150+ Essential Lebanese Arabic Phrases for Real Life

Sep 19 / Ali Matar
Lebanese Arabic isn’t just vocabulary, it’s rhythm, culture, and connection.

Here’s the most complete list online of 150+ Lebanese phrases, with Arabic script, transliteration, and English meaning.

💡 Pro tip: Don’t just read. Practice out loud, and notice tone. Lebanese is a musical dialect.
👉 Want more? Download the FREE Lebanese Arabic Starter Guide

Greetings & Everyday Hellos

The backbone of social life. Lebanese greetings are warm and personal.

Arabic Transliteration English
مرحبا Mar7aba Hello
أهلا وسهلا Ahlan wa sahlan Welcome
كيفك؟ Kifak? (m) / Kifik? (f) How are you?
منيح Mni7 (m) / Mni7a (f) Fine
تمام Tamaam Good / Okay
شو الأخبار؟ Sho l-akhbar? What’s the news?
صباح الخير Saba7 l-kheir Good morning
مساء الخير Masa l-kheir Good evening
تصبح على خير Tisba7 3a kheir Good night
وأنت من أهله W enta men ahlo Reply to good night

👉 Related: How to Say Thank You in Lebanese Arabic

Politeness & Everyday Courtesy

Hospitality is sacred in Lebanon. Use these often.

Arabic Transliteration English
شكراً Shukran Thank you
ميرسي كتير Merci kteer Thanks a lot (French influence)
تكرم Tekram (m) / Tekrami (f) You’re welcome
عفواً 3afwan Excuse me / You’re welcome
لو سمحت Law sama7t Excuse me / Please
إذا بتريد Iza bitreed Please (formal)
آسف Aasif Sorry
ما تعتل هم Ma t3tal ham Don’t worry
بعد إذنك Ba3d eznak With your permission

👉 Related: Arabic Pronunciation Guide

Getting Around (Taxis, Service, Directions)

Transport is survival Arabic. Lebanese “service” taxis are unique, always shared.
Arabic Transliteration English
لوين؟ Lwein? Where to?
على الحمرا 3al Hamra To Hamra
على المطار 3al matar To the airport
قديش الأجرة؟ Addeish l taxi? How much is the fare?
وقف هون Wa22if hon Stop here
دغري Deghre Straight ahead
عالشمال 3a shmel To the left
عاليمين 3a yameen To the right

👉 Related: Why Learning Lebanese Arabic is the Easiest

Food, Drinks & Restaurants

Food = Lebanon’s love language.
Arabic Transliteration English
بدي قهوة Baddi ahwe I want coffee
بدي شاي Baddi shai I want tea
بدي مي Baddi mayy I want water
الحساب لو سمحت L-7seb law sama7t The bill please
طيب كتير Tayyib kteer Very tasty
صحة Sa77a To your health (cheers)
صحتين! Sa7tein! Enjoy your meal
شو بتنصحني؟ Sho btensa7ni? What do you recommend?
في عندكن…؟ Fi 3endkon…? Do you have…?

👉 Related: Weather in Lebanese Arabic

Shopping & Bargaining

Lebanese love bargaining, it’s part of the fun.


Arabic Transliteration English
بكم هيدا؟ B2adde hayda? How much is this?
في تخفيض؟ Fi khasem? Is there a discount?
غالي Ghale Expensive
رخيص Rkhiis Cheap
آخد اتنين Bekhod tnen I’ll take two
بس عم بتفرج Bas 3am bitfarraj I’m just looking
عطيني أحسن سعر 3tini a7san se3r Give me the best price

At Home & Social Life

Lebanese families are warm and generous.

Arabic Transliteration English
تفضل Tfaddal (m) / Tfaddali (f) Please, go ahead
بيتك بيتنا Baytak baytna Your home is our home
الله يخليلك… Allah ykhallilak… May God keep your (family member) safe
مبروك Mabrouk! Congratulations
الله يرحمو Allah yer7amo God bless his soul
إن شاء الله Inshallah God willing


👉 Related: 10 Lebanese Proverbs

Love & Relationships

Lebanese are expressive, romance is poetic.

Arabic Transliteration English
بحبك Bhebbak (m) / Bhebbik (f) I love you
إنت حياتي Enta 7ayati You’re my life
شتقتلك
 Shta2tellak/ikI miss you

👉 Related: How to Say I Love You in Lebanese Arabic

Health & Emergencies

Arabic Transliteration English
ساعدني Se3idne Help me
وين المستشفى؟ Wen l-mistashfa? Where’s the hospital?
اتصل بالإسعاف IttiSil bil-is3aaf Call an ambulance
عندي وجع 3andi waja3 I have pain
عندي حساسية 3andi 7assasiye I have an allergy

Numbers, Time & Dates

Numbers are essential for shopping, taxis, and dates.

Arabic Transliteration English
صفر Sefer Zero
واحد Wa7ad One
اتنين Tnen Two
تلاتة Tlete Three
عشرة 3ashra Ten
عشرين 3shreen Twenty
مية Miye Hundred
ألف Alf Thousand

👉 Related: Arabic Grammar Simplified

Social Media, Slang & Fillers

Lebanese are online 24/7, and love fillers like “ya3ne.”

Arabic Transliteration English
يا عيني Ya 3ayne Wow / Oh dear
يلا Yalla Let’s go
شو هالحكي؟ Sho hal-7ake? What nonsense is this?
يعني Ya3ne I mean…
والله Wallah I swear
عنجد 3anjad Really?
خلص Khalas Enough / That’s it
ماشي Meshe Okay / Fine

Mini-Dialogues (Real Scenarios)

Ordering Food

  • A: بدي منقوشة زعتر لو سمحت — Baddi man2oushe za3tar law sama7t — I’d like a zaatar man’oushe, please

  • B: تكرم — Tekram — Sure

In a Taxi

  • A: على ساحة ساسين — Aala sa7et Sassin — To Sassin Square

  • B: تفضل — Tfaddal — Let’s go



FAQ

Q: How long does it take to learn these phrases?
With 15 minutes/day, you can master greetings, numbers, and politeness in 3–4 weeks.

Q: Is Lebanese Arabic very different from MSA?
Yes. Lebanese is spoken, flexible, and simpler. MSA is formal and rarely spoken in daily life.

Q: Can I just use “Shokran” for thank you?
Yes, but locals often say “Merci kteer”, using both sounds natural.

Q: What does “Ya3ne” mean?
It literally means “it means,” but it’s also a filler word like “you know.”


With these 150+ Lebanese Arabic phrases, you’re ready for real conversations, in taxis, cafés, homes, and with family.

👉 Next step? Download the FREE Lebanese Arabic Starter Guide, packed with more dialogues, cheat sheets, and cultural insights.
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