معلم
muʿallemrespectful, everyday
In Lebanese Arabic you can call a boss معلم (muʿallem), a respectful word for a head or an expert. The formal word for a manager is مدير (mudīr).
Meaning: a boss or manager (noun)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| معلم | muʿallem | respectful, everyday |
| مدير | mudīr | formal, manager |
To talk about your own boss, say مديري (mudīri), "my manager". معلم (muʿallem) is also used to address a skilled tradesman politely.
How does it change in a sentence?
For a woman the form is مديرة (mudīre), "manager".
Did you know?
- The word معلم (muʿallem) comes from the root for teaching, so it can also mean "teacher" or "skilled craftsman".
Examples in context
- مديري بالمكتبmudīri bil-maktabMy boss is at the office.
- أهلين معلمahlēn muʿallemHello boss.
- مديرنا كتير منيحmudīrna ktīr munīḥOur boss is very nice.
Example conversation
Bassam asks his colleague Carla about their manager.
- Bassamوين مديرنا اليوم؟wēn mudīrna el-yōm?Where is our manager today?
- Carlaعنده اجتماعʿindo ijtimāʿHe has a meeting.
- Bassamتمام، بحكيه بعدينtamām, baḥkī baʿdēnOkay, I will talk to him later.
