تعا لهون
taʿa la-hōnto a man
To tell a man "come here" in Lebanese Arabic, say تعا لهون (taʿa la-hōn). A woman is told تعي لهون (taʿi la-hōn) and a group تعو لهون (taʿo la-hōn).
Meaning: a call to come over (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| تعا لهون | taʿa la-hōn | to a man |
| تعي لهون | taʿi la-hōn | to a woman |
| تعو لهون | taʿo la-hōn | to a group |
Which one should you use?
Standard Arabic uses تعال (taʿāl) for "come". The Lebanese تعا (taʿa) is the shorter spoken form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The command changes with the person you speak to. هون (hōn) means "here", and شوي (shwayy) after it softens the request to "for a moment".
Did you know?
- The command تعا (taʿa) is used across the Levant, but its feminine form تعي (taʿi) is easy to miss for learners.
Examples in context
- تعا لهون شويtaʿa la-hōn shwayyCome here for a moment.
- تعي شوفيtaʿi shūfiCome and see (to a woman).
- تعو لهون يا ولادtaʿo la-hōn ya wlādCome here, kids.
Example conversation
Rola calls her kids Tarek and Maya to the table.
- Rolaطارق، تعا لهونṬāreq, taʿa la-hōnTarek, come here.
- Tarekشو في ماما؟shu fī mama?What is it, mom?
- Rolaميا، تعي إنتي كمانMayya, taʿi inti kamānMaya, you come too.
