Common Levantine Expressions You Should Know

Intriguing Expressions in Levantine Arabic

Levantine Arabic is rich with idiomatic expressions that convey emotions, situations, and cultural nuances. Understanding these can enhance your fluency and appreciation of the language.

شو بباله؟

Transliteration: shou bi baalo?
Literal Meaning: "What is in his mind?"
Actual Meaning: "What is he thinking?" or "What's on his mind?"

Usage: Used to inquire about someone's thoughts or intentions, especially when their behavior is puzzling.

Example:
"شو بباله هالشخص؟" - "What's this person thinking?"

سكّر على حاله

Transliteration: sakkar 3ala 7aalo
Literal Meaning: "He closed on himself."
Actual Meaning: "He shut himself off" or "He became withdrawn."

Usage: Describes someone who is isolating themselves or not opening up emotionally.

Example:
"من وقت الالجناز، سكّر على حاله" - "Since the funeral, he has shut himself off."

إيده طويلة

Transliteration: ʾIdo ṭawiile
Literal Meaning: "His hand is long."
Actual Meaning: "He is a thief."

Usage: A colloquial way to describe someone who steals or takes things that aren't theirs.

Example:
"انتبه منه، إيده طويلة" - "Be careful of him; he's a thief.

حط إيدك بإيدي

Transliteration: 7ot ʾidak biʾidi
Literal Meaning: "Put your hand in my hand."
Actual Meaning: "Let's work together" or "We're in this together."

Usage: An expression of solidarity, cooperation, or mutual support.

Example:
"حط إيدك بإيدي، ومنخلص الشغل سوا" - "Let's work together, and we'll finish the work together."

وقفتلي شعر راسي

Transliteration: wa2fatli sh3ar rasi
Literal Meaning: "It made my head hair stand."
Actual Meaning: "It was terrifying" or "It gave you goosebumps."

Usage: Describes something extremely scary or shocking.

Example:
"الفيلم كان مخيف، وقفتلي شعر راسي" - "The movie was terrifying; it gave me goosebumps."

بلا طعمة

Transliteration: balā ṭaʿmeh
Literal Meaning: "Without taste."
Actual Meaning: "Nonsense" or "Pointless."

Usage: Refers to something lacking value, sense, or purpose.

Example:
"هالحكي بلا طعمة." - "This talk is nonsense."