruth lēl nhār/
Equivalent: Work like a dog/ To work very hard. Example:
وﷲ إﻧّﻲ ﻗﻠﻘﺎﻧﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ أﺑﻮ ھﺎرون ﻷﻧّﮫ ﺻﺤﺘﮫ:أم ھﺎرون .ﺑﺘﺘﺮاﺟﻊ ! ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﺑﺤﺮث ﻟﯿﻞ ﻧﮭﺎر ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻌﯿّﺸﻜﻮ ﻋﯿﺸﺔ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ:أم ﺳﻤﺮ
Example:
ﻗﺮار ﺳﻔﺮي ﻓﻲ إﻟﮫ إﯾﺠﺎﺑﯿﺎت وﺳﻠﺒﯿﺎت وﻣﺤﺘﺎر ﺷﻮ:ﻣﺆﯾﺪ أﻋﻤﻞ؟ ّ ﻻزم:زاھﺮ !ﺗﺘﺨﺬ اﻟﻘﺮار وﺗﻘﺒﻠﮫ ﺑﺤﻠ ّﻮ وﺑﻤ ّﺮه
ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﺳﻨﺴﻜﺮﯾﺘﻲ /biḥkī sinsikrītī/
Equivalent: It’s all Greek to me/ Unable to understand.
ﺑﺤﺴﺒﻠﮫ أﻟﻒ ﺣﺴﺎب /buḥsub-l-uh ’alf ḥsāb/
Equivalent: A force to be reckoned with/ Worth taking
Example:
اﻟﯿﻮم وﻻ ﻓﮭﻤﺖ إﺷﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺤﺎﺿﺮة! ﺣﺴﯿﺖ اﻷﺳﺘﺎذ ﺑﺤﻜﻲ !ﺳﻨﺴﻜﺮﯾﺘﻲ
seriously because of being authoritative, important
ﺑﺨﺎف ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﺴﻤﺔ
or good. /bikhāf ‘alēhā min il-nismeh/
Example:
أم ﻋﺼﺎم ﺑﺘﺤﺴﺐ ﻟﺠﻮزھﺎ أﻟﻒ ﺣﺴﺎب! وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ !ﺑﺪون ﻣﺎ ﺗﺸﺎوره
Equivalent: Wrap someone in cotton wool/ Be overprotective of someone. Example:
ﺑﺤﺸﺮ ﺧﺸﻤﮫ ﺑﻜﻞ ﺷﻲ /buḥshur khashm-uh b-kull ’ishī/
ﻣﻦ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻣﺎﺗﺖ ﺳﮭﺎد ﺻﺎر ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﯾﺨﺎف ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻨﺘﮫ ﻧﮭﺎل !ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﺴﻤﺔ! ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ
Equivalent: Stick or poke your nose in something/ Get
ﺑﺨﺎف ﻣﻦ ﺧﯿﺎﻟﮫ
involved in what is none of your business. /bikhāf min khayāl-uh/
Example:
!ﺗﻤﺎرا ﺑﻨﺖ ﻣﺰﻋﺠﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻷﻧﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﺸﺮ ﺧﺸﻤﮭﺎ ﺑﻜﻞ ﺷﻲ
Equivalent: Afraid of one’s own shadow/ Timid/ Fearful. Example:
ﺑﺤﻂ ﻟﻠﺪب أذان /biḥuṭṭ l-al-dubb ’adhān/
Equivalent: Know best/ Know all the answers or angles/ This expression is used to describe a person
ﺳﺎﻣﻊ ﺻﻮت إﺷﻲ ﺑﺮا اﻟﺒﯿﺖ! ﺗﻌﺎل ﯾﺎ ﺟﻮد ﺗﺎ:ﻣﻤﺪوح .ﻧﺸﻮف ﺷﻮ ﻓﻲ اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﻟﯿﻞ وﺷﺘﺎ وﺑﺮد! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف إﻧّﻲ. ﺣ ّﻞ ﻋﻨّﻲ:ﺟﻮد !ﺑﺨﺎف ﻣﻦ ﺧﯿﺎﻟﻲ! روح ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻚ
who is knowledgeable, professional, experienced,
ﺑﺨﻠﻖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﺒﮫ أرﺑﻌﯿﻦ
competent, skillful and who can turn a situation or something around for the better.
/bikhlig min il-shabah ’arbi‘īn/
Example:
Equivalent: Literal. God creates forty people who look
ﻣﺎ ﺗﺨﻠّﻲ ﺟﻮزك ﯾﺼﻠّﺢ اﻟﺒﺎب اﻟﻤﺨﻠﻮع؟ ﻣﮭﻮ ﺑﻌﺮف:ام ﻣﻨﺎر !ﯾﻌﻤﻞ ﻛﻞ إﺷﻲ ! ﺑﺤﻜﻲ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺸﻐﻮل وﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﯾﻌﻤﻠﮫ:ﻣﻨﺎر ﻛﯿﻒ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف؟ ﻣﮭﻮ ﺑﺤﻂ ﻟﻠﺪب أذان! ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﻣﺶ:ام ﻣﻨﺎر !ﻓﺎﺿﻲ ﯾﻌﻤﻠﮫ وﺑﺲ
alike/ Dead ringer for somebody/ Doppelgänger. Example:
اﻟﯿﻮم رﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﯿﺎدة اﻷﺳﻨﺎن وﯾﺎﷲ ﺷﻮھﺎﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮرة:ﺿﺤﻰ .ﺑﺘﺸﺒﮫ ﺧﺎﻟﺘﻲ ﻣﻨﺎل! ﻛﺄﻧﮭﺎ ھﻲ! ﻧﺴﺨﺔ ﻋﻨﮭﺎ ! ﺑﺨﻠﻖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﺒﮫ أرﺑﻌﯿﻦ:ﺳﻤﺎ
ﺑﺪارﯾﮫ ﻣﺪاراه
ﺑﺤﻠﺐ اﻟﻨﻤﻠﺔ /buḥlub il-nimleh/
/bidārīh mdārāh/
Equivalent: Literal. He milks the ant/ Penny-pinching/
Equivalent: Handle someone with kid gloves/ Deal
Miser/ Stingy/ Cheap.
with someone very softly, gently or carefully.
29
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺒﺎء Example:
Example:
ﻣﺪﯾﺮي ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ داﯾﻤﺎ ﻣﺴﺘﻌﺠﻞ وھﺎﻟﻜﻨﺎ طﻠﺒﺎت وﺑﺪّه ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﻛﻦ ﻓﯿﻜﻮن! ﺑﻔﻜﺮﻧﺎ آﻻت وﻣﺶ ﺑﻨﻲ آدﻣﯿﯿﻦ!
ﺑﺪھﺎ ھ ّﺰ اﻛﺘﺎف /bid-hā hazz iktāf/
ام ﺟﻼل :وﷲ اﺑﻨﻲ ﺟﻼل ﻣﻐﻠّﺒﻨﻲ واﻟﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻌﮫ ﺻﻌﺐ وﺑﺪارﯾﮫ ﻣﺪاراه. ام رﻣﺰي :ﷲ ﯾﻌﯿﻨﻚ! ﻛﻞ ﺷﺒﺎب ھﺎﻷﯾﺎم ﺑﺪھﻢ ﻣﺪاراة!
ﺑﺪّك اﻟﺼﺤﯿﺢ واﻻ اﺑﻦ ﻋ ّﻤﮫ
Equivalent: Mountain to climb/ Needs hard
/bidd-ak il-ṣaḥīḥ w-illa ibin ‘amm-uh/
work.
Equivalent: To tell you the truth/ I must admit/ In
Example:
actuality/ To be honest.
اﻟﺪراﺳﺔ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﯿّﺔ ﺻﻌﺒﺔ وﻣﺶ ﺑﺴﮭﻮﻟﺔ اﻟﻮاﺣﺪ ﺑﺘﺨ ّﺮج! ھﺎﻟﻤﺮﺣﻠﺔ اﻟﺪراﺳﯿّﺔ ﺑﺪھﺎ ھ ّﺰ اﻛﺘﺎف!
ﺑﺪ َور ﻋﻠﻰ إﺑﺮة ﺑﻜﻮﻣﺔ ﻗﺶ /bidawwir ‘alā ’ibreh b-kōmit gashsh/
Example:
ﺳﺤﺮ :اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﺤﻜﻲ إﻧّﻚ إﻧﺖ اﻟﺴﺒﺐ ﺑﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ آﻣﺎل ﻣﻊ ﺟﻮزھﺎ. ﺻﺤﯿﺢ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ ورود :ﺑﺪّك اﻟﺼﺤﯿﺢ وإﻻ اﺑﻦ ﻋﻤﮫ؟ أﻧﺎ ﻓﻌﻼً اﻟﺴﺒﺐ ﺑﺲ ﺑﺠﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﻗﺼﺪي أﺳﺒّﺒﻠﮭﺎ ﻛﻞ ھﺎﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ .ﺑﺘﻤﻨﻰ إﻧﮭﺎ ﺗﺴﺎﻣﺤﻨﻲ.
Equivalent: Look for a needle in a haystack/ Search for something that’s impossible to find.
ﺑﺪّك اﻟﻌﻨﺐ وإﻻ ﺗﻘﺎﺗﻞ اﻟﻨﺎطﻮر /bidd-ak il-‘inib w-illa tgātil il- nāṭūr/
Example:
اﻧﺘﻘﻠﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺖ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ وﺧﻼل اﻟﺘﺮﺣﯿﻞ ﺿﯿّﻌﺖ ھﻮﯾﺘﻲ ﺴﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺤﺘﺎﺟﮭﺎ وﺗﻌﺒﺖ ﻗﺪ ﻣﺎ د ّورت! اﻟﺸﺨﺼﯿﺔ وھ ّ ﻗﺶ. ﺻﺎر ﻓﯿّﻲ زي اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪ ّور ﻋﻠﻰ إﺑﺮة ﺑﻜﻮﻣﺔ ّ
Equivalent: Literal. Do you want grapes or to keep fighting the vineyard keeper?/ You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar/ You receive more by being kind. Example:
ﺑﺪ ّور ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻨﻜﺪ دوا ّرة /bidawwir ‘alā il-nakad dwārah/
Equivalent: To get under someone’s skin/ To be the source of annoyance/ To bother, irritate or annoy someone/ To push someone’s buttons/ To look for troubles.
ﺣﺎب ﯾﺸﻮﻓﻚ وﯾﻌﺘﺬر ﻣﻨﻚ؟ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﺗﻀﻠﻮ اﻣﺠﺪ :ﻋﺎدل ّ زﻋﻼﻧﯿﻦ ﻣﻦ ﺑﻌﺾ! اﻟﺸﻐﻞ واﻗﻒ! ﻟﻄﻔﻲ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮﻓﮫ وﻻ أﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ! ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺑﯿﻨّﺎ ﺗﻔﺎھﻢ! اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع ﻣﻨﺘﮭﻲ! اﻣﺠﺪ :ﯾﺎ رﺟﻞ! اﻟﺘﻔﺎھﻢ ﺿﺮوري ﻋﺸﺎن ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺘﻚ وﻣﺼﻠﺤﺘﮫ وﺣﺪة! إﻧﺖ ﺑﺪّك اﻟﻌﻨﺐ وإﻻ ﺗﻘﺎﺗﻞ اﻟﻨﺎطﻮر؟
Example:
ام ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻟﯿﺶ داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺑﺘﺤﺐ ﺗﻀﺎﯾﻘﻨﻲ؟ داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺑﺘﻨ ّﻜﺪ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﺴﻚ ﺑﺘﺪ ّور ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻨﻜﺪ دوا ّرة! وﺑﺤ ّ أﺑﻮ ﻋﻤﺮ :أﻧﺘﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﺪّوري ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻨﻜﺪ ﻣﺶ أﻧﺎ!
ﺑﺪّه إﻋﺎدة ﺻﮭﺮ /bidd-uh ’i‘ādit ṣahur/
Equivalent: Bring someone to heel/ To force someone to behave in a self-controlled and disciplined manner.
ﺑﺪّي اﺷﻮف ﻣﯿﺘﮫ
Example: /bidd-ī ’ashūf mayyt-uh/
Equivalent: Testing the water/ To check someone’s
اﺳﻤﻊ ﯾﺎ ﯾﻮﺳﻒ إﻧﺖ وﻟﺪ ﻣﺸﺎﻏﺐ وﻣﺸﻜﻠﺠﻲ وﺑﺪّك إﻋﺎدة ﺻﮭﺮ!
reaction first. Example:
اﻟﯿﻮم ﺑﺪّي أﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﻋﺮﯾﺲ أﺧﺘﻲ وأﺳﺄﻟﮫ ﻛﻢ ﺳﺆال وﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮف ﻣﯿﺘﮫ ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﻧﻌﻄﯿﮫ ﺟﻮاب!
ﺑﺪّه ﻓﺖّ ﺧﺒﺰ /bidd-uh fatt khubiz/
Equivalent: Wet behind the ears/ Inexperienced/ A greenhorn.
ﺑﻀﺮب ﻋﺼﻔﻮرﯾﻦ ﺑﺤﺠﺮ
Example: /bidhrib ‘aṣfūr-ēn b-ḥajar/
Equivalent: Kill two birds with one stone/ Achieve two things at once.
ام ﺟﻤﺎل :ﺟﻤﺎل ﻣﺘﻀﺎﯾﻖ ﻹﻧﮫ ﺣﺒﯿﺒﺘﮫ ﺗﺮﻛﺘﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﺟﻤﺎل :ﺑﻌﺪه ﻣﺮاھﻖ! ﺷﻮ ھﺎﻟﺤﺐ؟ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﺑﺪّه ﻓﺖ ﺧﺒﺰ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺑﻌﺪه ﺻﻐﯿﺮﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺐ.
Example:
ام ﻧﺰار :ﻟ ّﻤﺎ رﺣﺖ أزور أﺧﺘﻲ ﻧﮭﺎد اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺘﺠﻮزة ﺑﻠﺒﻨﺎن زرت ﺻﺪﯾﻘﺔ طﻔﻮﻟﺘﻲ ﻣﮭﺎ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺳﺎﻛﻨﺔ ھﻨﺎك ﻛﻤﺎن؟ ام ﺻﺒﺤﻲ :ﻣﻤﺘﺎز وﷲ .ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﺿﺮﺑﺘﻲ ﻋﺼﻔﻮرﯾﻦ ﺑﺤﺠﺮ!
ﺑﺪّه ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﻛﻦ ﻓﯿﻜﻮن /bidd-uh kull shī kūn fa-yakūn/
Equivalent: To want or request something immediately/ Instantly/ Right away.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺑﺮﻛﺾ واﻟﺮﻏﯿﻒ ﺑﺮﻛﺾ وراه
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ﺑﺬﻣﺘﻚ
/burkuḏ ̣ w-il-raghīf burkuḏ ̣ warāh/
/bdhimt-ak/
Equivalent: Not able to make ends meet/ To suffer
!Equivalent: Honestly/ Really/ Seriously
financially.
Example:
Example:
راﺋﺪ ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﺷﻐﻠﺘﯿﻦ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﻒ ﻋﯿﻠﺘﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮة! ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﮫ ﯾﺤﻚ ﺳﻨّﮫ! ﺑﺮﻛﺾ واﻟﺮﻏﯿﻒ ﺑﺮﻛﺾ وراه!
ﺑﺎﻟﺮﯾﺢ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﻨﺪي
ﻋﻤﺮ :ﺻﺎرﻟﻲ ﺷﮭﺮﯾﻦ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻊ ﺣﺒﯿﺒﺘﻲ ﻷﻧّﮫ اﺧﺘﻠﻔﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻮﺿﻮع وزﻋﻠﺖ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺻﻔﻮان :ﺑﺬﻣﺘﻚ! ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ ﺟﺪ؟
ﺑ ّﺮا ذﻣﺘﮫ /b-il-rīḥ mālak ‘indī/
/barrā dhimt-uh/
Equivalent: You don’t appreciate anything I do for
Equivalent: Have a clear conscience about someone
you/ In vain/ Futile/ For nothing/ This expression is
or something/ To be free of guilt about someone or
said to someone who doesn’t appreciate what another
something.
person has done for him or her/ Unappreciative/
Example:
Ungrateful. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻣﺤﺴﻦ :ﻛﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﮫ ﻣﻊ ﻋﺎھﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺑﯿّﻦ ﻓﯿﮫ! ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻧﺎﻛﺮ ﻟﻠﻤﻌﺮوف وﻛﻠﻤﺔ ﺷﻜﺮ ﻣﺎ ﺣﻜﺎﻟﻲ! ﺑﺎﻟﺮﯾﺢ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﻨﺪي! أﺑﻮ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ :ﻻ ﺗﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻌﮫ.
أﺑﻮ ھ ّﻤﺎم ﻛﺎن زﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﺴﺘﻘﯿﻢ وﺑﺤﺐ اﻟﺤﻖ! ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮫ ﺑ ّﺮا ذﻣﺘﮫ و ﺑﺎع أرﺿﮫ وﺳﺪّد دﯾﻮﻧﮫ ووزّع ﺑﺎﻗﻲ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﻋﻠﻰ أوﻻده ﺑﺎﻟﺘﺴﺎوي ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﻤﻮت!
ﺑﺮﺟﻒ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ /burjuf ‘alēh/
ﺑﺰﯾﺪ اﻟﻄﯿﻦ ﺑﻠّﺔ ← ﺑﺤﻂ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻨﺎر ﺣﻄﺐ
Equivalent: Handle someone with kid gloves.
/biḥuṭṭ ‘alā il-nār ḥaṭab/ ← /bizīd il-ṭīn balleh/
Equivalent: Add fuel to the fire/ To make things worse and more complicated.
Example:
ام ﻋﻤﺮ :ﺳﻤﯿﺮة ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪھﺎ إﻻ وﻟﺪ واﺣﺪ وﺑﺘﺮﺟﻒ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ام ﺷﮭﺪ :آه ﺑﺘﺨﺎف ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻄﯿﺮ اﻟﻄﺎﯾﺮ!
Example:
ام اﻣﻞ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ اﺑﻦ أم ﺻﺒﺮي اﻟﻤﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﻋﺎﻣﻞ ﺣﺎدث! ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻨﺔ ظﻠّﺖ ﺗﺒﻜﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺗﺎ ﻏﯿّﺒﺖ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻮﻋﻲ! إﺟﻮ ھﺪّوھﺎ وﻗﺎﻟﻮﻟﮭﺎ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺶ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﻓﻲ إﺷﻲ! ﺑﺲ إﺟﺎ اﺑﻨﮭﺎ زﯾﺪ ﺑﻌﺪ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ وﻗﺎﻟﻠﮭﺎ إﻧﮭﻢ ﺣﺎطﯿﻨﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﻨﺎﯾﺔ اﻟﻤﺮﻛﺰة ووﺿﻌﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺴﺘﻘﺮ! إﺟﺎ ﺻﺎﺑﮭﺎ إﻧﮭﯿﺎر ﻋﺼﺒﻲ! أﺑﻮ اﻣﻞ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ زاد اﻟﻄﯿﻦ ﺑﻠّﺔ وﺣﻂ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻨﺎر ﺣﻄﺐ ﺑﺪل ﻣﺎ ﯾﮭﺪّي اﻷﻣﻮر وﯾﺨﻔّﻒ ﻋﻦ اﻣﮫ!
ﺑﺴﺒّﻞ ﺑﻌﯿﻮﻧﮫ
ﺑﺮج ﻣﻦ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ طﺎر /burj min ‘agl-uh ṭār/
Equivalent: Be storming mad/ To be very angry. Example:
ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺳﻤﻊ ﻋ ّﻤﻲ ﺷﻌﺒﺎن إﻧّﮫ أﺑﻮي اﺷﺘﺮى أرض ﻋﻤﺘﻲ ﺳﮭﯿﺮ ﺑﺮج ﻣﻦ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ طﺎر! ﻷﻧّﮫ ﻛﺎن ﺑﺪّه ھﺎﻷرض ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن.
ﺑّﺮد ﻛﻔّﻚ /barrid kaff-ak/
Equivalent: High five.
/bisabbil bi‘yūn-uh/
Equivalent: Make eyes at someone/ To look at someone to get their attention.
Example:
ﯾﺎ ﯾﺎ ادرﯾﺲ ﺑ ّﺮد ﻛﻔّﻚ!
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺳﻌﺪ :ﻣﺎ ﺗﻨﺘﺒﮫ ﻟﺪراﺳﺘﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺳﻌﺪ! ﻋﻼﻣﺎﺗﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ ﻣﺘﺮاﺟﻌﺔ! طﻮل ﻧﮭﺎرك ﺗﺴﺒّﻞ ﺑﻌﯿﻮﻧﻚ ﻟﻠﺒﻨﺎت! اﻧﺴﻰ ھﺎﻟﻘﺼﺺ ﻷﻧﻚ ﺑﻌﺪك ﺻﻐﯿﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺎﻟﺴﻮاﻟﻒ! دراﺳﺘﻚ أھﻢ.
ﺑﺮطﻠﮫ /barṭal-uh/
Equivalent: To bribe someone/ To grease someone’s palm. Example:
ﺑﺴﻮى وزﻧﮫ ذھﺐ /biswā wazn-uh dhahab/
Equivalent: Worth one’s weight in gold. Example:
اﺑﻦ أﺑﻮ أﻣﯿﺮ طﻠﻊ اﻷول ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺪﻓﻌﺔ وﺣﺼﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺮﺗﺒﺔ اﻟﺸﺮف! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﺑﺴﻮى وزﻧﮫ ذھﺐ!
أﺑﻮ رؤوف :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﻌﺼﺐ ﯾﺎ ﺑﺸﯿﺮ؟ ﺑﺸﯿﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم رﺣﺖ أﻛ ّﻤﻞ ﻣﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ اﻟﺴﯿﺎرة ﺗﺒﻌﺘﻲ ﺑﺲ اﻟﻤﻮظﻒ دﻗّﺮ وﻣﺎ رﺿﻲ ﯾﻤﺸّﯿﮭﺎ .إﺟﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ زﻟﻤﺔ واﺻﻞ وﺑﺮطﻠﮫ ﻗﺪّاﻣﻲ وﻣﺸّﺎﻟﮫ اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ ﺗﺒﻌﺘﮫ! واﻟﻠﻲ ﻗﺎھﺮﻧﻲ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﺳﺎﺋﻞ ﻋﻦ ﺣﺪا! إﺷﻲ ّ ﺑﺨﻠﻲ اﻟﻮاﺣﺪ ﺼﺐ! ﯾﻌ ّ
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺒﺎء Example:
ام ﻓﺮاس :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﻚ اﺷﺘﺮﯾﺘﻲ ذھﺐ ﻣﻦ ﺟﺎرﺗﻚ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة ودﻓﻌﺘﯿﻠﮭﺎ ﻣﺼﺎري ﺑﺪون ﻣﺎ ﺗﺸﻮﻓﯿﮫ؟ ﺻﺤﯿﺢ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ أم ﻧﻮار :آه وﷲ ﺻﺤﯿﺢ .ھﺎﻟﻤﺮا ﻣﺤﺘﺮﻣﺔ وﺑﺎﻋﺘﻨﻲ إﯾﺎه ﺑﺴﻌﺮ ﻗﻠﯿﻞ. ام ﻓﺮاس :إﻧﺘﻲ زي اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺸﺘﺮي ﺳﻤﻚ ﺑﻤﯿّﮫ! ﻛﻨﺘﻲ ﻻزم ﺗﺸﻮﻓﯿﮫ وﺗﻔﺤﺼﯿﮫ ﻗﺒﻞ! ﷲ ﯾﺴﺎﻣﺤﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺎﻟﻌﻤﻠﺔ!
ﺑﺴﺘﺤﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺧﯿﺎﻟﮫ /bistaḥī min khayāl-uh/
Equivalent: A shrinking violet/ A very shy person. Example:
ﻋﺎدل ﺷﺐ ﺧﺠﻮل زﯾﺎدة ﻋﻦ اﻟﻠﺰوم! ﺑﺴﺘﺤﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺧﯿﺎﻟﮫ!
ﺑﺴﺘﻨﻰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﺎر /bistannā ‘alā nār/
ﺑﺸﺤﻤﮫ وﻟﺤﻤﮫ
Equivalent: On tenterhooks/ In suspense. /bshaḥm-uh w-laḥm-uh/
Equivalent: In person/ In the flesh/ As large as life. Example:
ھﺪى :إﺣﺰري ﻣﯿﻦ ﺷﻔﺖ اﻟﯿﻮم ﺑﺎﻟﺤﺪﯾﻘﺔ؟ ﺳﻤﺮ :ﻣﯿﻦ؟ ھﺪى :ﺷﻔﺖ اﻟﻤﻤﺜﻠﺔ اﻟﻤﺸﮭﻮرة ﺣﻨﺎن ﺑﺸﺤﻤﮭﺎ وﻟﺤﻤﮭﺎ!
Example:
ﻣﺎﺟﺪ :ﺑﺴﺘﻨﻰ ﺑﻨﺘﯿﺠﺔ اﻟﻤﻘﺎﺑﻠﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﺎر! إن ﺷﺎ أﺣﺼﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ!
ﺑﺴﺮق اﻟﻜﺤﻞ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻌﯿﻦ /bisrig il-kuḥil min il-‘ēn/
Equivalent: Literal. He steals kohl from the eye/ Light-
ﺑﺼﻄﺎد ﺑﺎﻟﻤﯿّﮫ اﻟﻌﻜﺮة
fingered. /biṣṭād b-il-mayyeh il-‘ikreh/
Example:
Equivalent: To fish in troubled waters.
ﻣﻨﺼﻮر ﺣﺮاﻣﻲ ﻣﺤﺘﺮف وإﯾﺪه ﺧﻔﯿﻔﺔ! ﺑﺴﺮق اﻟﻜﺤﻞ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻌﯿﻦ!
Example:
ﻋﺒﺪاﻟﻌﺰﯾﺰ :ﺣﺴﯿﻦ ﻣﺎ ﺻﺪّق ﺗﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﺑﯿﻦ أﺑﻮه وأﺧﻮه! واﻟﺴﺒﺐ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﺪّه أﺑﻮه ﯾﻌﻄﯿﮫ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ اﻟﻔﺎﺿﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻔﺘﺢ ﻣﺸﺮوﻋﮫ! ﻛﺎن أﺧﻮه ﺑﺪّه اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﺑﺲ اﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ ﺣﺼﻠﺖ وھﻮ ﻣﺎ ﺻﺪّق ﺗﯿﺠﯿﮫ ھﺎﻟﻔﺮﺻﺔ! ﺟﺒﺮ :آه ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ وداﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺑﺼﻄﺎد ﺑﺎﻟﻤﯿّﮫ اﻟﻌﻜﺮة!
ﺑﺼﻠﺘﮫ ﻣﺤﺮوﻗﺔ /baṣlat-uh maḥrūgah/
Equivalent: Like a cat on a hot tin roof/ Impatient.
ﺑﺴﻤﻊ دﺑﯿﺐ اﻟﻨﻤﻠﺔ /bisma‘ dabīb il-nimleh/
Equivalent: Have big ears/ You hear everything. Example:
ﻓﮭﺪ :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﺑﻤﺸﺮوﻋﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺪﻧﺎن؟ ﻋﺪﻧﺎن :ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﺑﻘﻠﻚ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺣﻜﻲ ﻗﺪّام ﺟﻤﯿﻞ! ﻓﮭﺪ :ﺑﺲ ﺟﻤﯿﻞ ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﺑﻌﯿﺪ ﻋﻨّﺎ! ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺴﻤ ّﻌﮫ ﻛﻼﻣﻨﺎ! ﻋﺪﻧﺎن :وﷲ ﺟﻤﯿﻞ ﺑﺴﻤﻊ دﺑﯿﺐ اﻟﻨﻤﻠﺔ! ﻣﺶ ﺷﺎﯾﻔﮫ ﻛﯿﻒ ﺣﺎط إذﻧﮫ ﻋﻨّﺎ.
Example:
ﺴﮫ ﻧﻠﺤﻖ اﻟﻤﺒﺎراة! ھ ّ ﺳﻤﯿﺢ :ﯾﻠّﻼ ﯾﺎ ﻣﻮﻓﻖ اﺳﺘﻌﺠﻞ ﺧﻠﯿﻨﺎ ّ ﺑﺘﺒﻠّﺶ! ﺑﺴﺮﻋﺔ إﻟﺒﺲ. ﻣﻮﻓﻖ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﺑﺼﻠﺘﻚ ﻣﺤﺮوﻗﺔ وﻣﺘﻮﺗﺮ؟ اﺻﺒﺮ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﺗﺎ أﺟ ّﮭﺰ ﺣﺎﻟﻲ وﺑﻨﻄﻠﻊ.
ﺑﻄﯿﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺒﺮ ﻣﯿّﮫ /biṭīsh ‘alā shibbir mayyeh/
ﺑﺴﻤﻊ ﻣﻦ ھﻮن وﺑﻄﯿﺮ ﻣﻦ ھﻮن /bisma‘ min hōn w-biṭayyir min hōn/
Equivalent: In one ear and out the other. Example:
طﻮل ﻧﮭﺎري أﻧﺼﺢ اﺑﻨﻲ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ ﯾﺒﻌﺪ ﻋﻦ اﻟﺸﻠّﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺼﺎﺣﺒﮭﺎ ﻷﻧﮭﻢ ﺷﺒﺎب ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﯿﻦ! ﺑﺲ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﺑﺴﻤﻊ ﻣﻦ ھﻮن وﺑﻄﯿّﺮ ﻣﻦ ھﻮن!
Equivalent: Be caught with chaff/ Be easily deceived.
ﺑﺴﻮﻟﻒ ﺑﻌﺒّﮫ
Example:
إﻧﺖ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺑﺘﺼﺪﻗﮫ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺘﺤﻲ؟ إﻧﺖ ﻓﻌﻼً ﺑﺘﻄﯿﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺒﺮ ﻣﯿّﮫ!
/bi-sōlif b-‘ubb-uh/
Equivalent: Under one’s breath/ To say something quietly so that others cannot hear your exact words. Example:
ﺑﻀﺮب أﺧﻤﺎس ﺑﺄﺳﺪاس
ﻋﻠّﻲ ﺻﻮﺗﻚ ﻣﺶ ﺳﺎﻣﻌﻚ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ! ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﺑﺘﺴﻮﻟﻒ ﺑﻌﺒّﻚ؟ /bidhrib ’akhmās b-’asdās/
Equivalent: At sixes and sevens. Example:
ﺴﺎن ﺑﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ اﺑﻨﮫ اﻟﻤﻌﻘﺪة ﺻﺎر ﯾﻀﺮب ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺳﻤﻊ أﺑﻮ ﺣ ّ أﺧﻤﺎس ﺑﺄﺳﺪاس!
ﺑﺸﺘﺮي ﺳﻤﻚ ﺑﻤﯿّﮫ /bishtarī samak b-mayyeh/
Equivalent: Literal. To buy fish in the sea/ To buy a pig in a poke.
32
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺑﻀﯿّﻊ وﻗﺖ
ﺑﻌﺪه اﻟﻠﯿﻞ ﺑﺄوﻟﮫ
/biḏạ yyi‘ wagit/
/ba‘d-uh il-lēl b-’awwal-uh/
Equivalent: To kill time/ To do something while
Equivalent: The night is young/ It is still early.
waiting for something else.
Example:
Example:
ﺷﻮ ﺑﺘﻌﻤﻠﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻏﯿﺪا؟:ﻣﺠﺪ ﺑﻀﯿّﻊ وﻗﺖ وﺑﻘﺮا أﺧﺒﺎر ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻨﺖ ﺗﺎ ﯾﯿﺠﻲ ﻣﻮﻋﺪ:ﻏﯿﺪا .ﻣﺤﺎﺿﺮﺗﻲ
. أﻧﺎ ﺧﻠﺺ ﺑﺪّي أر ّوح ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﻷﻧﻲ ﺗﺄﺧﺮت ﻛﺜﯿﺮ:ﻋﺒﻠﺔ . ﺑﻌﺪه اﻟﻠﯿﻞ ﺑﺄوﻟﮫ. ﺧﻠﯿﻜﻲ اﺳﮭﺮي ﻣﻌﻲ:ﺑﺪﯾﻌﺔ
ﺑﻌﺮج ﺑﺤﺎرة اﻟﻤﻜﺮﺳﺤﯿﻦ /bu‘ruj b-ḥārit li-mkarsaḥ-īn/
ﺑﻄﺮﻓﺔ ﻋﯿﻦ
Equivalent: Literal. He walks limp in a neighborhood
/bṭarfit ‘ēn/
of crippled people/ Sell coal to Newcastle.
Equivalent: In the blink of an eye/ Very quickly.
Example:
Example:
!اﻟﺤﺎدث ﺻﺎر ﺑﻄﺮﻓﺔ ﻋﯿﻦ! ﻣﺎ اﺳﺘﻮﻋﺒﺖ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر
ﺑﻄﻌﻤﻲ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﺟﻮز ﻓﺎرغ /biṭa‘mī ḥāl-uh jōz fārigh/
Equivalent: Literal. He feeds himself an empty
ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺠﺪي ﺗﺒﯿﻌﻨﻲ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻚ ﺑﻨﺺ ﺳﻌﺮھﺎ:طﻼل ﻷﻧﮭﺎ ﺻﺎرت ﻣﺴﺘﻌﻤﻠﺔ! واﻟﺪﻓﻊ ﻛﺎش وﻓﻮراً؟ ﻣﺴﺘﻌﻤﻠﺔ! ﻧﺺ اﻟﺴﻌﺮ! ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻲ ﻋﻤﺮھﺎ:ﻣﺠﺪي !ﺳﻨﺘﯿﻦ ﺑﺲ! ﺷﻮ ھﻮ إﻧﺖ ﺟﺎي ﺗﻌﺮج ﺑﺤﺎرة اﻟﻤﻜﺮﺳﺤﯿﻦ طﻮل ﻋﻤﺮي ﺑﺘﺎﺟﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﯿﺎرات! واﻟﺴﯿﺎرة ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺨﺴﺮ اﻟﻨﺺ . ﺷﻮﻓﻠﻚ ﺣﺪا ﻏﯿﺮي إﺿﺤﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ.ﺑﺴﻨﺘﯿﻦ
walnut/ Don’t hold your breath/ Don’t have high
ﺑﻌﺮض ﺑﻌﻀﻼﺗﮫ
expectations about something that won’t happen. Example:
أﻛﯿﺪ ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ. اﻟﯿﻮم ﺳﻤﺮ اطّﻠﻌﺖ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ وﺿﺤﻜﺖ:ﻗﺼﻲ !ﻣﻌﺠﺒﺔ ﺑﯿّﻲ ﺑﺘﻜﻮن ﺿﺤﻜﺖ ﺑﺎﻟﻐﻠﻂ وﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺻﺪة! ﻻ ﺗﻄﻌﻤﻲ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ:ﻗﺎﺳﻢ !ﺟﻮز ﻓﺎرغ
/bi‘riḏ ̣ b-‘aḏạ lāt-uh/
Equivalent: Flex one’s muscles/ To show your ability to do something, especially your skill or power. Example:
اﻟﻮزﯾﺮ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ ﺑﻌﺪه ﺑﻌﺮض ﺑﻌﻀﻼﺗﮫ! ﻓﻜﺮه إﻧّﮫ رح ﯾﻘﺪر .ﺴﻦ أوﺿﺎﻋﮭﻢ اﻟﻤﺎدﯾﺔ ّ ﯾﻌﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ ﻟﻠﺸﻌﺐ وﯾﺤ
ﺑﻄﻠﺐ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺤﯿﻞ
ﺑﻌﺮف ﺷﻐﻠﮫ ← ﺑﻌﺮف ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺘﮫ وﯾﻦ
/buṭlub il-mustaḥīl/
Equivalent: Literal. Ask for the impossible/ Ask for the
/b‘irif maṣlaḥt-uh wēn/ ← /b‘irif shughl-uh/
moon.
Equivalent: Know which side one’s bread is buttered
Example:
on.
! ﺑﺪّي اﺗﺪﯾﻨّﻲ ﺧﻤﺲ اﻻف دﯾﻨﺎر ﻟﺸﮭﺮ:ﻧﺰﯾﮫ إﻧﺖ ﺑﺘﻄﻠﺐ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺤﯿﻞ! ﻣﻦ وﯾﻦ ﺑﺪّي أدﺑﺮﻟﻚ ھﺎﻟﻤﺒﻠﻎ؟:ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ
ﺑﻄّﻞ ھﺎﻟﻌﺎدة /baṭṭil h-al-‘ādih/
Example:
ﺧﻠﯿﻞ ﺑﻌﺮف ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺘﮫ وﯾﻦ! اﺗﻄ ّﻮع ﺑﺎﻟﺠﻤﻌﯿﺔ اﻟﺨﯿﺮﯾﺔ ﻷﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ ﺷﮭﺮﯾﻦ وﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﻣﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﺠﻤﻌﯿﺔ دﺑّﺮﻟﮫ وظﯿﻔﺔ ﯾﺎ رﯾﺖ ردّﯾﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ واﺗﻄّﻮت ﻣﻌﮫ! ﻛﻨﺖ.ﻣﻤﺘﺎزة ﻋﻨﺪھﻢ !ﺴﮫ ﻟﻘﯿﺖ ﺷﻐﻞ ﺑﺪل ﻣﺎ أﻧﺎ ﻋﺎطﻞ! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﺑﻌﺮف ﺷﻐﻠﮫ ّ ھ
Equivalent: Kick the habit.
ﺑﻌﺮق ﺟﺒﯿﻨﮫ
Example:
ّ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺒﻄّﻞ ھﺎﻟﻌﺎدة؟:ﻣﺆﻧﺲ اﻟﺪﺧﺎن ﺑﻀ ّﺮك وﻣﺎ ﺑﻔﯿﺪ !ﺻﺤﺘﻚ
ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺷﺎب ودّوه اﻟ ُﻜﺘﱠﺎب /ba‘id mā shāb waddūh il-kuttāb/
Equivalent: Literal. After his hair turned gray, they
/b‘arag jabīn-uh/
Equivalent: To turn an honest penny/ To earn a living honestly. Example:
ﺑﻨﻰ ﺧﻤﺲ ﺑﻨﺎﯾﺎت ﺑﻌﺮق ﺟﺒﯿﻨﮫ.ﺳﻠﻤﺎن ﺷﺐ ﻋﺼﺎﻣﻲ وﻧﺎﺟﺢ !ﺴﮫ ﺑﺒﻨﻲ اﻟﺴﺎدﺳﺔ ّ وھ
sent him to school/ You can’t teach an old dog new
ﺑﻌ ّﺰ ﺷﺒﺎﺑﮫ
tricks. Example:
. ﺗﻌﺎل ﯾﺎﺑﺎ أﻋﻠﻤﻚ ﻛﯿﻒ ﺗﺴﺘﺨﺪم اﻟﻜﻤﺒﯿﻮﺗﺮ! ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺳﮭﻞ:ﻓﺆاد ! ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺷﺎب ودّوه اﻟ ُﻜﺘﱠﺎب:أﺑﻮ ﻓﺆاد
/b‘izz shabāb-uh/
Equivalent: In the prime of life/ In the best and most productive, healthy period of life.
33
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺒﺎء
ﺑﻔﺎول ﻋﻠﯿﮫ
Example: /bifāwil ‘alēh/
Equivalent: To foretell bad luck, misfortune and disaster about someone.
ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ أﺑﻮ ﺟﻤﺎل اﻧﺠﻠﻂ وﻣﺎت وھﻮ ﺑﻌﺪه ﺑﻌ ّﺰ ﺷﺒﺎﺑﮫ!
ﺑﻌﯿﺪ ﺑﮭﺎﻷﺳﻄﻮاﻧﺔ ← ﺑﻌﯿﺪ وﺑﯿﺰﯾﺪ
Example:
/bi‘īd w-bizīd/ ← /bi‘īd b-h-al-’isṭiwāneh/
ﺑﻈﻞ ﺳﻠﯿﻢ ﯾﻤﺰح ﻣﻊ ﻣﻨﯿﺮ ﻣﺰح ﺛﻘﯿﻞ! اﻣﺒﺎرح ﻓﺎول ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وﺧﺒّﺮ أﺻﺤﺎﺑﮫ إﻧّﮫ ﻋﻤﻞ ﺣﺎدث ﺧﻄﯿﺮ وإﻧّﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﻨﺎﯾﺔ اﻟﻤﺮﻛﺰّة!
Equivalent: Sounds like a broken record/ Repeating the same things over and over again. Example:
ﺑﻔﮭﻤﮭﺎ وھﻲ طﺎﯾﺮة ← اﻟﻠﺒﯿﺐ ﻣﻦ اﻻﺷﺎرة ﯾﻔﮭﻢ /il-labību mina al-’ishārati yafhamu/ ← /bifham-hā w-hī ṭāyreh/
Equivalent: A word to the wise is enough/ A nod is as good as a wink. Example:
زاھﺮ ﺑﻌﺠﺒﻨﻲ ﻷﻧّﮫ ﺑﻔﮭﻤﮭﺎ وھﻲ طﺎﯾﺮة وﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ داﻋﻲ ﺗﺸﺮﺣﻠﮫ إﺷﻲ!
ﻧﺰّال :ﺷﻮ ﯾﺎﺑﺎ ﻓﻜﺮت ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع اﻟﻠﻲ ﺣﻜﯿﻨﺎ ﻓﯿﮫ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﻮﻣﯿﻦ؟ ﻣﻮاﻓﻖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﻔﺮي ﻟﻠﺪراﺳﺔ ﺑ ّﺮا؟ أﺑﻮ ﻧﺰّال :ﯾﺎ اﺑﻨﻲ ﻻ ﺗﻈﻠّﻚ ﺗﻌﯿﺪ ﺑﮭﺎﻷﺳﻄﻮاﻧﺔ! ﻗﺮاري ھﻮ إﻧّﻚ ﺗﺪرس ھﻮن ﺑﺒﻠﺪك وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎك ﺗﺴﺎﻓﺮ! ﺧﻠﺺ ﻻ ﺗﻌﯿﺪ وﻻ ﺗﺰﯾﺪ وﻻ ﺗﺤﺎول ﺗﻘﻨﻌﻨﻲ.
ﺑﻌﯿﺪ ﻋﻦ اﻟﺸﺒﮭﺎت /ba‘īd ‘an il-shubuhāt/
ﺑﻔﻮت ﻣﻊ اﻟﺤﺮاﻣﻲ وﺑﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻊ ﺻﺎﺣﺐ اﻟﺪار
Equivalent: Beyond a shadow of doubt.
/bifūt ma‘ il-ḥarāmī w-biṭla‘ ma‘ ṣāḥib il-dār/
Equivalent: Literal. To enter (a house) with the thief and exit with the house owner/ To run with the hare and hunt with the hound. Example:
ﻻ ﺗﺄ ّﻣﻦ ﻷﺑﻮ ﺳﻌﺪ ﻹﻧﮫ ﻣﻮﺟﮭﻦ! ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﺑﻔﻮت ﻣﻊ اﻟﺤﺮاﻣﻲ وﺑﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻊ ﺻﺎﺣﺐ اﻟﺪار!
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺟﻼل :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ أﺑﻮ ﻓﯿﺼﻞ ﻣﺸﺘﻜﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ رﯾﺎض! ﺑﺘّﮭﻤﮫ إﻧّﮫ ﺳﺮق ﻣﻨﮫ ﻣﺴﺘﻨﺪات ﻣﮭﻤﺔ! أﺑﻮ ﺻﮭﯿﺐ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﺪّق ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ! رﯾﺎض ﺷﺐ ﻣﺴﺘﻘﯿﻢ وﻣﺤﺘﺮم وﺑﻌﯿﺪ ﻋﻦ ﻛﻞ اﻟﺸﺒﮭﺎت!
اﻟﺒﻌﯿﺪ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻌﯿﻦ ﺑﻌﯿﺪ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻘﻠﺐ /il-ba‘īd ‘an il-‘ēn ba‘īd ‘an il-galb/
ﺑﻖ ھﺎﻟﺠﻮھﺮة ← ﺑﻖ ھﺎﻟﺒﺤﺼﺔ
Equivalent: Literal. Far away from eye, far away from
/bugg h-al-baḥṣah/ ← /bugg h-al-jōharah/
heart/ Out of sight, out of mind.
Equivalent: Spill the beans/ Reveal secret information.
Example:
Example:
ﺧﻠّﺼﻨﺎ ﯾﺎ ﻓﻼح ﺑﻖ ھﺎﻟﺠﻮھﺮة! ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﻣﻌﻚ وﻣﻊ ﺑﻼل؟
ﺑﻘﺮا اﻟﻤﻤﺤﻲ /bigrā il-mamḥī/
Equivalent: To read between the lines/ To understand what is unsaid. Example:
ﺴﮫ ﺑﻘﺮا أم ﺣﺴﻦ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر أﺧﺒّﻲ إﺷﻲ ﻋﻦ أﺑﻮ ﺣﺴﻦ! ﺑﺤ ّ اﻟﻤﻤﺤﻲ وﺑﻌﺮف ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ!
ام ﻋﺎرف :ﺑﺸﻮف أم ﺳﺎھﺮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺠﯿﺐ ﺳﯿﺮة ﺟﻮزھﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺳﺎھﺮ زي زﻣﺎن! أ ّول ﻣﺎ ﺳﺎﻓﺮ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ زﻋﻼﻧﺔ وداﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺑﺴﯿﺮﺗﮫ ﺴﮫ ﻻﻧﮭﺎ ﺗﺠﻮزﺗﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺐ وﻣﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻣﺘﺤﻤﻠﺔ ﻓﺮاﻗﮫ! ﺑﺲ ھ ّ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺬﻛﺮه أﺑﺪاً! أم ﻋﺪي :ﺻﺎرﻟﮫ ﻣﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﺧﻤﺲ ﺳﻨﯿﻦ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺸﻮﻓﮫ! واﻟﺒﻌﯿﺪ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻌﯿﻦ ﺑﻌﯿﺪ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻘﻠﺐ!
ﺑﻐﺎر ﻣﻦ أظﺎﻓﺮه ← اﻟﻐﯿﺮة ﺷﻘّﺖ اﻟﺤﺼﯿﺮة /il-ghīreh shaggat li-ḥṣīreh/ ← /bighār min ’aḏā ̣ fr-uh/
Equivalent: Green with envy/ Very jealous of someone else. Example:
ﺑﻘﻄﻊ إﯾﺪي اذا . . . /bagṭa‘ ʼīdī ’idhā/
Equivalent: Literal. I will cut off my hand if . . ./ I’ll eat my hat. Example:
ﺑﻘﻄﻊ إﯾﺪي إذا ﺳﻠﻮى ﻣﺎ ﺻﺎﻟﺤﺖ ﻣﻨﺘﮭﻰ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺘﮭﺎ!
أﻣﺠﺪ :ﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ أﺷﺘﺮي إﺷﻲ ﻋﺎھﺪ ﺑﺮوح ﯾﺸﺘﺮي ﻣﺜﻠﮫ! ﻧﺴﺨﺔ ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﺑﻐﺎر ﻣﻦ أظﺎﻓﺮه! طﺒﻖ اﻷﺻﻞ! ّ ﻋﺎدل :ﻣﻦ ﯾﻮم ﯾﻮﻣﮫ ﺑﻐﺎر ﻣﻦ اﻟﻜﻞ! اﻟﻐﯿﺮة ﺷﻘّﺖ اﻟﺤﺼﯿﺮة!
ﺑﻔﺎﺻﻞ /bifāṣil/
Equivalent: Dicker/ Bargain/ Haggle.
ﺑﻜﺒّﻲ
Example: /bikabbī/
Equivalent: Dozing off/ Nodding off to sleep.
ﯾﺎ ﺷﻮ أم زھﻮان ﺑﺘﺤﺐ ﺗﻔﺎﺻﻞ! ﻣﺴﺘﺤﯿﻞ ﺗﺸﺘﺮي إﺷﻲ ﺑﺪون ﻣﺎ ﺗﻔﺎﺻﻞ ﺻﺎﺣﺐ اﻟﻤﺤﻞ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺑﻠﺒّﺲ طﻮاﻗﻲ
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Example: /bilabbis ṭawāgī/
Equivalent: Rob Peter to pay Paul. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺟﻌﻔﺮ ﻏﺮﻗﺎن ﺑﺎﻟﺪﯾﻦ وطﻮل ﻧﮭﺎره ﯾﻠﺒّﺲ طﻮاﻗﻲ! آﺧﺮﯾﺘﮫ ﯾﻨﺴﺠﻦ!
اﻟﯿﻮم اﻷﺳﺘﺎذ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻒ ﻛﺎن ﯾﻜﺒّﻲ وأوﻻد اﻟﺼﻒ ﻣﺎﺗﻮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﺤﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ!
ﺑﻜﺮھﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺴﺒﺤﺔ ← ﺑﺒﻐﻀﮫ /bubghuḏ-̣ uh/ ← /bikrah-uh ‘alā il-misbaḥah/
Equivalent: Bear a grudge.
ﺑﻠﺲ ﻋﻨﮫ
Example: /balas ‘ann-uh/
Equivalent: Drop the dime on someone/ Inform on someone/ Tell on someone.
ﺿﺎح! ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﺑﻜﺮھﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺴﺒﺤﺔ! أﺑﻮ ﯾﺰن ﻣﺎ ﺑﻄﯿﻖ و ّ
ﺑﻜﺮة ﺑﺬوب اﻟﺜﻠﺞ وﺑﺒﺎن اﻟﻤﺮج /bukrah bidhūb il-thalj w-bibān il-marj/
Example:
اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺟﻼل ﺳﻤﻊ زﻣﯿﻠﮫ ﺑﺘﻔّﻖ ﻣﻊ واﺣﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ أﺧﺬ رﺷﻮة ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾ ّﻤﺸﻮ ﻣﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ ﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ واﺻﻞ! إﺟﺎ ﺟﻼل راح وﺑﻠﺲ ﻋﻨﮫ ﻟﻠﻤﺪﯾﺮ وﺻﺎرو ﯾﺤﻘﻘﻮ ﻣﻌﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻘﻀﯿﺔ!
Equivalent: Literal. Tomorrow the snow will melt and the meadow will appear/ The truth will come out/ The truth about something cannot be hidden forever/ The facts will be known and the truth will be discovered soon.
ﺑﻠّﺶ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺼﻔﺮ
Example: /ballash min il-ṣifir/
Equivalent: On the bottom rung of the ladder/ To start with nothing. Example:
ﻣﺎ ﺷﺎء ﷲ ﻛﯿﻒ أﺑﻮ ﻣﻨﺼﻮر ﺻﺎر ﻏﻨﻲ وﻋﻨﺪه أﻣﻼك! ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﺑﻠّﺶ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺼﻔﺮ واﺷﺘﻐﻞ ﺻﺢ!
اﺷﺮف :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﻓﻲ ﺗﻐﯿﯿﺮات ﺟﺬرﯾّﺔ رح ﺗﺼﯿﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ اﻟﺸﮭﺮ اﻟﺠﺎي! ﺑﺲ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺘﺄﻛﺪ ﻣﻦ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ! أﻣﺠﺪ :ﺑﻜﺮة ﺑﺬوب اﻟﺜﻠﺞ وﺑﺒﺎن اﻟﻤﺮج!
ﺑﻜﻞ ﻋﺮس إﻟﮫ ﻗﺮص /b-kull ‘urs il-uh gurṣ/
Equivalent: Have a finger in every pie.
ﺑﻠّﻂ اﻟﺒﺤﺮ
Example: /balliṭ il-bahur/
Equivalent: Like it or lump it/ Do whatever you want, I do not care. Example:
ﻣﺶ رح أﻋﻄﯿﻚ ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺳﮭﯿﻞ ﻷﻧﻚ ﺧ ّﺮﺑﺖ ﻛﻤﺒﯿﻮﺗﺮي! وروح ﺑﻠّﻂ اﻟﺒﺤﺮ! وإﻋﻤﻞ ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّك ﻷﻧّﻲ ﻣﺶ رح اﻏﯿّﺮ رأﯾﻲ.
أم ﺳﻤﯿﺮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺨﻠّﻲ ﻣﻨﺎﺳﺒﺔ أو ﺣﻔﻠﺔ أو ﺟﻤﻌﺔ إﻻ وﺑﺘﺤﻀﺮھﺎ! ﺑﻜﻞ ﻋﺮس إﻟﮭﺎ ﻗﺮص!
ﺑﻼ ﻟﻒ ودوران /balā laff w-dawarān/
Equivalent: Don’t beat around the bush/ Get to the point. Example:
اﺣﻜﯿﻠﻲ اﻟﻘﺼﺔ ﻣﻦ أ ّوﻟﮭﺎ وﺑﻼ ﻟﻒ ودوران ﻟﻮ ﺳﻤﺤﺖ!
ﺑﻠﻈﻢ اﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﻟﻈﻢ /bulḏụ m il-ḥakī laḏụ m/
Equivalent: Talk nineteen to the dozen/ Talk a blue
ﺑﻼ ﻣﺆاﺧﺬة ← ﻋﺪم اﻟﻤﺆاﺧﺬة
streak.
/‘adam il- mu’ākhadheh/ ← /balā mu’ākhadheh/
Example:
Equivalent: Don’t mind me/ Please excuse me/ Pardon
أم ﺷﺒﯿﺐ ﺑﺘﺤﺐ اﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﺳﺎﻋﺎت ﻣﺎ ﺑﻔﮭﻢ ﺷﻮ ﺑﺘﻘﻮل ﻷﻧﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﻠﻈﻢ اﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﻟﻈﻢ.
ﺑﻠﻌﺐ ﺑﺬﯾﻠﮫ /bil‘ab b-dhēl-uh/
me/ No offense. Example:
ﻋﺪم اﻟﻤﺆاﺧﺬة ﻣﻤﻜﻦ ﺗﺤﻜﯿﻠﻲ وﯾﻦ ﻏﺮﻓﺔ اﻹدارة؟
ّ ﺑﻼف ← ﻋﻮﻧﻄﺠﻲ
Equivalent: Cat around/ Sneak around.
/‘awanṭajī/ ← /ballāf/
Example:
Equivalent: Con artist.
اروى :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺗﮭﺎﻧﻲ زﻋﻼﻧﺔ وﻣﺘﻨﻜﺪة وداﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺷﺎردة؟ ﺧﯿﺮ إن ﺷﺎ ؟ ﺗﮭﺎﻧﻲ :ﺟﻮزي ﻣﺘﻐﯿّﺮ ﺑﺘﻌﺎﻣﻠﮫ ﻣﻌﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﺣﺎﺳﯿﺘﮫ ﺑﻠﻌﺐ ﺑﺬﯾﻠﮫ!
Example:
ھﺎﻧﻲ ﺷﺐ ّ ﺑﻼف وﻋﻮﻧﻄﺠﻲ! ﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ ﻧﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺸﻠّﺔ ﺑﺨﻠّﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﺪﻓﻊ ﻋﻨﮫ اﻟﺤﺴﺎب ﻋﻠﻰ أﺳﺎس إﻧّﮫ ﻧﺎﺳﻲ ﻣﺤﻔﻈﺘﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ وراﯾﺢ ﯾﺴﺪﻧﺎ ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ! وﻋﻤﺮه ﻣﺎ ﺳﺪ ﺣﺪا ﻓﯿﻨﺎ!
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺒﺎء
ﺑﻠﻌﺐ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﻟﻌﺐ
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Equivalent: Literal. Make it wet and drink its water/
/bil‘ab b-il-maṣārī li‘ib /
Not worth the paper it’s written on/ Meaningless and
Equivalent: Rolling in money/ To have money to burn/
of no value.
To have lots of money.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ طﺎرق ﺑﻠﻌﺐ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﻟﻌﺐ وﻣﻊ ھﺬا ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺨﯿﻞ وإﯾﺪه !ﻣﺎﺳﻜﺔ
ﺑﻠﻌﺐ ﻓﯿﮫ اﻟﻜﻮرة
! ھﺬا اﻟﺸﻚ ﺑﻔﻮﺗﻚ اﻟﺴﺠﻦ! أﺣﺴﻨﻠﻚ ﺗﻤﺸﯿﻠﻲ ﻣﻌﺎﻣﻠﺘﻲ:ﺣﺴﻨﻲ ! ﺑﻠّﮫ واﺷﺮب ﻣﯿﺘﮫ:اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ
ﺑﻠﻮي ذراﻋﮫ /bilwī dhrā‘-uh/
/bil‘ab fīh il-kōrah/
Equivalent: To twist someone’s hand/ Force someone.
Equivalent: Play someone like a fiddle/ To manipulate
Example:
someone skillfully. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺒﯿﻊ أرﺿﮫ ﻷﺑﻮ زھﺪي ﺑﺲ أﺑﻮ زھﺪي !ﻟﻮى ذراﻋﮫ وﺟﺒﺮه ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﯿﻊ
!ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎل أﺑﻮ ﻣﻨﯿﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ؟ ﻣﺴﯿﻄﺮ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ !ﺑﻠﻌﺐ ﻓﯿﮫ اﻟﻜﻮرة
ﺴﺢ ﺟﻮخ ّ ﺑﻤ /bimassiḥ jūkh/
ﺑﻠﻌﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺒﻠﯿﻦ
Equivalent: Butter someone up/ Brown-nose. Example:
/bil‘ab ‘alā il-ḥabl-ēn/
Equivalent: Play politics/ Double dealing/ Double cross. Example:
ﺴﺢ ﺟﻮخ ﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮه ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺤﺼﻞ ّ طﻮل ﻧﮭﺎر أﺑﻮ ﺳﻠﻄﺎن ﯾﻤ !ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﻼوة
ﺻﺎﺑﺮ ﺷﺐ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ وﺑﻠﻌﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺒﻠﯿﻦ! اﻟﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻌﮫ !ﻣﺶ ﻣﺮﯾﺢ
ﺑﻤﺴﻚ اﻟﺘﺮاب ﺑﻘﻠﺐ ذھﺐ /bimsik li-trāb biglib dhahab/
ﺑﻠﻌﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﯿﺖ ﺣﺒﻞ وﺣﺒﻞ ← ﻣﻠ ّﻌﺐ
Equivalent: Literal. He grabs dirt and it turns into
/mla‘‘ab/ ← /bil‘ab ‘alā mīt ḥabl w-ḥabl/
gold/ Have the Midas touch.
Equivalent: Manipulative.
Example:
!ﻧﻀﺎل ﻣﺤﻈﻮظ وﻧﺎﺟﺢ! ﺑﻤﺴﻚ اﻟﺘﺮاب ﺑﻘﻠﺐ ذھﺐ
Example:
! ازھﺎر ﻣﻠ ّﻌﺒﺔ وﺑﺘﻠﻌﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﯿﺖ ﺣﺒﻞ وﺣﺒﻞ:اﻧﺘﺼﺎر ي ز ّ وﺑﺘﺤﺼﻞ ﻋﺎﻟﻠّﻲ ﺑﺪھﺎ إﯾﺎه ﺑﺴﮭﻮﻟﺔ! وﺟﻮزھﺎ ﻣﺎﺷﻲ !ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪھﺎ ! ﻻزم ﻧﺘﻌﻠّﻢ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ:ﻧﺒﯿﻠﺔ
ﺑﻤﺸﻲ اﻟﺤﯿﻂ اﻟﺤﯿﻂ وﺑﻘﻮل ﯾﺎ رب اﻟﺴﺘﺮ /bimshī il-ḥēṭ il-ḥēṭ w-bigūl yā rabb il-sitir/
Equivalent: Stay away from somebody or something that will have a bad effect on you or cause you
ﺑﻠﻔﮫ
trouble/ Stay out of trouble. Example:
/balaf-uh/
أم طﺎھﺮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﺐ اﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ وﺑﺘﻤﺸﻲ اﻟﺤﯿﻂ اﻟﺤﯿﻂ وﺑﺘﻘﻮل .ﯾﺎ رب اﻟﺴﺘﺮ
Equivalent: Take someone for a ride. Example:
ﻋﺪﻧﺎن ﺧﺪع اﺑﻦ ﻋﻤﮫ وﺑﻠﻔﮫ! أﺧﺬ ﻛﻞ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮫ وﺗﺎﺟﺮ ﻓﯿﮭﻦ !ً ﺴﺮه ﻛﻞ إﺷﻲ ﺗﻘﺮﯾﺒﺎ ّ وﺧ
ﺑﻤﻮت ﻋﻠﯿﮫ /bimūt ‘alēh/
ﺑﻠﻤﺢ اﻟﺒﺼﺮ
Equivalent: To be crazy about or love someone or
/b-lamḥ il-baṣar/
something very much/ Love someone to death.
Equivalent: In a flash/ In a heartbeat/ In the blink of
Example:
an eye/ In the twinkling of an eye.
!ﯾﺎ ﷲ ﺷﻮ ﺑﺤﺐ اﺑﻨﻲ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ! ﺑﻤﻮت ﻋﻠﯿﮫ
Example:
اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺷﻔﻨﺎ ﻏﺰال وﻛﺎن ﯾﺮﻛﺾ ﺑﺴﺮﻋﺔ وﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ إﺧﺘﻔﻰ !ﺑﻠﻤﺢ اﻟﺒﺼﺮ
ﺑﻤﻮت ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم اﻟﻒ ﻣﺮة /bimūt kull yōm ’alf marrah/
Equivalent: To suffer from something or someone/
ﺑﻠّﮫ واﺷﺮب ﻣﯿﺘﮫ /bull-uh w-ishrab mayyt-uh/
Have been to hell and back/ To feel the pain of something and suffer because of it daily.
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Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺑﻨﻂ اﻟﻨﻄﺔ ﺷﺒﺮﯾﻦ
Example:
ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻋ ّﻤﺎر ﺗﺮك ھﺎﻟﺔ وﺧﻄﺐ ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ وھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﺑﺘﺘﺄﻟﻢ !وﺑﺘﻤﻮت ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم اﻟﻒ ﻣ ّﺮة
ﺑﻤﻮت ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﯿﻒ وز ّوادﺗﮫ ﻣﻌﮫ
/binuṭṭ il-naṭṭah shibr-ēn/
Equivalent: Like a dog with two tails/ Very happy, delighted and excited. Example:
!ﻣﻔﯿﺪ ﺣﺼﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻨﺤﺔ اﻟﺪراﺳﯿﺔ وﺑﻨﻂ اﻟﻨﻄّﺔ ﺷﺒﺮﯾﻦ
/bimūt min il-ḏē ̣ f w-zuwwdt-uh ma‘-uh/
Equivalent: A cold reception/ A half-hearted welcome.
ﺑﻨﻔﺦ ﺑﻘﺮﺑﺔ ﻣﺨﺰوﻗﺔ
Example:
ﺑﺪّي أزور أم ﻋﻮض ﻣﻊ إﻧﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﻤﻮت ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﯿﻒ وز ّوادﺗﮫ .ﻣﻌﮫ
ﺑﻨﺎ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﺑﺤﺎﻟﮫ ← ﻋﺼﺎﻣﻲ /‘iṣāmī/ ← /banā ḥāl-uh b-ḥāl-uh/
Equivalent: A self-made man. Example:
.ﺻﺎﻟﺢ رﺟﻞ ﻋﺼﺎﻣﻲ ﺑﻨﺎ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﺑﺤﺎﻟﮫ
/binfukh b-girbeh makhzūgah/
Equivalent: Flog a dead horse/ Waste one’s breath/ To do something pointless or futile. Example:
ﺣﺎوﻟﻨﺎ ﻧﺼﻠّﺢ اﻟﻮﺿﻊ ﺑﯿﻦ ﻋﯿﻠﺔ أﺑﻮ ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ وﻋﯿﻠﺔ أﺑﻮ رﺟﺎ ﺑﺲ ﺑﻼ ﻓﺎﯾﺪة! اﻟﻌﯿﻠﺘﯿﻦ ﻋﻨّﺪو وﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻠﯿﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻠﻮل اﻟﻤﻄﺮوﺣﺔ ﻟﺤﻞ اﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ! ﻛﻞ ﺗﻌﺒﻨﺎ راح ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻔﺎﺿﻲ! ﺑﻨﻨﻔﺦ !ﺑﻘﺮﺑﺔ ﻣﺨﺰوﻗﺔ
ﺑﻨﺎزع
ﺑﻨﻤﺴﻚ ﻣﻦ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ
/bināzi‘/
/binmasik min lsān-uh/
Equivalent: Be at death’s door/ Dying.
Equivalent: To keep one’s word/ A man of his word/
Example:
Honest.
!ﺳﻤﻌﻨﺎ إﻧّﮫ أﺑﻮ طﮫ ﻣﺮﯾﺾ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﺑﻨﺎزع
ﺑﻨﺎم زي اﻟﺠﺎج /binām zayy il-jāj/
Equivalent: Go to bed with the chickens/ To sleep
Example:
ﺻﺪّﻗﻨﻲ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺟﻼل ﻏﯿﺮ أﺟﯿﺒﻠﻚ ﺣﻘّﻚ ﻣﻦ أﺧﻮي:درﯾﺪ ! ﺑﺲ أﻋﻄﯿﻨﻲ ﺷﻮﯾﺔ وﻗﺖ.طﺎھﺮ ! اﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﺑﻨﻤﺴﻚ ﻣﻦ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ ﯾﺎ درﯾﺪ وھﯿّﻚ وﻋﺪﺗﻨﻲ:أﺑﻮ ﺟﻼل !وأﻧﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف إﻧﻚ ﻋﻨﺪ ﻛﻠﻤﺘﻚ
early.
ﺑﮭﺸﺖ ← ﺑﻌﺮط ← ﺑﻜﺬب
Example:
!ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﻨﺎم زي اﻟﺠﺎج ﻷﻧّﻲ ﺑﺼﺤﻰ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﻜﯿﺮ
ﺑﻨﺒّﺶ ﺑﺎﻟﺪﻓﺎﺗﺮ اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻤﺔ /binabbish b-il-dafātir il-gadīmeh/
Equivalent: Nose around/ Sniff around/ Dig around/
/bikdhib/ ← /bu‘ruṭ/ ← /buhshut/
Equivalent: To tell a bunch of malarkey/ To lie. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺻﺒﺮي طﻮل ﻧﮭﺎره ﯾﮭﺸﺖ وﯾﻌﺮط! ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺳﻮﻻﻓﺔ !ﺑﺴﻮﻟﻔﮭﺎ إﻻ ﺑﻜﺬب ﻓﯿﮭﺎ وﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﻮل اﻟﺤﻘﯿﻘﺔ
Snoop/ To try to find information about something or
ﺑﻮﺻﻠﻚ اﻟﺒﺤﺮ وﺑﺮﺟﻌﻚ ﻋﻄﺸﺎن
someone, especially information that someone else does not want known.
/biwaṣl-ak il-baḥur w-biraj‘-ak ‘aṭshān/
Example:
Equivalent: Literal. He takes you to the sea and brings
ﻓﺘﺤﻲ ﺷﻚ ﺑﺘﺼﺮﻓﺎت ﺷﺮﯾﻜﮫ ﻋﺎدل وﺣﺲ إﻧّﮫ:ﻣﻌﺘﺼﻢ ﺑﺘﻼﻋﺐ ﻣﻌﮫ وإﻧّﮫ ﻣﺨﺒّﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ إﺷﻲ ﻓﺼﺎر ﯾﻨﺒّﺶ ﺑﺎﻟﺪﻓﺎﺗﺮ !اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻤﺔ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺘﺄﻛﺪ ﻣﻦ إﺣﺴﺎﺳﮫ ! ﻣﻦ ﺣﻖ ﻓﺘﺤﻲ ﯾﻌﺮف ﻣﻊ ﻣﯿﻦ ﺑﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ:أﻣﯿﻦ
ﺑﻨﻂ ﺑﺪﻣﮫ
you back thirsty/ To sell someone down the river. Example:
وﷲ أﺑﻮ ﺣﺎﺗﻢ ﺑﻮﺻﻠﻚ اﻟﺒﺤﺮ وﺑﺮﺟﻌﻚ ﻋﻄﺸﺎن! وﻋﺪﻧﺎ إﻧّﮫ ﯾﺨﻄﻄﻠﻨﺎ اﻟﻤﺸﺮوع اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ وأﻗﻨﻌﻨﺎ إﻧّﮫ ﻧﺴﺒﺔ ﻧﺠﺎﺣﮫ ﻋﺎﻟﯿﺔ وأﻋﻄﯿﻨﺎه اﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﺑﺲ ﺣﻀﺮﺗﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻧﻔّﺬ وﻋﺪه وﺑﻌﺪه !ﺑﻤﺎطﻞ ﻓﯿﻨﺎ
/binuṭṭ b-damm-uh/
ﺑ ّﻮج ← ﺑﻠﻤﻊ
Equivalent: Dice with death/ To do something that puts your life at risk because it is dangerous and risky.
/bilma‘/ ← /biwij/
Example:
Equivalent: Squeaky clean/ As clean as a whistle.
ﻟﺆي ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺘﮭﻮر وﺑﻨﻂ ﺑﺪ ّﻣﮫ! ﺻﺎﺣﺐ واﺣﺪ ﺧ ّﺮﯾﺞ ﺣﺒﻮس !وأﻛﯿﺪ رح ﯾﺘﻮ ّرط ﻣﻌﮫ ﺑﺈﺷﻲ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ
Example:
!اﻟﯿﻮم ﻧﻈّﻔﺖ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ وﺻﺎر ﺑ ّﻮج وﺑﻠﻤﻊ
37
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺒﺎء
ﺑﻮرﺟﯿﻚ ← ﺑﻔﺮﺟﯿﻚ
ﺑﯿﻦ اﻟﺤﯿﺎه واﻟﻤﻮت /bēn il-ḥayāt w-il-mōt/
/bafarjīk/ ← /bawarjīk/
Equivalent: Literal. Between life and death/ Not long
Equivalent: I’ll show you/ This is used when you want
for this world/ About to die.
to threaten someone and tell them what you intend
Example:
to do to them because they did something wrong to
ﻓﻮاز ﻋﻤﻞ ﺣﺎدث اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺼﺒﺢ ووﺿﻌﮫ ﺧﻄﯿﺮ! ﺑﺤﻜﻮ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﯿﻦ اﻟﺤﯿﺎة واﻟﻤﻮت!
you and made you angry. Example:
أﻧﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﯾﺎ ﺑﺎﺳﻢ إﻧﻚ ﻛﺴﺮت ﻗﺰاز ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻲ ﻋﻤﺪاً؟ أﻧﺎ ﺑﻔﺮﺟﯿﻚ! رح ﺗﺸﻮف ﺷﻮ رح أﻋﻤﻞ ﻓﯿﻚ!
ﺑﯿﻦ ﻧﺎرﯾﻦ /bēn nār-ēn/
Equivalent: Literal. Between two fires/ Between the
ﺑﻮس إﯾﺪك وﺟﮫ وﻗﻔﺎ
devil and the deep sea/ Between a rock and a hard
/būs ’īd-ak wijh w-gafā/
place/ Between two difficulties.
Equivalent: Count your blessings/ Be happy with your
Example:
lot in life.
اﻹﺧﺘﯿﺎر ﺑﯿﻦ ﺷﻐﻠﻲ وﺑﯿﻦ ﺑﯿﺘﻲ أﺻﻌﺐ ﻣﻦ ﺑﻌﻀﮫ! ﺑﺠﺪ أﻧﺎ ﺑﯿﻦ ﻧﺎرﯾﻦ!
ﺑﯿﻨﻲ وﺑﯿﻨﻚ
Example:
أﺣﻤﺪ رﺑﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺗﺮﻛﻲ وﺑﻮس إﯾﺪك وﺟﮫ وﻗﻔﺎ ﻷﻧﻚ ﻣﺎ اﺷﺘﺮﯾﺖ اﻷﺳﮭﻢ! طﻠﻌﻮ ﻧﺼﺎﺑﯿﻦ وﺳﺮﻗﻮ ﻣﺼﺎري اﻟﻨﺎس وﻓﻠّﻮ ﺑ ّﺮا اﻟﺒﻼد!
/bēn-ī w-bēn-ak/
Equivalent: Between you and me and the cat’s
ﺑﻮﻛﻞ اﻟﺤﺠﺎرة ← ﺑﻮﻛﻞ اﻟﺰﻟﻂ
whiskers/ Just between us.
/bōkil il-zalaṭ/ ← /bōkil li-ḥjārah/
Example:
Equivalent: Cast iron stomach/ Have the digestion of
ﺻﺒﺎ :ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ ﻟﯿﺶ ﻓﺎﺗﻦ اﻧﻔﺼﻠﺖ ﻋﻦ ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﻣﻊ إﻧﮭﻢ ﺑﺤﺒﻮ ﺑﻌﺾ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺿﺤﻰ :ﺑﯿﻨﻲ وﺑﯿﻨﻚ ﺟﻮزھﺎ طﻠﻊ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ وﺑﻌﺮف وﺣﺪة ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ! ﺑﺲ ﻻ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﻟﺤﺪا!
ﺑﯿّﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻘﯿﻘﺘﮫ
an ostrich. Example:
أم ھﺰار :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻋﺎزﻣﺔ أم ﺳﻔﯿﺎن ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻐﺪا! ﺷﻮ ﻓﻜﺮك ﻧﻮع اﻷﻛﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﺤﺒﮫ؟ ﺗﻤﺎﺿﺮ :أي إﺷﻲ وﻛﻞ إﺷﻲ ﺑﻤﺸﻲ ﻣﻌﺎھﺎ! وﷲ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻞ اﻟﺰﻟﻂ! وﺑﺘﻮﻛﻞ اﻟﺤﺠﺎرة! ﺑﺘﺤﺐ اﻷﻛﻞ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ!
/bayyan ‘alā ḥagīgt-uh/
Equivalent: Show one’s true colors/ To show one’s
ﺑﻮﻛﻞ زي اﻟﻌﺼﻔﻮر← ﺑﻨﻖ ﻧﻖ
character.
/binnug nagg/ ← /bōkil zayy il-‘aṣfūr/
Example:
Equivalent: Eat like a bird/ Eat lightly.
أم ﺷﺮف ﺑﯿّﻨﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻘﯿﻘﺘﮭﺎ! ﻛﻞ اﻟﻨﺎس ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺑﺘﻔﻜﺮھﺎ ﺳﺖ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ وﻣﺤﺘﺮﻣﺔ! ﺑﺲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﺖ ﻣﻊ ﺟﺎرﺗﮭﺎ وﺿﺮﺑﺘﮭﺎ اﻟﻜﻞ ﻏﯿّﺮ ﻓﻜﺮه ﻋﻨﮭﺎ!
ﺑﻌﻄﻲ اﻟﻠﺤﻢ ﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎﻟﮫ اﺳﻨﺎن
Example:
ﺑﻨﺘﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻧﺤﯿﻔﺔ ﻷﻧﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻞ زي اﻟﻌﺼﻔﻮر! ﺑﺘﻨﻖ ﻧﻖ!
ﺑﻮﻛﻞ ﺑﺮﺳﯿﻢ ← ﺑﻮﻛﻞ ﺗﺒﻦ /bōkil tibin/ ← /bōkil barsīm/
/ba‘ṭī il-laḥim la-illī māluh snān/
Equivalent: Clay-brained/ Stupid.
Equivalent: The gods send nuts to those who have no
Example:
teeth/ Some people often get good fortune that is of no use to them.
اﻓﮭﻢ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻋﻨﺎن! اﻟﻤﺴﺄﻟﺔ ﺳﮭﻠﺔ ﺑﺲ إﻧﺖ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺮ ّﻛﺰ ﻣﻌﻲ! ﺷﻮ إﻧﺖ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻞ ﺗﺒﻦ وإﻻ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻞ ﺑﺮﺳﯿﻢ؟
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ :ﻣﮭﻨﺪ اﺑﻦ اﻷﺳﺘﺎذ أﺑﻮ ﻣﮭﻨﺪ ﺑﻄﻠﻌﻠﮫ ﻣﻘﻌﺪ دراﺳﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ ﻹﻧّﮫ أﺑﻮه ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻞ ھﻨﺎك! ﺑﺲ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ رﺳﺐ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت! ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻓﺎﯾﺪة ﻣﻦ ھﺎﻟﻤﻘﻌﺪ ﺑﺪون ﻧﺠﺎح! ﻓﻲ ﻏﯿﺮه طﻼب ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻧﺠﺤﻮ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ طﻠﻌﻠﮭﻢ ﯾﺪرﺳﻮ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ! ﻷﻧﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪھﻢ ﻣﻘﺎﻋﺪ! أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎرف :ﺑﻌﻄﻲ اﻟﻠﺤﻢ ﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎﻟﮫ اﺳﻨﺎن!
ﺑﯿّﺾ وﺟﮭﮫ /bayyaḏ ̣ wijh-uh/
Equivalent: Do someone proud/ Make someone proud. Example:
اﺑﻦ أﺑﻮ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ طﻠﻊ اﻷ ّول ﻋﻠﻰ دﻓﻌﺘﮫ! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﺑﯿّﺾ وﺟﮫ أﺑﻮه!
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺘﺎء
ﺗﺎب ← ﺑﻄّﻞ ھﺎﻟﻌﺎدة
ﺗﺤﺖ أﻣﺮك ← ﺗﺤﺖ ﺗﺼﺮﻓﻚ /taḥit taṣaruf-ak/ ← /taḥit ’amr-ak/
/baṭṭal h-al-‘ādeh/ ← /tāb/
Equivalent: At someone’s beck and call/ At someone’s
Equivalent: Kick a habit/ Repent.
service/ At someone’s disposal.
Example:
Example:
ﻀﺮ ﻟﻌﺮﺳﻲ وﺑﺪّي رﺟﺐ :ﺑﺪّي ﻣﺴﺎﻋﺪﺗﻚ ﯾﺎ طﺎھﺮ! أﻧﺎ ﺑﺤ ّ ﺣﺪا ﯾﺮﺗّﺒﻠﻲ اﻷﻣﻮر! ﺑﺘﻘﺪر ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ؟ طﺎھﺮ :أﻛﯿﺪ ﯾﺎ رﺟﻞ! إﻋﺘﺒﺮﻧﻲ ﺗﺤﺖ ﺗﺼﺮﻓﻚ.
ﻋﺪﻧﺎن ﻛﺎن ﻣﺪﻣﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﺪﺧﯿﻦ! ﺑﺲ اﻟﺤﻤﺪ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﻄّﻞ ھﺎﻟﻌﺎدة وﺗﺎب!
ﺗﺎ ﯾﻔﺮﺟﮭﺎ ﷲ /tā yifrij-hā Allah/
ﺗﺤﻄﻤﺖ آﻣﺎﻟﮫ
Equivalent: When things get better. Example:
/tḥaṭṭamat ’āmāl-uh/
Equivalent: Dash someone’s hopes/ To let someone down.
ھﺎﺷﻢ :أﻣﯿﺖ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺘﺼﺎﻟﺢ ﻣﻊ أﺧﻮك ﯾﺎ ﯾﺎﺳﺮ؟ ﯾﺎﺳﺮ :وﷲ ﻣﺎ أﻧﺎ ﻋﺎرف! ﺗﺎ ﯾﻔﺮﺟﮭﺎ ﷲ!
Example:
ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﻓﺘﺤﻲ ﺗﺤﻄﻤﺖ آﻣﺎﻟﮫ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ راح ﯾﺨﻄﺐ رؤى وأﺑﻮھﺎ رﻓﻀﮫ!
ﺗﺎرﻛﻚ ﻟﻌﻮزة /tārk-ak la-‘ōzeh/
Equivalent: Put something aside/ To save something
ﺗﺤﻮﯾﺸﺔ ﻋﻤﺮه
for use at a later time/ I will need your help later. Example:
/taḥwīshit ‘umr-uh/
Equivalent: A nest egg/ Something saved. Example:
ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ أﺑﻮ ﯾﻮﺳﻒ! ﺧﺴﺮ ﻛﻞ ﺗﺤﻮﯾﺸﺔ ﻋﻤﺮه! ﻧﺼﺤﻨﺎه ﻣﺎ ﯾﺘﺎﺟﺮ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ر ّد ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺪا!
ﺗﺮاھﺎ واﺻﻠﺔ ﻣﻌﻲ ﻟﮭﻮن
ﺳﻤﺎح :ﺑﺪّك أﺳﺎﻋﺪك ﯾﺎ ﻣﺮﯾﻢ ﺑﺘﺮﺗﯿﺐ ﺑﯿﺘﻚ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ؟ ﻣﺮﯾﻢ :ﺷﻜﺮاً ﺣﺒﯿﺒﺘﻲ! أﻧﺎ ﺧﻠّﺼﺖ ﺗﺮﺗﯿﺒﮫ وﻣﺎ ﺧﺒّﺮﺗﻚ ﻷﻧّﻲ ﺗﺎرﻛﯿﺘﻚ ﻟﻌﻮزة!
ﺗﺎرﻛﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ وﺟﮫ اﻟﺤﻲ /tārk-uh ‘alā wijh il-ḥayy/
/tarā-hā waṣleh ma‘-ī la-hōn/
Equivalent: Leave one to one’s fate/ To leave someone
Equivalent: To be fed up with something.
without help or attention.
Example:
Example:
ﻋﺪﻧﺎن :ﺗﻌﺎل ﯾﺎ ﺣﺴﺎن ﺧﻠﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﺤﻞ ھﺎﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﺑﯿﻨﻚ وﺑﯿﻦ ﺳﻠﻄﺎن .ﺧﻠﺺ ھﺎﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ ط ّﻮﻟﺖ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﯿﻨﻜﻮ وﻻزم ﺗﻨﺤﻞ! ﺣﺴﺎن :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮﻓﮫ! ﺧﻠﺺ ﻻ ﺗﻀﻐﻄﻮ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﺗﺮاھﺎ واﺻﻠﺔ ﻣﻌﻲ ﻟﮭﻮن!
ﺗﺮك اﻷﻣﻮر ﻣﻌﻠّﻘﺔ
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎﯾﺪ زﻟﻤﺔ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﻗﺎﺳﻲ وﻣﺎﻋﻨﺪه إﺣﺴﺎس ﻷﻧّﮫ ﺗﺎرك أوﻻد أﺧﻮه اﻷﯾﺘﺎم ﻋﻠﻰ وﺟﮫ اﻟﺤﻲ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﺎﻋﺪھﻢ أﺑﺪاً ﻣﻊ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﻘﺘﺪر وﷲ ﻣﻌﻄﯿﮫ!
ﺗﺎ ﻧﺸﻮف /tā-nshūf/
/tarak il-’umūr m‘allagah/
Equivalent: Let’s see how it goes/ Let’s see how
Equivalent: Leave someone or something up in the
things go.
air/ Unknown.
Example:
Example:
ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﯿﻦ ﺷﻮ ﻧﻌﻤﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ! اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ أﺧﺬ إﺟﺎزة ﻓﺠﺎﺋﯿﺔ وﺗﺮك اﻷﻣﻮر ﻣﻌﻠّﻘﺔ!
أم رﻋﺪ :ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ رﻋﺪ ﻧﺸﺘﺮي اﻟﺒﯿﺖ اﻷﺧﯿﺮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺷﻔﻨﺎه؟ ﻣﻊ إﻧّﮫ ﻏﺎﻟﻲ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﺑﺲ ھﺬا ھﻮ ﺑﯿﺖ اﻷﺣﻼم. أﺑﻮ رﻋﺪ :ﺗﺎ ﻧﺸﻮف!
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺘﺎء
ﺗﺮﻛﻠﮫ اﻟﺠﻤﻞ ﺑﻤﺎ ﺣﻤﻞ /tarak-l-uh il-jamal bi-mā ḥamal/
Equivalent: Literal. He left him the camel with
39
اﺑﻨﻚ ﻗﻠﯿﻞ أدب وﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ طﻮﯾﻞ ورح أرﺟﻊ أﺿﺮﺑﮫ:أﺑﻮ ﺑﺸﯿﺮ .ﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﻐﻠﻂ ! طﯿّﺐ ﺗﻠﻘّﻰ وﻋﺪك ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺑﺸﯿﺮ:أﺑﻮ ﻣﻨﯿﺮ
the load/ To leave everything behind/ If you leave
اﻟﺘﻢ اﻟﻤﺘﻌﻮس ﻋﻠﻰ ﺧﺎﯾﺐ اﻟﺮﺟﺎ
possessions, belongings or money to someone, you arrange for it to be given to that person after your
/iltamm il-mat‘ūs ‘alā khāyib il-rajā/
death or after you have moved to another place.
Equivalent: Literal. The miserable and the hopeless
Example:
joined together/ Blind leading the blind/ This is said
أﺑﻮ ﻋﻤﺮ ﻣﺎت ﻣﻦ ﻛﻢ ﺷﮭﺮ وﺗﺮك ﻷوﻻده اﻟﺠﻤﻞ:أم ﻋﺰﯾﺰ !ﺑﻤﺎ ﺣﻤﻞ ﻛﺎن ﻋﻨﺪه ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻠﮭﺎ اﻟﻨﯿﺮان! ﺑﺲ ھﯿّﻮ:أﺑﻮ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ !ﻣﺎت وﺗﺮك ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ وراه
ﺗﺸﻔّﻰ ﻓﯿﮫ ← ﺗﺸ ّﻤﺖ ﻓﯿﮫ /tshammat fīh/ ← /tshaffā fīh/
Equivalent: Schadenfreude/ It is a mean and nasty
when there is a situation when someone is trying to show someone else how to do something that they both do not know how to do themselves. Example:
ﺑﻼل ﻣﺠﻨّﻨﻲ وﺗﺎﻋﺒﻨﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ اﻟﺪراﺳﺔ وﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم:أم ﺑﻼل !ﺑﺮوح ﻋﻠﻰ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﮫ طﺎرق ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺸﺮﺣﻠﮫ رﯾﺎﺿﯿﺎت ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﯿﻦ ﺑﺮوح؟ ﻋﻠﻰ طﺎرق؟ ﻣﮭﻮ راﺳﺐ:أم ﺑﮭﺎء !ﺑﺎﻟﺮﯾﺎﺿﯿﺎت! ھﮭﮭﮭﮭﮭﮫ! اﻟﺘﻢ اﻟﻤﺘﻌﻮس ﻋﻠﻰ ﺧﺎﯾﺐ اﻟﺮﺟﺎ
enjoyment that is derived from seeing someone else’s
اﻟﺘﻮﺑﺔ ﻣﻦ ھﺎﻟﻨﻮﺑﺔ
hard luck/ It is a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction when something bad happens to someone else.
/il-tōbah min h-al-nōbah/
Example:
Equivalent: Never again/ To promise to give up
ﻟ ّﻤﺎ وﻟﯿﺪ ﺧﺴﺮ ﻛﻞ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮫ راﺋﺪ ﺗﺸﻔّﻰ ﻓﯿﮫ ﻷﻧﮫ ﻗﺒﻞ ھﯿﻚ !طﻠﺐ ﻣﻨﮫ ﯾﺪﯾﻨﮫ وﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻞ
ﺗﻌﺪّى ﺣﺪوده /t‘addā ḥdūd-uh/
Equivalent: To cross the line/ To overstep boundaries. Example:
something and never do it again. Example:
وﯾﻦ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري اﻟﻠﻲ وﻋﺪﺗﻨﻲ ﺗﺮﺟﻌﻠﻲ إﯾﺎھﺎ ﺑﻌﺪ:أم ھﯿﺜﻢ ﺷﮭﺮ؟ ! ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻮﻓﺮت ﻣﻌﻲ! اﺻﺒﺮي ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ:ھﯿﺜﻢ ﻣﺎ رح أﺻﺪّق ﻛﻼﻣﻚ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﯿﻮم! اﻟﺘﻮﺑﺔ ﻣﻦ:أم ھﯿﺜﻢ !ھﺎﻟﻨﻮﺑﺔ
أﻧﺎ ﻣﺶ رح أﺳﻜﺖ ﻟﺠﻤﯿﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﮫ ﻷﻧّﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻔﻌﻞ ﺗﻌﺪّى !ﺣﺪوده
ﺗﻮھﺎ وﺻﻠﺘﻚ اﻟﺤﺮارة /tawhā wiṣlat-ak il-ḥarārah/
ﺗﻌﯿﺶ وﺗﻮﻛﻞ ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ
Equivalent: The penny drops/ A late understanding
/t‘īsh w-tōkil ghēr-hā/
of something after a period of misunderstanding,
Equivalent: Better luck next time.
misperception and unawareness.
Example:
Example:
اﻟﯿﻮم ﻛﺎن أ ّول ﯾﻮم إﻟﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ! وﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺧﻠﺼﺖ أ ّول:أﻣﺠﺪ !ﻣﺤﺎﺿﺮة اﻛﺘﺸﻔﺖ إﻧّﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻒ اﻟﻐﻠﻂ! وراح ﻋﻠ ّﻲ أ ّول ﺻﻒ . ھﮭﮭﮭﮫ! ﺗﻌﯿﺶ وﺗﻮﻛﻞ ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ:ﺣﺴﻨﻲ
ﺑﺘﻌﺮف ﯾﺎ ﺳﻼم إﻧّﻲ ﺗﻮﻧﻲ ﺗﺎ ﻓﮭﻤﺖ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺣﯿﺪر زﻋﻞ:ﻣﻨﺬر !ﻣﻨﻚ ﻟﻤﺎ ﺳﺄﻟﺖ ﻋﻦ أﺧﻮه اﻟﻤﺮﯾﺾ ﺑ ّﻜﯿﺮ وﷲ! ﺗﻮھﺎ وﺻﻠﺘﻚ اﻟﺤﺮارة؟:ﺳﻼم
ﺗﻠّﻘﻰ وﻋﺪك
ﺗﯿﺘﻲ ﺗﯿﺘﻲ ﻣﺜﻞ ﻣﺎ رﺣﺘﻲ ﻣﺜﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺟﯿﺘﻲ
/tlaggā wa‘d-ak/
/tītī tītī mithil mā ruḥtī mithil mā jītī/
Equivalent: Reap the harvest of/ Pay the piper/ Stew
Equivalent: Back to square one/ Back to the starting
in your own juice/ Suffer the unpleasant results or
point with no progress made.
consequences of your actions.
Example:
Example:
! ﻟﯿﺶ ﺿﺮﺑﺖ اﺑﻨﻲ اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺼﺒﺢ:أﺑﻮ ﻣﻨﯿﺮ
ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻌﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻘﺎﺑﻠﺔ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة اﻟﯿﻮم؟ اﻧﻘﺒﻠﺘﻲ؟:ﻣﻨﯿﺮة ! ﺗﯿﺘﻲ ﺗﯿﺘﻲ ﻣﺜﻞ ﻣﺎ رﺣﺘﻲ ﻣﺜﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺟﯿﺘﻲ:ﺳﻤﺮ
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺜﺎء
اﻟﺜﺎﻟﺜﺔ ﺛﺎﺑﺘﺔ
ﺛ ّﻮر أﻋﺼﺎﺑﮫ /thawwar ’a‘ṣāb-uh/
/il-thāltheh thābteh/
Equivalent: Hit/ Touch/ Strike a nerve.
Equivalent: Third time is a charm.
Example:
Example:
ﺼﺐ ﯾﺎ وﻟﯿﺪ؟ ﻋﺎدل :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﻌ ّ وﻟﯿﺪ :ﺗﺠﺎدﻟﺖ ﻣﻊ ﻣﺪﯾﺮي ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ وﻛﻼﻣﮫ ﻛﺎن ﻣﺴﺘﻔﺰ وﺛ ّﻮر أﻋﺼﺎﺑﻲ!
اﻟﺜﻘﻞ ﺻﻨﻌﺔ
رﺳﺒﺖ ﺑﺎﻣﺘﺤﺎن اﻟﺴﻮاﻗﺔ ﻣﺮﺗﯿﻦ! ﺑﺲ أﻧﺎ ﻋﺎرف إﻧّﮫ اﻟﺜﺎﻟﺜﺔ ﺛﺎﺑﺘﺔ وإﻧّﻲ رح أﻧﺠﺢ!
ﺛﻮب وﻗﻠﺒﺘﮫ /thōb w-galabt-uh/
/il-thugul ṣan‘ah/
Equivalent: Sea change/ Change one’s ways/ To start
Equivalent: Play hard to get.
to behave in a different way than before/ This is used
Example:
when someone becomes a different person, in a bad
ﻣﻨﺎر :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺶ راﺿﯿﺔ ﺗﻄﻠﻌﻲ ﻣﻊ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻄﻌﻢ؟ ﺷﻮ اﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ؟ ﺑﻨﺎن :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي! زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻮ اﻟﺜﻘﻞ ﺻﻨﻌﺔ!
or negative sense. Example:
ﻋﻠﯿﺎ :ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺟﻮزي ﺗﻐﯿّﺮ ﻟﮭﺪرﺟﺔ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺠ ّﻮزﻧﺎ! ﻛﺎن ﺷﺨﺺ ﻣﺨﺘﻠﻒ وإﺣﻨﺎ ﺧﺎطﺒﯿﻦ! ﺴﮫ ﺛﻮب وﻗﻠﺒﺘﮫ! ﺑﺲ ھ ّ
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺠﯿﻢ
Example:
دﻻل :اﻣﺒﺎرح أﺑﻮ ﻣﺨﺘﺎر ﺟﺎب ﻣﺮﺗﮫ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة ﺗﺘﻌﺮف ﻋﻠﻰ أم ﻣﺨﺘﺎر! إﺟﻦ اﻟﺜﻨﺘﯿﻦ ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﻦ وﻗﺎﻣﻦ اﻟﻘﯿﺎﻣﺔ واﻧﺠﻤﻌﻮ اﻟﺠﯿﺮان! أﻣﯿﺮة :وھﻮ ﺷﻮ ﻏﻠّﺒﮫ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻘﺼﺔ وﻟﯿﺶ ﻋﻤﻞ ھﯿﻚ؟ ﺣﺪا ﺑﺠﯿﺐ اﻟﺪب ﻟﻜﺮﻣﮫ!
ﺟﺎب رﺟﻠﮫ ﻟﻠﻄﺮﯾﻖ /jāb rijl-uh la-il-ṭarīg/
ﺟﺎﺟﺔ ﺑﯿّﺎﺿﺔ /jājeh bayyāḏạ h/
Equivalent: Literal. Chicken laying eggs/ A cash cow. Example:
ﺟﺎﺟﺔ ﺑﯿّﺎﺿﺔ! ﻣﺮﺗﮫ ﻏﻨﯿﺔ وﻣﻌﮭﺎ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﺎ ﺿﯿﺎء اﺗﺠﻮز ّ ﺑﺘﻨﻌﺪ وﻋﻨﺪھﺎ ﻣﺸﺎرﯾﻊ ﻛﺜﯿﺮة وﺷﺮﻛﺎت!
ﺟﺎﺟﺔ ﺣﻔﺮت ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﮭﺎ ﻋﻔﺮت
Equivalent: Straighten someone out/ Bring to heel/
/jājeh ḥafrat ‘alā rās-hā ‘afrat/
To make someone behave better and have a better
Equivalent: Asking for trouble/ Dig yourself a hole/
attitude.
Ask for it.
Example:
Example:
ﺳﻤﺎھﺮ :وﷲ أم ﺟﻤﯿﻞ ﺑﺘﻌﺠﺒﻨﻲ! ﻣﺮا ﻓﮭﻤﺎﻧﺔ وﻗﺪ ﺣﺎﻟﮭﺎ! ﺟﻮد :ﻛﯿﻒ ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﺑﺘﻌﺠﺒﻚ؟ ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻠﺖ؟ ﺳﻤﺎھﺮ :ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﻛﺎن واﺣﺪ ﺳﻮﻛﺮﺟﻲ وﻋﺎطﻞ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻌﻤﻞ ﺑﺲ ﺴﮫ ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ھﻲ ﺻﺒﺮت ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وﺟﺎﺑﺖ رﺟﻠﮫ ﻟﻠﻄﺮﯾﻖ! وھ ّ ﺻﺎر ﻣﺴﺘﻘﯿﻢ وﻟﻘﻰ ﺷﻐﻞ وأوﺿﺎﻋﮭﻢ ﻣﺴﺘﻘﺮة وﻣﻤﺘﺎزة!
ﺟﺎﺑﮫ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮫ /jāb-uh la-ḥāl-uh/
ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﻓﺼﻞ ﺧﻠﺪون ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ! ﻣﮭﻨﺪ :ﻟﯿﺶ؟ ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﻛﺎن ﻛﺎﺗﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻔﯿﺲ ﺑﻮك أﺷﯿﺎء ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ واﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ! وﻟ ّﻤﺎ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﺷﺎﻓﮭﺎ ﻓﺼﻠﮫ! ﻣﮭﻨﺪ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ھﻮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺟﺎﺑﮫ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮫ! ﺟﺎﺟﺔ ﺣﻔﺮت ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﮭﺎ ﻋﻔﺮت!
ﺟﺎھﺰ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻜﺒﺴﺔ
Equivalent: Bring something upon oneself/ Bring
/jāhiz ‘alā il-kabseh/
something down about your ear.
Equivalent: On call.
Example:
Example:
ﺳﺎري :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﯾﺴﺮي اﻧﻔﺼﻞ ﻣﻦ ﺷﻐﻠﮫ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ اﻹھﻤﺎل! طﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺪوام وﺳﻠّﻢ ﺻﻨﺪوق اﻟﻤﺤﺎﺳﺒﺔ ﻟﺰﻣﯿﻞ إﻟﮫ وﺛﻖ ّ ﻓﯿﮫ! ﺑﺲ ھﺎﻟﺰﻣﯿﻞ ﺳﺮق ﻣﺼﺎري اﻟﺼﻨﺪوق واﻹدارة ﺣﻄﺖ اﻟﺤﻖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﯾﺴﺮي وﺣ ّﻤﻠﻮه اﻟﻤﺴﺆوﻟﯿﺔ! ﺣﺴﯿﻦ :اﻟﺤﻖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻓﻌﻼ ً! ھﻮاﻟﻠﻲ ﺟﺎﺑﮫ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮫ!
ﺑﺪر :ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ أﻻﻗﯿﻠﻚ ﺷﻐﻞ ﻋﻨّﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﺑﺪل ﻣﺎ إﻧﺖ ﻗﺎﻋﺪ؟ ﻓﺘﺤﻲ :إﻧﺖ ﻻﻗﯿﻠﻲ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ وأﻧﺎ ﺟﺎھﺰ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻜﺒﺴﺔ!
اﻟﺠﺎھﻞ ﻋﺪو ﻧﻔﺴﮫ /il-jāhil ‘aduw nafs-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. The ignorant is the enemy of
ﺟﺎﺑﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻼ وﺟﮭﮫ
himself/ Every man is his own worst enemy. /jāb-uh ‘alā malā wijh-uh/
Equivalent: Bundle someone off/ Rush out. Example:
ﻋﺴﺎف ﺧﺒّﺮ ﻣﺮاد إﻧّﮫ أﺧﻮه ﻋﺎﻣﻞ ﺣﺎدث وﺟﺎﺑﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻼ وﺟﮭﮫ!
ﺟﺎب ﻗﺮاره /jāb garār-uh/
Example:
ﻋﺪﻟﻲ :اﻟﯿﻮم رﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر ﻋﺸﺎن أﺟﯿﺐ دوا ﻷﻧّﮫ دواي ﺧﻠﺺ! ورﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وأﺧﺬﺗﻠﮫ ﻋﻠﺒﺔ اﻟﺪوا وﻛﺘﺒﻠﻲ وﺻﻔﺔ! ﺑﺲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ رﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺼﯿﺪﻟﯿﺔ اﻛﺘﺸﻔﺖ إﻧّﻲ ﻣﺎﺧﺬ ﻋﻠﺒﺔ دوا أﻣﻲ ﺑﺪل ﻋﻠﺒﺘﻲ! ﺟﻼل :ھﮭﮭﮭﮭﮭﮫ! ﻓﻌﻼ ً إﻧّﮫ اﻟﺠﺎھﻞ ﻋﺪو ﻧﻔﺴﮫ!
ﺟﺎب اﻟﺪب ﻟﻜﺮﻣﮫ
Equivalent: Get to the bottom of something/ To
/jāb il-dubb la-karm-uh/
discover the real but sometimes hidden reason that
Equivalent: To invite trouble/ Bring trouble on oneself/
caused something to occur or happen.
Bring something on oneself.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺟﺮ إﺟﺮه
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Example: /jarr ’ijr-uh/
Equivalent: Drag someone into something/ To force, include or persuade someone to join you to do an unwanted thing.
ظﻞ أﺑﻮ ﻋ ّﻮاد ﯾﻨﺒّﺶ وﯾﺪ ّور ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﺒﺐ ﻓﺼﻠﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ وﺑﺎﻵﺧﺮ ﺟﺎب ﻗﺮاره وﻋﺮف اﻟﺴﺒﺐ!
ﺟﺎر ﻋﻠﯿﮫ اﻟﺰﻣﻦ /jār ‘alēh il-zaman/
Example:
ﻏﯿﺚ ﺷﺐ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ! ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﺴﺮق وﺣﺮاﻣﻲ! وﻣﻌﺎذ اﺑﻦ اﻟﺠﯿﺮان ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﯾﻤﺸﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ وﺻﺎﯾﺮﯾﻦ ﺻﺤﺒﺔ! ﻏﯿﺚ ﺟ ّﺮ إﺟﺮه ّ وﺧﻼه ﯾﺼﯿﺮ زﯾّﮫ ﺣﺮاﻣﻲ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﺷﺐ ﻣﺆدب وﻣﺤﺘﺮم!
ﺟﺮﺣﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻤﯿﻢ ← ﺟﺮح ﻣﺸﺎﻋﺮه /jaraḥ mashā‘r-uh/ ← /jaraḥ-uh b-il-ṣamīm/
Equivalent: Have seen better days/ Fall on hard times. Example:
ﺳﯿﺎرة ﺧﻀﺮ ﺻﺎرت ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻗﺪﯾﻤﺔ وﺟﺎر ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ اﻟﺰﻣﻦ! وﻣﻊ ذﻟﻚ ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ ﺷ ّﻐﺎﻟﺔ وﻣﺎﺷﻲ ﺣﺎﻟﮭﺎ! ﻣﺴﺎﻛﯿﻦ ﺑﯿﺖ أﺑﻮ ﯾﺰﯾﺪ ﺟﺎر ﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ اﻟﺰﻣﻦ! ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﻌ ّﺰ ﺻﺎرو ﻓﻘﺮا!
اﻟﺠﺎر ﻗﺒﻞ اﻟﺪار
Equivalent: Touch a raw nerve/ Hurt someone’s
/il-jār gabl il-dār/
feelings.
Equivalent: Literal. The neighbor before the house/
Example:
Choose your neighbor before you choose your house/
ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺻﺎﯾﻞ ﻗﺎل ﻟﻤﺮﺗﮫ ﻣﻨﺎل إﻧّﮫ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺘﺠ ّﻮز وﺣﺪة ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ ﻋﺸﺎن ﺗﺨﻠﻔﻠﮫ أوﻻد ﺟﺮﺣﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻤﯿﻢ!
This is used to emphasize the importance of having and choosing good neighbors to live next to when buying a house.
ﺟﺲ ﻧﺒﻀﮫ
Example: /jass nabḏ-̣ uh/
Equivalent: Test the waters/ To sound out someone. Example:
أم ﺣﻤﺰة ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺨﻄﺐ ﺑﻨﺖ أﺑﻮ ﺣﺴﻦ ﻻﺑﻨﮭﺎ ﺑﺲ ﺑﺪھﺎ اﻟﯿﻮم ﺗﺮوح ﺗﺠﺲ ﻧﺒﻀﮭﻢ ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻔﺘﺢ ﻣﻌﮭﻢ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع.
اﺷﺘﺮﯾﻨﺎ ﺑﯿﺖ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ واﻟﺤﻤﺪ اﻟﺠﯿﺮان ﻧﺎس ﻣﺤﺘﺮﻣﯿﻦ وﻣﺆدﺑﯿﻦ! ﺳﺄﻟﻨﺎ ﻋﻨﮭﻢ وﺳﻤﻌﻨﺎ ﻛﻞ ﺧﯿﺮ! زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻮ اﻟﺠﺎر ﻗﺒﻞ اﻟﺪار!
اﻟﺠﺎﯾﺎت اﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺮاﯾﺤﺎت /il-jāyyāt ’akthar min il-rāyḥāt/
Equivalent: There is always a next time/ A flower blooms more than once.
ﺟﻄﻼوي
Example: /jaṭlāwī/
Equivalent: Southpaw/ A left-handed person. Example:
ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﺑﺘﻜﺘﺐ ﺑﺈﯾﺪك اﻟﯿﺴﺎر! ھﺎي طﻠﻌﺖ ﺟﻄﻼوي!
ﻣﺎﺟﺪة :ﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻠﺖ أم ﻣﮭﻨﺪ ﺗﻌﻄﯿﻨﻲ اﻟﺠﻤﻌﯿﺔ أ ّول وﺣﺪة! ﻣﻊ إﻧّﻲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻋﻤﻠﺖ ﺟﻤﻌﯿﺔ أﻋﻄﯿﺘﮭﺎ إﯾﺎھﺎ ﺑﺎﻷ ّول! راﺋﺪة :ﯾﺎ ﺳﺘﻲ اﻟﺠﺎﯾﺎت اﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺮاﯾﺤﺎت! ﺑﺲ ﺗﺼﯿﺮ اﻟﺠﻤﻌﯿﺔ ﻋﻨﺪك ﻻ ﺗﻌﻄﯿﮭﺎ إﯾﺎھﺎ ﺑﺎﻷ ّول!
ﺟﺤﺮه
ﺟﻠﺪة /jildeh/
/jaḥar-uh/
Equivalent: Skinflint/ Miser/ Cheapskate/ A stingy
Equivalent: Give someone the hairy eyeball/ To give
person.
someone a mean look.
Example:
Example:
طﻠﺒﺖ ﻣﻦ أﺑﻮ ﺛﺎﺋﺮ ﯾﺸﺎرك ﻣﻌﻲ ﺗﺎ ﻧﺠﯿﺐ ھﺪﯾﺔ ﻟﺰﻣﯿﻠﻨﺎ اﻟﻤﺮﯾﺾ! ﺑﺲ ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﺟﻠﺪة وﺑﺨﯿﻞ! ﻣﺎ رﺿﻲ ﯾﺪﻓﻊ إﺷﻲ!
ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻣﺼﻌﺐ اﻋﺘﺮض ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻼم أﺑﻮه وﻋﺎرض رأﯾﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع أﺑﻮه ﺟﺤﺮه وﻣﺎ ﻋﺠﺒﮫ ھﺎﻟﻮﺿﻊ!
ﺟﺪى ﻋﻠﻰ رﻛﺒﮫ
ﺟﻠﺪة وﻋﻈﻤﺔ /jildeh w-‘aḏm ̣ ah/
/jadā ‘alā rukab-uh/
Equivalent: All skin and bones/ Bag of bones/ Very
Equivalent: On bended knees/ Fall to your knees/ Bow
skinny.
down.
Example:
Example:
اﺑﻨﻚ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻧﺤﯿﻒ ﯾﺎ رﺟﺎء! ﺟﻠﺪة وﻋﻈﻤﺔ! طﻌﻤﯿﮫ أﻛﺜﺮ أو ﺧﺬﯾﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر ﯾﺸﻮف ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﮫ!
اﻣﺒﺎرح راﺿﻲ رﺟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻋﺸﺮﯾﻦ ﺳﻨﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﻐﺮﺑﺔ! وﻟﻤﺎ ﺷﺎف أﺑﻮه ﺟﺪى ﻋﻠﻰ رﻛﺒﮫ وﺑﺎس إﯾﺪ أﺑﻮه وطﻠﺐ ﻣﻨﮫ ﯾﺴﺎﻣﺤﮫ!
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺠﯿﻢ
رﺑﻰ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر أﺳﻘﯿﮭﻦ! راﺳﻲ ﺑﻮﺟﻌﻨﻲ! اﻷم :وﺷﻮ دﺧﻞ راﺳﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع وﺑﺴﻘﻲ اﻟﻮرد؟ اﻟﺠﻤﻞ ﺑﻌﺮج ﻣﻦ إذﻧﮫ!
ﺟﻠﺪه ﺑﺪن /jalad-uh badan/
Equivalent: Beat the (living) daylights out of somebody. Example:
اﻟﺠﻨﺔ ﺑﻼ ﻧﺎس ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻨﺪاس /il-janneh balā nās mā btindās/
أﺑﻮ ﺟﺒﺮان ﻣﺴﻚ ﺣﺮاﻣﻲ ﺑﺒﯿﺘﮫ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﻮﻣﯿﻦ وﺟﻠﺪه ﺑﺪن ﻣﺮﺗﺐ!
Equivalent: The more the merrier/ The more people there are, the better or more enjoyable a situation or
ﺴﺎس ﺟﻠﺪه رﻗﯿﻖ ← ﺟﻠﺪه ﺣ ّ
place will be.
/jild-uh ḥassās/ ← /jild-uh ragīg/
Example:
Equivalent: Have thin/sensitive skin.
ﻣﻠّﯿﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻐﺮﺑﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﺣﺪا وﺣﺎس ﺣﺎﻟﻲ ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻲ! ﯾﺎ رﯾﺖ ﻓﻲ إﻟﻲ ﻗﺮاﯾﺐ أو أﺻﺤﺎب ھﻮن ﻷﻧّﮫ اﻟﺠﻨﺔ ﺑﻼ ﻧﺎس ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻨﺪاس!
ﺟﻨﺔ ﷲ ﺑﺎﻷرض
Example:
ﻻ ﺗﺴﺘﻌﻤﻠﻲ ﺷﺎﻣﺒﻮ اﻟﻜﺒﺎر ﻹﺑﻨﻚ اﻟﺮﺿﯿﻊ! ﺣﺮام ﺟﻠﺪه ﺑﻜﻮن ﺴﺎس! رﻗﯿﻖ وﺣ ّ
ﺟﻠﺪه روﯾﻢ ← ﻣﺘﻤﺴﺢ /jannit Allah b-il-’arḍ/
/mtamsiḥ/ ← /jild-uh rawīm/
Equivalent: Paradise on earth.
Equivalent: Thick-skinned/ Not easily hurt or affected
Example:
by criticism.
رﺣﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺗﺮﻛﯿﺎ ھﺬا اﻟﺼﯿﻒ! ﯾﺎ ﻣﺎ أﺣﻼھﺎ! ﺟﻨﺔ ﷲ ﺑﺎﻷرض!
اﻟﺠﻮع ﻛﺎﻓﺮ
Example:
اﻟﯿﻮم اﻷﺳﺘﺎذ ﺑﮭﺪل اﻧﺲ ﺑﮭﺪﻟﺔ ﻣﺮﺗﺒﺔ ﻷﻧّﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎﻣﻞ واﺟﺒﺎﺗﮫ وﻷﻧّﮫ رﺳﺐ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن اﻷﺧﯿﺮ ﺑﺲ اﻧﺲ ﻛﺎن ﻣﺘﻤﺴﺢ وﻻ إھﺘﻢ ﻟﻸﺳﺘﺎذ! ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﺟﻠﺪه روﯾﻢ!
/il-jū‘ kāfir/
Equivalent: A hungry man is an angry man/ A hungry
ﺟﻤﻞ ← ﺻﺎروخ
belly has no ears.
/ṣārūkh/ ← /jamal/
Example:
Equivalent: Stone fox/ The body beautiful/ An ideal of
زﻛﻲ :ر ّﻛﺰ ﻣﻌﻲ ﺷﻮي ﯾﺎ ھﺎدي! ﺑﻌﺮف إﻧّﻚ ﺟﻮﻋﺎن وﺗﻌﺒﺎن ﺑﺲ ھﯿﻨﺎ ﻗ ّﺮﺑﻨﺎ ﻧﺨﻠﺺ اﻟﻮاﺟﺐ! ﺑﻄّﻞ ﻋﺼﺒﯿّﺔ! ھﺎدي :ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎدر أر ّﻛﺰ! اﻟﺠﻮع ﻛﺎﻓﺮ!
ﺟﯿﻞ ﺑﻌﺒﻊ /jīl ba‘ba‘/
physical beauty/ A hot woman. Example:
ﻋﺎﺻﻢ :ﺷﻮف ﯾﺎ ﺻﺎﺑﺮ ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺟﺎﯾﺔ ﺷﻮ ﺣﻠﻮة! ﺻﺎﺑﺮ :اووووو ھﺎي ﺟﻤﻞ! ﺻﺎروخ! ﺑﺘﺠﻨﻦ!
اﻟﺠﻤﻞ ﺑﻌﺮج ﻣﻦ إذﻧﮫ
Equivalent: Old head on young shoulders/ Out of the
/il-jamal bu‘ruj min ’idhn-uh/
mouth of babes and sucklings.
Equivalent: Shirker/ Skiver/ Malingerer/ To find an
Example:
irrelevant excuse to avoid doing something you have
ﺴﮫ أم ﺧﺎﻟﺪ :أوﻻد ھﺎﻷﯾّﺎم ﺷﯿﺎطﯿﻦ وﻣﺶ ﻣﺜﻞ أوﻻد زﻣﺎن! ھ ّ ﺑﺘﻼﻗﯿﮭﻢ ﺑﺤﻜﻮ وﺑﻨﺎﻗﺸﻮ زي اﻟﻜﺒﺎر وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻘﺪرﯾﻠﮭﻢ! أم زﯾﺪون :آه وﷲ ھﺎﻟﺠﯿﻞ ﺟﯿﻞ ﺑﻌﺒﻊ!
been asked to do. Example:
اﻷم :ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﯾﺎ رﺑﻰ إﺳﻘﻲ اﻟﻮردات اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻠﻜﻮﻧﺔ.
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺤﺎء
Example:
رﺟﺎ :ﺷﻮ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎرف ﺑﻜﺮة اﻹﻧﺘﺨﺎﺑﺎت وﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف إذا أﺑﻮ وﻟﯿﺪ وﻋﯿﻠﺘﮫ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﺼﻮﺗﻮﻟﻲ؟ ﻋﺎرف :ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ واط ّﻤﻦ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ! ﺣﺎطﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﯿﺒﺔ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮة.
ﺣﺎط أﺑﻄﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ أﺑﻄﮫ /ḥāṭṭ ’ubṭ-ak ‘alā ’ubṭ-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. You are putting your armpit on his armpit/ Thick as thieves/ To be a close friend to someone and very loyal and faithful to him or her.
ﺣﺎطﮫ ﺑﯿﻦ زﯾﻘﮫ ورﯾﻘﮫ
Example: /ḥāṭṭ-uh bēn zīg-uh w-rīg-uh/
Equivalent: Tuck something away/ Hide something away/ To keep and hide something carefully in a safe place because it is important or precious.
أم راﺋﺪ :وﯾﻦ راﺋﺪ راح؟ أﺑﻮ راﺋﺪ :طﻠﻊ ﻣﻊ ﺧﻠﺪون. أم راﺋﺪ :ﻧﻔﺴﻲ أﻓﮭﻢ ﺷﻮ ھﺎﻟﺼﺤﺒﺔ! وﻟﯿﺶ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﺣﺎط أﺑﻄﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ أﺑﻂ ﺧﻠﺪون!
Example:
ﻣﺮاد :وﯾﻦ راﯾﺢ ﯾﺎ ﻓﮭﺪ؟ ﻓﮭﺪ :ﺑﺪّي أروح أﺳﺘﻌﯿﺮ ﻣﻦ ﺧﺎﻟﺪ ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﮫ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋ ّﻤﮫ ً أﺻﻼ! ﺟﺎﺑﻠﮫ إﯾﺎه ھﺪﯾﺔ! ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﻲ ﺧﺮب وﺧﺎﻟﺪ ﻋﻨﺪه واﺣﺪ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ ﻣﺮاد :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻈﻦ ﯾﻘﺒﻞ ﯾﻌﯿﺮك اﻟﺘﻠﻔﻮن! ھﺎﻟﺘﻠﻔﻮن ﺣﺪﯾﺚ وﺳﻌﺮه ﻏﺎﻟﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! وﺧﺎﻟﺪ ﺣﺎطّﮫ ﺑﯿﻦ زﯾﻘﮫ ورﯾﻘﮫ! طﻠﺒﺘﮫ ﻣﻨﮫ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﻌﻄﯿﻨﻲ إﯾﺎه! ﻟﺬﻟﻚ رﯾّﺢ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ وﻻ ﺗﻄﻠﺐ ﻣﻨﮫ إﺷﻲ!
ﺣﺎﻛﻤﮭﺎ ﺣﻜﻢ اﻟﮭﺪھﺪ
ﺣﺎط إذﻧﮫ ﻋﻨﺪي /ḥāṭṭ ’idhn-uh ‘indī/
Equivalent: Literal. He is putting his ear at me/ Someone’s ears are flapping. Example:
ﻧﻮرا :ﻣﺎ ﺧﺒّﺮﺗﯿﻨﻲ ﻋﻦ اﻟﺸﺐ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺗﻌ ّﺮﻓﺘﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ! ﻏﺪﯾﺮ :اﺳﻜﺘﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻧﻮرا ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﺑﺨﺒﺮك! أﺧﻮي ﻣﻌﺎذ ﺣﺎط إذﻧﮫ ﻋﻨﺪي!
/ḥākim-hā ḥukum il-hudhud/
Equivalent: To rule someone with a rod of
ﺣﺎط ﺧﺸﻮﻣﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﻤﺎ
iron/ To be under the influence and control of
/ḥāṭṭ khshūm-uh b-il-samā/
someone.
Equivalent: Literal. Someone is putting his or her
Example:
nose in the sky/ Nose in the air/ Arrogant/ Someone
أم ﻓﺘﺤﻲ :ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﮭﻤﻮﻣﺔ وزﻋﻼﻧﺔ ﯾﺎ أم ﻓﮭﻤﻲ؟ أم ﻓﮭﻤﻲ :ﺑﻨﺘﻲ ﺳﻤﺎھﺮ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺒﺴﻮطﺔ ﻣﻊ ﺟﻮزھﺎ! ﺣﺎﻛﻤﮭﺎ ﺣﻜﻢ اﻟﮭﺪھﺪ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺨﻠﯿﮭﺎ ﺗﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ وﻻ ﺗﻌﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ إﻻ ﺑـﺄﻣﺮه!
ﺣﺎﻟﺔ ﻣﯿﺆوس ﻣﻨﮭﺎ /ḥāleh may’ūs min-hā/
who is mockingly proud of him or herself. Example:
وداد :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﯿﺮﻓﺖ داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺣﺎطﮫ ﺧﺸﻮﻣﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﻤﺎ؟ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻮ ﺷﺎﯾﻔﺔ ﺣﺎﻟﮭﺎ؟ راﻣﺎ :اﻧﺪاري ﻋﻨﮭﺎ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ اﺗﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ واﻟﻜﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺒﮭﺎ!
ﺣﺎط ﻧﻘﺮك ﻣﻦ ﻧﻘﺮه
Equivalent: Hopeless (at doing something).
/ḥāṭṭ nigr-ak min nigr-uh/
Example:
Equivalent: Lock horns with someone/ Disagree with
أم ﺟﮭﺎد :وﷲ إﻧّﮫ اﺑﻨﻲ ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﺔ ﻣﯿﺆوس ﻣﻨﮭﺎ! ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ وﻻ ﺑﺄي إﺷﻲ ﺛﺎﻧﻲ!
someone. Example:
ﻣﺴﻌﻮد :وﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﻣﻌﻚ ﯾﺎ وﺿﺎح ﻷﻣﯿﺖ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻀﻞ ﺣﺎط ﻧﻘﺮك ﻣﻦ ﻧﻘﺮ ﺟﻤﺎل! ﻛﺒّﺮ ﻋﻘﻠﻚ ﯾﺎ رﺟﻞ!
ﺣﺎﻣﯿﮭﺎ ﺣﺮاﻣﯿﮭﺎ /ḥāmī-hā ḥarāmī-hā/
Equivalent: Literal. Its protector is its thief/ To
ﺣﺎطﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﯿﺒﺔ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮة
appoint the fox to guard the chickens.
/ḥāṭṭ-uh b-il-jēbeh il-zaghīreh/
Example:
Equivalent: To put someone in one’s pocket/ In
أﺑﻮ ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ آﺧﺮ ﺧﺒﺮ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺷﺎھﯿﻦ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺷﺎھﯿﻦ :ﻻ وﷲ! ﺷﻮ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ؟
the bag/ To have someone at your beck and call/ Completely under your control.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺤﺎء Example:
ﺻﺒﺤﻲ :ﻟﯿﺶ واﻓﻘﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺮوط ﺳﻠﻤﺎن ووﻗﻌﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻷوراق؟ ﺳﻔﯿﺎن :ﯾﺎ ﺧﻮي ﻛﻠﮫ ﺣﻜﻲ ﻓﺎﺿﻲ وﻣﺠﺮد ﺣﺒﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ ورق. ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ!
ﺣﻂ إدﯾﻚ وإﺟﺮﯾﻚ ﺑﻤﯿّﮫ ﺑﺎردة
أﺑﻮ ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :أﺑﻮ ﺣﺎﻣﺪ ﺣﻂ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﺑﺈﺳﻢ اﺑﻨﮫ ﺣﺎﻣﺪ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺤﻤﯿﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﺮاﯾﺐ! ﺑﺲ اﺑﻨﮫ اﺳﺘﻐﻞ اﻟﻔﺮﺻﺔ وأﺧﺬھﺎ إﻟﮫ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﺷﺎھﯿﻦ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ طﻠﻊ ﺣﺎﻣﯿﮭﺎ ﺣﺮاﻣﯿﮭﺎ!
اﻟﺤﺎﻣﻲ ﯾﺤﻤﻲ ﻧﻔﺴﮫ
/ḥuṭṭ ’idīk w-’ijrīk b-mayyeh bārdeh/
/il-ḥāmī yiḥmī nafs-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. Put your hands and legs in cold
Equivalent: Cover yourself/ To take action to protect
water/ Set your mind at ease/ Put your mind to rest/
yourself against problems.
Do not worry.
Example:
Example:
ﺟﻼل :ﺳﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ ﯾﺎ اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ! وأﻧﺎ ﺳﺎﯾﻖ ﺳﯿﺎرة أﺑﻮي ﻛﺴﺮت اﻟﻤﺮاﯾﺔ اﻟﺠﺎﻧﺒﯿﺔ! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ؟ ﺴﮫ اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ :ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ وﺣﻂ إدﯾﻚ وإﺟﺮﯾﻚ ﺑﻤﯿّﮫ ﺑﺎردة! ھ ّ ﺑﺼﻠﺤﮭﺎ وﻛﺄﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺻﺎرﻟﮭﺎ إﺷﻲ.
ﺑﺪر :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺑﻠّﺶ اﻟﺘﺤﻘﯿﻖ ﺑﻘﻀﯿﺔ اﻹﺧﺘﻼس اﻟﻜﺒﺮى اﻟﻠﻲ ﺻﺎرت ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻨﻚ! واﻟﻤﻮظﻔﯿﻦ ﻗﻠﻘﺎﻧﯿﻦ ﻹﻧّﮫ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﺣﻜﺎﻟﮭﻢ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻘﻀﯿﺔ ﻛﺒﯿﺮة واﻟﻤﺘﻮرطﯿﻦ ﻛﺜﺎر واﻟﺤﺎﻣﻲ ﯾﺤﻤﻲ ﻧﻔﺴﮫ!
ﺣﺎول ﻛﻞ اﻟﻄﺮق /ḥāwil kull il-ṭurug/
ﺣﻂ ﺑﺒﻄﻨﻚ ﺑﻄﯿﺨﺔ ﺻﯿﻔﻲ
Equivalent: To leave no stone unturned. /ḥuṭṭ bi-baṭn-ak baṭīkhah ṣēfī/
Equivalent: Bet your bottom dollar. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﯾﻮﻧﺲ :ﺣﻂ ﺑﺒﻄﻨﻚ ﺑﻄﯿﺨﺔ ﺻﯿﻔﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺮاد! ﺧﺒّﺮﻧﻲ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ إﻧّﻚ إﻧﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ رح ﺗﺴﺘﻠﻢ إدارة اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺘﻘﺎﻋﺪ.
Example:
ﺳﻤﯿﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺷﻔﺖ اﻟﻤﺤﺎﻣﻲ وﺧﺒّﺮﻧﻲ إﻧّﮫ رح ﯾﺤﺎول ﻛﻞ اﻟﻄﺮق ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪﻧﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﻘﻀﯿﺔ وﻧﻜﺴﺒﮭﺎ.
ﺣﺎﯾﺺ ﻻﯾﺺ /ḥāyiṣ lāyiṣ/
ﺣﻂ ﺛﻮﺑﮫ ﺑﺎﺳﻨﺎﻧﮫ وﻓﻞ
Equivalent: Puzzled and restless/ Like a cat on a hot /ḥaṭṭ thōb-uh b-isnān-uh w-fall/
tin roof or on hot bricks/ Very agitated or anxious.
Equivalent: To run away at great speed.
Example:
Example:
ﺑﺴﺎم :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺘﻀﺤﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻏﺴﺎن؟ ﻏﺴﺎن :ﺑﻀﺤﻚ ﻷﻧّﻲ ﺗﺬ ّﻛﺮت ﻛﯿﻒ ﻟﯿﺚ ﺣﻂ ﺛﻮﺑﮫ ﺑﺎﺳﻨﺎﻧﮫ وﻓﻞ ﻟﻤﺎ ﺷﺎف اﻟﺒﻨﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﺎن أﺑﻮه ﺑﻨﺼﺤﮫ ﯾﺨﻄﺒﮭﺎ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻣﺼﺎري أﺑﻮھﺎ وورﺛﺘﮭﺎ! ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﺑﺸﻌﺔ!
ﻣﺆﻣﻦ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎدل ﺣﺎﯾﺺ ﻻﯾﺺ؟ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻘﻌﺪ وﺗﮭﺪى! ﻋﺎدل :ﻗﻠﻘﺎن ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻷﻧّﮫ ﻧﺘﺎﺋﺞ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت ﺑﺘﻄﻠﻊ اﻟﯿﻮم!
ﺣﺒﺎﻟﮫ طﻮﯾﻠﺔ /ḥbāl-uh ṭawīleh/
Equivalent: Literal. His ropes are long/ This is said of
ﺣﻂ اﻟﺤﻖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ
someone who takes a long time to get anything done, /ḥaṭṭ il-ḥagg ‘alēh/
someone who is very laid-back and unhurried.
Equivalent: Finger-pointing/ Blame it on him/ Pass
Example:
the buck. Example:
ﻟﻤﺎ ﺗﮭﺎوش وﺿﺎح ﻣﻊ وﻟﯿﺪ اﻟﺸﺮطﺔ ﺣﻄّﺖ اﻟﺤﻖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﻣﻊ إﻧّﮫ وﻟﯿﺪ ﺑﻠّﺶ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ!
ﺣﻂ راﺳﻚ ﺑﯿﻦ ھﺎﻟﺮوس وﻗﻮل ﯾﺎ ﻗﻄّﺎع اﻟﺮوس
ﻓﮭﺪ :اﺣﻤﺪ ﺟﻨﻨﻲ ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ! اﻟﻨﯿﺔ ﯾﺸﺎرﻛﻨﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺸﺮوع وﺑﻌﺪه ﻣﺶ رادﻟﻲ ﺧﺒﺮ! ﯾﺰن :ﻓﻜﻚ ﻣﻨﮫ وإﻧﺴﻰ ﻣﻮﺿﻮﻋﮫ! ھﺬا ﺣﺒﺎﻟﮫ طﻮﯾﻠﺔ!
ﺣﺒﺘﮫ ﻗﻠﯿﻠﺔ /ḥabt-uh galīleh/
/ḥuṭṭ rās-ak bēn h-al-rūs w-gūl yā gaṭṭā‘ il-rūs/
Equivalent: Small, thin and skinny person/ Tiny person.
Equivalent: Follow the crowd.
Example:
Example:
ﺣﺎﻣﺪ :اﻟﻤﻮظﻔﯿﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﺑﻌﺪھﻢ ﻋﺎﻣﻠﯿﻦ إﺿﺮاب ﻋﺸﺎن ﺑﺪھﻢ اﻟﺮواﺗﺐ ﺗﺰﯾﺪ! وﷲ ﻣﻨﺎ ﻋﺎرف ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ! ﺧﺎﯾﻒ إذا ﻋﻤﻠﺖ زﯾﮭﻢ ﯾﻄﺮدوﻧﻲ ﻣﻦ وظﯿﻔﺘﻲ وھﻲ ﻣﺼﺪر رزﻗﻲ اﻟﻮﺣﯿﺪ! ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎﺑﺪ؟ ﻋﺎﺑﺪ :ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ ﺣﻂ راﺳﻚ ﺑﯿﻦ ھﺎﻟﺮوس وﻗﻮل ﯾﺎ ﻗﻄّﺎع اﻟﺮوس! وﺧﻠّﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺼﯿﺮ ﯾﺼﯿﺮ.
ﻣﮭﺎ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻋﻔﺎف رﻓﻀﺖ اﻟﻌﺮﯾﺲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺗﻘﺪّﻣﻠﮭﺎ؟ ﻧﻮر :ﻣﺎ ﻋﺠﺒﮭﺎ! ﺑﺘﻘﻮل إﻧّﮫ ﺣﺒﺘﮫ ﻗﻠﯿﻠﺔ!
ﺣﺒﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ ورق /ḥibir ‘alā warag/
Equivalent: Of no value/ Not worth the paper it’s written on.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
اﻟﻮﻟﺪ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺳﻜﺖ! أﺧﻮي ﺿﺮﺑﻨﻲ وﺑﺪّي أﺿﺮﺑﮫ وأﺑﮭﺪﻟﮫ ﻛﻤﺎن! اﻻب :اﺳﻜﺖ ﯾﺎ وﻟﺪ وﺣﻂ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻚ ﺑﺤﻠﻘﻚ! ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻞ أدب.
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ﺣﻂ راﺳﮫ ﺑﺮاﺳﮫ /ḥaṭṭ rās-uh b-rās-uh/
Equivalent: Whisper about someone or something. Example:
ﺣﻂ اﻟﻨﻘﻂ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺮوف /ḥuṭṭ il-nugaṭ ‘alā il-ḥurūf/
Equivalent: Literal. Put the dots on the letters/ To
اﻋﺘﺪال :طﻮل ﻧﮭﺎرك ﯾﺎ أﻣﺎﻧﻲ ﺣﺎطﮫ راﺳﻚ ﺑﺮاس ﻣﻨﺘﮭﻰ! ﻧﻔﺴﻲ أﻓﮭﻢ ﻋﻦ ﻣﯿﻦ أوﻋﻦ ﺷﻮ ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻦ؟ وﺷﻮ ھﺎﻷﺳﺮار اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﯿﻨﻜﻦ!
clarify something in order to make everything crystal clear and precise.
ﺣﻂ ﻋﻘﻠﻚ ﺑﺮاﺳﻚ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف ﺧﻼﺻﻚ
Example:
وردة :ﺷﻮ ﯾﺎ ﺧﻠﯿﻞ إﯾﻤﺘﻰ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﯿﺠﻲ ﺗﺨﻄﺒﻨﻲ ﻣﻦ أھﻠﻲ؟ ﺧﻠﺺ ﻻزم ﺗﺤﻂ اﻟﻨﻘﻂ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺮوف وﺗﺒﻄّﻞ ﺗﺄﺟﻞ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع. ﺧﻠﯿﻞ :إن ﺷﺎ ﺧﯿﺮ ﯾﺎ وردة.
ﺣﻄﮫ ﺑﺨﺎﻧﺔ اﻟﯿَﻚ
/ḥuṭṭ ‘agl-ak b-rās-ak bti‘rif khalāṣ-ak/
Equivalent: Think something through. Example:
أﻣﺠﺪ :ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف إذا ﻻزم أﺳﺘﻘﯿﻞ ﻣﻦ وظﯿﻔﺘﻲ اﻟﺤﺎﻟﯿﺔ ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ أوﻗّﻊ اﻟﻌﻘﺪ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة! ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﯾﺎ ھﺎﻧﻲ؟ ھﺎﻧﻲ :وﷲ ﺣﻂ ﻋﻘﻠﻚ ﺑﺮاﺳﻚ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف ﺧﻼﺻﻚ.
/ḥaṭṭ-uh bi-khānit il-yak/
Equivalent: Over a barrel/ Up a tree/ In a very difficult
ﺣﻂ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺠﺮح ﻣﻠﺢ
situation without escape or choice.
/ḥaṭṭ ‘alā il-jariḥ miliḥ/
Example:
Equivalent: Rubbing salts in or into the wounds.
أم ﺑﺮﻛﺎت :أﺑﻮ ﺧﺎﻟﺪ ﺣﻄﻨﺎ ﺑﺨﺎﻧﺔ اﻟﯿّﻚ! ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﯾﺨﻠﯿﻨﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻘﺔ ﺗﺎ ﻧﻼﻗﻲ ﺷﻘﺔ ﺟﺪﯾﺪة ﻧﺴﻜﻦ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ! ﻟﻮ أﻋﻄﺎﻧﺎ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ وﻗﺖ ﻛﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺿﺎﯾﻘﻨﺎ! ﺑﺲ ﻗﺎل ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺠ ّﻮز اﺑﻨﮫ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ اﻟﺸﮭﺮ ﯾﺄﺟﺮھﺎ! وإﺣﻨﺎ ﺑﻮرطﺔ وﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﻌﺮف ﻛﯿﻒ اﻟﺠﺎي وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ّ ﻧﺤﻠﮭﺎ! أم ﻣﻨﺬر :ﺑﺘﻔﺮج إن ﺷﺎ .
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻧﺰال :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻗﻠﺘﻲ ﻷﺧﺘﻚ أم ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ إﻧﮭﺎ اﻟﺴﺒﺐ ﺑﻄﻼق ﺑﻨﺘﮭﺎ؟ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﯿﮫ .ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺘﻀﻠﻲ ﺗﻠﻮﻣﯿﮭﺎ وﺗﺤﻄﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺠﺮح ﻣﻠﺢ؟ ﻣﺎاﻟﻠﻲ ﺻﺎر ﺻﺎر! أم ﻧﺰال :ﻣﻦ ﻗﮭﺮي ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﻨﺖ وﷲ!
ﺣﻂ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ دم ﻗﻠﺒﮫ
ﺣﻄﮫ ﺑﻌﯿﻮﻧﮫ ← أﺧﺬه ﺗﺤﺖ ﺟﻨﺎﺣﮫ
/ḥaṭṭ ‘alēh damm galb-uh/
/’akhadh-uh taḥt jnāḥ-uh/ ← /ḥaṭṭ-uh bi-‘yūn-uh/
Equivalent: Pay out/ Break the bank/ To pay or cost an
Equivalent: To take someone under one’s wing/ To
arm and a leg.
stick up for someone/ To protect someone and take
Example:
care of him or her. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺿﺎﺣﻲ زﻟﻤﺔ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ وﻏﺎﻧﻢ! ﺑﺲ ﺷﺎف اﻟﻮﻟﺪ اﻟﻼﺟﺊ اﻟﯿﺘﯿﻢ ﺣﺰن ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وﻗ ّﺮر ﯾﻮﺧﺬه ﺗﺤﺖ ﺟﻨﺎﺣﮫ وﯾﺮﻋﺎه! ﻋﺎﻣﻠﮫ زي أوﻻده وﺣﻄّﮫ ﺑﻌﯿﻮﻧﮫ! ﷲ ﯾﻜﺜّﺮ ﻣﻦ أﻣﺜﺎﻟﮫ وﯾﻜﺜّﺮ ﺧﯿﺮه.
أم ﺗﺎﻣﺮ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ أﺑﻮ وﻟﯿﺪ! اﺑﻨﮫ ﻓﺸﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﺪراﺳﺔ ﺑ ّﺮا ورﺟﻊ ﺑﺪون ﺷﮭﺎدة! أﺑﻮ ﺗﺎﻣﺮ :ﷲ ﯾﻜﻮن ﺑﻌﻮﻧﮫ! ﺣﻂ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ دم ﻗﻠﺒﮫ وﺑﺎﻵﺧﺮ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻧﺘﯿﺠﺔ!
ﺣﻂ ﻋﯿﻨﻚ ﺑﻌﯿﻨﻲ /ḥuṭṭ ‘ēn-ak b-‘ēn-ī/
ﺣﻄﻄﮫ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﻮﻗﮫ واﻟﻠﻲ ﺗﺤﺘﮫ
Equivalent: Look someone in the eye.
/ḥaṭṭaṭ-uh illī fōg-uh w-illī taḥt-uh/
Equivalent: To make someone go bankrupt/ To make someone completely run out of money and other
Example:
ﻟﯿﻨﺎ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﺖ ﻣﻊ ﻣﺪﯾﺮة اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ وﻗﺪّﻣﺖ اﺳﺘﻘﺎﻟﺘﻲ! ارﯾﺞ :ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ ﺟﺪ؟ ﺣﻄّﻲ ﻋﯿﻨﻚ ﺑﻌﯿﻨﻲ!
assets.
أم ﯾﺎﺳﻤﯿﻦ :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﻘﺎﺿﻲ ﺣﻜﻢ ﻷﻣﺎﻧﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻨﻔﻘﺔ إﻟﮭﺎ وﻷوﻻدھﺎ واﻟﻤﺤﺎﻣﻲ ﺧﺒّﺮھﺎ إﻧّﮫ رح ﯾﺤﻄّﻂ ﺟﻮزھﺎ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﻮﻗﮫ واﻟﻠﻲ ﺗﺤﺘﮫ! أم ادرﯾﺲ :ﺑﺴﺘﺎھﻞ وﷲ! ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻨﮫ ﺗﻌﺬﺑﺖ ﺑﺴﺒﺒﮫ وﺗﺒﮭﺪﻟﺖ.
ﺣﻂ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻚ ﺑﺤﻠﻘﻚ /ḥuṭṭ lsān-ak b-ḥalg-ak/
Equivalent: Shut up/ Do not talk. Example:
اﻻب :ﻟﯿﺶ ﯾﺎ أوﻻد ﺻﻮﺗﻜﻮ طﺎﻟﻊ؟ اﻟﺠﯿﺮان ﺳﻤﻌﻮﻛﻮ وإﻧﺘﻮ ﺗﺘﮭﺎوﺷﻮ!
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺤﺎء
ﺣﻄﮭﺎ ﺑﺪﻣﺎﻏﮫ ← ﺣﻂ راﺳﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ
ﺣ ّﺮار ﻓﺘﻨﻲ /ḥarrār fatanī/
/ḥaṭṭ rās-uh b-il – shaghlah/ ← /ḥaṭ-hā b-dmāgh-uh/
Equivalent: Tattletale/ Informer.
Equivalent: To put your mind to something.
Example:
Example:
ﺗﺎﻣﺮ :إﻧﺖ ﻣﺘﺄﻛﺪ ﯾﺎ ﺟﺎد إﻧّﮫ ﺑﺮاء ﺑﻘﺪر ﯾﺼﻠﺢ اﻟﺴﯿﺎرة! ﺟﺎد :ﻣﻌﺮوف ﻋﻦ ﺑﺮاء إﻧّﮫ إذا ﺣﻂ راﺳﮫ ﺑﺸﻐﻠﺔ ﺑﻌﻤﻠﮭﺎ ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ.
ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻣﺎﻣﺎ! ﻣﺎﻣﺎ! أﺧﻮي رﻋﺪ ﻛﺴﺮ اﻟﻜﺎس ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻄﺒﺦ! رﻋﺪ :ﯾﺎ ﺣ ّﺮار ﯾﺎ ﻓﺘﻨﻲ! اﻧﻜﺴﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻐﻠﻂ!
ﺣﺮام ﻋﻠﯿﻚ /ḥarām ‘alēk/
ﺣﻄﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺮف
Equivalent: Shame on you.
/ḥaṭṭ-uh ‘alā il-ruff/
Example:
Equivalent: Literal. To put it on the shelf/ To put it on
ﺴﮫ ﺑﺪّه اﻷم :ﻟﯿﺶ رﺳﻤﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ واﺟﺐ أﺧﻮك ﯾﺎ ﺳﻌﯿﺪ؟ ھ ّ ﯾﻌﯿﺪه ﻛﻠﮫ ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ! أﺧﺬ ﺳﺎﻋﺘﯿﻦ ﺗﺎ ﻛ ّﻤﻠﮫ! ﺣﺮام ﻋﻠﯿﻚ!
ice/ To delay doing something like a plan or project for future. Example:
ﺣﺮك /ḥirik/
Equivalent: Full of beans/ Energetic and lively/ Peppy.
ﻣﻌﺎذ :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﺑﻤﺸﺮوع ﺳﻔﺮك ﻟﻠﺪراﺳﺔ؟ ﻗﺼﻲ :اﻵن ﺣﻄﯿﺖ اﻟﻤﺸﺮوع ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺮف ﻷﻧّﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﻲ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻛﻔﺎﯾﺔ.
Example:
أم ﻋﺮﻓﺎت :ﻛﯿﻔﻚ ﯾﺎ أم ﺳﺎﻣﻲ؟ وﯾﻦ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺒّﯿﻨﻲ؟ أم ﺳﺎﻣﻲ :أوﻻدي ﻣﺠﻨّﻨﯿﻨﻲ وﻣﻐﻠﺒﯿﻨﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ أطﻠﻊ ﻣﻌﮭﻢ ﻻﻧﮭﻢ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺣﺮﻛﯿﻦ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮﻓﻮ ﯾﻘﻌﺪو ﺑﻤﻜﺎن وﻻ ﯾﮭﺪو.
ﺣﻄﮫ وﺟﮫ ﻣﺪﻓﻊ /ḥaṭṭ-uh wijih midfa‘/
Equivalent: Take the rap for something/ To be punished or blamed for something another person
ﺣﺴﺐ اﻻﺻﻮل
has done and is not your fault. /ḥasab il-’uṣūl/
Equivalent: In accordance with basic social principles/ According to the rules.
Example:
ﻋﻠﻲ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻲ ﻣﻨﺼﻮر! أﺑﻮه و ّرطﮫ ﻣﻌﮫ ﺑﻘﻀﯿﺔ اﻹﺧﺘﻼس! وﺣﻄﮫ وﺟﮫ ﻣﺪﻓﻊ ﻛﻤﺎن!
Example:
رأﻓﺖ :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﺧﻠّﺼﺖ دورة اﻟﻜﻤﺒﯿﻮﺗﺮ وإﺟﺘﺰت اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت اﻟﻤﻄﻠﻮﺑﺔ ﻟﻠﺘﺮﻗﯿﺔ اﻟﻮظﯿﻔﯿﺔ وﻛﻠّﮫ ﺣﺴﺐ اﻷﺻﻮل.
ﺣﺒﻞ اﻟﻜﺬب ﻗﺼﯿﺮ /ḥabl il-kidhib gaṣīr/
Equivalent: Literal. The rope of lies is short/ A lie has
ﺣﻄّﻢ آﻣﺎﻟﮫ
no legs to stand on. Example:
/ḥaṭṭam ’āmāl-uh/
Equivalent: Dash one’s hopes/ Ruin someone’s hopes. Example:
ﻋﻮض :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﻨ ّﻜﺪ اﻟﯿﻮم ﯾﺎ ﺻﺒﺤﻲ؟ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﻣﻌﻚ إﺷﻲ ﻻ ﺳﻤﺢ ﷲ؟ ﺻﺒﺤﻲ :أﺑﻮي ﺣﻄّﻢ آﻣﺎﻟﻲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ رﻓﺾ ﺳﻔﺮي ﻷﻣﺮﯾﻜﺎ ﻋﺸﺎن أﻛ ّﻤﻞ دراﺳﺘﻲ وأﺷﺘﻐﻞ.
ﺣﻈﮫ ﺑﻔﻠﻖ اﻟﺼﺨﺮ
رﻧﺎ :أﻧﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺘﻀﺎﯾﻘﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﺘﻲ ﻧﺪى! ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﺘﻮرطﻨﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ! ﺑﺘﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﻘﺎﻟﺐ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻌﻠﻤﺎت واﻟﻄﺎﻟﺒﺎت وﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ إﻧّﮫ أﻧﺎ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻌﻤﻠﮭﻦ! واﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﺼﺪّﻗﮭﺎ! ﺟﻮري :ﻣﺎ ﺗﺨﺎﻓﻲ ﯾﺎ رﻧﺎ اﻟﺤﻖ ﺑﺒﺎن ﺑﺎﻵﺧﺮ ﻷﻧّﮫ ﺣﺒﻞ اﻟﻜﺬب داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﻗﺼﯿﺮ!
ﺣﺒﯿﺐ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ /ḥabīb galb-i/
/ḥadhdh-uh biflig il-ṣakhur/
Equivalent: My nearest and dearest/ This expression is
Equivalent: Have the luck of the devil/ To luck out.
said to one’s close relative or friend.
Example:
Example:
ﻣﺤﻤﻮد :وﷲ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺎرس إﻧّﮫ ﺣﻈّﻚ ﺑﻔﻠﻖ اﻟﺼﺨﺮ! إﻧﺖ اﻟﻮﺣﯿﺪ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺣﺼﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻨﺤﺔ اﻟﺪراﺳﯿﺔ ﻟﺒﺮﯾﻄﺎﻧﯿﺎ! ﻓﺎرس :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ !
اﻻﺑﻦ :ﺑﺎﺑﺎ! أﻧﺎ ﻛ ّﻤﻠﺖ اﻟﻮاﺟﺐ زي ﻣﺎ ﺣﻜﯿﺘﻠﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي ﺗﺰﻋﻞ ﻣﻨﻲ. اﻷم :إﻧﺖ ﺣﺒﯿﺐ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ﯾﺎ اﺑﻨﻲ وأﻧﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻓﺨﻮرة ﻓﯿﻚ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺣﻜﻠﻲ ﺗﺎ أﺣﻜﻠﻚ
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ﺣﻈﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻤﺎ /ḥuk-lī tā ’aḥuk-l-ak/
/ḥadhdh-uh min il-samā/
Equivalent: You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.
Equivalent: Born under a lucky star.
Example:
Example:
ﺻﺎﺑﺮ :ﻋﺎدل ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ﺧﺪﻣﺔ ﻟﺤﺪا ﺑﺒﻼش! ﺑﺪّه ﻣﻘﺎﺑﻞ! ﻋﺪﻧﺎن :ﺷﺎﯾﻔﻠﻚ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻨﺎس ﺻﺎﯾﺮة ھﯿﻚ! ﺣﻜﻠﻲ ﺗﺎ أﺣﻜﻠﻚ!
ﺣﻜﻰ ﺑﺪري واﻧﺸﺮح ﺻﺪري /ḥakā badrī w-insharaḥ ṣidrī/
ﻣﮭﺎ :ﺳﻌﺎد اﻧﺨﻄﺒﺖ ﻟﺸﺎب ﻏﻨﻲ وﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﺣﻠﻮ! ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﻣﻦ ﯾﻮم ﯾﻮﻣﮭﺎ ﻣﺤﻈﻮظﺔ! ﺟﻤﯿﻠﺔ :ﻓﻌﻼ ً ﺣﻈﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻤﺎ! ﷲ ﯾﮭﻨﯿﮭﺎ!
ﺣﻔﺮ ﻗﺒﺮه ﺑﺈدﯾﮫ
Equivalent: Look who’s talking/ This is another way of
/ḥafar gabr-uh b-’īd-uh/
saying you shouldn’t talk.
Equivalent: Dig one’s own grave.
Example:
Example:
وﻟﯿﺪ :ﻣﺮﺗﻲ ﻏﻠّﺒﺘﻨﻲ واﻟﺤﯿﺎة ﻣﻌﮭﺎ ﺻﺎرت ﻻ ﺗﻄﺎق! ﻧﻜﺪ ﺑﻨﻜﺪ وﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺎﻟﻤ ّﻮال! أم وﻟﯿﺪ :اﺻﺒﺮ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ وﺑﺠﻮز ﺗﺘﻌﺪّل! ﻣﻔﯿﺪ :طﻠّﻘﮭﺎ ﯾﺎﺧﻮي ورﯾّﺢ راﺳﻚ! ھﺬا رأﯾﻲ! أﺑﻮ وﻟﯿﺪ :ﺣﻜﻰ ﺑﺪري واﻧﺸﺮح ﺻﺪري! ﺧﻠّﻲ رأﯾﻚ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻚ وﻻ ﺗﻨﺼﺢ أﺧﻮك ﺑﺈﺷﻲ!
ﺷﺮﯾﻒ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ أدھﻢ اﻋﺘﺮف ﻟﻠﺸﺮﻛﺔ إﻧّﮫ ھﻮ اﻟﺴﺒﺐ ﻟﺨﺴﺎرﺗﮭﻢ اﻟﻌﻄﺎء اﻟﻠﻲ ﺗﻌﺒﻮ وھﻢ ﯾﺤﻀﺮوﻟﮫ. ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :أوف! ﺟﺪ ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ؟ ھﺬا ﺣﻔﺮ ﻗﺒﺮه ﺑﺈﯾﺪﯾﮫ!
ﺣﻔﻆ ﻣﯿﺔ وﺟﮭﮫ /ḥifiḏ mayyit wijh-uh/
Equivalent: Save face.
اﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﺑﺒﻼش
Example: /il-ḥakī bi-balāsh/
Equivalent: Talk is cheap.
ﺟﻼل ﺣﻔﻆ ﻣﯿّﺔ وﺟﮭﮫ واﺳﺘﻘﺎل ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻧﺸﺮ ﻣﻘﺎل ﺑﻨﺘﻘﺪ ﻓﯿﮫ ﻣﺪﯾﺮه وﻣﻜﺎن ﺷﻐﻠﮫ!
Example:
ﻣﺮوان :ﺑﺲ أﺣﺼﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﻼوة رح أﺷﺘﺮﯾﻠﻚ اﻟﺴﺎﻋﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ طﻠﺒﺘﮭﺎ! ﻣﺴﻌﻮد :اﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﺑﺒﻼش! ﺻﺮت ﻣﺎﺧﺬ ﻋﻼوات اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ وﻣﺎ ﺷﻔﺖ ﻣﻨﻚ إﺷﻲ!
ﺣﻜﻲ ﻓﺎﺿﻲ ← ﺣﻜﯿﮫ ﻻ ﺑﻮدي وﻻ ﺑﺠﯿﺐ /ḥakyy-uh lā bi-waddī walā bijīb/ ← /ḥakī fāḏị̄ /
Equivalent: Talk nonsense/ Rubbish/ Talk that doesn’t
اﻟﺤﻖ ﺣﻖ /il-ḥagg ḥagg/
Equivalent: Fair is fair. Example:
أم ﻣﻮﻓﻖ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ أم ﺧﻠﺪون ﺑﺎﻋﺖ أرض وأﻋﻄﺖ اﻷوﻻد ﻛﻞ واﺣﺪ أﻟﻔﯿﻦ دﯾﻨﺎر وﺑﻨﺎﺗﮭﺎ زﻋﻠﻦ ﻹﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﺎ أﻋﻄﺘﮭﻦ إﺷﻲ! أم ﺗﺤﺴﯿﻦ :ﻣﻌﮭﻦ ﺣﻖ ﯾﺰﻋﻠﻦ! اﻟﺤﻖ ﺣﻖ ﻻزم أﻋﻄﺘﮭﻦ زي ﻣﺎ أﻋﻄﺖ أﺧﻮﺗﮭﻦ!
accomplish anything/ Useless talk. Example:
ﻓﺘﺤﻲ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﻔﺘﺤﻮ ﻓﺮع ﺟﺪﯾﺪ ﻟﻠﻤﻄﻌﻢ وﯾﻮظﻔﻮ ﻛﻞ ﺷﺒﺎب اﻟﻤﻨﻄﻘﺔ. رﻋﺪ :وإﻧﺖ ﻣﺼﺪّق ھﺎﻟﻘﺼﺔ! ﻛﻠّﮫ ﺣﻜﻲ ﻓﺎﺿﻲ!
اﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻋﺒﺚ /il-ḥakī ma‘-uh ‘abath/
Equivalent: Waste of breath/ Like talking to a brick wall. Example:
أم ﺟﻼل :ﻛﯿﻒ دراﺳﺔ اﺑﻨﻚ اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ؟ أم اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ :وﷲ ﻣﮭﻮ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ! ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﻣﺶ ﺑﺎﻟﺪراﺳﺔ وﺗﻌﺒﻨﺎ وإﺣﻨﺎ ﻧﻨﺼﺤﮫ! ﺑﺲ اﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻋﺒﺚ!
اﻟﺤﻖ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ /il-ḥagg ‘alēk/
Equivalent: You’re to blame/ It’s your fault. Example:
ﺟﺮﯾﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺻﺪﻣﺖ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻲ ﺑﺴﯿﺎرة ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ واﻟﺸﺮطﺔ ﺣﻜﺘﻠﻲ اﻟﺤﻖ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﻣﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺸﺨﺺ اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻲ! ﻣﺤﻤﺪ :أوف! اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﻼﻣﺘﻚ .اﻧﺘﺒﮫ ﻣﺮة ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ.
ﺣﺮك ّ ﻣﺨﻚ ← ﺣﻚ راﺳﻚ /ḥukk rās-ak/ ← /ḥarrik mukhkh-ak/
Equivalent: Think of something/ Scratch your head/ Think hard in order to find a solution or an idea.
ﺣﻜﯿﮫ ﻣﺒﻄّﻦ
Example /ḥakyy-uh mbaṭṭan/
Equivalent: Talk in riddles/ Speech that is lined with different implications and vague clues or hints.
ﺻﺎﻓﻲ :ﻛﻤﺒﯿﻮﺗﺮي ﺧﺮب وﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺘﮫ! إﻧﺖ ﯾﺎ ﻋﻼء ﺷﺎطﺮ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ! ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﺗﺤﺮك ّ ﻣﺨﻚ وﺗﺤﻚ راﺳﻚ وﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ؟
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺤﺎء Example:
Example:
ﻟﺆي :أھﻼً ﯾﺎ ﻣﻨﺼﻮر! إﺟﯿﺖ ﺑﻮﻗﺘﻚ! ﺣﻤﺎﺗﻚ ﺑﺘﺤﺒﻚ! أﻣﻲ طﺎﺑﺨﺔ اﻷﻛﻠﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ إﻧﺖ ﺑﺘﺤﺒﮭﺎ!
ﺳﻤﯿﺮ :وﷲ ﻣﺎ أﻧﺎ ﻋﺎرف ﺷﻮ ﻓﺮﯾﺪ ﺑﻘﺼﺪ ﺑﺤﻜﯿﮫ! ﻛﻞ ﺣﻜﯿﮫ ﻣﺒﻄّﻦ وﻣﺶ واﺿﺢ!
ﺣﻼّل اﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ
ﺣﯿﺎﺗﮫ ﺣﯿﺎة ﻛﻼب /ḥyāt-uh ḥyāt klāb/
/ḥallāl il-mashākil/
Equivalent: Lead a dog’s life/ To live miserably.
Equivalent: Trouble shooter/ Problem solver/ Person
Example:
who solves problems.
أﺑﻮ ﺣﺴﺎم :ﻻزم ﯾﺎ ﺣﺴﺎم ﺗﻼﻗﻲ ﺷﻐﻞ وﺗﺘﺠ ّﻮز وﺗﺴﺘﻘﺮ وﺗﺒﻄّﻞ ﺣﯿﺎة اﻟﺴﮭﺮ! ﺣﯿﺎﺗﻚ ﺣﯿﺎة ﻛﻼب!
Example:
ﺧﻠﯿﻞ :ﺷﻮ ﯾﺎ رﺿﻮان! ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﻚ ﺣﻠّﯿﺖ اﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﯿﻦ زﯾﺎد وأھﻠﮫ وﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ أﺑﻮ ﻛﻤﺎل وﺣﻤﺪان! ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﺣﻼّل اﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﺎرة!
ﺣﯿﺎﺗﮫ ﻣﻌﻠّﻘﺔ ﺑﺸﻌﺮة /ḥyāt-uh m‘allagah b-sha‘rah/
Equivalent: Hanging by a thread.
ﺣﻠﻒ ﻣﺎ ﯾﻌﺘّﺒﻠﮫ دار
Example:
/ḥalaf mā y‘attib-l-uh dār/
ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام أم ﺗﯿﺴﯿﺮ ﻣﺮﺿﺖ ﻣﺮﺿﺔ ﻗﻮﯾّﺔ وﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﺣﯿﺎﺗﮭﺎ ﻣﻌﻠﻘﺔ ﺑﺸﻌﺮة وﺑﺠﻮز ﻣﺎ ﺗﻘﻮم ﻣﻨﮭﺎ!
Equivalent: Never darken someone’s door/ Keep away from someone’s home permanently. Example:
ﺣﯿّﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺖ ﺗﺒﻦ /ḥayyeh min taḥit tibin/
اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺳﻤﺎح ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﺖ ﻣﻊ أﺧﺘﮭﺎ ﺣﻠﯿﻤﺔ وﺣﻠﻔﺖ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻌﺘﺒﻠﮭﺎ دار!
Equivalent: Like a snake in the grass/ Sneaky. Example:
ﻋﻼ :طﻠﻌﺖ ﺳﻤﺎھﺮ ﺣﯿّﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺖ ﺗﺒﻦ! ﺗﮭﺎﻧﻲ :ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻠﺖ؟ ﻋﻼ :ﻗﻠﺘﻠﮭﺎ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻟﻘﯿﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺮﯾﺪة وﻗﺪﻣﺘﻠﮭﺎ! إﺟﺖ راﺣﺖ وﻗﺪﻣﺘﻠﮭﺎ وﻟﻘﺖ واﺳﻄﺔ وﻋﯿّﻨﻮھﺎ! ﺗﮭﺎﻧﻲ :ﯾﺎ ﺳﺎﺗﺮ! ﺟﺪّ! ﷲ ﯾﻌﻮﺿﻚ ﺑﺎﻷﺣﺴﻦ.
ﺣﯿﺺ ﺑﯿﺺ /ḥīṣ bīṣ/
ﺣﻠﻘﻠﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻨﺎﺷﻒ /ḥalag-l-uh ‘alā il-nāshif/
Equivalent: Cold shoulder/ Ignore/ To be dumped by someone. Example:
ﺟﻤﯿﻞ :ﻋﻤﺮ ﺑﻌﺪه زﻋﻼن وﻣﺘﻀﺎﯾﻖ ﻣﻦ ﯾﻮم ﻣﺎ ﺣﺒﯿﺒﺘﮫ ﺗﺮﻛﺘﮫ وﺣﻠﻘﺘﻠﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻨﺎﺷﻒ! ﺑﺪر :ﺷﻮ ﻛﺎن ﯾﺘﻮﻗﻊ ﯾﻌﻨﻲ! ﺑﺪّه إﯾﺎھﺎ ﺗﻀﻞ ﻣﻌﮫ وھﻮ ﺑﺨﻮﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﻊ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﯿﺘﮭﺎ! ﻣﻌﮭﺎ ﺣﻖ ﺗﺘﺮﻛﮫ!
Equivalent: On the horns of a dilemma/ In a total mess.
اﻟﺤﻠﻮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻜﻤﻞ
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺟﻮاد :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﺖ ﻋﯿﻠﺔ أﺑﻮ دﺣﺎم وﻋﯿﻠﺔ أﺑﻮ ﻧﺼﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻷرض واﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﻛﺒﺮت ﺑﯿﻨﮭﻢ ووﺿﻌﮭﻢ ﺣﯿﺺ ﺑﯿﺺ!
/il-ḥilū mā bikmal/
Equivalent: There is no garden without its weeds. Example:
اﻟﺤﯿﻄﺎن إﻟﮭﺎ اذان /il-ḥīṭān ilhā ’aḏḥ ān/
Equivalent: Walls have ears. Example:
ﻣﻌﺎذ :ﻓﯿﺰة اﻟﺴﻔﺮ طﻠﻌﺖ أﺧﯿﺮاً! ﺧﻠﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﺴﺘﻘﯿﻞ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ وﻧﺴﺎﻓﺮ! ﺟﻮد :أﺳﻜﺖ ﻻ ﺣﺪا ﯾﺴﻤﻌﻚ وﯾﺨﺒّﺮ أﺑﻮي! ﺑﻨﺤﻜﻲ ﺑﺲ ﻧﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ! اﻟﺤﯿﻄﺎن إﻟﮭﺎ أذان!
ﺟﻮاھﺮ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻨﺔ أم ﻋﻤﺮان ﺑﺲ ﻛﺒﺮو أوﻻدھﺎ وﺧﻠّﺼﻮ دراﺳﺘﮭﻢ وﺗﻮظّﻔﻮ وﺻﺎرت ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺮﺗﺎح ﺻﺎﺑﮭﺎ ﻣﺮض ﺧﻄﯿﺮ وﺑﺤﻜﻮ ﻣﺎ رح ﺗﻄ ّﻮل ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻣﺮﺿﮭﺎ ﻣﻨﺘﺸﺮ ﺑﻜﻞ ﺟﺴﻤﮭﺎ! ﺳﻤﯿﺮة :ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام! ﻓﻌﻼ ً اﻟﺤﻠﻮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻜﻤﻞ!
ﺣﻤﺎﺗﻚ ﺑﺘﺤﺒﻚ /ḥamāt-ak bitḥibb-ak/
Equivalent: Literal. Your mother-in-law loves you/ You have come at the right time/ This expression is
ﺣﯿﻄﺔ ﻣﺎﯾﻠﺔ
usually used when someone goes to a place and finds /ḥēṭah māyleh/
people fixing food or about to eat food/ It is said as
Equivalent: A broken reed.
an invitation to join them and eat with them.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺣﯿﻠﮫ ﺑﺖ
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Example: /ḥēl-uh batt/
Equivalent: To run out of steam. Example:
اﻟﺴﺠﺎد اﻟﯿﻮم؟ أﺑﻮ ادم :ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﻧﺎﯾﻤﺔ ﯾﺎ أم آدم! ﻣﺶ اﻟﻨﯿّﺔ ﺗﻐﺴﻠﻲ ّ أم ادم :ﻣﻦ اﻟﺼﺒﺢ وأﻧﺎ أﺷﺘﻐﻞ ﺑﺲ ﺗﻌﺒﺖ وﺣﯿﻠﻲ ﺑﺖ!
ﻋﺪي :ﺣﻜﯿﺘﻠﻚ ﻻ ﺗﻌﺘﻤﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺸﯿﺮ! ھﻮ زﻟﻤﺔ ﺑﺨﯿﻞ وﺷﻐﻞ ﺣﻜﻲ! وﻋﺪك ﯾﺪﻋﻤﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺸﺮوع وﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﺻﺎر ﯾﺘﮭﺮب ﻣﻨّﻚ! ﺻﺎﺑﺮ :ﺷﻔﺖ ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ ﻓﯿّﻲ! طﻠﻌﺖ ﻣﺴﺘﻨﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﯿﻄﺔ ﻣﺎﯾﻠﺔ! ﯾﺎ ﺧﺴﺎرة!
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺨﺎء
Example:
ﻋﻠﻲ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺻﺮﻓﻮﻟﻨﺎ اﻟﺮاﺗﺐ وأﻋﻄﻮﻧﺎ اﻟﻌﻼوة! أﺑﻮ ﻋﻠﻲ :ﯾﺎ اﺑﻨﻲ اﻧﺘﺒﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺼﺮوﻓﻚ وﺧﺒّﻲ ﻗﺮﺷﻚ اﻷﺑﯿﺾ ﻟﯿﻮﻣﻚ اﻷﺳﻮد!
ﺧﺘﺎﻣﮭﺎ ﻣﺴﻚ /khitāmu-hā misk/
Equivalent: Perfect ending/ Happy ending/ The end or conclusion of something with great results. Example:
رﺑﻰ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻛﺎن ﻋﻨّﺎ آﺧﺮ إﻣﺘﺤﺎن! واﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﻛﺎن ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺳﮭﻞ وواﺿﺢ! ﻛﺎن ﺧﺘﺎﻣﮭﺎ ﻣﺴﻚ!
ﺧﺘّﻲ ﻣﺘّﻲ ← ﺳ ّﺮي ﻣ ّﺮي
ﺧﺎﻟﻒ ﺗﻌﺮف /khālif tu‘raf/
Equivalent: Go against the flow/ Go against the grain. Example:
أم ﺗﺎﻣﺮ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ رزان ﺑﻨﺖ أم ﺣﺎﻣﺪ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺸﺎرك ﺑﻤﺴﺎﺑﻘﺔ أﻏﺎﻧﻲ وﺗﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﻄﺮﺑﺔ! أم ﻋﻼء :ﺟﺪّ! ﺑﻌﺮف إﻧﮭﻢ ﻋﯿﻠﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺤﺎﻓﻈﺔ وأﺑﻮھﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺘﺸﺪّد ﻛﯿﻒ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﻌﻤﻞ ھﯿﻚ؟ أم ﺗﺎﻣﺮ :ﺑﺤﻜﻮ ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﺖ ﻣﻌﮭﻢ وﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺸﻮف ﻣﺴﺘﻘﺒﻠﮭﺎ ﺑﻌﯿﺪ ﻋﻨﮭﻢ. أم ﻋﻼء :ﺧﺎﻟﻒ ﺗﻌﺮف! ﺗﺎ ﻧﺸﻮف ﺷﻮ رح ﺗﻌﻤﻞ وإذا رح ﺗﺰﺑﻂ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ ھﺎﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ!
اﻟﺨﺎﻟﻖ اﻟﻨﺎطﻖ /sirrī mirrī/ ← /khittī mittī/
/il-khālig il-nāṭig/
Equivalent: Back and forth.
Equivalent: The spitting image of someone/ Exact
Example:
resemblance.
أﺑﻮ ﺿﯿﺎء ﻣﺎ ﻗﻌﺪ وﻻ إرﺗﺎح ﺑﺤﻔﻠﺔ ﺗﺨﺮج اﺑﻨﮫ إﺟﺎه ﺿﯿﻮف ﻀﺎھﺎ ﺧﺘّﻲ ﻣﺘّﻲ وﺳ ّﺮي ﻣ ّﺮي! ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻗ ّ
ﺧﺮاﺑﯿﺶ ﺟﺎج /kharābīsh jāj/
Example:
اﻟﯿﻮم أم ﺑﺸﺎر ﺟﺎﺑﺖ ﺑﻨﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﺸﺮى ﻣﻌﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ! ﯾﺎﷲ ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ اﻟﺨﺎﻟﻖ اﻟﻨﺎطﻖ أﻣﮭﺎ! ﻧﺴﺨﺔ طﺒﻖ اﻷﺻﻞ ﻋﻨﮭﺎ!
ﺧﺒﺰ وﻣﻠﺢ
Equivalent: Handwriting like chicken scratch.
/khubz w-miliḥ/
Example:
Equivalent: Break bread with someone.
ﻣﻌﯿﻦ :وﻻ ﻓﺎھﻢ إﺷﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﺘﺒﺘﮫ ﯾﺎ ﻣﮭﻨﺪ! ﺧﻄّﻚ زي ﺧﺮاﺑﯿﺶ اﻟﺠﺎج!
ﺧ ّﺮب اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ /kharrab il-dinyā/
Example:
ﻋﻤﺎد :ﺧﻠﺺ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎدل ﻻزم ﺗﺘﺼﺎﻟﺢ ﻣﻊ وﻟﯿﺪ وﺗﺤﻠّﻮ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻠﻜﻮ! ﻛﻨﺘﻮ زي اﻷﺧﻮة! ﻻ ﺗﻨﺴﻰ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﯿﻨﻜﻮ ﺧﺒﺰ وﻣﻠﺢ وﺻﺤﺒﺔ ﻗﻮﯾﺔ. ﻋﺎدل :إن ﺷﺎ ﺑﻨﺘﺼﺎﻟﺢ.
Equivalent: Botched-up/ Ruined something. Example:
ﺳﻤﺎح :ﻟﯿﺶ ﯾﺎ ﻣﮭﺎ ﻗﻠﺘﻲ ﻷﻣﻲ إﻧّﻲ ﺑﺪّي أروح ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ ﻻرا! ﻣﺎ إﻧﺘﻲ ﺑﺘﻌﺮﻓﻲ إﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﺶ ﺻﺤﺒﺔ ﻣﻊ أم اﻟﺒﻨﺖ! ھﯿّﻚ ﺧ ّﺮﺑﺘﻲ اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ وﺳﺒﺒﺘﯿﻠﻲ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ!
ﺧ ّﺮب ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ /kharrab ‘alā ḥāl-uh/
Equivalent: Foul your own nest/ Do something
ﺧﺒﻂ اﻟﺒﺎب ﺑﻮﺟﮭﮫ /khabaṭ il-bāb b-wijh-uh/
Equivalent: Shut or slam the door in someone’s face. Example:
ﻋﻤﺎد :اﻣﺒﺎرح رﺣﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺖ وﻟﯿﺪ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻧﺼﺎﻟﺤﮫ ﻣﻊ ﻋﺎدل ﺑﺲ ﻋﻤﻞ ﻣﻮﻗﻒ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ! ﺧﺒﻂ اﻟﺒﺎب ﺑﻮﺟﮭﻨﺎ وﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﺴﺘﻘﺒﻠﻨﺎ! ﻣﺮاد :أوف! ﻋﯿﺐ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﯾﻌﻤﻞ ھﯿﻚ!
damaging or harmful to yourself or your own interests. Example:
ﺳﻌﺪ :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻓﺼﻞ ﻋﺪﻧﺎن ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ! ﺻﻘﺮ :ﻟﯿﺶ طﯿّﺐ؟
ﺧﺒّﻲ ﻗﺮﺷﻚ اﻷﺑﯿﺾ ﻟﯿﻮﻣﻚ اﻷﺳﻮد /khabbī girsh-ak li-byaḏ ̣ la-yōm-ak li-swad/
Equivalent: A penny saved is a penny earned/ Save something for a rainy day.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻓﺮاس :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ أﺑﻮ ﻋﻄﺎ! اﺑﻨﮫ ﻋﻄﺎ ﻋﻤﻞ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﺟﺪﯾﺪة ورد رﺟﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺴﺠﻦ! أﺑﻮ طﺎﻟﺐ :آه وﷲ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﺧﺰاه وﺳ ّﻮد وﺟﮭﮫ!
ﻧﺺ ﺧﺺ ّ ّ
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ﺳﻌﺪ :ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﺧ ّﺮب ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ! ﺑﻀﻞ ﯾﺤﻜﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ وﯾﻐﻠﻂ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻗﺪّام اﻟﻜﻞ واﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﺑﺼﻞ! وﺑﺴﺒﺐ ﻏﯿﺎﺑﺎﺗﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻔﺘﺮة اﻷﺧﯿﺮة اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ اﺳﺘﻐﻞ اﻟﻔﺮﺻﺔ وﻓﺼﻠﮫ!
ﺧ ّﺮب ﻋﻠﯿﮫ /kharrab ‘alēh/
/khaṣṣ naṣṣ/
Equivalent: Cook someone’s goose/ Ruin someone’s plans.
Equivalent: Especially/ In particular/
Example:
Specifically. Example:
أم رﻛﺎن :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺑﺪّي أطﺒﺦ ﻣﻘﻠﻮﺑﺔ وﻻزم ﺗﯿﺠﻲ ﺗﺘﻐﺪّي ﻣﻌﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺗﮭﺎﻧﻲ! ﺗﮭﺎﻧﻲ :ﻻ ﺗﻐﻠﺒﻲ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ أم رﻛﺎن. ﻧﺺ ﻷﻧﻲ أم رﻛﺎن :ﻣﺎ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﻏﻠﺒﺔ! أﻧﺎ طﺎﺑﺨﯿﺘﮭﺎ إﻟﻚ ﺧﺺ ّ ّ ﺑﻌﺮف إﻧّﻚ ﺑﺘﺤﺒﯿﮭﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ.
ﻋﻤﺎر :ﺳﻠﯿﻢ اﺗﻔﻖ ﻣﻊ ﻋﻤﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺗﻤﻮﯾﻞ اﻟﻤﺸﺮوع! ﺑﺲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ طﻠﺐ ﻋﻤﺮ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﺣﻜﺎﻟﮫ ﺳﻠﯿﻢ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﮫ اﻟﻤﺒﻠﻎ! ﺻﺎﻓﻲ :ھﺬا ﺧ ّﺮب ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻣﺸﺮوﻋﮫ ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ!
ﺧﺮج ﻋﻦ طﻮره /kharaj ‘an ṭōr-uh/
Equivalent: To lose one’s temper. Example:
ﺧﺾ اﻟﻤﯿّﮫ وھﻲ ﻣﯿّﮫ ّ /khuḏḏ ̣ ̣ il-mayyeh w-hī mayyeh/
Equivalent: Literal. Shake the water and it is still water/ Go or run around in circles/ In vain.
ﺼﺐ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ أﺧﻮي ﻧﺎﺻﺮ وﺧﺮج دارﯾﻦ :اﻟﯿﻮم أﺑﻮي ﻋ ّ ﻋﻦ طﻮره! ﻣﻨﺘﮭﻰ :ﻟﯿﺶ؟ دارﯾﻦ :ﻷﻧّﮫ رﺳﺐ ﺑﺎﻣﺘﺤﺎن اﻹﻧﺠﻠﯿﺰي!
Example:
زھﺮة :ﺗﻌﺒﺖ وأﻧﺎ أﻗﻨﻊ ﺑﺠﻮزي إﻧّﮫ ﯾﺘﺼﺎﻟﺢ ﻣﻊ أﺧﻮه ﯾﻮﺳﻒ! ﺑﺲ ﺧﺾ اﻟﻤﯿّﺔ وھﻲ ﻣﯿّﮫ! ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﯾﺴﻤﻊ إﺷﻲ وﻻ ﺣﺘﻰ ﯾﻨﺎﻗﺶ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع!
ﺧﺮط ﻣﺸﻄﻲ /kharaṭ mishṭī/
Equivalent: To be impressed by someone or something/ To be convinced and like someone or something.
ﺧﻒ إﯾﺪك
Example: /khiff ’īd-ak/
Equivalent: Make it snappy/ This is used when
أﺑﻮ ﻣﺤﻤﻮد :ﻛﯿﻒ ﺷﻔﺖ اﻟﻌﺮﯾﺲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺗﻘﺪّم ﻟﺒﻨﺘﻚ ﻣﯿﺎر؟ أﺑﻮ ﻛﻔﺎح :وﷲ ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻋﺠﺒﻨﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﺧﺮط ﻣﺸﻄﻲ!
one asks another person to do or finish something quickly.
ﺧ ّﺮﯾﺞ ﺣﺒﻮس
Example:
رﺳﻤﯿﺔ :ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﺑﻌﺪك ﻣﺎ ﺧﻠﺼﺘﻲ طﺒﺦ ﯾﺎ أم ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ! ﻗ ّﺮﺑﻮ اﻟﻀﯿﻮف ﯾﻮﺻﻠﻮ ﺧﻔّﻲ إﯾﺪك ﺷﻮﯾﺔ!
/kharrīj ḥbūs/
Equivalent: A jailbird/ Someone who is frequently sent to prison. Example:
ﺧﻒ رﺟﻠﻚ /khiff rijl-ak/
أﺑﻮ ﺷﺎھﺮ :اﺳﻤﻊ ﯾﺎ ﺷﺎھﺮ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮﻓﻚ ﺑﺘﻤﺸﻲ ﻣﻊ ﻋﻄﺎ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﯿﻮم! ھﺬا واﺣﺪ ھﺎﻣﻞ وﺧ ّﺮﯾﺞ ﺣﺒﻮس.
Equivalent: Shake a leg. Example:
ﻣﻨﺘﺼﺮ :ﺗﻌﺒﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺸﻲ وﻣﺶ ﻗﺎدر أﻛ ّﻤﻞ! وﯾﻦ اﻟﻤﻜﺎن اﻟﻠﻲ راﯾﺤﯿﻨﻠﮫ وﻗﺪّﯾﺶ ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﺗﺎ ﻧﺼﻞ؟ ﻋﺒﺎس :ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ ﺧﻒ رﺟﻠﻚ ﺷﻮﯾﺔ! ھﯿﻨﺎ ﻗ ّﺮﺑﻨﺎ ﻧﺼﻞ!
ﺧﻒّ اﻟﺮﯾﺸﺔ /khuff il-rīsheh/
ﺧ ّﺮﯾﻂ ﻋ ّﺮﯾﻂ /kharrīṭ ‘arrīṭ/
Equivalent: Bold-faced liar. Example:
ﻧﺒﯿﻞ :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺑﺴﺎم ﺧﺒّﺮﻧﻲ إﻧّﮫ طﻠﻌﺘﻠﮫ ﺑﻌﺜﺔ وﺑﺪّه ﯾﺴﺎﻓﺮ اﻟﺸﮭﺮ اﻟﺠﺎي! ﺻﺤﯿﺢ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ طﻼل :وإﻧﺖ ﺻﺪّﻗﺘﮫ؟ ﻛﻞ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﻛﺬب! ھﺬا واﺣﺪ ﺧ ّﺮﯾﻂ ﻋ ّﺮﯾﻂ.
Equivalent: As light as a feather. Example:
ﺻﺎﺑﺮﯾﻦ :ﺷﻮ ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻄﻌﻤﻲ اﻟﺒﯿﺒﻲ؟ ﺗﻮﻧﻲ ﺷﻠﺘﮫ وھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﺧﻒّ اﻟﺮﯾﺸﺔ! دﻋﺎء :وﷲ ﻣﻐﻠّﺒﻨﻲ وﻣﺎ ﺑﯿﻮﻛﻞ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ!
ﺧﺰاه ← ﺳ ّﻮد وﺟﮭﮫ /sawwad wijh-uh/← /khazā-h/
Equivalent: Put someone to shame/ To make someone feel ashamed, small or humiliated/ Bring shame to someone.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺨﺎء
ﺧﻒ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ← طﺎر ﻋﻘﻠﮫ
ﺧﻠﻘﮫ وﻛﺴﺮ اﻟﻘﺎﻟﺐ /khalag-uh w-kasar il-galib/
/ṭār ‘agl-uh/← /khaff ‘agl-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. When he was created, he broke
Equivalent: Blow a fuse/ To suddenly lose your temper
the mold/ Broke the mold/ One of a kind/ A special
and become very angry.
and admired person.
Example:
Example:
ﺳﮭﻰ :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺘﺴﻤﻌﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻣﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻵﯾﻔﻮن؟ ﻣﮭﺎ :ﺑﺴﻤﻊ أﻏﻨﯿﺔ ﻷم ﻛﻠﺜﻮم! ﺑﺤﺐ ھﺎﻟﻤﻄﺮﺑﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺳﮭﻰ :أم ﻛﻠﺜﻮم ﻣﻤﯿﺰة وﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ زي ﺻﻮﺗﮭﺎ وأﻏﺎﻧﯿﮭﺎ! رﺑﻨﺎ ﺧﻠﻘﮭﺎ وﻛﺴﺮ اﻟﻘﺎﻟﺐ!
ﺳﻌﺪ :اﻟﯿﻮم رﺑﯿﻊ ﺧﻒ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ أﺧﻮه ﺧﺒّﺮه إﻧّﮫ ﺻﺪم ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﮫ وإﻧﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺘﺼﻠﯿﺢ! ﻣﺮاد :إﺷﻲ طﺒﯿﻌﻲ إﻧّﮫ ﯾﻄﯿﺮ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ! أﺧﻮه ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻣﺴﺆوﻟﯿﺔ!
ﺧﻠﺼﺖ ﺑﻄﺎرﯾﺘﮫ /khilṣat baṭārīt-uh/
ﺧﻠّﻰ دﻣﮫ ﯾﻐﻠﻲ ← ﻓ ّﻮر دﻣﮫ
Equivalent: Run out of gas/ To lose one’s energy.
/fawwar damm-uh/ ← /khalla damm-uh yighlī/
Equivalent: Make someone’s blood boil/ Make someone very angry.
Example:
رﺑﯿﻌﺔ :ﺑﺪّي أروح ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﻷﻧّﻲ ﺗﻌﺒﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺸﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮل! ﺳﺎﻣﯿﺔ :وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺜﻠﻚ ﺗﻌﺒﺎﻧﺔ! ﺧﻠﺼﺖ ﺑﻄﺎرﯾﺘﻲ!
Example:
ﺻﺒﺮي :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻣﻌﺘﺰ ﺳﻤﻊ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻔﺼﻠﮫ وراح ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻔﮭﻢ اﻟﺴﺒﺐ ﺑﺲ اﻻﺛﻨﯿﻦ ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﻮ واﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻓ ّﻮر دﻣﮫ وﺧﻼّه ﯾﻐﻠﻲ!
ﺧﻠﻒ ﺧﻼف /khilf khlāf/
Equivalent: Inside out. Example:
ﺧﻠّﻲ راﺳﻚ ﻣﺮﻓﻮع /khallī rās-ak marfū‘/
اﺣﻤﺪ :ﯾﺎ ﻧﻄﻠﻊ ﯾﺎ ﺳﻠﯿﻤﺎن ھﯿﻨﻲ ﺟﺎھﺰ! ﺳﻠﯿﻤﺎن :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻻﺑﺲ ﻗﻤﯿﺼﻚ ﺧﻠﻒ ﺧﻼف؟ روح زﺑﻄﮫ!
Equivalent: Keep your chin up/ Stay positive. Example:
زھﯿﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺼﺎم زﻋﻼن وﻣﺘﻨﻜﺪ؟ ﻋﺼﺎم :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻋﻔﺎف اﻛﺘﺸﻔﺖ إﻧّﻲ ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻋﺎﻣﻞ ﻧﻈﺎﻓﺔ ﺑﺸﺮﻛﺔ وﺗﺮﻛﺘﻨﻲ! زھﯿﺮ :ﻻ ﺗﺰﻋﻞ وﻻ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ! ھﻲ اﻟﺨﺴﺮاﻧﺔ! اﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﻣﺶ ﻋﯿﺐ! ﺧﻠّﻲ راﺳﻚ ﻣﺮﻓﻮع.
ﺧﻠّﻲ ﺻﻔﺤﺘﻚ ﺑﯿﻀﺎ
ﺧﻠﻊ ﻧﯿﻌﮫ /khala‘ nī‘-uh/
Equivalent: Smash someone’s face in. Example:
اﻟﯿﻮم ﺟﻌﻔﺮ وﻗّﻊ أﺧﻮه اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ ﻋﻦ اﻟﺪرج ﻋﻤﺪاً! إﺟﺎ أﺑﻮه ﺿﺮﺑﮫ وﺧﻠﻊ ﻧﯿﻌﮫ!
ﺧﻠﻌﮭﺎ ﺟﯿﺰة /khallī ṣafḥit-ak bēḏā ̣ /
/khala‘-hā jīzeh/
Equivalent: Keep one’s slate clean/ Maintain a
Equivalent: Remarry.
flawless and perfect record.
Example:
Example:
ﺑﺪﯾﻊ :أﻧﺎ اﺧﻮك وﺑﺘﮭﻤﻨﻲ ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺘﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺳﻌﻮد! ﻻ ﺗﺘﻮ ّرط ﻣﻊ ﺳﻌﯿﺪ ﺑﻤﺸﺎرﯾﻌﮫ! ﺳﻌﯿﺪ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺠﻲ وﺧ ّﺮﯾﺞ ﺣﺒﻮس! اﺳﻤﻊ ﻣﻨﻲ وﺧﻠّﻲ ﺻﻔﺤﺘﻚ ﺑﯿﻀﺎ!
ﺧﻠّﻲ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﻚ ﻣﻔﺘّﺤﺔ
أم ﺣﺎﺗﻢ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ أﺑﻮ ﺟﻼل ﻋﻨﺪه ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ ﻣﻊ ﻣﺮﺗﮫ وراح ﺧﻠﻌﮭﺎ ﺟﯿﺰة! أم ﻋﻮن :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻨﺔ! ھﻮ ﻧﺴﻮﻧﺠﻲ ﻣﻦ ﯾﻮم ﯾﻮﻣﮫ واﻟﻜﻞ ﻋﺎرف وﻛﺎن واﺿﺢ إﻧّﮫ رح ﯾﺘﺠ ّﻮز ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ!
ﺧﻠﻘﮫ ﺿﯿّﻖ /khallī ‘yūn-ak mfattaḥah/
/khulg-uh ḏạ yyig/
Equivalent: Keep one’s eyes open/ To remain alert and
Equivalent: Bad-tempered/ Grouchy/
watchful for someone or something.
Grumpy.
Example:
Example:
ﺻﺎدق :دﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺤﻞ وﺧﻠّﻲ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﻚ ﻣﻔﺘّﺤﺔ! اﻧﺘﺒﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺰﺑﺎﯾﻦ وﻻ ﺗﺘﺮك ﺻﻨﺪوق اﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﻣﻔﺘﻮح. درﯾﺪ :ﺣﺎﺿﺮ! ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ رح أدﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ.
أم ﻋﻤﺮ :ﯾﺎ ﻟﻄﯿﻒ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻋﻤﺮ ﺷﻮ إﻧّﻚ ﻋﺼﺒﻲ وﺧﻠﻘﻚ ﺿﯿّﻖ! اﻟﻮاﺣﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﯾﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﻚ إﺷﻲ! أﺑﻮ ﻋﻤﺮ :اﺗﺮﻛﯿﻨﻲ ﺑﺤﺎﻟﻲ ﯾﺎ أم ﻋﻤﺮ! ﻣﺰاﺟﻲ ﻣﺘﻌ ّﻜﺮ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
اﻟﺸﺮطﻲ :إﻧﺖ ﯾﺎ أخ ﺿﺮﺑﺖ ﺳﯿﺎرة ﻛﺮﯾﻢ وﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ اﻟﺤﻖ وﻻزم ﺗﺪﻓﻊ ﻛﻞ ﺗﻜﺎﻟﯿﻒ اﻟﻀﺮر! ﺣﺴﺎم :ﺑﺲ ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺤﻂّ اﻟﺤﻖ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﻻزم ﺗﻌﺮف ﻣﻊ ﻣﯿﻦ ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ واﺑﻦ ﻣﯿﻦ أﻧﺎ؟ اﻟﺸﺮطﻲ :إﺣﻨﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨّﺎ ﺧﯿﺎر وﻓﻘﻮس! اﻟﻘﺎﻧﻮن ﻗﺎﻧﻮن وﺑﻤﺸﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻜﻞ! ﻓﺎھﻢ؟
ﺧﯿﺨﺔ ← ﺧ ّﺰ
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ﺧﻠّﯿﻚ ﺑﺤﺎﻟﻚ /khallīk bi-ḥāl-ak/
Equivalent: Mind your own business. Example:
أﻣﺎﻧﻲ :ﺑﻌﺪك ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻊ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﻚ؟ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﺑﯿﻨﻜﻮ؟ ﻧﺎوﯾﺔ ﺗﺘﺮﻛﯿﮫ؟ ﺣﯿﺎة :ﺧﻠﯿﻜﻲ ﺑﺤﺎﻟﻚ وﻻ ﺗﺴﺄﻟﯿﻨﻲ ﻋﻦ أي إﺷﻲ.
ﺧﻠّﯿﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﻘﻠﺐ ﺗﺠﺮح وﻻ ﺗﻄﻠﻊ ﻟﺒ ّﺮا وﺗﻔﻀﺢ /khīkhah/←/khuzz/
/khallī-hā b-il-galub tijraḥ walā tiṭla‘ la-barra w-tifḏạ ḥ/
Equivalent: A big girl’s blouse/ A weak, gutless or
Equivalent: Keep a stiff upper lip/ Bite the bullet/ The
thin-skinned man who does not act in a way that a
less said, the better.
man should.
Example:
Example:
أم ﺻﺒﺮي :ﯾﺎ ﺻﺒﺮي ﻻزم ﺗﻘ ّﻮي ﺷﺨﺼﯿﺘﻚ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ وﺗﻌﺮف ﺷﻠﻮن ﺗﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻊ ﻣﺮﺗﻚ! اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﻘﻮل ﻋﻨﻚ ﺧ ّﺰ وﺧﯿﺨﺔ وﻣﺮﺗﻚ ﻣﻤﺸﯿﯿﺘﻚ ﻣﺜﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪھﺎ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ! إﻧﺖ زﻟﻤﺔ وﻻزم ﺗﻌﺮف ﺗﺘﺼ ّﺮف.
ﺧﯿﺮ اﻟﺒ ّﺮ ﻋﺎﺟﻠﮫ
ﺴﻨﺖ أﺧﻼﻗﮫ أم راﺋﺪ :ﺧﺒﺮﯾﻨﻲ ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ إن ﺷﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ ﺗﺤ ّ وﺑﻄّﻞ ﯾﻀﺎﯾﻘﻚ؟ أم ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :آه ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ! ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّي أﺣﻜﯿﻠﻚ! ﺧﻠّﯿﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﻘﻠﺐ ﺗﺠﺮح وﻻ ﺗﻄﻠﻊ ﻟﺒ ّﺮا وﺗﻔﻀﺢ!
ﺧﻠّﯿﮭﺎ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ /khallī-hā ‘alayy/
/khayru il-birri ‘ājiluhu/
Equivalent: It’s on me/ That’s my treat.
Equivalent: The sooner the better.
Example:
Example:
ﻋﺒﺪاﻟﻌﺰﯾﺰ :وﷲ أﻛﻞ ھﺎﻟﻤﻄﻌﻢ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ زاﻛﻲ! ﺧﻠّﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﻈﻞ ﻧﯿﺠﻲ ھﻮن ﯾﺎ ﺑﮭﺎء. ﺑﮭﺎء :آه طﺒﻌﺎ ً. ﻋﺒﺪاﻟﻌﺰﯾﺰ :ﺑﺪّي أدﻓﻊ اﻟﻔﺎﺗﻮرة وﺧﻠّﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﺮوح ﻧﺤﻀﺮ اﻟﻤﺒﺎراة. ﺑﮭﺎء :ﻻ ھﺎﻟﻤ ّﺮة ﺧﻠّﯿﮭﺎ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ! إﻧﺖ ﺑﺘﺪﻓﻊ اﻟﻤ ّﺮة اﻟﺠﺎﯾّﺔ.
أم ﺟﻼل :وأﺧﯿﺮاً ﻗ ّﺮر ﺟﻼل ﯾﺨﻄﺐ! أﺑﻮ ﺟﻼل :ﻣﯿﻦ اﻟﻌﺮوس؟ أم ﺟﻼل :ﺑﻨﺖ ﺟﯿﺮاﻧّﺎ. أﺑﻮ ﺟﻼل :ﻣﺘﻰ؟ أم ﺟﻼل :ﻣﺘﻰ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﺐ ﺑﻨﺮوح ﻧﺨﻄﺒﮭﺎ! أﺑﻮ ﺟﻼل :ﺧﯿﺮ اﻟﺒّﺮ ﻋﺎﺟﻠﮫ .ﺑﻨﺮوح ﺑﻜﺮة!
ﺧﻠّﯿﮫ ﯾﻘﻠﻊ ﺷﻮﻛﮫ ﺑﺈﯾﺪﯾﮫ /khallī-h ygalli‘ shōk-uh b-’idēh/
ﺧﯿﺮ اﻟﻜﻼم ﻣﺎ ﻗﻞ ودل
Equivalent: You’ve made your bed, now lie in it. /khayru il-kalāmi mā galla wa-dall/
Example:
Equivalent: The less said, the better/ Brevity is the
أم ھﺎﻧﻲ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺳﻮزان زﻋﻼﻧﺔ ﻋﻨﺪك ﯾﺎ أم ﺻﺒﺮي! ﺑﺤﻜﻮ ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ وﺑﻀﺮﺑﮭﺎ! ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﺻﺤﯿﺢ؟ أم ﺻﺒﺮي :آه وﷲ! ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﻧﻌﻤﻞ؟ ﻧﺼﺤﻨﺎھﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺘﺠﻮزه ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ردّت ﻋﻠﯿﻨﺎ؟ ﯾﺎ ﺧﻠّﯿﮭﺎ ﺗﻘﻠّﻊ ﺷﻮﻛﮭﺎ ﺑﺈﯾﺪﯾﮭﺎ.
soul of wit. Example:
ﻗﺼﻲ :ﺻﺎرﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺪﻧﺎن ﺳﺎﻋﺔ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ وﺗﺒ ّﺮر وﻣﺶ ﻣﻌﻄﯿﻨﻲ ﻧﺘﯿﺠﺔ! ﺧﯿﺮ اﻟﻜﻼم ﻣﺎ ﻗ ّﻞ ود ّل! ﺷﻮ ﺧﻼﺻﺔ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع؟
ﺧﻢ ﻧﻮم
ﺧﯿﺮھﺎ ﺑﻐﯿﺮھﺎ
/khumm nōm/ /khēr-hā b-ghēr-hā/
Equivalent: Sleepy-head.
Equivalent: Hard luck/ Better luck next time.
Example:
Example:
أم ﺳﻤﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻌﻜﻮ ﺑﻤﺴﺎﺑﻘﺔ اﻟﺘﻨﺲ اﻟﯿﻮم ﯾﺎ ﺳﻤﺮ؟ ﺳﻤﺮ :ﻣﻊ اﻷﺳﻒ ﺧﺴﺮﻧﺎ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺎﻣﺎ. أم ﺳﻤﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ! ﺧﯿﺮھﺎ ﺑﻐﯿﺮھﺎ.
ﺴﮫ ﺑﺘﺘﺄﺧﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ أم ﺻﻼح :ﯾﺎ إﺻﺤﻰ ﯾﺎ ﺻﻼح ھ ّ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ! ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﺧ ّﻢ ﻧﻮم! ﻻزم ﺗﺒﻄّﻞ ﺗﺴﮭﺮ. ﺻﻼح :ھﯿﻨﻲ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ وﺑﺼﺤﻰ.
ﺧﯿﺎر وﻓﻘﻮس
ﺧﯿﺮ ﯾﺎ طﯿﺮ
/khyār w-faggūs/ /khēr yā ṭēr/
Equivalent: Make fish of one and flesh of another/ To
?Equivalent: What do you want
favor one person over another.
55
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺨﺎء
أﻣﯿﻤﺔ :ﻻ ﺗﺰﻋﻠﻮ! ﻛﻠّﮫ ﺧﯿﺮه! ﺑﻼﻗﻲ وظﯿﻔﺔ ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ وأﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ.
اﻟﺨﯿﺮة ﻓﯿﻤﺎ اﺧﺘﺎره ﷲ /al-khīrah fī-mā ’ikhtāra-hu Allah/
Equivalent: Let the chips fall where they may. Example:
ﺳﮭﯿﻠﺔ :ﺧﻠﺺ ﻗ ّﺮرت أﺧﺒّﺮ أھﻠﻲ إﻧّﻲ راﯾﺤﺔ أﺗﺮك ﺧﻄﯿﺒﻲ ﻷﻧّﮫ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺠﻲ وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺘﻔﺎھﻤﺔ ﻣﻌﮫ! دﻋﺎء :ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ .إﻋﻤﻠﯿﮭﺎ وﺗﻮ ّﻛﻠﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﷲ! اﻟﺨﯿﺮة ﻓﯿﻤﺎ اﺧﺘﺎره ﷲ.
Example:
ﻣﻌﺘﺼﻢ :ﺧﯿﺮ ﯾﺎ طﯿﺮ؟ ﺷﻮ ﺟﺎﺑﻚ ﻟﻌﻨﺪي ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﯾﺎ طﺎرق؟ ﺷﻮ ﻓﻲ؟ طﺎرق :ﻋﻨﺪي ﻣﺸﻮار ﺿﺮوري وﺑﺪّي ﺗﺪﯾّﻨﻲ ﺧﻤﺴﯿﻦ دﯾﻨﺎر!
ﺧﯿﺮة /khīreh/
Equivalent: It’s for the better/ That’s for the best. Example:
أﻣﯿﻤﺔ :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻊ ﻓﺮﯾﺪ ﺑﺎﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة؟ ﻣﻨﻰ :ﻗ ّﺮر ﻣﺎ ﯾﻘﺒﻠﮭﺎ ﻷﻧﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﺘﻄﻠّﺐ إﻧّﮫ ﯾﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﻣﻌﻈﻢ اﻟﻮﻗﺖ! وھﻮ ﻣﺶ ﺣﺎب ﯾﺘﺮك ﻋﯿﻠﺘﮫ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮭﻢ!
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺪال
أم ﻏﺴﺎن :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻏﺴﺎن :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ! طﻮل ﻧﮭﺎرھﺎ داﯾﺮة ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻞ ﺷﻌﺮھﺎ وﻓﻠﺘﺎﻧﺔ!
داﺋﻤﺎ ً وأﺑﺪاً /dā’im-an wa-’abad-an/
Equivalent: Forever and ever. Example:
اﻟﺪراھﻢ ﻛﺎﻟﻤﺮاھﻢ /il-darāhim ka-il-marāhim/
Equivalent: Money talks.
ﺟﺮﯾﺮ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ أﺧﻮك ﻣﺮﯾﺾ وﺑﺎﻟﻤﺴﺘﺸﻔﻰ! ﻛﯿﻒ وﺿﻌﮫ؟ ﻋﻮض :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﺻﺎر أﺣﺴﻦ. ﺟﺮﯾﺮ :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ داﺋﻤﺎ ً وأﺑﺪاً ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻞ ﺣﺎل.
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻧﻀﺎل :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ آﺧﺮ ﺧﺒﺮ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺗﺤﺴﯿﻦ :ﺧﯿﺮ إن ﺷﺎ ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻧﻀﺎل :أﺑﻮ ﻋﻼء ﺗﺼﺎﻟﺢ ﻣﻊ أﺑﻮ ﺳﻠﻤﺎن وراح ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ودﻋﻤﮫ دﻋﻤﺔ ﻏﯿﺮ ﺷﻜﻞ ﺑﺤﻤﻠﺘﮫ اﻹﻧﺘﺨﺎﺑﯿﺔ! ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ إﻧّﮫ ﻏﻄّﻰ ﻣﻌﻈﻢ اﻟﺘﻜﺎﻟﯿﻒ! أﺑﻮ ﺗﺤﺴﯿﻦ :ﯾﺎ ﺳﯿﺪي اﻟﺪراھﻢ ﻛﺎﻟﻤﺮاھﻢ!
درﺑﻚ اﺧﻀﺮ /darb-ak ’ikhḏạ r/
داﺳﻠﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ طﺮف /dās-l-uh ‘alā ṭaraf/
Equivalent: To step on someone’s toes/ To upset someone. Example:
ﺑﺸﯿﺮ :اﺳﻤﻊ ﯾﺎ ﻋﻠﻲ ﻻ ﺗﺰﻋّﻞ ﺧﻠﯿﻞ وﻻ ﺗﺤﺎول ﺗﺪوﺳﻠﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ طﺮف ﻷﻧّﻲ ﻣﺎ رح اﺳﻜﺘﻠﻚ ھﺎﻟﻤ ّﺮة! ﻋﻠﻲ :ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ ﺧﻠﯿﻞ زي أﺧﻮي وﻣﺎ رح أزﻋﻠﮫ أﺑﺪاً.
دارﺗﻠﻚ
Equivalent: All the best/ Good luck.
/dārat-l-ak/
Example:
?Equivalent: Did you get it?/Do you understand
ﺗﺮﻛﻲ :ھﯿﻨﻲ راﯾﺢ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﯾ ّﻤﺎ! ادﻋﯿﻠﻲ! أم ﺗﺮﻛﻲ :درﺑﻚ اﺧﻀﺮ!
Example:
ﻧﺒﯿﻞ :ﻣﻌﺘﺼﻢ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺨﻄﺐ أﺧﺘﻚ ﻏﺪﯾﺮ! ﯾﻌﻨﻲ أﺧﺘﻚ ھﻲ اﻟﺒﻨﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﺎن ﯾﺤﻜﻲ ﻋﻨﮭﺎ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻮﻗﺖ! دارﺗﻠﻚ؟
درھﻢ وﻗﺎﯾﺔ ﺧﯿﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻗﻨﻄﺎر ﻋﻼج /dirham wiqāyah khayrun min qinṭāri ‘ilāj/
داﻓﻨﯿﻨﮫ ﺳﻮا
Equivalent: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound
/dāfnīn-uh sawā/
of cure.
Equivalent: We know where all the bodies are buried/
Example:
Don’t try to deceive me like others because we both
ﻣﺮام :اﻟﺠﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺎرد واﻹﻧﻔﻠﻮﻧﺰا ﻣﻨﺘﺸﺮة ﺑﻜﻞ ﻣﻜﺎن! ﻻزم ﺗﺮوﺣﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺳﻤﺎح وﺗﻮﺧﺬي اﻹﺑﺮة وﺗﺘﺠﻨﺒﻲ اﻷﻣﺎﻛﻦ اﻟﻤﺰدﺣﻤﺔ. ﺳﻤﺎح :آه وﷲ ﻻزم! درھﻢ وﻗﺎﯾﺔ ﺧﯿﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻗﻨﻄﺎر ﻋﻼج!
دﻋﺲ ﺑﺤﻠﻘﮫ
know the truth or the hidden secret about something. Example:
ﺑﺸﯿﺮ :أﻋﻄﯿﻨﻲ أﻟﻔﯿﻦ دﯾﻨﺎر ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎﺑﺪ. ﻋﺎﺑﺪ :ﻣﺎ ﺿﻞ ﻣﻌﻲ ﻣﺼﺎري! ﻣﻦ وﯾﻦ أﺟﯿﺒﻠﻚ؟ ﺧﻠّﺼﺖ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري! ﺑﺸﯿﺮ :ﺑﻌﺮف إﻧّﮫ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺼﺎري! إﺣﻨﺎ ﻟﻘﯿﻨﺎھﺎ ﺳﻮا! وﺑﻌﺮف ﺑﺎﻟﺘﺤﺪﯾﺪ ﻗﺪّﯾﺶ ﺿﻞ ﻣﻌﻚ! ﻣﺎ إﺣﻨﺎ داﻓﻨﯿﻨﮫ ﺳﻮا!
/da‘as b-ḥalg-uh/
Equivalent: Jump down someone’s throat/ Respond
داﯾﺮة ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻞ ﺷﻌﺮھﺎ ← ﻓﻠﺘﺎﻧﺔ
angrily.
/faltāneh/ ← /dāyreh ‘alā ḥall sha‘ur-hā/
Example:
Equivalent: A women of ill-repute.
أم ﺳﻼم :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺳﻼم ﻗﻠّﻞ أدﺑﮫ وھﻮ ﯾﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻊ أﺧﻮه! اﺟﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺳﻼم ﺑﮭﺪﻟﮫ ودﻋﺲ ﺑﺤﻠﻘﮫ وﻗﻠّﮫ ﻻ ﺗﻌﯿﺪھﺎ أﺑﺪاً. ﻓﺘﺤﯿﺔ :ھﺎﻷوﻻد ﺑﻐﻠﺒﻮ وﺑﺪھﻢ ﺻﺒﺮ وطﻮﻟﺔ ﺑﺎل.
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻏﺴﺎن :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎﻛﻲ ﯾﺎ أم ﻏﺴﺎن ﺗﺮوﺣﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺟﺎرﺗﻨﺎ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة أو ﺗﻌﻤﻠﻲ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ أي ﻋﻼﻗﺔ.
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺪال
57
Example:
ﻛﺮﯾﻢ :ﺟﺪّي دﻗﺔ ﻗﺪﯾﻤﺔ! ﺑﺘﺼﺪّق ﯾﺎ ﺑﺎﺳﻢ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﯾﺴﺘﻌﻤﻞ اﻟﻤﻮﺑﺎﯾﻞ! اﻟﻨﺎس وﺻﻠﺖ اﻟﻘﻤﺮ وﺟﺪّي ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﺑﺎﻟﺰﻣﻦ اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻢ. ﺑﺎﺳﻢ :أﻏﻠﺐ اﻟﻜﺒﺎر ھﯿﻚ! إﺷﺘﺮﯾﻠﮫ واﺣﺪ وﻋﻠﻤﮫ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ.
دﻗﺮ /digir/
دﻓﻊ ﺛﻤﻦ ﻋﻤﺎﯾﻠﮫ /dafa‘ thaman ‘amāyl-uh/
Equivalent: Pay the price/ Punishment. Example:
ﯾﻐﺶ وﺣﺮﻣﮫ ﻣﻦ ﻣﻌﺘﺰ :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﻤﺪ ّرس ﻣﺴﻚ اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ ّ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن .رح ﯾﻌﯿﺪ اﻟﻔﺼﻞ ﻛﻠﮫ. ﺟﻤﯿﻞ :ﺑﺴﺘﺎھﻞ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﺎ ﯾﻐﺶ! ﺧﻠﯿﮫ ﯾﺪﻓﻊ ﺛﻤﻦ ﻋﻤﺎﯾﻠﮫ.
Equivalent: Pig-headed/ Bull-headed/ Stubborn. Example:
ﺳﮭﯿﻞ :ﯾﺎ ﺷﻮ راﺳﻚ ﯾﺎﺑﺲ ودﻗﺮ ﯾﺎ أدھﻢ! ﺑﻘﻠﻚ ﻻزم ﺗﻌﻄﻲ اﺑﻨﻚ ﻛﻞ اﻟﺘﻄﻌﯿﻤﺎت اﻟﻤﻘ ّﺮرة ﻟﻌﻤﺮه وإﻧﺖ ﺑﺘﺪاﻗِﺮ وﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ إﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﺎ رح ﺗﻔﯿﺪه! إﻧﺖ ﻣﺶ أﻋﺮف ﻣﻦ اﻟﺪﻛﺎﺗﺮة واﻟﻌﻠﻤﺎء!
دﻓﻌﺔ وﺣﺪة /duf‘ah waḥadeh/
Equivalent: In one fell swoop/ All in one go. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻏﺮﯾﺐ :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ أﻋﻠﻨﺖ إﻓﻼﺳﮭﺎ ور ّوﺣﻮ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻤﻮظﻔﯿﻦ دﻓﻌﺔ وﺣﺪة.
اﻟﺪم ﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﯿّﮫ /il-damm mā biṣīr mayyeh/
Equivalent: Blood is thicker than water/ Family ties
دق اﻟﺤﺪﯾﺪ وھﻮ ﺣﺎﻣﻲ
are stronger than anything.
/dugg il-ḥadīd w-hū ḥāmī/
Example:
Equivalent: Strike while the iron is hot/ Take the
أم ھﻤﺎم :ﺧﯿﺮ ﯾﺎ أم ﻟﻄﻔﻲ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﻣﻊ أوﻻد اﻟﻌﯿﻠﺔ؟ أم ﻟﻄﻔﻲ :اﻣﺒﺎرح إﺟﻮ أوﻻد أﺑﻮ ﺻﺒﺤﻲ اﻟﺰﻋﺮان وﺗﮭﺠﻤﻮ ﻋﻠﻰ أوﻻدﻧﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﻮﺑﺮ ﻣﺎرﻛﺖ! إﺟﻮ أوﻻد ﻋﻤﮭﻢ اﻧﺠﻨّﻮ ﺑﺲ ﺳﻤﻌﻮ وإﺟﻮ ﯾﺮﻛﻀﻮ وﻛﺤﺸﻮھﻢ وﻧﺎدوﻟﮭﻢ اﻟﺸﺮطﺔ! أم ھﻤﺎم :ﺻﺢ أوﻻد ﻋﻤﮭﻢ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﻮ ﯾﺤﻜﻮ ﻣﻌﮭﻢ ﻗﺒﻞ ھﺎﻟﻘﺼﺔ؟ أم ﻟﻄﻔﻲ :آه ﺻﺢ .ﺑﺲ زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﻋﻤﺮ اﻟﺪم ﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﯿّﮫ!
opportunity. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺗﻤﯿﻢ :اﻟﯿﻮم واﻓﻖ أﺑﻮ رؤوف إﻧّﮫ ﯾﺒﯿﻌﻨﻲ ﻗﻄﻌﺔ اﻷرض اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺠﻨﺐ ﺑﯿﺘﻨﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﻌﺮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪّي إﯾﺎه! أم ﺗﻤﯿﻢ :ﻟﻌﺎد ﺑﺸﻮ ﺑﺘﺴﺘﻨﻰ؟ دق اﻟﺤﺪﯾﺪ وھﻮ ﺣﺎﻣﻲ وروح ﻛ ّﻤﻞ ھﺎﻟﺸﺮوة ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﻐﯿّﺮ رأﯾﮫ!
دق )طﻖ( راﺳﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﯿﻂ ← ﺑﻠّﻂ اﻟﺒﺤﺮ /balliṭ il-baḥur/ ← /dugg rās-ak b-il-ḥēṭ/
د ّﻣﮫ ﺑﺎرد
Equivalent: Like it or lump it. /damm-uh bārid/
Equivalent: Cold-blooded. Example:
ﯾﻮﺳﻒ :ﻣﻮﺳﻰ د ّﻣﮫ ﺑﺎرد وﻻ ﺑﻔﺮق ﻣﻌﮫ إﺷﻲ! ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻋﺎدي وﻣﺎ ﺑﺒﯿّﻦ ﻣﺸﺎﻋﺮه! ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎدر أﻓﮭﻤﮫ! ﺟﻼل :ﻛﻞ واﺣﺪ وطﺒﻌﮫ!
د ّﻣﮫ ﺛﻘﯿﻞ /damm-uh thagīl/
Example:
ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎك ﺗﺒﯿﻊ ﺣﺼﺘﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺤﻞ ﻋﺸﺎن ﺗﺘﺎﺟﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺼﺎري! ﺧﻠّﯿﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻀﻤﻮن أﺣﺴﻨﻠﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺧﻮي! ﻣﺶ رح أﺳﻤﺤﻠﻚ ﺗﻌﻤﻞ ھﺎﻟﻌﻤﻠﺔ. ﺑﺪر :ﺑﻌﺖ ﺣﺼﺘﻲ وﺧﻠّﺼﺖ! وﺑﺪّي أﺗﺎﺟﺮ! ﻋﺎﺟﺒﻚ أھﻼً وﺳﮭﻼً وإذا ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎﺟﺒﻚ دق راﺳﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﯿﻂ ﻷﻧّﻲ ﻣﺶ راﯾﺢ أﻏﯿّﺮ رأﯾﻲ!
دق ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺨﺸﺐ
Equivalent: A stuffed shirt/ A stick-in-the-mud/ A wet
/dugg ‘alā il-khashab/
blanket/ A boring person/ A person who annoys others.
Equivalent: Knock on wood/ Warding off bad luck.
Example:
Example:
ﺧﻠﯿﻞ :ﯾﺎﷲ ﺷﻮ ﻣﻨﯿﺮ ﺛﻘﯿﻞ دم! اﺣﻤﺪ :ﻛﺜﯿﺮ زﻧﺦ ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ وﻓﻌﻼ ً د ّﻣﮫ ﺛﻘﯿﻞ!
أم ﺣﺎزم :ﺑﺎرﻛﯿﻠﻲ ﯾﺎ أم ﺳﻌﺎد اﺑﻨﻲ طﻠﻊ اﻷ ّول ﻋﻠﻰ دﻓﻌﺘﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ وﺗﺨ ّﺮج ﺑﻤﺮﺗﺒﺔ اﻟﺸﺮف! دﻗّﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺨﺸﺐ! ام ﺳﻌﺎد :ﻣﺎ ﺷﺎءﷲ ﺗﺘﮭﻨﻮ وﻣﻨﮭﺎ ﻟﻸﻋﻠﻰ!
د ّﻣﮫ ﺣﺎﻣﻲ /damm-uh ḥāmī/
دﻗﺔ ﻗﺪﯾﻤﺔ
Equivalent: Jealous/ To show anger and rage when
/daggah gadīmeh/
you see that your beloved is liked by others (this is
Equivalent: Old-fashioned/ Behind the times/ Fuddy-
particularly referring to a man toward a woman).
duddy.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﺻﻐﯿﺮة
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Example: /il-dinyā zaghīreh/
Equivalent: It’s a small world. Example:
وداد :ﻋﻔﺎف! ﻋﻔﺎف! ﻋﻔﺎف :ﻧﻌﻢ ﻣﯿﻦ ﺣﻀﺮﺗﻚ؟ وداد :وﻟﻮ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺘﺬﻛﺮﯾﺘﻨﻲ؟ أﻧﺎ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﺘﻚ وداد ﻣﻦ أﯾّﺎم اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ! ﻋﻔﺎف :أھﻼً ﺣﺒﯿﺒﺘﻲ ﻛﯿﻔﻚ؟ ﺷﻮ ﺟﺎﺑﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺎﻟﯿﺰﯾﺎ؟ ﺻﺢ إﻧﺘﻲ ﺗﺠﻮزﺗﻲ وﺳﺎﻓﺮﺗﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ أﻣﺮﯾﻜﺎ؟ وداد :آه ﺻﺢ .ﺟﺎﯾّﺔ ھﻮن ﺳﯿﺎﺣﺔ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻌﯿﻠﺔ! ﻋﻔﺎف :ﯾﺎ ﷲ ﻓﻌﻼ اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﺻﻐﯿﺮة!
ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ د ّﻣﮫ ﺣﺎﻣﻲ وﺑﻐﺎر ﻋﻠﻰ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﺘﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺗﮭﺎوش ﻣﻊ ﺷﺐ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺎرع ﻷﻧّﮫ اﺗﻄﻠّﻊ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ!
د ّﻣﮫ ﺧﻔﯿﻒ /damm-uh khafīf/
Equivalent: Light-hearted person/ Has a sense of humor/ Funny. Example:
ﺳﮭﺎم :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺗﻔﺮﺟﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺴﻠﺴﻞ اﻟﻜﻮﻣﯿﺪي اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ واﻟﺒﻄﻞ وﺿﺤﻜﻨﻲ ﻣﻦ ﻛﻞ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ. د ّﻣﮫ ﺧﻔﯿﻒ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ! اﻧﺒﺴﻄﺖ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ّ دﯾﻨﺎ :أي ﺳﺎﻋﺔ ﺑﺒﺪا؟
دﻣﻮع اﻟﺘﻤﺎﺳﯿﺢ
اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﻗﺮﺿﺔ ودﯾﻦ ← ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﻗﺒﺎﻟﮫ إﺷﻲ /kull shī gbāl-uh ’ishī/ ← /il-dinyā girḏạ h w-dēn/
/dmū‘ il-tmāsīḥ/
Equivalent: What goes around comes around/ You’ll
Equivalent: Shed crocodile tears/ Insincere sorrow.
get yours.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻏﯿﺚ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﺘﻨﻜﺪ ﯾﺎ ﻏﯿﺚ؟ ﻟﯿﺶ زﻋﻼن؟ ﻏﯿﺚ :اﻟﯿﻮم زﻣﯿﻠﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﺳﺮق ﻓﻜﺮة ﻣﺸﺮوﻋﻲ وﻋﺮﺿﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ واﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ اﻧﺒﺴﻂ ﺑﺎﻟﻔﻜﺮة وأﻋﻄﺎه ﻋﻼوة ﻛﻤﺎن. أم ﻏﯿﺚ :ﻻ ﺗﺰﻋﻞ ﺣﺒﯿﺒﻲ وإﻋﺮف إﻧّﮫ اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﻗﺮﺿﺔ ودﯾﻦ ورح ﯾﯿﺠﻲ ﯾﻮم وﯾﻘﻊ زﻣﯿﻠﻚ ﺑﺸ ّﺮ أﻋﻤﺎﻟﮫ.
أم ﻣﻌﺘﺰ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر ﻣﺮت اﺑﻨﻚ ﯾﺎ أم ﺟﺎﺑﺮ؟ إن ﺷﺎ إﻧﮭﺎ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ ﻣﻌﻚ وﺑﺘﺴﺎﻋﺪك ﺑﺸﻐﻞ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ؟ أم ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :ﻻ وﷲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺴﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ! وﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﯾﻄﻠﺐ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ ﺗﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻣﻌﻲ ﺑﺘﺼﯿﺮ ﺗﺒﻜﻲ وﺑﺘﻨﺰّل دﻣﻮع اﻟﺘﻤﺎﺳﯿﺢ وﺑﺘﻤﺜّﻞ إﻧﮭﺎ ﺗﻌﺒﺎﻧﺔ! واﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ إﻧﱠﮫ ﺑﺼﺪّﻗﮭﺎ!
دﻧﺠﻮان زﻣﺎﻧﮫ
اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﻧﺎر وﺳﻌﺎر
/dunjuwān zamān-uh/ /il-dinyā nār w-s‘ār/
Equivalent: Don Juan/ A lady-killer/ Handsome/ Well-
Equivalent: Everything has become very expensive.
liked by women.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺛﺎﻣﺮ :ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ ھﺎﻟﺮاﺗﺐ ﺑﻄّﻞ ﯾﻜﻔﻲ ﻹﺷﻲ! ﺑﺨﻠﺺ ﻗﺒﻞ ﻧﺺ اﻟﺸﮭﺮ! أﺑﻮ ﻛﻨﻌﺎن :آه وﷲ ﻣﻌﻚ ﺣﻖ .اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﻧﺎر وﺳﻌﺎر وﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﻏﺎﻟﻲ.
ھﺎﻧﻲ :ﻣﻊ ﻣﯿﻦ ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻠﻔﻮن؟ ي! ﻣﺮاد :ﻣﻊ ﺑﻨﺖ ﺟﺪﯾﺪة .اﺳﺘﻨﻰ ﺷﻮ ّ ھﺎﻧﻲ :وﻣﯿﻦ ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ؟ ﺑﺸﻮف ﺻﺎﯾﺮ دﻧﺠﻮان زﻣﺎﻧﻚ وﻣﺶ ﻣﻠﺤﻖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﻨﺎت! ﯾﺎ ﺑﺨﺘﻚ!
اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ أﺧﺬ وﻋﻄﺎ
دوام اﻟﺤﺎل ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺤﺎل /dawām il-ḥāl min il-muḥāl/
/il-dinyā ’akhdh w-‘aṭā/
Equivalent: Nothing lasts forever/ Nothing stays the
Equivalent: Give and take.
same.
Example:
Example:
رداد :وﷲ ﯾﺎﺑﺎ ﻣﻨﻲ ﻋﺎرف ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ؟ ﺻﺎرﻟﻲ ﺳﻨﺔ ﻣﺘﺨ ّﺮج ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ وﻋﺎطﻞ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻌﻤﻞ! ي! إن ﺷﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﺮج .دوام اﻟﺤﺎل أﺑﻮ رداد :اﺻﺒﺮ ﯾﺎ رداد ﺷﻮ ّ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺤﺎل.
دور ﻏﺎد /dūr ghād/
ﻋﻮاد :اﺳﻤﻊ ﯾﺎ ﺷﻔﯿﻖ ﻻ ﺗﻈﻠّﻚ ﻣﺪﻗّﺮ وﻣﺼ ّﻐﺮ ﻋﻘﻠﻚ! ﻻزم ﺗﺸﻮف أﺧﻮك وﺗﺤﻠّﻮ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻠﻜﻮ! اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ أﺧﺬ وﻋﻄﺎ وﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ إﻻ وإﻟﮭﺎ ﺣﻞ! ﺷﻔﯿﻖ :ﺑﺲ ھﻮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻠّﺶ ﺑﺎﻷ ّول! ﻋﻮاد :إﻧﺖ اﻟﻜﺒﯿﺮ واﻟﺘﻔﺎھﻢ أﻓﻀﻞ.
اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﺟﺎﻣﻮدة ← اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﺳﺮﯾﺪة ← اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﻣﻮت اﺣﻤﺮ
Equivalent: Keep out of my way/ Stay out of my way.
/il-dinyā mōt ’iḥmar/ ← /il-dinyā sarīdeh/ ← /il-dinyā jāmūdeh/
Example:
Equivalent: Brass monkey/ Extremely cold weather.
اﻻب :ﻟﯿﺶ واﻗﻒ ﺑﻄﺮﯾﻘﻲ؟ دور ﻏﺎد! ﺑﺪّي أﻓ ّﻮت اﻷﻏﺮاض ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ. اﻻﺑﻦ :ﺣﺎﺿﺮ.
Example:
أﻣﯿﺮة :اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﺑ ّﺮا ﺟﺎﻣﻮدة! ﻣﻮت اﺣﻤﺮ! ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺜﻠﺞ اﻟﯿﻮم. ﺗﻤﺎﺿﺮ :آه وﷲ اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﺳﺮﯾﺪة.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺪال
دوز دﻏﺮي
اﻟﺪﯾﻚ اﻟﻔﺼﯿﺢ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﯿﻀﺔ ﺑﺼﯿﺢ /il-dīk il-faṣīḥ min il-bēḏạ h biṣīḥ/
/dūz dughrī/
Equivalent: Wise beyond one’s years/ A young person
Equivalent: Straightforward/ Proceeding in a straight
who is intelligent.
direction.
Example:
Example:
رﺷﺤﺖ اﺑﻦ اﺑﻨﻚ ﻟﺘﻘﺪﯾﻢ أﺑﻮ ﻣﺮزوق :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ ّ ﺑﺮﻧﺎﻣﺞ اﻷطﻔﺎل ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻠﻔﺰﯾﻮن! ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﺻﺤﯿﺢ؟ أﺑﻮ رﺟﺎ :آه وﷲ .ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﺷﺎطﺮ وﻓﮭﻤﺎن وﺑﺸﺎرك داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺑﺈذاﻋﺔ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ .ﺑﺤﺐ ھﺎﻷﺷﯿﺎء ﻣﻦ وھﻮ ﺻﻐﯿﺮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ. أﺑﻮ ﻣﺮزوق :اﻟﺪﯾﻚ اﻟﻔﺼﯿﺢ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﯿﻀﺔ ﺑﺼﯿﺢ! ﷲ ﯾﻮﻓﻘﮫ.
ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :وﯾﻦ اﻟﻤﺮﻛﺰ اﻟﻄﺒّﻲ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ؟ ﻣﺤﻤﻮد :ﺧﻠﯿﻚ ﻣﺎﺷﻲ دوز دﻏﺮي ﻵﺧﺮ اﻟﺸﺎرع ﺑﻜﻮن ﻋﻠﻰ إﯾﺪك اﻟﯿﻤﯿﻦ.
دﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ /dīr bāl-ak/
Equivalent: Watch out for/ Take care of yourself/ Be careful or aware. Example:
ﻋﻤﺮ :طﯿﺎرﺗﻲ ﺑﺘﻄﻠﻊ اﻟﺴﺎﻋﺔ ﺳﺒﻌﺔ. أم ﻋﻤﺮ :ﯾﺎ ﻋﻤﺮ دﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ ودﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﻦ أﺻﺤﺎب اﻟﺴﻮء.
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺬال
ذاب ﺑﮭﺪوﻣﮫ
reputation by telling lies about him or her or
/dhāb bi-hdūm-uh/
accusing falsely without evidence of wrongdoing.
Equivalent: Extremely embarrassed or shy.
Example:
Example:
ﺷﻮ ﺳﻤﻌﻨﺎ إﻧّﻚ ﺑﺘﺤﺐ ﺑﻨﺖ اﻟﺠﯿﺮان ﺗﺴﻨﯿﻢ! ﺻﺤﯿﺢ:وﺿﺎح !ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ . ﻣﯿﻦ ﺣﻜﺎﻟﻚ؟ ﻻ ﻣﺶ ﺻﺤﯿﺢ:اﻧﺲ . اﻋﺘﺮف ﻋﺸﺎن ﻧﻌﺮف! ھﮭﮭﮭﮭﮭﮭﮫ:وﺿﺎح ﺧﻠﺺ ﯾﺎ وﺿﺎح أﺣﺮﺟﺖ أﺧﻮك! ﺷﻮﻓﮫ ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ:أم وﺿﺎح .ذاب ﺑﮭﺪوﻣﮫ
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎرف زﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺨﺎف ﷲ! ذﻣﺘﮫ وﺳﯿﻌﺔ وطﻮل:أم ﺣﺎﻣﺪ .ﻧﮭﺎره ﯾﺤﻜﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻨﺎت اﻟﺤﺎرة ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺎطﻞ ﺑﺪون أي دﻟﯿﻞ . ﷲ ﯾﮭﺪﯾﮫ:أم ﺟﺎﺑﺮ
ذﻧﺐ اﻟﻜﻠﺐ أﻋﻮج /dhanab il-kalb ’i‘waj/
Equivalent: Literal. The dog’s tail stays crooked/ A leopard cannot change its spots/ What is bred in the
ذاق اﻟﺪﻓﻠﻰ ← ذاق اﻷﻣ ّﺮﯾﻦ
bone cannot come out of the flesh/ It’s difficult for
/ḏā ̣ g il-’amarrēn/ ← /ḏā ̣ g il-duflā/
people to change their character.
Equivalent: Pay dearly/ Has been to hell and back/
Example:
To suffer from something/ To undergo or experience unpleasantness, illness or a bad health condition. Example:
! ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻨﺔ أم ﺷﺮﯾﻒ! ذاﻗﺖ اﻟﺪﻓﻠﻰ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ ﻣﺮﺿﮭﺎ:أم ﻓﺎﺋﻖ وﺟﻮزھﺎ ذاق اﻷﻣ ّﺮﯾﻦ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ زﯾﺎراﺗﮭﻢ اﻟﻤﺘﻜﺮرة ﻟﻠﻤﺴﺘﺸﻔﻰ !وﻛﻠّﮫ ﺑﻼ ﻓﺎﯾﺪة ! ﷲ ﯾﺸﻔﯿﮭﺎ:أﺑﻮ ﻓﺎﺋﻖ
ﺟﻮز ﺑﻨﺘﻲ ﻋﺎﯾﺪة رﺟﻊ ﯾﻌﺮف ﺑﻨﺎت ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ! ﻓ ّﻜﺮﻧﺎه:أم ﻗﺼﻲ !ﺗﻌﺪّل وﺻﺎر ﻣﺤﺘﺮم ﺑﺲ ﻟﻸﺳﻒ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻄّﻞ ﻋﺎدﺗﮫ ! ذﻧﺐ اﻟﻜﻠﺐ أﻋﻮج:أم وﺻﻔﻲ
ذﻧﺒﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺟﻨﺒﻚ /dhanb-ak ‘alā janb-ak/
Equivalent: Forewarned is forearmed/ This is used as a stern warning.
ذﺑﺢ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ /dhabaḥ ḥāl-uh/
Equivalent: Work one’s fingers to the bone/ Work very
Example:
ﺑﻨﺼﺤﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺎﺗﻢ ﻻ ﺗﻮﺧﺬ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﻦ اﻟﺼﻨﺪوق! إذا:ﻣﻨﯿﺮ !ﺣﺪا اﻛﺘﺸﻔﻚ ﺑﺘﺘﻮ ّرط وﺳﺎﻋﺘﮭﺎ ذﻧﺒﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺟﻨﺒﻚ
hard.
ذراﻋﻚ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺨﺎم ﺗﻜﺴﯿﮫ
Example:
وﷲ إﻧّﻲ ﺧﺎﯾﻒ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺻﺤﺔ أﺑﻮي! ذﺑﺢ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ وھﻮ:ﻋﯿﺴﻰ ﯾﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﺑﺎﻷرض! ﻗﻠﺘﻠﮫ ارﺗﺎح واﺗﺮك اﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺶ !ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﷲ ﯾﻌﻄﯿﮫ اﻟﺼﺤﺔ! ﻋ ّﻤﻲ ﻣﻦ ﯾﻮم ﯾﻮﻣﮫ ﻧﺸﯿﻂ وﺑﺤﺐ:ﺗﯿﺴﯿﺮ .اﻟﺸﻐﻞ
ذﻣﺘﮫ وﺳﯿﻌﺔ /dhimt-uh wasī‘ah/
Equivalent: A femicide/ Defamer/ Slanderer/ Backbiter/ A person who destroys another’s
/dhrā‘-ak min il-khām tiksīh/
Equivalent: Face the consequences/ Bear the responsibility/ To accept responsibility for your actions, whatever happens. Example:
ھﺬا ﻗﺮارك وإﻧﺖ ﺣ ّﺮ! ﻻزم ﺗﺘﺤ ّﻤﻞ ﻣﺴﺆوﻟﯿﺔ:أﺑﻮ ﺳﻤﯿﺮ !أﻓﻌﺎﻟﻚ وﻗﺮاراﺗﻚ! وذراﻋﻚ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺨﺎم ﺗﻜﺴﯿﮫ
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺮاء
ﺳﻤﺮ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻛﻞ ﺗﻌﺒﻨﺎ وﺗﺪرﯾﺒﻨﺎ راح ھﺪر؟ ﻣﻨﺎر :آه ﯾﺎ ﻋﺰﯾﺰﺗﻲ ﻛﻠّﮫ راح ﺳﺪى وھﺒﺎ ًء ﻣﻨﺜﻮرا! ﻣﺎ ﻓﺎدﻧﺎ ﻏﯿﺮ اﻟﺘﻌﺐ!
راح اﻟﻜﺜﯿﺮ وﻣﺎ ظ ّﻞ إﻻ اﻟﻘﻠﯿﻞ ← ھﺎﻧﺖ /hānat/ ← /rāḥ li-kthīr w-mā ḏạ ll illa il-galīl/
Equivalent: It’s almost over/ Be patient, we are almost done.
راﺣﺔ اﻟﺒﺎل
Example: /rāḥit il-bāl/
Equivalent: Peace of mind.
رزق :ﺧﻠﺺ ﺑﺪّي أر ّوح ﺗﻌﺒﺖ وأﻧﺎ أﺳﺘﻨﻰ! ي! ﻋﻤﺮ :راح اﻟﻜﺜﯿﺮ وﻣﺎ ظ ّﻞ إﻻ اﻟﻘﻠﯿﻞ! ھﺎﻧﺖ ﺑﺲ اﺻﺒﺮ ﺷﻮ ّ
Example:
ﺟﮭﺎد :ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ ﻟﯿﺶ داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﻗﻠﻘﺎن وﺑﺼﻠﺘﻚ ﻣﺤﺮوﻗﺔ؟ ﻻ ﺗﻀﻞ ﺗﻔﻜﺮ ﺑﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ! ھﺎﻹﺷﻲ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ ﻟﺼﺤﺘﻚ! ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ زي راﺣﺔ اﻟﺒﺎل! ﻻ ﺗﻀﻐﻂ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ. ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :وﻣﻨﯿﻦ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﯿﺠﻲ راﺣﺔ اﻟﺒﺎل ﯾﺎ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻲ؟
راح ﺑﺎﻟﺮﺟﻠﯿﻦ ← راح ﺑﺸﺮﺑﺔ ﻣﯿّﮫ /rāḥ bshurbit mayyeh/ ← /rāḥ b-il-rijlēn/
Equivalent: Take the rap for something/ Be punished or penalized for someone else’s wrongdoing or misconduct. Example:
راس اﻟﺒﻼ ← راس اﻟﻔﺘﻨﺔ /rās il-fitneh/ ← /rās il-balā/
Equivalent: Mischief-maker/ Troublemaker/ Meddler. Example:
ﺣﺴﺎن :إﻧﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺧﺒّﺮت أﺑﻮ ﺻﺒﺮي إﻧّﮫ ﺻﺒﺮي رﺳﺐ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن؟ ﻣﻨﺘﺼﺮ :آه! ﺑﺴﺘﺎھﻞ ﻟﯿﺶ ﯾﺮﺳﺐ! ﺣﺴﺎن :وإﻧﺖ ﺷﻮ دﺧﻠﻚ؟ ﺳﺒﺒﺖ ﻟﻠﺸﺐ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ ﻣﻊ أﺑﻮه! ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺘﺤﺐ ﺗﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ؟ ھﯿّﻮ ﺣﺮﻣﮫ ﻣﻦ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﮫ وﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﮫ! ﻣﻨﺘﺼﺮ :ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻠّﮫ؟ ﺣﺴﺎن :ﻻ ﺗﻌﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ ﯾﺎ راس اﻟﺒﻼ! ﻣﺎ إﻧﺖ راس اﻟﻔﺘﻨﺔ!
راﺳﮫ ﺑﻔﺘﻞ
ﻋﻤﺎد :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ زﯾﺎد! راح ﺑﺎﻟﺮﺟﻠﯿﻦ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ أﺧﻮه ﻋﺰﯾﺰ. ﻧﺼﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ ھﺎﻟﻤ ّﺮة؟ ﻋﻤﺎد :ﺳﺮق ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﻦ اﻟﺼﻨﺪوق اﻟﻠﻲ زﯾﺎد ﻣﺴﺆول ﻋﻨّﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻨﻚ وو ّرطﮫ.
ﻧﺺ ﻋﻤﺮك راح ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ّ /rāḥ ‘alēk nuṣṣ ‘umr-ak/
Equivalent: To miss out/ To not have an opportunity to experience something good. Example:
اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ :ﻟﯿﺶ ر ّوﺣﺖ ﺑﻜﯿﺮ اﻣﺒﺎرح ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ؟ اﻧﺲ :ﻛﻨﺖ ﺗﻌﺒﺎن وﻧﻌﺴﺎن. ﻧﺺ ﻋﻤﺮك! ﺻﺎرت أﺣﺪاث ﺑﺘﺠﻨّﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ! اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ :راح ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ّ
/rās-uh biftil/
Equivalent: Waver between someone or someone else/
راح ﻋﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ
Waver between something or something else.
/rāḥ ‘an bālī/
Example:
Equivalent: It slipped my mind/ I forgot.
ﺼﺺ ﻟﻠﺪراﺳﺔ؟ ﻣﺮﻋﻲ :ﺷﻮ إﺧﺘﺮت ﺗﺨ ّ وﻟﯿﺪ :ﺑﻌﺪﻧﻲ ﻣﺎ إﺧﺘﺮت! راﺳﻲ ﺑﻔﺘﻞ وﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف أﺣﺪّد ﺼﺺ. ﺗﺨ ّ ﻣﺮﻋﻲ :إﺧﺘﺎر إﺷﻲ ﺑﺘﺤﺒﮫ وﺑﺘﺴﺘﻤﺘﻊ ﻓﯿﮫ.
راﺳﮫ ﺛﻘﯿﻞ /rās-uh thagīl/
Example:
ﺳﻠﺴﺒﯿﻞ :ﺳﺠﻰ زﻋﻼﻧﺔ ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻲ ﯾﺎ رﻧﺎ ﻷﻧﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺣﻀﺮﺗﻲ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ ﻋﯿﺪ ﻣﯿﻼدھﺎ! رﻧﺎ :ﺑﺴﺒﺐ اﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎﺗﻲ ودراﺳﺘﻲ راح ﻋﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ ﻣﻮﻋﺪ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ وﻧﺴﯿﺖ! ﺧﻠﺺ ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ وﺑﺸﺮﺣﻠﮭﺎ ظﺮوﻓﻲ.
راح ھﺪر ← راح ھﺒﺎءا ﻣﻨﺜﻮرا ← راح ﺳﺪى
Equivalent: Heavy sleeper/ Sleep like a dog/ Sleep
/rāḥ sudā/ ← /rāḥ habā’an manthūrā/ ← /rāḥ hadar/
like a rock/ Sleep like a log/ Sleepyhead/ Dead to the
Equivalent: All for nothing/ Go down the drain/ To waste
world/ In a deep sleep.
your time.
Example:
Example:
ﺴﮫ ﻏﯿﺪاء :وطّﻲ ﺻﻮت اﻟﺘﻠﻔﺰﯾﻮن ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎﺑﺪ! اﻟﺒﯿﺒﻲ ﻧﺎﯾﻢ وھ ّ ﺑﺘﺼﺤﯿﮫ! ّ
ﻣﻨﺎر :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧﮭﻢ ﻟﻐﻮ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻤﺴﺎﺑﻘﺎت واﻟﻔﻌﺎﻟﯿﺎت اﻟﺮﯾﺎﺿﯿﺔ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ اﻟﺠ ّﻮ اﻟﺒﺎرد!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
راﯾﺢ ﺟﺎي /rāyiḥ jāy/
Equivalent: Go back and forth. Example:
ﻋﺼﺎم :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻋﯿﺴﻰ راﯾﺢ ﺟﺎي؟ ﺷﻜﻠﻚ ﺑﺘﺴﺘﻨﻰ ﺣﺪا؟ ﻋﯿﺴﻰ :آه ﺑﺴﺘﻨﻰ ﻣﺨﺘﺎر ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﻧﺮوح ﻧﺤﻀﺮ اﻟﻤﺒﺎراة! ﺑﺲ ّ اﺗﺄﺧﺮ ﺷﻮﯾﺔ وﺧﺎﯾﻒ ﺗﺮوح ﻋﻠﯿﻨﺎ!
رب رﻣﯿﺔ ﻣﻦ ﻏﯿﺮ رام ّ /rubba ramyatin min ghayri rāmin/
Equivalent: Beginner’s luck/ The luck of an
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ﻋﺎﺑﺪ :ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻘﻲ اﻟﺒﯿﺒﻲ راﺳﮫ ﺛﻘﯿﻞ وﻣﺶ رح ﯾﺼﺤﻰ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺼﻮت.
راﺳﮫ ﺧﻔﯿﻒ /rās-uh khafīf/
Equivalent: Light sleeper. Example:
ﺴﮫ اﻟﺒﯿﺒﻲ ﺑﺼﺤﻰ ﺳﻤﺮ :اﺳﻜﺘﻮ ﯾﺎ أوﻻد وﻻ ﺗﻌﻠّﻮ ﺻﻮﺗﻜﻮ ھ ّ ﻷﻧّﮫ راﺳﮫ ﺧﻔﯿﻒ!
راﺳﮫ ﻧﺎﺷﻒ ← راﺳﮫ ﯾﺎﺑﺲ ← راﺳﮫ ﻗﺎﺳﻲ
inexperienced person in his or her first try.
/rās-uh yābis/ ← /rās-uh nāshif/ ← /rās-uh gāsī/
Example:
Equivalent: Pigheaded/ Hardheaded/ Stubborn.
ﻋﺮﻓﺔ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺗﻤﯿﻢ ﺻﺎد أرﺑﻊ ﺳﻤﻜﺎت ﻣﻊ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﯾﺼﯿﺪ وﻻ ﺑﻌﻤﺮه ﺟ ّﺮب ﺣﺘﻰ! ّ رب ﻣﺤﺘﺮف! ﺎد ﯿ ﺻ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﺮ ﻜ ﯾﻔ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ﺴﮫ ّ ّ ﯾﻌﻘﻮب :ﺟﺪّ! ھ ّ رﻣﯿﺔ ﻣﻦ ﻏﯿﺮ رام!
Example:
أم اﻧﻮر :اﻧﻮر راﺳﮫ ﻗﺎﺳﻲ وﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﯾﺸﺎرك أﺧﻮه ﺑﺘﺠﺎرﺗﮫ! أﺧﻮه ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻛﻔﺎﯾﺔ! أم ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻣﻦ طﻮل ﻋﻤﺮه راﺳﮫ ﯾﺎﺑﺲ وﻋﻨﯿﺪ!
راﻛﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻛﺘﺎﻓﮫ
رب ﺿﺎرة ﻧﺎﻓﻌﺔ ّ /rubba ḍāratin nāfi‘ah/
/rākib ‘alā iktāf-uh/
Equivalent: Every cloud has a silver lining/ Sometimes
Equivalent: To rest (squarely) on someone’s
good things can come out of a bad situation.
shoulders/ To be or become the sole responsibility
Example:
of someone.
ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :اﻣﺒﺎرح راح ﻋﺰﯾﺰ ﻣﻊ ﻋﯿﻠﺘﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻮل ﺑﺄﻣﺮﯾﻜﺎ وﻛﺎﻧﻮ ﺣﺎطﯿﻦ ﻣﻮاد ﺗﻨﻈﯿﻒ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻷرض ﺑﺲ ﻧﺎﺳﯿﯿﻦ ﯾﺤﻄﻮ إﺷﺎرة ﻟﺘﻨﺒﯿﮫ اﻟﻨﺎس! إﺟﺎ اﺑﻦ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ وﻗﻊ واﻧﻜﺴﺮت رﺟﻠﮫ! ﺑﺲ اﻟﺤﻠﻮ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع إﻧّﮫ ادارة اﻟﻤﻮل إﻋﺘﺬرو ﻣﻨﮫ وأﻋﻄﻮه ﺗﻌﻮﯾﺾ ﻣﺎدّي ﻟﻠﻀﺮر اﻟﻠﻲ ﺻﺎر ﺑﺴﺒﺒﮭﻢ! رب ﺿﺎرة ﻧﺎﻓﻌﺔ! ﺣﺎﻣﺪ :ﯾﺎ ﺳﻼم! ّ
رﺑﻨﺎ اﻓﺘﻜﺮه /rabnā iftakar-uh/
Example:
أم ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻣﺎت أﺑﻮ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ وﻛﻞ اﻟﻤﺴﺆوﻟﯿﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ! ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﺛﻼث ﺷﻐﻼت ﺑﺎﻟﯿﻮم وﻣﺎ ﺑﺮﺗﺎح ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ! وأﺧﻮﺗﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﻤﻠﻮ إﺷﻲ! ﻛﻠﮭﻢ راﻛﺒﯿﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻛﺘﺎﻓﮫ وﻣﻌﺘﻤﺪﯾﻦ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺑﻜﻞ ﺷﻲ! أم راﺋﺪ :ﻻزم أﺧﻮﺗﮫ ﯾﺸﺘﻐﻠﻮ وﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪوه! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ!
راﺳﮫ وأﻟﻒ ﺳﯿﻒ
Equivalent: To kick the bucket/ To die.
/rās-uh w-’alf sēf/
Example:
Equivalent: Insist on doing something.
أﺑﻮ ﻧﺎﺻﺮ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ أﺑﻮ ﺗﺤﺴﯿﻦ ﻣﺎ ارﺗﺎح ﺑﺤﯿﺎﺗﮫ! ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻛﻠﮭﺎ ﺗﻌﺐ وﺷﻘﻰ! أم ﻧﺎﺻﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎرﻟﮫ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻧﺎﺻﺮ :رﺑﻨﺎ اﻓﺘﻜﺮه! ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮫ.
رﺑّﻲ ﻛﻤﺎ ﺧﻠﻘﺘﻨﻲ /rabbī kamā khalaqta-nī/
Example:
أم ودﯾﻊ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر اﺑﻨﻚ رؤوف؟ أﻣﯿﺖ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺘﺠ ّﻮز؟ أم رؤوف :ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﯾﺘﺠ ّﻮز إﻻ اﻟﺒﻨﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻌﺮﻓﮭﺎ! راﺳﮫ وأﻟﻒ ﺳﯿﻒ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺘﺠ ّﻮز ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ! ﺑﺲ اﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ إﻧّﮫ أﺑﻮھﺎ ﻣﺶ ﺻﺤﺒﺔ ﻣﻊ أﺑﻮه! وأﺑﻮه راﻓﺾ ھﺎﻟﺠﯿﺰة!
راﻓﻖ اﻟﻤﺴﻌﺪ ﺗﺴﻌﺪ وراﻓﻖ اﻟﻤﻘﺮد ﺗﻘﺮد
Equivalent: To be in one’s birthday suit/ To be naked.
/rāfig il-mis‘ad tis‘ad w-rāfig il-migrad tigrad/
Example:
Equivalent: A man is known by the company he
ﺿﺤﻜﻨﻲ ﻣﻌﻚ؟ ﺳﻔﯿﺎن :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﺑﺘﻀﺤﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺮاس؟ ّ ﻓﺮاس :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺸﺒﺎب ﻋﻤﻠﻮ ﻣﻘﻠﺐ ﺑﺄﺑﻮ ﺷﺮف! ھﺎﻟﻤﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﻋﺰﻣﻮه ﻣﻌﮭﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻨﺎدي ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻌﻠﻤﻮه ﺳﺒﺎﺣﺔ وھﻨﺎك ﻗﺎﻟﻮﻟﮫ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻘﻮاﻧﯿﻦ ﺑﺘﻘﻮل إﻧّﮫ ﻻزم ﯾﺸﻠﺢ ﻛﻞ أواﻋﯿﮫ وھﻮ ﺻﺪّﻗﮭﻢ وﺷﻠﺢ ﻛﻞ ﻟﺒﺴﮫ! رﺑﻲ ﻛﻤﺎ ﺧﻠﻘﺘﻨﻲ! وﺻﺎر ﯾﺴﺒﺢ! ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ أﺧﺬو ﻟﺒﺴﮫ وﻓﻠّﻮ وﺗﺮﻛﻮه ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮫ!
keeps/ People have a character similar to their friends. Example:
أم رﯾﺎن :اﺳﻤﻊ ﯾﺎ رﯾّﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮﻓﻚ ﺑﺘﻤﺸﻲ ﻣﻊ ﺛﺎﺑﺖ! ھﺬا ﺷﺐ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺠﻲ واﺑﻦ ﺣﺮام! واﻟﻨﺎس ﺑﺘﺼﯿﺮ ﺗﻔ ّﻜﺮ إﻧّﻚ زﯾّﮫ! راﻓﻖ اﻟﻤﺴﻌﺪ ﺗﺴﻌﺪ وراﻓﻖ اﻟﻤﻘﺮد ﺗﻘﺮد!
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺮاء
رﺟﻊ وﻗّﻒ ﻋﻠﻰ رﺟﻠﯿﮫ /riji‘ waggaf ‘alā rijl-ēh/
Equivalent: Back on your feet/ Feeling better. Example:
أم رﺿﻮان :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ إﻧّﮫ اﺑﻨﻚ ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ رﺟﻊ وﻗﱠﻒ ﻋﻠﻰ رﺟﻠﯿﮫ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺷﺮﯾﻜﮫ ﺿﺤﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وﺳﺮق ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮫ! ﻻزم ﯾﻨﺘﺒﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ أﻛﺜﺮ وﯾﻨﺘﺒﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﺎس اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻌﮭﻢ.
ﺳﻔﯿﺎن :ھﮭﮫ ھﺬا ﻣﻘﻠﺐ ﻣﺮﺗّﺐ ﺑﺲ أﻛﯿﺪ ﻣﺶ رح ﯾﺴﻜﺘﻠﮭﻢ! ﺼﺐ! ﻓﺮاس :آه ﻛﺎن ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﻌ ّ
رﺟﻊ ﻷﺻﻠﮫ /riji‘ la-’aṣl-uh/
Equivalent: Go back to your true or real self/ Return to your roots. Example:
وأﺧﯿﺮاً ﻋﺎﺑﺪ رﺟﻊ ﻷﺻﻠﮫ وﺻﺎﻟﺢ أھﻠﮫ واﻟﻜﻞ ﻣﺒﺴﻮط ﻣﻨﮫ!
رﺟﻌﺖ اﻟﻤﯿﺎه ﻟﻤﺠﺎرﯾﮭﺎ /rij‘at il-miyāh la-majārī-hā/
Equivalent: To bury the hatchet/ To go back to normal/
رﺟﻊ ﺑﻜﻼﻣﮫ
To let an old grudge go.
/riji‘ bi-kalām-uh/
Example:
Equivalent: Go back on one’s word/ To retract from
أﺑﻮ ﺷﻔﯿﻖ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ أوﻻد أﺑﻮ طﮫ رﺟﻌﻮ ﺗﺼﺎﻟﺤﻮ ﺑﻌﺪ ﺳﻨﯿﻦ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ ورﺛﺔ أﺑﻮھﻢ! أﺑﻮ ﻋﻄﺎ :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻤﯿﺎه رﺟﻌﺖ ﻟﻤﺠﺎرﯾﮭﺎ.
رﺟﻌﺖ ﺣﻠﯿﻤﺔ ﻟﻌﺎدﺗﮭﺎ اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻤﺔ /rij‘at ḥalīmeh la-‘ādit-hā il-gadīmeh/
Equivalent: Old habits die hard. Example:
اﻧﻮار :ﺟﺪﺗﻲ ﻣﻐﻠﺒﯿﺘﻨﺎ! ﺑﻈﻞ ظﮭﺮھﺎ ﯾﻮﺟﻌﮭﺎ! أﺧﺬﻧﺎھﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر وأﻋﻄﺎھﺎ دوا وﻗﺎﻟﻠﮭﺎ ﻻزم ﺗﻠﺘﺰﻣﻲ ﻓﯿﮫ وﺗﻮﺧﺬﯾﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻮﻋﺪ! ﺑﺲ اﻟﺠﺪة ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺮد ﺑﺘﻈﻞ ﺗﺮوح ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺬول اﻟﺪﺟﺎﻟﯿﻦ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻌﻄﻮھﺎ أﻋﺸﺎب اﺑﺼﺮ ﻣﻦ وﯾﻦ ﺑﺠﯿﺒﻮھﺎ وھﻲ ﻣﺼﺪﻗﯿﺘﮭﻢ أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺪﻛﺎﺗﺮة! اﯾﻤﺎن :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻓﺎدﺗﻜﻮ روﺣﺔ اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر! ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ ﻣﺼ ّﺮة ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﻼج ﺑﺎﻟﻄﺐ اﻟﺸﻌﺒﻲ! اﻧﻮار :ﻣﻨﺎ ﺑﻘﻠّﻚ رﺟﻌﺖ ﺣﻠﯿﻤﺔ ﻟﻌﺎدﺗﮭﺎ اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻤﺔ! ﺟﺪﺗﻲ ﻋﺎﯾﺸﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺨﺮاﻓﺎت وﺑﺘﺼﺪّق اﻟﺪﺟﺎﻟﯿﻦ!
رﺟﻞ ﻟﻮرا ورﺟﻞ ﻟﻘﺪّام /rijil la-warā w-rijil la-giddām/
one’s promise. Example:
ﻣﺆﯾﺪ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮف ﻋﺰام وﻻ أﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﺎه! ﺳﺎﻣﺮ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ؟ ﺼﻠﻨﺎھﺎ ﺳﻮا ﺑﺲ ﻣﺆﯾﺪ :وﻋﺪﻧﻲ إﻧّﮫ ﻧﺘﻘﺎﺳﻢ اﻷرﺑﺎح اﻟﻠﻲ ﺣ ّ ﻟﻤﺎ ﺻﺎرت اﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﺑﺠﯿﺒﺘﮫ رﺟﻊ ﺑﻜﻼﻣﮫ وﺑﻄّﻞ ﯾﻌﻄﯿﻨﻲ إﺷﻲ! ﺳﺎﻣﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﮫ ﺣﻖ ﯾﻌﻤﻞ ھﯿﻚ! ﻻزم اﻟﺘﺰم ﺑﺎﻹﺗﻔﺎق!
رﺟﻊ ﻟﺼﻮاﺑﮫ /riji‘ la-ṣawāb-uh/
Equivalent: Come to one’s senses/ To start thinking reasonably. Example:
أﺑﻮ زھﯿﺮ :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ إﻧّﻚ ﯾﺎ زھﯿﺮ رﺟﻌﺖ ﻟﺼﻮاﺑﻚ وﻗﺮرت ﺗﻜ ّﻤﻞ دراﺳﺘﻚ! ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﻌﻠﻢ واﻟﺜﻘﺎﻓﺔ. زھﯿﺮ :ﺷﻜﺮاً إﻟﻚ ﯾﺎﺑﺎ ﻹﻧّﻚ ﺿﻠﯿﺖ ﻣﺼ ّﺮ إﻧّﻲ أدرس وﻣﺎ ﺗﺮﻛﺘﻨﻲ أﺿﯿّﻊ ﻣﺴﺘﻘﺒﻠﻲ!
رﺟﻊ ﻟﻠﺼﻔﺮ
Equivalent: Get cold feet/ To feel hesitant about doing
/riji‘ la-il-ṣifir/
something.
Equivalent: To lose your shirt/ To lose everything.
Example:
Example:
ﻋﺒﯿﺮ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ راﺿﻲ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺨﻄﺐ ﺑﻨﺖ ﺟﯿﺮاﻧﻜﻮ ﻏﺪﯾﺮ! اﻻء :وﷲ ھﯿﻚ اﻟﻨﯿّﺔ! ﺑﺲ ﺷﺎﯾﻔﯿﻨﮫ رﺟﻞ ﻟﻮرا ورﺟﻞ ﻟﻘﺪّام وﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﻌﺮف ﺷﻮ اﻟﺴﺒﺐ! ﻛﺎن ﺑﺎﻷ ّول ﻣﺴﺘﻌﺠﻞ ﺑﺲ ﺻﺎر ﯾﺄﺟﻞ! ّ ﻋﺒﯿﺮ :ﺧﻠﯿﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ راﺣﺘﮫ أﺣﺴﻦ.
ﺣﺎﺗﻢ :ﻛﺎن ﻣﻌﺘﺼﻢ ﯾﻠﻌﺐ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﻟﻌﺐ ﺑﺲ ﺷﻐﻠﺔ اﻷﺳﮭﻢ واﻟﺨﺴﺎرة ﺧﻠّﺘﮫ ﯾﺮﺟﻊ ﻟﻠﺼﻔﺮ! ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﻋﺮف ﯾﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﺻﺢ!
رﺟﻊ ﻣﺼﻔﺮ ← رﺟﻊ إﯾﺪ ﻣﻦ ورا وإﯾﺪ ﻣﻦ ﻗﺪام /riji‘ ’īd warā w-’īd giddām/ ← /riji‘ mṣaffir/
رح أﺧﻠّﯿﮫ ﯾﺒﻜﻲ دم ← رح أﺧﻠّﯿﮫ ﯾﻨﺪم
Equivalent: Come back empty-handed.
/raḥ ’akhallīh yindam/ ← /raḥ ’khallīh yibkī damm/
Equivalent: To make someone regret what he or she has done to you/ To make someone pay the price and suffer the consequences for doing something.
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :رﺟﻊ أدھﻢ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻐﺮﺑﺔ ﻣﺼﻔّﺮ! رﺟﻊ إﯾﺪ ﻣﻦ ورا وإﯾﺪ ﻣﻦ ﻗﺪّام! ﻣﺎ ﻓﺎد أﺑﻮه إﻻ اﻟﻤﺨﺎﺳﺮ وﺿﯿﺎع ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮫ! ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻧﻔﻊ ﺑﺪراﺳﺔ وﻻ ﺑﺸﻐﻞ! أﺑﻮ رداد :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ أﺑﻮ أدھﻢ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
Example:
ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻋﺎدل رﻓﻊ ﻣﻌﻨﻮﯾﺎﺗﻲ ووﻋﺪﻧﻲ ﯾﺪﺑّﺮﻟﻲ ﺷﻐﻞ ﻋﻨﺪه ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺤﻞ! ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺧﺴﺮت وظﯿﻔﺘﻲ ﺻﺎﺑﻨﻲ اﻛﺘﺌﺎب وﻋﺎدل ﻣﺎ ﺗﺮﻛﻨﻲ! ﺷﺎھﺮ :طﻮل ﻋﻤﺮه ﻋﺎدل ﺷﺐ ﺑﻔﮭﻢ وﺑﺤﺐ ﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪ اﻟﻨﺎس.
رﻗﺒﺘﻲ ﺳﺪّادة /ragbat-ī saddādeh/
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ﻋﻤﺮ :اﺳﻤﻊ ﯾﺎ راﻣﻲ! ﺑﺪّي ﺗﻘﻮل ﻟﻨﺼﺮ إﻧّﻲ رح أﺧﻠّﯿﮫ ﯾﺒﻜﻲ دم ورح أﺧﻠّﯿﮫ ﯾﻨﺪم ﻋﺎﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﮫ ﻣﻌﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ اﻟﯿﻮم. راﻣﻲ :ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ؟ ﻋﻤﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺟﺎب ﻋﻠﺒﺔ ﺑﯿﺒﺴﻲ وﻛﺒﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﻲ ﻗﺪّام ﻛﻞ أوﻻد اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ وأﺣﺮﺟﻨﻲ! وﻛﻠﮭﻢ ﺻﺎرو ﯾﻀﺤﻜﻮ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ!
رﺧﺎﻟﮫ اﻟﺤﺒﻞ
Equivalent: You can rely on me/ You can count on me.
/rakhā-l-uh il-ḥabil/
Example:
Equivalent: To go soft on someone/ Take it easy on
أﺑﻮ ﻧﺪﯾﻢ :اﻟﯿﻮم وﺻﻠﻨﻲ إﻧﺬار ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﻨﻚ ﻹﻧّﻲ ﺗﺄﺧﺮت ﺑﺪﻓﻊ اﻟﻘﺴﻂ! ﺧﺎﯾﻒ ﯾﻐﺮﻣﻮﻧﻲ وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﻲ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻛﻔﺎﯾﺔ! أﺑﻮ ﺑﺸﯿﺮ :ﻻ ﺗﺸﯿﻞ ھﻢ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻧﺪﯾﻢ! إذا ﻣﺤﺘﺎج ﻣﺼﺎري رﻗﺒﺘﻲ ﺳﺪّادة! إﺣﻨﺎ أﺧﻮة ﯾﺎ رﺟﻞ. ﺼﺮ. أﺑﻮ ﻧﺪﯾﻢ :ﺗﺴﻠﻢ ﯾﺎﺧﻮي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻘ ّ
رﻛﺐ راﺳﮫ ← ﻧﺸّﻒ راﺳﮫ ← ﺗﻨﺢ
someone. Example:
زﻛﺮﯾﺎ :أوﻻد أﺑﻮ ظﺎﻓﺮ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺠﯿﺔ وﺑﻼ ﺗﺮﺑﺎﯾﺔ! ﻻزم أﺑﻮ ظﺎﻓﺮ ﯾﺸﺪ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ! ﻧﻌﻤﺎن :ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﺑﺤﺐ أوﻻده ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮭﻢ إﺷﻲ! راﺧﯿﻠﮭﻢ اﻟﺤﺒﻞ. زﻛﺮﯾﺎ :ھﻮ إﺣﻨﺎ ﻗﺎﯾﻠﯿﻦ إﺷﻲ! ﯾﺤﺒﮭﻢ ﻗﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﺑﺲ ﯾﺆدﺑﮭﻢ!
/tannaḥ/ ← /nashshaf rās-uh/ ← /rikib rās-uh/
Equivalent: To be as stubborn as a mule/ Obstinate.
رزﯾﻞ
Example:
ﺿﺮار :ﻏﺴﺎن رﻛﺐ راﺳﮫ وﺗﻨّﺢ وﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﺼﺎﻟﺢ أﺧﻮه. ﻋﺪي :ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻋﻨﯿﺪ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وداﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺑﻨﺸّﻒ راﺳﮫ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﻤﻊ ﻣﻦ ﺣﺪا.
/razīl/
Equivalent: Someone who is dishonorable, wicked, disgraceful and depraved. Example:
ﺧﻠﺪون واﺣﺪ رزﯾﻞ وﺳﺎﻓﻞ! و ّرط زﻣﯿﻠﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ وھﻮ ﻣﺎ ﺻﺎر ﻋﻠﯿﮫ إﺷﻲ! واﻟﻤﺴﻜﯿﻦ زﻣﯿﻠﮫ ﻓﺎت اﻟﺴﺠﻦ ﺑﺴﺒﺒﮫ.
رﻣﺎﻟﮫ اﻟﺤﺒﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻐﺎرب /ramā-l-uh il-ḥabil ‘alā il-ghārib/
Equivalent: To give someone his or her head/ To give
رﻏﺎﯾﺔ
someone the freedom to do whatever he or she wants.
/raghghāyeh/
Example:
Equivalent: Talkative person/ Talk the hind leg off a
ﻋﺒﺎس :ﻣﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﻋﯿّﻦ ﻧﺎﺋﺐ إﻟﮫ ورﻣﺎﻟﮫ اﻟﺤﺒﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻐﺎرب!
رﻣﺘﮫ ﺛﻘﯿﻠﺔ ← ﻗﻠﯿﻞ ﻣﺮوة ← رطﺔ /ruṭṭah/ ← /galīl mruwwah/ ← /rimt-uh thagīleh/
Equivalent: Lazybones/ Inactive person/ Sluggish.
donkey. Example:
ﺴﮫ ﺑﺘﻌﻄﯿﻨﺎ أﺧﺒﺎر أم ﺷﻮﻣﺎن :ﺗﺮوﺣﻲ ﻣﻌﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻓﺪوة؟ ھ ّ اﻟﺒﻠﺪ! ﺑﺘﻮﺟﻊ راﺳﻲ ﻣﻦ ﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﺎ ھﻲ ﺴﮫ ّ أم ﺣﯿﺪر :ﻻ ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ ھ ّ رﻏﺎﯾﺔ! ھﺎﻟﻤﺮا ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺴﻜﺖ! ﻟﻌﻤﻆ!
Example:
اﻏﺼﺎن :ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻋﻔﺎف ﺳﺎﻋﺪﯾﻨﻲ ﺑﺸﻐﻞ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ! ﺑﻨﺘﻲ دﻋﺎء ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ أﻣﻞ! ر ّﻣﺘﮭﺎ ﺛﻘﯿﻠﺔ وﻣﺮ ّوﺗﮭﺎ ﻗﻠﯿﻠﺔ! ﻋﻔﺎف :ﺑﻨﺘﻚ رطّﺔ! ﻟﻤﯿﻦ طﺎﻟﻌﺔ؟
رﻓﻊ راﺳﮫ /rafa‘ rās-uh/
Equivalent: Do someone proud/ Acting in a way that gives someone cause to feel happy and pleased.
رھﻦ إﺷﺎرﺗﻚ
Example: /rahin ’ishārt-ak/
Equivalent: Be at someone’s beck and call or disposal/ Be ready and available to help and serve someone.
ﻋﻠﻲ :اﻟﯿﻮم طﻠﻌﺖ اﻟﻨﺘﺎﯾﺞ وﻋ ّﻤﺎر طﻠﻊ اﻷ ّول ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺪرﺳﺘﮫ! ﺟﺎد :طﻮل ﻋﻤﺮه ﺷﺎطﺮ! رﻓﻊ راس أﺑﻮه اﻟﻠﻲ ﺗﻌﺐ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ورﺑّﺎه ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮫ ﺑﻌﺪ وﻓﺎة اﻣﮫ!
Example:
اﻟﻤﻤﺮض :أﻧﺎ ﺧﻠّﺼﺖ ﺷﻔﺘﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺴﺘﺸﻔﻰ اﻟﯿﻮم! ﺑﺪّك إﺷﻲ ﯾﺎ دﻛﺘﻮر؟ اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر :ﯾﻌﻄﯿﻚ اﻟﻌﺎﻓﯿﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﺷﻲ ﻣﻨّﻚ.
رﻓﻊ ﻣﻌﻨﻮﯾﺎﺗﮫ /rafa‘ ma‘nawiyāt-uh/
Equivalent: To cheer someone up.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺮاء Example:
ﺗﻤﯿﻢ :ﯾﺎﷲ أﺑﻮي ﺷﻮ ﺑﺤﺐ أﻣﻲ! أﻣﻲ روﺣﮫ وﻣﺠﺮى ﻧﻔﺴﮫ وﻻ ﯾﻤﻜﻦ ﯾﻀﺎﯾﻘﮭﺎ. ﻋﺪي :ﷲ ﯾﺨﻠﯿﮭﻢ ﻟﺒﻌﺾ.
اﻟﻤﻤﺮض :ﺑﺠﺪ دﻛﺘﻮر إذا إﺣﺘﺠﺖ أي إﺷﻲ ﺑﺄي وﻗﺖ ﺗﺮى أﻧﺎ رھﻦ إﺷﺎرﺗﻚ!
روﺗﯿﻦ ﻗﺎﺗﻞ /rōtīn qātil/
روﺣﻲ طﻠﻌﺖ
Equivalent: Daily grind/ Daily routine. /rūḥī ṭil‘at/
Equivalent: I’m fed up (with someone or something).
Example:
ﻧﻌﻤﺔ :أﺧﺬت اﻟﯿﻮم إﺟﺎزة ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ! ﺑﺪي أﺳﺎﻓﺮ وأﻏﯿّﺮ ﺟﻮ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ اﻟﺮوﺗﯿﻦ اﻟﻘﺎﺗﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﺎﯾﺸﯿﺘﮫ.
Example:
روح ﻗﻠﺒﮫ
ﻟﺠﯿﻦ :ﯾﺎ ﷲ ﻣﺎ أطﻮل اﻟﻌﻄﻠﺔ اﻟﺼﯿﻔﯿﺔ! ﻛﺜﯿﺮ طﻮﯾﻠﺔ وﻣﻤﻠﺔ! روﺣﻲ طﻠﻌﺖ ﻣﻦ ﻗﻌﺪة اﻟﺒﯿﺖ! ﺳﻤﺮ :ھﺎﻧﺖ! ﺑﻌﺪ أﺳﺒﻮﻋﯿﻦ ﺑﺘﺨﻠﺺ وﺑﻨﺮﺟﻊ ﻧﺪاوم! أﻧﺎ روﺣﻲ طﻠﻌﺖ ﻣﻨّﻚ وﻣﻦ ﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺸﻜﻲ!
/rūḥ galb-uh/
Equivalent: Soul mate. Example:
روق /rūg/
Equivalent: Keep your hair on/ Keep your shirt on/
زھﺮاء :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﻧﺮﻣﯿﻦ زﻋﻼﻧﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺟﻮزھﺎ وإﻧﮭﺎ ﺗﺮﻛﺘﮫ وراﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ أھﻠﮭﺎ! ﺑﺜﯿﻨﺔ :ﺟﺪّ! طﯿّﺐ ﻣﮭﻮ ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺤﺒﮭﺎ! ﻣﮭﻲ روح ﻗﻠﺒﮫ! ﻟﯿﺶ زﻋﻼﻧﯿﻦ ﻣﻦ ﺑﻌﺾ؟
Keep your wig on/ Calm down. Example:
ﻏﺎﻧﻢ :ﻣﺶ رح اﺳﻜﺖ ﻟﻌﺎدل ھﺎﻟﻤ ّﺮة! ﺑﺪّي أﺑﮭﺪﻟﮫ ﺑﺲ أﺷﻮﻓﮫ! ﺧ ّﺮﺑﻠﻲ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻲ وﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﯾﺪﻓﻊ ﻟﺘﺼﻠﯿﺤﮭﺎ! ﺼﺐ! ﺧﻠﺺ أﻧﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻋﺼﻤﺖ :روق ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ وﻻ ﺗﻌ ّ وﺑﺘﻔﺎھﻢ ﻣﻌﮫ!
روﺣﮫ ﺑﺮاس ﺧﺸﻮﻣﮫ /rūḥ-uh b-rās khshūm-uh/
Equivalent: A hothead/ A hotheaded person/ Person with a quick temper. Example:
ﺟﻤﺎل :ﺑﻨﺼﺤﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺗﺮﻛﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻊ أﺑﻮي ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻮﻗﺖ! ﺗﺮى روﺣﮫ ﺑﺮاس ﺧﺸﻮﻣﮫ وﻣﺶ طﺎﯾﻖ ﺣﺪا!
رﯾّﺢ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ /rayyiḥ bāl-ak/
Equivalent: Set your mind at ease/ Put your mind to
روﺣﺔ ﺑﻼ رﺟﻌﺔ
rest.
/rōḥah balā raj‘ah/
Example:
Equivalent: Never to return/ To hell with someone. So,
ﻋﺼﻤﺖ :ﺣﻜﯿﺖ ﻣﻊ ﻋﺎدل واﺗﻔﻘﻨﺎ إﻧّﮫ ﯾﺼﻠﺤﻠﻚ اﻟﺴﯿﺎرة! ﺼﺐ وزﻋﻼن. ﺧﻠﺺ رﯾّﺢ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ وﻻ ﺗﻀﻞ ﻣﻌ ّ ﻏﺎﻧﻢ :ﺷﻜﺮاً إﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺼﻤﺖ.
if you are angry with a person you say this, wishing not to see him or her ever again. Example:
ﻋﻮض :راﻣﻲ ﺳﺎﻓﺮ وﻣﺶ ﻧﺎوي ﯾﺮﺟﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﻠﺪ ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ ً! ﻗﯿﺲ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﺧﻠﺺ روﺣﺔ ﺑﻼ رﺟﻌﺔ؟
رﯾّﺢ ﺑﺎﻟﮫ /rayyaḥ bāl-uh/
Equivalent: Warm the cockles of someone’s heart/
روﺣﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻒ ﻋﻔﺮﯾﺖ
Give someone a comforting feeling of peacefulness
/rūḥ-uh ‘alā kaff ‘afrīt/
or calmness.
Equivalent: On the line/ At risk.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺰﻣﻲ :وﷲ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ رﯾّﺢ ﺑﺎل أﺑﻮه! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﻤﺘﺎز وطﻮل ﻋﻤﺮه راﻓﻊ راس أﺑﻮه وﻋﯿﻠﺘﮫ. أﺑﻮ ﺻﺎﺑﺮ :آه وﷲ! ﷲ ﯾﺒﺎرك ﻓﯿﮫ.
أم ﻧﺼﺮ :ﻛﯿﻒ اﺑﻨﻚ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﯿﺶ ﯾﺎ أم ﺧﺎﻟﺪ؟ أم ﺧﺎﻟﺪ :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﺗﻤﺎم .ﺑﺲ ﺑﻀﻠﻨﻲ ﻗﻠﻘﺎﻧﺔ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ طﻮل اﻟﻮﻗﺖ! ﺑﻮدوھﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻨﺎطﻖ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﺣﺮب وروﺣﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻒ ﻋﻔﺮﯾﺖ! أم ﻧﺼﺮ :ﷲ ﯾﺤﻤﯿﮫ وﯾﺤﻤﻲ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﻌﺎه وﯾﻨﺼﺮھﻢ.
رﯾّﺢ ﻧﻔﺴﻚ /rayyiḥ nafs-ak/
روﺣﮫ وﻣﺠﺮى ﻧﻔﺴﮫ
Equivalent: Save your breath/ Don’t bother to talk
/rūḥ-uh w-majrā nafas-uh/
because I am not going to listen.
Equivalent: Soul mate.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
رﯾﺤﺘﮫ ﻓﺎﺣﺖ
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Example: /rīḥt-uh fāḥat/
Equivalent: Set tongues wagging/ To cause people to start gossiping. Example:
أﺑﻮ وﻓﯿﻖ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﻋﺮﻓﺎن ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻞ أﺷﯿﺎء ﻏﯿﺮ ﻗﺎﻧﻮﻧﯿﺔ! رﯾﺤﺘﮫ ﻓﺎﺣﺖ واﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﺴﯿﺮﺗﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﺗﺎﻣﺮ :آه ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﺘﺎﺟﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺨﺪرات ﻛﻤﺎن!
ﻣﻨﺘﺼﺮ :رﯾّﺢ ﻧﻔﺴﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎﯾﺪ ووﻓّﺮ ﺣﻜﯿﻚ ﻷﻧﻲ ﻣﺶ رح اﺳﻤﻊ إﺷﻲ ﻣﻨّﻚ! ﻋﺎﯾﺪ :أﻋﻄﯿﻨﻲ ﻓﺮﺻﺔ أﺷﺮﺣﻠﻚ! ﻣﻨﺘﺼﺮ :ﺑﻘﻠّﻚ رﯾّﺢ ﻧﻔﺴﻚ!
رﯾﺤﺘﮫ ﺑﺘﻜﺘﻞ /rīḥt-uh btuktil/
Equivalent: Stink to high heaven/ To have a very strong or bad smell. Example:
ﺗﻤﺎﺿﺮ :ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﻣﺎﻣﺎ ﻏﯿّﺮي ﻟﻠﺒﯿﺒﻲ اﻟﻔﻮطﺔ! رﯾﺤﺘﮫ ﺑﺘﻜﺘﻞ! ﺴﮫ ﺑﻐﯿّﺮﻟﮫ. اﻷم :ﻣﺎﺷﻲ ھ ّ
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺰاي
أم ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :إﺟﻮ زﺑﻮن اﻟﻌﻮاﻓﻲ! ﺷﻮ ﺟﺎﯾﺒﮭﻢ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻮﻗﺖ؟ أﺧﻮك ﻋﻨﺪه إﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت وﻣﺶ ﻓﺎﺿﯿﻠﮭﻢ.
زاد اﻟﻄﯿﻦ ﺑﻠّﺔ /zād il-ṭīn balleh/
Equivalent: Add fuel to the flames/ Add insult to injury.
زﻋﯿﻂ وﻣﻌﯿﻂ وﻧﻄّﺎط اﻟﺤﯿﻂ
Example: /z‘ēṭ w-m‘ēṭ w-naṭṭāṭ il-ḥēṭ/
Equivalent: Every Tom, Dick and Harry/ A common person. Example:
ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :ﻣﯿﻦ إﺟﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ اﻣﺒﺎرح؟ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻀﯿﺖ أروح. ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ :زﻋﯿﻂ وﻣﻌﯿﻂ وﻧﻄّﺎط اﻟﺤﯿﻂ! ﻧﺎس أﺷﻜﺎل أﻟﻮان وﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﻣﻌﻈﻤﮭﻢ!
ﺟﯿﮭﺎن :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺟﻮز ﻋﺮﯾﻦ ﻗﺎﻟﻠﮭﺎ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻜ ّﻤﻞ ﺣﯿﺎﺗﮫ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ! واﻟﻠﻲ زاد اﻟﻄﯿﻦ ﺑﻠّﺔ إﻧّﮫ طﻠﻊ ﻣﺘﺠ ّﻮز ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ ﺳﻨﺘﯿﻦ! ﻋﻼ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻨﺔ! ھﻮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﺘﺎھﻠﮭﺎ أﺻﻼ ً!
اﻟﺰاﯾﺪ أﺧﻮ اﻟﻨﺎﻗﺺ /il-zāyid ’akhū il-nāgiṣ/
زﻗﻄﮫ ← ﻟﻘﻄﮫ
Equivalent: More is not always better/ Abundance, /lagaṭ-uh/ ← /zagaṭ-uh/
like want, ruins many.
Equivalent: Catch someone red-handed or guilty.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻋﺎزﻣﺔ اﻟﺠﯿﺮان اﻟﺠﺪاد ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻐﺪا وﺑﺪّي أﻋﻤﻞ ﺧﻤﺲ أو ﺳﺖ طﺒﺨﺎت! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﺷﻮ ﺑﺤﺒّﻮ؟ أم ﺳﻼم :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻌﻤﻠﻲ ﻛﻞ ھﺎﻷﻛﻞ! اﻟﺰاﯾﺪ أﺧﻮ اﻟﻨﺎﻗﺺ! ي إﺷﻲ ﺑﺘﻌﻤﻠﯿﮫ! ﻛﻞ أﻛﻠﻚ طﯿّﺐ. واﻟﺠﻤﺎﻋﺔ أﻛﯿﺪ رح ﯾﻨﺒﺴﻄﻮ ﺑﺄ ّ
ﻟﺆي :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺼﺒﺢ أﺑﻮي زﻗﻂ أﺧﻮي ﻗﺼﻲ وھﻮ ﯾﺴﺮق ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﻦ ﻣﺤﻔﻈﺘﮫ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺮوح ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺴﯿﻨﻤﺎ ﻣﻊ أﺻﺤﺎﺑﮫ! إﺟﺎ ﺑﮭﺪﻟﮫ وﺣﺮﻣﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺼﺮوف واﻟﻄﻠﻌﺔ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺸﺒﺎب. داوود :ھﮭﮭﮫ! ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻟﻘﻄﮫ وﻣﺎ زﺑﻄﺖ ﻣﻌﮫ.
زﺑّﻂ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ /zabbaṭ ḥāl-uh/
زﻗﻮﻗﺢ
Equivalent: Spruced up/ Dressed up. /zagōgaḥ/
Equivalent: In his or her birthday suit/ Naked. Example:
ﻋﻠﯿﺎ :وﯾﻦ ﺳﻠﻤﻰ؟ ﻣﺎل اﺑﻨﮭﺎ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ زﻗﻮﻗﺢ؟ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﺎرﻛﯿﺘﮫ ﺑﻼ ﻟﺒﺲ؟ ﺴﮫ ﺳﮭﯿﺮ :ﺣ ّﻤﻤﺘﮫ وراﺣﺖ ﺗﺠﯿﺒﻠﮫ ﻟﺒﺲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺨﺰاﻧﺔ .ھ ّ ﺑﺘﯿﺠﻲ.
Example:
ﻛﻤﺎل :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺣﻠﯿﻢ زﺑّﻂ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻣﻮﻋﺪ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺒﻨﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺗﻌ ّﺮف ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ! ﺳﻌﺪ :ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ! إن ﺷﺎ ﺗﺰﺑﻂ ﻣﻌﮫ ھﺎﻟﻤ ّﺮة.
زﺑّﻞ ﻓﯿﮫ اﻟﻔﺮن ← ﻋ ّﺰر ﻋﻠﯿﮫ /‘azzar ‘alēh/ ← /zabbal fīh il-furin/
Equivalent: To rebuke someone/ To reprimand or
زﻟّﺔ ﻟﺴﺎن
chide. /zallit lsān/
Equivalent: A slip of the tongue/ A mistake. Example:
وردة :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻗﻠﺘﻲ ﻷ ّﻣﻲ إﻧّﻲ اﺳﺘﻘﻠﺖ ﻣﻦ وظﯿﻔﺘﻲ؟ ﺟﻮھﺮة :ﻻ ﺗﺰﻋﻠﻲ ﻣﻨّﻲ! ﻛﺎﻧﺖ زﻟّﺔ ﻟﺴﺎن! ﺳﺎﻣﺤﯿﻨﻲ.
اﻟﺰﻟﻢ ﺑﺎﻓﻌﺎﻟﮭﺎ ﻣﺶ ﺑﺎﺷﻜﺎﻟﮭﺎ
Example:
اﯾﮭﺎب :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺳﯿﻒ ﺿﺮب أﻣﯿﺮ اﺑﻦ ﺟﯿﺮاﻧﮭﻢ! إﺟﺎ أﺑﻮه زﺑّﻞ ﻓﯿﮫ اﻟﻔﺮن وﻋﺰّر ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! آدم :ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺠﻲ وﺑﺤﺐ اﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ!
زﺑﻮن اﻟﻌﻮاﻓﻲ /zbūn il-‘awāfī/
/il-zulum b-if‘āl-hā mish b-ishkāl-hā/
Equivalent: Unwanted visitor/ Uninvited guest.
Equivalent: A tree is known by its fruit/ This means
Example:
that a person’s success is shown by his or her actions or deeds and not appearance.
أم ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :ﺷﻮف ﯾﺎ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ ﻣﯿﻦ ﺑﺮن ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺎب اﻟﺒﯿﺖ! ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :ھﺬول ﻣﺮوان وﺧﺎﻟﺪ ﺑﺪھﻢ أﺧﻮي ﺟﻌﻔﺮ.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
Example:
ﻋﺎﯾﺪة :ﺷﻠﻮن ﻣﺎﺟﺪة أﻗﻨﻌﺖ ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﯾﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ ﻋﻨﺪ أھﻠﮫ وﯾﺴﻜﻦ ﺑﺒﯿﺖ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮫ؟ ﺑﻌﺮف إﻧّﮫ ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﻋﻨﯿﺪ وﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﻣﻮاﻓﻖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻔﻜﺮة! ﺳﻮزان :ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ اﻟﺰنّ أﻗﻮى ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﺤﺮ! ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺗﻔﺘﺢ ﻣﻌﮫ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع ﺗﻨّﮫ رد ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ وﻋﻤﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪھﺎ إﯾﺎه.
زﻧّﺎن وﻧّﺎن
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وﺿﺎح :ﻟﻮ ﺷﻔﺘﻲ ﻣﺪﯾﺮﻧﺎ ﻛﯿﻒ ﺷﻜﻠﮫ .ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻘﻮﻟﻲ ﻏﯿﺮ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﻮظﻒ ﺑﺴﯿﻂ وﻣﺶ ﻣﺪﯾﺮ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﻼﯾﯿﻦ! ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺒﯿّﻦ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﻠﯿﻮﻧﯿﺮ! أم وﺿﺎح :اﻟﺸﻜﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺑﮭﻢ ﯾﺎ وﺿﺎح! اﻟﺰﻟﻢ ﺑﺎﻓﻌﺎﻟﮭﺎ ﻣﺶ ﺑﺎﺷﻜﺎﻟﮭﺎ.
زﻟﻢ ﺗﻨﺎﺗﯿﺢ /zannān wannān/
/zulum tanātīḥ/
Equivalent: Moaning Minnie/ The person who keeps
Equivalent: Mover and shaker/ Authority figure/ Leading
nagging, complaining and insisting on something.
light.
Example:
أم ھﻼل :ﺷﻮﻓﻠﻚ ﺣ ّﻞ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ھﻼل ﻣﻊ اﺑﻨﻚ! اﺑﻨﻚ زﻧّﺎن وﻧّﺎن وﺑﺪّه ﺗﺨﻄﺒﻠﮫ ﺑﻨﺖ أﺑﻮ ﻋﻮض! ﻛﻞ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ ﺑﻔﺘﺢ ﻣﻌﻲ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع وﺑﺪّه إﯾّﺎﻧﻲ أﻗﻨﻌﻚ! اﻗﺘَﻨﻊ وﺧﻠّﺼﻨﺎ ﻣﻦ زﻧّﮫ! أﺑﻮ ھﻼل :ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ﺧﯿﺮ إن ﺷﺎ .
زﯾﺎدة اﻟﺒﯿّﺎع
Example:
زھﯿﺮ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻣﻘﺎﺑﻠﺘﻚ اﻟﯿﻮم؟ ادﯾﺐ :ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺻﻌﺒﺔ وﺗﻮﺗﺮت ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻛﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻠﺠﻨﺔ زﻟﻢ ﺗﻨﺎﺗﯿﺢ وﻣﻌﺮوﻓﯿﻦ! إﺷﻲ ﺑﻮﺗّﺮ ﯾﺎ زﻟ ّﻤﺔ.
اﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﺟﻨّﺎ واﻟﻤﺮا ﺑﻨّﺎ /il-zalameh jannah w-il-marā bannā/
/zyādit il-bayyā‘/
Equivalent: Men make houses, women make homes.
Equivalent: A baker’s dozen.
Example:
Example:
ﻋﻤﺮان :ھﺎي ﺟﺒﺘﻠﻚ اﻟﻜﯿﻚ واﻟﺨﺒﺰ اﻟﻠﻲ طﻠﺒﺘﯿﮫ! رھﻒ :ﺟﺎﯾﺐ زﯾﺎدة ﻛﺈﻧﻚ؟ ﻋﻤﺮان :ﻻ ھﺎي زﯾﺎدة اﻟﺒﯿّﺎع ﺑﺲ!
زي اﻟﺒﺮق /zayy il-barug/
أم ﺷﺮﯾﻒ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻣﺮت اﺑﻨﻚ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة ﯾﺎ أم زاھﺮ؟ أم زاھﺮ :اﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﻣﺤﺘﺮﻣﺔ وﺑﻨﺖ ﻋﺎﻟﻢ وﻧﺎس .ﺑﺘﻌﯿﻦ ﺟﻮزھﺎ وﻣﻨﻈﻤﺔ أﻣﻮرھﻢ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺜﻘّﻞ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻄﻠﺒﺎت .ﺑﺘﻮﻓّﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺼﺮوف اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺸﺘﺮو ﺳﯿّﺎرة. أم ﺷﺮﯾﻒ :زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ اﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﺟﻨّﺎ واﻟﻤﺮا ﺑﻨّﺎ.
زﻟﻤﮫ ﻗﻠﯿﻠﺔ
Equivalent: Like greased lightning/ Moves extremely fast.
/zulm-uh galīleh/
Example:
Equivalent: One of a kind/ A very rare person.
ﯾﺎﺳﺮ :ﺑﺲ ﺣﺴﺎن ﺷﺎف أﺑﻮه ﻣﺮ ّوح ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ وإﺣﻨﺎ ﻧﻠﻌﺐ ﻓﻄﺒﻮل راح ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺘﮭﻢ زي اﻟﺒﺮق! ﺴﮫ وﻗﺖ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت اﻟﻨﮭﺎﺋﯿّﺔ. ﺟﺒﺮ :ﻣﮭﻮ ھ ّ
زي اﻟﺒﻔﺘﺔ /zayy il-bafteh/
Equivalent: Peaches and cream/ This is used to
Example:
ﺑﺸﯿﺮ :ﺑﺘﻌﺮف ﯾﺎ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ إﻧّﮫ ﺷﻌﺒﺎن زﻟﻤﮫ ﻗﻠﯿﻠﺔ! ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ؟ ﺑﺸﯿﺮ :ﺗﺪﯾّﻦ ﻣﻦ أﺑﻮه ﻣﺒﻠﻎ ﺑﺴﯿﻂ واﺷﺘﻐﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﺘﺠﺎرة ورﺑﺢ ﻣﺼﺎري اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ! ﺻﺎر ﻣﻠﯿﻮﻧﯿﺮ ﯾﺎ رﺟﻞ! وﻣﺶ ﺑﺲ ھﯿﻚ ﻣﻌﻈﻢ أرﺑﺎﺣﮫ ﺑﺘﺮوح ﻷﻋﻤﺎل اﻟﺨﯿﺮ واﻟﺠﻤﻌﯿﺎت اﻟﺨﯿﺮﯾّﺔ! ﺑﺤﯿﺎﺗﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺷﻔﺖ ﺣﺪا زﯾّﮫ.
describe the complexion or face of women who have very fair skin that is soft and clear.
زﻣﻦ أ ّول ﺣ ّﻮل /zaman ’awwal ḥawwal/
Example:
أم ﻓﯿﺼﻞ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺷﻔﺖ ﺑﻨﺖ ﺣﻠﻮة ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﺳﺄﻟﺖ ﻋﻨﮭﺎ! روﺣﻲ ﺷﻮﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﯾﺎ أم ﺑﺮھﺎن وإذا ﻋﺠﺒﺘﻚ أﺧﻄﺒﯿﮭﺎ ﻹﺑﻨﻚ .اﻟﺒﻨﺖ زي اﻟﺒﻔﺘﺔ وﺑﺘﺠﻨّﻦ! ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺣﻠﻮة ورح ﺗﻌﺠﺒﻚ. أم ﺑﺮھﺎن :أﻋﻄﯿﻨﻲ اﻟﻌﻨﻮان.
زي اﻟﺒﻠﺒﻞ
Equivalent: Times have changed. Example:
ﻣﮭﻨﺪ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺻﺤﯿﺖ وﻛﺎن ﺳﻨّﻲ ﺑﻮﺟﻌﻨﻲ! رﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر وﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﺸﻮﻓﻨﻲ ﻷﻧّﻲ راﯾﺢ ﺑﻼ ﻣﻮﻋﺪ .زﻣﺎن ﻛﻨﺖ ﺑﺲ أروح أﻓﻮت ﻣﺒﺎﺷﺮة! ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ؟ ﺑﺪر :زﻣﻦ أ ّول ﺣ ّﻮل ﯾﺎ ﺧﻮي! ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺗﻐﯿّﺮ وﺻﺎر ﻓﻲ ﻧﻈﺎم أﻛﺜﺮ.
/zayy il-bulbul/
Equivalent: Literal. Like a nightingale/ To speak
اﻟﺰنّ أﻗﻮى ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﺤﺮ
a language fluently/ This is used in reference to
/il-zann ’agwā min il-siḥir/
someone’s language abilities.
Equivalent: Constant dropping wears away a stone.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺰاي
ﺳﻌﯿﺪ :ﻋﻨﺎن زي اﻟﺰﯾﺒﻖ! ﺻﻌﺐ ﺗﻤﺴﻜﮫ! اﺳﺄل أھﻠﮫ ﻋﻨﮫ.
Example:
ﺷﮭﺪ :آﻻء ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ ﻓﺮﻧﺴﻲ ﺑﻄﻼﻗﺔ! اﺳﺘﻐﺮﺑﺖ ﺑﺲ ﺳﻤﻌﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻠﻔﻮن ﻣﻊ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﯿﺘﮭﺎ اﻟﻔﺮﻧﺴﯿّﺔ. ورود :آه ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ زي اﻟﺒﻠﺒﻞ! ﺑﺪّي أﺧﻠّﯿﮭﺎ ﺗﻌﻠّﻤﻨﻲ اﻟﻠﻐﺔ.
زي اﻟﺸﺤﻢ واﻟﻨﺎر /zayy il-shaḥim w-il-nār/
Equivalent: Literal. Like the fat in the fire/ Lead a
زي اﻟﺠﺎروﺷﺔ
cat-and-dog life.
/zayy il-jārūsheh/
Example:
Equivalent: Can’t hear yourself think/ Too much noise.
أم ھﺎرون :ﺗﻌﺎل ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ھﺎرون ﺷﻮف اﺑﻨﻚ ھﺎرون وﻣﺮﺗﮫ! ﻛﻞ ﺷﻮﯾﺔ ﺑﺘﮭﺎوﺷﻮ! ﺻﺎﯾﺮﯾﻦ زي اﻟﺸﺤﻢ واﻟﻨﺎر وﻣﺶ طﺎﯾﻘﯿﻦ ﺑﻌﺾ! ﺷﻮﻓﻠﻚ ﺣﻞ ﻣﻌﮭﻢ. أﺑﻮ ھﺎرون :ﷲ ﯾﺼﻠﺢ أﻣﺮھﻢ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮﻟﮭﻢ؟
زي اﻟﻔﻞ /zayy il-full/
Equivalent: Perfect/ Picture-perfect.
Example:
ﺳﻠﯿﻢ :أﻟﻮ . . .ﻛﯿﻔﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺰام؟ ﻋﺰام :أھﻼً! ﻋﻠّﻲ ﺻﻮﺗﻚ ﻣﺶ ﺳﺎﻣﻊ إﺷﻲ! اﻟﺼﻮت ﻋﻨﺪك زي اﻟﺠﺎروﺷﺔ! إﻧﺖ وﯾﻦ؟ ﺳﻠﯿﻢ :آه اﻟﺼﻮت ﻋﺎﻟﻲ ﻷﻧّﮫ اﻟﺘﻠﻔﺰﯾﻮن ﺷ ّﻐﺎل واﻷوﻻد ﺑﻠﻌﺒﻮ وأﻣﮭﻢ ﻣﺸﻐﻠّﺔ اﻟﺨﻼّط! ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﻚ ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ.
زي اﻟﺤﺪﯾﺪ /zayy il-ḥadīd/
Example:
ھﯿﺎ :ﻛﻤﺎن ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﺑﺼﻠﻮ اﻟﻀﯿﻮف .ﻛﯿﻒ وﺿﻊ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺎطﻤﺔ؟ ﻓﺎطﻤﺔ :اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﻧﻈﯿﻒ وزي اﻟﻔﻞ! ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻘﻲ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺟﺎھﺰ.
زي اﻟﻘﻂّ ﺑﺴﺒﻊ ارواح /zayy il-guṭṭ bsabi‘ irwāḥ/
Equivalent: He or she has nine lives. Example:
ﯾﺴﺮي :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺻﻔﻮان ﻋﺎﻣﻞ ﺣﺎدث ﺑﺴﯿﺎرﺗﮫ! ﻛﯿﻒ وﺿﻌﮫ؟ رﺿﻮان :أﺧﻮي زي اﻟﻘﻂّ ﺑﺴﺒﻊ ارواح! ﻣﺎ ﺻﺎرﻟﮫ إﺷﻲ ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ ً! اﻟﺤﻤﺪ .
زي اﻟﻘﻄّﺔ اﻟﻤﻐﻤﻀﺔ /zayy il-goṭṭah li-mghamḏạ h/
Equivalent: As innocent as a lamb/ As innocent as a newborn babe. Example:
أم ﺳﻔﯿﺎن :ﻣﺮت اﺑﻨﻲ ﺳﻔﯿﺎن زي اﻟﻘﻄّﺔ اﻟﻤﻐﻤﻀﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف إﺷﻲ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﺤﯿﺎة! أم راﺋﺪ :ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ ﺻﻐﯿﺮة وﺑﻜﺮة ﺑﺘﺘﻌﻠﻢ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ وﺑﺘﺘﻔﺘّﺢ!
زي اﻟﻘﻤﺮ /zayy il-gamar/
Equivalent: Literal. Like the moon/ Easy on the eyes/
Equivalent: Literal. Like iron/ As strong as a bull/ As strong as an ox/ To have great physical strength. Example:
أم ﺳﺎﺋﺪ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ أﺑﻮ ﺑﺮﻛﺎت ﺗﻌﺒﺎن ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ! إن ﺷﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ إﺷﻲ ﺧﻄﯿﺮ؟ أم ﺑﺮﻛﺎت :ﻻ ﺻﺤﺘﮫ زي اﻟﺤﺪﯾﺪ .ﺑﺲ ﺗﻌﺐ ﺷﻮﯾﺔ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ اﻹﻧﻔﻠﻮﻧﺰا اﻟﻠﻲ ﺻﺎﺑﺘﮫ.
زي اﻟﺮز /zayy il-ruzz/
Equivalent: Literal. Like rice/ Like water/ In great quantities/ In large amounts. Example:
راﺷﺪ :ﺑﺪّي أروح أﺳﻠّﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﺎﺻﺮ ﻹﻧّﮫ رﺟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ وﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺴﺘﻘﺮ ھﻮن. ﺑﺴﺎم :اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﻘﻮل إﻧّﮫ وﺿﻌﮫ اﻟﻤﺎدي ﻣﻤﺘﺎز وﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري زي اﻟﺮز.
زي اﻟﺰﻓﺖ /zayy il-zift/
Equivalent: Terrible/ Awful/ Horrible/ Very bad. Example:
وﺻﻔﻲ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎن ﯾﻮﻣﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ؟ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :زي اﻟﺰﻓﺖ! اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ أﻋﻠﻦ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻔﺼﻞ ﻣﺠﻤﻮﻋﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﻮظﻔﯿﻦ اﻟﺸﮭﺮ اﻟﺠﺎي! ﺧﺎﯾﻒ أﻛﻮن ﻣﻨﮭﻢ.
زي اﻟﺰﯾﺒﻖ
Very beautiful/ Pretty as a picture.
/zayy il-zēbag/
Example:
Equivalent: Slippery as an eel/ Someone who is difficult
ﻣﻨﺘﮭﻰ :رﺣﺘﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﺮس ﺳﻌﺎد ﯾﺎ ﺳﺎﺋﺪة؟ ﺳﺎﺋﺪة :آه رﺣﺖ. ﻣﻨﺘﮭﻰ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ اﻟﻌﺮوس؟ ﺳﺎﺋﺪة :ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺣﻠﻮة ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وطﻠﻌﺖ زي اﻟﻘﻤﺮ.
to catch/ Always on the go. Example:
ﻣﻌﺘﺰ :ﺑﺘﻌﺮف وﯾﻦ ﺑﻘﺪر أﻵﻗﻲ ﻋﻨﺎن؟ ھﻠﻜﺖ وأﻧﺎ أد ّور ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺑﺪّي اﺳﺘ ّﺪ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾّﻲ ﻣﻨﮫ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺼﺔ أﺑﻮ ﺷﻜﺮي :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ أﺑﻮ ﺻﻼح وﷲ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ زي اﻟﻐ ّ ﺑﺤﻠﻘﮫ! ﷲ ﯾﻌﯿﻨﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺣﺪا ﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪه وھﻮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻠﺸﺎن ﺑﺎﺑﻨﮫ طﻮل اﻟﻮﻗﺖ.
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زي اﻟﻤﺨﺒﻮط ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﮫ /zayy il-makhbūṭ ‘alā rās-uh/
Equivalent: Mixed-up/ Confused/ Puzzled/ Perplexed. Example:
زي طﺎﺑﻊ اﻟﺒﺮﯾﺪ /zayy ṭābi‘ il-barīd/
Equivalent: Customary/ Regularly/ Habitually/ Based
ﺑﺪﯾﻊ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎل اﺣﺴﺎن زي اﻟﻤﺨﺒﻮط ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﮫ؟ ﺷﮭﯿﺮ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ اﻧﺴﺮق ﻣﻨﮫ راﺗﺐ اﻟﺸﮭﺮ وﻋﻠﯿﮫ إﻟﺘﺰاﻣﺎت ﻛﺜﯿﺮة وﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﺷﻮ ﯾﻌﻤﻞ! ﷲ ﯾﻜﻮن ﺑﻌﻮﻧﮫ.
on custom or tradition. Example:
أم ﻋﻮض :أوﻻد ھﺎﻷﯾّﺎم ﻣﺶ ﻣﺜﻞ أوﻻد زﻣﺎن! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺸﻮف أوﻻدي إﻻ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻨﺎﺳﺒﺎت! ﻛﻠﮭﻢ ﻣﺸﻐﻮﻟﯿﻦ ﺑﺤﯿﺎﺗﮭﻢ وﺷﻐﻠﮭﻢ وأوﻻدھﻢ! ﻗﻠﯿﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺰوروﻧﻲ! ﻛﺎن اﻟﻤﺮﺣﻮم أﺑﻮ ﻋﻮض ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﯾﻤﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ أﻣﮫ زي طﺎﺑﻊ اﻟﺒﺮﯾﺪ! ﻻزم ﯾﺸﻮﻓﮭﺎ وﯾﻄ ّﻤﻦ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ! أم ﻋﺎدل :ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮫ!
زي ﻋﻠﺒﺔ اﻟﺴﺮدﯾﻦ
زي اﻟﻤﯿّﮫ /zayy il-mayyeh/
Equivalent: Literal. Like water/ Duck soup/ Very easy/ Effortless/ A piece of cake. Example:
أم ﻣﻌﺎذ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎن اﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﻚ اﻟﯿﻮم ﯾﺎ ﻣﻌﺎذ؟ ﻣﻌﺎذ :ﻛﺎن ﺳﮭﻞ زي اﻟﻤﯿّﮫ!
زي اﻟﻨﻤﺮ اﻻطﺮم /zayy ‘ulbit il-sārdīn/
/zayy il-nimir li-ṭram/
Equivalent: Packed in like sardines/ Crowded.
Equivalent: To not have a clue/ To know nothing about
Example:
something.
ﺗﻤﺎرا :ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﻣﺮوﺣﺔ ﺑﻜﯿﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ! ﻟﯿﺶ؟ ﺳﯿﺮﯾﻦ :ﯾﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻗﺪرت أﺗﺤ ّﻤﻞ! اﻟﺠﻮ ﺣﺎﻣﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ واﻟﻤﻜﺎن ﺿﯿّﻖ زي ﻋﻠﺒﺔ اﻟﺴﺮدﯾﻦ واﻟﻨﺎس ﻓﻮق ﺑﻌﺾ.
زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺰرع زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﺼﺪ
Example:
أﺑﻮ طﺎرق :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻣﺎ ﻓﮭﻤﺖ ﺷﻮ اﻟﻘﺼﺔ وﻋﻦ ﺷﻮ ﻛﺎن أﺑﻮ ﻧﻀﺎل ﯾﺴﻮﻟﻒ! ﻛﻨﺖ زي اﻟﻨﻤﺮ اﻻطﺮم ﺑﺎﻟﻘﻌﺪة! ﺼﺔ ﺻﺎرت ﻣﻊ أﺑﻮه أﺑﻮ ﻧﺼﺮ :ھﮭﮭﮫ .ﻛﺎن ﯾﺴﻮﻟﻒ ﻋﻦ ﻗ ّ وھﻮ ﺻﻐﯿﺮ وإﻧﺖ إﺟﯿﺖ ﺑﻨﺼﮭﺎ ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﻣﺎ ﻓﮭﻤﺖ إﺷﻲ.
/zayy mā btizra‘ zayy mā btuḥṣud/
Equivalent: As you sow, so you shall reap/ What goes
زي اﻟﻮاوي ← زي اﻟﺠﻦ
around comes around.
/zayy il-jinn/ ← /zayy il-wāwī/
Example:
Equivalent: Look terrible/ Awful.
ﻋﺮﻓﺎت :اﺳﻤﻊ ﯾﺎ ﻣﻨﯿﺮ ﻻزم ﺗﺪﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ أﻣﻚ وأﺑﻮك وﺗﺴﻤﻊ ﻛﻼﻣﮭﻢ وﺗﺮد ﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ ﻹﻧﮭﻢ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺘﻚ! ﺑﻜﺮة أوﻻدك ﺑﻌﺎﻣﻠﻮك ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺜﻞ ﻹﻧّﮫ زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺰرع زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﺼﺪ! ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :ﻛﻼﻣﻚ ﺻﺤﯿﺢ وأﻧﺎ ﻏﻠﻄﺎن! ﻻزم اﻧﺘﺒﮫ ﻟﻄﺮﯾﻘﺔ ﺗﻌﺎﻣﻠﻲ ﻣﻌﮭﻢ.
Example:
أﻣﺎﻧﻲ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ زي اﻟﻮاوي ﯾﺎ دﯾﻨﺎ؟ ﺷﻜﻠﻚ ﻣﺮﯾﻀﺔ. دﯾﻨﺎ :ﻻ ﻣﺮﯾﻀﺔ وﻻ .ﺑﺲ اﻟﯿﻮم ﻣﺎ ﺣﻄّﯿﺖ ﻣﻜﯿﺎج! أﻣﺎﻧﻲ :روﺣﻲ ﺣﻄّﻲ ﺷﻮﯾﺔ ﻣﻜﯿﺎج ﻷﻧّﮫ ﺷﻜﻠﻚ زي اﻟﺠﻦ!
زي ﺣﺠﺮ اﻟﻌﺜﺮة
زي ﻣﻨﺎ ﺷﺎﯾﻔﻚ
/zayy ḥajar il-‘athrah/ /zayy manā shāyf-ak/
Equivalent: A stumbling block.
Equivalent: As sure as eggs is eggs/ Without any
Example:
doubt/ Absolutely certain/ As sure as fate. Example:
ﻣﻨﺠﺪ :إﻧﺖ ﻣﺘﺄﻛﺪ إﻧّﮫ أﺧﻮي رﯾّﺎن ھﻮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﺴﺮ ﺷﺒّﺎك ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻲ؟ ﻧﻈﻤﻲ :ﻣﺘﺄﻛﺪ زي ﻣﻨﺎ ﺷﺎﯾﻔﻚ! ﺷﻔﺘﮫ ﺑﻌﯿﻮﻧﻲ .ﺑﺲ ﻻ ﺗﻮ ّرطﻨﻲ وﺗﻘﻠّﮫ إﻧّﮫ أﻧﺎ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺧﺒّﺮﺗﻚ.
ﻋﯿﺴﻰ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻓﺮﯾﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﯿﺠﻲ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺮﺣﻠﺔ؟ ﻣﺮاد :ﺑﺴﺒﺐ أﺑﻮه .واﻗﻔﻠﮫ زي ﺣﺠﺮ اﻟﻌﺜﺮة! ﺑﺪّه إﯾﺎه ﯾﺮ ّﻛﺰ ﻋﻠﻰ دراﺳﺘﮫ وﺑﺲ.
ﺼﺔ ﺑﺤﻠﻘﮫ زي اﻟﻐ ّ /zayy il-ghaṣṣah b-ḥalg-uh/
زي اﻟﻨﺴﻤﺔ
Equivalent: Lump in one’s throat/ Strong emotions. /zayy il-nismeh/
Equivalent: Like a cool breeze on a hot summer day/ Very nice and cool.
Example:
أم ﺷﻜﺮي :ﻛﯿﻒ ﺣﺎل ﺻﻼح وﺷﻮ أﺑﻮه ﻋﺎﻣﻞ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ اﻧﺸﻞ اﺑﻨﮫ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ اﻟﺤﺎدث؟
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺰاي
ﻓﺘﺤﻲ :زﯾﺎدة اﻟﺨﯿﺮ ﺧﯿﺮﯾﻦ! وإﺣﻨﺎ ﺷﻮ ﺧﺴﺮاﻧﯿﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﻜﺲ ﺑﺨﻒّ ﻋﻠﯿﻨﺎ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ! زﯾﺎدة اﻟﺨﯿﺮ ﺑﺮﻛﺔ.
زﯾﺮ ﻧﺴﺎ ← ﻧﺴﻮﻧﺠﻲ ← ﺗﺒﻊ ﻧﺴﻮان /taba‘ niswān/ ← /naswanjī/ ← /zīr nisā/
Equivalent: Ladies’ man/ Womanizer.
Example:
أم راﺿﻲ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﺔ ﺣﺴﺎن؟ أم ﺣﺴﺎن :ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ زي اﻟﻨﺴﻤﺔ!
زﯾﺎدة اﻟﺨﯿﺮ ﺧﯿﺮﯾﻦ ← زﯾﺎدة اﻟﺨﯿﺮ ﺑﺮﻛﺔ ← أﺣﺴﻦ وأﺣﺴﻦ
Example:
/’aḥsan w-’aḥsan/ ← /zyādit il-khēr barakah/ ← /zyādit il-khēr
أﺑﻮ ﻏﯿﺚ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر أﺑﻮ ﺣﺎﺗﻢ؟ زﻣﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺳﻤﻌﺖ أﺧﺒﺎره أو ﺷﻔﺘﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﻧﻤﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺮﺗﮫ ﺗﺮﻛﺘﮫ! طﻮل ﻋﻤﺮه ﺗﺒﻊ ﻧﺴﻮان وﻣﺮﺗﮫ ﺗﻐﻠﺒﺖ ﻣﻌﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﻏﯿﺚ :آه وﷲ ﻣﻦ وإﺣﻨﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ وھﻮ ﻧﺴﻮﻧﺠﻲ .ﷲ ﯾﺼﻠﺢ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ.
khērēn/
Equivalent: The more the merrier/ So much the better/ Icing on the cake (positive). Example:
ﻓﺘﺤﻲ :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻗﻠّﻲ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻌﯿّﻦ ﺳﻜﺮﺗﯿﺮ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪﻧﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ. ﺿﯿﺎء :ﻣﮭﻮ ﻋﯿّﻦ واﺣﺪ اﻟﺸﮭﺮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﺎت!
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺴﯿﻦ
Example:
ﻋﻤﺎد :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﻣﺮﺗﻲ ﻧﻮال ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﺖ ﻣﻊ ﺗﻤﺎم ﺟﺎرﺗﮭﺎ! إﺟﺎ ﺟﻮز ﺗﻤﺎم ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﯾﺸﻜﯿﻠﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺻﺎر وﺣﻂّ اﻟﻠﻮم ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﻮال ﺼﺔ وﺳﺎواﻟﮭﺎ ﺧﻔﻀﺔ ورﻓﻌﺔ واﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع ﻛﻠّﮫ ﺗﺎﻓﮫ! وﻋﻤﻠﮭﺎ ﻗ ّ ّ ﺗﺘﺪﺧﻠﻮ ﺑﺴﻮاﻟﻒ اﻟﻨﺴﻮان؟ رﺷﯿﺪ :وﻟﯿﺶ
ﺳﺎواﻟﮭﺎ طﻨّﺔ ورﻧّﺔ /sāwā-l-hā ṭanneh w-ranneh/
ﺳﺎرح ← ﺷﺎرد /shārid/ ← /sāriḥ/
Equivalent: Have your head in the clouds/ To daydream. Example:
وھﺒﻲ :ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﺷﺎرد! وﯾﻦ ﻋﻘﻠﻚ ﺳﺎرح؟ ﺻﺎرﻟﻲ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ ﺑﺤﻜﻲ وإﻧﺖ ﻣﺶ ﻣﻌﻲ! ﻏﯿﺎث :وﷲ ﺳﺎرح ﺑﮭﺎﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ! ﺑﻔ ّﻜﺮ ﻛﯿﻒ ﺑﺪّي أﺳﺪّد إﻟﺘﺰاﻣﺎﺗﻲ ودﯾﻮﻧﻲ!
Equivalent: Make a song and dance about something/ Make a big deal about something.
ﺳﺎﻓﻞ
Example:
أم ﺣﺴﻨﻲ :اﻷﺳﺒﻮع اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﺎت ﻧﺠﺤﺖ ﺧﻠﻮد ﻣﺮت اﺑﻨﻲ ﺣﺴﻨﻲ ﺑﺎﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ ﻛﻠﮭﻦ إﺟﺎ ﺣﺴﻨﻲ ﺳﺎواﻟﮭﺎ طﻨّﺔ ً أﺻﻼ. ورﻧّﺔ! وﻛﺈﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻧﺠﺢ ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ وﻛﺈﻧﮭﺎ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺸﺘﻐﻞ
ﺳﺎواﻟﮭﺎ اﻟﺒﺤﻮر ﻣﻘﺎﺛﻲ /sāwā-l-hā li-bḥūr magāthī/
Equivalent: Make much of something/ To give a lot of
/sāfil/
Equivalent: The lowest of the low/ The worst. Example:
ﻋﻼء :ﺷﻔﺖ اﻟﺴﯿّﺪ ﺑﺸﯿﺮ ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ! راح ﻋﻠﻰ أﺑﻮ رﺿﻮان وﻗﻠّﮫ إﻧّﻲ ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻣﻦ ورا ظﮭﺮه! وأﺑﻮ رﺿﻮان زﻋﻼن ﻣﻨﻲ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺸﺎرﻛﻨﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺸﺮوع! ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :ھﺬا واﺣﺪ ﺳﺎﻓﻞ وﺑﺤﺐ ﯾﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ .أﻧﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﯿﻠﻚ ﻣﻊ أﺑﻮ رﺿﻮان وﺑﻔﮭﻢ ﻣﻨﮫ ﺷﻮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ.
importance to something/ To exaggerate. Example:
ﻧﻮر :ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﻮﻣﯿﻦ اﺟﺎ أﺧﻮي ودﯾﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ أﻣﻲ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺪﯾّﻦ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ ﻣﺼﺎري وﺳﺎواﻟﮭﺎ اﻟﺒﺤﻮر ﻣﻘﺎﺛﻲ ﻋﺸﺎن ﺗﻌﻄﯿﮫ! وﻗﺎﻟﻠﮭﺎ إﻧﮫ ﻏﺮﻗﺎن ﺑﺎﻟﺪﯾﻦ وﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﺴﺠﻨﻮه إذا ﻣﺎ ﺑﺴ ّﺪ دﯾﻮﻧﮫ. ﺳﺮى :ﻛﻞ ﺷﻮﯾﺔ ﺑﺘﺪﯾّﻦ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ .ﺧﻠّﺺ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮭﺎ ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻨﺔ! ﻻزم ﻣﺎ ﺗﻌﻄﯿﮫ إﺷﻲ.
ﺳﺎواﻟﮭﺎ إﯾﺪﯾﻦ ورﺟﻠﯿﻦ /sāwā-l-hā ’idēn w-rijlēn/
ﺳﺎﻛﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻀﺾ ̣/sākit ‘alā maḏạ ḏ/
Equivalent: Reluctantly/ To unwillingly keep silent about something. Example:
أم اﻟﻌﺒﺪ :أﺑﻮ اﻟﻌﺒﺪ ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎﺟﺒﮫ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻌﻤﻠﮫ أﺑﻮ ﻓﺘﺤﻲ وﺳﺎﻛﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻀﺾ!
ﺳﺎﻟﺖ رﯾﺎﻟﺘﮫ ← ﺷﻄﺖ رﯾﺎﻟﺘﮫ
Equivalent: Make a big thing out of something.
/shaṭṭat ryālt-uh/ ← /sālat ryālt-uh/
Example:
Equivalent: Make one’s mouth water/ To salivate
ﻋﺮﻓﺔ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎل اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ؟ ﻟﯿﺶ زﻋﻼن ﻣﻨﻚ ﻟﮭﺪرﺟﺔ؟ ﻋﻠﻲ :رﺣﺖ أﺟﯿﺐ ﺧﺒﺰ ﺑﺴﯿﺎرﺗﮫ إﺟﯿﺖ ﺧﺒﻄﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﺴﯿﺎرة ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ ﻣﺎ ﻛﻨﺖ ﺷﺎﯾﻔﮭﺎ! ھﺎي ﻛﻞ اﻟﻘﺼﺔ! ﺑﺲ أﺧﻮي ﺳﺎوى ﻟﻠﻘﺼﺔ إﯾﺪﯾﻦ ورﺟﻠﯿﻦ!
ﺳﺒﻊ ﺻﻨﺎﯾﻊ واﻟﺒﺨﺖ ﺿﺎﯾﻊ /sabiʻ ṣanāyi‘ w-il-bakhit ḏā ̣ yi‘/
Equivalent: A jack-of-all trades is a master of none.
because of the desire to have something/ To salivate because of appetizing food. Example:
وﻟﯿﺪ :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺑﺲ ﻋﻤﺮ ﺷﺎف ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻲ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة ﺷﻄّﺖ رﯾﺎﻟﺘﮫ! ﻣﺎت ﻗﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺳﺄﻟﻨﻲ ﻋﻨﮭﺎ! ﻣﺒﺎرك :أﻧﺎ ﺷﺎ ّم رﯾﺤﺔ أﻛﻞ زاﻛﻲ! وﷲ ﺳﺎﻟﺖ رﯾﺎﻟﺘﻲ .ﺷﻮ اﻟﺤﺠﺔ طﺎﺑﺨﺔ؟ ّ وﻟﯿﺪ :أﻧﺎ ﺑﺸﻮ وإﻧﺖ ﺑﺸﻮ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻔ ّﻜﺮ ﻏﯿﺮ ﺑﺒﻄﻨﻚ وﺑﺎﻷﻛﻞ!
Example:
ﺳﻤﯿﺮ :ﺑﻌﺪك ﻣﺎ ﻟﻘﯿﺖ ﺷﻐﻞ ﺛﺎﺑﺖ ﯾﺎ طﻼل؟ ﺻﺮت ﻣﺸﺘﻐﻞ أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ ﺷﻐﻠﺔ وﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ إﺷﻲ زاﺑﻂ ﻣﻌﻚ! طﻼل :ﻻ ﺑﻌﺪﻧﻲ! ﺳﺒﻊ ﺻﻨﺎﯾﻊ واﻟﺒﺨﺖ ﺿﺎﯾﻊ! ﻣﺶ زاﺑﻄﺔ ﻣﻌﻲ.
ﺳﺎواﻟﮭﺎ ﺧﻔﻀﺔ ورﻓﻌﺔ /sāwā-l-hā khufḏạ h w-rufʻah
Equivalent: Make a big thing out of something.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺴﯿﻦ
ﺳﺘﺮ وﻏﻄﺎ
ﺳﻌﺮك ﺑﺴﻌﺮه ← ﺳﻌﺮك ﺑﺴﻌﺮ ﻏﯿﺮك /si‘r-ak b-si‘ir ghēr-ak/ ← /si‘r-ak b-si‘r-uh/
/sitr w-ghaṭā/
Equivalent: On an equal footing/ With neither side
Equivalent: Pillar of strength/ To provide moral,
having any advantage over the other/ You are no
emotional or financial support/ To protect, defend
better than someone else, so you will be treated
and cover for someone.
equally.
Example:
Example:
ﻋﻤﺎد :ﻟﯿﺶ أﻋﻄﯿﺖ ﻣﻜﺎﻓﺄة ﻟﻌﺼﻤﺖ؟ ﻣﺎ أﻧﺎ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﺖ ﻣﻌﻈﻢ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ! أدھﻢ :وﻋﺼﻤﺖ ﺗﻌﺐ ﻣﻌﻚ وإﺷﺘﻐﻞ! ﺳﻌﺮك ﺑﺴﻌﺮه وﻣﺶ رح أﻣﯿّﺰ ﺑﯿﻨﻜﻮ!
ﺳﻘﺎه اﻟﻤ ّﺮ /sagā-h il-murr/
أم رﺑﺎح :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ ﻋﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﺟﺪﯾﺪة! ﷲ ﯾﻌﯿﻦ ﻣﺮﺗﮫ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻗﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻨﺎس .ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺪﯾﻮن وﻣﻤﻜﻦ ﯾﻔﻮت اﻟﺴﺠﻦ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺮﺗﮫ وﻻ ﻣ ّﺮة ﻗﺎﻟﺖ إﺷﻲ ﻋﻨﮫ! ﺑﺘﻀﻞ ﺳﺎﻛﺘﺔ وﺑﺲ. أم ﺟﻼل :ﯾﺎ أم رﺑﺎح اﻟﻤﺮا ﺳﺘﺮ وﻏﻄﺎ ﻟﺠﻮزھﺎ! ھﺎﻟﻤﺮا آدﻣﯿّﺔ وﻋﻜﺲ ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﺗﻤﺎﻣﺎ.
ﺳﺤﺐ ﻛﻼﻣﮫ ← رﺟﻊ ﺑﻜﻼﻣﮫ
Equivalent: To torture someone/ To make someone
/riji‘ b-kalām-uh/ ← /saḥab kalām-uh/
suffer/ To abuse someone.
Equivalent: Retract a remark/ Take back what one
Example:
said/ Go back on one’s word/ Eat one’s word.
ﺧﺘﺎم :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺣﻨﺎن ﺗﻄﻠّﻘﺖ ﻣﻦ ﺟﻮزھﺎ! ﻟﯿﺶ طﯿّﺐ؟ ﻋﻨﻮد :ﯾﻲ ﻣﮭﻮ ﺳﻘﺎھﺎ اﻟﻤ ّﺮ! ﺑﻄﻠّﺖ ﺗﺘﺤ ّﻤﻞ ﻋﯿﺸﺘﮭﺎ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﺗﺮﻛﺘﮫ.
ﺳﻘﻂ ﻣﻦ ﻋﯿﻨﮫ /sagaṭ min ‘ēn-uh/
Example:
أم ﻣﻈﮭﺮ :ﺷﻔﺘﻲ ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ أﺑﻮ ﻣﻈﮭﺮ ﻓﯿّﻲ! وﻋﺪﻧﻲ ﯾﺠﯿﺒﻠﻲ ذھﺐ ﺑﺲ ﯾﺴﺘﻠﻢ ﻣﺮاﺑﺢ ﺗﺠﺎرﺗﮫ ﺑﺲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ اﺳﺘﻠﻤﮭﺎ رﺟﻊ ﺑﻜﻼﻣﮫ وﺑﻄّﻞ ﯾﺠﯿﺒﻠﻲ إﺷﻲ. أم ﻓﺘﺤﻲ :ﺑﺠﻮز ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻔﺎﺟﺌﻚ! اﺻﺒﺮي وﺷﻮﻓﻲ! ﻣﮭﻮ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺴﺤﺐ ﻛﻼﻣﮫ ﯾﻌﻨﻲ؟
Equivalent: Lose face (by doing something bad that makes people stop respecting you).
ﺳﺮﺳﺮي
Example:
ﻋﺎﺑﺪ :اﻟﯿﻮم أﺳﻠﻮب ﺟﺎﺑﺮ ﻣﺎ ﻋﺠﺒﻨﻲ وھﻮ ﯾﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻊ أﻣﮫ وأﺑﻮه! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺘﺮﻣﮭﻢ وﺑﻌﺎﻣﻠﮭﻢ ﺑﻄﺮﯾﻘﺔ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ! اﻟﯿﻮم ﺳﻘﻂ ﻣﻦ ﻋﯿﻨﻲ وﻓﻘﺪ إﺣﺘﺮاﻣﮫ ﻋﻨﺪي. ﻧﺼﺮ :ﷲ ﯾﺼﻠﺢ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ وﯾﮭﺪﯾﮫ.
ﺳﻘﯿﻄﺔ /sagīṭah/
Equivalent: A loser.
/sarsarī/
Equivalent: A thief. Example:
ﻧﺎﯾﻞ :اﻣﺒﺎرح إﺟﺎﻧﻲ ﺗﻠﻔﻮن ﻣﮭﻢ واﺿﻄ ّﺮﯾﺖ أﺗﺮك اﻟﺴﻮﺑﺮﻣﺎرﻛﺖ وأطﻠﻊ ﻣﺸﻮار! إﺟﯿﺖ طﻠﺒﺖ ﻣﻦ ﺑﺪر ﯾﻘﻌﺪ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﻮﺑﺮﻣﺎرﻛﺖ ﺗﺎ أرﺟﻊ! وﺑﺲ رﺟﻌﺖ ﻟﻘﯿﺖ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﻧﺎﻗﺼﺔ! ﻓﻜﺮك ﺑﺪر أﺧﺬھﻦ؟ ﻧﺒﯿﻞ :ﻣﮭﻮ ﺑﺪر ﻣﻌﺮوف إﻧّﮫ ﺳﺮﺳﺮي وﺣﺮاﻣﻲ! ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﺎ ﺗﺄﻣﻨﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺤﻞ!
Example:
ﻋﺰام :ﻣﻨﯿﺮ رﺳﺐ ﺑﻜﻞ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻌﯿﺪھﻦ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺸﺘﻐﻞ! ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻀﻞ ﻗﺎﻋﺪ وأﺑﻮه ﯾﺼﺮف ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﺻﺎﻟﺢ :ھﺬا واﺣﺪ ﺳﻘﯿﻄﺔ وﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ ﻹﺷﻲ!
ﺳ ّﺮك ﺑﺒﯿﺮ ﻣﺎﻟﮫ ﻗﺮار /sirr-ak bi-bīr māluh garār/
Equivalent: Your secret is safe with me/ My lips are sealed. Example:
ﺳ ّﻜﺮ أذاﻧﮫ /sakkar ’adhān-uh/
Equivalent: To turn a deaf ear/ To refuse to listen to someone. Example:
أم ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :ﺗﻌﺒﻨﺎ وإﺣﻨﺎ ﻧﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻊ ﻣﻨﯿﺮ وﻧﻘﻨﻌﮫ إﻧّﮫ ﯾﻌﯿﺪ إﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎﺗﮫ وﯾﻨﺘﺒﮫ ﻟﻤﺴﺘﻘﺒﻠﮫ! ﺑﺲ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻣﺴ ّﻜﺮ أذاﻧﮫ وﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﯾﺴﻤﻊ ﻣﻦ ﺣﺪا! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﯿﻦ ﻛﯿﻒ ﻧﺘﺼ ّﺮف ﻣﻌﮫ! أم ﻣﮭﺪي :ﷲ ﯾﮭﺪﯾﮫ.
ﺣﯿﺎة :ﺑﺪّي أﻗﻠّﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻧﺮﻣﯿﻦ ﺳﺮ ﺑﺲ ﺑﺘﻮﻋﺪﯾﻨﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻘﻮﻟﯿﮫ ﻟﺤﺪا! ﻧﺮﻣﯿﻦ :أﻛﯿﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا رح ﯾﻌﺮف .ﺳ ّﺮك ﺑﺒﯿﺮ ﻣﺎﻟﮫ ﻗﺮار!
ﺳﻄّﻠﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﻌﺲ ← طﻔﯿﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﻌﺲ /ṭafēt min il-na‘as/ ← /saṭṭalt min il-na‘as/
Equivalent: Very sleepy/ I can barely keep my eyes open. Example:
ﻋﺪﻧﺎن :إﺳﮭﺮ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ ﯾﺎ ﺑﺮاء ﺑﻌﺪّه اﻟﻠﯿﻞ ﺑﺄ ّوﻟﮫ! ﺑﺮاء :ﺻﺤﯿﺖ اﻟﯿﻮم ﺑ ّﻜﯿﺮ وﺳﻄّﻠﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﻌﺲ! ﺑﺠﺪ طﻔﯿﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﻌﺲ وﺑﺪّي أر ّوح أرﺗﺎح وأﻧﺎم.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
ﺼﺐ وﻣﺶ راﯾﻖ؟ أم ﺗﯿﻢ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺗﯿﻢ ﻣﻌ ّ أﺑﻮ ﺗﯿﻢ :ﺗﯿﻢ ﺳﻢ ﺑﺪﻧﻲ اﻟﯿﻮم! ﺗﮭﺎوش ﻣﻊ أﺳﺘﺎذ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ واﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻧﺎداﻧﻲ وھﺰ ﺑﺪﻧﻲ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ اﺑﻨﻚ! أﻋﻄﺎﻧﻲ ﻣﺤﺎﺿﺮة ﻋﻦ اﻟﺘﺮﺑﯿﺔ.
ﺳﻤﺤﻨﺎﻟﮫ ﻓﺎت وﻓ ّﻮت ﺣﻤﺎره /samāḥnā-l-uh fāt w-fawwat ḥmār-uh/
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ﺳ ّﻜﺮ ﺛ ّﻤﻚ ← ﺳ ّﺪ ﺑﻮزك ← ﺳ ّﺪ ﺣﻠﻘﻚ ← إﺧﺮس /’ikhras/ ← /sidd ḥalg-ak/ ← /sidd būz-ak/ ← /sakkir thumm-ak/
Equivalent: Shut up/ Zip your lip. Example:
ﯾﻮﺳﻒ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺳﻤﻊ ﻣﻨّﻚ وﻻ ﻛﻠﻤﺔ! إﻧﺖ واﺣﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﮭﻢ! ﻋﻄﺎ :إﺧﺮس! ﻣﯿﻦ ﺣﺎﻛﻲ ﻣﻌﻚ أﺻﻼً !
ﺳ ّﻜﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﺎﻟﻲ
Equivalent: Give them an inch and they’ll take a mile.
/sakkir ‘alā il-tālī/
Example:
Equivalent: Keep one’s mouth shut.
أﺑﻮ ﯾﺤﯿﻰ :ﻣﻄ ّﻮل ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻚ وھﻮ ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﻋﻨّﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ؟ إﻧﺖ ﻗﻠﺖ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻘﻌﺪ ﯾﻮﻣﯿﻦ ﺗﺎ ﯾﻼﻗﻲ ﺷﻐﻞ! ھﺎي ﺻﺎرﻟﮫ ﺛﻼث أﺳﺎﺑﯿﻊ! وھﺎي ﺟﺎب أﺧﻮه ﻛﻤﺎن ﯾﻘﻌﺪ ﻋﻨّﺎ! ھﻮ ﺑﯿﺘﻨﺎ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ أوﺗﯿﻞ! وإﻻ زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﻮل اﻟﻤﺜﻞ :ﺳﻤﺤﻨﺎﻟﮫ ﻓﺎت وﻓ ّﻮت ﺣﻤﺎره! ﺻﺎر اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﺑﯿﺘﮫ ﺑﺸﻮف! ﯾﺤﯿﻰ :ﺧﻠﺺ أﻧﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ اﻟﯿﻮم!
Example:
ﯾﻮﺳﻒ :إذا ﺑﺘﻀﻞ ﺗﻄ ّﻮل ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻚ وﺗﻐﻠﻂ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ رح أﺧﺒّﺮ أﺑﻮك إﻧّﻚ ﺑﺘﺸﺮب ﻛﺤﻮل! ﻋﻄﺎ :طﯿّﺐ ﺧﻠﺺ ﺳ ّﻜﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﺎﻟﻲ وﻻ ﺗﺠﯿﺒﻠﮫ ﺳﯿﺮة!
ﺳ ّﻜﺘﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺼﺎري /sakkat-uh b-il-maṣārī/
ﺳﻤﻌﮫ ﺛﻘﯿﻞ ← ﺳﻤﻌﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﺪّه
Equivalent: Have an ox on the tongue/ To give
/samā‘-uh ‘alā gadd-uh/ ← /samā‘-uh thagīl/
someone hush money.
Equivalent: Hard of hearing/ Unable to hear well/
Example:
Partially deaf. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺷﻌﺒﺎن :اﻟﯿﻮم ھﻠﻜﺖ وأﻧﺎ أﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻊ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ! ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﺳﻤﻌﮫ ﺛﻘﯿﻞ! ﻛﻨﺖ أﻋﯿﺪ اﻟﻘﺼﺔ أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻣ ّﺮة وھﻮ ﻣﺶ ﺳﺎﻣﻊ إﺷﻲ! رﻣﻀﺎن :آه ﺳﻤﻌﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﺪّه! ﻣﮭﻮ ﻛﺒﺮ! ﻋﻤﺮه ﺗﺴﻌﯿﻦ إذا ﻣﺶ أﻛﺜﺮ!
ﻧﻤﺮ :ﻧﻔﺴﻲ أﻓﮭﻢ ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺤﻤﻮد ﺳﻜﺖ وﻣﺎ ﻗﺎل اﻟﺤﻘﯿﻘﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺤﻜﻤﺔ! ﻣﮭﻮ اﻟﺸﺎھﺪ اﻟﻮﺣﯿﺪ ﺑﺎﻟﻘﻀﯿﺔ! ھﻮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺴﻚ ﺧﺎﻟﺪ ﺑﺤﺮق ﻣﺤﻞ ﺳﻔﯿﺎن! ﻧﻌﻤﺎن :ﻣﮭﻮ ﺳﻔﯿﺎن ﺳ ّﻜﺘﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺼﺎري! أﻋﻄﺎه ﻣﺒﻠﻎ ﻛﺒﯿﺮ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻣﺎ ﯾﻌﺘﺮف ﻋﻠﯿﮫ.
اﻟﺴﻜﻮت ﻋﻼﻣﺔ اﻟﺮﺿﺎ /il-sukūt ‘alāmit il-riḏā ̣ /
ﺳﻨﺔ ﺿﻮﺋﯿﺔ
Equivalent: Silence means consent. /saneh ḏạ w’iyyeh/
Equivalent: Light-years away or ahead. Example:
ﺧﻠﯿﻞ :وﯾﻦ راﯾﺢ ﯾﺎ ﺳﺮﺣﺎن؟ ﺳﺮﺣﺎن :ﺑﺪّي أروح أﺳﻠّﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﺒﺪ اﻟﺼﻤﺪ! رﺟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ! ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﺸﺘﺮي ﺧﻤﺲ ﺑﻨﺎﯾﺎت وﺑﺪّه ﯾﺸﺘﺮي اﻟﺴﺎدﺳﺔ! ﺧﻠﯿﻞ :ﷲ ﯾﻌﻄﯿﻨﺎ ﻣﺜﻞ ﻣﺎ أﻋﻄﺎه! ﺳﺮﺣﺎن :وﷲ ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﻣﻠﯿﻮن ﺳﻨﺔ ﺿﻮﺋﯿﺔ ﺗﺎ ﯾﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ رﺑﻊ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ!
ﺳﻤﻨﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﺴﻞ /samneh ‘alā ‘asal/
Equivalent: Get on like a house on fire/ Like peas and
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺻﻔﻮان :ﻣﻮاﻓﻘﺔ ﯾﺎ دﻋﺎء ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﺮﯾﺲ اﻟﻠﻲ إﺟﺎﻛﻲ؟ ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﺳﺎﻛﺘﺔ وﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﯾﻠﺔ إﺷﻲ! أم ﺻﻔﻮان :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﻘﻮل ﯾﻌﻨﻲ؟ اﻟﺴﻜﻮت ﻋﻼﻣﺔ اﻟﺮﺿﺎ!
ﺳﻠّﻢ ﺑﺎﻷﻣﺮ اﻟﻮاﻗﻊ /sallam b-il-’amr il-wāqi‘/
Equivalent: Come to terms with someone or something. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﻮاد :ﺧﻠﺺ ﻧﻈﻤﻲ ﺳﻠّﻢ ﺑﺎﻷﻣﺮ اﻟﻮاﻗﻊ وأﻋﻄﻰ أﺧﻮه ﺣﺼﺘﮫ ﻣﻦ ورﺛﺔ أﺑﻮه! ﻛﺎن ﻣﺎﺧﺬ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﺑﻔ ّﻜﺮ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﮭﯿﻚ ﺑﺤﻤﻲ أﺧﻮه وﻣﺼﺎري أﺑﻮه! ﺑﺲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻛﺜﺮت ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻠﮭﻢ أدرك إﻧّﮫ اﻟﺤﻞ إﻧﮭﻢ ﯾﺘﻘﺎﺳﻤﻮ اﻟﻮرﺛﺔ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻣﺎ ﯾﺨﺴﺮو ﺑﻌﺾ!
carrots/ Like lovebirds. Example:
وﻓﺎء :ﻣﺎ ﺗﺼﺎﻟﺤﺘﻲ ﻣﻊ أﺧﺘﻚ ﻧﺪاء؟ ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺣﻜﯿﺘﻦ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ! ﺴﮫ إﺣﻨﺎ ﺳﻤﻨﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﺴﻞ! ﺳﺤﺮ :ﻻ زﻣﺎن ﺻﺎﻟﺤﺘﮭﺎ وھ ّ
ﺳﻢ ﺑﺪﻧﮫ ← ھﺰ ﺑﺪﻧﮫ /hazz badan-uh/ ← /samm badan-uh/
Equivalent: Drive someone up the wall/ To annoy, irritate or frustrate someone.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺴﯿﻦ
ﺳﻨّﮫ ﺣﻠﻮ
ﺳﻮاﻟﻔﮫ ﻣﺎﺻﺨﺔ ← ﺳﻮاﻟﻔﮫ ﺑﻼ طﻌﻤﺔ /sawālf-uh balā ṭa‘mah/ ← /sawālf-uh māṣkhah/
/sinn-uh ḥilū/
Equivalent: Talk rubbish or nonsense.
Equivalent: Have a sweet tooth/ Like to eat sweet
Example:
things.
أم ﺳﻌﺪ :وﯾﻦ ﻛﻨﺖ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺳﻌﺪ؟ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﺄﺧﺮت ﺑﺴﮭﺮﺗﻚ اﻟﯿﻮم؟ أﺑﻮ ﺳﻌﺪ :رﺣﻨﺎ ﻧﻘﻨﻊ طﻼل إﻧّﮫ ﯾﺼﺎﻟﺢ ﻋﺪﻧﺎن ﺑﺲ ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻋﻨﯿﺪ وﻣﺪﻗّﺮ! وﻛﻞ ﺳﻮاﻟﻔﮫ ﻣﺎﺻﺨﺔ وﺑﻼ طﻌﻤﺔ وﺑﺘﺨﺰي!
ﺳﻮاﻟﻔﮫ ﻣﺜﻞ ﻋ ّﺪ اﻟﻠﯿﺮات /sawālf-uh mithil ‘add il-lērāt/
Equivalent: Have a silver tongue/ To have a way with
Example:
ﻣﺮام :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺘﻌﻤﻠﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺮﯾﻢ؟ ﻣﺮﯾﻢ :ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ﺣﻠﻮ ﻟﺠﻮزي! طﻠﺐ ﻣﻨﻲ إﺷﻲ ﺣﻠﻮ. ﻣﺮام :ﺑﻌﺪه ﺳﻨّﮫ ﺣﻠﻮ؟ ﻣﺮﯾﻢ :آه ﺑﻌﺪه وﺻﺎر ﯾﺤﺐ اﻟﺤﻠﻮ أﻛﺜﺮ ﻛﻤﺎن.
ﺳﻨّﮫ طﺮي
words/ Eloquent and persuasive person.
/sinn-uh ṭarī/
Example:
Equivalent: Eat like a horse/ Eat large amounts of
أم ﻛﺮﯾﻢ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎﻧﻮ اﻟﻤﺮﺷﺤﯿﻦ ﻟﻺﻧﺘﺨﺎﺑﺎت؟ ﻓﻲ ﺣﺪا ﻣﻨﮭﻢ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ وإﻻ ﻛﻠﮭﻢ ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻌﯿﻦ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ :ﻻ وﷲ ﻓﻲ واﺣﺪ اﺳﻤﮫ ﻋﺒﺪ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﻤﺘﺎز وﻣﺜﻘّﻒ! أﻟﻘﻰ ﺧﻄﺎب وﺳﻮاﻟﻔﮫ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻣﺜﻞ ﻋ ّﺪ اﻟﻠﯿﺮات.
food.
ﻣﺺ اﻟﺮوث ← ﺳﻮاﻟﻔﮫ ﺑﺎﯾﺨﺔ ﺳﻮاﻟﻔﮫ ﻣﺜﻞ ّ /sawālf-uh bāykhah/ ← /sawālf-uh mithil muṣṣ il-rōth/
Equivalent: Talk nonsense/ Babbling idiot.
Example:
ﻋﻤﺎر :ﯾﻠّﻼ ﯾﺎ ﺟﻤﯿﻞ ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﻧﺮوح ﻋﻠﻰ ﺗﺨ ّﺮج ﻓﺆاد! ﺑﻼش ﻧﺘﺄﺧﺮ! ﺟﻤﯿﻞ :اﺳﺘﻨﻰ ﺗﺎ أﺧﻠّﺺ ﻏﺪاي! اﻷﻛﻞ زاﻛﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻣﺶ ﻗﺎدر أوﻗّﻒ! ﻋﻤﺎر :ﻣﻦ ﯾﻮم ﯾﻮﻣﻚ وإﻧﺖ ﺳﻨّﻚ طﺮي وﺑﺘﺤﺐ اﻷﻛﻞ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ!
Example:
أم ﯾﺰن :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﺗﺮﻛﺖ ﺿﯿﻔﻚ ﺑﺮھﺎن ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﺎﺣﺔ ﺑ ّﺮا ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﯾﺰن؟ أﺑﻮ ﯾﺰن :زھﻘﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻘﻌﺪة ﻣﻌﮫ وﺣﻀﺮﺗﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻣﻔ ّﻜﺮ ﯾﺮ ّوح! ﻣﺺ اﻟﺮوث وﻛﻠﮭﺎ ﺳﻮاﻟﻒ ﺑﺎﯾﺨﺔ واﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ إﻧّﮫ ﺳﻮاﻟﻔﮫ ﻣﺜﻞ ّ وﺑﻼ طﻌﻤﺔ.
ﺳﻮاﻟﻔﮫ ﻧﺎﻗﺼﺔ /sawālf-uh nāgṣah/
ﺳﻮﻟﻒ ﻋﻦ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ /sōlif ‘an ḥāl-ak/
Equivalent: Speak for yourself. Example:
ﻋﺼﺎم :ﻛﯿﻒ ﺷﻔﺖ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ اﻣﺒﺎرح ﯾﺎ ﺻﺒﺮي؟ ﺴﯿﺖ اﻟﻜﻞ ﻛﺎن ﺑﺴﺘﻨّﻰ ﺗﺎ ﺻﺒﺮي :ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻣﻤﻠﺔ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ! ﺣ ّ ﺗﺨﻠﺺ وﯾﺮوﺣﻮ! ﺟﻼل :ﺳﻮﻟﻒ ﻋﻦ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ! اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻣﻤﺘﻌﺔ وﺑﺘﺠﻨّﻦ!
Equivalent: Talk rubbish or nonsense. Example:
ﺼﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺛﺎﻣﺮ؟ ﺳﺎﻣﻲ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﻌ ّ ﺣﻤﺰة :ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ ﻛﻞ ﺳﻮاﻟﻔﮫ ﻧﺎﻗﺼﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺨﻠّﻲ ﺣﺪا إﻻ وﺑﻐﻠﻂ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻣﻦ ورا ظﮭﺮه وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ أﺗﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻊ ھﯿﻚ ﻧﺎس!
ﺳ ّﻮد وﺟﮭﮫ /sawwad wijh-uh/
ﺳﻮاﻟﻒ ﺣﺼﯿﺪة /sawālif ḥaṣīdeh/
Equivalent: Full of hot air/ Nonsense or meaningless speech. Example:
ﻧﻮار :ﻟﯿﻠﺔ اﻣﺒﺎرح إﺟﺎ اﺣﻤﺪ وﺳﮭﺮ ﻋﻨّﺎ وﺿﻠّﮫ طﻮل اﻟﻘﻌﺪة ﯾﺴﻮﻟﻒ ﺳﻮاﻟﻒ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ اﻟﻄﻌﻤﺔ! ﻣﻤﻞ! زﯾﻨﺐ :آه ﺑﻌﺮف ﺳﻮاﻟﻔﮫ ﻛﻠﮭﺎ ﺳﻮاﻟﻒ ﺣﺼﯿﺪة!
Equivalent: To disappoint someone with something bad or embarrassing you have done. Example:
ﺣﺮﺑﻲ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ آﺧﺮ ﺧﺒﺮ ﯾﺎ ﯾﻮﻧﺲ؟ ﯾﻮﻧﺲ :ﻻ وﷲ .ﺷﻮ اﻷﺧﺒﺎر؟ ﺣﺮﺑﻲ :ﻋﺰﻣﻲ اﺧﺘﻠﺲ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﻨﻚ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻓﯿﮫ وﻓﺎت اﻟﺴﺠﻦ. ﯾﻮﻧﺲ :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺘﻘﻮل؟ ھﺬا ﺳ ّﻮد وﺟﮫ أﺑﻮه ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻌﻤﻠﺔ! أﺑﻮه زﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﺤﺘﺮم واﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﺤﻠﻒ ﺑﺤﯿﺎﺗﮫ.
ﺳﻮاﻟﻔﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮة /sawālf-uh kthīreh/
Equivalent: Talk the hind leg off a donkey/ Talkative. Example:
ﻋﺮﯾﻦ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﺄﺧﺮﺗﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺑﺜﯿﻨﺔ؟ ﺻﺎرﻟﻲ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ ﺑﺴﺘﻨﺎﻛﻲ! ﺑﺜﯿﻨﺔ :وأﻧﺎ ﺟﺎﯾّﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻄﺮﯾﻖ ﻟﻘﯿﺖ أم ﺷﺎھﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻄﺮﯾﻖ وﻣﺴﻜﺘﻨﻲ وﺿﻠﺖ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ! ﻣﻨﺘﻲ ﺑﺘﻌﺮﻓﯿﮭﺎ! ﺳﻮاﻟﻔﮭﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮة وﺑﺘﻤﻮت ﻋﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺳﻮﻻﻓﺔ ﻣﻘﻌﻮد ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ
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ﺳﻮﻗﻲ ← اﺑﻦ ﺷﻮارع /solāfeh mag‘ūd ‘alēhā/
/ibin shawāri‘/ ← /sūqī/
Equivalent: Something is planned out/ Done in
Equivalent: Undisciplined/ A person with bad manners
accordance with a plan/ Organized/ Arranged.
who uses vulgarity and rudeness most of the time.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺣﺎزم :أﻧﺎ ﺣﺎس إﻧّﮫ رأﻓﺖ وﻣﻨﯿﺮ ﺧﻄّﻄﻮ ﻟﮭﺎﻟﻤﺸﺮوع ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن! ﻣﺶ ﺣﺎس إﻧّﮫ ﺻﺪﻓﺔ زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﻟﻠﻜﻞ! أﺑﻮ ﻋﺰام :ﻓﻌﻼ ً ﻛﻼﻣﻚ ﺻﺤﯿﺢ! اﻟﺴﻮﻻﻓﺔ ﻣﻘﻌﻮد ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ!
ﺳﯿّﺐ رﻛﺒﮫ /sayyab rukab-uh/
أم ﻗﯿﺲ :ﺷﻮ ﯾﺎ ﻗﯿﺲ ﺗﺼﺮﻓﺎﺗﻚ ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎﺟﺒﯿﺘﻨﻲ وأﺳﻠﻮﺑﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺆدّب وﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺳﻮﻗﻲ واﺑﻦ ﺷﻮارع! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎك ﺗﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻊ ھﺬول اﻟﺸﺒﺎب اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﻌﺮﻓﮭﻢ! أو رح أﺧﺒّﺮ أﺑﻮك ﻋﻦ ﺗﺼﺮﻓﺎﺗﻚ وﺳﺎﻋﺘﮭﺎ دﺑّﺮ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﻌﮫ!
ﺳﻮﻛﺮﺟﻲ ← ﺳﻜﺮان
Equivalent: Frighten the living daylights out of someone.
/sakrān/ ← /sōkarjī/
Example:
Equivalent: Pie-eyed/ To be drunk.
ﻓﺮﺣﺎن :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﻛﺎن ﻓﻲ ﻛﻠﺐ ﺑ ّﺮا اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﺑﻨﺒﺢ وﻣﺎ ّ ﺧﻼﻧﺎ ﻧﻌﺮف ﻧﻨﺎم! طﻠﻌﺖ أﻛﺤﺸﮫ وإﻧّﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻠﺐ! طﻠﻊ ﺿﺒﻊ ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ! وﷲ ﺳﯿّﺐ رﻛﺒﻲ وﻣﻮﺗﻨﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺨﻮف ﺑﺪر :ﻣﻠﯿﺢ ﻣﺎ ھﺠﻢ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ!
ﺳﯿﺮﺗﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻞ ﻟﺴﺎن
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻗﯿﺲ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﻚ ﻣﺼﺎﺣﺐ ﺗﺮﻛﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎك ﺗﻤﺸﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ أو ﺗﻌﺮﻓﮫ! ھﺬا واﺣﺪ ﺳﻮﻛﺮﺟﻲ وداﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺳﻜﺮان! ﻓﺎھﻢ؟ ﻗﯿﺲ :ﺣﺎﺿﺮ.
ﺳﻮﻻﻓﺔ طﺮﻣﺔ /sīrt-uh ‘alā kull lslān/
/solāfeh ṭarmah/
Equivalent: The talk of the town/ To be what everyone
Equivalent: A can of worms/ A complicated issue or
is talking about/ The topic on everyone’s lips.
problem.
Example:
Example:
ورود :اﺳﻤﻌﻲ ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ ﻻزم ﺗﻘﻄﻌﻲ ﻋﻼﻗﺘﻚ ﺑﻤﯿﺮﻓﺖ! ﺳﯿﺮﺗﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻞ ﻟﺴﺎن! ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﺘﺘﻌ ّﺮف ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺐ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ وﻣﺶ ﺳﺎﺋﻠﺔ ﺑﺤﺪا! ﺳﻤﻌﺘﮭﺎ زﺑﺎﻟﺔ. رھﻒ :ﺻﺎرﻟﻲ ﻓﺘﺮة ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ!
ﺳﯿﻞ وﺳﺎﯾﻞ /sēl w-sāyil/
Equivalent: An abundance of money/ A treasure. Example:
ﻋﺴﺎف :ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﻧﺸﺎرك ﺧﻠﻒ ﺑﻤﺸﺮوﻋﮫ ﯾﺎ زھﯿﺮ؟ ﻓﺘﺢ ﻣﺤﻞ ﻟﺒﯿﻊ اﻟﻤﯿّﮫ وﺻﺎر ﺑﻠﻌﺐ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﻟﻌﺐ! ﻣﺸﺮوع ھﺎﻟﻤﯿّﮫ ﺳﯿﻞ وﺳﺎﯾﻞ. زھﯿﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪي ﻣﺎﻧﻊ.
أم ھﺪى :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻌﻀﻚ ﯾﺎ أم ﺳﻌﯿﺪ؟ أم ﺳﻌﯿﺪ :وﷲ ﻣﺘﻨﻜﺪة ﻋﺸﺎن اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺳﻌﯿﺪ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺴ ّﻜﺮ ﺑﻌﺪ ﺷﮭﺮ وإﺣﻨﺎ زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺮﻓﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨّﺎ دﺧﻞ إﻻ ھﺎﻟﺮاﺗﺐ! أم ھﺪى :ﺷﻮ ھﺎﻟﺴﻮﻻﻓﺔ اﻟﻄﺮﻣﺔ! ﷲ ﯾﻔﺮﺟﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻮ.
اﻟﺴﻮﻻﻓﺔ ﻣﺶ ﺟﺎﯾﺒﺔ راس ﻣﺎﻟﮭﺎ ← اﻟﺴﻮﻻﻓﺔ ﻣﺶ ﻣﻮﻓﯿّﺔ /il-solāfeh mish mwafyyeh/ ← /il-solāfeh mish jāybeh rās māl-hā/
Equivalent: The juice is not worth the squeeze/ It’s not worth it. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺳﻠﯿﻢ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﻚ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺴ ّﻜﺮ ﻣﺤﻞ ﺑﯿﻊ اﻟﻘﻤﺎش وﺗﺴ ّﻜﺮ اﻟﻤﻄﻌﻢ! ﺻﺤﯿﺢ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺷﺮف :آه وﷲ ﺻﺤﯿﺢ! اﻟﺴﻮﻻﻓﺔ ﻣﺶ ﺟﺎﯾﺒﺔ راس ﻣﺎﻟﮭﺎ وﻣﺶ ﻣﻮﻓﯿّﺔ ﻣﻌﻲ!
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺸﯿﻦ
ﺷﺎ ّد ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ
ﺷﺎﻟﮫ ﻣﻦ دﻣﺎﻏﮫ /ﺗﻔﻜﯿﺮه /shāl-uh min dmāgh-uh/tafkīr-uh/
/shādd ‘alā ḥāl-uh/
Equivalent: Dismiss from one’s mind/ To put behind
Equivalent: Irritated/ Angry/ Take someone or something
you (in the past).
very seriously, thinking it is very important and needs
Example:
lots of attention.
ﻓﺘﺤﻲ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺧﻠﻮد ﺗﺮﻛﺖ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﮭﺎ! إﻧﺖ ﻛﻨﺖ ﺗﺤﺒﮭﺎ وﺑﺪّك ﺗﺨﻄﺒﮭﺎ وھﯿﮭﺎ إﻧﻔﺼﻠﺖ ﻋﻦ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﮭﺎ. ﺳﺎھﺮ :أﻧﺎ ﺷﻠﺘﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ دﻣﺎﻏﻲ ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن! وﺑﻄﻠﺖ أﻓ ّﻜﺮ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ.
ﺷﺎﯾﺐ ﻋﺎﯾﺐ
Example:
ﻣﻨﺘﺼﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻋﺰﻣﻲ ﺻﺮف اﻟﺸﻚ ﺑﺪون ﻣﺎ ﯾﺮﺟﻌﻠﻲ! اﻟﺸﻚ إﻟﻨﺎ اﻻﺛﻨﯿﻦ! ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﺎ ﯾﻌﻤﻞ ھﯿﻚ؟ أﻧﺎ ﺑﻮرﺟﯿﮫ! ي! اﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ ﺑﺴﯿﻄﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻟﯿﺶ ﺻﻼح :ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ إھﺪى ﺷﻮ ّ ﺷﺎ ّد ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ؟ ﺗﻮﻧﻲ ﺣﻜﯿﺖ ﻣﻌﮫ وھﯿّﻮ ﺟﺎي ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻄﺮﯾﻖ!
/shāyib ‘āyib/
Equivalent: A dirty old man/ Seedy.
ﺷﺎﻓﮫ ﺑﺄم ﻋﯿﻨﮫ
Example:
/shāf-uh b-’umm ‘ēn-uh/
أم ﻣﺼﻌﺐ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺷﻔﺖ أم ﺟﺎﺑﺮ وھﺎﻟﻤﺴﻜﯿﻨﺔ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺗﺸﻜﯿﻠﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺟﻮزھﺎ! ﻗﺎل ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺘﺠ ّﻮز ﺑﻨﺖ ﺻﻐﯿﺮة ﻹﻧّﮫ أم ﺟﺎﺑﺮ ﻛﺒﺮت! أم ﻋﺪﻧﺎن :ھﺬا ﺷﺎﯾﺐ ﻋﺎﯾﺐ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﺘﺤﻲ! ﻣﮭﻮ ﻋﻤﺮه ﺛﻤﺎﻧﯿﻦ ﺳﻨﺔ! ﷲ ﯾﻌﯿﻨﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ.
Equivalent: See something with your own eyes/ Before
ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﺗﺎ ﻋﺎﯾﻒ ← ﻣﻘﻠّﻊ /mgalli‘/ ← /shāyif tā ‘āyif/
one’s very eyes. Example:
وﻟﯿﺪ :اﻣﺒﺎرح اﻧﺲ ﺷﺎف زﯾﺎد ﺑﺤﺮق دﻛﺎﻧﺔ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ وراح ﺧﺒّﺮ اﻟﺸﺮطﺔ! ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻛﺎن ﻣﺘﺄ ّﻛﺪ إﻧّﮫ زﯾﺎد اﻟﻔﺎﻋﻞ؟ وﻟﯿﺪ :ﺑﻘﻠّﻚ ﺷﺎﻓﮫ ﺑﺄم ﻋﯿﻨﮫ!
Equivalent: Dry behind the ears/ Seasoned/ An experienced person in multiple life matters.
ق اﻷرض وطﺎﻟﻊ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ ﺷﺎ ّ
Example:
ﻋﻤﺮ :ﺷﻮف ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﻣﺎ أﺣﻼھﺎ! ﻟﻮ ﯾﺸﻮﻓﮭﺎ ﻣﺨﺘﺎر ﺑﺠﻮز ﺗﻌﺠﺒﮫ وﯾﺨﻄﺒﮭﺎ! ﻋﻤﺎر :ﻣﺨﺘﺎر ﻣﻘﻠّﻊ وﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﺗﺎ ﻋﺎﯾﻒ! ﺧﻠّﯿﮫ ﯾﺨﺘﺎر ﺷﺮﯾﻜﺔ ﺣﯿﺎﺗﮫ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮫ!
ﺷﺎﯾﻒ اﻟﺪﯾﻚ أرﻧﺐ /shāyif il-dīk ’arnab/
Equivalent: So tired and exhausted.
/shāgg il-’ariḏ ̣ w-ṭāli‘ min-hā/
Equivalent: Troublemaker/ Naughty/ Mischievous kid/ This is mostly used to describe the behavior of children. Example:
أم زھﯿﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم إﺟﺖ أﺧﺘﻲ ﻋﻔﺎف زارﺗﻨﻲ! وﺟﺎﺑﺖ اﺑﻨﮭﺎ ق اﻷرض وطﺎﻟﻊ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ! ﻣﺎ ﺧﻠّﻰ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ .ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﺷﺎ ّ ﺴﺮ ﻛﺎﺳﺎت اﻟﻤﯿّﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻄﺒﺦ ورﺳﻢ ﺑﺎﻷﻟﻮان إﺷﻲ ﺑﻤﻜﺎﻧﮫ وﻛ ّ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﯿﻂ! أﺑﻮ زھﯿﺮ :ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻻزﻣﮫ ﺗﺮﺑﺎﯾﺔ! ﷲ ﯾﻌﯿﻨﮭﻢ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ.
Example:
طﺎرق :اﺳﮭﺮ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ ﯾﺎ ﻟﺆي ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ اﻟﺴﮭﺮة ﺑﺄ ّوﻟﮭﺎ! ﻟﺆي :ﺗﻌﺒﺎن ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﯾﺎ ﺻﺪﯾﻘﻲ وﺷﺎﯾﻒ اﻟﺪﯾﻚ أرﻧﺐ! ﺑﺪّي أر ّوح أرﺗﺎح وأﻧﺎم.
ﺷﺎل إﯾﺪه ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع /shāl ’īd-uh min il-mawḏū ̣ ‘/
Equivalent: To quit on/ To stop helping, supporting or working with someone, especially when support
ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ
or assistance is needed/ To wash one’s hands of /shāyif ḥal-uh/
someone/ To refuse to have anything to do with
Equivalent: Airs and graces/ Arrogant/ Conceited/
someone or something.
Above oneself/ Proud as a peacock.
Example:
Example:
ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ :رﺣﺖ اﻟﯿﻮم ﻋﺸﺎن أﻋﺰم ﻣﺮاد ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ ﺗﺨ ّﺮج أﺧﻮي ﻣﻨﯿﺐ! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻮ ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ؟
ﺻﺒﺤﻲ :ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻓﺸﻠﻨﺎ أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻣ ّﺮة ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺸﺮوع اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﺷﺎل إﯾﺪه ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع ووﻗّﻒ دﻋﻤﮫ إﻟﻨﺎ! ﻖ! ﻋﺎدل :ﻣﻌﮫ ﺣ ّ
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺷﺎﯾﻠﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻔﻮف اﻟﺮاﺣﺔ /shāyl-uh ‘alā kfūf il-rāḥah/
Equivalent: Go out of your way/ Make someone feel very relaxed and welcome. Example:
أم ﻛﺎظﻢ :أم ﺳﻔﯿﺎن ﺳﺎﻓﺮت ﻋﻠﻰ أﻣﺮﯾﻜﺎ ﻋﺸﺎن ﺗﺰور اﺑﻨﮭﺎ! اﺗﺼﻠﺖ ﻣﻌﻲ وﻗﺎﻟﺘﻠﻲ إﻧﮭﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺒﺴﻮطﺔ وﺧﺒّﺮﺗﻨﻲ إﻧّﮫ اﺑﻨﮭﺎ ﺷﺎﯾﻠﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻔﻮف اﻟﺮاﺣﺔ! أم اﺣﻤﺪ :اﺑﻨﮭﺎ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ ﻣﻦ وھﻮ ﺻﻐﯿﺮ! وﺑﺤﺐ أﻣﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ.
78
ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف اﻟﻮاﺣﺪ ﯾﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ! ﻋﺎﻣﻞ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ إﺷﻲ ﻣﮭﻢ! راﻣﻲ :اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﻘﻮل ﻋﻨﮫ إﻧّﮫ ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ ﻣﺼﺎري أﺑﻮه! إﻧﺴﻰ أﻣﺮه وطﻨﺸﮫ.
ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﺳﻌﺪھﺎ /ﺑﺨﺘﮭﺎ /shāyif saʻid-hā/bakhit-hā/
Equivalent: To fall for someone/ Love is blind/ This is said when a handsome man marries an unattractive woman. Some people would wonder and ask, “Why did he marry her?” This expression is used as an
ﺷﺎﯾﻞ ھﻤﻮم اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻛﺘﺎﻓﮫ
answer and a justification. It means that when he
/shāyil hmūm il-dinyā ‘alā iktāf-uh/
married that woman, he saw her good luck instead of
Equivalent: Carry the weight of the world on one’s
how she looked and was blinded by it.
shoulders.
Example:
Example:
أم ﺻﺒﺤﻲ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺻﺒﺤﻲ ﺷﺎﯾﻞ ھﻤﻮم اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻛﺘﺎﻓﻚ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺻﺒﺤﻲ :وﷲ ﻣﻦ ھﻢ اﻷوﻻد وﻣﺼﺎرﯾﻔﮭﻢ! ھﺎي ﻋﻨّﺎ أوﻻد اﺛﻨﯿﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ واﻟﺒﻨﺖ اﻟﺴﻨﺔ ھﺎي ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺪﺧﻞ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ! ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﻔﮭﻢ ﻛﺜﯿﺮة وﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﻛﯿﻒ رح أدﺑّﺮ اﻷﻣﻮر.
ﺷﺤﺎد وﺑﺘﺸ ّﺮط ّ
أم ﺧﻠﺪون :اﻟﯿﻮم رﺣﻨﺎ ﺑﺎرﻛﻨﺎ ﻟﺘﻮﻓﯿﻖ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺮوس اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﺮﺗﺐ وﺣﻠﻮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺲ ﻋﺮوﺳﺘﮫ ﻣﺶ ﺣﻠﻮة! ﻋﻜﺴﮫ! واﻟﻜﻞ اﺳﺘﻐﺮب! ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﺑﺤﺒﮭﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﺷﺎﯾﻔﮭﺎ أﺣﻠﻰ ﺑﻨﺖ ﺑﺎﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ! أم ﻣﺒﺎرك :ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ ھﺬا ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﺳﻌﺪھﺎ!
ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ /shāyif ‘alayy/
/shaḥḥād w-bitsharraṭ/
?Equivalent: (Do you) know or see what I’m saying
Equivalent: Beggars can’t be choosers.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻧﻈﻤﻲ :اﻣﺒﺎرح إﺟﺎ ﻋﺮﯾﺲ ﯾﺨﻄﺐ ﺑﻨﺘﻲ أﻣﺎﻧﻲ! اﻟﻌﺮﯾﺲ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ ﺑﺲ طﻠﺒﺎﺗﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮة! ﻗﺎل ﺑﺪّه إﯾﺎھﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻜ ّﻤﻞ دراﺳﺔ وﻻ ﺗﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻹﻧّﮫ وﺿﻌﮫ اﻟﻤﺎدي ﻣﻤﺘﺎز! وﺑﺪّه إﯾﺎھﺎ ﺗﺴﻜﻦ ﻋﻨﺪ أھﻠﮫ! وﺑﺪّه إﯾﺎھﺎ ﺗﺘﻌﻠﻢ اﻟﻄﺒﺦ! ﺷﺤﺎد وﺑﺘﺸ ّﺮط! ﻣﺎ ﯾﺴﺘﻨﻰ ﺗﺎ اﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﺗﻮاﻓﻖ أم ﺷﮭﺎب :ھﺬا ّ ﺑﺎﻷ ّول!
ﺳﻠﯿﻢ :ﺷﻮف ﯾﺎ ﺳﺎﻟﻢ ھﯿﻨﻲ رﺗﺒﺖ اﻟﻤﺤﻞ وﻧﻈﻔﺘﮫ! ﻟﺠﻨﺔ اﻟﺘﻔﺘﯿﺶ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﯿﺠﻲ ﺗﻜﺸﻒ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺤﻞ! وأﻧﺎ ﻋﻨﺪي ﻣﺸﻮار ﺿﺮوري! ﻻزم ﺗﺤﺎﻓﻆ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﻈﺎﻓﺔ اﻟﻤﺤﻞ وﺗﺪﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﻷﻧّﮫ إذا أﻋﻄﻮﻧﻲ ﻣﺨﺎﻟﻔﺔ رح أﺧﺴﺮ زﺑﺎﯾﻨﻲ! ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ! ﺳﺎﻟﻢ :روح ﻣﺸﻮارك وﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ.
دﺣﺔ ﺷﺎﯾﻔﮭﺎ ّ /shāyif-hā daḥḥah/
ﺷﺤﻦ ﺑﻄﺎرﯾﺘﮫ
Equivalent: A big shot/ An important or influential /shaḥan baṭārīt-uh/
person/ A big deal/ To consider something or
Equivalent: Recharge one’s batteries/ To regain energy
someone as important and a big deal.
and eagerness.
Example:
Example:
ﻣﻌﺎذ :ﺗﻌﺎل ﯾﺎ ﺳﺎﻣﺮ وﻟﻘّﻂ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ زﯾﺘﻮن! ﺻﺎرﻟﻚ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ ﺑﺘﺮﺗﺎح! ﺳﺎﻣﺮ :اﺳﺘﻨّﻰ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﺤﻦ ﺑﻄﺎرﯾﺘﻲ! ﻛﻤﺎن ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﺑﺎﺟﻲ.
ﺼﺮ ﯾﺨﻄﺐ ﻣﻨﺘﮭﻰ! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﯿﻦ ﺷﻮ أم ﻋﻠﻲ :اﺑﻨﻲ ﻋﻠﻲ ﻣ ّ ﺻﺎﯾﺮﻟﮫ! ﺑﻮﺧﺬ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ! دﺣﺔ! أم ﻋﻤﺮ :ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﺷﺎﯾﻔﮭﺎ ّ
ﺷﺎﯾﻞ ﻣﻨﮫ
ﺷﺨﺼﯿﺘﮫ ﺿﻌﯿﻔﺔ /shakhṣīt-uh ḏạ ‘īfeh/
/shāyil minn-uh/
Equivalent: Submissive person/ Wishy-washy/
Equivalent: Hold a grudge against someone.
Indecisive/ Weak personality/ Wimp.
Example:
Example:
ﺑﺪرﯾﺔ :اﺑﻨﻲ ﺟﻤﯿﻞ ﺑﺨﺎف ﻣﻦ ﻣﺮﺗﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﺷﺨﺼﯿﺘﮫ ﺿﻌﯿﻔﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻓﺘﺤﯿﺔ :ﺷﺎﯾﻔﻠﻚ ھﺎﻟﺠﯿﻞ ھﺬا ﻛﻠّﮫ ھﯿﻚ!
زاھﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺷﻔﺘﻚ ﻣﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻌﻀﻚ ﺑﺎﻹﺟﺘﻤﺎع! ﺧﺼﻮﺻﺎ ً ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ إﺟﺎ طﺎھﺮ! ﺑﻌﺪك ﺷﺎﯾﻞ ﻣﻨﮫ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﺳﺒّﺒﻠﻚ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺎﺿﻲ؟ ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ ﺑﺘﻀﺎﯾﻖ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺲ أﺷﻮﻓﮫ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺮﺗﺎﺣﻠﮫ ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ ً!
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺸﯿﻦ
ﺷﺨﺼﯿﺘﮫ ﻗﻮﯾّﺔ
اﻟﺸﺮار ﺑﻘﺪح ﻣﻦ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮫ /il-sharār bigdaḥ min ‘yūn-uh/
/shakhṣīt-uh gawiyyeh/
Equivalent: Flame with anger/ (For someone’s eyes) to
Equivalent: Have a strong personality/ Be strong-
blaze/ Flash or show rage and fury.
willed/ Assertive/ Be a force of nature.
Example:
Example:
ﻋﻤﺎد :وﯾﻦ راﯾﺢ ﯾﺎ آﺳﺮ؟ آﺳﺮ :ﺑﺪّي أروح أھﺪّي ﺧﻠﯿﻞ! اﻟﺸﺮار ﺑﻘﺪح ﻣﻦ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮫ! ﺗﮭﺎوش ﻣﻊ وﺿﺎح وﻛﺎن ﻣﺘﻮﺗﺮ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾﺎه ﯾﻌﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ!
ﺷﻄﺢ ﺑﺨﯿﺎﻟﮫ
أﺑﻮ ﻣﺼﻠﺢ :ﻋﯿّﻨﺖ ﻣﺤﺎﻣﻲ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺘﺎﺑﻌﻠﻲ اﻟﻘﻀﯿﺔ! اﻟﻤﺤﺎﻣﻲ اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻢ ﻛﺎن ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ وﺑﻼ ﺷﺨﺼﯿﺔ ﺑﺲ اﻟﻤﺤﺎﻣﻲ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ ﺷﺨﺼﯿﺘﮫ ﻗﻮﯾّﺔ واﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﻤﺪح ﻓﯿﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﺗﺎﻣﺮ :أﻋﻄﯿﻨﻲ ﻋﻨﻮاﻧﮫ ورﻗﻢ ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﮫ.
ﺷ ّﺪ ﺣﯿﻠﻚ /shaṭaḥ b-khayāl-uh/
/shidd ḥēl-ak/
Equivalent: Head in the clouds/ To be in a dream
Equivalent: Do your best/ May God be with you in
world.
such a difficult or bad time.
Example:
Example:
آدم :اﻟﯿﻮم وإﺣﻨﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ ﺷﻔﻨﺎ ﺑﻨﺖ ﺣﻠﻮة ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻗﺎم ﺳﻼﻣﺔ ﺷﻄﺢ ﺑﺨﯿﺎﻟﮫ واﺗﺨﯿّﻞ إﻧّﮫ ﺧﻄﺒﮭﺎ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﺑﺎﻟﻜﻮن ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ! وﺻﺎر ﯾﻘﻮل ﻟﻠﺸﺒﺎب ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي ﺣﺪا ﯾﺘﻄﻠّﻊ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ! ﺳﻌﺪ :واﻟﺸﺒﺎب ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻠﻮ؟ ﻀﻮ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻮﻗﺖ ﯾﻀﺤﻜﻮ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وﯾﻌﻠﻘﻮ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وﯾﻘﻮﻟﻮ ادم :ﻗ ّ ﻋﻨﮫ ﻣﺠﻨﻮن!
أم ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﺷ ّﺪ ﺣﯿﻠﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﺪراﺳﺔ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎﻣﺮ! ﺑﻜﺮة اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن. ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :أﻛﯿﺪ رح أﺷ ّﺪ ﺣﯿﻠﻲ وﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎﻛﻲ ﺗﺸﺪّي ﺣﯿﻠﻚ وﺗﺘﺤﻤﻠﻲ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻈﺮوف اﻟﺼﻌﺒﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻨﻤﺮ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ!
اﻟﺸﺮ ﺑ ّﺮا وﺑﻌﯿﺪ /il-sharr barra w-ba‘īd/
Equivalent: God forbid/ Heaven forbid. Example:
ﺷﻌﺮاﺗﮫ ﺧﺮﯾﺲ /sha‘rāt-uh kharīṣ/
Equivalent: Have frizzy hair. Example:
ﺣﺎﺗﻢ :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎرﻟﻚ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ ﺑﺘﻌﻤﻞ؟ ﺗﺄﺧﺮﻧﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ؟ ھﺎﻧﻲ :ﺑﺰﺑّﻂ ﺑﺸﻌﺮي. ﺣﺎﺗﻢ :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺰﺑّﻂ ﺷﻌﺮاﺗﻚ اﻟﺨﺮﯾﺲ؟ إﻣﺸﻲ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﺎ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﯾﺒﮭﺪﻟﻨﺎ!
أم ﺻﻔﻮان :اﺑﻨﻲ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﯿﻮﻧﺎن ﯾﺪرس .وﺑﺪّه ﯾﺮوح ﺑﺎﻟﺴﻔﯿﻨﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﺤﺮ. أم رﻣﻀﺎن :ﺧﻠﯿﮫ ﯾﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻄﯿّﺎرة أﺣﺴﻦ! ﺑﺴﻤﻊ إﻧّﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻧﺎس ﺑﺘﻐﺮق ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺼﻠﻮ! أم ﺻﻔﻮان :ﯾﻲ اﻟﺸﺮ ﺑ ّﺮا وﺑﻌﯿﺪ!
ﺷﺮ ﻻ ﺑﺪ ﻣﻨﮫ /sharr lā budd minn-uh/
Equivalent: A necessary evil. Example:
ﺷﻌﺮاﺗﮫ زي ﺟﺎﻋﺪ اﻟﺨﺎروف /sha‘rāt-uh zayy jā‘id il-khārūf/
Equivalent: Have bushy hair.
ﻟﯿﺚ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﻚ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺘﺠ ّﻮز ﯾﺎ ﻋﯿﺴﻰ؟ ﻋﯿﺴﻰ :أھﻠﻲ ﻣﺼ ّﺮﯾﻦ إﻧّﻲ أﺗﺠ ّﻮز! واﻟﺠﯿﺰة ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻞ اﻷﺣﻮال ﺷﺮ ﻻ ﺑ ّﺪ ﻣﻨﮫ! ھﮭﮭﮭﮫ.
Example:
ﺳﺎھﺮ :طﻠّﻮ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻌﺮات ھﺎﻧﻲ! ھﮭﮭﮫ ﺷﻌﺮاﺗﮫ زي ﺟﺎﻋﺪ اﻟﺨﺎروف! ھﺎﻧﻲ :اﺣﺘﺮم ﻧﻔﺴﻚ!
ﺷﺮاﺑﯿﺶ اﻟﺨﺮج /sharābīsh il-khurij/
Equivalent: Riffraff/ Rag, tag and bobtail/ A group of disreputable and vulgar people of low social
ﺷﻌﺮاﺗﮫ ﻓﻠﻔﻞ
status. /sha‘rāt-uh fulful/
Equivalent: Have crinkly hair. Example:
وداد :ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ ﺷﻌﺮات ﺑﻨﺘﻲ ﻏﺪﯾﺮ ﻟﻤﯿﻦ ﺟﺎﯾﺎت؟ ﺷﻌﺮي ﻧﺎﻋﻢ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺲ ﺷﻌﺮاﺗﮭﺎ زي اﻟﻔﻠﻔﻞ! ﻣﮭﺎ :أﻛﯿﺪ ﻓﻲ ﺣﺪا ﺑﺎﻟﻌﯿﻠﺔ ﺷﻌﺮاﺗﮫ ھﯿﻚ!
Example:
أﺑﻮ رﯾﺎض :ﺷﻮف ﯾﺎ رﯾﺎض! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎك ﺗﻤﺸﻲ ﻣﻊ ﺻﻔﻮت وﻗﺎﺳﻢ! ھﺬول ﻣﻦ ﻋﯿﻠﺔ ﻣﺶ ﻣﻌﺮوف أﺻﻠﮭﺎ وﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﻌﻤﻠﻮ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮﻓﻚ ﻣﺎﺷﻲ ﻣﻊ ﺷﺮاﺑﯿﺶ اﻟﺨﺮج ھﺬول ﻓﺎھﻢ؟ رﯾﺎض :أﻣﺮك ﯾﺎﺑﺎ.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
ﻓﺆاد :وﯾﻦ ﺣﻄﯿﺘﻠﻲ ﻣﻔﺘﺎح اﻟﺴﯿّﺎرة؟ ﺻﺎرﻟﻲ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ ﺑﺪ ّور ﻋﻠﯿﮫ؟ ﻋﻨﺪي ﻣﺸﻮار ﺿﺮوري! ﺳﺎﻣﺢ :ﻣﺶ ﻣﺘﺬ ّﻛﺮ وﯾﻦ ﺣﻄﯿﺘﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺰﺑﻂ! ﻓﺆاد :ﺷ ّﻐﻞ ھﺎﻟﺒﻄﯿﺨﺔ واﺗﺬ ّﻛﺮ وﯾﻦ ﺣﻄﯿﺘﮫ!
ﺷﻔﺖ ﺑﻌﯿﻨﻲ ← اﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﺸﻮف
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ﺷﻌﺮاﺗﮫ ﻗﺮﻋﻂ /sha‘rāt-uh gur‘uṭ/
Equivalent: Have kinky hair. Example:
ﺳﮭﻰ :ﺑﺪّي أوﺧﺬ اﺑﻨﻲ ﺟﻠﯿﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ ّ اﻟﺤﻼق ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻘﺼﻠﮫ ﺷﻌﺮه! ﺷﻌﺮه ﻗﺮﻋﻂ وﻣﺶ ﺣﻠﻮ ﻟﻤﺎ ﯾﻄﻮل! أﻣﻞ :ﺑﺮوح ﻣﻌﺎﻛﻲ ﯾﺎ اﻣﺸﻲ.
/il-ḥakī mish mithil il-shōf/ ← /shuft b‘ēn-ī/
Equivalent: Seeing is believing/ Before one’s very
اﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﻓﺖ ﺧﺒﺰ
eyes/ Have to see to believe.
/il-shaghlah bid-hā fatt khubiz/
Example:
Equivalent: Cross someone’s palm with silver/ Pay
ﻣﺮﯾﻢ :ﻣﺎ ﻛﻨﺖ ﻣﺼﺪﻗﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﻘﻮﻟﮫ أم ھﻼل ﻋﻦ ﻣﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ ﻣﺮت اﺑﻨﮭﺎ اﻟﺴﯿﺌﺔ إﻟﮭﺎ! ﻣﺎ ﻛﻨﺖ أﺻﺪّق ﺣﻜﯿﮭﺎ! ﻛﻨﺖ أﻓ ّﻜﺮھﺎ ﺑﺘﺒﺎﻟﻎ! ﺑﺲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ رﺣﺖ أزورھﺎ ﺑﺒﯿﺘﮭﺎ وﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻣﺮت اﺑﻨﮭﺎ ﻋﻨﺪھﺎ ﺷﻔﺖ ﺑﻌﯿﻨﻲ وﺳﻤﻌﺖ ﺑﺈذﻧﻲ ﻛﯿﻒ ﺑﺘﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ! ﻓﻈﯿﻌﺔ وﻣﺶ ﻣﺮﺑﯿّﺔ! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ ﻛﯿﻒ اﺑﻨﮭﺎ ﺳﺎﻛﺖ ﻋﻦ ﻣﺮﺗﮫ وﺳﺎﻣﺤﻠﮭﺎ ﺗﻌﺎﻣﻞ أﻣﮫ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻄﺮﯾﻘﺔ؟ ﺻﺒﺎح :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻨﺔ!
someone for a favor or service, often a bribe. Example:
أﺑﻮ راﺋﺪ :ﻻزم ﻧﻼﻗﻲ طﺮﯾﻘﺔ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻧ ّﻤﺸﻲ اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ! ﺑﺪوﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﺎ رح ﻧﻌﺮف ﻧﻌﻤﻞ أي إﺷﻲ! أﺑﻮ ﺷﺮف :إذا ﺑﺪّك إﯾﺎھﺎ ﺗﻤﺸﻲ ﺑﺘﻤﺸﻲ! ﺑﺲ اﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﻓﺖ ﺧﺒﺰ!
ﺷﻌﻠﻠﮭﺎ
اﻟﺸﻜﻮى ﻟﻐﯿﺮ ﷲ ﻣﺬﻟﺔ
/sha‘lal-hā/ /il-shakwā la-ghēr Allah madhalleh/
Equivalent: Spice something up/ To make something
Equivalent: Complaining to someone other than God
more exciting and interesting.
is disgraceful and humiliating.
Example:
Example:
أم راﻣﺰ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ ﺻﺎﺑﺮة ﻋﻠﻰ وﺿﻌﻚ؟ ﺟﻮزك ﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﺮف ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻮ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺠﯿﺒﻠﻜﻮ أﻛﻞ! ﻻزم ﺗﺨﺒﺮي أھﻠﻚ ﺧﻠﯿﮭﻢ ﯾﺤﻜﻮ ﻣﻌﻮ أوﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻘﻠﯿﻞ ﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪوﻛﻲ! ﺣﺮام ھﯿﻚ. أم وﺻﻔﻲ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺧﺒّﺮ ﺣﺪا! رﺑﻚ ﺑﺴﺘﺮ! واﻟﺸﻜﻮى ﻟﻐﯿﺮ ﷲ ﻣﺬﻟّﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺑﺴﺎﻋﺪ ﺣﺪا ھﺎﻷﯾّﺎم!
أم ﻋﻨﺎن :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﻋﻤﻠﻨﺎ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ ﻟﻌﻨﺎن ﺑﻤﻨﺎﺳﺒﺔ ﺗﺨﺮﺟﮫ! أم ﺣﺴﯿﻦ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ؟ أم ﻋﻨﺎن :ﺑﺘﺠﻨّﻦ! إﺟﻮ أﺻﺤﺎﺑﮫ وﺷﻌﻠﻠﻮھﺎ!
ﺷﻐﻞ ﺣﻜﻲ وﺑﺲ ← ﺷﻐﻞ ﺗﻨﻈﯿﺮ ← ﺷﻐﻞ ﺳﻮاﻟﻒ ← ﻗﻮل ﺑﻼ ﻓﻌﻞ /gōl balā fi‘il/ ← /shughul sawālif/ ← /shughul tanḏị̄ r/ ← /
ﺷ ّﻞ أﻣﻠﮫ
shughul ḥakī w-bass/ /shall ’amal-uh/
Equivalent: An armchair critic/ All talk and no action.
Equivalent: Dash someone’s hopes/ Abandon all hope.
Example:
Example:
ﻋﻤﺮان :ﻟﻮ ﺗﺸﻮف ﺷﻮ أﺑﻮ ﺧﺎﻟﺪ ﻋﻤﻞ ﺑﺨﺎﻟﺪ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻗﻠّﮫ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﯾﺪرس ﺑ ّﺮا ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻜ ّﻤﻞ دراﺳﺘﮫ! ﻋﻠﻲ :ھﮫ ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ؟ ﻋﻤﺮان :ﺷ ّﻞ أﻣﻠﮫ! وﺑﮭﺪﻟﮫ وﻗﻠّﮫ إﻧﺴﻰ ھﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع وﺷﯿﻠﮫ ﻣﻦ راﺳﻚ! ﻣﺎ ﺗﺤﻠﻢ ﺗﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﻟﻤﻜﺎن!
أﺑﻮ طﺎﻟﺐ :ﺷﺎﯾﻔﻠﻚ ھﺎﻟﻨ ّﻮاب ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻌﯿﻦ ﻹﺷﻲ! ﺷﻐﻞ ﺣﻜﻲ وﺑﺲ وﺷﻐﻞ ﺗﻨﻈﯿﺮ! ﻗﻮل ﺑﻼ ﻓﻌﻞ! أﺑﻮ ﺟﻼل :ﻛﻠﮭﻢ ﺷﻐﻞ ﺳﻮاﻟﻒ وﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻌﯿﻦ ﺣﺪا!
ﺷﻐﻠﻲ اﻟﺸﺎﻏﻞ /shughl-ī il-shāghil/
Equivalent: My only concern/ My primary concern.
ﺷﻠّﺤﮫ ﺛﯿﺎﺑﮫ ← ﺷﻠّﺤﮫ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮫ
Example:
/shallaḥ-uh mṣārī-h/ ← /shallaḥ-uh thyāb-uh/
Equivalent: Rob someone blind/ Take someone to the cleaners. Example:
أﺑﻮ وﺿﺎح :ھﺬا اﻟﻤﺤﺎﻣﻲ ﺑﺪّه ﺑﻨﻚ ﻣﻔﺘﻮح! ﻣﺎ ﺧﻠّﻰ ﻣﻊ اﺑﻨﻲ وﻻ ﻗﺮش! ﺻﺎرﻟﮫ ﺳﻨﺔ ﺑﺘﺮاﻓﻌﻠﮫ ﺑﻘﻀﯿﺔ وﺷﻠّﺤﮫ ﺛﯿﺎﺑﮫ وﺷﻠّﺤﮫ ﻛﻞ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﺣﯿﺪر :ﺷﺎﯾﻔﻠﻚ ھﺎﻟﻤﺤﺎﻣﯿﻦ ﺑﺴﺮﻗﻮ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﺳﺮﻗﺔ وﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻌﯿﻦ ﺑﺈﺷﻲ!
أم ﻓﺎرس :وﯾﻦ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﯾﺎ أم ﺣﯿﺪر؟ وﯾﻦ ﻣﺨﺘﻔﯿّﺔ؟ أم ﺣﯿﺪر :اﺑﻨﻲ اﻟﺴﻨﺔ ﺗﻮﺟﯿﮭﻲ وﺻﺎر ﺷﻐﻠﻲ اﻟﺸﺎﻏﻞ ﺑﺮاﻗﺒﮫ طﻮل اﻟﻮﻗﺖ وﺑﮭﺘﻢ ﺑﺪراﺳﺘﮫ وراﺣﺘﮫ! ﺑﺪّي إﯾﺎه ﯾﺠﯿﺐ ﻣﻌﺪّل ﻋﺎﻟﻲ وﯾﺪرس طﺐ!
ﺷ ّﻐﻞ ھﺎﻟﺒﻄﯿﺨﺔ /shaghghil ha-il-baṭīkhah/
Equivalent: Use your head/ Think out of the box/ Use your loaf.
81
ﺣﺮف اﻟﺸﯿﻦ Example:
ﻣﺤﻤﻮد :ﺷﺮﯾﻒ ﺑﻄّﻞ ﯾﺪﻋﻤﻨﺎ ﻣﺎدﯾﺎ ً ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ وﻋﺪﻧﺎ وإﺣﻨﺎ إﻋﺘﻤﺪﻧﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﺑﺲ أﻧﺎ ﻣﺶ رح أﺳﻜﺘﻠﮫ! ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺒﺎل اﻟﻀﯿﻒ؟ ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻌﻤﻞ ﯾﻌﻨﻲ؟
ﺷﻠﻮﻧﻚ /shlōn-ak/
?Equivalent: How’s life treating you?/ How are you Example:
ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :ﺷﻠﻮﻧﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺑﺪﯾﻊ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺑﺪﯾﻊ :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﺑﺨﯿﺮ.
ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﺑﻄﻮﻟﺔ اﻟﺴﯿﺮة /shū bidd-ak bṭūlit il-sīreh/
Equivalent: To make a long story short/ To summarize.
ﺷﻠﻮن ﻣﻦ وراك
Example:
ﻋﻘﯿﻞ :ﻟﯿﺶ أﺑﻮ ﻣﺤﯿﻲ ﺣﺮم اﺑﻨﮫ ﺗﯿﺴﯿﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻮرﺛﺔ؟ ﺿﯿﺎء :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﺑﻄﻮﻟﺔ اﻟﺴﯿﺮة! اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﮭﻤﺘﮫ إﻧّﮫ اﺑﻨﮫ ﺗﯿﺴﯿﺮ وﻟﺪ ﻋﺎق وﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺘﺮم أﺑﻮه وﺑﻌﻠّﻲ ﺻﻮﺗﮫ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﻗ ّﺮر أﺑﻮه إﻧّﮫ ﯾﺤﺮﻣﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻮرﺛﺔ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻌﻠﻤﮫ درس.
ﺷﻮ ﺟﺎب ﻟﺠﺎب
/shlōn min warā-k/
?Equivalent: How’s the family Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺣﺴﻨﻲ :ﺷﻠﻮن ﻣﻦ وراك ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﺨﯿﺮ وﺑﺴﻠﻤﻮ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ!
ﺷ ّﻤﺮ ﻋﻦ إﯾﺪﯾﻚ /ذراﻋﻚ /shū jāb la-jāb/
/shammir ‘an ’idīk/dhrā‘-ak/
Equivalent: There is no comparison/ Be as different as
Equivalent: Roll up one’s sleeves/ Show someone what
chalk from cheese/ Can’t hold a candle to someone
you’re made of/ Show someone your true abilities or
or something.
qualities.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻛﻮﺛﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﻛﯿﻒ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ؟ إن ﺷﺎ ﻣﺮﺗﺎﺣﯿﻦ ﻓﯿﮫ؟ أم ﺑﺮﻛﺔ :آه ﻣﺮﺗﺎﺣﯿﻦ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ! أم ﻛﻮﺛﺮ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻢ؟ أم ﺑﺮﻛﺔ :طﺒﻌﺎ ً أﺣﺴﻦ ﺷﻮ ﺟﺎب ﻟﺠﺎب! ﺑﯿﺖ أﻛﺒﺮ وأﺟﺪد!
ﻋﺒﻮد :إذا ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎﺟﺒﻚ ﺷﻐﻠﻲ ﺷ ّﻤﺮ ﻋﻦ إﯾﺪﯾﻚ وﻓﺮﺟﯿﻨﻲ ﺷﻐﻠﻚ! ﺴﮫ ﺑﺘﺸﻮف ﺷﻐﻠﻲ! ھ ﻏﻠﻂ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺎھﺮ: ّ
ﺷﻨﻌﺔ ← ﺑﺸﻌﺔ
ﺷﻮ ﺟﺎﯾّﯿﻚ ﻣﻨﮫ
/bish‘ah/ ← /shin‘ah/ /shū jāyyīk minn-uh/
Equivalent: As ugly as sin/ Beat someone with the
Equivalent: Nothing to gain.
ugly stick.
Example:
Example:
ﺻﻔﺎء :ﻟﯿﺶ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺎﻣﺪ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪ راﺿﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻘﺮض؟ ﻣﺶ ﻓﺎھﻤﺔ ﺷﻮ ﺟﺎﯾّﯿﻚ ﻣﻨﮫ؟ ﺣﺎﻣﺪ :راﺿﻲ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻲ وﺻﺪﯾﻖ اﻟﻄﻔﻮﻟﺔ وزي أﺧﻮي وإذا ﻣﺎ ﺳﺎﻋﺪﺗﮫ ﻣﯿﻦ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪه؟
ﺷﻌﻠﺔ ﻧﺎر
ﺳﮭﺎد :ﺣﻀﺮﺗﻲ اﻟﻤﺴﻠﺴﻞ اﻟﯿﻮم؟ ﻓﺠﺮ :آه ﺣﻀﺮﺗﮫ! ﺑﺲ ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺒﺪﻟﯿﻦ اﻟﻤﻤﺜﻠﺔ اﻟﺤﻠﻮة ﺑﻮﺣﺪة ﺑﺸﻌﺔ؟ ﺳﮭﺎد :ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﺑﺎﻷﺧﺒﺎر إﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﺮﯾﻀﺔ وﻣﺶ رح ﺗﻘﺪر ﺗﺼ ّﻮر ﺑﺎﻗﻲ اﻟﺤﻠﻘﺎت وھﺎي اﻟﻤﻤﺜﻠﺔ اﻟﻤﺘﻮﻓﺮة وﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪھﺎ ﺗﺼﻮﯾﺮ!
ﺷﻮ اﻟﺪﻋﻮة /shū‘lit nār/
/shū il-da‘wah/
Equivalent: A ball of fire/ A person who is full of energy
?Equivalent: Why on earth?/ Why
and enthusiasm.
Example:
Example:
أم ﺧﻀﺮ :إﺻﺤﻰ ﯾﺎ ﺧﻀﺮ وﻗﻮم د ّور ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻐﻞ! طﻮل ﻧﮭﺎرك ﻧﺎﯾﻢ! ﺷﻮف ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻚ ﻋﻤﺎد ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﺷﻌﻠﺔ ﻧﺎر وﺑﺸﺘﻐﻞ أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ ﺷﻐﻠﺔ وﺑﺴﺎﻋﺪ أھﻠﮫ! إﻧﺖ ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ! ﺧﻀﺮ :ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﺑﺲ وﺑﺼﺤﻰ ﯾ ّﻤﺎ.
اﻟﺸﻮر ﺷﻮرك واﻟﺮاي راﯾﻚ /il-shōr shōr-ak w-il-rāy rāy-ak/
ﻣﻨﺎل :ﻟﯿﺶ زﻋﻼﻧﺔ وﺑﺘﺒﻜﻲ ﯾﺎ زﯾﻨﺔ؟ زﯾﻨﺔ :أﺑﻮ ﻣﺨﺘﺎر ﺑﺪّه ﻧﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻘﺔ اﻟﺸﮭﺮ اﻟﺠﺎي! ﻣﻨﺎل :ﺷﻮ اﻟﺪﻋﻮة؟ ﻟﯿﺶ ﻋﻤﻞ ھﯿﻚ ﻓﯿﻜﻮ؟ ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّه ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻘﺔ؟ ﻣﺎ إﻧﺘﻮ ﺑﺘﺪﻓﻌﻮ اﻹﯾﺠﺎر ﺑﻮﻗﺘﮫ! زﯾﻨﺔ :ﺑﻘﻮل ﺑﺪّه اﻟﺸﻘﺔ ﻋﺸﺎن اﺑﻨﮫ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺘﺠ ّﻮز وﯾﺴﻜﻦ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ! وإﺣﻨﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﯿﻦ ﺷﻮ ﻧﻌﻤﻞ! ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨّﺎ وﻗﺖ ﻹﺷﻲ!
ﺷﻮ ﺑﺒﺎل اﻟﻀﯿﻒ
Equivalent: It’s up to you/ You’re the boss.
/shū b-bāl il-ḏē ̣ f/
Example:
Equivalent: What are you implying?/ What are you
ﺳﻊ أﺑﻮ ﯾﻮﺳﻒ :ﺑﻤﺎ إﻧّﻚ ﺷﺮﯾﻜﻲ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺻﺎﻓﻲ ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﻧﺘﻮ ّ وﻧﻔﺘﺢ ﻣﺤﻼت ﻟﺒﺲ أﻛﺜﺮ! ﻋﻠﯿﻨﺎ طﻠﺐ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ورح ﺗﺰﯾﺪ اﻷرﺑﺎح!
up to?/ What do you intend to do?/ What’s on your ?mind?/ What do you mean
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
دﻧﯿﺎ :اﻟﯿﻮم رﺣﻨﺎ زرﻧﺎ ﻓﺮح ﺑﺒﯿﺘﮭﺎ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ! ﯾﺎ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮة ﺗﻜﺬب! أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ أ ّول ﺑﻜﺜﯿﺮ! اﻧﻌﺎم :ﺷﻮ آﺧﺮ ﻛﺬﺑﮭﺎ؟ دﻧﯿﺎ :ﺑﺘﻘﻮل اﻧﮫ ﺟﻮزھﺎ اﺷﺘﺮاﻟﮭﺎ ﺛﻼث ﺳﯿﺎرات إﻟﮭﺎ وﻷوﻻدھﺎ وﺟﺎﺑﻠﮭﺎ ﺛﻼث ﺧﺪّاﻣﺎت! ﺑﺲ إﺣﻨﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺷﻔﻨﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻋﻨﺪھﺎ وﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺳﺄﻟﻨﺎھﺎ وﯾﻦ اﻟﺴﯿﺎرات ووﯾﻦ اﻟﺨﺪّاﻣﺎت؟ ﻗﺎﻟﺖ رﺟﻌﺖ اﻟﺨﺪّاﻣﺎت ﻻﻧﮭﻦ ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎﺟﺒﺎﺗﮭﺎ وﺑﺪھﺎ ﻏﯿﺮھﻦ! إﻧﮭﺎ ّ واﻟﺴﯿﺎرات ﺑﺎﻟﺼﯿﺎﻧﺔ! اﻧﻌﺎم :ﺷﻮ ﻋ ّﺮﻓﻚ اﻟﻜﺬﺑﺔ ﻗﺎل ﻣﻦ ﻛﺒﺮھﺎ!
ﺷﻮ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ /shū fī mā fī/
?Equivalent: What’s up Example:
ﻧﻌﻤﺔ :ﻛﯿﻔﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺷﺮﯾﻔﺔ؟ ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎرك؟ ﺷﺮﯾﻔﺔ :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ أﻧﺎ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ! ﻧﻌﻤﺔ :ﺷﻮ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ؟ ﺷﺮﯾﻔﺔ :ﻻ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ! ﺻﺎﻓﯿﺔ واﻓﯿﺔ.
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أﺑﻮ ﺻﺎﻓﻲ :اﻟﺸﻮر ﺷﻮرك واﻟﺮاي راﯾﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺧﻮي ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﯾﻮﺳﻒ! إﻧﺖ دﻣﺎﻏﻚ ﺑﻌﺮف ﺑﺎﻟﺘﺠﺎرة وإﻧﺖ ﺑﺎﻷﺻﻞ ﺻﺎﺣﺐ اﻟﻔﻜﺮة! ﻣﺎ رح أﻋﺘﺮض ﻋﻠﻰ إﺷﻲ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻌﻤﻠﮫ.
ﺷﻮ رﻣﺎك ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤ ّﺮ ﻏﯿﺮ اﻟﻠﻲ أﻣ ّﺮ ﻣﻨﮫ /shū ramā-k ‘alā il-murr ghēr illī ’ammar minn-uh/
Equivalent: Resigned oneself to fate/ To accept a bad situation and live with it because the other option a person has is even worse. Example:
ﯾﺎﺳﯿﻦ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺘﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻋﻨﺪ اﺳﺤﺎق ﯾﺎ ﻣﻌﺘﺰ؟ ﺑﺸﻮف ﻣﻌﺎﻣﻠﺘﮫ إﻟﻚ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ وﺑﺘﻌ ّﻤﺪ ﯾﺬﻟّﻚ وﯾﮭﯿﻨﻚ ﻗﺪّام اﻟﻨﺎس! ﻣﻌﺘﺰ :ﺷﻮ اﻟﻠﻲ رﻣﺎك ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤ ّﺮ ﻏﯿﺮ اﻟﻠﻲ أﻣ ّﺮ ﻣﻨﮫ! ﺑﺪّي أﺗﺤ ّﻤﻞ أﺳﻠﻮﺑﮫ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﺻﻌﺐ أﻻﻗﻲ ﺷﻐﻞ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻮﻗﺖ! وﻋﻨﺪي ﻋﯿﻠﺔ ﻻزم أﺻﺮف ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ!
ﺷﻮ زﺑﺪة اﻟﻜﻼم /shū zubdit il-kalām/
?Equivalent: What is the bottom line?/ What’s your point Example:
ﺷﻮ ﻟ ّﻢ اﻟﺸﺎﻣﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻐﺮﺑﻲ /shū lamm il-shām-ī ‘alā il-maghrib-ī/
Equivalent: Opposites attract/ Extremes meet. Example:
ﻧﺎﯾﻒ :اﺳﻜﺖ اﻟﯿﻮم ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺮوان ﺧﻄﺐ ﺟﯿﮭﺎن ﺑﻨﺖ ﺟﯿﺮاﻧﮭﻢ اﻟﻠﺒﻨﺎﻧﯿّﺔ! ﺑﺘﺼﺪّق؟ ﻣﺎزن :ﻏﺮﯾﺒﺔ! ﺷﻮ ﻟ ّﻢ اﻟﺸﺎﻣﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻐﺮﺑﻲ؟ طﻮل ﻋﻤﺮھﻢ ﺑﻜﺮھﻮ ﺑﻌﺾ وﻣﺎ ﺑﻄﯿﻘﻮ ﺳﯿﺮة ﺑﻌﺾ! ﻣﻦ وإﺣﻨﺎ ﺻﻐﺎر واﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﻌﺮف إﻧﮭﻢ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﻘﻮ!
أﺑﻮ ﺿﯿﺎء :ﺷﻮف ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ رﺑﯿﻊ! ﻣﺸﺮوﻋﻨﺎ ﯾﻮم ﻋﻦ ﯾﻮم ﺑﺨﺴﺮ أﻛﺜﺮ وأﻛﺜﺮ وﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ أي رﺑﺢ ﯾﻐﻄّﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺨﺴﺎرة! أﺑﻮ رﺑﯿﻊ :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻘﻮل ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺿﯿﺎء؟ ﺷﻮ زﺑﺪة اﻟﻜﻼم ﯾﻌﻨﻲ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺿﯿﺎء :أﻧﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﻧﺴﺤﺐ وأﺑﻄّﻞ ﺷﺮﯾﻚ ﻣﻌﻚ! ﺳﺎﻣﺤﻨﻲ.
ﺷﻮ طﺎﻟﻊ ﺑﺈﯾﺪه /shū ṭāli‘ b-’īd-uh/
Equivalent: My hands are tied/ There’s nothing you can do. Example:
ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن /shū mā kān/
Equivalent: Whatever/ Anything. Example:
ﺑﺸﺮى :ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻮﻛﻞ ﺧﻀﺎر وإﻻ ﻟﺤﻤﺔ؟ ھﯿﻨﻲ ﺑﺪّي أﺑﻠّﺶ طﺒﺦ! ﻧﻌﻤﺎن :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﺮق.
أم وﺟﺪي :ﺷﻮﻓﻠﻚ ﺣﻞ ﻣﻊ اﺑﻨﻚ وﺟﺪي! ﻻ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺪرس وﻻ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺸﺘﻐﻞ! طﻮل ﻧﮭﺎره ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻨﺖ! أﺑﻮ وﺟﺪي :ﯾﺎ أم وﺟﺪي ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ وﺣﺎوﻟﺖ ﺑﻜﻞ اﻟﻄﺮق أﻧﺼﺤﮫ إﻧّﮫ ﯾﺪﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ وﯾﮭﺘﻢ ﺑﻤﺴﺘﻘﺒﻠﮫ ﺑﺲ ﺧﻠﺺ ﻗﻄﻌﺖ اﻷﻣﻞ ﻣﻨﮫ! ﺷﻮ طﺎﻟﻊ ﺑﺈﯾﺪي ﯾﻌﻨﻲ!
ﺷﻮ ﻋﺪا ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪا /shū ‘adā mā badā/
ﺷﻮ ﻣﺸﺎرﯾﻌﻚ اﻟﯿﻮم
?Equivalent: What changed your mind /shū mashārī‘-ak il-yōm/
Example:
Equivalent: What are you up to for today?/ What are
ﺳﻼف :ﻗ ّﺮرت أروح ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ ﺳﯿﺮﯾﻦ! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ ﺷﻮ أﻟﺒﺲ! ﺗﻤﺎرا :ھﮫ ﺷﻮ ﻋﺪا ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪا؟ ﻛﻨﺘﻲ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ إﻧّﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺮوﺣﻲ ﻻﻧﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻄﯿﻘﻲ ﺳﯿﺮﯾﻦ. ﺳﻼف :ﻏﯿّﺮت رأﯾﻲ!
?your plans?/ What are you doing today Example:
أﻣﻞ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺸﺎرﯾﻌﻚ اﻟﯿﻮم ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ؟ ﺳﺤﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪي إﺷﻲ اﻟﯿﻮم! ﺻﺎﻓﯿﺔ!
ﺷﻮ واﻗﻌﻠﮫ ← ﺷﻮ اﻟﻤﻨﺎﺳﺒﺔ
ﺷﻮ ﻋ ّﺮﻓﻚ اﻟﻜﺬﺑﺔ ﻗﺎل ﻣﻦ ﻛﺒﺮھﺎ /shū ‘arraf-ak il-kidhbeh gāl min kubur-hā/
/shū il-munāsabeh/ ← /shū wāgi‘-l-uh/
Equivalent: Bold-faced lie/ Barefaced lie/ Lie through
?Equivalent: What’s the occasion
your teeth/ A big fat lie.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺸﯿﻦ
ﺷﻮﻛﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﻈﮭﺮ ← ﺷﻮﻛﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻠﻖ
Example:
/shōkah b-il-ḏạ hur/ ← /shōkah b-il-ḥalig/
Equivalent: Pain in the neck/ Thorn in your side. Example:
أم ﺑﺮﻛﺎت :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻊ اﺑﻨﻚ طﺎھﺮ ﯾﺎ أم طﺎھﺮ؟ أم طﺎھﺮ :ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﺷﻮﻛﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻠﻖ! ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻠﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮة وﻣﺒﮭﺪﻟﻨﺎ ﻣﻌﮫ ﺑﻜﻞ ﻣﻜﺎن!
ﺳﺤﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﻗﻠﺘﯿﻠﻲ ﻣﯿﻦ ﻋﺎزﻣﺔ اﻟﯿﻮم ﯾﺎ أﻣﻞ؟ أﻣﻞ :ﺟﯿﺮاﻧﻨﺎ ﺑﯿﺖ أﺑﻮ راﺟﺢ. ﺳﺤﺮ :ﺷﻮ واﻗﻌﻠﮫ؟ ﺷﻮ اﻟﻤﻨﺎﺳﺒﺔ؟ أﻣﻞ :ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن ﻋﺰﻣﻮﻧﺎ وﻣﺎ رﺟﻌﻨﺎ ﻋﺰﻣﻨﺎھﻢ! ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﻗﺮرﻧﺎ ﻧﻨﺎدﯾﮭﻢ ﯾﺘﻐﺪو ﻋﻨﺎ.
ﺷﻮ ھﺎﻟﻤﯿﻤﻌﺔ ← ﺷﻮھﺎﻟﻔﻮﺿﻰ
ﺷ ّﻮه ﺳﻤﻌﺘﮫ
/shū h-al-fawḏạ h/ ← /shū h-al-mēma‘ah/ /shawwah sum‘it-uh/
Equivalent: What’s all the fuss about?/ What’s all the
Equivalent: Mudslinging/ One’s name is mud/
?hubbub about
Character assassination/ Defamation.
Example:
Example:
وردة :ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ ﯾﺎ ﻧﺠﺎح؟ اﻟﺸﺐ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﻨﺖ أﻋﺮﻓﮫ وﻋﻤﻠﺖ ﻋﻼﻗﺔ ﻣﻌﮫ ﺷ ّﻮه ﺳﻤﻌﺘﻲ! ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻋﻦ ﻋﻼﻗﺘﻨﺎ ﺑﻜﻞ ﻣﻜﺎن وﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﯾﯿﺠﻲ ﯾﺨﻄﺒﻨﻲ! ﺳﺎﻋﺪﯾﻨﻲ! ﻧﺠﺎح :ﻛﯿﻒ ﺑﺪّي أﺳﺎﻋﺪك؟ ﻧﺼﺤﺘﻚ إﻧّﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺘﻌﺮﻓﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﺳﻤﻌﺘﮫ ﺳﯿﺌﺔ ﺑﺲ إﻧﺘﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺳﻤﻌﺘﻲ ﻣﻨﻲ!
ھﺎﺷﻢ :ﺷﻮ ھﺎﻟﻤﯿﻤﻌﺔ وﺷﻮ ھﺎﻟﻔﻮﺿﻰ؟ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﺎرة؟ ﺗﺮﻛﻲ :ﺗﮭﺎوش ﻋﻔﯿﻒ ﻣﻊ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ واﻟﺘ ّﻤﺖ اﻟﻨﺎس ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺒﻌﺪوھﻢ ﻋﻦ ﺑﻌﺾ!
ﺷ ّﻮش ﻋﻠﯿﮫ /shawwash ‘alēh/
Equivalent: To disturb someone.
ﺷﻮﯾﺔ ﺷﻮﯾﺔ
Example: /shwayyeh shwayyeh/
Equivalent: Little by little/ A little bit at a time/ Gradually. Example:
ﻋﻨﻮد :ﺷﺮﺑﻲ اﻟﺒﯿﺒﻲ اﻟﺤﻠﯿﺐ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ! ﻻ ﺗﻌﻄﯿﮫ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻜﻤﯿّﺔ ﻣ ّﺮة وﺣﺪة! ﺳﻤﺮ :ﻣﺎﺷﻲ.
أم ﺻﺒﺮي :إﺣﻜﻲ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺻﺒﺮي ﻣﻊ أﺑﻮ ﺳﺎﻣﺢ وﻗﻠّﮫ ﯾﻘﻮل ﻻﺑﻨﮫ ﺳﺎﻣﺢ ﯾﺨﻔّﻒ ﻣﻦ زﯾﺎراﺗﮫ ﻻﺑﻨﻨﺎ ﺻﺒﺮي! ﺻﺒﺮي ﻋﻨﺪه إﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت ﻣﮭﻤﺔ ھﺎﻟﺴﻨﺔ وﺳﺎﻣﺢ ﺑﯿﺠﻲ وﺑﺸ ّﻮش ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﺻﺒﺮي :إن ﺷﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﺎه.
ﺷﻮف ﻣﯿﺘﮫ /shūf mayyt-uh/
Equivalent: To test the water/ To put a person through
ﻋﺠﺰه ﺷﯿّﺒﮫ ← ّ
his paces. /‘ajjaz-uh/ ← /shayyab-uh/
Equivalent: To get gray hair (because of stress)/ To give someone a hard time. Example:
أم ﺣﻤﺎدة :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪﯾﺘﻮ ﺑﻌﻤﺎر ﺑﯿﺘﻜﻮ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ؟ ﺴﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪﯾﻨﺎ! أم زھﻮر :ﻻ ﻟ ّ أم ﺣﻤﺎدة :طﯿّﺐ ﻟﯿﺶ؟ ﺑﺄﺟﻞ ﻹﻧّﮫ أم زھﻮر :اﻟﻤﮭﻨﺪس ﺷﯿّﺒﻨﺎ وﻋﺠﺰﻧﺎ! ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ّ ّ ﻣﺸﻐﻮل ﺑﻤﺸﺎرﯾﻊ ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ!
اﻟﺸﯿﻄﺎن ﺑﺘﺒﺮا ﻣﻨﮫ ← اﻟﺸﯿﻄﺎن ﺑﺘﻌ ّﻮذ ﻣﻨﮫ /il-shēṭān bitbarrā minn-uh/ ← /il-shēṭān bit‘awwadh minn-uh/
Equivalent: Crafty devil/ Bad to the bone/ A person
Example:
ﻧﻌﯿﻢ :ﺑﻔ ّﻜﺮ أطﻠﺐ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﻦ ﺻﻔﻮان! ﺑﺘﻘﺪر ﯾﺎ رﯾﺎن ﺗﺸﻮﻓﻠﻲ ﻣﯿﺘﮫ وﺗﺠﺲ ﻧﺒﻀﮫ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺣﺮج ﺣﺎﻟﻲ! رﯾﺎن :أﻛﯿﺪ ﺑﺸﻮف ﻣﯿﺘﮫ وﺑﺮدﻟﻚ ﺧﺒﺮ.
ﺷﻮﻓﺔ ﻋﯿﻨﻚ /shōfit ‘ēn-ak/
Equivalent: As you see. Example:
ﺴﻨﺖ ﺻﺤﺔ اﺑﻨﻚ زاھﺮ؟ أم ﻗﯿﺲ :إن ﺷﺎ ﺗﺤ ّ اﻟﺼﺤﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺳﻲء ﻷﺳﻮء! أم زاھﺮ :ﺷﻮﻓﺔ ﻋﯿﻨﻚ! وﺿﻌﮫ ّ أم ﻗﯿﺲ :ﷲ ﯾﺸﻔﯿﮫ وﯾﻘَﻮ ّﻣﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﻼﻣﺔ.
ﺷﻮﻓﻮ ھﺎﻟﺴﺤﻨﺔ
who is mischievous, cunning and devious.
/shūf-ū h-al-siḥneh/
Example:
?Equivalent: What a long face/ Why the long face
أﺑﻮ ﺳﻤﯿﺢ :ﻟﻮ ﺗﺸﻮف ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ ﺑﺄﺧﻮﺗﮫ؟ ّ ﺧﻼھﻢ ﯾﺘﻨﺎزﻟﻮﻟﮫ ﻋﻦ أرﺿﮭﻢ اﻟﻠﻲ ورﺛﻮھﺎ ﻣﻦ أﺑﻮھﻢ وﺑﺎﻋﮭﺎ ووﻋﺪھﻢ إﻧّﮫ ﯾﺸ ّﻐﻞ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري وﯾﻌﻄﯿﮭﻢ ﺣﺼﺼﮭﻢ!
Example:
ﺼﺐ ﯾﺎ ﻣﻌﺘﺰ؟ ﺷﻮﻓﻮ ھﺎﻟﺴﺤﻨﺔ! أﺑﻮ ﻣﻌﺘﺰ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﻌ ّ ﻣﻌﺘﺰ :أﺧﻮي ﺑﺮاء ﻛﺴﺮ ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﻲ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺷﯿﻠﺔ ﺑﯿﻠﺔ ← ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺮة /b-il-marrah/ ← /shēleh bēleh/
Equivalent: At all/ Not at all/ Nothing at all. Example:
ﺴﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﺴﻤﻊ ﻣﻨﮫ ﻛﺎن وﺳﯿﻢ ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﯾﯿﺠﻲ ﻟﻌﻨّﺎ أ ّﻣﺎ ھ ّ ﺷﯿﻠﺔ ﺑﯿﻠﺔ!
أﺑﻮ راﺋﺪ :وأﻋﻄﺎھﻢ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮭﻢ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺳﻤﯿﺢ :ﺗﺎﺟﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺒﻠﻎ ورﺑﺢ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻛﺜﯿﺮة وأﻋﻄﺎھﻢ ﻣﺒﻠﻎ ﺑﺴﯿﻂ ﺑﺪون أرﺑﺎح! ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ھﻮ اﻟﻠﻲ رﺑﺢ وﺑﺲ! أﺑﻮ راﺋﺪ :ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ اﻟﺸﯿﻄﺎن ﺑﺘﺒ ّﺮا ﻣﻨﮫ!
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺼﺎد
ﺻﺎﺑﺖ ﻣﻌﮫ
ﺻﺎر ﺑﺨﺒﺮ ﻛﺎن /ṣār b-khabar kāna/
/ṣābat ma‘-uh/
Equivalent: He’s now history.
Equivalent: To finally hit the big time/ To become
Example:
successful and well-known.
ﻣﻨﺘﺼﺮ :ﻣﺴﻜﻮ ﻋﺎھﺪ ﺑﺒﯿﻊ ﻣﺨﺪرات! وﺳﺠﻨﻮه! ﺻﺎر ﺑﺨﺒﺮ ﻛﺎن!
ﺻﺎر ﺑﺴﺎﺑﻊ ﻧﻮﻣﺔ
Example:
ﻛﻤﺎل :ﻋﺰﯾﺰ ﻓﺎز ﺑﻤﺴﺎﺑﻘﺔ اﻷﻏﺎﻧﻲ ووﻗّﻊ ﻋﻘﺪ ﻣﻊ أﻛﺒﺮ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺎت! أﻋﻄﻮه ﻣﺼﺎري ﻛﺜﯿﺮة وﺻﺎر ﻣﺸﮭﻮر ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ. ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ :وﷲ وﺻﺎﺑﺖ ﻣﻌﮫ!
/ṣār b-sābi‘ nōmah/
Equivalent: Dead to the world/ A person who is dead
ﺻﺎﺑﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﯿﻦ ← طﺮﻗﮫ ﻋﯿﻦ
to the world is fast asleep/ Sleeping soundly/ In a
/ṭarag-uh ‘ēn/ ← /ṣāb-uh b-il-‘ēn/
deep sleep.
Equivalent: Evil eye/ Green with envy/ Very envious of
Example:
someone.
ﺧﺘﺎم :ﻧﺎم اﺑﻨﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺳﮭﯿﺮ؟ ﺳﮭﯿﺮ :زﻣﺎن ﻧﺎم! ﺻﺎر ﺑﺴﺎﺑﻊ ﻧﻮﻣﺔ!
Example:
ﺻﺎر ﺑﺴﺎﺑﻊ ﺳﻤﺎ /ṣār bsābi‘ samā/
Equivalent: On cloud nine/ In seventh heaven/ In a
أم ﺧﻠﺪون :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ أﺷﻮف أم طﻼل! ﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ أﺷﻮﻓﮭﺎ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﻌﻲ إﺷﻲ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ! ھﺎﻟﻤﺮا ﺑﺘﺼﯿﺐ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﯿﻦ! أم ﺟﻼل :آه ﺻﺢ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ! اﻷﺳﺒﻮع اﻟﻤﺎﺿﻲ ﺷﺎﻓﺘﻨﻲ ﻻﺑﺴﺔ ﻓﺴﺘﺎن ﺟﺪﯾﺪ وطﺮﻗﺘﻨﻲ ﻋﯿﻦ! اﻟﻔﺴﺘﺎن اﻧﺸﻖ ووﻗﻌﺖ وإﻧﻜﺴﺮ إﺻﺒﻊ رﺟﻠﻲ!
very happy state/ Extremely happy. Example:
ﺑﺪﯾﻌﺔ :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺟﻮز أﺧﺘﻲ وﺳﻦ إﺷﺘﺮاﻟﮭﺎ ﺳﯿّﺎرة وﻓﺎﺟﺌﮭﺎ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ! وﻟﻤﺎ ﺷﺎﻓﺘﮭﺎ ﺻﺎرت ﺑﺴﺎﺑﻊ ﺳﻤﺎ! ﻋﻼ :ﯾﺎ ھﯿﻚ اﻟﻤﻔﺎﺟﺌﺎت ﯾﺎ ﺑﻼ!
ﺻﺎﺣﺐ ﻧﻜﺘﮫ ← ﻓﻜﺎھﻲ /fukāhī / ← /ṣāḥib nukteh/
Equivalent: Have people rolling in the aisles/ Very amusing/ Have a sense of humor. Example:
ﺻﺎر ﻋﻠﻜﺔ ﺑﺜ ّﻢ اﻟﻨﺎس /ṣār ‘ilkeh b-thumm il-nās/
Equivalent: To set tongues wagging/ To cause people to gossip/ To be the talk of the town/ To be the person who everybody is talking about. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻧﻈﻤﻲ :ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ اﻧﻤﺴﻚ أﺑﻮ ﺧﻠﯿﻞ ﺑﻘﻀﯿﺔ ﻓﺴﺎد ﺻﺎر ﻋﻠﻜﺔ ﺑﺜ ّﻢ اﻟﻨﺎس! ﺷ ّﻮه ﺳﻤﻌﺘﮫ! أﺑﻮ رﺑﯿﻊ :وﻣﯿﻦ ﻗﻠّﮫ ﯾﻜﻮن ﻓﺎﺳﺪ! ھﺎي ﻧﮭﺎﯾﺔ اﻟﻔﺴﺎد!
أﺑﻮ ﻓﺎروق :راﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﺳﮭﺮة اﻣﺒﺎرح ﯾﺎ ﺧﻠﯿﻞ! اﻣﺒﺎرح إﺟﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻣﺼﻌﺐ وﻣ ّﻮﺗﻨﺎ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﺤﻚ! ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﺻﺎﺣﺐ ﻧﻜﺘﺔ وﻓﻜﺎھﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ. ﺧﻠﯿﻞ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ اﺗﺼﻠﺖ ﻓﯿّﻲ وﺧﺒﺮﺗﻨﻲ إﻧّﮫ إﺟﺎ؟ ﻛﻨﺖ إﺟﯿﺖ ﺳﮭﺮت ﻣﻌﻜﻮ! أﺑﻮ ﻓﺎروق :اﻟﻤ ّﺮة اﻟﺠﺎﯾّﺔ إن ﺷﺎ .
ﺻﺎﺣﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﺠﻤﺔ /ṣāḥī min il-nijmeh/
Equivalent: Up with the lark/ To wake up way too early
ﺻﺎر ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﺑﯿﻦ رﺟﻠﯿﮫ
in the morning. /ṣār galb-uh bēn rijlēh/
Equivalent: To scare the pants off (of) someone/ To be very scared. Example:
ﺴﺔ ﻗﺪّام اﻟﺴﯿّﺎرة ﻋﯿﺴﻰ :وأﻧﺎ ﺳﺎﯾﻖ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻲ ﻧﻄّﺖ ﺑ ّ وﻣ ّﻮﺗﺘﻨﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺨﻮف! ﺻﺎر ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ﺑﯿﻦ رﺟﻠﯿّﮫ!
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺣﻤﺪان :ﯾﻠّﻼ أﻧﺎ ﺑﺪّي أروح أﻧﺎم! ﺑﻜﺮة ﺻﺎﺣﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﺠﻤﺔ! ﻻزم أﻓﺘﺢ اﻟﻤﺤﻞ ﺑﻜﯿﺮ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﺟﺎﯾﯿﺘﻨﻲ ﺑﻀﺎﻋﺔ ﺟﺪﯾﺪة! ﺗﺼﺒﺤﻮ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺧﯿﺮ. أﺑﻮ رؤوف :وأﻧﺎ زﯾّﻚ ﺑﺪّي أروح أﻧﺎم ﻷﻧّﻲ ﺻﺎﺣﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﺠﻤﺔ.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺻﺒﺮ أﯾﻮب /ṣabur ’ayyūb/
Equivalent: The patience of Job/ The ability to remain patient.
ﺴﺔ؟ ﺑﺮھﺎن :وﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻟﻠﺒ ّ ﻋﯿﺴﻰ :ﻣﺎ ﺻﺎرﻟﮭﺎ إﺷﻲ! ﺿﺮﺑﺖ ﺑﺮﯾﻚ ﺑﺴﺮﻋﺔ! ﷲ ﺳﺘﺮ!
ﺻﺎرت ﻋﻈﺎﻣﮫ ﻣﻜﺎﺣﻞ /ṣārat ‘ḏā ̣ m-uh makāḥil/
Example:
أﺑﻮ اﺳﻤﺎﻋﯿﻞ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ أﺑﻮ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ ﻛﻞ ﺣﯿﺎﺗﮫ ﺗﻌﺐ وﺷﻘﻰ! أوﻻده ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﯿﻦ ﻣﻌﮫ ووﺿﻌﮫ اﻟﺼﺤﻲ ﺗﻌﺒﺎن ووﺿﻌﮫ اﻟﻤﺎدي ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ! أﺑﻮ راﺟﻲ :ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﺻﺒﺮ ﺻﺒﺮ أﯾﻮب! ﷲ ﯾﻔﺮﺟﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﻻزم ﻧﺴﺎﻋﺪه ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻣﺜﻞ أﺧﻮﻧﺎ! ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ؟ أﺑﻮ اﺳﻤﺎﻋﯿﻞ :ﻣﺶ ﻏﻠﻂ! ھﺎﻟﻔﻜﺮة ﻣﻤﺘﺎزة.
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Equivalent: Dead and gone/ Food for worms/ A dead person. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻧﻈﯿﺮ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر اﻟﺤﺞ أﺑﻮ ﻧﻌﻤﺎن؟ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺪّة طﻮﯾﻠﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺳﻤﻌﻨﺎ ﻋﻨﮫ إﺷﻲ! أﺑﻮ داوود :ﺻﺎرت ﻋﻈﺎﻣﮫ ﻣﻜﺎﺣﻞ! ﻣﺎت ﻣﻦ ﻣﺪة طﻮﯾﻠﺔ.
ﺻﺎﻓﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻟﺒﻦ
اﻟﺼﺒﺮ ﺟﻤﯿﻞ ← اﻟﺼﺒﺮ ﻣﻔﺘﺎح اﻟﻔﺮج /il-ṣabur jamīl/ ← /il-ṣabur miftāḥ il-faraj/
/ṣāfī yā laban/
Equivalent: Good things come to those who wait/
Equivalent: No hard feelings/ I’m not holding a
Patience is a virtue.
grudge. Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ اﺳﻤﺎﻋﯿﻞ :ﻛﯿﻔﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ؟ ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎرك؟ أﺑﻮ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﺑﺨﯿﺮ! ﺑﺲ وﺿﻌﻲ ﺗﻌﺒﺎن ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ! ﺑﺲ اﻟﺼﺒﺮ ﺟﻤﯿﻞ. أﺑﻮ اﺳﻤﺎﻋﯿﻞ :ﻣﻌﻚ ﺣﻖ! اﻟﺼﺒﺮ ﻣﻔﺘﺎح اﻟﻔﺮج وآﺧﺮﯾﺘﮭﺎ ﺗﻔﺮج إن ﺷﺎ .
ﺻﻔﺎء :ﺑﻌﺪك زﻋﻼﻧﺔ ﻣﻨﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻏﺼﻮن؟ ﻏﺼﻮن :ﻻ ﻣﺶ زﻋﻼﻧﺔ ﻣﻨﻚ! ﺻﻔﺎء :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﺻﺎﻓﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻟﺒﻦ؟ ﻏﺼﻮن :ﺻﺎﻓﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻟﺒﻦ.
ﺻﺎﻓﯿﺔ واﻓﯿﺔ
ﺻﺢ اﻟﻨﻮم ّ
/ṣāfyeh wāfyeh/ /ṣaḥḥ il-nōm/
Equivalent: Nothing new/ Same old, same old.
Equivalent: Rise and shine/ Wake up.
Example:
Example:
ﺻﺢ اﻟﻨﻮم! أم ﻻرا :ﺻﺒﺎح اﻟﺨﯿﺮ ﺣﺒﯿﺒﺘﻲ ﻻرا! ّ ﻻرا :ﺻﺒﺎح اﻟﺨﯿﺮ ﻣﺎﻣﺎ.
ﺻﺤﺒﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﻈﻢ /ṣuḥbah ‘alā il-‘aḏụ m/
ادھﻢ :ﻛﯿﻒ اﻟﺤﺎل ﯾﺎ ﺟﻮد؟ ﺟﻮد :ﺗﻤﺎم اﻟﺤﻤﺪ . ادھﻢ :ﺷﻮ اﻷﺧﺒﺎر؟ وﻛﯿﻒ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ؟ ﺟﻮد :ﺻﺎﻓﯿﺔ واﻓﯿﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﻓﯿﺶ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ!
اﻟﺼﺎﻟﺢ واﻟﻄﺎﻟﺢ
Equivalent: As thick as thieves/ Joined at the hip/
/il-ṣāliḥ w-il-ṭāliḥ/
To be very close friends/ Be or live in each other’s
Equivalent: Literal. The good and the bad/ Separate
pocket/ Alter ego.
the sheep from the goats/ Separate the wheat from
Example:
the chaff.
أم راﺋﺪ :وﯾﻦ راﺋﺪ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺮاس؟ ﻓﺮاس :راح ﯾﺴﻠّﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﮫ ادرﯾﺲ! رﺟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ اﻣﺒﺎرح. أم راﺋﺪ :آه ﻣﮭﻮ راﺋﺪ وادرﯾﺲ ﺻﺤﺒﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﻈﻢ! أﺻﺤﺎب اﻟﻄﻔﻮﻟﺔ.
ﺻﺢ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻚ ّ
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻣﺎزن :ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺘﻲ اﻷﺧﯿﺮة ﺧﻠّﺘﻨﻲ أﻋﺮف اﻟﻨﺎس ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻘﯿﻘﺘﮭﻢ وأﻣﯿّﺰ اﻟﺼﺎﻟﺢ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻄﺎﻟﺢ! أم ﻣﺎزن :اﻟﺤﯿﺎة ﺗﺠﺎرب وﺑﻨﺘﻌﻠّﻢ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ!
ﺻﺎﯾﻊ ﺿﺎﯾﻊ /ṣāy‘ ḏā ̣ yi‘/
/ṣaḥḥ lsān-ak/
Equivalent: A dead loss/ A person who is good for
Equivalent: You are absolutely right/ You are dead
nothing and who is a complete failure.
right.
Example:
Example:
ﻣﺮاد :ﯾﺎ ﺑﺪﯾﻊ إﻧﺖ ﻏﻠﻄﺖ ﺑﺤﻖ أﺑﻮك وﻻزم ﺗﻌﺘﺬر ﻣﻨﮫ! ﺑﺪﯾﻊ :ﺑﺲ أﺑﻮي ﺑﮭﺪﻟﻨﻲ ﻗﺪّام أﺻﺤﺎﺑﻲ!
ﻋﻤﺎد :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر ﻣﻨﯿﺮ؟ ﺧﻠّﺺ دراﺳﺘﮫ؟ أدھﻢ :ﻻ ﻣﺎ ﺧﻠّﺺ! ﻓﺼﻠﻮه ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﺻﺎﯾﻊ ﺿﺎﯾﻊ!
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﺼﺎد Example:
ﺳﻤﯿﺮة :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺮوﺣﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺳﻼم؟ ﻣﺎ إﻟﻚ زﻣﺎن ﺟﺎﯾّﺔ ﻋﻠﯿﻨﺎ! ﺳﻼم :اﺑﻨﻚ ﺻﺮﺻﻊ ّ ﻣﺨﻲ! ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺰﻋﺞ! ﺧﻠﺺ ﻻزم أر ّوح!
ﺻﻌﺐ اﻟﻤﻨﺎل
ﻣﺮاد :ﺑﻀﻞ أﺑﻮك وﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ﺗﺰﻋﻞ ﻣﻨﮫ أو ﺗﺰﻋﻠﮫ ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻤﻞ! ﺻﺢ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺮاد. ﺑﺮھﺎنّ :
ﺻﺤﺘﯿﻦ وﻋﺎﻓﯿﺔ /ṣa‘b il-manāl/
/ṣiḥtēn w-‘āfyeh/
Equivalent: Difficult to attain/ Hard to get.
Equivalent: Bon appétit/ Enjoy your food.
Example:
Example:
أﻣﻞ :ﻗﺪّﻣﺘﻲ ﯾﺎ زھﻮر ﻟﻠﻮظﯿﻔﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺷﻔﻨﺎھﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺮﯾﺪة؟ زھﻮر :ﻗﺪّﻣﺖ! ﺑﺲ ھﺎﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ ﺣﻠﻢ ﺻﻌﺐ اﻟﻤﻨﺎل! ﺑﻜﻮن ﻣﻠﯿﻮن واﺣﺪ ﻗﺪّﻣﻠﮭﺎ! أﻣﻞ :ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﻧﺼﯿﺐ وﺑﺠﻮز ﺗﻜﻮن ﻣﻦ ﻧﺼﯿﺒﻚ!
ﻣﻨﻰ :أﻛﻠﻚ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ زاﻛﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺗﻐﺮﯾﺪ! اﻟﻮاﺣﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺸﺒﻊ ﻣﻨﮫ! ﺗﻐﺮﯾﺪ :ﺻﺤﺘﯿﻦ وﻋﺎﻓﯿﺔ!
ﺻﺤﻮة اﻟﻤﻮت /ṣaḥwit il-mōt/
ﺻﻌﻠﻮك
Equivalent: A lightning before death/ The last minute /ṣa‘lūk/
before death.
Equivalent: An inferior or low person.
Example:
Example:
ﺼﺐ ﯾﺎ ﻋﻤﺮ؟ ﻣﺎزن :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﻌ ّ ﺼﺐ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ ﺧﻠﺪون! ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺷﻐﻠﺔ ﺑﻌﻤﻠﮭﺎ إﻻ ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻣﻌ ّ وﺑﺨﺮﺑﻠﻲ إﯾﺎھﺎ! ﻣﺎزن :ھﺬا واﺣﺪ ﺻﻌﻠﻮك وﺳﻘﯿﻄﺔ طﻨﺸﮫ!
ﺻﻒ ﺣﻜﻲ
ﻋﺒﺎس :ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻢ أﺑﻮك ﯾﺎ ﺷﺎھﺮ! ﻛﺎن زﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﺤﺘﺮم واﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﺤﺒﮫ! اﻟﺤﻤﺪ إﻧﻚ ﻗﺪرت ﺗﺸﻮﻓﮫ ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﻤﻮت! اﻟﺴﻔﺮ ﻣﺘﻌﺐ ﷲ ﯾﻌﯿﻨﻚ. ﺷﺎھﺮ :ﺑﺘﺼﺪّق وﺻﻠﺖ وﻛﺎن ﺷﺒﮫ ﻣﯿّﺖ! ﺑﺲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻣﺴﻜﺖ ﺻﺎﻧﻲ أدﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ إﯾﺪه ﺻﺤﻲ وﻗﻠّﻲ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﻔﺘﺨﺮ ﻓﯿّﻲ وو ّ أﻣﻲ وأﺧﻮﺗﻲ! ﻋﺒﺎس :ھﺎي ﺻﺤﻮة اﻟﻤﻮت!
/ṣaff ḥakī/
Equivalent: All talk (and no action).
ﺻ ّﺪ ر ّد
Example:
ﻣﺆﻧﺲ :ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ ھﻠﻜﺖ ﻣﻦ ﺳﻮاﻟﻒ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ! ﻣﺶ ﺷﺎطﺮ ﻏﯿﺮ ﺑﺼﻒّ اﻟﺤﻜﻲ وﺑﺲ! ﺻﺎرﻟﻨﺎ ﺳﻨﺔ ﺑﻨﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺸﺮوع وﺣﻀﺮﺗﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎﻣﻞ إﺷﻲ! اﯾﻤﻦ :ﻻزم ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ وﺗﺸﻮف ﺣ ّﻞ!
/ṣadd radd/
Equivalent: He only went to turn/ To hurry back to someone/ To come back from a place very quickly/ To go somewhere quickly and return immediately or in a short time. Example:
ﺻﻔﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺸﻤﺎل /ṣifir ‘alā li-shmāl/
Equivalent: A nobody/ Lightweight/ A person of no
أﺑﻮ ﻓﺘﺤﻲ :أﻧﺎ راﯾﺢ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺼﯿﺪﻟﯿﺔ أﺟﯿﺐ دوا ﻻﺑﻨﻲ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻄ ّﻮل! ﺻ ّﺪ ردّ! اﻋﺘﺒﺮ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﺑﯿﺘﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻋ ّﻤﻲ! ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :ﺳﻼﻣﺘﮫ! ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ روح وأﻧﺎ رح أﺳﺘﻨﺎك.
importance or significance. Example:
ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺑﻼل ﻣﺘﻀﺎﯾﻖ؟ ﺑﻼل :ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ ﺻﺎرﻟﻲ ﺳﻨﺔ ﻣﺘﺨ ّﺮج ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ وﻋﺎطﻞ ﻋﻦ ﺣﺎس ﺣﺎﻟﻲ ﺻﻔﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺸﻤﺎل اﻟﻌﻤﻞ وأﺑﻮي ﺑﺼﺮف ﻋﻠ ّﻲ! ّ وﺑﻼ ﻗﯿﻤﺔ! ي! ود ّور ﻋﻠﻰ أي ﺷﻐﻞ. ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :ط ّﻮل ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﺷﻮ ّ
ﺻﻔﺮن /ṣafran/
Equivalent: Literal. He turned yellow/ To look very pale/
اﻟﺼﺪﯾﻖ وﻗﺖ اﻟﻀﯿﻖ /il-ṣadīg wagt il-ḏị̄ g/
Equivalent: A friend in need is a friend indeed. Example:
ﺑﺸﺎر :ﺑﺪّي أطﻠﺐ ﻣﻨﻚ ﺧﺪﻣﺔ ﯾﺎ ﺣﻤﺰة ﺑﺲ ﺧﺠﻼن ﻣﻨﻚ! ﺑﺘﻘﺪر ﺗﺪﯾّﻨﻲ ﻣﯿﺘﯿﻦ دﯾﻨﺎر ﻟﺸﮭﺮﯾﻦ؟ ﻋﻨﺪي دﻓﻌﺔ ﻣﺴﺘﺤﻘﺔ ﻟﻠﺒﻨﻚ واﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﻣﺶ ﻣﺘﻮﻓﺮة ﻣﻌﻲ. ﺣﻤﺰة :أﻛﯿﺪ ﺑﻌﻄﯿﻚ اﻟﻤﺒﻠﻎ! ﻻ ﺗﺨﺠﻞ! اﻟﺼﺪﯾﻖ وﻗﺖ اﻟﻀﯿﻖ!
Pale as a ghost. Example:
أم ﺻﺒﺤﻲ :اﻟﺠﻮ ﺑﺎرد واﺑﻨﻚ ﺻﻔﺮن وھﻮ ﯾﻠﻌﺐ ﺑ ّﺮا! ﺧﻠّﯿﮫ ﯾﻔﻮت ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ وﯾﺪﻓّﻰ. أم ﺑﺮاء :آه ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﻣﺼﻔﺮن وﺗﻌﺒﺎن.
ﺻﺮﺻﻊ ﻣﺨﮫ /ṣarṣa‘ mukhkh-uh/
Equivalent: To get in someone’s hair/ To get on someone’s nerves/ To annoy someone.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺻﻠﺦ ﺟﻠﺪه
88
ﺻﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ اﺳﻨﺎﻧﮫ /ṣalakh jild-uh/
/ṣakk ‘alā isnān-uh/
Equivalent: To have someone’s hide/ To knock someone
Equivalent: Clench one’s teeth/ Grit one’s teeth.
off their block/ To hit someone very hard in anger.
Example:
Example:
أﻣﯿﻦ :اﻣﺒﺎرح أﺧﻮي أﻣﯿﺮ ﻛﺴﺮ ﺷﺒّﺎك ﺳﯿّﺎرة أﺑﻮي اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة! راﻣﻲ :وﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ أﺑﻮك ﻓﯿﮫ؟ أﻣﯿﻦ :ﺻﻠﺦ ﺟﻠﺪه!
ﺑﺼﺤﻲ اﻟﻤﯿّﺖ ﺻﻮﺗﮫ ّ
ﺼﺐ؟ ﻻ أم ﺟﻤﯿﻞ :ﻟﯿﺶ اﺑﻨﻚ ﺑﺼ ّﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ اﺳﻨﺎﻧﮫ ﺑﺲ ﯾﻌ ّ ﯾﺨ ّﺮﺑﮭﻦ! أم رؤوف :ھﺬا طﺒﻊ ﻓﯿﮫ! ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ھﯿﻚ ﺑﺲ ﯾﺰﻋﻞ!
اﻟﺼﻠﺢ ﺳﯿّﺪ اﻷﺣﻜﺎم /il-ṣuluḥ sayyid il-’aḥkām/
/ṣōt-uh bi-ṣaḥḥī il-mayyit/
Equivalent: Conciliation is the best solution/ A lean
Equivalent: To wake the dead/ Loud enough.
agreement is better than a fat judgment.
Example:
Example:
ﺑﺼﺤﻲ اﻟﻤﯿّﺖ! ﺑﯿﺠﻮ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﻣﻦ ﺻﻮت اﻟﻌ ّﻤﺎل اﻟﺼﺒﺢ ّ اﻟﻔﺠﺮ وﺑﺰﻋﺠﻮ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻨﺎس اﻟﻨﺎﯾﻤﺔ ﺑﺼﻮﺗﮭﻢ وھﻢ ﯾﻨﺎدو ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻌﺾ وﯾﺸﺘﻐﻠﻮ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻌﺪات اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﻌﮭﻢ.
اﻟﺼﯿﺖ وﻻ اﻟﻐﻨﻰ /il-ṣīt walā il-ghinā/
أﺑﻮ ﺟﻌﻔﺮ :وﯾﻦ راﯾﺢ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ دﺣﺎم؟ أﺑﻮ دﺣﺎم :ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﻧﺮوح ﻧﺼﺎﻟﺢ أﺑﻮ ﻧﻀﺎل ﻣﻊ أﺧﻮه رﺿﻮان! ﺻﺎرﻟﮭﻢ ﻓﺘﺮة ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻮ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ. أﺑﻮ ﺟﻌﻔﺮ :ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ! اﻟﺼﻠﺢ ﺳﯿّﺪ اﻷﺣﻜﺎم.
ﺻﻠﺐ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع
Equivalent: A good name is more desired than great
/ṣulb il-mawḏū ̣ ‘/
wealth/ A good name is better than riches.
Equivalent: The crux of the matter/ The heart of the
Example:
matter.
أﺑﻮ ﻋﻮض :اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﻘﻮل إﻧّﮫ أرﺑﺎﺣﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻼﯾﯿﻦ! وإﻧّﻚ ﺑﺘﺘﺒ ّﺮع ﺑﻨﺺ أرﺑﺎﺣﻚ ﻟﻠﺠﻤﻌﯿﺎت اﻟﺨﯿﺮﯾّﺔ! ﺻﺤﯿﺢ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺳﻔﯿﺎن :ﻻ ﻣﻼﯾﯿﻦ وﻻ! اﻟﺮﺑﺢ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗ ّﺪ اﻟﺤﺎل ﺑﺲ زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ اﻟﺼﯿﺖ وﻻ اﻟﻐﻨﻰ!
Example:
ﺟﮭﺎد :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺘﻠﻒ وﺑﺘﺪور ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎدل؟ أدﺧﻞ ﺑﺼﻠﺐ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع وھﺎت ﻣﻦ اﻵﺧﺮ. ﻋﺎدل :ﺑﺪّي أﺧﻄﺐ أﺧﺘﻚ ﻧﮭﺎد ﯾﺎ ﺟﮭﺎد إذا ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪﻛﻮ ﻣﺎﻧﻊ.
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻀﺎد
Example:
ادم :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﺑﯿﻦ اﺣﻤﺪ وﻏﺴﺎن؟ ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧﮭﻢ ﻣﺘﮭﺎوﺷﯿﻦ! ﺑﺪر :ﻏﺴﺎن ﺿﺤﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ اﺣﻤﺪ وأﺧﺬ ﻛﻞ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮫ! ﻧﺼﺐ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ!
ﺿﺎرب ﺑﻮز /ḏā ̣ rib būz/
Equivalent: Frown at someone or something. Example:
أم ﻛﺮﯾﻢ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﻌﺎذ ﺿﺎرب ﺑﻮز؟ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﻣﻌﮫ إﺷﻲ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ :ﻻ ﺑﺲ طﻠﺐ ﻣﻨﻲ ﻣﺼﺎري وﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻠﺖ أﻋﻄﯿﮫ.
ﺿﺤﻜﺘﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻹذن ﻟﻺذن /ḏị ḥkit-uh min il-’idhin la-il-’idhin/
ﺿﺎرﺑﺔ ﺣﺎﻟﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﯿﻄﺎن اﻟﺮﺟﯿﻢ
Equivalent: Grin from ear to ear/ To have a very wide
/ḏā ̣ rbeh ḥāl-hā b-il-shēṭān il-rajīm/
smile.
Equivalent: Dressed to kill/ All dolled-up/ Dressed to
Example:
the nines.
داﻣﺮ :ﺑﺸﻮف ﺿﺤﻜﺘﻚ ﻣﻦ اﻹذن ﻟﻺذن ﯾﺎ ﺷﺮف! ﺧﯿﺮ ﺷﻮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺨﻠّﯿﻚ ﻣﺒﺴﻮط ﻟﮭﺪرﺟﺔ؟ ﺷﺮف :أﺑﻮي واﻓﻖ إﻧّﮫ ﯾﺨﻄﺒﻠﻲ ﻋﺒﻠﺔ! ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﻣﺒﺴﻮط. داﻣﺮ :أﻟﻒ أﻟﻒ ﻣﺒﺮوك. ﺷﺮف :ﷲ ﯾﺒﺎرك ﻓﯿﻚ وﻋﻘﺒﺎﻟﻚ.
اﻟﻀﺤﻚ ﻣﻦ ﻏﯿﺮ ﺳﺒﺐ ﻗﻠّﺔ ادب /il-ḏị ḥik min ghēr sabab gillit ’adab/
Example:
أم ﻋﻤﺮ :اﻣﺒﺎرح رﺣﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﺮس ﺑﻠﻘﯿﺲ وﻟﻘﯿﺖ ھﻨﺎك ﺳﻤﯿﺤﺔ! زﻣﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺷﻔﺘﮭﺎ. أم ﺳﻌﺪ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ؟ ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ ﺣﻠﻮة زي زﻣﺎن؟ أم ﻋﻤﺮ :آه ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ ﺣﻠﻮة! ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺿﺎرﺑﺔ ﺣﺎﻟﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﯿﻄﺎن اﻟﺮﺟﯿﻢ! ﻛﺈﻧﮭﺎ ھﻲ اﻟﻌﺮوس!
ﺿﺎع ﻓﯿﮫ اﻟﻤﻀﯿّﻊ
Equivalent: Laughing at people for no reason is rude
/ḏā ̣ ‘ fīh li-mḏạ yyi‘/
and impolite.
Equivalent: Lost in the shuffle.
Example:
Example:
اﻻﺳﺘﺎذ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺘﻀﺤﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻒ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺨﺘﺎر؟ ﯾﻀﺤﻜﻨﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺨﺘﺎر :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻀﺤﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ إﺷﻲ ﺑﺲ اﻧﺲ ﺑﻀﻞ ّ أﺳﺘﺎذ. اﻻﺳﺘﺎذ :اﻟﻀﺤﻚ ﺑﺪون ﺳﺒﺐ ﻗﻠّﺔ أدب!
ﺿﺤﻜﺘﮫ ﺻﻔﺮة /ḏị ḥkit-uh ṣafrah/
أم ﺑﺪﯾﻊ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﺣﻤﯿﺪ! ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻣﺎﺗﻮ أﻣﮫ وأﺑﻮه ﺑﺤﺎدث اﻟﺴﯿّﺎرة ﺿﺎع ﻓﯿﮫ اﻟﻤﻀﯿّﻊ! ﺴﮫ؟ أم ﺟﻼل :وﯾﻦ ﺳﺎﻛﻦ ھ ّ أم ﺑﺪﯾﻊ :ﺳﺎﻛﻦ ﻋﻨﺪ ﺑﯿﺖ ﻋ ّﻤﮫ! ﺑﺲ ﻋ ّﻤﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ وﻣﺮﺗﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ ﻛﻤﺎن! ﷲ ﯾﻌﯿﻦ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ وﻋﻠﻰ ھﺎﻟﺤﯿﺎة.
ﺿﺤﻰ ﺑﺎﻟﻐﺎﻟﻲ واﻟﺮﺧﯿﺺ ّ
Equivalent: Mocking, sarcastic or sneering smile.
/ḏạ ḥḥā b-il-ghālī w-il-rakhīṣ/
Example:
Equivalent: To sacrifice everything.
ﻗﺎﺳﻢ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻛﻨﺖ أﻧﺎﻗﺶ ﻓﻜﺮة ﻣﺸﺮوع اﻟﺘﺨ ّﺮج ﻣﻊ زﻣﯿﻠﻲ ﺿﺤﻚ ﺿﺤﻜﺔ ﺻﻔﺮة! وﻗﻠّﻲ أﻏﯿّﺮ اﻟﻔﻜﺮة! ﻣﻊ إﻧﮭﺎ ﻓﻜﺮة ﺟﺪﯾﺪة وﻣﻤﺘﺎزة! أﺳﻠﻮﺑﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻋﺠﺒﻨﻲ! ﺑﺮھﺎن :ﻻ ﯾﻜﻮن ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺴﺮق ﻓﻜﺮة ﻣﺸﺮوﻋﻚ! دﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﻨﮫ! ﻛﺎن داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﯾﻌﻤﻠﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺒﺎب وﯾﺴﺮق أﻓﻜﺎر أﺑﺤﺎﺛﮭﻢ وﯾﺴﻠّﻤﮭﺎ ﻗﺒﻠﮭﻢ.
اﻟﻀﺮﺑﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻘﺘﻠﻚ ﺑﺘﻘﻮﯾﻚ
Example:
ﺿﺤﻰ ﺑﺎﻟﻐﺎﻟﻲ واﻟﺮﺧﯿﺺ أم ﺗﻤﯿﻢ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺪﻧﺎن! ّ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺴﻔّﺮ اﺑﻨﮫ وﯾﺨﻠﯿﮫ ﯾﺪرس ﺑ ّﺮا! ﺑﺲ اﺑﻨﮫ طﻠﻊ ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ وﺗﺮك دراﺳﺘﮫ وﺻﺎر ﺻﺎﯾﻊ ﺿﺎﯾﻊ! أﺑﻮ ﺗﻤﯿﻢ :ﺷﻮ ھﺎﻟﺠﯿﻞ اﻟﻄﺎﻟﻊ!
ﺿﺤﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ /ḏị ḥik ‘alēh/
/il-ḏạ rbah illī mā btugtil-ak bitgawwī-k/
Equivalent: To lead someone up the garden path/ To
Equivalent: What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
deceive someone.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
Example:
ﻣﻮﻓﻖ :ادرﯾﺲ و ّرط زﻣﯿﻠﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ ّ وﺧﻼھﻢ ﯾﺘﮭﻤﻮه ﺑﺎﻟﺘﺰوﯾﺮ وھﻮ ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﻣﺎ إﻟﮫ ﻋﻼﻗﺔ ﺑﺈﺷﻲ! ﺣﻤﺪ :ﻣﮭﻮ ﺿﻤﯿﺮه ﻣﯿّﺖ وﻣﺎ ﺑﮭﺘﻢ ﻷﻣﺮ ﺣﺪا! اﻟﻤﮭﻢ ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺘﮫ!
ﺿﯿّﻊ اﻟﻔﺮﺻﺔ ﻣﻦ إﯾﺪﯾﮫ /ḏạ yya‘ il-furṣah min ’idēh/
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ﺳﺎﻟﻢ :اﻟﻜﻞ ﺗﺨﻠّﻰ ﻋﻨّﻲ ﺑﻤﺤﻨﺘﻲ! ﺣﺘﻰ أﻗﺮب اﻟﻨﺎس إﻟﻲ! واﻟﻜﻞ ﺻﺎر ﯾﻄﻌﻦ ﻓﯿّﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻈﮭﺮ وﯾﺤﻜﻮ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﻛﻼم ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ وﺻﺎرو ﺿﺪّي! ﻋﻄﺎ :ﻻ ﺗﮭﺘﻢ! اﻟﻀﺮﺑﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻘﺘﻠﻚ ﺑﺘﻘﻮﯾﻚ!
ﺿﻤﯿﺮه ﺻﺎﺣﻲ ← ﺿﻤﯿﺮه ﺣ ّﻲ
Equivalent: Miss your chance or opportunity.
/ḏạ mīr-uh ḥayy/ ← /ḏạ mīr-uh ṣāḥī/
Example:
Equivalent: To have scruples/ To have a clean
ﺣﻠﯿﻢ :أﺳﺎﻣﺔ رﻓﺾ اﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ طﻠﻌﺘﻠﮫ ﻷﻧّﮫ ﻛﺎن ﻣﺘﺄﻣﻞ إﻧّﮫ ﺗﻄﻠﻌﻠﮫ وظﯿﻔﺔ ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ ﻛﺎن ﯾﺴﺘﻨﺎھﺎ! ﻋﻠﻲ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﺿﯿّﻊ اﻟﻔﺮﺻﺔ ﻣﻦ إﯾﺪﯾﮫ؟ ﺣﻠﯿﻢ :آه ﺿﯿّﻌﮭﺎ وراﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ!
ﺿﯿّﻖ ﺣﻈﯿﺮﺗﻲ /ḏạ yyag ḥaḏị̄ rt-ī/
or clear conscience/ To have a good conscience and integrity. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻧﻮار :اﻟﯿﻮم أﺑﻮ ﺳﺎﻟﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺤﻜﻤﺔ ﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﺸﮭﺪ زور ﻀﻞ إﻧّﮫ أﺧﻮه ﯾﻔﻮت اﻟﺴﺠﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ إﻧّﮫ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪ أﺧﻮه! ﻓ ّ ﯾﻜﺬب وﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪه. أﺑﻮ اﺳﻼم :ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ طﻮل ﻋﻤﺮه أﺧﻼﻗﮫ ﻋﺎﻟﯿﺔ وﺿﻤﯿﺮه ﺣ ّﻲ.
Equivalent: To drive someone up the wall/ To irritate and annoy someone. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺷﻜﺮي :ﯾﺎ ﺷﻜﺮي ﺑﻄّﻞ ﺗﻠّﺢ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ وﺗﻄﻠﺐ ﻣﺼﺎري! ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﻔﻚ ﻛﺜﯿﺮة! ﺗﺮاك ﺿﯿّﻘﺖ ﺣﻈﯿﺮﺗﻲ!
ﺿﻤﯿﺮه ﻣﯿّﺖ /ḏạ mīr-uh mayyit/
Equivalent: Without scruple/ Totally lacking moral or ethical principles.
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻄﺎء
طﺎﺑﺘﻠﮫ اﻟﻘﻌﺪة
طﺎﯾﺮ ← ﻣﺴﺘﻌﺠﻞ /mista‘jil/ ← /ṭāyir/
/ṭābat-l-uh il-ga‘deh/
Equivalent: In one hell of a hurry/ In a hurry.
Equivalent: Overstay one’s welcome/ Outstay one’s
Example:
welcome.
ﻏﯿﺚ :ﺷﻔﺖ ﻣﺤﻤﺪ ﯾﺎ ﺳﻌﯿﺪ؟ ﺑﺪّي إﯾﺎه ﺿﺮوري. ﺳﻌﯿﺪ :ﺷﻔﺘﮫ ﻣﻦ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ وﻛﺎن ﻣﺴﺘﻌﺠﻞ وطﺎﯾﺮ! ﻣﺎ ﻗﻠّﻲ وﯾﻦ راﯾﺢ!
طﺐ اﻟﺠ ّﺮة ﻋﻠﻰ ﺛﻤﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﻄﻠﻊ اﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﻷﻣﮭﺎ ّ /ṭubb il-jarrah ‘alā thum-hā btiṭla‘ il-binit la-’um-hā/
Example:
ﺻﺪام :ﺑﻌﺪه ﺷﺎھﺮ ﻋﻨﺪ ﺑﯿﺖ ﻋ ّﻤﮫ؟ زﻣﺎن راح ﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ! ﺷﻜﻠﮫ طﺎﺑﺘﻠﮫ اﻟﻘﻌﺪة! ﻋﻤﺎر :اﺗﺼﻠﺖ ﻣﻌﮫ وﺑﻘﻮل إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺮ ّوح ﺑﻌﺪ ﻛﻢ ﯾﻮم.
طﺎر ظﺒﺎن ﻋﻘﻠﻲ
Equivalent: Like mother, like daughter.
/ṭār ḏạ bān ‘agl-ī/
Example:
Equivalent: Be up in arms/ To be very angry.
أم ﻓﺮج :ھﺎي ﺑﻨﺘﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻓﻮزﯾﺔ طﺎﻟﻌﺔ زﯾّﻚ ﺑﺘﺤﺐ اﻟﻤﻜﯿﺎج واﻟﻠﺒّﺲ! طﺐ اﻟﺠ ّﺮة ﻋﻠﻰ ﺛﻤﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﻄﻠﻊ ﻓﻮزﯾﺔ :طﺒﻌﺎ ً ﻟﻤﯿﻦ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﻄﻠﻊ! ّ اﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﻷﻣﮭﺎ.
Example:
اﻟﻄﺒﻊ ﻏﻠﺐ اﻟﺘﻄﺒّﻊ ← اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﯿﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺨﻠّﯿﮫ /illī fīh mā bi-khallīh/ ← /il-ṭabu‘ ghalab il-taṭabbu‘/
أم ﻓﺘﺤﻲ :ﺳﻤﻌﺘﻲ آﺧﺮ اﻷﺧﺒﺎر؟ أﺑﻮ ﯾﻮﻧﺲ طﻠّﻖ أم ﯾﻮﻧﺲ! ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻋﺎرف ﺷﻮ اﻟﺴﺒﺐ! أم رھﺎم :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ وطﺎر ظﺒﺎن ﻋﻘﻠﻲ! ﻛﯿﻒ ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ھﺎﻟﻌﻤﻠﺔ؟
طﺎﺳﺔ )طﻨﺠﺮة( وﻟﻘﺖ ﻏﻄﺎھﺎ
Equivalent: A leopard can’t change its spots/ What is
/ṭāseh (ṭanjarah) w-lagat ghaṭā-hā/
bred in the bone cannot come out of the flesh/ What
Equivalent: Literal. A pot that found its lid/ A match
can you expect from a hog but a grunt.
made in heaven/ Every Jack must have his Jill.
Example:
Example:
أم رﺷﺪي :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺟﻮز ﺑﻨﺘﻚ راﺟﻊ ﯾﺸﺮب ﻛﺤﻮل وﺑﻀﺮب ﺑﻨﺘﻚ! ﺻﺤﯿﺢ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ أم رﺣﺎب :آه ﺻﺤﯿﺢ! ﻟ ّﻤﺎ إﺟﺎ ﯾﺨﻄﺐ رﺣﺎب وﻋﺪﻧﺎ إﻧّﮫ ﯾﺸﺘﻐﻞ وإﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺸﺮب ﻛﺤﻮل! ﻛﺎن وﺿﻌﮫ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ وﻧﻔّﺬ وﻋﺪه ﻟﻔﺘﺮة! ﺑﺲ ﻟﻸﺳﻒ رﺟﻊ ﻟﻌﺎدﺗﮫ اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻤﺔ. أم رﺷﺪي :اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﯿﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺨﻠّﯿﮫ! واﻟﻄﺒﻊ ﻏﻠﺐ اﻟﺘﻄﺒّﻊ.
أم ﺣﯿﺪر :ﻛﯿﻒ اﺑﻨﻚ ﻋﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻊ ﻋﺮوﺳﺘﮫ؟ إن ﺷﺎ ﻣﺘﻔﻘﯿﻦ؟ أم ﻧﻈﯿﺮ :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ! طﻨﺠﺮة وﻟﻘﺖ ﻏﻄﺎھﺎ! اﻻﺛﻨﯿﻦ زي اﻟﺴﻤﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﺴﻞ.
طﺎﻟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻘﺒﺮ ﺑﻜﻔﺎﻟﺔ /ṭāli‘ min il-gabur b-kafāleh/
Equivalent: To look awful/ To look terrible.
طﺒﻖ اﻷﺻﻞ
Example: /ṭibg il-’aṣul/
Equivalent: The spitting image/ A carbon copy/ They look like twins. Example:
ﺴﯿﺖ إﻧﮭﻢ ﻋﻤﺮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺸﺒﮫ أﺑﻮه! ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺷﻔﺘﮭﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ ﺣ ّ ﻧﺴﺨﺔ طﺒﻖ اﻷﺻﻞ ﻋﻦ ﺑﻌﺾ!
أﺑﻮ ﯾﺎﺳﯿﻦ :اﻟﯿﻮم رﺣﺖ زرت ﺛﺎﻣﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺴﺘﺸﻔﻰ! أﺑﻮ زھﯿﺮ :ﻛﯿﻒ وﺿﻌﮫ؟ أﺑﻮ ﯾﺎﺳﯿﻦ :ﺷﻜﻠﮫ زي اﻟﻠﻲ طﺎﻟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻘﺒﺮ ﺑﻜﻔﺎﻟﺔ! ﻛﺎن ﺗﻌﺒﺎن ﻛﺜﯿﺮ.
اﻟﻄﺎﯾﺢ راﯾﺢ /il-ṭāyiḥ rāyiḥ/
طﺮﺑﻖ اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﻓﻮق راﺳﮫ
Equivalent: Cast iron stomach. /ṭarbag il-dinyā fōg rās-uh/
Equivalent: Come down on somebody like a ton of bricks/ To be angry at someone and punish them very quickly and severely.
Example:
أم طﻼل :ﯾ ّﻤﺎ ﯾﺎ طﻼل ﺷﺎﯾﻔﯿﺘﻚ ﻧﺼﺤﺎن ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺨﻠّﻲ إﺷﻲ إﻻ وﺑﺘﻮﻛﻠﮫ! اﻟﻄﺎﯾﺢ راﯾﺢ! ﺧﻔّﻒ اﻷﻛﻞ ﻋﺸﺎن ﺻﺤﺘﻚ. طﻼل :أي أﻛﻠﻚ زاﻛﻲ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻘﺎوم!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺻﺒﺎ :ﯾﻲ ﺷﻮ ھﺬا! طﻌﻢ ھﺎﻷﻛﻠﺔ ﺑﻘﺰّز! ﻣﺶ زاﻛﯿﺔ! ﻣﻦ وﯾﻦ ﺟﺎﯾﺒﺔ اﻟﻮﺻﻔﺔ؟ ﻧﻮر :ﻟﻘﯿﺘﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻨﺖ وﺣﺒّﯿﺖ أﺟ ّﺮﺑﮭﺎ! ھﮭﮭﮭﮭﮫ.
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Example:
ﻣﻌﺎذ :ﻟ ّﻤﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎھﺪ ﻋﺮف إﻧّﮫ اﺑﻨﮫ ﺻﺪم ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﮫ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺳﺎﻗﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ ﻏﯿﺮ ﻋﻠﻤﮫ طﺮﺑﻖ اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﻓﻮق راﺳﮫ!
طﺮد ﻋﺬر
طﻌﻤﻲ اﻟﺜﻢ ﺑﺘﺴﺘﺤﻲ اﻟﻌﯿﻦ /ṭa‘mī il-thumm btistaḥī il-‘ēn/
/ṭard ‘udhur/
)Equivalent: Kickback/ An advanced payment (bribe
Equivalent: Pretext/ A reason or excuse given to
made to someone to make him or her do you a favor
hide the real reason for something/ A fictitious
or get business done for you.
reason given in order to conceal the real one/ An
Example:
excuse given in order not to be blamed for not doing
أم ﺗﺮﻛﻲ :ﻻزم ﻧﺮوح ﻧﺰور ﺑﯿﺖ أﺑﻮ وﻓﯿﻖ وﻧﻮﺧﺬﻟﮭﻢ ھﺪﯾّﺔ ﻣﺮﺗﺒﺔ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ وﻧﻌﺰﻣﮭﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻐﺪا ﻋﻨّﺎ! ﺑﻠﻜﻲ أﺑﻮ وﻓﯿﻖ ﯾﻮظﻔﻠﻨﺎ ﺗﺮﻛﻲ ﻋﻨﺪه ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ. أﺑﻮ ﺗﺮﻛﻲ :وﻟﺸﻮ اﻟﮭﺪﯾّﺔ واﻟﻌﺰﯾﻤﺔ؟ ﺷﻮ اﻟﻤﻨﺎﺳﺒﺔ وﺷﻮ واﻗﻌﻠﮫ؟ أم ﺗﺮﻛﻲ :ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺗﺮﻛﻲ طﻌﻤﻲ اﻟﺜﻢ ﺑﺘﺴﺘﺤﻲ اﻟﻌﯿﻦ!
something. Example:
ﺣﻨﺎن :ﻣﺎ إﺟﺖ ھﺪى زارﺗﻚ ﻟﻤﺎ ﻣﺮﺿﺘﻲ؟ أﻣﯿﻨﺔ :ﻻ ﻣﺎ إﺟﺖ! ﺑﺲ اﺗﺼﻠﺖ طﺮد ﻋﺬر ﻋﺸﺎن ﻣﺎ أزﻋﻞ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ وﻗﺎﻟﺖ إﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻓﺎﺿﯿﺔ ﺗﯿﺠﻲ ﻷﻧّﮫ ﻛﺎن ﻋﻨﺪھﺎ إﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت!
ط ّﺮى اﻷﺟﻮاء
طﻌﻨﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻤﯿﻢ /ṭa‘an-uh b-il-ṣamīm/
/ṭarrā il-’ajwā’/
Equivalent: Hit someone where it hurts most.
Equivalent: Break the ice/ Loosen up/ Remove the
Example:
tension.
ﻧﺪى :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر ﺳﻼف ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺮﻛﮭﺎ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﮭﺎ وطﻌﻨﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻤﯿﻢ؟ ﺷﯿﺮﯾﻦ :ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام وﺿﻌﮭﺎ ﺻﻌﺐ وﺑﻌﺪھﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺼﺪﻗﺔ إﻧّﮫ ﺗﺮﻛﮭﺎ وﺧﻄﺐ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﯿﺘﮭﺎ! اﻻﺛﻨﯿﻦ ﺧﺎﻧﻮھﺎ واﻟﺨﯿﺎﻧﺔ ﺻﻌﺒﺔ.
طﻌﻨﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻈﮭﺮ /ṭa‘an-uh b-il-ḏạ hur/
Example:
أﻣﺠﺪ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻛﺎﻧﺖ اﻷﺟﻮاء ﻣﺸﺤﻮﻧﺔ وﻣﺘﻮﺗﺮة ﺑﯿﻦ ﺳﺎﺋﺪ وﺳﺎﻣﻲ! ﺑﺲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ إﺟﺎ ﻋﺎﺑﺪ ط ّﺮى اﻷﺟﻮاء وھﺪّى اﻟﻮﺿﻊ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ. ﺳﻠﯿﻢ :داﯾﻤﺎ ً ھﺎﻟﺸﺒّﯿﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺧﻼف! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﺷﻮ اﻟﺴﺒﺐ.
ط ّﺮي إﯾﺪك
Equivalent: To stab someone in the back/ Betray.
/ṭarrī ’īd-ak/
Example:
Equivalent: To grease palms/ To bribe/ To give a tip.
ﻓﺎروق :ﻣﺼﻌﺐ طﻌﻦ ﺻﺎﻓﻲ ﺑﻈﮭﺮه! ّ ﺧﻼه ﯾﻮﻗّﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ أوراق ﺗﻨﺎزل ﻋﻦ اﻷﺳﮭﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ! ﻗﻠّﮫ إﻧﮭﺎ ﺷﻜﻠﯿﺎت ﺑﺲ! ﺑﺲ ﺿﺤﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وﺳﺮﻗﮫ! ﺧﺎن ﺛﻘﺘﮫ ﻓﯿﮫ. ﻋﻤﺮ :وھﺎي ﻋﻤﻠﺔ ﺑﻌﻤﻠﮭﺎ!
Example:
طﻔﺢ اﻟﻜﯿﻞ
ﺻﻘﺮ :ﺑﺪّي ﺗﻤﺸّﯿﻠﻲ ھﺎﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ ﯾﺎ ﺳﺮﺣﺎن! ﺿﺮوري. ﺳﺮﺣﺎن :ﺑﻤﺸّﯿﮭﺎ ﺑﺲ ﺑﺪك ﺗﻄ ّﺮي إﯾﺪك ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ!
ط ّﻌﺔ وﻗﺎﯾﻤﺔ /ṭa‘‘ah w-gāymeh/
/ṭafaḥ il-kēl/
Equivalent: Hustle and bustle/ Chaos.
Equivalent: Enough is enough.
Example:
Example:
ﺣﯿﺎة :ﺧﻠﺺ ﯾﺎ ﺧﻠﻒ ﺗﺮاه طﻔﺢ اﻟﻜﯿﻞ وأﻧﺎ راﺟﻌﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺖ أھﻠﻲ! ﺑﺲ ﺗﻼﻗﻲ ﺷﻐﻞ وﺗﺼﺮف ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺘﻚ ﺗﻌﺎل وﺟﯿﺒﻨﻲ! ﺑﻄﻠﺖ أﺗﺤ ّﻤﻞ ﻋﯿﺸﺘﻲ ﻣﻌﻚ! ﺧﻠﻒ :طﻮﻟﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺣﯿﺎة وﺧﻠّﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﺘﻔﺎھﻢ!
طﻔﺮان
ﺳﻨﺎء :ﻣﺎ ﺷﻔﺘﻲ راﺋﺪة ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ اﻟﯿﻮم؟ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﻚ ﺑﻤﻮﺿﻮع. ﺻﺎﺑﺮﯾﻦ :ﻻ ﻣﺎ ﺷﻔﺘﮭﺎ! ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ط ّﻌﺔ وﻗﺎﯾﻤﺔ! ﻛﺎن ﻓﻲ ﻧﺎس ﻛﺜﯿﺮة وﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺷﺎف ﺣﺪا.
طﻌﻤﮫ ﺑﻘ ّﺰز /ṭa‘m-uh bigazziz/
/ṭafrān/
Equivalent: Gross/ Disgusting.
Equivalent: Angry/ Upset.
Example:
Example:
ﻋﺪﻟﻲ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ طﻔﺮان ﯾﺎ رزق؟
ﻧﻮر :ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺻﺒﺎ ذوﻗﻲ ھﺎﻷﻛﻠﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﮭﺎ وإﺣﻜﯿﻠﻲ ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ!
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻄﺎء
طﻠﺒﺎﺗﻚ أواﻣﺮ /ṭalabāt-ak ’awāmir/
Equivalent: Your wish is my command/ Your wish is my desire. Example:
أم ھﺎرون :ﺑﺪّي أطﻠﺐ ﻣﻨّﻚ طﻠﺐ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ھﺎرون! أﺑﻮ ھﺎرون :أطﻠﺒﻲ واﺗﻤﻨّﻲ ﯾﺎ أم ھﺎرون! طﻠﺒﺎﺗﻚ أواﻣﺮ.
رزق :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﺖ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ! وﻗﺎﻣﻮ ﻓﺼﻠﻮﻧﻲ!
طﻔﺮان← ﻣﻌﮭﻮش اﻟﻠﻈﺎ ← ﻣﻌﮭﻮش وﻻ ھﻠﻠﮫ /ma‘hūsh walā halaleh/ ← /ma‘hūsh il-laḏā ̣ / ← /ṭafrān/
Equivalent: Live from hand to mouth/ Not have two pennies to rub together/ Penniless. Example:
طﻠﻊ اﻷﻛﻞ ﻣﻦ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮫ /ṭilli‘ il-’akil min ‘yūn-uh/
Equivalent: Have a belly full of something/ To have as much food as one wants or is able to eat. Example:
أم طﺎھﺮ :أُﻛﻞ ﯾﺎ طﺎھﺮ ﻛﻤﺎن! أﻛﻠﻚ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﺧﻔﯿﻒ وﺷﻜﻠﻚ ﻧﺤﻔﺎن ﺷﻮﯾﺔ. طﺎھﺮ :ﻻ ﺧﻠﺺ ﯾ ّﻤﺎ .اﻷﻛﻞ طﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﻲ! ﺷﺒﻌﺖ! ﺗﺴﻠﻢ إﯾﺪﯾﻜﻲ. أم طﺎھﺮ :ﺻﺤﺘﯿﻦ وﻋﺎﻓﯿﺔ.
طﻠﻊ ﺑﻠﻌﻲ ← طﻠﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻲ ﺷﻌﺮ /ṭeli‘ ‘alā lsān-ī sha‘ur/ ← /ṭeli‘ bul‘-ī/
Equivalent: Talked out/ Tired of talking. Example:
أم أﻣﺠﺪ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه اﺑﻨﻚ ﯾﻌﯿﺪ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت اﻟﻠﻲ رﺳﺐ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ؟ أم ﺑﻨﺎن :ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﯾﻌﯿﺪ! طﻠﻊ ﺑﻠﻌﻲ وطﻠﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻲ ﺷﻌﺮ وأﻧﺎ أﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﺎه وأﻧﺼﺤﮫ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺶ راﺿﻲ ﯾﺴﻤﻊ إﺷﻲ.
أﺑﻮ اﻟﺨﯿﺮ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر أﺧﻮك ﺻﻔﻮان؟ ﻛﯿﻒ أوﺿﺎﻋﮫ اﻟﻤﺎدﯾّﺔ ﺴﻨﺖ؟ إن ﺷﺎ ﺗﺤ ّ ﺴﻨﺖ ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ ً! ﺑﻌﺪه طﻔﺮان وﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﮭﻮش أﺑﻮ ﺻﺎدق :ﻻ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺤ ّ وﻻ ھﻠﻠﮫ ﺑﺠﯿﺒﺘﮫ! أﻧﺎ ﺑﺼﺮف ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﯿﻠﺘﮫ!
طﻖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﻜﺎ /ṭagg min li-btshā/
Equivalent: Cry your eyes out/ To burst into tears. Example:
أم ﺳﻠﯿﻤﺎن :اﻣﺒﺎرح رﺟﻊ اﺑﻦ أم ﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ! وﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺷﺎﻓﺘﮫ أم ﺣﺴﻦ طﻘّﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﻜﺎ! ﺻﺎرﻟﮭﺎ ﻋﺸﺮﯾﻦ ﺳﻨﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺷﺎﻓﺘﮫ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام. أم راﺟﻲ :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ إﻧّﮫ رﺟﻊ وھﻲ ﻋﺎﯾﺸﺔ.
طﻖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻘﮭﺮ /ṭagg min il-gahur/
Equivalent: Eat one’s heart out/ To feel great sadness/ To feel very jealous. Example:
طﻠّﻊ ﻋﯿﻨﮫ /ṭalla‘ ‘ēn-uh/
Equivalent: To give someone a hard time. Example:
أم أﻣﺠﺪ :ﺧﺒﺮﯾﻨﻲ اﺑﻨﻚ ﻣﺎ ﻏﯿّﺮ رأﯾﮫ ﺑﺨﺼﻮص إﻧّﮫ ﯾﻌﯿﺪ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت؟ أم ﺑﻨﺎن :وﷲ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ طﻠّﻊ ﻋﯿﻨﻲ! ﺗﻌﺒﺖ وﯾﺌﺴﺖ ﻣﻨﮫ! ﻋﻨﯿﺪ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﻤﻊ اﻟﺤﻜﻲ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺮد ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻨﺼﯿﺤﺔ.
ﻣﻨﺬر :اﻟﯿﻮم طﻠﻌﺖ ﻧﺘﺎﯾﺞ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت! ﻋﺎدل رﺳﺐ ﺑﻤﺎدﺗﯿﻦ وﻟﻮ ﺗﺸﻮﻓﮫ ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻋﺮف إﻧّﮫ اﺑﻦ ﻋﻤﮫ ﻧﺠﺢ ﺑﻜﻞ ﺼﺐ وﺻﺎر زي اﻟﻤﺠﻨﻮن. اﻟﻤﻮاد! ﻋ ّ ﺳﺎﺋﺪ :ﺑﻜﻮن طﻖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻘﮭﺮ! طﻮل ﻋﻤﺮه ﯾﺘﻨﺎﻓﺲ ﻣﻊ اﺑﻦ ﻋ ّﻤﮫ وﺑﻐﺎر ﻣﻨﮫ.
طﻘّﺖ ﺧﻮاﺻﺮه ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﺤﻚ /ṭaggat khawāṣr-uh min il-ḏị ḥik/
Equivalent: In stitches/ Laugh one’s head off.
طﻠﻊ ﺑﻌﻤﺮي
Example: /ṭili‘ b-‘umrī/
Equivalent: The bane of my life/ Source of one’s frustration. Example:
أم ﺑﻨﺎن :اﺑﻨﻲ ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﺟﺪﯾﺪة! ﻻ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ ﺑﺎﻟﺪراﺳﺔ وﻻ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ! ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ طﻠﻊ ﺑﻌﻤﺮي! ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺠﻨّﻨﻲ وﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ؟ أم أﻣﺠﺪ :طﻮﻟﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ .ﷲ ﯾﮭﺪﯾﮫ.
ﺳﺎﻣﺢ :رﺣﺖ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺸﺒﺎب ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺴﯿﻨﻤﺎ وﺣﻀﺮﻧﺎ ﻓﯿﻠﻢ ﻛﻮﻣﯿﺪي! ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎن اﻟﻔﯿﻠﻢ؟ ﺑﻀﺤﻚ! طﻘّﺖ ﺧﻮاﺻﺮﻧﺎ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﺤﻚ. ﺳﺎﻣﺢ :ﻛﺎن ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ّ
ﻖ وﻣﻮت ← اﻧﻔﺰر ط ّ /’infazir/ ← /ṭigg w-mūt/
Equivalent: Eat your heart out!. Example:
طﻠﻊ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻮت اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻲ /ṭili‘ ‘alēh b-il-ṣōt il-‘ālī/
Equivalent: The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
ﺳﻠﯿﻢ :إﺣﻨﺎ راﯾﺤﯿﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺴﯿﻨﻤﺎ ﻧﺤﻀﺮ ﻓﯿﻠﻢ! إﻧﺖ ظﻠّﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﻖ وﻣﻮت! اﻧﻔﺰر! أدرس! أﺑﻮي ﻣﺎﻧﻌﻚ ﺗﺮوح ﻹﻧّﻚ ﺿﺮﺑﺘﻨﻲ! ط ّ وﺳﯿﻢ :طﯿﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻗﺪاﻣﻲ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﻠﻲ :ﻣﺠﺪ ﺟﻨّﻦ أﺑﻮه وطﻠّﻌﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﻠّﺔ! ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﺘﺼﻠﻮ ﻓﯿﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ وﺑﻨﺎدوه ﻹﻧّﮫ اﺑﻨﮫ ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﻣﻊ اﻷﺳﺎﺗﺬة واﻟﻄﻼب! أﺑﻮ ﺗﯿﺴﯿﺮ :ﷲ ﯾﻌﯿﻨﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ.
اﻟﻄﻤﻊ ﺿ ّﺮ ﻣﺎ ﻧﻔﻊ
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ﺼﺐ ﯾﺎ ﻛﻤﺎل؟ ﻓﺮﯾﺪ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﻌ ّ ﻛﻤﺎل :أﺧﻮي أﻛﺮم ﺑﻮﺧﺬ ﻣﻦ أﺑﻮي وأﻣﻲ أي إﺷﻲ ﺑﺪّه إﯾﺎه! ﺑﻄﻠﻊ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻮت اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻲ وھﻢ ﺑﻌﻤﻠﻮﻟﮫ ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه! أﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر أﻛﻮن ﻣﺜﻠﮫ أﺑﺪاً!
طﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﻮﻟﺪ ﺑﻼ ﺣ ّﻤﺺ /il-ṭama‘ ḏạ rr mā nafa‘/
/ṭeli‘ min il-mōlad balā ḥummuṣ/
Equivalent: Grasp all, lose all.
Equivalent: Empty-handed/ Having gained nothing/ To
Example:
cut someone off without a penny.
أﻣﯿﺮ :ﺳﻌﯿﺪ ﺑﺎع ﻛﻞ إﺷﻲ ﺑﻤﻠﻜﮫ وﺣﻄّﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻮرﺻﺔ! أ ّول ﻛﻢ ﺷﮭﺮ رﺑﺢ ﺿﻌﻒ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺣﻄّﮫ! إﺟﺎ طﻤﻊ أﻛﺜﺮ ورﺟﻊ ﺣﻂّ ﻛﻞ اﻷرﺑﺎح ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻮرﺻﺔ! ﺑﺲ ھﺎﻟﻤ ّﺮة ﺧﺴﺮ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ! ﺑﺪﯾﻊ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ اﻟﻄﻤﻊ ﺿ ّﺮ ﻣﺎ ﻧﻔﻊ.
طﻨّﺸﮫ
Example:
ادرﯾﺲ :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻊ ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ ﺑﺎﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ طﻠﻌﺘﻠﮫ؟ ﻋﻮض :إﻧﺖ ﻣﺎ ﻋﺮﻓﺖ؟ ﻣﮭﻮ رﻓﻀﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ أﺳﺎس إﻧّﮫ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﮫ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻮظﻔﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﻹﻧّﮫ رواﺗﺒﮭﺎ أﺣﺴﻦ! ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ زﺑﻄﺖ ﻣﻌﮫ وﺧﺴﺮ اﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺘﯿﻦ! ادرﯾﺲ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ طﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﻮﻟﺪ ﺑﻼ ﺣ ّﻤﺺ!
/ṭannash-uh/
Equivalent: To give the cold shoulder/ To deliberately
طﻠﻌﺖ ﻣﻦ إﯾﺪه
ignore someone.
/ṭil‘at min ‘īd-uh/
Example
Equivalent: Out of hand/ No longer within one’s
ﺟﻮد :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺑﺲ ﺧﻠﯿﻞ ﺷﺎف اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﻮق ﻣﺸﻰ ﻣﻦ ﺟﻨﺒﮫ وطﻨّﺸﮫ! وﻻ ﻛﺈﻧﮭﻢ أﺧﻮة وﺑﻌﺮﻓﻮ ﺑﻌﺾ! ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :ﺑﻌﺪھﻢ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻮش ﻣﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ؟ ﺟﻮد :آه ﺑﻌﺪھﻢ.
طﻮﺷﺔ ← ھﻮﺷﺔ /hōsheh/ ← /ṭōsheh/
control. Example:
ﻣﻔﯿﺪ :ﺑﺪّي ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎدل! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي ﻧﻜﺒّﺮ اﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺻﺎرت ھﻮن ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾﺎھﺎ ﺗﺼﻞ ﻟﻠﻤﺪﯾﺮ! ﻋﺎدل :ﻟﻮ ﺑﻘﺪر ﻛﻨﺖ ﺳﺎﻋﺪﺗﻚ! ﺑﺲ ھﺎﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ طﻠﻌﺖ ﻣﻦ إﯾﺪي! واﻟﻤﻮظﻒ ﺻﺎﺣﺐ اﻟﻌﻼﻗﺔ ﻗﺪّم ﺷﻜﻮى ﻣﺒﺎﺷﺮة ﻟﻠﻤﺪﯾﺮ!
Equivalent: A fight/ A quarrel. Example:
ﺑﮭﺎء :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺻﺎﯾﺮة طﻮﺷﺔ وھﻮﺷﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﺎرة! ﺑﯿﻦ ﻣﯿﻦ وﻣﯿﻦ؟ ﻣﻌﯿﻦ :ﺑﯿﻦ ﺳﺎﻣﺢ وﻣﺨﺘﺎر!
ط ّﻮل ﺑﺎﻟﻚ /ṭawwil bāl-ak/
طﻠﻌﻠﮫ ﻗﺮون /ṭili‘-l-uh grūn/
Equivalent: Full of oneself/ Conceited. Example:
أﻣﯿﺮ :ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻏﯿﺚ ﺻﺎر ﻣﺪﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ طﻠﻌﻠﮫ ﻗﺮون وﺑﻄّﻞ ﺣﺪا ﯾﻘﺪر ﯾﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ أو ﯾﺸﻮﻓﮫ! ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ. ﺻﺎﺑﺮ :ھﯿﻚ رح ﯾﺨﺴﺮ أﺻﺤﺎﺑﮫ!
Equivalent: Hold your horses/ Easy does it/ Calm down/ Be patient.
طﻠﻌﻦ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮫ ﻣﻦ راﺳﮫ
Example:
أﺑﻮ ھﯿﺜﻢ :اﺑﻨﻲ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺠﻨّﻨﻲ! ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ ﺑﺎﻟﺪراﺳﺔ! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ ﻣﻌﮫ! ﺑﺪّي أروح أﺑﮭﺪﻟﮫ وأﻻﻗﻲ ﺣ ّﻞ! أﺑﻮ ﺟﻼل :ط ّﻮل ﺑﺎﻟﻚ! وروق ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ! اﻟﻌﺼﺒﯿﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﻞ أي إﺷﻲ!
طﻮل ﺑﻌﺮض ̣/ṭūl b-‘arḏ/
Equivalent: Beefcake/ A muscularly handsome male. Example:
أم رزان :ﺧﻄﯿﺐ ھﺪى ﺷﺐ ﻣﺮﺗّﺐ! طﻮل ﺑﻌﺮض وﻣﺘﻌﻠّﻢ ووﺿﻌﮫ اﻟﻤﺎدي ﻣﻤﺘﺎز. أم اﻛﺮم :ھﺎي ﺣﻈﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻤﺎ! ﻋﻘﺒﺎل ﺑﻨﺎﺗﻨﺎ!
/ṭil‘in ‘yūn-uh min rās-uh/
Equivalent: To have a face like thunder/ To look very angry. Example:
ﺣﺴﺎن :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻣﻨﺼﻮر ﻛﺴﺮ ﺗﻠﻔﻮن أﺧﻮه ﺟﻌﻔﺮ وﺑﺲ ﺷﺎف ﺼﺐ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وطﻠﻌﻦ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮫ ﻣﻦ راﺳﮫ! ﺟﻌﻔﺮ ھﺎﻟﺸﻮﻓﺔ ﻋ ّ ﺼﺐ ﻟﮭﺪرﺟﺔ! ﺑﻌﻤﺮي ﻣﺎ ﺷﻔﺘﮫ ﻣﻌ ّ
طﻠّﻌﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﻠّﺔ /ṭalla‘-uh min il-milleh/
Equivalent: To drive someone mad/ To make someone very angry to the point of distraction.
95
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻄﺎء
أم ﻓﻮزي :آه اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﻘﻮل إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻌﺮوس اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة طﯿّﺮت ﻋﻘﻠﮫ! أم ﺟﻤﺎل :ﺑﺲ أوﻻده وﺑﻨﺎﺗﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎﺟﺒﮭﻢ اﻟﻮﺿﻊ! طﺎﯾﺮ ﻋﻘﻠﮭﻢ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ!
ﺼﺮ ﺑﺈﯾﺪك ط ّﻮل ﺑﺈﯾﺪك ﻗ ّ /ṭawwil b-’īd-ak gaṣṣir b-’īd-ak/
Equivalent: Control or hold the purse strings/ You are the one who controls the budget and decides the amount of money to be spent.
طﯿﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻗﺪّاﻣﻲ ← طﯿﺮ وﺧﻠّﻲ ﻏﯿﺮك ﯾﮭﺪّي /ṭīr w-khallī ghēr-ak yhaddī/ ← /ṭīr min giddām-ī/
Equivalent: Buzz-off/ Go away/ Leave me alone/ Jump to the lake/ Go fry an egg/ Go fly a kite/ Go and take a running jump. Example:
.ﻣﮭﻨﺪ :ﺗﻌﺎل ﺗﻔ ّﺮج ﻣﻌﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺒﺎراة! ﻛﻤﺎن ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﺑﺘﺒﺪا ﺷﺎدي :طﯿﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻗﺪّاﻣﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻣﮭﻨﺪ! ﻣﺶ ﺷﺎﯾﻔﻨﻲ ﺑﺪرس ﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﺑﻜﺮة؟
طﯿّﻦ ﻋﯿﺸﺘﮫ
Example:
أم ﻣﮭﺪي :ﺟﻮزي ﺑﺼﺮف ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه أي ﻣﺴﺆوﻟﯿﺔ وﻻ ﺑﻌﺮف ﯾﻨﻈّﻢ أﻣﻮرﻧﺎ اﻟﻤﺎﻟﯿّﺔ! راﺗﺒﮫ ﺑﺨﻠﺺ ﺑﻨﺺ اﻟﺸﮭﺮ وﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﯿﻦ ﺷﻮ ﻧﻌﻤﻞ! أم ﺣﺎﻣﺪ :اﻣﺴﻜﻲ إﻧﺘﻲ اﻟﻤﯿﺰاﻧﯿّﺔ واﻟﺮاﺗﺐ وﻧﻈﻤﻲ اﻷﻣﻮر! ﻻ ﺗﺼﺮﻓﻲ إﻻ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻷﺷﯿﺎء اﻟﻀﺮورﯾّﺔ وزي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺮﻓﻲ ط ّﻮل ﺼﺮ ﺑﺈﯾﺪك! ﺑﺈﯾﺪك ﻗ ّ
طﻮﻟﮫ طﻮل ﻧﺨﻠﺔ وﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﻋﻘﻞ ﺻﺨﻠﺔ ← طﻮﯾﻠﺔ وھﺒﯿﻠﺔ /ṭawīleh w-habīleh/ ← /ṭūl-uh ṭūl nakhlah w-‘agl-uh ‘agul ṣakhlah/
/ṭayyan ‘īsht-uh/
Equivalent: All brawn and no brains/ Strong but not smart.
Equivalent: To make someone’s life miserable.
Example:
Example:
أم ﺣﻠﯿﻢ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﻨﺘﻚ ھﺪى ﺗﺮﻛﺖ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﮭﺎ رﻋﺪ؟ ﻛﻞ اﻟﺒﻨﺎت اﺳﺘﻐﺮﺑﻦ! ﻣﮭﻮ طﻮل ﺑﻌﺮض وﺷﺐ ﻣﺮﺗّﺐ! أم ھﺪى :ﻣﮭﻮ طﻠﻊ طﻮﻟﮫ طﻮل ﻧﺨﻠﺔ وﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﻋﻘﻞ ﺻﺨﻠﺔ! طﻮﯾﻠﺔ وھﺒﯿﻠﺔ! ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﺻﻐﯿﺮ زي اﻷوﻻد اﻟﺼﻐﺎر! ﻣﺎ ﺗﻔﺎھﻤﻮ وﻣﺎ ﻗﺪرت ﺗﻨﺴﺠﻢ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﻗ ّﺮرت ﺗﺘﺮﻛﮫ. أم ﺣﻠﯿﻢ :ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﺖ ھﯿﻚ! ﻣﻦ أ ّول اﻟﻄﺮﯾﻖ وﻻ ﻣﻦ آﺧﺮه.
ﻛﺮﯾﻤﺔ :ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺣﻨﺎن ﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻠﺖ إﻧﮭﺎ ﺗﻌﻄﻲ ﺟﻮزھﺎ اﻷرض اﻟﻠﻲ ورﺛﺘﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ أﺑﻮھﺎ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺒﯿﻌﮭﺎ وھﻮ ﺑﻌﺎﻣﻠﮭﺎ ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ وﺑﮭﯿﻨﮭﺎ! ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻨﺔ طﯿّﻦ ﻋﯿﺸﺘﮭﺎ! ﻋﺎﯾﺪة :ﻣﺎ إﻟﮫ ﻋﻨﺪھﺎ إﺷﻲ! ھﻲ ﺣ ّﺮة ﺑﻮرﺛﺘﮭﺎ!
اﻟﻄﯿﻮر ﻋﻠﻰ أﺷﻜﺎﻟﮭﺎ ﺗﻘﻊ /al-ṭuyūr ‘alā ’ashkāli-hā taqa‘/
طﯿّﺮ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ
Equivalent: Birds of feathers flock together/ Like-
/ṭayyar ‘agl-uh/
minded people stay together.
Equivalent: Blow someone’s mind/ To overwhelm,
Example:
impress and excite someone/ To become extremely
أم ﻋﺮﯾﻔﺔ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎك ﺗﻤﺸﻲ ﻣﻊ ﻣﺄﻣﻮن وزﯾﺎد! ھﺬول ﺷﺒﺎب ﺳﻤﻌﺘﮭﻢ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ وﺑﻜﺮة ﺑﺘﺼﯿﺮ ﺳﻤﻌﺘﻚ زﯾﮭﻢ! أﺑﻮ ﻋﺮﯾﻔﺔ :ﻻ ﺗﺘﻌﺒﻲ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ! ﺻﺎرﻟﻲ ﻓﺘﺮة ﺑﺤﺎول أﻧﺼﺤﮫ إﻧّﮫ ﯾﺒﻌﺪ ﻋﻨﮭﻢ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﯾﺴﻤﻊ اﻟﻜﻼم! ﻣﮭﻮ أﺻﻼ ً زﯾﮭﻢ! اﻟﻄﯿﻮر ﻋﻠﻰ أﺷﻜﺎﻟﮭﺎ ﺗﻘﻊ!
mad and angry because of someone or something/ To steal someone’s heart. Example:
أم ﺟﻤﺎل :أﺑﻮ زھﯿﺮ ﺗﺠ ّﻮز وﺣﺪة ﻗﺪ ﺑﻨﺎﺗﮫ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻣﺎﺗﺖ أم زھﯿﺮ! ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﺟﺎﺑﻠﮭﺎ ﺳﯿّﺎرة ﺟﺪﯾﺪة!
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻈﺎء
ظﺎﺑﻌﮫ
ظﮭﺮه ﻗﻮي /ḏạ hr-uh gawī/
/ḏā ̣ b‘-uh/
Equivalent: To have friends in high places/ To be
Equivalent: Under one’s thumb/ Under someone’s
supported by someone who is influential, important
control.
and powerful.
Example:
Example:
ﻋﻤﺎر :ﯾﺎ ﺷﻮ ﻣﻨﺼﻮر ﺑﺨﺎف ﻣﻦ أﺧﻮه اﻟﻜﺒﯿﺮ ﺻﻔﻮان! ﺗﺎﻣﺮ :آه أﺧﻮه ظﺎﺑﻌﮫ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر ﯾﺘﺼﺮف ﺑﺈﺷﻲ إﻻ ﺗﺎ ﯾﺴﺘﺸﯿﺮ أﺧﻮه وﯾﻮاﻓﻖ.
ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :ﻋﺎدل ﺑﻌﺮف ﻧﺎس واﺻﻠﺔ! ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻨﺰل ﻟﻺﻧﺘﺨﺎﺑﺎت وﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﻣﺪﻋﻮم! ظﮭﺮه ﻗﻮي ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻣﻤﻜﻦ ﯾﻔﻮز.
اﻟﻈﻔﺮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻠﺤﻢ
ظﮭﺮه ﻣﻜﺴﻮر /ḏạ hr-uh maksūr/
/il-ḏị fir mā biṭla‘ min il-laḥim/
Equivalent: A bereaved person/ A broken heart/
Equivalent: Blood is thicker than water.
Grieving/ Mourning.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ أﺑﻮ اﻟﻨﺼﺮ! ظﮭﺮه ﻣﻜﺴﻮر! ﺧﺴﺮ ﻛﻞ ﻋﯿﻠﺘﮫ ﻣ ّﺮة وﺣﺪة! أم رﻋﺪ :ﺧﯿﺮ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر؟ أم ﻋﻤﺮ :ﺻﺎر ﻣﻌﮭﻢ ﺣﺎدث وﻣﺎﺗﻮ ﻛﻠﮭﻢ! أم رﻋﺪ :ﷲ ﯾﻌﯿﻨﮫ وﯾﺼﺒﺮه!
ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :أﺑﻮ ﻋﻤﺮ أﺧﺬ أوﻻد أﺧﻮه اﻟﻤﺮﺣﻮم وﺳ ّﻜﻨﮭﻢ ﻣﻊ ﻋﯿﻠﺘﮫ ﺑﻌﺪ وﻓﺎة أﻣﮭﻢ وأﺑﻮھﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﺎدث! ﻣﻊ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﺻﺤﺒﺔ ﻣﻊ أﺧﻮه! ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :ﻣﮭﻮ اﻟﻈﻔﺮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻠﺤﻢ!
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻌﯿﻦ
ﻣﺤﻤﺪ :ﺗﺴﻠﻢ ﯾﺎ اﯾﺴﺮ! وﷲ اﻟﻮاﺣﺪ ﺑﻨﺸﻐﻞ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﺑﻨﺴﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ وﺑﻨﺴﻰ أﺻﺤﺎﺑﮫ! ﺑﺲ إﺟﯿﺖ ﺑﺒﺎﻟﻲ ﻓﻘﻠﺖ أﻣ ّﺮ أﺳﻠّﻢ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ وأﺷﺮب ﻣﻌﻚ ﻓﻨﺠﺎن ﻗﮭﻮة!
ﻋﻠﻰ إدﯾﮭﺎ ﻧﻘﺶ اﻟﺤﻨّﺔ /‘alā ’idē-hā nagsh il-ḥinnah/
Equivalent: What did your last slave die of? This is said to a person who is very demanding and bossy
ﻋﺎﻗﻞ
and asks you to do so many things for him or her, /‘āgil/
while he or she is doing nothing.
Equivalent: As good as gold/ Perfectly behaved.
Example:
Example:
ﺣﻨﺎن :ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺮام وإﻏﺴﻠﻲ اﻟﻐﺴﯿﻞ وإﺟﻠﻲ اﻟﺠﻠﻲ وﻧﻈﻔﻲ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ! أﻣﻲ ﺣﻜﺖ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﯿﻮم ﺟﺎي ﻋﻨّﺎ ﺿﯿﻮف. ﺳﮭﺎم :وﻣﺎ ﺗﺸﺘﻐﻠﻲ ﺣﻀﺮﺗﻚ؟ وإﻻ ﻋﻠﻰ إﯾﺪﯾﻜﻲ ﻧﻘﺶ اﻟﺤﻨّﺔ؟ ﺣﻨﺎن :أﻧﺎ ﻣﺸﻐﻮﻟﺔ وﻣﺶ ﻓﺎﺿﯿﺔ أﺷﺘﻐﻞ!
أم زاھﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم إﺟﺖ روان زارﺗﻨﻲ وﻣﻌﮭﺎ اﺑﻨﮭﺎ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ! ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻋﺠﺒﻨﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻣﺆدب وﻋﺎﻗﻞ وﺑﺴﻤﻊ ﺣﻜﻲ أﻣﮫ! أم راﺿﻲ :ﯾﺎ رﯾﺖ أوﻻدﻧﺎ زﯾّﮫ!
ﻋﺎل اﻟﻌﺎل ← ّ ﺟﺨﺔ
ﻋﺎﺟﻼ ً أم آﺟﻼً /jakhkhah/ ← /‘āl il-‘āl/
/‘ājilan ’am ājilan/
Equivalent: Great/ Perfect.
Equivalent: Sooner or later/ Eventually.
Example:
Example:
وﺿﺎح :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺳﮭﺮﺗﻜﻮ اﻣﺒﺎرح ﻣﻊ اﻟﺸﺒﺎب؟ ﻣﺆﻧﺲّ : ﺟﺨﺔ! ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺳﮭﺮة ﺣﻠﻮة وﻋﺎل اﻟﻌﺎل! ﺗﻤﻨّﯿﻨﺎك ﻣﻌﻨﺎ.
ﺼﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ! ﺣﻨﺎن :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺨﺒﺮي أﻣﻚ إﻧّﻚ ﻏﯿﺮﺗﻲ ﺗﺨﺼ ّ وإﻧّﻚ ﺣ ّﻮﻟﺘﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺻﯿﺪﻟﺔ ﻷﺣﯿﺎء؟ ﻋﺮﯾﻦ :ﻻ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺧﺒّﺮھﺎ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻮﻗﺖ! ﺑﺲ أﻻﻗﻲ اﻟﻮﻗﺖ اﻟﻤﻨﺎﺳﺐ ﺑﻔﺘﺢ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع. ﺣﻨﺎن :ﺑﺲ ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺨﺒﺮﯾﮭﺎ وﺗﺨﻠﺼﻲ؟ ﻣﮭﻲ ﻋﺎﺟﻼً أم آﺟﻼً رح ﺗﻌﺮف! ﺧﻠّﯿﮭﺎ ﺗﻌﺮف ﻣﻨﻚ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻌﺮف ﻣﻦ ﻏﯿﺮك.
ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﺎرد اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺮﯾﺢ /‘alā il-bārid il-mistarīḥ/
Equivalent: On a silver platter/ To get something very easily without having put in any effort. Example:
ﻋﺎطﻒ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﻋﻮض ﺗﻌﺐ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺤﯿﺎﺗﮫ وﺑﺲ ﻋ ّﻤﺮ ﺑﯿﺘﮫ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺨﻄﺐ وﯾﺘﺠ ّﻮز وﯾﺴﺘﻘﺮ ﺻﺎﺑﮫ ﻣﺮض ﺧﻄﯿﺮ ﻓﺠﺄة وﻣﺎت! ﺷﺎﻛﺮ :وﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﺑﺒﯿﺘﮫ؟ ﻋﺎطﻒ :أﺧﺬه أﺧﻮه اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﺎرد اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺮﯾﺢ! ﺧﻄﺐ واﺗﺠ ّﻮز وﻗﻌﺪ ﻓﯿﮫ. ﺷﺎﻛﺮ :ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﻧﺼﯿﺐ! ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮫ.
ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﯿﻌﺔ ← ﻓﻮق اﻟﺒﯿﻌﺔ /fōg il-bē‘ah/ ← /‘alā il-bē‘ah/
Equivalent: In the bargain/ In addition.
ﻋﺎﺟﻨﮫ وﺧﺎﺑﺰه /‘ājn-uh w-khābz-uh/
Equivalent: To know someone like the palm of one’s hand/ To know someone inside and out/ To know someone very thoroughly/ To know someone very well. Example:
أﻣﯿﻦ :ﻏﺮﯾﺒﺔ زﯾﺎرﺗﻚ إﻟﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﯾﺎ ﻣﻨﯿﺮ؟ ﻗﻠﯿﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﻤﻠﮭﺎ! ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :زﻣﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺷﻔﺘﻚ ﯾﺎﺧﻮي! إﺷﺘﻘﺘﻠﻚ وﻗﻠﺖ أﻣ ّﺮ أﺷﻮﻓﻚ وأط ّﻤﻦ ﻋﻨﻚ وﻋﻦ أﺧﺒﺎرك. أﻣﯿﻦ :إطﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ ھﺎﻻﺑﻮاب! ﻣﻨﺖ أﺧﻮي وأﻧﺎ ﻋﺎﺟﻨﻚ وﺧﺎﺑﺰك! ھﺎت ﻣﻦ اﻵﺧﺮ وﺧﺒّﺮﻧﻲ ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك؟ ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :ﺑﺪّي أﺗﺪﯾّﻦ ﻣﻨّﻚ ﻣﺼﺎري!
Example:
ﻣﮭﺪي :أﻋﻄﯿﻨﻲ ﺧﻤﺲ رﻏﻔﺔ ﺧﺒﺰ ﯾﺎ ﺑﻨﺪر! ﺑﻨﺪر :ھﺎي ﺧﻤﺲ رﻏﻔﺔ وھﺎي واﺣﺪ ﺳﺎدس ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﯿﻌﺔ! ﻣﮭﺪي :ﺗﺴﻠﻢ إﯾﺪﯾﻚ.
ﻋﺎش ﻣﻦ ﺷﺎﻓﻚ /‘āsh min shāf-ak/
Equivalent: Long time no see/ Haven’t seen you in a long time.
ﻋﺎﻟﻌﺎﯾﺶ
Example: /‘a-il-‘āyish/
Equivalent: Until then.
اﯾﺴﺮ :أھﻼ وﺳﮭﻼ ﻓﯿﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺤﻤﺪ! ﻋﺎش ﻣﻦ ﺷﺎﻓﻚ! وﯾﻦ ھﺎﻟﻐﯿﺒﺔ؟
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺻﺒﺮي :وﷲ ﯾﺎ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻲ ﺷﻜﻠﻚ ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﺑﺎﻷﺣﻼم وﺑﻨﺼﺤﻚ ﺗﺼﺤﻰ وﺗﺸﻮف اﻟﻮاﻗﻊ! ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ إذا ﺑﺘﻼﻗﻲ وظﯿﻔﺔ ﺑﺴﯿﻄﺔ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﺘﺨ ّﺮج!
ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﺑﺒﺮج ﻋﺎﺟﻲ /‘āyish bi-burij ‘ājī/
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Example:
ﺿﯿﺎء :ﺧﻠّﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﺮوح ﺑﺎﻟﻌﻄﻠﺔ اﻟﺼﯿﻔﯿّﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺗﺮﻛﯿﺎ! رﺣﻠﺔ ﺳﯿﺎﺣﯿﺔ! ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻔﻜﺮة؟ ﺑﮭﺎء :ﻋﺎﻟﻌﺎﯾﺶ! اﻟﺼﯿﻒ ﻣﻄ ّﻮل وﻟﻮﻗﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﻨﻘ ّﺮر.
ﻋﺎﻟﻤﯿﺘﺔ
Equivalent: Live in an ivory tower.
/‘a-il-mayteh/
Example:
Equivalent: At least/ At the least.
ﺴﮫ أﺑﻮ ﻏﯿﺚ :ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم اﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ ﺑﺘﻄﻠﻊ ﺑﻘﺮارات ﺟﺪﯾﺪة وھ ّ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﺮﻓﻌﻮ ﺳﻌﺮ اﻟﺒﻨﺰﯾﻦ واﻟﻜﮭﺮﺑﺎ! أﺑﻮ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :ﻣﮭﻢ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻠﻮ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ ﻋﺎﯾﺸﯿﻦ ﺑﺒﺮج ﻋﺎﺟﻲ وﻣﺶ ﺳﺎﺋﻠﯿﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻌﺐ وﺑﺎﻟﻨﺎس اﻟﻔﻘﺮا! ﻣﺎ ﺑﮭﻤﮭﻢ رﻓﻊ اﻷﺳﻌﺎر.
Example:
داوود :ﻣﻌﺘﺰ اﺷﺘﺮى ﺳﯿّﺎرة ﺟﺪﯾﺪة ﻣﻦ اﻟﻮﻛﺎﻟﺔ! اﺳﺪ :ﻗﺪﯾﺶ ﺣﻘﮭﺎ ﻓﻜﺮك؟ داوود :ﻋﺎﻟﻤﯿﺘﺔ ﺑﺘﻄﻠﻌﻠﮭﺎ ﺑﻌﺸﺮﯾﻦ أﻟﻒ دﯾﻨﺎر.
ﻋﺎﻣﻞ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﺻﺪﯾﻖ
ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﺑﻌﺎﻟﻢ ﺛﺎﻧﻲ
/‘āmil ḥāl-uh ṣadīg/ /‘āyish b-‘ālam thānī/
Equivalent: Wolf in sheep’s clothing/ Snake in the grass.
Equivalent: Literal. He lives in another world/ Have
Example:
your head in the clouds/ In a dream world. Example:
ﻋﺰﯾﺰة :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر ﺟﻮزك وﻣﺸﺎرﯾﻌﮫ ﯾﺎ ﻧﻮال؟ ﻧﻮال :ﺟﻮزي ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﺑﻌﺎﻟﻢ ﺛﺎﻧﻲ! ﺑﻔ ّﻜﺮ اﻷﻣﻮر وﺗﻤﻮﯾﻞ اﻟﻤﺸﺎرﯾﻊ ﺳﮭﻞ! ﻣﻌﺘﻤﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ أﺧﻮه اﻟﻐﻨﻲ ﺑﻔﻜﺮه رح ﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪه! ﺑﺲ ﺑﻌﺮف إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ رح ﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪه ﺑﺈﺷﻲ!
أم ﺷﺮف :ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺷﺮف ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻚ ﺑﺸﯿﺮ ﻓﯿﻚ! اﺗﺨﻠّﻰ ﻋﻨﻚ وأﺧﺬ اﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ إﻧﺖ ﻛﻨﺖ ﻣﻘﺪﻣﻠﮭﺎ وﻛﺎن ﻋﺎﻣﻞ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﺻﺪﯾﻖ وﺑﺸﺠﻌﻚ ﺑﺲ طﻠﻊ واﺣﺪ ﻣﺤﺘﺎل وﻣﺎﻟﮫ ﺻﺎﺣﺐ! أﺑﻮ ﺷﺮف :ﺑﺼﺮاﺣﺔ ﻟﺤﺪ اﻵن ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎدر أﺳﺘﻮﻋﺐ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺻﺎر!
ﻋﺎﻣﻠﯿﻨﮫ ﻣﻀﺤﻜﺔ
ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﻋﺎﻟﺔ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ
/‘āmlīn-uh miḏḥ ̣ akah/ /‘āyish ‘āleh ‘alēh/
Equivalent: A laughingstock/ Made a fool of.
Equivalent: Live off the back of someone.
Example:
Example:
ﻣﺮوان :ﻟﯿﺶ زﻋﻼن ﯾﺎ ﻣﻮﻓﻖ؟ ﻣﻮﻓﻖ :أﺧﻮي ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺗﺨ ّﺮج ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻮظّﻒ وأﻧﺎ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺼﺮف ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﻋﺎﻟﺔ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ وھﺎﻹﺷﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﻀﺎﯾﻘﻨﻲ ﻷﻧّﮫ ﻋﻨﺪي إﻟﺘﺰاﻣﺎت ﻛﺜﯿﺮة!
أم ﻋﻠﯿﺎن :ﺷﻮف ﯾﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﺎن إﻧﺖ ﻻزم ﺗﻨﺘﺒﮫ ﻟﺪراﺳﺘﻚ أﻛﺜﺮ! أﺻﺤﺎﺑﻚ ﻋﺎﻣﻠﯿﻨﻚ ﻣﻀﺤﻜﺔ! ﺑﯿﺠﻮ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﺑﺲ ﯾﺨﻠﺼﻮ وﯾﻀﺤﻜﮭﻢ! واﺟﺒﺎﺗﮭﻢ ودراﺳﺘﮭﻢ وﺑﺲ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﺣﺪا ﯾﺴﻠّﯿﮭﻢ ّ ﻻزم ﺗﻨﺘﺒﮫ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻚ أﻛﺜﺮ! ﺑﻜﺮة ﺑﺪﺧﻠﻮ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ وإﻧﺖ ﺑﺘﻀﻞ ﻣﻀﺤﻜﺔ ﻟﻠﺠﻤﯿﻊ.
ﻋﺎﯾﺶ
ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﯿﺲ ﻏﯿﺮه /‘āyish ‘alā kīs ghēr-uh/
/‘āyish/
Equivalent: To feather one’s own nest/ To supplement
Equivalent: Alive and kicking/ To be above ground/ To
oneself at the cost of others.
be alive. Example:
Example:
أم ﺻﺎﺑﺮ :ﺑﻌﺪه ﻣﻨﺼﻮر أﺧﻮ ﺟﻮزك ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﻋﻨﺪﻛﻮ؟ ﻣﺎ ﻟﻘﻰ ﺷﻐﻞ؟ أم رﺿﺎ :ﻻ ﻣﺎ ﻟﻘﻰ! إﺣﻨﺎ ﺑﻨﺼﺮف ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وھﻮ ﻋﺎﺟﺒﮫ اﻟﻮﺿﻊ! وﻻ ﻣﻔ ّﻜﺮ ﯾﺮوح ﯾﺪ ّور ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻐﻞ! ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﯿﺲ ﻏﯿﺮه وﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﻮﺧﺬ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﻦ أﺧﻮه وﺑﺼﺮﻓﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ أﺷﯿﺎء ﺗﺎﻓﮭﺔ.
ﻋﺒﺪ اﻟﺤﻜﯿﻢ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎرك ﯾﺎ ﺷﺎدي؟ ﺷﺎدي :ﻣﺎﺷﻲ اﻟﺤﺎل! ﻋﺎﯾﺶ!
ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﺑﺎﻷﺣﻼم /‘āyish b-il-’aḥlām/
Equivalent: Literal. He lives in dreams/ Live in a cloud or cuckoo land/ Live in a fool’s paradise/ Be in a
ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻘ ّﻞ واﻟﺬ ّل
dream world. /‘āyish ‘alā il-gill w-il-dhill/
Equivalent: Be in the breadline/ Live in extreme poverty.
Example:
اﻛﺮم :ﺑﺲ أﺗﺨ ّﺮج ﺑﺪّي أﺻﯿﺮ رﺟﻞ أﻋﻤﺎل وأﺷﺘﺮي ﻓﯿﻼ وﺳﯿﺎرات واﺗﺠ ّﻮز أﺣﻠﻰ ﺑﻨﺖ!
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻌﯿﻦ
اﻟﻌﺒﺮة ﺑﺎﻟﻨﮭﺎﯾﺔ
Example: /il-‘ibrah b-il-nihāyeh/
Equivalent: All’s well that ends well/ It is the end that counts. Example:
ﻣﺎھﺮ :ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﻨﯿﺮ ﻏﻠّﺐ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﻛﻞ ھﺎﻟﻐﻠﺒﺔ واﺷﺘﻐﻞ ﻛﻞ ھﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ! أﺑﻮه ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻠﮭﺎ اﻟﻨﯿﺮان! ﻟﻮ ﻛﻨﺖ ﻣﻜﺎﻧﮫ ﺑﺮﯾّﺢ ﺣﺎﻟﻲ وﺑﻮﺧﺬ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﻦ أﺑﻮي وﻣﺎ ّ ﺑﺘﻌﺬب ھﯿﻚ! ﻋﻤﺮ :ﺻﺤﯿﺢ ﺗﻌﺐ ﺗﺎ وﺻﻞ ﻟﻠﻲ ھﻮ ﻓﻲ! ﺑﺲ اﻟﻌﺒﺮة ﺴﮫ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻣﺶ ﺑﺤﺎﺟﺔ أﺑﻮه! ﺑﺎﻟﻨﮭﺎﯾﺔ! ھ ّ ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ زﻟﻤﮫ ﻗﻠﯿﻠﺔ.
ﻋﺄﺑﻮ ﻏﻔﻠﺔ /‘a-’abū ghaflah/
Equivalent: To catch someone napping/ All of a sudden/ Suddenly/ On short notice/ To surprise someone.
أﺑﻮ ﺧﻠﺪون :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر اﺑﻨﻚ ﺳﻔﯿﺎن؟ ﻛﯿﻒ وﺿﻌﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻐﺮﺑﺔ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺳﻔﯿﺎن :وﺿﻌﮫ زي اﻟﺰﻓﺖ! ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻘ ّﻞ واﻟﺬ ّل وﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﯾﺮﺟﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﻠﺪ.
ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ وﺟﮫ اﻟﺤﻲ ← ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ ﷲ وﻋﻠﯿﮫ /‘āyish ‘alā Allah w-‘alēh/ ← /‘āyish ‘alā wijh il-ḥayy/
Equivalent: Live off of someone/ To depend on someone to cover the basic expenses. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺧﻠﺪون :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺷﻔﺖ أﺑﻮ ﺳﻔﯿﺎن وﺳﺄﻟﺘﮫ ﻋﻦ ﺳﻔﯿﺎن! ﺻﺎر ﯾﺸﻜﯿﻠﻲ ﻣﻨﮫ ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ .ﺑﻘﻮل ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﺑﺎﻟﻐﺮﺑﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ وﺟﮫ اﻟﺤﻲ! أﺑﻮه ﺑﺒﻌﺜﻠﮫ ﻣﺒﻠﻎ ﻛﻞ ﺷﮭﺮ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻤﺸّﻲ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ! أم ﺧﻠﺪون :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ ﷲ وﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺼﺮوف أﺑﻮه؟ ﻟﺸﻮ اﻟﻐﺮﺑﺔ؟
ﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﻟﻮرد /‘āyish lōrd/
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺗﯿﺴﯿﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم إﺟﺖ ﻟﺠﻨﺔ اﻟﺼﺤﺔ ﻋﺄﺑﻮ ﻏﻔﻠﺔ ﯾﻔﺘﺸﻮ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻄﻌﻢ وﯾﺸﻮﻓﻮ إذا ﻛﺎن ﻧﻈﯿﻒ! أﺑﻮ ﺣﺴﻦ :آه ﺑﯿﺠﻮ ﻓﺠﺄة وﻣﺎ ﺑﺨﺒﺮو ﺣﺪا!
ﻋﺠﺒﻚ أھﻼ وﺳﮭﻼ وﻣﺎ ﻋﺠﺒﻚ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺴﻼﻣﺔ /‘ajab-ak ’ahlā w-sahlā w-mā ‘ajab-ak ma‘ il-salāmeh/
Equivalent: My way or the highway.
Equivalent: Live like a king. Example:
ﻗﺎﺳﻢ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر ﺳﻌﯿﺪ؟ رﺟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ؟ ﻛﯿﻒ وﺿﻌﮫ؟ آدم :رﺟﻊ زﻣﺎن وﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﻟﻮرد! ﻋﻨﺪه ﺷﺮﻛﺎت وﻣﺼﺎﻧﻊ وأﻣﻼك! ﷲ ﯾﻮﻓﻘﮫ!
ﻋﺎﯾﻒ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ /‘āyif ḥāl-uh/
Example:
ﻧﺪﯾﻢ :اﺳﻤﻊ ﯾﺎﺧﻮي! أﻧﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﻋﻄﯿﻚ ﺑﺪل ﺣﺼﺘﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺤﻞ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻛﺎش وﺑﺪّي أوﺧﺬه إﻟﻲ. ﺧﻀﺮ :ﺑﺘﺪﻓﻌﻠﻲ اﻟﻤﺒﻠﻎ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻄﻠﺒﮫ! ﻧﺪﯾﻢ :ﺑﺪﻓﻌﻠﻚ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺘﻮﻓّﺮ ﻣﻌﻲ واﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻄﻠﻌﻠﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻘﺎﻧﻮن! ﻋﺠﺒﻚ أھﻼ وﺳﮭﻼ وﻣﺎ ﻋﺠﺒﻚ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺴﻼﻣﺔ.
Equivalent: Dead tired/ Dog-tired/ To be totally exhausted. Example:
ﻗﺼﻲ :ﺗﻌﺎل اﺳﮭﺮ ﻋﻨﺪي اﻟﻠﯿﻠﺔ ﯾﺎ ﺟﺎﺳﺮ! ﺟﺎﺳﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر آﺟﻲ اﻟﯿﻮم! ﻋﺎﯾﻒ ﺣﺎﻟﻲ وﺗﻌﺒﺎن ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ.
ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺎل ﻣﯿﻦ ﯾﺎﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﺮﻗﺺ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺘﻤﺔ
ﻋﺠﻘﺔ /‘ajgah/
/‘alā bāl mīn ya-illī bturguṣ b-il-‘atmeh/
Equivalent: Chaos/ Mess.
Equivalent: Who cares/ Please yourself/ See if I care/ I
Example:
do not care if you do it.
أم ﺣﯿﺪر :رﺣﺘﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ اﻣﺒﺎرح؟ ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ؟ أم ﺻﺎﻓﻲ :رﺣﺖ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﻋﺠﺒﺘﻨﻲ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ! ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻋﺠﻘﺔ وﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺗﻨﻈﯿﻢ! ﻛﻠّﮫ ﻓﻮﺿﻰ.
ﻋﺠﻮز ﺷﻤﻄﺎ /‘ajūz shamṭah/
Equivalent: Old trout/ An unattractive or bad-
Example:
اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ :إذا ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﻄﯿﻨﻲ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻚ أروح ﻣﺸﻮاري رح أﺧﺒّﺮ ﺳﻨﺎء ﺣﺒﯿﺒﺘﻚ إﻧّﻚ ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻨﺎت ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ وأﺧ ّﺮب ﺑﯿﻨﻜﻮ! ﺳﺎﻣﺮ :ھﮭﮭﮫ! ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺎل ﻣﯿﻦ ﯾﺎﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﺮﻗﺺ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺘﻤﺔ! إﻋﻤﻠﮭﺎ وﺷﻮف ﺳﻨﺎء ﺷﻮ رح ﺗﻘﻠّﻚ.
واﻟﺮب ﺑﺎﻟﺘﺪﺑﯿﺮ اﻟﻌﺒﺪ ﺑﺎﻟﺘﻔﻜﯿﺮ ّ
tempered old woman.
/il-‘abid b-il-tafkīr w-il-rabb b-il-tadbīr/
Example:
Equivalent: Man proposes, but God disposes.
ﺑﺪري :وﯾﻦ اﻟﻔﻄﺒﻮل ﯾﺎ زﯾﺪ؟ زﯾﺪ :وﻗﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺖ ﺻﺒﺤﯿﺔ! وﺧﺎﯾﻔﯿﻦ ﻧﺮوح ﻧﺠﯿﺒﮫ! ﺑﺪري :ﻣﮭﻲ ﻋﺠﻮز ﺷﻤﻄﺎ! ﺑﺠﻮز رﻣﺘﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺰﺑﺎﻟﺔ! ﻣﺎ رح ﺗﻌﻄﯿﻜﻮ إﯾﺎه!
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻧﺎﺟﻲ :ﻓﻜﺮك ﻣﺸﺮوﻋﻨﺎ رح ﯾﻨﺠﺢ إذا ﻋﻤﻠﻨﺎه ﯾﺎ أم ﻧﺎﺟﻲ؟ أم ﻧﺎﺟﻲ :ﺧﻠﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﺘﻮﻛﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ ﷲ وﻧﻤﺸﻲ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻤﺸﺮوع! اﻟﺘﺠﺎرة واﻟﺮب ﺑﺎﻟﺘﺪﺑﯿﺮ! ﻓﯿﮭﺎ رﺑﺢ وﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﺧﺴﺎرة .وﻋﻜﻼ ً اﻟﻌﺒﺪ ﺑﺎﻟﺘﻔﻜﯿﺮ ّ
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻋﺪﯾﻢ ﻧﻈﺮ
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ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻔﺔ ﻗﺒﺮه ← ﻣﯿّﺎﺗﮫ ﻣﺴﺨﻨﺎت /‘adīm naḏạ r/
/mayyāt-uh mṣakhkhanāt/ ← /‘alā ḥaffit gabr-uh/
Equivalent: Can’t see beyond the end of one’s nose/
Equivalent: At death’s door/ About to die/ On his last
Narrow-minded/ Lack understanding and insight.
legs.
Example:
Example:
اﻟﺼﺤﻲ أﺑﻮ ﻣﺠﺪي :ﻛﯿﻒ اﻟﺤﺞ ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ؟ ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ وﺿﻌﮫ ّ ﻣﺘﺪھﻮر! أﺑﻮ ﺧﻠﯿﻞ :ﻣﮭﻮ ﻣﺮﯾﺾ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﺻﺎر ﻋﻤﺮه ﻛﺒﯿﺮ! ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﻣﯿّﺎﺗﮫ ﻣﺴﺨﻨﺎت! ﺻﺎر ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻔﺔ ﻗﺒﺮه! ﷲ ﯾﻜﻮن ﻣﻌﮫ.
ﻧﺎﺻﺮ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻣﻊ ﻋﻤﺎر؟ أﻣﺠﺪ :ﻷﻧّﮫ ﺷﺐ ﻋﺪﯾﻢ ﻧﻈﺮ وﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه ﺳﻌﺔ أﻓﻖ!
ﻋﺬر أﻗﺒﺢ ﻣﻦ ذﻧﺐ /‘udhur ’aqbaḥ min dhanib/
Equivalent: A lame excuse.
ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﻠﻮة واﻟﻤ ّﺮة
Example:
/‘alā il-ḥilwah w-il-murrah/
وداد :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺻﺒﺮﯾﺔ ﺑﻌﺜﺖ ﺣﻤﺎﺗﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺖ اﻟﻌﺠﺰة؟ ﺷﻮ ﻛﺎن رأي ﺟﻮزھﺎ؟ ﻧﺎﺟﯿﺔ :ﺑﺘﻘﻮل ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪھﺎ وﻗﺖ ﺗﮭﺘﻢ ﺑﺤﻤﺎﺗﮭﺎ وﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪھﻢ ﻣﻘﺪرة ﯾﺠﯿﺒﻮﻟﮭﺎ ﺧﺪّاﻣﺔ! وداد :ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪھﺎ ﻣﻘﺪرة؟ ھﺬا ﻋﺬر أﻗﺒﺢ ﻣﻦ ذﻧﺐ! ﻣﮭﻲ أوﻻد ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪھﺎ وطﻮل ﻧﮭﺎرھﺎ ﻗﺎﻋﺪة ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ! ﻧﺎﺟﯿﺔ :وﺟﻮزھﺎ ﺧﺎف إﻧﮭﺎ ﺗﺘﺮﻛﮫ! ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ واﻓﻖ ﯾﻮدّي أﻣﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺖ اﻟﻌﺠﺰة. ﻧﺎﺟﯿﺔ :ﯾﺎ ﺧﺴﺎرة ھﺎﻟﺘﺮﺑﺎﯾﺔ؟
Equivalent: Through thick and thin/ For better or for
ﻋﻠﻰ راس ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻲ
worse/ Under any condition whether it is good or bad. Example:
ﺳﻤﯿﺮ :اﺳﻤﻌﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺳﮭﺎم! ﺻﺎرﻟﻨﺎ ﺳﻨﺘﯿﻦ ﺧﺎطﺒﯿﻦ ووﺿﻌﻲ اﻟﻤﺎدي ﻣﻦ ﺳﻲء ﻷﺳﻮء! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف أﻻﻗﻲ ﺷﻐﻞ! وﻣﻨﺤﺮج ﻣﻨﻚ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻠﻮﻣﻚ إذا ﻗ ّﺮرﺗﻲ ﺗﺘﺮﻛﯿﻨﻲ! ﺳﮭﺎم :ﻻ ﺗﻘﻮل ھﯿﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺳﻤﯿﺮ! أﻧﺎ ﻣﻌﺎك ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﻠﻮة واﻟﻤ ّﺮة! إن ﺷﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﺮج.
ﻋ ّﺪ ﻟﻠﻌﺸﺮة ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ← ﺣﺎﺳﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻼﻣﻚ /ḥāsib ‘alā kalām-ak/ ← /‘idd la-il-‘asharah gabul mā tiḥkī/
/‘alā rās lsān-ī/
Equivalent: Weigh one’s words/ To carefully think about
Equivalent: On the tip of your tongue.
everything you are going to say before you say it.
Example:
Example:
ﺟﻮاھﺮ :ﺑﺘﻌﺮﻓﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺑﺜﯿﻨﺔ اﺳﻢ اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر اﻟﻠﻲ رﺣﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻋﯿﻮﻧﻲ؟ ﻧﺴﯿﺖ اﺳﻤﮫ. ﺑﺜﯿﻨﺔ :رﺣﻨﺎﻟﮫ ﻗﺒﻞ ﺳﻨﺔ! اﺳﻤﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ راس ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻲ! ﺑﺲ ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎدرة أﺗﺬ ّﻛﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺰﺑﻂ!
ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﮫ رﯾﺸﮫ
ادرﯾﺲ :ﺑﻜﺮة ﻋﻨﺪي ﻣﻘﺎﺑﻠﺔ ﻋﻤﻞ وﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺘﻮﺗﺮ! ﺧﺎﻟﺪ :ﺑﻨﺼﺤﻚ ﺗﺤﺎﺳﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻼﻣﻚ! ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﺑﺲ اﻟﻠﺠﻨﺔ ﺗﺴﺄﻟﻚ ﺳﺆال ﻻ ﺗﺘﺴ ّﺮع ﺑﺎﻟﺠﻮاب .أﺧﺬ وﻗﺘﻚ وﻋ ّﺪ ﻟﻠﻌﺸﺮة ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ! ھﺎﻟﻠﺠﻨﺔ ھﺎي ﺻﻌﺒﺔ وﺷﺪﯾﺪة!
ﻋﺪ ّوه اﻟﻠﺪود /‘alā rās-uh rīsheh/
/‘aduww-uh il-ladūd/
Equivalent: Literal. There is a feather on his or her
Equivalent: Mortal enemy/ Archenemy.
head/ A person who has a sense of self-entitlement/
Example:
A person who thinks of him- or herself as a big shot. Example:
ﻣﮭﺎ :ﻏﺪﯾﺮ ﺑﺘﻔ ّﻜﺮ إﻧﮭﺎ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ وإﻧّﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﮭﺎ رﯾﺸﺔ! أﻣﻞ :ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﻣﻐﺮورة ﻛﺜﯿﺮ!
زھﺪي :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻋﻼء ﻣﺎ إﺟﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻐﺪا ﻣﻊ اﻟﺸﺒﺎب؟ رﻋﺪ :ﻣﮭﻮ ﻓﺘﺤﻲ إﺟﺎ! وزي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف ﻓﺘﺤﻲ ﻋﺪ ّو ﻋﻼء اﻟﻠﺪود! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻄﯿﻘﻮ ﺑﻌﺾ.
ﻋﺪﯾﻢ اﺣﺴﺎس /‘adīm ’iḥsās/
ﻋﺮض ﻣﻐﺮي
Equivalent: Cold-blooded/ Cold-hearted/ A person who /‘arḏ ̣ mughrī/
is without emotions and feelings.
Equivalent: An offer one cannot refuse/ A very
Example:
attractive and good offer. Example:
اﻧﺲ :وﻟﯿﺪ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ دﺑﻲ ﺑﻜﺮة. ﺳﺎري :ﻟﯿﺶ؟ اﻧﺲ :إﺟﺎه ﻋﺮض ﻋﻤﻞ ﻣﻐﺮي!
أم ﺻﻼح :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺑﺎﻟﻄﺮﯾﻖ ﺷﻔﺖ أوﻻد ﻣﺸﺮدﯾﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺎرع وﺑﺸﺤﺪو ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﺎس ﻣﺼﺎري! طﻠﺒﺖ ﻣﻦ ﺟﻮزي ﯾﻮﻗّﻒ ﺗﺎ أﻋﻄﯿﮭﻢ ﻣﺼﺎري ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ واﻓﻖ! ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻋﺪﯾﻢ إﺣﺴﺎس! ﺳﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺬﻧﺐ! ﻛﺎﻧﻮ ﯾﺘﻄّﻠﻌﻮ ﻋﻠﯿﻨﺎ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻧﻌﻄﯿﮭﻢ إﺷﻲ! أﻧﺎ ﺣﺎ ّ أم رﺣﺎب :ﺑﻠﻜﻲ إذا ﺷﻔﺘﯿﮭﻢ ﻣ ّﺮة ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ ﺑﺘﻌﻄﯿﮭﻢ إﺷﻲ!
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻌﯿﻦ
ﻋﺮوق رﻗﺒﺘﮫ طﻨﺒﻦ
أﺑﻮ ﺗﺤﺴﯿﻦ :ﻋﻤﻠﺘﮫ ﻋﺸﺎن واﺟﺒﻚ! إﻧﺖ أخ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ.
/‘rūg ragbat-uh ṭannabin/
ﻋﺸﺮة ﻋُﻤﺮ
Equivalent: Fit to be tied/ Go ballistic/ Furious, angry /‘ishrit ‘umur/
and agitated person.
Equivalent: We go back a long way/ We’ve known each
Example:
other a long time. Example:
أﺑﻮ ظﺎھﺮ :ﺷﻜﺮاً ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ رﺑﻰ ﻋﻠﻰ وﻗﻔﺘﻚ ﻣﻌﻲ وﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري اﻟﻠﻲ دﻓﻌﺘﮭﺎ ﻋﻨﻲ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻣﺎ أﻓﻮت اﻟﺴﺠﻦ! أﺑﻮ رﺑﻰ :ﻻ ﺗﺸﻜﺮﻧﻲ ﯾﺎﺧﻮي ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ظﺎھﺮ! إﺣﻨﺎ ﻋﺸﺮة ﻋُﻤﺮ! وأﺧﻮة! واﻷخ ﻻزم ﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪ أﺧﻮه ﻋﻨﺪ اﻟﺸﺪّة واﻟﺤﺎﺟﺔ.
ﺷﺎھﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﺑﯿﻦ ﺳﺎﻣﺮ وﻋﻤﺮ؟ ﺣﺴﻦ :ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﻮ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ ﻋﺈﺷﻲ ﺗﺎﻓﮫ .وﻟﻮ ﺗﺸﻮف ﻋﻤﺮ! ﻋﺮوق رﻗﺒﺘﮫ طﻨّﺒﻦ! وﻣﺎ ﻗﺪر ﯾﺴﯿﻄﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ!
ِﻋ ّﺰ اﻟﻄﻠﺐ /‘izz il-ṭalab/
Equivalent: Exactly what one wants or needs.
اﻟﻌﺸﺮة ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﮭﻮن إﻻ ﻋﻠﻰ اﺑﻦ اﻟﺤﺮام
Example:
/il-‘ishreh mā bithūn illā ‘alā ibin il-ḥarām/
Equivalent: Literal. Companionship is not underestimated except by the unworthy/ Only good people appreciate friendship/ Fair-weather friend.
أم ﻟﻤﯿﺲ :ﺟﺒﺘﻠﻚ ھﺬا اﻟﻔﺴﺘﺎن ﯾﺎ ﻟﻤﯿﺲ ﻋﺸﺎن ﺗﻠﺒﺴﯿﮫ ﺑﺲ ﺗﺮوﺣﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﺘﻚ ﻧﺠﻼ .ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﻓﯿﮫ! ﻣﻨﺎﺳﺐ ﻟﮭﯿﻚ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ؟ ﻟﻤﯿﺲِ :ﻋ ّﺰ اﻟﻄﻠﺐ! ﺷﻜﺮاً ﻣﺎﻣﺎ.
Example:
ﻓﺎدي :ﺟﻤﯿﻞ ﺗﺨﻠّﻰ ﻋﻦ أﻋ ّﺰ أﺻﺤﺎﺑﮫ ﻏﯿﺎث اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﺎن ﻣﺜﻞ أﺧﻮه ﺑﻌ ّﺰ أزﻣﺘﮫ! ھﺎﻧﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ اﻟﻌﺸﺮة! ﺟﻤﯿﻞ ﻣﺎﻟﮫ ﺻﺎﺣﺐ! ﻏﯿﺎث ﺳﺎﻋﺪه ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻛﺎن ﯾﻌﺘﺒﺮه أخ ﻣﺶ ﺻﺎﺣﺐ وﺑﺲ! اﻧﺲ:ﻣﮭﻮ ﺗﺮك ﻣﺮﺗﮫ ﻛﻤﺎن اﻟﻠﻲ وﻗّﻔﺖ ﻣﻌﮫ وﺳﺎﻋﺪﺗﮫ ﺑﻜﻞ ﺷﻲ وھﺎﻧﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ اﻟﻌﺸﺮة! ﺑﺲ اﻟﻌﺸﺮة ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﮭﻮن إﻻ ﻋﻠﻰ اﺑﻦ اﻟﺤﺮام.
ﻋﺸﻢ إﺑﻠﯿﺲ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﻨﺔ /‘asham ’iblīs b-il-janneh/
َﻋ ّﺰ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ /‘azz ‘alēh/
Equivalent: To feel sorry for someone. Example:
ﺟﻼل :ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺷﻔﺖ وﺿﻊ ﺑﯿﺖ ﻋ ّﻤﻲ ﺑﻌﺪ وﻓﺎﺗﮫ َﻋ ّﺰ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ أﺷﻮﻓﮭﻢ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻮﺿﻊ اﻟﺘﻌﯿﺲ! ﻋ ّﻤﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﻣﺨﻠﯿﮭﻢ ﻣﺤﺘﺎﺟﯿﻦ ﺴﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﮭﻢ اﻟﻠﻈﺎ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام! إﺷﻲ وھ ّ
ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺴ ّﻜﯿﺖ
Equivalent: Not a hope in hell/ When pigs fly/ Not a
/‘alā il-sukkēt/
chance/ Not have a snowball’s chance in hell.
Equivalent: In secret/ Secretly.
Example:
Example:
رﺿﺎ :ﻋﺎدل ﻣﺘﺄﻣﻞ إﻧّﻚ ﺗﻌﻄﯿﮫ ﻣﺒﻠﻎ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻔﺘﺢ ﻣﺸﺮوﻋﮫ! ﻧﻤﺮ :ﻟﯿﺶ أﻋﻄﯿﮫ؟ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ إﺣﺘﺠﺖ ﻣﻨﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري ﺑﺎﻟﺪﯾﻦ ﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﻌﻄﯿﻨﻲ! ﻋﺸﻢ إﺑﻠﯿﺲ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﻨﺔ! ﻣﺎ رح ﯾﺸﻮف ﻣﻨﻲ وﻻ ھﻠﻠﮫ.
ﻋﺼﺎﻓﯿﺮ ﺑﻄﻨﻲ ﺑﺘﺰﻗﺰق
أم ﻋﻤﺮ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ورود ﺑﻨﺖ أم ﻏﺴﺎن ﺧﻄﺒﺖ ﻟﻤﮭﻨﺪس ﻗﺒﻞ ﻛﻢ ﯾﻮم. أم ﺧﺎﻟﺪ :ﻣﺎ ﺳﻤﻌﺖ! ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ ﺧﺒّﺮو ﺣﺪا؟ أم ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﻟﯿﺶ ﻋﻤﻠﻮھﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺴ ّﻜﯿﺖ! ﺑﺲ أﺷﻮﻓﮭﺎ ﺑﺴﺄﻟﮭﺎ.
/‘aṣāfīr baṭnī bitzagzig/
Equivalent: Be starving/ Very hungry.
ﻋﺸﺎن ﺧﺎطﺮك
Example:
ﺗﺮﻛﻲ :ﺗﻌﺎل ﻣﻌﻲ ﯾﺎ طﺎھﺮ ﺧﻠّﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﺮوح ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻄﻌﻢ ﻧﻮﻛﻞ ﻟﻘﻤﺔ! ﻋﺼﺎﻓﯿﺮ ﺑﻄﻨﻲ ﺑﺘﺰﻗﺰق. طﺎھﺮ :وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺜﻠﻚ ﺟﻮﻋﺎن! ﯾﻠّﻼ إﻣﺸﻲ.
ﻋﺼﺎﻗﯿﻠﮫ ﻣﺜﻞ ﻋﺼﺎﻗﯿﻞ أﺑﻮ ﺳﻌﺪ
/‘ashān khāṭr-ak/
Equivalent: For your sake/ For you. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﻤﺮ :ﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎك ﺗﺘﺼﺎﻟﺢ ﻣﻊ ﻋﻮض! إﻧﺘﻮ أﺧﻮة وﻣﺶ ﻻزم ﯾﻜﻮن اﻟﻮﺿﻊ ﺑﯿﻨﻜﻮ ھﯿﻚ. أﺑﻮ ﺣﺴﯿﻦ :رح أﺻﺎﻟﺤﮫ ﺑﺲ ﻋﺸﺎن ﺧﺎطﺮك!
/‘aṣāgīl-uh mithil ‘aṣāgīl ’abū sa‘id/
Equivalent: Skinny as a beanpole/ Very thin and very
ﻋﺸﺎن واﺟﺒﻚ
skinny.
/‘ashān wājb-ak/
Example:
Equivalent: For you/ In honor of someone.
أم ﻛﻮﺛﺮ :ﻣﺎل اﺑﻨﻚ ھﺎﻟﻘ ّﺪ ﺿﻌﯿﻒ وﻧﺤﯿﻒ ﯾﺎ أم ﺟﻮد؟ ﻋﺼﺎﻗﯿﻠﮫ ﻣﺜﻞ ﻋﺼﺎﻗﯿﻞ أﺑﻮ ﺳﻌﺪ. أم ﺟﻮد :ﺷﺎﯾﻔﺔ! ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻮﻛﻞ إﺷﻲ! ﺑﻐﻠﺒﻨﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺗﺎ ﯾﻮﻛﻞ!
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﯿﺴﻰ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻏﻠّﺒﺖ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺗﺤﺴﯿﻦ وﻋﻤﻠﺘﻠﻲ ﻋﺸﺎ؟ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﻓﻲ داﻋﻲ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
رؤوف :ﯾﺎﺑﺎ ﺑﺪّي ﻣﻨﻚ ﻋﺸﺮﯾﻦ دﯾﻨﺎر ﺿﺮوري! ﺴﮫ. أﺑﻮ رؤوف :ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﻲ ھﺎﻟﻤﺒﻠﻎ ھ ّ ﺣﺞ ﻋﻈﺎﻣﻚ ذھﺐ! ﺷﻮف ﺑﺠﯿﺒﺘﻚ! ﺑﯿﺖ اﻟﺴﺒﻊ ﻣﺎ رؤوف :ﯾﺎ ّ ﺑﺨﻠﻰ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻌﻈﺎم.
ﻋﻈﺎﻣﮫ ﻣﺘﺪﻗﺪﻗﺔ /‘ḏā ̣ m-uh mitdagdigah/
Equivalent: To be dead tired/ Exhausted.
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ﻋﺼﺮ دﻣﺎﻏﮫ ﻋﺼﺮ /‘aṣar dmāgh-uh ‘aṣur/
Equivalent: Literal. He squeezed his brain/ Wrack your brain/ Try hard to recall/ To think very hard. Example:
ﺻﺎﺑﺮ :وﯾﻦ ﺣﻄّﯿﺖ ﻣﻔﺎﺗﯿﺢ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻧﺒﯿﻞ؟ أﻋﺼﺮ دﻣﺎﻏﻚ واﺗﺬ ّﻛﺮ. ﻧﺒﯿﻞ :ﻋﺼﺮت دﻣﺎﻏﻲ ﻋﺼﺮ وﺑﺠﺪ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺘﺬ ّﻛﺮ وﯾﻦ ھﺎﻟﻤﻔﺘﺎح! ﺗﻌﺎل ﻧﺪ ّور ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺳﻮا.
Example:
أﻣﯿﻦ :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻌﻤﻞ اﻟﻠﯿﻠﺔ؟ ﻓﮭﺪ :وﻻ ﺑﺪّي أﻋﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ! ﻋﻈﺎﻣﻲ ﻣﺘﺪﻗﺪﻗﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﺑﺎﻷرض! ﺑﺪّي أروح أرﺗﺎح وأﻧﺎم.
اﻟﻌﺼﻔﻮرة ﻗﺎﻟﺘﻠﻲ /il-‘aṣfūrah gālat-lī/
Equivalent: A little bird told me/ I heard a rumor. Example:
ﻋﻈﻤﮫ طﺮي /‘aḏm ̣ -uh ṭarī/
Equivalent: Inexperienced/ Wet behind the ears/
ﺷﮭﺪ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ راﺋﺪ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﯿﺠﻲ ﯾﺨﻄﺒﻚ ﻗﺮﯾﺐ! ﻏﺎﻟﯿﺔ :ﻣﯿﻦ ﻗﻠّﻚ؟ ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺑﻌﺮف؟ ﺷﮭﺪ :اﻟﻌﺼﻔﻮرة ﻗﺎﻟﺘﻠﻲ.
Greenhorn. Example:
ﻋﺪي :ﯾﺎﺑﺎ ﺑﺪّي اﺷﺘﻐﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﺘﺠﺎرة! أﺑﻮ ﻋﺪي :ﺑ ّﻜﯿﺮﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﺗﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﺑﮭﯿﻚ ﺷﻐﻠﺔ! ﺑﻌﺪه ﻋﻈﻤﻚ طﺮي!
ﻋﻄّﺎل ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻄّﺎل /‘aṭṭāl ‘alā baṭṭāl/
Equivalent: All the time/ Continuously/ Repeatedly. Example:
ﻋﻈﻤﮫ ﻗﺎﺳﻲ /‘aḏm ̣ -uh gāsī/
Equivalent: A stubborn and tough person. Example:
ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :ﺻﻌﺐ ﻧﻘﻨﻊ اﺣﻤﺪ ﯾﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ! ﻋﻈﻤﮫ ﻗﺎﺳﻲ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﻮﺗﮫ ﻓﺎﯾﺘﮫ! ﻋﻤﺮ :رأﯾﻲ ﻣﻦ رأﯾﻚ.
ﻀﻲ ﻛﻞ وﻗﺘﻚ ﻋﻨﺪ ﻧﺎدر ﻋﻄّﺎل ﻋﻠﻰ ﺻﻔﻮان :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﻘ ّ ﺑﻄّﺎل؟ وإذا ﻣﺎ رﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ھﻮ ﺑﯿﺠﻲ؟ ﻋﺒﻮد :ﻣﺎ إﺣﻨﺎ اﻻﺛﻨﯿﻦ ﻋﺎطﻠﯿﻦ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻌﻤﻞ وﺑﻨﺘﺴﻠّﻰ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ! ﺷﻮ ﻧﻌﻤﻞ ﯾﻌﻨﻲ؟
ﻋﺾ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻹﯾﺪ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﻄﻌﻤﮫ ّ /‘aḏḏ ̣ ̣ ‘alā il-’īd illī bteṭ‘am-uh/
Equivalent: To bite the hand that feeds you.
ﻋﻔﺎ ﷲ ﻋ ّﻤﺎ ﺳﻠﻒ
Example: /‘afā Allahu ‘ammā salaf/
Equivalent: Let bygones be bygones. Example:
ﻣﻨﺬر :ﺳﺎﻣﺤﻨﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻋﻠﻲ ﻋﺎﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﮫ ﻣﻌﻚ! أﻧﺎ ﻏﻠﻄﺖ ﺑﺤﻘﻚ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻋﻠﻲ :ﻣﺴﺎﻣﺤﻚ! وﻋﻔﺎ ﷲ ﻋ ّﻤﺎ ﺳﻠﻒ.
ﻋﻔﻮاً /‘afwan/
Equivalent: Not at all/ Excuse me/ I beg your pardon.
ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ أﺑﻮ رﯾﺎن أﺧﺬ ﻋﺼﺎم ﺗﺤﺖ ﺟﻨﺎﺣﮫ وﻋﺎﻣﻠﮫ زي أوﻻده ود ّرﺳﮫ ّ وﺧﻼه ﻣﺪﯾﺮ ﺑﺸﺮﻛﺘﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺑﯿّﻦ ھﺎﻹﺷﻲ ﻣﻊ ﻋﺼﺎم! ﺧﻠﻒ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ؟ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :أﺧﺬ ﻣﻠﻔﺎت ﻣﮭﻤﺔ وأﻋﻄﺎھﺎ ﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﺷﺮﻛﺔ ﺑﺘﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﺿ ّﺪ ﺷﺮﻛﺔ أﺑﻮ رﯾﺎن! ﻋﺾ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻹﯾﺪ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﻄﻌﻤﮫ؟ ﻣﺶ ﻟﯿﺶ ﻟﯿﺶ؟ ﺧﻠﻒ :طﯿّﺐ ّ ﻓﺎھﻢ؟ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻨﺘﻘﻢ ﻣﻦ أﺑﻮ رﯾﺎن! ﺑﻔﻜﺮ إﻧّﮫ ھﻮ اﻟﺴﺒﺐ ﺑﻤﻮت أﺑﻮه وإﻧّﮫ ھﻮ اﻟﻠﻲ أﺧﺬ ﻛﻞ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮫ!
Example:
ﺷﻼش :ﻋﻔﻮاً! ﺑﺘﻌﺮف وﯾﻦ ﻣﻜﺘﺐ اﻟﻤﺤﺎﻣﻲ زھﯿﺮ؟ راﻣﻲ :ﻋﻔﻮاً ﻣﺎ ﺳﻤﻌﺖ ﺳﺆاﻟﻚ! ﺷﻮ ﻗﻠﺖ؟ ﺷﻼش :ﺑﺴﺄل ﻋﻦ ﻣﻜﺘﺐ اﻟﻤﺤﺎﻣﻲ زھﯿﺮ. راﻣﻲ :ﻣﻮﺟﻮد ﺑﺎﻟﻄﺎﺑﻖ اﻟﺮاﺑﻊ. ﺷﻼش :ﺷﻜﺮاً. راﻣﻲ :ﻋﻔﻮاً.
ﻋﻈﺎﻣﮫ ذھﺐ ← ﺑﯿﺖ اﻟﺴﺒﻊ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺨﻠﻰ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻌﻈﺎم /bēt il-sabi‘ mā bikhlā min li-‘ḏā ̣ m/ ← /‘ḏā ̣ m-uh dhahab/
Equivalent: Literal. Your bones are made out of gold/ Literal. The house of the lion never runs out of bones/ Made of money/ Have deep pockets.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻌﯿﻦ Example:
اﺑﺘﺴﺎم :ﻟﯿﺶ رﺷﺎ ﺗﺮﻛﺖ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﮭﺎ ﻧﺎﺟﻲ؟ ﺧﻠﻮد :ﻋﺸﺎن ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﺗﺮﻟﻠﻲ! ﻣﺶ ﻣﺘﻔﻘﯿﻦ! اﺑﺘﺴﺎم :ﻛﺎن واﺿﺢ ﻣﻦ ﺗﺼﺮﻓﺎﺗﮫ إﻧّﮫ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ رﻧﺪﻟﻠﻲ! ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ إﻧﮭﺎ ﺗﺮﻛﺘﮫ! ﺑﺘﻮﺧﺬ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻨﮫ.
ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﺟﻮزﺗﯿﻦ ﺑﺨﺮج /‘agl-uh jōzt-ēn b-khurij/
ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﺪ ﻟﺤﺎﻓﻚ ﻣ ّﺪ رﺟﻠﯿﻚ /‘alā gadd lḥāf-ak mudd rijlēk/
Equivalent: Cut your coat according to your cloth/ Stretch your legs according to your coverlet. Example:
ﻣﮭﺎ :ﺑﻜﺮة ﺣﻔﻠﺔ ﺧﻄﻮﺑﺔ ﺗﻤﺎرا وﺑﺪّي أﺷﺘﺮي ﻓﺴﺘﺎن ﻋﺸﺎن أﻟﺒﺴﮫ ﺑﺲ اﻟﻤﺒﻠﻎ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﻌﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻜﻔّﻲ! ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ؟ ﺗﻤﺎﺿﺮ :ﻻ ﺗﻌﻤﻠﻲ إﺷﻲ! ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﺪ ﻟﺤﺎﻓﻚ ﻣ ّﺪ رﺟﻠﯿﻚ!
Equivalent: Ain’t got the brains God gave a squirrel/ Foolish/ Lack common sense.
ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻠّﺔ اﻟﺮﺑﺢ ← ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻔﺎﺿﻲ
Example:
أم اﻧﻮر :أم ھﺎﻧﻲ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺨﻄﺐ ﺑﻨﺘﻨﺎ ﯾﺎﺳﻤﯿﻦ ﻹﺑﻨﮭﺎ ھﺎﻧﻲ! ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ؟ أﺑﻮ اﻧﻮر :إﻧﺴﻲ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع! ﻣﮭﻮ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﺟﻮزﺗﯿﻦ ﺑﺨﺮج واﻟﻜﻞ ﻋﺎرف ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ! ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻮرطﻲ ﺑﻨﺘﻚ ھﺎﻟﻮرطﺔ؟
ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﺧﻔﯿﻒ ← ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﻗﻠﯿﻞ /‘agl-uh galīl/ ← /‘agl-uh khafīf/
/‘alā il-fāḏị̄ / ← /‘alā gillit il-ribiḥ/
Equivalent: For nothing/ Waste of time. Example:
ﻀﺮ ﻟﺰﯾﺎرة اﻟﻮزﯾﺮ ﻟﻠﻤﻨﻄﻘﺔ ﺑﺲ ﻧﺼﺮ :ﻣ ّﻮﺗﻨﺎ ﺣﺎﻟﻨﺎ وإﺣﻨﺎ ﻧﺤ ّ طﻠﻊ ﻛﻠﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻔﺎﺿﻲ و ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻠّﺔ اﻟﺮﺑﺢ! ﻧﺎدر :ﻟﯿﺶ طﯿّﺐ؟ ﻧﺼﺮ :ﺣﻀﺮﺗﮫ إﻋﺘﺬر ﺑﺎﻟﻠﺤﻈﺔ اﻷﺧﯿﺮة! ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻣﺎ اﺳﺘﻔﺪﻧﺎ إﺷﻲ!
Equivalent: Featherbrained/ Credulous/ Gullible/ The person who believes everything he or she hears/
ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻔﺎ ﻣﯿﻦ ﯾﺸﯿﻞ
Easily deceived.
/‘alā gafā mīn yshīl/
Example:
Equivalent: There are plenty more fish in the sea/ A
ﺼﺐ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ؟ ﺷﻮ ﻗﻠﺘﻠﮫ؟ ﻣﻤﺪوح :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎل ﻓﺮﯾﺪ ﻣﻌ ّ ﻧﻮر :ﻣﺎ ﻗﻠﺘﻠﮫ إﺷﻲ! ﻛﻨﺖ أﻣﺰح ﻣﻌﮫ وﻧﻀﺤﻚ ﺑﺲ ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﻗﻠﺒﮭﺎ ﺟﺪ وزﻋﻞ ﻣﻨﻲ! ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﺧﻔﯿﻒ! ﻣﻤﺪوح :آه ﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﻤﺰح ﻣﻌﮫ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﻗﻠﯿﻞ وﺑﻔﮭﻢ اﻟﻨﺎس ﻏﻠﻂ.
ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﺻﻐﯿﺮ
drug on the market. Example:
أم وﺟﺪي :ﻟﯿﺶ أﻣﯿﻦ زﻋﻼن؟ أم أﻣﯿﻦ :ﺣﺒﯿﺒﺘﮫ ﺗﺮﻛﺘﮫ وﺧﻄﺒﺖ ﻟﺸﺐ ﺛﺎﻧﻲ. أم وﺟﺪي :وﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﺎ ﯾﺰﻋﻞ؟ ﻣﺎاﻟﺒﻨﺎت ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻔﺎ ﻣﯿﻦ ﯾﺸﯿﻞ! ھﻮ ﺑﺲ ﯾﺄﺷ ّﺮ وﻣﻦ اﻟﺼﺒﺢ ﺑﺨﻄﺒﻠﮫ أﺣﻠﻰ ﺑﻨﺖ.
/‘agl-uh zaghīr/
Equivalent: Bird brain/ A stupid person who makes
ِﻋﻘِﻞ ← ھﺠﻊ
bad and stupid decisions/ Infuriated quickly.
/haj‘/ ← /‘igil/
Example:
Equivalent: Come to one’s senses/ Simmer down/ Cool
أﺑﻮ ﻣﻤﺪوح :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻓﺮﯾﺪ؟ إﺟﺎ ﯾﺸﻜﯿﻠﻲ ﻣﻨﻚ! ﻣﻤﺪوح :إﻧﺴﻰ ﯾﺎﺑﺎ! ھﺬا واﺣﺪ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﺻﻐﯿﺮ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺤ ّﻤﻞ ﻣﺰح.
off/ To calm down from anger. Example:
أم ﯾﺎﺳﺮ :وأﺧﯿﺮاً اﺑﻨﻲ ﻋﻘﻞ وﺷﺎل ﻣﻮﺿﻮع اﻟﺴﻔﺮ ﻣﻦ دﻣﺎﻏﮫ! أم ﺳﻠﻤﻰ :ﻣﻤﺘﺎز! ﻛﺎن ﻣﺠﻨّﻨﻜﻮ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻘﺼﺔ .اﻟﺤﻤﺪ إﻧّﮫ ھﺠﻊ!
ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺘّﮫ وﺣﺪه /‘agl-uh ‘alā batteh waḥadeh/
Equivalent: Have a one-track mind/ Close-minded.
ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﺑﻮزن ﺑﻠﺪ
Example:
ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ :ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻓﺮﯾﺪ؟ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺘﻤﺰح ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺰح ﺛﻘﯿﻞ؟ ﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ أﺷﻮﻓﮫ ﺑﺴﻮﻟﻒ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع! ﻣﻤﺪوح :أوف! ﺑﻌﺪه ﺑﺴﻮﻟﻒ ﺑﺎﻟﻘﺼﺔ؟ ھﺬا ﻓﻌﻼً ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺘّﮫ وﺣﺪة!
ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻣﻌﮫ
/‘agl-uh būzin balad/
Equivalent: Wise as Solomon/ Wise as an owl. Example:
أم رھﻒ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻋﺮﯾﺲ ﺑﻨﺘﻚ ﻧﺪاء؟ أم ﻧﺎدر :ﻣﻤﺘﺎز! ﺷﺐ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ وﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﺑﻮزن ﺑﻠﺪ.
ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﺗﺮﻟﻠﻲ ← ﻋﻘﻠﮫ رﻧﺪﻟﻲ /‘agl-uh mish ma‘-uh/
/‘agl-uh randallī/ ←/‘agl-uh taralallī/
Equivalent: Have one’s head in the clouds/ Daydream.
Equivalent: Scatterbrained/ A person who is regarded
Example:
as unreliable, flighty, changeable, thoughtless and
أم ﻧﻌﯿﻢ :ﺻﺎرﻟﻲ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ ﺑﻘﻠّﻚ ﺗﻌﺎل ﺗﻐﺪّى!
messy/ Have bats in one’s belfry.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻋﻠﻤﻲ ﻋﻠﻤﻚ /‘ilm-ī ‘ilm-ak/
Equivalent: Your guess is as good as mine/ I have no idea/ Beats me/ I don’t know. Example:
ھﺎدي :ﺑﺘﻌﺮف أﻧﯿﺲ ﻋﻠﻰ أي ﺑﻠﺪ ﺳﺎﻓﺮ؟ ﻣﺠﺪي :ﻋﻠﻤﻲ ﻋﻠﻤﻚ!
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ﻧﻌﯿﻢ :ﻣﺎ ﺳﻤﻌﺘﻚ! أم ﻧﻌﯿﻢ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﻘﻠﻚ ﻣﺶ ﻣﻌﻚ! ﺑﺸﻮ ﺑﺘﻔ ّﻜﺮ وﺷﻮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺷﺎﻏﻞ ﻓﻜﺮك؟
ﻋﻜﺲ اﻟﺘﯿّﺎر /‘aks il-tayyār/
Equivalent: Swim against the tide/ Don’t follow the crowd/ Do your own thing.
ﻋﻠﻰ أﺣ ّﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﻤﺮ ← ﺑﻔﺎرغ اﻟﺼﺒﺮ
Example:
/bi-fārigh il-sabur/ ← /‘alā ’aḥarr min il-jamur/
Equivalent: On pins and needles/ On tenterhooks/ Bated breath. Example:
ﺻﮭﯿﺐ :راﯾﺢ أﺟﯿﺒﻠﻚ ﻧﺘﯿﺠﺔ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن؟ أﻣﯿﻦ :ﻣﺎﺷﻲ اﻟﺤﺎل! ﺑﺴﺘﻨﺎك ﻋﻠﻰ أﺣ ّﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﻤﺮ!
ﺷﺮﯾﻒ :أﻓﻜﺎرك ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎﯾﺪ ﻋﻜﺲ اﻟﺘﯿّﺎر! ﺑﺘﺤﺐ ﺗﺨﺎﻟﻒ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ وﺗﺠﺎدل! ﻋﺎﯾﺪ :ھﯿﻚ ﻋﻘﻠﻲ وھﯿﻚ أﻓﻜﺎري!
ﻋﻠّﻤﻨﺎھﻢ اﻟﺸﺤﺪة ﺳﺒﻘﻮﻧﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻻﺑﻮاب /‘allamnā-hum il-shiḥdeh sabagūnā ‘alā li-bwāb/
Equivalent: To beat someone at his or her own game.
ﻋﻠﻰ أﺻﻮﻟﮫ
Example: /‘alā ’uṣūl-uh/
Equivalent: As it should be/ According to the rule/ By the book. Example:
ﻛﺮم :رﺗّﺒﺖ ﻛﻞ أﻣﻮر اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ ﯾﺎ ﺷﺒﯿﺐ؟ ﺷﺒﯿﺐ :ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ! ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺟﺎھﺰ وﻋﻠﻰ أﺻﻮﻟﮫ وﻣﺜﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّك.
أم ﺟﻌﻔﺮ :طﺒﺦ ﺑﻨﺘﻚ رﻧﯿﻢ أزﻛﻰ ﻣﻦ طﺒﺨﻚ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ! أم رﻧﯿﻢ :ﻣﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻤﺘﮭﺎ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﻣﻦ وھﻲ ﺻﻐﯿﺮة! ﺻﺎرت ﺗﻄﺒﺦ وﯾﺎ رﯾﺖ ﻣﻌﺘﺮﻓﺔ إﻧّﻲ أﻧﺎ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻠّﻤﺘﮭﺎ ﻓﻨﻮن اﻟﻄﺒﺦ! ﺑﺘﻔ ّﻜﺮ ﺣﺎﻟﮭﺎ ﺗﻌﻠﻤﺖ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮭﺎ! أم ﺟﻌﻔﺮ :ھﮭﮭﮫ! ﻋﻠﻤﻨﺎھﻢ اﻟﺸﺤﺪة ﺳﺒﻘﻮﻧﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻻﺑﻮاب.
ﻋ ّﻜﺸﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري
ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻼطﺔ
/‘akkash-uh maṣārī/ /‘alā balāṭah/
Equivalent: To give money to someone.
Equivalent: To put it bluntly/ Frankly/ Honestly.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻗﺎﺳﻢ :أﺣﻮاﻟﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻔﺘﺮة اﻷﺧﯿﺮة ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎﺟﺒﯿﺘﻨﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﺑﺘﺮوح ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺷﻮ ﻗﺼﺘﻚ؟ ﻗﺎﺳﻢ :ﺑﺪّي أﻗﻠّﻚ إﯾﺎھﺎ وﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻼطﺔ! أﻧﺎ رﺳﺒﺖ اﻟﻔﺼﻞ اﻟﻤﺎﺿﻲ وﺻﺎرت ﻣﻌﻲ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ واﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ ﻓﺼﻠﺘﻨﻲ.
أم ﺳﺎھﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّه أﺑﻮ ﻋﺮﻓﺔ ﻣﻦ اﺑﻨﻲ؟ ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﯿﺠﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وﻛﺈﻧﮭﻢ ﺑﺨﻄّﻄﻮ ﻹﺷﻲ! واﻣﺒﺎرح ﻋ ّﻜﺸﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري! وھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﺶ راﺿﻲ ﯾﻘﻮل ﺷﻮ اﻟﻘﺼﺔ! ﺑﻘﻮل ﺑﯿﻨﻨﺎ ﺷﻐﻞ وﺗﺠﺎرة! أم ﻋﻮض :ﻻزم ﺗﺨﺒﺮي أﺑﻮه! ھﻮ ﺑﻔﮭﻤﻠﻚ ﺷﻮ اﻟﻘﺼﺔ.
ﻋﺮﻗﮫ ﺑﺸﺮ
ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﻤﻮم /‘alā il-‘umūm/
/‘arag-uh bi-shurr/
Equivalent: By and large/ In general.
Equivalent: Sweat like a pig/ To sweat profusely.
Example:
Example:
ي! ﺳﺎﻣﺮ :ﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎك ﺗﺮوح ﻣﻌﻲ ﻧﺨﻄﺐ أﻣﯿﻨﺔ اﻷﺳﺒﻮع اﻟﺠﺎ ّ ﻟﺆي :ﻣﺒﺮوك ﻣﻘﺪﻣﺎ ً! ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﻤﻮم ﺧﺒّﺮﻧﻲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﺪّدو ﻣﻮﻋﺪ وأﻧﺎ ﺟﺎھﺰ أروح ﻣﻌﻚ.
أم ﺑﺸﺮ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻋﺮﻗﻚ ﺑﺸ ّﺮ ﯾﺎ ﻣﻌﺎذ؟ ﻣﻌﺎذ :ﻛﻨﺖ أرﻛﺾ وﺗﺴﺎﺑﻘﺖ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺸﺒﺎب!
ﻋﻜﻼ ً
ﻋﻠﻰ ﺟﺜﺘﻲ
/‘a-kullan/ /‘alā jutht-ī/
Equivalent: Anyway/ Anyhow/ In any case.
Equivalent: Over my dead body/ I’ll never agree.
Example:
Example:
اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ أﺧﻮك ﻓﺮاس ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻌﻤﻞ ﺣﺼﺮ إرث وﯾﺒﯿﻊ اﻷرض ﻷﺑﻮ ﻧﺎﯾﻒ! ﻧﻀﺎل :ﻋﻠﻰ ﺟﺜﺘﻲ! ﻣﺶ رح أﺳﻤﺤﻠﮫ ﯾﺘﺼ ّﺮف ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﯿﻔﮫ.
ﺳﺎﻣﻲ :ﺑﻜﺮة ﺑﺠﯿﺒﻠﻚ اﻷوراق ﻛﻠﮭﺎ وﺑﻨﺤﺎول ﻧﺰﺑّﻂ ﻣﯿﺰاﻧﯿﺔ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ. أدھﻢ :ﻋﻜﻼً ﻻزم ﻧﺪرس اﻟﻤﯿﺰاﻧﯿّﺔ وﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﺑﻨﻘ ّﺮر ﺷﻮ ﻧﻌﻤﻞ.
105
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻌﯿﻦ
ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺪ ﻋﻠﻤﻲ
أﺑﻮ ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻣﻤﻨﻮﻧﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ اﻧﺲ! ﻣﻌﺮوﻓﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﯿﻨﻲ وراﺳﻲ! ﺷﻜﺮاً إﻟﻚ .إﻧﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﻲ ﻣﻦ ﻓﻮق.
/‘alā ḥadd ‘ilm-ī/
Equivalent: To the best of my belief or knowledge/ As
ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﻨﻘﺔ ﻋﺸﺮة
far as I know. /‘alā singit ‘asharah/
Equivalent: Be decked out/ Sunday best/ Dressed to the nines.
Example:
ﺳﻜﯿﻨﺔ :ﺑﺘﻌﺮﻓﻲ ﻣﺘﻰ ﺑﺘﺒﺪا اﻟﻌﻄﻠﺔ اﻟﺼﯿﻔﯿﺔ؟ ﺳﻤﺮ :ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺪ ﻋﻠﻤﻲ ﺑﺘﺒﺪا ﺑﻨﺺ ﺷﮭﺮ ﺳﺘﺔ!
Example:
ﺼﺔ وﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻼ :وﯾﻦ راﯾﺤﺔ ﯾﺎ ﻟﯿﻨﺎ؟ ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﻻﺑﺴﺔ وﻣﺸﺨ ّ ﺳﻨﻘﺔ ﻋﺸﺮة! ﻟﯿﻨﺎ :راﯾﺤﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ ﺑﻨﺖ اﻟﺠﯿﺮان! اﻟﯿﻮم ﺧﻄﻮﺑﺘﮭﺎ.
ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻄﺔ إﯾﺪك /‘alā ḥaṭṭit ’īd-ak/
Equivalent: Same old, same old/ There is nothing new under the sun/ As always, nothing new.
ﻋﻠﻰ طﺒﻖ ﻣﻦ ذھﺐ
Example: /‘alā ṭabag min dhahab/
Equivalent: On a silver platter/ Easily/ With no effort.
ﺑﺎﺳﻢ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎرك ﯾﺎ ﺣﺎﻛﻢ؟ ﺷﻮ ﻓﻲ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ؟ ﺣﺎﻛﻢ :ﻻ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ! ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻄﺔ إﯾﺪك!
Example:
ﻗﺪري :ﺑﺲ ﺗﺨ ّﺮج ﻣﻨﯿﺮ إﺟﺘﮫ وظﯿﻔﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ طﺒﻖ ﻣﻦ ذھﺐ! ﻻ ﺗﻌﺐ وﻻ د ّور ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻐﻞ! أﻣﺠﺪ :ﻛﯿﻒ؟ ﻗﺪري :ﺻﺎﺣﺐ أﺑﻮه ﻋﯿّﻨﮫ ﻋﻨﺪه ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﺑﻮظﯿﻔﺔ ﻣﺤﺘﺮﻣﺔ وراﺗﺐ ﻋﺎﻟﻲ.
ﻋﻠﻰ طﻮل
ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﯿﺎة ﻋﯿﻨﮫ /‘alā ḥayāt ‘ēn-uh/
Equivalent: While someone is still alive. Example:
ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ أﺑﻮك ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺠﻮزك؟ ﺻﺤﯿﺢ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ ﻋﻤﺮان :آه ﺻﺤﯿﺢ! ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻔﺮح ﻓﯿّﻲ وﯾﺸﻮف أﺣﻔﺎده ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﯿﺎة ﻋﯿﻨﮫ!
/‘alā ṭūl/
Equivalent: At once/ Immediately.
ﻋﻠﻰ ذﻣﺘﮫ
Example:
أم ﻣﺤﻤﺪ :ﺑﺪّي أطﻠﺐ ﻣﻨّﻚ ﺧﺪﻣﺔ ﯾﺎ ﺧﺪﯾﺠﺔ! ﺧﺪﯾﺠﺔ :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك؟ ﺗﻔﻀﻠﻲ أطﻠﺒﻲ. أم ﻣﺤﻤﺪ :ﻋﻨﺪي ﻣﺸﻮار ﺿﺮوري وﺑﺪّي أﺗﺮك أوﻻدي اﻟﺼﻐﺎر ﻋﻨﺪك ﻟﺴﺎﻋﺘﯿﻦ إذا ﻓﺎﺿﯿﺔ وﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪك ﻣﺎﻧﻊ! ﺧﺪﯾﺠﺔ :ﻋﻠﻰ طﻮل! ﺟﯿﺒﯿﮭﻢ وﻻ ﺗﮭﻜﻠﻲ ھﻢ.
ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﺎﺗﻘﮫ /‘alā ‘ātg-uh/
/‘alā dhimt-uh/
Equivalent: According to him/ As he claims/ As stated by him. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺷﮭﺎب :أﺑﻮ ﯾﻮﺳﻒ ﺧﺒّﺮﻧﻲ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﻔﺘﺢ ﻣﻄﺎر ﺑﻤﻨﻄﻘﺘﻨﺎ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف إذا ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﺻﺤﯿﺢ. أﺑﻮ ﺣﺴﻦ :وأﻣﯿﺖ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﺑﻔﺘﺤﻮه؟ أﺑﻮ ﺷﮭﺎب :أﺑﻮ ﯾﻮﺳﻒ ﺑﻘﻮل ﺑﻌﺪھﻢ ﺑﺪرﺳﻮ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع وﻣﻤﻜﻦ اﻟﺴﻨﺔ اﻟﺠﺎﯾّﺔ ﯾﺒﻠﺸﻮ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﻓﯿﮫ! ﻋﻠﻰ ذﻣﺘﮫ!
Equivalent: On one’s own risk, account or responsibility/ To shoulder the responsibility. Example:
أﺑﻮ رأﻓﺖ :ﻛﯿﻒ واﻓﻖ أﺑﻮ ﻗﺼﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﻤﻠﯿﺔ اﺑﻦ أﺧﻮه اﻟﯿﺘﯿﻢ؟ ﻣﺎ اﻟﻌﻤﻠﯿﺔ ﺧﻄﯿﺮة ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! أﺑﻮ ﺑﺪر :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه ﺧﯿﺎر ﺛﺎﻧﻲ! إذا اﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻤﻠﮭﺎ ﺣﯿﺎﺗﮫ رح ﺗﻜﻮن ﺑﺨﻄﺮ! وﻓﺮﺻﺔ ﻧﺠﺎﺣﮭﺎ ﺿﻌﯿﻔﺔ! ﻓﻘ ّﺮر إﻧّﮫ ﯾﻌﻤﻠّﮫ إﯾﺎھﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﺎﺗﻘﮫ وھﻮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺘﺤ ّﻤﻞ اﻟﻤﺴﺆوﻟﯿﺔ.
ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﻼّﺗﮫ
ﻋﻠﻰ راس اﻟﻜﻮم /‘alā rās il-kōm/
Equivalent: At the top of the list. Example:
أم ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﺑﻜﺮة اﻟﻌﺮس ﯾﺎ أم ﺷﺮف! ﺟﺒﺘﻲ اﻟﺤﻠﻮ؟ أم ﺷﺮف :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺑﺪّي أﺟﯿﺒﮫ! ﻻ ﺗﺨﺎﻓﻲ ﺣﺎطﯿﺘﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ راس اﻟﻜﻮم!
ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﻲ ← ﻣﻤﻨﻮﻧﻚ ← ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﯿﻨﻲ وراﺳﻲ /‘alā ‘ēn-ī w-rās-ī/ ← /mamnūn-ak/ ← /‘alā rās-ī/
/‘alā ‘illāt-uh/
Equivalent: Owe someone a debt of gratitude/ My
Equivalent: In spite of its defects/ As is/ Without
pleasure/ With pleasure/ Appreciative and thankful.
modification.
Example:
Example:
ﺑﺎﺳﻢ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﺷﺎﯾﻒ رﺋﯿﺲ اﻟﻮزرا اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ؟
أﺑﻮ اﻧﺲ :ھﺎي ﺣﻠّﯿﺘﻠﻚ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ اﺑﻨﻚ ﻣﻊ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ! وﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺼﺒﺮ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺗﺎ ﯾﺸﺘﻐﻞ وﯾﻘﺪر ﯾﺴﺪّه اﻟﺪﯾﻦ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
ﺣﺴﺎم :ﻋﺎدل وﻣﻨﯿﺮ ﺗﺼﺎﻟﺤﻮ ﺑﺲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻀﺾ! ﺑﻌﺪھﻢ ﻣﺶ راﯾﻘﯿﻦ وﻛﻞ واﺣﺪ ﻓﯿﮭﻢ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ ﺳﯿﺮة اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻲ! أﻣﯿﻦ :ﺷﻮ ھﺎﻟﺼﻠﺤﺔ؟
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أﺷﺮف :ھﺬا اﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ وﻋﻠﻰ ّ ﻋﻼﺗﮫ ﺑﻀﻞ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ رﺋﯿﺲ اﻟﻮزرا اﻟﺴﺎﺑﻖ ﺑﻤﻠﯿﻮن ﻣ ّﺮة!
ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻄﻊ رﻗﺒﺘﻲ /‘alā gaṭu‘ ragbat-ī/
ﻋﻠﻰ ﻟﺤﻢ ﺑﻄﻨﮫ
Equivalent: Not happening/ Absolutely not/ Over my /‘alā laḥim baṭn-uh/
dead body.
Equivalent: On an empty stomach/ Without food.
Example:
Example:
ﻣﻨﺬر :أﺧﺘﻲ ﺟﯿﮭﺎن ﻗﺎﻟﺘﻠﻲ إﻧﻜﻮ ﻗﺮرﺗﻮ ﺗﺒﻌﺜﻮ أﻣﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺖ اﻟﻌﺠﺰة! ﻣﺮﺗﻚ اﯾﻤﺎن ﻗﺎﻟﺘﻠﮭﺎ! ﺻﺤﯿﺢ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :ﻻ طﺒﻌﺎ ً! ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻄﻊ رﻗﺒﺘﻲ! ﻣﺴﺘﺤﯿﻞ أﻋﻤﻞ ھﺎﻹﺷﻲ ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ ً!
ﻋﻠﻲ :ﺷﻮ طﺎﺑﺨﺔ ﯾ ّﻤﺎ؟ ﺑﻌﺪﻧﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻟﺤﻢ ﺑﻄﻨﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺼﺒﺢ! ﻣﺎ أﻛﻠﺖ إﺷﻲ. أم ﻋﻠﻲ :ﻋﻤﻠﺖ ﻣﻘﻠﻮﺑﺔ.
ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﮭﻠﻚ
ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ زي اﻟﻌﺴﻞ /‘alā mahl-ak/
/‘alā galb-uh zayy il-‘asal/
Equivalent: Slowly/ Take your time/ Don’t hurry.
Equivalent: To feel happy and satisfied because of
Example:
something or someone.
أم ﻛﺮﯾﻢ :ﺳﻮق ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﮭﻠﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ! ﻻ ﺗﺴﺮع! ﻛﺮﯾﻢ :ﺣﺎﺿﺮ ﯾ ّﻤﺎ!
Example:
رزان :ﺟﻮزي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺮﻓﻀﻠﻲ طﻠﺐ! ﺑﺤﺒﻨﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وطﻠﺒﺎﺗﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ زي اﻟﻌﺴﻞ! ﺗﻤﺎرا :ﺗﺘﮭﻨّﻲ.
ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﯿّﺎﺗﮫ /‘alā niyyāt-uh/
Equivalent: Innocent/ As innocent as a newborn babe.
ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻒ ﻋﻔﺮﯾﺖ
Example:
أم ﺻﺎﻓﻲ :ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻚ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ ﺧﺒﯿﺚ وﺑﺪّه ﯾﺨ ّﺮب ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﺷﻐﻠﻚ! ﺻﺎﻓﻲ :ﻻ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ ﺷﺐ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ! ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺘﻘﻮﻟﻲ ﻋﻨﮫ ھﯿﻚ؟ أم ﺻﺎﻓﻲ :إﻧﺖ طﯿّﺐ وﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﯿّﺎﺗﻚ! ﺑﺲ أﻧﺎ ﺳﻤﻌﺖ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺼﺪر ﻣﻮﺛﻮق!
ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ طﻠﺐ /ʻalēhā ṭalab/
/‘alā kaff ‘afrīt/
Equivalent: On the brink of something/ On the verge of something (bad situation). Example:
زﻛﺮﯾﺎ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر اﻟﻤﺼﻨﻊ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻓﯿﮫ ﯾﺎ آدم؟ وﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر وظﯿﻔﺘﻚ؟ آدم :اﻟﻮﺿﻊ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺼﻨﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻒ ﻋﻔﺮﯾﺖ! ﺑﺠﻮز ﯾﺴﻜﺮو اﻟﻤﺼﻨﻊ ﻗﺮﯾﺐ! ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻋﺎرف ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺼﯿﺮ.
Equivalent: In demand/ A hot ticket. Example:
أﺑﻮ اﻧﻮر :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻧﻮﻋﯿﺔ اﻟﺴﺠﺎد اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺟﺒﺘﮫ؟ ﻓﻲ ﺣﺪا ﺑﺸﺘﺮﯾﮫ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻋﻠﯿﺎن :ھﺎﻟﻨﻮﻋﯿّﺔ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ طﻠﺐ! ﺑﺪّي أﺿﻞ أﺟﯿﺐ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ! ﻹﻧّﮭﺎ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻧﻮع ﺳﺠﺎد ﺑﻨﺒﺎع ﻋﻨﺪي ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺤﻞ.
ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﯿﻔﻚ /‘alā kēf kēf-ak/
Equivalent: As you like it/ The way you like it, want it or wish it to be. Example:
أم ﯾﻤﺎن :ﻋﻤﻠﺘﻠﻚ ﻓﻨﺠﺎن ﻗﮭﻮة ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﯾﻤﺎن ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﯿﻔﻚ! أﺑﻮ ﯾﻤﺎن :ﺗﺴﻠﻢ إﯾﺪﯾﻜﻲ ﯾﺎ أم ﯾﻤﺎن.
ﻋﻠﯿﮫ اﻟﻌﻮض وﻣﻨﮫ اﻟﻌﻮض ̣/‘alīh il-‘awaḏ ̣ w-minn-uh il-‘awaḏ/
Equivalent: Hopeless at (doing something)/ Incapable
ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﯿﻔﻚ
of doing something/ He or she is a hopeless case.
/‘alā kēf-ak/
Example:
Equivalent: As you like/ As you wish/ It’s up to you.
ﺟﻤﺎﻧﺔ :ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ أﻗﺸّﺮ اﻟﺒﻄﺎطﺎ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺎﻣﺎ! وﻣﻤﻜﻦ ﺗﺤﻜﯿﻠﻲ ﻛﯿﻒ أﻗﻠﻲ اﻟﺒﯿﺾ؟ أم ﺟﻤﺎﻧﺔ :ﻋﻠﯿﮫ اﻟﻌﻮض وﻣﻨﮫ اﻟﻌﻮض!
ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻧﻘﻄﺔ ﺳﻮدا
Example:
أم ﻋﺮﻓﺎت :ﺑﺪّك أﻋﻤﻠّﻚ ﺷﺎي وإﻻ ﻗﮭﻮة؟ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺮﻓﺎت :ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﯿﻔﻚ! إﻋﻤﻠﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺣﺎﺑﯿﺘﮫ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﺮق ﻣﻌﻲ.
ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻀﺾ /ʻalēh nugṭah sōdā/
̣/‘alā maḏạ ḏ/
Equivalent: A black mark.
Equivalent: Reluctantly/ Unwillingly/ Half-heartedly.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻌﯿﻦ Example:
Example:
أم ﻋﻮض :ﯾﺎ رﯾﺘﻨﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﻨﺎ اﻷرض اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻋﻨّﺎ! ﻣﺎ ﻛﻨﺎ ﺑﺤﺎﺟﺔ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﻌﻨﺎھﺎ! اﻟﯿﻮم ﻋﺮﻓﻨﺎ إﻧّﮫ ﺳﻌﺮھﺎ ﺻﺎر اﻟﻀﻌﻒ! أم ﺟﮭﺎد :ﻋﻤﺮ ﻛﻠﻤﺔ ﯾﺎ رﯾﺖ ﻣﺎ ﻋ ّﻤﺮت ﺑﯿﺖ! اﻟﻠﻲ ﺻﺎر ﺻﺎر وﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﻧﺼﯿﺐ.
ﻣﯿﻤﻮن :ﻻ ﺗﺘﺄﻣﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻗﺪّﻣﺘﻠﮭﺎ ﯾﺎ ادرﯾﺲ! ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺳﺮﻗﺖ ﺳﯿﺎرة ﻗﺒﻞ ﺳﻨﺔ ﺻﺎر ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﻧﻘﻄﺔ ﺳﻮدا ﺑﻤﻠﻔّﻚ وﺻﻌﺐ ﺗﺤﺼﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺴﻦ ﺳﻠﻮك!
ﻋﻤﺪاً ﻓﯿﻚ ← ﻧﻜﺎﯾﺔ ﻓﯿﻚ /nikāyeh fīk/ ← /‘amdan fīk/
ﻋﻤﺮ ﻻ ﺣﺪا ﺣﻮش
Equivalent: On purpose/ Deliberately/ Intentionally. /‘umur lā ḥadā ḥawwash/
Equivalent: Never mind the cost and enjoy spending money. Example:
ﺴﮫ ﻣﺎ أم ﻣﺨﺘﺎر :ﺧﻠﺺ إﺷﺘﺮﯾﻨﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ھﺪاﯾﺎ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻣﺨﺘﺎر! ھ ّ ﺑﻀﻞ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ ﻣﺼﺎري إذا ﺑﺘﻀﻞ ﺗﺼﺮف ﺑﮭﺎﻟﺸﻜﻞ! اﻟﮭﺪاﯾﺎ ﺑﮭﺬا اﻟﻤﺤﻞ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻏﺎﻟﯿﺔ! أﺑﻮ ﻣﺨﺘﺎر :اﻟﻤﺼﺎري اﻧﺨﻠﻘﺖ ﺗﺎ ﺗﻨﺼﺮف! ﻋﻤﺮ ﻻ ﺣﺪا ﺣ ّﻮش! اﻧﺒﺴﻄﻲ وﺟﯿﺒﻲ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺑﺪّك إﯾﺎه.
Example:
ﻋﺎﺑﺪ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻗﻠﺖ ﻷﺑﻮي إﻧّﻲ رﺳﺒﺖ ﺑﺈﻣﺘﺤﺎن اﻟﺮﯾﺎﺿﯿﺎت؟ ﺳﺎﺋﺪ :ﻋﻤﺪاً ﻓﯿﻚ! ﻹﻧّﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺧﻠّﯿﺘﮫ ﯾﻮاﻓﻖ إﻧّﻲ أروح اﻟﺮﺣﻠﺔ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﯿّﺔ!
ﻋﻤﺮ اﻷﺳﻰ ﻣﺎ ﺑﯿﻨﺘﺴﻰ /‘umr il-’asā mā byintasā/
Equivalent: Be engraved on or in your heart, memory or mind. Example:
ﻋﻤﻞ اﻟﺒﺤﻮر ﻣﻘﺎﺛﻲ /‘imil li-bḥūr magāthī/
Equivalent: All one’s geese are swans. Example:
ﺑﺴﺎم :ﺧﻠﯿﻞ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻣﺸﺮوع ﺟﺪﯾﺪ وﺑﺪّه ﺷﺮﯾﻚ! راح ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﺒﺪ اﻟﺼﻤﺪ وﻋﻤﻠّﮫ اﻟﺒﺤﻮر ﻣﻘﺎﺛﻲ! ﻗﻠّﮫ اﻷرﺑﺎح رح ﺗﻜﻮن ﻏﯿﺮ ﺷﻜﻞ وإﻧّﮫ ﺑﺨﺴﺮ إذا ﻣﺎ ﺷﺎرﻛﮫ! أﻣﯿﻦ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺒﻄﻞ ﻋﺎدﺗﮫ وﻻ ﻣﺸﺎرﯾﻌﮫ اﻟﻔﺎﺷﻠﺔ!
ﺴﻨﺖ أم ﯾﺴﺮا :ﻛﯿﻒ وﺿﻌﻚ ﻣﻊ ﺟﻮزك ﯾﺎ ﺣﺒﯿﺒﺔ؟ ﺗﺤ ّ ﻣﻌﺎﻣﻠﺘﮫ إﻟﻚ؟ ﺴﻨﺖ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ زﻋﻠﺖ ﻋﻨﺪ أھﻠﻲ ﻓﺘﺮة! ﺑﺲ ﺣﺒﯿﺒﺔ :آه ﺗﺤ ّ ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎدرة أﻧﺴﻰ ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎن ﯾﻌﺎﻣﻠﻨﻲ وﯾﻀﺮﺑﻨﻲ وﯾﮭﯿﻨّﻲ! وﻣﺶ ﻗﺎدرة أﺳﺎﻣﺤﮫ ﻣﻦ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ! أم ﯾﺴﺮا :ﻓﺎھﻤﺔ ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻲ! ﻋﻤﺮ اﻷﺳﻰ ﻣﺎ ﺑﯿﻨﺘﺴﻰ!
ﻋﻤﺮ اﻟﺸﻘﻲ ﺑﻘﻲ /‘umr il-shagī bagī/
ﻋﻤﻞ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﻣﺴﺨﺮة
Equivalent: Literal. The miserable person lives longer/ /‘imil ḥāl-uh maṣkharah/
Don’t worry!/ I won’t die because those who God loves
Equivalent: Make a fool of oneself/ Clowning around.
!die young
Example:
Example:
اﺣﻤﺪ :اﻣﺒﺎرح طﺎرق ﻋﻤﻞ ﺣﺎﻟﺔ ﻣﺴﺨﺮة ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ! ﺳﻠﯿﻢ :ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ؟ اﺣﻤﺪ :إﺟﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ وﻛﺎن ﻻﺑﺲ ﺑﺪﻟﺔ رﯾﺎﺿﺔ! واﻟﻜﻞ ﺻﺎر ﯾﻌﻠّﻖ وﯾﻀﺤﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ.
ﻋﻤﻞ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﻣﺶ ﺷﺎﯾﻒ
أﺑﻮ ﻋﻔﯿﻒ :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﻼﻣﺘﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺟﻤﯿﻞ! اﻟﺤﺎدث ﻛﺎن ﺧﻄﯿﺮ وﺧﻔﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺧﻔﻨﺎ إﻧّﺎ ﻧﺨﺴﺮك ﻣﻦ ﻏﯿﺮ ﺷ ّﺮ! أﺑﻮ ﺟﻤﯿﻞ :ﻻ ﺗﺨﺎف ﻋﻠ ّﻲ! ﻋﻤﺮ اﻟﺸﻘﻲ ﺑﻘﻲ!
ﻋﻤﺮك أطﻮل ﻣﻦ ﻋﻤﺮي /‘umr-ak ’aṭwal min ‘umr-ī/
/‘imil ḥāl-uh mish shāyyif/
Equivalent: Take the words out of one’s mouth/ Those
Equivalent: Turn a blind eye to someone or something/
are the exact words I was going to say myself.
To pretend not to see/ Give someone the cold
Example:
shoulder. Example:
ﺳﻤﺎح :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺗﻐﺮﯾﺪ ﻣ ّﺮت ﺑﺠﻨﺒﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮل ﺑﺲ ﻋﻤﻠﺖ ﺣﺎﻟﮭﺎ ﻣﺶ ﺷﺎﯾﻔﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﺳﻠّﻤﺖ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﺷﻮ اﻟﺴﺒﺐ! ﯾﺎﺳﻤﯿﻦ :ﺑﺲ ﺗﺸﻮﻓﯿﮭﺎ إﺳﺄﻟﯿﮭﺎ!
ﻋﻤﻞ ﻋﯿﻦ اﻟﻌﻘﻞ
أﺑﻮ ﻋﻮاد :وﷲ ﺑﻔ ّﻜﺮ أﺗﺒ ّﺮع ﻟﻶﺟﺌﯿﻦ اﻟﻠﻲ إﺟﻮ ﺳﻜﻨﻮ ﻋﻨّﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﺎرة! ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﻧﻘﻮل ﻟﺴ ّﻜﺎن اﻟﺤﺎرة اﻟﻤﻘﺘﺪرﯾﻦ ﯾﺘﺒﺮﻋﻮ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ؟ ﺣﺎﻟﺘﮭﻢ ﺑﺘﺤﺰّن وﻋﻨﺪھﻢ أطﻔﺎل ﺻﻐﺎر وﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪھﻢ أﻛﻞ ﻛﻔﺎﯾﺔ. أﺑﻮ ﯾﻮﻧﺲ :ﻋﻤﺮك أطﻮل ﻣﻦ ﻋﻤﺮي ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻋﻮاد! ﻛﻨﺖ ﺑﺪّي أﻗﺘﺮح ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﻧﻔﺲ اﻹﺷﻲ!
ﻋﻤﺮ ﻛﻠﻤﺔ ﯾﺎ رﯾﺖ ﻣﺎ ﻋ ّﻤﺮت ﺑﯿﺖ /‘umur kilmit yā rēt mā ‘ammarat bēt/
/‘imil ‘ēn il-‘agul/
Equivalent: If ifs and ands were pots and pans,
Equivalent: He or she did the right thing.
there’d be no work for tinkers’ hands.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
Example:
ﻧﺎﺋﻠﺔ :راﺣﺖ ﺳﻤﺎھﺮ وﺗﻨﺎزﻟﺖ ﻷﺧﻮھﺎ اﻟﻮﺣﯿﺪ ﻋﻦ ﺣﺼﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ ورﺛﻮه ﻋﻦ أﺑﻮھﻢ! ﺟﻤﯿﻠﺔ :ﻣﮭﻮ ﺣﻘﮭﺎ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﻨﺎزﻟﺖ ﻋﻨﮫ؟ ھﻮ طﻠﺐ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ؟ ﻧﺎﺋﻠﺔ :ﻻ ﻣﺎ طﻠﺐ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ إﺷﻲ! ھﻲ ﺗﻨﺎزﻟﺖ ﻋﻦ طﯿﺐ ﺧﺎطﺮ وطﯿﺐ ﻧﻔﺲ! ﺟﻮزھﺎ وﺿﻌﮫ اﻟﻤﺎدي ﻣﻤﺘﺎز ﺑﺲ أﺧﻮھﺎ ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ وﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه إﺷﻲ!
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ﺷﺮﯾﻒ :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﻋﻤﺎد ﻧﺎدى أﺧﻮه وأﻋﻄﺎه ﺣﻘّﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺤﻞ! ﻋﻠﻲ :ﻋﻤﻞ ﻋﯿﻦ اﻟﻌﻘﻞ! أﺧﻮه ﺻﻐﯿﺮ وﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ وﻣﺎ إﻟﮫ ﺣﺪا ﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪه!
ﻋﻤﻞ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺤﯿﻞ /‘imil il-mustaḥīl/
Equivalent: Literal. He did the impossible/ To try to
ﻋﻦ ﻏﯿﺐ
achieve something difficult or something that you /‘an ghēb/
want very much/ To do whatever it takes.
Equivalent: By-heart.
Example:
Example:
اﻣﺎل :ﺑﻜﺮة ﻋﻨﺪي إﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﯾﺎ ﻣﺎﻣﺎ. أم اﻣﺎل :درﺳﺘﻲ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ؟ اﻣﺎل :آه ﺣﻔﻈﺖ اﻟﺪرس ﻋﻦ ﻏﯿﺐ.
ﻣﻨﺠﺪ :وﻟﯿﺪ ﻋﻤﻞ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺤﯿﻞ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻮﺧﺬ اﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ. ﺻﻼح :ﻣﻦ طﻮل ﻋﻤﺮه ﺑﺲ ﯾﺤﻂ ﺷﻐﻠﺔ ﺑﺮاﺳﮫ ﺑﻌﻤﻠﮭﺎ.
ﻋﻤﻞ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤﺒّﺔ ﻗﺒّﺔ /‘imil min il-ḥabbeh gubbah/
ﻋﻨﺪ ﺣﺰھﺎ وﻟﺰھﺎ
Equivalent: Make a mountain out of a molehill. /‘ind ḥaz-hā w-laz-hā/
Equivalent: When the going gets tough/ When things become too difficult or unpleasant to deal with/ When it becomes too hard to keep going/ In your
Example:
أم رﺟﺎ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﻌﺼﺒﺔ ﯾﺎ أم ﻓﺮج؟ أم ﻓﺮج :ﻣﺮت اﺑﻨﻲ ﺑﺘﻈﻞ ﺗﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ وﺑﺘﻜﺒﺮھﺎ وھﻲ ﺗﺎﻓﮭﺔ! ﺑﺘﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤﺒّﺔ ﻗﺒّﺔ! ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﻓﺮج.
time of need/ In your hour of need. Example:
رﺷﺎد :أﺳﺎﻣﺔ ﻧﺎزل ﻟﻺﻧﺘﺨﺎﺑﺎت اﻟﻨﯿﺎﺑﯿّﺔ! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﻣﻦ وﯾﻦ ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺠﯿﺐ ﻣﺼﺎري؟ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه دﺧﻞ ﻋﺎﻟﻲ وﻣﺎ ﺑﻈﻦ ﺣﺪا رح ﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪه! ﻋﺒﯿﺪ :ﻋﻨﺪ ﺣﺰھﺎ وﻟﺰھﺎ اﻟﻘﺮاﯾﺐ ﺑﺴﺎﻋﺪو! أوﻻد ﻋ ّﻤﮫ ﻣﻌﮭﻢ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻛﺜﯿﺮة! ﺑﻜﺮة ﺑﺘﺸﻮف!
ﻋﻨﺪك ﻗﻠﺐ /‘ind-ak galb/
ﻋﻦّ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ /‘ann ‘alā bāl-ī/
Equivalent: To think about someone or something. Example:
ﻣﺮام :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺗﻔ ّﺮﺟﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻓﯿﻠﻢ ﻣﻦ أﻓﻼم أﯾّﺎم زﻣﺎن! وﻋﻦّ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ ﺑﯿﺘﻨﺎ اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻢ وذﻛﺮﯾﺎت اﻟﻄﻔﻮﻟﺔ! ﺳﻮﺳﻦ :ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ أﺣﻠﻰ ﻣﻦ أﯾّﺎم زﻣﺎن وأﯾّﺎم اﻟﻄﻔﻮﻟﺔ وﺑﺮاﺋﺘﮭﺎ.
ﻋﻦ إذﻧﻚ
Equivalent: Do you have the guts?/Do you have the
/‘an ’idhn-ak/
?courage to do something
Equivalent: Please pardon me/ Please excuse me.
Example:
Example:
ﻣﺮﻋﻲ :ﺑﺎرﻛﻠﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻓﻮزي! أﺧﯿﺮاً طﻠﻌﺘﻠﻲ ﻓﯿﺰا اﻟﻌﻤﻞ. ﻓﻮزي :طﯿّﺐ ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﻊ أ ّﻣﻚ؟ ﻣﮭﻲ ﻣﺮا ﻛﺒﯿﺮة وﻣﺮﯾﻀﺔ وﻣﺎ إﻟﮭﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻏﯿﺮك! ﻋﻨﺪك ﻗﻠﺐ ﺗﺘﺮﻛﮭﺎ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮭﺎ وﺗﺴﺎﻓﺮ؟ ﻣﺮﻋﻲ :أﻛﯿﺪ رح ﺗﺮوح ﻣﻌﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺮﻛﮭﺎ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮭﺎ أﺑﺪاً.
أم رﺟﺎ :ﻋﻦ إذﻧﻚ ﯾﺎ أم ﻓﺮج ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮف ﻣﯿﻦ ﺑﺮن ﻋﻠﻰ ﺟﺮس اﻟﺒﺎب. أم ﻓﺮج :إذﻧﻚ ﻣﻌﻚ!
ﻋﻦ ﺟﻨﺐ وطﺮف /‘an janb w-ṭaraf/
ﻋﻨﺪ اﻟﻜﺒﺮة ﺟﺒﺔ ﺣﻤﺮا
Equivalent: Everyone and their brother, mother, uncle/ /‘ind il-kabrah jubbah ḥamrā/
Everyone without exception.
Equivalent: Medallion man/ Mutton dressed
Example:
as lamb. Example:
أم ﺣﺎزم :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺣﺎزم ﻻﺑﺲ ھﺎﻟﻠﺒﺲ؟ ھﺬا ﻟﺒﺲ ﻣﺮاھﻘﯿﻦ! ﻋﯿﺐ ﺗﻄﻠﻊ ﻓﯿﮫ! ﻋﻤﺮك ﺳﺘﯿﻦ ﺳﻨﺔ! أﺑﻮ ﺣﺎزم :ﺷﻮ ﯾﻌﻨﻲ؟ ھﻢ اﻟﺸﺒﺎب أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻨّﻲ! ﺑﻌﺪﻧﻲ ﺷﺒﺎب وﻟﺒﺴﻲ ﻋﺎﺟﺒﻨﻲ! أم ﺣﺎزم :ﻓﻀﺤﺘﻨﺎ ﯾﺎ ﺧﺘﯿﺎر! ﻋﻨﺪ اﻟﻜﺒﺮة ﺟﺒّﺔ ﺣﻤﺮا!
أﺑﻮ اﺳﺤﺎق :ﻋﺰﻣﺖ ﻛﻞ ﻗﺮاﯾﺒﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﺮﺳﻚ ﯾﺎ اﺳﺤﺎق؟ اﺳﺤﺎق :ﻋﺰﻣﺖ اﻟﻜﻞ ﻋﻦ ﺟﻨﺐ وطﺮف ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ.
ﻋﻦ طﯿﺐ ﺧﺎطﺮ ← ﻋﻦ طﯿﺐ ﻧﻔﺲ /‘an ṭīb nafis/ ← /‘an ṭīb khāṭir/
Equivalent: Of one’s own accord/ Of one’s own free will/ Willingly.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻌﯿﻦ Example:
ﺻﺒﺤﻲ :ﻗﻠﺘﻠﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺮوان ﻻ ﺗﺤﻂّ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﻚ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻤﺸﺮوع ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ردّﯾﺖ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ وھﯿّﻚ ﺧﺴﺮت ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ! ﻣﺮوان :ﻋﯿﺮﻧﻲ ﺳﻜﻮﺗﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺻﺒﺤﻲ! ﻣﺶ ﻣﺤﺘﺎج ﻟﻔﻠﺴﻔﺘﻚ اﻟﺰاﯾﺪة ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻮﻗﺖ.
ﻋﻨﺪ ﻛﻠﻤﺘﮫ /‘ind kilmit-uh/
Equivalent: Keep one’s word/ Keep one’s promise. Example:
ﺣﺴﺎن :ﺳﺪّك ﺻﮭﯿﺐ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﻚ ؟ ﻣﺆﻧﺲ :آه ﺳﺪﻧﻲ! طﻠﻊ ﺻﺎدق وﻋﻨﺪ ﻛﻠﻤﺘﮫ.
ﻋﯿﺶ ﺣﯿﺎﺗﻚ /‘īsh ḥayāt-ak/
Equivalent: Seize the moment/ To live the moment to
ﻋﻨﺪك ﻣﺠﺎل
the fullest/ To live in or for the moment.
/‘ind-ak majāl/
Example:
Equivalent: Do you have time/ Availability/ Room/
أم زﻛﻲ :ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ زﻛﻲ ﻛﻞ ﺣﯿﺎﺗﻚ ﺷﻐﻞ ﺑﺸﻐﻞ! ﻋﯿﺶ ﺣﯿﺎﺗﻚ ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ! اﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺨﻠﺺ. أﺑﻮ زﻛﻲ :ﺑﺤﺐ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ وھﯿﻚ ﻣﺮﺗﺎح.
ﻋﯿﺶ وﺧﻠّﻲ ﻏﯿﺮك ﯾﻌﯿﺶ /‘īsh w-khallī ghēr-ak y‘īsh/
Space. Example:
ﺻﻠﻨﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻮل ﺑﺲ ﺗﺨﻠّﺺ ﺷﻐﻠﻚ؟ ﻛﺎﯾﺪ :ﻋﻨﺪك ﻣﺠﺎل ﺗﻮ ّ أﻣﯿﻦ :ﻣﺎﺷﻲ ﺑﻮﺻﻠﻚ.
ﻋﻨﺪه ﻋ ّﺮ اوﻻد
Equivalent: Live and let live.
/‘ind-uh ‘urr iwlād/
Example:
Equivalent: To have many children/ To have many
أﺑﻮ وﺻﻔﻲ :ﯾﺎ أم وﺻﻔﻲ! اﺗﺮﻛﻲ اﺑﻨﻚ وﻣﺮﺗﮫ ﺑﺤﺎﻟﮭﻢ! ﻻ ﺗﻀﻠﻲ ﺗﻀﺎﯾﻘﯿﮭﻢ! ﺧﻠّﯿﮭﻢ ﯾﻌﯿﺸﻮ ﺣﯿﺎﺗﮭﻢ وﯾﻨﺒﺴﻄﻮ! ﻋﯿﺸﻲ وﺧﻠّﻲ ﻏﯿﺮك ﯾﻌﯿﺶ! أم وﺻﻔﻲ :ھﻢ ﺷﻜﻮﻟﻚ ﻣﻨّﻲ؟ أﻧﺎ ﺑﻮرﺟﯿﮭﻢ!
ﻋﯿﺶ ﯾﺎ ﻗﺪﯾﺶ ﺗﺎ ﯾﻄﻠﻊ اﻟﺤﺸﯿﺶ /‘īsh yā gdīsh tā yiṭla‘ il-ḥashīsh/
mouths to feed/ To keep the stork flying. Example:
ﻓﻮاز :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ أﺑﻮ ﺣﻤﺰة! اﻟﯿﻮم ﻓﺼﻠﻮه ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ وھﺎﻟﻤﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻋ ّﺮ اوﻻد! ﻣﻦ وﯾﻦ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻄﻌﻤﯿﮭﻢ وﯾﺼﺮف ﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ؟ ﺟﻼل :ﺧﻠّﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﻤ ّﺮ اﻟﯿﻮم ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وﻧﺸﻮف وﺿﻌﮫ وﻧﺴﺄﻟﮫ إذا ﺑﺪّه ﻣﺴﺎﻋﺪة.
Equivalent: Until the cows come home/ Take forever/ To take a very long time.
ﻋﻨﺪه ﻋﺰة ﻧﻔﺲ
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻧﻮار :أﻣﯿﺖ ﻗﺎﻟﻮﻟﻚ ﺑﺘﺼﻞ ﺷﺤﻨﺔ اﻟﺴﺠﺎد؟ أﺑﻮ ﺻﺎﺑﺮ :ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺣﻮاﻟﻲ ﺛﻼث ﺷﮭﻮر! أﺑﻮ ﻧﻮار :ﻋﯿﺶ ﯾﺎ ﻗﺪﯾﺶ ﺗﺎ ﯾﻄﻠﻊ اﻟﺤﺸﯿﺶ.
/‘ind-uh ‘izzit nafs/
Equivalent: To have pride in oneself/ Someone who has too much pride to ask for help when he or she needs it. Example:
اﻟﻌﯿﻦ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻞ /il-‘ēn illī btōkil/
Equivalent: We eat with our eyes first/ How food looks is one of the first criteria that makes people decide if
ﺟﻼل :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺷﻔﺖ أﺑﻮ ﺣﻤﺰة وﻋﺮﺿﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻣﺒﻠﻎ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺼﺮف ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﯿﻠﺘﮫ ﺗﺎ ﯾﻼﻗﻲ ﺷﻐﻞ! ﺑﺲ ﺷﻜﺮﻧﻲ ورﻓﺾ ﯾﻮﺧﺬ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري! ﻓﻮاز :ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻋﺰة ﻧﻔﺲ.
they are going to eat the food or not. Example:
ﺛﺮﯾﺎ :ﻣﺎل أﻛﻠﻚ ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ھﯿﻚ اﻟﯿﻮم؟ ﻣﺶ زي داﯾﻤﺎ ً! أﻣﻞ :ﺑﺲ طﻌﻤﮫ طﯿّﺐ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ .ذوﻗﯿﮫ. ﺛﺮﯾﺎ :ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﺑﺴ ّﺪ اﻟﻨﻔﺲ! ﻣﺎ اﻟﻌﯿﻦ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻞ.
ﻋﻮده اﺧﻀﺮ /‘ūd-uh ‘ikhḏạ r/
Equivalent: A greenhorn/ Inexperienced. Example:
اﻟﻌﯿﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﯿﻦ /il-‘ēn b-il-‘ēn/
طﮫ :ﻛﯿﻒ اﻟﻤﻮظّﻒ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﯿّﻨﺘﮫ ﻋﻨﺪك ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻜﺘﺐ؟ ﺳﻤﯿﺢ :ﻣﺎﺷﻲ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ! ﺧ ّﺮﯾﺞ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ وﺑﻌﺪه ﻋﻮده اﺧﻀﺮ! ﺑﺪّه ﺗﺪرﯾﺐ وﺷﻐﻞ.
Equivalent: An eye for an eye. Example:
أم ﺷﯿﺮﯾﻦ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺧ ّﺮﺑﺘﻲ ﻓﺴﺘﺎن أﺧﺘﻚ ﯾﺎ رﻧﯿﻢ؟ ﺷﯿﺮﯾﻦ :اﻟﻌﯿﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﯿﻦ! ھﻲ ﺧ ّﺮﺑﺖ ﻓﺴﺘﺎﻧﻲ اﻟﻤ ّﺮة اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﺎﺗﺖ ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﺧﺮﺑﺘﻠﮭﺎ ﻓﺴﺘﺎﻧﮭﺎ!
ﻋﯿﺮﻧﻲ ﺳﻜﻮﺗﻚ ← ﻧﻘّﻄﻨﻲ ﺑﺴﻜﻮﺗﻚ /naggiṭ-nī biskūt-ak/ ← /‘īr-nī skūt-ak/
Equivalent: Zip it up/ Zip your mouth/lips/ Stop talking/ Shut up.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
ﻧﺠﻮى :ﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺗﯿﺠﻲ ﻋﻨﺪي ﺧﻀﺮه ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﻌﻲ إﺷﻲ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ! اﻟﯿﻮم ورﺟﯿﺘﮭﺎ ﺛﻮب ﺟﺪﯾﺪ إﺷﺘﺮﯾﺘﮫ ﻟﻌﺮس أﺧﻮي! ﺑﺲ ر ّوﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻖ اﻟﺜﻮب ﺑﻄﺮف اﻟﺨﺰاﻧﺔ وإﻧﺸﻖ! ﻣﻨﻰ :ھﺎي ﻋﯿﻨﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﻠﻖ اﻟﺼﺨﺮ!
ﻋﯿﻨﮫ ﺑﻘﺤﺔ /‘ēn-uh bigḥeh/
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اﻟﻌﯿﻦ ﺑﺼﯿﺮة واﻹﯾﺪ ﻗﺼﯿﺮة /il-‘ēn baṣīrah w-il-’īd gaṣīrah/
Equivalent: The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Example:
أﺑﻮ زﯾﺪ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻐﯿّﺮ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻓﺮﯾﺪ؟ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻚ ﺧﺮﺑﺎﻧﺔ وﻣﻮدﯾﻠﮭﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻗﺪﯾﻢ. ﻖ ﺳﯿّﺎرة أﺑﻮ ﻓﺮﯾﺪ :ﻣﺎﺷﻲ ﺣﺎﻟﮭﺎ! ﻣﻦ وﯾﻦ ﺑﺪّي أﺟﯿﺐ ﺣ ّ ﺟﺪﯾﺪة؟ اﻟﻌﯿﻦ ﺑﺼﯿﺮة واﻹﯾﺪ ﻗﺼﯿﺮة!
Equivalent: Shameless and rude person. Example:
أم زھﯿﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻄﯿﻖ وداد ﺟﺎرﺗﻲ! ﻋﯿﻨﮭﺎ ﺑﻘﺤﺔ وﻣﺶ ﻣﺮﯾﺤﺔ. أم آدم :وﻻ ﺣﺪا ﺑﺤﺒﮭﺎ! ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮭﺎ طﻮﯾﻞ وﻣﺶ ﻣﺆدﺑﺔ!
اﻟﻌﯿﻦ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﻠﻰ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺎﺟﺐ /il-‘ēn mā bti‘lā ‘alā il-ḥājib/
Equivalent: Literal. The eye doesn’t go higher than the eyebrow/ People are put at various levels or ranks
ﻋﯿﻨﮫ زاﯾﻐﺔ
according to their importance and, therefore, they /‘ēn-uh zāyghah/
should be respected/ Know one’s place.
Equivalent: A womanizer.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻗﺎﺳﻢ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﻨﺘﻚ ﺗﺮﻛﺖ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﮭﺎ؟ أم ﺷﺎﻛﺮ :ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻋﯿﻨﮫ زاﯾﻐﺔ وﻧﺴﻮﻧﺠﻲ!
ﻋﯿﻨﮫ ﺿﯿﻘﺔ
اﻷﺳﺘﺎذ :ﺷﻮ ﻗﺼﺪك إﻧّﮫ إﺟﺎﺑﺘﻲ ﻣﺶ دﻗﯿﻘﺔ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎﻣﺮ؟ ﺑﺘﻔ ّﻜﺮ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ أﻓﮭﻢ ﻣﻨّﻲ؟ ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﻣﺶ ﻗﺼﺪي ﯾﺎ أﺳﺘﺎذ! آﺳﻒ! أﻛﯿﺪ إﻧّﻚ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف ﻣﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎت أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻨّﻲ وﺧﺒﺮﺗﻚ أطﻮل ﻣﻦ ﺧﺒﺮﺗﻲ! واﻟﻌﯿﻦ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﻠﻰ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺎﺟﺐ.
/‘ēn-uh ḏạ yygah/
Equivalent: Have eyes bigger than your stomach/
ﻋﯿّﻦ ﺧﯿﺮ ← ﻟﻌﻠّﮫ ﺧﯿﺮ
To put more food on your plate than one can eat/
/la‘alluh khēr/ ← /‘ayyin khēr/
Greedy.
Equivalent: Hope for the best.
Example:
Example:
ﺟﻼل :وﯾﻦ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺮوح ﺑﻜﻞ ھﺎﻷﻛﻞ؟ ﻣﺎ ﺧﻠّﯿﺖ إﺷﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻮﻓﯿﮫ إﻻ وأﺧﺬت ﻣﻨﮫ! أﻣﺠﺪ :ﺟﻮﻋﺎن ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ؟ ﺟﻼل :ﺣﺮام ﺗﻀﯿّﻊ ﻛﻞ ھﺎﻷﻛﻞ وﯾﺮوح ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺰﺑﺎﻟﺔ! ﻣﺎ رح ﺗﻮﻛﻞ ﻛﻞ ھﺎﻟﻜﻤﯿّﺔ! ﺑﺲ إﻧﺖ ﻋﯿﻨﻚ ﺿﯿﻘﺔ!
اﯾﮭﺎب :إذا اﻟﺒﻨﻚ أﻋﻄﺎﻧﻲ اﻟﻘﺮض ﺑﺪھﻢ ﻛﻔﯿﻞ! ﺑﺘﻘﺒﻞ ﺗﻜﻔﻠﻨﻲ؟ داوود :ﻋﯿّﻦ ﺧﯿﺮ!
ﻋﯿﻦ وﺻﺎﺑﺘﮫ /‘ēn w-ṣābat-uh/
Equivalent: To be envied/ To be given the evil eye.
ﻋﯿﻨﮫ ﻓﺎرﻏﺔ
Example: /‘ēn-uh fārghah/
Equivalent: Greedy/ Envious/ Demanding/ Never satisfied with what one has.
ﻣﺪﯾﺤﺔ :اﺑﻨﻚ ﻛﺎن ﺷﺎطﺮ وﻣﺘﻔ ّﻮق ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﺮاﺟﻊ ﺑﺎﻟﺪراﺳﺔ؟ ﻣﺎﺟﺪة :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف! ﻋﯿﻦ وﺻﺎﺑﺘﮫ!
Example:
ﺻﺎﻓﻲ :أﺑﻮ ﻋﻤﺎد واﺣﺪ ﻋﯿﻨﮫ ﻓﺎرﻏﺔ وط ّﻤﺎع! ﻋﻠﻲ :اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﻌﺮﻓﮫ وﺑﻌﺮف طﺒﻌﮫ.
ﻋﯿﻨﻚ ﺑﻌﯿﻨﻲ /‘ēn-ak b-‘ēn-ī/
Equivalent: Look someone in the eye/ Look someone
ﻋﯿﻨﮫ ﻗﻮﯾّﺔ
in the face. /‘ēn-uh gawiyyeh/
Example:
Equivalent: As bold as brass/ With extreme
ﺑﺴﻤﺔ :ﻟﯿﺶ زﻋﻼﻧﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﻚ؟ ﻧﻮرا :ﺑﺪّي أﺗﺮﻛﮫ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﻛ ّﻤﻞ ﻣﻌﮫ! ﺑﺴﻤﺔ :ﻋﯿﻨﻚ ﺑﻌﯿﻨﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﻤﻠﯿﮭﺎ! ﺑﺲ ﺗﺮوﻗﻲ ﺑﺘﻐﯿﺮي رأﯾﻚ.
confidence/ Without the respect or politeness people usually show. Example:
زھﻮر :أﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺷﻔﺖ وﺣﺪة زي ﺳﮭﻰ! اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﺖ ﻣﻊ ﺳﻮﺳﻦ واﻟﯿﻮم ﺟﺎﯾّﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺘﮭﺎ ﻋﺸﺎن ﺣﻔﻠﺔ ﺑﻨﺘﮭﺎ! ﺳﻮﺳﻦ أﺻﻼ ً ﻣﺎ ﻋﺰﻣﺘﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ!
ﻋﯿﻨﮫ ﺑﺘﻔﻠﻖ اﻟﺼﺨﺮ /‘ēn-uh btiflig il-ṣakhur/
Equivalent: He or she has an evil eye.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻌﯿﻦ
ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮫ زرق واﺳﻨﺎﻧﮫ ﻓﺮق /‘yūn-uh zurug w-isnān-uh furug/
Equivalent: Literal. He has blue eyes and gap teeth/ This is said when seeing a person with blue eyes and gap
ﺷﺮﯾﻔﺔ :ﺳﮭﻰ ﻋﯿﻨﮭﺎ ﻗﻮﯾّﺔ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﮭﺘﻢ ﻟﺤﺪا! أﺻﻼً ﺑﺘﻌﻤﻞ ھﺎﻹﺷﻲ ﻋﻤﺪاً!
ﻋﯿﻨﮫ ﻣﻠﯿﺎﻧﺔ
teeth to indicate that he or she is an enormously envious
/‘ēn-uh malyāneh/
)person with an evil eye. (This is said humorously.
Equivalent: To feel happy and satisfied with what you
Example:
have even if it is less or lacking.
ﻣﺮح :ﺷﻮﻓﻲ ﻣﺎ أﺣﻠﻰ ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ اﻟﻠﻲ واﻗﻒ ھﻨﺎك! ﺴﮫ ﺑﺤﺴﺪﻧﺎ! ھﮭﮭﮭﮭﮭﮫ. ﻻﻧﺎ :ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮫ زرق واﺳﻨﺎﻧﮫ ﻓﺮق! ھ ّ
ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮫ زﻏﻠﻠﻦ /‘yūn-uh zaghlalin/
Equivalent: Bleary-eyed/ Blurred, enflamed or reddened eyes, as from tiredness, fatigue or exhaustion or lack of sleep.
Example:
أم ﺿﺮار :ﷲ ﯾﺨﻠﯿﻠﻨﺎ أﺧﻮي أﺑﻮ ﻏﯿﺎث! ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ ﻣﻌﻲ وﻣﻊ ﺧﻮاﺗﻲ .ﻣﺎ طﻠﺐ ﻣﻨّﺎ ﻧﺘﻨﺎزل ﻋﻦ ﺣﻘﻨﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﻮرﺛﺔ! وﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺸﻮف وﺣﺪة ﻣﻨّﺎ ﺑﻌﻄﯿﮭﺎ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﻊ إﻧّﮫ وﺿﻌﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﺪّه. ﺑﺲ ﻋﯿﻨﮫ ﻣﻠﯿﺎﻧﺔ وﻣﺶ ط ّﻤﺎع. أم ﻋﻠﻲ :ﷲ ﯾﺨﻠﯿﻜﻮ ﻟﺒﻌﺾ.
ﻋﯿﻨﻚ ﻋﯿﻨﻚ /‘ēn-ak ‘ēn-ak/
Example:
ﺟﻤﺎل :ﻣﺎ ﺗﺴﮭﺮ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ ﯾﺎ ﺧﻠﺪون؟ ﺧﻠﺪون :ﻋﯿﻮﻧﻲ زﻏﻠﻠﻦ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﻌﺲ! ﺑﺪّي أﻧﺎم!
Equivalent: Daylight robbery/ Highway robbery. Example:
ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮫ ﻋﯿﻮن ﺻﻘﺮ /‘yūn-uh ‘yūn ṣagur/
Equivalent: Eyes like a hawk. Example:
ﻣﺎھﺮ :رﺣﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺼﺤﺮا وﺿﻌﻨﺎ! إﺟﺎ ﻋﺎھﺪ ﺷﺎف ﺳﯿّﺎرة ﺟﺎﯾّﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺑﻌﯿﺪ! ﻣﺘﻨﺎ ﺗﺎ ﺷﻔﻨﺎھﺎ! ﺑﺲ ھﻮ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮫ ﻋﯿﻮن ﺻﻘﺮ!
ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮭﺎ وﺳﻊ اﻟﻔﻨﺠﺎن
أم وﺳﻦ :اﻟﯿﻮم رﺣﺖ أﺷﺘﺮي ﻋﺒﺎﯾﺔ ﻣﻦ ﻋﻨﺪ أﺑﻮ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ ﺑﺲ طﻠﻌﺖ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻏﺎﻟﯿﺔ! ﻗﺎل ﺑﻘﻮل ﺣﻘﮭﺎ ﻣﯿﺘﯿﻦ دﯾﻨﺎر! ﻟ ّﻤﺎ رﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺤﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺠﻨﺒﮫ ﺷﻔﺖ ﻋﺒﺎﯾﺔ زﯾﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺰﺑﻂ وﺣﻜﺎﻟﻲ اﻟﺒﯿّﺎع اﻧﮭﺎ ﺑﻤﯿّﮫ وﻋﺸﺮﯾﻦ دﯾﻨﺎر ﺑﺲ! ﺼﺎب! ﻣﺎ رح أم ﻋﻤﺮ :ھﺎي ﺳﺮﻗﺔ ﻋﯿﻨﻚ ﻋﯿﻨﻚ! أﺑﻮ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ ﻧ ّ أﺷﺘﺮي ﻣﻦ ﻋﻨﺪه إﺷﻲ.
ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮫ ﺑﺘﻘﺪح ﺷﺮار /‘yūn-uh btigdaḥ sharār/
/‘yūn-hā wisi‘ il-funjān/
Equivalent: Flash of anger/ Flame with anger/ Looks
Equivalent: Big-eyed woman or girl/ Having big eyes.
very angry.
Example:
Example:
أم ﺳﻤﯿﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم أم ﻋﻮض دﻟّﺘﻨﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻨﺖ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺣﻠﻮة ﻋﺸﺎن أﺧﻄﺒﮭﺎ ﻻﺑﻨﻲ ﺳﻤﯿﺮ. أم ﺣﻤﺪ :ﺷﻔﺘﯿﮭﺎ ﯾﻌﻨﻲ؟ أم ﺳﻤﯿﺮ :آه ﺷﻔﺘﮭﺎ وﺑﺘﺠﻨّﻦ! ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮭﺎ وﺳﻊ اﻟﻔﻨﺠﺎن!
ﺑﮭﺎء :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺳﻮﻟﻒ ﻣﻊ أﺑﻮي ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻮﻗﺖ وﻻ أطﻠﺐ ﻣﻨﮫ ﺼﺐ. ﻣﺼﺎري! ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮫ ﺑﺘﻘﺪح ﺷﺮار وﺑﻌﺪه ﻣﻌ ّ ﺼﺐ؟ ﺷﻮ اﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ؟ ﺟﻠﯿﻞ :ﻣﺎﻟﮫ ﻣﻌ ّ ﺑﮭﺎء :أﺧﻮي ﺗﺎﻣﺮ رﺳﺐ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت!
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻐﯿﻦ
ﻏﺎب اﻟﻘﻂ اﻟﻌﺐ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺎر
اﻟﻐﺎﻟﻲ ﺳﻌﺮه ﻓﯿﮫ /il-ghālī si‘r-uh fēh/
/ghāb il- guṭṭ il-‘ab yā fār/
Equivalent: Literal. The expensive thing is worth the
Equivalent: When the cat’s away, the mice
price/ You get what you pay for.
will play.
Example:
Example:
ﺳﻮزان :اﺷﺘﺮﯾﺖ ﻓﺴﺘﺎن ﺣﻠﻮ ورﺧﯿﺺ ﺑﺲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻏﺴﻠﺘﮫ ﺑﻄّﻞ ﺣﻠﻮ وﺻﺎر ﺣﺠﻤﮫ أﺻﻐﺮ! ﺗﺎﻻ :ﺷﻮﻓﻲ ﻓﺴﺘﺎﻧﻲ ﺻﺎرﻟﮫ ﻋﻨﺪي ﺧﻤﺲ ﺳﻨﯿﻦ وﺑﻌﺪه زي ﻣﺎ ھﻮ! ﺻﺤﯿﺢ ﻏﺎﻟﻲ ﺑﺲ اﻟﻐﺎﻟﻲ ﺳﻌﺮه ﻓﯿﮫ.
اﻟﻐﺎﯾﺐ ﻋﺬره ﻣﻌﮫ
ﻧﺎدر :اﻟﯿﻮم أﻣﻲ وأﺑﻮي راﯾﺤﯿﻦ ﯾﺰورو ﻋﻤﺘﻲ وﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﻨﺎﻣﻮ ﻋﻨﺪھﺎ! ﺗﻌﺎل ﯾﺎ ھﺎﻧﻲ إﻧﺖ واﻟﺸﺒﺎب ﺧﻠّﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﺴﮭﺮ ﺳﻮا! ھﺎﻧﻲ :ﻏﺎب اﻟﻘﻂ اﻟﻌﺐ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺎر! ھﮭﮭﮭﮫ.
ﻏﺎﻟﻲ /ghālī/
/il-ghāyib ‘udhr-uh ma‘-uh/
Equivalent: A dear person or thing/ Very expensive/
Equivalent: There must be a reason for someone’s
Priceless.
absence.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :ﻛﻞ ﻋﺎم وإﻧﺘﻲ ﺑﺨﯿﺮ ﯾﺎ أم ﻋﺰﯾﺰ! ﺟﺒﺘﻠﻚ ھﺎﻟﺨﺎﺗﻢ ھﺪﯾّﺔ وﺑﺘﻤﻨﻰ ﯾﻌﺠﺒﻚ! أم ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :ﺗﺴﻠﻢ إﯾﺪﯾﻚ! ھﺎﻟﺨﺎﺗﻢ ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﻏﺎﻟﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻟﯿﺶ ﻏﻠّﺒﺖ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :إﻧﺘﻲ ﻏﺎﻟﯿﺔ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﯾﺎ أم ﻋﺰﯾﺰ وﺑﺘﺴﺘﺎھﻠﯿﮫ.
أﻣﯿﻦ :ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺨﺘﺎر ﻣﺎ إﺟﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻹﺟﺘﻤﺎع اﻟﯿﻮم؟ اﻹﺟﺘﻤﺎع ﻣﮭﻢ وﻛﺎن ﻻزم ﯾﺤﻀﺮه! اﺷﺮف :اﻟﻐﺎﯾﺐ ﻋﺬره ﻣﻌﮫ.
اﻟﻐﺎﯾﺔ ﺗﺒ ّﺮر اﻟﻮﺳﯿﻠﺔ /al-ghāyah tubarrir al-wasīlah/
ﻏﺎﻟﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ
Equivalent: The end justifies the means.
/ghālī ‘alā galb-ī/
Example:
Equivalent: Close to one’s heart.
ﺣﺴﻦ :أﻣﺠﺪ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻨﺠﺢ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت وﯾﺪرس ھﻨﺪﺳﺔ ﺑﺄي وﺳﯿﻠﺔ! اﻟﯿﻮم أﺧﺬ ﻣﻌﮫ أوراق ﻏﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن! ﺳﻌﯿﺪ :اﻟﻐﺶ ﺣﺮام وﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ! ﺣﺴﻦ :ﻗﻠﺘﻠﮫ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ إﺟﺎ ﻗﻠّﻲ :اﻟﻐﺎﯾﺔ ﺗﺒ ّﺮر اﻟﻮﺳﯿﻠﺔ!
ﻏﺒﻨﺎن ﻋﻠﯿﮫ /ghabnān ‘alēh/
Example:
ﻋﺪي :ﻟﯿﺶ ﯾﺎ ﺟﺪّة ﻏﻠﺒﺘﻲ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ وﺟﺒﺘﯿﻠﻲ دراﺟﺔ ﻛﮭﺮﺑﺎﺋﯿّﺔ ھﺪﯾﺔ؟ ﻛﻨﺘﻲ ﺟﺒﺘﻲ إﺷﻲ ﺑﺴﯿﻂ ورﺧﯿﺺ! اﻟﺠﺪة :إﻧﺖ ﻏﺎﻟﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺪي! وﺣﺒﯿﺖ أﺟﯿﺒﻠﻚ ھﺎي اﻟﮭﺪﯾﺔ ﺑﻤﻨﺎﺳﺒﺔ ﻋﯿﺪ ﻣﯿﻼدك.
اﻟﻐﺎﻟﻲ ﺑﺮﺧﺼﻠﻚ ← ﻏﺎﻟﻲ واﻟﻄﻠﺐ رﺧﯿﺺ
Equivalent: To hold a grudge/ Not forgive someone.
/ghālī w-il-ṭalab rakhīṣ/ ← /il-ghālī birkhaṣ-l-ak/
Example:
Equivalent: Your wish is my command/ I will do
أﻣﯿﻦ :ﺑﻌﺪك ﻏﺒﻨﺎن ﻋﻠﻰ ﻓﮭﺪ ﯾﺎ ﺳﯿﻒ؟ ﺳﯿﻒ :طﺒﻌﺎ ً ﺑﻌﺪﻧﻲ! ﻣﮭﻮ اﻟﺴﺒﺐ ﺑﺨﺴﺎرﺗﻲ ﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺘﻲ!
whatever you want me to do and give you whatever you want or need. Example:
اﻟﻐﺮﻗﺎن ﺑﺘﻌﻠﻖ ﺑﻘﺸّﺔ /il-ghargān bit‘allag b-gashsheh/
Equivalent: A drowning man will clutch at a straw. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺧﺎﻟﺪ :روح ﺷﻮف دﻛﺘﻮر ﺷﺎطﺮ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺻﺎﺑﺮ ﺑﺪل ﻣﺎ ﺗﻀﻞ ﺗﺠ ّﺮب ھﺎﻷﻋﺸﺎب واﻟﻄﺐ اﻟﺸﻌﺒﻲ! ﻣﺮﺿﻚ ﺑﺪّه دﻛﺘﻮر
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎدل :ﺑﺘﻘﺪري ﺗﺒﯿﻌﻲ ذھﺒﻚ ﯾﺎ أم ﻋﺎدل ﻋﺸﺎن ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪﯾﻨﻲ أﺳ ّﺪ اﻟﺪﯾﻦ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ؟ ﻓﻲ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﺷ ّﻚ ﻣﺴﺘﺤﻖ وﻻزم أدﻓﻌﮫ ﻓﻮراً وﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﯾﻌﻄﯿﻨﻲ اﻟﻤﺒﻠﻎ! ﺑﻌﺮف إﻧّﮫ ذھﺒﻚ ﻏﺎﻟﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻲ وﺑﺘﺤﺒﯿﮫ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪي ﺣﺪا ﻏﯿﺮك ﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ! أم ﻋﺎدل :وﻟﻮ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎدل! أﻛﯿﺪ ﺑﺒﯿﻌﮫ ﻋﺸﺎﻧﻚ! ﻏﺎﻟﻲ واﻟﻄﻠﺐ رﺧﯿﺺ! واﻟﻐﺎﻟﻲ ﺑﺮﺧﺼﻠﻚ!
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻐﯿﻦ
ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف إﻧّﮫ ﻓﻲ ﻗﻮاﻋﺪ ﻛﺜﯿﺮة ﻻزم ﯾﻜﻮن ﻋﺎرﻓﮭﺎ وﺧﺼﻮﺻﺎ ﻟﻺﻣﺘﺤﺎن! وﺑﺎﻵﺧﺮ رﺳﺐ وﺑﺪّه ﯾﻌﯿﺪ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ. اﯾﮭﺎب :ھﺬا واﺣﺪ ﻏﺸﯿﻢ!
ﺼﺔ ﺑﺤﻠﻘﻲ ﻏ ّ
ﺧﺒﯿﺮ! ﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺴﻤﻊ ﺣﺪا ﺑﻘﻮل ﻋﻦ ﻧﻮع ﻋﺸﺒﺔ ﻟﻠﻌﻼج ﺑﺘﺠ ّﺮﺑﮭﺎ ﺑﺪون ﻣﺎ ﺗﻌﺮف أﺿﺮارھﺎ. أﺑﻮ ﺻﺎﺑﺮ :ﻣﺎ أﻧﺎ رﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻠﯿﻮن دﻛﺘﻮر وﻣﺎ ﻓﺎدوﻧﻲ ﺑﺈﺷﻲ! ﻛﻠّﮫ ﺗﺤﺎﻟﯿﻞ وأدوﯾﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺴﺎﻋﺪ! ﻋﻠﻰ اﻷﻗﻞ اﻟﻄﺐ اﻟﺸﻌﺒﻲ إذا ﻣﺎ ﻓﺎد ﻣﺎ ﺑﻀ ّﺮ! واﻟﻐﺮﯾﻖ ﺑﺘﻌﻠّﻖ ﺑﻘﺸّﺔ.
/ghaṣṣah b-ḥalg-ī/
Equivalent: A lump in one’s throat.
ﻏﺮﻗﺎن ﺑﺎﻟﺪﯾﻦ
Example:
ﺼﺔ ﺷﯿﺮﯾﻦ :ﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ أﺗﺬ ّﻛﺮ اﻟﻤﺮﺣﻮم ﺧﻄﯿﺒﻲ ﺑﺤﺲ ﺑﻐ ّ ﺑﺤﻠﻘﻲ! رﺟﺎء :ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮫ.
ﻏﻠﻄﺔ اﻟﺸﺎطﺮ ﺑﺄﻟﻒ
/ghargān b-il-dēn/
Equivalent: Over your head and ears in debt. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺷﻌﺒﺎن :اﻟﯿﻮم أﺑﻮ رزق اﻧﺴﺠﻦ! ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺷ ّﻜﺎت ﻣﺴﺘﺤﻘﺔ وﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ وﻻ ﻗﺮش! أﺑﻮ اﯾﻮب :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﻏﺮﻗﺎن ﺑﺎﻟﺪﯾﻦ وﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه أي دﺧﻞ!
/ghalṭit il-shāṭir b-’alf/
Equivalent: The mistake of the best is the worst of all.
ﻏﺮﻗﺎن ﻟﺸﻮﺷﺘﮫ
Example:
أم وﺿﺎح :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ اﺑﻦ أم ﺻﺒﺤﻲ اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر ﺻﺒﺤﻲ ﻧﺴﻲ ﻣﻘﺺ ﺑﺒﻄﻦ ﻣﺮﯾﺾ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺧﻠّﺺ اﻟﻌﻤﻠﯿﺔ! وﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﻓﺼﻠﻮه ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ وﻣﻤﻜﻦ ﯾﻨﺴﺠﻦ وﯾﺨﺴﺮ وظﯿﻔﺘﮫ! ﺧﺴﺎرة ﻛﺎن دﻛﺘﻮر ﺷﺎطﺮ وﺳﻤﻌﺘﮫ ﻣﻤﺘﺎزة! أﺑﻮ وﺿﺎح :ﻣﮭﻮﻏﻠﻄﺔ اﻟﺸﺎطﺮ ﺑﺄﻟﻒ!
ﻏﻠﻰ وﺗﺸﻮى /ghalā w-tshawā/
/ghargān la-shūsht-uh/
Equivalent: To be up to one’s ears in something/ To be very busy/ To be head over heels in love. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﻮض :وﯾﻦ ﻋﻮض ﻣﺒﻄّﻞ ﯾﺒﯿﻦ ﻛﻞ وﻗﺘﮫ ﺑﻐﺮﻓﺘﮫ؟ أم ﻋﻮض :ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻠﻔﻮن ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻊ ﺣﺒﯿﺒﺘﮫ! اﺑﻨﻚ ﻏﺮﻗﺎن ﻟﺸﻮﺷﺘﮫ.
ﺴﻞ إﯾﺪﯾﻚ ﻣﻨﮫ ﻏ ّ
Equivalent: Cost an arm and leg/ Expensive/ Prices
/ghassil ’idēk minn-uh/
are high.
Equivalent: To wash one’s hands of someone.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻓﺮج :اﻟﯿﻮم رﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺴﻮق أﺷﺘﺮي أﻏﺮاض ﺑﺲ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﻣﺮﺗﻔﻊ ﺳﻌﺮه! اﻟﻮﺿﻊ ﻣﺶ طﺒﯿﻌﻲ! أم ﺳﻔﯿﺎن :اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﺻﺎﯾﺮة ﻏﻠﻰ وﺗﺸﻮى.
ﻏﻠﻲ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ /ghilī galb-ī ‘alēh/
أم رﺿﺎ :اﺑﻨﻚ رﺿﺎ راح ﯾﻠﻌﺐ ﻓﻄﺒﻮل ﻣﻊ أﺻﺤﺎﺑﮫ وﺑﻜﺮة ﻋﻨﺪه إﻣﺘﺤﺎن إﻧﺠﻠﯿﺰي وﻣﺎ درس! ﻻزم ﺗﺸﻮف ﺣ ّﻞ وﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ. ﺴﻠﺖ اﯾﺪﯾّﮫ ﻣﻨّﮫ ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن! اﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﻣﺶ أﺑﻮ رﺿﺎ :أﻧﺎ ﻏ ّ ﺑﺎﻟﺪراﺳﺔ.
ﻏﺴﻞ دﻣﺎﻏﮫ
Equivalent: Worried sick about someone or a
/ghasal dmāgh-uh/
situation.
Equivalent: Brainwash someone.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﺄﺧﺮت ﯾﺎ ﻣﻨﺼﻮر؟ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ زﻣﺎن ﺳ ّﻜﺮت! ﻟﯿﺶ اﻟﺒﺎص ﺗﺄﺧﺮ؟ ﻏﻠﻲ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ. ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :ﻛﺎن ﻓﻲ ﺣﺎدث ﺳﯿّﺎرة ﺑﺎﻟﻄﺮﯾﻖ واﻟﺒﺎص اﺿﻄﺮ ﯾﻮﻗّﻒ ﻓﺎﺗﺄﺧﺮﻧﺎ!
ﻏﻠﯿﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ← ﺣﻠﯿﺖ ﺑﻌﯿﻨﮫ
أم ﺳﻼم :ھﺎﻟﺪﻋﺎﯾﺎت واﻟﺘﻜﻨﻮﻟﻮﺟﯿﺎ ﻏﺴﻠﺖ دﻣﺎغ ھﺎﻷوﻻد واﻟﺸﺒﺎب! اﻟﻮاﺣﺪ ﺑﻄّﻞ ﯾﻌﺮف ﻛﯿﻒ ﯾﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻊ أوﻻده! أم ﺑﺪري :ھﺎي ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﺻﺎر اﻟﻜﻞ ﯾﻌﺎﻧﻲ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﻮﻗﺖ اﻟﺤﺎﻟﻲ وﻻزم اﻟﻨﺎس ﺗﻮﻋﻰ وﺗﻮﻋّﻲ أوﻻدھﺎ.
ﻏﺸﯿﻢ
/ḥilyat b-‘ēn-uh/ ← /ghilyat ‘alēh/
/ghashīm/
Equivalent: An Indian giver or gift/ This is said when a
Equivalent: Not know the first thing about someone or
person asks the return of or takes back a gift after he
something/ Ignorant/ Innocent/ Unskilled.
or she has given it to someone.
Example:
Example:
روان :ﺑﺪّي ﻓﺴﺘﺎﻧﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ أﻋﻄﯿﺘﻚ إﯾﺎه! ﺣﺎﺑّﺔ أﻟﺒﺴﮫ.
أﻣﯿﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم راح اﯾﻤﻦ ﯾﻤﺘﺤﻦ ﺳﻮاﻗﺔ ﻣﻊ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ أﺧﺬ وﻻ درس! إﻋﺘﻤﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﻌﺮف ﯾﺸ ّﻐﻞ اﻟﺴﯿﺎرة وﯾﻤﺸﻲ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
ﺷﯿﻤﺎء :ﺻﺤﯿﺢ إﻧّﮫ ﻋﺎﺑﺪ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺨﻄﺒﻚ؟ رؤى :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف وﻣﺎ ﺑﮭﻤﻨﻲ! ﺷﯿﻤﺎء :ﻏﻨّﻲ ﺑﻌﺒّﻚ إذا ﺧﻄﺒﻚ! ﻛﻞ اﻟﺒﻨﺎت ﺑﺘﻤﻨّﻨﮫ! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﻨّﮫ.
114
ﻋﻼ :طﯿّﺐ ﻣﻨﺘﻲ أﻋﻄﯿﺘﯿﻨﻲ إﯾﺎه وﻗﻠﺘﯿﻠﻲ أوﺧﺬه إﻟﻲ! ﺣﻜﯿﺘﻲ ﺴﮫ ﻏﻠﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻲ وﺣﻠﻲ ﺑﻌﯿﻨﻚ ﺑﺲ ﺷﻔﺘﯿﻨﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّك إﯾﺎه! ھ ّ ﻻﺑﺴﯿﺘﮫ؟
ﻏﻤﺮﻧﻲ ﺑﻠﻄﻔﮫ /ghamar-nī b-luṭf-uh/
ﻏﻮطﻦ
Equivalent: Do someone a kindness/ Debt of gratitude. /ghōṭan/
Equivalent: To feel dizzy/ To feel light-headed/ To feel sick because something is awfully unpleasant to see, smell or taste. Example:
أم دﻋﺎس :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻣ ّﺮﯾﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤﺎرة وﻛﺎﻧﺖ رﯾﺤﺔ اﻟﻤﺠﺎري ﻓﺎﯾﺤﺔ! ﻏﻮطﻨﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺮﯾﺤﺔ! ﻻزم ﯾﺼﻠﺤﻮھﺎ. أم وﺻﻔﻲ :آه رﯾﺤﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﻜﺘﻞ!
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ :ﺑﺠﺪ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ طﮫ إﻧﺖ ﻏﻤﺮﺗﻨﻲ ﺑﻠﻄﻔﻚ! ﻣﺎ أﺧﺬت ﻣﻨﻲ إﯾﺠﺎر اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﻟﮭﺎﻟﺸﮭﺮ وﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﻜﺲ دﯾّﻨﺘﻨﻲ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻋﺸﺎن أﺻﺮف ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﯿﻠﺔ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺧﺴﺮت ﺷﻐﻠﻲ! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﻛﯿﻒ أﺷﻜﺮك! أﺑﻮ طﮫ :إﺣﻨﺎ أﺧﻮة وﺟﯿﺮان! ﻻ ﺗﺸﯿﻞ ھﻢ إﺷﻲ.
ﻏ ّﻤﺾ ﻓﺘّﺢ /ghammiḏ ̣ fattiḥ/
ﻏﯿﺮ ﺷﻜﻞ
Equivalent: Before you know it/ In no time. /ghēr shikil/
Equivalent: Different/ Beautiful/ Amazing/ Special. Example:
ﺿﺤﻰ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺳﮭﺮة راس اﻟﺴﻨﺔ ﻋﻨﺪﻛﻮ؟ راﻣﺎ :ﻏﯿﺮ ﺷﻜﻞ! ﺑﺘﺠﻨّﻦ! راﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻲ.
Example:
أم ﻋﻼء :ﺷ ّﺪ ﺣﯿﻠﻚ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت ﻣﺎ ﺿ ّﻞ وﻗﺖ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻏ ّﻤﺾ ﻓﺘّﺢ ﺑﺘﻜﻮن اﻟﺴﻨﺔ اﻟﺪراﺳﯿّﺔ ﺧﻠﺼﺖ واﻟﻨﺘﺎﯾﺞ طﻠﻌﺖ. ﻋﻼء :ھﯿﻨﻲ ﺑﺪرس ﯾ ّﻤﺎ!
ﻏﻨﻲ ﺣﺮب
ﻏﯿّﺮ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع
/ghanī ḥarb/ /ghayyar il-mawḏū ̣ ‘/
Equivalent: Filthy rich/ Very wealthy.
Equivalent: To change the subject/ To go off on a
Example:
tangent/ To change the channel.
أﺑﻮ ﺻﻼح :اﻟﯿﻮم إﺟﺎ اﻟﺠﺎر اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ وﺳﻜﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﻘﺼﺮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ طﺮف اﻟﺤﺎرة! أﺑﻮ داﻣﺮ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﻏﻨﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﻏﻨﻲ ﺣﺮب! وھﺬا اﻟﻘﺼﺮ ﻛﺎﯾﻦ ﻟﺠﺪه ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن!
Example:
أم ﺻﺒﺤﻲ :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺷﻔﺖ أم طﺎرق وﺳﺄﻟﺘﮭﺎ إذا ﺑﻨﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺘﺮك ﺧﻄﯿﺒﮭﺎ! ﻗﻠﺘﻠﮭﺎ ﻓﻲ إﺷﺎﻋﺎت ﺑﺘﻘﻮل إﻧﮭﻢ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﻔﺴﺨﻮ اﻟﺨﻄﻮﺑﺔ ﺑﺲ ﻏﯿّﺮت اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع وﻣﺎ ﺟﺎوﺑﺘﻨﻲ. أم ﻋﻠﻲ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﺘﺪﺧﻠﻲ ﺑﺨﺼﻮﺻﯿﺎﺗﮭﻢ! إذا ﺗﺮﻛﻮ رح ﺗﻌﺮﻓﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ داﻋﻲ ﺗﺤﺮﺟﻲ أم طﺎرق ﺑﺄﺳﺌﻠﺘﻚ اﻟﻜﺜﯿﺮة.
ﻏﻨّﻲ ﺑﻌﺒّﻚ /ghannī b-‘ubb-ak/
Equivalent: Thank one’s lucky stars/ Be happy and grateful.
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻔﺎء
ﻓﺎت اﻟﻔﻮت
ﻓﺎﺿﻲ ﻣﻠﯿﺎن /fāḏị̄ malyān/
/fāt il-fōt/
Equivalent: Busy oneself with someone or something.
Equivalent: It’s too late/ That ship has sailed/ Miss
Example:
the boat.
أم ﻋﻮض :ﻋﻮض ﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﻤﻊ اﻟﻜﻠﻤﺔ وطﻮل ﻧﮭﺎره ﻋﻠﻰ ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﮫ ﺑﻠﻌﺐ أﻟﻌﺎب! ﺑﺪّي إﯾﺎه ﯾﺮوح ﯾﺸﺘﺮي أﻏﺮاض ﻟﻠﺒﯿﺖ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ. أﺑﻮ ﻋﻮض :ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ ﺑﺎﺷﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﻟﯿﺶ داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﻓﺎﺿﻲ ﻣﻠﯿﺎن؟ وﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺑﻌﻤﻠﮫ ﺑﻼ طﻌﻤﺔ!
اﻟﻔﺎﺿﻲ ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ﻗﺎﺿﻲ /il-fāḏị̄ bi‘mal gāḏị̄ /
Equivalent: Stick one’s nose into something/ This is said when a person has nothing to do and has lots of free time/ The person starts to act like an armchair critic and tell people what they should do to the
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻧﻌﯿﻢ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧﮭﻢ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﺴﻜﺮو اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺧﻀﺮ! ﺻﺤﯿﺢ اﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺧﻀﺮ :آه ﺻﺤﯿﺢ! اﻟﺸﮭﺮ اﻟﺠﺎي ﺑﺘﺴ ّﻜﺮ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ. أﺑﻮ ﻧﻌﯿﻢ :وﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻌﻤﻞ؟ د ّورت ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻐﻞ ﺛﺎﻧﻲ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺧﺼﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻠﺪ ﺷﻐﻞ! ﻛﻞ اﻟﻤﺼﺎﻟﺢ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺷﮭﺎدات وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﻲ إﻻ ﺷﮭﺎدة اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻮﯾﺔ. أﺑﻮ ﻧﻌﯿﻢ :ﻣﺎ ﺗﺮوح ﺗﻜ ّﻤﻞ دراﺳﺘﻚ وﺗﻮﺧﺬ ﺷﮭﺎدة! ھﺬا ﻛﺎن ﺣﻠﻤﻚ ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن. ﺴﮫ ﻓﺎت اﻟﻔﻮت وﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ وﻗﺖ وﻻ ھ ّﻤﺔ! أﺑﻮ ﺧﻀﺮ:ﺧﻠﺺ ھ ّ
ﻓﺎﺗﮭﺎ اﻟﻘﻄﺮ ← ﻋﻨّﺴﺖ ← ﺑﺎرت
extent of bothering them.
/bārat/ ← /‘annasat/ ← /fāt-hā il-gaṭur/
Example:
Equivalent: Old maid/ Spinster.
أم ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺗﻘﺎﻋﺪ أﺑﻮ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ وﻗﻌﺪ ﻋﻨﺪي ﺑﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ وھﻮ ّ ﺑﺘﺪﺧﻞ ﺑﻜﻞ إﺷﻲ ﺑﻌﻤﻠﮫ! ﺣﺘﻰ اﻟﻄﺒﺦ! ﺑﻀﻞ ﯾﻨﺘﻘﺪ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ! ﻟﻮ ﺿﻠّﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺪوام وﻣﺎ ﺗﻘﺎﻋﺪ ﻛﺎن أﺣﺴﻦ! أم ﺻﺎﺑﺮ :اﻟﻔﺎﺿﻲ ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ﻗﺎﺿﻲ!
Example:
ﻓﺎﻗﺪ اﻟﺸﻲء ﻻ ﯾﻌﻄﯿﮫ
أم ﺣﺎﺗﻢ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر اﻓﺘﻜﺎر؟ ﻣﺎ إﺗﺠﻮزت؟ أم ﻋﻤﺎر :ﻻ ﻋﻨّﺴﺖ وﻓﺎﺗﮭﺎ اﻟﻘﻄﺮ! ﺿﻠّﺖ ﺗﺮﻓﺾ اﻟﻌﺮﺳﺎن اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﯿﺠﻮھﺎ وﺗﺘﻜﺒّﺮﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ ﻹﻧﮭﺎ ﺣﻠﻮة ﻟﺤﺘﻰ ﻛﺒﺮت وﺑﺎرت!
ﻓﺎﺧﺮ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ /fāqid al-shē’ lā yu‘ṭī-h/
/fākhir ‘a-il-’ākhir/
Equivalent: You cannot get blood from a stone.
Equivalent: Extravagantly rich/ Elaborate/ Lavish/
Example:
Luxurious.
أم ﺳﺎري :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺳﺎري رﺳﺐ ﺑﺈﻣﺘﺤﺎن اﻹﻧﺠﻠﯿﺰي! ﺑﻘﻮل إﻧّﮫ ﺟﺎوب ﺑﺲ اﻷﺳﺘﺎذ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮح! واﻟﻄﻼب ﻣﺎ ﺑﻔﮭﻤﻮ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﯿﻦ ﺷﻮ ﻧﻌﻤﻞ! أﺑﻮ ﻋﺰام ﻣﺸﺮف اﻹﻧﺠﻠﯿﺰي راح ﺣﻀﺮ ﻋﻨﺪ ھﺬا اﻷﺳﺘﺎذ درس وﺑﻘﻮل إﻧّﮫ ﺿﻌﯿﻒ ﺑﺎﻹﻧﺠﻠﯿﺰي! أم ﻗﺎﺳﻢ :ﻟﻌﺎد ھﺬا اﻟﺴﺒﺐ! زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﻓﺎﻗﺪ اﻟﺸﻲء ﻻ ﯾﻌﻄﯿﮫ واﺑﻨﻚ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻟﻮم! اﻟﻠﻮم ﻋﻠﻰ اﻷﺳﺘﺎذ!
ﻓﺎﻟﺞ ﻻ ﺗﻌﺎﻟﺞ
Example:
وﺳﻦ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ اﻟﺮﺣﻠﺔ اﻟﺴﯿﺎﺣﯿﺔ؟ ﻧﺎره :ﺑﺘﺠﻨّﻦ! وﺳﻦ :واﻟﻔﻨﺪق؟ ﻧﺎره :ﻛﺎن ﻓﺎﺧﺮ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ!
ﻓﺎﺿﻲ أﺷﻐﺎل /fāḏị̄ ’ashghāl/
/fālij lā t‘ālij/
Equivalent: Have nothing to do/ Busy as a hibernating
Equivalent: The situation or the person is beyond
bear.
remedy/ Hopeless case.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻋﻮض :روح ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻋﻮض وﺟﯿﺒﻠﻨﺎ ﺧﺒﺰ ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺴ ّﻜﺮ اﻟﻔ ّﺮان. أﺑﻮ ﻋﻮض :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ ﻗﻠﺘﻲ ﻟﻌﻮض ﯾﺮوح ﻣﮭﻮ ﻣﻌﻄّﻞ وﻓﺎﺿﻲ أﺷﻐﺎل؟
أم ﻋﻔﺎف :ﺑﻌﺪه ﺟﻮزك ﺑﺨﯿﻞ وطﺒﻌﮫ ﺻﻌﺐ ﯾﺎ ﻋﻔﺎف؟ ﻋﻔﺎف :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻐﯿﺮه ﯾ ّﻤﺎ! ﺑﻌﺪه زي ﻣﺎ ھﻮ وﺻﺎر أﺳﻮء! ﻓﺎﻟﺞ ﻻ ﺗﻌﺎﻟﺞ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎﺻﻢ :ﻓﺘّﺢ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺻﺒﺮي ودﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﺎﻟﻤﺤﻞ! اﻟﺒﻀﺎﻋﺔ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺼﻞ ﻛﻤﺎن ﺳﺎﻋﺔ! ﻻ ﺗﺘﺮك اﻟﻤﺤﻞ ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن اﻟﺴﺒﺐ! اﻟﺤﺮاﻣﯿّﺔ ﻣﻮﺟﻮدﯾﻦ ﺑﻜﻞ ﻣﻜﺎن وﺑﺲ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﻓﺮﺻﺔ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺴﺮﻗﻮ. ﺻﺒﺮي :ﻻ ﺗﺸﯿﻞ اي ھﻢ! أﻧﺎ ﻟﮭﺎ!
ﻓﺘّﺤﻠﮫ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮫ ← ﻧ ّﻮره
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ﻓﺘّﺢ ← إﺻﺤﻰ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻚ /’iṣḥā la-ḥāl-ak/ ← /fattiḥ/
Equivalent: Come to your senses. Example:
أم ﻋﻼء :ھﺎي ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻚ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﻨﺖ ﺗﺜﻖ ﻓﯿﮫ ﻏﺪر ﻓﯿﻚ وأﺧﺬ وظﯿﻔﺘﻚ! ﻋﻼء :إﻧﺼﺪﻣﺖ ﻓﯿﮫ وﷲ! أم ﻋﻼء :ﻻزم ﺗﺼﺤﻰ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻚ! ﻣﺶ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻨﺎس ﺑﻨﻮﺛﻖ ﺑﯿﮭﺎ.
/nawwar-uh/ ← /Fattah-l-uh ‘yūn-uh/
Equivalent: To open someone’s eyes to something/ To
ﻓﺘﺢ ﺑﺮاﺳﮫ ﺷﻮارع
make someone realize the truth about something/ To
/fataḥ b-rās-uh shawāri‘/
inform someone about something/ To bring someone
Equivalent: Hit, beat or knock someone over the head.
or something to someone’s attention.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﻤﺮ :ﺷﻜﺮاً ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺪﻧﺎن إﻧّﻚ ﻓﺘّﺤﺖ ﻋﯿﻮن ﻋﺪﻧﺎن وﻧ ّﻮرﺗﮫ! ھﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﺎن ﯾﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺗﺴﺘﻐﻠّﮫ وﻛﺎﻧﻮ ﻣﺎ ﯾﻌﻄﻮه راﺗﺐ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ! ﺑﺲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ إﻧﺖ ﺣﻜﯿﺖ ﻣﻌﮫ د ّور ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻜﺎن ﺛﺎﻧﻲ وﻟﻘﻰ ﺷﻐﻞ أﺣﺴﻦ وراﺗﺐ أﻋﻠﻰ! أﺑﻮ ﻋﺪﻧﺎن :اﺑﻨﻚ زي اﺑﻨﻲ ﯾﺎﺧﻮي وﻣﻦ واﺟﺒﻲ أ ّوﻋﯿﮫ!
أﻣﺠﺪ :ﻋﻤﺮ وﺳﻠﻤﺎن ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﻮ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻄﻌﻢ! وإﺟﺖ اﻟﺸﺮطﺔ! ﺳﻠﻤﺎن ﻓﺘﺢ ﺑﺮاس ﻋﻤﺮ ﺷﻮارع! راح ﻣﺎ ﯾﻤﻮﺗﮫ. ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :ﯾﺎ ﺣﻮل ﷲ!
ﻓﺘّﺢ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ اﺑﻮاب ﻣﻐﻠّﻘﺔ /fattaḥ ‘alā ḥāl-uh ibwāb mghallagah/
Equivalent: To open a can of worms/ Bring on oneself/
ّ ﺴﺮ( ﺑﻌﻀﮫ ﻓﺨﺎر ﯾﻄﺒّﺶ )ﯾﻜ ّ
To cause something unpleasant to happen to oneself.
/fakhkhār yṭabbish (ykassir) ba‘ḏ-̣ uh/
Equivalent: To not care or give a fig/ To not give a damn/ Who cares/ To hell with somebody or something. Example:
ﺴﺮ وﺑﺨ ّﺮب ﺼﺐ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﺑﻜ ّ ﻋﺪي :ﺗﻌﺎل ﺷﻮف ﻣﺎل أﺷﺮف! ﻣﻌ ّ ﺑﺄﻏﺮاض اﻟﻤﺤﻞ! ﻧﺎدر :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّي أﻋﻤﻠّﮫ؟ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﻤﻊ ﻧﺼﯿﺤﺔ ﺣﺪا! ﻋﻨﯿﺪ وراﺳﮫ ﯾﺎﺑﺲ! ﺧﺴﺮﻧﺎ ﺻﻔﻘﺔ ﻣﻦ وراه! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮﻓﮫ! ﺧﻠّﯿﮫ ﯾﻌﻤﻞ ﺴﺮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪّه إﯾﺎه! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﺮق ﻣﻌﻲ! ّ ﻓﺨﺎر ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه وﺧﻠﯿﮫ ﯾﻜ ّ ﯾﻄﺒّﺶ ﺑﻌﻀﮫ!
ﻓﺮاﻗﮫ ﻋﯿﺪ
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻓﺎﯾﺰ :ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ رﺷّﺢ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎدل ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﻟﻺﻧﺘﺨﺎﺑﺎت اﻟﺒﻠﺪﯾّﺔ واﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺨﻠﺺ! ﻓﻀﯿﺤﺔ ورا ﻓﻀﯿﺤﺔ وﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ ورا ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ وﻓﺮﺻﺘﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻨﺠﺎح ﺿﻌﯿﻔﺔ! أﺑﻮ رﺿﺎ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻓﺘّﺢ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ اﺑﻮاب ﻣﻐﻠّﻘﺔ وﺑﺲ!
ﻓﺘﺢ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ إﻟﮫ /fataḥ galb-uh illuh/
Equivalent: Bare your heart/ Open your heart to someone. Example:
أم ﺷﺎھﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم إﺟﺖ ﻋﻨﺪي اﻧﻌﺎم وﻓﺘﺤﺖ ﻗﻠﺒﮭﺎ إﻟﻲ وﺷﻜﺘﻠﻲ ﻣﻦ وﺿﻌﮭﺎ ﻣﻊ ﺟﻮزھﺎ! ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻨﺔ ﻣﺎ إﻟﮭﺎ ﺣﺪا ووﺿﻌﮭﺎ ﺻﻌﺐ. أم ﻟﻤﯿﺲ :ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام!
/frāg-uh ‘īd/
Equivalent: To wish someone or something would go
ﻓﺘﺢ ﺟﺎﻋﻮرﺗﮫ
away.
/fataḥ jā‘ūrt-uh/
Example:
Equivalent: Scream bloody murder/ To yell at someone
ﻣﺎزن :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻣﻘﺪّم إﺳﺘﻘﺎﻟﺘﮫ! أﻣﯿﻦ :ﺟﺪّ؟ ﯾﺎ رﯾﺖ! ھﺎﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ وﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺑﺤﺒﮫ! ﻓﺮاﻗﮫ ﻋﯿﺪ.
ﻓﺮﺟﺎه ﻧﺠﻮم اﻟﻈﮭﺮ ﻣﻨﯿﻦ ﺑﺘﻄﻠﻊ /farjāh njūm il-ḏụ hur mnēn btiṭla‘/
or something loudly/ To yell one’s head off. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﻘﯿﻞ :اﻟﯿﻮم رﺣﺖ اﺗﻔﺎھﻢ ﻣﻊ أﺑﻮ رﻣﺰي وﻧﺤﻞ اﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﯿﻨّﺎ! ﺑﺲ ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﻔﻊ ﻣﻌﮫ اﻟﺘﻔﺎھﻢ! ﺑﺲ ﺷﺎﻓﻨﻲ ﻓﺘﺢ ﺟﺎﻋﻮرﺗﮫ وﺻﺎر ﯾﺤﻜﻲ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ! أﺑﻮ ﻣﮭﻨﺪ :ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻔﮭﻢ!
Equivalent: Go through hell/ Put someone through hell/ Have been put through the mill/ To give
ﻓﺘّﺢ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﻚ
someone a hard time and make his or her life
/fattiḥ ‘yūn-ak/
difficult.
Equivalent: Keep one’s eyes open/ Keep one’s eyes
Example:
peeled/ To remain alert and watchful for someone or
أم ﺟﺎﺳﻢ :وأﺧﯿﺮاً ﻧﻮال ﺗﺮﻛﺖ ﺟﻮزھﺎ وطﻠﺒﺖ اﻟﻄﻼق!
something.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻔﺎء
ﻓﺮط ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﻮع /faraṭ min il-jū‘/
Equivalent: Starving for something/ Very hungry. Example:
ﻣﻨﺎر :ﻣﻄ ّﻮل ﺗﺎ ﯾﺼﯿﺮ اﻟﻐﺪا ﯾﺎ ﻣﺎﻣﺎ؟ ﻓﺮطﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﻮع! أم ﻣﻨﺎر :ﺑﺲ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ وﺑﺠﮭﺰ اﻷﻛﻞ.
أم ﺷﻌﺒﺎن :ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ! ﻣﮭﻮ ﻓﺮﺟﺎھﺎ ﻧﺠﻮم اﻟﻈﮭﺮ ﻣﻨﯿﻦ ﺑﺘﻄﻠﻊ! ﻛﺎن ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﯾﻀﺮﺑﮭﺎ وﻣﺎﻧﻌﮭﺎ ﺗﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﺣﺘﻰ ﻋﻠﻰ أھﻠﮭﺎ!
ﻓﺮﺟﯿﻨﻲ ﻋﺮض اﻛﺘﺎﻓﻚ /farjīnī ‘arḏ ̣ iktāf-ak/
Equivalent: Go fry an egg/ Get out of here.
ﻓﺮط ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﺤﻚ ← ﻗﺤﻤﺶ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﺤﻚ ← ﺧﺸّﺐ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﺤﻚ ← ﻓﻘﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﺤﻚ /faga‘ min il-ḏị ḥik/ ← /khashshab min il-ḏị ḥik/ ← /gaḥmash min il-ḏị ḥik/ ← /faraṭ min il-ḏị ḥik/
Equivalent: Laughing uncontrollably/ In stitches/ Burst out laughing. Example:
ﺑﺘﻀﺤﻚ! أم ھﺎﻧﻲ :ھﺎﻧﻲ ﺑﻠﻌﺐ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺒﯿﺒﻲ وﺑﻌﻤﻠّﮫ ﺣﺮﻛﺎت ّ ﺗﻌﺎل ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ھﺎﻧﻲ ﺷﻮﻓﮭﻢ! اﻟﺒﯿﺒﻲ ﻓﺮط ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﺤﻚ! أﺑﻮ ھﺎﻧﻲ :ﺧﻠّﯿﮭﻢ ﻣﺒﺴﻮطﯿﻦ! ﺑﺸﻮﻓﮭﻢ ﻗﺤﻤﺸﻮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﺤﻚ!
ﻓﺮق اﻟﺴﻤﺎ ﻋﻦ اﻻرض ̣/farg il-samā ‘an il-’arḏ/
Equivalent: Like chalk and cheese/ As different as night and day. Example:
ودﯾﻊ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﺷﻐﻠﻚ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺤﺴﻦ؟ إن ﺷﺎ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ ﺷﻐﻠﻚ اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻢ؟ ﻣﺤﺴﻦ :آه وﷲ أﺣﺴﻦ ﺑﻜﺜﯿﺮ! اﻟﻔﺮق ﺑﯿﻦ اﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺘﯿﻦ ﻓﺮق اﻟﺴﻤﺎ ﻋﻦ اﻷرض! ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺮﺗﺎح ﺑﺎﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة.
Example:
ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮﻓﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﯿﻮم! ورﺟﯿﻨﻲ ﻋﺮض اﻛﺘﺎﻓﻚ. ﻓﺎدي :أﻋﻄﯿﻨﻲ ﻓﺮﺻﺔ ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ! ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ :أﻋﻄﯿﺘﻚ أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻓﺮﺻﺔ! إﻧﺘﮭﻰ!
ﻓﺮخ اﻟﺒﻂّ ﻋ ّﻮام /farkh il-baṭṭ ‘awwām/
Equivalent: The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺻﻔﻮان :اﺑﻦ أﺑﻮ طﺎرق درس طﺐ زي أﺑﻮه وﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﺼﺺ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺮاﺣﺔ وﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﺳﻤﻌﺘﮫ ﻣﻤﺘﺎزة وﺣﺘﻰ أﺷﻄﺮ ﺗﺨ ّ ﻣﻦ أﺑﻮه! أﺑﻮ ﻓﺘﺤﻲ :زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ :ﻓﺮخ اﻟﺒﻂّ ﻋ ّﻮام! ﻟﻤﯿﻦ ﺑﺪه ﯾﻄﻠﻊ ﯾﻌﻨﻲ؟
ﻓﺮد إﯾﺪه /farad ’īd-uh/
Equivalent: Spend money like water/ To spend money excessively or wastefully. Example:
ﻓﺮﻛﺔ إذن /farkit ’idhin/
Equivalent: Teach someone a lesson/ To punish someone lightly for doing something in order for them not to repeat it in the future. Example:
أم ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ :ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ زﻋﻼن وﻣﺘﻀﺎﯾﻖ! ﻟﯿﺶ أﺧﺬت ﻣﻨﮫ ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﮫ واﻟﻼب ﺗﻮب؟ أﺑﻮ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ :ھﺎي ﺑﺲ ﻓﺮﻛﺔ إذن! اﻟﯿﻮم ﺷﻔﺖ أﺳﺘﺎذه وﺣﻜﺎﻟﻲ إﻧّﮫ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ ﻣﺶ ﻣﮭﺘﻢ ﺑﺪراﺳﺘﮫ وﻋﻼﻣﺎﺗﮫ ﻧﺎزﻟﺔ! ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﻋﺎﻗﺒﺘﮫ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺘﻌﻠّﻢ وﯾﻨﺘﺒﮫ ﻟﺪروﺳﮫ.
ﻓﺮﻛﺔ ﻛﻌﺐ /farkit ka‘ib/
ﺣﺴﺎن :ﺑﺸﻮف ﻋﺪﻧﺎن ﻓﺮد إﯾﺪه ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ورث أﺑﻮه وﻟﻘﻰ وظﯿﻔﺔ ﻣﻤﺘﺎزة! طﻮل ﻋﻤﺮه إﯾﺪه ﻣﺎﺳﻜﺔ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﺮف وﻻ ﻗﺮش! ھﻤﺎم :ﻟﻌﺎد ﺧﻠّﯿﮫ ﯾﻌﺰﻣﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻐﺪا!
ﻓﺮﺻﺔ ﺳﻌﯿﺪة /furṣah sa‘īdeh/
Equivalent: Nice to meet you. Example:
ﻣﺮح :ﻣﺒﺴﻮطﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ إﻧّﻲ ﺗﻌ ّﺮﻓﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻏﺪﯾﺮ! ﺑﺠﺪ ﻓﺮﺻﺔ ﺳﻌﯿﺪة. ﻏﺪﯾﺮ :وأﻧﺎ أﺳﻌﺪ.
ﻓﺮﺻﺔ اﻟﻌﻤﺮ
Equivalent: A stone’s throw/ Close by.
/furṣit il-‘umur/
Example:
Equivalent: Chance of a lifetime.
أﺑﻮ ﯾﻮﻧﺲ :ﺑﺪّي أروح ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺖ أﺑﻮ ﺳﺎري أﺳﻠّﻢ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻷﻧّﮫ طﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺸﻔﻰ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﻮﻣﯿﻦ. أﺑﻮ ﺣﺎﻓﻆ :ﺧﻠﯿﻨﻲ أ ّوﺻﻠﻚ ﺑﺴﯿﺎرﺗﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺘﮫ ﻷﻧّﮫ اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﺑﺘﺸﺘﻲ ﺑ ّﺮا! أﺑﻮ ﯾﻮﻧﺲ :ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ داﻋﻲ! ﻛﻠﮭﺎ ﻓﺮﻛﺔ ﻛﻌﺐ! ﺑﯿﺘﮫ ﻗﺮﯾﺐ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ.
Example:
ﺑﺎﺳﻢ :ﻻزم ﺗﻘﺒﻞ ﺑﮭﺎي اﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺎزن! ھﺎي ﻓﺮﺻﺔ اﻟﻌﻤﺮ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺘﻜ ّﺮر! ﻣﺎزن :ﺑﻌﺪﻧﻲ ﺑﺪرس ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع وﺑﺪّي أﻗ ّﺮر ﺷﻮ ھﻮ اﻹﺷﻲ اﻷﻓﻀﻞ إﻟﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺪى اﻟﺒﻌﯿﺪ.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
ﺣﺎس ﺣﺎﻟﻲ ﻣﺨﻨﻮق وﻣﺘﻀﺎﯾﻖ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻗﯿﺲ: ّ ﻋﻤﺎد :ﻻ ﺗﺨﻠّﻲ إﺷﻲ ﺟ ّﻮاﺗﻚ! ﻓﻀﻔﻀﻠﻲ واﻓﺘﺤﻠﻲ ﻗﻠﺒﻚ! أﻧﺎ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻚ وزي أﺧﻮك!
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ﻓ ّﺰ /fizz/
Equivalent: Stand up. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﻤﺮ ﻹﺑﻨﮫ :ﻓ ّﺰ وروح ﺷﻮف ﻣﯿﻦ ﺑ ّﺮن ﻋﻠﻰ ﺟﺮس اﻟﺒﺎب! ﺴﮫ ﺑﺸﻮف. ﻋﻤﺮ :ﺣﺎﺿﺮ ھ ّ
ﻓﻀﮭﺎ ﺳﯿﺮة /fuḏ-̣ hā sīreh/
Equivalent: To bring something to a close.
ﻓ ّﺰع اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ
Example:
ﯾﺎرا :ﺧﻠﺺ ﯾﺎ ﻋﻤﺮ ﻓﻀﮭﺎ ﺳﯿﺮة وﺑﻄّﻞ ﺗﻤﺎطﻞ ﺑﻤﻮﺿﻮع اﻟﺨﻄﻮﺑﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎك ﺗﺘﮭ ّﺮب زي داﯾﻤﺎ ً! ﺧﺒّﺮﻧﻲ إذا ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺨﻄﺒﻨﻲ أو ﻻ .ﻋﻼﻗﺘﻨﺎ ط ّﻮﻟﺖ وﺷﻜﻠﻚ ﻣﺶ ﺟﺪّي! ﻋﻤﺮ :أﻛﯿﺪ ﺑﺪّي أﺧﻄﺒﻚ ﺑﺲ أﻋﻄﯿﻨﻲ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ وﻗﺖ ﻋﺸﺎن أرﺗّﺐ أﻣﻮري.
ﻓﻄﺮ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ
/fazza‘ il-dinyā/
Equivalent: To make a big fuss about something/ To make a big deal out of something. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺣﺮب :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻷوﻻد ﻛﺎﻧﻮ ﯾﻠﻌﺒﻮ ﺑﺎﻟﻔﻄﺒﻮل وﺑﺎﻟﻐﻠﻂ إﺟﺎ اﻟﻔﻄﺒﻮل ﺑﺴﺎﺣﺔ ﺑﯿﺖ أﺑﻮ ﻗﺴﯿﻢ! إﺟﺎ ﻓﺰّع اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ وﻗﺎم اﻟﻘﯿﺎﻣﺔ! ھﺎﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ ﺑﺴﯿﻄﺔ وداﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺑﺘﺼﯿﺮ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﻣﺎل ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ! أﺑﻮ ﺗﯿﻤﻮر :ھﺬا واﺣﺪ ﻣﺸ ّﺮت وﻓﯿﻮزاﺗﮫ طﺎﻗّﺔ.
/faṭar galb-uh/
Equivalent: Cry one’s heart out/ Break someone’s heart.
ﻓﺸﺘﮫ طﺎﻗّﺔ
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻣﺆﯾﺪ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ أﺑﻮ ﺑﺎﺳﻞ! ﻣﻮت ﻣﺮﺗﮫ ﻓﻄﺮ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ! ﻛﺎﻧﺖ أھﻢ إﺷﻲ ﺑﺤﯿﺎﺗﮫ وﻣﻮﺗﮭﺎ ﻛﺎن ﺻﻌﺐ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ. أم ﻣﺆﯾﺪ :ﷲ ﯾﻜﻮن ﺑﻌﻮﻧﮫ! وﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮭﺎ.
ﻓﻄﺲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻮب /faṭas min il-shōb/
Equivalent: To feel hot/ To feel a high body temperature and get sweaty because of the hot weather.
/fasht-uh ṭāggah/
Equivalent: Super rich/ Filthy rich. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺳﻌﻮد :ﻣﺎ واﻓﻖ أﺧﻮﻛﻲ أﺑﻮ ﻟﯿﺚ ﯾﻌﻄﯿﻨﺎ اﻟﻤﺒﻠﻎ اﻟﻠﻲ طﻠﺒﻨﺎه ﻣﻨﮫ؟ أم ﺳﻌﻮد :إﻋﺘﺬر ﻣﻨّﻲ وﻗﻠّﻲ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻤﺒﻠﻎ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺘﻮﻓّﺮ ﻣﻌﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﺳﻌﻮد :وإﻧﺘﻲ ﺻﺪّﻗﺘﻲ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ! ﻣﮭﻮ ﻓﺸﺘﮫ طﺎﻗّﺔ وﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻠﮭﺎ اﻟﻨﯿﺮان. أم ﺳﻌﻮد :ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻠّﮫ ﯾﻌﻨﻲ! ھﻮ ﺣ ّﺮ ﺑﻤﺼﺎرﯾﮫ.
Example:
ﺗﺎﻻ :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺤﺮارة ﻣﺶ طﺒﯿﻌﯿّﺔ! ﻓﻄﺴﻨﺎ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻮب! ﻓﺎدﯾﺎ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﻜﺮة اﻟﺠﻮ رح ﯾﺼﯿﺮ أﺣﺴﻦ وھﺎﻟﻤﻮﺟﺔ رح ﺗﺨﻠﺺ.
ﻓﺺ ﻣﻠﺢ وذاب ّ /faṣṣ milḥ w-dhāb/
Equivalent: To vanish into thin air/ To completely and suddenly disappear/ With no trace/ Melt away / Fade
ﻓﻀﯿﺤﺔ ﺑﺠﻼﺟﻞ
away. /faḏị̄ ḥeh b-jalājil/
Example:
Equivalent: A big scandal.
أم ﻧﻌﻤﺎن :ﻣﺎ ﻟﻘﯿﺘﻲ ﺧﺎﺗﻤﻚ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺿﯿّﻌﺘﯿﮫ ﻣﻦ ﺷﮭﺮ؟ ﻓﺺ ﻣﻠﺢ وذاب! أم ﺳﻼﻣﺔ :ﻻ ﻣﺎ ﻟﻘﯿﺘﮫ .د ّورت ﺑﻜﻞ ﻣﻜﺎن ﺑﺲ ّ
Example:
ﻧﺎﯾﻞ :اﻟﯿﻮم وإﺣﻨﺎ ﺑﻨﻤﺘﺤﻦ اﻷﺳﺘﺎذ ﻣﺴﻚ ﺟﻮاد اﺑﻦ ﻣﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ ﺑﻐﺶ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن! ﺟﻮاد ﺧﺰا أﺑﻮه ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام وﻓﻀﺤﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ! ّ أم ﻧﺎﯾﻞ :ﯾﻲ ھﺎي ﻓﻀﯿﺤﺔ ﺑﺠﻼﺟﻞ! ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ درس ﻟﻺﻣﺘﺤﺎن؟
ﻀﻰ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ ﻓ ّ /faḏḏ ̣ ā ̣ bālī/
Equivalent: You made my day/ Make someone happy.
ﻓﻘﺪ ﺻﻮاﺑﮫ
Example: /fagad ṣawāb-uh/
Equivalent: Mad as a wet hen/ Fly off the handle/ Lose one’s temper suddenly and unexpectedly.
وﻓﺎء :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻣ ّﺮت ﻋﻠ ّﻲ اﻧﺘﺼﺎر وﻣﻮﺗﺘﻨﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﺤﻚ! ﻣﺎ ﻀﺖ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ. أﺧﻒّ دﻣﮭﺎ! وﷲ ﻓ ّ أﻣﻞ :آه ﺧﻔﯿﻔﺔ دم ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ!
Example:
ﺷﺮﯾﻒ :اﻟﯿﻮم أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎھﺪ ﻓﻘﺪ ﺻﻮاﺑﮫ ﺑﺲ طﻠﻌﺖ ﻧﺘﯿﺠﺔ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت واﺑﻨﮫ رﺳﺐ! ﻛﺎن ﻣﺘﻮﻗﻌﮫ ﯾﺠﯿﺐ ﻣﻌﺪّل ﻋﺎﻟﻲ ﺑﺲ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﺣﻄّﻢ آﻣﺎﻟﮫ! ﺷﺎھﺮ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ!
ﻓﻀﻔﻀﻠﮫ /faḏf̣ aḏ-̣ l-uh/
Equivalent: To open up to someone/ To open your heart to someone/ Unburden oneself to someone.
119
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻔﺎء
ﻓﻘﺪ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ← اﻧﺠﻦ ﺟﻨﺎﻧﮫ
ﻓﻠﺘﺖ زﻣﺒﺮﻛﺎﺗﮫ ← ﻓﻠﺘﺖ أﻋﺼﺎﺑﮫ /faltat zumbarakāt-uh/← /faltat ’a‘ṣāb-uh/
/injan jnān-uh/ ← /fagad ‘agl-uh/
Equivalent: Falling to pieces/ To become emotionally
Equivalent: Go bananas/ Boiling mad/ To blow one’s top.
upset/ To lose all self-control.
Example:
Example:
ﺷﮭﺪ :اﻟﯿﻮم ورود ﺧﺒّﺮت ﻏﯿﺚ ﺣﺒﯿﺒﮭﺎ إﻧّﮫ ﺟﺎﯾﯿﮭﺎ ﻋﺮﯾﺲ وأﺑﻮھﺎ ﺑﺤﺎول ﯾﻘﻨﻌﮭﺎ ﺗﻮاﻓﻖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! وﺑﺲ ﻏﯿﺚ ﺳﻤﻊ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻗﺎﻟﺘﮫ ﻓﻠﺘﺖ أﻋﺼﺎﺑﮫ وﻓﻠﺘﺖ زﻣﺒﺮﻛﺎﺗﮫ وﻓﻘﺪ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ. أﻣﺎﻧﻲ :ﻻزم ﯾﺮوح ﯾﺨﻄﺒﮭﺎ إذا ﺑﺤﺒﮭﺎ وﺑﮭ ّﻤﮫ أﻣﺮھﺎ.
اﻟﻔﻠﻮس ﺑﺘﻐﯿّﺮ اﻟﻨﻔﻮس
ﺳﻤﺎح :ﺑﺲ أﺑﻮي ﺷﺎف ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﺑﺴﯿﺎرﺗﮫ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة ﻓﻘﺪ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ واﻧﺠﻦ ﺟﻨﺎﻧﮫ! ﻋﻼ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﺑﺎﻟﺴﯿّﺎرة؟ ﺳﻤﺎح :أوﻻد اﻟﺠﯿﺮان ﻛﺴﺮو اﻟﻘﺰاز اﻷﻣﺎﻣﻲ!
ﻓ ّﻚ ﻋﻨﻲ ← ﻓﻠﺴﻊ ← ﺣ ّﻞ ﻋﻦ ﺳﻤﺎي /ḥill ‘an samāy/ ← /falsi‘/ ← /fukk ‘an-ni/
/il-fulūs bi-tghayyir il-nufūs/
Equivalent: Beat it/ Go away/ Leave me alone.
Equivalent: Money can change one’s personality.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﻞ :رﺣﻨﺎ أﻧﺎ وأﺑﻮ ﻗﺎﺳﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ أﺑﻮ ﯾﺎﺳﺮ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻧﺴﻠّﻢ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻹﻧّﮫ رﺟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ وﺑﺪّه ﯾﺴﺘﻘﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻠﺪ! ﺑﺲ إﺳﺘﻘﺒﺎﻟﮫ ﺴﺴﻨﺎ إﻧّﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺴﺘﻮاه وإﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه إﻟﻨﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻋﺠﺒﻨﺎ! ﺣ ّ رﻏﺒﺔ ﺑﻤﻌﺮﻓﺘﻨﺎ! ﻛﻞ ھﺬا أﻛﯿﺪ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ وﺿﻌﮫ اﻟﻤﺎدي! ﺻﺎر ﻓﻮق اﻟﺮﯾﺢ وﻏﻨﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﺻﺎر ﯾﺸﻮﻓﻨﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻣﻦ ﻣﻘﺎﻣﮫ .طﺒﺎﻋﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺗﻐﯿّﺮت ﻛﺎن ﺷﺨﺺ ﻣﺘﻮاﺿﻊ وﻣﺤﺘﺮم! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎرﻟﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﻣﺤﻤﺪ :اﻟﻔﻠﻮس ﺑﺘﻐﯿّﺮ اﻟﻨﻔﻮس.
اﻟﻔﺮﺻﺔ ﺑﺘﯿﺠﻲ ﻣ ّﺮة وﺣﺪة ﺑﺎﻟﻌﻤﺮ /il-furṣah btījī marrah waḥadeh b-il- ‘umur/
ھﺎدي :ﺗﻌﺎل ﻓ ّﮭﻤﻨﻲ درس اﻟﻌﻠﻮم ﺑﺪل ﻣﺎ إﻧﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻠﻔﻮن! ﻣﺎﺟﺪ :ﻓﻠﺴﻊ ﻣﻦ ھﻮن ﻣﺶ ﻓﺎﺿﯿﻠﻚ! ﻓ ّﻚ ﻋﻨّﻲ.
ﻓ ّﻚ ھﺎﻟﻜﺸﺮة /fukk ha-il-kashrah/
Equivalent: Don’t frown. Example:
أم أﻣﺠﺪ :ﺧﻠﺺ ﯾﺎ أﻣﺠﺪ ﻓ ّﻚ ھﺎﻟﻜﺸﺮة! اﻟﻤ ّﺮة اﻟﺠﺎﯾّﺔ ﺑﺘﺸﺪو ﺣﯿﻠﻜﻮ وﺑﺘﻔﻮزو ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺴﺎﺑﻘﺔ إن ﺷﺎ !
ﻓﻜﻚ ﻣﻨﮫ
Equivalent: Opportunity knocks but once.
/fukk-ak minn-uh/
Example:
Equivalent: Ignore him or her.
أم ﺳﻌﺪ :ﻻزم ﯾﺎ ﺳﻌﺪ ﺗﻘﺒﻞ ھﺎﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ! ھﺎي ﻓﺮﺻﺔ ﻣﻤﺘﺎزة وزي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف اﻟﻔﺮﺻﺔ ﺑﺘﯿﺠﻲ ﻣﺮة وﺣﺪة ﺑﺎﻟﻌﻤﺮ. ﺳﻌﺪ :إن ﺷﺎ ﺧﯿﺮ.
اﻟﻔﻠﯿﻠﺔ ﺛﻠﺜﯿﻦ اﻟﻤﺮاﺟﻞ ← ﯾﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﺟﺒﺎن وﻻ ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮫ /ygūlū jabān walā Allah yirḥam-uh/ ← /il-falīleh thilthēn
Example:
ﻋﻠﻲ :ﺑﺪّي أروح أﺑﮭﺪل ﺻﻼح! ﺑﻀﻞ ﯾﻌﻠّﻖ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ وﻋﺎﻣﻠﻨﻲ ﻣﺴﺨﺮة! ﺑﺪّي أروح أﻗﻮل ﻷﺑﻮه ﻋﻦ ﻋﻤﺎﯾﻠﮫ. ﻏﺎﻧﻢ :ﻓﻜﻚ ﻣﻨﮫ! طﻨﺸﮫ أﺣﺴﻦ!
ﻓﻼن وﻋﻼن ← ﻓﻼن وﻋﻠﻨﺘﺎن /flān w-‘alantān/← /flān w-‘allān/
il-marājil/
Equivalent: Tom, Dick and Harry.
Equivalent: Beat a hasty retreat/ Discretion is the better
Example:
part of valor/ A live dog is better than a dead lion/ It is good to be brave, but it is also good to be careful/ It’s better to avoid a dangerous situation than to confront it. Example:
أﺑﻮ اﯾﺎد :اﻟﯿﻮم رﺋﯿﺲ اﻟﺒﻠﺪﯾﺔ ﻏﯿّﺮ وظﯿﻔﺔ ﻣﻮظﻒ ﻋﻨﺪه وﻧﺰّﻟﮫ ﻣﻦ ﻣﻨﺼﺐ رﺋﯿﺲ ﻗﺴﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻠﺪﯾﺔ ّ وﺧﻼه ﻣﻮظﻒ ﻋﺎدي! إﺟﺎ اﻟﻤﻮظﻒ ھﺠﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ رﺋﯿﺲ اﻟﺒﻠﺪﯾﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺼﺎ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻀﺮﺑﮫ! ﺑﺲ رﺋﯿﺲ اﻟﺒﻠﺪﯾﺔ ﻓ ّﻞ وﺻﺎر ﯾﻘﻮل :اﻟﻔﻠﯿﻠﺔ ﺛﻠﺜﯿﻦ اﻟﻤﺮاﺟﻞ وﯾﻘﻮﻟﻮا ﺟﺒﺎن وﻻ ﯾﻘﻮﻟﻮا ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮫ.ھﮭﮭﮫ!
أﺑﻮ اﺣﻤﺪ :ﻻ ﺗﻀﻠّﻲ ﯾﺎ أم اﺣﻤﺪ ﺗﻘﻮﻟﯿﻠﻲ ﻓﻼن ﻗﺎل ھﯿﻚ وﻋﻼن ﻗﺎل ھﯿﻚ! ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﻨﺎس وﺷﻮ ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ؟ ﻓﻜﯿﻨﺎ ﻣﻦ ﻓﻼن وﻋﻠﻨﺘﺎن. أم اﺣﻤﺪ :ﺑﺲ أﻧﺎ ﺑﺪّي ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺘﻚ!
ﻓﻠﺖ ﺑﻌﻤﻠﺘﮫ ← زﻣﻂ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ ← ﻧﻔﺬ ﺑﺮﯾﺸﮫ /nafadh b-rīsh-uh/ ← /zamaṭ min-hā/ ← /falat b- ‘amlit-uh/
Equivalent: Get off the hook/ Get away scot-free/ To get away with someone or something. Example:
ﻓﻨﺠﻞ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮫ /fanjal ‘yūn-uh/
Equivalent: One’s eyes pop out of one’s head/ Eyes like saucers.
أﺑﻮ ﻓﺆاد :ﻓﻲ ﻣﺴﺆول ﻛﺒﯿﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ اﻧﻤﺴﻚ وھﻮ ﯾﻮﺧﺬ رﺷﻮة ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻋﻤﻠّﮫ إﺷﻲ! ﻓﻠﺖ ﺑﻌﻤﻠﺘﮫ وزﻣﻂ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ! ﻛﻞ ﻣﻌﺎرﻓﮫ ﻧﺎس واﺻﻠﺔ ﺳﺎﻋﺪوه وﻏﻄّﻮ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﮫ. أﺑﻮ اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻧﻔﺬ ﺑﺮﯾﺸﮫ! ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﻋﺪاﻟﺔ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻓﻮق طﺎﻗﺘﮫ
120
Example: /fōg ṭāgt-uh/
Equivalent: Beyond his abilities/ Bite off more than you can chew/ At the end of one’s rope. Example:
أم ھﺪى :اﺳﻤﻌﻲ ﯾﺎ ھﺪي! ﻻ ﺗﻀﻠﻲ ﺗﻄﻠﺒﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺟﻮزك طﻠﺒﺎت ﻓﻮق طﺎﻗﺘﮫ! ﺣﺮام ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻲ! أﻧﺎ أ ّﻣﻚ وﺑﺪّي ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺘﻚ. ھﺪى :ﻣﯿﻦ ﺣﻜﺎﻟﻚ إﻧّﮫ طﻠﺒﺎﺗﻲ ﻓﻮق طﺎﻗﺘﮫ؟ إذا ﺑﺸﻜﯿﻠﻚ ﻣﻨّﻲ أﻧﺎ ﺑﻮرﺟﯿﮫ!
ﻣﺮاد :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺑﺲ ﻓﺮﺟﯿﺖ ﺳﻔﯿﺎن ﻗﺪّﯾﺶ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﻌﻄﻮﻧﻲ راﺗﺐ ﺑﺎﻟﺨﻠﯿﺞ ﻓﻨﺠﻞ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﮫ! ﻋﻠﻲ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻓﺮﺟﯿﺘﮫ اﻟﺮاﺗﺐ؟ ﻣﺮاد :ﻋﺸﺎن أﺣﺎول أﻗﻨﻌﮫ ﯾﻘﺪّم ﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ ھﻨﺎك .ﺣﺎب أﻓﯿﺪه.
ﻓﻨّﺸﻮه ← ﺳ ّﺮﺣﻮه /sarraḥ-ūh/ ← /fannash-ūh/
Equivalent: Get canned/ Fired/ To be dismissed/ Given the axe.
ﻓﻮﻟﺔ واﻧﻘﺴﻤﺖ ﻧﺼﯿﻦ
Example: /fūleh w-ingasmat nuṣṣēn/
Equivalent: Two peas in a pod/ Spitting image/ A precise resemblance/ Look-alike. Example:
ﻋﺒﯿﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺗﻔﺎﺟﺌﺖ ﺑﺲ ﺷﻔﺖ ﺑﻨﺖ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﺘﻲ روان! ﻣﺎ ﺼﯿﻦ! ﺻﻮرة ﺑﺘﺼﺪﻗﻲ ﻗﺪّﯾﺶ ﺑﺘﺸﺒﮫ أﻣﮭﺎ! ﻓﻮﻟﺔ واﻧﻘﺴﻤﺖ ﻧ ّ طﺒﻖ اﻷﺻﻞ ﻋﻦ أﻣﮭﺎ! ﻧﺎدﯾﺎ :ﺳﺒﺤﺎن ﷲ!
ﺑﺸﺎر :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﻋﺒﻮد! اﻟﯿﻮم ﻓﻨّﺸﻮه ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ! ﻋﻮض :ﻟﯿﺶ؟ ﺑﺸﺎر :ﻋﻨﺪھﻢ ﻣﻮظﻔﯿﻦ زﯾﺎدة!
ﻓﮭﻤﮫ ﻏﻠﻂ /fihm-uh ghalaṭ/
Equivalent: To take something the wrong way/ To misunderstand someone or something/ Get ahold of the wrong end of the stick.
ﻓﻲ ﺑﺮاﺳﮫ ﻣ ّﻮال وﺑﺪّه ﯾﻐﻨّﯿﮫ
Example:
/fī b-rās-uh mawwāl w-bidd-uh yghannīh/
Equivalent: Have something in mind/ To have a plan or intention. Example:
ﺳﺎھﺮ :ﺗﺼﺮﻓﺎت ﺧﻠﻒ ﻏﺮﯾﺒﺔ ھﺎﻷﯾّﺎم! ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﻓﻲ ﺑﺮاﺳﮫ ﻣ ّﻮال وﺑﺪّه ﯾﻐﻨّﯿﮫ! أﻣﯿﻦ :اﺑﺼﺮ!
ﺳﻌﺪون :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻋﺮﻓﺔ زﻋﻼن ﻣﻨّﻚ؟ ﺻﺎدق :اﻟﯿﻮم وإﺣﻨﺎ ﻧﺤﻜﻲ ﺑﻤﻮﺿﻮع ﻓﮭﻤﻨﻲ ﻏﻠﻂ وإﻧﺠﺮح وﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﺴﻤﻊ ﻣﻨﻲ إﺷﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﻗﺼﺪي أزﻋﻠﮫ.
ﻓﻮق اﻟﺮﯾﺢ /fōg il-rīḥ/
Equivalent: Great/ Doing very well financially/ Rich. Example:
ﻓﯿﻮزاﺗﮫ ﺿﺎرﺑﺔ ← ﻓﯿﻮزاﺗﮫ طﺎﻗّﺔ ← ﻣﺸﺮت /msharrit/ ← /fūzāt-uh ṭāggah/ ← /fūzāt-uh ḏā ̣ rbeh/
Equivalent: Go haywire/ Go crazy as if you got your wires crossed/ Not have two brain cells to rub
ﺛﺎﺑﺖ :ﻻزم ﻧﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﺘﺠﺎرة زي ﻋﺒﺎس! ﺻﺎر ﻓﻮق اﻟﺮﯾﺢ! ﻟﺆي :ﺗﻌﺎل ﻧﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻣﻌﮫ! ﺻﺎر ﻋﻨﺪه ﺧﺒﺮة وﺑﻔﯿﺪﻧﺎ.
ﻓﻮق اﻟﻨﺨﻞ
together/ Blow a fuse.
/fōg il-nakhul/
Example:
Equivalent: To be in top form/ Over the moon.
اﯾﻤﻦ :ﺑﻌﻤﺮي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺮﺟﻊ أروح ﻋﻠﻰ دﻛﺘﻮر اﻷﺳﻨﺎن اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺤﺎرﺗﻨﺎ! دﻛﺘﻮر ﻣﺸ ّﺮت وﻓﯿﻮزاﺗﮫ طﺎﻗّﺔ! ﺳﺤﺒﻠﻲ اﻟﻌﺼﺐ ﺑﺪون ﺗﺨﺪﯾﺮ وأﻗﻨﻌﻨﻲ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ رح ﯾﻮﺟﻌﻨﻲ! ﺑﺲ ﻣﺘﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻮﺟﻊ. ﻋﻤﺮان :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ ﺧﺪّرك ﯾﻌﻨﻲ؟ اﯾﻤﻦ :ﻗﺎل ﻣﺎدة اﻟﺘﺨﺪﯾﺮ ﺧﺎﻟﺼﺔ ﻣﻦ ﻋﻨﺪه! ﻋﻤﺮان :ھﺬا ﻓﻌﻼ ً ﻓﯿﻮزاﺗﮫ ﺿﺎرﺑﺔ!
Example:
ﺳﻼﻣﺔ :ﻛﯿﻒ وﺿﻌﻚ وﺣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻏﺴﺎن؟ ﻏﺴﺎن :ﻓﻮق اﻟﻨﺨﻞ!
ﻓﻮق اﻟﮭ ّﻢ زﻗﻠﺒّﺔ /fōg il-hamm zuglubbah/
Equivalent: Go downhill/ Out of the frying pan and into
ﻓﯿّﯿﺶ ﺣﯿﻞ
the fire/ To go from a bad situation to a worse one. /fiyyīsh ḥēl/
Equivalent: Dog-tired/ Exhausted/ Have no energy. Example:
ﻏﺎدة :ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﻧﺮوح ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺪﯾﻘﺔ اﻟﺠﻮ ﺣﻠﻮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ. ﺑﺴﻤﺔ :ﻓﯿّﯿﺶ ﺣﯿﻞ أﻋﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ! ﻣﻦ اﻟﺼﺒﺢ وأﻧﺎ أﺷﺘﻐﻞ وﺗﻌﺒﺎﻧﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ.
Example:
ﺳﻤﯿﺮ :ﻋﺎدل إﻧﺠﻠﻂ وﺑﺎﻟﻤﺴﺘﺸﻔﻰ! ﻣﺎﺟﺪ :ﺧﯿﺮ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻌﮫ؟ ﺳﻤﯿﺮ :ﺧﺴﺮ ﻛﻞ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻮرﺻﺔ وﺧﺴﺮ وظﯿﻔﺘﮫ! ﻣﺎﺟﺪ :ھﻮ ﻛﺎن ﻧﺎﻗﺼﮫ اﻟﺠﻠﻄﺔ! زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﻓﻮق اﻟﮭ ّﻢ زﻗﻠﺒّﺔ!
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻘﺎف
Example:
ﺳﻠﻤﻰ :وﯾﻦ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﯾﺎ روﻻ؟ زﻣﺎن ﻣﺎ إﺟﯿﺘﻲ ﻋﻨﺪي! روﻻ :ﻣﮭﻲ ﺣﻤﺎﺗﻲ ﺻﺎرﻟﮭﺎ ﻗﺎﻋﺪة ﻋﻨّﺎ ﺣﻮاﻟﻲ ﺷﮭﺮ وﻧﺺ! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ أﻋﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ! ﻗﺎﻋﺪة ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﻔﺴﻲ! زﯾﺎرﺗﮭﺎ ط ّﻮﻟﺖ! ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻄﻠﻊ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ.
ﻗﺎدّﻟﮫ اﺻﺎﺑﻌﮫ اﻟﻌﺸﺮة ﺷﻤﻊ /gādd-l-uh ’aṣāb‘-uh il-‘ashrah shami‘/
Equivalent: Bend over backwards to do something for someone/ To go out of one’s way to do something for someone. Example:
ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﺎر /gā‘id ‘alā nār/
Equivalent: On pins and needles/ Nervous. Example:
ﻓﺎروق :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ زي اﻟﻠﻲ ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﺎر ﯾﺎ ھﺸﺎم؟ ھﺸﺎم :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺑﺘﻄﻠﻊ ﻧﺘﺎﯾﺞ إﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎﺗﻲ! ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﺎر وﺑﺴﺘﻨﻰ!
أم ﺧﺎﻟﺪ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎدل طﻠّﻖ أم ﻋﺎدل وﺧﻄﺐ ﺑﻨﺖ أﺑﻮ ﺟﻼل! أم ﺳﻌﺪ :ﯾﻲ ﻟﯿﺶ ﻋﻤﻞ ھﯿﻚ؟ ﻣﮭﻲ أم ﻋﺎدل ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻗﺎدّﯾﺘﻠﮫ أﺻﺎﺑﻌﮭﺎ اﻟﻌﺸﺮة ﺷﻤﻊ! ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ ﻣﻌﮫ! أم ﺧﺎﻟﺪ :ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺑﻌﺮف ﺷﻮ اﻟﺴﺒﺐ اﻟﺮﺋﯿﺴﻲ ﻟﻌﻤﻠﺘﮫ! اﻟﺒﯿﻮت أﺳﺮار!
ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﺗﺤﺖ رﺣﻤﺘﮫ
ﻗﺎﻋﺪﻟﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺰﻗﺮة
/gā‘id tiḥt raḥmit-uh/ /gā‘id-l-uh ‘alā il-zagrah/
Equivalent: Be at the mercy of someone.
Equivalent: Ready to pounce on something or someone/
Example:
To directly criticize a mistake made by someone/ Attack
أم ﺳﺎﻟﻢ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ أﺑﻮ ﺳﺎﻟﻢ ﺧﺴﺮ وظﯿﻔﺘﮫ وﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ ﻧﺪﻓﻊ إﯾﺠﺎر اﻟﺒﯿﺖ! طﻠﺒﻨﺎ ﻣﻦ أﺑﻮ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ ﺻﺎﺣﺐ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﯾﺼﺒﺮ ﻋﻠﯿﻨﺎ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ! ﺻﺮﻧﺎ ﻗﺎﻋﺪﯾﻦ ﺗﺤﺖ رﺣﻤﺘﮫ وأﺑﻮ ﺳﺎﻟﻢ ﻣﺶ طﺎﯾﻖ ھﺎﻟﻮﺿﻊ. أم ﻋﺪﻧﺎن :إن ﺷﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﺮج ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻮ!
someone verbally. Example:
أم ﻣﻈﮭﺮ :ﻣﻈﮭﺮ ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﻷﺧﻮه ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺰﻗﺮة! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺤ ّﻤﻞ ﻣﻨﮫ ﺼﺐ! ﻛﻠﻤﺔ وﺑﺴﺮﻋﺔ ﺑﻌ ّ ﺴﻦ ﻋﻼﻗﺘﮫ ﻣﻊ أﺧﻮه! أﺑﻮ ﻣﻈﮭﺮ :ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻻزم ﯾﺤ ّ
ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﺗﺤﺖ اﻟﺤﺴﻨﺔ
ﻗﺎﻟﻮ ﺛﻮر ﻗﺎل أﺣﻠﺒﻮه
/gā‘id tiḥt il-ḥasaneh/ /gālū thōr gāl ’uḥlubūh/
Equivalent: Live off or on charity and donations/ To
Equivalent: Literal. They told him this is a bull, and he
depend on someone for the money or food that you
said milk it/ Not take a blind bit of notice/ To pay no
need.
attention to something/ There’s none so deaf as those
Example:
who will not hear. Example:
ﻣﺎھﺮ :ﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎك ﺗﻌﻄﯿﻨﻲ ﺧﻤﺴﯿﻦ دﯾﻨﺎر ﻵﺧﺮ اﻟﺸﮭﺮ. ﻣﮭﻨﺪ :ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﻲ وﻻ ﻗﺮش! راﺗﺒﻲ ﺧﻠﺺ ﻣﻦ ﻧﺺ اﻟﺸﮭﺮ! ﻋﻠ ّﻲ إﻟﺘﺰاﻣﺎت ﻛﺜﯿﺮة وﻓﻮاﺗﯿﺮ. ﻣﺎھﺮ :ﺑﺴﺪّك إﯾﺎھﻦ ﺑﺲ ﺧﻠﯿﻞ ﯾﻌﻄﯿﻨﻲ أﺟﺮﺗﻲ! ﻣﺎھﺮ :ﻗﺎﻟﻮ ﺛﻮر ﻗﺎل أﺣﻠﺒﻮه! إﻧﺖ ﻣﺎ ﺳﻤﻌﺘﻨﻲ! ﺑﻘﻠّﻚ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﻲ وﻻ ﻗﺮش!
أم ﻣﺤﻤﻮد :أﺑﻮ ﺳﺎﻟﻢ اﻧﻔﺼﻞ ﻣﻦ ﺷﻐﻠﮫ ﻣﻦ ﻛﻢ ﺷﮭﺮ وﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻋﻨﺪھﻢ أي دﺧﻞ وﻋﻨﺪھﻢ ﻋﯿﻠﺔ! ﻛﻞ أھﻞ اﻟﺤﺎرة ﻗ ّﺮرو ﯾﺘﺒﺮﻋﻮﻟﮭﻢ ﺑﻤﺒﻠﻎ! ﻣﺴﺎﻛﯿﻦ ﺻﺎرو ﻗﺎﻋﺪﯾﻦ ﺗﺤﺖ اﻟﺤﺴﻨﺔ! أم ﺟﺒﺮ :ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام!
ﻗﺎﻋﺪ )ﻛﺎﺑﺲ( ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﻔﺴﮫ ← ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺧﻨّﺎﻗﮫ ← ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ )/gā‘id ‘alā galb-uh/ ← /gā‘id ‘alā khunnāg-uh/ ← /gā‘id (kābis ‘alā nafas-uh/
ﻗﺎم اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ وإﻗﻌﺪھﺎ
Equivalent: Clip someone’s wings/ Prevent someone /gām il-dinyā w-ig‘ad-hā/
from acting freely/ Restrain someone’s freedom/
Equivalent: To make a big fuss/ Raise hell/ Cause a
Impose on someone.
commotion.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
Example:
ﺷﺮف :اﻟﯿﻮم رﺣﺖ أﺗﺪﯾّﻦ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﻦ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ! ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺤﺘﺮم! ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ أﻧﻄﻖ ﻓﺘﺢ ﻣﺤﻔﻈﺘﮫ وأﻋﻄﺎﻧﻲ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ وﻗﻠّﻲ أﺳﺪّه ﻋﻠﻰ راﺣﺘﻲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺑﺘﺘﻮﻓّﺮ ﻣﻌﻲ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري! ﻋﺪي :آه ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ وأﺧﻼﻗﮫ ﻋﺎﻟﯿﺔ.
ﻗ ّﺪ اﻟﺤﯿﻂ
122
أم ﺷﺮﯾﻒ :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻷوﻻد ﺟﻨﻨﻮﻧﻲ! ﻓﺎﺗﻮ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻜﺘﺐ أﺑﻮھﻢ ﯾﻠﻌﺒﻮ ﻓﯿﮫ وﺧ ّﺮﺑﻮ أوراق ﻣﮭ ّﻤﺔ ﻛﺎن ﺣﺎطﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻜﺘﺐ! وﺑﺲ إﺟﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺷﺮﯾﻒ ﻗﺎم اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ وإﻗﻌﺪھﺎ! أم ﻋﺮﻓﺔ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﯿﺠﻲ ﻣﻦ ورا اﻷوﻻد إﻻ اﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ!
ﻗﺎﻣﺖ اﻟﻘﯿﺎﻣﺔ /gadd il-ḥēṭ/
/gāmat li-gyāmeh/
Equivalent: A big guy/ A large male.
Equivalent: Cause quite a stir/ Cause a commotion/
Example:
To cause people to become agitated/ Make people
ﻣﺮوان :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺟﺎﺑﻮﻟﻨﺎ أﺳﺘﺎذ رﯾﺎﺿﺔ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ! ھﺎﻷﺳﺘﺎذ ﻗ ّﺪ اﻟﺤﯿﻂ.
ﻗﺪ اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ /gadd il-dinyā/
fight. Example:
أم ﺛﺎﻣﺮ :اﻣﺒﺎرح رﺣﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ وﻓﻲ ﺷﺒﺎب ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﻮ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ وﻗﺎﻣﺖ اﻟﻘﯿﺎﻣﺔ ﺑﯿﻨﮭﻢ! ﺧ ّﺮﺑﻮ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ! أم ﻧﻌﻤﺎن :أوف! ﯾﺎ ﺳﺎﺗﺮ!
Equivalent: A lot/ Very much/ Top class/ Great. Example:
أم ﺷﺮﯾﻒ :اﺑﻨﻲ ﺟﺎب أﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻌﺪّل ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ وطﻠﻌﺘﻠﮫ ﺑﻌﺜﺔ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺪرس ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ! ﻓﺮﺣﺎﻧﺔ ﻗ ّﺪ اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ. أم ﻧﺎدر :أﻟﻒ أﻟﻒ ﻣﺒﺮوك!
ﻗ ّﺪ اﻟﻠﻘﻤﺔ ← ﻗ ّﺪ اﻟﻘﻤﺤﺔ /gadd il-gamḥah/ ← /gadd il-lugmah/
Equivalent: Teeny-tiny/ Very small/ Very thin or skinny. Example:
أم ﺷﺮﯾﻔﺔ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎل ﺑﻨﺘﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻞ ﯾﺎ ﺷﺮﯾﻔﺔ؟ ﻣﺎﻟﮭﺎ ﻗ ّﺪ اﻟﻠﻘﻤﺔ؟ ﺷﺮﯾﻔﺔ :ﺑﺘﻄﻠّﻊ أﺳﻨﺎن! أم ﺷﺮﯾﻔﺔ :ﻻزم ﺗﺪﯾﺮي ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ! ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﻗ ّﺪ اﻟﻘﻤﺤﺔ.
ﻗﺒّﻌﺖ ﻣﻌﮫ /gabba‘at ma‘-uh/
Equivalent: Have had enough of something/ Fed up. Example:
أم ﻋﺼﺎم :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻋﺼﺎم ﺗﮭﺎوش ﻣﻊ ﻣﺪﯾﺮه وإﺳﺘﻘﺎل ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ! أم ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻟﯿﺶ طﯿّﺐ؟ أم ﻋﺼﺎم :طﻠﺒﺎت اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮة! وﺑﻄّﻞ ﻋﺼﺎم ﯾﺘﺤ ّﻤﻞ ھﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ! ﺧﻠﺺ ﻗﺒّﻌﺖ ﻣﻌﮫ!
ﻗﺒّﻌﮫ ﺑﺜﯿﺎﺑﮫ /gabba‘-uh bi-thyāb-uh/
Equivalent: Kick someone out/ Boot someone out/ To make someone leave a place. Example:
ﻗﺪّر وﺿﻌﻲ ← ﻗﺪّر ظﺮوﻓﻲ /gaddir ḏụ rūf-ī/ ← /gaddir waḏ‘̣ -ī/
Equivalent: Please put yourself in my place/ Put yourself in my position/shoes/ To imagine that you are
ﺳﻤﺎح :اﻟﯿﻮم وداد اﻟﺘﻘﺖ ﺑﻀﺮﺗﮭﺎ ﺳﻤﺮ ﻋﻨﺪ أم ھﺎﻧﻲ! ﻋﻨﻮد :وﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻠﺖ؟ ﺳﻤﺎح :ﯾﻲ ﻗﺒّﻌﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﺜﯿﺎﺑﮭﺎ وﺑﮭﺪﻟﺘﮭﺎ ﻗﺪّام ﻛﻞ اﻟﻨﺴﻮان وﻛﺤﺸﺘﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ ﺑﯿﺖ أم ھﺎﻧﻲ!
someone in a difficult situation and how that person feels.
ﻗﺒﻞ أواﻧﮫ
Example:
ﻏﯿﺚ :ﻻزم ﺗﺴﺪﻧﻲ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري اﻟﻠﻲ دﯾّﻨﺘﻚ إﯾﺎھﻦ ﯾﺎ ﻋﻤﺎر! ﺻﺎرﻟﻚ ﻣﺎﺧﺬھﻦ ﺧﻤﺲ ﺷﮭﻮر وﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﺘﻮﻋﺪﻧﻲ إﻧّﻚ ﺗﺴﺪھﻦ. ﻋﻤﺎر :ﻗﺪّر ظﺮوﻓﻲ ووﺿﻌﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺷﺮﯾﻒ! ﻣﻦ وﯾﻦ أﺟﯿﺐ ﻣﺼﺎري وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪي ﺷﻐﻞ! ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﺪ ّور ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻐﻞ ﺑﺲ ي! ﻣﺶ ﻣﻼﻗﻲ أﺷﻲ! إﺻﺒﺮ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﺷﻮ ّ
اﻟﻘﺪرة ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻘﺪرﻟﮫ
/gabul ’awān-uh/
Equivalent: To come to an untimely end/ To die, usually at a young age/ To end abruptly. Example:
أم ﻟﺆي :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻨﺔ أم ﺷﺎھﺮ وﺿﻌﮭﺎ ﺑﺤﺰّن ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﻮت اﺑﻨﮭﺎ اﻟﻮﺣﯿﺪ! ﻣﺎت ﻓﺠﺄة ﺑﺤﺎدث ﺳﯿّﺎرة! وﺑﻌﺪه ﺻﻐﯿﺮ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام. أم ﺛﺎﺑﺖ :ﻣﺎت ﻗﺒﻞ أواﻧﮫ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام! ﷲ ﯾﻜﻮن ﺑﻌﻮﻧﮭﺎ.
ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﻨﻄﻖ /il-gudrah mā btigdar-l-uh/
/gabul mā yunṭug/
Equivalent: Sharp cookie/ A smart person who isn’t
Equivalent: Before you can say knife/ Before you can
easily deceived or fooled.
say something/ Very quickly.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻘﺎف
أم ﻋﺎﺻﻢ :ﻣﻌﻚ ﺣﻖ ﺗﺘﻀﺎﯾﻘﻲ.
Example:
ﻗﺮﻗﻊ راﺳﮫ ← دوش ﻣﺨﮫ /dawash mukhkh-uh/ ← /garga‘ rās-uh/
Equivalent: To give someone a headache/ To irritate someone intensely.
ﺣﺎس إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻤﻘﻠﺐ رح ﯾﻤﺸﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ! ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ :ﻣﺶ ّ ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ؟ ﺣﺴﻦ :أﻛﯿﺪ ﻣﺶ رح ﯾﻤﺸﻲ! اﻟﻘﺪرة ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻘﺪرﻟﮫ!
ﻗﺪھﺎ وﻗﺪود /gad-hā w-gdūd/
Example:
أﺑﻮ راﻣﻲ :ﺳﻜﺘﻲ ھﺎﻷوﻻد ﯾﺎ أم راﻣﻲ! ﻗﺮﻗﻌﻮ راﺳﻲ ودوﺷﻮ ّ ﻣﺨﻲ! أﻧﺎ ﻣﺮ ّوح ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﺗﻌﺒﺎن! ﺑﺪّي ھﺪوء. ﺴﮫ ﺑﺴ ّﻜﺘﮭﻢ. أم راﻣﻲ :طﯿّﺐ ھ ّ
ﻗﺴﻤﺔ وﻧﺼﯿﺐ /gismeh w-naṣīb/
Equivalent: You can do it. Example:
ﻣﺮاد :ﻓﻜﺮك ﻋﺒﻮد ﺑﻘﺪر ﯾﺨﻠّﺼﻠﻲ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع؟ ﻓﮭﺪ :ﻋﺒﻮد ﻗﺪھﺎ وﻗﺪود! ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ!
ﻗﺪﯾﻤﺔ اﻟﻌﺐ ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ
Equivalent: Fate/ Destiny/ Everyone gets what is
/gadīmeh il‘ab ghēr-hā/
written for him or her in life.
Equivalent: Nice try.
Example:
Example:
أم ادم :اﻟﻌﺮوس ﻣﺎ واﻓﻘﺖ ﺗﺘﺠ ّﻮز اﺑﻨﻲ آدم! رﻓﻀﺘﮫ. أم ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﻗﺴﻤﺔ وﻧﺼﯿﺐ!
ﻗﺸﻄﺔ ﻟﻔّﺔ /gashṭah laffeh/
ﻧﻮرا :إﯾﻤﺘﻰ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺨﻄﺒﻨﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻋﻤﺮ؟ إﺟﺎﻧﻲ ﻋﺮﯾﺲ وأﺑﻮي واﻓﻖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻗﺪﯾﻤﺔ اﻟﻌﺒﻲ ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ!
ﻗ ّﺮة ﻋﯿﻦ أﻣﮫ وأﺑﻮه
Equivalent: Everyone without exception/ Everyone/
/gorrit ‘ēn ʼumm-uh w-’abū-h/
Everything/ All.
Equivalent: The apple of someone’s eye.
Example:
Example:
أم ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :ﻟﯿﺶ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺮﻓﺔ ﺣﺮم أوﻻده ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﯿﺮاث! ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺣﺮﻣﮭﻢ ﻛﻠﮭﻢ ﻗﺸﻄﺔ ﻟﻔّﺔ! أوﻻد وﺑﻨﺎت! أم ﯾﺎﺳﺮ :ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ إﻧّﮫ أوﻻده ﻣﺎ ﺑﺮوﺣﻮ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ ً! ﺻﺎرﻟﮫ ﺳﻨﺘﯿﻦ ﻣﺎ ﺷﺎﻓﮭﻢ! ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام ﻛﺎن ﻣﺮﯾﺾ واﻟﺠﯿﺮان ﯾﮭﺘﻤﻮ ﻓﯿﮫ! أوﻻده ﻣﺎ ﺳﺄﻟﻮ ﻋﻨﮫ .ﻓﻘ ّﺮر ﯾﺘﺒﺮع ﺑﻤﺼﺎرﯾﮫ ﻟﻸﯾﺘﺎم وﯾﺤﺮم أوﻻده ﻣﻦ اﻟﻮرﺛﺔ.
أم ﻣﺤﺴﻦ :ﻏﺎﻟﻲ رﺟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ! ﺧﻠّﺺ دراﺳﺘﮫ ﺑ ّﺮا ورﺟﻊ ﺑﺸﮭﺎدة ﻗ ّﺪ اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ! أم ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ :ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻗ ّﺮة ﻋﯿﻦ أﻣﮫ وأﺑﻮه .وداﯾﻤﺎ ً راﻓﻊ راﺳﮭﻢ.
اﻟﻘﺮد ﺑﻌﯿﻦ أﻣﮫ ﻏﺰال /il-gird b-‘ēn ’umm-uh ghazāl/
)Equivalent: Literal. A monkey is a gazelle (beautiful
ﻗﺺ ﺟﻨﺤﺎﻧﮫ
in its mother’s eyes/ Beauty lies in the eye of the /gaṣṣ jenḥān-uh/
beholder.
Equivalent: To clip someone’s wings/ To limit
Example:
someone’s freedom. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﻧﻘﻞ ﻣﺮاد ﻋﻠﻰ ﻓﺮع وﻗﺺ ﺟﻨﺤﺎﻧﮫ وﻗﻠّﻞ ﺻﻼﺣﯿﺎﺗﮫ! ﺑﻄّﻞ ﻋﻨﺪه ﺻﻼﺣﯿﺎت ﺛﺎﻧﻲ ّ وﺣﺮﯾّﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ زي ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﺑﺎﻷ ّول ﺑﺴﺒﺐ اﻷﻏﻼط اﻟﻤﺘﻜﺮرة اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﮭﺎ! أﺑﻮ ﺗﺤﺴﯿﻦ :ھﺎﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه ﯾ ّﻤﺎ إرﺣﻤﯿﻨﻲ! اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻐﻠﻂ ﻣﺒﺎﺷﺮة ﺑﺘﻌﺎﻗﺐ!
أم زھﯿﺮ :ﻛﺈﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻋﻨﺪه ﺑﻨﺎت ﻏﯿﺮ ﻓﺘﺤﯿﺔ! طﻮل ﻧﮭﺎرھﺎ ﺗﻤﺪح ﺑﺒﻨﺘﮭﺎ ﺷﮭﺪ وﻛﺈﻧﮭﺎ أﺣﻠﻰ ﺑﻨﺖ ﺑﺎﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ! ﻣﻊ إﻧّﻲ ﺑﺸﻮف ﺷﮭﺪ ﺑﻨﺖ ﻋﺎدﯾﺔ وﻣﺶ ﺣﻠﻮة ﺑﺎﻟﻤ ّﺮة! أم ﻋﺮﯾﻦ :اﻷم ﺑﺘﺸﻮف أوﻻدھﺎ ﺣﻠﻮﯾﻦ ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﻮ! ﻣﺎ اﻟﻘﺮد ﺑﻌﯿﻦ أﻣﮫ ﻏﺰال!
ﻗﺮﻗﺮه /gargar-uh/
Equivalent: Bombard someone with questions/ To ask
ﺼﺔ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ إنﱠ اﻟﻘ ّ
someone a lot of questions/ To interrogate someone. /il-giṣṣah fīhā ’inna/
Equivalent: Something smells fishy/ A suspicion that something is wrong/ To have a feeling that someone is intentionally being dishonest or hiding the truth.
Example:
أم ﻋﺎﺻﻢ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﻌﺼﺒّﺔ ﯾﺎ اﻋﺘﺼﺎم؟ اﻋﺘﺼﺎم :ﻣﻌﺼﺒّﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺟﻮزي! ﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ أطﻠﻊ ﻣﺸﻮار ﻣﻊ اﻷوﻻد ﺑﻨﺎدﯾﮭﻢ وﺑﻘﻌﺪ ﯾﻘﺮﻗﺮ ﻓﯿﮭﻢ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺒﻄّﻞ ھﺎﻟﻌﺎدة! ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻌﺮف ﻛﻞ ﺻﻐﯿﺮة وﻛﺒﯿﺮة! وھﺎﻹﺷﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﻀﺎﯾﻘﻨﻲ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
being loyal to the person who mistreats him or her harshly or in an abusive manner. Example:
أم ﺳﮭﯿﻞ :ﻣﺶ ﻓﺎھﻤﺔ ﻛﯿﻒ اﻧﻮار رﺟﻌﺖ ﻟﺠﻮزھﺎ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺿﺮﺑﮭﺎ ھﺎﻟﻀﺮب! ﻛﯿﻒ ﺳﺎﻣﺤﺘﮫ وﻛﯿﻒ ﻣﺘﺤﻤﻠﺔ ﺣﯿﺎﺗﮭﺎ ﻣﻌﮫ؟ أم ﻗﺎﺳﻢ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺴﻤﻌﻲ :اﻟﻘﻂ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ إﻻ ﺧﻨّﺎﻗﮫ!
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أم ﻋﮭﺪ :اﻟﯿﻮم رﺳﻤﯿﺔ راﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺴﻤﺔ وﺻﺎﻟﺤﺘﮭﺎ! اﻟﻜﻞ ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﺷﻮ ﻓﻲ ورا ھﺎﻟﺼﻠﺤﺔ! اﻟﻜﻞ إﺳﺘﻐﺮب ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻣﻦ ﻋﺎدت رﺳﻤﯿﺔ إﻧﮭﺎ ﺗﺒﺎدر ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻠﺢ! ﺼﺔ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ إنﱠ ! أم ﻟﺆي :ﻣﺰﺑﻮط! اﻟﻘ ّ
ﻗﺼﺪه ﺷﺮﯾﻒ /gaṣd-uh sharīf/
ﻗﻄﻊ إﯾﺪه وﺷﺤﺪ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ
Equivalent: Mean well/ His intention is good/ In good /gaṭa‘ ’īd-uh w-shaḥad ‘alēhā/
faith.
Equivalent: Literal. To cut off one’s hand and ask
Example:
others to give you money (as a beggar)/ This is said when someone asks another person to give/lend money and that person pretends that he or she does not have any money to give.
داﻧﺎ :ﺷﻮ ﻛﺎن ﻛﺮﯾﻢ ﺑﺪّه ﻣﻨّﻚ؟ وﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﻀﻞ ﯾﻼﺣﻘﻚ وﯾﻦ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺮوﺣﻲ؟ ﺳﺄﻟﺘﯿﮫ؟ رھﻒ :آه اﻟﯿﻮم وﻗّﻔﺘﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻄﺮﯾﻖ وﺳﺄﻟﺘﮫ! إﺟﺎ ﻗﺎل إﻧّﮫ ﻗﺼﺪه ﺷﺮﯾﻒ! وﺑﺪّه ﯾﯿﺠﻲ ﯾﺨﻄﺒﻨﻲ.
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺮب :رﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻓﺆاد ﻋﺸﺎن أﺗﺪﯾّﻦ ﻣﻨﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري! أم ﻋﺮب :وإن ﺷﺎ أﻋﻄﺎك اﻟﻤﺒﻠﻎ! أﺑﻮ ﻋﺮب :ﻣﺎ أﻋﻄﺎﻧﻲ إﺷﻲ! ﻗﻄﻊ إﯾﺪه وﺷﺤﺪ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ!
ﻗﻀﺎء وﻗﺪر /qaḏā ̣ ’ w-qadar/
Equivalent: Fate/ Destiny. Example:
ﻗﻄﻊ ﺣﺒﻞ اﻟﺮﺟﺎ /gaṭa‘ ḥabl il-rajā/
Equivalent: To give up hope/ To stop hoping for something.
أم ﻋﻠﻲ :اﻟﯿﻮم طﻠﻌﺖ ﻧﺘﺎﯾﺞ ﺗﺤﺎﻟﯿﻞ أﺑﻮ ﻋﻠﻲ! ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ طﻠﻊ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻣﺮض ﺧﻄﯿﺮ! وأﻧﺎ ﺧﺎﯾﻔﺔ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! أم ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﷲ ﯾﺸﻔﯿﮫ! ھﺬا ﻗﻀﺎءه وﻗﺪره! ﷲ ﯾﺠﯿﺐ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﻲ ﺧﯿﺮ.
Example:
أم ﻗﯿﺲ :ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ أم ﺟﺎﺑﺮ ﻣﺘﺄﻣﻠﺔ ﺗﺴﻤﻊ ﻣﻦ اﺑﻨﮭﺎ وإﻻ ﺑﻄّﻠﺖ؟ أم ﺳﺮاج :ﻻ ﺧﻠﺺ ﻗﻄﻌﺖ ﺣﺒﻞ اﻟﺮﺟﺎ! ﺻﺎرﻟﮫ ﻣﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﻋﺸﺮﯾﻦ ﺳﻨﺔ وﻣﺎ ﺗﻮاﺻﻞ ﻣﻌﮭﻢ! ﻗﻄﻌﻮ اﻷﻣﻞ!
اﻟﻘﻂ أﻛﻞ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ /il-guṭṭ ’akal lsān-uh/
Equivalent: The cat has got one’s tongue/ Speechless. Example:
ﻗﻄﻊ رزﻗﮫ /gaṭa‘ rizg-uh/
أﺑﻮ ﻓﺮﯾﺪ :ﺷﻮ اﻟﻘﻂ أﻛﻞ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺮﯾﺪ؟ ﻗﻠّﻲ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺿﺮﺑﺖ أﺧﻮك اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ؟ ﺑﺪّي اﻓﮭﻢ! إﺣﻜﻲ!
Equivalent: To take the bread out of one’s mouth/ Deprive someone of his or her livelihood.
اﻟﻘﻂ ﺑﻮﻛﻞ ﻋﺸﺎه
Example:
اﯾﮭﺎب :ﻋﻤﺮ ھﻮ اﻟﺴﺒﺐ ﺑﻘﻄﻊ رزق ﺗﯿﺴﯿﺮ! ھﻮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺧﻼھﻢ ﯾﻔﺼﻠﻮه ﻣﻦ وظﯿﻔﺘﮫ! ﻗﺴﯿﻢ :ﻋﻤﺮ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺠﻲ ﻣﻦ ﯾﻮم ﯾﻮﻣﮫ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ اﻟﺨﯿﺮ ﻟﺤﺪا!
/il-guṭṭ bokil ‘ashā-h/
Equivalent: Butter wouldn’t melt in someone’s mouth/ Used when someone looks as if he or she would never do anything wrong/ Someone is acting as if he or she is innocent. Example:
ﻗﻄﻊ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺧﻂ اﻟﺮﺟﻌﺔ /gaṭa‘ ‘alēh khaṭṭ il-raj‘ah/
Equivalent: Burn bridges. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺻﻔﻮان :ﻋﺎدل اﺳﺘﻘﺎل ﻣﻦ ﺷﻐﻠﮫ وﺗﺴ ّﺮع! ﻛﺎن ﺑﻔ ّﻜﺮ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻗﺪّﻣﻠﮭﺎ ﺑ ّﺮا اﻟﺒﻠﺪ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﻄﻠﻌﻠﮫ وﻛﺎن ﺑﺠ ّﮭﺰ أﻣﻮره ﻟﻠﺴﻔﺮ! ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ طﻠﻌﺘﻠﮫ اﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ إﺟﺎ رﺟﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺪﯾﺮه ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺮﺟﻌﮫ ﻟﺸﻐﻠﮫ ﺑﺲ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻗﻄﻊ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺧﻂ اﻟﺮﺟﻌﺔ وﻗﻠّﮫ إﻧﮭﻢ وظّﻔﻮ ﺣﺪا ﺑﺪاﻟﮫ وﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪرو ﯾﺮﺟﻌﻮه ﻟﺸﻐﻠﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﻧﺪﯾﻢ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ!
أم ﻛﺮﯾﻢ :ﺷﻔﺘﻲ ﻛﯿﻒ أﻣﯿﻦ ﺿﺤﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ وأﺧﺬ ﻛﻞ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮫ! ﻛﺎن ﻣﺒﯿّﻦ ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ وآدﻣﻲ وﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺤﺘﺮم! ﺑﺲ طﻠﻊ واﺣﺪ ﺳﺮﺳﺮي وﻣﺤﺘﺎل! أم ﺳﻌﯿﺪ :ﺟﺪّ! ھﯿﻚ ﻋﻤﻞ ﺑﻜﺮﯾﻢ؟ ﻛﺎن ﻣﺒﯿّﻦ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻘﻂ ﺑﻮﻛﻞ ﻋﺸﺎه!
اﻟﻘﻂ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ إﻻ ﺧﻨّﺎﻗﮫ /il-guṭṭ mā biḥib illa khannāg-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. The cat only loves its strangler/ This is said when a person keeps going back and
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻘﺎف
ﻗﻄّﻊ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ
ﻧﺎﺟﯿﺔ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻗﻠﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻮﺟﮫ اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻲ وﺑﯿّﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻘﯿﻘﺘﮫ!
/gaṭṭa‘ galb-ī/
Equivalent: Heart bleeds for someone/ Heart goes out
ﻗﻠﺐ ﻋﺎﻟﯿﮭﺎ واطﯿﮭﺎ
to someone/ To feel sympathy for someone. /galab ‘ālī-hā wāṭī-hā/
Example:
Equivalent: Make a big fuss/ Raise hell/ Cause a
أم ﺿﺮار :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺟﺎﺑﻮ ﺑﺮﻧﺎﻣﺞ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻠﻔﺰﯾﻮن ﻋﻦ اﻟﻶﺟﺌﯿﻦ! ﻗﻄّﻌﻮ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ﺑﺲ ﺷﻔﺖ ﻛﯿﻒ ﻋﺎﯾﺸﯿﻦ واﻟﺼﻌﻮﺑﺎت اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻮاﺟﮭﻮھﺎ! إﺷﻲ ﺑﺤﺰّن! أم رﺿﻮان :ﷲ ﯾﻌﯿﻨﮭﻢ وﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪھﻢ.
commotion. Example:
أم ﺻﻼح :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﻓﺼﻠﺖ أﺑﻮ ﺻﻼح ﺑﺪون ﻣﺎ ﯾﺨﺒﺮوه ﻣﻦ ﻗﺒﻞ ﺑﻮﻗﺖ! إﺟﺎ راح ﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ وﻗﻠﺐ ﻋﺎﻟﯿﮭﺎ واطﯿﮭﺎ وھﺪدھﻢ إﻧّﮫ رح ﯾﺸﺘﻜﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ! أم ﺳﺎﻣﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ؟ ﻟﯿﺶ ﯾﻌﻤﻠﻮ ﺑﺎﻟﻨﺎس ھﯿﻚ؟
ﻗﻀﺒﮫ ﻗﻀﺐ اﻟﯿﺪ ← ﻣﺴﻜﮫ ﻣﺴﻚ اﻟﯿﺪ ← ﻣﺴﻜﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺮم اﻟﻤﺸﮭﻮد ← /masak-uh b-il-jurm il-mashhūd/ ← /masak-uh mask il-yadd/
ﻗﻠّﺐ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ اﻟﻤﻮاﺟﻊ
/gaḏạ b-uh gaḏḅ il-yadd/ /gallab ‘alēh il-mawāji‘/
Equivalent: To catch someone red-handed/ Caught
Equivalent: Rub salt into one’s wound.
with your hand in the cookie jar/ Catch someone
Example:
flat-footed.
زﯾﻨﺐ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺷﻔﺎء ﺟﺎﺑﺖ ﺳﯿﺮة أﺧﻮي ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮫ وأﻣﻲ ﺻﺎرت ﺗﺒﻜﻲ وإرﺗﻔﻊ اﻟﻀﻐﻂ ﻋﻨﺪھﺎ! ﺳﻤﯿﺮة :ﺣﺮام ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﺒﻮ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ اﻟﻤﻮاﺟﻊ! ﺑﻜﻔﯿﮭﺎ اﻟﺤﺰن اﻟﻠﻲ ﺣﺰﻧﺘﮫ ﺑﺤﯿﺎﺗﮭﺎ!
ﻗﻠﺒﺖ ﻛﯿﺎﻧﮫ /galbat kayān-uh/
Example:
ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻣﺴﻜﻨﺎ اﻟﺤﺮاﻣﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺴﺮق ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺤﻞ! ﻗﻀﺒﻨﺎه ﻗﻀﺐ اﻟﯿﺪ! وﻧﺎدﯾﻨﺎ اﻟﺸﺮطﺔ! ﺧﻀﺮ :وأﺧﯿﺮاً ﻣﺴﻜﺘﻮه! ﻣﻤﺘﺎز! واﻷﺣﺴﻦ إﻧﻜﻮ ﻣﺴﻜﺘﻮه ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺮم اﻟﻤﺸﮭﻮد ﻋﺸﺎن ﻣﺎ ﯾﻘﺪر ﯾﻨﻜﺮ.
ﻗﻌﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺪﯾﺪة ← ﻣﻌﮭﻮش ﯾﺤ ّﻚ اﺳﻨﺎﻧﮫ
Equivalent: Head over heels in love.
/ma‘hūsh yḥukk isnān-uh/ ← /ga‘ad ‘alā il-ḥadīdeh/
Example:
Equivalent: Down and out/ Not have two pennies to
ﺳﺎﺟﺪة :أﺧﻮي ﺗﻌ ّﺮف ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻨﺖ وﺻﺎر ﯾﺤﺒﮭﺎ! وھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﻗﻠﺒﺖ ﻛﯿﺎﻧﮫ! أﻣﻞ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺨﻄﺒﮭﺎ؟ ﺳﺎﺟﺪة :ﺑﺠﻮز! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف!
ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﺑﺮﻓﺮف
rub together/ Penniless. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺣﺎﺗﻢ :أﺑﻮ ﻧﻮرس ﺧﺴﺮ ﻛﻞ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮫ وﻗﻌﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺪﯾﺪة! أﺑﻮ ﻧﻤﺮ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﮭﻮش ﯾﺤ ّﻚ اﺳﻨﺎﻧﮫ!
ﻗﻠﺐ طﺎﻗﯿﺘﮫ ← ﻟﻤﺴﮫ ← ﺷﻜﻜﮫ ﺑﺤﺎﻟﮫ /galb-uh birafrif/
/shakkak-uh b-ḥāl-uh/ ← /lamas-uh/ ← /galab ṭāgīt-uh/
Equivalent: Heart skips a beat.
Equivalent: Confuse someone about something/ To
Example:
cause someone to be baffled or befuddled about
ﺑﮭﺎء :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺷﻔﺖ ﺑﻨﺖ ﺟﯿﺮاﻧﺎ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺤﺒﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ ﺑﻌﯿﺪ! وﺑﺲ ﻣﺸﺖ ﺑﺠﻨﺒﻲ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ﺻﺎر ﯾﺮﻓﺮف! ﻏﯿﺚ :ﻣﺎ ﺗﺨﻄﺒﮭﺎ إذا ﺑﺘﺤﺒﮭﺎ؟
something/ To puzzle or perplex a person/ To bowl over. Example:
ﻋﻮض :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺟﻤﯿﻞ ﺳﻮﻟﻔﻠﻲ ﻗﺼﺔ وﻗﻠﺐ طﺎﻗﯿﺘﻲ! ﻋﻤﺮ :وﺷﻮ اﻟﻘﺼﺔ؟
ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﻣﺪﻣﺪر ← ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ذاﯾﺐ /galb-uh dhāyib/ ← /galb-uh mdamdir/
Equivalent: Down in the dumps/ World-weary/ To have
ﻗﻠﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻮﺟﮫ اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻲ
an aching heart/ Downhearted.
/galab ‘alā il-wijh il-thānī/
Example:
Equivalent: To show one’s true colors.
أم ﻓﺮج :ﻗﻮﻣﻲ ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ روﺣﻲ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺪﯾﻘﺔ! ﺑﺘﻐﯿﺮي ﺟﻮ! ﻗﻌﺪة اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﺑﺘﺨﻨﻖ وإﻧﺘﻲ ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن ﻣﺎ طﻠﻌﺘﻲ .ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻣﺎت اﻟﻤﺮﺣﻮم أﺑﻮ ﺷﻼش وإﻧﺘﻲ ﺣﺰﯾﻨﺔ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﺎرﻗﻲ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ. أم ﺷﻼش :ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ذاﯾﺐ! ﻣﺎﻟﻲ ﻧﻔﺲ أﻋﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ! روﺣﻮ إﻧﺘﻮ وإﻧﺒﺴﻄﻮ.
Example:
ﻧﺎﺟﯿﺔ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎل ﻋﻔﺎف زﻋﻼﻧﺔ ﻋﻨﺪ أھﻠﮭﺎ؟ ﻣﺎ ﺻﺎرﻟﮭﺎ ﺷﮭﺮﯾﻦ ﻣﺘﺠﻮزة! وﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﺗﺠﻮزت ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺐ! ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر؟ أﻣﯿﻨﺔ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ ﺟﻮزھﺎ إﻟﮭﺎ ﺗﻐﯿّﺮت وﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﯾﻐﻠﻂ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ وﯾﻀﺮﺑﮭﺎ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
ﺳﻤﯿﺮ :ﺑﺠﺪ وﺿﺎح ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﻗﻮي! اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺑﺎﻟﻠﯿﻞ ﻛﺎن ﻓﻲ ﺿﺒﻊ ﺑ ّﺮا اﻟﺒﯿﺖ وﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا اﺳﺘﺠﺮى ﯾﻄﻠﻊ ﯾﺸﻮﻓﮫ! ﺑﺲ وﺿﺎح طﻠﻊ وﻛﺤﺶ اﻟﻀﺒﻊ وﻣﺎ ﺧﺎف ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ ً. اﺣﻤﺪ :ﻓﻌﻼ ً ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﻗﻮي.
ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﻣﻘﺒﻮض
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ﻗﻠﺒﮫ رھﯿّﻒ /galb-uh rhayyif/
Equivalent: Soft-hearted. Example:
أم ﺛﺎﻣﺮ :أﺧﻮي ﻋﺪﻟﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺣﻨﻮن! ﺑﺲ ﯾﺸﻮﻓﻨﻲ ﺑﺒﻜﻲ ﺑﺒﻜﻲ ﺴﺎس وﻗﻠﺒﮫ رھﯿّﻒ! ﻣﻌﻲ! ﺣ ّ أم ﺳﺎﻣﺮ :ﷲ ﯾﺨﻠﯿﻜﻮ ﻟﺒﻌﺾ.
̣/galb-uh magbūḏ/
Equivalent: Sinking feeling/ A feeling of anxiety
ﻗﻠﺒﮫ زي اﻟﺤﺠﺮ
indicating that something bad has happened or is
/galb-uh zayy il-ḥajar/
about to happen.
Equivalent: To have a heart of stone/ Stone-cold/
Example:
Unemotional/ Unfriendly.
ﻧﺎدﯾﻦ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺳﻤﺮ ﻣﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻌﻀﻚ؟ ﺳﻤﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﻟﯿﺶ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ﻣﻘﺒﻮض وﻣﺶ ﻣﺮﺗﺎﺣﺔ! ﷲ ﯾﺴﺘﺮ.
ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﻣﯿﺖ
Example:
وﻓﺎء :اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮة اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة ﻗﺎﺳﯿﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻗﻠﺒﮭﺎ زي اﻟﺤﺠﺮ! طﻠﺒﺖ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ ﻣﻐﺎدرة ﻋﺸﺎن أروح أﺷﻮف أﻣﻲ ﻹﻧﮭﺎ ﺗﻌﺒﺖ وأﺧﺬوھﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺸﻔﻰ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻠﺖ! ﻧﺎدﯾﺎ :ھﺎي ﻓﻌﻼ ﺑﻼ إﺣﺴﺎس.
/galb-uh mayyit/
Equivalent: Hard-hearted/ Cold-blooded person/
ﻗﻠﺒﮫ زي اﻟﻨﺎر
To have no feelings, emotions or sympathy toward
/galb-uh zayy il-nār/
others.
Equivalent: To worry sick/ On pins and needles.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻧﺪﯾﻢ :ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﻛﯿﻒ أﺑﻮ ﺟﻼل ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻞ ھﺎﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ؟ ﺑﺸ ّﺮح اﻟﻤﻮﺗﻰ! ھﺎﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﻣﯿّﺖ! أﺑﻮ ﺗﺎﻣﺮ :إﻧﺖ ﻗﻠﺘﮭﺎ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﻣﯿّﺖ! ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻋﻨﺪه أي ﻣﺸﺎﻋﺮ أو أﺣﺎﺳﯿﺲ! ﺣﺘﻰ ھﺬا اﻹﺷﻲ اﻧﻌﻜﺲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺨﺼﯿﺘﮫ ﺴﮫ ﻗﺎﺳﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺣﺘﻰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﯿﺎة! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺄﺛﺮ ﺑﺈﺷﻲ وﺑﺘﺤ ّ أﻗﺮب اﻟﻨﺎس إﻟﮫ.
أم ﺷﺮف :ﺷﺮف ﺗﺄﺧﺮ وﺑﻌﺪه ﻣﺎ رﺟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ! اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ ﺳ ّﻜﺮت ﻣﻦ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ وﻗﻠﺒﻲ زي اﻟﻨﺎر! روح ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺷﺮف وﺷﻮف وﯾﻦ اﻟﻮﻟﺪ. أﺑﻮ ﺷﺮف :ھﺬﻧﻲ راﯾﺢ أﺷﻮﻓﮫ وﯾﻦ.
ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﺿﻌﯿﻒ /galb-uh ḏạ ‘īf/
ﻗﻠّﺒﮭﺎ ﺑﺪﻣﺎﻏﻚ
Equivalent: Faint-hearted/ Weak/ Timid. /gallib-hā bi-dmāgh-ak/
Equivalent: Think something over/ Sleep on it. Example:
ﻟﯿﺚ :ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﺑﻔﻜﺮة اﻟﻤﺸﺮوع اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ؟ ﻋﺪي :ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف! ﻟﯿﺚ :ﻗﻠّﺒﮭﺎ ﺑﺪﻣﺎﻏﻚ وردﻟﻲ ﺧﺒﺮ!
Example:
وﺻﻔﻲ :وﯾﻦ ﻣﺮوان؟ ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ إﺟﺎ ﻣﻌﻜﻮ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻧﺘﻔ ّﺮج ﻋﻠﻰ ﻓﯿﻠﻢ اﻟﺮﻋﺐ! ﯾﺎﻣﻦ :ﻣﺮوان ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﺿﻌﯿﻒ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ أﻓﻼم اﻟﺮﻋﺐ! ﺑﻀﻞ ﯾﺤﻠﻢ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﺷﮭﺮ وﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﺎم اﻟﻠﯿﻞ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺨﻮف! ﺟﺒﺎن.
ﻗﻠﺒﮫ طﯿﺐ /galb-uh ṭayyib/
ﺣﺎس ﻓﯿﻚ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ﻣﻌﻚ ← ّ
Equivalent: Warm-hearted/ Kind-hearted/ Kind/ /ḥāss fīk/ ← /galb-ī ma‘-ak/
Affectionate.
Equivalent: Your heart goes out to someone/ Feel for
Example:
someone. Example:
ﯾﺎرا :ﺑﺠﺪ اﻟﺨﯿﺎﻧﺔ ﺻﻌﺒﺔ! ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎدرة أﻓﮭﻢ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﻲ ﺧﺎﻧّﻲ ﻣﻊ أﻋﺰ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﺔ إﻟﻲ! ﺗﺮﻛﻨﻲ وراح ﺧﻄﺒﮭﺎ! ﺟﺮﺣﻮﻧﻲ اﻻﺛﻨﯿﻦ! ﺳﺔ ﻓﯿﻜﻲ وﺑﺄﻟﻤﻚ! ﷲ ﺳﻮزان :ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ﻣﻌﻚ ﯾﺎ ﯾﺎرا وﺑﺠﺪ ﺣﺎ ّ ﯾﻜﻮن ﻣﻌﻚ!
ﯾﺎﺳﻤﯿﻨﺎ :ﯾﺎ ﺷﻮ ﺑﺤﺐ اﻟﻤﺎﻣﺎ! ﻗﻠﺒﮭﺎ طﯿّﺐ وﺣﻨﻮﻧﺔ! ﯾﺎرا :ﷲ ﯾﺨﻠﯿﻠﻚ إﯾﺎھﺎ!
ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﻗﻮي /galb-uh gawī/
Equivalent: Heart of oak/ Have the guts/ A person with a strong, bold and courageous nature.
127
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻘﺎف
ﻗﻠﯿﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺼﯿﺮﻟﻚ ← ﺑﺘﺴﺘﺎھﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺼﯿﺮﻟﻚ
ﻗﻠّﺔ اﻟﺮ ّد ر ّد
/btistāhal illī biṣīr-l-ak/ ← /galīl illī bṣīr-l-ak/
/gillit il-radd radd/
Equivalent: You brought it on yourself, so face the
Equivalent: Save your breath/ Sometimes it is useless
consequences.
talking to someone who does not listen, so silence
Example:
is better when what you say has no effect on that
ﺟﻤﯿﻞ :ﻗﻠﯿﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺼﯿﺮﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺆاد! ﺑﺠﺪ ﺑﺘﺴﺘﺎھﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ّ ﺗﺘﺪﺧﻞ ﺑﺄﺷﯿﺎء ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﻨﯿﻚ! إﻟﻘﻰ ﻋﻦ ﺑﺼﯿﺮﻟﻚ! ﻟﯿﺶ راﺳﻚ! ﻓﺆاد :ﻻ ﺗﺰﯾﺪھﺎ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺟﻤﯿﻞ! ﺑﻜﻔﯿﻨﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺻﺎرﻟﻲ واﻟﻠﻲ راﯾﺢ ﯾﺼﯿﺮ!
ﻗﻠﯿﻞ أدب ← ﻗﻠﯿﻞ ﺣﯿﺎ /galīl ḥayā/ ← /galīl ’adab/
person/ Silence is the best response. Example:
ﻣﻌﺎذ :وﻻ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻊ ﺷﺎدي ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ ً! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﺘﺎھﻞ اﻟﻮاﺣﺪ ﯾﺘﻌﺐ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ وﯾﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ! ﻻ ﺗﺮد ﻋﻠﯿﮫ. ﺳﻔﯿﺎن :ﺑﺲ ﻣﮭﻮ ﻏﻠﻂ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ! ﻣﻌﺎذ :ﻗﻠّﺔ اﻟﺮ ّد ر ّد!
ﻗﻠﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﻌﻈﻤﺔ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻚ
Equivalent: Ill-mannered/ Rude/ Unpleasant/
/gult-hā b-‘aḏm ̣ it lsān-ak/
Undisciplined/ Shameless.
Equivalent: You said it yourself.
Example:
Example:
اﻟﻤﻌﻠﻤﺔ :ھﺬا اﻟﻄﺎﻟﺐ ﻗﻠﯿﻞ أدب! ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ طﻮﯾﻞ! ﻻزم ﻧﻨﺎدي أھﻠﮫ وﻧﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮭﻢ! ﻷﻧﮫ واﺣﺪ ﻗﻠﯿﻞ ﺣﯿﺎ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾﺎه ﺑﺼﻔّﻲ! ﺼﻞ ﺑﺄﻣﮫ او أﺑﻮه وﺑﻨﺨﺒّﺮھﻢ! ﺑﻨﺘ اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮة: ّ
طﺎرق :ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﻟﯿﺶ اﻷﺳﺘﺎذ ﺑﻤﯿّﺰ ﺑﺎﺳﻢ ﻋﻦ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻄﻼب؟ ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻹﻧّﮫ ذﻛﻲ وأﺷﻄﺮ واﺣﺪ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻒ وﻣﺆدب؟ اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ :ھﯿّﻚ ﻗﻠﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﻌﻈﻤﺔ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻚ! ھﺎﻟﻄﺎﻟﺐ ﻣﻤﯿّﺰ ﺑﻜﻞ إﺷﻲ! ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ اﻷﺳﺘﺎذ ﺑﻤﯿّﺰه ﻋﻠﯿﻨﺎ!
ﻗﻠّﻞ ﻗﯿﻤﺘﮫ
ﻗﻠﯿﻞ أﺻﻞ /galīl ’aṣul/
/gallal gīmt-uh/
Equivalent: Ignoble/ Morally bad person/ Despicable/
Equivalent: Hold up to ridicule/ To belittle/ Put
Dishonorable.
someone down.
Example:
Example:
ﻟﺆي :إﻧﺖ واﺣﺪ ﻗﻠﯿﻞ أﺻﻞ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎدل! ﻛﯿﻒ ﺑﺘﺮﻓﻊ ﺻﻮﺗﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﻤﻨﺎ وﺑﺘﻜﺤﺸﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ! ﻋﺎدل :ﻣﮭﻮ ﻏﻠﻂ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ! ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك أﻋﻤﻞ ﯾﻌﻨﻲ؟ ﻟﺆي :ﻏﻠﻂ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﮫ! روح إﻋﺘﺬر ﻣﻨﮫ ﻓﻮراً.
ﻗﻠﯿﻞ ﻓﮭﻢ ← ﻓﮭﻤﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﺪّه
زھﺮان :ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام اﻟﻄﺎﻟﺐ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ! ﻛﻞ ﻓﺮاس ﻣﺎ ﯾﺸﻮﻓﮫ ﺑﻘﻠّﻞ ﻗﯿﻤﺘﮫ وﺑﺒﮭﺪﻟﮫ ﻗﺪّام اﻟﻄﻼب! ﻋﻤﺮ :ﺗﻌﺎل ﻧﺨﺒّﺮ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ﺧﻠّﯿﮫ ﯾﺘﺼ ّﺮف ﻣﻌﮫ.
ﻗﻠﻢ ﻗﺎﯾﻢ
/fihm-uh ‘alā gadd-uh/ ← /galīl fihim/
/galam gāyim/
Equivalent: Put one’s foot in one’s mouth/ To say
Equivalent: Everyone/ Everything/ The whole thing.
something foolish, insensitive or offensive, normally
Example:
without meaning to.
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎطﻒ :اﻣﺒﺎرح أﺑﻮ وﻟﯿﺪ ﺑﺎع أرﺿﮫ ووزّع اﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﻋﺄوﻻده ﻛﻠﮭﻢ ﻗﻠﻢ ﻗﺎﯾﻢ! أﺑﻮ ﻋﺮﻓﺔ :ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻞ ھﯿﻚ! وﺿﻊ أوﻻده اﻟﻤﺎدي ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ!
Example:
أم ﺟﻌﻔﺮ :أﺧﻮك ﻏﻠﻂ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾﺎه ﯾﻔﻮت ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺘﻨﺎ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﯿﻮم! ﺳﺎﻣﻊ! ﯾﺎ أﻧﺎ ﯾﺎ ھﻮ! ﺼﺐ ﻻ ﺗﻠﻮﻣﯿﮫ! أﺧﻮي ﻣﻌ ﻛﺎن أﺑﻮ ﺟﻌﻔﺮ :ﯾﺎ أم ﺟﻌﻔﺮ ﻣﮭﻮ ّ ﻗﻠﯿﻞ ﻓﮭﻢ وﻓﮭﻤﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﺪّه! رح أﺧﻠّﯿﮫ ﯾﯿﺠﻲ ﯾﻌﺘﺬر ﻣﻨﻚ وﻧﺤﻞ اﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ! ﺑﻀﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻨﮭﺎﯾﺔ أﺧﻮي! ﺳﺎﻣﺤﯿﮫ.
اﻟﻘﻠﻮب ﻋﻨﺪ ﺑﻌﻀﮭﺎ /li-glūb ‘ind ba‘uḏ-̣ hā/
Equivalent: Great minds think alike/ I was thinking
ﻗﻠﯿﻞ ﻗﯿﻤﺔ ← ﻣﺎﻟﮭﻮش وزن
about the same thing.
/malhūsh wazin/ ← /galīl gīmeh/
Equivalent: Lightweight/ Nonentity/ Small fry/ Someone who is not important or who does not have much influence.
Example:
ﻋﺎﯾﺪة :ﻛﻨﺖ ﺑﻔ ّﻜﺮ ﻓﯿﻜﻲ وﻧﺎوﯾﺔ اﺗﺼﻞ ﻣﻌﺎﻛﻲ ﻟﻮ ﻣﺎ ﺳﺒﻘﺘﯿﻨﻲ واﺗﺼﻠﺘﻲ! ﻓﻜﺮﯾﺔ :اﻟﻘﻠﻮب ﻋﻨﺪ ﺑﻌﻀﮭﺎ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻗ ّﻮك
128
Example: /gaww-ak/
Equivalent: Hello. Example:
طﺎرق :ﻗﻮﻛﻮ ﯾﺎ ﺷﺒﺎب! ﻀﻞ. اﻟﺸﺒﺎب :ﻗﻮﯾﺖ! ﺗﻔ ّ
أم ﻋﺎرف :ﺧﻠّﻲ ﺣﺴﻦ ﯾﺤﻜﯿﻠﻚ ﻣﻊ ﻣﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﺑﻠﻜﻲ زادﻟﻚ اﻟﺮاﺗﺐ! ﺻﺢ ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﺑﻤﻜﺘﺐ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎرف :ﻣﯿﻦ؟ ﺣﺴﻦ؟ ﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﺎﻟﮭﻮش وزن ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ! ﻣﻮظﻒ ﻋﺎدي! ﺣﺘﻰ اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﺸﻮﻓﮫ ﻗﻠﯿﻞ ﻗﯿﻤﺔ!
ﻗﻮل ﻟﻸﻋﻮر أﻋﻮر ﺑﻌﯿﻨﮫ
اﻟﻘﻮي ﺑﻮﻛﻞ اﻟﻀﻌﯿﻒ
/gūl la-il-’a‘war ’a‘war b-‘ēn-uh/ /il-gawī bōkil il-ḏạ ‘īf/
Equivalent: Call a spade a spade/ Call it like it is/
Equivalent: Dog-eat-dog/ Survival of the fittest.
Speak the truth.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :ﺷﻮف ﯾﺎ اﺑﻨﻲ! ﺑﮭﺎﻟﺤﯿﺎة اﻟﻘﻮي ﺑﻮﻛﻞ اﻟﻀﻌﯿﻒ! ﻓﺘّﺢ ﻋﯿﻮﻧﻚ ﻣﻠﯿﺢ وإﺻﺤﻰ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻚ! ھﺎي ﻧﺼﯿﺤﺘﻲ إﻟﻚ. ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :ﺷﻜﺮاً ﯾﺎﺑﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻨﺼﯿﺤﺔ.
ﻗﯿﻞ وﻗﺎل /gīl w-gāl/
ﺻﻔﯿﺔ :ﺧﻠﺺ ﺑﻄﻠﺖ أﺗﺤ ّﻤﻞ ﺳﻮاﻟﻒ وﺗﺼﺮﻓﺎت ﺟﻤﯿﻠﺔ! ﻛﻠﮭﺎ ﺗﺼﻨّﻊ وﺑﻄّﻠﺖ أﻗﺪر أﺟﺎﻣﻠﮭﺎ! ﻣﺮﯾﻢ :ﺷﻮ ﺟﺎﺑﺮك ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺠﺎﻣﻠﺔ! إذا ﻓﻲ إﺷﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺠﺒﻚ ﻗﻮﻟﯿﮫ! زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ :ﻗﻮل ﻟﻸﻋﻮر أﻋﻮر ﺑﻌﯿﻨﮫ!
ﻗﻮل وﻏﯿّﺮ
Equivalent: Yakety-yak/ Gossips.
/gūl w-ghayyir/
Example:
?Equivalent: Are you serious?/ You must be joking, right
أم ھﻨﺎدي :ﺷﻮ ﯾﺎ ﺑﻨﺎت! ﻣﺎ ﺗﻌﺒﺘﻦ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ طﻮل ﻧﮭﺎرﻛﻦ ﻗﯿﻞ وﻗﺎل! إﻋﻤﻠﻦ إﺷﻲ ﻣﻔﯿﺪ أﺣﺴﻦ!
Example:
ادھﻢ :طﯿﺎرﺗﻨﺎ اﻟﺘﻐﺖ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ اﻟﺠﻮ! ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺳﻔﺮ اﻟﯿﻮم. ھﺎﻧﻲ :ﻗﻮل وﻏﯿّﺮ! ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ أﻣﻞ ﻧﺮوح اﻟﯿﻮم؟
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻜﺎف
Example:
ﺻﻔﺎء :إﺳﻤﻊ ﯾﺎ ﺷﺎدي! ﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎك ﺗﻄﺮد اﻟﺴﻜﺮﺗﯿﺮة اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﺑﻤﻜﺘﺒﻚ! ﻣﺎ ﻋﺠﺒﺘﻨﻲ وﺗﺼﺮﻓﺎﺗﮭﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻋﺠﺒﺘﻨﻲ ﻛﻤﺎن! إذا ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻄﺮدھﺎ رح إﻓﺴﺦ ﺧﻄﻮﺑﺘﻨﺎ! ﺷﺎدي :ﻛﺒﺮي ﻋﻘﻠﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺻﻔﺎء! ھﺎي ﻣﺠ ّﺮد ﺳﻜﺮﺗﯿﺮة وﺣﺮام ﻧﻘﻄﻊ رزﻗﮭﺎ! أﻧﺎ ﺑﺤﺒﻚ إﻧﺘﻲ وإﺧﺘﺮت أﻛ ّﻤﻞ ﺣﯿﺎﺗﻲ ﻣﻌﻚ!
ﻛﺒﺶ اﻟﻔﺪا /kabsh il-fidā/
ﻛﺎﻟﻌﺎدة /ka-il-‘ādeh/
Equivalent: Business as usual/ Things are the same as usual/ Same as always/ Same as it has always been. Example:
ﺟﻮري :إﯾﻤﺘﻰ ﺑﺘﺮ ّوح ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﯾﺎ ﻏﺴﺎن؟ ﻏﺴﺎن :ﻛﺎﻟﻌﺎدة! ﺣﻮاﻟﻲ اﻟﺴﺎﻋﺔ ﺧﻤﺴﺔ! ﻛﯿﻒ ﺷﻐﻠﻚ؟ ﺟﻮري :ﻛﺎﻟﻌﺎدة ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ! روﺗﯿﻦ وﻣﻠﻞ.
Equivalent: Scapegoat. Example:
ﺑﺴﺎم :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺘﻀﺎﯾﻖ ﯾﺎ ﻋﻠﻮش؟ ﻋﻠﻮش :اﻟﯿﻮم أﺧﻮي ﺑﻼل ﻛﺴﺮ ﻧﻈﺎرة أﺑﻮي اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة وﻗﻠّﮫ إﻧّﮫ أﻧﺎ ﻛﺴﺮﺗﮭﺎ! وﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﺑﺤﻄّﻮھﺎ ﺑﺮاﺳﻲ وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺎﻟﻲ ذﻧﺐ! ﻋﺎﻣﻠﯿﻨﻲ ﻛﺒﺶ اﻟﻔﺪا!
ﻛﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ وﺟﮭﮫ ﻣ ّﻲ ﺑﺎردة ّ /kabb ‘alā wijh-uh mayy bārdeh/
Equivalent: Literal. He threw water on his face/ A slap in the face/ A surprising act that offends.
ﻛﺈﻧّﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ زﯾﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻏﺰﯾﺖ /ka-’inn-ak yā ’abū zēd mā ghazēt/
Equivalent: All for naught/ It was all for nothing. Example:
أﺑﻮ اﻟﻌﺒﺪ :ﺑﻌﺪﻛﻮ ﻋﺎﻣﻠﯿﻦ إﺿﺮاب ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ ﻋﺸﺎن ﺗﻄﺎﻟﺒﻮ ﺑﺮﻓﻊ اﻟﺮواﺗﺐ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ :أﯾﻮه! ﺑﺲ اﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ أﺿﺮﺑﻨﺎ ﺷﮭﺮﯾﻦ وﺧﺴﺮﻧﺎ رواﺗﺒﮭﻦ رﺟﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ اﻟﻌ ّﻤﺎل وإﺷﺘﻐﻠﻮ وﺑﻄّﻠﻮ ﯾﻀﺮﺑﻮ وﺧ ّﺮﺑﻮ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌ ّﻤﺎل اﻟﺜﺎﻧﯿﯿﻦ! ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻣﺎ إﺳﺘﻔﺪﻧﺎ إﺷﻲ! وﻛﺈﻧّﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ زﯾﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻏﺰﯾﺖ!
Example:
ﻋﺪﻧﺎن :اﻣﺒﺎرح اﻟﻤﺪ ّرب ﺧﺒّﺮ أدھﻢ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺶ رح ﯾﻠﻌﺐ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻔﺮﯾﻖ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺒﺎراة اﻟﺠﺎﯾّﺔ! أدھﻢ ﻛﺎن ﻧﺎﻓﺶ رﯾﺸﮫ وﺧﺒّﺮ اﻟﻜﻞ إﻧّﮫ رح ﯾﻜﻮن ﻋﻀﻮ رﺋﯿﺴﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻔﺮﯾﻖ! ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :ﺟ ّﺪ! ﻛﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ وﺟﮭﮫ ﻣ ّﻲ ﺑﺎردة! ﻋﺪﻧﺎن :آه وﷲ! اﻟﻤﺪ ّرب ّ
ﻛﺘﺒﺔ واﻧﻜﺘﺒﺖ
ﻛﺒﺮ ﺑﻌﯿﻨﻲ /kibir b-‘ēn-ī /
Equivalent: To admire someone for something. Example:
ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :ﺑﺠﺪ اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮرﻋﻤﺎد ﻛﺒﺮ ﺑﻌﯿﻨﻲ وﺑﻌﯿﻦ اﻟﻜﻞ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻗ ّﺮر إﻧّﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺠﺎن! ﯾﻔﺘﺢ ﻋﯿﺎدة ﺑﺎﻟﺤﺎرة وﯾﻌﺎﻟﺞ اﻟﻨﺎس اﻟﻔﻘﺮا ّ ﻣﮭﻨﺪ :طﻮل ﻋﻤﺮه ﻛﺮﯾﻢ وأﺧﻼﻗﮫ ﻋﺎﻟﯿﺔ.
/kitbeh w-inkatbat/
Equivalent: Fatalism/ It was written in the stars.
ﻛﺒﺮ راﺳﮫ
Example:
ﻋﺪﻟﯿﺔ :ﺑﻌﺪه ﺟﻮزك ﻋﺎطﻞ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻌﻤﻞ وﺑﻀﺮﺑﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺻﻔﯿﺔ؟ ﺻﻔﯿﺔ :ﺑﻌﺪه! ﺟﻨﻨّﻲ واﻟﺤﯿﺎة ﻣﻌﮫ ﺻﻌﺒﺔ وﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﺘﺼﯿﺮ أﺻﻌﺐ! ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّي أﻋﻤﻞ ھﯿﻚ ﺣﻈّﻲ! ﻛﺘﺒﺔ واﻧﻜﺘﺒﺖ! ﻣﺎ إﻟﻲ ﻏﯿﺮ اﻟﺼﺒﺮﻋﺸﺎن ھﺎﻷوﻻد.
ﻛﺜﺮ اﻟﺘﻜﺮار ﺑﻌﻠّﻢ اﻟﺤﻤﺎر /kuthur il-tikrār bi-‘allim li-ḥmār/
/kibir rās-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. He got a big head/ Full of oneself/ A big-head/ An exaggerated sense of one’s importance or status. Example:
وﻟﯿﺪ :ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ راﺋﺪ ﺣﺼﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﺮﻗﯿﺔ وﺻﺎر ﻣﺪﯾﺮ ﻋﺎم ﺑﻄّﻞ ﺣﺪا ﯾﻘﺪر ﯾﺸﻮﻓﮫ أو ﯾﺴﻮﻟﻒ ﻣﻌﮫ! ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﻛﺒﺮ راﺳﮫ! أﻣﯿﻦ :ﺻﺤﯿﺢ اﻟﻜﻞ ﻣﻼﺣﻆ ھﺎﻹﺷﻲ!
Equivalent: Literal. Repetition teaches the donkey/ Practice makes perfect. Example:
زاھﺮ :ﻣﺶ ﻓﺎھﻢ وﻻ ﺣﺮف ﺑﺎﻟﺪرس وﻋﻨﺪي ﺑﻜﺮة إﻣﺘﺤﺎن! أم زاھﺮ :ﺿﻠّﻚ ﻋﯿﺪ ﻗﺮاﯾﺔ اﻟﺪرس! ﻋﯿﺪ وزﯾﺪ! ﻛﺜﺮ اﻟﺘﻜﺮار ﺑﻌﻠّﻢ اﻟﺤﻤﺎر!
ﻛﺒّﺮ ﻋﻘﻠﻚ /kabbir ‘agl-ak/
Equivalent: Keep an open mind/ Be willing to change your opinion about someone or something/ Grow up/ Act your age.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻛﺬب اﻟﻜﺬﺑﺔ وﺻﺪﻗﮭﺎ
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ﻛﺜﺮ اﻟﺸ ّﺪ ﺑﺮﺧﻲ /kadhab il-kidhbeh w-ṣaddag-hā/
/kuthur il-shadd birkhī/
Equivalent: To lie and then believe your lies.
Equivalent: Harsh parenting has negative effects
Example:
on children/ Sometimes being hard and harsh on
ﻣﺨﺘﺎر :ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﻛﺬﺑﺖ اﻟﻜﺬﺑﺔ وﺻﺪﻗﺘﮭﺎ! ﻛﻞ أﺻﺤﺎﺑﻲ ﺑﺴﺄﻟﻮﻧﻲ ﻋﻦ وظﯿﻔﺘﻚ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑ ّﺮا اﻟﺒﻠﺪ! ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺘﻘﻮل ﻟﻠﻨﺎس إﻧّﮫ ﻓﻲ ﺷﻐﻞ إﻟﻚ ﺑ ّﺮا؟ إﻧﺖ ﻗﻠﺖ ھﺎﻟﻘﺼﺔ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻋﺪي ﯾﺼﺒﺮ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﺗﺎ ﺗﺴﺪّه اﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﺗﺒﻌﺘﮫ! ﺑﺲ ﺷﻜﻠﮭﺎ اﻟﻘﺼﺔ ﻋﺠﺒﺘﻚ وﺑﺪّك ﺗﺼﺪّﻗﮭﺎ زي ﻣﺎ اﻟﻜﻞ ﺻﺪّﻗﮭﺎ!
ﻛﺮﺧﻨﺠﻲ
someone gives unproductive or fruitless countereffects. Example:
أم ﺑﺮﻛﺎت :ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺑﺮﻛﺎت إﻧﺖ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺷﺪﯾﺪ ﻋﺎﻷوﻻد! ﺧﻒّ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ! ّ ﺗﺘﺪﺧﻠﻲ ﻓﯿّﻲ! ﺑﺪّي أرﺑّﻲ اﻷوﻻد وأﺧﻠّﯿﮭﻢ أﺑﻮ ﺑﺮﻛﺎت :ﻻ ﯾﺨﺎﻓﻮ ﻣﻨﻲ وﯾﻨﻔﺬو طﻠﺒﺎﺗﻲ! أم ﺑﺮﻛﺎت :ﺑﺲ ﻛﺜﺮ اﻟﺸ ّﺪ ﺑﺮﺧﻲ! ﺧﯿﺮ اﻷﻣﻮر اﻟﻮﺳﻂ.
/karkhanjī/
Equivalent: Barfly/ A person who spends a lot of time
ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺣﺮﻛﺔ
in bars.
/kthīr ḥarakah/
Example:
Equivalent: Ants in your pants/ Restless/ Can’t sit
ﻣﻌﯿﻦ :زﻣﺎن ﻏﯿﺚ ﻣﺎ ﺑﯿّﻦ؟ ﻋﻠﻲ :ھﺬا واﺣﺪ ﻛﺮﺧﻨﺠﻲ! ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﺑﻼ ﺷﻐﻞ! طﻮل ﻧﮭﺎره ﺳﮭﺮان وﺑﺸﺮب ﻛﺤﻮل وﺑﻠﻌﺐ ﻗﻤﺎر! ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ ﻹﺷﻲ!
ﻛﺮﻣﺎل ﻋﯿﻦ ﺗﻜﺮم ﻣﺮج ﻋﯿﻮن /kirmāl ‘ēn tikram marj ‘yūn/
still. Example:
وردة :ﺷﻜﺮاً ﯾﺎ ﺗﻐﺮﯾﺪ إﻧّﻚ اھﺘﻤﯿﺘﻲ ﺑﺎﺑﻨﻲ اﻟﯿﻮم ﻟ ّﻤﺎ رﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻮﻋﺪ اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر! إن ﺷﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻏﻠﺒﻚ؟ ﺗﻐﺮﯾﺪ :اﺑﻨﻚ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺣﺮﻛﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﺧﻠّﻰ إﺷﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﺑﻤﻜﺎﻧﮫ! ﺟﻨﻨّﻲ! ﻻ ﺗﻌﯿﺪﯾﮭﺎ! اﻟﻤ ّﺮة اﻟﺠﺎﯾّﺔ ﺧﺬﯾﮫ ﻣﻌﺎﻛﻲ.
Equivalent: For someone’s sake/ Out of respect for someone/ Out of regard for someone.
ﻛﺬا ﻣ ّﺮة
Example:
/kadhā marrah/
أم ﻗﯿﺲ :إﻧﺖ ﯾﺎ ﻏﺎدي ﻣﺪﯾﺮ ﺷﺮﻛﺔ وإﻟﻚ وزﻧﻚ وإﻧﺖ ﺧﻄﯿﺐ ﺑﻨﺘﻲ وﻣﺜﻞ اﺑﻨﻲ! ﺑﺪّي أطﻠﺐ ﻣﻨّﻚ إﻧّﻚ ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪ اﺑﻦ أﺧﺘﻲ رﻋﺪ وﺗﻼﻗﯿﻠﮫ ﺷﻐﻞ ﻋﻨﺪك ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ! ﻏﺎدي :إﻧﺘﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺣﻤﺎﺗﻲ وﺑﻨﺘﻚ ﻏﺎﻟﯿﺎت ﻋﻠ ّﻲ! وﻛﺮﻣﺎل ﻋﯿﻦ ﺗﻜﺮم ﻣﺮج ﻋﯿﻮن! رح أدﺑّﺮﻟﮫ ﺷﻐﻞ.
Equivalent: Many times/ More than one time.
ﻛﺴﺮ ﺧﺎطﺮه ← ﻛﺴﻔﮫ
Example:
اﻧﺲ :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﺳﺄل ﻋﻨّﻚ ﻛﺬا ﻣ ّﺮة! إﻧﺖ ﻣﺎ ﺧﺒّﺮﺗﮫ إﻧّﻚ رح ﺗﺘﺄﺧﺮ! ﺴﮫ ﺑﺸﻮف ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّه ﻣﻨﻲ! ھ ﺑﺲ أﻣﯿﻦ :ﻷ. ّ
اﻟﻜﺬب ﺑﺪ ّﻣﮫ /kasaf-uh/ ← /kasar khāṭr-uh/
/il-kidhib b-damm-uh/
Equivalent: Let someone down/ Disappoint someone/
Equivalent: Lie like a rug/ Pathological liar/ Lie
To fail and refuse to support and help someone/ To
through your teeth.
break someone’s heart.
Example:
Example:
ﻋﻼء :رﺣﺖ أﺗﺪﯾّﻦ ﻣﻦ ﺑﻼل ﻣﺒﻠﻎ ﻵﺧﺮ اﻟﺸﮭﺮ ﺑﺲ ﻛﺴﻔﻨﻲ وﻛﺴﺮ ﺧﺎطﺮي! ﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﺪﯾّﻨﻲ إﺷﻲ! ﻋﻮض :أﻧﺎ ﺑﺪﯾﻨﻚ! ﻗﺪّﯾﺶ ﺑﺪّك؟
ﻓﺮﯾﺪ :ﯾﺎ إﻟﮭﻲ ﺷﻮ أﻣﺠﺪ ﺑﻜﺬب! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ اﻟﻜﺬب ﺑﺪ ّﻣﮫ! ﻋﻮاد :ﻓﻌﻼ ً ﻣﻌﻈﻢ ﺳﻮاﻟﻔﮫ ﻛﺬب!
ﻛﺬﺑﺔ ﺑﯿﻀﺎ /kidhbeh bēḏā ̣ /
ﻛﺴﺮ ﻧﻔﺴﮫ إﻟﮫ
Equivalent: A white lie/ A small lie. /kasar nafs-uh il-uh/
Equivalent: Swallow one’s pride. Example:
ودﯾﻊ :ﻋﺒﺎس ﻛﺴﺮ ﻧﻔﺴﮫ ﻟﻤﺎﺟﺪ وطﻠﺐ ﻣﻨﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎﺟﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﻌﻄﯿﮫ وأﺣﺮﺟﮫ. ﻣﻨﺬر :ﻋﺒﺎس ﻏﻠﻂ! ﻻزم ﻣﺎ راح ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺎﺟﺪ.
Example:
ﻋﻮض :ﻟﯿﺶ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺆﻧﺲ ﺣﻜﯿﺘﻠﻲ إﻧّﻚ ﻣﺎ إﺟﯿﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ ّ ﺗﺨﺮﺟﻲ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ ﻣﺮﺿﻚ! أﻧﺎ ﻋﺮﻓﺖ إﻧّﻚ ﻛﺎﯾﻦ ﺳﮭﺮان ﻣﻊ ﺷﺒﺎب ﺑﮭﺬاك اﻟﯿﻮم! ﻣﺆﻧﺲ :ﺑﯿﻨﻲ وﺑﯿﻨﻚ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ اﻟﺤﻔﻼت ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ ً! ﺑﺘﺰﻋﺠﻨﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺳﺎﻣﺤﻨﻲ! ﻛﺬﺑﺖ ﻛﺬﺑﺔ ﺑﯿﻀﺎ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺗﺰﻋﻞ ﻣﻨﻲ!
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻜﺎف Example:
أم ﺿﺎﺣﻲ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎل ﻋﺮﯾﺲ ﺑﻨﺘﻚ وأھﻠﮫ ﻣﺎ إﺟﻮ؟ ﺗﺄﺧﺮو ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! أﺑﻮ ﺿﺎﺣﻲ :اﻟﻐﺎﯾﺐ ﻋﺬره ﻣﻌﮫ وﻛﻞ ﺗﺄﺧﯿﺮة وﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﺧﯿﺮة!
ﺴﺮ ﻣﺠﺎدﯾﻔﮫ ﻛ ّ /kassar majādīf-uh/
Equivalent: To dash one’s hopes/ To take someone down a peg or two/ To discourage someone.
ﻛﻞ ﺧﻄﺮة ﺑﺴﻼﻣﺔ
Example: /kull khaṭrah b-salāmeh/
Equivalent: Have a safe and sound trip. Example:
أم ﻋﺴﺎف :ﺑﻜﺮة رح ﻧﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﺑﻜﯿﺮ! أم ﻋﻮض :ﻛﻞ ﺧﻄﺮة ﺑﺴﻼﻣﺔ! ﺑﺲ ﺗﺼﻠﻲ إﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﻲ وطﻤﻨﯿﻨﻲ.
أدھﻢ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ ﻛ ّﻤﻠﺖ اﻟﻤﺸﺮوع ﺗﺒﻌﻚ؟ ﺷﺠﻌﻨﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺴﺮ ﻣﺠﺎدﯾﻔﻲ وﻣﺎ ّ اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ :اﻷﺳﺘﺎذ ﻛ ّ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع أﺑﺪاً!
ﻛﺴﺮ وراه ﺟ ّﺮة /kasar warāh jarrah/
Equivalent: Good-bye and good riddance/ This is used
ﻛﻞ ﺻﻐﯿﺮة وﻛﺒﯿﺮة
when one is pleased that someone is leaving. /kull zaghīreh w-kabīreh/
Equivalent: The ins and outs/ All the details of something. Example:
ﯾﺎﺳﺮ :ﺑﺪّي ﺗﺨﺒﺮﻧﻲ ﻋﻦ ﻛﻞ ﺻﻐﯿﺮة وﻛﺒﯿﺮة ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ! ﻻزم أﻋﺮف ﻛﻞ اﻟﺘﻔﺎﺻﯿﻞ. ﯾﺎﻣﻦ :أﻛﯿﺪ! ﺧﻠﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﻠﺘﻘﻲ اﻟﯿﻮم وﺑﺨﺒﺮك.
Example:
ﺻﺎﯾﻞ :ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﻣﺒﺴﻮط ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ! ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﻣﻌﻚ؟ أﻣﯿﻦ :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ إﺳﺘﻘﺎل! ﻛﺎن ﻣﻀﺎﯾﻖ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻤﻮظﻔﯿﻦ! اﻟﻜﻞ ﻓﺮح ﺑﺈﺳﺘﻘﺎﻟﺘﮫ وﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﻧﻜﺴﺮ وراه ﺟ ّﺮة!
ﻛﺸﺘﻠﮫ /kashtal-uh/
ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺑﺜﻤﻨﮫ
Equivalent: Cut ties with someone/ Stop communication /kull shī b-thaman-uh/
with someone.
Equivalent: Everything has its price/ Every man has
Example:
his price.
ﻓﺎروق :ﺑﻄﻠﺖ أﺷﻮف طﺎرق ﻣﻌﻜﻮ! وﯾﻨﮫ؟ ﻋﻠﯿﺎن :اﻟﺸﻠّﺔ ﻛﺸﺘﻠﺘﮫ! ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻜﻞ وﺑﻄّﻞ ﺣﺪا ﯾﺘﺤ ّﻤﻠﮫ.
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻓﺮاس :ﺑﺪّي ﺗﺨﻠﺼﻠﻲ اﻟﻘﻀﯿﺔ ﺑﺄﺳﺮع وﻗﺖ! اﻟﻤﺤﺎﻣﻲ :ﺑﺨﻠّﺼﮭﺎ ﺑﺲ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺑﺜﻤﻨﮫ!
ﻛﻔّﯿﺖ ووﻓّﯿﺖ /kaffēt w-waffēt/
ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺑﻮﻗﺘﮫ ﺣﻠﻮ
Equivalent: You have done your part/ You have done /kull shī b-wagt-uh ḥilū/
your bit/ To do what you can to help, or to do your
Equivalent: When the time is ripe/ At the right time/
part of what has to be done.
In the fullness of time.
Example:
Example:
أم ﺿﯿﺎء :ﺷﻐﻠﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﺑﺨﻠﺺ ﺑﻌﺪ ﺷﮭﺮ! ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻌﻤﻞ؟ ﻣﺎ د ّورت ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻐﻞ ﺛﺎﻧﻲ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺿﯿﺎء :ﯾﺎ أم ﺿﯿﺎء ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺑﻮﻗﺘﮫ ﺣﻠﻮ! ﻟ ّﻤﺎ أﺧﻠّﺺ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﺑﻔ ّﻜﺮ ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ.
اﺣﻤﺪ :أﻧﺎ ﻋﻤﻠﺖ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺑﻘﺪر ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وﺣﺎوﻟﺖ أﺳﺎﻋﺪك ﺑﺲ ﻟﻸﺳﻒ ﻣﺎ زﺑﻄﺖ اﻷﻣﻮر. ﺼﺮت! ﺷﻜﺮاً إﻟﻚ. ﻗ وﻣﺎ ﻗﺎﺳﻢ :إﻧﺖ ﻛﻔّﯿﺖ ووﻓّﯿﺖ ّ
اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻜﻞ /il-kull b-il-kull/
ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﻻ زاد ﻋﻦ ﺣﺪّه ﻗﻠﺐ ﺿﺪّه
Equivalent: He’s the boss/ He’s the man/ He’s the leader.
/kull shī lā zād ‘an ḥadd-uh galab ḏị dd-uh/
Equivalent: Too much of a good thing. Example:
أم ﺷﻔﯿﻖ :ﻣﺮت اﺑﻨﻲ ﺷﻔﯿﻖ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺘﺮﻛﮫ وراﺣﺖ زﻋﻠﺖ ﻋﻨﺪ أھﻠﮭﺎ! أم رؤوف :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎﻟﮭﺎ ﻣﮭﻲ أﺧﺬت ﺷﻔﯿﻖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺐ؟ أم ﺷﻔﯿﻖ :ﻣﮭﻮ ﺷﻔﯿﻖ ﺑﺤﺒﮭﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﺑﻐﺎر ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ اﻟﮭﻮا! وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه إﯾﺎھﺎ ﺗﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ! ﺿﺎﯾﻘﮭﺎ! ﻧﺼﺤﺘﮫ ّ ﯾﺨﻒ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﺴﻤﻊ ﻣﻨﻲ وھﺎي اﻟﻨﺘﯿﺠﺔ!
Example:
اﺳﻌﺪ :اﺳﻤﻊ ﯾﺎ ﻋﻤﺮ ﺗﺮى ﺣﺴﺎن اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻜﻞ! روح إﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ وھﻮ ﺑﺴﺎﻋﺪك ﺗﻼﻗﻲ ﺷﻐﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻌﻤﻞ! ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ إﻧّﻚ ﺧﺒّﺮﺗﻨﻲ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻜﻞ!
ﻛﻞ ﺗﺄﺧﯿﺮة وﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﺧﯿﺮة /kull ta’khīreh w-fē-hā khīreh/
Equivalent: Better late than never/ Waiting patiently for something for a long time sometimes pays off.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
أﺗﺮﻛﻚ أو ﺑﺘﺴ ّﻜﻨﻲ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻲ! وھﺎﻟﻤﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﻛﯿﻒ ﯾﺘﺼ ّﺮف ﻣﻌﮭﺎ! ﻣﺠﻨﻮﻧﺔ!
اﻟﻜﻠﻤﺔ اﻟﻄﯿﺒﺔ ﺻﺪﻗﺔ
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أم رؤوف :ھﺬا ﻣﺶ ﺣﺐ! ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﻻ زاد ﻋﻦ ﺣﺪّه ﻗﻠﺐ ﺿﺪّه.
ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ وارد /il-kilmeh il-ṭaybeh ṣadagah/
/kull shī wārid/
Equivalent: Literal. A good word is charity/ A kind
Equivalent: Everything is possible/ Anything is possible.
word is charity/ A soft answer turneth away wrath.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻏﯿﺎث :روح ﯾ ّﻤﺎ وﺻﺎﻟﺢ ﻣﺮﺗﻚ! إﻧﺖ ﻏﻠﻄﺖ ﺑﺤﻘﮭﺎ وﻏﻠﻄﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ. ﻏﯿﺎث :ﺑﺲ ھﻲ رﻓﻌﺖ ﺻﻮﺗﮭﺎ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ! أم ﻏﯿﺎث :اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﺎت ﻣﺎت! روح وإﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ ﺑﮭﺪوء وﺻﺎﻟﺤﮭﺎ .اﻟﻜﻠﻤﺔ اﻟﻄﯿﺒﺔ ﺻﺪﻗﺔ وﺑﺘﮭﺪّي اﻟﻨﻔﻮس.
أﻣﺎﻧﻲ :ﻓﻜﺮك إﻛﺮام رح ﺗﺨﻄﺐ ﻟﻨﺎدر؟ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻄﯿﻘﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ! ﺑﺴﻤﺔ :ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ وارد.
ﻛﻞ ﻋﻘﺪة وإﻟﮭﺎ ﺣ ّﻞ /kull ‘ugdeh w-ilhā ḥall/
Equivalent: Every problem has a solution.
ﻛﻠﻤﺘﮫ وﺣﺪة وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺼﯿﺮ ﺛﻨﺘﯿﻦ
Example:
/kilmit-uh waḥadeh mā bitṣīr thintēn/
Equivalent: To give one’s word to someone/ To keep one’s word or promise.
واﺋﻞ :ﻋ ّﻤﻲ أﺑﻮ زھﯿﺮ زﻋﻞ ﻣﻦ أﺑﻮي وﺗﮭﺎوﺷﻮ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺠ ّﻮزﻧﻲ ﺑﻨﺘﮫ رزان! ﺷﻔﺖ ھﺎﻟﻮرطﺔ! ﺧﻠﯿﻞ :ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ! ﻛﻞ ﻋﻘﺪة وإﻟﮭﺎ ﺣ ّﻞ!
Example:
ﻋﺒﺎس :ﻓﻜﺮك أﺑﻮ ﻧﺎﺟﻲ رح ﯾﻮﻓّﻲ ﺑﻮﻋﺪه؟ ﺛﺎﺑﺖ :أﻛﯿﺪ ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ! إذا وﻋﺪك ﺑﺈﺷﻲ رح ﯾﻨﻔّﺬ وﻋﺪه ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻛﻠﻤﺘﮫ وﺣﺪة وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺼﯿﺮ ﺛﻨﺘﯿﻦ.
ﻛﻞ ﻣﻤﻨﻮع ﻣﺮﻏﻮب /kull mamnū‘ marghūb/
Equivalent: Forbidden fruit is sweet/ You want what you can’t have.
ﻛﻞ ﻣﻦ ﺑﺘﻌﻠّﻢ ﻣﻦ ﻛﯿﺴﮫ
Example: /kull man bit‘allam min kīs-uh/
Equivalent: To learn from one’s own mistake/ Learn something the hard way. Example:
أم ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﻧﺼﺤﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺮﺟﻊ ﻟﺠﻮزھﺎ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ رح ﯾﺘﻐﯿّﺮ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﺳﻤﻌﺖ ﻛﻼﻣﻲ ورﺟﻌﺘﻠﮫ ﻗﺎل ﺑﺘﺤﺒﮫ! ھﯿّﻮ رﺟﻊ ﺿﺮﺑﮭﺎ وإﺟﺖ زﻋﻼﻧﺔ! أم طﺎھﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻌﻤﻠﻲ ﻛﻞ ﻣﻦ ﺑﺘﻌﻠّﻢ ﻣﻦ ﻛﯿﺴﮫ! ﺑﻜﺮة ﺑﺘﺼﺤﻰ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮭﺎ وﺑﺘﻮﺧﺬ اﻟﻘﺮار اﻟﺼﺢ.
أم ﺟﮭﺎد :ﺗﻔﻀﻠﻲ أﻛﻠﻲ ﻣﻦ ھﺎي اﻟﺸﻮﻛﻮﻻﺗﮫ ﯾﺎ أم ﻧﻤﺮ! أم ﻧﻤﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر أوﻛﻠﮭﺎ ﻣﻨﺎ ﻣﻌﻲ ﺳﻜﺮي! ﻣﻦ أﻛﻢ ﯾﻮم ﺟﺎب أﺑﻮ ﺟﮭﺎد ﻛﻨﺎﻓﺔ ﻟﻸوﻻد وأﻛﻠﺖ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ! ﻣﮭﻮ ﻛﻞ ﻣﻤﻨﻮع ﻣﺮﻏﻮب! ﺑﺲ ﻣﺒﺎﺷﺮة أﺧﺬوﻧﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺸﻔﻰ ﻹﻧّﮫ اﻟﺴﻜﺮ ارﺗﻔﻊ ﻋﻨﺪي ورﺣﺖ ﻣﺎ أﻣﻮت! ﻣﺎ رح أوﻛﻠﮭﺎ.
ﻛﻞ ھﺎﻟﺘﻌﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻔﺎﺿﻲ /kull ha-il-ta‘ab ‘alā il-fāḏị̄ /
Equivalent: All the effort and hard work came to naught/ All of the hard work has resulted in nothing.
ﻛﻞ ﻣﻦ ﺑﻨﺎم ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺠﻨﺐ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺮﯾﺤﮫ
Example:
/kull man binām ‘alā il-janb illī brayḥ-uh/
Equivalent: Have one’s own way/ To get or have what one wants/ To have things done according to one’s own preference or decision. Example:
أم اﯾﺴﺮ :اﺑﻨﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺪرس طﺐ! ﻗﺎل ﺑﺤﺐ اﻟﮭﻨﺪﺳﺔ! إﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ! ﻣﻌﺪّﻟﮫ ﻋﺎﻟﻲ وﺑﻘﺪر ﯾﺪرس طﺐ ﺑﺴﮭﻮﻟﺔ! أﺑﻮ اﯾﺴﺮ :وإﻧﺘﻲ ﺷﻮ دﺧﻠﻚ ﻓﯿﮫ! ﻛﻞ ﻣﻦ ﺑﻨﺎم ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺠﻨﺐ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺮﯾﺤﮫ! ﺧﻠﯿﮫ ﯾﺪرس اﻹﺷﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪّه إﯾﺎه وﺑﺤﺒﮫ.
أم ﺛﺎﻣﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﺑﻌﺰﯾﻤﺘﻚ؟ إﺟﻮ ﺿﯿﻮﻓﻚ اﻣﺒﺎرح؟ أم راﺿﻲ :ﻻ ﻣﺎ إﺟﻮ! إﻋﺘﺬرو ﺑﺂﺧﺮ ﻟﺤﻈﺔ! ﻗﺎل أم زاﯾﺪ ﺗﻌﺒﺖ وﻧﺰل ﺿﻐﻄﮭﺎ وإﺿﻄﺮو ﯾﻮﺧﺬوھﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺸﻔﻰ! أم ﺛﺎﻣﺮ :ﺟﺪّ! ﻣﺎ إﻧﺘﻲ ﺗﻌﺒﺘﻲ وإﻧﺘﻲ ﺗﻨﻈﻔﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ وﺗﻄﺒﺨﻲ! ﻛﻞ ھﺎﻟﺘﻌﺐ راح ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻔﺎﺿﻲ؟
ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﺮاي ← ﺑﻤﯿﺖ ﻋﻘﻞ /b-mīt ‘agul/ ← /kull yōm brāy/
Equivalent: To blow hot and cold/ To run hot and cold/ To change one’s mind.
ﻛﻞ ﻣﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺎﻛﻠﺘﮫ
Example: /kull man ‘alā shākilt-uh/
Equivalent: Like attracts like/ Like-minded people gravitates toward one another.
أم رﺑﺤﻲ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر ﻛﻨﺘﻚ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة ﯾﺎ أم ﻋﺎطﻒ؟ أم ﻋﺎطﻒ :ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﺑﻤﯿﺖ ﻋﻘﻞ! ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﺮاي! ﻣ ّﺮة ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﻀﻞ ﺳﺎﻛﻨﺔ ﻋﻨﺪي وﻣ ّﺮة ﺑﺘﺒﻄﻞ وﺑﺘﻘﻮل ﻟﺠﻮزھﺎ ﺑﺪّي
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻜﺎف
ﻛﻠّﮫ واﺣﺪ
Example: /kull-uh wāḥad/
Equivalent: Anything goes/ All options or things are acceptable. Example:
ھﯿﻔﺎء :ﻧﻄﻠﺐ أﻛﻞ ﻣﻦ ﻣﻄﻌﻢ اﻟﻜﺒﺎب وإﻻ ﻣﻦ ﻣﻄﻌﻢ اﻟﻮﺟﺒﺎت اﻟﺴﺮﯾﻌﺔ؟ ﺑﺪﯾﻌﺔ :ﻛﻠّﮫ واﺣﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﺮق ﻣﻌﻲ! إﺧﺘﺎري إﻧﺘﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﺤﺒﯿﮫ.
ﯾﻮﻧﺲ :ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻣﺮاد ﺧﻠّﺺ دراﺳﺘﮫ ﺑ ّﺮا ورﺟﻊ ﺑﻄّﻞ ﯾﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ زي زﻣﺎن! ﺷﻜﻠﻨﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎﺟﺒﯿﻨﮫ وﺑﻄّﻠﻨﺎ ﻗ ّﺪ اﻟﻤﻘﺎم! ﺷﻔﺘﮫ ﻣﺼﺎﺣﺐ ﻓﮭﺪ! ﻣﻌﯿﻦ :ﻓﮭﺪ! اﻟﻠﻲ درس ﻣﻌﮫ ﺑ ّﺮا! ﺳﺒﺤﺎن ﷲ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﯾﻄﯿﻘﮫ ﺑﺲ ﻛﻞ ﻣﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺎﻛﻠﺘﮫ!
ﻛﻞ ﻣﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻘﯿﻘﺔ /kull man ‘alā shagīgah/
Equivalent: Not on speaking terms.
ﻛﻠﮭﺎ أوﻻد ﺗﺴﻌﺔ
Example: /kul-hā iwlād tis‘ah/
Equivalent: All men are created equal. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺧﺎﻟﺪ :ﺷﻮف ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺟﺒﺮ! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻣﻌﺎك ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﻌﻨﺎه إﻧّﻚ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ ﻏﯿﺮك! ﻛﻞ اﻟﻨﺎس ﺧﯿﺮ وﺑﺮﻛﺔ وﻛﻠﻨﺎ أوﻻد ﺗﺴﻌﺔ وﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺣﺪا أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ ﺣﺪا. ﻟﯿﺶ راﻓﺾ ﺗﺠ ّﻮز ﺑﻨﺘﻚ ﻟﺤﺴﻨﻲ؟ ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻹﻧّﮫ أﺑﻮه ﻓﻘﯿﺮ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺟﺒﺮ :أﻧﺎ ﺣ ّﺮ وﺑﺠ ّﻮز ﺑﻨﺘﻲ ﻟﻠﺸﺨﺺ اﻟﻤﻨﺎﺳﺐ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي ﻓﻠﺴﻔﺔ وﻣﺤﺎﺿﺮة ﺑﺎﻷﺧﻼق.
ﻛﻤﺎ ﺗﺪﯾﻦ ﺗﺪان /kamā tudīn tudān/
اﯾﺎد :ﺗﮭﺎوش رﯾﺎن ﻣﻊ ﺗﺎﻣﺮ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻮ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ ﻣﻦ ﺷﮭﺮ! ﻛﻞ ﻣﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻘﯿﻘﺔ! ﻗﯿﺲ :ﺗﻌﺎل ﻧﺮوح ﻧﺤﺎول ﻧﺼﺎﻟﺤﮭﻢ!
ﻛﻠﻨﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﮭﻮا ﺳﻮا /kul-nā b-il-hawā sawā/
Equivalent: In the same boat/ In a similar situation. Example:
ﻧﺠﺎح :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻛﺎن ﻋﻨﺪي اﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﺳﻮاﻗﺔ ﺑﺲ رﺳﺒﺖ ﻓﯿﮫ! أﻣﯿﺮة :ﻛﻠﻨﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﮭﻮا ﺳﻮا! وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺜﻠﻚ! ﻣﺎ زﺑﻄﺖ أﻣﻮر اﻟﺮﺧﺼﺔ ﻣﻌﻲ!
ﻛﻠّﮫ أطﻘﻊ ﻣﻦ ﺑﻌﻀﮫ
Equivalent: What goes around comes around/ A taste
/kull-uh ’aṭaga‘ min ba‘ḏ-̣ uh/
of one’s own medicine.
Equivalent: Between a rock and a hard place/ Bad
Example:
alternative.
أﺑﻮ ﺷﺮﯾﻒ :أﺑﻮﻋﺎدل ﺑﺸﻜﻲ ﻣﻦ اﺑﻨﮫ اﻟﻮﺣﯿﺪ! ﺑﻘﻮل إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺼﻞ ﻓﯿﮫ ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ ً! ﺑﺴﺄل ﻓﯿﮫ وﻣﺶ ﺣﻨﻮن وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘ ّ أﺑﻮ رﺟﺎ :ﻣﮭﻮ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎدل ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ ﻣﻊ أﺑﻮه ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮫ! ﻛﺎن اﺑﻦ ﻋﺎق واﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﻌﺮف! وﺑﮭﺎﻟﺤﯿﺎة ﻛﻤﺎ ﺗﺪﯾﻦ ﺗﺪان!
Example:
اﻟﻜﻤﺎل /al-kamāl li-il-lāh/
Equivalent: Literal. Perfection is for God/ Nobody is
ﻣﺘﻌﺐ :درﯾﺖ ﻣﯿﻦ ﻧﺎزل ﻟﻺﻧﺘﺨﺎﺑﺎت اﻟﻨﯿﺎﺑﯿّﺔ اﻟﺴﻨﺔ؟ راﺟﻲ :ﻻ .ﻣﯿﻦ؟ ﻣﺘﻌﺐ :أﺑﻮ رﯾﺎض وأﺑﻮ ﻋﺎﻣﺮ! راﺟﻲ :أوف! اﻻﺛﻨﯿﻦ أطﻘﻊ ﻣﻦ ﺑﻌﺾ! ﺻﻌﺐ اﻟﻮاﺣﺪ ﯾﺨﺘﺎر واﺣﺪ ﻣﻨﮭﻢ!
ﻛﻠّﮫ ﺧﺮط وﻋﺮط
perfect.
/kull-uh kharṭ w-‘arṭ/
Example:
Equivalent: Barefaced lie/ A brazen lie.
ﻧﻮرا :ﺑﺠﺪ ﻻزم ﺗﻮاﻓﻘﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺬا اﻟﻌﺮﯾﺲ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻛﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻜ ّﻤﻞ وﻣﻮاﺻﻔﺎﺗﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ! ﺳﺎرة :اﻟﻜﻤﺎل وﺣﺪه! ﻟﻜﻦ رح أﻓ ّﻜﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع.
Example:
ﺣﻤﻮد :وﻓﯿﻖ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺼﺪّق وﻻ ﺑﺤﺮف! ﻛﻞ ﺳﻮاﻟﻔﮫ ﺧﺮط وﻋﺮط! أﻣﺠﺪ :اﻟﻜﺬب ﺑﺪ ّﻣﮫ.
ﻛﻠّﮫ ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺖ راﺳﮫ
ﻛﻤﺎﻟﺔ ﻋﺪد /kmālit ‘adad/
/kull-uh min taḥit rās-uh/
Equivalent: An addition/ Fill-in/ Plus-one.
Equivalent: It’s all your fault/ It’s all because of you.
Example:
Example:
ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :ﻓﻲ ﻻﻋﺐ إﺟﺮه إﻧﻜﺴﺮت وﺑﺪﻧﺎ إﯾّﺎك ﺗﺸﺎرك ﺑﺪاﻟﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻔﺮﯾﻖ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻋﻨّﺎ ﺑﻜﺮة ﻣﺒﺎراة! ﻛﺮم :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﺑﺪّك إﯾّﺎﻧﻲ ﻛﻤﺎﻟﺔ ﻋﺪد ﺑﺲ!
طﺎرق :أﺑﻮي ﺣﺮﻣﻨﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺼﺮوف ﻟﻤﺪّة أﺳﺒﻮع ﺑﺴﺒﺒﻚ! ﻛﻠّﮫ ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺖ راﺳﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺎﯾﻖ! ﻓﺎﯾﻖ :إﻧﺖ ﺑﺘﺴﺘﺎھﻞ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
134
ﻛﯿﺪ ﻋ ّﺰاﻟﻚ
ﻛﯿﻔﯿّﺔ /kēfiyyeh/
/kīd ‘uzzāl-ak/
Equivalent: Wonderful/ Amazing/ Incredible.
Equivalent: To make someone feel jealous or envious.
Example:
Example:
ﺳﮭﺎد :أﺑﻮي ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻮﺧﺬﻧﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻼھﻲ واﻟﺤﺪﯾﻘﺔ ﺑﻜﺮة! اﻧﺎﻟﯿﻦ :ﯾﺎي روﻋﺔ! ﻛﯿﻔﯿّﺔ!
ﺷﺮﯾﻔﺔ :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺧﻄﻮﺑﺔ ﺳﺎﺟﺪة! ﻋﺮﯾﺴﮭﺎ ﺑﺠﻨّﻦ وﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻛﺜﯿﺮة وﺷﮭﺎدة ﺟﺎﻣﻌﯿﺔ! ارﯾﺞ :ﻣﻤﺘﺎز! ھﺎي أﻛﯿﺪ رح ﺗﻜﯿﺪ ﻋﺰّاﻟﮭﺎ!
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻼم
اﻟﻠﻤﺴﺎت اﻻﺧﯿﺮة
ﻻ ﺑﺤﻞ وﻻ ﺑﺮﺑﻂ ← ﻻ ﺑﮭﺶ وﻻ ﺑﻨﺶ /lā bihhish wala binnish/ ← /lā biḥḥil walā burbuṭ/
/il-lamasāt il-’akhīreh/
Equivalent: Non-person/ A person who has no say
Equivalent: Put on the finishing touches/ Put the seal
and no influence in making a decision/ A person who
on/ Finish the last changes.
no one asks for their opinion and has no power to
Example:
influence events. Example:
أم راﻣﻲ :أم ﺳﺎﻣﺮ ﻣﺴﯿﻄﺮة ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻌﯿﻠﺔ وﺟﻮزھﺎ وأوﻻدھﺎ ﻣﺎﺷﯿﯿﻦ ﻣﺜﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪھﺎ! ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﻻ ﺑﮭﺶ وﻻ ﺑﻨﺶ! أﺑﻮ راﻣﻲ :ﻣﻌﺮوف إﻧّﮫ أﺑﻮ ﺳﺎﻣﺮ ﺷﺨﺼﯿﺘﮫ ﺿﻌﯿﻔﺔ وﻻ ﺑﺤﻞ وﻻ ﺑﺮﺑﻂ!
أم ﺳﺎﻣﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻌﻜﻮ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ؟ ﺧﻠّﺼﺘﻮ ﺣﻂّ اﻷﺛﺎث ﻓﯿﮫ؟ أم رﯾﺎن :ﻣﺎ ﺿ ّﻞ إﺷﻲ ﺑﺲ اﻟﻠﻤﺴﺎت اﻷﺧﯿﺮة وﺑﻌﺪ أﺳﺒﻮع ﺑﻨﺴﻜﻦ ﻓﯿﮫ.
ﻷﺑﻮ ﻣﻮزة /la-’abū mōzeh/
Equivalent: To the max/ A lot/ So many.
ﻻ ﺑﺮﺣﻢ وﻻ ﺑﺨﻠﻲ رﺣﻤﺔ ﷲ ﺗﻨﺰل
Example:
/lā birḥam walā bikhallī raḥmit Allah tinzil/
Equivalent: To show no mercy/ Have no mercy/ To treat someone very harshly.
ﻋﺒﺪ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺳﻤﻊ ﻣﻨﻚ أي إﺷﻲ! ﺗﺮاھﺎ واﺻﻠﺔ ﻣﻌﻲ ﻷﺑﻮ ﻣﻮزة! ﺳﻌﯿﺪ :إھﺪى ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﺧﻠّﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﺘﻔﺎھﻢ.
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻣﺎﺟﺪ :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ رﻓﻌﺖ اﻷﺳﻌﺎر! أﺑﻮ رﺑﯿﻊ :ﺷﺎﯾﻔﻠﻚ ھﺎﻟﻮزارة اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة ﻻ ﺑﺘﺮﺣﻢ وﻻ ﺑﺘﺨﻠّﻲ رﺣﻤﺔ ﷲ ﺗﻨﺰل! اﻟﻨﺎس ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ ﺗﻮﻛﻞ وﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪھﺎ دﺧﻞ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ وﺑﻌﺪھﻢ ﺑﺮﻓﻌﻮ اﻷﺳﻌﺎر! ﺣﺮام ﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ.
ﻻ إﺣﻢ وﻻ دﺳﺘﻮر /lā ’iḥim walā dastūr/
Equivalent: Barge in/ To walk into a room/place quickly, without being invited/ To enter a place without permission/ Enter as if you owned the place.
ﻻ ﺑﺼ ّﺪ وﻻ ﺑﺮ ّد
Example: /lā biṣudd walā birudd/
Equivalent: Hardheaded/ Stubborn/ Dig in one’s heels. Example:
أم ﺻﺒﺤﻲ :اﺑﻨﻚ ﺑﻌﺪه ﻣﻌﻨّﺪ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻜ ّﻤﻞ دراﺳﺘﮫ؟ أم ﻟﺆي :ﺑﻌﺪه! ﺗﻌﺒﻨﺎ وإﺣﻨﺎ ﻧﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ ﺑﺲ ﻻ ﺑﺼ ّﺪ وﻻ ﺑﺮ ّد! ﻋﻨﯿﺪ وراﺳﮫ ﯾﺎﺑﺲ!
أﺑﻮ ﺻﻘﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﻓﺎﯾﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺘﻲ ﺑﺪون ﻣﺎ ﺗﺮن اﻟﺠﺮس! ﻻ إﺣﻢ وﻻ دﺳﺘﻮر! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ. اﺷﺮف :آﺳﻒ ﻋ ّﻤﻲ .ﺑﺲ ﻛﺎن اﻟﺒﺎب ﻣﻔﺘﻮح! ﻣﺎ رح أﻋﯿﺪھﺎ.
ﻻ إﻟﻲ وﻻ ﻷﺣﺒﺎب ﻗﻠﺒﻲ /lā illī walā la-’aḥbāb galb-ī/
Equivalent: A dog in the manger/ A selfish person/
ﻻ ﺑﻌﺠﺒﮫ اﻟﻌﺠﺐ وﻻ اﻟﺼﯿﺎم ﺑﺮﺟﺐ
Someone who prevents others from attaining
/lā bi‘jib-uh il-‘ajab walā li-ṣyām b-rajab/
something out of spite.
Equivalent: Picky/ Choosy/ Overly critical.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ :ﻟﯿﺶ زاﯾﺪة اﻟﻤﻠﺢ ﺑﺎﻷﻛﻞ ﯾﺎ أم ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ؟ أم ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﻛﺎن ﺧﻔﯿﻒ وﻗﻠﺘﻠﻲ أﻛﻠﻚ ﻣﻠﺤﮫ ﺧﻔﯿﻒ واﻟﯿﻮم ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎﺟﺒﻚ إﻧّﻲ زدت اﻟﻤﻠﺢ! ﺣﯿّﺮﺗﻨﻲ ﻣﻌﺎك! إﻧﺖ ﻻ ﺑﻌﺠﺒﻚ اﻟﻌﺠﺐ وﻻ اﻟﺼﯿﺎم ﺑﺮﺟﺐ!
ﺟﻤﺎﻧﺔ :ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ ﺗﻌﻄﯿﻨﻲ اﻟﻄﺎوﻟﺔ واﻟﻜﺮاﺳﻲ اﻟﻘﺪام؟ ﻣﺎ إﻧﺘﻲ اﺷﺘﺮﯾﺘﻲ ﻛﺮاﺳﻲ وطﺎوﻟﺔ ﺟﺪاد وﺣﻄﯿﺘﻲ ھﺬول ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮدع ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻠﺰﻣﻮﻛﻲ! ﺳﺎﺟﺪة :ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ. ﺟﻤﺎﻧﺔ :وﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ؟ ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻻ إﻟﻲ وﻻ ﻷﺣﺒﺎب ﻗﻠﺒﻲ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
opinions about something and who is hard to argue
136
ﻻ ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ وﻻ ﻗﺒﻠﯿﻦ
with or convince.
/lā ba‘dēn walā gablēn/
Example:
Equivalent: Nothing/ There is nothing to do/ It’s now
أم رﺿﺎ :ﺟﻮزك ﻣﺎ اﻗﺘﻨﻊ إﻧّﻚ ﺗﺮوﺣﻲ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺮﻛﺰ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻧﻮﺧﺬ دروس وﻧﺘﻌﻠّﻢ؟ أم ﺣﺴﻦ :ﻻ ﻣﺎ اﻗﺘﻨﻊ وﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ! ﺣﺎوﻟﺖ أﻗﻨﻌﮫ ﺑﺲ ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻻ ﺑﻮﺧﺬ وﻻ ﺑﻌﻄﻲ وراﺳﮫ ﯾﺎﺑﺲ!
ﻻ ﺗﺘﺨﻨﻔﺴﺶ ← ھﺲ وﻻ ﻧﻔﺲ /huss walā nafas/ ← /lā titkhanfasish/
Equivalent: Shut up/ Don’t talk or say anything. Example:
اﻧﺲ :آﺳﻒ ﻣﺎ ﻛﻨﺖ ﺑﻘﺼﺪ أﻛﺴﺮ إﯾﺪ أﺧﻮي! ﻛﻨّﺎ ﻧﻠﻌﺐ وﻟﻮﯾﺘﮭﺎ وﻣﺎ ﻛﻨﺖ ﺑﻔ ّﻜﺮ إﻧﮭﺎ رح ﺗﻨﻜﺴﺮ! أم اﻧﺲ :ھﺲ وﻻ ﻧﻔﺲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺳﻤﻊ ﻣﻨّﻚ إﺷﻲ! ﻻ ﺗﺘﺨﻨﻔﺴﺶ! ﻓﺎھﻢ؟ ﻻزم اﺗﺼﻞ ﻣﻊ أﺑﻮك ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﯿﺠﻲ ﯾﻮﺧﺬ أﺧﻮك ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺸﻔﻰ.
or never/ There’s no time like the present. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻣﻠﺤﻢ :زﯾﺎد أﺧﺬ اﻟﺸﯿﻜﺎت ﺗﺒﻌﺖ اﻟﻤﺤﻞ وﺻﺮﻓﮭﺎ وھﺮب ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﻠﺪ! أﺑﻮ ﻟﯿﺚ :طﯿّﺐ وﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻣﻠﺤﻢ :ﻻ ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ وﻻ ﻗﺒﻠﯿﻦ! ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺑﺈﯾﺪﯾﻨﺎ إﺷﻲ ﻧﻌﻤﻠﮫ. أﺑﻮ ﻟﯿﺚ :طﯿﺐ ﺗﻌﺎل ﻧﺮوح ﻧﺨﺒّﺮ اﻟﺸﺮطﺔ ﺑﻠﻜﻲ ﻣﺴﻜﻮه! أﺑﻮ ﻣﻠﺤﻢ :ﺧﻠﺺ ﺑﻨﺮوح ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ. ق اﻟﺤﺪﯾﺪ وھﻮ ﺣﺎﻣﻲ. أﺑﻮ ﻟﯿﺚ :ﻻ ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ وﻻ ﻗﺒﻠﯿﻦ! د ّ
ﻻ ﺑﻜﻞ وﻻ ﺑﻤﻞ /lā bikkil walā bimmil/
Equivalent: Tireless/ Ball of fire/ A go-getter/ Full of beans/ An ambitious, energetic, dynamic and enthusiastic person.
ﻻ ﺗﺤﺴﺐ ﺣﺴﺎﺑﻲ
Example: /lā tuḥsub ḥsāb-ī/
Equivalent: Don’t count me in. Example:
ﻧﺒﯿﻞ :راﯾﺢ أﺟﯿﺐ ﻗﮭﻮة وﺳﻨﺪوﯾﺸﺎت إﻟﻲ وﻟﻤﻌﺎذ ﺑﺪّك أﺟﯿﺒﻠﻚ ﻣﺜﻠﻨﺎ؟ اﻧﻮر :ﻻ ﻻ ﻻ ﺗﺤﺴﺐ ﺣﺴﺎﺑﻲ!
ﻻ ﺗﺮاﻓﻖ اﻟﻤﺨﺰي ﺑﺨﺰﯾﻚ ﺑﺸﯿﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﯿﮫ وﺑﺤﻄﮫ ﻓﯿﻚ
أﺑﻮ ﻣﺤﺴﻦ :ﺷﺮﯾﻒ ﺻﺎﺣﺐ ﻣﺤﺴﻦ ﺷﺐ ﺑﻌﺠﺒﻨﻲ! ﺑﺤﺐ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺐ ﻣﻨﮫ! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻻ ﺑﻜﻞ وﻻ ﺑﻤﻞ! أم ﻣﺤﺴﻦ :ﯾﺎ رﯾﺖ ﻣﺤﺴﻦ زﯾّﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﻣﺤﺴﻦ :ﺻﺤﯿﺢ وﯾﻦ أوﻻد ﻣﺤﺴﻦ اﻟﺼﻐﺎر؟ أم ﻣﺤﺴﻦ :ﺑﻠﻌﺒﻮ ﺑ ّﺮا! ﻣﻦ اﻟﺼﺒﺢ وھﻢ ﯾﻠﻌﺒﻮ وﻣﺎ ﺗﻌﺒﻮ! ﻻ ﺑ ّﻜﻠﻮ وﻻ ﺑ ّﻤﻠﻮ!
ﻻ ﺑﻨﺤﻠﺐ وﻻ ﺑﻨﺠﻠﺐ /lā binḥalib walā binjalib/
/lā trāfig il-makhzī bikhzī-k bishīl illī fīh w- biḥuṭ-uh fīk/
Equivalent: Be as stubborn as a mule/ Obstinate.
Equivalent: If you lie down with dogs, you will
Example:
get fleas/ A man is known by the company he keeps. Example:
أم ﺷﺮف :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎك ﺗﺼﺎﺣﺐ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ! ھﺬا ﺷﺐ ﺳﻤﻌﺘﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ وﺧ ّﺮﯾﺞ ﺳﺠﻮن. ﺷﺮف :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ أﺻﺎﺣﺒﮫ؟ أم ﺷﺮف :ﻹﻧّﮫ ﺻﺤﺒﺘﮫ ﺑﺘﺄﺛﺮ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ وﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﻤﻌﺘﻚ! ﻻ ﺗﺮاﻓﻖ اﻟﻤﺨﺰي ﺑﺨﺰﯾﻚ ﺑﺸﯿﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﯿﮫ وﺑﺤﻄﮫ ﻓﯿﻚ.
أم ﺻﺒﺤﻲ :ﺟﻮزي أﺑﻮ ﺻﺒﺤﻲ راﺳﮫ ﻋﻨﯿﺪ وﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﯾﺘﺼﺎﻟﺢ ﻣﻊ أﺧﻮه! اﻟﻜﻞ ﺣﺎول ﯾﺼﺎﻟﺤﮭﻢ ﺑﺲ أﺑﻮ ﺻﺒﺤﻲ راﺳﮫ ﯾﺎﺑﺲ! ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻻ ﺑﻨﺤﻠﺐ وﻻ ﺑﻨﺠﻠﺐ! أم ﯾﺎﺳﺮ :ﷲ ﯾﺼﻠﺢ أﻣﺮه!
ﻻ ﺑﻨﻌ ّﺪ وﻻ ﺑﻨﺤﺼﻰ /lā bin‘add walā binḥaṣā/
Equivalent: Unmeasurable/ Without number/ Too many to count.
ﻻ ﺗﺸﻜﯿﻠﻲ ﺑﺒﻜﯿﻠﻚ
Example: /lā tishkī-l-ī babkī-l-ak/
Equivalent: Have enough (problems or difficulties) on one’s plate/ I am in the same boat. Example:
ﺣﻨﺎن :ﻣﺘﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺘﻌﺐ! اﻟﯿﻮم ﻛﺎن ﻋﻨﺪي ﺷﻐﻞ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﺑﻮﺟﻌﻨﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﺑﻌﺪﻧﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻛ ّﻤﻠﺖ ﻛﻞ وﺗﻌﺒﺎﻧﺔ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ! ظﮭﺮي ّ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ! ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﺗﯿﺠﻲ ﺑﻜﺮة ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪﯾﻨﻲ؟ ﻣﻨﺎر :ﻻ ﺗﺸﻜﯿﻠﻲ ﺑﺒﻜﯿﻠﻚ! وأﻧﺎ ﻛﻤﺎن وﺿﻌﻲ ﻧﻔﺲ وﺿﻌﻚ! وﺷﻐﻞ ﺑﯿﺘﻲ أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ ﺷﻐﻞ ﺑﯿﺘﻚ.
ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :رﺿﻮان رﺟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ وﺑﺪّه ﯾﺴﺘﻘﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻠﺪ! أﻣﯿﻦ :وﻛﯿﻒ وﺿﻌﮫ اﻟﻤﺎدي؟ ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻣﺼﺎري ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻨﻚ وأﻣﻼك ﻻ ﺑﺘﻨﻌﺪ وﻻ ﺑﺘﻨﺤﺼﻰ!
ﻻ ﺑﻮﺧﺬ وﻻ ﺑﻌﻄﻲ /lā bōkhiḏ ̣ walā ba‘ṭī/
Equivalent: Have a closed mind about something/ A person who is unwilling to change one’s ideas or
137
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻼم Example:
أم ﻧﻀﺎل :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺳﻤﻌﺖ ﺻﻮت اﻟﺠﯿﺮان ﯾﺘﮭﺎوﺷﻮ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ! ﺗﻌﺎل ﻧﺮوح ﻧﺴﺄﻟﮭﻢ ﺷﻮ ﻓﻲ. أﺑﻮ ﻧﻀﺎل :ﻻ ﺗﻜﻮﻧﻲ ﺣﺸﺮﯾّﺔ ﯾﺎ أم ﻧﻀﺎل! إﺣﻨﺎ ﺷﻮ دﺧﻠﻨﺎ!
ﻻ ﺗﻄﺎطﻲ راﺳﻚ ﻟﺤﺪا /lā tṭāṭī rās-ak la-ḥadā/
Equivalent: Never or don’t beg on bended knees/ Don’t bow down to someone submissively. Example:
ﻻ ﺗﻮاﺧﺬﻧﻲ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻜﻠﻤﺔ /lā twākhidh-nī b-ha-il-kilmeh/
Equivalent: Excuse my French/ Pardon my French. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻣﻨﺬر :ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ ﺑﻤﻨﺬر؟ ﺗﺮك وظﯿﻔﺘﮫ وﻟﺤﻖ اﻟﺒﻨﺖ اﻷﺟﻨﺒﯿﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻠﺪھﺎ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﺑﺤﺒﮭﺎ! ﺧﺴﺮ وظﯿﻔﺘﮫ ﻛﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﺷﺮﻛﺔ ﻋﺸﺎن ﺑﺤﺐ ﻗﺎل! أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎﯾﺶ :ﻻ ﺗﻮاﺧﺬﻧﻲ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻜﻠﻤﺔ! ﺑﺲ اﺑﻨﻚ ﺣﻤﺎر وﻣﺎ ﺑﻔﮭﻢ وﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺘﮫ وﯾﻦ .رح ﯾﯿﺠﻲ ﯾﻮم وﯾﻨﺪم ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﮫ ھﺎي.
ﻻ ﺗﻮاﺧﺬه
ﺑﺘﺘﺮﺟﻰ أﺑﻮ ﻓﺘﺤﻲ ﻋﺸﺎن أﺑﻮ ﻋﺪﻧﺎن :اﻟﯿﻮم اﻟﺼﺒﺢ ﺳﻤﻌﺘﻚ ّ ﯾﺮﺟﻌﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﺑﻤﺤﻠﮫ! أﻧﺎ ﻋ ّﻤﻚ وﻣﺎ ﺑﮭﻮﻧﻠﻲ أﺷﻮﻓﻚ ﺗﺘﺮﺟﻰ أي ﺣﺪا وﻻ ﻣﺬﻟﻮل ﻟﺤﺪا! أﻧﺎ ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻠﻠﻚ ﺷﻐﻞ! ﻻ ّ ﺗﻄﺎطﻲ راﺳﻚ ﻟﺤﺪا! ﻋﻤﺎر :ﺷﻜﺮاً إﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻋ ّﻤﻲ! ﻗﺪھﺎ وﻗﺪود.
ﻻ ﺗﻔﺘّﺢ اﻟﺪﻓﺎﺗﺮ اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻤﺔ /lā tfattiḥ il-dafātir il-gadīmeh/
Equivalent: Let sleeping dogs lie. Example:
ﯾﺴﺮا :ﺑﻌﺪك زﻋﻼﻧﺔ ﻣﻨﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺧﻮﻟﺔ؟ ﺧﻮﻟﺔ :اﻷﻓﻀﻞ إﻧّﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻔﺘﺤﻲ اﻟﺪﻓﺎﺗﺮ اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻤﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺣﻜﻲ ﺑﻤﻮﺿﻮع زﻋﻠﻨﺎ.
/lā twākhdh-uh/
Equivalent: Pardon his ignorance or rudeness/ Don’t
ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﺒّﺶ ﻣﻮاﺟﻌﻲ
mind him/ Excuse him/ Pay no attention to someone
/lā tgalbbish mawāj‘-ī/
or his or her words, actions or behaviors.
Equivalent: Don’t rub salt in one’s wounds/ Don’t
Example:
remind me.
أم ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎل اﺑﻨﻚ ﻣﺒﻄّﻞ ﯾﺤﺘﺮم ﺣﺪا؟ اﻟﯿﻮم ﺷﺎﻓﻨﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻄﺮﯾﻖ وﻣﺎ ﺳﻠّﻢ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ! طﻨّﺸﻨﻲ! ﯾﺎ ﻋﯿﺐ اﻟﻌﯿﺐ. أم ﺣﺴﺎم :ﻻ ﺗﻮاﺧﺬﯾﮫ ﯾﺎ أم ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ! إﻧﺘﻲ ﺧﺎﻟﺘﮫ وھﻮ ﺑﺤﺘﺮﻣﻚ ﺑﺲ اﻟﯿﻮم ﻛﺎن ﻓﻜﺮه ﻣﺸﻐﻮل ﻹﻧﮭﻢ ﻣﺎ ﺟﺪدوﻟﮫ ﻋﻘﺪه ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ! أﻋﺬرﯾﮫ!
Example:
ﻋﮭﺪ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺷﻔﺖ طﻠﯿﻘﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮل ﻣﻊ وﺣﺪة! ﺑﺠﻮز اﺗﺠ ّﻮز ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺮﻛﺘﯿﮫ .ﺑﺲ إﻧﺘﻮ ﻛﻨﺘﻮ ﺗﺤﺒّﻮ ﺑﻌﺾ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﻄﻠﻘﺘﻮ؟ ردﯾﻨﺔ :ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﺒّﻲ ﻣﻮاﺟﻌﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺣﻜﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع.
ﻻ ﺗﻘﻮل ﻓﻮل ﺗﺎﯾﺼﯿﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺪول
ﺻﻲ ﺣﺮﯾﺺ ﻻ ﺗﻮ ّ
/lā tgūl fūl tā yṣīr bi-li-‘dūl/ /lā twaṣṣī ḥarīṣ/
Equivalent: Don’t count your chickens before they
Equivalent: Don’t even worry about it, I’ll take care of
hatch/ Do not assume that you will be successful
everything.
until it actually happens/ Never halloo till you are out
Example:
of the woods.
أم ﻣﺠﺪي :ﺑﻜﺮة إﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﻚ وﻻزم ﺗﺪرس ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ وﺗﺮ ّﻛﺰ! ﺻﻲ ﺣﺮﯾﺺ! ھﯿﻨﻲ ﺑﺪرس وإن ﺷﺎ رح ﻣﺠﺪي :ﻻ ﺗﻮ ّ أﻧﺠﺢ.
ﻻ ﺣﺲ وﻻ ﺣﺴﻔﺔ ← ﻻ ﺣﺲ وﻻ ﺧﺒﺮ /lā ḥiss walā khabar/ ← /lā ḥiss walā ḥasafeh/
Equivalent: Long time, no hear/ Long time, no see/ Neither hide nor hair of someone/ I haven’t seen you
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻛﺎظﻢ :اﺗﻔﻘﻨﺎ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺠﻤﺎﻋﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺒﻠﻎ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻻزم ﯾﻌﻄﻮﻧﺎ اﯾﺎه ﻛﺘﻌﻮﯾﺾ ﻋﻦ اﻟﺨﺴﺎرة وواﻓﻘﻮ. أﺑﻮ أﻣﺠﺪ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻣﺴﻜﺘﻮ اﻟﻤﺒﻠﻎ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻛﺎظﻢ :ﻻ ﺑﻌﺪﻧﺎ. أﺑﻮ أﻣﺠﺪ :ﺑﺲ ھﺬول ﻧﺎس ﻣﺤﺘﺎﻟﯿﻦ وﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﻮﺛﻖ ﻓﯿﮭﻢ وﺳﺒﺒﻮﻟﻨﺎ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ ﻣﺎﻟﯿّﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮة! ﻟﺬﻟﻚ ﻻ ﺗﻘﻮل ﻓﻮل ﺗﺎ ﯾﺼﯿﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺪول.
?for a long time/ Where have you been Example:
أم ﺳﻤﺮ :وﯾﻨﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻏﯿﺪاء؟ ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺑﯿّﻨﺘﻲ! وﯾﻨﻚ ﻻ ﺣﺲ وﻻ ﺣﺴﻔﺔ! ﻏﯿﺪاء :ﻛﻨﺖ ﻣﺸﻐﻮﻟﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺪراﺳﺔ واﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت وﻣﺎ ﻛﻨﺖ أطﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ ً.
ﻻ ﺗﻜﻮن ﺣﺸﺮي /lā tkūn ḥisharī/
Equivalent: Don’t be a pest/ Don’t be a nosy parker/ Don’t be a busybody/ A person who meddles or pries into the affairs of others.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
138
ﻻ ﺣﯿﺎ وﻻ ّ دﺧﺎن ﺟﻠّﺔ
ﻻ ﺷﺎﯾﻞ ھﻢ دﻧﯿﺎ وﻻ آﺧﺮة /lā shāyil hamm dinyā walā ’ākhreh/
/lā ḥayā walā dukhkhān jallā/
Equivalent: Happy-go-lucky/ Always happy or in a
Equivalent: Bold as brass/ Shameless/ Impudent/
lovely mood/ Relaxed.
Brazen-face.
Example:
Example:
ﺻﺒﺎ :ﻏﺮام ﺑﺘﻌﺠﺒﻨﻲ! داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﻣﺒﺴﻮطﺔ وﺑﺘﻀﺤﻚ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺰﻋﻞ ﻣﻦ إﺷﻲ! وﻻ ﺷﺎﯾﻠﺔ ھﻢ دﻧﯿﺎ وﻻ آﺧﺮة. ﺗﻤﺎرا :ﺑﺘﻔﮭﻢ! اﻟﺤﯿﺎة ﻗﺼﯿﺮة وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺴﺘﺎھﻞ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻮاﺣﺪ ﯾﺰﻋﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ إﺷﻲ!
ﻻ ﺷﻐﻠﺔ وﻻ ﻣﺸﻐﻠﺔ ← ﻻ ﺷﻐﻠﺔ وﻻ ﻋﻤﻠﺔ ← ﻓﺎﺿﻲ اﺷﻐﺎل
أم ﺗﺮﻛﻲ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻋﻔﺎف ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺗﺼﯿّﺢ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺟﻮزھﺎ اﻟﻤﺴﻜﯿﻦ. وﻛﻞ اﻟﺠﯿﺮان ﺳﻤﻌﻮھﺎ! وھﻮ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام ﺷﺨﺼﯿﺘﮫ ﺿﻌﯿﻔﺔ وﺧﯿﺨﺔ وﺑﺨﺎف ﻣﻨﮭﺎ! أم راﻣﻲ :ﯾﻲ ﻋﻦ ﺟﺪ ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ؟ ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﮭﺎ؟ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺘﻌﻤﻞ ھﯿﻚ ﺑﺠﻮزھﺎ؟ ھﺎي ﻻ ﺣﯿﺎ وﻻ دﺧﺎن ﺟﻠّﺔ! ﯾﺎ ﻋﯿﺐ اﻟﻌﯿﺐ!
ﻻ ﺣﯿﺎة ﻟﻤﻦ ﺗﻨﺎدي
/fāḏị̄ ’ashghāl/ ← /lā shaghlah walā ‘amleh/ ← /lā shaghlah
/lā ḥayāta li-man tunādī/
walā mashghalah/
Equivalent: Flog a dead horse/ A waste of
Equivalent: Loafer/ Idler/ The person who does not
breath.
work and has nothing to do and spends his or her
Example:
time aimlessly. Example:
ﻓﺆاد :ﺗﻌﺎل ﺳﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ ﺑﺘﺼﻠﯿﺢ ھﺎﻟﺴﯿﺎرة ﻣﺎ إﻧﺖ ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﻻ ﺷﻐﻠﺔ وﻻ ﻣﺸﻐﻠﺔ! ﺗﻌﺎل إﻋﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ ﻣﻔﯿﺪ. ﺴﮫ ﺑﺎﺟﻲ. ﻋﻼء :ﻣﺎﺷﻲ! ھ ّ
ﻻ ﺻﺎر وﻻ اﺳﺘﻮى
ﻣﯿﺴﺮ :ﺗﻌﺒﺖ وأﻧﺎ أﺣﺎول أﻗﻨﻊ ﺟﻮزي ﯾﺒﻄّﻞ ﺗﺪﺧﯿﻦ واﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر ّ ﺣﺬره ﻣﻦ ّ اﻟﺪﺧﺎن ﺑﺲ ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﻤﻊ اﻟﺤﻜﻲ! ﻻ ﺣﯿﺎة ﻟﻤﻦ ﺗﻨﺎدي! أﻣﻞ :ﻻزم ﯾﮭﺘﻢ ﺑﺼﺤﺘﮫ أﻛﺜﺮ.
ﻵﺧﺮ ﻧﻔﺲ ﺑﻌﻤﺮي ← ﻵﺧﺮ ﯾﻮم ﺑﺤﯿﺎﺗﻲ /la-’ākhir yōm b-ḥayāt-ī/ ← /la-’ākhir nafas b-‘umr-ī/
/lā ṣār walā istawā/
Equivalent: To the end of one’s days/ Forever/ Until
Equivalent: Nothing happened.
the day that one dies.
Example:
Example:
ﻋﻠﻲ :رح أﺿﻞ أﺣﺒﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺻﻔﺎء ﻵﺧﺮ ﯾﻮم ﺑﺤﯿﺎﺗﻲ وﻵﺧﺮ ﻧﻔﺲ ﺑﻌﻤﺮي. ﺻﻔﺎء :وأﻧﺎ ﻛﻤﺎن.
اﻣﺠﺪ :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻌﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻘﺎﺑﻠﺔ؟ ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :ﻻ ﺻﺎر وﻻ اﺳﺘﻮى!
ﻻ طﯿﺮ ﯾﻄﯿﺮ وﻻ وﺣﺶ ﯾﻐﯿﺮ /lā ṭēr yṭīr walā waḥsh yghīr/
ﻻ ﺧﻠّﻰ وﻻ ﺑﻘّﻰ
Equivalent: An empty place that has no living
/lā khallā walā baggā/
things/ Desolate/ A deserted place that has no
Equivalent: Dressing down/ To rebuke someone
people in it.
harshly and speak angrily because he or she has
Example:
done something wrong.
أﺑﻮ ﻣﺮﻋﻲ :ﺷﻮ ھﺎﻟﻤﻨﻄﻘﺔ اﻟﻤﮭﺠﻮرة ھﺎي؟ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺟﺒﺘﻨﺎ ﻣﻦ ھﺎي اﻟﻄﺮﯾﻖ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺮﻋﻲ؟ ﺷﺎﯾﻔﻠﻚ ﻻ طﯿﺮ ﯾﻄﯿﺮ وﻻ وﺣﺶ ﯾﻐﯿﺮ! اﻟﻤﻨﻄﻘﺔ ﻣﻘﻄﻮﻋﺔ وﺑﺘﺨ ّﻮف. ﻣﺮﻋﻲ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﯾﺎﺑﺎ! ﺿﯿّﻌﺖ اﻟﻄﺮﯾﻖ وﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ھﺎﻟﻤﻜﺎن! إذا ﺷﻔﺖ ﺣﺪا ﺑﺴﺄﻟﮫ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻄﺮﯾﻖ.
Example:
ﻻ ﻏﺒﺎر ﻋﻠﯿﮫ
أم ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻋﺎﻣﺮ رﺳﺐ ﺑﺈﻣﺘﺤﺎن اﻟﺴﻮاﻗﺔ ﻟﻠﻤ ّﺮة اﻟﺴﺎﺑﻌﺔ! ﺼﺐ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ. أﺑﻮه اﻧﺠﻦ! ﺑﮭﺪﻟﮫ وﻻ ﺧﻠّﻰ وﻻ ﺑﻘّﻰ! ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻋ ّ أم ﻋﻄﯿﺔ :ﺑﺴﺘﺎھﻞ اﻟﺒﮭﺪﻟﺔ! ھﻲ اﻟﺴﻮاﻗﺔ ﺑﺪھﺎ إﺧﺘﺮاع ﺻﺎروخ.
ﻻ ﺳﻤﺢ ﷲ /lā samaḥa Allah/
/lā ghubār ‘alēh/
Equivalent: God forbid/ A wish that something doesn’t
Equivalent: Irreproachable/ Faultless/ Perfect/ Flawless/
happen.
Incontestable/ Unobjectionable.
Example:
Example:
أﻣﯿﻦ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﺷﻐﻠﻲ إن ﺷﺎ ﻋﺠﺒﻚ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺻﺪام :ﺷﻐﻠﻚ ﻣﻤﺘﺎز وﻻ ﻏﺒﺎر ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﺗﺴﻠﻢ إﯾﺪﯾﻚ.
أم ھﺎرون :ﻻ ﺗﺴﻮق اﻟﺴﯿﺎرة ﺑﺴﺮﻋﺔ! إﻧﺖ ﺗ ّﻮك ﻣﺎﺧﺬ اﻟﺮﺧﺼﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﯾﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﻌﻚ ﺣﺎدث ﻻ ﺳﻤﺢ ﷲ. ھﺎرون :رح أﺳﻮق ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﮭﻠﻲ ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻘﻲ.
139
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻼم
ﻣﻌﺘﺰ :وﻟﯿﺶ أﻗﺎطﻊ اﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ؟ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻤﻞ ﻣﻌﻲ إﺷﻲ! وھﺎﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﯿﺪﻧﻲ ﺑﺈﺷﻲ ﻹﻧّﻲ ﻣﺎ إﻟﻲ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﻻ ﻧﺎﻗﺔ وﻻ ﺟﻤﻞ!
ﻻ ﻏﻠﺒﺔ وﻻ /lā ghalabah walā/
Equivalent: Not at all.
ﻻ ﯾﺮوح ﻓﻜﺮك ﻟﺒﻌﯿﺪ
Example: /lā yrūḥ fikr-ak la-ba‘īd/
Equivalent: Don’t get me wrong/ It’s not what you
أم ﻗﺎﺳﻢ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻏﻠّﺒﺘﻲ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ أم ھﺎﻧﻲ وﻋﻤﻠﺘﻲ ﻏﺪا؟ أم ھﺎﻧﻲ :ﻻ ﻏﻠﺒﺔ وﻻ! أھﻼ وﺳﮭﻼ ﻓﯿﻜﻲ.
think/You’ve got the wrong idea/ It’s not what you’re thinking/ Don’t go too far with one’s thinking.
ﻻ ﻓﮭﻢ وﻻ ﻛﻮﺑﮫ
Example:
ﻧﺠﻤﺔ :ﻟﯿﺶ اﻟﯿﻮم رﻧﯿﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺗﻠﻔﻮن ﺻﺎﺣﺒﺘﻲ ﻧﺠﻮد؟ ھﻲ ﺧﺒّﺮﺗﻨﻲ إﻧّﻚ رﻧﯿﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ وﺳﺄﻟﺖ ﻋﻨﻲ؟ ﺣﺎﺗﻢ :آه ﺻﺤﯿﺢ! ﻻ ﯾﺮوح ﻓﻜﺮك ﻟﺒﻌﯿﺪ! إﻧﺘﻲ أﻋﻄﯿﺘﯿﻨﻲ اﻟﺮﻗﻢ وﺣﻜﯿﺘﯿﻠﻲ أ ّرن ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺮدي ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻠﻔﻮن! وﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﻚ ﻛﺎن ﻣﻐﻠﻖ طﻮل اﻟﻮﻗﺖ ﻓﻘﻠﻘﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻲ واﺗﺼﻠﺖ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﻋﺸﺎن اط ّﻤﻦ ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻲ!
ﻻ ﯾﻐ ّﺮك اﻟﺸﻜﻞ
/lā fihim walā kōbah/
Equivalent: Empty-headed/ Dumb as a post/ Stupid/ Foolish/ As thick as a short plank. Example:
أم ﻋﺎﺻﻲ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎﺻﻲ ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻊ أﺑﻮك ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻄﺮﯾﻘﺔ؟ ھﺎي إﻧﺖ ﻻ ﻓﮭﻢ وﻻ ﻛﻮﺑﮫ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ ھﯿﻚ .ھﺎي ﻗﻠﺔ أدب. ﺴﮫ ﺑﺮوح أﻋﺘﺬر ﻣﻨﮫ. ﻋﺎﺻﻲ :ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﻗﺼﺪي! ھ ّ
ﻻ ﻟﻠﺼﺪّه وﻻ ﻟﻠﮭﺪّه وﻻ ﻟﻌﻮزات اﻟﺰﻣﻦ /lā yghurr-ak il-shakil/
/lā la-il-ṣaddeh walā la-il-haddeh walā la-‘ōzāt il-zaman/
Equivalent: Appearances can be deceiving/ Things
Equivalent: Good for nothing/ A person who is lazy,
can look different from the way they really are.
worthless and irresponsible/ No one can rely on him
Example:
or her.
ھﻨﺎء :اﻟﯿﻮم إﺟﺎ ﯾﺨﻄﺒﻨﻲ ﺷﺐ ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﺑﺠﻨﻦ وﻟﺒﺴﮫ ﺣﻠﻮ وأﻧﯿﻖ وﺷﻜﻠﻲ رح أواﻓﻖ! ﺑﺸﺮى :ﺗﻤﮭﻠﻲ وﻓﻜﺮي ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻘ ّﺮري! ﻻ ﯾﻐ ّﺮك اﻟﺸﻜﻞ! أﻧﺎ ﺧﻄﺒﺖ ﻟﺸﺐ ﻛﺎن ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﺣﻠﻮ ﺑﺲ طﻠﻊ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ وﺗﺮﻛﺘﮫ! اﻟﻤﻈﺎھﺮ داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺑﺘﺨﺪع!
Example:
أم رھﺎم :ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﯾﺎ رھﺎم ﺳﺎﻋﺪﯾﻨﻲ ﺑﺸﻐﻞ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ. رھﺎم :ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﺑﺴﺎﻋﺪك ﺑﺲ ﯾﺨﻠﺺ اﻟﻔﯿﻠﻢ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺤﻀﺮه! أم رھﺎم :إﻧﺘﻲ ﯾﺎ رھﺎم ﻻ ﻟﻠﺼﺪّه وﻻ ﻟﻠﮭﺪّه وﻻ ﻟﻌﻮزات اﻟﺰﻣﻦ!
ﻻ ﻣﺤﻈﺮ وﻻ ﻣﻨﻈﺮ
ﻻ ﯾﻜﻮﻧﻠﻚ ﻓﻜﺮ
/lā maḥḏạ r walā manḏạ r/ /lā ykūn-l-ak fikir/
Equivalent: No charisma nor presence.
Equivalent: Don’t worry about a thing/ Do not become
Example:
anxious about something, everything will be alright.
ﻧﺴﯿﻢ :ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻮ ﻧﻮال ﺷﺎﯾﻔﺔ ﺣﺎﻟﮭﺎ؟ ﻣﮭﻲ ﻻ ﻣﺤﻈﺮ وﻻ ﻣﻨﻈﺮ! ﻟﺒﻨﻰ :أﻧﺎ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ ﻋﻨﮭﺎ!
Example:
ﻋﺎﯾﺪة :ﺑﺪّي أﺗﺮك ﺑﻨﺘﻲ ﻋﻨﺪك ﻷﻧّﻲ ﻋﻨﺪي ﻣﻮﻋﺪ دﻛﺘﻮر! ﺑﺘﻘﺪري ﺗﮭﺘﻤﻲ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﻟﺤﺘﻰ أرﺟﻊ؟ ﻣﮭﺎ :ﻻ ﯾﻜﻮﻧﻠﻚ ﻓﻜﺮ! روﺣﻲ واط ّﻤﻨﻲ!
ﻻ ﻣﻦ ﺛ ّﻤﮫ وﻻ ﻣﻦ ﻛ ّﻤﮫ /lā min thumm-uh walā min kumm-uh/
Equivalent: To black out/ Malfunction.
ﻻ ﯾﻤﻞ
Example: /lā yumal/
Equivalent: Had a nice time/ You are fun to be with/ You are enjoyable to be with.
أﺑﻮ ﺑﺸﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم أﺑﻮ ﻣﻌﺘﺼﻢ ﺗﻌﺐ ﺑﺎﻟﺪوام ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻓﻘﺪ اﻟﻮﻋﻲ! ﻻ ﻣﻦ ﺛ ّﻤﮫ وﻻ ﻣﻦ ﻛ ّﻤﮫ! ﺟﺒﻨﺎﻟﮫ اﻹﺳﻌﺎف وأﺧﺬوه ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺸﻔﻰ. أم ﺑﺸﺮ :ﷲ ﯾﺸﻔﯿﮫ!
Example:
ﺷﺮﯾﻔﺔ :ﺧﻠﯿﻜﻲ ﺳﮭﺮاﻧﺔ ﻛﻤﺎن ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ! ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺴﺘﻌﺠﻠﺔ وﺑﺪّك ﺗﺮوﺣﻲ! ھﯿﻨﺎ ﻣﺒﺴﻮطﺎت ﺑﺎﻟﺴﮭﺮة. اﻧﻐﺎم :ﻻ ﯾﻤﻞ! ﺑﺲ ﻻزم أر ّوح ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻋﻨﺪي دوام اﻟﺼﺒﺢ وﻻزم أﺻﺤﻰ ﺑ ّﻜﯿﺮ.
ﻻ ﻧﺎﻗﺔ إﻟﻲ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ وﻻ ﺟﻤﻞ /lā nāgah illī fīhā walā jamal/
Equivalent: I have nothing to do with this/ Don’t benefit from something. Example:
ﻷﺑﺪ اﻵﺑﺪﯾﻦ /la-’abad il-’ābidīn/
Equivalent: Forever and ever.
ﻓﺮﺣﺎن :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أوزّع ﺑﻀﺎﻋﺔ ﻟﻤﺼﻨﻊ أﺑﻮ ﻧﺒﯿﻞ! ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﺖ ﻣﻌﮫ وﻗﺎطﻌﺘﮫ! ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﺗﺘﻀﺎﻣﻦ ﻣﻌﻲ وﺗﻘﺎطﻌﮫ وﻣﺎ ﺗﻮزّﻋﻠﮫ ﺑﻀﺎﻋﺔ زﯾّﻲ؟
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Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻻطﺔ ← ﺑﻌﺮﻓﺶ ﺛﻠﺚ اﻟﺜﻼﺛﺔ ﻗﺪّﯾﺶ
Example:
! ﻣﺶ رح أﻧﺴﺎﻟﻚ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﮫ ﻓﯿّﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻧﺰﯾﮫ ﻷﺑﺪ اﻵﺑﺪﯾﻦ:ﻧﺮﻣﯿﻦ . ﺳﺎﻣﺤﯿﻨﻲ! اﻟﻤﺴﺎﻣﺢ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ:ﻧﺰﯾﮫ
ﻻﺑﺲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺒﻞ
/bi‘irfish thilth il-thalātheh gaddēsh/ ← /lāṭah/
Equivalent: Stupid. Example:
. ﺟﻤﯿﻞ ﻻطﺔ وﻣﺎ ﺑﻔﮭﻢ:ﻣﺮوان ! آه ﻓﮭﻤﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﺪّه:ﻋﻄﺎ
/lābis illī ‘alā il-ḥabil/
Equivalent: Dressed up/ One’s finest clothes/ Dressed
ﻻﻗﻰ وﺟﮫ رﺑﮫ
to kill/ Dressed to the nines/ Decked out. Example:
! ﻟﻮﯾﻦ راﯾﺤﺔ ﯾﺎ ﻧﺠﻮى؟ ﺷﺎﯾﻔﻚ ﻻﺑﺴﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺒﻞ:أم ﻋﻠﻲ . ﺷﻮ ﻧﺴﯿﺘﻲ؟ أﻧﺎ راﯾﺤﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ ﻧﻐﻢ:ﻧﺠﻮى
ﻷﺟﻞ ﻏﯿﺮ ﻣﺴ ّﻤﻰ /la-’ajal ghēr musammā/
/lāgā wijih rabb-uh/
Equivalent: Meet one’s maker/ Passed away/ Died. Example:
ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر أﺑﻮ ﺳﻔﯿﺎن؟ ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺳﻤﻌﻨﺎ:أﺑﻮ ﻋﺪي !أﺧﺒﺎره . إﻧﺖ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف؟ ﻣﮭﻮ ﻻﻗﻰ وﺟﮫ رﺑﮫ! ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮫ:أﺑﻮ ﻋﺮﻓﺔ
Equivalent: Until further notice/ Until an unknown
ﻻ ﻣﻌﻠّﻘﺔ وﻻ ﻣﻄﻠّﻘﺔ
date. Example:
ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﺑﻘﻀﯿّﺘﻨﺎ؟:أﺑﻮ ﻓﮭﺪ !أﺟﻠﮭﺎ ﻷﺟﻞ ﻏﯿﺮ ﻣﺴ ّﻤﻰ ّ اﻟﻘﺎﺿﻲ:اﻟﻤﺤﺎﻣﻲ
ﻻﺣﻖ اﻟﻌﯿّﺎر ﻟﺒﺎب اﻟﺪار /lāḥig il-‘ayyār la-bāb il-dār/
/lā m‘allagah walā mṭallagah/
Equivalent: Keep someone dangling/ To keep someone in an indeterminate position/ Leave someone hanging/ To keep someone waiting for a decision or answer. Example:
Equivalent: Wait and see/ Bide one’s time for events to run their course/ Wait patiently/ To act with attentiveness and patience until something happens
ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر ﺳﻤﯿﺮة؟ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻄﻠّﻘﺖ ﻣﻦ ﺟﻮزھﺎ؟:ﺷﺮوق ﻻ ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ! وﻗﻀﯿﺘﮭﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺤﻜﻤﺔ! ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ ﻻ ﻣﻌﻠّﻘﺔ وﻻ:أﻣﯿﻨﺔ !ﻣﻄﻠّﻘﺔ
in the future.
ﻻ وﻟﺪ وﻻ ﺗﻠﺪ
Example:
ﻣﺎ ﺳﺪّك ﻣﻨﺼﻮر ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﻚ؟:أﺑﻮ ﯾﺎﻣﻦ . ﻻ ﺑﻌﺪه! ﻗﻠّﻲ أﻣ ّﺮ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺑﻌﺪ ﯾﻮﻣﯿﻦ:اﺷﺮف ﻻﺣﻖ اﻟﻌﯿّﺎر ﻟﺒﺎب اﻟﺪار! ﺗﺎ ﻧﺸﻮف ﺷﻮ رح ﯾﻌﻤﻞ:أﺑﻮ ﯾﺎﻣﻦ .ﺑﻌﺪ ﯾﻮﻣﯿﻦ
/lā walad walā talad/
Equivalent: Neither chick nor child/ No children at all. Example:
! اﻟﯿﻮم ﻏﺴﺎن ﻣﺎت ﺑﺤﺎدث ﺳﯿّﺎرة:أم ﻟﯿﺚ ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮫ! ھﻮ ﻋﻨﺪه أوﻻد؟:أم راﺿﻲ ! ﻻ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻻ وﻟﺪ وﻻ ﺗﻠﺪ:أم ﻟﯿﺚ
ﻻﺣﻘﮫ ﻣﺜﻞ ظﻠّﮫ ← ﻣﻠ ّﺰق ﻓﯿﮫ /mlazzig fīh/ ← /lāḥg-uh mithil ḏị ll-uh/
ﻟﺒّﺲ اﻟﻌﻮد ﺑﺠﻮد
Equivalent: Shadow/ To follow someone wherever he or she goes/ Follow around/ Stay very close or stick
/labbis il-‘ūd bi-jūd/
to someone and follow him or her wherever he or she
Equivalent: Fine feathers make fine birds/ Beautiful
goes.
clothes or an eye-catching appearance make a person
Example:
appear equally beautiful or notable.
ﺷﯿﺮﯾﻦ ﻻﺣﻘﺔ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﮭﺎ ﻣﺜﻞ ظﻠّﮫ وﻣﻠﺰﻗﺔ ﻓﯿﮫ! ﻛﺜﯿﺮ:ﺻﻔﯿﺔ !ﺑﺘﻐﺎر ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ! ﺷﻜﻠﮭﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺘﺤﺒﮫ:ﺑﺪرﯾﺔ
ﻻ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ ﺗﺤﺖ اﻟﺸﻤﺲ
Example:
ﻟﻮ ﺷﻔﺘﻲ ﻛﯿﻒ ﺻﺎﯾﺮة ﻟﯿﻨﺎ! ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮة ﺣﻠﻮة:ﻣﺮﯾﻢ وﻟﺒﺴﮭﺎ ﺑﺠﻨّﻦ! ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺗﺠ ّﻮزت ﺟﻮزھﺎ اﻟﻐﻨﻲ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻜﻠﮭﺎ .ﺗﻐﯿّﺮ! ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ھﯿﻚ . ﻟﺒّﺲ اﻟﻌﻮد ﺑﺠﻮد:ﻋﺒﯿﺮ
/lā jadīd taḥt il-shams/
ﻟﺖّ وﻋﺠﻦ
Equivalent: There is nothing new under the sun. Example:
ﺷﻮ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ؟ ﺷﻮ ﻓﻲ ﻋﻨﺪك إﺷﻲ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ؟:ﺧﺎﻟﺪ . ﻻ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ ﺗﺤﺖ اﻟﺸﻤﺲ! ﺻﺎﻓﯿﺔ واﻓﯿﺔ:واﺋﻞ
/latt w-‘ajin/
Equivalent: Yakety-yak/ To gab/ Chatter/ Nonstop idle or gossipy talk/ Empty talk/ Useless talk.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻼم
ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ ﺑﻔﻮﺗﺶ ﺑﺤﻠﻘﮫ ← ﻟﻘﻠﻖ
Example:
/laglag/ ← /lsān-uh bifūtish b-ḥalg-uh/
Equivalent: Blabbermouth/ Talkative/ Yap, yap, yapping all day long/ Big mouth/ Chatterbox/ Talk the hind leg off a donkey. Example:
ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :ﺷﻮ ﻛﺎن ﺧﻠﯿﻔﺔ ﺑﺪّه ﻣﻨّﻚ؟ ﻋﻮض :وﻻ إﺷﻲ! ﺑﺲ ﻛﺎن ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻘﻌﺪ وﯾﺸﺮب ﻓﻨﺠﺎن ﻗﮭﻮة ﻋﻨﺪي! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ وﻻ ﺑﺴﻜﺖ! ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ ﺑﻔﻮﺗﺶ ﺑﺤﻠﻘﮫ! ﻟﻘﻠﻖ! ﺻﺎﺑﻨﻲ ﺻﺪاع ﺑﺴﺒﺒﮫ.
أﺑﻮ ﻋﻤﺎد :وﯾﻨﻚ طﺎﻟﻌﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺼﺒﺢ ﯾﺎ أم ﻋﻤﺎد؟ أم ﻋﻤﺎد :ﻛﻨﺖ ﻋﻨﺪ اﻟﺠﺎرات ﺑﻨﺸﺮب ﻓﻨﺠﺎن ﻗﮭﻮة .ﻋﻨﺪھﻦ ﻣﻠﯿﻮن ﺧﺒﺮ وﻗﺼﺔ! أﺑﻮ ﻋﻤﺎد :ﻛﻠّﮫ ﻟﺖّ وﻋﺠﻦ وﺳﻮاﻟﻒ ﻓﺎﺿﯿﺔ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﯿﺪ ﺣﺪا! ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﺑﮭﯿﻚ ﻗﻌﺪات وھﯿﻚ ﻗﺼﺺ؟ أم ﻋﻤﺎد :ﻣﺎ إﺣﻨﺎ ﺑﻨﺘﺴﻠّﻰ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ وﺑﻨﺴﻤﻊ أﺧﺒﺎر اﻟﻨﺎس!
ﻟﺤﺴﺖ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ /laḥasat ‘agl-uh/
Equivalent: To be under someone’s spell/ To be
ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ زﻓﺮ ← ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ وﺳﺦ ← ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ وذف ← ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ ﻣﺘﺒﺮي ﻣﻨﮫ
influenced or controlled by someone who finds him or her charming, captivating or seductive/ To have one’s heart stolen.
/lsān-uh mitbarrī minn-uh/ ← /lsān-uh widhif/ ← /lsān-uh wiṣikh/ ← /lsān-uh zifir/
Equivalent: Trash mouth/ Someone who uses lewd language, dirty words, coarse words and swear words. Example:
أم ﻋﯿﺴﻰ :ﺻﺒﺮﯾﺔ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮭﺎ زﻓﺮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻛﻞ ﻛﻼﻣﮭﺎ وﺳﺦ! ﻗﺺ ﻹﻧّﮫ وذف. ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮭﺎ ﺑﺪّه ّ أم ﻣﻮﺳﻰ :آه ﻓﻌﻼ ً! ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﺘﺒ ّﺮي ﻣﻨﮭﺎ!
Example:
اﻧﻮر :وﯾﻦ وﻟﯿﺪ ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺷﻔﺘﮫ؟ اﺟﻮد :ﺗﻌ ّﺮف ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻨﺖ وﻟﺤﺴﺖ ﻋﻘﻠﮫ! ﺑﻄّﻞ ﯾﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺸﺒﺎب أو ﯾﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻊ ﺣﺪا! ﻛﻞ وﻗﺘﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻠﻔﻮن ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ! ﺷﻜﻠﮫ واﻗﻊ ﻟﺸﻮﺷﺘﮫ.
ﻟﺤﻤﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻜﺘﻞ ← ھﺒّﺮه ﻣﻦ اﻟﻜﺘﻞ ّ /habbar-uh min il-katil/ ← /laḥḥam-uh min il-katil/
Equivalent: Slap someone around/ Beat someone to a pulp/ Beat someone severely/ Hit someone.
ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ طﻮﯾﻞ
Example: /lsān-uh ṭawīl/
Equivalent: Bad-mouth/ Trash talk. Example:
ﻣﺎﺟﺪ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻚ طﻮﯾﻞ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺘﺤﻲ؟ ﻋﯿﺐ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﺗﻐﻠﻂ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻨﺎس!
ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ ﻗﺼﯿﺮ /lsān-uh gaṣīr/
أم ﺑﺮﻛﺔ :ﻻزم ﺗﺸﻮف ﺣﻞ ﻣﻊ ﺑﺮﻛﺔ! اﻟﯿﻮم ﺿﺮب أﺧﻮه وﻟﺤﻤﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻜﺘﻞ! اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ ّ أﺑﻮ ﺑﺮﻛﺔ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ أﺧﻮه؟ أم ﺑﺮﻛﺔ :ﻛﺎن ﯾﻠﻌﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻷﻟﻌﺎب اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﮫ ﺑﺪون ﻣﺎ ﯾﻌﺮف! ﺑﺲ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﺎ ﯾﻀﺮﺑﮫ؟ ﻛﺎن أﺧﺬ ﻣﻨﮫ اﻟﺘﻠﻔﻮن وﺑﺲ. ﺴﮫ ﺑﺸﻮﻓﮫ وﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ. أﺑﻮ ﺑﺮﻛﺔ :ھ ّ
ﻟﺰﻗﺔ ← ﺛﻘﯿﻞ دم ← زﻧﺦ
Equivalent: A man or woman of few words/ A quiet
/zinikh/ ← /thagīl damm/ ← /lazgah/
and polite person.
Equivalent: A stuffed shirt/ Stick-in-the-mud/ Wet
Example:
blanket/ Boring person/ Person who annoys others/
أم ھﺪى :أم ﻣﺎھﺮ ﻣﺮا ﻣﺤﺘﺮﻣﺔ وأﻧﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺤﺒﮭﺎ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻐﻠﻂ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺪا وﻟﺴﺎﻧﮭﺎ ﻗﺼﯿﺮ. أم ﻧﺎﺻﺮ :آه وﷲ أم ﻣﺎھﺮ ﻣﺆدﺑﺔ وﻣﺤﺘﺮﻣﺔ.
ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻓﯿﮫ ﻋﻈﻢ /lsān-uh mā fīh ‘aḏụ m/
Equivalent: Talk the hind leg off a donkey/ A very
Person with no sense of humor. Example:
ﻋﻨﺎد :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﺄﺧﺮت؟ ﻣﺮاد :إﺟﺎ ﻋﻨﺪي رؤوف! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﺛﻘﯿﻞ دم! زﻧﺦ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻟﺰﻗﺔ! ھﻮ اﻟﻠﻲ ّ أﺧﺮﻧﻲ.
ﻗﺺ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ ﺑﺪّه ّ
talkative person.
/lsān-uh bidd-uh gaṣṣ/
Example:
Equivalent: A sharp tongue/ Bad-mouth.
أﺑﻮ ﻧﻈﻤﻲ :إھﺪو ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﯾﺎ أوﻻد! راﺳﻲ ﺑﻮﺟﻌﻨﻲ! ﻣﺮ ّوح ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ وﺗﻌﺒﺎن! ﻣﺎ ﺗﻌﺒﺘﻮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ أم ﻧﻈﻤﻲ :ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮭﻢ ﻣﺎ ﻓﯿﮫ ﻋﻈﻢ! ﻟﻘﻼﻗﯿﻦ.
Example:
ﻗﺺ! ﻻ ﺗﻐﻠﻂ ﻋﻠﻰ أﺧﻮك. أم ﻋﺎھﺪ :ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎھﺪ طﻮﯾﻞ وﺑﺪّه ّ ﻋﺎھﺪ :ﺑﺲ ھﻮ ﻏﻠﻂ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﺑﺎﻷ ّول!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺣﻠﯿﻤﺔ :وﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر؟ ﻣﯿﻦ طﻠﻊ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ؟ أم ﻗﯿﺲ :راح أﺑﻮ ﻗﯿﺲ وﻣﺎ ﻟﻘﻰ ﺣﺪا! ﺑﺲ ﺧﺒّﺮ اﻟﺸﺮطﺔ! ﺧﻔﻨﺎ إﻧّﮫ ﺣﺮاﻣﻲ!
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ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ ﻣﺘﻌﺒﮫ /lsān-uh miṭ‘ib-uh/
Equivalent: Shoot yourself in the foot/ To say something stupid that will cause you a lot of trouble.
ﻟﻌﺐ ﺑﺪﻣﺎﻏﮫ
Example: /li‘ib bi-dmāgh-uh/
Equivalent: To manipulate someone’s thoughts or ideas/ To get in someone’s head.
أم ﻋﻤﺮ :إﻧﺘﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻗﺪرﯾﺔ ﻣﺰﻋﻠّﺔ اﻟﻜﻞ ﻣﻨﻚ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ ﺣﻜﯿﻚ وﻋﻤﺎﯾﻠﻚ! ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻚ ﻣﺘﻌﺒﻚ! ﺑﻄﻠﻲ ﺗﻌﻤﻠﻲ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ! ﻗﺪرﯾﺔ :أﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻨّﻲ ﺑﺲ اﻟﻨﺎس ﺑﺘﻔﮭﻤﻨﻲ ﻏﻠﻂ!
Example:
أم ﻣﻌﺘﺰ :ﻋﺒﺪ اﻟﻐﻔﻮر ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﯾﺪرس ﺑ ّﺮا! وھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻟﻌﺐ ﺑﺪﻣﺎغ اﺑﻨﻲ ﻣﻌﺘﺰ وأﻗﻨﻌﮫ إﻧّﮫ ﯾﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﻣﻌﮫ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي اﺑﻨﻲ اﻟﻮﺣﯿﺪ ﯾﺘﺮك اﻟﺒﻠﺪ وﯾﺴﺎﻓﺮ وﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﮫ ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ! أم ﺟﻤﯿﻞ :إﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ وإﻗﻨﻌﯿﮫ ﯾﺘﺮاﺟﻊ ﻋﻦ ھﺎﻟﻔﻜﺮة!
ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ ﻣﺜﻞ ﺣﺪ اﻟﺴﯿﻒ /lsān-uh mithil ḥadd il-sēf/
Equivalent: Have a sharp tongue/ To be someone who often criticizes others and speaks in a severe way. Example:
ﻟ ّﻌﺒﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺸﻨﺎﻛﻞ /la‘‘ab-uh ‘alā il-shanākil/
Equivalent: Bring someone to heel/ To bend someone to your will/ To give someone a hard time/ To boss around/ To make someone do whatever you want even if he or she doesn’t like it.
ﻀﻞ ﯾﺘﮭﺎوش ﻣﻊ اﺑﻦ ﻋ ّﻤﮫ اﻟﻤﺴﻜﯿﻦ! ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ اﯾﻤﻦ :راﻣﻲ ﺑ ّ ﯾﺘﯿﻢ وﻣﺎ إﻟﮫ ﺣﺪا! وراﻣﻲ ﺑﻐﺎر ﻣﻨﮫ ﻹﻧّﮫ أﺷﻄﺮ ﻣﻨّﮫ ﺑﻜﻞ ﺷﻲ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه إﯾﺎه ﯾﻌﯿﺶ ﻋﻨﺪھﻢ! ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام ﺑﻀﻞ ﯾﺴﻤ ّﻌﮫ ﻛﻼم ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ وﯾﺠﺮح ﻓﯿﮫ! ﻟﺆي :آه ﺑﻌﺮف! وﺑﻌﺮف إﻧّﮫ راﻣﻲ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ ﻣﺜﻞ ﺣﺪ اﻟﺴﯿﻒ! وﺑﻐﻠﻂ ﻋﻠﻰ اﺑﻦ ﻋ ّﻤﮫ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام!
Example:
أم ﻋﻤﺮ :ھﻨﺎدي ﻟ ّﻌﺒﺖ ﺟﻮزھﺎ وأھﻠﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺸﻨﺎﻛﻞ! ﻛﺎﻧﻮ ﺑﻔﻜﺮو ﯾﺘﺤﻜﻤﻮ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ وﯾﻤﺸّﻮھﺎ زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﺑﺲ ھﻲ طﻠﻌﺖ أﺷﻄﺮ ﻣﻨﮭﻢ! أم ﻏﺮام :ھﻨﺎدي ﻗﺪ ﺣﺎﻟﮭﺎ وﺑﺘﻌﺮف ﺗﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻨﺎس!
ﻟﻐﺘﮫ ﻣﻄﺒﺸﺔ /lughat-uh mṭabbasheh/
Equivalent: Speak gibberish/ A language that appears to be nonsense, unclear, not fluent and difficult to understand. Example:
ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :اﻟﯿﻮم إﺟﺎ واﺣﺪ أﺟﻨﺒﻲ ﯾﺸﺘﺮي ﻣﻦ ﻋﻨﺪي أﻏﺮاض! ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﻋﺮﺑﻲ ﺑﺲ ﻟﻐﺘﮫ ﻣﻄﺒّﺸﺔ! ﻣﺘﺖ وﻣﺎ ﻓﮭﻤﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ إﺷﻲ! اﺣﻨﻒ :ﻣﻠﯿﺢ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ! ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ ﻧﺎدﯾﺘﻨﻲ ﻛﻨﺖ ﺗﺮﺟﻤﺘﻠﻚ ﺷﻮ ﺑﻘﻮل!
ﻟﻘﻄﺔ
ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ ﻣﺮﺑﻮط /lsān-uh marbūṭ/
Equivalent: Tongue-tied/ Unable to speak clearly. Example:
أم ﻧﺎدر :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ اﺑﻦ أم ﺻﮭﯿﺐ! ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻌﮭﻢ ﺣﺎدث اﻟﺴﯿّﺎرة وھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺼﺪﻣﺔ! ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ ﺴﻦ. ﻣﺮﺑﻮط! اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر ﻗﺎﻟﻠﮭﻢ ﺑﺪّه ﻓﺘﺮة وﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﺑﺘﺤ ّ أﺑﻮ ﻧﺎدر :ﷲ ﯾﺸﻔﯿﮫ.
ﻟﻄّﺸﻠﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ ← ﻟ ّﻤﺤﻠﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ /lammaḥ-l-uh b-il-ḥakī/ ← /laṭṭash-l-uh b-il-ḥakī/
Equivalent: Give someone a hint/ Drop a hint. Example:
ﺳﻤﯿﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﻗﻠﺘﻮ ﻷﺑﻮي ﻋﻦ ﺧﺴﺎرﺗﻨﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺸﺮوع؟ أﻣﯿﻦ :ﻟﻄّﺸﻨﺎﻟﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ! وأﺑﻮﻋﺮﻓﺔ ﺷﺮﯾﻜﻨﺎ ﻟ ّﻤﺤﻠﮫ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﯾﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﻌﮫ إﺷﻲ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ إذا ﻗﻠﻨﺎﻟﮫ ﻣﺒﺎﺷﺮة!
/lugṭah/
Equivalent: A (good) catch. Example:
ﻣﻨﻰ :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺮﯾﺲ اﻟﻠﻲ إﺟﺎ ﯾﺨﻄﺒﻚ؟ ﻧﻮال :ﺑﻌﺪﻧﻲ ﺑﻔ ّﻜﺮ. ﻣﻨﻰ :ھﺎﻟﻌﺮﯾﺲ ﻟﻘﻄﺔ! إذا ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّك إﯾﺎه أﻧﺎ ﺑﻮﺧﺬه! ھﮭﮭﮫ.
ﻟﻌﺐ اﻟﻔﺎر ﺑﻌﺒﮫ /li‘ib il-fār b‘ubb-uh/
Equivalent: Smell a rat/ To suspect that something is wrong/ To sense that someone has done something wrong. Example:
ﻟﻜﻞ ﺣﺎدث ﺣﺪﯾﺚ /li-kull ḥādith ḥadīth/
Equivalent: Don’t cross a bridge till you come to it/ This is used to tell someone not to worry about something until it actually happens.
أم ﻗﯿﺲ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺷﻔﺖ ﺿﻮ ﺑﺒﯿﺖ أﺑﻮ ﺻﻔﻮان ﺟﯿﺮاﻧّﺎ! ھﻢ ﻣﺴﺎﻓﺮﯾﻦ وﻛﺎﻧﻮ طﺎﻟﺒﯿﻦ ﻣﻨّﺎ ﻧﺮاﻗﺒﻠﮭﻢ ﺑﯿﺘﮭﻢ ﺑﻐﯿﺎﺑﮭﻢ! ﻣﺎ ﺣﻜﻮﻟﻨﺎ إﻧّﮫ ﺣﺪا ﻣﻦ ﻗﺮاﯾﺒﮭﻢ رح ﯾﯿﺠﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﺑﻐﯿﺎﺑﮭﻢ! إﺟﺎ ﻟﻌﺐ اﻟﻔﺎر ﺑﻌﺒّﻲ وﻗ ّﺮرت أﺧﺒّﺮ أﺑﻮ ﻗﯿﺲ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﯿﺠﻲ وﯾﺸﻮف ﻣﯿﻦ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺷ ّﻐﻞ اﻟﻀﻮ!
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻼم
ﻟﮭﺒﺔ ﻧﺎر
Example: /lahabeh nār/
Equivalent: High price/ Expensive/ Very hot temperature or weather. Example:
أم ﻧﺪﯾﻢ :ﻗﺒﻞ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ رﺟﻌﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻮق! اﻷﺳﻌﺎر ﻣﺶ طﺒﯿﻌﯿّﺔ! ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﻟﮭﺒﺔ ﻧﺎر! أﺑﻮ ﻧﺪﯾﻢ :ﻻزم ﺗﻘﺘﺼﺪي ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﻹﻧّﮫ اﻟﺮاﺗﺐ ﺑﻄّﻞ ﯾﻜﻔّﻲ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ اﻷﺳﻌﺎر اﻟﻤﺮﺗﻔﻌﺔ!
ﻋﻤﺎد :ﺑﺲ أﻧﺠﺢ وأروح ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ ﺑﺪّي أﺳﻜﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﻜﻦ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺿﻞ أروح وآﺟﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم! ﺑﺪّي أر ّﻛﺰ ﺑﺎﻟﺪراﺳﺔ وﺑﺼﯿﺮ آﺟﻲ ﺑﻨﮭﺎﯾﺔ اﻷﺳﺒﻮع. أم ﻋﻤﺎد :ﺑﺲ ﺗﻨﺠﺢ ﻟﻜﻞ ﺣﺎدث ﺣﺪﯾﺚ! ﺧﻠّﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﺴﺘﻨﻰ وﻧﺸﻮف اﻟﻨﺘﺎﯾﺞ ﺑﺎﻷ ّول!
ﻟﻜﻞ ﻗﺎﻋﺪة ﺷﻮاذ /li-kull qā‘ideh shawādh/
ﻟﮭﺪ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ← ﻣﺮﻣﺮ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ
Equivalent: Every rule has an exception. /marmar galb-ī/ ← /lahad galb-ī/
Equivalent: Give one a hard time. Example:
أم ﻋﺎﺑﺪ :ﻋﺎﺑﺪ ﻟﮭﺪ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ! ﻋﻘﻠﮫ ﻣﺶ ﺑﺎﻟﺪراﺳﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ إﻻ ﻟﻌﺐ اﻟﻔﻄﺒﻮل واﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت ﻗ ّﺮﺑﺖ! ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎﺑﺪ :ﺑﺪّي أﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ! وﻣﻦ اﻟﯿﻮم وراﯾﺢ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻟﻌﺐ! ﻓﻲ دراﺳﺔ وﺑﺲ.
ﻟﻮ إﯾﺶ /law ’ēsh/
Equivalent: No matter what/ In any condition/
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم أﺑﻮ ﺷﺎھﺮ ﻋﺰم ﻛﻞ اﻟﻨﺎس ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻐﺪا! اﺑﻨﮫ رﺟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ وﺻﺎر دﻛﺘﻮر! أﺑﻮ ھﻼل :ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺣﺪا ﺑﻌﯿﻠﺔ أﺑﻮ ھﻼل ﻣﺘﻌﻠّﻢ! ھﺬا اﺑﻨﮫ اﻟﻮﺣﯿﺪ اﻟﻠﻲ درس! وﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺣﺪا ﺑﻘﺮاﯾﺒﮭﻢ دﺧﻞ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ! ﻛﻠﮭﻢ ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻠﻮ ﺑﺎﻟﺘﺠﺎرة أﺑﺎ ً ﻋﻦ ﺟﺪ! أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﻋﺰم ﻛﻞ اﻟﻨﺎس! ﻣﻦ ﻓﺮﺣﺘﮫ ﺑﺎﺑﻨﮫ! ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻣﺶ زي أﺧﻮﺗﮫ وﻗﺮاﯾﺒﮫ! زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﻟﻜﻞ ﻗﺎﻋﺪة ﺷﻮاذ.
ﻟﻠﺼﺒﺮ ﺣﺪود
Regardless of what happens.
/li-il-ṣabr ḥdūd/
Example:
Equivalent: Patience has its limits.
ﻟﺆي :ھﺎي اﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ إﻟﻲ وﺑﺪّي أوﺧﺬھﺎ ﻟﻮ إﯾﺶ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن! ﯾﺰﯾﺪ :إن ﺷﺎ ﺗﻜﻮن ﻣﻦ ﻧﺼﯿﺒﻚ! إﻧﺖ ﺑﺘﺴﺘﺎھﻠﮭﺎ!
ﻟﻮ ﺗﻄﻠﻊ ﺑﺮاﺳﻚ ﺷﺠﺮة /law teṭla‘ b-rās-ak shajarah/
Equivalent: Not for love or money/ Never, under no circumstances/ When hell freezes over/ It will never happen/ Impossible.
Example:
أم اﻧﻮر :ﺷﻮف ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ اﻧﻮر! أﻧﺎ ﺑﻄّﻠﺖ أﺗﺤ ّﻤﻞ أﺳﻠﻮﺑﻚ وﻣﻌﺎﻣﻠﺘﻚ إﻟﻲ! ﻟﻠﺼﺒﺮ ﺣﺪود! أﻧﺎ ﺻﺒﺮت ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺲ إﻧﺖ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻐﯿﺮت وﻻ ﺣﺎوﻟﺖ ﺗﺘﻐﯿّﺮ! إذا ﺑﺘﻀﻞ ھﯿﻚ أﻧﺎ رح أﺗﺮﻛﻚ وأروح ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺖ أھﻠﻲ! أﺑﻮ اﻧﻮر :طﻮﻟﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ أم اﻧﻮر وﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ إﻻ زي ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّك!
ﻟﻠﻀﺮورة أﺣﻜﺎم /li-il-ḏạ rūrah ’aḥkām/
Example:
ﺳﺎﻟﻢ :ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﺗﻌﻄﯿﻨﻲ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻚ ﻟﻤﺎ ﺑﺘﺴﺎﻓﺮ؟ ﻣﻨﺬر :ﻣﺴﺘﺤﯿﻞ! ﻟﻮ ﺗﻄﻠﻊ ﺑﺮاﺳﻚ ﺷﺠﺮة ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﻄﯿﻚ إﯾﺎھﺎ! إﻧﺖ ﻣﺎ ﺧﻠّﯿﺖ ﺳﯿّﺎرة إﻻ وﺧ ّﺮﺑﺘﮭﺎ! ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻲ ﺟﺪﯾﺪة وﻣﺎ ﺑﺄ ّﻣﻦ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ ﻣﻌﻚ! إﻧﺴﻰ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع.
ﻟﻮ داﻣﺖ ﻟﻐﯿﺮك ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ وﺻﻠﺖ اﻟﻚ /law dāmat la-ghēr-ak mā kānat wiṣlat ’ilak/
Equivalent: Literal. If (life) lasted for others, it wouldn’t reach to you/ The world is bound to no man. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :ﯾﺎﺑﺎ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ ﻓﻲ ﻧﺎس ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺸﺘﻜﻮ ﻣﻨّﻚ وﻣﻦ ﻣﻌﺎﻣﻠﺘﻚ إﻟﮭﻢ! ﻣﺶ ﻣﻌﻨﻰ إﻧّﻚ ﺻﺮت ﻣﺪﯾﺮ ﻋﺎم ﺗﺼﯿﺮ ﺗﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻨﺎس ھﯿﻚ! ﺑﻜﺮة ﺑﺘﺒﻄّﻞ ﻣﺪﯾﺮ وﺑﯿﺠﻲ ﻏﯿﺮك! ﻛﻮن ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ ﺑﻤﻌﺎﻣﻠﺘﻚ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻨﺎس ﻹﻧّﮫ ھﺬا اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﻜﺴﺒﮫ وداﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺗﺬ ّﻛﺮ إﻧّﮫ ﻟﻮ داﻣﺖ ﻟﻐﯿﺮك ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ وﺻﻠﺖ إﻟﻚ!
Equivalent: Necessity knows no law/ Needs must when the devil drives/ Sometimes you have to do something you would rather not. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺧﺎﻟﺪ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﻌﺖ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻚ ﯾﺎ ادرﯾﺲ؟ ﻣﺎ إﻧﺖ ﺑﺘﺤﺘﺎﺟﮭﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ادرﯾﺲ :ﻟﻠﻀﺮورة أﺣﻜﺎم ﯾﺎ ﻋ ّﻤﻲ!
ﻟﻠﻨﺨﺎع /li-il-nukhā‘/
Equivalent: To the backbone/ Thoroughly. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﮭﺪ :إﻧﺘﻲ ﯾﺎ أم ﻋﮭﺪ أﻏﻠﻰ إﺷﻲ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ! أم ﻋﮭﺪ :ﺗﺴﻠﻢ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻋﮭﺪ! وإﻧﺖ ﻏﺎﻟﻲ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﻛﻤﺎن. أﺑﻮ ﻋﮭﺪ :ﺑﻌﺸﻘﻚ ﻟﻠﻨﺨﺎع!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
ﻋﺒﺎس :أﻣﺠﺪ ﻣﺎﺳﻚ ﻣﻤﺎﺳﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﯿﺪر! وﺣﯿﺪر ﺑﻨﻔّﺬ ﻛﻞ طﻠﺒﺎت أﻣﺠﺪ ﻟﮭﺬا اﻟﺴﺒﺐ! ﻣﺎﺟﺪ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻟﻮا ذراﻋﮫ! ﻋﺒﺎس :آه! وأﻧﺎ ﺧﺎﯾﻒ إﻧّﮫ اﻷﻣﻮر ﻣﺎ ﺗﻨﺘﮭﻲ ﺑﯿﻨﮭﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺧﯿﺮ!
ﻟﻮﯾﺶ طﻮﻟﮭﺎ ﯾﺎ ﻗﺮوﻧﮭﺎ /lawēsh ṭūl-hā yā grūn-hā/
Equivalent: Why delay?/ Why put off until tomorrow
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ﻟﻮ ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن /law shū mā kān/
Equivalent: Come hell or high water/ No matter what. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻧﻌﻤﺎن :ﻣﺎ رح أﺗﻨﺎزل ﻋﻦ ﺣﻘّﻲ ﻟﻮ ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن! ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺑﻘﺪر ﯾﺠﺒﺮﻧﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺎﻹﺷﻲ! أﺑﻮ ﺳﺮﺣﺎن :ﻻ ﺗﺸﯿﻞ ھ ّﻢ! ﺣﻘّﻚ آﺧﺮﯾﺘﮫ ﯾﺮﺟﻌﻠﻚ.
ﻟﻮ ﻛﺎن ﺑﺈﯾﺪي /law kān b-’īd-ī/
?what you can do today Example:
Equivalent: If I had my druthers/ If I had my preferred
أم ﺻﺎﺑﺮ :طﯿّﺐ ﯾﺎ ﺻﺎﺑﺮ ﺑﻤﺎ إﻧّﻚ ﻣﻘﺘﻨﻊ ﺑﺰھﺮة وﺑﺘﺤﺒﮭﺎ ﺧﻠﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﺮوح ﻧﺨﻄﺒﻠﻚ إﯾﺎھﺎ! ﻟﻮﯾﺶ طﻮﻟﮭﺎ ﯾﺎ ﻗﺮوﻧﮭﺎ؟ اﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺄﺟﯿﻞ! ﺑﺲ ﯾﯿﺠﻲ أﺑﻮك ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ وﺑﻨﺮوح ﻧﺨﻄﺒﮭﺎ. ﺻﺎﺑﺮ :ﻣﺜﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّك!
choice/ I’d rather.
ﻟﻮﯾﻦ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺼﻞ /lawēn bidd-ak tiṣal/
Equivalent: What are you driving at?/ What are you
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺟﺒﺮ :ﻟﻮ ﻛﺎن ﺑﺈﯾﺪي ﻣﺎ ﻛﻨﺖ ﺑﻌﺖ اﻷرض ﺑﺘﺮاب اﻟﻤﺼﺎري! أﺑﻮ ﻋﻠﻲ :ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ إﻧﺖ ﻛﻨﺖ ﺑﺤﺎﺟﺔ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﻟﻌﻼج اﺑﻨﻚ! اﻷرض واﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﺑﺘﺘﻌ ّﻮض اﻟﻤﮭﻢ ﺳﻼﻣﺔ اﻟﻮﻟﺪ.
ﻟﻮا ذراﻋﮫ ← ﻟﻮا إﯾﺪه
?trying to say
/lawā ’īd-uh/ ← /lawā dhrā‘-uh/
Example:
Equivalent: To blackmail someone into doing
اﻧﻮر :ﺻﺎرﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺴﻨﻲ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻓﺎھﻢ ﻟﻮﯾﻦ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺼﻞ؟ اﻷﻓﻀﻞ إﻧّﻚ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﻣﺒﺎﺷﺮ ﻋﺸﺎن أﻗﺪر أﻓﮭﻢ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ وأﺳﺎﻋﺪك!
something/ To force a person to do something by threatening to reveal secret information about the person.
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻤﯿﻢ
ﻣﺎ أﺛﻘﻞ رﻣﺘﮫ
someone and refuse to pay the least attention to
/mā ’athgal rimt-uh/
someone.
Equivalent: What a lazybones/ Indolent.
Example:
Example:
ﻗﻮﻣﻲ ﯾﺎ وداد ﻧﻈﻔﻲ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ! ﻛﻤﺎن ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﺑﯿﺠﻮ:أم ﻋﯿﺴﻰ .اﻟﻀﯿﻮف . ﺗﻌﺒﺎﻧﺔ ﻛﻤﺎن ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﺑﻘﻮم:وداد ﻣﻦ ﺷﻮ ﺗﻌﺒﺎﻧﺔ؟ ﻣﺎ إﻧﺘﻲ طﻮل اﻟﻮﻗﺖ ﻧﺎﯾﻤﺔ! ﻣﺎ:أم ﻋﯿﺴﻰ !أﺛﻘﻞ رﻣﺘﻚ
ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ رﺣﺖ ﺗﺼﺎﻟﺢ اﻧﻮر؟:أﺑﻮ ﺧﻠﺪون اﻟﯿﻮم رﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻋﺸﺎن أﺻﺎﻟﺤﮫ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ أﻋﻄﺎﻧﻲ:ﺧﻠﺪون !وﺟﮫ! طﻨﺸﻨﻲ
← ﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﻮاش إﺷﻲ ← ﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﻮى ﻗﺸﺮة ﺑﺼﻠﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﻮى ﺗﻌﺮﯾﻔﺔ /mā biswāsh ta‘rīfeh/ ← /mā biswāsh gishrit baṣalah/ ← /mā
ﻣﺎ إﺟﺎ اﻟﮭﻮا ﻋﺎﺑﻮ ﺳﻮا
biswāsh ’ishī/
/mā ’ijā il-hawā ‘a-abū sawā/
Equivalent: Not worth a damn/ Not worth a rap/ Not
Equivalent: Things didn’t work out as planned/ It
worth a red cent/ Not worth a plug nickel/ Of no value.
didn’t go according to plan/ It didn’t happen as one
Example:
arranged and intended. Example:
ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﺑﻤﺸﺮوع ﺳﻔﺮك؟:ﻓﺆاد ! ﻣﺎ زﺑﻂ! ﻣﺎ إﺟﺎ اﻟﮭﻮا ﻋﺎﺑﻮ ﺳﻮا:ﻋﻮض
ﻣﺎ ﺷﺮﻛﺘﻚ إذﻧﻚ
ﺷﻮ إﺷﺘﺮﯾﺘﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻮق؟:أم ﻏﻔﺮان . إﺷﺘﺮﯾﺖ ھﺎﻟﻔﺴﺘﺎن! ﺷﻮﻓﻲ ﻣﺎ أﺣﻼه:ﻏﻔﺮان ﯾﻲ ﻣﺶ ﺣﻠﻮ ﺑﺎﻟﻤ ّﺮة! ﻗﺪﯾﺶ ﺣﻘّﮫ؟:أم ﻏﻔﺮان ! ﺛﻤﺎﻧﯿﻦ دﯾﻨﺎر:ﻏﻔﺮان ﺷﻮ ﺑﺘﻘﻮﻟﻲ؟ ھﺎﻟﻔﺴﺘﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﻮى ﺗﻌﺮﯾﻔﺔ وﻣﺎ:أم ﻏﻔﺮان !ﺑﺴﻮى إﺷﻲ
/mā shrakat-ak ’idhn-ak/
ﻣﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﯿﺪ ﺣﯿﻠﺔ
Equivalent: Nobody told you that/ Don’t you know that. Example:
/mā b-il-yadd ḥīleh/
ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﺗﻘﺮﺿﻨﻲ ﺧﻤﺴﯿﻦ دﯾﻨﺎر؟:ﺧﻀﺮ ﻣﺎ ﺷﺮﻛﺘﻚ إذﻧﻚ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﻲ وﻻ ﻗﺮش ﺑﺠﯿﺒﺘﻲ! ﺑﻌﺪﻧﻲ:ﻋﻤﺮ !ﻣﺎ اﺳﺘﻠﻤﺖ اﻟﺮاﺗﺐ
Equivalent: My hands are tied/ To have no choice but to/ One does not have the ability to act, help or intervene as one should or desire/ There’s nothing I can do/ I can’t help it.
ﻣﺎ أﻋ ّﺰ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻮﻟﺪ إﻻ وﻟﺪ اﻟﻮﻟﺪ /mā ’a‘azz min il-walad illa walad il-walad/
Equivalent: Dearer than our children are the children of our children/ Children’s children are a crown to the aged/ Grandchildren are the crown of the aged. Example:
ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﺑﺘﮭﺘﻤﻲ ﺑﺄوﻻد أوﻻدك أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ أوﻻدك:أم راﺿﻲ ﻧﻔﺴﮭﻢ؟ ! طﺒﻌﺎ ً ھﺬول أﺣﻔﺎدي وھﻢ ﻏﺎﻟﯿﯿﻦ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ:أم ﺷﺎھﯿﻦ .وﻣﺎ أﻋ ّﺰ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻮﻟﺪ إﻻ وﻟﺪ اﻟﻮﻟﺪ
Example:
ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻊ اﺑﻨﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ؟ ﺑﻌﺪه ﻣﻔﺼﻮل؟:أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎطﻒ ﺑﻌﺪه! واﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ ﺑﺘﻘﻮل ﻣﺎﻟﮫ رﺟﻌﺔ! ھﺬا ﻓﺼﻞ:أﺑﻮ راﻣﻲ !ﻧﮭﺎﺋﻲ طﯿّﺐ ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪﻛﻮ ﺗﻌﻤﻠﻮ؟:أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎطﻒ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﯿﺪ ﺣﯿﻠﺔ! ﻣﺎ رح ﻧﻌﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ! ﺧﻠﯿﮫ ﯾﺘﺤﻤﻞ:أﺑﻮ راﻣﻲ !ﻧﺘﯿﺠﺔ أﻋﻤﺎﻟﮫ
ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺨﻔﻰ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺧﺎﻓﯿﺔ /mā btikhfā ‘alēh khāfyeh/
Equivalent: Know it backwards and forwards/ To know
ﻣﺎ أﻋﻄﺎه وﺟﮫ
something inside out and completely/ To keep one’s
/mā ’a‘ṭā-h wijih/
fingers on the pulse/ To be aware of all the latest
Equivalent: Not to give someone the time of the day/
news or developments/ To know everything that is
To completely ignore, neglect or be unfriendly toward
happening around you.
146
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﻮﺗﮫ ﻓﺎﯾﺘﮫ
Example:
ﻛﯿﻒ ﺟﻮزك ﻋﺮف وﯾﻦ ﻣﺨﺒﯿّﺔ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﻜﻲ؟:أﻣﺎﻧﻲ ! اﻧﺪاري! ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺨﻔﻰ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺧﺎﻓﯿﺔ:ﻟﯿﻨﺎ
ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺮك ﺣﺪا ﻣﻦ ﺷ ّﺮه /mā bitruk ḥadā min sharr-uh/
/mā bitfūt-uh fāyteh/
Equivalent: Have eyes in the back of your head/ To know everything that is happening around you. Example:
! رداد ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﻮﺗﮫ ﻓﺎﯾﺘﺔ:ﺷﺎھﺮ ! ﻓﻌﻼ ً ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺨﻔﻰ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺧﺎﻓﯿﺔ:أﻣﯿﻦ
Equivalent: To make waves/ To cause problems/ To make trouble/ To cause difficulty. Example:
ﺣﺎزم واﺣﺪ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺠﻲ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺮك ﺣﺪا ﻣﻦ ﺷ ّﺮه! ﻛﻞ:ﻣﻨﺠﺪ .ﯾﻮم ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﻣﻊ ﺣﺪا . إﻗﻄﻊ ﻋﻼﻗﺘﻚ ﻓﯿﮫ! ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﺑﻮﺟﻊ اﻟﺮاس:ﻣﻨﺬر
ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف ﺧﯿﺮي ﺗﺎ ﺗﺠ ّﺮب ﻏﯿﺮي
ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻮﺧﺬ ﻣﻨﮫ ﻻ ﺣﻖ وﻻ ﺑﺎطﻞ /mā btōkhiḏ ̣ minn-uh lā ḥagg walā bāṭil/
Equivalent: He won’t give you the lowdown on something/ To not provide someone with specific or complete details about someone, something or some
/mā bti‘rif khēr-ī tā tjarrib ghēr-ī/
situation.
Equivalent: You don’t know what you have until it’s
Example:
gone/ You never miss the water till the well runs dry/
ﺳﺎﻋﺔ وأﻧﺎ أﺳﺄل ﻓﮭﺪ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع وأﺳﺘﻔﺴﺮ ﻣﻨﮫ:أﺑﻮ ﻧﻤﺮ !ﺑﺲ ﻋﺒﺚ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻮﺧﺬ ﻣﻨﮫ ﻻ ﺣﻖ وﻻ ﺑﺎطﻞ ! ﻻ ﺗﺘﻌﺐ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﺎ رح ﯾﺨﺒﺮك إﺷﻲ:أﺑﻮ ﺟﮭﺎد
You don’t fully appreciate people or things until you lose them/ You won’t know how awesome I am until you deal with somebody else who is awful.
ﺻﻒ ّ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻮ
Example:
ﯾﺮﺟﻌﮭﺎ! ﺑﺲ ّ اﻣﺒﺎرح إﺟﺎ ﺳﻤﯿﺮ طﻠﯿﻖ ﺑﻨﺘﻲ ﺑﺪّه:أم ﻋﻨﻮد .ﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻠﺖ! ﺑﻘﻮل إﻧّﮫ ﻧﺪم إﻧّﮫ طﻠّﻘﮭﺎ وﺗﺠ ّﻮز وﺣﺪة ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ !ﺑﻘﻮل إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﻘﺎرﻧﺔ ﺑﯿﻦ ﺑﻨﺘﻲ ﻋﻨﻮد وﻋﺮوﺳﺘﮫ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة ﺴﮫ ّ وﻗﻠّﻠﮭﺎ إﻧّﮫ طﻠّﻖ اﻟﻌﺮوس اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة ﻹﻧﮭﻢ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻔﺎھﻤﻮ! ھ !ﻋﺮف ﻗﯿﻤﺔ ﻋﻨﻮد ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف ﺧﯿﺮي ﺗﺎ ﺗﺠ ّﺮب ﻏﯿﺮي:أم ﺧﺎﻟﺪ
ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺮﻓﻠﮫ ﺑﻄﻦ ﻣﻦ ظﮭﺮ /mā bti‘rif-l-uh baṭin min ḏạ hur/
/mā bitwaṣṣaf/
Equivalent: To beggar description/ Beyond one’s power to describe/ Indescribable/ Difficult to describe because it is extremely good or bad. Example:
ﻛﯿﻒ اﻟﻌﺮوس اﻟﻠﻲ رﺣﺘﻮ ﺗﺨﻄﺒﻮھﺎ ﻟﻤﺤﻤﻮد؟ إن:أم ﻣﺎھﺮ ﺷﺎ ﺗﻜﻮن ﻋﺠﺒﺘﻜﻮ؟ !ﺻﻒ ﺑﺘﻮ ﻣﺎ ﺟﻤﺎﻟﮭﺎ ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ !ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻋﺠﺒﺘﻨﺎ:أم ﻣﺤﻤﻮد ّ !ﺑﺘﻄﯿّﺮ اﻟﻌﻘﻞ
Equivalent: Neither fish nor fowl nor good red herring/
ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي ﺟﻤﯿﻠﺘﻚ
Someone of mysterious character who is difficult to categorize or classify.
/mā bidd-ī jmīlt-ak/
Example:
Equivalent: I don’t want your favor or service.
ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﻛﯿﻒ أﺗﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻊ ﻗﺎﺳﻢ؟ ﺻﻌﺐ:أﺑﻮ ھﯿﺜﻢ !اﻟﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻌﮫ ﺗﻌﺎﻣﻠﺖ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻗﺒﻠﻚ وھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺮﻓﻠﮫ ﺑﻄﻦ:أﺑﻮ ﻧﺪﯾﻢ !ﻣﻦ ظﮭﺮ
ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻨﺒﻞ اﻟﻔﻮﻟﺔ ﺑﺜﻤﮫ
Example:
ﺑﻌﺪك ﺑﺪّك أﺳﺎﻋﺪك ﺑﺎﻟﺪرس؟:ﺟﺎﺑﺮ . ﻻ درﺳﺖ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻲ وﺧﻠّﺼﺖ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي ﺟﻤﯿﻠﺘﻚ:اﯾﻤﻦ
ﻣﺎ ﺑ ّﺰل ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﺑﺤﺮف /mā bazzil ‘alēk b-ḥarf/
/mā btinbal il-fūleh b-thumm-uh/
Equivalent: Believe you me/ You really should believe
Equivalent: Have a big mouth/ Blabbermouth/
me/ You’d better take my word for it/ I tell you the
Gossiper/ A person who tells secrets and can’t keep
truth.
one’s mouth shut about anything/ The person who
Example:
tells secrets in public. Example:
دﯾﺮي ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﺗﺨﺒﺮي ﺻﻔﯿﺔ إﻧّﻲ ﺑﺪّي أﺧﻄﺐ ﺑﻌﺪ:دﻻل !أﺳﺒﻮع! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻨﺒﻞ اﻟﻔﻮﻟﺔ ﺑﺜﻤﮭﺎ ! ﻣﺎ رح أﺧﺒّﺮھﺎ:ﻋﮭﺪ
اﻟﯿﻮم أﺑﻮ ﻧﺒﯿﻞ ﻛﺤﺶ اﺑﻨﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺤﻞ ﺗﺒﻌﮭﻢ ﻹﻧّﮫ:أم ﻏﺎزي .اﻛﺘﺸﻒ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﺴﺮق ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﻨﮭﻢ ﯾﻲ ﺣﺪا ﺑﺴﺮق أﺑﻮه؟:أم ﺟﻤﯿﻞ ﺻﺪﻗﯿﻨﻲ ھﺬا اﻟﻠﻲ ﺻﺎر وﻣﺎ ﺑﺰّل ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻲ:أم ﻏﺎزي !ﺑﺤﺮف
147
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻤﯿﻢ
ﻣﺎ ﺑﻀﺤﻚ ﻟﻠﺮﻏﯿﻒ اﻟﺴﺨﻦ
ﻣﺎ ﺑﯿﻦ وﺑﯿﻦ /mā bēn w-bēn/
/mā biḏḥ ̣ ak la-il-raghīf il-ṣukhun/
Equivalent: Betwixt and between/ Undecided about
Equivalent: Stone-faced/ Poker face/ Not showing any
someone or something/ Unable to decide between
emotions/ Expressionless/ Keep a straight face/ A
two options.
very serious person.
Example:
Example:
ھﺒﺔ :ﻣﺎ ﻗ ّﺮرﺗﻲ ﺑﻌﺪك أي وظﯿﻔﺔ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻘﺒﻠﻲ؟ اﻻء :ﻻ ﺑﻌﺪﻧﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﯿﻦ وﺑﯿﻦ! ﻣﺤﺘﺎرة ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ أﻗ ّﺮر!
ﻣﺎ ﺗﺤﺮﻛﻠﮫ ﺳﺎﻛﻦ ← ﻣﺎ ﺗﺤﺮﻛﻠﮫ ﺟﻔﻦ
ﻧﺎدر :اﻟﯿﻮم أ ّول ﯾﻮم دوام ﻟﻠﻤﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ. ﻣﺎﺟﺪ :ﻛﯿﻒ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ؟ ﻧﺎدر :ھﺎﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ َﺟﺪّي ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻣﺎ ﺑﻀﺤﻚ ﻟﻠﺮﻏﯿﻒ اﻟﺴﺨﻦ!
ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﻀﯿﻖ إﻻ اﻟﻔﺮج
/mā tḥarrak-l-uh jifin/ ← /mā tḥarrak-l-uh sākin/
/mā ba‘d il-ḏị̄ g illa il-faraj/
Equivalent: Doesn’t bat an eyelid/ Without blinking an
Equivalent: It is always darkest before the dawn/
eye/ Without showing any reaction.
When things are extremely bad, it may indicate that
Example:
they are about to get much better.
أم ﺑﺸﯿﺮ :أﺑﻮ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﻗﺎﺳﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻟﻤﺎ ﺷﺎف اﺑﻨﮫ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﺎن ﻏﺎﯾﺐ ﻋﻨﮫ ﻣﻦ ﻋﺸﺮ ﺳﻨﯿﻦ وﻣﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺤﺮﻛﻠﮫ ﺳﺎﻛﻦ وﻻ ﺗﺤﺮﻛﻠﮫ ﺟﻔﻦ! أﺑﻮ ﺑﺸﯿﺮ :طﻮل ﻋﻤﺮه ھﯿﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺒﯿّﻦ ﻣﺸﺎﻋﺮه ﻟﺤﺪا!
ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ ﺣﺪا /mā ḥadā ’aḥsan min ḥadā/
Example:
أم ﺣﺎﺗﻢ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﮭﻤﻮﻣﺔ وزﻋﻼﻧﺔ ﯾﺎ أم اﯾﮭﺎب؟ أم اﯾﮭﺎب :زﻋﻼﻧﺔ ﻋﺎﻟﻠﻲ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻊ اﯾﮭﺎب! ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﺧﺴﺮ وظﯿﻔﺘﮫ وﻋﻨﺪه ﻋ ّﺮ أوﻻد ووﺿﻌﮫ ﻣﻦ ﺳﻲء ﻷﺳﻮء! أم ﺣﺎﺗﻢ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﻀﯿﻖ اﻻ اﻟﻔﺮج! اﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺻﺒﺮ!
ﻣﺎ ﺑﻤﻠّﻲ اﻟﻌﯿﻦ
Equivalent: No one is better than anyone else.
/mā bimallī il-‘ēn/
Example:
Equivalent: Does not fill or fit the bill/ This person
ﻓﺮح :ﻟﯿﺶ اﺷﺘﺮﯾﺘﻲ ﻷﺧﺘﻲ ﺗﻠﻔﻮن ﺟﺪﯾﺪ وأﻧﺎ ﻻ؟ ﺑﺪّي ﺗﺠﯿﺒﯿﻠﻲ واﺣﺪ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ زﯾﮭﺎ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ ﺣﺪا! اﻷم :ﺗﻜﺮﻣﻲ! ﺑﺠﯿﺒﻠﻚ ﺗﻠﻔﻮن ﺟﺪﯾﺪ.
isn’t suitable for a particular job or purpose. Example:
اﻟﻤﻮظﻒ :ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﻧﺮﺷّﺢ ﻋﺎﺑﺪ ﻟﻠﻤﻨﺼﺐ اﻹداري؟ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ :ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﺶ ﻣﻨﺎﺳﺐ وﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه ﺧﺒﺮة ﻛﺎﻓﯿﺔ وﻣﺎ ﺑﻤﻠّﻲ اﻟﻌﯿﻦ! إﻧﺴﻰ!
ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺑﻤﻮت ﻧﺎﻗﺺ ﻋﻤﺮ /mā ḥadā bimūt nāgiṣ ‘umur/
Equivalent: Nobody dies before his or her
ﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﻌﻄﻰ وﺟﮫ
time.
/mā bin‘aṭā wijih/
Example:
Equivalent: Give him an inch and he will take a mile/
أﺑﻮ ﺟﻤﺎل :ﻧﻌﻤﺎن اﺑﻦ أﺧﻮي ﻧﺠﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺣﺎدث اﻟﺴﯿﺎرة ﺑﺄﻋﺠﻮﺑﺔ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺷﺮﯾﻒ! ﻟﻮ ﺗﺸﻮف اﻟﺴﯿّﺎرة وﻛﯿﻒ وﺿﻌﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﻘﻮل ﻣﺴﺘﺤﯿﻞ ﺣﺪا طﻠﻊ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ ﻋﺎﯾﺶ! أﺑﻮ ﺷﺮﯾﻒ :ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﻜﺘﻮﺑﻠﮫ ﻋﻤﺮ! ﻣﺎ إﺟﺖ ﺳﺎﻋﺘﮫ! ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺑﻤﻮت ﻧﺎﻗﺺ ﻋﻤﺮ!
ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺿﺮﺑﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ إﯾﺪه /mā ḥadā ḏạ rab-uh ‘alā ’īd-uh/
Be generous to someone and the person will demand even more and take advantage of you. Example:
ﻋﺪﻧﺎن :اﯾﺎد ﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﻌﻄﻰ وﺟﮫ! أﻋﻄﯿﺘﮫ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻲ ﻛﻢ ﻣ ّﺮة وﺻﺎر ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮﻣﯿﻦ ﯾﯿﺠﻲ ﯾﻄﻠﺒﮭﺎ! ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :ھﺬا ﻓﻌﻼ ً ﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﻌﻄﻰ وﺟﮫ!
ﻣﺎ ﺑﯿﺠﯿﻨﺎ ﻣﻨّﮫ ﻏﯿﺮ وﺟﻊ اﻟﺮاس
;Equivalent: Nobody forced him or her to do that thing
/mā bījī-nā minn-uh ghēr waja‘ il-rās/
it was his or her choice.
Equivalent: To give someone a headache/ To irritate
Example:
and annoy someone intensely and cause them
ﻧﻈﻤﻲ :ﺿﺮﻏﺎم ﺧﺴﺮ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري اﻟﻠﻲ ﺣﻄﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻮرﺻﺔ! وﻧﺪﻣﺎن ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ. ﻋﻠﻲ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﺎ ﯾﻨﺪم! ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺿﺮﺑﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ إﯾﺪه أو ﺟﺒﺮه ﯾﻌﻤﻞ ھﺎﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ! ھﻮ إﺧﺘﺎر ﯾﻌﻤﻠﮭﺎ وﻛﺎن ﻋﺎرف اﻹﺣﺘﻤﺎﻻت ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﺪاﯾﺔ!
trouble. Example:
أﺑﻮ اﻟﻌﺒﺪ :إﻧﺖ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺒﺪ ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ ﺑﺈﺷﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﯿﺠﯿﻨﻲ ﻣﻨّﻚ ﻏﯿﺮ وﺟﻊ اﻟﺮاس واﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ! ﻋﺒﺪ :ھﯿﻚ ﻛﻞ اﻷوﻻد ﺑﻌﻤﻠﻮ ﺑﺄھﻠﮭﻢ! ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺘﺤﻤﻠﻨﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺞ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻣﺎ ظ ّﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﻤﺮ ﻗﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻀﻰ
148
ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻗﺪّه
/mā ḏạ ll b-il-‘umur gadd mā maḏā ̣ /
/mā ḥadā gadd-uh/
Equivalent: Get on in years/ Aging.
Equivalent: Lucky you, him, her, etc.
Example:
Example:
أم اﻛﺮم :ﻻزم ﺗﺘﺠ ّﻮز ﯾﺎ اﻛﺮم ﻋﺸﺎن أﻓﺮح ﻓﯿﻚ وأﺷﻮف أوﻻدك ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ أﻣﻮت! ﻣﺎ ظ ّﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﻤﺮ ﻗﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻀﻰ! اﻛﺮم :اﻟﻌﻤﺮ ﻛﻠّﮫ ﯾ ّﻤﺎ! إن ﺷﺎ ﻗﺮﯾﺐ رح ﺗﻔﺮﺣﻲ ﻓﯿّﻲ وﺗﺸﻮﻓﻲ أﺣﻔﺎدك!
ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ إﺷﻲ ﺑﯿﺠﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﺎھﻞ
اﻧﯿﺲ :ﺑﺎرﻛﻠﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻣﻌﺘﺼﻢ! اﻟﯿﻮم رﻓّﻌﻮﻧﻲ وﺻﺮت ﻣﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﺒﻨﻚ! ﻣﻌﺘﺼﻢ :ﻣﺒﺮوك! ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻗﺪّك.
ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻗﻠﯿﻞ /mā ḥadā galīl/
/mā fī ’ishī bījī b-il-sāhil/
Equivalent: It takes two to tango/ Don’t underestimate
Equivalent: No pain, no gain/ Suffering is
or take anyone lightly.
necessary in order to achieve something one
Example:
wants/ Nothing ventured, nothing gained/ No guts, no glory. Example:
ﻏﺰل :وأﺧﯿﺮاً رح أﺗﺨ ّﺮج وأوﺧﺬ ﺷﮭﺎدة اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮراه! ﺗﻌﺒﺖ وﻋﺎﻧﯿﺖ ﻟﺤﺘﻰ وﺻﻠﺖ ﻟﮭﺎﻟﻤﺮﺣﻠﺔ! أم ﻏﺰل :أﻛﯿﺪ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺼﻞ ﻟﮭﺪﻓﮫ ﻻزم ﯾﺘﻌﺐ! ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺷﻲ ﺑﯿﺠﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﺎھﻞ!
ﻋﺒﺎس :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﺑﯿﻦ راﺋﺪ وﻋﻤﺎد؟ ﻖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻲ! ﺧﻀﺮ :ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﻮ وﻛﻞ واﺣﺪ ﺑﺤﻂّ اﻟﺤ ّ ﻋﺒﺎس :ﺑﺲ ﻣﻌﺮوف إﻧّﮫ ﻋﻤﺎد ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺠﻲ! أ ّﻣﺎ راﺋﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ اﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ! ﺧﻀﺮ :ﺻﺪّﻗﻨﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻗﻠﯿﻞ!
ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻟﺤﺪا /mā ḥadā la-ḥadā/
ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ داﻋﻲ
Equivalent: Every person for him or herself/ People /mā fī dā‘ī/
think about their own interests before the interests of
Equivalent: There is no need (for something).
other people.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻋﻠﻮش :ﺑﺪّك أروح ﻣﻌﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر ﯾﺎ أم ﺣﺎزم؟ أم ﺣﺎزم :ﻻ ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ إﻧﺘﻲ ﻣﺸﻐﻮﻟﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ داﻋﻲ! ﺑﺮوح ﻣﻊ اﺑﻨﻲ ﺑﺲ ﯾﺮﺟﻊ ﻣﻦ ﺷﻐﻠﮫ!
ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ّ دﺧﺎن ﻣﻦ ﻏﯿﺮ ﻧﺎر /mā fī dukhkhān min ghēr nār/
ي ھﺎﻧﻲ :رﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻲ ﺣﻤﺰة أﻗﺮب ﺻﺎﺣﺐ إﻟﻲ وز ّ أﺧﻮي وطﻠﺒﺖ ﻣﻨﮫ إﻧّﮫ ﯾﻜﻔﻠﻨﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻨﻚ ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻌﻄﻮﻧﻲ اﻟﻘﺮض ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ واﻓﻖ! ﻋﻤﺎد :ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻟﺤﺪا! واﻟﻨﺎﻓﻊ ﯾﻨﻔﻊ ﻧﻔﺴﮫ!
ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻣﻌﺼﻮم ﻋﻦ اﻟﻐﻠﻂ
Equivalent: There is no smoke without fire/ There is
/mā ḥadā ma‘ṣūm ‘an il-ghalaṭ/
always some reason for a rumor.
Equivalent: To err is human/ No man is infallible/ All
Example:
people are liable to make mistakes.
أم ﺑﺮھﺎن :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﻋﺎﯾﺪة ﺗﺮﻛﺖ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﮭﺎ ﻹﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﺒﮫ وﺑﺘﺤﺐ ﺷﺐ ﺛﺎﻧﻲ! ﺑﺲ أم ﻋﺎﯾﺪة ﺑﺘﻘﻮل ﻏﯿﺮ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ! أم ﺻﺎدق :ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ّ دﺧﺎن ﻣﻦ ﻏﯿﺮ ﻧﺎر!
ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺷﺠﺮة ﻣﺎ ھﺰھﺎ اﻟﺮﯾﺢ
Example:
ﻣﻠﺤﻢ :ﻻزم ﺗﺴﺎﻣﺤﻨﻲ ﯾﺎﺑﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻐﻠﻂ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﮫ! ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻣﻌﺼﻮم ﻋﻦ اﻟﻐﻠﻂ وﻛﻞ اﻟﻨﺎس ﺑﺘﻐﻠﻂ وﺑﺘﺮﺟﻊ ﺗﺼﻠّﺢ ﻏﻠﻄﮭﺎ! أﺑﻮ ﻣﻠﺤﻢ :ﺑﺴﺎﻣﺤﻚ ھﺎﻟﻤ ّﺮة ﺑﺸﺮط إﻧّﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻌﯿﺪھﺎ!
/mā fī shajarah mā hazz-hā rīḥ/
Equivalent: Everyone falls in love in one way or
ﻣﺎ ﺣ ّﻚ ﺟﻠﺪك ﻣﺜﻞ ظﻔﺮك
another at least once in a lifetime.
/mā ḥakka jildu-ka mithlu ḏị fri-ka/
Example:
Equivalent: If you want a thing done (right), do it
أم ﻧﺎظﻢ :ﻧﺎظﻢ ﻏﻠّﺒﻨﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺑﺪّه ﺑﻨﺖ ﺑﻌﻤﺮھﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻌ ّﺮﻓﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺐ وﻣﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﻠﮭﺎ ﻋﻼﻗﺔ ﻣﻊ ﺣﺪا! ﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ ﻧﺸﻮﻓﻠﮫ ﺑﻨﺖ ﺑﻜﺘﺸﻒ إﻧﮭﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺗﻌﺮف ﺣﺪا! وﺻﺎر ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺘﺠ ّﻮز! أم ﻏﺎﻟﻲ :إذا ﺑﻈﻞ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻌﻘﻠﯿّﺔ ﺑﻌﻤﺮه ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺠ ّﻮز! ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺷﺠﺮة ﻣﺎ ھﺰھﺎ رﯾﺢ!
yourself. Example:
أم ﻧﻌﯿﻢ :ھﺎﻟﺨﺪّاﻣﺔ ﺷﻐﻠﮭﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ وﻣﺶ ﻧﻈﯿﻒ! ﺑﺲ ر ّوﺣﺖ ﻋﺪت ﻛﻞ ﺷﻐﻞ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ! أﺑﻮ ﻧﻌﯿﻢ :ﻣﺎ ﺣ ّﻚ ﺟﻠﺪك ﻣﺜﻞ ظﻔﺮك!
149
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻤﯿﻢ Example:
أم ﺳﻌﺪﯾﺔ :زﻋﻼﻧﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ أﺧﺘﻲ أم ﺷﺎھﯿﻦ ﻹﻧّﻲ ﻣﺮﺿﺖ ﻣﺮﺿﺔ ﻗﻮﯾﺔ وﻛﻞ اﻟﻨﺎس إﺟﻮ زاروﻧﻲ ﺑﺲ أﺧﺘﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻛﻠّﻔﺘﺶ ﺧﺎطﺮھﺎ ﺼﻞ ﺗﺘﻄ ّﻤﻦ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﻣﻊ إﻧﮭﺎ ﻋﺮﻓﺖ ﻋﻦ ﻣﺮﺿﻲ! ﺗﺰورﻧﻲ أو ﺗﺘ ّ أم زﯾﺪون :ﺑﻠﻜﻲ ظﺮوﻓﮭﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺳﻤﺤﺖ! أم ﺳﻌﺪﯾﺔ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف وﷲ!
ﻣﺎ ﻓﯿﺶ ﻣﻘﺎرﻧﺔ /mā fīsh muqāraneh/
Equivalent: There’s no comparison/ A world of difference/ Can’t hold a candle to someone or something. Example:
رﺷﺎد :ﻛﯿﻒ اﻟﺴﯿﺎرة اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة؟ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻤﺔ؟ ﻣﺎھﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﻓﯿﺶ ﻣﻘﺎرﻧﺔ ﺑﯿﻨﮭﻦ!
ﻣﺎ ﻟﮫ واﻟﻲ ← ﺧﻨﺪرﯾﺲ /khandarīs/ ← /māl-uh wālī/
Equivalent: Abundant/ Bountiful/ Existing or available
ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺷﻲ ﺑﺒﻼش إﻻ اﻟﻌﻤﻰ واﻟﻄﺮاش
in large quantities.
/mā fī shī bi-balāsh illā il-‘amā w-li-ṭrāsh/
Example:
Equivalent: There is no such thing as a free lunch/ It
أﺑﻮ ﺻﺎﻓﻲ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻣﻮﺳﻢ اﻟﺰﯾﺘﻮن اﻟﺴﻨﺔ؟ ﻓﻲ زﯾﺘﻮن ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺸﺠﺮ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺻﺒﺮي :اﻟﺰﯾﺘﻮن اﻟﺴﻨﺔ ﻣﺎﻟﮫ واﻟﻲ! أﺣﺴﻦ ﺳﻨﺔ ﻟﻘﻄﻒ اﻟﺰﯾﺘﻮن طﻠﻌﺖ اﻟﺴﻨﺔ.
ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﮫ اﻟﻠﻈﺎ ← ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﮫ ﯾﺤﻚ ﺳﻨﮫ /mā ma‘-uh yḥukk sinn-uh/ ← /mā ma‘-uh il-laḏā ̣ /
is impossible to get something for nothing. Example:
أﺑﻮ راﺿﻲ :ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﻟﯿﺶ أﺑﻮ ﺣﺎﻣﺪ ﺑﺴﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ ﺑﻤﻌﺎﻣﻼﺗﻲ وﺑﻤﺸّﯿﻠﻲ أي ﻣﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ ﺑﺪّي إﯾﺎھﺎ ﺑﺴﺮﻋﺔ! ﻓﻜﺮك ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّه ﻣﻨّﻲ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺳﯿﻒ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف! ﻋﻠﻤﻲ ﻋﻠﻤﻚ! ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺷﻲ ﺑﺒﻼش إﻻ اﻟﻌﻤﻰ واﻟﻄﺮاش!
Equivalent: Not to have two pennies to rub together/ To have no money.
ﺼﺮت ﻣﺎ ﻗ ّ
Example:
أم ﻋﻔﺎف :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ أﺧﻮي أﻣﯿﺮ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﮫ اﻟﻠﻈﺎ! ﺧﺴﺮ وظﯿﻔﺘﮫ وﺻﺎر ﻻ ﺷﻐﻠﺔ وﻻ ﻋﻤﻠﺔ وﻣﻌﮭﻮش ﯾﺤ ّﻚ ﺳﻨّﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﻋﻔﺎف :ﺑﺤﺎول أﺳﺎﻋﺪه وأﺷﻮﻓﻠﮫ ﺷﻐﻞ ﻋﻨﺪ واﺣﺪ ﻣﻦ أﺻﺤﺎﺑﻲ!
ﻣﺎ ﯾﺒﻠﻰ وﻻ ﯾﺘﺦ /mā yiblā walā ytikh/
!Equivalent: How beautiful
/mā gaṣṣart/
Equivalent: You’ve done your utmost/ You’ve done your best to help. Example:
ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :ﺣﺎوﻟﺖ أﺳﺎﻋﺪك ﺑﻜﻞ اﻟﻄﺮق ﺑﺲ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻣﻌﻨّﺪ وﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ إﻧّﻚ ﺗﺮﺟﻊ ﻟﻠﺸﻐﻞ! ﺳﺎﻣﺤﻨﻲ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ إﺷﻲ طﺎﻟﻊ ﺑﺈﯾﺪي! ﺼﺮت ﻣﻌﻲ ﺑﺈﺷﻲ وﻋﻤﻠﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻗ ﻣﺎ إﻧﺖ ﻚ! ﻤ ﯾﮭ وﻻ زﯾﺪ: ّ ّ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ! ﺷﻜﺮاً إﻟﻚ.
Example:
ﻣﺎ ّ ﻛﺬب ﺧﺒﺮ ← ﻣﺎ ﺻﺪّق
ﺻﺒﺮﯾﺔ :ﺷﻮﻓﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺮح ھﺎﻟﻔﺴﺘﺎن اﻟﻠﻲ ﺟﺒﺘﮫ ﻟﺒﻨﺘﻲ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮة! ھﯿﮭﺎ ﻟﺒﺴﺘﮫ! ﺣﻠﻮ؟ ﻓﺮح :ﯾﻲ ﻣﺎ أﺣﻼه! ﻣﺎ ﯾﺒﻠﻰ وﻻ ﯾﺘﺦ! ﺑﺠﻨّﻦ!
/mā ṣaddag/ ← /mā kadhdhab khabar/
Equivalent: To seize the opportunity/ To take advantage of an opportunity when offered/ Do not
ﻣﺎ ﯾﻜﻮﻧﻠﻚ ﻓﻜﺮ
wait. /mā ykūn-l-ak fikir/
Equivalent: Don’t worry about a thing. Example:
وﺿﺎح :ﺑﺪّي أﺗﺮك اﻟﻤﻄﻌﻢ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ وأروح ﻋﻠﻰ دﻛﺘﻮر اﻷﺳﻨﺎن ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻋﻨﺪي ﻣﻮﻋﺪ! ﺑﺘﻘﺪر ﺗﻘﻌﺪ ﻣﻜﺎﻧﻲ ﻋﺒﯿﻦ ﻣﺎ أروح وأرﺟﻊ؟ ﻋﺎھﺪ :ﻣﺎ ﯾﻜﻮﻧﻠﻚ ﻓﻜﺮ! روح وﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ.
Example:
ﺟﻤﯿﻞ :ﺑﺲ ﻏﺴﺎن ﺳﻤﻊ إﻧّﮫ أﺑﻮ ورد ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻮظﻔﮫ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻣﺎ ّ ﻛﺬب ﺧﺒﺮ! راح ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وﻗﻠّﮫ إﻧّﮫ ﺟﺎھﺰ ﯾﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻓﻮراً وﻣﻦ اﻟﺼﺒﺢ! ﻗﺎﺳﻢ :أﻧﺎ ﻟﻮ ﻣﻜﺎﻧﮫ ﻛﻨﺖ ﻣﺎ ﺻﺪّﻗﺖ وطﺮت اﺷﺘﻐﻞ ﻣﻊ أﺑﻮ ورد!
ﻣﺎ ﻛﻠﻔﺶ ﺧﺎطﺮه
ﻣﺎت ﻣﻦ اﻟﺘﻌﺐ
/mā kallafish khāṭr-uh/ /māt min il-ta‘ab/
Equivalent: To not take the trouble to do something/
Equivalent: Deadbeat/ Dead-tired/ Totally exhausted/
Couldn’t care less/ Does not care about something
Fatigued.
at all.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻣﺎت وﺷﺒﻊ ﻣﻮت
150
Example: /māt w-shibi‘ mōt/
Equivalent: Dead and gone/ Dead and buried/ Pushing up daisies. Example:
أﺑﻮ راﺋﺪ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر أﺑﻮ ﻋﯿﺎد؟ ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺳﻤﻌﺖ ﻣﻨﮫ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺷﺎﻛﺮ :إﻧﺖ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف؟ ﻣﮭﻮ ﻣﺎت وﺷﺒﻊ ﻣﻮت!
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺰﻣﻲ :وﯾﻦ ﻋﺰﻣﻲ؟ ﻣﺎ ﯾﯿﺠﻲ ﯾﺘﻌﺸﻰ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ؟ أم ﻋﺰﻣﻲ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻛﺎن ﻋﻨﺪه ﺷﻐﻞ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻣﺎت ﻣﻦ اﻟﺘﻌﺐ! ﺑﺲ ر ّوح ﻧﺎم ﺑﻼ ھﺰ!
ﻣﺎت ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﻮع /māt min il-jū‘/
Equivalent: Famished/ To be extremely
ﻣﺎﺧﺬ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ زﯾﺎدة ﻋﻦ اﻟﻠﺰوم
hungry.
/mākhidh ‘alēh zyādeh ‘an il-luzūm/
Equivalent: To become accustomed to someone/ Used to someone (to the extent of annoying them to a bothering extent)/ By getting used to someone and getting comfortable with him or her, one can exceed his or her limits and bother others.
Example:
أم زھﺮﯾﺔ :وﯾﻨﻚ ﯾﺎ زھﺮﯾﺔ؟ إﻋﻤﻠﻲ ﺣﻠﯿﺐ ﻟﻠﺒﯿﺒﻲ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎت ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﻮع. ﺴﮫ ﺑﺠﯿﺒﮫ! زھﺮﯾﺔ :ﻋﻤﻠﺖ اﻟﺤﻠﯿﺐ ھ ّ
ﻣﺎت ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤ ّﻢ /māt min il-ḥamm/
Example:
أم ﺑﻜﺮ :ﺟﺎرﺗﻲ ﺑﺪرﯾﺔ ﻣﺎﺧﺬة ﻋﻠ ّﻲ زﯾﺎدة ﻋﻦ اﻟﻠﺰوم! ّ وﺑﺘﺘﺪﺧﻞ ﺑﺤﯿﺎﺗﻲ ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﺻﺮت أﺣﺴﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﺘﺨﻄّﻰ ﺣﺪودھﺎ ﺻﺎر ﯾﻀﺎﯾﻘﻨﻲ! أم ﺟﻤﺎل :إﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ وﻋﺮﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﺣﺪودھﺎ!
ﻣﺎﺧﺬ ﻋﻤﺮه وﻋﻤﺮ ﻏﯿﺮه /mākhidh ‘umr-uh w-‘umur ghēr-uh/
Equivalent: Living on borrowed time/ Living after the time you would have expected to have died/ Living to
Equivalent: To be hot or boiling because of the high temperature. Example:
أم ﻋﺒﺎس :اﻟﻜﮭﺮﺑﺎ اﻧﻘﻄﻌﺖ ﻣﻦ ﺳﺎﻋﺘﯿﻦ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﻟﯿﺶ اﻧﻔﺼﻠﺖ ﻋﻨّﺎ! اﺗﺼﻞ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ وإﺳﺄﻟﮭﻢ إﯾﻤﺘﻰ ﺑﺘﺮﺟﻊ! اﻷوﻻد ﻣﺎﺗﻮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤ ّﻢ ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﻧﺸ ّﻐﻞ اﻟﻤﻜﯿّﻒ! أﺑﻮ ﻋﺒﺎس :ﻓﻲ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ وﺑﻌﺪ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﺑﺘﺮﺟﻊ اﻟﻜﮭﺮﺑﺎ!
ﻣﺎت ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﺤﻚ
a ripe old age.
/māt min il-ḏị ḥik/
Example:
Equivalent Die of laughter/ Be overcome with
أﺑﻮ ﻗﺼﻲ :ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ اﻟﺤﺞ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎرف ﺻﺎر ﻋﻤﺮه ﻓﻮق اﻟﻤﯿّﺔ اﻟﺼﺤﻲ ﺗﻌﺒﺎن! أوﻻده ﺗﻌﺒﻮ ﻣﻦ ﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻮﺧﺬوه ووﺿﻌﮫ ّ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺪﻛﺎﺗﺮة! أﺑﻮ ﺻﻘﺮ :أوف ﺑﻌﺪه ﻋﺎﯾﺶ! ﻓﻜﺮﺗﮫ زﻣﺎن ﻣﺎت! ھﺬا ﻣﺎﺧﺬ ﻋﻤﺮه وﻋﻤﺮ ﻏﯿﺮه!
laughter. Example:
ﺳﺎھﺮ :ﻟ ّﻤﺎ وﻟﯿﺪ ﺳﻤﻊ اﻟﻨﻜﺘﺔ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة ﻣﺎت ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﺤﻚ! ﺿﺤﻜﻨﻲ! ﻣﺎھﺮ :ﺷﻮ اﻟﻨﻜﺘﺔ! ّ
ﻣﺎت ﻣﻦ اﻟﻌﻄﺶ
ﻣﺎﺧﺬ ﻏﺮﯾﻒ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ
/māt min il-‘aṭash/ /mākhidh gharīf galb-uh/
Equivalent: To be extremely thirsty.
Equivalent: Give someone the creeps/ Scare the
Example:
living daylights out of someone/ Browbeat someone into something/ To induce a feeling of fear in someone. Example:
أم ﺳﻌﯿﺪ :ﺟﻮزي ﻋﺼﺒﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﺳﻌﯿﺪ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام ﺑﺨﺎف ﻣﻨﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﺎﺧﺬ ﻏﺮﯾﻒ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ! أم ﻧﺎھﺪ :ﻻزم ّ ﯾﺨﻒ ﻋﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ! ﻣﺶ ھﯿﻚ اﻟﺘﺮﺑﯿﺔ! ﻣﺶ ﻛﻞ إﺷﻲ ﺑﯿﺠﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺨﻮف!
أم ﻓﺎروق :روح ﯾﺎ ﻓﺎروق ﺟﯿﺐ ﻷﺧﻮك اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ ﻛﺎس ﻣﯿّﮫ! اﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻣﺎت ﻣﻦ اﻟﻌﻄﺶ! ﻓﺎروق :ﺣﺎﺿﺮ.
ﻣﺎت وﺳ ّﺮه ﻣﻌﮫ /māt w-sirr-uh ma‘-uh/
Equivalent: Take the secret to the grave/ Die without revealing a secret. Example:
ﻣﺎدح ﻧﻔﺴﮫ ّ ﻛﺬاب /mādiḥ nafs-uh kadhdhāb/
Equivalent: Self-praise is no recommendation/ Bragger/ Attention seeker.
أم ﻛﻮﺛﺮ :ﺟﺎرﻧﺎ ﻣﺎت اﻣﺒﺎرح! ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺑﻌﺮف ﻋﻦ ﻋﯿﻠﺘﮫ إﺷﻲ وﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ إﻟﮫ ﻗﺮاﯾﺐ ھﻮن! ﻛﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺑﺨﺘﻠﻂ ﺑﺤﺪا! أﺑﻮ ﻛﻮﺛﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﻋﻤﺮه ﺣﻜﺎﻟﻨﺎ ﻋﻦ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ! ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮫ ﻣﺎت وﺳ ّﺮه ﻣﻌﮫ.
151
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻤﯿﻢ
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺼﻤﺖ :ﻗﺒﻞ ﻓﺘﺮة طﻠﺒﺖ ﻣﻨﮫ ﯾﺪﯾّﻨﻲ ﻣﺼﺎري إﺟﺎ ﻗﻄﻊ ﺴﮫ ﺻﺎر ﻓﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري؟ ﻋﻜﻼ ھﻮ إﯾﺪه وﺷﺤﺪ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ! ھ ّ ﺑﺨﯿﻞ وﻣﺎﻟﮫ ﺣﺮام! وﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﺮف ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮫ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﺎﻋﺪ ﺣﺪا وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺼﺪّق ،واﻟﻤﺎل اﻟﺒﺨﯿﺲ ﺑﺮوح ﺑﻤﯿﺎدﯾﻦ إﺑﻠﯿﺲ!
Example:
رأﻓﺖ :ﻋﺼﺎم ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ وداﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺑﻤﺪح ﺑﺤﺎﻟﮫ وﺑﺈﻧﺠﺎزاﺗﮫ ﺴﮫ ﺑﺒﺎﻟﻎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ. وﺑﺸﻐﻠﮫ! ﺑﺤ ّ أﻣﯿﻦ :ﻣﺎدح ﻧﻔﺴﮫ ّ ﻛﺬاب .
اﻟﻤﺴﺄﻟﺔ ﻣﺴﺄﻟﺔ وﻗﺖ
ﻣﺎل ﺣﺮام /māl ḥarām/
/il-mas’aleh mas’alit wagit/
Equivalent: Ill-gotten gains/money/ Money or other
Equivalent: It’s just a matter of time/ A question of
possessions acquired in a dishonest or illegal
time. Example:
manner. Example:
أم ﻓﺮﯾﺪ :وﺿﻌﻚ اﻟﻤﺎدي ﺳﻲء وأﺧﻮك ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻠﮭﺎ اﻟﻨﯿﺮان! ﻣﺎ ﺗﻄﻠﺐ ﻣﻨﮫ ﯾﺴﺎﻋﺪك؟ أﺑﻮ ﻓﺮﯾﺪ :ھﻮ ﻋﺮض ﻋﻠ ّﻲ اﻟﻤﺴﺎﻋﺪة ﺑﺲ أﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻠﺖ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي ﻣﻨﮫ إﺷﻲ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﺗﺠﺎرﺗﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺰﺑﻮطﺔ وﻛﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺎل ﺣﺮام وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘ ّﺮب ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺮام.
أﺑﻮ ﺑﺸﺮ :ﻣﺘﻰ ﺑﺘﻨﺘﮭﻲ ھﺎﻟﻘﻀﯿﺔ؟ اﻟﻤﺤﺎﻣﻲ :اﻟﻤﺴﺄﻟﺔ ﻣﺴﺄﻟﺔ وﻗﺖ!
ﻣﺎﺷﻲ اﻟﺤﺎل /māshī il-ḥāl/
Equivalent: Okay/ Fine/ Good. Example:
اﻟﻤﺎل اﻟﺴﺎﯾﺐ ﺑﻌﻠﻢ اﻟﺴﺮﻗﺔ /il-māl il-sāyib bi-‘allim il-sirgah/
Equivalent: Opportunity makes a thief. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎھﺪ :ﻛﺮﯾﻢ ﺳﺮق ﻛﻞ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻨﺪوق وھﺮب! ﻋ ّﻤﮫ أ ّﻣﻨﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري وﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺤﻞ ﺑﺲ ﻣﻦ ﺣﺎس ﻓﺘﺮة واﻟﻤﺤﻞ ﯾﺨﺴﺮ! طﻠﻊ ﺑﺴﺮق ﻣﺼﺎري وﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ّ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! أم ﻋﺎھﺪ :اﻟﻤﺎل اﻟﺴﺎﯾﺐ ﺑﻌﻠّﻢ اﻟﺴﺮﻗﺔ!
ﻣﺎﻟﮫ ﺧﺎطﺮ /māl-uh khāṭir/
ھﺪى :ﻛﯿﻒ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺮح؟ ﻣﺮح :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﻣﺎﺷﻲ اﻟﺤﺎل!
ﻣﺎﺿﯿﮫ اﺳﻮد /māḏị̄ h ’iswad/
Equivalent: To have a shady past. Example:
راﻧﯿﺎ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ واﻓﻘﺘﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﺮﯾﺲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺗﻘﺪﻣﻠﻚ! ﻣﻮاﺻﻔﺎﺗﮫ ﻣﻤﺘﺎزة! اروى :أھﻠﻲ ﺳﺄﻟﻮ ﻋﻨﮫ وطﻠﻊ ﻣﺎﺿﯿﮫ إﺳﻮد!
ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه دم
Equivalent: One’s lack of desire to do something/ Not
/mā ‘ind-uh damm/
wanting to do something/ Unwilling to do something.
Equivalent: To have no shame.
Example:
Example:
ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :ﻓﺮاس واﺣﺪ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺤﺘﺮم وﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه دم! وھﯿﺐ :إﺑﻌﺪ ﻋﻨﮫ ﺑﺘﺮﺗﺎح ﻣﻦ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻠﮫ!
ﻋﺎﺑﺪ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﻧﺪﯾﻢ ﯾﯿﺠﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ ﺗﺨﺮﺟﻚ؟ ﻋﺎﺻﻢ :ﻻ ﻣﺎ ظﻨﯿﺖ ﯾﯿﺠﻲ! ﺷﻔﺘﮫ ﻣﺎﻟﮫ ﺧﺎطﺮ!
ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻓﻜﺮة
ﻣﺎﻟﮫ ﻗﻠﺐ /māl-uh galb/
/mā ‘ind-uh fikrah/
Equivalent: Not to have the guts to do something/
Equivalent: Not have the faintest idea/ To have no
Lacking courage.
idea about something.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻧﺼﺮ :ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﯾﺎ أم ﻧﺼﺮ ﻧﻈﻔﻲ إﯾﺪ ﻧﺼﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺪم! اﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﺟﺮح ﺣﺎﻟﮫ. أم ﻧﺼﺮ :ﻧﻈّﻒ إﯾﺪه إﻧﺖ! أﻧﺎ ﻣﺎﻟﻲ ﻗﻠﺐ أﺷﻮف دم أو ﺟﺮح! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺤ ّﻤﻞ!
زﯾﻦ :أﺑﻮك ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف إﻧّﻚ ﻧﺎوي ﺗﺴﺎﻓﺮ؟ ﺑﺮاء :ﺑﻌﺪه ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻓﻜﺮة!
اﻟﻤﺎل اﻟﺒﺨﯿﺲ ﺑﺮوح ﺑﻤﯿﺎدﯾﻦ إﺑﻠﯿﺲ /il-māl il-bakhīs bi-rūḥ b-mayādīn ’iblīs/
ﻣﺎﻟﮭﻮش ﺑﺎﻟﻄﯿّﺐ ﻧﺼﯿﺐ
Equivalent: Ill-gotten gains, ill-spent. /mālhūsh b-il-ṭayyib naṣīb/
Equivalent: Out of luck/ Have luck run out/ To have rotten luck.
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ أﺑﻮ طﻼل ﻣﻀﯿّﻊ ﻣﺒﻠﻎ ﻛﺒﯿﺮ! ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ إﻧّﮫ ﻓﻲ ﺣﺮاﻣﻲ ﺳﺮق ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮫ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
Example:
ﺷﺎﻛﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﻓﮭﺪ ﺑﺪّه ﻣﻨّﻲ؟ ﻋﻠﻲ :ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺴﺘﻘﺮض ﻣﺼﺎري! ﻣﺘﺄ ّﻣﻞ ﻓﯿﻚ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ!
ﻣﺪّروخ /middarwikh/
152
ﺑﺪﯾﻊ :ﻧﺒﯿﻞ ﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﺤﻀﺮ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﮭﺎ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ! ﻗﺎل ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ اﻟﺤﻔﻼت! راﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! وزّﻋﻮ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻤﻮظﻔﯿﻦ ﺟﻮاﺋﺰ ﻗﯿّﻤﺔ واﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ وزّع ﻋﻠﯿﻨﺎ ﻣﻜﺎﻓﺄة ﻋﺸﺎن ﺟﮭﻮدﻧﺎ! وﻗﺎل إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺣﻀﺮ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ ﻣﺎ رح ﯾﻮﺧﺬ إﺷﻲ! ﻋﺒﺪﷲ :ﻣﺎﻟﮭﻮش ﺑﺎﻟﻄﯿّﺐ ﻧﺼﯿﺐ!
Equivalent: Dizzy/ Exhausted/ Fatigued/ Weary/ Tired. Example:
ﻣﺎﻟﮭﻮش طﻮﻟﺔ ﺧﻠﻖ
ھﻨﺎ :ﺗﻌﺎل ﺗﻐﺪى ﯾﺎ ﻧﺎﺟﻲ. ﻧﺎﺟﻲ :ﻣﺶ ﺟﺎي ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ اﻷﻛﻞ! ﺑﻌﺪﻧﻲ ﻣﺪّروخ وﺗﻌﺒﺎن!
/mālhūsh ṭūlit khulug/
Equivalent: Impatient/ To have no patience. Example:
ﻣﺪﻟﻌﯿﻨﮫ زﯾﺎدة /mdal‘īn-uh zyādeh/
Equivalent: Spoil somebody rotten/ Give somebody
أم أﻣﺠﺪ :ﺗﻌﺎل ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ أﻣﺠﺪ ﺳﺎﻋﺪ اﺑﻨﻚ ﺑﺘﺮﻛﯿﺐ ﻣﻜﻌﺒﺎت اﻟﻠﯿﺠﻮ ھﺎي! ﻓﻲ ﺗﻌﻠﯿﻤﺎت ﺑﺲ أﻧﺎ ﻣﺎﻟﯿﺶ طﻮﻟﺔ ﺧﻠﻖ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﯿﻚ ﺷﻐﻼت! أﺑﻮ أﻣﺠﺪ :ﺗﻌﺎل ﯾﺎ أﻣﺠﺪ أﺳﺎﻋﺪك.
everything the person wants or asks for/ Spoil someone by overindulging him or her.
ﻣﺒﻠﻮش ← ﻣﺸﻐﻮل /mashghūl/ ← /mablūsh/
Example:
ﻣﺎﺟﺪة :إﻧﺘﻲ ﻣﺪﻟﻌﺔ اﺑﻨﻚ ﺗﯿﻢ زﯾﺎدة ﻋﻦ اﻟﻠﺰوم! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ھﯿﻚ! ﻣﻨﺎل :ﻣﮭﻮ اﺑﻨﻲ اﻟﻮﺣﯿﺪ! ﺧﻠﯿﻨﻲ أدﻟﻌﮫ! إﻧﺘﻲ ﺷﻮ دﺧﻠﻚ!
Equivalent: Busy/ As busy as a beaver/ As busy as a bee/ As busy as a one-armed paperhanger/ As busy as popcorn on a skillet. Example:
اﻟﻤﺘﻐﻄﻲ ﻓﯿﻚ ﺑﺮدان /il-mitghaṭī fīk bardān/
Equivalent: A broken reed/ An unreliable or
ﻋﺘﺎب :وﯾﻨﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺮﯾﻦ ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ! ﺑﺸﻮ ﻣﺸﻐﻮﻟﺔ؟ ﻋﺮﯾﻦ :داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﻣﺒﻠﻮﺷﺔ ﺑﮭﺎﻷوﻻد! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻔﻀﻰ أﻋﻤﻞ أي إﺷﻲ أو أروح ﻋﻠﻰ أي ﻣﻜﺎن!
unsupportive person/ Someone who fails when relied on for support or help.
ﻣﺒﻮﻟﺪ
Example:
ﻧﺠﺎر ﺗﺮﻛﻲ :ﺗﻌﺎل ﺳﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ ﻧﺼﻠّﺢ اﻟﺒﺎب اﻟﺨﺮﺑﺎن! ﻣﺎ إﻧﺖ ّ وھﺎي ﺷﻐﻠﺘﻚ! ﻟﺆي :ﺻﻠﺤﮫ إﻧﺖ! أﻧﺎ ﻣﺸﻐﻮل! ﻻ ﺗﻌﺘﻤﺪ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ! ﺗﺮﻛﻲ :اﻟﻤﺘﻐﻄﻲ ﻓﯿﻚ ﺑﺮدان.
ﻣﺘﮭﻨﺪس ← ﻣﺘﺰﺑﻂ ← ﻣﺘﺮﺳﻢ
/mbōlid/
Equivalent: Hard-headed/ Obstinate/ Stubborn/ A person who doesn’t listen to advice or instructions. Example:
أم ادرﯾﺲ :ﺗﻌﺎل ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ادرﯾﺲ ﺷﻮف اﺑﻨﻚ! ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﯾﺪرس ﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﺑﻜﺮة! ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻣﺒﻮﻟﺪ وأﻧﺎ ﺗﻌﺒﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﺎه! ﺴﮫ ﺑﺸﻮﻓﮫ! أﺑﻮ ادرﯾﺲ :ھ ّ
/mitrassim/ ← /mitzabbiṭ/ ← /mithandis/
Equivalent: Dressed to kill/ Dressed to the nines/
ﻣﺒﯿّﻦ اﻟﺰﯾّﺎت ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺪوﻣﮫ
Dressed-up.
/mbayyin il-zayyāt ‘alā hdūm-uh/
Example:
Equivalent: You can just tell/ Looking at the person,
ﺳﻢ؟ أم راﻣﻲ :ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﻣﺘﮭﻨﺪس وﻣﺘﺰﺑّﻂ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ! ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺘﺮ ّ ووﯾﻦ راﯾﺢ؟ راﻣﻲ :ﻋﻨﺪي ﻣﻮﻋﺪ ﻣﮭﻢ وﺑﺲ أرﺟﻊ ﺑﺤﻜﯿﻠﻚ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ!
ﻣﺘ ّﻮك /mtawwak/
Equivalent: Death warmed up/ In poor health/ In a
you know his or her situation, and he or she’s not that person they’re talking about. Example:
ﻣﺘﻌﺐ :ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ إﻧّﮫ رﺟﺎ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻛﺜﯿﺮة ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻨﻚ! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف إذا ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﺻﺤﯿﺢ أو ﻣﺠ ّﺮد إﺷﺎﻋﺔ! ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ؟ ھﺎﻧﻲ :وإﻧﺖ ﻣﺼﺪّق ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ ﻣﺒﯿّﻦ اﻟﺰﯾّﺎت ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺪوﻣﮫ! رﺟﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﮫ ﯾﺤ ّﻚ ﺳﻨّﮫ!
bad financial condition/ Dead tired. Example:
أم ﻋﺪﻧﺎن :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر أﺑﻮ ﺷﺎﻛﺮ؟ ﻣﺎ زرﺗﮫ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺪﻧﺎن :زرﺗﮫ اﻣﺒﺎرح! ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﺘ ّﻮك وﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺣﯿﻞ ﯾﻌﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ! اﻟﻤﺮض ھﺪّه!
ﻣﺘﺄ ّﻣﻞ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ /mit’ammil ‘a-il-’ākhir/
Equivalent: Hopeful/ Build one’s hopes on someone or something/ Live in hope of something.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻤﯿﻢ Example:
أﻣﯿﻦ :ھﺎﻟﻤﺤﺎﻣﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺗﺮاﻓﻊ ﻟﺸﺎﻛﺮ ﺑﻘﻀﯿﺘﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺷﺎطﺮ! طﻠّﻌﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻘﻀﯿﺔ ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﺸﻌﺮة ﻣﻦ اﻟﻌﺠﯿﻦ! اﺣﻤﺪ :أﻋﻄﯿﻨﻲ ﻋﻨﻮاﻧﮫ ﺑﺪّي أزوره وأﺳﺘﺸﯿﺮه ﺑﻘﻀﯿﺔ!
ﻣﺜﻞ اﻷطﺮش ﺑﺎﻟﺰﻓّﺔ /mithil li-ṭrash b-il-zaffeh/
Equivalent: Literal. Like a deaf person in a wedding/ Clueless/ Unaware of what is going on around you/ Be in the dark/ To be uninformed about something.
ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﺸﻮﻛﺔ ﺑﺤﻠﻘﮫ
Example: /mithil il-shōkah b-ḥalg-uh/
Equivalent: A thorn in the flesh/ A thorn in one’s side. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺧﺎﻟﺪ :ھﺎﻟﺠﺎر اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﺸﻮﻛﺔ ﺑﺤﻠﻘﻲ! ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﺰﻋﺞ وﻣﺸﻜﻠﺠﻲ! ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺳﻜﻦ ﻣﺎ إرﺗﺤﻨﺎ ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ ً! أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎرف :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻌﻤﻞ؟ أﺑﻮ ﺧﺎﻟﺪ :ﺻﺮت أﻓ ّﻜﺮ إﻧّﻲ أرﺣﻞ وأﺗﺮﻛﻠﮫ اﻟﺤﺎرة!
ﻋﻤﺎر :اﻟﯿﻮم رﺣﺖ ﻣﻊ أﺧﻮي اﺳﻌﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ ورﺣﺖ ﻣﻌﺎه ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺤﺎﺿﺮة! ﻛﻨﺖ ﻣﺜﻞ اﻷطﺮش ﺑﺎﻟﺰﻓﺔ! وﻻ ﻓﮭﻤﺖ إﺷﻲ! ﺗﺨﺼﺼﮫ ﺻﻌﺐ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻧﺎدر :ﷲ ﯾﻌﯿﻨﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺎﻟﺘﺨﺼﺺ!
ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﺤﺒّﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻘﻼة ← ﺑﻨﻂّ وﺑﺸﻂّ /binuṭṭ w-bishuṭṭ/ ← /mithil il-ḥabbeh b-il-miglāh/
Equivalent: Hopping mad/ Jumping up and down/ Very
ﻣﺜﻞ ﻛﻔّﺔ إﯾﺪك
angry, upset or excited. /mithil kaffit ’īd-ak/
Example:
Equivalent: Know something or someone like the back
أم ﻧﺮﻣﯿﻦ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺳﻮزان ﻛﺴﺮت ﻧﻈّﺎرة أﺧﺘﮭﺎ ﻧﺮﻣﯿﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﻐﻠﻂ! وﻟﻤﺎ ﻧﺮﻣﯿﻦ ﺷﺎﻓﺖ اﻟﻨﻈّﺎرة طﺎر ﻋﻘﻠﮭﺎ وﺻﺎرت ﺗﻨﻂّ وﺗﺸﻂّ! ﺻﺎرت ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﺤﺒّﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻘﻼة وﺗﻨﻂّ ﻟﻔﻮق وﻟﺘﺤﺖ! ﻧﻈّﺎرﺗﮭﺎ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام ﺟﺪﯾﺪة وﻏﺎﻟﯿﺔ وﺑﻌﺪھﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻓﺮﺣﺖ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ! أﺑﻮ ﻧﺮﻣﯿﻦ :ﺧﻠﺺ أﻧﺎ ﺑﻌﻄﯿﮭﺎ ﻣﺼﺎري ﺗﺸﺘﺮي وﺣﺪة ﺟﺪﯾﺪة.
of your hand. Example:
ﻣﺮاد :ﺑﺘﻌﺮف ﻋﺎھﺪ؟ اﺳﻌﺪ :طﺒﻌﺎ ً ﺑﻌﺮﻓﮫ! ھﺬا أﻗﺮب ﺻﺎﺣﺐ إﻟﻲ وﺑﻌﺮﻓﮫ ﻣﺜﻞ ﻛﻔّﺔ إﯾﺪي!
ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﻠﻮح
ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﺤﺼﺎن /mithil il-lōḥ/
/mithil li-ḥṣān/
Equivalent: Stupid/ Dumb/ Foolish/ Dummy/ Unintelligent.
Equivalent: Literal. Like a horse/ Able-bodied/ In the
Example:
pink of health/ Very fit and healthy/ In very good
أم ﻧﻀﺎل :ﺗﻌﺎل ﯾﺎ ﻧﻀﺎل واﺷﺮح ﻷﺧﻮك درس اﻟﺮﯾﺎﺿﯿﺎت! ﻋﻨﺪه إﻣﺘﺤﺎن وﻣﺶ ﻓﺎھﻢ إﺷﻲ! ﻧﻀﺎل :ﻣﺘﺖ وأﻧﺎ أﺷﺮﺣﻠﮫ ﺑﺲ ھﻮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻔﮭﻢ! ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﻠﻮح! ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻠّﮫ؟
ﻣﺜﻞ أم اﻟﻌﺮوس
health. Example:
أﺑﻮ طﺎرق :ﻛﯿﻒ ﺻﺤﺘﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻏﺴﺎن؟ إن ﺷﺎ ﺗﺤﺴﻨﺖ! أﺑﻮ ﻏﺴﺎن :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﺻﺤﺘﻲ ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﺤﺼﺎن!
ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﺨﺎﺗﻢ ﺑﺈﺻﺒﻌﮫ /mithil ’umm il-‘arūs/
/mithil il-khātim b-’iṣbi‘-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. Like the bride’s mother/ Be as
Equivalent: Literal. Like a ring in his hand/ To wrap
busy as bee/ Be very busy.
or twist someone around one’s little finger/ To have
Example:
somebody under one’s thumb/ Putty in someone’s
أﺑﻮ ﺟﻮاد :ارﺗﺎﺣﻲ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﯾﺎ أم ﺟﻮاد! ﻣﻦ اﻟﺼﺒﺢ وإﻧﺘﻲ ﺗﺸﺘﻐﻠﻲ وﻣﺎ ﻗﻌﺪﺗﻲ ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ ً! ﻣﺜﻞ أم اﻟﻌﺮوس! أم ﺟﻮاد :ﺑﻜﺮة ﻋﻨّﺎ ﻋﺰﯾﻤﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻐﺪا وﻻزم اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﯾﻜﻮن ﻧﻈﯿﻒ وﻣﺮﺗّﺐ! ﺑﻜﺮة ﺑﺲ ﺑﺪّي أر ّﻛﺰ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻷﻛﻞ!
ﻣﺜﻞ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ /mithil galb-ī/
hands/ To have control over someone. Example:
ﻋﺮﯾﻔﺔ :ﺟﻮز أﻣﯿﺮة ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﺨﺎﺗﻢ ﺑﺈﺻﺒﻌﮭﺎ! ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪھﺎ وﺑﺠﯿﺒﻠﮭﺎ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺑﺪھﺎ إﯾﺎه وﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻠﮭﺎ ﻷ ﻋﻠﻰ إﺷﻲ! أﻣﻞ :ھﻨﯿّﺎﻟﮭﺎ! ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻗﺪھﺎ!
ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﺸﻌﺮة ﻣﻦ اﻟﻌﺠﯿﻦ
Equivalent: Bad/ Tasteless/ Nasty/ Bland/ Unappetizing.
/mithil il-sha‘rah min il-‘ajīn/
Example:
Equivalent: Easily/ To get away with something or
أم ﺑﺸﺎر :ﻛﯿﻒ طﺒﺦ ﻣﺮت اﺑﻨﻚ ورود؟ أﻛﻠﮭﺎ زاﻛﻲ؟ أم ﻏﺎزي :ﻻ أﻛﻠﮭﺎ ﺑﻼ طﻌﻤﺔ وﻣﺶ زاﻛﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻤ ّﺮة! طﺒﺨﮭﺎ ﻣﺜﻞ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ! ﷲ ﯾﻌﯿﻦ اﺑﻨﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺎﻷﻛﻞ!
someone (with no trouble) scot-free/ To do something bad or forbidden and escape its consequences and punishment.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
ﻓﺆاد :ﻣﺮاد ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺼﺪّق أﺑﺪاً! ﻣﺤﺸّﻰ ﻛﺬب! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﻮﻟﻒ ﺳﻮﻻﻓﺔ إﻻ وﺑﻜﺬب! ﻣﻮﺳﻰ :ﻓﻌﻼ ً! ﻛﻞ ﻛﻼﻣﻚ ﺻﺤﯿﺢ.
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ﻣﺜﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺤﻂ إﯾﺪك ﻋﻠﻰ وﺟﮭﻚ /mithil mā tḥuṭṭ ’īd-ak ‘alā wijh-ak/
Equivalent: At the drop of a hat/ Quickly/ Like a shot/ Quick as a dog can lick a dish. Example:
ﻣﺤﺸّﻰ ﻣﺼﺎري ← ﻣﻘﺮش /migrish/ ← /mḥashshā maṣārī/
Equivalent: To have loads and loads of money/ Rolling
أم ﻏﺎزي :ﻛﯿﻒ طﺒﺦ ﻣﺮت اﺑﻨﻚ ﻧﺮﺟﺲ؟ أﻛﻠﮭﺎ زاﻛﻲ؟ أم ﻏﺎزي :آه أﻛﻠﮭﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ زاﻛﻲ! وﺳﺮﯾﻌﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﻄﺒﺦ! ﻣﺜﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺤﻄّﻲ إﯾﺪك ﻋﻠﻰ وﺟﮭﻚ! ﻣﻌﺪّﻟﺔ وﺷﺎطﺮة.
in dough. Example:
رﺳﻤﯿﺔ :روح ﯾﺎ ﻋﺒﺪاﻟﺼﻤﺪ أطﻠﺐ ﻣﻦ أﻣﻚ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻋﺸﺎن ﻧﺴ ّﺪ ﻓﻮاﺗﯿﺮ ھﺬا اﻟﺸﮭﺮ. ﻋﺒﺪ اﻟﺼﻤﺪ :أﻣﻲ ﻣﻦ وﯾﻨﻠﮭﺎ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري؟ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ. رﺳﻤﯿﺔ :أﻣﻚ ﻣﺤﺸﯿّﺔ ﻣﺼﺎري! وﻣﻘﺮﺷﺔ! روح وأطﻠﺐ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ وﻣﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ.
ﻣﺜ ّﻤﻦ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻼزم ← ﻣﺼﺪّق ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ← ﻣﺎﻛﻞ ﺑﺤﺎﻟﮫ ﻣﻘﻠﺐ /mākil b-ḥāl-uh maglab/ ← /mṣaddig ḥāl-uh/ ← /mthammin ḥāl-uh ’akthar min il-lāzim/
Equivalent: Self-important/ A fly on the wheel/ A person who overestimates his power and influence/ Delusions of grandeur.
ﻣﺤﻈﻮرة
Example: /maḥḏū ̣ rah/
Equivalent: Not now/ Not the best time to talk/ I can’t talk now.
ﻓﺮﯾﺪ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر ﻋﯿﺴﻰ؟ ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻄﯿﻘﮫ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻣﺜ ّﻤﻦ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻼزم وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻄﯿﻖ أﺗﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻊ ھﯿﻚ ﻧﺎس!
Example:
ﺑﺸﺮى :ﻣﺎ ﻗﻠﺘﯿﻠﻲ ﺷﻮ اﻟﺸﺐ اﻟﻠﻲ وﻗّﻔﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻄﺮﯾﻖ ﻗﻠّﻚ! اﺳﺮاء :ﻣﺤﻈﻮرة! ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﺑﺨﺒﺮك!
ﻣﺜﻞ ﻧﺎﻗﺮ وﻧﻘﯿﺮ /mithil nāgir w-nagīr/
Equivalent: To fight like cats and dogs/ Two people
ﻣﺨﺎوي ﻋﻠﯿﮫ
have angry arguments all the time. /mkhāwī ‘alēh/
Equivalent: To coerce someone into something/ To force or threaten someone to do something.
Example:
ﺳﻤﺮ :أوﻻدي اﻟﺘﻮأم ﺟﻨﻨﻮﻧﻲ! ھﺎﻻﺛﻨﯿﻦ ﻣﺜﻞ ﻧﺎﻗﺮ وﻧﻘﯿﺮ! ﻋﻼ :ﷲ ﯾﻌﯿﻨﻚ!
Example:
ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﺛﺎﻣﺮ ﻣﺎﺳﻚ ﻣﻤﺴﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺎرون! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﺨﺎوي ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﺷﻮ اﻟﺴﺒﺐ. ادھﻢ :اﺳﺄﻟﮫ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف!
ﻣﺜﻮاه اﻷﺧﯿﺮ /mathwāh il-’akhīr/
Equivalent: One’s final resting place/ One’s grave. Example:
ﻣﺨﺎوي اﻟﻠﯿﻞ /mkhāwī il-lēl/
Equivalent: A night owl/ A person who stays up late
أﺑﻮ رﯾﺎن :اﻟﯿﻮم أﺧﺬﻧﺎ اﻟﻤﺮﺣﻮم أﺑﻮ ﺑﺸﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺜﻮاه اﻷﺧﯿﺮ ودﻓﻨّﺎه! أم رﯾﺎن :ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮫ.
at night. Example:
ﻣﺮوان :ﺗﻌﺎل ﻧﺮوح ﻧﺴﮭﺮ ﻋﻨﺪ ﻣﺘﻌﺐ! ﺳﮭﺮاﺗﮫ ﺣﻠﻮة. ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :ﺑﺠﻮز ﻧﺎم! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﻧﺰﻋﺠﮫ. ﻣﺮوان :ﻣﺘﻌﺐ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﺎم! ﻣﺨﺎوي اﻟﻠﯿﻞ! ﺗﻌﺎل ﯾﻠّﻼ.
ﻣﺨﺒّﻰ ﺑﺜﯿﺎﺑﮫ /mkhabbā bi-thyāb-uh/
Equivalent: A wolf in sheep’s clothing/ Someone or
ﻣﺠﺮد ﺣﻜﻲ /mujarrad ḥakī/
Equivalent: Lip service/ All talk and no action. Example:
ﻓﺎﺋﻖ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر أروح ﻣﻌﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺒﺎراة! أﺑﻮي ﻣﻨﻌﻨﻲ وﻗﻠّﻲ إذا ﺑﺮوح ﺑﺤﺮﻣﻨﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺼﺮوف واﻟﺘﻠﻔﻮن واﻟﻜﻤﺒﯿﻮﺗﺮ ﻟﻤﺪة ﺷﮭﺮ! رﻛﺎن :وإﻧﺖ ﻣﺼﺪّق ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ ﻣﺠ ّﺮد ﺣﻜﻲ! أﺑﻮي ﺑﮭﺪّدﻧﻲ داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺑﺲ ﺑﻌﻤﺮه ﻣﺎ ﻋﻤﻠﮭﺎ!
something that seems to be good but is actually not good at all. Example:
وﻟﯿﺪ :ﻣﻦ أﻣﯿﺖ ﺣﺴﺎم ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ؟ ﺑﻌﺮف إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺆدب وﻣﺎ ﻋﻤﺮه ﺗﻤﺸﻜﻞ ﻣﻊ ﺣﺪا!
ﻣﺤﺸّﻰ ﻛﺬب /mḥashshā kidhib/
Equivalent: Lie like a rug/ Be full of baloney/ Be full of lies.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻤﯿﻢ Example:
اﺣﻨﻒ :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺷﺮف ﻋﺰﻣﻨﻲ وﻋﺰم اﻟﺸﺒﺎب ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﺸﺎ! ﺑﺘﺼﺪّق؟ ﺳﺎﻣﺮ :ﺟﺪّ! ﻛﯿﻒ ﺗﺎ ﻋﻤﻠﮭﺎ؟ ﻣﺶ ﻣﻦ ﻋﺎدﺗﮫ ﯾﺼﺮف ﻣﺼﺎري أو ﯾﻌﺰم! اﺣﻨﻒ :ﻣﮭﻲ ﻣ ّﺮة ﺑﺎﻟﻌﻤﺮ وﻣﺶ رح ﺗﺘﻜ ّﺮر! ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﺧﺠﻞ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﺒﺎب أﺧﯿﺮاً! ﻛﻠﮭﻢ ﻋﺰﻣﻮه أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻣ ّﺮة وھﻮ ﻋﻤﺮه ﻣﺎ ﻋﻤﻠﮭﺎ وﻋﺰم ﺣﺪا.
ﻣ ّﺮة ﺗﺼﯿﺐ وﻣ ّﺮة ﺗﺨﯿﺐ
اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ :ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ طﻠﻊ ﻣﺨﺒّﻰ ﺑﺜﯿﺎﺑﮫ! طﻠﻌﻨﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﻌﺮﻓﮫ ﻣﺰﺑﻮط!
ﻣﺪﻋﺒﻞ ﺗﺪﻋﺒﻞ /mda‘bal tdu‘bul/
Equivalent: Fat as a pig/ Chubby. Example:
ﻓﺮﯾﺪة :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ رﻓﻀﺘﻲ اﻟﻌﺮﯾﺲ اﻟﻠﻲ إﺟﺎﻛﻲ؟ ﺳﮭﺎد :ﯾﻲ ﻟﻮ ﺷﻔﺘﻲ ﺷﻜﻠﮫ! ﻣﺪﻋﺒﻞ ﺗﺪﻋﺒﻞ! ﻣﺎ ﻋﺠﺒﻨﻲ!
ﻣﺤﻤﻮم ﺑﺎﻟﮫ /marrah tṣīb w-marrah tkhīb/
/maḥmūm bāl-uh/
Equivalent: Ups and downs/ A person’s good fortune
Equivalent: To have butterflies in one’s stomach/
and bad fortune or successes and failures.
Down in the dumps/ A person who is depressed or
Example:
feeling gloomy.
ﻣﺤﻤﻮد :إﺷﺘﺮﯾﺖ أﺳﮭﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻮرﺻﺔ وأ ّول ﻣ ّﺮة رﺑﺤﺖ ﻣﺒﻠﻎ ﻛﺒﯿﺮ! وﻟ ّﻤﺎ إﺷﺘﺮﯾﺖ ﻣ ّﺮة ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ ﺧﺴﺮت ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ! اﻧﯿﺲ :ﻋﺎدي ﺑﺘﺼﯿﺮ! ﻣ ّﺮة ﺗﺼﯿﺐ وﻣ ّﺮة ﺗﺨﯿﺐ!
ﻣﺰاﺟﮫ ﻣﻌ ّﻜﺮ
Example:
ﻣﺮام :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﺘﻨﻜﺪة ﯾﺎ رﻗﯿﺔ؟ ﻻزم ﺗﻔﺮﺣﻲ! ﺑﻜﺮة ﺳﻔﺮك ﻟﻠﺪراﺳﺔ ﺑ ّﺮا! رﻗﯿﺔ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮﻟﻲ! ﻣﺤﻤﻮم ﺑﺎﻟﻲ وﺣﺎﺳﺔ ﺣﺎﻟﻲ ﺑﺪّي أﺑﻜﻲ!
/mazāj-uh m‘akkar/
Equivalent: Out-of-sorts/ Cranky/ In an irritable,
اﻟﻤﺮﺣﻮم
grouchy or unhappy mood/ Get up on the wrong side
/il-marḥūm/
of the bed/ To have a black mood.
Equivalent: The deceased/ The departed/ Dead/ No
Example:
longer living.
ازھﺎر :ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺷﺎدﯾﺔ أﻗﻌﺪي ﻣﻊ اﻟﺠﺎرات واﺗﺴﻠّﻲ! ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﻧﻌﻤﻞ ﻗﮭﻮة. ﺷﺎدﯾﺔ :أﻋﺬرﯾﻨﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر! ﻣﺰاﺟﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﻌ ّﻜﺮ وﻣﺶ ﺣﺎﺑّﺔ أﺷﻮف ﺣﺪا.
ﻣﺰﻗﻄﻂ
Example:
أم رﯾﺎض :ﻟﻤﯿﻦ ھﺎي اﻟﺼﻮرة ﯾﺎ أم ﻏﺎزي؟ أم ﻏﺎزي :ھﺎي ﺻﻮرة اﻟﻤﺮﺣﻮم ﺟﻮزي أﺑﻮ ﻏﺎزي! أم رﯾﺎض :ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮫ.
ﻣ ّﺮ زي اﻟﻌﻠﻘﻢ ← ﻣ ّﺮ زي اﻟﺪﻓﻠﻰ /mzagṭiṭ/
/murr zayy il-duflā/ ← /murr zayy il-‘algam/
Equivalent: Extremely happy and excited.
Equivalent: Bitter/ Have a sharp and pungent taste/
Example:
Not sweet.
أم ھﺸﺎم :ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﻣﺰﻗﻄﻂ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻔﺮح ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﻣﻌﻚ؟ ھﺸﺎم :اﻟﯿﻮم طﻠﻌﻠﻲ ﻗﺒﻮل ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺘﺨﺼﺺ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪّي إﯾﺎه!
ﻣﺴﺄﻟﺔ ﺣﯿﺎة أو ﻣﻮت /mas’alit ḥayāt ’aw mōt/
Example:
أم ﺷﯿﺮﯾﻦ :ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺷﯿﺮﯾﻦ إﺷﺮﺑﻲ اﻟﺪوا ﺗﺒﻌﻚ! ﺷﯿﺮﯾﻦ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﺮﺑﮫ! طﻌﻤﮫ ﻣ ّﺮ زي اﻟﻌﻠﻘﻢ!
ﻣ ّﺮ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻣﺮور اﻟﻜﺮام
Equivalent: A matter of life or death.
/marr ‘alēh murūr il-kirām/
Example:
Equivalent: Smatter/ To study or learn a subject
ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﺑﺪّي أﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﻚ ﺑﻤﻮﺿﻮع ﻣﮭﻢ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺴﮫ ﻣﺸﻐﻮل ﺑﻨﺤﻜﻲ ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ. وﺻﻔﻲ :ھ ّ ﺑﺘﺄﺟﻞ! اﻟﻤﺴﺄﻟﺔ ﻣﺴﺄﻟﺔ ﺣﯿﺎة أو ﻣﻮت! ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع ﻣﺎ ّ
ﻣﺴﺨﮫ ← ﻣﺴﺢ ﺑﻜﺮاﻣﺘﮫ اﻻرض ← زﺑّﻠﮫ /zabbal-uh/ ← /masaḥ b-karāmt-uh il-’ariḏ/̣ ← /maṣakh-uh/
superficially/ A superficial reading/ To scratch the surface. Example:
ﺗﯿﺴﯿﺮ :درﺳﺖ ﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن اﻟﺘﺎرﯾﺦ ﺗﺒﻊ ﺑﻜﺮة؟ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ :ﻓﺘﺤﺖ اﻟﻜﺘﺎب ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺪرس وﻣ ّﺮﯾﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻣﺮور اﻟﻜﺮام!
Equivalent: To trash someone/ To wipe the floor with/ To treat someone like dirt/ To behave toward someone
ﻣ ّﺮة ﺑﺎﻟﻌﻤﺮ
in a demeaning and cruel fashion/ Take someone
/marrah b-il-‘umur/
down a peg (or two)/ To jump down someone’s throat.
Equivalent: Once in a blue moon/ Once in a lifetime.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻣﺶ داري ﻋﻦ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ← ﻣﺶ داري ﻋﻦ رﺑّﮫ وﯾﻦ ﺣﺎطﮫ /mish dārī ‘an rabb-uh wēn ḥāṭṭ-uh/ ← /mish dārī ‘an ḥāl-uh/
Equivalent: Gone fishing/ Clueless/ To be unaware of what’s going on or happening around you. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻣﺠﯿﺪ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر اﺑﻨﻚ ﻋﺼﺎم؟ ﺑﻌﺪه ﺑﻼ ﺷﻐﻞ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺼﺎم :ﺑﻌﺪه ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﻻ ﺷﻐﻠﺔ وﻻ ﻋﻤﻠﺔ! ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻣﺶ داري ﻋﻦ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ وﻻ داري ﻋﻦ رﺑّﮫ وﯾﻦ ﺣﺎطﮫ! وﻟﺪ ﺻﺎﯾﻊ ﺿﺎﯾﻊ!
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Example:
أم ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ رﺳﺐ ﺑﺈﻣﺘﺤﺎن اﻟﺘﺎرﯾﺦ وأﺑﻮه ﻣﺴﺨﮫ وﻣﺴﺢ ﻓﯿﮫ اﻷرض! أم ﻧﺒﯿﮫ :ﺣﺪا ﺑﺮﺳﺐ ﺑﺈﻣﺘﺤﺎن اﻟﺘﺎرﯾﺦ.
ﻣﺴﻚ طﺮف اﻟﺨﯿﻂ /masak ṭaraf il-khēṭ/
Equivalent: To have or find a clue about something or someone. Example:
ﻣﺶ ﺳﺎﺋﻞ /mish sā’il/
Equivalent: Couldn’t care less/Not to care a fig/ Not to care about something or someone at all/ Not give a hoot about something or someone/ Not give a monkey’s. Example:
أم راﺋﺪ :اﺑﻨﻚ ﯾﺎ راﺋﺪ ﺑﻠﻌﺐ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺎرع وﻓﻲ ﺳﯿﺎرات ﻛﺜﯿﺮة ﺑﺘﻤ ّﺮ! روح ﺟﯿﺒﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ! ﻣﺮﺗﻚ ﻣﺶ ﺳﺎﺋﻠﺔ! راﺋﺪ :ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻠﻌﺐ ﻣﻊ اﻷوﻻد! ﺧﻠّﯿﮫ ﯾﻠﻌﺐ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ وﺑﺮوح أﺟﯿﺒﮫ.
أﺑﻮ ﺻﺒﺮي :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻌﻚ؟ اﻟﺸﺮطﺔ ﻣﺎ ﻣﺴﻜﺖ اﻟﺤﺮاﻣﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺳﺮق ﻣﺤﻠﻚ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻧﺎدر :ﻻ ﺑﻌﺪھﻢ ﺑﺲ ﻗﺎﻟﻮﻟﻲ إﻧﮭﻢ ﻣﺴﻜﻮ طﺮف اﻟﺨﯿﻂ وﻗﺮﯾﺐ رح ﯾﻤﺴﻜﻮه!
ﻣﺸﺎﻋﺮه ﺑﺎردة /mshā‘r-uh bārdeh/
Equivalent: Be as cold as ice/ Cold fish/ A person who shows no emotions and is unfriendly. Example:
ﻣﺶ ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﻗﺪّاﻣﮫ /mish shāyif giddām-uh/
Equivalent: To see red/ To feel very angry/ To feel rage. Example:
ﻧﺼﺮ:ﻻ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ وﻻ ﻛﻠﻤﺔ! ﺗﺮاﻧﻲ ﻣﺶ ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﻗﺪّاﻣﻲ! اﻛﺮم :ھﺪّي أﻋﺼﺎﺑﻚ وروق ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ.
ﺳﺮاب :ﺧﻄﯿﺒﻲ ﻋﺪﻧﺎن ﻣﺸﺎﻋﺮه ﺑﺎردة! َﺟﺪّي ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻣﻤﻞ! ﻏﺪﯾﺮ :ﺣﺎوﻟﻲ ﺗﻐﯿﺮﯾﮫ وإذا ﻣﺎ زﺑﻂ أﺗﺮﻛﯿﮫ ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻘﻊ اﻟﻔﺎس ﺑﺎﻟﺮاس!
ﻣﺶ إﺧﺘﺮاع ﺻﺎروخ /mish ’ikhtirā‘ ṣārūkh/
Equivalent: It’s not rocket science/ It’s not that hard.
ﻣﺶ ﺷ ّﺪ إﯾﺪك ← ﻣﺶ وﻻ ﻗﻮي
Example:
/mish walā gawī/ ← /mish shidd ’īd-ak/
Equivalent: Not much cop/ Not very good. Example:
أم اﯾﻮب :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎن اﻟﻔﯿﻠﻢ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺣﻀﺮﺗﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﯿﻨﻤﺎ اﻣﺒﺎرح؟ أم اﯾﮭﺎب :ﻣﺶ ﺷ ّﺪ إﯾﺪك! ﻣﺶ وﻻ ﻗﻮي.
اﯾﻨﺎس :ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﻣﺎﻣﺎ ﺳﺎﻋﺪﯾﻨﻲ ﺑﺤﻞ اﻟﻜﻠﻤﺎت اﻟﻤﺘﻘﺎطﻌﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺮﯾﺪة. أم اﯾﻨﺎس :ﺷﻔﺖ اﻟﻜﻠﻤﺎت وھﻲ ﻣﺶ ﺻﻌﺒﺔ ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺎ ً! ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﺣﻞ ھﺎﻟﻜﻠﻤﺎت ﻣﺶ إﺧﺘﺮاع ﺻﺎروخ! رﻛﺰي ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ وﺑﺘﻌﺮﻓﻲ اﻟﺠﻮاب.
ﻣﺶ ﺑﻄّﺎل
ﻣﺶ راﺣﻢ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ /mish rāḥim ḥāl-uh/
/mish baṭṭāl/
Equivalent: Not taking care of oneself/ Not taking care
Equivalent: Not bad/ Not so bad.
of one’s health.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻋﺎﺻﻢ :ﻋﺎﺻﻢ ﺗﺎﻋﺒﻨﻲ! اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر طﻠﺐ ﻣﻨﮫ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺸﺘﻐﻞ وﯾﺮﺗﺎح ﻋﺸﺎن وﺿﻌﮫ اﻟﺼﺤﻲ ﺗﻌﺒﺎن! ﺑﺲ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻣﺶ راﺣﻢ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ! ﺑﺼﺤﻰ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﺠﻤﺔ وﺑﻔﻮت ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﺑﺂﺧﺮ اﻟﻠﯿﻞ! ﻣ ّﻮت ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ. أم ﻋﻤﺮ :ﷲ ﯾﺸﻔﯿﮫ وﯾﻌﻄﯿﮫ اﻟﻌﺎﻓﯿﺔ!
ﺳﻤﯿﺮة :ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﺑﻠﻮن ھﺎﻟﻔﺴﺘﺎن اﻟﻠﻲ إﺷﺘﺮﯾﺘﮫ؟ ﻣﻨﻰ :ﻟﻮﻧﮫ ﻣﺶ ﺑﻄّﺎل!
ﻣﺶ ﺑﺈﯾﺪي /mish b-’īd-ī/
Equivalent: Can’t help it/ Not able to control or stop something/ Out of hand/ Out of control.
ﻣﺶ راﯾﻖ
Example: /mish rāyig/
Equivalent: In no mood for something or to do something/ To not want to do something because you are angry or irritated.
ﻣﮭﺎ :ﺧﻠﺺ ﯾﺎ رﯾﻢ ﻻ ﺗﻈﻠّﻲ ﺗﺒﻜﻲ وﺗﻔﻜﺮي ﺑﺨﻄﯿﺒﻚ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺗﺮﻛﺘﯿﮫ! ﻛﺎن ﺷﺐ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ. رﯾﻢ :اﻟﺸﻌﻮر اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺤﺲ ﻓﯿﮫ ﻣﺶ ﺑﺈﯾﺪي! أﺗﺮﻛﯿﻨﻲ ﺑﺤﺎﻟﻲ ﻟﻮ ﺳﻤﺤﺘﻲ!
157
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻤﯿﻢ Example:
Example:
ﺑﺜﯿﻨﺔ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺗﻔﺎﺟﺌﺖ ﺑﺲ ﺷﻔﺖ ﺧﻄﯿﺐ ﻧﺠﻮى! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﺶ طﺎﻟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻷرض! ﻧﺪاء :اﻟﺰﻟﻢ ﻣﺶ ﺑﺎﺷﻜﺎﻟﮭﺎ اﻟﺰﻟﻢ ﺑﺎﻓﻌﺎﻟﮭﺎ!
ﻣﺶ طﺎﯾﻘﮫ
أم ﻓﻜﺮي :ﺗﻌﺎل ﺗﻔ ّﺮج ﻣﻌﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻠﻔﺰﯾﻮن ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻓﻜﺮي! ﻓﻲ ﻓﯿﻠﻢ ﺣﻠﻮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ. أﺑﻮ ﻓﻜﺮي :ﺗﻔ ّﺮﺟﻮ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ إﻧﺘﻮ! أﻧﺎ ﻣﺶ راﯾﻖ وﻣﺰاﺟﻲ ﻣﻌ ّﻜﺮ.
ﻣﺶ رح أورﺟﯿﻚ ﺧﻠﻘﺘﻲ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﯿﻮم /mish ṭāyg-uh/
/mish raḥḥ ’awarjī-k khilgit-ī ba‘d il-yōm/
Equivalent: Can’t stand someone or something/ Can’t
Equivalent: You will never see my face again.
stand the sight of someone or something.
Example:
Example:
ﻧﺪى :ﻓﻲ ﻣﻌﻲ ﺑﻨﺖ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ زﻧﺨﺔ وﺛﻘﯿﻠﺔ د ّم! ﻗﺎﻋﺪة ﺑﺠﻨﺒﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻒ ﺑﺲ أﻧﺎ ﻣﺶ طﺎﯾﻘﯿﺘﮭﺎ وﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ. أم ﻧﺪى :ﻻ ﺗﻌﻤﻠﻲ إﺷﻲ وإذا ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ ﻻ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ إﻧﺘﻲ ﺣ ّﺮة!
ﻣﻀﺤﻜﺔ
ﻣﺠﺪي :إﻧﺖ ﯾﺎ ﻋ ّﻤﻲ ﺑﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ أﺧﻮي أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻨّﻲ! ﻣﻊ إﻧّﻲ ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻣﻌﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺤﻞ زﯾّﮫ ﺑﺲ ﺷﻐﻠﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺠﺒﻚ! أﺑﻮ ﻣﺎﺟﺪ :أﺧﻮك ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻣﻦ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ أ ّﻣﺎ إﻧﺖ ﻣﻦ ﻗﻔﺎ اﻟﺨﺎطﺮ! ﻣﺠﺪي :إذا ھﯿﻚ رأﯾﻚ ﻓﯿّﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﺘﻐﻞ ﻣﻌﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺤﻞ وﻣﺶ رح أورﺟﯿﻚ ﺧﻠﻘﺘﻲ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﯿﻮم.
ﻣﺶ ﺷﺎطﺮ إﻻ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ /mish shāṭir illā b-il-ḥakī/
/miḏḥ ̣ akah/
Equivalent: All talk and no action/ Someone who talks
Equivalent: Soft touch/ A gullible person/ A person
repeatedly about doing something but never actually
who is easily tricked, fooled or taken advantage of.
does it.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻓﺎروق :أﺻﺤﺎﺑﻚ ﻋﺎﻣﻠﯿﻨﻚ ﻣﻀﺤﻜﺔ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺎروق! ﻛﻠﮭﻢ ﺑﻮﺧﺬو ﻣﻨﻚ ﻣﺼﺎري وﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺑﺴﺪّك! ﺷﻐﻠﻚ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ وإﻧﺖ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺶ ﻻزم ﺗﺴﻤﺢ ﻟﺤﺪا إﻧّﮫ ﯾﺴﺘﻐﻠّﻚ!
ﻣﻀﯿﻌﺔ وﻗﺖ /maḏỵ a‘it wagit/
أﺑﻮ ﺗﺤﺴﯿﻦ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﺑﺘﮭﺘﻤﻲ ﺑﺎﻷوﻻد ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! طﻮل ﻧﮭﺎرھﻢ ﯾﻠﻌﺒﻮ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺎرع وإﻧﺘﻲ ﻣﺶ ﺳﺎﺋﻠﺔ. أم ﺗﺤﺴﯿﻦ :إﻧﺖ ﻣﺶ ﺷﺎطﺮ إﻻ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ! إذا ﺧﺎﯾﻒ ﻋﻠﻰ أوﻻدك إھﺘﻢ ﻓﯿﮭﻢ! أﻧﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻻﺣﻘﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻐﻞ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ واﻟﻄﺒﺦ وﺗﺪرﯾﺲ اﻷوﻻد! ﺳﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﺑﺪل ﻣﺎ إﻧﺖ ﺷﻐﻞ ﺗﻨﻈﯿﺮ وﺑﺲ!
Equivalent: A waste of time. Example:
ﻓﺘﺤﻲ :ﺑﺸﻮف ﺧﻠﻒ ﻣﺎ إﺟﺎ؟ ﻛﻞ ﻣﺸﺎرﯾﻌﻜﻮ ﻓﺎﺷﻠﺔ وﻣﻀﯿﻌﺔ وﻗﺖ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﺘﻐﻞ ﻣﻌﻜﻮ. ﻣﺎﺟﺪ :ط ّﻮل ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ رﺟﻞ!
ﻣﺶ ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﺣﺪا ﺑﻌﯿﻨﮫ ← ﻣﺶ ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﺣﺪا ﻗﺪاﻣﮫ /mish shāyif ḥadā giddām-uh/ ← /mish shāyif ḥadā b-‘ēn-uh/
Equivalent: To have one’s nose up in the air/ Full of oneself/ Stuck-up/ Snotty/ Someone who is very selfsatisfied/ An exaggerated sense of self-importance.
ﻣﺶ طﺎﯾﻖ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ← ﻣﺶ طﺎﯾﻖ ذﺑﺎن وﺟﮭﮫ /mish ṭāyig dhibbān wijh-uh/ ← /mish ṭāyig ḥāl-uh/
Equivalent: In a towering rage/ Very angry/ Very annoyed, irritated or short-tempered.
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺻﻔﻮان :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎل أﺑﻮ ﻧﻌﯿﻢ ﻣﺶ ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﺣﺪا ﺑﻌﯿﻨﮫ! ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻏﻨﻲ وﻋﻨﺪه ﻣﺼﺎري إﻻ ھﻮ! أﺑﻮ ﺑﺸﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﻓﯿﮫ؟ إﻧﺴﻰ أﻣﺮه وﻻ ﺗﺴﺄل.
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﻠﻲ :ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﯾﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﻲ أو ﯾﺴﺄﻟﻨﻲ ﻋﻦ إﺷﻲ! ﻣﺶ طﺎﯾﻖ ﺣﺎﻟﻲ. أم ﻋﻠﻲ :ﺑﺲ ﺗﺮوق ﺑﻨﺤﻜﻲ.
ﻣﺶ ﺷﻐﻠﻚ /mish shughl-ak/
Equivalent: None of your beeswax/ None of your business.
ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف راﺳﮫ ﻣﻦ رﺟﻠﯿﮫ ← ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف راﺳﮫ ﻣﻦ ﺧﻼﺻﮫ /mish ‘ārif rās-uh min khalāṣ-uh/ ← /mish ‘ārif rās-uh min rijlēh/
Example:
أﻣﯿﻦ :ﻣﻊ ﻣﯿﻦ ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﺑﺘﺤﻜﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻠﻔﻮن ﺻﺎرﻟﻚ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ؟ ﻣﺨﺘﺎر :ﻣﺶ ﺷﻐﻠﻚ!
Equivalent: Not sure whether one is coming or going/ To be in a very confused state and unable to make a
ﻣﺶ طﺎﻟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻷرض
decision about something.
̣/mish ṭāli‘ min il-’arḏ/
Example:
Equivalent: Vertically challenged/ This term is used
اﻣﺎل :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر وﻻء؟ ﻣﺎ ﻗ ّﺮرت ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﻌﻤﻞ ﺑﺤﯿﺎﺗﮭﺎ؟
humorously in reference to someone who is short.
158
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ راﺳﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ رﺟﻠﯿﮭﺎ! وﻻ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ:ﻏﻨﻰ !راﺳﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ ﺧﻼﺻﮭﺎ
ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﻛﻮﻋﮫ ﻣﻦ ﺑﻮﻋﮫ
ﻣﺶ ﻓﺎھﻢ ﺷﻮ اﻟﻄﺒﺨﺔ /mish fāhim shū il-ṭabkhah/
Equivalent: It’s all Greek to me/ Cannot make heads or tails of something/ Not to understand anything
/mish ‘ārif kū‘-uh min bū‘-uh/
about what is going on or happening around you.
Equivalent: Not know one’s arse from one’s elbow/
Example:
Stupid and unable to understand very simple things. Example:
ﺑﻨﺖ أﺧﺘﻲ رﺳﺒﺖ ﺑﺈﻣﺘﺤﺎن اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻲ! واﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ:أم ﻏﯿﺪاء ﻣﺶ ھﻮن! اﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻤﻌﻠﻤﺔ أﻋﻄﺖ اﻟﻄﺎﻟﺒﺎت اﻷﺳﺌﻠﺔ !ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺪرﺳﻦ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ ! ﺑﻨﺖ أﺧﺘﻚ ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻌﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺪراﺳﺔ:أﺑﻮ ﻏﯿﺪاء إﺳﺘﯿﻌﺎﺑﮭﺎ ﺧﻔﯿﻒ ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن! ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف .ﻛﻮﻋﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ ﺑﻮﻋﮭﺎ
ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف وﯾﻦ ﯾﻮدّي وﺟﮭﮫ /mish ‘ārif wēn ywaddī wijh-uh/
أﻣﻲ وﺧﺎﻟﺘﻲ ﺑﺤﻜﻮ ﺑﻤﻮﺿﻮع وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻓﺎھﻤﺔ ﺷﻮ:ﺣﻨﯿﻦ !اﻟﻄﺒﺨﺔ! ﺷﻜﻠﮫ إﺷﻲ ﻣﮭﻢ !ﺼﺔ ّ أﺑﺼﺮ ﺷﻮ اﻟﻘ:ﻧﻮرا
ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎدر أھﻀﻤﮫ ← ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎزﻟّﻲ ﻣﻦ زور /mish nazill-ī min zōr/ ← /mish gādir ’ahḏụ m-uh/
Equivalent: Can’t stand someone or something/ Cannot tolerate someone or something/ Dislike extremely. Example:
ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎدر أھﻀﻢ اﻟﻤﻮظﻒ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ! ﺛﻘﯿﻞ د ّم وﻣﺶ:ﺣﺎزم !ﻧﺎزﻟّﻲ ﻣﻦ زور ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﻓﯿﮫ؟:ھﯿﺜﻢ
Equivalent: Not know where to put oneself/ To feel
ﻣﺶ ﻛﻞ ﻣ ّﺮة ﺑﺘﺴﻠﻢ اﻟﺠ ّﺮة
great embarrassment and not know how to react. Example:
/mish kull marrah btislam il-jarrah/
رﻛﺎن ﻏﻠﻂ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋ ّﻤﮫ اﻟﻜﺒﯿﺮ! وأﺑﻮ رﻛﺎن ﻣﺶ:أم رﻛﺎن !ﻋﺎرف وﯾﻦ ﯾﻮدّي وﺟﮭﮫ ﻣﻦ أﺧﻮه ﯾﺎ ﻋﯿﺐ اﻟﻌﯿﺐ! ﻟﻤﯿﻦ طﺎﻟﻊ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ؟:ھﺒﮫ
ﻣﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻌﻀﮫ ← ﻣﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ طﺒﯿﻌﺘﮫ /mish ‘alā ṭabī‘t-uh/ ← /mish ‘alā ba‘ḏ-̣ uh/
Equivalent: The pitcher goes often to the well but is broken at last/ Don’t push your luck too far. Example:
! اﻟﯿﻮم ﻏﺸّﯿﺖ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﺑﺴﮭﻮﻟﺔ واﻷﺳﺘﺎذ ﻣﺎ اﻧﺘﺒﮫ:اﯾﻤﻦ ! اﻟﯿﻮم ﻣﺎ ﻣﺴﻜﻚ ﺑﺲ ﺑﻜﺮة ﻣﻤﻜﻦ ﯾﻜﺘﺸﻔﻚ وﺗﺮﺳﺐ:ﻋﺎﻣﺮ !ﺗﺬ ّﻛﺮ إﻧّﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻞ ﻣ ّﺮة ﺑﺘﺴﻠﻢ اﻟﺠ ّﺮة
Equivalent: Not yourself/ Not feeling well or acting out
ﻣﺶ ﻣﺠ ّﻤﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻔﺮﺣﺔ ← طﺎﯾﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻔﺮﺣﺔ
of the ordinary. Example:
/ṭāyir min il-farḥah/ ← /mish mjammi‘ min il- farḥah/
اﻟﯿﻮم ﺷﻔﺖ ﺧﻠﺪون وﻛﺎن ﻣﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻌﻀﮫ! ﻛﺎن ﻣﺶ:ادھﻢ !ﻋﻠﻰ طﺒﯿﻌﺘﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺳﺄﻟﺘﮫ ﻋﻦ اﻟﺴﺒﺐ؟:ﻣﺎھﺮ . ﻣﺎ ﺣﺒّﯿﺖ أﺿﺎﯾﻘﮫ ﺑﺄﺳﺌﻠﺘﻲ:ادھﻢ
ﻣﺶ ﻓﺎﺿﻲ أﺣ ّﻚ راﺳﻲ
Equivalent: Jump for joy/ To be extremely happy/ Floating on air. Example:
! أھﻞ اﻟﻌﺮوس واﻓﻘﻮ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ! وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺠ ّﻤﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻔﺮﺣﺔ:ﻋﺎھﺪ . ﻣﺒﺮوك! ﻣﺒﯿّﻦ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ إﻧّﻚ طﺎﯾﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻔﺮﺣﺔ:ﻋﺎﺑﺪ
ﻣﻌ ّﺰز ﻣﻜ ّﺮم
/mish fāḏị̄ ’aḥukk rās-ī/
Equivalent: Very busy/ Swamped.
/m‘azzaz mkarram/
Example:
Equivalent: Supported and honored/ Venerable/
ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﻧﺮوح ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻮل وﻧﺘﺴﻠّﻰ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ؟:ﻣﻨﺎل ! ﻣﺶ ﻓﺎﺿﯿﺔ أﺣ ّﻚ راﺳﻲ! ﻏﺮﻗﺎﻧﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ:ﺣﻨﺎن
ﻣﺶ ﻓﺎرﻗﺔ ﻣﻌﻲ /mish fārgah ma‘-ī/
Respected. Example:
ﻋﺎدل رﺟﻊ ﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺘﮫ ﻣﻌﺰّز ﻣﻜ ّﺮم! ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ إﻛﺘﺸﻔﻮ إﻧّﮫ:ﺣﺎﻓﻆ !زﻣﯿﻠﮫ ﺳﺒﺐ اﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ وإﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ دﺧﻠﮫ .ﺼﺢ إﻻ اﻟﺼﺤﯿﺢ ّ ﺑﺎﻟﻨﮭﺎﯾﺔ اﻟﺤﻖ ﺑﺒﯿّﻦ وﻻ ﯾ:ﺑﺎﺳﻢ
Equivalent: It makes no odds/ It does not matter/ It
ﻣﺶ ﻣﻌﻄﯿﺔ ﻓﺮﺣﺘﮭﺎ ﻟﺤﺪا
makes no difference/ It is all the same. Example:
ﻧﻌﺰم ﺑﯿﺖ أﺧﺘﻲ ﯾﻮم اﻟﺴﺒﺖ وإﻻ اﻷﺣﺪ؟:أم رﯾﺎض ! ﻣﺶ ﻓﺎرﻗﺔ ﻣﻌﻲ! إﻋﺰﻣﯿﮭﺎ وﻗﺖ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﺒّﻲ:أﺑﻮ رﯾﺎض
/mish ma‘ṭiyeh farḥit-hā la-ḥadā/
Equivalent: On cloud nine/ Extremely happy/ Floating on air/ Over the moon.
159
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻤﯿﻢ Example:
Example:
رﺷﺎد :ﻋﺰﻣﺖ وﻟﯿﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻐﺪا ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻄﻌﻢ؟ ﺑﻼل:ﻋﺰﻣﺘﮫ! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﺸﻠﻔﺢ! ﻣﺎ ﺧﻠّﻰ أﻛﻞ إﻻ وطﻠﺒﮫ! دﻓﻌﺖ ﻣﺒﻠﻎ ﻛﺒﯿﺮ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ طﻠﺒﺎﺗﮫ اﻟﻜﺜﯿﺮة.
ﻣﺸﻨﺸﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﺪﯾﻮن
اﻻء :اﻟﯿﻮم رﺣﺖ زرت ﻓﺎﺗﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺴﺘﺸﻔﻰ ﻹﻧﮭﺎ ﺧﻠّﻔﺖ وﻟﺪ! ﺑﺪﯾﻌﺔ :ﻣﺒﺴﻮطﺔ؟ اﻻء :ﻣﺶ ﻣﻌﻄﯿﺔ ﻓﺮﺣﺘﮭﺎ ﻟﺤﺪا!
ﻣﺶ ﻣﻌﻘﻮل /mshanshal b-li-dyūn/
/mish ma‘gūl/
Equivalent: Head over heels in debt/ Deeply
Equivalent: No way/ This is ridiculous/
in debt.
Impossible/ That’s awful/ Horrible/
Example:
Unbelievable/ Incredible.
أم ﺷﺮف :ﺗﻌﺎل ﻧﺮوح رﺣﻠﺔ ﺳﯿﺎﺣﯿﺔ وﻧﻨﺒﺴﻂ! أﺑﻮ ﺷﺮف :ﺑﺪّك أوﺧﺬك رﺣﻠﺔ وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺸﻨﺸﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﺪﯾﻮن! ﻣﻦ وﯾﻦ أﺟﯿﺐ ﻣﺼﺎري؟
ﻣﺺ د ّﻣﮫ ← ﺣﻠﺒﮫ ّ /ḥalab-uh/ ← /maṣṣ damm-uh/
Example:
ﻟﯿﻨﺎ :ﺧﻮﻟﺔ ﺗﺮﻛﺖ ﺟﻮزھﺎ وأوﻻدھﺎ وﺳﺎﻓﺮت ﻋﺸﺎن ﺗﻜ ّﻤﻞ دراﺳﺘﮭﺎ ﺑ ّﺮا! اﺳﻤﺎء :ﻣﺶ ﻣﻌﻘﻮل!
ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ
Equivalent: Bleed someone white/ Bleed someone
/mish nāfi‘ ḥāl-uh/
dry/ A blood sucker/ Squeeze someone until the pips
Equivalent: Not doing yourself any favors/ To not act
squeak.
in a way that will help you or get you any benefit.
Example:
Example:
أم ﺑﺎﺳﻞ :ﺑﺎﺳﻞ ﺑﺪرس ﺑ ّﺮا وﻣﺼﺎرﯾﻔﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮة! ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ أﺑﻮ ﻣﺺ ﺑﺎﺳﻞ ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻟﯿﻞ ﻧﮭﺎر ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﺄ ّﻣﻨﻠﮫ ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﻔﮫ! ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ّ دﻣﻨﺎ وﺣﻠﺒﻨﺎ! ﻟﻮ ﻛﻨﺎ ﻧﻌﺮف إﻧّﮫ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻜﻠّﻔﻨﺎ ھﯿﻚ ﻣﺎ ﻛﻨّﺎ ﺧﻠﯿﻨﺎه ﯾﺪرس ﺑ ّﺮا! أم ﻋﺰﻣﻲ :ﺑﻌﯿﻦ ﷲ.
أم ﻗﺼﻲ :إﻧﺖ ﯾﺎ ﻗﺼﻲ ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ ﺣﺪا وﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ! إﻋﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ ﻣﻔﯿﺪ ﺑﺤﯿﺎﺗﻚ وإﻟﮫ ﻣﻌﻨﻰ. ﻗﺼﻲ :إن ﺷﺎ ﺑﺤﺎول.
ﻣﺶ وﻻ ﺑ ّﺪ /mish walā budd/
ﻣﺼﺎﺑﺢ ﻣﻤﺎﺳﻲ
Equivalent: So-so/ Not very good. /mṣābiḥ mmāsī/
Equivalent: At death’s door/ Almost deceased.
Example:
اﻟﺼﺤﻲ؟ أم ﻣﮭﺪي :ﻛﯿﻒ وﺿﻊ أﺑﻮ ﺻﺎﺑﺮ ّ أﺑﻮ ﻣﮭﺪي :وﺿﻌﮫ ﻣﺶ وﻻ ﺑ ّﺪ!
Example:
ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﻋﻮﯾﺼﺔ
أم ﯾﺤﯿﻰ :ﻛﯿﻒ وﺿﻊ أﺑﻮ رﺷﯿﺪ؟ أﺑﻮ ﯾﺤﯿﻰ :ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ! أﺑﻮ رﺷﯿﺪ ﻣﺼﺎﺑﺢ ﻣﻤﺎﺳﻲ!
/mushkileh ‘awīṣah/
Equivalent: A tough nut to crack/ A difficult problem
اﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻘﻌﺪ ﺑﺠﯿﺒﺘﮫ
to solve/ A complicated problem or issue.
/il-maṣārī mā btug‘ud b-jēbt-uh/
Equivalent: Burn a hole in one’s pocket/ Spend money recklessly.
Example:
ﻋﻮض :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر ﺣﺴﻨﻲ؟ ﻋﻤﺎد :ﺣﺴﻨﻲ واﻗﻊ ﺑﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﻋﻮﯾﺼﺔ!
Example:
أم ﻋﻤﺮ :اﺑﻨﻲ ﻋﻤﺮ ﺑﺲ ﯾﺴﺘﻠﻢ اﻟﺮاﺗﺐ ﺑﺼﺮﻓﮫ ﺑﺴﺎﻋﺘﮫ! اﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻘﻌﺪ ﺑﺠﯿﺒﺘﮫ أﺑﺪاً! أم ﯾﺎﺳﺮ :ھﺬا ﻣﺼﺮﻓﺠﻲ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ!
ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺠﻲ /mashkaljī/
Equivalent: Troublemaker. Example:
ﻣﺼﺪّع /mṣaddi‘/
ﻋﻨﺎد :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر ﺷﺮﯾﻒ؟ ﺑﻌﺪه ﺑﺤﺐ اﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ؟ أﺟﻮد :ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺠﻲ وﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﻣﻊ ﺣﺪا!
Equivalent: To have a headache. Example:
أم ودﯾﻊ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ ودﯾﻊ؟ ﺷﻜﻠﻚ ﺗﻌﺒﺎن؟ ي! ودﯾﻊ :ﻻ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺼﺪّع ﺷﻮ ّ
ﻣﺸﻠﻔﺢ /mshalfaḥ/
Equivalent: Eat like a pig/ A hollow leg.
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Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻣﺼﺮﻓﺠﻲ /maṣrafjī/
Equivalent: Big-time spender/ Someone who spends a lot of money.
Example:
ﺑﺘﻘﺪر ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻮاﺟﺐ؟:ﻣﺎﺟﺪ ﻣﻊ اﻷﺳﻒ اﻟﺸﺪﯾﺪ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻋﻨﺪي ﺑﻜﺮة إﻣﺘﺤﺎن:ﺧﺎﻟﺪ !وﻻزم أدرﺳﻠﮫ
Example:
ھﺎﺷﻢ اﺑﻨﻲ ﻣﺼﺮﻓﺠﻲ وﺗﺠ ّﻮز وﺣﺪة ﺑﺘﺼﺮف أﻛﺜﺮ:أم ھﺎﺷﻢ !ﻣﻨﮫ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﻛﯿﻒ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﻮﻓﺮو ﻣﺼﺎري ﻟﻠﻤﺴﺘﻘﺒﻞ ! إﻧﺼﺤﯿﮫ وإﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ:أم ﻋﻠﻲ
ﻣﻊ ذﯾﻠﮭﺎ ← ﻣﻊ ذﯾﻠﮭﺎ واﻟﻜﺘّﺔ /ma‘ dhēl-hā w-il-katteh/ ← /ma‘ dhēl-hā/
Equivalent: To hell with someone or something. Example:
ﻣﺼﻔﺮن /mṣafrin/
Equivalent: To look a little peaked/ Pale as a ghost/
ﻣﻊ اﻷﺳﻒ اﻟﺸﺪﯾﺪ اﻟﺒﻨﻚ ﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﻤﺸّﯿﻠﻚ اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ:أﺑﻮ ﻋﺮﻓﺔ .وﯾﻮاﻓﻖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻘﺮض ! ﻣﻊ ذﯾﻠﮭﺎ:أﺑﻮ ﺳﯿﻒ
Very pale.
ﻣﻌﺎك ﻣﻌﺎك ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ
Example:
وﯾﻦ ﺣﺎﺗﻢ ﻣﺶ ﺷﺎﯾﻔﮫ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻐﺪا؟:أﺑﻮ ﺣﺎﺗﻢ ر ّوح ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ ﺗﻌﺒﺎن وراح ﯾﻨﺎم ﺑﻐﺮﻓﺘﮫ! ﻛﺎن:أم ﺣﺎﺗﻢ !وﺟﮭﮫ ﻣﺼﻔﺮن! ﺑﺠﻮز ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻤﺮض
/ma‘āk ma‘āk ‘alēk ‘alēk/
Equivalent: To run with the hare and hunt with the hound/ Two-faced/ To act cunningly, duplicitously or hypocritically.
ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺠﻲ
Example:
! أم ﻛﻮﺛﺮ ﻣﻮﺟﮭﻨﺔ وﻣﺎ إﻟﮭﺎ ﺻﺎﺣﺐ:أم ﺧﻀﺮ ! ھﺎﻟﻤﺮا ﻣﻌﺎك ﻣﻌﺎك ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ:أم ﻋﻮض
/maṣlaḥjī/
Equivalent: Opportunist/ A fair-weather friend/ A person who takes advantage of someone else for his
ﻣﻌﺒّﻲ اﻟﻄﺎﺳﺔ ← ﺳﻜﺮان
or her own gains and benefits. /sakrān/ ← /m‘abbī il-ṭāseh/
Example:
ﺑﻄّﻠﺖ أﺷﻮﻓﻚ ﻣﻊ اﻧﺲ! ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﺻﺤﺒﺘﻜﻮ ﺑﻄّﻠﺖ ﻗﻮﯾﺔ؟:وﻟﯿﺪ اﻧﺲ ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺠﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺸﻮﻓﮫ إﻻ إذا ﺑﺪّه ﻣﻨّﻲ إﺷﻲ أو:ﻋﺎﻣﺮ !إﻟﮫ ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺔ ﻋﻨﺪي
Equivalent: Loaded to the gills/ Loaded to the barrel/ Loaded for bear/ Drunk/ Intoxicated with alcohol. Example:
! ﻋﺎﺑﺪ ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﻣﻌﺒّﻲ اﻟﻄﺎﺳﺔ:ﯾﺎﺳﯿﻦ ! آه ﺳﻜﺮان:ﻓﺮﯾﺪ
ﻣﻄﺮح ﻣﺎ ﯾﺴﺮي ﯾﻤﺮي /maṭraḥ mā yisrī yimrī/
ﻣﻊ ﺳﺘﯿﻦ ﺳﻼﻣﺔ ← ﻣﻊ ﺳﺘﯿﻦ ﻣﻘﻠﻌﺔ
Equivalent: Bon appétit/ Good appetite/ Enjoy your meal.
/ma‘ sittīn migla‘ah/ ← /ma‘ sittīn salāmeh/
Example:
Equivalent: To hell with someone or something/ Said when
أﻛﻠﻚ زاﻛﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﯾﺎ أم ﻋﺰﯾﺰ ﺗﺴﻠﻢ إﯾﺪﯾﻜﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ:أﺑﻮ ﻋﺰﯾﺰ .ھﺎﻟﻄﺒﺨﺔ ! ﺻﺤﺘﯿﻦ وﻣﻄﺮح ﻣﺎ ﯾﺴﺮي ﯾﻤﺮي:أم ﻋﺰﯾﺰ
ﻣﻄﯿّﻦ ﻋﯿﺸﺘﮫ ← ﻣﻨ ّﻐﺺ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻋﯿﺸﺘﮫ /mnaghghiṣ ‘alēh ‘īsht-uh/ ← /mṭayyin ‘īsht-uh/
Equivalent: A thorn in one’s side/ A person who is
someone is disgusted, fed up with or want nothing to do with/ I don’t care about someone or something at all. Example:
ﺧﻄﯿﺒﺔ ﻋﻤﺮ ﺗﺮﻛﺘﮫ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪھﺎ إﯾﺎه! ﻗﺎل ﻣﺶ:أم ﻋﻤﺮ .ﻋﺎﺟﺒﯿﺘﮭﺎ طﺮﯾﻘﺔ ﺗﻔﻜﯿﺮه اﻟﻠﻲ ﺧﻠﻘﮭﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺧﻠﻖ ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ! ﺑﻜﺮة ﺑﻼﻗﻲ أﺣﺴﻦ:أم راﺋﺪ .ﻣﻨﮭﺎ! ﻣﻊ ﺳﺘﯿﻦ ﺳﻼﻣﺔ
regularly problematic and/or annoying/ The person who
ﻓﺠﺔ اﻟﻀﻮ ّ ﻣﻊ
gives others a hard time and makes their life like hell. Example:
/ma‘ fajjit il-ḏạ ww/
! ﻣﺮت اﺑﻨﻲ رزق ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ وﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام ﻣﻄﯿﻨﺔ ﻋﯿﺸﺘﮫ:أم رزق !ي ّ ﻻزم ﯾﻘ ّﻮي ﺷﺨﺼﯿﺘﮫ ﺷﻮ:أم ﺣﺒﯿﺐ
Equivalent: Be up with the lark/ At the crack of dawn/ Very early in the morning, especially at the time when the sun first appears.
ﻣﻊ اﻷﺳﻒ اﻟﺸﺪﯾﺪ /ma‘ il-’asaf il-shadīd/
Equivalent: Unfortunately/ Regrettably.
Example:
ّ ﯾﻠّﻼ ﯾﺎ ﺟﻮد ﻧﺎم! اﻟﻮﻗﺖ:أم ﺟﻮد ﺗﺄﺧﺮ وﺑﻜﺮة طﺎﻟﻌﯿﻦ ﻣﻊ !ﻓﺠﺔ اﻟﻀﻮ ّ
161
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻤﯿﻢ Example:
ﺼﺐ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ! ﺷﻜﻠﮭﺎ ﻣﻘﺒ ّﻌﺔ ﻣﻌﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎﺻﻒ :ﻓﺮﯾﺪ ﻣﻌ ّ أﺑﻮ راﺋﺪ :أﺑﺼﺮ ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﮫ!
ﺟﻮد :ﺗﺼﺒﺤﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺧﯿﺮ! أم ﺟﻮد :وإﻧﺖ ﻣﻦ أھﻠﮫ.
ﻣﻌﺼﻘﻞ
ﻣﻘﺮﻗﺪ
/m‘aṣgil/ /mgargid/
Equivalent: As thin as a rake/ Extremely skinny or
Equivalent: As dry as dust (physically dry)/ Very dry/
slender.
Very skinny and thin.
Example:
Example:
ﻛﺮﯾﻤﺔ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻄﻌﻤﻲ اﺑﻨﻚ؟ ﻣﺎﻟﮫ ﻣﻘﺮﻗﺪ وﻧﺎﺷﻒ؟ ﺻﺒﺎح :داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﻧﻔﺴﮫ ﻣﺴﺪودة وﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ إﻻ اﻟﺨﺒﺰ اﻟﻤﻘﺮﻗﺪ!
ﻣﻘﺮط اﻟﻌﺼﺎ ← ﻣﺮﻣﻰ اﻟﻌﺼﺎ
أم ﻓﺮاس :ﻻزم ﺗﻮﻛﻞ أﻛﺜﺮ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺮاس. ﻓﺮاس :ﺷﺒﻌﺖ. أم ﻓﺮاس :ﻣﺎ أﻛﻠﺖ إﺷﻲ! ﻻزم ﺗﻨﺼﺢ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﻹﻧّﻚ ﻣﻌﺼﻘﻞ!
ﻣﻌﻠﺶ
/marmā il-‘aṣā/ ← /magraṭ il-‘aṣā/
/ma‘alish/
Equivalent: A stone’s throw away/ Very close/ A hop,
Equivalent: It’s okay/ Never mind.
skip and a jump away/ A short distance/ Close at
Example:
hand. Example:
أم راﻣﻲ :روح ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ راﻣﻲ إﺷﺘﺮﯾﻠﻨﺎ ﺣﻠﯿﺐ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻮﺑﺮ ﻣﺎرﻛﺖ. أﺑﻮ راﻣﻲ :ﺗﻌﺒﺎن وﻣﺼﺪّع. أم راﻣﻲ :اﻟﻤﻜﺎن ﻗﺮﯾﺐ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻣﻘﺮط اﻟﻌﺼﺎ! روح ﯾﻠّﻼ.
دﯾﻨﺎ :ﯾﻲ ﻧﺴﯿﺖ أﺟﺎوب ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﺆال ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن! ﺧﻠّﯿﺘﮫ ﻟﻶﺧﺮ ﺑﺲ ﻧﺴﯿﺖ أرﺟﻌﻠﮫ. أم دﯾﻨﺎ :ﻣﻌﻠﺶ!
ﻣﻌﻠﻌﻞ /m‘al‘al/
Equivalent: Very ill/ As sick as a dog/ In bad shape.
ﻣﻘﺸﻌﺮ
Example: /mgash‘ir/
Equivalent: Shivering. Example:
ﻓﺆاد :ﺷﻜﻠﻲ ﺑﺪّي أﻣﺮض. أم ﻓﺆاد :ﺑﺸﻮ ﺣﺎس؟ ﻓﺆاد :ﻣﻘﺸﻌﺮ وﺗﻌﺒﺎن.
اﻟﺼﺤﻲ ﻣﻦ أﺑﻮ ھﺎﻧﻲ :أﺧﻮي أﺑﻮ راﺋﺪ ﻣﻌﻠﻌﻞ ووﺿﻌﮫ ّ ﺳﻲء ﻷﺳﻮء! أم ھﺎﻧﻲ :ﷲ ﯾﺸﻔﯿﮫ.
ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻠﮭﺎ اﻟﻨﯿﺮان /ma‘-uh maṣārī mā btōkil-hā il-nīrān/
Equivalent: Have money to burn/ Oodles of money.
ﺼﺮ ﻣﻘ ّ
Example: /mgaṣṣir/
Equivalent: Shirk one’s duty/ To neglect one’s duty or responsibility towards others.
أم ﻓﺎروق :ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﻋﺒﺎس ر ّوح ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ وﺑﺪّه ﯾﺴﺘﻘﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻠﺪ! أﺑﻮ ﻓﺎروق :ﻣﮭﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻠﮭﺎ اﻟﻨﯿﺮان! ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﺸﺎرﯾﻊ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻠﺪ.
Example:
أﺑﻮ طﻼل :ﺳﺎﻣﺤﻨﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺧﻮي ﻹﻧّﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺰورك! ﺳﺎﻣﺤﻨﻲ ﻹﻧّﻲ ﺼﺮ ﻣﻌﻚ. ﻣﻘ ّ أﺑﻮ ﺳﻠﯿﻢ :إﻧﺖ ﻣﻌﺬور ﯾﺎﺧﻮي ﻹﻧّﻚ داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﻀﻰ ﺗﺤ ّﻚ راﺳﻚ! ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ ﻣﺶ زﻋﻼن ﻣﻨّﻚ.
ﻣﻐﻠﻮب ﻋﻠﻰ أﻣﺮه /maghlūb ‘alā ’amr-uh/
Equivalent: Under someone’s control or influence/ spell. Example:
ﻣﻘﻄﻮع ﻣﻦ ﺷﺠﺮة /magṭū‘ min shajarah/
Equivalent: Literal. Cut off from a tree/ Have no
أم طﺎھﺮ :اﺑﻨﻲ طﺎھﺮ ﻣﻐﻠﻮب ﻋﻠﻰ أﻣﺮه وﻣﺮﺗﮫ وداد ﺑﺘﺘﺤ ّﻜﻢ ﻓﯿﮫ وﺣﺎﻛﻤﯿﺘﮫ وھﻮ ﺑﻨﻔّﺬ أواﻣﺮھﺎ. أم ﻋﯿﺴﻰ :ﻓﻲ ﺷﺒﺎب ﺷﺨﺼﯿﺘﮭﻢ ﺿﻌﯿﻔﺔ واﺑﻨﻚ واﺣﺪ ﻣﻨﮭﻢ!
family or relatives. Example:
أم ﺗﮭﺎﻧﻲ :ﺧﻄﯿﺐ ﺑﻨﺘﻲ ﻣﺎ إﻟﮫ ﻗﺮاﯾﺐ! ﻣﻘﻄﻮع ﻣﻦ ﺷﺠﺮة! أم ﻋﺮﻓﺎن :إﻧﺘﻮ ﺻﺮﺗﻮ أھﻠﮫ!
ﻣﻘﺒ ّﻌﺔ ﻣﻌﮫ /mgab‘‘eh ma‘-uh/
Equivalent: To have face like thunder/ To look extremely angry.
162
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
اﻟﻤﻜﺘﻮب ﻣﺒﯿّﻦ ﻣﻦ ﻋﻨﻮاﻧﮫ
ﻣﻠﺤﻠﺢ ← ﻗ ّﺪ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ
/il-maktūb mbayyin min ‘inwān-uh/
/gadd ḥāl-uh/← /mlaḥlaḥ/
Equivalent: Literal. What has been written is clear/
Equivalent: Have a way with someone or something/
Known from its title/ A foregone conclusion/ A result
To have a special skill when working with
that is obvious to everyone even before it happens.
someone or something/ Be full of beans/ To have
Example:
a lot of energy, drive, determination, initiative
ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻣﻘﺎﺑﻠﺔ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ اﻟﯿﻮم؟:اﯾﻤﻦ ﺷﻜﻠﻲ ﻣﺎ ﻋﺠﺒﺘﮭﻢ! ﻛﺎن ﻓﻲ ﺷﺐ ﺛﺎﻧﻲ ﻋﻨﺪه ﻣﻘﺎﺑﻠﺔ ﻣﻌﻲ:ﻋﺪﻧﺎن .وﻋﻨﺪه ﺧﺒﺮة أﻛﺒﺮ ﻣﻦ ﺧﺒﺮﺗﻲ! ﻓﺎﻟﻤﻜﺘﻮب ﻣﺒﯿّﻦ ﻣﻦ ﻋﻨﻮاﻧﮫ
and enthusiasm to do things/ Get-up-and-go/
اﻟﻤﻜﺘﻮب ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺠﺒﯿﻦ ﻻزم ﺗﺸﻮﻓﮫ اﻟﻌﯿﻦ /il-maktūb ‘alā il-jabīn lāzim tshūf-uh il-‘ēn/
Hardworking/ A go-getter. Example:
! ﻻزم ﺗﺼﯿﺮ ﯾﺎ ﺻﻔﻮان ﻣﺜﻞ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻚ ﺑﺮﻛﺎت:أم ﺻﻔﻮان !ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﺷﺎطﺮ وﻣﻠﺤﻠﺢ وﻗ ّﺪ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺻﯿﺮ زﯾّﮫ:ﺻﻔﻮان
Equivalent: Literal. What has been written on the
ﻣﻠﺤﺔ اﻟﺪار
forehead, the eye must see/ As fate would have it/ What must be, must be/ Whatever is meant or
/milḥit il-dār/
predestined to happen will happen/ There is no use
Equivalent: Literal. The salt of the house/ The
in regretting or resisting what one cannot control/
salt of the earth/ The cream of the crop/ The best
Meant to be/ Fate is sealed.
of all.
Example:
Example:
ﻻ ﺗﺰﻋﻠﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺷﺮﯾﻔﺔ ﻋﺎﻟﻠﻲ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻌﻚ! ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﺑﺈﯾﺪك:أم ﺗﻤﯿﻢ .إﺷﻲ! واﻟﻤﻜﺘﻮب ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺠﺒﯿﻦ ﻻزم ﺗﺸﻮﻓﮫ اﻟﻌﯿﻦ ! اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻞ ﺣﺎل ﯾﺎ ﺧﺎﻟﺘﻲ:ﺷﺮﯾﻔﺔ
اﺑﻨﻲ ظﺎﻓﺮ ھﻮ ﻣﻠﺤﺔ اﻟﺪار ﻋﻨﺪي! ﻣﺨﺘﻠﻒ ﻋﻦ:أم ﺿﺎﻓﺮ .ﻛﻞ أﺧﻮﺗﮫ ! ﷲ ﯾﺤﻤﯿﮫ:أم ﺷﺎدي
اﻟﻤﻜﺘﻮب ﻣﺎ ﻣﻨﮫ ﻣﮭﺮوب
ﻣﻠﻌﺒﻦ ← ﻣﻌﺪﺗﻲ ﺑﺘﻘﻠﺐ
/il-maktūb mā minn-uh mahrūb/
/mi‘dit-ī btiglib/ ← /mla‘bin/
Equivalent: Literal. No escaping from what has been
Equivalent: Feeling nauseous/ Nauseated/ Feel sick to
written/ As fate would have it/ Lap of the gods/
one’s stomach.
Whatever will be, will be/ Fate is sealed/ What must
Example:
ﻋﻤﻠﺖ ﻛﯿﻚ زاﻛﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺗﻮﻛﻞ؟:أﻣﯿﺮة ! ﻻ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي ﻹﻧّﻲ ﻣﻠﻌﺒﻦ وﻣﻌﺪﺗﻲ ﺑﺘﻘﻠﺐ:أﻣﺠﺪ
be, must be. Example:
ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﺳﺎﺋﺪ ﻣﻦ ﯾﻮم ﻣﺎ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻌﮫ ﺣﺎدث اﻟﺴﯿّﺎرة:أم ﻏﺴﺎن .ﻣﺎ ﻗﺪر ﯾﻤﺸﻲ! ﺻﺎﺑﮫ ﺷﻠﻞ . ھﺬا ﻧﺼﯿﺒﮫ! واﻟﻤﻜﺘﻮب ﻣﺎ ﻣﻨﮫ ﻣﮭﺮوب:أﺑﻮ ﻏﺴﺎن
ﻣﻦ اﻵﺧﺮ /min il-’ākhir/
Equivalent: Literal. The bottom line/ To make it clear/
ﻣﻜﺮﻓﺶ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﺮد ← ﻣﻜﻨﻌﺶ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﺮد /mkan‘ish min il-bard/ ← /mkarfish min il-bard/
Needless to say/ In a nutshell. Example:
Equivalent: Go blue/ That person is very cold. Example:
ﻣﺶ ﺑﺮدان وإﻧﺖ ﺑ ّﺮا؟ أﻧﺎ ﻣﻜﺮﻓﺶ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﺮد! ﺗﻌﺎل:ﻣﺮوان !ﻧﻔﻮت ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ! وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺜﻠﻚ ﻣﻜﻨﻌﺶ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﺮد:اﻛﺮم
ﺑﻌﺪك ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺨﻄﺐ ﺳﮭﯿﺮ! ﻣﺎ ﻏﯿّﺮت رأﯾﻚ؟:ﻧﺎدر ﻻ ﻣﺎ ﻏﯿّﺮﺗﮫ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺳﻤﻊ أي ﻧﺼﺎﯾﺢ ﻣﻦ ﺣﺪا! ﻣﻦ:ادھﻢ ! ﻣﺎ رح أﺧﻄﺐ ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ:اﻵﺧﺮ
ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﺎب ﻟﻠﻄﺎﻗﺔ /min il-bāb la-il-ṭāgah/
ﻣﻼك ﻣﺼ ّﻮر
Equivalent: Literal. From the door into the window/
/malāk mṣawwar/
For no apparent reason/ For no reason.
Equivalent: Pretty as a picture/ Very attractive and
Example:
pretty. Example:
ﻛﯿﻒ ﺷﻜﻞ ﻋﺮوس ﻣﺆﯾﺪ؟:ﺻﺒﺎح ! ﻣﻼك ﻣﺼ ّﻮر:ﻧﺎزﻟﻲ
ﺧﻄﯿﺒﺘﻲ ﺗﺮﻛﺘﻨﻲ ﺑﺪون ﺳﺒﺐ! ﻣﺎ ﻋﻤﻠﺖ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ:رﺷﺎد !إﺷﻲ ﺗﺮﻛﺘﻚ ھﯿﻚ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﺎب ﻟﻠﻄﺎﻗﺔ؟:راﻣﻲ . آه:رﺷﺎد
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻤﯿﻢ
ﻣﻦ أ ّوﻟﮭﺎ ﻵﺧﺮھﺎ /min ’awwal-hā la-’ākhir-hā/
Equivalent: From first to last/ From the very beginning to the very end.
Example:
ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﻨ ّﻜﺪ وﻣﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻌﻀﻚ؟:ﻓﮭﺪ ! اﻟﯿﻮم إﺳﺘﻠﻤﻨﺎ ﻣﺼﺎري اﻟﺼﻔﻘﺔ ووزّﻋﻮ اﻷرﺑﺎح ﻋﻠﯿﻨﺎ:ﺑﻼل !ﺑﺲ ﺣﺼﺘﻲ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻗﻠﯿﻠﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وأﻋﻄﻮﻧﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﻤﻞ إذﻧﮫ
Example:
ﯾﻠّﻼ ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ إﺣﻜﯿﻠﻲ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻌﻚ اﻟﯿﻮم وإﺣﻜﯿﻠﻲ:ﻧﺴﻤﺔ !ﺼﺔ ﻣﻦ أ ّوﻟﮭﺎ ﻵﺧﺮھﺎ ّ اﻟﻘ !ﺴﮫ ﺑﺤﻜﯿﻠﻚ ھ ﻣﺎﺷﻲ :ﻟﻤﺎ ّ
163
ﻣﻦ اﻟﻄﻨﺠﺮة ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﻨﺠﺮة /min il-ṭanjarah ‘alā il-ḥunjarah/
Equivalent: Literal. From the pot to the larynx/ The food is piping hot (served as soon as
ﻣﻦ طﻮل ﻣﺎﻟﮫ
cooked). Example:
/min ṭūl māl-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. Due to its old age/ Because of its oldness and age/ This is said as a comment when talking about something that is worn out and in bad condition because of its old age.
اﻟﺸﻮرﺑﺔ ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ ﺳﺎﺧﻨﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف:أﺑﻮ ﻓﺎروق .أوﻛﻠﮭﺎ ﺗﻮﻧﻲ ﺧﻠّﺼﺖ طﺒﺦ وﺳﻜﺒﺘﮭﺎ! ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻄﻨﺠﺮة:أم ﻓﺎروق !ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﻨﺠﺮة
Example:
اﻟﯿﻮم أﻣﻲ طﻠّﻌﺖ ﻓﺴﺘﺎن ﻋﺮﺳﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺨﺰاﻧﺔ ﻋﺸﺎن:ﻋﺒﻠﺔ ﺗﻔﺮﺟﯿﻨﺎ إﯾﺎه! ﻓﺴﺘﺎﻧﮭﺎ ﺣﻠﻮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺲ ﻛﺎن ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﻣﮭﺘﺮي !ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ ! ﻣﻦ طﻮل ﻣﺎﻟﮫ:ﻧﺮﻣﯿﻦ
ﻣﻦ ﺑ ّﺮا ھﺎ ھﺎ وﻣﻦ ﺟ ّﻮا ﯾﻌﻠﻢ ﷲ /min barrā hallah hallah w-min juwwā yi‘lam Allah/
Equivalent: Literal. It looks good from the outside but God knows what’s inside/ Keep up appearances/ To pretend to be happier, less poor than you really are,
ﻣﻦ ھﺎﻟﻤﺮاح ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ رواح
because you do not want people to know how bad
/min ha-il-marāḥ mā fī rawāḥ/
your situation is/ Hide your difficulties from others.
Equivalent: Literal. No way out of this place/ I am not
Example:
leaving this place/ I am not going anywhere. Example:
! ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺟﺪة اﺳﻜﻨﻲ ﻋﻨﺎ! أﺑﻮي اﺑﻨﻚ وﺑﯿﺘﮫ ﺑﯿﺘﻚ:ﻋﺮﻓﺔ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﺴﻜﻨﻲ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻚ؟ ﻻ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺮﻓﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺮك ﺑﯿﺘﻲ! ھﻮن ﻋﺸﺖ وھﻮن ﺑﻤﻮت:اﻟﺠﺪة .وﻣﻦ ھﺎﻟﻤﺮاح ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ رواح
ﻣﻦ وﻻ إﺷﻲ
ﻟﻮ ﺷﻔﺘﻲ ﻣﺎ أﺣﻠﻰ ﻟﺒﺲ أم ﻗﺎﺳﻢ! وﺑﯿﺘﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ ﺑ ّﺮا:أم ادرﯾﺲ ﺑﺠﻨّﻦ! ﺑﺲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻓﺘﻨﺎ ﻟﺠ ّﻮا اﻧﺼﺪﻣﻨﺎ! ﻛﻞ أﺛﺎﺛﮭﺎ ﻗﺪﯾﻢ وﻣﮭﺘﺮي وﺑﯿﺘﮭﺎ ﻛﻠّﮫ ﻓﻮﺿﻰ! وﺣﯿﺎﺗﮭﻢ زي ﺣﯿﺎة اﻟﻔﻘﺮا! ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺒﯿّﻦ !ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ ! ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺑ ّﺮا ھﺎﷲ ھﺎ وﻣﻦ ﺟ ّﻮا ﯾﻌﻠﻢ ﷲ:أم ﻋﻠﻲ
ﻣﻦ ﺑﻌﯿﺪ ﻟﺒﻌﯿﺪ /min ba‘īd la-ba‘īd/
/min walā ’ishī/
Equivalent: At or from a distance/ From a place that is
Equivalent: Literal. From nothing/ Make something
not near/ From far away.
of oneself/ To become successful through one’s own
Example:
ﺷﻔﺘﻲ اﻟﺠﯿﺮان اﻟﺠﺪاد؟ ﻣﺎ زرﺗﯿﮭﻢ؟:أم اﻧﺲ . ﻣﺎ زرﺗﮭﻢ! ﺷﻔﺘﮭﻢ ﻣﻦ ﺑﻌﯿﺪ ﻟﺒﻌﯿﺪ:أم ﺑﺎﺳﻢ
initiative or efforts. Example:
ﺑﺪر ﺷﺐ ﻣﻠﺤﻠﺢ وﻗ ّﺪ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ! ﺻﺎر ﻋﻨﺪه ﻣﺼﺎري:ﺑﮭﺎء وﺷﺮﻛﺎت ﻣﻦ وﻻ إﺷﻲ! ﺑﺪا ﺷﻐﻠﮫ ﺑﻤﺒﻠﻎ ﺑﺴﯿﻂ وﺻﺎر ﯾﺮﺑﺢ !ﺴﮫ ھﻮ ﻣﻦ أﻏﻨﻰ أﻏﻨﯿﺎء اﻟﺒﻠﺪ ّ وھ . ھﺬا زُﻟﻤﮫ ﻗﻠﯿﻠﺔ:ﺷﺎﻛﺮ
ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺖ أﺑﻄﮫ /min taḥit ’ubṭ-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. From under his armpit/ A figment of one’s imagination/ Something made up, invented
ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﻤﻞ إذﻧﮫ /min il-jamal ’idhn-uh/
Equivalent: Literal. Taking only the ear out of the camel/ A drop in the bucket/ A drop in the ocean/ Chicken feed/ A tiny amount, especially when compared to a much larger one.
or fabricated by someone. Example:
ﻣﺮوان ﺑﻘﻮل إﻧّﻚ رح ﺗﺘﻮظﻒ ﺑﺒﻨﻚ! ﺻﺤﯿﺢ:ﻋﺎرف ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ ﻻ! ﻣﯿﻦ ﻗﻠّﮫ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ! ھﺬا ﺧﯿﺎﻟﮫ واﺳﻊ وﺑﺠﯿﺐ ﺣﻜﻲ:ﯾﺎﺳﺮ !ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺖ أﺑﻄﮫ
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Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺖ اﻟﺪﻟﻒ ﻟﺘﺤﺖ اﻟﻤﺰراب
or relates to a dear absent person/ I am delighted to
/min taḥt il-dalf la-taḥt il-mizrāb/
see you because you are related to my dear friend,
Equivalent: Literal. From under the leak into the
beloved, son or family member, etc.
gutter/ Out of the frying pan and into the fire/ From a
Example:
bad or difficult situation to one that is even worse. Example:
ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻊ اﯾﻨﺎس؟ ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧﮭﺎ ﺗﺮﻛﺖ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﮭﺎ:وﺳﻦ !وﺧﻄﺒﺖ ﻟﻮاﺣﺪ ﺛﺎﻧﻲ! إن ﺷﺎ ﺗﻜﻮن ﻣﺒﺴﻮطﺔ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻲ ! ﻻ طﻠﻊ اﻟﺨﻄﯿﺐ اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻲ أﺳﻮء ﺑﻜﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻷ ّول:ﺳﻮﺳﻦ !ﯾﻌﻨﻲ طﻠﻌﺖ ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺖ اﻟﺪﻟﻒ ﻟﺘﺤﺖ اﻟﻤﺰراب
ﺷﻜﺮاً إﻧّﻚ زرﺗﯿﻨﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺷﻔﺎء! إﻧﺘﻲ ﻏﺎﻟﯿﺔ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﻹﻧّﻚ:ﻏﺮام !ﻣﻦ رﯾﺤﺔ اﻟﺤﺒﺎﯾﺐ! إﻧﺘﻲ أﺧﺖ اﻟﻤﺮﺣﻮم ﺧﻄﯿﺒﻲ ! وإﻧﺘﻲ ﻏﺎﻟﯿﺔ ﻋﻠﯿﻨﺎ ﻛﻤﺎن:ﺷﻔﺎء
ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن ھﺎﻟﻘﻤﺮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺎن /min zamān ha-il-gamar mā bān/
Equivalent: Literal. Long time since the moon
ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺖ ﻟﺘﺤﺖ
appeared/ Long time, no see/ Donkey’s years/ Dog’s
/min taḥit la-taḥit/
age/ For a long time.
Equivalent: Literal. From underneath to underneath/ A
Example:
deceitful and cunning person/ A snake in the grass. Example:
ً :ﻓﺎﺗﻦ !أھﻼ ﯾﺎ ﻋﮭﺪ! وﯾﻦ ﻣﺨﺘﻔﯿﺔ؟ ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن ھﺎﻟﻘﻤﺮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺎن . ﻛﻨﺖ ﻏﺮﻗﺎﻧﺔ ﻟﺸﻮﺷﺘﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ واﻟﺪراﺳﺔ:ﻋﮭﺪ
!ﺴﮫ ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺖ ﻟﺘﺤﺖ ّ ﻋﺒﺎس ﻣﺶ ﻣﺮﯾﺢ وﺑﺤ:ﻣﻨﺼﻮر ! وأﻧﺎ ﺑﺤﺲ ﺑﻨﻔﺲ اﻟﺸﻌﻮر:أﻣﯿﻦ
ﻣﻦ ﺳﺎﺑﻊ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺤﯿﻼت /min sābi‘ il-mustaḥīlāt/
ﻣﻦ ﺛ ّﻤﻚ ﻟﺒﺎب اﻟﺴﻤﺎ
Equivalent: Literal. Seven times impossible/ Be near
/min thumm-ak la-bāb il-samā/
to impossible/ A pie in the sky/ When hell freezes
Equivalent: Literal. From your lips to heaven’s door/ I hope
over/ No way/ Absolutely not/ No chance.
your wish comes true/ May your prayer be answered.
Example:
Example:
أم ﺟﺎﺑﺮ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺨﻄﺐ ﺑﻨﺘﻚ ﻋﺮﯾﻦ ﻻﺑﻨﮭﺎ! إذا:أم ﻋﺒﻮد !ﺧﻄﺒﻮھﺎ ﺑﻜﻮن ﺣﻈﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻤﺎ وﺑﺘﻜﻮن ﻣﻮﻟﻮدة ﺑﻠﯿﻠﺔ اﻟﻘﺪر . ﺟﺪّ؟ ﻣﯿﻦ ﺣﻜﺎﻟﻚ؟ ﻣﻦ ﺛ ّﻤﻚ ﻟﺒﺎب اﻟﺴﻤﺎ:أم ﻋﺮﯾﻦ
. أﺧﻮك ﻋﺎھﺪ ﺑﺪّه إﯾّﺎﻛﻲ ﺗﺘﻨﺎزﻟﯿﻠﮫ ﻋﻦ ﺣﺼﺘﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﯿﺮاث:ﻣﮭﺎ . ھﺬا ﺑﺤﻠﻢ! ﻣﻦ ﺳﺎﺑﻊ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺤﯿﻼت إﻧّﻲ أﻋﻤﻠﮭﺎ:ھﺒﮫ
ﻣﻦ ﺳﺎﺳﮫ ﻟﺮاﺳﮫ /min sās-uh la-rās-uh/
ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﻠﺪة ﻟﻠﺠﻠﺪة
Equivalent: Every inch/ From top to toe/ From head to
/min il-jildeh la-il-jildeh/
foot/ Entirely/ Completely.
Equivalent: Read something cover to cover/ Read
Example:
something from beginning to end. Example:
ﺷﻮ داﺧﻞ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن؟:ﻣﯿﺴﻮن اﻟﻤﻌﻠﻤﺔ ﺣﻜﺖ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ داﺧﻞ! ﯾﻌﻨﻲ إدرﺳﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﻠﺪة:ﻣﯿﺲ !ﻟﻠﺠﻠﺪة
ﻣﻦ روس ﺧﺸﻮﻣﮫ
إﻧﺖ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺎزن ﻏﻠﻄﺎن! واﻟﻐﻠﻂ راﻛﺒﻚ ﻣﻦ ﺳﺎﺳﻚ:ﻋﻤﺎر !ﻟﺮاﺳﻚ . إﻧﺖ داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺑﺘﺤﻂ اﻟﺤﻖ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ وﺑﺘﻄﻠّﻌﻨﻲ داﯾﻤﺎ ً اﻟﻐﻠﻄﺎن:ﻣﺎزن
← ﻣﻦ ﺳﻨﺔ اﻟﺨﺸﺒﺔ )اﻟﺘﻨﻜﺔ( ← ﻣﻦ ﺳﻨﺔ ﺟﺪّي ﻣﻦ ﺳﻨﺔ اﻟﮭ ّﺰة /min sant il-hazzeh/ ← /min sant jiddī/ ← /min sant il-khashabeh
/min rūs khshūm-uh/
(il-tanakah)/
Equivalent: To look down one’s nose at someone or
Equivalent: Dated/ Out-of-date/ Old-fashioned/
something.
Extremely old.
Example:
Example:
ﻛﯿﻒ ﻣﺪﯾﺮك اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ؟:ﻋﺎﯾﺪ ! زي اﻟﺰﻓﺖ! ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻤﻮظﻔﯿﻦ ﻣﻦ روس ﺧﺸﻮﻣﮫ:ﻣﮭﻨﺪ !ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ
! ﺷﻜﻞ اﻟﺴﯿﺎرة اﻟﻠﻲ إﺷﺘﺮﯾﺘﮭﺎ ﯾﺎ ﺑﺮھﺎن ﻗﺪﯾﻤﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ:ﺟﻼل !ﺷﻜﻠﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ ﺳﻨﺔ اﻟﺨﺸﺒﺔ ! آه ھﺎﻟﺴﯿﺎرة ﻣﻦ ﺳﻨﺔ ﺟﺪّي! ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺳﻨﺔ اﻟﮭﺰّة:ﺑﺮھﺎن .ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎﺷﻲ ﺣﺎﻟﮭﺎ! وﻻ اﻟﺒﻼش
ﻣﻦ رﯾﺤﺔ اﻟﺤﺒﺎﯾﺐ
ﻣﻦ ﺳﻲء ﻷﺳﻮء
/min rīḥit il-ḥabāyib/
Equivalent: You are the acquaintance of a dear absent
/min sayyi’ la-’aswa’/
person to me/ This is said to someone who belongs
Equivalent: Go from bad to worse.
165
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻤﯿﻢ Example:
Example:
ﺳﻠﻤﻰ :ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ أﺧﺘﻲ ﺗﺠ ّﻮزت ﺻﺎر ﺣﻜﯿﮭﺎ وﺗﺼﺮﻓﺎﺗﮭﺎ ﻣﺜﻞ ﺟﻮزھﺎ وﻋﯿﻠﺘﮫ! ﺗﻐﯿّﺮت ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﺑﻄّﻠﺖ زي ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ زﻣﺎن. ﺣﻼ :ﻣﻦ ﻋﺎﺷﺮ اﻟﻘﻮم أرﺑﻌﯿﻦ ﯾﻮم ﺻﺎر ﻣﻨﮭﻢ.
ﻣﻦ ﻋﻈﺎم اﻟﺮﻗﺒﺔ
ﻓﺮﯾﺪ :وﺿﻌﻲ اﻟﻤﺎدي ﻛﻞ ﻣﺎﻟﮫ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﻦ ﺳﻲء ﻷﺳﻮء! ﻗﺎﺳﻢ :اﻟﺼﺒﺮ ﻣﻔﺘﺎح اﻟﻔﺮج!
ﺷﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻲء ﺷﺎب ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻣﻦ ّ /man shabba ‘alā shē’ shāba ‘alēh/
/min ‘ḏā ̣ m il-ragabah/
Equivalent: Old habits die hard/ A leopard can’t or
Equivalent: Literal. From the bones of the nick/ Like
doesn’t change its spots/ It is difficult for some
one of the family/ A dear and close person.
people to change things that they have been doing
Example:
for a long time.
ﺻﺎﻧﻲ أدﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ أﺑﻮ ﺣﻤﺪان :ھﻼ ﻓﯿﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ! أﺑﻮك و ّ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ! إﻧﺖ ﻣﻦ ﻋﻈﺎم اﻟﺮﻗﺒﺔ واﺑﻦ أﺧﻮي ورح أﺣﻄّﻚ ﺑﻌﯿﻮﻧﻲ. ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :ﺗﺴﻠﻢ ﯾﺎ ﻋ ّﻤﻲ.
ﻣﻦ ﻋﻘﻠﻚ
Example:
أم وﻟﯿﺪ :أﺑﻮ وﻟﯿﺪ ﻣﻦ ﯾﻮم ﯾﻮﻣﮫ وﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ طﻮﯾﻞ وﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻨﺎس وﺑﻐﻠﻂ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻜﻞ! ﺻﺎر ﻋﻤﺮه ﺑﺎﻟﺨﻤﺴﯿﻨﺎت وﺑﻌﺪه ھﯿﻚ ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ اﺗﺠﻮزﺗﮫ! ﻛﻨﺖ ﺑﻔ ّﻜﺮ إﻧّﮫ رح ﯾﺘﻐﯿّﺮ ﺑﺲ ﻣﻊ اﻷﺳﻒ اﻟﺸﺪﯾﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻐﯿّﺮ. ﺷﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻲء ﺷﺎب ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﷲ ﯾﮭﺪﯾﮫ. أم طﺎرق :ﻣﻦ ّ
/min ‘agl-ak/
Equivalent: Are you out of your mind/ You’ve got to
ﻣﻦ طﻘﻄﻖ ﻟﻠﺴﻼم ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻮ
be out of your mind/ You must be crazy for saying or
/min ṭagṭag la-il-salāmu ‘alēku/
!doing that
Equivalent: From soup to nuts/ From A to Z/ From the
Example:
very beginning to the very end/ From soda to hock.
ﻋﻤﺮ :ﺑﻌﺖ ﺳﯿﺎرة أﺑﻮي ﺑﺪون ﻣﺎ ﯾﻌﺮف! آدم :ﻣﻦ ﻋﻘﻠﻚ؟
Example:
ﺼﺔ ﻣﻦ طﻘﻄﻖ ﻟﻠﺴﻼم ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻮ! ﻋﺰﻣﻲ :ﻗﻠّﻲ اﻟﻘ ّ ﺣﺎزم :ﺗﻌﺎل ﻧﻌﻤﻞ ﻓﻨﺠﺎن ﻗﮭﻮة ﺑﺎﻷ ّول!
ﻣﻦ ﻋﯿﻨﻲ ھﺎي ﻗﺒﻞ ھﺎي /min ‘ēn-ī hāy gabul hāy/
ﻣﻦ طﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ داره ﻗ ّﻞ ﻣﻘﺪاره
Equivalent: With pleasure/ Happily.
/min ṭili‘ min dār-uh gall migdār-uh/
Example:
Equivalent: East or west, home is best/ Home is the
أم ﺳﺎﻣﺮ :ﺑﺘﻘﺪري ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪﯾﻨﻲ ﺑﺸﻐﻞ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﯾﺎ ﻣﻨﺘﮭﻰ؟ ﻋﻨﺪي ﻋﺰﯾﻤﺔ وﻻزم أﺧﻠّﺺ ﺷﻐﻞ وأﺑﺪا ﺑﺎﻟﻄﺒﺦ. ﻣﻨﺘﮭﻰ :أﻛﯿﺪ! ﻣﻦ ﻋﯿﻨﻲ ھﺎي ﻗﺒﻞ ھﺎي.
اﻟﻤﻘﺮوص ﺑﺨﺎف ﻣﻦ ﺟ ّﺮة اﻟﺤﺒﻞ /il-magrūṣ bikhāf min jarrit il-ḥabil/
Equivalent: Once bitten, twice shy.
best or most ideal place to be. Example:
أم طﻼل :ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﻣﺎ طﻮﻟﺘﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻘﻌﺪة ﻋﻨﺪ ﺑﯿﺖ اﺑﻨﻚ! أم ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﻣﺮت ﻋﺎﻣﺮ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻨﺒﺴﻂ ﺑﺲ أروح ﻋﻨﺪھﻢ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﮭﺘﻢ ﻓﯿّﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺮﺗﺎح ﻋﻨﺪھﻢ! ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺜﻞ ﺑﯿﺘﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺮﺗﺎح إﻻ ﻓﯿﮫ وزي ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﻣﻦ طﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ داره ﻗ ّﻞ ﻣﻘﺪاره.
Example:
ﺷﺮﯾﻔﺔ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر ﻧﻮرھﺎن؟ ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺧﻄﺒﺖ؟ ﻧﻮال :ﻻ ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ! ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺗﺮﻛﺖ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﮭﺎ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺧﺎﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﻊ وﺣﺪة ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ ﺑﻄّﻠﺖ ﺗﺜﻖ ﺑﺤﺪا وﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻠﺔ ﺗﺨﻄﺐ! ﺷﺮﯾﻔﺔ :ﻣﻌﮭﺎ ﺣﻖّ! اﻟﻤﻘﺮوص ﺑﺨﺎف ﻣﻦ ﺟ ّﺮة اﻟﺤﺒﻞ!
ﻣﻦ طﻠﻌﺘﮭﺎ ﻟﻐﯿﺒﺘﮭﺎ /min ṭal‘it-hā la-ghēbit-hā/
Equivalent: From dawn to dusk/ From the rising of the sun to the setting of the sun. Example:
ﻣﻦ ﻏﺎﻣﺾ ﻋﻠﻤﮫ /min ghāmiḏ ̣ ‘ilm-uh/
ھﺪﯾﺮ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﺄﺧﺮت اﻟﯿﻮم؟ ﻣﻦ طﻠﻌﺘﮭﺎ ﻟﻐﯿﺒﺘﮭﺎ! ﻓﺎدي :ﻛﺎن ﻋﻨّﺎ ﺷﻐﻞ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وﻛﺎن ﻻزم ﻧﺨﻠﺼﮫ ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﻧﺮ ّوح.
Equivalent: Out of the blue/ Unexpectedly/ All of a sudden/ A bolt out of the blue. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎدل :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻋﺎدل إﺟﺘﮫ وظﯿﻔﺔ ﻣﻦ ﻏﺎﻣﺾ ﻋﻠﻤﮫ! اﺗﺼﻠﺖ ﻓﯿﮫ ﺷﺮﻛﺔ وﺣﺪدوﻟﮫ ﻣﻘﺎﺑﻠﺔ. أم ﻋﺎدل :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ .
ﻣﻦ ﻋﺎﺷﺮ اﻟﻘﻮم أرﺑﻌﯿﻦ ﯾﻮم ﺻﺎر ﻣﻨﮭﻢ /man ‘āshar il-gōm ’aribi‘īn yōm ṣār min-hum/
Equivalent: He who hangs around with wolves, learns to howl/ If you live with people for a while you become like them.
166
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻣﻦ ﻓﻮق اﻟﺠﻮزة /min fōg il-jōzeh/
Equivalent: A fake apology/ Non-apology apology/ Not a sincere apology/ To say something unwillingly as if
Example:
ورب! إن رﯾﻤﺎ درﺳﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﻣﻦ ﻗﻠﺐ:أم رﯾﻤﺎ ّ !ﺷﺎ ﺗﺘﻔ ّﻮق وﺗﻜﻮن اﻷوﻟﻰ . ﷲ ﯾﻮﻓّﻘﮭﺎ:أﺑﻮ رﯾﻤﺎ
you have to.
ق رﻗﻌﺔ ّ ﻣﻦ ﻛﻞ ز
Example:
ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ إﻋﺘﺬر ﻣﻨّﻚ ﻋﺎﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﮫ ﻣﻌﻚ! ﺻﺤﯿﺢ:ﺳﻠﯿﻢ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ ! ﺑﺲ ﻛﺎن إﻋﺘﺬاره ﻣﻦ ﻓﻮق اﻟﺠﻮزة، أﯾﻮه ﺻﺤﯿﺢ:ﺷﮭﺎب
/min kull zugg rug‘ah/
Equivalent: Mixed bag/ A diverse mixture or group/ From all corners of the earth/ From all quarters/ People from many and different places/ All walks of life.
ﻣﻦ ﻓﻮق ﻟﻔﻮق /min fōg la-fōg/
Equivalent: Superficially. Example:
ﺷﻐﻠﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎﺟﺒﻨﻲ واﻟﻤﻄﺒﺦ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺮﺗﺐ:أم رھﻒ .وﻻ ﻧﻈﯿﻒ! ﺷﻐﻠﻚ ﻛﻠّﮫ ﻣﻦ ﻓﻮق ﻟﻔﻮق ! ھﺬا اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻌﺮف أﻋﻤﻠﮫ:رھﻒ
Example:
ﻛﯿﻒ ﻣﺪرﺳﺘﻚ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة؟:أم ادم ق رﻗﻌﺔ وﻣﻦ ﺟﻨﺴﯿﺎت ّ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ! اﻟﻄﻼب ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ ﻛﻞ ز:ادم !ﻣﺨﺘﻠﻔﺔ
ﻣﻦ ﻟﺤﻤﮫ ودﻣﮫ /min laḥm-uh w-damm-uh/
Equivalent: One’s own flesh and blood/ A member of
ﻣﻦ ﻗﺎع ﻗﻠﺒﻲ
one’s own family. Example:
/min gā‘ galb-ī/
Equivalent: From the bottom of my heart/ Sincerely. Example:
. ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺤﺐ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﺘﻚ ﻏﺪﯾﺮ! ﺑﺠﺪ ﺑﺤﺒﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ ﻗﺎع ﻗﻠﺒﻲ:أم ﺳﻤﺮ . آه ﻣﮭﻲ ﺧﻔﯿﻔﺔ دم وﻣﺆدﺑﺔ واﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﺤﺒﮭﺎ:ﺳﻤﺮ
أﺑﻮ ﻗﺎﺳﻢ اﺳﺘﻘﺒﻞ اﺑﻨﮫ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ طﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﺠﻦ! ﻛﺎن:أﺑﻮ ﻓﮭﺪ !ﯾﻘﻮل إﻧّﮫ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺘﺒﺮا ﻣﻨﮫ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺸﻮﻓﮫ ﺑﺲ ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﻏﯿّﺮ رأﯾﮫ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻓﮭﺪ ﻗﺎﺳﻢ ﺑﻈﻞ اﺑﻨﮫ وﻣﻦ ﻟﺤﻤﮫ ودﻣﮫ! ﻣﺎ:أم ﻓﮭﺪ .ﺑﻘﺪر ﯾﺮﻣﯿﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺎرع
ﻣﺎﺳﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻣﻤﺴﻚ
ﻣﻦ ﻗﻔﺎ اﻟﺨﺎطﺮ /min gafā il-khāṭir/
/māsik ‘alēh mamsak/
Equivalent: Damn someone or something with faint
Equivalent: Have/got something on somebody/ To
praise/ Praise someone or something so half-
know secret or damaging information about someone.
heartedly as to imply disapproval/ To do or say
Example:
something unwillingly as if you have to. Example:
اﻟﯿﻮم ﺷﻔﺖ ﺗﺎﻣﺮ وﺳﻠّﻢ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﻣﻦ ﻗﻔﺎ اﻟﺨﺎطﺮ! ﺷﻜﻠﮫ:ادھﻢ !ﺑﻌﺪه زﻋﻼن ﻣﻨﻲ ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف! ﻣﻤﻜﻦ:اﺣﻤﺪ
ﺴﺎن ﺑﻨﻔّﺬ ﻛﻞ طﻠﺒﺎت رﻛﺎن وھﺎﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ ﻏﺮﯾﺒﺔ وﻣﺶ ّ ﺣ:ﻋﻤﺮ !ﻣﻦ ﻋﺎدﺗﮫ ﯾﻌﻤﻠﮭﺎ ! ﺑﺠﻮز ﻣﺎﺳﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﻣﻤﺴﻚ:ﺣﺴﺎن
ﻣﻦ ﻣﺎ ھﺐ ودب /min mā habba wa-dabb/
ﻣﻦ اﻟﻘﻠﺐ ﻟﻠﻘﻠﺐ
Equivalent: Every Tom, Dick and Harry/ Every kind
/min il-galb la-il-galb/
of common, undistinguished person/ Anyone at all,
Equivalent: Heart-to-heart/ A sincere and honest talk.
indiscriminately/ Everyone/ Every man Jack/ Every
Example:
mother’s son/ Every walk of life.
اﻟﯿﻮم ﺣﻜﯿﺖ ﻣﻊ ﻓﺎدﯾﺔ وﺣﻜﯿﻨﺎ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ ﻛﻼم ﻣﻦ:أﻣﯿﻨﺔ .اﻟﻘﻠﺐ ﻟﻠﻘﻠﺐ! ﺣﻠّﯿﻨﺎ ﺧﻼﻓﺎﺗﻨﺎ وﻓﺘﺤﻨﺎ ﺻﻔﺤﺔ ﺟﺪﯾﺪة . ﻣﻤﺘﺎز! ﻻزم ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن ﻋﻤﻠﺘﻦ ھﯿﻚ:أﻣﻞ
Example:
ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ ﺑﯿﺖ أﺑﻮ ﺳﻠﯿﻢ ﺑﺘﺠﻨّﻦ وﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﻧﺎس:أم ﺳﺎﻣﺮ !ﻛﺜﯿﺮﯾﻦ! ﻧﺎس ﻣﻦ ﻣﺎ ھﺐ ودب ! ﻣﮭﻢ ﺑﺸﺎرﻛﻮ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻨﺎس ﺑﺄﻓﺮاﺣﮭﻢ وﺑﺄﺗﺮاﺣﮭﻢ:أﺑﻮ ﺳﺎﻣﺮ
ورب ﻣﻦ ﻗﻠﺐ ّ
ﻣﻦ ﻧﻔﺲ اﻟﻄﯿﻨﺔ
/min galb w-rabb/
Equivalent: With heart and soul/ With dedication/
/min nafs il-ṭīneh/
With all one’s heart/ With the deepest devotion/ With
Equivalent: To be cast in the same mold/ To be very
great energy, affection and enthusiasm.
similar in character and behavior to someone else.
167
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻤﯿﻢ Example:
Example:
ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﻓ ّﻜﺮت إﻧّﮫ ﺳﺎﻣﺢ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ أﺧﻮه! ﺑﺲ ﻛﻨﺖ ﻏﻠﻄﺎن! طﻠﻌﻮ ﻣﻦ ﻧﻔﺲ اﻟﻄﯿﻨﺔ! ﻋﻤﺎر :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺳﺎﻋﺪوك؟ ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﻻ.
ﺑﺸﺮ :ﺣﺎﻣﺪ واﺣﺪ ﻣﮭﺒﻮل وﻣﮭﺴﺘﺮ! اﺣﻤﺪ :ﻓﻌﻼ ً! ﺣﺎﻣﺪ ﻣﺶ طﺒﯿﻌﻲ! ﺑﺘﺤﺴﮫ ﻓﻲ ﺧﻠﻞ!
ﻣ ّﮭﺪﻟﮫ اﻟﻄﺮﯾﻖ /mahhad-l-uh il-ṭarīg/
Equivalent: Pave the way for someone or something
ﻣﻦ ورا ظﮭﺮه
to make it easier to happen/ Break the ice/ To oil or
/min wara ḏạ hr-uh/
grease the wheels.
Equivalent: Behind one’s back/ In one’s absence/
Example:
Without someone’s knowledge/ Secret from someone.
ﺳﻌﯿﺪ :ﺑﺪّي أﺧﻄﺐ اﻧﻮار ﺑﻨﺖ أﺑﻮ ﻋﻠﻲ وﺑﺪّي ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ وﺗﻤ ّﮭﺪﻟﻲ اﻟﻄﺮﯾﻖ! اﺟﻮد :ﻣﻦ ﻋﯿﻨﻲ ھﺎي ﻗﺒﻞ ھﺎي!
ﻣﻮت إﺣﻤﺮ
Example:
ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :ﺑﺎﺳﻢ ﺷﺐ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺲ! راح ﻣﻦ ورا ظﮭﺮي وﻗﺎل ﻟﻠﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ ﻋﻨّﻲ! ﺑﺲ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﺑﻌﺮﻓﻨﻲ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ ّ وﺣﺬرﻧﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺑﺎﺳﻢ. ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﺧﺒّﺮﻧﻲ ادھﻢ :إﻗﻄﻊ ﻋﻼﻗﺘﻚ ﻓﯿﮫ! ﻻ ﺗﻌﻄﯿﮫ ﺛﻘﺘﻚ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﯿﻮم.
/mōt ’iḥmar/
Equivalent: Literal. A red death/ Very cold.
ﻣﻦ ﯾﻮم ﯾﻮﻣﮫ
Example:
ﻛﻮﺛﺮ :ﻛﯿﻒ اﻟﺠﻮ ﺑ ّﺮا؟ اﻛﺮم :ﻣﻮت إﺣﻤﺮ! اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ﺳﺮﯾﺪة.
/min yōm yōm-uh/
Equivalent: He’s been like this all his life/ Always/ Every time/ All the time. Example:
اﻟﻤﻮت أرﺣﻢ ﻣﻦ ھﺎﻟﺤﯿﺎة /il-mōt ’arḥam min ha-il-ḥayāt/
Equivalent: Fate worse than death/ To have to suffer through something bad or harsh that makes a
أم راﻣﻲ :اﺑﻨﻲ راﻣﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺣﻨﻮن وﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺮوح ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺘﮫ ﺑﻤ ّﺮ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﯾﻄ ّﻤﻦ ﻋﻦ أﺣﻮاﻟﻲ وﺑﺴﺄﻟﻨﻲ إذا ﻣﺤﺘﺎﺟﺔ إﺷﻲ. أم رأﻓﺖ :راﻣﻲ ﻣﻦ ﯾﻮم ﯾﻮﻣﮫ ﺣﻨﻮن وﺑﻔﮭﻢ.
person prefer death over having that bad thing (e.g., sickness).
ﻣﻨﻮرﯾﻨﺎ
Example:
ﺟﻤﯿﻠﺔ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﺻﺮﺗﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺣﻠﯿﻤﺔ؟ ّ وﺗﻌﺬﺑﺖ! وﷲ ﺣﻠﯿﻤﺔ :اﻟﻤﺮض ﺗﻌﺒﻨﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺗﻐﻠّﺒﺖ ﺑﺤﯿﺎﺗﻲ إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻤﻮت أرﺣﻢ ﻣﻦ ھﺎﻟﺤﯿﺎة!
/mnawrīn-nā/
Equivalent: Literal. You lightened up our place/ We are happy and delighted to see you. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺳﺎﻟﻢ :أھﻼ وﺳﮭﻼ ﻓﯿﻜﻢ ﯾﺎ ﺑﯿﺖ أﺑﻮ اﻟﮭﻨﺎ! ﻣﻨﻮرﯾﻨﺎ. أﺑﻮ اﻟﮭﻨﺎ :ﻣﻨﻮرة ﺑﻮﺟﻮدﻛﻮ.
ﻣﻮﺟﮭﻦ ← ﻣﻨﺎﻓﻖ /munāfiq/ ← /mwajhan/
Equivalent: Two-faced/ Double-dealing. Example:
ﺣﻠﯿﻢ :ﺳﻤﯿﺢ ﻣﻮﺟﮭﻦ وﻣﻨﺎﻓﻖ! ﻋﻠﻲ :ﻧﻌﻢ ﺻﺤﯿﺢ!
اﻟﻤﻨﺤﻮس ﻣﻨﺤﻮس وﻟﻮ ﻋﻠﻘﻮﻟﮫ ﻓﺎﻧﻮس /il-manḥūs manḥūs w-law ‘allagū-l-uh fānūs/
Equivalent: Hapless/ Unfortunate/ The person who has no luck/ Just my luck/ What rotten luck!/What bad luck/ Born under a bad sign.
ﻣﻮﻗﻒ ﻻ ﯾﺤﺴﺪ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ
Example: /mawqif lā yuḥsad ‘alēh/
Equivalent: In an awkward or unenviable position. Example:
ﺷﮭﺎب :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﻛﻨّﺎ ﺳﮭﺮاﻧﯿﻦ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺸﺒﺎب ﻋﻨﺪ ﺣﺴﻦ! إﺟﺎ ﺧﻠﻒ ﺻﺎر ﯾﺤﻜﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ أﺻﯿﻞ وﻧﺰل ﻓﻲ ﻣﺴﺒّﺎت! أﺻﯿﻞ ﻛﺎن ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻄﺒﺦ ﯾﻌﻤﻞ ﻟﻠﺸﺒﺎب ﻗﮭﻮة ﻣﻊ ﺣﺴﻦ وﺳﻤﻊ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ! ﺧﻠﻒ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﺑﻌﺮف إﻧّﮫ أﺻﯿﻞ ﻣﻮﺟﻮد! أدھﻢ :واو ھﺬا ﺣﻂ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ ﺑﻤﻮﻗﻒ ﻻ ﯾﺤﺴﺪ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ!
ﺟﻼل :ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻈّﻚ وﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻗﺮرت ﺗﻘﺪّم ﻟﻠﻮظﯿﻔﺔ ﻋﻨّﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﻗ ّﺮرو إﻧﮭﻢ ﯾﺒﻄﻠﻮ ﯾﺴﺘﻘﺒﻠﻮ طﻠﺒﺎت! ﺣﺘﻰ ﺻﺎرو ﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﻘﻠّﻠﻮ ﻋﺪد اﻟﻤﻮظﻔﯿﻦ! ھﺎﻧﻲ :اﻟﻤﻨﺤﻮس ﻣﻨﺤﻮس وﻟﻮ ﻋﻠﻘﻮﻟﮫ ﻓﺎﻧﻮس!
ﻣﮭﺒﻮل ← ﻣﮭﺴﺘﺮ ← ﻣﺶ طﺒﯿﻌﻲ ← ﻓﯿﮫ ﺧﻠﻞ /fī khalal/ ← /mish ṭabī‘ī / ← /mhastir/ ← /mahbūl/
Equivalent: Have bats in the belfry/ Mad/ Crazy/ Nuts.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
اﻟﻤﯿّﮫ ﺑﺘﻤﺸﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺘﯿﮫ
168
ﻣﻮﻟﺪ وﺻﺎﺣﺒﮫ ﻏﺎﯾﺐ /il-mayyeh btimshī min tiḥtīh/
/mōlid w-ṣāḥb-uh ghāyib/
Equivalent: To be totally clueless/ To be unaware or
Equivalent: A three-ring circus/ Chaotic, exciting and
ignorant of something that is secretly happening
busy.
around you/ To be in the dark.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻏﺎدي :اﺑﻨﻚ طﻠﻊ ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﺮوح ﯾﺴﮭﺮ ﻣﻊ أﺻﺤﺎﺑﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻠﯿﻞ ﺑﺲ ﻧﻨﺎم! أم ﻋﻤﺮ ﺣﻜﺘﻠﻲ! أﺑﻮ ﻏﺎدي :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ اﻟﻤﯿّﮫ ﺑﺘﻤﺸﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺘﯿﻨﺎ وإﺣﻨﺎ ﻣﺶ دارﯾﯿﻦ؟ أﻧﺎ ﺑﻮرﺟﯿﮫ!
ھﻤﺎم :اﻣﺒﺎرح اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻛﺎن ﻣﺎﺧﺬ إﺟﺎزة! واﻟﻤﻮظﻔﯿﻦ إﺳﺘﻐﻠﻮ اﻟﻔﺮﺻﺔ واﺟﺘﻤﻌﻮ وﺟﺎﺑﻮ أﻛﻞ! ﻛﺎن اﻟﻤﻜﺎن ﻓﻮﺿﻰ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ! أدھﻢ :ﻗﺼﺪك ﻣﻮﻟﺪ وﺻﺎﺣﺒﮫ ﻏﺎﯾﺐ.
ﻣﻮﻟﺪن /mwaldan/
ﻣﯿﺖ ﺣﯿﻼ وﺑﯿﻼ
Equivalent: Childish/ Wet behind the ears/ Childlike. /mīt ḥīlā w-bīlā/
Equivalent: A lot of persuading/ Trying hard and putting lots of efforts to persuade someone to do something/ To convince someone of something.
Example:
ﻋﻼ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ واﻓﻘﺘﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺸﺐ اﻟﻠﻲ إﺟﺎﻛﻲ؟ ﺑﺮاءة :ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﻮﻟﺪن وﻣﺎ ﻋﺠﺒﻨﻲ.
ّ ﻣﺴﺨﻨﺎت ﻣﯿّﺎﺗﮫ
Example:
ﺿﺤﻰ :ﺣﻤﺎﺗﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺰورﻧﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وھﻲ ﺳﺖ ﻛﺒﯿﺮة وأﻧﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺤﺒﮭﺎ! رﺣﻨﺎ أﻧﺎ وﺟﻮزي ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻧﻘﻨﻌﮭﺎ إﻧﮭﺎ ﺗﯿﺠﻲ ﺗﻘﻌﺪ ﻋﻨّﺎ ﻛﻢ ﯾﻮم! وﻣﯿﺖ ﺣﯿﻼ وﺑﯿﻼ ﺗﺎ إﻗﺘﻨﻌﺖ وﻗﺮرت ﺗﯿﺠﻲ! ﻓﺮح :ﻛﻮﯾﺲ! ﻋﻤﻠﺘﻲ ﻋﯿﻦ اﻟﻌﻘﻞ!
ﻣﯿﻤﻌﺔ ← ﻓﻮﺿﻰ
/mayyāt-uh mṣakhkhanāt/
Equivalent: On one’s deathbed/ Close to death/ Dying. Example:
أم ﺣﺴﻦ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﺻﺎر أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎرف؟ ّ ﻣﺴﺨﻨﺎت. أﺑﻮ ﺣﺴﻦ :وﺿﻌﮫ ﺗﻌﺒﺎن وﻣﯿّﺎﺗﮫ
اﻟﻤﯿّﮫ ّ ﺑﺘﻜﺬب اﻟﻐﻄﺎس /il-mayyeh bitkadhdhib il-ghaṭās/
/fawḏā ̣ / ← /mēma‘ah/
Equivalent: The proof is in the pudding.
Equivalent: Chaos/ Mess/ Turmoil/ Uproar/
Example:
Disturbance/ Riot/ Commotion.
ﻋﺎدل :ﺑﺮن ﻋﻠﯿﻚ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺮد! ﻟﯿﺶ؟ ﻋﻮض :ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﻲ ﺧﺮﺑﺎن وأﺧﺬه ﺟﮭﺎد ﯾﺼﻠﺤﮫ. ﻋﺎدل :ﻛﯿﻒ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺼﻠﺤﮫ؟ ھﺎﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ ﻣﺶ ﺷﻐﻠﺘﮫ! ﻋﻮض :ﺑﻘﻮل إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻨﺎس ﺑﺘﯿﺠﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺗﺼﻠّﺢ ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﺎﺗﮭﺎ! ﻋﻜﻼً ﺑﻜﺮة ﺑﺠﯿﺒﮫ وﺑﻨﺸﻮف إذا ﺣﻜﯿﮫ ﺻﺤﯿﺢ ﻣﺎ اﻟﻤﯿّﮫ ّ ﺑﺘﻜﺬب اﻟﻐﻄّﺎس.
Example:
ﻣﻌﻦ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ؟ ﻏﯿﺚ :ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻣﯿﻤﻌﺔ وﻛﻠﮭﺎ ﻓﻮﺿﻰ! ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺗﻨﻈﯿﻢ!
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻨﻮن
ﺷﺎدي :اﻟﻨﺎس أﺟﻨﺎس! ﻣﺶ ﺿﺮوري إذا إﻧﮭﻢ أﺧﻮة ﯾﻜﻮﻧﻮ زي ﺑﻌﺾ! أﺻﺎﺑﻊ اﻹﯾﺪ ﻣﺨﺘﻠﻔﺔ!
ﻧﺎس ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ اﻟﻘﯿﻤﺔ /nās ‘alēhā il-gīmeh/
Example: People of high quality/ Respected people of
ﻧﺎطﺮك
high class and status/ Upper-class. /nāṭr-ak/
Equivalent: I will be waiting for you. Example:
ﺟﻼل :رح أﻣ ّﺮ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺴﺎﻋﺔ ﺳﺘﺔ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻧﺮوح ﻧﺤﻀﺮ اﻟﻤﺒﺎراة! ﻋﻠﻲ :ﻣﺎﺷﻲ! ﻧﺎطﺮك! ﻻ ّ ﺗﺘﺄﺧﺮ!
Example:
أم ﺟﻤﺎل :اﻟﻨﺎس اﻟﻠﻲ إﺟﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ رﺷﯿﺪ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻛﻠﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ اﻟﻘﯿﻤﺔ! واﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻣﺮﺗﺒﺔ! أم ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻛﻞ ﻣﻌﺎرف ﺑﯿﺖ أﺑﻮ راﺷﺪ ﻧﺎس واﺻﻠﺔ!
ﻧﺎس واﺻﻠﺔ /nās wāṣleh/
ﻧﺎﻓﺶ رﯾﺸﮫ
Equivalent: People in power/ Friends in high places/ /nāfish rīsh-uh/
Upper-class.
Equivalent: Be cock-a-hoop/ Extremely happy and
Example:
excited about something.
أﺑﻮ وﺻﻔﻲ :ﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎك ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ ﺑﻮظﯿﻔﺔ ﻻﺑﻨﻲ وﺻﻔﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎﺻﻢ! ﻛﻞ ﻣﻌﺎرﻓﻚ ﻧﺎس واﺻﻠﺔ! ﻋﺎﺻﻢ :ﺗﻜﺮم ﻋ ّﻤﻲ رح أﺣﻜﯿﻠﻚ ﻣﻊ واﺣﺪ واﺻﻞ وﺑﺮدﻟﻚ ﺧﺒﺮ ﺷﻮ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ!
Example:
ﻋﺘﺎب :ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻟﻤﯿﺲ ﺧﻄﺒﺖ وھﻲ ﻧﺎﻓﺸﺔ رﯾﺸﮭﺎ! ﻛﺈﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺧﻄﺐ ﻏﯿﺮھﺎ! ﻣﻨﻰ :اﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﻓﺮﺣﺎﻧﺔ! ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﻓﯿﮭﺎ! ﺑﺲ ﺗﺨﻄﺒﻲ اﻧﻔﺸﻲ رﯾﺸﻚ!
ﻧﺎس ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﯿﺠﻲ إﻻ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﯿﻦ اﻟﺤﻤﺮا
اﻟﻨﺎﻓﻊ ﯾﻨﻔﻊ روﺣﮫ ← اﻟﻨﺎﻓﻊ ﯾﻨﻔﻊ ﻧﻔﺴﮫ
/nās mā btījī illā b-il-‘ēn il-ḥamrā/
/il-nāfi‘ yinfa‘ nafs-uh/ ← /il-nāfi‘ yinfa‘ rūḥ-uh/
Equivalent: Give someone the evil eye/ To show anger
Equivalent: Let the devil take the hindmost/ Every man
in order to stop others from doing unwanted things/
for himself/ Everyone should look after themselves
Make them do whatever you want by threatening and
and not care about others/ The person should do what
intimidating them.
is best for himself, without considering anyone else.
Example:
Example:
أم زھﻮر :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ زﻋﻼﻧﺔ ﯾﺎ زھﻮر؟ زھﻮر :ﻓﺎطﻤﺔ ﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻠﺖ ﺗﻌﻄﯿﻨﻲ أﺳﺌﻠﺔ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن اﻟﻤﻘﺘﺮﺣﺔ! وﺑﻜﺮة اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺟﺒﺖ اﻷﺳﺌﻠﺔ! أم زھﻮر :ھﺎي ھﯿﻚ أﻋ ّﺰ وأﻗﺮب ﺻﺎﺣﺒﺔ إﻟﻚ! ﺑﺲ ﺑﻮﻗﺖ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﻛﻠﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﺼﯿﺮ اﻟﻠﮭﻢ ﻧﻔﺴﻲ واﻟﻨﺎﻓﻊ ﯾﻨﻔﻊ روﺣﮫ! ھﺬا درس إﻟﻚ وﻻزم ﺗﺘﻌﻠﻤﻲ ﻣﻨﮫ!
ﻋﺒﻠﺔ :ﺳﻤﻌﺘﻚ ﺑﺘﮭﺪّدي اﺑﻨﻚ إﻧّﻚ رح ﺗﺤﺮﻣﯿﮫ ﻣﻦ ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﮫ وأﻟﻌﺎﺑﮫ اﻹﻟﻜﺘﺮوﻧﯿﺔ إذا ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪرس! ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺘﻌﻤﻠﻲ ھﯿﻚ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻮﻟﺪ؟ ﺣﺮام! ھﻨﺎدي :ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪرس وﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﻤﻊ اﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ھﺪّدﺗﮫ! ﻓﻲ ﻧﺎس ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﯿﺠﻲ إﻻ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﯿﻦ اﻟﺤﻤﺮا!
اﻟﻨﺎس أﺟﻨﺎس /il-nās ’ajnās/
ﻧﺎم ﺑﻼ ھﺰ
Equivalent: Different strokes for different /nām balā hazz/
folks/ Different people will like or do different
Equivalent: Literal. He slept without shaking/ To sleep
things/ Everyone has different interests and
like a baby.
tastes.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺣﺎﺗﻢ :وﯾﻦ ﺣﺎﺗﻢ؟ ﻧﺎم وإﻻ ﺑﻌﺪه ﺻﺎﺣﻲ؟ اﻟﯿﻮم ﺗﻌﺒﻨﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ وﻛﺎن ﺗﻌﺒﺎن ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! أم ﺣﺎﺗﻢ :ﻻ زﻣﺎن ﻧﺎم .أﻛﻞ وﻧﺎم ﺑﻼ ھﺰ!
ﻋﺎھﺪ :ﯾﺎﷲ ﺷﻮ طﺒﻊ ﻣﻌﺎذ ﺑﺨﺘﻠﻒ ﻋﻦ طﺒﻊ أﺧﻮه! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﺲ إﻧﮭﻢ أﺧﻮة! وﻛﻞ واﺣﺪ ﺑﺤﺐ إﺷﻲ ﻣﺨﺘﻠﻒ! واﻟﻔﺮق ﺑﯿﻨﮭﻢ ﻓﺮق اﻟﺴﻤﺎ واﻷرض!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
ﻋﻤﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺟﺎرﺗﻨﺎ ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﺖ ﻣﻊ ﺟﺎرﺗﮭﺎ اﻟﺜﺎﻧﯿﺔ وﻧﺒﺸﺖ ﻋﺸﮭﺎ! أﻣﯿﻦ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺒﻄﻠﻦ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ!
170
ﻧﺎم زي اﻟﻘﺘﯿﻞ /nām zayy il-gatīl/
Equivalent: Literal. He slept like a corpse/ To sleep like a log.
ﻧﺒﻄﮫ ﻛﺘﻠﺔ
Example: /nabaṭ-uh katleh/
Equivalent: Beat or knock the living daylights out of someone/ To hit someone very hard.
ّ ﻣﺘﺄﺧﺮ ﻟﯿﻠﺔ اﻣﺒﺎرح وﻧﻤﺖ زي أﺑﻮ ﻧﺎدر :رﺟﻌﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ اﻟﻘﺘﯿﻞ! ﻣﺎ ﺣﺴﯿﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺪا! أم ﻧﺎدر :ﷲ ﯾﻌﻄﯿﻚ اﻟﺼﺤﺔ واﻟﻌﺎﻓﯿﺔ!
Example:
أﻣﯿﻦ :ﻋﺎرف ﻧﺒﻂ أﺧﻮه ﻛﺘﻠﺔ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﺻﺪم ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﮫ! واﻟﺤﻖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﻋﺎرف ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺼﻠّﺤﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺴﺎﺑﮫ. ﺗﺎﻣﺮ :اﻟﺤﻖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﻻزم ﻣﺎ ﯾﻌﻄﯿﮫ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﮫ ﻹﻧّﮫ أﺧﻮه ﻣﺘﮭ ّﻮر وﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﯾﺴﻮق ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ!
طﺐ ﻧﺎم ﻋﻠﻰ وﺟﮭﮫ ّ /nām ‘alā wijh-uh ṭabb/
Equivalent: Literal. He slept on his face/ To sleep like a log or rock/ To sleep deeply and soundly. Example:
ﻧﺠﻤﮫ ﺧﻔﯿﻒ /nijm-uh khafīf/
ﻣﺮﯾﻢ :اﻣﺒﺎرح ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺧﻠّﺼﺖ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن رﺟﻌﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ طﺐ ﻣﻦ ﻛﺜﺮ اﻟﺘﻌﺐ! وﻧﻤﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ وﺟﮭﻲ ّ
Equivalent: Scaredy-cat/ A person who is easily frightened or needlessly afraid.
ﻧﺎوي ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺸﺮ
Example:
اﺳﺎﻣﺔ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺘﻀﺤﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻏﺴﺎن؟ ﻏﺴﺎن :ﻛﺎﻧﺖ اﻟﻜﮭﺮﺑﺎ ﻗﺎطﻌﺔ وﻣﺤﻤﻮد إﺟﺎ ﻓﺠﺄة وﺧ ّﻮف ﻋﯿﺴﻰ! وﻟﻮ ﺗﺸﻮف ﻋﯿﺴﻰ ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻞ! ﻣﺎت ﻣﻦ اﻟﺨﻮف ﺑﻀﺤﻚ. وﺻﺎر ﯾﺮﺟﻒ! ﻓﺼﺮﻧﺎ ﻧﻀﺤﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﻛﺎن ﻣﺸﮭﺪ ّ اﺳﺎﻣﺔ :ھﺬا ﻧﺠﻤﮫ ﺧﻔﯿﻒ! ھﮭﮭﮭﮭﮭﮫ.
ﻧﺠﻮم اﻟﺴﻤﺎ أﻗﺮﺑﻠﻚ
/nāwī ‘alā il-sharr/
Equivalent: Brew a plot/ To plot something evil/ To have bad intentions. Example:
ﺼﺐ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ! ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ :ﺗﻮﻧﻲ ﺷﻔﺖ ﻋﺪﻧﺎن وﻛﺎن ﻣﻌ ّ ﻧﺎوي ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺸﺮ! ﻋﻮض :ﺗﮭﺎوش ﻣﻊ أوﻻد ﻋ ّﻤﮫ! ﺗﻌﺎل ﻧﻠﺤﻘﮫ! ھﺬا ﻣﺠﻨﻮن وﺑﺤﺐ اﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ!
/njūm il-samā ’agrab-l-ak/
Equivalent: Not on your life/ Absolutely not/ No way/
ﻧﺎﯾﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺴﻞ ← ﻧﺎﯾﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ أذاﻧﮫ
Certainly not/ Not in a million years.
/nāyim ‘alā ’adhān-uh/ ← /nāyim b-il-‘asal/
Example:
Equivalent: Living under a rock/ Completely ignorant
ﺳﺎﻟﻢ :ﻋﺎرف ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﺗﻌﯿﺮﻧﻲ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻚ اﻟﯿﻮم؟ ﻋﻨﺪي ﻣﺸﻮار ﺿﺮوري ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻋﺎرف :ﻧﺠﻮم اﻟﺴﻤﺎ أﻗﺮﺑﻠﻚ! ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺻﺪﻣﺘﮭﺎ اﻷﺳﺒﻮع اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﺎت إﻟﻚ ﻋﯿﻦ ﺗﻄﻠﺒﮭﺎ؟ ﻣﺴﺘﺤﯿﻞ أﻋﻄﯿﻚ إﯾﺎھﺎ ﻣ ّﺮة ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ.
ﻧﺠﻲ ﺑﺄﻋﺠﻮﺑﺔ
or unaware of what’s going on around you/ Oblivious. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺑﺸﺎر :اﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﺘﺮﻓﻊ اﻷﺳﻌﺎر وﺑﺘﻀﺤﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺸﻌﺐ! واﻟﻨﺎس ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎﻣﻠﯿﻦ إﺷﻲ! أﺑﻮ ﻣﺘﻌﺐ :ھﺎﻟﺸﻌﺐ ﻧﺎﯾﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺴﻞ وﻻ داري ﻋﻦ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ﺣﻮﻟﯿﮫ! ﻛﻞ ھﺎﻟﺸﻌﺐ ﻧﺎﯾﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ أذاﻧﮫ!
/nijī bi-’u‘jūbah/
Equivalent: To miraculously survive something.
ﻧﺎﯾﻄﺔ ← ﻋﺠﺰﯾﺔ
Example:
أم ﻧﺎظﻢ :ﻋﺒﺎس اﺑﻦ اﻟﺠﯿﺮان ﻧﺠﻲ ﺑﺄﻋﺠﻮﺑﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤﺎدث اﻟﻠﻲ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻌﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﻧﺎظﻢ :ﷲ ﺳﺘﺮ! ﻻزم ﻧﺮوح ﻧﺰوره وﻧﻄ ّﻤﻦ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ.
ّ ﻧﺨﻠﮫ
/‘ijaziyyeh/ ← /nāyṭah/
Equivalent: Lazybones/ A lazy person. Example:
أم ﻋﺪي :ﻣﺮت ﻋﺪي اﺑﻨﻲ ﻧﺎﯾﻄﺔ وﻋﺠﺰﯾّﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﺐ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ وﺑﺘﺤﺐ ﺗﻀﻞ ﻧﺎﯾﻤﺔ! أم ﺻﺎﻓﻲ :ﺑﻨﺎت ھﺎﻟﺠﯿﻞ زي ﺑﻌﺾ! ﻣﺮت اﺑﻨﻲ ﻧﻔﺲ ﻣﺮت اﺑﻨﻚ!
/nakhkhal-uh/
Equivalent: Bawl someone out/ Chew someone out/
ﻧﺒﺶ ﻋﺸﮫ ← ﻧﺜﺮ ﻋﺸﮫ
Lash out at someone/ To put someone in the hot seat.
/nathar ‘ushsh-uh/ ← /nabash ‘ushsh-uh/
Example:
Equivalent: Rack over old coals/ This is said when a
أم ﺟﻼل :اﻟﯿﻮم أﺑﻮ ﺟﻼل ﺑﮭﺪل ﺟﻼل ّ وﻧﺨﻠﮫ ﻹﻧّﮫ رﺳﺐ ﺑﺈﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﮫ! أم اﻣﺎل :اﻟﻮاﺣﺪ ﺑﺘﻌﺐ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺎﻷوﻻد ﺑﺲ ھﻢ ﻣﺎ ﺑﮭﺘﻤﻮ ﻹﺷﻲ!
person goes back to old problems and tries to cause trouble to someone else.
171
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻨﻮن
ﻧﺰاق
ﺼﺎب ﺳﺮﺳﺮي ﻧ ّ /naṣṣāb sarsarī/
/nazāg/
Equivalent: Swindler/ Cheat.
Equivalent: Moody/ Ill-tempered.
Example:
Example:
ﺷﺮف :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﺎرك ﻋﺒﻮد ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺤﻞ! ادم :ﻟﯿﺶ؟ ﺼﺎب ﺳﺮﺳﺮي! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺗﻮ ّرط ﻣﻌﮫ. ﻧ واﺣﺪ ھﺬا ﺷﺮف: ّ
ﻧﺺ ﻧﺺ
أم ﻣﺆﯾﺪ :ﻣﺆﯾﺪ ﻣﻐﻠّﺒﻨﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻋﺼﺒﻲ وﻧﺰاق! أم ھﺎﻧﻲ :طﻮﻟﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﺑﻜﺮة ﺑﻜﺒﺮ وﺑﻌﻘﻞ.
ﻧﺰل ﻓﯿﮫ ﻣﺴﺒﺎت /nizil fīh masabbāt/
/nuṣṣ nuṣṣ/
Equivalent: Curse or swear at someone or something/
Equivalent: Literal. Half-half/ So-so/ Not very good but
To use foul language.
not very bad either.
Example:
Example:
ﺳﻜﯿﻨﺔ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ رﺣﻠﺘﻜﻮ اﻣﺒﺎرح؟ ﻓﺠﺮ :ﻧﺺ ﻧﺺ!
ﻧﺺ ﻧﺼﯿﺺ
ﺧﻠﻒ :ﺑﺲ ﺟﻤﯿﻞ أﺧﻮك ﺷﺎﻓﻨﻲ ﻧﺰل ﻓﯿّﻲ ﻣﺴﺒﺎت! وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎﻣﻞ إﺷﻲ. ﻋﻤﺮ :ﺟﻤﯿﻞ ﻣﺠﻨﻮن ﻻ ﺗﻮاﺧﺬه! ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ طﻮﯾﻞ وﺑﺪّه ﻗﺺ.
ﻧﺰل ﻣﻦ ﻋﯿﻨﻲ ← ﺳﻘﻂ ﻣﻦ ﻋﯿﻨﻲ /nuṣṣ nṣēṣ/
/ṣagaṭ min ‘ēn-ī/ ← /nizil min ‘ēn-ī/
Equivalent: Itty-bitty/ Very small/ Tiny.
Equivalent: Lose face/ I don’t respect him or her anymore.
Example:
Example:
ﺷﺎدﯾﺔ :اﺑﻨﻚ ﺻﻐﯿﺮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻄﻌﻤﯿﮫ! ﻣﺎﻟﮫ ﻗﺪ ﻧﺺ ﻧﺼﯿﺺ؟ ﻧﺎدﯾﺔ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ إﻧﺘﻲ؟ ﻋﻤﺮه ﺳﻨﺔ ﺑﺲ! ﺑﻌﺪه ﺻﻐﯿﺮ!
طﻼل :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻣ ّﺮ ﺳﺎﻣﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤﺎرة ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﺳﻠّﻤﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! طﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﺠﻦ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﻮﻣﯿﻦ! ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :ﻛﺎن اﻟﻜﻞ ﯾﺤﺘﺮﻣﮫ ﺑﺲ ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ اﺧﺘﻠﺲ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﻨﻚ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻓﯿﮫ ﻧﺰل ﻣﻦ ﻋﯿﻦ اﻟﻜﻞ! ﻛﺎن ﻣﻮظﻒ ﻣﺤﺘﺮم ﺑﺲ اﻟﺸﯿﻄﺎن ﻟﻌﺐ ﺑﺪﻣﺎﻏﮫ.
اﻟﻨﺼﯿﺤﺔ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺑﺠﻤﻞ /il-naṣīḥah kānat b-jamal/
Equivalent: Literal. Advice was worth a camel/ Advice when most needed is least heeded.
ﻧﺸﺮ ﻏﺴﯿﻠﮫ
Example:
/nashar ghasīl-uh/
أﺑﻮ اﯾﺎد :ﺷﻮﻓﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻧﻮرھﺎن! ﻋﻤﺎر ﺷﺐ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ ورح ﺗﺮﺗﺎﺣﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ! ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ؟ اﻟﺸﺐ ﺑﺪّه ﺟﻮاب. ﺴﮫ ﺛﻘﯿﻞ دم وﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺒﮫ! ﺑﺤ ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻧﻮرھﺎن :ﻻ ﯾﺎﺑﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾﺎه! ّ أﺑﻮ اﯾﺎد :إﻧﺘﻲ ﺣ ّﺮة! أﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺠﺒﺮك ﻋﻠﻰ إﺷﻲ! ﺑﺲ ﻧﺼﺤﺘﻚ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﺑﺪّي ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺘﻚ! اﻟﻨﺼﯿﺤﺔ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺑﺠﻤﻞ!
Equivalent: To wash one’s dirty linen in public.
ﻧﻂ ﻗﻠﺒﮫ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺤﻠﮫ
Example:
أم ﺛﺎﻣﺮ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﺖ أم ﻣﺠﺪي ﻣﻊ ﺟﺎرﺗﮭﺎ! واﻟﺜﻨﺘﯿﻦ ﻧﺸﺮن ﻏﺴﯿﻞ ﺑﻌﺾ ﻗﺪّام ﻛﻞ اﻟﺤﺎرة! أم ادھﻢ :ﯾﺎ ﻋﯿﺐ اﻟﻌﯿﺐ!
ﻧﺸﻒ رﯾﻘﮫ ← ﻧﺸﻒ دﻣﮫ /naṭṭ galb-uh min maḥall-uh/
/nishif damm-uh/ ← /nishif rīg-uh/
Equivalent: Someone’s heart leaps, jumps or quickens/
Equivalent: One’s heart is in your throat/ Sweat blood/
Someone unexpectedly feels excited, anxious or
To be very anxious and tense.
scared/ One’s heart skips a beat.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﺑﺲ أم ﻣﮭﺪي ﺷﺎﻓﺖ اﺑﻨﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺎرع ﻧﻂّ ﻗﻠﺒﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺤﻠّﮫ! رﺟﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ وﺣﺐ ﯾﻔﺎﺟﺌﮭﻢ! أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﺣﻤﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﻼﻣﺘﮫ.
ﻣﺮوى :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻧﺸﻒ رﯾﻘﻨﺎ وإﺣﻨﺎ ﻧﺴﺘﻨﻰ ﺑﻄﻠﻮع اﻟﻨﺘﺎﯾﺞ! ﻋﺮوﺑﺔ :أﻧﺎ ﻧﺸﻒ دﻣﻲ ﺑﺲ ﺷﻔﺖ اﻟﻨﺘﯿﺠﺔ.
ﻧﺸّﻒ رﯾﻘﮫ ← ﻧﺸّﻒ دﻣﮫ /nashshaf damm-uh/ ← /nashshaf rīg-uh/
اﻟﻨﻈﺎﻓﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻹﯾﻤﺎن
Equivalent: To chill someone’s blood/ Horrify or terrify /il-naḏā ̣ fah min il-’īmān/
someone/ To give someone a hard time.
Equivalent: Cleanliness is next to godliness.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻗﺎﺳﻢ :ﻗﺎﺳﻢ ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ! أﻋﻄﻮه إﻧﺬار وﻣﻤﻜﻦ ﯾﻔﺼﻠﻮه ﻓﺼﻞ ﺗﺄدﯾﺒﻲ! ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻧﺸّﻒ دﻣﻨﺎ! أم ﻋﻨﺎن :ﻣﻌﻈﻢ ھﺎﻷوﻻد ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺠﯿّﺔ وﺑﻨﺸّﻔﻮ اﻟﺮﯾﻖ!
أم ﻋﺜﻤﺎن :ارﺗﺎﺣﻲ ﺷﻮﯾﺔ ﯾﺎ اﻧﻌﺎم! ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﺑﺘﺸﺘﻐﻠﻲ! اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﻧﻈﯿﻒ.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻧﻔﺴﮫ ﻋﺰﯾﺰة ← ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻂ واطﻲ ﻟﺤﺪا /mā biḥuṭ wāṭī la-ḥadā/ ← /nafs-uh ‘azīzeh/
Equivalent: To have pride in oneself/ Someone who has too much pride to ask for help when he or she
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اﻧﻌﺎم :ﻻ ﯾ ّﻤﺎ ﺑﺪّه ﺗﻨﻄﯿﻒ ﻹﻧّﮫ اﻷوﻻد ﻛﺎﻧﻮ ﯾﻠﻌﺒﻮ ﺑ ّﺮا ووﺳﺨﻮه ﺑﺲ رﺟﻌﻮ! اﻟﻨﻈﺎﻓﺔ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ! اﻟﻨﻈﺎﻓﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻹﯾﻤﺎن.
ﻧﻔﺬ ﺑﺠﻠﺪه ← اﻧﮭﺰم
needs it.
/inhazam/ ← /nafadh b-jild-uh/
Example:
Equivalent: Get away scot-free/ To escape from someone
أم ھﺎدي :ﺟﺎرﺗﻨﺎ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة أرﻣﻠﺔ وﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪھﺎ دﺧﻞ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام! ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﻧﺠﻤﻌﻠﮭﺎ ﻣﺒﻠﻎ ﻣﻦ ﻧﺴﻮان اﻟﺤﺎرة وﻧﻌﻄﯿﮭﺎ إﯾﺎه؟ أم ﺑﺮﻛﺎت :ﻻ ﺗﺤﺎوﻟﻲ! ھﺎﻟﻤﺮا ﻧﻔﺴﮭﺎ ﻋﺰﯾﺰة وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﻂ واطﻲ ﻟﺤﺪا وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻘﺒﻞ ﻣﺴﺎﻋﺪة ﻣﻦ أي ﺣﺪا! ﻗﺮاﯾﺒﮭﺎ ﺣﺎوﻟﻮ ﻣﻌﮭﺎ وﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻠﺖ!
or something/ Save one’s hide/ Give him the slip/ Take to one’s heels. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺻﺎﺑﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﻣﺴﻜﻮ اﻟﺤﺮاﻣﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﺎن ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺴﺮق ﻣﺤﻞ أﺑﻮ اﺟﻮد؟ أﺑﻮ ﻋﻠﻲ :ﻻ ھﺎﻟﺤﺮاﻣﻲ اﻧﮭﺰم! ﻧﻔﺬ ﺑﺠﻠﺪه! وﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﻋﺮﻓﮫ.
ﻧﻔﺬ ﺻﺒﺮه
ﻧﻔﺴﮫ ﻓﯿﮫ ← ﻧﻔﺴﮫ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ /nafs-uh fīhā/ ← /nafs-uh fīh/
/nafadh ṣabr-uh/
Equivalent: To have one’s heart set on something/ To
Equivalent: One’s patience is wearing thin/ Not to have
want something very badly.
a lot of patience left because you are irritated/ To run
Example:
out of patience/ Not being able to wait anymore.
ﻧﮭﺎد :ﺷﻔﺖ ﻓﺴﺘﺎن ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮل ﺑﺲ ﻛﺎن ﻏﺎﻟﻲ! ﺑﺠﺪ ﻧﻔﺴﻲ ﻓﯿﮫ! ﻣﻨﺎر :إذا ﺑﺪّك ﺑﻌﻄﯿﻜﻲ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري دﯾﻦ وﺑﺘﺮوﺣﻲ ﺗﺸﺘﺮﯾﮫ. ﻧﮭﺎد :ﻻ ﺧﻠﺺ! ﺑﺲ ﺗﺘﻮﻓﺮ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري ﻣﻌﻲ ﺑﺠﯿﺒﮫ.
Example:
أم اﻧﻮر :أﺑﻮك ّ ﺗﺄﺧﺮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! رﻧﯿﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وﻣﺎ رد! ﻗﻠﻘﺎﻧﺔ وﻧﻔﺬ ﺻﺒﺮي! اﻧﻮر :إذا ﻣﻦ ھﻮن ﻟﺴﺎﻋﺘﯿﻦ ﻣﺎ رﺟﻊ ﺑﻨﺨﺒّﺮ اﻟﺸﺮطﺔ.
اﻟﻨﻔﺲ أ ّﻣﺎرة ﺑﺎﻟﺴﻮء
ﻧﻔﺴﻲ ﺑﺘﻠﻌﻲ ﻋﻠﻲ /nafsī btil‘ī ‘alayy/
/il-nafs ’ammārah b-il-sū’/
Equivalent: To feel sick to one’s stomach/ To have a
Equivalent: The soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil/
queasy stomach/ To feel nauseous.
Self is a bad counselor.
Example:
Example:
ﻟﯿﻨﺎ :ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮﻟﻲ! ﻧﻔﺴﻲ ﺑﺘﻠﻌﻲ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ! ﻣﻠﻌﺒﻨﺔ! ﻣﺮام :روﺣﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر وﺧﺬي دوا!
أم ﯾﺎﺳﯿﻦ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺳﺮﻗﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ أﻣﻨّﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺤﻠﮫ! رﺟﻊ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺳﺮﻗﺘﮫ! ﺣﺮام! روح ّ ﯾﺎﺳﯿﻦ :آﺳﻒ ﯾ ّﻤﺎ إﻧّﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﺖ ھﯿﻚ ﻋﻤﻠﺔ! اﻟﻨﻔﺲ أ ّﻣﺎرة ﺑﺎﻟﺴﻮء.
ﻧﻔﺴﮫ ﺧﻀﺮا ← ﻧﻔﺴﮫ طﺮﯾﺔ
ﻧﻔﺴﮫ ﻣﺴﺪودة /nafs-uh masdūdeh/
/nafs-uh ṭariyyeh/ ← /nafs-uh khaḏṛ ā/
Equivalent: To lose one’s appetite/ To lose one’s desire
Equivalent: Literal. His soul is green/ Tender/ A
to eat.
womanizer.
Example:
Example:
ارﯾﺞ :ﺗﻌﺎل ﺗﻐﺪى ﯾﺎ ﻣﻨﯿﺮ! ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :ﻣﺎ إﻟﻲ ﻧﻔﺲ! ﻧﻔﺴﻲ ﻣﺴﺪودة!
ﻧﻔﺲ اﻟﻤ ّﻮﺷﺢ /nafs il-muwashshaḥ/
أﺑﻮ رزق :أﺑﻮ ﻓﺮﺣﺎن ﺧﺘﯿﺎر وﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻔّﺔ ﻗﺒﺮه وﻧﻔﺴﮫ ﺑﻌﺪھﺎ ﺧﻀﺮا! ﺑﺤﺐ اﻟﻨﺴﻮان! أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ھﮭﮭﮭﮫ! ﻧﻔﺴﮫ طﺮﯾّﺔ.
ﻧﻔﺴﮫ طﯿﺒﺔ
Equivalent: To say the same thing over and over again/
/nafs-uh ṭaybeh/
A broken record.
Equivalent: Have a heart of gold/ To be generous, kind
Example:
and friendly/ To be very hospitable.
أم ﻋﺎطﻒ :ﻻزم ﺗﻄﻠﻊ وﺗﺪ ّور ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻐﻞ ﯾﺎ ﻋﺎطﻒ! ﺷﻮف أﺻﺤﺎﺑﻚ ﻛﻠﮭﻢ ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻠﻮ إﻻ إﻧﺖ ﻋﺎطﻞ وﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ! ﻋﺎطﻒ :إﻧﺘﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻌﺒﺘﻲ ﻣﻦ إﻋﺎدة ﻧﻔﺲ اﻟﻤ ّﻮﺷﺢ ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﯾ ّﻤﺎ! ﺑﺲ أﻻﻗﻲ إﺷﻲ ﺑﺸﺘﻐﻞ.
Example:
أم زﯾﺎد :ﻋﻤﺎد أﺧﻮك ﻧﻔﺴﮫ طﯿﺒﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻋﻜﺴﻚ! إﻧﺖ ﻟﻤﯿﻦ طﺎﻟﻊ ﺑﺨﯿﻞ ﺑﺪّي أﻋﺮف؟ زﯾﺎد :ﺑﺠﻮز إﻟﻚ! ھﮭﮭﮭﮭﮫ.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻨﻮن
ﻧﻘّﺎل ﻗﺎﻟّﺔ
ﻧﻤﻠﺔ ﻧﻘّﺎﻟﺔ /nimleh naggālah/
/naggāl gālah/
Equivalent: Spend money like water/ Provide for
Equivalent: Scandalmonger/ Gossipmonger/ A person
someone or something/ This is used to describe
who starts or spreads gossips and rumors.
someone who excessively and generously buys things
Example:
for his or her family on a daily basis. Example:
أم ﺟﻤﯿﻞ :ﺑﻨﺼﺢ ﺟﻤﯿﻞ ﯾﻤﺴﻚ إﯾﺪه ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ وﻣﺎ ﯾﺼﺮف ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺮد ﻋﻠ ّﻲ! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﺑﺼﺮف ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﯿﺘﮫ ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﻣﺶ طﺒﯿﻌﻲ! ﻧﻤﻠﺔ ﻧﻘّﺎﻟﺔ! وﻣﺮﺗﮫ طﻠﺒﺎﺗﮭﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮة وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺨﻠﺺ! أﺑﻮ ﺟﻤﯿﻞ :اﺗﺮﻛﯿﮫ ﺑﺤﺎﻟﮫ ﻹﻧّﮫ ھﻮ أﻋﺮف ﺑﻤﺼﻠﺤﺘﮫ.
أم رﺿﺎ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي ﺷﻜﺮﯾﺔ ﺗﯿﺠﻲ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ! ﺻﺎرت ﻣﺴﺒﺒﯿﺘﻠﻲ ﻣﻠﯿﻮن ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺠﺎرات! ھﺎي وﺣﺪة ﻧﻘّﺎﻟﺔ ﻗﺎﻟّﺔ! ﻟﺴﺎﻧﮭﺎ ﺑﻔﻮﺗﺶ ﺑﺤﻠﻘﮭﺎ. أم ﻧﺠﻮى :اﻷﻓﻀﻞ إﻧّﻚ ﺗﻜﺸﺘﻠﯿﮭﺎ!
ﻧﻘﻄﺔ ﺿﻌﻔﮫ /nugṭit ḏạ ‘f-uh/
ﻧ ّﻮارﺗﮭﻢ
Equivalent: To have a weakness for someone or /nuwwārit-hum/
something/ Weakness.
Equivalent: The flower of the flock/ Cream of the crop/
Example:
The best person in a group. Example:
أﺑﻮ اﻛﺮم :أﺑﻮ ﺳﻌﯿﺪ ﻣﺤﻈﻮظ إﻧّﮫ ﻋﻨﺪه وﻟﺪ ﺑﺮﻓﻊ اﻟﺮاس زي ﻣﺤﻤﺪ! أﺑﻮ ﺳﮭﯿﻞ :آه اﺑﻨﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺷﺎء ﷲ ﺑﺮﻓﻊ اﻟﺮاس وأﺣﺴﻦ وﻟﺪ ﻋﻨﺪه! أﺧﻮﺗﮫ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺜﻠﮫ! ھﻮ ﻧ ّﻮارﺗﮭﻢ.
أﺑﻮ ﺗﺎﻣﺮ :ﻻزم أﻋﺮف ﺷﻮ ﻧﻘﻄﺔ ﺿﻌﻒ أﺑﻮ اﻟﯿﺎس! أﺑﻮ ﻧﺎﺟﻲ :ﺻﻌﺐ ﻧﻌﺮﻓﮭﺎ ﻋﺸﺎن إﺣﻨﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﺨﺘﻠﻂ ﻓﯿﮫ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ.
ﻧﻘﻄﺔ اﻟﻼ رﺟﻌﺔ /nugṭit illā raj‘ah/
Equivalent: The point of no return. Example:
ﻧﻮر ﻋﯿﻮﻧﻲ /nūr ‘yūn-ī/
Equivalent: Literal. The apple of my eye/ The light of one’s life/ The person one loves most/ A much-loved person.
أﻣﺠﺪ :ﺑﻌﺪك ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺴﺘﻤﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺮھﺎن ﻣﻊ ﺻﺎﻓﻲ! ﺑﺠﻮز ﺗﺨﺴﺮ! ﻋﻤﺮان :وﺻﻠﻨﺎ أﻧﺎ وإﯾﺎه ﻟﻨﻘﻄﺔ اﻟﻼرﺟﻌﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر أﺗﺮاﺟﻊ ﻹﻧّﮫ ھﺬا ﺑﻌﻨﻲ إﻧّﮫ ﻓﺎز ﻋﻠ ّﻲ وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺮﺿﻰ ﺑﮭﯿﻚ ﻧﺘﯿﺠﺔ.
Example:
أم ﺷﺮوق :إﻧﺘﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺷﺮوق ﺣﺒﯿﺒﺘﻲ وﻧﻮر ﻋﯿﻮﻧﻲ وأﻧﺎ ﻓﺨﻮرة ﻓﯿﻜﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺷﺮوق :وإﻧﺘﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺎﻣﺎ ﻧﻮر ﻋﯿﻮﻧﻲ ﻛﻤﺎن.
ﻧﻜﺪي /nikadī/
Equivalent: Spoilsport/ Someone who ruins the fun for others and stops people from enjoying themselves/
اﻟﻨﻮم ﺑﺠﺮ اﻟﻨﻮم
Misery guts. Example:
/il-nōm bi-jurr il-nōm/
Equivalent: Crawl back into bed/ To go back to bed and sleep again after waking up. Example:
رﺑﺎب :وﯾﻦ ﺳﺮى؟ ھﻨﺎ :رﺟﻌﺖ ﻧﺎﻣﺖ! رﺑﺎب :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻧﺎﻣﺖ؟ ﻣﮭﻲ ﻗﺒﻞ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ ﺻﺤﯿﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﻮم! ھﻨﺎ :اﻟﻨﻮم ﺑﺠﺮ اﻟﻨﻮم! ﺷﻜﻠﮭﺎ ﺗﻌﺒﺎﻧﺔ وﻧﻌﺴﺎﻧﺔ.
أم ﺷﺎﻛﺮ :ﺧﻠّﯿﻨﺎ ﻧﺮوح ﻣﻊ ﺑﯿﺖ أﺧﺘﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺪﯾﻘﺔ! ﺑﻨﺘﺴﻠّﻰ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ. أﺑﻮ ﺷﺎﻛﺮ :ﻣﺶ ﺟﺎي ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ أطﻠﻊ! إﻧﺴﻲ! ﺑﻨﺮوح ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻨﺎ ﺑﻌﺪﯾﻦ. أم ﺷﺎﻛﺮ :إﻧﺖ داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﻧﻜﺪي وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﺐ ﺗﺸﻮف ﺣﺪا ﻣﺒﺴﻮط!
ﻧﻜﺶ ﻣﺨﮫ /nakash mukhkh-uh/
ﻧﯿﺘﮫ ﺻﺎﻓﯿﺔ ← ﻧﯿﺘﮫ ﺳﻠﯿﻤﺔ
Equivalent: To get in someone’s hair/ To get on
/niyt-uh salīmeh/ ← /niyt-uh ṣāfyeh/
someone’s nerves/ To irritate and bother someone.
Equivalent: To have good, pure and innocent intentions.
Example:
Example:
أم ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺗﺰﻋﻞ ﻣﻦ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻚ اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ؟ ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻛﺎن ﺑﻨﺼﺤﻚ ﺑﻨﯿّﺔ ﺻﺎﻓﯿﺔ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﺑﺪّه ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺘﻚ! إﻧﺖ ﻓﮭﻤﺘﮫ ﻏﻠﻂ. ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺣﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ وﻻ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮﻓﮫ!
أﺑﻮ ﻣﺤﯿﻲ :ﺧﻠّﻲ ھﺎﻷوﻻد ﯾﺴﻜﺘﻮ ﯾﺎ أم ﻣﺤﯿﻲ! ﻧﻜﺸﻮ ّ ﻣﺨﻲ! أم ﻣﺤﯿﻲ :ﺣﺎﺿﺮ! ﯾﺎ اﺳﻜﺘﻮ ﯾﺎ اوﻻد أﺑﻮﻛﻮ ﺗﻌﺒﺎن.
174
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻧﯿﺘﮫ ﻋﺎطﻠﺔ /niyt-uh ‘āṭleh/
Equivalent: To have bad or evil intentions.
Example:
ﺻﻔّﻲ ﻧﯿﺘﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺎﺗﻢ! أﻣﻮرك ﻣﺶ ﻣﺎﺷﯿﺔ! ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﻧﯿﺘﻚ:ﺑﺎﺳﻢ !ﻋﺎطﻠﺔ . ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﻜﺲ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ أﺻﻔﻰ ﻣﻦ ﻧﯿﺘﻲ! ﻧﻮاﯾﺎي داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺳﻠﯿﻤﺔ:ﺣﺎﺗﻢ
ﺣﺮف اﻟﮭﺎء
ھﺎت ﻣﻦ اﻵﺧﺮ
ھﺬا اﻟﻠﻲ ﷲ ﻗﺪّرك ﻋﻠﯿﮫ /hāḏā ̣ illī Allah gaddar-ak ‘alēh/
/hāt min il-’ākhir/
Equivalent: Is this the best you can do?/ Is this your
Equivalent: Cut the cackle/ Cut to the chase/ What’s
best?/ This expression is used to show dissatisfaction
your point/ What’s the bottom line.
with the result.
Example:
Example:
ﻋﻤﺎر :ﺷﻮﻓﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻣﻨﻰ! إﺣﻨﺎ ﺻﺎرﻟﻨﺎ ﺧﺎطﺒﯿﻦ ﺳﻨﺘﯿﻦ وأﻣﻮري ﺴﻦ! واﻟﻮﺿﻊ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ﻣﻦ ﺳﻲء ﻷﺳﻮء! اﻟﻤﺎدﯾّﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺘﺤ ّ ﻣﻨﻰ :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻘﻮل ﯾﺎ ﻋﻤﺎر؟ ﻻ ﺗﻠﻒ وﺗﺪور! ھﺎت ﻣﻦ اﻵﺧﺮ! ﻋﻤﺎر :ﺑﺪّي أﻓﺴﺦ اﻟﺨﻄﻮﺑﺔ! ﺳﺎﻣﺤﯿﻨﻲ.
ﻓﺘﺤﻲ :ﻟﺰّﻗﺖ اﻟﺸﺒﺎك اﻟﻠﻲ اﻧﻜﺴﺮ ﺗﻠﺰﯾﻖ! ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﺷﻮﻓﯿﮫ! ﻧﺠﻼ :ھﺬا اﻟﻠﻲ ﷲ ﻗﺪّرك ﻋﻠﯿﮫ؟ ﺷﻜﻠﮫ ﺑﺨﺰي روح ﺟﯿﺐ ﺷﺒﺎك ﺟﺪﯾﺪ أﺣﺴﻦ!
ھﺬا دوا اﻟﻜﻼب /hāḏā ̣ dawā li-klāb/
ھﺬا ﺑﻌﺪك
Equivalent: Serves you right/ To take a dose of your
/hāḏā ̣ bu‘d-ak/
own medicine/ Put up with unpleasantness/ To learn
Equivalent: It’s not going to happen/ In one’s dreams.
one’s lesson/ To accept the consequences or the bad
Example:
fortune that one deserves. Example:
ﻋﺎﺑﺪ :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻣﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ ﻓﺼﻞ طﺎرق ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻏﺶ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﻋﻨﻲ! أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎﺑﺪ :وﻛﯿﻒ ﻋﺮف اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ؟ ﻋﺎﺑﺪ :ﻛﺎﺗﺐ ﻛﻞ إﺷﻲ أﻧﺎ ﻛﺘﺒﺘﮫ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن! ﺣﺘﻰ اﺳﻤﻲ! ھﺎﻟﻐﺒﻲ! ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﻛﺸﻔﻮ وﻓﺼﻠﻮه. أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎﺑﺪ :ھﺬا دوا اﻟﻜﻼب!
ھﺬا ﻋﺸﻤﻲ ﻓﯿﻚ
اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ :ﺷﻮ ﯾﺎ ﻧﻮال ﻓ ّﻜﺮﺗﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع اﻟﻠﻲ ﻗﻠﺘﻠﻚ ﻋﻨﮫ؟ ﻧﻮال :أي ﻣﻮﺿﻮع؟ ﻗﺼﺪك ﻣﻮﺿﻮع ﺧﻄﻮﺑﺘﻲ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺪﯾﺮك اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﺮه أﻛﺒﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻋﻤﺮ أﺑﻮﻧﺎ؟ اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ :آه ﯾﺎ ﻧﻮال! ھﺎﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻏﻨﻲ ورح ﯾﺨﻠﯿﻜﻲ ﺗﻌﯿﺸﻲ أﺣﻠﻰ ﻋﯿﺸﺔ وﺑﺮﻓّﻌﻨﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ! ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ؟ ﻣﻮاﻓﻘﺔ؟ ﻧﻮال :ھﺬا ﺑﻌﺪك! إﻧﺴﻲ اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع أﺣﺴﻦ.
ھﺬا ﺑﯿﺖ اﻟﻘﺼﯿﺪ /hāḏā ̣ bēt il-gaṣīd/
/hāḏā ̣ ‘asham-ī fīk/
Equivalent: This is the bottom line/ That’s the point.
Equivalent: This is exactly what I expect
Example:
from you. Example:
ﺳﻤﯿﺮ :ﺑﺪّي أطﻠﺐ ﻣﻨﻚ طﻠﺐ وﺑﺘﻤﻨﻰ إﻧّﻚ ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ. أﻣﯿﻦ :أطﻠﺐ ﻟﺒﻦ اﻟﻌﺼﻔﻮر! ﻣﺎ رح أردﻟﻚ طﻠﺐ أﺑﺪاً! ﺳﻤﯿﺮ :ھﺬا ﻋﺸﻤﻲ ﻓﯿﻚ.
ھﺬا ﻣﺎ ﺑﻤﺸﻲ ﻣﻌﻲ /hāḏā ̣ mā bimshī ma‘-ī/
أم ﻋﺮﻓﺔ :إذا ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻨﺠﺢ وﺑﺘﺠﯿﺐ ﻣﻌﺪّل ﻋﺎﻟﻲ ﻣﺎ رح ﺗﺪرس اﻟﺘﺨﺼﺺ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪّك إﯾﺎه وﻻ رح ﺗﺤﺼﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻌﺜﺔ! ﻋﺮﻓﺔ :ﺷﻮ ﻗﺼﺪك؟ أم ﻋﺮﻓﺔ :ﻗﺼﺪي إﻧّﮫ اﻟﻨﺠﺎح ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﻔﻌﻚ! ﺑﺪّك ﻣﻌﺪّل ﻋﺎﻟﻲ ﻋﺸﺎن اﻟﺘﺨﺼﺺ واﻟﺒﻌﺜﺔ وھﺬا ﺑﯿﺖ اﻟﻘﺼﯿﺪ! ﻓﮭﻤﺖ؟
ھﺬا اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﺎن ﻧﺎﻗﺺ
Equivalent: I don’t approve it/ It doesn’t work
/hāḏā ̣ illī kān nāgiṣ/
for me.
Equivalent: That’s all I need/ That’s all someone needs.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻧﺎدر :ﺷﻮ ﯾﺎ أم ﻧﺎدر ﻛﺜﺮاﻧﺔ طﻠﻌﺎﺗﻚ ھﺎﻷﯾّﺎم! ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﺘﺮوﺣﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ أھﻠﻚ وأھﻤﻠﺘﻲ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ واﻷوﻻد! ھﺬا اﻟﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻤﺸﻲ ﻣﻌﻲ! أم ﻧﺎدر :ﺧﻠﺺ ﺑﺨﻔﻒ زﯾﺎراﺗﻲ ﻷھﻠﻲ!
اﯾﻤﻦ :أﻣﻲ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﯿﺠﻲ ﺗﻘﻌﺪ ﻋﻨّﺎ ﺷﮭﺮ أو ﺷﮭﺮﯾﻦ! اﻟﯿﻮم اﺗﺼﻠﺖ ﻓﯿّﻲ وﺧﺒّﺮﺗﻨﻲ. ﻋﻔﺎف :ھﺬا اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﺎن ﻧﺎﻗﺺ! أﻣﻚ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﺘﺤﺒﻨﻲ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ أﺑﺪاً! ﷲ ﯾﻜﻮن ﺑﻌﻮﻧﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻔﺘﺮة.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ھﺒﯿﻠﺔ
176
ھﺬا ﻣﺮﺑﻂ اﻟﻔﺮس /habīleh/
/hāḏā ̣ marbaṭ il-faras/
Equivalent: Foolish/ Thoughtless/ Stupid/ Simple-
Equivalent: There lies the rub/ That is the
minded/ Idiot.
problem.
Example:
Example:
أم ﺳﻌﺪ :ﺑﻌﺪك ﺑﺘﺘﻔ ّﺮج ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻠﻔﺰﯾﻮن؟ ﻣﺶ ﻋﻨﺪك إﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﺑﻜﺮة؟ إﻧﺖ ھﺒﯿﻠﺔ وإﻻ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻔﮭﻢ؟ ﻗﻮم ادرس ﻓﻮراً وإﻻ رح ﺗﺮﺳﺐ وﺗﻌﯿﺪ اﻟﺴﻨﺔ. ﺴﮫ ﺑﺪرس! ھ ﺳﻌﺪ :ﻣﺎﺷﻲ ﻣﺎﺷﻲ ّ
ھﺞ /hajj/
أﺑﻮ وﺻﻔﻲ :أﺑﻮ ﺟﻼل ﺑﻄّﻞ ﯾﺒﯿﻌﻨﺎ ﻗﻄﻌﺔ اﻷرض! أﺑﻮ رزق :طﯿﺐ ﺷﻮ اﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ؟ ﻣﺎ إﺣﻨﺎ ﺑﻨﻘﺪر ﻧﺒﻨﻲ اﻟﻤﻮل ﺑﻘﻄﻌﺔ اﻷرض اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻨّﺎ! أﺑﻮ وﺻﻔﻲ :ﻻ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﻘﺪر! أرض أﺑﻮ ﺟﻼل ﺑﺘﻜ ّﻤﻞ أرﺿﻨﺎ وﺑﺪوﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﺸﺮوﻋﻨﺎ رح ﯾﻔﺸﻞ! وھﺬا ﻣﺮﺑﻂ اﻟﻔﺮس!
ھﺎﻧﺖ ←ھﺎﻧﺖ ﻻﻧﺖ
Equivalent: Go bush/ To leave your normal surroundings
/hānat lānat/ ← /hānat/
and run wild.
Equivalent: It’s almost over.
Example:
Example:
ﻣﻌﯿﻦ :ﻣﻦ زﻣﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺳﻤﻌﻨﺎ ﻣﻦ أﻣﺠﺪ؟ ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎره؟ ﻓﺎدي :ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺑﻌﺮف ﻋﻨﮫ إﺷﻲ ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺗﺮك ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ وراه وھﺞ! أﺑﺼﺮ وﯾﻨﮫ!
ھﺠﯿﻦ ووﻗﻊ ﺑﺴﻠﺔ ﺗﯿﻦ
ﺻﺪام :ﻣﺎ ﺿﻞ إﻻ أﺳﺒﻮع وﺑﻨﺨﻠّﺺ إﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت وﺑﺘﺒﻠّﺶ اﻟﻌﻄﻠﺔ اﻟﺼﯿﻔﯿّﺔ! أم ﺻﺪام :ھﺎﻧﺖ! ﻣﺎ ﺿﻞ إﺷﻲ.
ھﺎي اﻟﺤﯿﺎة ← ھﺎي ﺣﺎل اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ /hajīn w-wigi‘ b-sallit tīn/
/hāy ḥāl il-dinyā/ ← /hāy il-ḥayāt/
Equivalent: Like a kid in a candy store.
Equivalent: That’s the way the cookie crumbles/ Such
Example:
is life.
ﻣﻌﺎذ :ﺷﻮ أﺧﺒﺎر ﻋﺎھﺪ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻧﺠﺢ ﺑﺎﻹﻧﺘﺨﺎﺑﺎت وﺻﺎر ﻧﺎﺋﺐ؟ رﻋﺪ :وﷲ ھﺎﻟﻤﺠﻠﺲ إﺷﻲ ﺑﺨﺰي! ﻋﺎھﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﮫ ﺷﮭﺎدة ﺛﺎﻧﻮﯾﺔ وﺻﺎر ﻧﺎﺋﺐ ﻗﺎل! واﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺠﻨّﻨﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮﺿﻮع إﻧّﮫ ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ وﻣﺶ ﻣﺼﺪّق! ﻣﻦ ﻋﺎﻣﻞ ﻓﻘﯿﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﻮﺑﺮ ﻣﺎرﻛﺖ ﻟﻨﺎﺋﺐ ﻣﺮة وﺣﺪة! ﺑﻄّﻞ اﻟﻮاﺣﺪ ﯾﻘﺪر ﯾﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ! وﺗﺼﺮﻓﺎﺗﮫ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻠﯿﻖ ﺑﻨﺎﺋﺐ! وﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﻣﺘﻮاﺿﻊ ﺻﺎر ﯾﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻊ اﻟﻨﺎس ﺑﻔﻮﻗﯿّﺔ! ﻣﻌﺎذ :ھﺬا ﻋﻤﻞ زي اﻟﮭﺠﯿﻦ اﻟﻠﻲ وﻗﻊ ﺑﺴﻠﺔ ﺗﯿﻦ!
Example:
أم ﻧﻌﯿﻤﺔ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻨﺔ أﺧﺘﻲ أم ﺗﺮﻛﻲ! ﺑﺲ إﺟﺖ ﺗﺮﺗﺎح وأوﻻدھﺎ ﻛﺒﺮو وﻛ ّﻤﻠﻮ دراﺳﺔ وﺗﺠ ّﻮزو ﻣﺮﺿﺖ ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻨﺔ وﻣﺎﺗﺖ ﺑﺴﺮﻋﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﻓﺮﺣﺖ ﺑﺈﺷﻲ! أم رﺿﻮان :ﷲ ﯾﺮﺣﻤﮭﺎ! ھﺎي اﻟﺤﯿﺎة وھﺎي ﺣﺎل اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ!
ھﺎي ﻧﻌﻤﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻤﺎ /hāy ni‘meh min il-samā/
ھﺪّى اﻟﻮﺿﻊ
Equivalent: A blessing in disguise. Example:
/haddā il-waḏụ ‘/
Equivalent: Pour oil on troubled water/ To do or say something in order to make people stop arguing and become calmer. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻗﺎﺳﻢ :ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎر ﻣﻊ أﺧﻮﺗﻚ ﯾﺎ أم ﻗﺎﺳﻢ؟ ﺑﻌﺪھﻢ ﺑﺘﮭﺎوﺷﻮ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻮرﺛﺔ؟ أم ﻗﺎﺳﻢ :ﻻ إﺟﺎ ﻋ ّﻤﻲ اﻟﻜﺒﯿﺮ أﺑﻮ ﺳﺎﻟﻢ وھﺪّى اﻟﻮﺿﻊ وﺣﻞ اﻟﺨﻼف اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﯿﻨﮭﻢ!
اﺷﺮف :ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﻣﺒﺴﻮط! ﻣﺶ ﻛﻨﺖ ﺗﻘﻮل إﻧّﮫ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺘﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺗﺴ ّﻜﺮ وﺑﺪّك ﺗﺼﯿﺮ ﻋﺎطﻞ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻌﻤﻞ؟ ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺒﺴﻮط؟ اﻧﻮر :ﻣﺒﺴﻮط ﻹﻧّﻲ ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ أﺧﻠّﺺ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﻋﺮﺿﻮ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ اﺷﺘﻐﻞ ﺑﻔﺮع ﺛﺎﻧﻲ اﻟﮭﻢ ﻋﺸﺎن ﺧﺒﺮﺗﻲ! ھﺎﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة ﻧﻌﻤﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻤﺎ! ﻷﻧﮭﺎ أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ وظﯿﻔﺘﻲ اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻤﺔ ﺑﻜﺜﯿﺮ!
ھﺒّﻂ ﻣﻌﻨﻮﯾﺎﺗﮫ /habbaṭ ma‘nawiyāt-uh/
ھﺪر ﻛﺮاﻣﺘﮫ ← ھﺪر ﻣﯿّﺔ وﺟﮭﮫ
Equivalent: To discourage someone/ To make someone
/hadar mayyit wijh-uh/ ← /hadar karāmt-uh/
feel depressed/ To cause someone to feel less
Equivalent: To lose face/ To be humiliated/ To suffer a
confident or hopeless.
loss of respect.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺿﺮار :ﻓ ّﮭﻢ ﻋﺎدل ﯾﺎ وﺳﯿﻢ إﻧّﮫ ﻻزم ﯾﺘﺮك اﻟﺸﻐﻞ ھﻮن ﺑﺴﺒﺐ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﮫ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﮭﺎ! اﺷﺮﺣﻠﮫ اﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﺑﺪون ﻣﺎ ﺴﺎس ﺑﺲ ﻏﻠﻄﺘﮫ ﺗﺠﺮﺣﮫ ﺑﻜﻔّﯿﮫ إﻧّﮫ ھﺪر ﻛﺮاﻣﺘﮫ! ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﺣ ّ ﻻ ﺗﻐﺘﻔﺮ وﻏﻠﻄﺔ اﻟﺸﺎطﺮ ﺑﺄﻟﻒ.
ﺻﺎﺑﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﺷﻜﻠﻚ ﻣﻜﺘﺌﺐ وﺣﺰﯾﻦ؟ ﻋﺎﻣﺮ :ﻛﻨﺖ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﺘﺮك ﺑﻤﺴﺎﺑﻘﺔ اﻷﻏﺎﻧﻲ! اﻟﻜﻞ ﺑﻘﻮل ﺻﻮﺗﻲ ﺣﻠﻮ! ﺑﺲ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﺻﺎدق ﺳﻤﻌﻨﻲ أﻏﻨﻲ ھﺒّﻂ ﻣﻌﻨﻮﯾﺎﺗﻲ وﻗﻠّﻲ إﻧّﻲ ﻣﺎ رح أﻓﻮز ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻓﻲ أﺻﻮات أﺣﻠﻰ ﺑﻜﺜﯿﺮ ﻣﻦ ﺻﻮﺗﻲ! أﺣﺒﻄﻨﻲ وﺣﻄّﻢ آﻣﺎﻟﻲ.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﮭﺎء
ﻣﻨﺼﻮر :ﻏﺎﻧﻢ ﻛﺴﺮﻟﻲ اﻟﺘﻠﻔﻮن اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ وھﺰ ﺑﺪﻧﻲ!
وﺳﯿﻢ :ﺣﺎﺿﺮ ﯾﺎ ﺣﻀﺮة اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ!
ھﺪّي ﻻ ﯾﻄﻘﻠﻚ ﻋﺮق
ھﺲ وﻻ ﻛﻠﻤﺔ ← ھﺲ وﻻ ﻧﻔﺲ /huṣṣ walā nafas/ ← /huṣṣ walā kilmeh/
/haddī lā yiṭig-l-ak ‘irig/
Equivalent: Hush/ Don’t talk/ I don’t want to hear
Equivalent: Take it easy/ Hold your horses/ Calm
a word from you/ Make someone be quiet or stop
down.
talking/ Silence. Example:
ﻻرا :ﻣﺶ أﻧﺎ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﺴﺮت اﻟﻜﺮﺳﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺎﻣﺎ! أﺧﻮي ﻋﺒﻮد ھﻮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﺴﺮه. أم ﻋﺒﻮد :ھﺲ وﻻ ﻛﻠﻤﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي اﺳﻤﻊ وﻻ ﻧﻔﺲ! إﻧﺘﻮ اﻻﺛﻨﯿﻦ روﺣﻮ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻏﺮﻓﺘﻜﻮ ﻓﻮراً!
ھﺶ وﻧﺶ
Example:
ﺼﺐ ھﯿﻚ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ راﻣﺰ! ھﺪّي ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ ﻻ أم راﻣﺰ :ﻻ ﺗﻌ ّ ﯾﻄﻘﻠﻚ ﻋﺮق! أﺑﻮ راﻣﺰ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮف ﺣﺪا ﻓﯿﻜﻮ ﻋﻨﺪي ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻮﻗﺖ! اطﻠﻌﻮ ﺑ ّﺮا.
ھﺮا ﺟﻨﺎﺑﮫ /harā jnāb-uh/
/hashsh w-nashsh/
Equivalent: To beat someone black and blue/ To hit
Equivalent: A barbecue party.
someone brutally so that he or she is covered in
Example:
bruises.
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺒﻮد :ﺗﻌﺎل إﻧﺖ واﻟﻌﯿﻠﺔ ﻋﻠﯿﻨﺎ ﯾﻮم اﻟﺠﻤﻌﺔ! ﻋﺎزﻣﯿﻨﻜﻮ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺶ وﻧﺶ! أﺑﻮ وﻟﯿﺪ :ﺗﺴﻠﻢ! أﻛﯿﺪ رح ﻧﯿﺠﻲ!
ھﻤﺠﻲ /hamajī/
Example:
أم ﻏﺴﺎن :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻏﺴﺎن وھﻮ ﻣﺮ ّوح ﻣﻦ اﻟﺪوام وﻗّﻔﻮه ﺷﺒﺎب ﺑﺎﻟﻄﺮﯾﻖ وھﺮو ﺟﻨﺎﺑﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻀﺮب! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻨﻌﺮف ﻣﯿﻦ ھﻢ وﻻ ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﻣﻨﮫ! أم ﻟﯿﺚ :ﺳﻼﻣﺘﮫ! ﺑﻠﻜﻲ ﺣﺪا ﻣﺘﮭﺎوش ﻣﻌﮫ ﺑﻌﺜﻠﮫ إﯾﺎھﻢ! اﺳﺄﻟﻮه إذا إﻟﮫ أﻋﺪاء.
Equivalent: A barbarian/ Uncivilized person. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺧﻠﻒ :ھﺬا اﻟﺠﺎر اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ واﺣﺪ ھﻤﺠﻲ وﻣﺎ ﺑﻔﮭﻢ! ّ ﺗﺘﺪﺧﻞ ﻓﯿﮫ أﺣﺴﻨﻠﻚ! ﺑﻼش أﺑﻮ ﻣﻨﯿﺮ :ﻻ ﺗﺘﻮاﺻﻞ ﻣﻌﮫ وﻻ وﺟﻊ راس.
ھﻢ واﻧﺸﺎل ﻋﻨﻲ /hamm w-inshāl ‘an-nī/
Equivalent: A weight off one’s mind or shoulders/ A relief.
ھﺮﺟﮫ ﻗﻠﯿﻞ /harj-uh galīl/
Equivalent: A man or woman of few words/ Quiet. Example:
أم ﻋﺎﺻﻲ :اﺑﻨﻚ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ھﺎدي! ھﻨﯿﺎﻟﻚ ﻓﯿﮫ .اﺑﻨﻲ ﻣﺰﻋﺞ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ. أم ﻛﺮﯾﻢ :آه ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ھﺮﺟﮫ ﻗﻠﯿﻞ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺴﻤﻌﯿﻠﮫ ﺻﻮت أﺑﺪاً! ھﺎدي وﺑﺤﺎﻟﮫ.
Example:
ﺳﻤﺎھﺮ :وأﺧﯿﺮاً ﺧﻠّﺼﺖ إﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎت! ﺧﻠﺼﺖ ﻣﻦ إﻣﺘﺤﺎن اﻟﺮﯾﺎﺿﯿﺎت! ھﻢ واﻧﺸﺎل ﻋﻨﻲ! رﺑﻰ :ﻣﻤﺘﺎز!
ھﺰ اﻛﺘﺎﻓﻚ وﻓﺮﺟﯿﻨﺎ ﺷﻄﺎرﺗﻚ /hizz iktāf-ak w-farjī-nā shaṭārt-ak/
Equivalent: Show someone what one’s made of/ Show someone what one can do/ Show one’s abilities,
ھﻨﯿﺎﻟﻚ
aptitudes, skills and courage. Example:
/hniyyāl-ak/
Equivalent: Lucky you/ Bully for you/ Good for you. Example:
اﺣﻨﻒ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ أﺑﻮك إﺷﺘﺮاﻟﻚ ﺳﯿﺎرة ﻣﻮدﯾﻞ ﺳﻨﺘﮭﺎ! ﺻﺤﯿﺢ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟ زﯾﺪ :آه إﺷﺘﺮاﻟﻲ إﯾﺎھﺎ ﻹﻧّﻲ طﻠﻌﺖ اﻷ ّول ﻋﻠﻰ دﻓﻌﺘﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ! اﺣﻨﻒ :ھﻨﯿﺎﻟﻚ! ﻣﺒﺮوك.
ﺳﺎﻣﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎل ﻣﺎﺗﻮر اﻟﺴﯿّﺎرة؟ ﻣﺎھﺮ :ﻋﻄﻼن! ﺳﺎﻣﺮ :ﻣﺶ ﺑﺘﻘﻮل إﻧّﮫ ﺗﺼﻠﯿﺢ اﻟﺴﯿﺎرات ﺷﻐﻠﺘﻚ؟ ﯾﻠّﻼ ھﺰ اﻛﺘﺎﻓﻚ وﻓﺮﺟﯿﻨﺎ ﺷﻄﺎرﺗﻚ! ﺻﻠّﺤﮭﺎ ﺗﺎ ﻧﺸﻮف!
ھﺰ ﺑﺪﻧﮫ /hazz badan-uh/
ھﻮ إﯾﺪﯾﮫ وھﻮ رﺟﻠﯿﮫ
Equivalent: Drive someone up the wall/ To annoy, /hū ’idēh w-hū rijlēh/
infuriate or frustrate someone.
Equivalent: Literal. He is his hands and legs/ Right-
Example:
hand man/ The main thing or person to rely on.
ﻋﻠﻲ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﺶ طﺎﯾﻖ ذﺑﺎن وﺟﮭﻚ؟
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
Example:
ﻣﻨﺎر :اﺳﻤﻌﻲ ﯾﺎ دﯾﻤﺎ! ﻻ ﺗﻘﻮﻟﻲ ﻟﺤﺪا ﻋﻦ اﻟﻌﻼوة اﻟﻠﻲ ﺣﺼﻠﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ! ﺧﺒّﺮﺗﻚ ﻷﻧّﻲ ﺑﺜﻖ ﻓﯿﻜﻲ! ﻣﺎﺷﻲ! ھﻮن ﺣﻔﺮﻧﺎ وھﻮن طﻤﺮﻧﺎ! دﯾﻤﺎ :ﻻ ﺗﺨﺎﻓﻲ ﻣﺎ رح أﺧﺒّﺮ ﺣﺪا!
ھﻮ وﻗﻠﺘﮫ واﺣﺪ ← ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ
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أﺑﻮ ﺑﺸﺮ :ھﺎﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺑﻌﺘﻤﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻨﺬر ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ! ھﻮ إﯾﺪﯾﮫ وھﻮ رﺟﻠﯿﮫ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف ﯾﻌﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ ﺑﺪوﻧﮫ. أﺑﻮ ھﺎدي :ﻣﮭﻮ ﻣﻨﺪر ﺷ ّﻐﯿﻞ وﻣﻨﻈّﻢ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﻣﻌﮫ ﺣﻖ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﯾﻌﺘﻤﺪ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ.
ھﻮ اﻟﺤﯿﻠﺔ واﻟﻔﺘﯿﻠﺔ
/mish nāfi‘/ ← /hū w-gilt-uh wāḥad/
/hū il-ḥīleh w-li-ftīleh/
Equivalent: Good-for-nothing/ Worthless.
Equivalent: He’s all I got/ It’s the only thing I have in
Example:
this world.
أم ﺻﻼح :روح ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺻﻼح ﺟﯿﺒﻠﻲ رز ﻣﻦ اﻟﺪﻛﺎن! أﺑﻮ ﺻﻼح :وﯾﻦ ﺻﻼح؟ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺮوح ﯾﺠﯿﺒﻠﻚ؟ أم ﺻﻼح :ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ھﻮ وﻗﻠﺘﮫ واﺣﺪ! ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ! ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﺑﺘﻔ ّﺮج ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻠﻔﺰﯾﻮن!
ھﻲ طﺎرت اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ /hī ṭārat il-dinyā/
Example:
أم ﯾﺰن :ﺑﻌﺪك ﻣﺼ ّﺮة إﻧّﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺨﻠّﻲ اﺑﻨﻚ ﻧﻌﯿﻢ ﯾﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﯾﺪرس ﺑ ّﺮا؟ أم ﻧﻌﯿﻢ :ﻻ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺨﻠّﯿﮫ! ﻣﮭﻮ اﺑﻨﻲ اﻟﻮﺣﯿﺪ وھﻮ اﻟﺤﯿﻠﺔ واﻟﻔﺘﯿﻠﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺤ ّﻤﻞ ﯾﺒﻌﺪ ﻋﻨّﻲ أﺑﺪاً.
ھﻮ دﺧﻮل اﻟﺤﻤﺎم زي ﺧﺮوﺟﮫ
?Equivalent: What’s the rush?/Where’s the fire
/hū dkhūl il-ḥammām zayy khrūj-uh/
Example:
Equivalent: It is easy to get yourself into a situation or
ﺴﮫ اﻟﻤﺒﺎراة ﺑﺘﺒﻠﺶ وﺑﺘﺮوح ﻣﺎزن :ﯾﻠّﻼ اﺳﺘﻌﺠﻞ ﯾﺎ ﻓﮭﺪ ھ ّ ﻋﻠﯿﻨﺎ! ﻓﮭﺪ :اﺳﺘﻨﻰ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ! ﺑﺪّي أﻟﺒﺲ! ھﻲ طﺎرت اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ! ﻣﻌﻨﺎ وﻗﺖ ﻛﻔﺎﯾﺔ.
ھﯿﻒ ورﯾﻒ /hīf w-rīf/
trouble, but it is hard to get out of it/ It’s not as easy as you think. Example:
ﺳﺠﻮد :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﻛ ّﻤﻞ ﻣﻌﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﻼﻗﺔ! ﺑﺪّي أﺗﺮﻛﻚ ﻹﻧّﻚ ﺑﺘﻀﺤﻚ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ وﺑﺘﻌﺮف ﺑﻨﺎت أﺷﻜﺎل وأﻟﻮان. ﺑﻼل :ھﻮ دﺧﻮل اﻟﺤﻤﺎم زي ﺧﺮوﺟﮫ! ﻣﺎ رح أﺧﻠﯿﻜﻲ ﺗﺘﺮﻛﯿﻨﻲ!
Equivalent: Live off the fat of the land/ Live high on the hog/ Prosperity.
ھﻮ ﻋﻘﻠﻲ دﻓﺘﺮ
Example:
أم ﻋﻮض :ﻛﯿﻒ ﺑﻨﺖ أﺧﻮﻛﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺗﺠﻮزت ﻣﻦ ﺷﮭﺮﯾﻦ؟ إن ﺷﺎ ﻣﺒﺴﻮطﺔ! أم ﺑﺪر :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﻣﺒﺴﻮطﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺷﻮ ﻧﺎﻗﺺ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ! ﻋﺎﯾﺸﺔ ﺑﮭﯿﻒ ورﯾﻒ! ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﻏﻨﻲ وﷲ ﻣﻌﻄﯿﮫ! ﷲ ﯾﮭﻨﯿﮭﻢ!
ھﯿﻞ ﺑﻼ ﻛﯿﻞ /hēl balā tshēl/
/hū ‘agl-ī daftar/
Equivalent: Difficult for one to recall/ One’s mind goes blank/ Forgetful. Example:
ﻣﮭﺎ :وﯾﻦ ﺣﻄّﯿﺘﻲ ﻣﻔﺘﺎح ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻲ؟ ﺗﺎﻻ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف! ﻧﺴﯿﺖ! ھﻮ ﻋﻘﻠﻲ دﻓﺘﺮ!
ھ ّﻮل اﻷﻣﻮر
Equivalent: Abundance/ Copious/ Plenty/ An amount
/hawwal il-’umūr/
that is more than enough/ In great quantities.
Equivalent: Make drama out of something/ To
Example:
exaggerate the importance of a minor problem or
أم ﻛﻔﺎح :ﻟﻮ ﺗﺸﻮف اﻟﺨﯿﺮات اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﺎﯾﺸﺔ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ أم طﺎﻟﺐ! ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮭﻢ ﻛﺜﯿﺮة وﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﻋﻨﺪھﻢ ھﯿﻞ ﺑﻼ ﻛﯿﻞ! أم ﻛﻔﺎح :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺒﺎل اﻟﻀﯿﻒ؟ ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﻣﻨﻲ؟ ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﺘﻘﻮﻟﯿﻠﻲ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ؟
ھﯿّﻦ ﻟﯿّﻦ
ﻏﺮام :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎن إﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﻚ اﻟﯿﻮم؟ اﻧﺲ :ﻛﺎن ھﯿّﻦ ﻟﯿّﻦ! ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ﺳﮭﻞ!
incident. Example:
أم ﺣﺎﻣﺪ :ﻻ ﺗﺼﺪّق ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺑﻘﻮﻟﮫ ﺛﺎﺑﺖ! داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺑﮭ ّﻮل اﻷﻣﻮر! ﺣﺎﻣﺪ :ﺑﻌﺮف ﺑﻌﺮف!
ھﻮن ﺣﻔﺮﻧﺎ وھﻮن طﻤﺮﻧﺎ /hayyin layyin/
/hōn ḥafar-nā w-hōn ṭamar-nā/
Equivalent: Super easy.
Equivalent: Literal. Here we dug and here we buried/
Example:
Never tell tales out of school/ Don’t tell a soul/ To tell someone not to talk about something that happened and keep it as a secret.
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻮاو
Example:
ﻋﻠﻲ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎل ﻋﺎرف ﻣﺶ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﻌﻀﮫ ھﺎﻷﯾّﺎم؟ ﺑﻼل :ھﺎﻟﻤﺴﻜﯿﻦ واﻗﻊ ﺑﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﻋﻮﯾﺼﺔ! واﻗﻊ وﻗﻌﺔ ﺳﻮدا! ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر أﻗﻠّﻚ ﻋﻨﮭﺎ!
واﻗﻊ ﻟﺸﻮﺷﺘﮫ /wāgi‘ la-shūsht-uh/
Equivalent: Head over heels/ Madly in love.
وا ّد ﺣﺎﻟﮫ /wādd ḥāl-uh/
Equivalent: To indulge oneself. Example:
أم ﺟﻮد :أﺧﺘﻲ ﻧﺎﺟﯿﺔ داﯾﻤﺎ ً وادّة ﺣﺎﻟﮭﺎ! ﺑﺘﺤﺐ ﺗﺠﯿﺐ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮭﺎ ﺻﺤﻲ وﻣﻤﺘﺎز ﺣﺘﻰ ﻟﻮ ﻏﺎﻟﻲ! وﺑﺘﻮﻛﻞ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ! ﻋﻜﺴﻲ أﻛﻞ ّ ﺗﻤﺎﻣﺎ! أﻧﺎ داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﻧﻔﺴﻲ ﻣﺴﺪودة. أﺑﻮ ﺟﻮد :ﺗﻌﻠّﻤﻲ ﻣﻦ أﺧﺘﻚ وودّي ﺣﺎﻟﻚ زﯾﮭﺎ!
Example:
ﺣﻨﺎن :ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﻣﺒﺴﻮطﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ ووﺟﮭﻚ ﻣﻨ ّﻮر! ﺧﯿﺮ ﺷﻮ ﻓﻲ؟ رﻓﯿﻒ :ﻻ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﻟﺤﺪا! أﻧﺎ واﻗﻌﺔ ﻟﺸﻮﺷﺘﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﺐ! وﻣﺒﺴﻮطﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ.
واﺻﻠﺔ ﻣﻌﻲ ﻟﮭﻮن /wāṣleh ma‘-ī la-hōn/
Equivalent: Up to here with something/ To have more than one can stand, cope with, or endure.
واﻗﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﻮع
Example: /wāgi‘ min il-jū‘/
Equivalent: Ravenous/ Starving/ Extremely hungry/
ﺼﺐ؟ ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﻣﻌﻚ؟ أم دﻻل :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﻌ ّ أﺑﻮ دﻻل :ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﯾﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﻲ! ﺗﺮاھﺎ وﺻﻠﺔ ﻣﻌﻲ ﻟﮭﻮن!
Famished/ Hungry as a bear/ Hungry as a hunter. Example:
ﺣﯿﺪر :ﺷﻮ ﯾ ّﻤﺎ طﺒﺨﺘﻲ اﻟﯿﻮم؟ أﻧﺎ واﻗﻊ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﻮع! أم ﺣﯿﺪر :طﺒﺨﺖ ﺟﺎج وﺑﻄﺎطﺎ!
واطﻲ /wāṭī/
Equivalent: The lowest of the low/ Lower than a snake’s belly/ A lowlife.
واﻗﻊ ﻣﻦ طﯿّﺎرة ← ﻣﮭ ّﻮي
Example:
/mhawwī/ ← /wāgi‘ min ṭayyārah/
Equivalent: Have bats in one’s belfry/ To be crazy/ To behave in a foolish manner.
ﺟﻌﻔﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻓﺎروق؟ ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺘﺰاﻋﻠﯿﻦ؟ ﺼﺎب أﻣﺠﺪ :ھﺬا واﺣﺪ واطﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أي ﻋﻼﻗﺔ ﻣﻊ ھﺎﻟﻨ ّ اﻟﺴﺮﺳﺮي.
Example:
أم ﺛﺎﻣﺮ :ھﺎي ﺟﺎرﺗﻨﺎ اﻟﻌﺠﻮز واﻗﻌﺔ ﻣﻦ طﯿّﺎرة! طﻮل ﻧﮭﺎرھﺎ ﻗﺎﻋﺪة ﺑ ّﺮا وﺑﺘﺼﯿّﺢ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻨﺎس اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻤ ّﺮو ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﺎرع! أﺑﻮ ﺛﺎﻣﺮ :ھﺎي ﻋﺠﻮز ﻣﮭﻮﯾّﺔ وﻣﺎ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﻋﻘﻞ! ﺷﻜﻠﮭﺎ ﻣﺠﻨﻮﻧﺔ! اﻟﯿﻮم ﺻﯿّﺤﺖ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ وأﻧﺎ طﺎﻟﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ!
واﺿﺢ وﺿﻮح اﻟﺸﻤﺲ /wāḏị ḥ wuḏū ̣ ḥ il-shams/
Equivalent: As plain as the nose on your face/ As clear as black and white/ Be as plain as a pikestaff/ To be very obvious or clear.
واﻗﻒ ﺑﺼﻔﮫ
Example: /wāgif b-ṣaff-uh/
Equivalent: Take someone’s side/ To support, encourage or favor one person in a quarrel or an argument/ In someone’s corner.
ﻏﺪﯾﺮ :ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻔﺴﺘﺎن ھﺬا؟ ﻓﻜﺮك ھﺬا اﻟﻔﺴﺘﺎن أﺣﻠﻰ ﻣﻦ ﻓﺴﺘﺎﻧﻲ اﻟﻘﺪﯾﻢ؟ أﻣﻞ :أﻛﯿﺪ أﺣﻠﻰ! اﻟﻔﺮق ﺑﯿﻨﮭﻦ واﺿﺢ وﺿﻮح اﻟﺸﻤﺲ! إﻟﺒﺴﻲ ھﺬا اﻟﻔﺴﺘﺎن ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ!
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻗﺼﻲ :أﺑﻮ اﺷﺮف ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻨﺰل ﻟﻺﻧﺘﺨﺎﺑﺎت! واﻟﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ إﻧّﮫ اﺑﻦ ﻋﻤﮫ ﻧﺎزل ﻛﻤﺎن! أﺑﻮ وﺻﻔﻲ :ﯾﻌﻨﻲ ﺑﮭﺎي اﻟﺤﺎﻟﺔ ﻣﯿﻦ رح ﯾﺪﻋﻤﮫ؟ أﺑﻮ ﻗﺼﻲ :ﻋﺸﯿﺮﺗﮫ وﻗﺮاﯾﺒﮫ ﻛﻠﮭﻢ داﻋﻤﯿﻨﮫ وواﻗﻔﯿﻦ ﺑﺼﻔّﮫ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﺪﻋﻤﻮ اﺑﻦ ﻋ ّﻤﮫ وطﻠﺒﻮ ﻣﻨﮫ ﯾﻨﺴﺤﺐ وﻣﺎ ﯾﺮﺷّﺢ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ! ﺑﺪھﻢ أﺑﻮ اﺷﺮف!
واﻗﻊ ﺑﻤﺸﻜﻠﺔ ﻋﻮﯾﺼﺔ ← واﻗﻊ وﻗﻌﺔ ﺳﻮدا /wāgi‘ wag‘ah sōdā/ ← /wāgi‘ b-mushkileh ‘awīṣah/
Equivalent: In hot water with someone or something/ In trouble/ Be in the soup/ Be in an unpleasant or difficult situation.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
وﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﺤﺒﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺠﺮار
180
وﷲ ﻟﻤﻮﺗﻚ ← ﺑﻘﺺ ﺧﺒﺮك ← ﺑﻘﻀﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ← /baguṣṣ khabar-ak/ ← /wallah la-mawt-ak/
/w-ba‘d il-ḥabil ‘alā il-jarrār/
/bagḏị̄ ‘alēk/
Equivalent: Literal. The rope is still on the reel rolling/
Equivalent: I’ll kill you (used for saying that you are
There’s more to come.
very angry with someone).
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺷﺮﯾﻒ :اﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ ﺑﻠّﺸﺖ ﺗﺤﻘّﻖ ﺑﻘﻀﺎﯾﺎ اﻟﻔﺴﺎد! ﺻﺎرو ﻣﺎﺳﻜﯿﻦ ﺧﻤﺲ وزرا ﻓﺎﺳﺪﯾﻦ ﺳﺮﻗﻮ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ وﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﺤﺒﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺠ ّﺮار! أم ﺷﺮﯾﻒ :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ إﻧﮭﻢ ﻣﺴﻜﻮھﻢ!
اﻟﻮﺟﮫ ﺑﻀﺤﻚ واﻟﻘﻔﺎ ﺑﻀﺤﻚ
ﻣﺮاد :إذا ﺑﺘﻘﻮل ﻷﺑﻮي إﻧّﻲ ّ ﺑﺪﺧﻦ وﷲ ﻟﻤﻮﺗﻚ! ﻻ ﺗﺠﯿﺒﻠﮫ ﺳﯿﺮة وإﻻ ﺑﻘﺺ ﺧﺒﺮك وﺑﻘﻀﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ! ﻓﺎھﻢ! ﻛﺈﻧّﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺷﻔﺖ إﺷﻲ! ﻋﻤﺎد :ﻣﺶ ﺧﺎﯾﻒ ﻣﻨﻚ! ورح أﺧﺒﺮه.
وﷲ ﻣﺎ ﻋﺮﻓﺘﻚ
/il-wijih biḏḥ ̣ ak w-il-gafā biḏḥ ̣ ak/
/wallah mā ‘rift-ak/
Equivalent: Receive someone with open arms/ Greet
Equivalent: Who are you, and what have you
someone eagerly/ Happy camper/ A welcoming and
done with someone?/ This is a humorous phrase
friendly person.
emphasizing one’s surprise at another’s change in
Example:
attitude or behavior, often for the better.
ﻛﺮﯾﻤﺔ :ﻛﯿﻒ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ زﯾﺎرﺗﻚ ﻷم ﺻﺎﺑﺮ اﻟﯿﻮم؟ ﻋﻔﺎف :ﺑﺘﺠﻨّﻦ! أم ﺻﺎﺑﺮ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ! اﻟﻮﺟﮫ ﺑﻀﺤﻚ واﻟﻘﻔﺎ ﺑﻀﺤﻚ!
وﺟﮫ اﻟﺒﻜﺴﺔ /wijh il-bukseh/
Equivalent: Cream of the crop/ The best of all. Example:
ﻛﺮﻣﺔ :اﺑﻨﻚ ﻗﯿﺲ أﺣﺴﻦ واﺣﺪ ﺑﺄوﻻدك ﯾﺎﺧﺘﻲ! ھﻮ وﺟﮫ اﻟﺒﻜﺴﺔ! أم ﻗﯿﺲ :اﻟﺤﻤﺪ إﻧّﮫ ﻓﯿﮭﻢ واﺣﺪ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ واﻟﻮاﺣﺪ ﺑﻌﺘﻤﺪ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! اﻟﺒﺎﻗﯿﯿﻦ ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻌﯿﻦ! ھ ّﻢ وﻗﻠّﺘﮭﻢ واﺣﺪ.
Example:
أم ﺑﺸﺮ :ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﺻﺎﺣﻲ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻮﻗﺖ اﻟﻤﺘﺄﺧﺮ ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺑﺸﺮ! ﺷﻮ ﺑﺘﻌﻤﻞ؟ أﻧﺎ ﺻﺤﯿﺖ ﻋﺸﺎن أﻋﻤﻞ ﻗﻨﯿﻨﺔ ﺣﻠﯿﺐ ﻟﻠﺒﯿﺒﻲ وأﻏﯿّﺮﻟﮫ اﻟﺤﻔﺎظ! أﺑﻮ ﺑﺸﺮ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ ﺻﻮت اﻟﺒﯿﺒﻲ ﺑﺒﻜﻲ! إﺟﯿﺖ ﻣﺎ ﺣﺒﯿﺖ أﺻﺤﯿﻜﻲ! ﻗﻤﺖ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﻠﮫ ﺣﻠﯿﺐ وﺷﺮﺑﺘﮫ وﻏﯿﺮﺗﻠﮫ! إﻧﺘﻲ ﺑﺘﺘﻌﺒﻲ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺣﺒﯿﺖ أرﯾﺤﻚ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ! أم ﺑﺸﺮ :وﷲ ﻣﺎ ﻋﺮﻓﺘﻚ! ﺷﻮ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ؟ ﻣﻦ إﯾﻤﺘﻰ ﺑﺘﺤﺐ ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ! ً ﻋﻜﻼ ﺷﻜﺮاً إﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ زوﺟﻲ اﻟﻌﺰﯾﺰ.
وﷲ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن اﻟﻌﺸﻢ /wallah mā kān il-‘asham/
Equivalent: To be disappointed in someone/ To be
وﺟﮫ اﻟﻨﺤﺲ
unhappy or discouraged because your hopes or /wijh il-naḥs/
expectations about something or someone were not
Equivalent: Jinx/ A person or thing that is believed to
satisfied/ I am disappointed in you.
bring and attract bad luck/ A bad omen.
Example:
Example:
أم ﺷﻜﺮي :ھﺎي ﺟﺒﺘﻠﻚ أوﻻدي ﻋﺸﺎن ﺗﺪﯾﺮي ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ ﻟﺤﺘﻰ أرﺟﻊ ﻣﻦ ﻣﻘﺎﺑﻠﺘﻲ ﻟﻠﻮظﯿﻔﺔ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪة! ﻋﺰﯾﺰة :ﺑﻌﺘﺬر ﻣﻨﻚ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر أوﺧﺬھﻢ اﻟﯿﻮم! ﻋﻨﺪي ﻣﺸﻮار ﺿﺮوري. أم ﺷﻜﺮي :ﺑﺲ إﻧﺘﻲ وﻋﺪﺗﯿﻨﻲ إﻧّﻚ ﺗﺪﯾﺮي ﺑﺎﻟﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﻢ اﻟﯿﻮم! ﻋﺰﯾﺰة :ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر! آﺳﻔﺔ. أم ﺷﻜﺮي :وﷲ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن اﻟﻌﺸﻢ! ﺧ ّﺮﺑﺘﻲ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﯾﻮﻣﻲ وﺿﯿّﻌﺘﻲ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ اﻟﻮظﯿﻔﺔ! ﯾﺎ رﯾﺘﻚ ﺧﺒﺮﺗﯿﻨﻲ ﻗﺒﻞ! ﻛﻨﺖ دﺑّﺮت أﻣﻮري! ﷲ ﯾﺴﺎﻣﺤﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺎﻟﻌﻤﻠﺔ!
أﺑﻮ ﻏﺎﻧﻢ :ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ وظﻔﺘﻚ ﻋﻨﺪي ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺤﻞ ﺑﻄّﻠﻨﺎ ﻧﺒﯿﻊ إﺷﻲ! ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﻜﺲ ﺻﺮﻧﺎ ﻧﺨﺴﺮ وﻣﺎ ﻋﻨّﺎ زﺑﺎﯾﻦ! وﺟﮭﻚ وﺟﮫ ﻧﺤﺲ! ﺧﻠﺺ روح ﺷﻮف ﺷﻐﻞ ﺛﺎﻧﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮﻓﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺤﻞ!
وﺟﮭﻚ واﻻ اﻟﻘﻤﺮ /wijh-ak willā il-gamar/
Equivalent: Welcome someone with open arms/ To greet someone very happily and excitedly/ This is used to express happiness at seeing a person.
واھﻲ
Example:
/wāhī/
ﻧﻮرھﺎن :وﺟﮭﻚ وإﻻ اﻟﻘﻤﺮ! وﯾﻦ ﻏﺎﯾﺒﺔ وﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ؟ ﻻ ﺣﺲ وﻻ ﺣﺴﻔﺔ؟ ﺑﺪور :ﻛﻨﺖ ﻣﺸﻐﻮﻟﺔ ﺑﺈﻣﺘﺤﺎﻧﺎﺗﻲ وﺑﻤﺸﺮوع اﻟﺘﺨﺮج! ﺑﺲ إﺷﺘﻘﺘﻠﻚ وﺣﺒﯿﺖ أﻣ ّﺮ أﺳﻠّﻢ ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻲ.
Equivalent: Big/ A lot/ Large/ Many/ Plenty. Example:
أم وﻟﯿﺪ :اﻟﺴﻨﺔ ﺷﺠﺮ اﻟﺰﯾﺘﻮن ﻋﻠﯿﮫ زﯾﺘﻮن واھﻲ! أﺑﻮ وﻟﯿﺪ :ﻹﻧّﮫ اﻟﺠﻮ ﻛﺎن ﻛﻮﯾﺲ وﻛﺎن ﻓﻲ ﺷﺘﺎ طﻮل اﻟﻮﻗﺖ!
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﻮاو
ﺻﺎﻓﻲ :ﻛﻨّﺎ ﻧﻠﻌﺐ وھﻮ ﺟﺒﺎن! ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻠّﮫ؟ أم ﺻﺎﻓﻲ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾﺎك ﺗﻠﻌﺐ ﻣﻊ اﺑﻦ اﻟﺠﯿﺮان! ھﺬا واﺣﺪ ﻗﻠﯿﻞ أدب وﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ طﻮﯾﻞ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﺘﺤﻲ! ووﺟﮭﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ دم وﻻ ﺣﯿﺎ.
وﺟﮭﮫ إﺣﻤﺮ زي اﻟﺸﻤﻨﺪرة /wijh-uh ’iḥmar zayy il-shamandarah/
Equivalent: As red as a beetroot/ Red-faced/ With red cheeks.
وﺟﮭﮫ ﺑﺎﺿﻲ ← وﺟﮭﮫ ﻣﻨ ّﻮر
Example:
/wijh-uh mnawwir/ ← /wijh-uh bāḏị̄ /
Equivalent: To have a glowing face/ To look radiant and bright.
أم ﺻﺒﺮي :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎل وﺟﮭﻚ إﺣﻤﺮ زي اﻟﺸﻤﻨﺪرة ﯾﺎ ﺻﺒﺮي! ﺧﻠﺺ ﻻ ﺗﻠﻌﺐ ﺗﺤﺖ اﻟﺸﻤﺲ! اﻟﺠﻮ ﺑ ّﺮا ﻟﮭﺒﮫ ﻧﺎر! ﺻﺒﺮي :وﺟﮭﻲ إﺣﻤﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤ ّﻢ!
Example:
أﻣﯿﻨﺔ :زﻣﺎن ﻣﺎ ﺷﻔﺘﻚ! ﺻﺎﯾﺮ وﺟﮭﻚ ﺑﺎﺿﻲ وﻣﻨ ّﻮر ﯾﺎ ﺧﺘﺎم! ﺼﺔ؟ ﺷﻮ اﻟﻘ ّ ﺼﺔ وﻻ إﺷﻲ! ﺑﺲ ﺑﻨﺎم وﺑﻮﻛﻞ ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ وﺑﮭﺘﻢ ﺧﺘﺎم :ﻻ ﻗ ّ ﺑﺼﺤﺘﻲ وﺑﺒﺸﺮﺗﻲ وﻧﻔﺴﯿﺘﻲ ﻣﺮﺗﺎﺣﺔ!
وﺟﮭﮫ إﺻﻔﺮ زي اﻟﻠﯿﻤﻮﻧﺔ /wijh-uh ’iṣfar zayy il-lēmūneh/
Equivalent: Literal. His face is as yellow as a lemon/ Pale as a ghost/ Pale as death. Example:
وﺣﺪة ﺑﻮﺣﺪة /waḥadeh b-waḥadeh/
Equivalent: Tit for tat/ Eye for an eye/ Retaliation/ Revenge.
أم ﺑﺎﺳﻞ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎل وﺟﮭﻚ إﺻﻔﺮ زي اﻟﻠﯿﻤﻮﻧﺔ؟ ﺷﻜﻠﻚ ﻣﺮﯾﺾ وﺗﻌﺒﺎن! ﺑﺎﺳﻞ :ﺻﺤﯿﺖ ﺗﻌﺒﺎن ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أروح ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ! ﺑﺪّي أروح ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر.
Example:
ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻛﺴﺮت ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﻲ؟ ﻋﺎھﺪ :ﻹﻧّﻚ ﻛﺴﺮت ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﻲ ﻗﺒﻞ أﺳﺒﻮع! وﺑﻌﺪﻧﻲ ﺑﻼ ﺗﻠﻔﻮن ﺑﺴﺒﺒﻚ! أﺑﻮي ﻣﺎ ﻗﺒﻞ ﯾﺼﻠﺤﮫ وﻻ ﯾﺠﯿﺒﻠﻲ واﺣﺪ ﺟﺪﯾﺪ! ﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﻛﺴﺮت ﺗﻠﻔﻮﻧﻚ! وﺣﺪة ﺑﻮﺣﺪة!
وﺟﮭﮫ ﺑﻘﻄﻊ اﻟﺮزق ← وﺟﮭﮫ ﺑﻘﻄﻊ اﻟﺨﻤﯿﺮة ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻮق /wijh-uh bigṭa‘ il-khamīreh min il-sūq/ ← /wijh-uh bigṭa‘ il-rizig/
Equivalent: A person or thing that is believed to bring bad luck and misfortune/ Jinx/ That’s a face that
اﻟﻮد ودي
could stop a clock (unattractive face)/ A face only a /il-widd widdī/
mother could love (ugly face).
Equivalent: I wish.
Example:
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺟﮭﺎد :ﻣﺎ ﻏﯿّﺮﺗﻲ رأﯾﻚ ﺑﻤﻮﺿﻮع اﻟﺴﻔﺮ ﻣﻌﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺨﻠﯿﺞ ﯾﺎ أم ﺟﮭﺎد! أم ﺟﮭﺎد :اﻟﻮد ودّي أروح ﻣﻌﻚ! ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﺐ اﻟﻐﺮﺑﺔ! وﺑﺪّي أﺿﻞ ﻗﺮﯾﺒﺔ ﻣﻦ أﻣﻲ وأھﺘﻢ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﻹﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﺮا ﻛﺒﯿﺮة وﻣﺮﯾﻀﺔ!
ودّاه ﻟﻠﺪﯾﺎر اﻟﺴﻮدا
أم رﺑﯿﻊ :ﻣﯿﻦ اﻟﺸﺐ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﻨﺖ واﻗﻒ ﻣﻌﮫ؟ وﺟﮭﮫ ﺑﻘﻄﻊ اﻟﺮزق! ﻣﻨﯿﻦ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف ھﺎﻷﺷﻜﺎل؟ رﺑﯿﻊ :ھﺬا ﺷﺮﯾﻜﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺤﻞ! ﺑﺲ ﺑﺪّي أﺑﯿﻌﮫ ﺣﺼﺘﻲ وأﻓﺘﺢ ﻣﺤﻞ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﻲ ﻹﻧّﮫ وﺟﮭﮫ ﻧﺤﺲ! ﻣﻦ ﻟﻤﺎ ﺗﺸﺎرﻛﻨﺎ ﻣﺎ رﺑﺤﺖ إﺷﻲ! وﺟﮭﮫ ﺑﻘﻄﻊ اﻟﺨﻤﯿﺮة ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻮق!
وﺟﮭﮫ ﺳﻤﺢ /waddāh la-li-dyār il-sōdā/
/wijh-uh simiḥ/
Equivalent: Lead someone up (or down) the garden
Equivalent: Having a cheerful, happy, kind and
path/ To give someone misleading clues or signals/
smiling face.
To mislead someone and ruin his or her life/ Cause
Example:
them trouble. Example:
أم ﻏﯿﺚ :ﺷﻔﺖ ﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻠﺖ ﺻﺤﺒﺘﻚ ﻣﻊ طﺎرق؟ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻚ ودّاك ﻟﻠﺪﯾﺎر اﻟﺴﻮدا! ﻧﺼﺤﺘﻚ ﺗﺒﻌﺪ ﻋﻨﮫ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺎ ﺳﻤﻌﺖ ﻣﻨﻲ! ﺿﺤﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ وورطّﻚ ﺑﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ وﺷﯿﻜﺎت وﺳﺮق ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﻚ! واﻟﺒﻨﻚ اﺷﺘﻜﻰ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ ورح ﺗﻔﻮت ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺴﺠﻦ! د ّﻣﺮك! ﻏﯿﺚ :ﻣﺎ ﺗﻮﻗﻌﺖ ﯾﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﻌﻲ ھﯿﻚ.
أم ﻋﺼﺎم :ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻚ ﻋﻤﺮ وﺟﮭﮫ ﺳﻤﺢ وﺑﺸﻮش! ﻋﺼﺎم :آه وﷲ ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ روﻋﺔ وإﻧﺴﺎن ﺧﻠﻮق!
وﺟﮭﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻓﯿﮫ دم /wijh-uh mā fīh damm/
Equivalent: My heart is in my throat/ To be shocked and full of fear/ Pale as a ghost/ White as a sheet/ Shameless person.
ور ← زت
Example: /zitt/ ← /wirr/
Equivalent: To throw/ Toss around.
أم ﺻﺎﻓﻲ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﺧ ّﻮﻓﺖ أﺧﻮك اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ؟ ﺷﻮف وﺟﮭﮫ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ دم ﻣﻦ اﻟﺨﻮف!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
Example:
ﻓﻀﻞ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ آﺧﺮ ﺧﺒﺮ؟ ﺷﺎﻛﺮ :ﻻ ﺷﻮ ﻓﻲ؟ ﻓﻀﻞ :ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻚ ﻓﺮاس ﺧﻄﺐ ﺣﺒﯿﺒﺘﻚ اﻟﺴﺎﺑﻘﺔ ﻧﺮﻣﯿﻦ؟ ﺷﺎﻛﺮ :ﺷﻮ؟ ﻓﻀﻞ :وﺻﻠﺘﻚ اﻟﺤﺮارة؟ ﻓﻀﻞ :ﻗﺼﺪك إﻧّﮫ ﺧﺎﻧّﻲ وإﻧﮭﻢ ﻛﺎﻧﻮ ﯾﻌﺮﻓﻮ ﺑﻌﺾ ﻣﻦ ورا ظﮭﺮي؟ وإﻧّﻚ ﺣﺎوﻟﺖ ﺗﺨﺒّﺮﻧﻲ ﺑﻄﺮﯾﻘﺔ ﻏﯿﺮ ﻣﺒﺎﺷﺮة وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻓﮭﻤﺖ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ؟
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اﺣﻤﺪ :ﺧﺬ ھﺎﻟﺮﺳﺎﻟﺔ ﻟﻘﯿﺘﮭﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺎب اﻟﺒﯿﺖ وﻣﻜﺘﻮب اﺳﻤﻚ ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ! ﻧﺎدر :ور ھﺎﻟﺮﺳﺎﻟﺔ! زﺗﮭﺎ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ!
ورﺟﺎه اﻟﻌﯿﻦ اﻟﺤﻤﺮا /warjāh il-‘ēn il-ḥamrā/
Equivalent: Literal. He showed him the red eye/ Put one’s foot down/ To take a firm stand when faced with opposition or disobedience/ To say very
وﺿﻌﻚ ﺣﺮﯾﻘﺔ ← وﺿﻌﻚ ﻟﻮز← وﺿﻌﻚ زﻧﻮن
decisively and furiously that someone must do or stop doing something.
/waḏ‘̣ -ak zinun/ ← /waḏ‘̣ -ak lōz/ ← /waḏ‘̣ -ak ḥarīgah/
Equivalent: Lead or have a charmed life/ To be very lucky and in a great, perfect and outstanding situation. Example:
ﻋﻤﺎر :اﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ ﺗﺨ ّﺮج وﻣﺒﺎﺷﺮة ﺗﻮظّﻒ وﺧﻄﺐ ﺣﺒﯿﺒﺘﮫ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻣﻌﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ وﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺸﺘﺮي ﺑﯿﺖ! ﻏﺴﺎن :ھﺬا وﺿﻌﮫ ﺣﺮﯾﻘﮫ! وﺿﻌﮫ ﻟﻮز! ﻋﻤﺎر :آه وﷲ وﺿﻌﮫ زﻧﻮن!
Example:
أم ﻓﺎدي :اﻟﯿﻮم رﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر وﻟ ّﻤﺎ رﺟﻌﺖ ﻟﻘﯿﺖ ﻓﺎدي ﺟﺎﯾﺐ أﺻﺤﺎﺑﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ! ﻣﺎ ﻟﻘﯿﺖ إﺷﻲ ﺑﻤﻜﺎﻧﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ وﻣﻮﺳﺨﯿﻨﮫ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ! ﺑﮭﺪﻟﺖ ﻓﺎدي وورﺟﯿﺘﮫ اﻟﻌﯿﻦ اﻟﺤﻤﺮا وﻗﻠﺘﻠﮫ ﯾﺎ وﯾﻠﻚ إذا ﺑﺘﻌﯿﺪھﺎ! إﺟﻮ أﺻﺤﺎﺑﮫ إﻋﺘﺬرو ورﺟﻌﻮ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﻣﻨﻲ وﻗﺎﻣﻮ ﻧﻈﻔﻮ ﻛﻞ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﻣﻊ ﻓﺎدي ّ ﻟﻤﻜﺎﻧﮫ. أﺑﻮ ﻓﺎدي :ﻧﺎس ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﯿﺠﻲ إﻻ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﯿﻦ اﻟﺤﻤﺮا!
ورﺟﯿﻨﻲ ﻋﺮض اﻛﺘﺎﻓﻚ /warjīnī ‘arḏ ̣ iktāf-ak/
وﺿﻌﮫ ﺧﺮﺑﺎن
Equivalent: Go away/ Show someone to the door/ /waḏ‘̣ -uh kharbān/
To tell someone to leave or make it clear you want
Equivalent: Nothing good is going on/ To have nothing
someone to leave/ Get the hell out of here.
good going on in one’s life.
Example:
Example:
ﻋﻤﺎر :ﺣﺴﻨﻲ رﺳﺐ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ وﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﻔﺼﻠﻮه وأﺑﻮه ﻛﺤﺸﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ ووﺿﻌﮫ اﻟﻤﺎدي ﺻﻔﺮ! ﻏﺴﺎن :ھﺬا وﺿﻌﮫ ﺧﺮﺑﺎن ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ!
وﺿﻌﮫ ﻓﻮق اﻟﺮﯾﺢ /waḏ‘̣ -uh fōg il-rīḥ/
Equivalent: Very rich/ Filthy rich/ Well-to-do.
اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮﻓﻚ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﯿﻮم! إﻧﺖ ﻣﻔﺼﻮل ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ ﺗﺄﺧﯿﺮك اﻟﺪاﺋﻢ! ورﺟﯿﻨﻲ ﻋﺮض اﻛﺘﺎﻓﻚ! ﻏﺎﻟﻲ :أﻋﻄﯿﻨﻲ ﻓﺮﺻﺔ ﻋﺸﺎن أﺷﺮﺣﻠﻚ وﺿﻌﻲ! ﻀﻞ وورﺟﯿﻨﻲ ﻋﺮض اﻛﺘﺎﻓﻚ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺳﻤﻊ ﻣﻨﻚ اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ :ﺗﻔ ّ أي أﻋﺬار.
و ّرطﮫ ورطﮫ أﺧﺖ أﺧﺘﮭﺎ
Example:
ﺗﻤﺎرا :ﺻﺒﺎ ﺧﻄﺒﺖ ﻟﺸﺐ وﺿﻌﮫ اﻟﻤﺎدي ﻓﻮق اﻟﺮﯾﺢ. ﻣﻨﻰ :ھﻨﯿﺎﻟﮭﺎ! ھﺎﻟﺒﻨﺖ ﺣﻈﮭﺎ ﺑﻔﻠﻖ اﻟﺼﺨﺮ!
/warraṭ-uh warṭah ’ukhit ’ukhit-hā/
Equivalent: To get someone in a jam/ To embroil someone in something/ Implicate/ Put someone in a difficult situation and cause him or her trouble/ In
وﺿﻊ ﻻ ﯾﺤﺴﺪ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ
the doghouse/ Toast. Example:
/waḏụ ‘ lā yuḥsad ‘alēh/
Equivalent: In a cleft stick/ Unenviable position/ In a difficult situation. Example:
ﻏﺴﺎن :ﻋﻤﺎر ﻗﻠّﻲ إﻧّﮫ ﺣﺴﻨﻲ رﺳﺐ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ ووﺿﻌﮫ ﺻﻌﺐ ﻹﻧّﮫ أﺑﻮه زﻋﻞ ﻣﻨﮫ وﻛﺤﺸﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ وھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﺻﺎر ﻣﺸ ّﺮد وﻋﺎﯾﺶ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺎرع! أﻣﯿﻦ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ وﺿﻌﮫ ﺻﻌﺐ وﻻ ﯾﺤﺴﺪ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! ﺗﻌﺎل ﻧﺴﺎﻋﺪه! ﺑﻀﻞ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻨﺎ واﺑﻦ ﺣﺎرﺗﻨﺎ!
ادھﻢ :ﺣ ّﻞ ﻋﻨّﻲ ﯾﺎ اﯾﮭﺎب! إﻧﺖ ورطﺘﻨﻲ ورطﺔ أﺧﺖ أﺧﺘﮭﺎ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮف وﺟﮭﻚ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﯿﻮم! اﯾﮭﺎب :ﻣﺎ إﺣﻨﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﮭﻮا ﺳﻮا!
وﺻﻠﺘﻚ اﻟﺤﺮارة /wiṣlat-ak il-ḥarārah/
Equivalent: Did or do you get it/ Did you understand ?what I was trying to tell you
183
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻮاو Example:
ﻣﺎھﺮ :ﻣﻦ ﻟ ّﻤﺎ ﻣﮭﺪي ﺷﺎف اﻟﺒﻨﺖ وھﻮ ﯾﻔ ّﻜﺮ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ! ﺷﻜﻠﮫ وﻗﻊ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﺐ! ﻋﻠﻲ :ﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺸﻮف ﺑﻨﺖ ﺣﻠﻮة ﺑﻘﻊ ﺑﻐﺮاﻣﮭﺎ!
وﻋﺪ اﻟﺤﺮ دﯾﻦ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ /wa‘d il-ḥurr dēn ‘alēh/
Equivalent: Your word is your bond/ A promise is a promise/ To keep one’s word. Example:
وﻗﻊ ﺑﺸﺮ أﻋﻤﺎﻟﮫ /wigi‘ b-sharr ’a‘māl-uh/
Equivalent: To be hoist with one’s own petard/ To be hurt or disadvantaged by an action of one’s own
زﻛﻲ :إﻧﺖ ﯾﺎﺑﺎ وﻋﺪﺗﻨﻲ ﺗﺸﺘﺮﯾﻠﻲ ﺳﯿﺎرة إذا ﺗﺨ ّﺮﺟﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ وﻧﺠﺤﺖ وﺟﺒﺖ ﻣﻌﺪّل ﻋﺎﻟﻲ! وأﻧﺎ ﻋﻤﻠﺖ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺪّك إﯾّﺎه! ﺟﯿﺒﻠﻲ اﻟﺴﯿﺎرة ﻹﻧّﻚ وﻋﺪﺗﻨﻲ ووﻋﺪ اﻟﺤﺮ دﯾﻦ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ! أﺑﻮ زﻛﻲ :ﺗﻜﺮم ﯾﺎ زﻛﻲ! رح أﺟﯿﺒﻠﻚ اﻟﺴﯿّﺎرة!
which was meant to harm someone else. Example:
ﻣﺎﺟﺪ :ﻋﺎﺑﺪ اﻧﻔﺼﻞ ﻣﻦ ﺷﻐﻠﮫ. ﺑﺪﯾﻊ :ﻛﯿﻒ اﻧﻔﺼﻞ؟ ﻣﺶ ﻛﺎﻧﻮ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﻔﺼﻠﻮ رؤوف؟ ﻣﺎﺟﺪ :ﻛﺎﻧﻮ ﺑﺪھﻢ ﯾﻔﺼﻠﻮه ﺑﺴﺒﺐ ﻋﺎﺑﺪ! ﻛﺎن ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻮرطﮫ وﻛﺎن ﺑﺨﻄﻂ إﻧّﮫ ﯾﻌﻤﻞ أﺷﯿﺎء ﻣﺶ ﻛﻮﯾﺴﺔ ﻟﺮؤوف ﻋﺸﺎن ﯾﻨﻔﺼﻞ! ﺑﺲ ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ وﻗﻊ ﺑﺸﺮ أﻋﻤﺎﻟﮫ وإﻛﺘﺸﻔﻮه وﻓﺼﻠﻮه!
وﻗﻊ ﻣﻦ طﻮﻟﮫ /wigi‘ min ṭūl-uh/
وﻋﻨﺪك ﻋﯿﻦ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ /w-‘ind-ak ‘ēn tiḥkī/
Equivalent: How dare you!/ Aren’t you ashamed of ?yourself Example:
رﺿﺎب :ﺳﺎﻣﺤﯿﻨﻲ ﻣﺎﻣﺎ ﻋﺎﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﮫ! ﻏﻠﻄﺖ ورح أﺗﻌﻠّﻢ ﻣﻦ ﻏﻠﻄﺘﻲ. أم رﺿﺎب :وﻋﻨﺪك ﻋﯿﻦ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻤﻠﺘﯿﮫ! روﺣﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻏﺮﻓﺘﻚ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺷﻮﻓﻚ!
Equivalent: To fall down/ To faint/ To feel weak, dizzy and close to losing consciousness/ Collapse into nothing.
وﻓّﺮ ﺣﻜﯿﻚ
Example:
أم راﺗﺐ :ﻟ ّﻤﺎ أم ﺷﺎھﺮ ﺷﺎﻓﺖ اﺑﻨﮭﺎ ﺷﺎھﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻄﺎر ﻏﯿّﺒﺖ ووﻗﻌﺖ ﻣﻦ طﻮﻟﮭﺎ! ﺻﺎرﻟﻮ ﻣﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﻋﺸﺮ ﺳﻨﯿﻦ وﻣﺎ ﺷﺎﻓﺘﮫ ﻓﯿﮭﻦ!
/waffir ḥakyak/
Equivalent: Save your breath/ Don’t bother to say anything because it is pointless and nobody will listen to you. Example:
وﻗﻌﺖ ﺑﺤﻀﻦ رﺑﮭﺎ /wig‘at b-ḥuḏụ n rab-hā/
Equivalent: Marry into money/ To become wealthy or economically secure by marrying someone who is well-to-do or has a rich family. Example:
أم ﺟﻤﺎل :ﻣﯿﺲ ﺑﻨﺖ أم ودﯾﻊ ﺗﺠ ّﻮزت اﺑﻦ أﺑﻮ ﻧﺎﺟﻲ! ھﺬا اﻟﺰﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻠﮭﺎ اﻟﻨﯿﺮان! ﻏﻨﻲ ﺣﺮب! أم ﯾﻮﻧﺲ :ھﺎي وﻗﻌﺖ ﺑﺤﻀﻦ رﺑﮭﺎ! ﷲ ﯾﮭﻨﯿﮭﺎ!
ﻋﻔﯿﻒ :ﯾ ّﻤﺎ ﺳﺎﻋﺪﯾﻨﻲ ﻧﻘﻨﻊ أﺑﻮي إﻧّﻲ أﺳﺎﻓﺮ ﻋﺸﺎن أدرس طﺐ ﺑ ّﺮا اﻟﺒﻠﺪ! ﻣﻌﺪّﻟﻲ ھﻮن ﻣﺎ ﺑﺄھّﻠﻨﻲ ﻟﺪراﺳﺔ ھﺎﻟﺘﺨﺼﺺ ﺑﺲ ﺑ ّﺮا ﺑﻘﺪر أدرﺳﮫ ﺑﺴﮭﻮﻟﺔ! ﻣﻦ اﻟﺼﺒﺢ وأﻧﺎ أﺣﺎول أﻗﻨﻌﮫ ﺑﺲ ﻣﺶ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﯾﺴﻤﻊ وﻻ ﯾﻘﺘﻨﻊ! أم ﻋﻔﯿﻒ :وﻓّﺮ ﺣﻜﯿﻚ ﯾﺎ ﻋﻔﯿﻒ! أﺑﻮك ﻣﺶ رح ﯾﻘﺒﻞ! إﻧﺖ اﺑﻨﮫ اﻟﻮﺣﯿﺪ وھﻮ ﺑﺨﺎف ﻋﻠﯿﻚ!
وﻗﻊ اﻟﻔﺎس ﺑﺎﻟﺮاس /wigi‘ il-fās b-il-rās/
Equivalent: There’s nothing that can be done now/ It’s
وﻗّﻌﮫ ﺑﻤﺼﯿﺒﮫ
too late. /wagga‘-uh b-mṣībeh/
Equivalent: Set someone up/ Put someone in a pickle/ To drag someone into something. Example:
ﻣﺎزن :ﻣﻌﯿﻦ وﻗّﻊ ﻋﺎطﻒ ﺑﻤﺼﯿﺒﺔ ورح ﯾﻨﺴﺠﻦ ﻟﻔﺘﺮة طﻮﯾﻠﺔ! وﻣﻌﯿﻦ ﻓ ّﻞ ﺑ ّﺮا اﻟﺒﻠﺪ! ﻓﮭﺪ :ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ! ﷲ ﯾﻜﻮن ﺑﻌﻮﻧﮫ!
Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻏﺮﯾﺐ :ﻣﺎ ﻣﺴﻜﻮ اﻟﺤﺮاﻣﻲ! ووﻗﻊ اﻟﻔﺎس ﺑﺎﻟﺮاس! ﺳﺮق ﻛﻞ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻨﺪوق وﻗﻌﺪﻧﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺪﯾﺪة! واﻟﺒﻨﻚ اﺷﺘﻜﻰ ﻋﻠﯿﻨﺎ ﯾﻌﻨﻲ رح ﯾﺒﯿﻌﻮ اﻟﻤﺤﻞ ﺑﺘﺮاب اﻟﻤﺼﺎري وﯾﻮﺧﺬو ﻣﺼﺎرﯾﮭﻢ! أﺑﻮ ﺿﺮﻏﺎم :اﻟﻤﻨﺤﻮس ﻣﻨﺤﻮس وﻟﻮ ﻋﻠّﻘﻮﻟﮫ ﻓﺎﻧﻮس!
وﻗﻊ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﺐ
وﻗﻊ وﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺳ ّﻤﻰ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ
/wigi‘ b-il-ḥubb/ /wigi‘ w-mā ḥadā sammā ‘alēh/
Equivalent: To lose one’s heart to someone/ To fall in
Equivalent: Caught flat-footed/ Under arrest/ Under
love.
police custody/ Apprehended.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ول
184
Example: /wall/
Equivalent: Please! (Used to beg for something or )someone. Example:
ﺑﺎﺳﻢ :اﻟﺸﺮطﺔ ﻣﺴﻜﺖ ﻛﻔﺎح وﺳﺠﻨﺘﮫ ﺑﺘﮭﻤﺔ اﻟﻨﺼﺐ واﻹﺣﺘﯿﺎل! ﻋﻮن :وأﺧﯿﺮاّ ﻣﺴﻜﻮه! ھﯿّﻮ وﻗﻊ وﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺳ ّﻤﻰ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ!
وﻗﻒ ﺑﻄﺮﯾﻘﮫ ←ﻋﺮﻛﺲ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ← اﻋﺘﺮﺿﮫ
ﯾﺎﺳﻤﯿﻦ :ﯾﺎ ﻣﺎﻣﺎ ﺧﻠﯿﻨﻲ أروح ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺴﯿﻨﻤﺎ ﻣﻊ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﺎﺗﻲ! اﻷم :ﻻ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ روﺣﺔ! ﯾﺎﺳﻤﯿﻦ :ول ول ول! ﺧﻠﯿﻨﻲ أروح!
/i‘taraḏ-̣ uh/ ← /‘arkas ‘alēh/ ← /wigif b-ṭarīg-uh/
Equivalent: To stand in one’s way/ Obstructing someone or interfering in something. Example:
وﻻ اﻟﺒﻼش /walā il-balāsh/
Equivalent: Better than nothing. Example:
ﻣﺎھﺮ :ﺷﻮ ﺟﺎﺑﻠﻚ أﺧﻮك ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻔﺮ؟ ﻋﻤﺮ :ﻣﺶ ﺟﺎﯾﺐ ﻣﻌﮫ ھﺪاﯾﺎ! أﻋﻄﺎﻧﻲ ﻋﺸﺮﯾﻦ دﯾﻨﺎر ﺑﺪل ھﺪﯾّﺔ! ﻣﺎھﺮ :وﻻ اﻟﺒﻼش! أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ وﻻ إﺷﻲ.
ﺟﯿﮭﺎن :أﺧﻮي ﺻﻔﻮان واﻗﻒ ﺑﻄﺮﯾﻘﻲ وﻣﻌﺘﺮض ﻋﻠﻰ دراﺳﺘﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ! وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ. ﺳﺠﻰ :ﺷﻮ ھﺎﻷﺧﻮة! أﺧﻮي ﻛﻤﺎن ﻋﺮﻛﺲ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ وﻣﺎ واﻓﻖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﺮﯾﺲ اﻟﻠﻲ إﺟﺎﻧﻲ! ﻣﻊ إﻧّﮫ ﻋﺮﯾﺲ ﻟﻘﻄﺔ!
وﻗّﻒ ﺷﻌﺮ راﺳﮫ /waggaf sha‘ur rās-uh/
Equivalent: Make someone’s hair stand on end/ To cause
وﻻ ﺣﺒﺔ ← ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻋﻘﻞ ← ﻣﻄﻘﻄﻖ ← ﻣﻄﺨﻄﺦ
someone to be very frightened/ To be horrified or scared.
/mṭakhṭikh/ ← /mṭagṭig/ ← /mā fī ‘agul/ ← /walā ḥabbeh/
Example:
Equivalent: A bit crazy/ Have bats in one’s belfry/ Have rocks in one’s head/ Nuts. Example:
ﻣﻨﺎر :ﺧﻄﯿﺐ ﻣﻨﻰ ﻣﮭ ّﻮي! وﻻ ﺣﺒﺔ! ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻋﻘﻞ! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرﻓﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻮ ﺑﺘﺤﺒﮫ! ﺳﺤﺮ :آه ﺷﻔﺘﮫ ﻣﻄﺨﻄﺦ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ! اﻟﺤﺐ أﻋﻤﻰ!
ﻣﮭﺪي :اﻣﺒﺎرح وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺮ ّوح ﺑﺎﻟﻠﯿﻞ ﻣﻦ ﻋﻨﺪك ﻟﺤﻘﻨﻲ ﺿﺒﻊ ﻛﺒﯿﺮ وﺑﺲ ﺷﻔﺘﮫ وﻗّﻒ ﺷﻌﺮ راﺳﻲ! أ ّول ﻣ ّﺮة ﺑﺸﻮف ﺿﺒﻊ! اﻛﺮم :وﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻠﺖ؟ ﻣﮭﺪي :ﷲ ﺳﺘﺮ! ﻛﻨﺖ ﻗﺮﯾﺐ ﻣﻦ ﺳﯿﺎرﺗﻲ! ﻓﺘﺤﺖ اﻟﺒﺎب وﺷ ّﻐﻠﺘﮭﺎ ﺑﺴﺮﻋﺔ إﺟﺎ ﻓﻞ ﺑﺲ ﺷﺎف اﻟﻀﻮ!
وﻗّﻌﺖ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺨﻮف
وﻻ ﺣﺪا ھﻮن
/wagga‘it galb-ī min il-khōf/ /walā ḥadā hōn/
Equivalent: You scared me to death!/ My heart stands
Equivalent: The lights are on, but nobody’s home.
still/ My heart is in my throat/ To be very frightened.
Example:
Example:
أم ﺧﺎﻟﺪ :وﯾﻦ ﻋﻘﻠﻚ؟ ﺻﺎرﻟﻲ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ ﺑﺤﻜﻲ ﻣﻌﻚ وإﻧﺖ وﻻ ﺣﺪا ھﻮن! ﺑﺸﻮ ﺑﺘﻔﻜﺮ؟ ﺧﺎﻟﺪ :وﻻ إﺷﻲ وﻻ إﺷﻲ! ﺷﻮ ﻛﻨﺘﻲ ﺗﻘﻮﻟﻲ؟
ﺳﮭﺎد :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﻣﺎ دﻗّﯿﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﺎب ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺗﻔﻮت ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﯿﺖ؟ ﻓﻜﺮﺗﻚ ﺣﺮاﻣﻲ! وﻗّﻌﺖ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺨﻮف! ﻻ ﺗﻌﯿﺪھﺎ! ﻛﺮم :ﯾﺎ ﺟﺒﺎﻧﺔ! ھﮭﮭﮭﮭﮫ!
وﻗﯿﻌﺔ
وﻻ ﻋﻨﺪه ﺧﺒﺮ /walā ‘ind-uh khabar/
/wagī‘eh/
Equivalent: Not know beans about/ Know nothing
Equivalent: Good-for-nothing/ Not good/ A cipher/ A loser.
about something/ To have no idea.
Example:
Example:
أم اﻟﻌﺒﺪ :اﺑﻦ أم ﻋﺮﻓﺎن اﻧﻔﺼﻞ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ وﻣﺎ ﺧﺒّﺮ ﺣﺪا! اﻟﯿﻮم زرت أﻣﮫ وھﻲ وﻻ ﻋﻨﺪھﺎ ﺧﺒﺮ! أﺑﻮ اﻟﻌﺒﺪ :ﺷﻮ ھﺎﻟﺠﯿﻞ ھﺬا! أوﻻد ﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻌﯿﻦ وﻓﺎﺷﻠﯿﻦ.
وﻻ ﻣﻦ ﺷﺎف وﻻ ﻣﻦ دري
أم ﺣﺮب :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻛﺤﺸﺖ ﺳﺎﻟﻢ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺤﻞ؟ أﻣﮫ إﺟﺖ اﺷﺘﻜﺘﻠﻲ! أﺑﻮ ﺣﺮب :ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ وﻗﯿﻌﺔ وﻣﺶ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ وﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي إﯾّﺎه ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺤﻞ.
ول ﻋﻠﯿﻚ /wall ‘alēk/
/walā min shāf walā min dirī/
!Equivalent: Shame on you
Equivalent: Nobody will be any the wiser/ No one will
Example:
notice if someone does something, especially that which is self-serving, ill-behaved or wicked/ No one will know we did it/ Nobody will find out about it.
أم ھﺎﻧﻲ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﺿﺮﺑﺖ أﺧﻮك اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ ھﯿﻚ؟ ﺷﻮ ﻋ ّﻤﻠﻚ؟ ول ﻋﻠﯿﻚ! ھﺎﻧﻲ :ﻛﺐ ﻛﺎﺳﺔ اﻟﻤﯿّﮫ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﻋﻤﺪاً وأﻧﺎ ﺑﺪّي أطﻠﻊ ﻣﻊ أﺻﺤﺎﺑﻲ!
185
ﺣﺮف اﻟﻮاو Example:
Example:
ﺷﻜﺮي :ﺷﻜﺮاً إﻟﻚ إﻧّﻚ طﻠﻌﺘﻨﻲ ﻣﻦ ھﺎﻟﻮرطﺔ! ﻟﻮﻻك ﻛﻨﺖ رح أﻧﺴﺠﻦ! ﻋﺎرف :وﻟﻮ! اﻟﺼﺪﯾﻖ وﻗﺖ اﻟﻀﯿﻖ!
وﻣﺎ ﺧﻔﻲ ﻛﺎن أﻋﻈﻢ /wa-mā khafiya kāna ’a‘ḏạ m/
ﻧﺮﺟﻊ ﻣﻔﺘﺎح اﻟﺴﯿّﺎرة ﻣﻜﺎﻧﮫ وﻛﺈﻧّﮫ ﻣﺎ أﺧﺬﻧﺎھﺎ ﻣﻌﺎذ :ﺗﻌﺎل ّ ﻟﻤﻜﺎن وﻻ ﺳﻘﻨﺎھﺎ! وﻻ ﻣﻦ ﺷﺎف وﻻ ﻣﻦ دري! ﺟﺎﺑﺮ :أﺑﻮي ﻗﺎﻋﺪ ﺑﺎﻟﻐﺮﻓﺔ ﻛﯿﻒ ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﻧﺮﺟﻌﮫ! ﻣﻌﺎذ :ﻣﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ! أﻧﺎ ﺑﺮﺟﻌﮫ ﺑﻄﺮﯾﻘﺘﻲ!
وﻻ ﻣﻨّﯿﺘﮫ ← وﻻ ﻣﮭﺘﺘﮫ
Equivalent: This is just the tip of the iceberg/ What is
/walā mahatit-uh/ ← /walā minnīt-uh/
still hidden is more than what has happened or been
Equivalent: To go it alone/ To act by oneself without
revealed so far.
assistance/ To decide to do something by yourself,
Example:
without help from other people.
ﺳﮭﯿﺮ :ﺻﺎﻓﯿﻨﺎز اﻛﺘﺸﻔﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﻣﺘﺠ ّﻮز ﻋﻠﯿﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ ﺛﻼث ﺳﻨﯿﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﺴﺮ! وﻣﺎ ﺧﻔﻲ ﻛﺎن أﻋﻈﻢ! ﺑﺠﻮز ﻋﻨﺪه أوﻻد ﻛﻤﺎن! ﻧﺒﯿﻠﺔ :وﺷﻮ ﻋﻤﻠﺖ؟ ﺳﮭﯿﺮ :ﺗﺮﻛﺘﮫ وراﺣﺖ ﻋﻨﺪ ﺑﯿﺖ أھﻠﮭﺎ!
Example:
أم ﺑﺸﯿﺮ :ﻟﯿﺶ ﻣﺎ رﺣﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺪرﺳﺔ ﻣﻊ أﺧﻮك ﺑﺸﯿﺮ ﺑﺴﯿﺎرﺗﮫ؟ ﺑﺸﺎر :رﺣﺖ ﻣﺸﻲ! ھﯿﻚ أﺣﺴﻦ! وﻻ ﻣﻨّﯿﺘﮫ وﻻ ﻣﮭﺘﺘﮫ! ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﻘﻠّﻲ إﻧّﻲ ﺑﺄﺧﺮه ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻐﻠﮫ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أروح ﻣﻌﮫ.
وﻻ ﯾﮭ ّﻤﻚ
وھﺬا اﻟﻠﻲ اﺟﺎك ← وھﺬا ﻛﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻨﺪي /w-haḏā ̣ kull illī ‘ind-ī/ ← /w-haḏā ̣ illī ’ijā-k/
/walā yhimm-ak/
Equivalent: That’s all she wrote/ That is all I have to
Equivalent: Think nothing of it/ Don’t worry/ You’re
say about that/ And this is what happened/ End of
welcome/ It was nothing/ I was glad to do it/ You did
story.
no harm at all/ Don’t give it another thought/ Do not
Example:
apologize or feel bound to show gratitude.
أم روﻋﺔ :ﻟﯿﺶ إﻧﺘﻲ وأﺧﺘﻚ زﻋﻼﻧﺎت ﻣﻦ ﺑﻌﺾ؟ ﺳﻌﺪة :روﻋﺔ ﺿﺮﺑﺖ اﺑﻨﻲ رﺷﯿﺪ! إﺟﯿﺖ ﺿﺮﺑﺖ ﺑﻨﺘﮭﺎ واﺑﻨﮭﺎ! ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﻦ ﺣﺪا! وإذا ﺑﺘﺮﺟﻊ ﺗﻀﺮب اﺑﻨﻲ رح أﺿﺮب أوﻻدھﺎ وھﺬا اﻟﻠﻲ اﺟﺎﻛﻲ! ﻗﺺ! روﻋﺔ :رح أﺿﺮﺑﮫ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻗﻠﯿﻞ أدب وﻟﺴﺎﻧﮫ ﺑﺪّه ّ إﻋﻤﻠﻲ ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّك! ھﯿﻨﻲ ﺧﺒّﺮﺗﻚ ﺷﻮ رح أﻋﻤﻞ! وھﺬا ﻛﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻨﺪي. أم روﻋﺔ :إھﺪن ﯾﺎ ﺑﻨﺎت وﺑﻼش ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ! إﻧﺘﻦ ﺧﻮات وﻣﺎ ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ھﺎﻟﺤﻜﻲ!
Example:
ﺣﺬﯾﻔﺔ :ﺷﻜﺮاً إﻟﻚ إﻧّﻚ أﻋﻄﯿﺘﻨﻲ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري وآﺳﻒ ﻹﻧّﻲ ﺗﺄﺧﺮت ﺑﺎﻟﺴﺪاد! ﻧﻀﺎل :وﻻ ﯾﮭ ّﻤﻚ!
وﻟّﻌﺖ /walla‘at/
Equivalent: The fat in the fire/ Trouble is about to start/ The situation has escalated and intensified. Example:
وھﻮ ﻣﻐﻤﺾ ̣/w-hū mghammiḏ/
Equivalent: With one’s eyes closed/ With no difficulty/ To do something easily without any effort.
وداد :ﻓﺎدﯾﺔ ﺗﮭﺎوﺷﺖ ﻣﻊ ﺣﻤﺎﺗﮭﺎ! ووﻟّﻌﺖ ﺑﯿﻨﮭﻦ! وﻛﻞ اﻟﺤﺎرة ﺳﻤﻌﺘﮭﻦ! ھﺪى :ﺣﻤﺎﺗﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﺐ اﻟﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ! ﻻزم ﻓﺎدﯾﺔ ﺗﺴﻜﻦ ﺑﺒﯿﺖ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮭﺎ!
Example:
ﻣﻨﺬر :ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف أﺣﻞ ھﺎي اﻷﺳﺌﻠﺔ! ﺻﻌﺒﺔ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! وإﻧﺖ ﻣﺶ ﻣﺴﺎﻋﺪﻧﻲ ﺑﺈﺷﻲ! طﺎرق :ﻣﮭﻲ ﺻﻌﺒﺔ وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف أﺟﺎوﺑﮭﺎ زﯾّﻚ! ﺗﻌﺎل ﺴﮫ ﺑﺤ ّﻞ اﻷﺳﺌﻠﺔ ﻧﺮوح ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﺎظﻢ! ھﻮ ﺷﺎطﺮ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ وھ ّ وھﻮ ﻣﻐ ّﻤﺾ!
وﯾﺎ ﺟﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﮭﺰك رﯾﺢ
وﻟﻚ /walak/
!Equivalent: Hey you Example:
أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎدل :وﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ وﻟﺪ وطّﻲ ﺻﻮت اﻟﺘﻠﻔﺰﯾﻮن! أﺧﻮﺗﻚ ﻧﺎﻣﻮ وإﻧﺖ ﺑﺘﺰﻋﺠﮭﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻮت! ﺴﮫ ﺑﻮطّﻲ اﻟﺼﻮت ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ. ﻋﺎدل :ﻣﺎﺷﻲ ھ ّ
/w-yā jabal mā yhizz-ak rīḥ/
Equivalent: This is used to describe the person who
وﻟﻮ
shows resilience and strength in the face of adversity,
/walaw/
hardship, difficulty and tough times.
Equivalent: My pleasure!/ Don’t mention it.
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
وﯾﻦ أﯾّﺎﻣﻚ
186
Example: /wēn ’ayyām-ak/
Equivalent: Where have you been keeping yourself?/ Where have you been hiding yourself?/ I haven’t seen ?you for a long time. Where have you been Example:
ﻏﺰل :ﺷﻮ ﯾﺎ رھﻒ وﯾﻦ أﯾّﺎﻣﻚ؟ ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ؟ رھﻒ :ﺑﮭﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻄﻠﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻜﺎن!
أﺑﻮ ھﺎدي :أﺑﻮ ﺧﻀﺮ زﻟﻤﺔ إرادﺗﮫ ﻗﻮﯾّﺔ! أﺧﻮﺗﮫ ﺣﺎوﻟﻮ ﯾﺤﺮﻣﻮه ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﯿﺮاث وورطﻮه ﻋﺪّة ﻣﺮات ﺑﻤﺸﺎﻛﻞ! وھﺎﻟﻤﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﻣﺮض ﻣﺮﺿﺔ ﻗﻮﯾّﺔ وﻣﺮﺗﮫ ﺗﺮﻛﺘﮫ وھﻮ رﺑّﻰ أوﻻده ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮫ! ﻛﻞ ھﺬا وﯾﺎ ﺟﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﮭﺰّك رﯾﺢ! أﺑﻮ اﻧﻮر :أﺑﻮ ﺧﻀﺮ زﻟﻤﮫ ﻗﻠﯿﻠﮫ!
وﯾﻦ اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ووﯾﻦ اھﻠﮭﺎ /wēn il-dinyā w-wēn ’ihil-hā/
وﯾﻦ ﻣﺎ طﺎب ھﻮاه ﺑﺬ ّرﯾﮫ
Equivalent: All the time in the world/ To have plenty /wēn mā ṭāb hawāh bdharrīh/
of time.
Equivalent: Footloose and fancy-free/ Without any
Example:
commitments or responsibilities. Example:
أم ﻓﺮﺣﺎن :ﺟﻮز أم ﺣﺎﺗﻢ ﺳﺎﻓﺮ ﺑ ّﺮا ﯾﺸﺘﻐﻞ! ﻛﺎن ﺧﺎﻧﻘﮭﺎ ﺴﮫ وﯾﻦ ﻣﺎ طﺎب ھﻮاھﺎ وﺣﺎﺑﺴﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﯿﺖ طﻮل اﻟﻮﻗﺖ! ھ ّ ﺑﺘﺬ ّرﯾﮫ! ﺗﺤ ّﺮرت ﻣﻨّﮫ ﺷﻮﯾّﺔ! أم ﺳﻠﻤﺎن :ﺳﻔﺮه إﺟﺎ ﻣﻦ ﺣﻈﮭﺎ ھﺎﻟﻤﺴﻜﯿﻨﺔ! ﻛﺎن ﺣﺎرﻣﮭﺎ ﺗﺮوح ﻋﻠﻰ أھﻠﮭﺎ ﺣﺘﻰ!
ﺷﺮف :ﻣ ّﺮ ﻋﻨﺪي ﻋﺸﺎن ﻧﺪرس ﻋﻠﻰ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﺳﻮا! ﺴﮫ؟ وﯾﻦ اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ ووﯾﻦ اھﻠﮭﺎ! ﺷﺎﻛﺮ :ﺑﺪّك ﺗﺪرس ﻣﻦ ھ ّ اﻹﻣﺘﺤﺎن ﺑﻌﺪ أﺳﺒﻮع! ﻣﻌﻨﺎ وﻗﺖ طﻮﯾﻞ ﻟﻠﺪراﺳﺔ!
ﺣﺮف اﻟﯿﺎء
ﻋﺰﯾﺰ :ﻻ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﺧﺒﺮك ﺑﺈﺷﻲ! ﻋﺰﻣﻲ :ﺧﻠﯿﻚ ﻣﺨﺒّﻲ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ ﻋﻨﻲ! ﯾﺎ ﺧﺒﺮ ﺑﻔﻠﻮس ﺑﻜﺮة ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ﺑﺒﻼش!
ﯾﺎ أرض اھﺘﺪي ﻣﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻲ ﺣﺪا ﻗﺪي /yā ’arḏ ̣ ’ihtaddī mā ‘alēkī ḥadā gaddī/
Equivalent: Full of oneself/ Conceited/ Self-centered/ Arrogant/ Proud/ Self-important.
ﯾﺎ ﺧﺴﺎرة
Example: /yā khsārah/
!Equivalent: What a pity/ What a waste Example:
ﻧﺎدﯾﻦ :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ زﻋﻼﻧﺔ ﯾﺎ ﻏﺰل؟ ﻏﺰل :ﺿﯿّﻌﺖ ﺧﺎﺗﻢ ذھﺐ ﺟﺎﺑﺘﻠﻲ إﯾﺎه أﻣﻲ ھﺪﯾﺔ! ﻣﺶ ﻣﻼﻗﯿﯿﺘﮫ ﺑﻤﻜﺎن! ﻧﺎدﯾﻦ :ﯾﻲ ﯾﺎ ﺧﺴﺎرة! إرﺟﻌﻲ دوري ﺑﻠﻜﻲ ﺗﻼﻗﯿﮫ.
ﺳﻠﯿﻢ :ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻮ ﻓﺎﺋﻖ ﺷﺎﯾﻒ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ؟ ﯾﺎ أرض اھﺘﺪّي ﻣﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻲ ﺣﺪا ﻗﺪّي! ﻟﯿﺶ اﻟﻐﺮور؟ ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ :ﺷﺨﺼﯿﺘﮫ ھﯿﻚ! ﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺑﺤﺐ ﯾﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ ﻣﻌﮫ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ ﻏﺮوره.
ﯾﺎ ﺑﺨﺘﻚ /yā bakht-ik/
!Equivalent: Lucky you
ﯾﺎ دوب
Example: /yā dōb/
Equivalent: Almost/ Barely/ Hardly/
ﺳﮭﺎد :وأﺧﯿﺮاً إﺟﺎ اﻟﺸﺐ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﺤﺒﮫ وﺧﻄﺒﻨﻲ! أﻣﺎﻧﻲ :ﯾﺎ ﺑﺨﺘﻚ!
By a hair’s breadth/ Barely/ By the skin of your teeth.
ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام
Example:
أم ﺳﻠﻄﺎن :ﺗﻌﺎل اﺳﮭﺮ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ ﯾﺎ ﺳﻠﻄﺎن! ﺑﻜﻔﻲ دراﺳﺔ. ﺳﻠﻄﺎن :ﯾﺎ دوب أﻗﺪر أﺧﻠّﺺ اﻟﻔﺼﻞ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺿﻞ ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﻟﻺﻣﺘﺤﺎن! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺪر! ﺑﻜﺮة ﺑﺴﮭﺮ ﻣﻌﻜﻮ.
ﯾﺎ دوﺑﮫ ﻣﻜﻔﻲ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ /yā dōb-uh mkaffī ḥāl-uh/
/yā ḥarām/
!Equivalent: What a shame/ What a pity Example:
ﺻﺒﺮﯾﺔ :ﻣﯿﻦ ھﺬا اﻟﻮﻟﺪ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻋﻨﺪك ﯾﺎ ﻧﮭﺎد؟ ﻧﮭﺎد :ھﺬا اﺑﻦ اﺧﺘﻲ اﻟﻤﺮﺣﻮﻣﺔ! أﺑﻮه ﻣﺎت ﺑﺤﺎدث وأﺧﺘﻲ ﻣﺎﺗﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺰﻋﻞ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ وﺿﻞ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﮫ وأﻧﺎ ﺑﺮﺑّﯿﮫ. ﺻﺒﺮﯾﺔ :ﯾﺎ ﺣﺮام! ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ!
Equivalent: Live from hand to mouth/ Keep body and soul together. Example:
ﯾﺎ ﺣﺴﺮة ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﺼﺮة /yā ḥaṣrah ‘alā naṣrah/
ﻗﯿﺲ :ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﻚ ﺗﺪﯾّﻨﻲ ﺧﻤﺴﯿﻦ دﯾﻨﺎر ﻵﺧﺮ اﻟﺸﮭﺮ؟ ﻣﺎﺟﺪ :ﻣﻦ وﯾﻦ أﺟﯿﺒﻠﻚ ھﺎﻟﻤﺒﻠﻎ! ﺷﻮف ﻓﺮﯾﺪ ﻣﻤﻜﻦ ﺗﻼﻗﻲ ﻣﻌﮫ ھﯿﻚ ﻣﺒﻠﻎ. ﻗﯿﺲ :ﻣﯿﻦ؟ ﻓﺮﯾﺪ؟ ﻣﮭﻮ ﯾﺎ دوﺑﮫ ﻣﻜﻔّﻲ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ! أﻧﺎ ﺑﻌﺮف وﺿﻌﮫ.
ﻣﻨﯿﺮة :ﺷﻮ رأﯾﻚ ﻧﺮوح ﻧﺘﺴ ّﻮق ﺑﺎﻟﻤﻮل اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ؟ ھﻨﺎ :ﯾﺎ ﺣﺴﺮة ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﺼﺮة! ﻣﻦ وﯾﻦ ﺑﺪّي أﺟﯿﺐ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻟﻠﺘﺴ ّﻮق؟ اﻟﻌﯿﻦ ﺑﺼﯿﺮة واﻹﯾﺪ ﻗﺼﯿﺮة.
ﯾﺎ راﯾﺢ ﻛﺜّﺮ ﻣﻼﯾﺢ
ﯾﺎ ﺧﺒﺮ ﺑﻔﻠﻮس ﺑﻜﺮه ﺑﺼﯿﺮ ﺑﺒﻼش
!Equivalent: Alas Example:
/yā rāyiḥ kaththir malāyiḥ/
/yā khabar bi-flūs bukrah biṣīr b-balāsh/
Equivalent: A good deed is never lost.
Equivalent: Word gets around/ The valuable and
Example:
unknown news about something or someone will
ﻋﺒﺪ اﻟﻌﺰﯾﺰ :ﻣﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ ﻗ ّﺮر ﯾﺴﺘﻘﯿﻞ ﺑﺲ ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺴﺘﻘﯿﻞ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﻌﻄﻲ اﻟﻤﻮظﻔﯿﻦ ﻋﻼوة وﯾﺪﻋﻤﮭﻢ! ﯾﺎ ﺧﺴﺎرة! ﻻزم ھﺎﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮ ﻣﺎ اﺳﺘﻘﺎل! اﻧﻮر :ﯾﻜﺜّﺮ ﺧﯿﺮه! ﯾﺎ راﯾﺢ ﻛﺜّﺮ ﻣﻼﯾﺢ!
inevitably reach other people at some point. Example:
ﻋﺰﻣﻲ :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّك ﺗﻘﻠّﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻮ اﺗﻔﻘﺖ ﻣﻊ ﻋﺎدل وﺷﻮ ﺼﺔ ً أﺻﻼ؟ اﻟﻘ ّ
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
Example:
ﻓﺮﯾﺎل :ﺷﻮ ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ زﻟﻤﺔ ﻣﺘﻨ ّﻜﺪ؟ ﻋﻤﺎد :ﺣﺴﻨﻲ ﺻﺎﺣﺐ اﻟﺸﻘّﺔ ﺑﺪّه إﯾﺎﻧﺎ ﻧﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ ﺧﻼل ﺷﮭﺮ! ﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ؟ ﻓﺮﯾﺎل :ﯾﻲ! ﯾﺎ ﻏﺒﺼﺔ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺰﯾﻨﺔ! ﻟﯿﺶ ﺑﻌﻤﻞ ﻓﯿﻨﺎ ھﯿﻚ؟
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ﯾﺎ ﺳﺎﺗﺮ /yā sātir/
!Equivalent: Oh God Example:
ھﻼل :ﺷﻮ ﺟﺎﺑﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺸﻔﻰ ﯾﺎ ﺧﻠﯿﻞ؟ ﺧﻠﯿﻞ :ﻛﻨﺖ أﻟﻌﺐ ﻓﻄﺒﻮل ووﻗﻌﺖ ورﺟﻠﻲ اﻧﻜﺴﺮت! ھﻼل :ﯾﺎ ﺳﺎﺗﺮ!
ﯾﺎ ﻓﺘﺎح ﯾﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﻢ /yā fattāḥ yā ‘alīm/
!Equivalent: What a start to the day
ﯾﺎ ﺻﺒﺮ أﯾﻮب
Example:
ﻓﺠﺔ اﻟﻀﻮ! ﻋﻤﺎد :ﯾﺎ ﻓﺘّﺎح ﯾﺎ ﻋﻠﯿﻢ! ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﺟﺎي ﻋﻠ ّﻲ ﻣﻊ ّ ﺷﻮ ﺑﺪّك ﯾﺎ ﺣﺴﻨﻲ؟ ﺣﺴﻨﻲ :ﺑﺪّي إﯾﺎك ﺗﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ ﺷﻘﺘﻲ ﺑﻌﺪ أﺳﺒﻮﻋﯿﻦ ﻣﺶ ﺷﮭﺮ! دﺑّﺮ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ ﺑﺴﺮﻋﺔ! ﻣﺤﺘﺎج اﻟﺸﻘّﺔ ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﺿﺮوري.
ﯾﺎ ﻗﺎﺗﻞ ﯾﺎ ﻣﻘﺘﻮل /yā gātil yā magtūl/
/yā ṣabur ’ayūb/
Equivalent: The patience of Job/ Extremely patient person. Example:
ﺿﺎﻣﻦ :ﺑﻌﺪھﻢ ﻣﺶ ﺻﺎرﻓﯿﻦ اﻟﺮواﺗﺐ واﻟﺪﯾﻦ زاد وﻣﺶ ﻋﺎرف ﺷﻮ أﻋﻤﻞ؟ ﻟﺆي :اﻟﺸﻐﻠﺔ ﺑﺪھﺎ ﺻﺒﺮ! ﺿﺎﻣﻦ :ﺻﺒﺮﻧﺎ ﺻﺒﺮ أﯾﻮب ﺑﺲ ﻣﺶ ﺻﺎﯾﺮ ﻣﻌﻨﺎ إﺷﻲ!
Equivalent: By hook or by crook/ Do-or-die. Example:
ﺣﺴﻦ :إﺣﻨﺎ راﯾﺤﯿﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺒﺎراة وﻻزم ﻧﻔﻮز! ﻣﺎ ﺑﻘﺒﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﺨﺴﺎرة! ﯾﺎ ﻗﺎﺗﻞ ﯾﺎ ﻣﻘﺘﻮل! ﺑﺸﯿﺮ :ﻧﺤﻦ ﻟﮭﺎ ﯾﺎ ﻛﺎﺑﺘﻦ! ﻻ ﺗﻘﻠﻖ.
ﯾﺎ ﻋﯿﺒﻚ ← ﻋﯿﺐ ﻋﻠﯿﻚ /‘ēb ‘alēk/ ← /yā ‘ēb-ak/
!Equivalent: Shame on you Example:
ﯾﺎ ﻣﺄﻣﻨﮫ ﻟﻠﺮﺟﺎل ﯾﺎ ﻣﺄﻣﻨﮫ ﻟﻠﻤﯿّﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻐﺮﺑﺎل /yā m’amneh la-li-rjāl yā m’amneh la-il-mayyeh b-il-ghirbāl/
Equivalent: You don’t trust someone as far as you could
أم ﻋﺜﻤﺎن :ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أﻣﻚ ﺗﯿﺠﻲ ﺗﻘﻌﺪ ﻋﻨّﺎ ﻹﻧﮭﺎ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺠﯿﺔ وﻣﺶ ﻣﺮﯾﺤﺔ. أﺑﻮ ﻋﺜﻤﺎن :ﯾﺎ ﻋﯿﺒﻚ! ﻋﯿﺐ ﻋﻠﯿﻜﻲ ﺗﺤﻜﻲ ھﯿﻚ ﻋﻦ أﻣﻲ! ﻣﺎ ﺑﺴﻤﺤﻠﻚ أﺑﺪاً ﺗﺠﯿﺒﻲ ﺳﯿﺮﺗﮭﺎ ﺑﮭﺎﻟﻄﺮﯾﻘﺔ! ﻓﺎھﻤﺔ؟
throw him or her/ This is used by some women to say that it is difficult to trust some men or husbands.
ﯾﺎ ﻋﯿﺐ اﻟﻌﯿﺐ
Example:
ﻟﺒﻨﻰ :ﺳﻤﻌﺘﻲ آﺧﺮ ﺧﺒﺮ؟ ﺳﻨﺎء :ﺧﯿﺮ ﺷﻮ ﻓﻲ؟ ﻟﺒﻨﻰ :ﻣﯿﺴﺎ اﻛﺘﺸﻔﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺟﻮزھﺎ ﻛﺎﯾﻦ ﻣﺘﺠ ّﻮز وﺣﺪة ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ ﻗﺒﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺘﺠﻮزھﺎ وﻋﻨﺪه ﻣﻨﮭﺎ وﻟﺪ وﺑﻨﺖ! ﺑﺘﺼﺪﻗﻲ؟ ﺳﻨﺎء :ﯾﺎ ﻣﺄﻣﻨﮫ ﻟﻠﺮﺟﺎل ﯾﺎ ﻣﺄﻣﻨﮫ ﻟﻠﻤﯿّﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻐﺮﺑﺎل.
ﯾﺎ وﯾﻠﻚ
/yā ‘ēb il-‘ēb/
!Equivalent: What a shame!/ What a pity Example:
ﺗﻮﻓﯿﻖ :اﻟﯿﻮم أﺑﻮ ﺳﺎھﺮ ﺑﮭﺪل اﺑﻨﮫ وﺿﺮﺑﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺎرع ﻗﺪّام اﻟﻨﺎس! ﻋﻠﻲ :ﯾﺎ ﻋﯿﺐ اﻟﻌﯿﺐ!
ﯾﺎ ﻏﺎﻓﻞ اﻟﻚ ﷲ /yā wēl-ak/
/yā ghāfil ’ilak Allah/
Equivalent: Woe to you!/ I’ll show you.
Equivalent: To be totally clueless/ To be unaware or
Example:
ignorant of something that is secretly happening
أم ﯾﺎﻣﻦ :ﯾﺎ وﯾﻠﻚ إذا ﺑﺘﺮﺟﻊ ﺗﻀﺮب أﺧﻮك! ﯾﺎﻣﻦ :ﻣﺎﺷﻲ ﻣﺎ رح أﺿﺮﺑﮫ ﻣ ّﺮة ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ.
around you. Example:
ﯾﺎي /yāy/
أم وﺣﯿﺪ :اﺑﻨﻚ طﻠﻊ ﻛﻞ ﯾﻮم ﺑﺮوح ﯾﺴﮭﺮ ﻣﻊ أﺻﺤﺎﺑﮫ ﺑﺎﻟﻠﯿﻞ ﺑﺲ ﻧﻨﺎم! أم ﻋﻤﺮ ﺣﻜﺘﻠﻲ! أﺑﻮ وﺣﯿﺪ :ھﺎﻟﻮﻟﺪ ﺑﻄﻠﻊ ﻣﻦ وراﻧﺎ وﺑﺴﮭﺮ وإﺣﻨﺎ ﯾﺎ ﻏﺎﻓﻞ إﻟﻚ ﷲ؟
Equivalent: Yay!/ An exclamation used to express joy, excitement, triumph, approval or encouragement. Example:
أﺑﻮ ﺟﻼل :ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻮ ﯾﺎ أوﻻد أﺷﺘﺮﯾﻠﻜﻮ آﯾﺲ ﻛﺮﯾﻢ! اﻷوﻻد :ﯾﺎي ﯾﺎي ﯾﺎي.
ﯾﺎ ﻏﺒﺼﺔ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺰﯾﻨﺔ /yā ghabṣah yā ḥazīneh/
Equivalent: That’s too bad/ This is an expression to show frustration.
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ﺣﺮف اﻟﯿﺎء
ﻣﺎﺟﺪ :ﻟﻮﻻ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪّي أروح ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﻔﻠﺔ ﺧﻄﻮﺑﺔ طﺎرق ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻲ ﺑﻀﻞ ﻧﺎﯾﻢ ﻟﺒﻜﺮة! ﻋﻼ :ﻣﺘﻰ اﻟﺤﻔﻠﺔ؟ ﻣﺎﺟﺪ :اﻟﺴﺎﻋﺔ ﺳﺘﺔ! ﻋﻼ :ﯾﻄﻌﻤﻚ اﻟﺤﺞ واﻟﻨﺎس راﺟﻌﺔ! اﻟﺴﺎﻋﺔ ﺻﺎرت ﺗﺴﻌﺔ!
ﯾﻊ /ya‘‘/
Equivalent: An exclamation used to express strong !distaste or disgust/ Yuck!/ Ew!/ Ugh
ﯾﺎﻣﺎ ﺗﺤﺖ اﻟﺴﻮاھﻲ دواھﻲ /yāmā taḥt il-sawāhī dawāhī/
Equivalent: Still water runs deep. Example:
أم رﺑﯿﻊ :ﺟﻮز ﻣﺮﯾﻢ داﯾﻤﺎ ً ﺳﺎﻛﺖ! إﻟﮫ ﺛﻢ ﯾﻮﻛﻞ ﻣﺎ ﯾﺤﻜﻲ وھﺮﺟﮫ ﻗﻠﯿﻞ! ﻛﺈﻧﮫ ھﺒﯿﻠﺔ وﻣﺎ إﻟﮫ ﺷﺨﺼﯿّﺔ! أم رزق :ھﺬا اﻟﻠﻲ ﺷﺎﯾﻔﯿﺘﮫ ﺣﺎﻛﻢ ﻣﺮﯾﻢ ﺣﻜﻢ اﻟﮭﺪھﺪ! وﻣﺪﯾﺮ ﺷﺮﻛﺔ ﻗ ّﺪ اﻟﺪﻧﯿﺎ وﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري زي اﻟﺮز! دﻣﺎﻏﮫ ﻧﻈﯿﻒ! أم رﺑﯿﻊ :ﯾﺎﻣﺎ ﺗﺤﺖ اﻟﺴﻮاھﻲ دواھﻲ!
Example:
ﯾﺎ ﻣﺎﺧﺬة اﻟﻘﺮد ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺎﻟﮫ ﺑﺮوح اﻟﻤﺎل وﺑﻈﻞ اﻟﻘﺮد ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ
ﻧﮭﻰ :ﺷﻮ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻠﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻓﺮح؟ ﻓﺮح :ﺧﺬي ذوﻗﻲ! ﻧﮭﻰ :ﯾﻊ! ﺷﻮ ھﺬا طﻌﻤﮫ ﺑﻘﺰّز وﻣﺶ زاﻛﻲ!
/yā makhidheh il-girid ‘alā māl-uh birūḥ il-māl w- biḏạ ll il-girid ‘alā ḥāl-uh/
ﯾﻌﻄﯿﻚ اﻟﻌﺎﻓﯿﺔ
Equivalent: (Don’t) Marry someone for his or her /ya‘ṭīk il-‘āfyeh/
money/ This is said to someone who is a gold-digger,
Equivalent: May God give you health.
who wants to marry someone who is ugly solely for
Example:
his or her money/ One day the money might go away
أم ﺻﺒﺮي :ﻣﺎ ﺧﻠﺼﺖ واﺟﺒﺎﺗﻚ ﯾﺎ ﺻﺒﺮي؟ ﺻﺒﺮي :ﻻ ﺧﻠﺼﺖ ﻛﻞ ﺷﻲ وﺗﻌﺒﺎن وﺑﺪي أﻧﺎم. أم ﺻﺒﺮي :ﯾﻌﻄﯿﻚ اﻟﻌﺎﻓﯿﺔ.
but the ugly person will stay. Example:
ﯾﻌ ّﻜﺮ اﻟﺠﻮ /y‘akkir il-jaww/
Equivalent: To cause anger, trouble or discomfort to
أم ﻣﺮﻋﻲ :رﺷﯿﺪة ﺧﻄّﺒﺖ ﺑﻨﺘﮭﺎ اﻟﺼﻐﯿﺮة ﻟﻮاﺣﺪ ﻗ ّﺪ أﺑﻮھﺎ وﻟﻮ ﺷﻔﺘﻲ ﺷﻜﻠﮫ! ﺑﺸﻊ ﻋﺎﻵﺧﺮ! ﺑﺲ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻛﺜﯿﺮ! ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻮ ﻣﻌﮫ ﻣﺼﺎري ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻮﻛﻠﮭﺎ اﻟﻨﯿﺮان! أم ﺗﯿﺴﯿﺮ :ﯾﺎ ﻣﺎﺧﺬة اﻟﻘﺮد ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺎﻟﮫ ﺑﺮوح اﻟﻤﺎل وﺑﻈﻞ اﻟﻘﺮد ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺎﻟﮫ!
somebody/ To break the quiet, calm, peace/ To cause anxiety or distress.
ﯾﺘﺮﺑّﻰ ﺑﻌ ّﺰك
Example:
أم ﻟﯿﺚ :ﺑﺲ إﺟﺎ أﺑﻮ ﻋﺎھﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﺰﯾﻤﺔ ﻋ ّﻜﺮ اﻟﺠﻮ وﻣﺎ ﻛﺎن ﺣﺪا ﻣﺮﺗﺎح! أﺑﻮ ﻟﯿﺚ :ﻣﮭﻮ ﻣﺴﺒّﺐ ﻣﺸﺎﻛﻞ ﻟﻠﻜﻞ وﻣﺎ ﺣﺪا ﺑﺤﺒﮫ!
ﯾﻔﺶ ﻏﻠﮫ /yfish ghull-uh/
/yitrabbā b‘izz-ak/
Equivalent: May the baby prosper in your wealth. Example:
أم طﺎھﺮ :أﻟﻒ ﻣﺒﺮوك اﻟﺒﯿﺒﻲ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ! ﯾﺘﺮﺑّﻰ ﺑﻌﺰﻛﻮ! أم ﺻﺎﯾﻞ :ﷲ ﯾﺒﺎرك ﻓﯿﻜﻲ.
ﯾﺼﻔّﻲ اﻟﺠﻮ
Equivalent: To take your anger out on somebody/ To
/yṣaffī il-jaww/
take your rage out on someone.
Equivalent: To clear the air/ To eliminate confusion,
Example:
dismiss argument or emotional tension.
ﻣﻨﺎر :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻋﻄﺎ ﻣﺴﻚ اﻟﺤﺮاﻣﻲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻈﻞ ﯾﺴﺮق ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻮﺑﺮ ﻣﺎرﻛﺖ وﻓﺶ ﻏﻠّﮫ ﻓﯿﮫ! ﻋﺪﻟﯿﺔ :ﻛﻮﯾّﺲ اﻟﻠﻲ ﻣﺴﻜﮫ!
ﯾﻜﺜّﺮ ﺧﯿﺮك /ykaththir khēr-ak/
Example:
رھﻒ :وﯾﻦ راﯾﺤﺔ ﯾﺎ ﺿﺤﻰ؟ ﺿﺤﻰ :ﺑﺪّي أﺻﻔّﻲ اﻟﺠﻮ ﺑﯿﻦ رﯾﻢ وﺻﻔﺎء! ﺻﺎرﻟﮭﻦ ﻓﺘﺮة ﻣﺎ ﺑﺤﻜﻦ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ.
ﯾﻄﻌﻤﻚ اﻟﺤﺞ واﻟﻨﺎس راﺟﻌﺔ
Equivalent: May God increase your welfare/ Thank you
/yiṭ‘am-ak il-ḥajj w-il-nās rāj‘eh/
very much/ I really appreciate it.
Equivalent: That ship has sailed/ You missed the boat/
Example:
To lock the stable door after the horse has bolted/ It’s
أﺑﻮ ﺷﺮف :ﺑﺪّي أﻋﻄﻲ اﺑﻨﻚ ﻓﺮﺻﺔ ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻐﻞ ﻋﻨﺪي! إذا ﻣﺎ زﺑّﻂ ھﺎﻟﻤ ّﺮة ﺑﺘﻜﻮن ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺘﮫ! أﺑﻮ ﻏﺎدي :ﯾﻜﺜّﺮ ﺧﯿﺮك ﯾﺎ أﺑﻮ ﺷﺮف! ﺷﻜﺮاً إﻟﻚ.
too late. Example:
ﻋﻼ :ﺷﻜﻠﻚ ﺗﻌﺒﺎن ﻛﺜﯿﺮ اﻟﯿﻮم ﺑﺸﻮﻓﻚ ﻧﻤﺖ ﻛﺜﯿﺮ!
Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions in Levantine Arabic
ﻹﻧّﮫ ﺑﻨﺘﻲ دارﺳﺔ وھﻮ ﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﮫ ﺛﺎﻧﻮﯾﺔ! وﺑﻨﺘﻲ ﻣﻮظﻔﺔ وھﻮ ﻋﺎطﻞ! ﺑﺠﻮز ﻧﻮاﻓﻖ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻌﺘﺰ ﻹﻧّﮫ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺴﺘﻮاھﺎ ووﺿﻊ ﻋﯿﻠﺘﮫ ﻣﺜﻞ وﺿﻌﻨﺎ وﺑﻨﺎﺳﺒﻨﺎ!
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ﯾﻠّﻼ /yallah/
Equivalent: Come on/ Let’s go/ Hurry up/ Ok/ Alright. Example:
ﯾﻲ ﻋﺎد ← ﯾﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﻨﺎ /yī ‘alēnā/ ← /yī ‘ād/
Equivalent: Oh God!/ Oh my God!/ This is an
ﺴﮫ اﻟﺒﺎص ﺑﺮوح ﻋﻠﯿﻚ أم ﻧﺎدر :ﯾﻠّﻼ ﯾﺎ ﻧﺎدر إﺻﺤﻰ! ھ ّ وﺑﺘﺘﺄﺧﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺪرﺳﺘﻚ! ﺴﮫ ﺑﺎﺟﻲ! ﻧﺎدر :ﯾﻠّﻼ ھ ّ
expression to show frustration and disappointment. Example:
وردة :ﯾﻠّﻼ ﯾﺎ زھﺮة ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﻋﺸﺎن ﻧﺘﻔ ّﺮج ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺴﻠﺴﻞ اﻟﻤﻜﺴﯿﻜﻲ! اﻟﯿﻮم ﻓﻲ ﺣﻠﻘﺔ ﺟﺪﯾﺪة! ﻣﻦ أﺳﺒﻮع وأﻧﺎ أﺳﺘﻨّﻰ ﻓﯿﮫ. زھﺮة :اﻟﯿﻮم ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺴﻠﺴﻞ! ﻓﻲ ﻣﺒﺎراة ﻧﮭﺎﺋﯿﺔ وﻋﺸﺎن ھﯿﻚ ﻟﻐﻮه! وردة :ﯾﻲ ﻋﻠﯿﻨﺎ! أﺣﺒﻄﻮﻧﻲ! زھﺮة :ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﻧﻌﻤﻞ إﺷﻲ ﻣﻔﯿﺪ! إﻛﺘﺌﺒﺖ ﻣﻨﻚ!
ﯾﻠﻠﻲ ﻣﺜﻠﻨﺎ ﺗﻌﻮ ﻟﻌﻨﺎ /yallī mithil-nā ta‘ū la-‘innā/
Equivalent: Like attracts like/ People tend to seek out or be attracted to those who are similar or likeminded. Example:
أم ﻧﻈﻤﻲ :ﺳﻤﻌﺖ إﻧّﮫ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ ﺑﺪّه ﯾﺨﻄﺐ ﺑﻨﺘﻚ ﻋﻔﺎف! أم ﻋﻔﺎف :ﻣﯿﻦ؟ ﺟﺎﺑﺮ؟ ﻣﮭﻮ ھﺎﻟﺸﺐ ﻣﺶ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺴﺘﻮاﻧﺎ وأﻧﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﻄﯿﮫ ﺑﻨﺘﻲ! ﯾﻠﻠﻲ ﻣﺜﻠﻨﺎ ﺗﻌﻮ ﻟﻌﻨﺎ! ﻣﺶ ﻣﻤﻜﻦ أواﻓﻖ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ
References
Abu-Abbas, Khaled H. (2003). “Topics in the Phonology of Jordanian Arabic: An Optimality Theory Perspective.” Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS. Al-Ani, S. (1970). Arabic Phonology. The Hague: Mouton. Al-Wer, Enam. (1997). “Arabic between Reality and
Bin-Muqbil, M.S. (2006). “Phonetic and Phonological Aspects of Arabic Emphatics and Gutturals.” Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Wisconsin, Madison. Catford, J.C. (1977). Fundamental Problems in Phonetics. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. Crystal, David. (1997). A Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics. Oxford: Blackwell.
Ideology.” In International Journal of Applied
Powell, J.V. (1985). “An Occurrence of Metathesis in
Linguistics. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Chimakuan.” In V. Acson and R. Leed (eds.), For
Badawi, El-Said, Carter, M.G., and Gully, Adrian. (2004). Modern Written Arabic: A Comprehensive Grammar. London and New York: Routledge. Banjar, Shadia. (2003). “A Synchronic Study of Metathesis in Eastern Arabic with Reference to
Gordon H. Fairbanks. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 106. Spencer, Andrew. (1996). Phonology: Theory and Description. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Ltd. Suleiman, S. (1985). Jordanian Arabic between
Makkan and Cairene Dialects.” Assiut University,
Diglossia and Bilingualism: Linguistic Analysis.
Bulletin of the Faculty of Arts, 14, April.
Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Online dictionaries consulted for the English equivalents
www.collinsdictionary.com/us/ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/ https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/ www.merriam-webster.com/ www.dictionary.com/ www.thefreedictionary.com/ www.thesaurus.com/ www.urbandictionary.com/