دمشق
Dimashʾ
Damascus (capital of Syria)
Usage
Capital of Syria; its old city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. In everyday speech locals also say الشام (esh-Shām) for the city. Check your government's travel advice before planning a trip.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
سوق الحميدية
Sūʾ el-Ḥamīdiyye
Al-Hamidiyah Souq (Old Damascus)
Usage
The big covered market street of Old Damascus, running toward the Umayyad Mosque. Shops sell souvenirs, clothes and sweets.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
الجامع الأموي
El-Jāmiʿ el-Amawi
Umayyad Mosque (Damascus)
Usage
The great mosque of Damascus, built in the early 8th century. Dress modestly, women cover their hair, and take off your shoes. Avoid prayer times.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
حلب
Ḥalab
Aleppo (city in northern Syria)
Usage
An ancient trading city in northern Syria, with a UNESCO-listed old city, known for its soap and cooking. Check your government's travel advice first.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
قلعة حلب
ʾAlʿat Ḥalab
Citadel of Aleppo
Usage
A hilltop fortress in the middle of Aleppo's old city. قلعة means castle or fortress.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
تدمر
Tadmur
Palmyra (Tadmur), ancient oasis city
Usage
Roman-era ruins in a desert oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its Arabic name is Tadmur. Check current conditions in your government's travel advice.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
قلعة الحصن
ʾAlʿat el-Ḥoṣn
Krak des Chevaliers (Crusader castle)
Usage
A Crusader-era castle on a hill in western Syria near Homs, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its Arabic name means the fortress castle.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
بصرى
Buṣra
Bosra (Roman theatre ruins)
Usage
A town in southern Syria with Roman-era ruins and a well-preserved theatre. UNESCO World Heritage site.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
حماة
Ḥama
Hama (town known for its water wheels)
Usage
A town on the Orontes river in central Syria, known for its huge wooden water wheels.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
اللاذقية
El-Lādiʾiyye
Latakia (Syrian port city)
Usage
A Syrian port city on the Mediterranean coast. ال is the definite article.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
طرطوس
Ṭarṭūs
Tartus (Syrian coastal city)
Usage
A Syrian Mediterranean port city. Its old town keeps remains from the Crusader period.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
بيروت
Bayrūt
Beirut (capital of Lebanon)
Usage
Capital of Lebanon, a Mediterranean port city. A walk along the seafront corniche is popular. Check your government's travel advice before going.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
جبيل
Jbēl
Byblos (Jbeil)
Usage
An ancient seaside city in Lebanon and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Signs show both Byblos and Jbeil; locals say Jbeil.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
بعلبك
Baʿalbak
Baalbek (Roman temple complex)
Usage
Roman temples in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, also known as the venue of a summer international festival.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
طرابلس
Ṭrāblus
Tripoli (city in northern Lebanon)
Usage
A port city in northern Lebanon with a medieval old town and souks. Do not confuse it with Tripoli in Libya, which is spelled the same.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
صيدا
Ṣaydā
Saida (Sidon)
Usage
An old port town in southern Lebanon. Its Crusader sea castle is the main sight. Signs spell it Saida.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
صور
Ṣūr
Tyre (Sour)
Usage
An ancient Phoenician port in southern Lebanon, a UNESCO World Heritage site. صور also means pictures, so confirm with a map when asking directions.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
مغارة جعيتا
Maghārat Jaʿīta
Jeita Grotto (limestone caves in Lebanon)
Usage
Limestone caves north of Beirut. The upper cave is visited on foot and the lower one by boat.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
مزار سيدة لبنان
Mazār Sayyidet Lubnān
Our Lady of Lebanon shrine (Harissa)
Usage
A pilgrimage site with a white statue of Mary on the hill of Harissa north of Beirut. A cable car goes up.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
أرز الرب
Arz er-Rabb
Cedars of God (cedar forest)
Usage
A grove of old Lebanon cedars in the northern mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a national symbol of Lebanon.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
وادي قاديشا
Wādi ʾĀdīsha
Qadisha Valley (Holy Valley)
Usage
A deep valley in northern Lebanon with old monasteries in its cliffs. UNESCO World Heritage site, good for hiking.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
عنجر
ʿAnjar
Anjar (Umayyad ruins)
Usage
Ruins of an 8th-century Umayyad town in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
الروشة
Er-Rawshe
Raouche (Pigeon Rocks)
Usage
Two big sea rocks at the end of Beirut's seafront promenade. A popular sunset spot.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
قصر بيت الدين
ʾAṣr Bēt ed-Dīn
Beiteddine Palace
Usage
A 19th-century palace in Lebanon's Chouf mountains. A music festival is held there in summer.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
دير القمر
Dēr el-ʾAmar
Deir el Qamar (old hill town)
Usage
An old stone hill town close to Beiteddine Palace.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
زحلة
Zaḥle
Zahle (town in the Bekaa Valley)
Usage
A Bekaa Valley town with restaurants along its river, about an hour by car from Beirut.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
مطار بيروت رفيق الحريري الدولي
Maṭār Bayrūt Rafīʾ el-Ḥarīri ed-Duwali
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport
Usage
Lebanon's main airport. Telling a taxi مطار بيروت (Beirut Airport) is enough.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
عمّان
ʿAmmān
Amman (capital of Jordan)
Usage
Capital of Jordan, built over hills. The unmarked spelling عمان can mean Oman, so the doubled م (shadda) marks the city.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
جبل القلعة
Jabal el-ʾAlʿa
Amman Citadel (Jabal al-Qalaa)
Usage
A hilltop site in central Amman with the Temple of Hercules and an Umayyad palace. جبل means mountain or hill.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
البتراء
El-Batrā
Petra (rock-cut Nabataean city)
Usage
A rock-carved ancient city in southern Jordan and a UNESCO World Heritage site. After the narrow canyon (the Siq) you reach the Treasury.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
وادي رم
Wādi Rum
Wadi Rum (red desert valley)
Usage
A red sandstone desert in southern Jordan, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors tour it by jeep or camel.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
العقبة
El-ʿAʾabe
Aqaba (Jordan's Red Sea port)
Usage
Jordan's only coastal city, a base for diving and snorkeling in the Red Sea.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
جرش
Jarash
Jerash (Roman city ruins)
Usage
Well-preserved Roman city ruins north of Amman, with a colonnaded street and theatres.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
البحر الميت
El-Baḥr el-Mayyit
Dead Sea
Usage
A very salty lake where you float easily. Keep the water out of your eyes.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
قلعة عجلون
ʾAlʿat ʿAjlūn
Ajloun Castle
Usage
An Ayyubid-era castle on a hill in northern Jordan, in a wooded area good for walks.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
مادبا
Mādabā
Madaba (mosaic town)
Usage
A Jordanian town famous for the 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land in St George's Church.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
جبل نيبو
Jabal Nībo
Mount Nebo
Usage
A hilltop in Jordan with views over the Dead Sea and the valley, traditionally the place where Moses saw the promised land.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
الكرك
El-Karak
Karak (town with a Crusader castle)
Usage
A hill town in central Jordan with a large Crusader-era castle. Signs show both Karak and Kerak.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
مطار الملكة علياء الدولي
Maṭār el-Malake ʿUlyā ed-Duwali
Queen Alia International Airport (Amman)
Usage
Amman's main airport, about 40 minutes south of the city by car.
Grammar Note
A place name (proper noun). The Latin line is a transliteration of the local pronunciation (signs and maps use other spellings).
More Levantine Arabic phrases
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