Robyn Lesley

In Lebanese Arabic “tomorrow” is بكرا (bukra). Standard Arabic says غداً (ghadan), but in speech بكرا is what you hear.

The common way to say “get well soon” in Lebanese Arabic is ألف سلامة (alf salāme), “a thousand wellness”.

At the New Year, Lebanese people say كل سنة وإنتو طيبين (kell sine w intu ṭayyibīn), “may you be well every year”.

The relaxed Lebanese version is هاي، كيفك؟ (hāy, kīfak?). To a woman say هاي، كيفِك؟ (hāy, kīfik?).

To greet a woman warmly, a Lebanese speaker can say مرحبا يا حلوة (marḥaba yā ḥelwe).

The everyday Lebanese birthday wish is كل سنة وإنت طيب (kell sine w inte ṭayyeb), “every year and you are well”.

In Lebanese Arabic a liar is كذاب (kezzeb) for a man and كذابة (kezzabe) for a woman.

The casual “hi” in Lebanon is هاي (hāy), borrowed from English. Locals also say هلا (halla) and, from French, سالوت (salūt).

In Lebanese Arabic “tree” is شجرة (shajara). Trees in general are شجر (shajar). You can say في شجرة كبيرة (fī shajara kbīre) for “there is a big tree”.

In Lebanese Arabic “tomato” is بندورة (bandūra). The same word works for one tomato and for tomatoes in general.