We Lebanese just love to add a little flavor to our conversations. There are a bunch of phrases we use that have absolutely no English equivalent and would be quite weird if they did. Using them is more of a habit, not a matter of mere genuineness. I dare you to find an English equivalent to these 11 phrases:
1. Sa7tein
Enjoyed your meal? Well, good?
Wishing people a wonderful meal because we are such genuine people.
2. Na3iman
Congratulations on your shower?
You get out of the shower, you get your nails done, you get your hair done, eyebrows, you cut your hair ... You just have to be congratulated somehow. Admit it, you kind of wait for it, don't you?
3. Nawaret, Nawaret
You've brought some light to the room?
Since we have human light bulbs floating around, guess we don't need electricity?
4. Ya3teek l 3afye
May he give you wellness?
Just got to spread the love to others, all the time.
5. To2obrene
I love you so much, I want you to bury me.
Is "I love you" not enough?
6. Allah ma3ik
May God be with you
So dramatic.
7. Ye5zee l 3ein
God keep the evil eye away
Evil eye, come out, come out, wherever you are.
8. 3ala Rase
On my head?
Someone asks for a favor and you just offer to do it "on your head" if that's what it takes.
9. Bitwafir/Bitwafri
You just saved me a whole bunch of $$
When you try to make yourself feel better after someone rejected your amazing offer that you spent endless hours convincing them of.
10. Damo t2eel
His blood is too dense?
That one person you just can't stand because his blood is too heavy for you. Come on, who came to your mind now?
11. 3a2belik
Hope it happens for you?
How many times did you hear this at your last family gathering?