صحتين
ṣaḥtēneveryday, Lebanon
To wish someone an enjoyable meal in Lebanese Arabic, say صحتين (ṣaḥtēn), literally "two healths". A fuller wish is بالهنا والشفا (bil-hana w esh-shifa).
Meaning: a wish for someone who is eating (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| صحتين | ṣaḥtēn | everyday, Lebanon |
| بالهنا والشفا | bil-hana w esh-shifa | warm |
صحتين (ṣaḥtēn) is short enough to say to a friend across the table. It is also said to someone who has just finished eating.
Which one should you use?
The host often says تفضل (tfaḍḍal), "please, go ahead", to a man and تفضلي (tfaḍḍali) to a woman, and the guest answers with thanks.
Did you know?
- The dual form in صحتين (ṣaḥtēn) is why people explain it as "two healths", one for the body and one for the soul.
Examples in context
- صحتينṣaḥtēnEnjoy your food.
- بالهنا والشفاbil-hana w esh-shifaEnjoy your food and be well.
- تفضل كلtfaḍḍal kolPlease, go ahead and eat.
Example conversation
Joe has dinner at his friend Hiba's home in Beirut.
- Hibaتفضل يا جو، صحتينtfaḍḍal ya Jo, ṣaḥtēnPlease Joe, enjoy your food.
- Joeيسلمو إيديكيyislamo idēkiBless your hands.
- Hibaالله يسلمكallāh yeslamakAnd you.
