Religion & Temples

1. فيني فوت عالجامع؟

   Fīni fūt ʿal-jāmiʿ?

   Can I enter the mosque?

   Usage

   "Jāmiʿ" is the usual Levantine word for mosque. Ask at the entrance; shoes come off.

   Grammar Note

   "Fāt" means enter. "ʿa-" means to and is attached to the noun. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

2. إيمتى صلاة الفجر؟

   Īmta ṣalāt el-fajr?

   What time is the Fajr (dawn) prayer?

   Usage

   Prayer times shift daily, so check at the mosque.

   Grammar Note

   "Ṣalāt" + noun means prayer of ... Composed from dictionary-verified words.

3. لازم غطي راسي؟

   Lāzem ghaṭṭi rāsi?

   Do I need to cover my head?

   Usage

   Mostly asked by women before entering a place of worship. Carry a scarf.

   Grammar Note

   "Lāzem" + bare verb, with a question tone, asks if you must. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

4. رمضان كريم

   Ramaḍān karīm

   Blessed Ramadan

   Usage

   A greeting during Ramadan. The usual reply is "Allāh akram".

   Grammar Note

   A fixed greeting; literally "generous Ramadan". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

5. عيد مبارك

   ʿĪd mubārak

   Blessed Eid

   Usage

   A fixed greeting for the Eids.

   Grammar Note

   A fixed greeting: "ʿīd" + "mubārak". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

6. وين أقرب جامع؟

   Wēn aʾrab jāmiʿ?

   Where is the nearest mosque?

   Usage

   Handy when prayer time is near.

   Grammar Note

   "Aʾrab" + noun means nearest ... Composed from dictionary-verified words.

7. هاد الأكل حلال؟

   Hāda el-akel ḥalāl?

   Is this food halal?

   Usage

   Checks whether food is permissible under Islamic law.

   Grammar Note

   The demonstrative "hāda" comes before the noun. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

8. أنا عم صوم برمضان

   Ana ʿam ṣōm b-Ramaḍān

   I am fasting during Ramadan

   Usage

   Explains why you decline food in the daytime. Same form for men and women.

   Grammar Note

   "ʿAm" + bare verb marks an action in progress. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

9. الله أكبر

   Allāh akbar

   God is the Greatest

   Usage

   A religious phrase used in the call to prayer. Said also in awe or thanks, but not lightly.

   Grammar Note

   "Akbar" is the comparative/superlative form.

10. شو ساعات دوام الكنيسة؟

    Shū sāʿāt dawām el-kanīse?

    What are the opening hours of the church?

    Usage

    Check before a visit. Stay quiet during services.

    Grammar Note

    "Sāʿāt dawām" means opening hours. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

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