Slang

1. يلا

   Yalla

   Come on / let's go

   Usage

   The everyday Levantine all-purpose cry: "let's go", "hurry up" or "bye". Fine with anyone, but smile when using it so it does not sound like you are rushing an elder.

   Grammar Note

   A one-word exclamation.

2. خلص

   Khalaṣ

   Enough / done

   Usage

   Means both "it is finished" and "that is enough": stopping a host from piling more food on your plate, or closing a topic. A hard tone sounds curt, so add a smile with staff. Some speakers also say "khalāṣ".

   Grammar Note

   The perfect form of the verb "to finish", used on its own for "it is done / that is enough".

3. ماشي

   Māshi

   OK / fine

   Usage

   A light "OK" in reply to a suggestion or request. Safe with anyone. The literal sense is "walking", i.e. "it can go ahead".

   Grammar Note

   The participle of "to walk" turned into an interjection meaning "OK".

4. تمام

   Tamām

   Perfect / all good

   Usage

   The standard word for "fine", "right" or "perfect". It also answers "how are you?". Safe with anyone.

   Grammar Note

   A noun meaning "completeness" that stands alone as "OK".

5. طيب

   Ṭayyeb

   Alright / so?

   Usage

   A conversational filler used to accept something ("alright") or to move on ("so then"). With rising intonation it asks "so?". The word also means "good / tasty".

   Grammar Note

   The adjective "good", also used as a discourse particle.

6. أكيد

   Akīd

   Of course / for sure

   Usage

   "Of course" or "for sure": a warm yes to a request or strong agreement. Safe with anyone.

   Grammar Note

   The adjective "certain" used on its own like an adverb.

7. عادي

   ʿĀdi

   It's normal / no big deal

   Usage

   "It is normal / I do not mind". A casual answer when someone apologises. Said about food it can mean "so-so".

   Grammar Note

   The adjective "ordinary" used on its own.

8. حبيبي

   Ḥabībi

   My dear (friendly address)

   Usage

   A warm form of address, used among men, within families and with shopkeepers, with no romantic meaning. To a woman say "ḥabībti". Do not use it with a stranger of the opposite sex.

   Grammar Note

   "ḥabīb" (beloved) plus the possessive suffix "-i" (my).

9. يا صاحبي

   Yā ṣāḥbi

   Hey, my friend

   Usage

   A casual address among male friends of similar age. Do not use it with elders you have just met or with women.

   Grammar Note

   Vocative "yā" + "friend" + "my".

10. شو الأخبار؟

    Shū el-akhbār?

    What's up?

    Usage

    Literally "what is the news?". A friendly "how are things?". Typical replies: "el-ḥamdu lilla" or "mnīḥ". Understood across the Levant.

    Grammar Note

    The question word "shū" + "the news".

11. حلو

    Ḥelu

    Nice / sweet

    Usage

    A very flexible adjective: "nice", "pretty" or "sweet", for things and for people. "ktīr ḥelu" means "really nice".

    Grammar Note

    An adjective (masculine). With a feminine noun it is "ḥelwe".

12. مبسوط

    Mabsūṭ

    Pleased / content

    Usage

    "Happy" or "pleased". A woman says "mabsūṭa" about herself.

    Grammar Note

    A passive-participle adjective that agrees with gender.

13. مية بالمية

    Mayye bil-mayye

    A hundred percent

    Usage

    A strong "one hundred percent", a common answer to "are you sure?". Fine with anyone.

    Grammar Note

    "Hundred" + "per hundred", meaning percent. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

14. على فكرة

    ʿAla fikra

    By the way

    Usage

    Opens a side remark or a newly remembered point. Fine with anyone.

    Grammar Note

    Literally "on an idea".

15. على مهلك

    ʿAla mahlak

    Easy does it / slow down

    Usage

    A stock phrase to someone rushing: "take your time", "easy". To a woman it is "ʿala mahlik".

    Grammar Note

    "ʿala" + "mahl" (leisure, slowness) + "your".

16. يا ريت

    Yā rēt

    If only / I wish

    Usage

    Expresses a wish. On its own it means "I hope so"; a clause can follow it. Fine with anyone.

    Grammar Note

    A wish particle that can take a verb clause.

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