بسة
bisseeveryday, Lebanon
A cat is a بسة (bisse) in Lebanese Arabic. قطة (ʼetta) is the other common word, and both are feminine.
Meaning: a cat (noun)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| بسة | bisse | everyday, Lebanon |
| قطة | ʼetta | also common |
Lebanese children and adults alike say بسة (bisse) at home.
How do you pronounce it?
The standard spelling of قطة starts with ق, which in Beirut speech turns into a glottal stop, giving "ʼetta".
Did you know?
- The ending of بسة (bisse) is the usual Lebanese pronunciation of the feminine ending ة, which sounds like a short e.
Examples in context
- عندي بسة صغيرةʿindi bisse zghīreI have a small cat.
- البسة نايمةel-bisse nāymeThe cat is sleeping.
- شو اسم البسة؟shu esm el-bisse?What is the cat called?
Example conversation
Joelle and her neighbor Karam see a cat on their staircase in Beirut.
- Joelleشوف هالبسة الحلوةshūf hal-bisse l-helweLook at this pretty cat.
- Karamهيدي بسة الجيرانhaydi bisset el-jīrānThat is the neighbors' cat.
- Joelleشو اسمها؟shu esma?What is her name?
- Karamما بعرفma baʿrifI do not know.
