صاحبي
sahbieveryday, male friend
In Lebanese Arabic you say صاحبي (sahbi) for "my friend" about a man and صاحبتي (sahbte) about a woman. It is also called حبيبي (habibi).
Meaning: a person you are friends with (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| صاحبي | sahbi | everyday, male friend |
| صاحبتي | sahbte | everyday, female friend |
| حبيبي | habibi | casual, as an address |
صاحبي (sahbi) talks about a friend, as in صاحبي بيشتغل بدبي (sahbi bishteghel bi-dubai). When you speak directly to a friend, Lebanese speakers often say حبيبي (habibi), literally "my dear".
Which one should you use?
The word صاحب (sahib) alone can also mean "owner", but with the ending ـي (i) in this phrase it is understood as "my friend".
Did you know?
- Lebanese speakers say حبيبي (habibi) even to people they have just met, and it does not always mean romantic love.
Examples in context
- هيدا صاحبي كريم.hayda sahbi Karim.This is my friend Karim.
- صاحبتي بتسكن بجونية.sahbte betesken bi-jounieh.My friend lives in Jounieh.
Example conversation
Nour introduces her friend Maya to her cousin at a family lunch.
- Nourهيدي صاحبتي مايا.haydi sahbte Maya.This is my friend Maya.
- Cousinأهلين مايا.ahlein Maya.Welcome, Maya.
- Mayaتشرفنا.tsharrafna.Nice to meet you.
