وجع
waja3everyday
The everyday Lebanese word for pain is وجع (waja3). It is also called ألم (alam).
Meaning: physical hurt or ache (noun)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| وجع | waja3 | everyday |
| ألم | alam | formal |
Say عندي وجع (3indi waja3), "I have pain", or name the part of the body: وجع راس (waja3 ras), "a headache", and وجع بطن (waja3 batn), "a stomachache".
Which one should you use?
ألم (alam) is the standard Arabic word and sounds formal. Doctors and the news use it, while in daily speech you say وجع (waja3).
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb "to hurt" is بيوجع (biwajje3), as in راسي عم يوجعني (rasi 3am biwajje3ni), "my head hurts".
Did you know?
- The phrase يعطيك العافية (ya3tik el-3afye) literally wishes someone good health and is a common way to thank people in Lebanon.
Examples in context
- عندي وجع راس.3indi waja3 ras.I have a headache.
- رجلي عم توجعني.rijli 3am towajje3ni.My leg hurts.
Example conversation
Joumana tells the pharmacist Mr. Amin about her headache.
- Joumanaعندي وجع راس من الصبح.3indi waja3 ras mn es-sobeh.I have had a headache since morning.
- Aminخدي هالحبة.khdi hal-habbe.Take this pill.
- Joumanaيعطيك العافية.ya3tik el-3afye.Thank you.
