13 Saudi slang terms you should know before visiting the kingdom

When someone is talking nonsense, you tell them 'la yekthar,' which translates to, 'enough with your nonsense.'

Saudis use the term 'Allah y7ayyeek' to basically extend an invitation to another person to join pretty much anything - but most of the time it's to invite them over for food.'

Yum! 

'Wesh el 3uloom?' = 'what's new with you?'

'Safi w wafi' just basically means 'all's clear' or 'all's well.'

People generally ask favors... 

So, if you ask someone to fetch you a glass of cold water knowing that it might be of inconvenience, and they reply with, '3ala hal khashem,' what they're really saying is, 'no problem, don't worry about it.' 

When met with 'hala w ghala' as you walk into someone's home, know that they like you. 

'Hala' simply means 'hello,' while 'ghala' translates to, 'dear one.' 

Sitting around doing nothing, you hear this dude next to you suddenly groan and say: 'yakhi tafshan.' Don't be alarmed, what he really means is, 'Bro! I'm booooored!!!'  

'Fallah' typically translates to 'awesome.' 

For example: "Yakhi, wallah el 7afla ams kanat fallah, ya reit enta ro7t ma3ana!"

Translation: "Bro, I swear the party yesterday was awesome, I wish you had come with us!"

When you're driving with somebody and they're giving you directions and say 'fog w ta7t' that is Saudi for U-turn. The term literally translates to 'up and down,' which describes the hand motion that indicates a U-turn. 

The word 'seeda' can be used in two different contexts:

1. When giving directions 'seeda' means 'straight ahead.'

2. When speaking of someone's actions, for example, "Ana a7eb lamma el wahed ykoun mashi seeda ma3aya," that means, "I like people who are very straightforward with me."

'Gadeh' is used to describe someone who excels at what they do, someone who is smart and knows their way around.

When you're trying to avoid somebody and they 'hajarak' it means they've 'cornered you' into, for example, making plans with them or saying the truth.

'Ezben!' is the action of physically hiding something, whether it's money, chocolates, or yourself.

'HIDE!'