أكل
akalpast, everyday
The Lebanese verb for "to eat" is أكل (akal), "he ate". "I eat" is باكل (bākol), and "eat!" to one person is كُل (kol).
Meaning: to put food in your mouth and swallow it (verb)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| أكل | akal | past, everyday |
| باكل | bākol | I eat, everyday |
| كُل | kol | imperative |
A common invitation is تعا ناكل (taʿa nākol), "come, let us eat". The noun أكل (akl) also means "food".
How does it change in a sentence?
The command changes for the listener: كُل for one man, كُلي (koli) for one woman and كُلو (kolo) for a group.
Did you know?
- Before a meal Lebanese hosts say صحتين (saḥtēn), literally "two healths", the local way to say "enjoy your meal".
Examples in context
- بدّي آكل شي.biddi ʔākol shi.I want to eat something.
- تعا ناكل سوا.taʿa nākol sawa.Come, let us eat together.
- أكلنا بالمطعم مبارح.akalna bil-maṭʿam mbāreḥ.We ate at the restaurant yesterday.
Example conversation
Hadi calls his sister Rita at lunchtime.
- Hadiريتا، تعي ناكل؟rīta, taʿi nākol?Rita, will you come and eat?
- Ritaبعدني ما جوعت.baʿdni mā jūʿet.I am not hungry yet.
- Hadiكُلي شوي، الأكل طيب.koli shwayy, el-akl ṭayyeb.Eat a little, the food is good.
