6 of the best Lebanese expressions

Growing up in the Lebanon you get accustomed to saying words that you don't even know what they mean. Here are 6 Lebanese sentences that you hear everywhere you go, but might not really think about.

Literal translation: "We hope you're next"

"3a2belkon" is usually used when people get married or have children or even get a degree. It is a way to say "We hope you get married soon" or "We hope you get children soon" ...

Everywhere you go, you hear this word, people will be throwing "3a2belkons" to people they don't even know.

Literal translation: "Better time next time"

People from the Middle East are very positive people in general. Whatever happens they believe that somehow everything happens for a reason and whatever is ahead is always positive. When something doesn't work out for a Middle Eastern person, their reaction is always "Khayra b Ghayra."

Literal translation: "The camel got crippled through his lips"

When someone is in slight pain but dramatizing their situation, the Lebanese say "3araj l jamal men shefto" to indicate that there's no need for this huge commotion.

Literal translation: "If it was going to rain the clouds would have appeared already"

Not only are Middle Easterners positive, they are also realistic. Whenever there's a subject of reform or political improvement you would hear them say "law badda tchatte kenit ghayammit" meaning nothing will change.

Literal translation: "It didn't stop on us"

The Lebanese can justify anything. And when they can't,  they just say "Chu we2fit 3layna" meaning we're not the only ones.

Literal translation: "Did you invent guns"

No matter who you are and what you did Lebanese people are not impressed. Their reaction to people bragging is always "Chu Khtara3et l Baroud" meaning you think you're a big shot? I'm not impressed.

No matter where you go in the Middle East, you are bound to hear at least one of these sentences, at least 100 times.