ريحة
rīḥaeveryday
In Lebanese Arabic the noun "smell" is ريحة (rīḥa). The verb "to smell something" is شمّ (shamm).
Meaning: the odor of something (noun)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ريحة | rīḥa | everyday |
| شمّ | shamm | verb, everyday |
ريحة can be pleasant or bad, so people add an adjective: ريحة حلوة (rīḥa ḥelwe) is a nice smell.
Which one should you use?
Standard Arabic uses رائحة (rāʔiḥa). In Lebanese speech ريحة is the normal everyday word.
Did you know?
- The Lebanese word ريحة (rīḥa) shares its root with ريح (rīḥ), which means "wind", because a smell travels on the air.
Examples in context
- ريحة القهوة حلوة.rīḥet el-ahwe ḥelwe.The smell of the coffee is nice.
- شمّ هالوردة.shamm hal-warde.Smell this flower.
- في ريحة غريبة بالبيت.fī rīḥa gharībe bil-bēt.There is a strange smell in the house.
Example conversation
Maya walks into her grandmother Teta Salma's kitchen in the afternoon.
- Mayaيا تيتا، شو هالريحة الحلوة؟yā tēta, shū hal-rīḥa el-ḥelwe?Grandma, what is this lovely smell?
- Teta Salmaعم إعمل كعك.ʿam iʿmel kaʿk.I am making ka'ak bread.
- Mayaريحتو بتجنّن.rīḥto btjannen.It smells amazing.
