مي
mayyeveryday
In Lebanese Arabic "water" is مي (mayy). The standard Arabic word ماء (māʔ) is used in writing and formal speech.
Meaning: the clear liquid people drink (noun)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مي | mayy | everyday |
| ماء | māʔ | formal |
To ask for a drink say بدّي شربة مي (biddi shrabet mayy), "I want a drink of water". Cold water is مي باردة (mayy bārde).
Which one should you use?
In Lebanese the hamza of ماء disappears and the vowel changes, giving the short everyday form مي.
Did you know?
- The word عطشان (ʿaṭshān), "thirsty", is the natural pair of مي (mayy) when you ask for a drink.
Examples in context
- بدّي شربة مي.biddi shrabet mayy.I want a drink of water.
- إعطيني مي باردة.iʿṭīni mayy bārde.Give me cold water.
- ما في مي بالبيت.mā fī mayy bil-bēt.There is no water in the house.
Example conversation
Samir walks into a small shop on a hot day.
- Samirمرحبا. عندك مي باردة؟marḥaba. ʿindak mayy bārde?Hello. Do you have cold water?
- Shopkeeperأكيد. صغيرة أو كبيرة؟akīd. ṣaghīre aw kbīre?Sure. Small or large?
- Samirكبيرة، عطشان كتير.kbīre, ʿaṭshān ktīr.Large, I am very thirsty.
