Culture & Etiquette

1. عود

   ʿŪd

   Oud (Arab lute)

   Usage

   A pear-shaped Arab lute often called the king of instruments. Shops selling it are common in old towns. The word عود also means a stick or wood.

   Grammar Note

   A culture-related noun, for conversation with locals and for museum or shop captions.

2. قانون

   ʾānūn

   Qanun (zither-like instrument)

   Usage

   A trapezoid instrument with many strings, plucked with finger picks. The same word قانون also means law.

   Grammar Note

   A culture-related noun, for conversation with locals and for museum or shop captions.

3. مجوز

   Mijwiz

   Mijwiz (double reed pipe)

   Usage

   A double reed pipe blown with circular breathing, often played to accompany the dabke dance.

   Grammar Note

   A culture-related noun, for conversation with locals and for museum or shop captions.

4. أرغول

   Arghūl

   Arghul (double-pipe with a long drone)

   Usage

   A double reed pipe where one long tube plays the drone. Used in rural and desert folk music.

   Grammar Note

   A culture-related noun, for conversation with locals and for museum or shop captions.

5. دبكة

   Dabke

   Dabke (line folk dance)

   Usage

   A line dance with stamping steps, performed at weddings and festivals in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and beyond. Feel free to join if invited.

   Grammar Note

   A culture-related noun, for conversation with locals and for museum or shop captions.

6. طرب

   Ṭarab

   Tarab (musical ecstasy, classical Arab music)

   Usage

   The deep emotion and enchantment that a song or performance can bring, and the classical Arab music style that aims for it.

   Grammar Note

   A culture-related noun, for conversation with locals and for museum or shop captions.

7. زجل

   Zajal

   Zajal (spoken-dialect poetry duel)

   Usage

   A traditional art in Lebanon and nearby in which poets improvise verse in the spoken dialect, often trading lines at festivals and gatherings.

   Grammar Note

   A culture-related noun, for conversation with locals and for museum or shop captions.

8. خيال الظل

   Khayāl eẓ-ẓill

   Shadow puppet theatre

   Usage

   A traditional puppet theatre in which figures are shown as shadows on a screen.

   Grammar Note

   Two words: phantom plus shadow.

9. صابون حلبي

   Ṣābūn ḥalabi

   Aleppo soap

   Usage

   A traditional soap made from olive oil and laurel oil, a standard souvenir. The higher the laurel oil share, the more expensive.

   Grammar Note

   Two words: soap plus the adjective "of Aleppo".

10. فسيفساء

    Fusayfsā

    Mosaic

    Usage

    A picture made of small pieces of stone. Ancient examples can be seen in churches in Madaba, Jordan.

    Grammar Note

    A culture-related noun, for conversation with locals and for museum or shop captions.

11. خط عربي

    Khaṭṭ ʿarabi

    Arabic calligraphy

    Usage

    The art of writing letters beautifully, seen on signs, wall decorations and souvenir frames.

    Grammar Note

    Two words: script plus the adjective "Arabic".

12. فيروز

    Fayrūz

    Fairuz (Lebanese singer)

    Usage

    A leading Lebanese singer whose songs many people listen to in the morning. A good topic if you hear her in a taxi or cafe. The word also means turquoise.

    Grammar Note

    A culture-related noun, for conversation with locals and for museum or shop captions.

13. تطريز

    Taṭrīz

    Embroidery (tatreez)

    Usage

    Traditional cross-stitch embroidery in red or black thread on dresses and cushions. Palestinian work is especially famous, and it is sold in shops in Jordan and elsewhere.

    Grammar Note

    A culture-related noun, for conversation with locals and for museum or shop captions.

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