ليش
lēsheveryday
In Lebanese Arabic "why" is ليش (lēsh). Standard Arabic uses لماذا (limādhā), but ليش is the word you hear every day.
Ask ليش زعلان؟ (lēsh zaʿlān?) to a man and ليش زعلانة؟ (lēsh zaʿlāne?) to a woman for "why are you upset?" The answer often starts with لأنو (laʔanno), "because".
Meaning: a question word for asking about a reason (adverb)
How do you pronounce it?
It sounds like "laysh" with a long vowel.
Did you know?
- The Levantine ليش (lēsh) is explained as a shortening of an older phrase meaning "for what thing".
Examples in context
- ليش تأخّرتي؟lēsh ta'akhkharti?Why are you late?
- ليش لأ؟lēsh laʔ?Why not?
Example conversation
Maya notices her brother Hadi looks sad at breakfast.
- Mayaليش زعلان؟lēsh zaʿlān?Why are you upset?
- Hadiلأنو خسرنا المباراة.laʔanno khsirna el-mubārāt.Because we lost the match.
- Mayaولا يهمّك، بتربحو الجاي.wala yhimmak, btirbaḥo el-jēy.Never mind, you will win the next one.
