هاي، اسمي كريم
hāy, ismi Karīmcasual, introduction
To introduce yourself in Lebanese, say هاي، اسمي كريم (hāy, ismi Karīm) and replace the name with yours. You can also say أنا اسمي ليلى (ana ismi Layla). It is also called شو اسمك؟ (shū ismak?).
Meaning: self-introduction (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| هاي، اسمي كريم | hāy, ismi Karīm | casual, introduction |
| أنا اسمي ليلى | ana ismi Layla | everyday |
| شو اسمك؟ | shū ismak? | question, to a man |
اسمي (ismi) means "my name". Adding أنا (ana), "I", is natural in speech and does not change the meaning.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Lebanese speakers often follow the name with تشرفنا (tsharrafna), "pleased to meet you", which is the usual reply.
How does it change in a sentence?
To ask the other person, say شو اسمك؟ (shū ismak?) to a man and شو اسمِك؟ (shū ismik?) to a woman.
Did you know?
- تشرفنا (tsharrafna) literally means "we were honored", and Lebanese people say it as soon as they meet someone.
Examples in context
- أنا اسمي نادينana ismi NādīnMy name is Nadine.
- تشرفناtsharrafnaPleased to meet you.
Example conversation
Rami introduces himself to Nadine at a language class in Beirut.
- Ramiهاي، اسمي راميhāy, ismi RāmiHi, my name is Rami.
- Nadineتشرفنا، أنا اسمي نادينtsharrafna, ana ismi NādīnPleased to meet you, my name is Nadine.
- Ramiتشرفنا، شو بتشتغلي؟tsharrafna, shū btishtighli?Pleased to meet you, what do you do?
