حلو
ḥeloeveryday, to a man
To say a man is handsome in Lebanese, use حلو (ḥelo), which also means "sweet" and "nice". Add كتير for كتير حلو (ktīr ḥelo), "very handsome". قمر (ʾamar) is a more playful compliment.
Meaning: good-looking, of a man (adjective)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| حلو | ḥelo | everyday, to a man |
| كتير حلو | ktīr ḥelo | stronger |
| قمر | ʾamar | slang, either gender |
حلو is mild and friendly, and Lebanese speakers use it for things too, like food or a place.
Which one should you use?
Standard Arabic would use وسيم (wasīm), but in Lebanese conversation حلو is far more common.
How does it change in a sentence?
For a woman the word changes to حلوة (ḥelwe). The compliment قمر does not change.
Did you know?
- In Lebanese Arabic حلو (ḥelo) can describe people, food and weather alike, which is why يسلمو (yislamu), "bless your hands", is often the reply to a compliment.
Examples in context
- أخوك كتير حلوʾakhūk ktīr ḥeloYour brother is very handsome.
- شو حلو هالصبي!shū ḥelo haṣ-ṣabi!How handsome this boy is!
- إنت قمر اليومinte ʾamar el-yōmYou look gorgeous today.
Example conversation
Two friends, Jad and Fadi, are getting ready for a wedding in Jounieh.
- Jadشو رأيك بالبدلة؟shū raʾyak bil-badle?What do you think of the suit?
- Fadiكتير حلو عليكktīr ḥelo ʿalēkIt looks great on you.
- Jadيسلمو، إنت قمر كمانyislamu, inte ʾamar kamānThanks, you look great too.
