Lebanese is a beautiful and diverse language spoken in Lebanon, a country located in the Middle East. If you’re planning to visit Lebanon or engage with Lebanese people, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the local customs, including how to say goodbye. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways of bidding farewell in Lebanese, providing you with tips, examples, and even regional variations in some cases.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Goodbye
Formal situations require a polite and respectful tone. Here are a few phrases commonly used to bid farewell in formal contexts:
- Maa as-salaamah: This phrase translates to “Goodbye” in English. It is a formal way to say farewell in Lebanese. The word “maa” means “with” and “as-salaamah” means “safety” or “peace,” so this phrase can be interpreted as “Go with peace” or “Go safely.”
- Ila liqaa’ / Ila al-liqaa’ / Ila al-mulaaqah: These variations of the phrase mean “Until we meet again” and are commonly used to say goodbye in formal settings. It reflects the hope of meeting the person again in the future.
- Allah yusallimak / Allah yusallimik: This phrase can be used to bid farewell to someone, especially if you want to wish them blessings and safety. It translates to “May Allah bless and protect you.”
Informal Ways to Say Goodbye
Informal situations, such as when bidding farewell to close friends or family members, allow for a more relaxed and casual tone. Here are some commonly used informal phrases for saying goodbye in Lebanese:
- In informal settings, using the English word “bye” is quite common among Lebanese people. It is a quick and easy way to say goodbye in everyday conversations.
- Ra7 tekoon / Ra7 ta3mé: These phrases are the Lebanese equivalents of “Take care.” They are used to show concern for the person’s well-being even after parting ways.
- Ra7 éjik / Ra7 ejak: This phrase can be translated to “See you later.” It indicates the intention of meeting the person again in the near future.
Regional Variations
Lebanon is a country with diverse dialects, each having its own unique nuances. While the phrases mentioned above are widely understood and accepted across the country, there might be some regional variations when it comes to saying goodbye. Here are a couple of examples:
In the northern regions of Lebanon, you might come across the phrase “Bésallemé”, which means “I leave you in God’s care.” It is used to bid farewell and wish someone a safe journey.
Putting It All Together: Tips and Examples
Now that you are familiar with the formal and informal ways of saying goodbye in Lebanese, here are some additional tips and examples to help you master the art of bidding farewell:
Tips for Saying Goodbye:
- A smile and maintaining eye contact while saying goodbye show sincerity and respect.
- Take cultural cues from the person you are interacting with. If they use a specific phrase, try to adopt it as well.
- When in doubt, it’s always safe to use the more formal phrases mentioned earlier.
Examples:
Example 1:
Formal: Visitor: Ma’a as-salaamah, thank you for your kind hospitality.
Host: Ila liqaa’. It was a pleasure having you here.
Example 2:
Informal: Friend 1: Bye! See you soon.
Friend 2: Ra7 ejak! Take care.
