عن جد؟
3an jadd?everyday
To say "really?" in Lebanese Arabic you ask عن جد؟ (3an jadd?), literally "seriously?" It is also called فعلا؟ (fi3lan?) and صحيح؟ (sahih?).
Meaning: expressing surprise or checking if something is true (adverb)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| عن جد؟ | 3an jadd? | everyday |
| فعلا؟ | fi3lan? | standard |
| صحيح؟ | sahih? | everyday |
عن جد؟ (3an jadd?) is used when someone tells you surprising news. صحيح؟ (sahih?) means "is that right?" and فعلا؟ (fi3lan?) is a bit more formal.
Which one should you use?
Used as a booster, "really" is كتير (ktir), as in كتير حلو (ktir helo), "really nice".
Did you know?
- Lebanese speakers often answer a surprising statement with والله؟ (wallah?), which also works like "really?"
Examples in context
- عن جد؟ ما صدقت.3an jadd? ma saddaqet.Really? I didn't believe it.
- كتير حلو!ktir helo!Really nice!
Example conversation
Hiba tells her friend Reem that she is moving to Paris.
- Hibaرح سافر عباريس الشهر الجاي.rah safer 3a-baris esh-shahr el-jeye.I will travel to Paris next month.
- Reemعن جد؟3an jadd?Really?
- Hibaإي والله.ee wallah.Yes, I swear.
